System for detecting fraudulent Steam transactions
System for detecting fraudulent Steam transactions
I bought Final Fantasy XV on Steam for my PC. It meets the basic requirements, but it doesn’t run smoothly—it keeps crashing and lagging even when running at minimum settings. I spent six hours trying to resolve the issue myself without success. The refund process repeatedly rejected my request because I opened the game for over two hours. I attempted multiple refund attempts, but each time it was denied shortly after. I documented all my problems in detail, even including references to consumer rights and complaints about automated rejections. Despite writing everything out, I received the same rejection every time. It felt like my concerns were ignored, and eventually it became frustrating. I’m tired of the situation, especially since Australian Consumer Law clearly protects me, yet Steam keeps ignoring it. I’m relieved there’s a two-hour automatic refund system, but beyond that, nothing seems to help.
Sign up using the provided link (separate from your Steam account), then submit a ticket for the game under Request Refund, clearly describing your issue. The initial reply will likely be automated; follow up if needed and you should receive a human response. Note that if you exceed the two-hour time limit, they won’t process a refund—refund decisions depend on their discretion.
What they’re trying to emphasize is that they can’t simply claim you’re not entitled to a refund just because you had three hours. They’re violating the Australian Consumer Law by making such a decision.
Valve is among the few companies still committed to defending consumer interests, even if it's just slightly. While you might be in an environment with restricted access like L4D2, the issue really lies with your PC not being able to run the software. It should work fine.
Minimum system requirements have always puzzled me (back in the Pentium II Sims days). What counts as playable? For me, it means smooth 60fps at 1080p, while 30fps at 720p is just okay. It’s not Valve’s issue—it reflects market trends and how companies market their products. If there had been a standard defining what “playable” means, like a minimum of 40fps in Full HD, then everyone would have agreed. Nowadays, it mostly comes down to the game developer handling the specs.
Try resolving the problem with Steam. If you encounter issues, note how the game behaves and crashes. When Steam doesn’t communicate properly, reach out to the ACCC or Fair Trading NSW with your concerns and share proof that the product isn’t working. Also, make sure the pagefile option is enabled, as it helped fix FFXV’s opening cutscene crash.
LOL NO, did you even read the section about their auto refund process? Here are the rights Valve breached when I requested a refund:
- Products need to be of good quality—safe, durable, and free of defects.
- They must align with descriptions given by salespeople, on packaging, labels, and in ads.
- They should match any samples or models shown, being suitable for the intended use.
- Ownership must be clear; no hidden debts or extra charges.
- You should receive full title and possession without restrictions.
- Products must come with proper care, technical expertise, and steps to prevent loss or damage.
- Delivery should meet agreed timelines, even if no fixed end date is set.
- Consumer guarantees apply to bundled items, gifts, second-hand goods, and online purchases from Australian businesses.
If the issue lies with your hardware or software, it's not their responsibility. It doesn't seem related to the game or Valve—it's more about your computer. It's similar to asking a tire company about a problem with your car when the engine is faulty, unrelated to the tires you purchased.