Gaming PC return

JohnSnow1995

So just to clarify why I want to return it (I held that back because it often turns into a "well why don't you do this..." thread instead of the question being answered)...I have a console gaming background. So I'm used to pressing a button and within seconds playing my favourite games. 

With a desktop pc...it's a whole thing. 

1) To complete the setup you have to spend hundreds more on peripherals including an xbox controller, lapboard (I'm playing from a couch), a suitable display. An oversight. Some of the things I have but some things I didn't think about. Such as...

2) My TV is not good enough. Another oversight. I need a 120hz or above display to take advantage of the RTX 3070. 

3) I hate the xbox controller. Dualsense (PS5 controller) has extremely bad support in Windows. There's no easy way to use it to play games like Forza Horizon 5. You can do it if you buy the game from Steam (steam has support for dualsense but it's not perfect. Most haptic feed back doesn't work), but I wouldn't pay £44.99 for something that cost me £1 with Xbox Game Pass Trial. So it kind of forces you to buy everything through Steam to get Dualsense support, although there may be significantly cheaper deals with Microsoft Xbox.

4) On PC you spend more time messing with settings and troubleshooting than actually playing. Say yiu want to download FIFA...first you need Steam. Steam won't let you play without downloading EA app. EA won't let you play without downloading Origin. EA and Origin can't run at the same time (seriously) so you need to head to the Task Manager to close everything  related to one, so the other can run. It's a faff. If you want to play Rocket League it's not on Steam. So you need to download Epic Games. Call of Duty? Something else. So you end up with all your games dotted around several clients. 

5) Constant tinkering with game settings to find the sweet spot for your graphics card. And when you make a change, now you need to restart the game. Change setting. Restart. Change setting. Restart. Over and over. 

6) Fans are quiet while idling. As soon as a game starts it sounds like the PC is about to takeoff. 

Annoying things like that. When I posted to Reddit for help regarding those things (and more), the general consensus was that that's the life of a PC gamer. It's graphically superior to console but the big draw back is that there isn't one simple ecosystem and it's not as simple for the less tech savvy. 

JohnSnow1995

soolin said:

JohnSnow1995 said:

UPDATE: Thanks for the reply everyone. After speaking to them a second time I left out my displeasure with the system and instead focused on it being "unwanted". They agreed to prpcess the return without mentioning the 30% fee. But I have to return it at my own cost. It weighs a ton so will no doubt be expensive. But even if I have to pay £50 (it should be a lot less than that), that's better than being £1,800 down. 

Thanks everyone. I found your replies helpful. 

Have they definitely confirmed they will not charge a fee for usage as that is unusual and very generous of them? I’m also not sure what the difference is between your original change of mind return and the now ‘unwanted’ return, you did tell them it was used in your most recent call didn’t you? 

As above though, whatever courier you use make sure you read and then re read the t and cs , many couriers will not carry a PC and even if they do they often exclude damage in their insurance and just insure against loss. 

Actually no, they didn't. Good point. But unlike the first call they didn't mention the 30% at all. 

I think once you tell them you've used it extensively (although in my opinion I should have the right to try something out before permanently parting with £1800), they add the 30%. Even in the form they sent where it asks you why you're returning, I'm just going to write "unwanted". Which isn't a lie.

The more info you give them the more they will use against you. Especially if they don't like the reason. If you're interested in the outcome then bookmark the page, I'll post back here next week regardless. Just for anyone who buys from AWD in the distant future and wants to know how it ended. 

I hate reading old forums and the OP doesn't tell people how they got on.

Carrot007

So what you meant to say was.

I changed my mind or had buyers remorse, but I still think the company should not charge me anything despite using it over what I would have been able to do in a shop.

My advice? Stick with it. You can get there. PC gaming is simple these days compared  to what it was. And if you must use a controller rather than keyboards and mouse (as gaming was intended to be ;-) ) then the xbox one is certainly the better of the 2 once you get used to it.

Or argue for a lower reduction but I'd want 30% of a returned gaming PC at erlast so I think iot is reasonable (and while I would just build my own usually at this trime buying one is often a lot easier).

JohnSnow1995

visidigi said:

What exactly is wrong? The bits should be fine - FH5....are you comparing it to an XBOX x or something?

Basically, yes.

visidigi

JohnSnow1995 said:

visidigi said:

What exactly is wrong? The bits should be fine - FH5....are you comparing it to an XBOX x or something?

Basically, yes.

Yep, thought so. So this is very much a change of mind, not a system not performing as expected - as different PC systems have different levels of experience based on how much you are willing to pay, versus the console which has a sanitised. uniform single experience.

Fan noise. Inherent of PC systems, not just this one.
Your TV being incompatible, also not down to the PC you bought.

etc etc.

I think you might be best placed to be honest with the retailer. The policy is 'up to 30%' but maybe negotiate a lower amount, explain just how the packaging/wrap/protection is untouched and factor in them providing the courier for your means. That way, because they provide the label they are responsible for what happens to it in transit.

This WILL be an expensive lesson for you, that's unavoidable.

Not what you want to hear, but the reality of your situation I am afraid.

born_again

Fan noise? Water cool system = Quiet.
Windows has been activated, so that is a cost the retailer can't recover.

Sadly this is one case where research should have been a key point before buying.

smashinglynaive

It's a mid-range PC at best.

Jesus, since when was an x70 considered "high end?"

An x80 perhaps but an x70?

The OP bought a cheap PC for a very cheap price, they should consider themselves lucky.

mattyprice4004

smashinglynaive said:

It's a mid-range PC at best.

Jesus, since when was an x70 considered "high end?"

An x80 perhaps but an x70?

The OP bought a cheap PC for a very cheap price, they should consider themselves lucky.

Your username is rather apt
For the vast majority £1800 isn’t ‘cheap’ at all. 

mattyprice4004

Unfortunately your return is just for change of mind OP - all of the issues you’ve discovered with PC gaming have been documented for the past 20 years or more. 

If they let you off with the restocking fee then great, but if not it’s fair game as you didn’t do enough research beforehand and you’ve used the item. 

Jumblebumble

born_again said:

Fan noise? Water cool system = Quiet.
Windows has been activated, so that is a cost the retailer can't recover.

Sadly this is one case where research should have been a key point before buying.

I am confused
What exactly  stops the windows license being reused on the same machine on a clean install ?
In any event there are plenty of ways of activating a machine without paying and the shop is covered by the sticker that came with the windows license a this often has no relationship to the key that is actually in the machine especially on OEM licenses