Kinguin Hidden Charges Add to The Advertised Price

Candour on 19/01/2018 - 20:25
Last edited 19/01/2018 - 20:41 by 1 other user

I bought software from kinguin. They added a payment charge from paypal. Paypal told me they thought this was dishonest but they don't do anything about it. When I queried it the charge was noted as $1.75 but in the bill magically transformed to $1.92!

Not sure if ACCC and the ACL prevent such charges unless disclosed at time of sale as a sneaky misrepresentation.

I rang ACCC and they confirmed that this was misleading and I had a case. Posted for the benefit of all who buy from kinguin. I ahve written to kinguin to ask for a refund as well.

Computing

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Comments

  • Save Medicare on 19/01/2018 - 22:05

    If you didn't authorise the charge then just get a chargeback from your credit card company.

    • Candour on 20/01/2018 - 14:10

      used paypal as their only option which I have. used bank account as otherwise paypal may charge credit card charges which negate savings.

  • Xetrok on 19/01/2018 - 22:10
    -1

    "Not sure if ACCC and the ACL prevent such charges unless disclosed at time of sale as a sneaky misrepresentation."
    Except I'm pretty sure they aren't an Australian company - so ACCC are powerless to do anything.
    You probably purchased the 'Buyer Protection' which is opt-out at checkout.

    • fruit on 19/01/2018 - 22:27

      ACCC v. Valve Corporation says you are wrong.

      • Xetrok on 20/01/2018 - 00:27
        +1

        Even on the ACCC website they state you may find difficulties getting a practical remedy from an overseas seller and advise contacting that specific countries consumer protection agency. The ACCC can't force them to comply.

        https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/online-shopping/shopping-o…

        If you buy from an online seller based overseas, you should be aware that you may experience practical difficulties in obtaining a remedy from them.

        If your seller is based overseas and writing to them doesn’t resolve your problem, try asking the consumer protection agency (link is external) in their country if it can help.

        • Candour on 20/01/2018 - 14:10

          that is what accc tld me!

  • Magpye on 19/01/2018 - 22:24

    I've bought heaps of stuff from Kinguin, and never had any 'hidden' charges.
    The price may not have been the same as advertised on the front page, but invariably, it is because of buyer protection charges (which you can remove). There's a PayPal fee, but you can pay by credit card instead, and suffer that fee.

    Here's a tip - only buy from the sellers that have 100% positive feedback, then you can feel safer about removing the buyer protection charge.

    • Candour on 20/01/2018 - 14:11

      there is a payment charge tacked on after you buy. I did buy the insurance and knew about that.

  • [Deactivated] on 19/01/2018 - 23:02
    -1

    They sell a bunch of pirated software, as well as keys obtained through fraud and outright theft.

    You get zero sympathy from me for supporting their frankly illegal operation.

    • keji on 20/01/2018 - 08:23
      +2

      It's not Kinguin, it's the vendor that is dishonest. It's like accusing eBay of selling fake watches because a user decides to list a Canal St watch

      • Candour on 20/01/2018 - 14:13

        actually I used their top rated seller site and the PC manufacturer I used to build the PC had no problems installing a genuine windows.

        other than the hidden paypal charge tacked on afterwards I found them professional and had no problems with getting genuine license key.

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