What is considered as a misuse/abuse of refund system?

[Plop]

I refunded a game this morning, Steam accepted my request but there is a warning:

"You’ve requested a significant number of refunds recently. Please keep in mind that refunds are not a method for trying out games. If we think the refund system is being misused we’ll decline to grant future refunds."

Admittedly, since Feb 2020, I have refunded 6 games and truly purchased 8 games (EDIT: to clarify, I kept 8 games and refunded 6 games). But before that (since Nov 2017), I never refunded any games (totally bought 25+ games).

So, what is considered as an abuse of the refund system? And please correct me if I am wrong, doesn't the 2 hours-2 weeks period limit in the refund system exist to give time to the buyer to try the game?

[Edifier]

It's not there to Demo a game.

That's as simple as one can put it.

[Crazy Tiger]

There is no hard line. Valve will never tell that, otherwise people will skirt that edge.

Escrito originalmente por Flovi:

And please correct me if I am wrong, doesn't the 2 hours-2 weeks period limit in the refund system exist to give time to the buyer to try the game?

No, the refund system is not there to demo games. It's there as a safety net in case there are technical issues, not to see whether you like the game.

They list "I don't like it" in the refund reasons as the refund reason merely is a point of feedback for the developer.

[Ogami]

If you refund a lot of games in a short amount of time ( few months) and only keep few of your purchases you will get this warning.

If you continue at that pace your refund rights might be revoked.
Just dont refund anything for a few weeks/months and the warning will be gone again.

One tip i can give, try to keep more games you purchase then you refund.
That seems to be a major factor. Refunding 6 games out of 8 purchased is pretty much a sure way to trigger this warning.

[Plop]

So what is the correct ways to request a refund? For example if I already researched the game, read the reviews and watch some youtube videos, but I still don't like the game and ask for a refund. Is it considered as a misuse?

Moreover, a reason "the game is not fun" is also listed as a reason when you request for a refund. So, besides buying mistakes and technical problems, what for is the refund system?

[Plop]

Escrito originalmente por Ogami:

...

One tip i can give, try to keep more games you purchase then you refund.
That seems to be a major factor. Refunding 6 games out of 8 purchased is pretty much a sure way to trigger this warning.

Just to clarify, I meant I bought 14 games, I kept 8 games, and I refunded 6 of the games.

And as you suggested, I will keep in mind not to refund any games for months. Thank you~

[Crazy Tiger]

Escrito originalmente por Flovi:

So what is the correct ways to request a refund? For example if I already researched the game, read the reviews and watch some youtube videos, but I still don't like the game and ask for a refund. Is it considered as a misuse?

If it happens the odd time, there is no issue. If it happens to a multitude of urchases, your research is lacking.
Yes, that will be considered misuse.

Keep in mind that every refund costs Valve money, namely transaction costs. They eat them for every transaction. If you refund too many games, you simply cease to be worth the costs.

Escrito originalmente por Flovi:

Moreover, a reason "the game is not fun" is also listed as a reason when you request for a refund. So, besides buying mistakes and technical problems, what for is the refund system?

As I said already, the refund reasons are merely there for feedback to the game dev.

Refund policy is there for technical issues and (few) honest mistakes, nothing else.

[Jaunitta 🌸]

All of the things you have said.
However understand Steam is a busy place especially during sales and they cant always be one on one with a few million members so it has what is known as automated messages to cover everything.
When you have no relation to this message just take it onboard and remember it thats all.
Its not personal just letting you know.
cheers

[Plop]

Escrito originalmente por Crazy Tiger:

As I said already, the refund reasons are merely there for feedback to the game dev.

Refund policy is there for technical issues and (few) honest mistakes, nothing else.

I have not read this when I typed my reply. Thank you for your explanation. I will keep that in my mind.

[Crazy Tiger]

Escrito originalmente por Flovi:

Escrito originalmente por Crazy Tiger:

As I said already, the refund reasons are merely there for feedback to the game dev.

Refund policy is there for technical issues and (few) honest mistakes, nothing else.

I have not read this when I typed my reply. Thank you for your explanation. I will keep that in my mind.

No worries, Steam forums can be hectic when multiple people reply.

[alias]

never would have thought that a post made in 2020 would be useful for me in 2024, lol.

[Mike]

This thread was quite old before the recent post, so we're locking it to prevent confusion.