FTC violations via False Advertising.

[[TLB]FlameHaze]

A few weeks ago, I was solicited by Steam via an e-mail for the two factor authentication. The e-mail included a list of 5 games and their prices.

I was interested in two of the titles however for some reason the Store price did not reflect the price advertised. I contacted support expecting them to resolve this and as the law requires honor the price advertised. However instead I was offered a series of excuses that never addressed the matter and have nothing to do with the issue. Basically pretending like it was a glitch which doesn't matter than when I insisted basically saying STEAM has no power to honor the deal. Which is frankly an insult to anyone intelligence.

What's worse is that after the first reply made it clear that the advertisement was not going to be honored, I repeated to have it fixed. However weeks later the same offers were still being attached.

Steam is no different to Amazon. You are representing your vendors to us the customers. It is your responsibility to handle transactions and compensate the customer regardless of the circumstances or who's responsible. Especially in this case as I presume STEAM initiates the advertisement not the developers.

What I would like to see is a couple of changes. First include a simple system call to the store to confirm prices listed are accurate. Second I would like support to be aware that this isn't something to excuse, instead work on fixing the problem rather than aggravating your customers.

Do better, you are the only platform I use due to your quality service, however to stay that way you must learn from your mistakes and improve rather than use your platform position to shoo away your customers when you screw up, as one customer isn't important.

Regards,
Flame

[Mad Scientist]

Sale prices are only during their designated days & times. It's also important to pay attention to if it's an individual price, complete the set price, or bundle price.

For example if you get an e-mail that games are on sale but the sale ends in 5 days and you read your email on day 6; you're not going to get the sale price, not even by a minute over.

What games?

[Crazy Tiger]

Автор сообщения: Mad Scientist

Sale prices are only during their designated days & times. It's also important to pay attention to if it's an individual price, complete the set price, or bundle price.

For example if you get an e-mail that games are on sale but the sale ends in 5 days and you read your email on day 6; you're not going to get the sale price, not even by a minute over.

What games?

Not just that. Cache issues sometimes take people by surprise as well.

Might be the case here, mind.

[[TLB]FlameHaze]

There is no misunderstanding here. Steam isn't denying the error, they are simply saying that they can't change the store price. Basically they don't want to pay the difference, and are arguing as though they aren't responsible for this, nor for continuing the false offers way past an acceptable timeline.

The original advertisement arrived Oct 3rd. I opened a case same day. I'm still receiving this offer today. Just sign into your steam account to get the authentication e-mail and you probably will get them too.

[[TLB]FlameHaze]

Specifically the AD listed these 4 titles:

Cyberpunk 2077
$29.99

DEVOUR
$3.99

The Talos Principle 2
$14.99

Dead Effect 2 VR
$6.24

[Boblin the Goblin]

Автор сообщения: TLBFlameHaze

Specifically the AD listed these 4 titles:

Cyberpunk 2077
$29.99

DEVOUR
$3.99

The Talos Principle 2
$14.99

Dead Effect 2 VR
$6.24

And the date of the sale advertised?

[Start_Running]

Op. something isn't checking out.
You said Oct 3rd
There was no sale for CP2077 on october 3rd.
you can see the chart here.
https://steamdb.info/app/1091500/

there was a discount that ended sept 29.
Which eityher means you trigger some form of cacheing error, which is basically an 'act of god' scenario since it's an unplanned interaction involving multiple parties most of which are outside steam's control.

Or maybe you just read the notice late.

[Mad Scientist]

Автор сообщения: Start_Running

Op. something isn't checking out.
You said Oct 3rd
There was no sale for CP2077 on october 3rd.
you can see the chart here.
https://steamdb.info/app/1091500/

there was a discount that ended sept 29.
Which eityher means you trigger some form of cacheing error, which is basically an 'act of god' scenario since it's an unplanned interaction involving multiple parties most of which are outside steam's control.

Or maybe you just read the notice late.

This is why it's always good to get the name of the games; to see the official information on the sale dates.

Автор сообщения: TLBFlameHaze

Specifically the AD listed these 4 titles:

Cyberpunk 2077
$29.99

DEVOUR
$3.99

The Talos Principle 2
$14.99

Dead Effect 2 VR
$6.24

What "ad"?

-Cyberpunk 2077;
Do note the New Cyberpunk 2077 DLC is 29.99; "Phantom Liberty", NOT the base game itself.
Base game Sept 19-29 @ 29.99

-Devour;
"Planes, Trains & Automobiles" fest it was 3.99 Sept 16th to Sept 26th store refresh time.

-The Talos Principle 2
Aug 26th to Sept 9th @ 14.99

-Dead Effect 2 VR
Aug 26 - Sept 2 @ 6.24

You'd want to double check the fine print and the e-mail sent date. It may have shown missed opportunities not current prices, but it really depends on exactly what you got.

Prices are only guaranteed for the given date/time length provided by the Developer/Publisher, who controls when their product goes on sale. Always check the store page itself or use Wishlist if you want to wait for games to go on a sale price.

[[TLB]FlameHaze]

I'm new to these forums, don't think I can attach images. But I did post an iamge of the AD that I received on Slickdeals.

https://slickdeals.net/f/17819820-steam-e-mail-sale-cyberpunk-2077-29-99-the-talos-principle-2-14-99-devour-3-99-dead-effect-2-vr-6-24?attrsrc=Thread%3AExpired%3AFalse&src=SiteSearchV2Algo1

I cropped out the date of the e-mail but the AD were in fact received on Oct 3rd onwards.

[Tito Shivan]

Автор сообщения: TLBFlameHaze

I'm new to these forums, don't think I can attach images. But I did post an iamge of the AD that I received on Slickdeals.

https://slickdeals.net/f/17819820-steam-e-mail-sale-cyberpunk-2077-29-99-the-talos-principle-2-14-99-devour-3-99-dead-effect-2-vr-6-24?attrsrc=Thread%3AExpired%3AFalse&src=SiteSearchV2Algo1

I cropped out the date of the e-mail but the AD were in fact received on Oct 3rd onwards.

Your problem is with SickDeals, not with Steam.

[[TLB]FlameHaze]

The replies here are basically the same as the first reply to my support ticket. Explaining that there is no sale at the moment. Thus I'll simply quote my reply from the ticket:

"Greetings,

That explanation describes your internal issues that have nothing to do with me.

AFAIK The US law requires advertised prices to be honored even those in error, with the only famous exemption being the Pepsi Jet litigation.

I pursue this as a matter of principle. Make it right with me and with your game developer.

Thank you"

[[TLB]FlameHaze]

[/quote]
Your problem is with SickDeals, not with Steam. [/quote]

That is my post

Автор сообщения: Tito Shivan

Автор сообщения: TLBFlameHaze

I'm new to these forums, don't think I can attach images. But I did post an iamge of the AD that I received on Slickdeals.

https://slickdeals.net/f/17819820-steam-e-mail-sale-cyberpunk-2077-29-99-the-talos-principle-2-14-99-devour-3-99-dead-effect-2-vr-6-24?attrsrc=Thread%3AExpired%3AFalse&src=SiteSearchV2Algo1

I cropped out the date of the e-mail but the AD were in fact received on Oct 3rd onwards.

Your problem is with SickDeals, not with Steam.

What are you talking about, that is my post of my e-mail that STEAM sent me. Man the denial that STEAM could screw up is crazy strong.

[Start_Running]

Автор сообщения: TLBFlameHaze

I'm new to these forums, don't think I can attach images. But I did post an iamge of the AD that I received on Slickdeals.

https://slickdeals.net/f/17819820-steam-e-mail-sale-cyberpunk-2077-29-99-the-talos-principle-2-14-99-devour-3-99-dead-effect-2-vr-6-24?attrsrc=Thread%3AExpired%3AFalse&src=SiteSearchV2Algo1

I cropped out the date of the e-mail but the AD were in fact received on Oct 3rd onwards.

So wait... you didn't receive the message from Steam , but from a third-party.
Well there's your problem.

Автор сообщения: Tito Shivan

Автор сообщения: TLBFlameHaze

I'm new to these forums, don't think I can attach images. But I did post an iamge of the AD that I received on Slickdeals.

https://slickdeals.net/f/17819820-steam-e-mail-sale-cyberpunk-2077-29-99-the-talos-principle-2-14-99-devour-3-99-dead-effect-2-vr-6-24?attrsrc=Thread%3AExpired%3AFalse&src=SiteSearchV2Algo1

I cropped out the date of the e-mail but the AD were in fact received on Oct 3rd onwards.

Your problem is with SickDeals, not with Steam.

Pretty much.

Автор сообщения: TLBFlameHaze

What are you talking about, that is my post of my e-mail that STEAM sent me. Man the denial that STEAM could screw up is crazy strong.

M'dude. what you linked to is not a Message that STeam sends out regarding discount..
That is something from SickDeals.

[[TLB]FlameHaze]

Автор сообщения: Start_Running

Автор сообщения: TLBFlameHaze

I'm new to these forums, don't think I can attach images. But I did post an iamge of the AD that I received on Slickdeals.

https://slickdeals.net/f/17819820-steam-e-mail-sale-cyberpunk-2077-29-99-the-talos-principle-2-14-99-devour-3-99-dead-effect-2-vr-6-24?attrsrc=Thread%3AExpired%3AFalse&src=SiteSearchV2Algo1

I cropped out the date of the e-mail but the AD were in fact received on Oct 3rd onwards.

So wait... you didn't receive the message from Steam , but from a third-party.
Well there's your problem.

Автор сообщения: Tito Shivan

Your problem is with SickDeals, not with Steam.

Pretty much.

Okay I'll wait for the people that actually read posts, rather than send knee jerk replies to chime in.

[Amaterasu]

Автор сообщения: TLBFlameHaze

Автор сообщения: Start_Running

So wait... you didn't receive the message from Steam , but from a third-party.
Well there's your problem.



Pretty much.

Okay I'll wait for the people that actually read posts, rather than send knee jerk replies to chime in.

Ah yes, the move of, "I don't like your answer so you're obviously not reading my posts". See, I was going to read the OP, but since you're going to dismiss all criticism or counterpoints with this little accusation towards people... I see no reason to do so.

[mldb88]

Автор сообщения: TLBFlameHaze

Your problem is with SickDeals, not with Steam. [/quote]

That is my post

Автор сообщения: Tito Shivan

Автор сообщения: TLBFlameHaze

I'm new to these forums, don't think I can attach images. But I did post an iamge of the AD that I received on Slickdeals.

https://slickdeals.net/f/17819820-steam-e-mail-sale-cyberpunk-2077-29-99-the-talos-principle-2-14-99-devour-3-99-dead-effect-2-vr-6-24?attrsrc=Thread%3AExpired%3AFalse&src=SiteSearchV2Algo1

I cropped out the date of the e-mail but the AD were in fact received on Oct 3rd onwards.

Your problem is with SickDeals, not with Steam.

What are you talking about, that is my post of my e-mail that STEAM sent me. Man the denial that STEAM could screw up is crazy strong. [/quote]

Steam does not send you an email promoting SickDeals, an external site. Again, your issue is with SickDeals. SickDeals sells keys, the ad you're looking at is promoting the sale of keys from those games through THEIR OWN SITE, NOT STEAM. Your own image literally showing a sale from a completely unafilliated site of a product that just happens to be NAMED "Steam E-mail Sale" is evidence in itself that your claim has nothing to stand on.

Lets look at it this way, your complaint is like complaining that the Ninja Blender at Target isn't on sale because it says so in the Walmart flier.