Are people abusing the steam refund service?

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wenk Jul 30, 2015 @ 3:27pm

I just wanted to say something because I read an article of the huge percantage raise of refunds (although i admit i have used the refund service myself) and I wish valve could do something to tone down these refund like maybe 1 refund per month or something

Last edited by wenk; Jul 30, 2015 @ 3:29pm

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Random Reference #98 Jul 30, 2015 @ 3:35pm

Well there were no refunds allowed before and there are now so of course the number of refunds has gone up greatly from the previous number of 0.

wenk Jul 30, 2015 @ 3:38pm

Originally posted by Random Reference #98:
Well there were no refunds allowed before and there are now so of course the number of refunds has gone up greatly from the previous number of 0.

Valve accepted refunds under extreme circumstances and i quote from the article "steam refund rate has gone from 0.09% to 17%"

Hextravert Jul 30, 2015 @ 3:43pm

I can't help but wonder why you wish they would tone things down.

Originally posted by A Cracken:
I just wanted to say something because I read an article of the huge percantage raise of refunds (although i admit i have used the refund service myself) and I wish valve could do something to tone down these refund like maybe 1 refund per month or something

Start_Running Jul 30, 2015 @ 3:44pm

Steam has been gradually weeding out the abusers over time.

Spawn of Totoro Jul 30, 2015 @ 3:45pm

If you watch this, you will find that the issue is being blown out of perportion and it is still too early to tell. Wait 6 months to a year for an accurate accounting, year being preferable.

https://www.youtube.com /watch?v=cP UToCNq-iA

Lol! Filter issues.

TotalBiscuit, The Cynical Brit
Devs Speak Out on Steam Refunds

If you wish to search for it on your own.

Last edited by Spawn of Totoro; Jul 30, 2015 @ 3:47pm

Random Reference #98 Jul 30, 2015 @ 3:47pm

Originally posted by A Cracken:
Originally posted by Random Reference #98:
Well there were no refunds allowed before and there are now so of course the number of refunds has gone up greatly from the previous number of 0.
Valve accepted refunds under extreme circumstances and i quote from the article "steam refund rate has gone from 0.09% to 17%"

Yes, very rare circumstances that required jumping through hoops and not everyone even knew about. Now refunds are a legitimate option so of course the number has gone up. Come back a year from now with numbers that show a rise from 17% and you'll have data that is actually meaningful.

ForzaUK Jul 30, 2015 @ 3:48pm

Well you don't say. refunds have gone up once people can actually refund.. I don't see your point to be honest.

Last edited by ForzaUK; Jul 30, 2015 @ 4:16pm

Start_Running Jul 30, 2015 @ 3:49pm

Originally posted by Random Reference #98:
Originally posted by A Cracken:
Valve accepted refunds under extreme circumstances and i quote from the article "steam refund rate has gone from 0.09% to 17%"
Yes, very rare circumstances that required jumping through hoops and not everyone even knew about. Now refunds are a legitimate option so of course the number has gone up. Come back a year from now with numbers that show a rise from 17% and you'll have data that is actually meaningful.

The circumstances weren't that extreme. You basically just had to show that the game could not be played on your system through no forseeable fault of your own or show that the devs had mileading information on the store page. Improper specs, etc.

Random Reference #98 Jul 30, 2015 @ 3:54pm

Originally posted by Start_Running:
Originally posted by Random Reference #98:
Yes, very rare circumstances that required jumping through hoops and not everyone even knew about. Now refunds are a legitimate option so of course the number has gone up. Come back a year from now with numbers that show a rise from 17% and you'll have data that is actually meaningful.

The circumstances weren't that extreme. You basically just had to show that the game could not be played on your system through no forseeable fault of your own or show that the devs had mileading information on the store page. Improper specs, etc.

Everything I saw related to Steam refunds before they were a legitimate option not only indicated you had to deal with Steam support but even then there was never a guarantee that they would give a refund and that's assuming you even knew to ask. It was in no way a real option for the vast majority of Steam users which having a refund rate below 1% prior to the change proves.

HLCinSC Jul 30, 2015 @ 5:34pm

They've given themselves room to adjust things by not strictly defining what constitutes abuse of the system so i'm sure it will change.

#10

kdodds Jul 30, 2015 @ 6:36pm

A few points.

1. The rate of refunds is a meaningless number in and of itself. Completely and totally meaningless. You would think that those people clamoring about the "alarming" returns would release their monthly NET figures to prove their points. But, since they haven't, it can only be safely assumed that their GROSS sales probably increased while their NET sales did not slide as much as they're claiming they have. And ALL games' net sales decline over time. Some more slowly than others, but they do all decline. That also needs to be factored in.

2. Consumers who had no recourse before Steam Refunds now have recourse. If a game is just plain crappy (do you wonder how many returned Arkham?), the buyer can return it. If it's riddled with bugs, same thing. For any reason, no questions asked. As long as they adhere to the parameters. Okay. So? So the devs want to know WHY? Are you so totally full of it that you can't and don't read what people are saying about your game? In reviews, in forums, and so on. You don't need to know why Johnny Gamer didn't want to keep Super Ultra Moneygrabber IV: 40 Minutes With No Replay. Even if you're producing a decent product, you don't need to know. Why? Because the game wasn't for that user. Period. You're not going to tailor your next game to appease the discontent of every Johnny Gamer, are you? Who's kidding who? Make your game. If it's good, it will sell. If it's not, it won't.

3. Returns, and devs being slapped in the face with the discontent of the marketplace as a result, can only do one thing long-term. Provide incentive to developers to make a game that people don't want to return. And that's a good thing, isn't it?

4. As far as I know, you can buy a pair of Levis in any store and return it to the store as long as you haven't worn them around town. As far as I can tell, Levis is in no danger of folding. Because the market wants their product and the lone dissatisfied individual is inconsequential to their success.

In short, devs need to stop wondering why people are returning their games and start realizing that their game isn't as good as they thought it was.

#11

XaoliN Jul 30, 2015 @ 8:40pm

Yes, I have a friend who got 20 refunds and got his account banned

Last edited by XaoliN; Jul 30, 2015 @ 8:41pm

#12

Hextravert Jul 30, 2015 @ 9:07pm

OMG.

I got like 18.

Had I known that 20 was the magic number, I never would've returned that two-dollar game.

Originally posted by Guerreiro Xaolin:
Yes, I have a friend who got 20 refunds and got his account banned

#13

kdodds Jul 30, 2015 @ 9:10pm

Originally posted by Guerreiro Xaolin:
Yes, I have a friend who got 20 refunds and got his account banned

Proof?

#14

Spawn of Totoro Jul 30, 2015 @ 9:20pm

Originally posted by Guerreiro Xaolin:
Yes, I have a friend who got 20 refunds and got his account banned

Seeing as they wouldn't ban an account for too many refund request, I would have to say that isn't true. At the most they would remove or limit his/her ability to refund games.

I suggest not spreading false information like that in the future.

#15

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Date Posted: Jul 30, 2015 @ 3:27pm

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