computer game bought at charity shop - cant install as key already used

wardheed

Hi,

I bought a second hand game from a charity shop, however when I got it home and entered the key on the inside of the box, it says the key was registered somewhere else and I was unable to install.

I contacted the games company and they are unable to provide a new key, only advising to get in touch with the person it was registered to. Obviously they are unable to give me this info, and I do not know this as it was from a charity shop. Obviously I am not going to return it for a refund as it was from a charity shop, a small amount and In my mind this is the companies fault.

I am aware goods, even 2nd hand should be fit for purpose, however does this apply to only the charity shop selling the product or does the company also hold responsibility for this, as it is their codes/systems/processes that are blocking the installation?

Many thanks

Caz3121

wardheed wrote: »

Obviously I am not going to return it for a refund as it was from a charity shop, a small amount and In my mind this is the companies fault.

I expect the charity shop would have been unaware that the game was of no use to a second owner. Take it back for refund or chuck it in bin.

Paully28

I would move on, and think of it as a donation to charity and buy from a shop, even second hand, where you are likely to get more support if you encounter issues.
How much was the game?

born_again

wardheed wrote: »

I am aware goods, even 2nd hand should be fit for purpose, however does this apply to only the charity shop selling the product or does the company also hold responsibility for this, as it is their codes/systems/processes that are blocking the installation?

Many thanks

Games company are not responsible for someone buying their game, then handing it to a charity shop. While probably still playing the game.
If you want the money back then it is the charity shop who have sold a product you can not use.

Of course their are other means of obtaining keys... But that is illegal :eek:

davidmcn

wardheed wrote: »

does the company also hold responsibility for this, as it is their codes/systems/processes that are blocking the installation?

How would they even know that someone was trying to sell it second hand?

Undervalued

wardheed wrote: »

Hi,

I bought a second hand game from a charity shop, however when I got it home and entered the key on the inside of the box, it says the key was registered somewhere else and I was unable to install.

I contacted the games company and they are unable to provide a new key, only advising to get in touch with the person it was registered to. Obviously they are unable to give me this info, and I do not know this as it was from a charity shop. Obviously I am not going to return it for a refund as it was from a charity shop, a small amount and In my mind this is the companies fault.

I am aware goods, even 2nd hand should be fit for purpose, however does this apply to only the charity shop selling the product or does the company also hold responsibility for this, as it is their codes/systems/processes that are blocking the installation?

Many thanks

Why is it the company's fault? Presumably somebody else is still using the game or, at the very least, has forgotten to deactivate it so they could potentially still use it.

Yes you could return it to the charity shop and insist on either a refund or that they get the game deactivated so that you can use it. I understand your reluctance as it is a charity shop but that is what you would do if it was any other kind of second hand dealer.

vacheron

wardheed wrote: »

Hi,

I bought a second hand game from a charity shop, however when I got it home and entered the key on the inside of the box, it says the key was registered somewhere else and I was unable to install.

.......In my mind this is the companies fault......

So if someone bought a lock from a charity shop which did not have a key, that would be Yale's fault and they should provide a new key free of charge?

How about a scratched scratchcard? National lottery to replace?

The reality is that the charity shop sold something without the knowledge to understand that it was inoperable. You would be entitled to a refund, but in none of these examples would the manufacturers be in any way to blame.

wardheed

"How about a scratched scratchcard? National lottery to replace?"

A scratched scratch card would be fit for purpose... as you would be getting exactly what you bought. A scratched scratch card unable to be played again.

"So if someone bought a lock from a charity shop which did not have a key, that would be Yale's fault and they should provide a new key free of charge?"

This is non-comparable. To use your scenario with my case, Yale have provided the key, which fits the lock (it's printed on the box).

For reference, I did not return it. But I did go back to the shop to tell them a duplicate box would not likely work, which they took off the shelves.

wardheed

Thanks anayway

gettingtheresometime

It might be worth you letting the shop know.


They can then take the decision as to whether to sell/just throw in the bin any future games donated because whilst you might be happy to take it on the chin, someone else might not

DoaM

gettingtheresometime wrote: »

It might be worth you letting the shop know.

Read again post #8?