Steam refund policy

Cavallino · 10 Sep 2017 at 17:12

Apologies if this has already been asked folks, but did I read their policy correctly? I.e. if I purchase a game, didn't like it, played it for less than 2 hours, I can then request a refund within 2 weeks of purchasing it?

Is this really the case? Gives the opportunity to try any game before you finally settle on it?

(Is there any limit to doing this?)

Background to my request: I would like to try out Space Hulk Deathwing, but heard mixed reviews about it.

Name · 10 Sep 2017 at 17:45

Yes you can do this as much as you like, i think even one of the Prey devs said something akin to: "go ahead and use it like a demo, thats why the policy is there!"

Cavallino · 10 Sep 2017 at 17:48

Wow, that's pretty good

A few games I want to try. Thanks Name.

rodders · 10 Sep 2017 at 18:06

Wish I read more, I bought a game, 10mins played, hated it. Still have it.....doh

Cavallino · 10 Sep 2017 at 18:11

Sorry to hear that rodders.

Curiously, why would Steam do this though? I mean the amount of games people buy especially during sales and what not, Steam have made a bucket out of this...

Cromulent · 10 Sep 2017 at 18:17

Yep I only found out about this recently and refunded a game and a piece of video editing software I bought on Steam. Absolutely great service by Steam. The only problem is the refund goes to your Steam account rather than Paypal or whatever you used to pay for the item so I've wasted quite a bit of money buying cards and stuff on the Steam marketplace

. But that is my own lack of self control!

Cavallino · 10 Sep 2017 at 18:44

I thought it gets refunded to whatever method you paid?

Judge Mental · 10 Sep 2017 at 18:49

It is. You can select where you want the refund to go.

Cromulent · 10 Sep 2017 at 19:17

Cavallino said:
I thought it gets refunded to whatever method you paid?

Judge Mental said:
It is. You can select where you want the refund to go.

Oh, OK. My bad.

breadturbo · 10 Sep 2017 at 19:21

Just remember to set yourself an alarm, 2hours can pass very quickly.

Mynight · 10 Sep 2017 at 19:29

Cavallino said:
Sorry to hear that rodders.

Curiously, why would Steam do this though? I mean the amount of games people buy especially during sales and what not, Steam have made a bucket out of this...

It's probably cheaper than fighting charge backs by credit cards/whatever. Also good for customers.

Dis86 · 10 Sep 2017 at 19:46

Just as a note I've had refunds above 2 hours. I'd played 4.5 of no man's sky.

Vonhelmet · 10 Sep 2017 at 20:32

Dis86 said:
Just as a note I've had refunds above 2 hours. I'd played 4.5 of no man's sky.

Given the legendarily bad press that game got, it may be more to do with that game than any leniency in the wider policy.

Dis86 · 10 Sep 2017 at 20:39

Vonhelmet said:
Given the legendarily bad press that game got, it may be more to do with that game than any leniency in the wider policy.

Quite possibly. I did mention technical issues in my reason for refunding.

ic1male · 10 Sep 2017 at 23:26

Is it an automatic process then? You don't have to wrangle with a Steam customer service rep on email?

v0n · 11 Sep 2017 at 02:05

I have somewhat different twist on the same subject - I'm on OSX and tons of steam games I bought on sales over the years just don't work at all by the time I get to try them - games from Lucas Arts that don't launch at all, games that used Ubisoft external launchers that just produce blank pages now, I'd say 30-40% of games didn't get more than 2 minutes of play (past the initial launch screen) before going chest up. Do you think I can just "return them"?

Mynight · 11 Sep 2017 at 02:59

ic1male said:
Is it an automatic process then? You don't have to wrangle with a Steam customer service rep on email?

I presume so. I've had refunds back in my steam wallet within the hour I can't imagine they have enough staff to manually check them all.

humanlaptop · 11 Sep 2017 at 07:59

v0n said:
I have somewhat different twist on the same subject - I'm on OSX and tons of steam games I bought on sales over the years just don't work at all by the time I get to try them - games from Lucas Arts that don't launch at all, games that used Ubisoft external launchers that just produce blank pages now, I'd say 30-40% of games didn't get more than 2 minutes of play (past the initial launch screen) before going chest up. Do you think I can just "return them"?

I thought it had to be under 2 hours and within the first 2 weeks of purchase, no matter what, technical etc

silvagti · 11 Sep 2017 at 08:12

It's a fantastic policy to be able to refund a game if you find that you have technical issues running it, it doesn't meet your expectations or simply don't enjoy it.

I've used it a few times. The only time I've somewhat abused it was when I bought superhot and refunded it after I completed the game in two hours. I felt justified in that the game should really have been longer or had a level editor with user generated maps to increase its replay value. It's a great game but it wasn't worth the asking price on release.

Cavallino · 11 Sep 2017 at 08:16

Completed a game in less than 2 hours? Which one?