ACCC (Australian Authorities) to Sue Valve over Refund Policy

[Val the Moofia Boss]

http://www.pcgamer.com/2014/08/29/va...umer-watchdog/

Basically; Australian law says that companies have to provide refunds under all circumstances, whereas Valve only does so in a few cases.

The case is set for October 7th.

[Kujako]

Hans't this been posted several times already?

[Edge-]

Hans't this been posted several times already?

None that I've seen.

OT: I'm all for it. There needs to be better return/refund policies with digital goods, and I'm always a fan of giving consumers more power/rights.

[Holtzmann]

Wait, so in Australia you can basically buy anything, decide you don't like it, then go for a refund?

Well, I guess something good had to balance out all the deadly plants, spiders, snakes, scorpions, dingos, kangaroos, emus and everything else.

[Nerevar]

I'd rather there were more demo versions of the games available instead of refunds. I don't think they'll get anywhere with suing Valve, except maybe even harsh restrictions for that region or an overall close-up so whatever.

[Nerraw]

Hans't this been posted several times already?

The EU had some concerns recently. The Australian case is new though.

[-aiko-]

I hope that the ACCC wins, and that it opens Steam's eyes.

My biggest gripe about Steam is that if I buy a game and there is something seriously wrong with it, I'm SOL. They should take a Google Play-like stance. For 30 minutes after it is fully downloaded you can request a refund. Or better yet you can request a refund up until you reach 1 hour /played.

[Kujako]

The EU had some concerns recently. The Australian case is new though.

Naw, found it in the general off-topic forums.

http://www.mmo-champion.com/threads/...Sue-Steam-Corp

So long as I'm not just going crazy.

[Nerevar]

I hope that the ACCC wins, and that it opens Steam's eyes.

My biggest gripe about Steam is that if I buy a game and there is something seriously wrong with it, I'm SOL. They should take a Google Play-like stance. For 30 minutes after it is fully downloaded you can request a refund. Or better yet you can request a refund up until you reach 1 hour /played.

Reading comments, reviews and watching videos of gameplay, both official and from players, can keep you away from buying something you wont like you usually. And if there's a demo available you can even try it out. Or there is even an easier way to try out a game before buying that we all know of.

[Jester Joe]

I hope that the ACCC wins, and that it opens Steam's eyes.

My biggest gripe about Steam is that if I buy a game and there is something seriously wrong with it, I'm SOL. They should take a Google Play-like stance. For 30 minutes after it is fully downloaded you can request a refund. Or better yet you can request a refund up until you reach 1 hour /played.

I can attest to that... stupid Sonic Adventure being labeled as Controller compatible yet it isn't.

Granted it was only like $3 though.

[Kujako]

I hope that the ACCC wins, and that it opens Steam's eyes.

My biggest gripe about Steam is that if I buy a game and there is something seriously wrong with it, I'm SOL. They should take a Google Play-like stance. For 30 minutes after it is fully downloaded you can request a refund. Or better yet you can request a refund up until you reach 1 hour /played.

My concern would be that in exchange for a returns system (like Origin has) Steam would need to implement stricter DRM (like Origin has).

[-aiko-]

Reading comments, reviews and watching videos of gameplay, both official and from players, can keep you away from buying something you wont like you usually. And if there's a demo available you can even try it out. Or there is even an easier way to try out a game before buying that we all know of.

Someone has to buy it before the reviews start flowing.

Those people should be entitled to a refund imo.

- - - Updated - - -

My concern would be that in exchange for a returns system (like Origin has) Steam would need to implement stricter DRM (like Origin has).

Hmm maybe but I don't think Steam would be willing to upset its loyal customers. They're a little more consumer friendly than 'lil old evil EA. The only potential revenue Steam would lose would be from games that are unplayable or just...seriously bad. Especially allowing only 30 minutes to an hour for a refund.

[Aquinan]

valve doesnt give refunds unless required by local law as per their tos, they are required to by law in australia, and they havnt been doing so, so it should be an easy case

[Val the Moofia Boss]

EnterElysium has just posted a quick breakdown of what all this means.

[Deleted]

Here's an alternative solution to asking for refunds in the vast majority of cases: stop buying horrible shit that no one else likes either !

[Val the Moofia Boss]

Here's an alternative solution to asking for refunds in the vast majority of cases: stop buying horrible shit that no one else likes either !

And my response:

Someone has to buy it before the reviews start flowing.

Those people should be entitled to a refund imo.

[Deleted]

A 1h try-before-you-buy on steam would be amazing. Never going to happen, but one can wish ^^

[Rixis]

And my response:

Oft times reviewers can get free review versions of games so no, they don't necessarily have to buy it.

[Soeroah]

Wait, so in Australia you can basically buy anything, decide you don't like it, then go for a refund?

Well, I guess something good had to balance out all the deadly plants, spiders, snakes, scorpions, dingos, kangaroos, emus and everything else.

I believe there has to be a reasonable cause to return an item.

Not working as advertised, faulty, perhaps if you change your mind before opening the box. Stores can have "no refunds" signs but it's illegal to deny a refund under legitimate circumstances.

[Frankminimia]

yup, in Australia we are entitled to a refund, repair, or replacement.