Infinite Gathering Tools: Some Info for you

#1 - Nov. 18, 2013, 6:41 p.m.

As you probably are aware, with the release of “The Nightmare Within” update on November 12, 2013, newly-purchased infinite gathering tools are now account bound. This is a great change, and one that was much-requested by our players.

Soulbound infinite gathering tools can be exchanged for account-bound versions through the Black Lion Weapons Specialists. These NPCs can be found near the Black Lion Traders in every city that hosts a Trading Post. For example, in Lion’s Arch the Black Lion Weapons Specialists are located on the second floor and can be reached by taking either stairway adjacent to the Black Lion Traders. Note: Be sure to un-equip any infinite gathering tools before speaking to a Black Lion Weapons Specialist because these items cannot be exchanged if they are equipped.

Now for those of you who purchased, say, four of the exact same item for the use of four different characters, we will be happy to give you a gem refund for any multiple items you have of a specific type. For instance, if you purchased three Molten Mining Picks to be used by three different characters, you should convert one of those picks to an account-bound item for use by any character on your account. Upon deletion of the second and third Molten Mining Pick, we will issue a gem refund for the additional Molten Mining Picks you no longer require. So again, the first of any specific infinite gather tool must be converted — we will refund gems only for duplicates of the duplicate named item.

If you would like to receive a gem refund for your extra soulbound infinite gathering tools of a certain type, please contact Support. Visit the “Support” tab at the top of this page, then choose “Submit a request” and choose “In-Game Issue.” Fill in the form, and in the section that says “Issue – No selection” select “In-Game Item” and then “Other.” Explain what items you currently possess and a support agent will guide you through the conversion and gem refund process.

#2 - Nov. 19, 2013, 6:38 p.m.

Please be aware that we’ve received quite a few requests, so please be patient as you await a response. Thanks!

#6 - Nov. 20, 2013, 4:16 p.m.

The team is catching up on these, but of course more come in as players realize this opportunity is available.

Ganebal — how about you wait until tomorrow, and if you haven’t been helped by that time, you can post in the Tickets for Review thread above?

#10 - Nov. 21, 2013, 12:40 p.m.

Inti.6853:

if i happened to turn a secondary duplicate into an account bound item and then deleted it, will i still receive the email and therefore the gem refund?

If you were in contact with Support and working through the gem refund process, then did what you described, no problem. If you deleted without contacting Support first, please discuss with them.

Note: We ask that you contact Support before deleting items, so you’re sure to go through the gem refund process properly. If you’re not sure how this all works, CS will be happy to work with you!

#12 - Nov. 22, 2013, 7:53 p.m.

Art.9820:

Been 6 days so far, just updated my ticket, till the end of today, like you asked us Gaile.

Posting over here to keep people informed if anyone is in the same situation.

Hey Art, did you also post in the Tickets for Review thread?

#14 - Nov. 22, 2013, 8:28 p.m.

Art.9820:

Lol Gaile I was about to do that I just was waiting for late tonight to not be so annoying.

Thank you!.

No worries, it’s fine! I just pray you’re not one of the poor people with the None Shall Pass E-mail providers!

#19 - Dec. 3, 2013, 11:30 p.m.

EpicHedgehog.1754:

I have one molten and one bone pick, but i changed them to acc bound before reading that refunds are possible, can I refund the bone pick? because I dont need it now..

The refund process is intended for duplicates of the same item. For example, if you had two Bone Picks, we could refund one. But with two separate items, the refund offer does not apply because they are different items.

#22 - Jan. 6, 2014, 10:24 p.m.

Twisya.1049:

sirsquishy.8531:

wrong forum, and Ill tell ya right now. They will not give you a refund.

Hey I’m sorry to disagree with you, i just got my 3 items refunded.

Thanks again Guild Wars team!!

We’re happy to help. Thanks for the note.

#24 - Jan. 30, 2014, 12:33 p.m.

DragonSquid.5873:

Gaile,

I would like to know if this deal is still active as i have a few account picks i would like to get refund to buy the new gemstore watchwork pick,

Thanks for your time

DragonSquid

Sure, I bet we can help you! If you have identical items — that is, the same exact item (not two different items of the same type) — submit a ticket to Support and we’ll get you fixed up.

To be clear, here’s what I wrote about the “same item” requirement: The refund process is intended for duplicates of the same item. For example, if you had two Bone Picks, we could refund one. But with two separate items, the refund offer does not apply because they are different items, even if the function is the same.

#28 - Jan. 31, 2014, 1:35 p.m.

Rajani Isa.6294:

On the plus side, you only paid 800 vs the 1000.

And had the use of it for some time prior to the release of the new one. People often forget that and it’s an important consideration.

Inculpatus cedo.9234:

If you have another source, I’d be thrilled to see it. =)

I don’t always read everything we say about new products, but I sure haven’t seen that in our materials. If we did say that, please let me know. Thanks.

#31 - Jan. 31, 2014, 2:57 p.m.

In order to ask about that phrasing I need to see it. I’m sorry — I’m definitely not meaning to say “If you can’t show me, it wasn’t said” but I don’t want to take a team member’s time to ask about this if I’m not able to point at it, you see?

A lot of times, people say “It was on the Guild Wars 2 Official Forum!” But it was there because a random forum member said it, not us. That could be the case here. Or maybe there was content that said that. I just don’t know.

I guess really whether or not that statement was made is somewhat off the original topic, anyway. Items differ, and what is valid at the time of the sale can change. It would be foolish and time consuming and extremely costly to refund everyone every time we offer a newer, better items.

If you sell items over a year, and then say “This is the latest and best” that’s not to suggest that previous items weren’t good, just that the most recent is the best. And if in the past, the item offered was the best of its class, that can change too as time passes.

I’m thinking of a certain store I like that has “The greatest sale of the season” and “the best sale of the season” and “the best sale of all” and all sorts of things. Basically, they have stuff on offer.

#37 - Jan. 31, 2014, 4:04 p.m.

Rising Dusk.2408:

Gaile Gray.6029:

If you sell items over a year, and then say “This is the latest and best” that’s not to suggest that previous items weren’t good, just that the most recent is the best. And if in the past, the item offered was the best of its class, that can change too as time passes.

It’s still a shoddy business tactic and scares users like myself into never buying upgrades or convenience items for fear that something down the road will come out that’s better. This new pick really disappointed me and shot a lot of my confidence in the gem store. Now I can’t even bring myself to get the Salvage-o-Matic because “what if something better comes out”.

RisingDusk — really? That makes me think of a good friend and former neighbor. He worked in the tech industry, but never bought himself a home computer. Why? Because he was afraid that “they” would offer something new — faster processor, better video card, improved RAM — and he’d then be “behind” in his tech. So he went without because somewhere, down the line, another something came along that outperformed what he could have been using, with great pleasure, for years!

I am using a… let’s call it “Generic SmartPhone 4,” and I know I should upgrade to the 5, but I worry that the minute I do it, the Generic SmartPhone 6 will come out. And about daily, I tell myself, “Just go get the upgrade” and I’m going to do it this weekend, but I should have done it months ago.

Sorry, long post. The point is, I wouldn’t let “what might be, by and by,” influence what you do in the here and now. Just my opinion, of course. Your mileage may vary!

#39 - Jan. 31, 2014, 4:17 p.m.

Yes, I see your points, Lilith, and I respect there are many different ways of looking at things. I just don’t want RD to feel bad, or betrayed, or somehow feel negatively towards us, as a company. That really is all I’m hoping, because I <3 ArenaNet and I believe we do right by our players.

#50 - Jan. 31, 2014, 9:25 p.m.

Guys, for the most part I think this has been a civil and helpful conversation. I want to thank you (well most of you) for keeping a constructive tone, and sharing your thoughts.

I believe I understand your position better now, and that’s always a good thing. If my “Generic SmartPhone” analogy wasn’t quite right for you, I apologize. It made sense to me. It makes sense to me now. But I understand some of you don’t agree.

Anyway, this thread started as and is intended to provide information about a support-related situation that involved item refunds. I’d like to keep it on that topic, because there still are some people who may desire to request such a refund.

If I could ask you to share your thoughts on the item in the appropriate forum — I am pretty sure that would be the Black Lion Trading Company Forum — I’d appreciate it. Please know I am not trying to deflect or shut down the discussion, just get it where it belongs and is most likely to be noted.

Thanks for understanding.

#57 - Feb. 3, 2014, 1:43 p.m.

Guys, I appreciate your faith in me (at least I think that’s what you’re showing ) but I am not in a position, and do not know the knowledge or expertise, to respond to the threads you’ve pointed out. Yes, I can read them, but I am not able to answer, nor should I.

I am confident that the team members who are directly involved in Gem Store items are aware of the thoughts being shared in the threads. Thanks for understanding.

#59 - Feb. 3, 2014, 5:44 p.m.

gidorah.4960:

aren’t we past the point where them being aware of the issue is enough? they should have addressed this a week ago and the silence seems to be creating problems? don’t you think instead of you someone who does have the knowledge and expertise should be here?

No, not at all. This is the Account Issues Sub-Forum, and posting on the subject of dissatisfaction with a design decision is quite off topic. I thanked everyone for his or her good manners earlier, and you will note that I asked them to post elsewhere. (The forum people tell me that posting in the Guild Wars 2 Discussion or Black Lion Trading Company sub-forum would be a good choice.)

So no, this thread isn’t where we’ll be discussing the matter, where previous content in this post was more related to an actual account issue (or the perception of one) and was appropriate for this forum.

#80 - Feb. 6, 2014, 1:26 p.m.

Smooth Penguin.5294:

JBDanger.2603:

Gaile Gray.6029:

gidorah.4960:

aren’t we past the point where them being aware of the issue is enough? they should have addressed this a week ago and the silence seems to be creating problems? don’t you think instead of you someone who does have the knowledge and expertise should be here?

No, not at all. This is the Account Issues Sub-Forum, and posting on the subject of dissatisfaction with a design decision is quite off topic. I thanked everyone for his or her good manners earlier, and you will note that I asked them to post elsewhere. (The forum people tell me that posting in the Guild Wars 2 Discussion or Black Lion Trading Company sub-forum would be a good choice.)

So no, this thread isn’t where we’ll be discussing the matter, where previous content in this post was more related to an actual account issue (or the perception of one) and was appropriate for this forum.

So couldnt you move this thread into the proper sub forum instead of making them create a whole new thread only to get overlooked for another week? Why make them jump through hoops when all you have to do is a few simple clicks? Sounds like a good business practice to me. They create a problem and wont discuss it because its in the wrong sub forum? What a joke! Wait, whos the OP that started this thread in the wrong subforum? Guess us players need to quit discussing it here then!

This thread was to discuss something completely different, hence the suggestion to go to the General or Trading forums. Perhaps you should read the first page, and see that this thread was derailed.

Thank you. My involvement on these forums — my focus — is the review, analysis, and resolution of account issues. This forum thread was created to outline the process of refunds in relation to duplicate Infinite Gathering Tools. My activity on this thread — and in the forums in general — is not an invitation to ask me to or demand that I speak outside my area of focus. I cannot and will not engage in off-topic discussions, and while I am sorry if that disappoints or upsets you, if you will step back and look at this thread objectively, you will see that that never was the purpose or this thread.

At this point, with regret, I’m going to lock this thread. I will post if there is any information about refunds in relation to the IGTs.