Is it against copyright laws to echange an opened DVD

[Umbran]

Except in this case were I can't find that is the case and it looks like she lied to me.

Yes, well, Crothian, it just means that you're exceptional enough that they don't have a general policy for you

 

[Bullgrit]

Synchronicity that you post this now. A few days ago, I bought the game Bioshock (1) for Windows. I installed it, and tried to play it, but no sound.

I looked around the Web for solutions/fixes, and it seems that this is a common problem with Bioshock. But none of the fixes work for me. I spent 3 hours trying to resolve this problem just to play a frickin' computer game. I gave up. I uninstalled the game, put the CD back in the case, and decided to take it back to Target and get my money back (or a different game).

I haven't gotten by the store yet, but I think they have a no-return policy on their games. I understand the policy, but if they stick to it, how do I get my money back? This is not a case of a defective disk, this game program just will not work for me.

If when I get to the store, they don't take it back, what can/should I do? The game producer is at fault, and I should not have to give up $30 for something that won't work for me -- a problem I didn't (and couldn't) know about until I tried it.

Bullgrit

 

[LightPhoenix]

Scenario: You buy a movie. You take it home, open it, and burn a copy. Take the original back to the store, exchange, bring it home, copy it. If you're really clever, you can work several cycles of this.

Pretty much this. A big problem Best Buy and other electronics retailers were facing was people using the return policy to essentially rent items. The store actually loses money twice on this transaction - once to "replace" the DVD, and once to ship the opened DVD back (yes, it costs the store money). It's the same reason there are restocking fees on stuff like cameras and camcorders. A return generally costs a store money beyond what the consumer paid; that's why customer service is a big thing in retail.

A secondary reason is to combat theft. You could buy the DVD, replace it with a burned copy (easy with technology you can buy at Best Buy) and essentially get free "real" DVDs, albeit without cases.

Copyright law is a nice excuse, but not the actual reason. In retail, everything is dictated by money - especially store policy.

 

[LightPhoenix]

If when I get to the store, they don't take it back, what can/should I do? The game producer is at fault, and I should not have to give up $30 for something that won't work for me -- a problem I didn't (and couldn't) know about until I tried it.

Unfortunately, there's little you can really do in this case.

First, I would double check the store policy, but I'm relatively certain you can't return computer programs at Target.

Second, if you're in the store, ask to speak with the manager on duty. It's fairly likely they will not help you out. Most managers will stick to store policy unless it's a fairly significant purchase (I'd say at least $200 dollars). It's worth a try though. Be civil - you catch more flies with honey and a two-by-four than just a two-by-four, to quote Babylon 5.

Third, you could go to someplace that buys used games and possibly sell it to minimize your loss.

 

[Morrus]

Synchronicity that you post this now. A few days ago, I bought the game Bioshock (1) for Windows. I installed it, and tried to play it, but no sound.

I looked around the Web for solutions/fixes, and it seems that this is a common problem with Bioshock. But none of the fixes work for me. I spent 3 hours trying to resolve this problem just to play a frickin' computer game. I gave up. I uninstalled the game, put the CD back in the case, and decided to take it back to Target and get my money back (or a different game).

I haven't gotten by the store yet, but I think they have a no-return policy on their games. I understand the policy, but if they stick to it, how do I get my money back? This is not a case of a defective disk, this game program just will not work for me.

If when I get to the store, they don't take it back, what can/should I do? The game producer is at fault, and I should not have to give up $30 for something that won't work for me -- a problem I didn't (and couldn't) know about until I tried it.

Bullgrit

If it really doesn't work as described, then they have no defense against your returning it. Depends how far you want to push it and whether it's worth your time.

Usually with computer games, though, there's a grey area regarding your PC - if it doesn't work on a PC on a clean install of Windows (i.e. youv'e done nothing to it) and it meets all the requirements exactly as stated on the box, you have a good case. But that's all the game warrants; once you start doing stuff on your PC, you end up in a grey argumentative area - and consumers usually lose out in that case, unless they're very persuasive!

You'll find, though, that your game probably does work on a new PC which meets the requirements and hasn't been touched.

And yes - I agree that sucks big time. I've fallen afoul of it many, many times.

 

[Bullgrit]

You'll find, though, that your game probably does work on a new PC which meets the requirements and hasn't been touched.

The problem is that my PC is too new and too untouched -- Windows 7. I've learned that Bioshock doesn't get along well with Vista and 7. No fault of my own, nothing I've done bad or wrong. Other computer games I've bought recently work fine with 7.

Yes, I know about running in compatibility mode and all that. Like I said, I spent 3 hours searching for and trying the various fixes.

The fault is all with Bioshock -- 2K should have made a fix for the problem, but they haven't. I hate having to punish the retailer for the producer's fault.

Bullgrit

 

[Janx]

Where to begin....

IANAL, but Copyright law doesn't cover returns. If the store does have a policy of no returns, its probably to fight piracy. Whether the clerk intentionally mistated the reason or not is unclear. Ask to speak to a manager. i recall an old Monte Cook blog complaining of making the same double-purchase/no return mistake a few years back.

On the whole game doesn't work on computer, that's why I stopped buying PC games 10 years ago. Consoles have a market life for 5-6 years before the next gen model is release. Sony sticks to this like clock-work, and it works to MS favor to emulate, because they are already 1 year earlier than Sony.

Compare to playing hardware roulette for what's supported (and I thought that problem was reduced by now with DirectX) and needing upgrades every 2 years.

Therefore, I recommend console games for gamers. The FPS have gotten quite good, and most games are on all platforms. Sure, there are PC only games, if need be, buy only those for PC.

Case in point, Bioshock (which one game of the year when it came out) for 360 runs on EVERY 360 of the same country of origin (US disk on US xbox 360). Since it's not even a high action FPS, the controls are more than sufficient.

And if you hate MS, the Sony PS3 also has BioShock. Which also works on every PS3.

Not to bust your chops BG, but consoles are the bets platform for playing games, barring the games that haven't come out for them.

As an aside, there are some game types, like CTS's such as Command and Conquer that didn't work well on consoles. So, despite my advice, a console can't solve "every" game problem. But they do avoid quite a few.

 

[Dire Bare]

Very few stores will take returns on opened CDs, DVDs, and software. It's been that way for over a decade at least, probably longer. And it is for the reason most folks have already stated, the stores don't want to encourage "renting" or media/software piracy, especially on their dime.

Your only real choice is to suck up the loss. The store will (or should) tell you to contact the manufacturer/publisher, but I doubt you'll get anywhere in that direction either. Hopefully the publisher will eventually release a patch that covers your issue, and the game will become playable for you. Have you contacted customer service for the publisher yet?

 

[Thanee]

That's what ebay is for.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Orius]

Another reason would be to avoid the perception of assisting copyright infringement.

Scenario: You buy a movie. You take it home, open it, and burn a copy. Take the original back to the store, exchange, bring it home, copy it. If you're really clever, you can work several cycles of this.

While they have no proof you've done something naughty, the policy may keep the DVD producers off their backs.

I assume this is the case. They don't accept returns because they think you're just pirating it, and they lose money on it. They're less concerned about the piracy itself, it's the lost profit that's the issue for them.

I haven't gotten by the store yet, but I think they have a no-return policy on their games. I understand the policy, but if they stick to it, how do I get my money back? This is not a case of a defective disk, this game program just will not work for me.

If when I get to the store, they don't take it back, what can/should I do? The game producer is at fault, and I should not have to give up $30 for something that won't work for me -- a problem I didn't (and couldn't) know about until I tried it.

I dunno, check the reciept or the company's website for their return policy. If they won't let you return it, it sucks, but possibly you could get sme money for it on the used market.