A Cautionary Tale

[Whipped]

If buying games from Asda as Christmas presents, make sure to wrap them with the security tags still on. Why? Because Asda are refusing to refund or exchange Games that have the security tag removed unless they are faulty.

I bought the Xbox 360 version of Assassins Creed in the week as a present and took all the price tags and security tags off. The person I bought it for already had the PS3 version and so I took it in today to exchange it for Drake's Fortune, but I was refused point blank because the security seal was removed.

Pointless really, as the security seal is put on by Asda staff after you buy the game. They cut the Microsoft seal on 360 games, remove the innards and put the box on the shelve. When you buy the game, they put the Disc and manuals back in and put a security seal on it.

So, despite having a perfect box, manual and disc and despite having a valid receipt I was unable to exchange the game for one of the same value because I didn't have a bit of sticky tape that is supposed to be used to stop you stealing the thing!!

Luckily for me, in this case I have a 360 and can play the game myself, but if I want to give my friend Drake's Fortune I'm going to have to shell out another £40.

With Christmas round the corner, I'm sure lots of people get things they already have and would like to exchange, so please heed this tale.

 

[Ch3tan]

Erm, ask to speak to the manager of that store Whipped. Ask to see their refund policy, and ask where it states that the security seal must still be on.

 

[Whipped]

Erm, ask to speak to the manager of that store Whipped. Ask to see their refund policy, and ask where it states that the security seal must still be on.

Going to do exactly that tomorrow. Was too busy to argue today, but going in with everything planned out tomorrow.

 

[Aada]

Going to do exactly that tomorrow. Was too busy to argue today, but going in with everything planned out tomorrow.

They won't do jack shit if the security seal is removed because of the dole heads around who buy games take em back and get a new one when completed.

They run exactly the same refund policy as GAME.

Why do they remove the MS seal ? thats because people caught up to the policy and began carefully removing the seal and replacing it when completed and returning it for a brand new game/credit note.

As usual its the minority that ruin it for the majority.

My mate is a Tesco Store Manager and he is notified straight away if someone tries to bring a game back and he will point blank refuse a refund if the seal/plastic wrapping on the box is removed.

Good luck you'll need it.

You sure your not telling porkies and you just simply hate the most over hyped game of the year? Drakes Fortune looks cool though

 

[cHodAX]

Adsa's refund policy does not take precedence over your consumer rights, just quote the Sale of Goods Act and if they refuse report them to trading standards who are obliged to take action.

 

[tris-]

If buying games from Asda as Christmas presents, make sure to wrap them with the security tags still on.

illegal mate, as that implys theyre saying you cant return items for being inadequate quality or not fit for their purpose.

 

[Ch3tan]

They won't do jack shit if the security seal is removed because of the dole heads around who buy games take em back and get a new one when completed.

They run exactly the same refund policy as GAME.

Why do they remove the MS seal ? thats because people caught up to the policy and began carefully removing the seal and replacing it when completed and returning it for a brand new game/credit note.

As usual its the minority that ruin it for the majority.

My mate is a Tesco Store Manager and he is notified straight away if someone tries to bring a game back and he will point blank refuse a refund if the seal/plastic wrapping on the box is removed.

Good luck you'll need it.

You sure your not telling porkies and you just simply hate the most over hyped game of the year? Drakes Fortune looks cool though

It is not the minority though, and as for removing the MS seal, the Asda stores I have seen put the real cases out and thus remove the shrink wrap and MS seal to file away the disc.

GAME have ruined it with their 10 day returns policy. Every one thinks they can play games and return them to any retailer now.

 

[Whipped]

I understand now (From a bit of googling) that shops only have to honour a refund/exchange policy on faulty goods. It is at their sole descrection as to how you can return other, non-faulty, goods. Still a bit annoyed that the policy isn't mentioned at purchase though.

 

[Opt1]

Does Game still do that return policy? I didn't realise that, thought they'd scrapped it ages ago.

Came in handy when games turned out to be shit (all too often)..

 

[Aada]

Does Game still do that return policy? I didn't realise that, thought they'd scrapped it ages ago.

Came in handy when games turned out to be shit (all too often)..

Not sure about GAME but Gamestation definatly do a no fuss returns policy on games.

 

[Aada]

It is not the minority though, and as for removing the MS seal, the Asda stores I have seen put the real cases out and thus remove the shrink wrap and MS seal to file away the disc.

GAME have ruined it with their 10 day returns policy. Every one thinks they can play games and return them to any retailer now.

ofc is the minority people that work in GAME/Gamestation know the regular game returners on a first name basis.

 

[tris-]

I understand now (From a bit of googling) that shops only have to honour a refund/exchange policy on faulty goods.

if an item is

not fit for purpose
not as described
not satisfactory quality

then they have to refund it if within a certain time frame, or after a certain time they can replace or offer a repair (which ever is more reasonable).

its not only for faulty goods. if the shop has a sign saying "refunds only available for faulty goods" they are committing an offense.
they cant refund or replace items at their own discretion, they do it at the discretion of the law. anything else is wrong.

the law you want to be reading is the sale of goods act and the restrictions on statements order.

 

[Deebs]

It is not the minority though, and as for removing the MS seal, the Asda stores I have seen put the real cases out and thus remove the shrink wrap and MS seal to file away the disc.

GAME have ruined it with their 10 day returns policy. Every one thinks they can play games and return them to any retailer now.

Chet, how have GAME ruined it? They scrapped the policy many months ago and will only accept a return with a GAME security seal on it intact.

 

[Ch3tan]

It's a good thing they stopped doing it, I used to get lots of people trying to return played games. Because you guys had that policy they thought everyone did.

 

[DaGaffer]

It's a good thing they stopped doing it, I used to get lots of people trying to return played games. Because you guys had that policy they thought everyone did.

You can't blame GAME for having a customer-friendly returns policy. Blame the scum who abuse it.

Of course if you want hassle-free returns, then (ironically) you're best off ordering online; Distance Selling Regulations give you far more rights than in a store.

 

[Ch3tan]

It smacked more of a desperation for sales than customer friendly, I never understood why they had that policy while they also were doing pre-owned games.

It's a shame that the abusers create so many problems though, haven't bought anything from a GAME store for a while did not realise they were using their own security seals. Thats a good idea -as long as the policy is clearly stated, something that Asda seem to have failed to do.

 

[DaGaffer]

It smacked more of a desperation for sales than customer friendly, I never understood why they had that policy while they also were doing pre-owned games.

Nah, it was brought to the UK when EB bought FutureZone, because that's how it was done in the US. When it was brought in it was seen as a very good customer service, unique in the UK, and you can't say it hasn't worked for them. GAME were never the cheapest, but because of returns, the loyalty card (and the bit most people don't realise) really good property management, they've owned the market.