Bought guild wars factions, there was no cd key inside

Yeah, we've sort of split into two subjects here:

1. The original poster wondering what to do about a missing key.
2. The unethical and possibly illegal sale of opened boxes by many vendors.

On #1, we don't even know if the original poster bought an opened box or a sealed box, as (s)he hasn't posted in here since subject #2 started.

So while subject #1 is somewhat dead, subject #2 still has legs for interesting discussion.

Hopefully we'll get some feedback from Gaile on whether the vendors are allowed to do this or not. I mean its all good and fine when people check the contents knowing what they should have, but new players could get very confused by missing content.

I get ALL my guild wars games from Game Station, definetly the best game shop ever especialy for gw, bought all 4 campaigns from them with no problems =)

We got feedback from Gaile, it's on page 2 post #30, but here's what she said....

I know I replied to that ... I mean whether vendors are allowed to do this.

Gaile said my name oh happy days

Anyway they should have something in the distribution/sale contract or whatever
it is that the Game can't be sold opened
Unless it is the last one on the shelf like a store box display.

Why not as the print for the actual game box is being dune there are a few with the wording across the front
"STORE DISPLAY BOX
Please take box to counter for purchase." or whatever
Would also mean people KNOW there is nothing in the box to steal
and also if anyone did take a box that was opened and contents stored behind the counter
The store is stuck with just the contents hoping someone will buy without a box.
What would the rights of the store be to sell a game that has no box cover just the contents?
I guess all the extra printing would add to the cost anyway.

You really should go to the store you bought it at and talk to them. Some stores keep stuff like CD keys seperate from the boxed games to discourage theft. Sometimes they simply forget to give it to you. It's happened to my brother a few times. Take it back with the reciept and usually they'll take care of it.

PlayNC/ArenaNet have no way of knowing if you are lying or not, their stance and options will be much more limited. For them, it's one (maybe) customer, for the store, you are a bigger deal as it is local.

lol i bought gw factions and it was just missing the manuscript boy am i lucky it had the key.
well its not your fault its anet their really poor since theres no monthly fee and they cant afford proper packaging.
anet will only be rich if gw makes it to the console world of playstation 3.

/insert Thread Necromancer image

and you mega fail at trolling.

Every game store I've bought from has an empty display box which actually says on it "display box - ask cashier for game" or "this box is empty - you will get the actual game at time of purchase". Not only that, but often these dummy boxes are produced specifically for that purpose - they have the alert notices printed right on the cardboard.

Anyway, best of luck in resolving this issue, but it's an issue w/ the game store, not ANet...

The problem with this is, if the box is opened and all.. there is no way that anyone can gurantee that your story is truth...
You may be perfectly honest but there is no way that it can be guranteed, therefore I doubt you will have much luck...

On the question of whether or not vendors are allowed to do this - the answer is printed right on the back of the box of every Guld Wars product put out so far.

The answer is no.

The real question is, what can Anet do about it if a vendor violates that? Under what legal remedy do they sue, if they sue at all? Will it do them any good?

At best, Anet could go to some sort of trade organization for software companies, gather up other game makers that have the same policy, and then together they could look at what kind of industry pressure they could apply.

But at that end, they need to start looking at how important this is to them, in terms of limited resources versus the gain they might get in forcing retailers to obey the law (and it is a legal issue, as that notice on the back of the box can amount to a contract vendors agree to for the right to sell the product).

Please check dates before you reply to posts.

~closed~