Steam won't let me refund a game that I didn't even install

[Shrek 3]

Hi guys,

I'm in so deep trouble here. I bought Total war WARHAMMER back in January but never installed it. I usually buy games that are 50% off or more, but I just love Warhammer so much that I grab it as soon as it went 25% off, but I loved it so much I was reluctant to play it. (I know this might sound weird, but it’s just who I am.)

Then, as you all know, summer sale kicked in and now the game is 66% off. I felt awful that I paid 20 extra dollars on a game for absolutely nothing. For months now, I hoped to fully enjoy it when my semester finishes. Sometimes, I even dreamt of playing it.

For this, I wrote a 700 WORD ESSAY to Steam reflecting my situation and pleading for a refund. Since the 23rd, I’ve sent 6 consecutive refund requests, and all of them were each denied within an hour.

I’m so upset and depressed now I don’t think I’ll be getting myself anything for the rest of the sale. Simply don’t have the mood for it.

I don’t think they’re going to offer me the refund. I know I’m angry, but what can I do?

So this is why I’m writing this. I might not have my money back, but at least I made my story heard, so that all of you can learn from my lesson.

[J4MESOX4D]

The refund policy is quite clear; no more than two weeks old with no more than two hours on record. Both criteria have to be met. January was six months ago.

[Chompman]

The 2 week limit is in place to prevent this kind of abuse not to mention so the game devs don't get screwed.

[Zekiran]

"Back in January".

Done.

Also, apparently, you 'love' it so much you never played it. Doesn't bode well.

[SpunkyJones]

Your money was shipped off to the developer months ago. Its gone, steam doesn't have your money anymore. Just enjoy the game.

[anrkyuk]

I bought Dungeons 2 (albeit on sale) then days later Humble were giving it away...

http://steamcommunity.com/groups/cgiveaways/discussions/0/1333474229066860612/

and....

I bought Starpoint Gemini 2, again while on sale and less than a week later the dev ran a freebie promo on steam....

http://steamcommunity.com/groups/cgiveaways/discussions/0/1290690926872590922/

Life sucks sometimes sadly.

[Shrek 3]

Originally posted by anrkyuk:

I bought Dungeons 2 (albeit on sale) then days later Humble were giving it away...

http://steamcommunity.com/groups/cgiveaways/discussions/0/1333474229066860612/

and....

I bought Starpoint Gemini 2, again while on sale and less than a week later the dev ran a freebie promo on steam....

http://steamcommunity.com/groups/cgiveaways/discussions/0/1290690926872590922/

Life sucks sometimes sadly.

feels bad man

[Shrek 3]

Originally posted by Zekiran:

"Back in January".

Done.

Also, apparently, you 'love' it so much you never played it. Doesn't bode well.

But I never even install it.
I also explained its just what I do.

[J4MESOX4D]

Originally posted by bruva drapehs dravrah:

Originally posted by Zekiran:

"Back in January".

Done.

Also, apparently, you 'love' it so much you never played it. Doesn't bode well.

But I never even install it.
I also explained its just what I do.

Doesn't matter. If you didn't play the game after buying it at full price, that's your fault. Why should the publishers have to pay you back the full amount months later? It sounds like you're poor and just trying to scam some money to spend elsewhere in the sale. Pathetic behaviour really.

If you carry on spamming Steam Support, they'll also ban you from the refund system for attempted abuse.

[Cathal]

It's pretty inconsequential whether you installed it. If everyone were to refund their backlog, devs and Steam would go bankrupt.

The refund policy is clear on the situation. 2 weeks from date of purchase, not installation.

[Shrek 3]

Originally posted by J4MESOX4D:

Originally posted by bruva drapehs dravrah:

But I never even install it.
I also explained its just what I do.

Doesn't matter. If you didn't play the game after buying it at full price, that's your fault. Why should the publishers have to pay you back the full amount months later? It sounds like you're poor and just trying to scam some money to spend elsewhere in the sale. Pathetic behaviour really.

If you carry on spamming Steam Support, they'll also ban you from the refund system for attempted abuse.

Well, of course I'm poor, but I'm here to seek the community's conforts and to tell everyone to learn from my lesson. Instead, I get personal attacks and abuses from you. Don't know why would people toss words like "pathetic" so easily nowadays.

[Shrek 3]

Originally posted by Cathal:

It's pretty inconsequential whether you installed it. If everyone were to refund their backlog, devs and Steam would go bankrupt.

The refund policy is clear on the situation. 2 weeks from date of purchase, not installation.

Yeah... Thanks for responding. I simply feel a little angry that I payed 20 extra dollars for nothing.

[Shrek 3]

Originally posted by SpunkyJones:

Your money was shipped off to the developer months ago. Its gone, steam doesn't have your money anymore. Just enjoy the game.

Don' the guys at Steam get the share of the money, though?

[XBL Laberbacke]

Originally posted by bruva drapehs dravrah:

but I'm here to seek the community's conforts and to tell everyone to learn from my lesson.

Most people know that it's 2 weeks, 2 hours.

Originally posted by bruva drapehs dravrah:

]
Don' the guys at Steam get the share of the money, though?

Steam does not have a money vault. They have expenses, they invest in new stuff. Money is always on the move.

[Cathal]

Originally posted by bruva drapehs dravrah:

Originally posted by SpunkyJones:

Your money was shipped off to the developer months ago. Its gone, steam doesn't have your money anymore. Just enjoy the game.

Don' the guys at Steam get the share of the money, though?

Steam generally takes 30% with the rest of the money going to the developer of said game.

This is why refunds are highly unlikely after two weeks, since steam needs to send the money to them.

I suggest in the future you should check on the Internet for the lowest recorded discount on a game before purchasing, to ensure you get the best deal.

[Kargor]

While I'll just agree with everyone else -- if you can't afford doing it, don't buy games at full price that you don't even intend to play -- try refunding something you bought 6 months ago in a real store. Most of those have a time limit for courtesy-refunds as well.