Damn You Origin

Actually yes I would. If I bought something from a store and if it didn't work, I'd ask for my money back, not from the manufacturer.

 

Certainly money back, not compensation like coupons and free stuff.

 

Except Steam wouldn't give a refund.

 

The policy states: All sales are final. it's your own fault you didn't check to see if it was compatible before you bought. It's always to look at the forums to see if there are any problems with compatibility before you buy.

 

There should be some form of a return policy or compensation if a user can't end up playing something. Also, not a lot of ppl frequent forums. Almost every store has some form of a return or exchange program. (Online or Retail) Steam should be no different, but that is just my opinion on the matter.

 

Indian Origin Support = Crap! (And no i do not where the support is)

 

You can never return an opened DVD/CD package to a retail store.

 

You can with a receipt at least in FL,I have done it before numerous times. They will offer an exchange or I have been given refunds/store credit.

 

I concur, but I did so in Germany. Bought M$FSX for 50 Euros, opened began to install, but noticed that there is no language choice, so I brought back to the store filled up some papers, in field where I had to state why I return it, I wrote "contains only German language". Ended up buying from Amazon English version for 25 Euros

 

This gets back to my point made numerous times about the lack of consumer protection. Publishers can impose restrictive DRM, put spyware on your computer, threaten you with imprisonment, limit number of duplicates or copies you can make of your media or restrict it altogether, limit number of installations, and after all this put out crap games that they don't support after its released.

Yet as customers we are stuck with whatever they give us. Period. We have no recourse whatsoever. Sure we should be a little more diligent about understanding what we're buying, but how much time are you going to put into buying a $30-$40 game? And you can't always get the full story. They push pre-release copies more than ever now, enticing you with free DLC that is available release day at an extra charge, and other goodies like being part of the beta test for the game.

It's all a ruse, and complete and utter lack of respect for consumers.

Although I have to say, Microsoft actually has a 90 day satisfaction guarantee. I used it with FSX when it was first released. It ran so crappy on my fairly high end computer I wish I didn't spend the $80 or whatever I did for it. They just require you to mail the product in along with a copy of the purchase receipt, and an explanation why you're returning it. They even reimbursed for shipping too! I got my refund in less than two weeks after mailing it back to them. I'd be fine if more companies did something like this. Although it should be pretty universal and go back to the place of purchase like you do everything else.

 

I never said I agree with the policy. It's just how it is these days. OP should probably be more aware of what he's getting into before he makes a purchase. That Microsoft guarantee is nice, I agree.

 

OP never had this problem, another poster (or rather, his friends) did. Bottom line is whether it's the user's fault or not, Origin has better customer service. And this might start chipping away at the die-hard Steam users as the result of this.

 

How can they NOT have better customer service? they did make the game you know. They only sell their games. It would be stupid to launch a propietary service only to be worse than a mere distribution service.

I don't like the idea of having a service for each major publisher, so I'd rather keep things on the same service. Even if that means I will have to miss EA games now.

 

Very good point.

You can't offer refunds and 50% off coupons if the games you're selling isn't even yours.

EA has control over EVERYTHING in Origin. They don't answer to anyone so they have free rein to do whatever they want, this includes giving crazy discounts.

 

No doubt about it. I mean, they don't have 30 million customers yet, right? The bottomline is that the quality of their services will be tested once BF3 and TOR are released.

Also, if at that time there's still anecdotal evidence that EA still keeps throwing away free stuff and discount coupons, then it will really mean they are not doing it only for marketing presence (Note: this is what I believe its happening now, a very natural tactic to gain customers for a relatively small/new digital distributor).

 

They didn't buy the game through Origins, they bought it through Steam the only reason EA got involved is because they wanted to make the customer happy and Steam refused to work with them on anything. I still feel that Steams Policy should be changed.

 

You still don't get it. Aside from distributing the game, Steam has nothing to do with it. If you ask them for support then 2 things can happen

1)they tell you to ask EA for support since its their product
2)They ask EA themselves and then come back at you.

In both scenarios, they will seem to have a worse customer support because they will inherently take longer and most probably have no clue why another developer's game is not working as it should.

EA wants to keep you happy so that you won't go ranting in forums about how their games suck.

 

Ok, I totally get it in your eyes steam is the greatest thing since sliced bread and they can do no harm ever, and that is fine as that is your opinion.
In my experience and opinion Steam's customer service flat out sucks even for their games. Our service is down and you can't play your games.... sorry. Cheap prices and all games in one location does not give them the right to give you horrible customer service. Especially since they are the # 1 Digital distributor/RETAILER of most games. Also your opinion on the games that EA publishes suck is for the DEVS not them. I happen to enjoy the games that EA has published and am not loyal to any company, and I still feel that there return policy should be changed.

 

Why? Not one single other electronics store in North America allows you to return opened software, why should Steam be the first? Why not BestBuy? Why not Wal-Mart?

As for Steam's customer service, I've only needed it once and they came through very fast. Don't know how you're getting horror stories. I bought a game before a sale and they refunded me the game and I was able to buy again at lower price. Never had problems with offline mode, or Steam server connectivity. Truth of the matter is, people with positive experiences are less likely to speak out than people with negative experiences.

 

Millions of customers = relatively large number of issues.

Most of steams time will be spent helping customers with issues with steam itself, not with games made by other people.

You can still play your games offline if the server goes down.

 

Lol, not once did I say steam is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Nor that they can't do no harm. Do you even know how things work? Man I didn't even mentioned any games sucking, I think you need to cool off because you are just ranting at this point.

Sure you might have had a horrible experience. A lot of people do, with all services of every kind in the world. Just as their opinion of steam being good is not an universal truth, your truth is also relative. I have had little to no problems with steam, so you won't hear me complain.

I don't complain about the quality of Origin either. It might be a great service, but it doesn't change the fact that it is another propietary service to download EA games, that might end up like Battlenet where you need it to download their games, and before you know it, each publisher will have their own service for their own games and your digital distribution library will be sliced up and down between different services with different rules and all.

But I don't care or mind, it's their choice and they are free to go for it. I can only vote with my money, and I will do so. I don't insult others for liking Origin as a better platform, good for them. I have my prefered choice.

And quality of service along with customer service should always be improved. I agree with that. For me the gripe I have is the rule with games you already have and sometimes you can't gift them away.

 

Alright I did go on a bit of a rant there, I never said my experiences where fact that they where my opinion and experience. My experience is not always negative with steam, I like steam and own several games on it. Way more than I do for Origins, GG, D2D. I just have not always been treated as good by steam as the other companies, so my opinion about them is a little more negative. Anyway my bad about the rant!

This was an issue for me with the offline mode and it seems to be more consistent now than it was for me previously.

I have returned software to both Wal-mart and Best buy before, so IDK about them being the first.


I had some problems with L4D2 before and Steam support did not come through for me as quickly as they did for you nor did their solution help my issue.

 

it's okay Mkelliny, all's cool now

But man, I think that making BF3 requiring Origin now mandatory is a bit... of a statement

Oh well, I didn't like it when battlenet did it, nor when Impulse did it, and now for Origin.... I hope it does not develop into a trend.

 

LOL. It *IS* a trend as you just so pointed out.

 

Awwww man, guest I'll just have to wait till it's really cheap to pick this up then.

 

Aww dammit. *shakes fist in the air*

 

<param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CsbYx6hevoQ?version=3&amp;hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CsbYx6hevoQ?version=3&amp;hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width='425' height="349" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed>

 

Well, I gotta give Origin props for at least trying really hard. On top of giving me a free game when I ordered, I just got this email today.

 

dude i got that email too and i was able to get another game for free on top of the other one that i had got before! muhahahaha!

edit: origin is freaking awesome!

 

Steam in offline mode is just like any program on your computer. If you're having issues in offline mode than you probably need to reinstall. Make sure you back up your games first.

 

I already own all three of those games. Can I give them to someone?

 

I just chatted with Live Support. I asked this same question as I already own all 3 of those games. His answer was "no".

I appreciate the free gift, but seriously? Kinda feels like a punishment for already owning EA games.

 

I also want to be punished with Medal of Honor free. No such bad luck so far though...

 

sure give the codes to someone!

also i just realized something, all of the games that i have installed are ea games
bf2
bfbc2
moh 2010
mass effect 2
dead space 2
bf3 alpha

 

EXACTLY

I agree with this statement. I have returned PC games at Bestbuy because of "Consolitus" and lack of multi gpu support. On Steam you are SOL.
I really don't understand why you waste your time here. Some people are cheap and don't like change. After BF3 releases all these fools will have Origin installed anyway.

This thread is full of FAIL.

 

Origin?....






Well, time to get Bittorrent out.
EA why didn't you use Steam?

 

Woot Just got that code in my Email! I just picked ME 2 and DS2 and got DS2 for free + $5 off ME2. I just got both of them for $14.99!!!! That is quite a deal. Not as good as the people that got them both for free, but still an amazing deal none the less. I already own the MOH Digital Deluxe Edition and I have been wanting these two sequels for a while now! Downloading both now!

 

You should read the rules of the forum.

 

Playing BF3 through Steam.

1. Open Steam
2. Add Origin through "Add non-steam game" option for game launcher
3. Rename Origin "Battlefield 3"
4. Launch "Battlefield 3" (Origin) through Steam
5. Origin will pop up, launch Battlefield 3.
6. Battlelog will pop up, launch Battlefield 3.

Pretty much, you just launched BF3 through Battlelog through Origin through Steam.

Spoiler

 

There you go I fixed it for you, you can skip the origin adding part.

 

I wish it was as simple as that. But games these days like having their own launches and web service.

 

It is as simple as that, because you don't need Origins to be running to play BF3 or any game you purchase through Origins. Also, Just because the Alpha ran through Battlelog does not mean the finished product will/won't.

 

I'll take your word on that

 

If people were cheap they would be jumping the bandwagon to Origin because it seems like they're giving out "great deals" on a daily basis. That part of your argument doesn't make sense.

Also, as long as BF3 is on Origin I will never get it, and as long as Origin takes games away from Steam I will never install it.

 

Dead space 2 and ME 2 for $14.99 or free is not a great deal?

I Hope I am right then.

 

lol no me2 and dead space 2 for free is a good deal.

 

Now Ea doesn't have to worry about distrobtuon through steam and 100% of the net profits goes to them.

 

I said it as a joke. Most people are going to pirate this game. EA should use Steam and save their profit. EA is doing more bad then good.

 

I sincerely doubt that. Some people will pirate it, maybe even a LOT of people will. But not most.

 

Precisely, the possibility is still latent. At least it has been confirmed that retail purchases will have to use Origin. Given how EA has been showing slowly the truth about Origin, my guess is that it will. We'll see