2nd Hand Game From Oxfam, Already Activated

[TheDutyPaid]

Today I got bought a copy of Train Simulator 2013 in my local Oxfam, when trying to install the game after entering the CD key I was told that the game had already had been activated and would not install.

I find this upsetting because.

1, There was no information on the box warning that it would not install if CD code had been used.

2, Going back to a Oxfam charity shop and asking for my money back just feels wrong to me.

Is there anything I can do (legally) to play the game?

[kalniel]

You could contact the publishers of the game and see if they have a mechanism/tool to deauthorise previous registrations, but check the terms and conditions of the game, if it's against them to sell the game on in the first place then the publishers won't help. Oxfam will give you your money back, and it's probably worth making them aware of the problem so that they can improve their proceedures for checking (when someone donates something they may have even claimed gift aid on it, so they need to know if they've been donated something that's worthless).

[directhex]

Absolutely nothing you can do.

Surprised you say there was no warning though. Steamworks titles should say on the back:

NOTICE: Product offered subject to your acceptance of the Steam Subscriber Agreement ("SSA"). You must activate this product on the Internet by registering for a Steam account and accepting the SSA. Please see www.steampowered.com/agreement to view the SSA prior to purchase. If you do not agree with the provisions of the SSA, you should return this game unopened to your retailer in accordance with their return policy

[TheDutyPaid]

Absolutely nothing you can do.

Surprised you say there was no warning though. Steamworks titles should say on the back:

Yes it does. But maybe I am a bit thick, but no where it says once the code has been used it will never work again, even reading through the "Steam Subscriber Agreement" offers no help.

[Dooms]

Yeah I guess you would only know if you used steam and knew how it works.

As the guys above said I don't think there is anything you can do about it (except get your money back from Oxfam but I would just accept it as lost).

[jim]

At the very least I would notify them. They really ought to be aware by now that they can't resell single-use online key activated video games unless they're still sealed.

[scaryjim]

Definitely let Oxfam know - they aren't exactly a small local charity; the donated items are actually re-sold by a limited company that takes a (tiny) percentage of each sale. They should be doing a much better job of making sure that unusable items aren't resold. It might be worth asking for a refund then donating it directly, that way it won't count as a sale so not cut for the ltd, but you'll still be giving the money to the charity.

[Andi-C]

Go back & get an exchange ! State that is key has been used & its useless.

You'll find most charity shop manager's know nothing about PC games but will place them out regardless ! They will only check the contents...
The major retail charity's have a refund or an exchange policy, if you get an exchange you'll still be helping them out !

[TheDutyPaid]

What I have done is sent a email to Oxfam explaining about PC games, CD keys and so on but made it clear that console games like PS1/2/3/4, Saturn, Xbox, Dreamcast, Gamecube, Philips CD-i and so on. Will not have this trouble.

As for the £1.99 I think I can live with out it and hope it will exchange into karma points.

[=assassin=]

Steam Sale is currently on, and on their daily deals, Train Simulator 2014 is only £6.29 Link

As long as you are ok with downloading off the internet, and using the Steam app, (which the 2013 game seemed to anyway) then it's not too bad a price.

Looking at the negative user comments though, it is probably best to avoid any version altogether though.