Ok, Ok... I got duped on ebay. I admit it.

Ok, so on June 2nd I got my GW account, compliments of ebay. All things went well until about a week ago, when I get an e-mail from PlayNC saying that the credit card used to purchase the cdkey (which I purchased from ebay) was issued a chargeback. Now me, being the lazy person that I am, have not deleted any of my e-mail since approximately 1998. lol.

So I have copies of the auction notifications, the guy's e-mails to me (including the one e-mail with the cdkey), my payment receipt through paypal, all of that...

Of course, PlayNC still says that my account will forever be closed. All I want is to keep my characters and maybe kick the guy's butt who cheated me on ebay. But PlayNC isn't very fast at responding, and all they say when they respond is "sorry, we can't change our decision, it's listed in the ToA". But I agreed to the ToA and haven't stepped over the line! It's that idiot jerk on ebay who decided to screw me over.

So anyway, I put in a complaint with paypal (but it gets automatically closed & denied since it's been six months since the payment was sent...). I was also told to file a complaint with the IFCC, which is partnered with the FBI, to get on this guy's case since I have copies of all communications and such. Unfortunately, I don't have this guy's address, and upon further digging I find out the guy used 2 different names, so it's unlikely they'll get anywhere unless they get that guy's CC info from PlayNC. Obviously, PlayNC is not giving his credit info to me.

Any other suggestions on what I should do? I bought my boyfriend a GW account, and my brother has a GW account. I like GW too much to cheat them, and seriously, I guess I was too gullible to believe that the ebay auctions were legit. I didn't have a credit card at the time (nor a car to get to the store), and ebay sellers took paypal, so..... yeah.

It's against the EULA to buy or sell an activated copy of the game, so I would guess you'll get nowhere with playNC.

As for his sale of the game, if they can find him they could punish him for it.

The cdkey was not activated. He had purchased it on PlayNC.com and given it to me, brand new.

And then, 6 months later, he issued a chargeback.

Edit: Well, PlayNC has his CC number. And I have all copies of my e-bay auction. Even if I don't get anything out of it, I would love to see PlayNC pursue legal action and try to kick his butt. It's what he deserves. I offered them all the info I have, they don't seem to want it.

I'm sorry you got the shaft. That was a dirty trick. I don't think you'll get anywhere since it's been six months since you bought the game from the bugger.
And other than closing his account, there is no way they can 'punish' whoever sold it to you. Nothing else you can do.

here is why you will not get a cent back.

this is a quote.

note the transfer part.

buy it retail or it will be subject to closing if caught

edit

they will not spend thousands of dollars pursuing him.

if he has other accounts they may close them but that is about all

yep, take it as a lesson. There are a few cheap legal copies of GW floating around the internet. cheapest i've seen is 30 bucks

Certainly people have bought GW as gifts for friends and such -- wouldn't that be considered against the EULA as well, if that were the case?

Anyway, I am not as interested in getting my money back. Measly $40. More interested in getting my CHARACTERS back. And kicking this guy's butt.

Hyshnari - yes and no. If they bought the code/game and then gave it to someone as a gift, then yes, the violated the agreement, however unless they then proceed to try and get something for nothing by doing a chargeback on their credit card, plaync won't know or care about it. They just want their money afetrall and if you happen to get caught in the middle, sucks to be you.

just went by my local BestBuy last night -- yes, there are GW copies on sale for $29.99. also managed to get my Terminator2 dvd for $6.

Play.com has been selling GW since the summer for £17.99, which is about $30.

To put it bluntly, although I feel very sorry for you, nari, this should serve as a warning not to use ebay when there are affordable and safer options available. I used ebay once to get something rare and that was it.

To be honest I don't like ebay as there is a risk every time you buy something. The rating system is NO protection. An old friend of mine bought a laptop from someone with a 99.6% (or something) rating - and he never got it (seller stopped e-mailing and closed his account).

Also don't rely on paypal or ebay to do anything - they couldn't give a damn, provided they get their money/slice of the pie.

If you bought it on ebay, why not try contacting them for the guy basically scamming you. thats against the ToA on ebay as well...... but otherwise sorry for your loss.

Seems like the right place to ask. So all the accounts I see all over the net for chars that have been power leveled are illegal?

Hey Nari sorry to hear that. I do quite a bit of shopping on line and have had very good success with it. What the guy did is illegal. However ppl that scam have easily figured out that all they have to do is change their identity, and scam all over again. Like you said its not the 40 bucks it the principle of the thing.

Athis

Don't confuse a EULA with the law. A company can put anything they want in their EULA, they can claim your first-born child if they want. A EULA is a contract, and like any contract may or may not be upheld in court if it comes to that.

YES. Those are totally illegal. Basically, you can't buy anything that has anything to do with Guild Wars from someone else over Ebay legally.

man that sucks, I never buy any games online.

I believe you can go buy anothe copy of the game (best buy:: $29.99) and then update your CD key that is tied to your account. This will enable you to keep your characters AND have a valid copy of the game. The only loss is whatever you paid that JACKA$$ on ebay.

I got duped on Ebay once too BTW. I bought a paintball gun for $200 that I never received even though the guy had 99% positive feedback and had been doing business for over a year. Luckily, I used my credit card to make the purchase and they refunded my money and went after HIS pay pal account to recoup the charges. YAY for me! anyway, GL with that and hope to see you online with those awesome characters soon....

A few Problems here:
1) You went to Ebay to get the game and Paid $40, when it is only a measly $10 more for a hard legal copy, and now, 2 months later, is even cheaper at $30.

2) That you think that PlayNC cares - They'll just continue to tell you to obey their EULA next time.

BTW, as to the debate over EULA's and their standing - They are not a legal document, but courts have given right to organizations to freely deny or set their own rules for using or being in, their organization and its resources. This stems from the Constitution and cluases therein.

This is why The Boy Scouts dont let gay people in, and courts have upheld this right, and why the KKK can continue to have anti-black rallies and such even in this new "noone can even seem racist" society. The Constitution and its interuptions in court is also why game companies can set their own rules as to what does, and doesn't get your account banned.

EDIT IN: problem 3) You thinking this guy was legit - when you plainly knew that he had Purchased the account new [that costs $50] and turned aroun to sell it on Ebay.....That should be a big red sign.....Noone buys something to turn it around for a $10 loss...

that will teach you to buy games that require CD KEY registration from E Bay. Go down the shop next time to get one. Less hassle, and its 100% LEGAL

Sorry if this adds to your frustration, but it's an interesting read:

www.paypalsucks.com

NO

that account has been LOCKED PERMANENTLY which means he/she cannot get INTO the account to change the/add the new key.

start over or get something else