Curse

Ultimate_Gaara · Dec 19, 2005, 07:00 AM // 07:00

Ok so my friend tells me i should go out and buy Unreal 2004 Editors' Choice Edition for the PC so we can noob it up together and so i went to EB games and bought it today.

Everything was going fine until i get home and.. opps... i only seem to have 2 cds here... none of which are labled "Install disk", and on top of that the CD key is nowhere to be found. Im no genious but i do know the install cd and cd key are probably ranked numbers 1 and 2 on top 5 most important things you need to play a game.

I looked all over the box and it never said anything about needing any other versions or anything ( reviews ive read have also said stuff like " It has the original game with added features, yada, yada, yada") so i just figured i got screwed over. So i kind of need to know from anyone who owns Unreal 2004 Editors' Choice Edition if finding only 2 cds (play cd and bonus cd) and no cd key in the box is a common thing or if i should go to EB games and start asking questions related to " How high is your IQ?" and " How smart do you have to be to put all the cds in the box?"

So can anyone with Unreal 2004 Editors' Choice Edition help me out of this dilly of a pickle?

Xue Yi Liang · Dec 19, 2005, 07:57 AM // 07:57

you should be pissed at EB games - don't try to work around their obvious scam
return it to EB games ... If they even suggest that you're trying to scam them you should talk to their manager and refuse to say anything more to the sales person. They'll try to bully you by saying the manager is away or too busy ... or they'll act like you have to prove it to them that you're not lying (don't let them sucker you into feeling like you need to prove it).

If the manager suggests anything EXCEPT a full refund (no stocking fee either) - get their names and tell them you're going to take it up with the Better Business Bureau - and file a complaint with the manager's name. (Yes, you can do it online.)

Here's the most important thing .... have the discussion out in the open next to the cash register. Don't lower your voice - make sure other customers hear you. If they start to get difficult then keep the conversation out in the open - don't be afraid to make a scene.

Be pissed 'cause they screwed you and they know it! Don't take it lying down.

megaforcetkd · Dec 19, 2005, 08:18 AM // 08:18

Sigh, don't listen to Xue. The best way to settle it is complain, and if they argue, punch the hell out of them 'till they refund it.

DUH.

Ultimate_Gaara · Dec 19, 2005, 08:25 AM // 08:25

Well i don't want a refund, i want the other cds, heh... im planing to go back sometime this week with the bill or what not, i have no way of proving i never got the install cd, but with luck they will relize only a moron would keep the install disk and return the rest...

as much as id love to make a huge scene i don't want to get in trouble from the one store i buy all my games... if they can not give me the other cds ill just try to trade it back and go to another EB.. only this time ill check the cds before i leave with a jump in my step

Thanks for your help

TheEPIC · Dec 19, 2005, 08:39 AM // 08:39

Just remember, if you make the kind of trouble that is legal for you to do, they are more likely to bend to your will.

LordMahal · Dec 19, 2005, 10:12 AM // 10:12

Ive bought PC games from them before with missing discs or CD keys... Hell Ive even gotten what I paid for and it didnt work... Ive always returned to the store, and started out politely explaining to them the situation. If they get stupid, then I get stupid too, and nobody wants that.

Xue Yi Liang · Dec 19, 2005, 03:15 PM // 15:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ultimate_Gaara

i have no way of proving i never got the install cd, but with luck they will relize only a moron would keep the install disk and return the rest...

no - that would be a mistake ... don't wimp out.

#1. Already you're sounding like it's up to you to prove it to them. Once you have that attitude you've lost already - so don't even bother.
#2. Whenever they buy a game they always check the disks to make sure everything is there - otherwise they'd never be in business.
#3. If they sold you a useless product either someone in the store took them (happens at EB all the time, I suspect) or they knowingly sold you a defective product. If you think it's an "innocent mistake" on their part you have a lot to learn about EB Games and businesses like theirs in general.
#4. If you're not looking for a refund then I have to wonder if you're just looking for advice on how to scam them for more than one copy to give to your friend.

Tricose · Dec 19, 2005, 03:37 PM // 15:37

if u do complain and make a scene they are indeed more likely to bend to ur will. but do take it up with the manager. u may get an ass behind the counter who will try to blam it on u (as has already been said). also u cant be band or treated differently if u make a complant. in fact more than likely if they think u will do something bad (ie report em) u will be treated like a king to keep ur mouth shut. so do complain and if need be make a complant its ur right

BrandonIT · Dec 19, 2005, 05:35 PM // 17:35

I can only assume Xue has had a bad experience with EB before. I cannot justify his opinion though, or his recommendations.

Go in, be courteous, but explain that you purchased the game on (date) [show receipt], inform them the box was missing the install disk and a CD key. Then explain that you'd simply like to exchange the box you have for a different box of the same game. AND, (this is important), explain that you'd like to verify in their presence that the CD and key is in the new box before you will leave the store.

The fact is you don't want trouble (which is what Xue's recommendation will probably get you). You just want the game you paid for and the fact is, most retail employees want you to be happy in some form or fashion because a happy customer makes their lives infinitely easier.

Everybody has a job, and most of us are just trying to do it with the least amount of hassle. The fact is, it's usually no skin off the back off the clerk to let you return the game, UNLESS the store has a strict "no returns" policy.

If that policy is attempted to be enforced, then you will need to explain you don't want to "return" the game, you just want to "exchange" for the same thing. If they then try to say they have a "no exchange" policy, then, AND ONLY THEN, do you move on to the more "aggresive" negotiating tactics. But you've exhausted all your possibly friendly options by that time.

I've never had problems being nice to people. I've had to come back and get a different clerk before when things got really bad, but generally things work out.

Just remember, the guy behind the counter just wants his paycheck the same as all of us.

EDIT: Oh, and EB Games and the like should have absolutely nothing to do with packaging the game. It's not their fault the CD wasn't there (unless THEY are trying to scam YOU, which I refuse to believe until some more proof is given here.) It was the packaging company that did the game packaging which is usually not even related to the actual production company that produced the game. If you need more info on this, just look up the fiasco with Civilization IV and the "Install" disc which is actually the "Play" disc, and the "Play" disc which is actually the "Install" disc.

BTW, one more thing, you might make a few attempts to install the game JUST to be sure that you really do need to return the game. I do not own the exact version of the game you're referring to, but I do own a copy of the original release of UT2004. I'm not sure if it had a CD-key or not. It may have been hard-coded onto the pressed discs, not sure.

Polloloco3 · Dec 19, 2005, 05:51 PM // 17:51

More importantly here, am I too late to win the cookie, or has someone already claimed it? Also what kind of cookie were we playing for anyways? Thanks in advance!

Ultimate_Gaara · Dec 19, 2005, 08:57 PM // 20:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xue Yi Liang

#4. If you're not looking for a refund then I have to wonder if you're just looking for advice on how to scam them for more than one copy to give to your friend.

No, im just a really big fan of the original and ive heard nothing but good comments about this game

Oh and about exchanging it for a new copy wont work for two reasons

1) It was the last one
2) The game is not in the box to start, they have to go in the back or behind the counter to get the game (this is so no one can steal the game... only the box art)

BrandonIT · Dec 19, 2005, 10:59 PM // 22:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ultimate_Gaara

Oh and about exchanging it for a new copy wont work for two reasons

1) It was the last one
2) The game is not in the box to start, they have to go in the back or behind the counter to get the game (this is so no one can steal the game... only the box art)

What you should have gotten from them should still have been shrink-wrapped, no matter where they had to get it from. At the bare minimum, there should have been an anti-piracy sticker sealing the box. If that wasn't the case, then I'm sorry, I would then have to think you got "took" possibly.

In either case, you should go back and explain your case politely. They may take pity on you and let you return it for a refund. Then you can purchase the game from another source (or even online). OR, they may have gotten in another copy by now.

Xue's opinion is starting to look more understandable possibly...

zehly · Dec 19, 2005, 11:03 PM // 23:03

I do know that UT2K4 Platinum is 6 CDs, or 2 DVDs

Sir Skullcrasher · Dec 19, 2005, 11:08 PM // 23:08

I agree, never ever buy games from a store where the rep has to physically get the games from storage.

imaginary friend · Dec 19, 2005, 11:11 PM // 23:11

xue just wants the cookie....... I can't blame him

Back on subject, go in and whine until they do something

CHOCOLATE CHIP PLZ

Sir Skullcrasher · Dec 19, 2005, 11:14 PM // 23:14

It would help more if you have some mob connection. Call them up (make sure you packing some weapons) and go into the store. Start off like your asking a question about exchanging the item. If they refuse and tell you tough luck, than has your team surround the reps and beat them senseless until they give you mulitple free copies!

Xue Yi Liang · Dec 20, 2005, 12:05 AM // 00:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrandonIT

Go in, be courteous, but explain that you purchased the game on (date) [show receipt], inform them the box was missing the install disk and a CD key. Then explain that you'd simply like to exchange the box you have for a different box of the same game. AND, (this is important), explain that you'd like to verify in their presence that the CD and key is in the new box before you will leave the store.

As antagonsistic as I made it sound I agree that you ought to start things in a civil manner.... however I do suggest that you ought to be prepared to escalate the matter - especially with places like EB Games.

I'm sure the staff is different from store to store but I've heard this story more than once and I've even seen an EB salesmen lie to a customer about how many disks they should have since the customer saw that they were short one disk before the purchase.

I probably overstated my opinion only because salespeople often take advantage of your good nature when they act like the "innocent party." If they purchased a used copy from a customer don't you think they would have checked to see if it was complete? If that's the case how would they accidentally sell an incomplete game over and over again. This isn't the first time I've heard the story....

Ultimate_Gaara · Dec 20, 2005, 12:55 AM // 00:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by zehly

I do know that UT2K4 Platinum is 6 CDs, or 2 DVDs

Some asked me if it was the dvd version and im not sure, it should say right on the box if its dvds or not if you ask me...

Well i guess ill call them up tommorow before i go in so i don't end up waiting in a 30 minute line just to get turned down and end up never going back again...

Polloloco3 · Dec 20, 2005, 03:48 PM // 15:48

I personally like EB games compared to gamestop. In Texas at this shopping center they are close to eachother. I have friends that work at gamestop, and I have some cool people that work at EB games I chat with.

Gamestop (aside from my 2 friends that work there) are complete jerks. They treat gamers like crap, and they lie constantly just to get people to reserve crap. The worse is their main manager, he hates video games. Not to mention I would never touch their used stuff there. Hell one time there was a perfectly good copy of FFIX and Tactics for the PS and I was going to buy them. He took tactics, threw the disc across the store, then took IX and threw it in the trash. They are serious assholes.

The EB games crew I visit every now and then. Those guys in there are not only helpful, but man you can talk to um for a good while. They are so chill and really just good freakin guys.

It all comes down to the employees though. The EB games staff nearest me rocks.

Just go in state your business calmly and just remember if you are in the right no harm can really come to you. Like Xue said dont wuss out though. Any signs of weakness you give them does not help you at all. People take advantage of polite people in todays society unfortunately =(

Ultimate_Gaara · Dec 20, 2005, 07:14 PM // 19:14

I think i know what happend, the box on display was for the pc cd rom version but the cds the guy gave me are the dvds... a little bit of false advertizment led to my doom...