Early Region Change?

[Smexy]

Posting here since I was only getting mildly passive aggressive steam support messages and it didn't really seem like they were reading my posts.

Long story short I was in Russia for a month from December to January and went again in February with a plan to stay longer than 3 months but due to Ukraine situation I decided to fly back to USA (My home country) early.

When I was there the second time I used my Russian debit card to buy a game and switch to Russia regional pricing. Upon coming back home I am trying to switch my account back early so I can use my actual american credit card as it's a little more complicated to fund a foreign debit card from USA. I typically just exchange dollars to rubles there and go to the bank.

Anyways back to the tickets, I did get the same agent several times in a row for about 3 tickets who finally said something other than what the FAQ says on how to switch regions but it was to accuse me of using a VPN to get different regional pricing. So I sent him a ticket with a picture of my russian visa with entry and exit stamps that coincide with my steam purchases that caused the region change TO russia. He didn't say anything about it except another threat that using a vpn would result in it taking LONGER than 3 months to change my account back to USA.

I'm sorry but I'm really failing to see the thinking here. I get it if deep down they really can't region change my account but threatening to make it take longer when I have provided proof I was physically there in the country just seems outrageous to me. Has anyone had any luck getting them to switch regions before the 3 month limit? I don't care that much for the regional savings to keep it if I'm not really in Russia but it seems like they want to keep me there.

Thanks in advance for any guidance.

[Judgmental Amaterasu]

They CAN'T change your region and all they can really do is provide the warning about VPN as that IS the most common cause they see for rapid region swaps.

[Smexy]

Yea I understand, I've seen several reddit threads where they would change it manually for people apparently so I was wondering if I was just asking wrong.

[Judgmental Amaterasu]

Originally posted by Smexy:

Yea I understand, I've seen several reddit threads where they would change it manually for people apparently so I was wondering if I was just asking wrong.

I'd take things you see on reddit with a grain of salt. Remember that is the same place that still pushes the agenda that VAC ban waves are real and that support really did unban them.

All you need to do is add some sort of payment method that is associated with your region. If i'm not mistaken i think those little prepaid "debit" cards work.

[Nx Machina]

Steam Support cannot change your region despite what is posted on Reddit.

[MancSoulja]

Regional pricing isn’t there so rich Ameicans can fill their pockets whenever they jet set across the world. It’s there so poorer people can also enjoy gaming.

You need to wait the same cooldown as everyone else after a region change.

[Callahan420]

First and foremost you should not have changed your region it is supposed to stay set to your home residence not a vacation or work destination. When you move to Russia permanently then and only then you can change the store region,

This kind if region hopping is against the TOS and you are lucky they don't restrict or terminate the account.

Have fun waiting or making illegal purchases.

[Smexy]

Originally posted by Callahan420:

First and foremost you should not have changed your region it is supposed to stay set to your home residence not a vacation or work destination. When you move to Russia permanently then and only then you can change the store region,

This kind if region hopping is against the TOS and you are lucky they don't restrict or terminate the account.

Have fun waiting or making illegal purchases.

That's literally not what the page about it says.

"If you have moved to a new country, or are living abroad for an extended period of time, you can update your Steam country setting when you complete your first purchase using a payment method from that country. "

Living abroad for an extended period of time. How am I supposed to know how long that means? And the fact is I don't care to make "illegal" purchases. Hence why I'm asking to switch back. But they are basically forcing me to because I didn't want to stay in a warzone.

[Smexy]

Originally posted by MancSoulja:

Regional pricing isn’t there so rich Ameicans can fill their pockets whenever they jet set across the world. It’s there so poorer people can also enjoy gaming.

You need to wait the same cooldown as everyone else after a region change.

Okay so don't force me to region change just because I'm using a russian debit card? I don't bring my American cards to Russia, I bring US dollars and exchange for Rubles and deposit in my Russian account.

[rawWwRrr]

As you can see, things happen outside of your control and you just have to live with the consequences. Steam has a policy of restricting store region changes from taking place within 3 months of a change. You asked if they can make an exception for you and they said "no". That's your answer. Just wait out the 3 months and you can change your store back.

[Smexy]

Originally posted by rawWwRrr:

As you can see, things happen outside of your control and you just have to live with the consequences. Steam has a policy of restricting store region changes from taking place within 3 months of a change. You asked if they can make an exception for you and they said "no". That's your answer. Just wait out the 3 months and you can change your store back.

What compels you to write what everyone else writes? I get it.

[rawWwRrr]

Originally posted by Smexy:

Originally posted by rawWwRrr:

As you can see, things happen outside of your control and you just have to live with the consequences. Steam has a policy of restricting store region changes from taking place within 3 months of a change. You asked if they can make an exception for you and they said "no". That's your answer. Just wait out the 3 months and you can change your store back.

What compels you to write what everyone else writes? I get it.

It doesn't seem like you get it. You keep arguing your point with others. It is what it is. Deal with it.

[Smexy]

Originally posted by rawWwRrr:

Originally posted by Smexy:

What compels you to write what everyone else writes? I get it.

It doesn't seem like you get it. You keep arguing your point with others. It is what it is. Deal with it.

I get the policy, I wasn't arguing that with others. I was arguing the wording on the region change page is not definite and defined.

[Nx Machina]

Originally posted by Smexy:

I get the policy, I wasn't arguing that with others. I was arguing the wording on the region change page is not definite and defined.

It is very clear.

"If you have moved to a new country, or are living abroad for an extended period of time, you can update your Steam country setting when you complete your first purchase using a payment method from that country. "

Did you move to Russia? No

Did you live there for an extended period of time in Russia? (A year or more?) No.

You claiming to have a russian debit card or claiming you went to Russia does not maje either or both true. Secondly Steam Support can believe you used a vpn to get cheap games.

Steam Support will not lift the restriction you put on yourself as they is no need to change store for short periods.