GAME stores forced to drop '10-day return' policy by publishers/software suppliers !!!

[Richie_B43]

Heads up folks......

When I visited my local GAME outlet (in Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland) last Thursday to buy the new Harry Potter game for my daughter, I was asked if I was sure that my computer was capable of playing the game .... because the store's 10-day return policy had been dropped.

Apparently a number of publishers, (EA Games being specifically mentioned), were very unhappy about the number of games being returned and had stated that it was costing them far too much money.

They had also said that there was nothing wrong with the vast majority of the games returned, and it was obvious (in their opinion) that people were either installing the game, applying a crack and then returning the game to the store, or copying the game and then returning it.

The kicker to all of this was that GAME was told that if they didn't drop their return policy immediately, they would no longer be supplied with any software.

[Richie_B43]

Heads up folks......

When I visited my local GAME outlet (in Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland) last Thursday to buy the new Harry Potter game for my daughter, I was asked if I was sure that my computer was capable of playing the game .... because the store's 10-day return policy had been dropped.

Apparently a number of publishers, (EA Games being specifically mentioned), were very unhappy about the number of games being returned and had stated that it was costing them far too much money.

They had also said that there was nothing wrong with the vast majority of the games returned, and it was obvious (in their opinion) that people were either installing the game, applying a crack and then returning the game to the store, or copying the game and then returning it.

The kicker to all of this was that GAME was told that if they didn't drop their return policy immediately, they would no longer be supplied with any software.

[Chainsaw Bunny]

My GAME store is still doing it.

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[FireFort23]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Richie_B43:
They had also said that there was nothing wrong with the vast majority of the games returned, and it was obvious (in their opinion) that people were either installing the game, applying a crack and then returning the game to the store, or copying the game and then returning it.

The kicker to all of this was that GAME was told that if they didn't drop their return policy immediately, they would no longer be supplied with any software.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Seems to me that the gaming companies realize that many people return unworking games and they don't want to lose money with their own laziness.

Of course, I believe that a lot of those returns ARE malicious, but still...When was the last time you bought some clothes and returned them because you either didn't like it or it didn't fit? Why can't we return games that suck?

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[Frog1245]

See now here is the problem. It is not going to be long before things like this kill out british games store's. Legally you can return the game within 28 days but the retayler cannot do the same. So you could return your game but the shop could not re-sell it or send it back to there supplyer. So the shop looses its â£35.00 all because of selfish publishers.

[BSR_RuGGBuTT]

And then the retailers will quit carrying PC games.

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[alforrest]

Yep, my GAME store advised of this as well - however one of the reasons I was given is the problem is really that the purchaser loads the software, logs on to a server (Like the FarCry server where you have to register/CD key to play) then returns the game, all legitimately perhaps, - however - next unsuspecting customer who GAME sell the software to has a CD with a key that has already been registerd to another person and therefore won't work for access to the server.

[jasper_vermaas]

o well soon GameSpy is going to start a Online Game Selling store. WELL you think Whats new about that.

WELL 1 Thing is the price 18 DOLLAR FOR UT2004

How does it work

Well you just have to download it. and youl get a PDF whit the User manual and CD key in as well.

O MAN IAM GOING TO USE THAT SERVECE.

Why should i pay Fricking 50Euros on a game when i can get them for 15Euro(Dollars to Euros Callculated)

I dont give a **** about the BOX i have my DVD burner and if the use DRM license than i can Burn 2 Disks and iam done( meaning 1 time on the 1st disk and than a Back up)

Iam just waiting for there service to start.

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Ever want To bust my Behind Than Join one of the Gameserver.net servers http://ubbxforums.ubi.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[OFPN_Shadow]

All EA is doing is biting its own tail.
If they deny stores RMA then the stores will stop buying EA-products. The customers has their rights nomatter what. Here in Norway, the customer has the right to return the product a couple of days after he/she bought it with no explanation as to why. The store has to accept it. It's the law over here. If the store can't return the products to EA, then the store will stop selling EA's products (if they loose more money than they earn on their products). So in the end EA sells less, that's all. Oh and it opens up for more sales for EA's competitors.
Personally I could'nt care less of EA. Only thing EA could do to draw my attention was if they went backrupt.
....I'd celebrate http://ubbxforums.ubi.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

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[Short_Bread]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by jasper_vermaas:
o well soon GameSpy is going to start a Online Game Selling store. WELL you think Whats new about that.

WELL 1 Thing is the price 18 DOLLAR FOR UT2004

How does it work

Well you just have to download it. and youl get a PDF whit the User manual and CD key in as well.

O MAN IAM GOING TO USE THAT SERVECE.

Why should i pay Fricking 50Euros on a game when i can get them for 15Euro(Dollars to Euros Callculated)

I dont give a **** about the BOX i have my DVD burner and if the use DRM license than i can Burn 2 Disks and iam done( meaning 1 time on the 1st disk and than a Back up)

Iam just waiting for there service to start.

http://www.op-archangel.com
Ever want To bust my Behind Than Join one of the Gameserver.net servers http://ubbxforums.ubi.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Best idea in ages! Im with you on this 1 http://ubbxforums.ubi.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[TheOracle_TAW]

Even if this does happen its not going to be the end of PC games in stores.

These policies apply to all media, CDs, DVDs, Games, magazines etc...

Plus the publishers do not sell directly to the store, they go through a supplier/distributer

Some suppliers/distributers have sale or return deals so it would not matter if the game was returned as after a certain period they can send the game back regardless. However, others have a sale only policy so it is up to the stroes to only buy in what they think they will need, so it is on there heads to work out the numbers based on previous sales of similar games.

In the UK, statutory law says that without a receipt a store has to take a game back 'within a reasonable amount of time' only if it is faulty! However, if it is just unwanted/**** then it is down to stores policy. So again it is on their heads if they end up with too many copies.

[Jsmith2126]

It is a good and bad development for us "end-users" of PC games.

1-Bad: Store will stop selling those developers that enforce this policy, hence,...you wont find the BIG name GAMES at that store to buy.

2-Game sales for those same companys (such as the hated EA) will fall Significantly, and create losses on the same level as "Game returns" they seem so concerned about.

Only children would buy a PC game WITHOUT looking at the Minimum specs listed for that game, and still buy it if they dont come close to having a good machine (hence-a "return" cause the game will be unplayable).That is a small percentage of PC games sold. (consoles games are a totally differant beast).

IMHO...EA has so many returns becuase 9 out of 10 titles they release SUCK!!!! They are poorly produced, horribaly coded, BUG infested, have the bare minimum of support, and they expect the customer to be the "Play-tester" (at his expense). For evey GOOD game they produce (BF42,MOH,ect), 3 more titles will SUCK (or be a suck-butt sequal to a decent title, ..useg its name to sell you a poor add-on).

EA and companys like them are seeing the fruits of thier half-*** efforts, of corperate greed, totally RUSHED developments, and the worst support/communication with thier customers!! And as i would expect from them...they lay the blame on a small # of hackers (which im sure thier are a few,..just like cheaters,...thier stench permiates all corners of life)as the reason for ALL the returns. They refuse to accept that a VAST MAJORITY of games returned are from DISSATISFACTION with the product they sold!!! BFV & Sim City 4 are perfect recent examples of alot of returns becuase the GAME SUCK's!!! And the patches SUCK (and takes way to long to get)!!!
They are reaping the fruits of thier own poor labors....and blame US for screwing them!!!!!!

[cibv0ql]

Here in belgium some big stores work differently. They put some sort of plastic foilage around the gamebox and when you remove this (wich you have to try if it works) you can' t return anymore!!!
This to avoid people form copying their complete game supply http://ubbxforums.ubi.com/images/smiley/35.gif .
I understand the reason, but the means they apply to resolve this problem I won' t take. Anyone can make a mistake when buying a game.
So this store is on my "no buy" list.

greets cibv0ql