Deployed US Military, just bought a key, and Steam won't let me use it.

All Discussions > Steam Forums > Help and Tips > Topic Details

Fitzengruben Sep 3, 2019 @ 8:57am

Been shopping around for a good price on CIV VI: Gathering Storm. Finally found a decent deal from Instant Gaming. After going the their process and a bit of troubleshooting, the purchase finally went through and I got a key. Tried to log in with it and apparently Steam thinks I'm in a different country. I'm in Qatar, Steam thinks I'm in Italy (thanks to the military's internet routing, I'm sure). Anyone have an idea how to proceed here?
Can I just play the damn game I purchased?

Last edited by Fitzengruben; Sep 3, 2019 @ 8:58am

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J4MESOX4D Sep 3, 2019 @ 9:04am

Instant Gaming is not an authorised retailer. Your geographical account location is configured to your payment method origin. If you buy on a 3rd party store outside of this locale, you may get a key that is not within this region especially if you are using iffy sites. If the key is region restricted then you'll have to wait 3 months or try and obtain an unlikely refund from the seller. It's best to stick with legitimate retailers listed here https://isthereanydeal.com/ and Steam.

Fitzengruben Sep 3, 2019 @ 9:13am

Doesn't explain why they think I'm in a different country than I am and have apparently no recourse to fix it. When talking to IG, I specifically mentioned where I'm from and where I am and they let the transaction go through anyway. Why can't I just reach out to Steam and fix the glitch?

Satoru Sep 3, 2019 @ 9:14am

Originally posted by brycefitz:
Doesn't explain why they think I'm in a different country than I am and have apparently no recourse to fix it. When talking to IG, I specifically mentioned where I'm from and where I am and they let the transaction go through anyway. Why can't I just reach out to Steam and fix the glitch?

Because it’s not a glitch with steam but the shady cd key site you bought it from

IG let the transaction through because they don’t care what happens to you

Last edited by Satoru; Sep 3, 2019 @ 9:15am

cSg|mc-Hotsauce Sep 3, 2019 @ 9:15am

Valve is not in charge of where your located and they can not assist with changing that or with game keys.

J4MESOX4D Sep 3, 2019 @ 9:15am

Originally posted by brycefitz:
Doesn't explain why they think I'm in a different country than I am and have apparently no recourse to fix it. When talking to IG, I specifically mentioned where I'm from and where I am and they let the transaction go through anyway. Why can't I just reach out to Steam and fix the glitch?

Instant Gaming is nothing to do with Steam. If steam could fix this 'gltich', people would just buy cheap games using a VPN in Russia and then ask Valve to unlock the key.

IG don't care, they are not an affiliated or authorised retailer of digital media - they just want your money. Steam cannot assist and if they could, they'd just tell you to buy from legitimate retailers or via the Store.

ElvisDeadly Sep 3, 2019 @ 9:16am

Originally posted by brycefitz:
Why can't I just reach out to Steam and fix the glitch?

Thats the risk with 3rd party key sites - is it Steams issue to fix?

Fitzengruben Sep 3, 2019 @ 9:19am

Not sure how any of this fixes my underlying problem. Steam thinks I'm in a different country than I actually am. Even using 'legitimate' retailers, won't I just encounter the same problem again?

cSg|mc-Hotsauce Sep 3, 2019 @ 9:20am

Originally posted by brycefitz:
Not sure how any of this fixes my underlying problem. Steam thinks I'm in a different country than I actually am. Even using 'legitimate' retailers, won't I just encounter the same problem again?

Then, tell your IT admin about the issue. Valve can't tell where they are setting your IP to.

Eldin Sep 3, 2019 @ 9:26am

IF you're currently in Qatar, how does Steam sees you in Italy but Instant Gaming gave you Qatar key?

What does this website says?
https://www.iplocation.net/
Qatar or Italy?

And can you change your Steam store country here?
https://store.steampowered.com/account/change_country/

cSg|mc-Hotsauce Sep 3, 2019 @ 9:29am

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=6627-QSNM-5276#apo

I wouldn't touch the country settings if he plans on purchasing anything on Steam without a payment method from where he is currently residing.

#10

Fitzengruben Sep 3, 2019 @ 9:34am

Exactly, Hotsauce. I'm trying to find out from IG what country they issued the code to. If they deliberately gave me the wrong key, I'm going to be a pain in their ass until they refund me. If they did, then there should be a simpler way to fix the IP issue. I'm clearly not that smart on this kind of stuff but it shouldn't be this complicated. 2 minute phone call with Steam should fix this.

#11

Fitzengruben Sep 3, 2019 @ 9:35am

IPAddress says: Qatar

#12

Cathulhu Sep 3, 2019 @ 9:38am

Get your money back and buy from an authorized reseller in the future.

#13

Crazy Tiger Sep 3, 2019 @ 9:38am

DoesSteam think that you are in Italy or that the key is from Italy?

#14

Eldin Sep 3, 2019 @ 9:39am

Originally posted by brycefitz:
IPAddress says: Qatar

Then IG probably gave you Qatar key because you are located in Qatar.

So, it's a Steam that's causing the problems because it somehow sees you in Italy.

When you go to https://store.steampowered.com/account/change_country/
what countries Steam gives you as options?

#15

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All Discussions > Steam Forums > Help and Tips > Topic Details

Date Posted: Sep 3, 2019 @ 8:57am

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