The 'Age of Empires III' $0.10 promotion - successful purchases required, PLEASE read

LCaptain Obvious on 30/11/2010 - 23:56
Last edited 30/11/2010 - 23:56

Hi folks,

Last week there was a deal via Games for Windows whereby you could buy 'Age of Empires III' for PC or xBox for $0.10 (http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/34654).

However Microsoft has seen fit to rip some customers off, charging $72 for this game whilst it was still advertised for $0.10.

They are now refusing to give refunds because "this deal was never available for Australian and New Zealand customers". If I could gather some evidence that people from Australia did indeed successfully purchase this game for $0.10, it would destroy Microsofts argument when I go to the ACCC.

Any help here would be fantastic folks. Thanks in advance.

General Discussion

Comments

  • jaam on 01/12/2010 - 11:47
    +8

    Here are some screenshots of my successful purchase of the game. Hope it can help you get your refund.

    In Game confirmed: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4967347/Others/age_of_empire_01_purc…
    Email confirmed: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4967347/Others/age_of_empire_02_emai…
    and Last, partial of Payment detail which should give them an idea that the deal was done here via bank in Australia: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4967347/Others/age_of_empire_03_paym…

    Sorry, I need to blur or crop out all my personal details and anything that might be link to my in-game account.. Since just to be on the safe side that I can still play and download the game, and no further charge me in the future ^.^

    • Captain Obvious on 01/12/2010 - 12:35

      Superb! That second screenshot is a beauty, thanks a heap mate! :-)

      • jaam on 02/12/2010 - 10:13
        +1

        Glad that I can help. Good luck.

        • Doey21 on 02/12/2010 - 14:17

          Goodwork Jaam :)

  • Captain Obvious on 02/12/2010 - 01:34

    Anyone else? The more evidence the better.

  • Vladdo on 07/12/2010 - 09:57
    +1

    Also, I've tried coming through the other way… They had a deal not so long back for a game i wanted but it wasn't available here. I went via a US VPN, used a made up US address, but as soon as I entered in my credit card details it said that my CC isn't valid, please check with your bank etc..

    I think whats happening is that if you buy stuff through their GFWL website, it does an IP based region check, but the GFWL client doesn't.. it only really checks your address of which it obviously doesn't care about..

    Yesterday I tried to buy Blacklight Tango Down (or whatever it was), but it said its not available in my region. To add to your argument, why were you able to purchase AoE 3 when other games are restricted.

    I did buy it for 10 cents, no questions asked.

    Edit: Also my receipt clearly states that I paid GST which is exclusive to the australia region..

    Sunday, 21 November 2010 565764703312752052 - Age of Empires III $0.09
    SubTotal: $0.09
    GST: $0.01
    Total Amount: $0.10

    • Captain Obvious on 07/12/2010 - 14:27

      Absolutely. They've completely, irrevocably, alienated me as a customer. Never again.

  • Captain Obvious on 08/12/2010 - 19:19
    +2

    I'd also STRONGLY advise people to lodge two complaints (very easy to do).

    1. Create an ACCC complaint. http://www.accc.gov.au/content/maintain/create/index.phtml?c…

    2. The ACCC's "Scamwatch" system. https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/content/index.phtml/tag/reporta…

    They're both very easy to do and submit. The more reports they get, the better.

  • Captain Obvious on 13/12/2010 - 17:25

    As an update, Microsoft are STILL refusing to return my money.

  • daydream on 14/12/2010 - 17:00

    Good to see the Ozbargain community supporting each other in not getting ripped off by Microsoft. We only want to be charged correctly or refunded. A completely reasonable expectation.

    I can't believe they are willing to resist and hurt their customers over a game they were willing to sell to presumably thousands of people for 10c! Surely their cost in handling our complaints would outweigh the cost of the game?! They seem to really have lost the plot.

    Keep the pressure on till they comply with fair trading practices.

  • Captain Obvious on 14/12/2010 - 18:48

    Well the ACCC now have a record of what Microsoft has done, but the more people who complain to them, the better.

    I'm also going to try the US Better Business Bureau since Microsoft is a US company. Can't hurt, and helped a LOT when I had a dispute with Amazon.

  • Davo1111 on 14/12/2010 - 19:00

    wow, nice teamwork :) I hate it when companies do this. play strong arm in the hope that you'll give up

    Captain obvious, if you end up taking microsoft to the CTTT (small claims) let me know and ill let you know my experiences.

  • Captain Obvious on 11/01/2011 - 21:22
    +1

    Hi all,

    So a month and a half after the theft, Microsoft have told me they'll give my money back. I'll believe it when I see it, but they seem to have finally decided to do what they should have done in November.

  • Davo1111 on 11/01/2011 - 21:45
    +1

    Great to hear. Better than nothing/having to go to court :)

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