What are the rules of playing a game after requesting a refund?

[ploppo]

I've done some refunds in my time - but I always stopped playing at the point of requesting the refund.

I've just become aware that people can request a refund and then carry on playing - ie go over 2 hours and get the refund. It seems a good trick if Support can take a couple of hours+ to process a refund.

So, is it meant to happen - is it meant to be based on the time played at the time of requesting a refund or can be the time played at the point Support action the refund - ie they can/could refuse a refund if you breached 2 hours after requesting a refund?

Also, what happens if Steam actions the refund when someone is still playing - do they get kicked out of the game?

I didn't know people did this until I saw it in a review for a refunded game. Someone wrote they requested the refund within an hour of playing, but they clocked up 3.2 hours.

[Pscht]

You "became aware" how? In your dreams?

[Chika Ogiue]

Originally posted by ploppo:

It seems a good trick if Support can take a couple of hours+ to process a refund.

If Valve think you're abusing the refund system they will remove your ability to use it.

[ploppo]

Originally posted by Pscht:

You "became aware" how? In your dreams?

I've said how - It is the final paragraph.

What are you the forum clown or something?

[IFIYGD]

Originally posted by ploppo:

<snip>

I've just become aware that people can request a refund and then carry on playing - ie go over 2 hours and get the refund. It seems a good trick if Support can take a couple of hours+ to process a refund.

<snip>

I didn't know people did this until I saw it in a review for a refunded game. Someone wrote they requested the refund within an hour of playing, but they clocked up 3.2 hours.

If you are going only by playtime shown on the review, you may be mistaken.

Steam Support can and sometimes does issue refunds for games with over 2 hours of playtime.
If someone submits a manual ticket, a real breathing human being reviews the request, instead of it being handled by the automated system (that only sees the 2 hours/2 weeks marks). There is no guarantee that a manual request will be issued, but they can and have been given for refunded games with only a small amount over the playtime/days since purchase limits. 3.2 hours isn't too far over the playtime limit, and a manual request may have been given.

I did file a manual refund request a few years ago, and had just over 2.5 hours playtime. The automated system would have (automatically) denied the request, the Steam Support agent who reviewed the request felt it was reasonable and granted the request. I did not play the game after submitting the request, so I can't say if Steam Support would have granted the refund if I had kept playing, but I am guessing they would have denied it as well.

[ploppo]

Originally posted by IFIYGD:

Originally posted by ploppo:

<snip>

I've just become aware that people can request a refund and then carry on playing - ie go over 2 hours and get the refund. It seems a good trick if Support can take a couple of hours+ to process a refund.

<snip>

I didn't know people did this until I saw it in a review for a refunded game. Someone wrote they requested the refund within an hour of playing, but they clocked up 3.2 hours.

If you are going only by playtime shown on the review, you may be mistaken.

Steam Support can and sometimes does issue refunds for games with over 2 hours of playtime.
If someone submits a manual ticket, a real breathing human being reviews the request, instead of it being handled by the automated system (that only sees the 2 hours/2 weeks marks). There is no guarantee that a manual request will be issued, but they can and have been given for refunded games with only a small amount over the playtime/days since purchase limits. 3.2 hours isn't too far over the playtime limit, and a manual request may have been given.

I did file a manual refund request a few years ago, and had just over 2.5 hours playtime. The automated system would have (automatically) denied the request, the Steam Support agent who reviewed the request felt it was reasonable and granted the request. I did not play the game after submitting the request, so I can't say if Steam Support would have granted the refund if I had kept playing, but I am guessing they would have denied it as well.

Ah, I see - thank you. It is a bit of a guessing game as to whether someone wins or loses with this. Someone will probably try it and fail the refund and someone will get it.

[Wolfpig]

The refund FAQ and i think the Mail you get should state that if you play the game after starting the process the refund will canceld.

At least it was so in the past.

[ploppo]

Originally posted by Wolfpig:

The refund FAQ and i think the Mail you get should state that if you play the game after starting the process the refund will canceld.

At least it was so in the past.

That is what I thought, so it must be down to some kind of leeway on it via a human doing it as opposed to the automated system. I get the 'judgement call' from a human on someone going over 2 hours when requesting a refund, but carrying on playing after is a different thing. It makes me wonder how far over 2 hours someone can go if it takes several hours to process the refund.

[ploppo]

There has to be two systems because someone could have been entitled to a refund; however, as they continued to play the game, the refund is now not granted - so Steam would have to communicate that to someone - they would have to say why. They would have to point out that the user continued playing the game and voided the refund. Either that, or there is no rule on playing a game after requesting a refund - ie you play as long as you can get away with it.

[Black Blade]

My guess is that support get your current time, not the time you requested the refund, as well as when last played
Obviously this sounds like a very abusive behavior and I will not be surprised if the person that dose stuff of that sort will lose access to refunds sooner then later