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

unholyangel

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

The irony is that the "blame" could be apportioned to you, the chairty shop, the person who donated it.....but one entity that cannot be apportioned any blame is the "company" (no idea what you mean by this - publisher? developer? original retailer?)

One thing I want to clarify though, was it a physical game you bought? Or was it a download code?

Just the only types of game I can think of that have single use activation/download codes when purchased on physical disc are the likes of blizzards WoW on PC - where the serial binds to your blizzard account.

wardheed wrote: »

"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).

Then how about a voucher for a spa weekend? If the person used it before donating it, would you blame the spa?

Tbh if its single use it might not even have been the person who donated it - if they've had the boxes on the shelf with the code printed on that box, someone could have taken a picture and used it.

rr755507

I'd love to know how its the companies fault that somebody purchased their product, used it, then donated the now worthless item to a charity shop.

gettingtheresometime

DoaM wrote: »

Read again post #8?

D'oh......one of the dangers of skim reading!

Manxman_in_exile

gettingtheresometime wrote: »

D'oh......one of the dangers of skim reading!

I thought you were just living up to your username...:)

nyermen

Suspect this is unfortunate mistake. Most keys are "one time use" (attached to an account, eg. Steam), or as noted, need deactivating. This is probably quite common - Kid leaves home, parent(s) collect up old box including games cluttering spare room and take to charity shop... (probably after nagging kid to collect on many occasions).
Thinking about it, where did all my old games go?

DoaM

I wouldn't be surprised if the terms/EULA for the game forbid passing on or resale. How that's "policed" will depend on how the developer/platform records usage of product keys ... I know I've been able to reinstall my copies of COD4 and BF3 on my PC with no issues after replacing the HDD with an SSD.