Misleading, deceptive, refund policy

[schbley]

I am not a complainer, not really a forum-poster either. I was unhappy with a game, attempted to return it and their robots bounced back saying I had spent over 2 hours, which is no amount of time and if a game were beatable, or expendable after 2 hours then that should tell you not to buy it. Essentially, they advertise a generous policy but in fact accept no refunds as the only time I spent on this game was to update it so I could get online.

BOOOO

I will keep my current steam games but your insulting bait-and-switch methodology has lost you a customer.

[riggz666]

steams refund policy is generous compared to all other online game stores. however, it may be that it's not possible to cover every possible scenario (i'm assuming you mean it took 2 hours to update the game?)

[ReBoot]

schbley eredeti hozzászólása:

I am not a complainer, not really a forum-poster either. I was unhappy with a game, attempted to return it and their robots bounced back saying I had spent over 2 hours, which is no amount of time and if a game were beatable, or expendable after 2 hours then that should tell you not to buy it. Essentially, they advertise a generous policy but in fact accept no refunds as the only time I spent on this game was to update it so I could get online.

BOOOO

I will keep my current steam games but your insulting bait-and-switch methodology has lost you a customer.

This is the help & tips-forum, not a rant forum. So what do you need help with? If I may offer help by myself, always read the rules. Dont assume things, read. That way, you can't be desillusioned.

[Zefar]

What's misleading about 2 hours and 2 weeks?

[ KARR™]

There is a huge area called "Where Refunds Apply" on the refunds page that clearly describes the main 2 hours / 14 days rule, then goes on to describe how they apply to other items they sell...

http://store.steampowered.com/steam_refunds/

[schbley]

The refund is a lure and steam seems to have no desire to honor this. It took more than 2 hours to get the game ready. This counted as it was not downloading. Also, I don't come to forums because I know-as sure as they come-that a flood of negativity follows otherwise reasonable statements. I could not care less about the organization of your forum, that's what search engines are for. You should learn to communicate without sounding as rude as you do. So yeah, you can help me by getting bent. I don't feel like arguing, I have pride. Go ahead, take the last word if you want. I'll leave you to your filings of internet benality.

𝒦𝒜𝑅𝑅™ eredeti hozzászólása:

There is a huge area called "Where Refunds Apply" on the refunds page that clearly describes the main 2 hours / 14 days rule, then goes on to describe how they apply to other items they sell...

http://store.steampowered.com/steam_refunds/

Zefar eredeti hozzászólása:

What's misleading about 2 hours and 2 weeks?

ReBoot eredeti hozzászólása:

schbley eredeti hozzászólása:

I am not a complainer, not really a forum-poster either. I was unhappy with a game, attempted to return it and their robots bounced back saying I had spent over 2 hours, which is no amount of time and if a game were beatable, or expendable after 2 hours then that should tell you not to buy it. Essentially, they advertise a generous policy but in fact accept no refunds as the only time I spent on this game was to update it so I could get online.

BOOOO

I will keep my current steam games but your insulting bait-and-switch methodology has lost you a customer.

This is the help & tips-forum, not a rant forum. So what do you need help with? If I may offer help by myself, always read the rules. Dont assume things, read. That way, you can't be desillusioned.

[schbley]

riggz666 eredeti hozzászólása:

steams refund policy is generous compared to all other online game stores. however, it may be that it's not possible to cover every possible scenario (i'm assuming you mean it took 2 hours to update the game?)

Upon second reading, your reply was not intended to be rude like the others who replied. But I would argue it is not generous but a gimick they advertise too readily for how limited and impractical it is. Long updates are common, especially on new installs. Thanks for sounding human

[ReBoot]

schbley eredeti hozzászólása:

The refund is a lure and steam seems to have no desire to honor this

Wrong. Steam honors the official rules. Refund within 2hours/2weeks granted, otherwise, case-by-case-basis. It is you who doesn't want to honor the rules.

[schbley]

Where did I mention rules? Are we cows? Legalistic worldviews disgust me, those who hold them are cowrds. Let it go buddy, you're right about everything. I SHOULD respect the wise authority of a for-profit video game company. I am the customer; I should make the rules. Steam has my money so I am here but never again will I be a customer.

By the way, if steam SAID nothing and DID nothing that would be better. I would take the $15 hit. I object to their very prominent displaying of misleading information. Just to wrap this all up, I posted this here because I do not, ever, waste my time posting in these places and did so this time because I felt as if an injustice was done and I wanted to have some voice of dissent present as people search for things like "steam" and "refund policy." Guess what? Searching that brought me here-that is, it brought me here once I scrolled past the non-steam links.

Are we cool boss? This was not meant to be an argument thread. My beef is not with you, I have no internet beefs.

[riggz666]

i think the 2 hour limit was likely put in place because there are so many games that can be completed in 2-3 hours. longer than 2 hours is very easily abused by those whose intent is to abuse the system, the problem is finding a balance and something most genuine users find acceptable.

to find a balance, you can examine what other online game sellers are offering and cater a system using that data whilst considering other practical and business needs- the problem is it's probably impossible to have a system that covers every possible situation.

in reality, it shouldn't take anything close to 2 hours to update a game. i would be rather tempted to shout at the dev or check why it is taking so long.

with regards to steam refund policy being a gimmick - the policy is actually the most generous compared to the others:

-Valve/Steam: refund as long as no more than 2 hours within 2 weeks.

-Microsoft/Xbox: credit for damaged or corrupted games only.

-EA/Origin: 24 hours from first launching the game, within the 7 days. New games get 72 hours from first launch, within 7 days.

-Ubisoft/Uplay: “No returns / refunds will be offered for digital products except if we cannot deliver you the game.”

-GOG: within 30 days, however they won't give a refund if you don't work with them to 'fix' the game.

-GreenManGaming: within 7 days of purchase as long as the game has not been downloaded.

[schbley]

I have acknowledged these facts in my previous post my friend, I believe we clicked send at the same time. By the way, the game in question was FFIX and while I am sure it is a barrel of monkeys, I found it to be empty and I bought it while visiting my moms for the weekend. The game took a long time to get started. The cutscenes took even longer.

I have loged 5 hours; this disqualifies me. I object to any policy that does not allow for subjective, qualitative interpreation of facts as the world is often subjective and qualitative. I don't want to bring down steam, however, I feel strongly about not giving money to those who I feel play games at my expense. :)

But no worries, it is only $15. As I said in my last post, I wanted my voice to be one seen if someone chooses to search this issue, and by search I mean google not internally on the forums. Of course,this will probably be gone in a week. But I was pissed; rightfully so.

[ReBoot]

schbley eredeti hozzászólása:

Where did I mention rules? Are we cows?

No, we're human being, all parts of a society. And the soeciety, my dear, runs on rules.

[schbley]

Ha! not to get all political here butthis is what's wrong with humanity. You and me would not get along. Rules that prevent the harm of others should be followed. Everything else is neither moral nor beneficial to humanity and only benefit those in power who do not obey the same rules they enforce. People do not ask to be born, and if they are born to unfair circumstances anything other than resistance is cowardice. What is right is almost never what is correct.

You have a good night. I yield

[ReBoot]

schbley eredeti hozzászólása:

this is what's wrong with humanity

Exactly. People demanding special treatment are what's wrong with humanity.

[Darren]

Did you explain clearly (something you had not for example done until like your 4th post in this thread) in your refund request what happened with the downloading? I have definitely heard of people over 2 hours get refunds before for games that have external launchers with excessively long download times. It happens a lot with MMOs.

Unfortunately beyond 2 hours you are outside of the automatic refund zone and it very much comes down to whether you can convince the Support person (who does read your request) that this specific example should be an exception to the normal rules.

I would appeal once with a clear description of what the game did and you feel it is a little unfair that the downloading time counts (when normally it wouldn't if the game used Steam properly for updates). But if you get a no again unfortunately there is nothing else you can do about it as you are outside the automatic interval.

[Moderate my posterior.]

You literally just said you should make the rules to suit yourself. Then decried selfserving rules.

Welcome to hypocrisy.