GMs unable to reverse accidental purchases

#0 - Nov. 10, 2010, 3:58 a.m.
Blizzard Post
I have made a post in the Suggestions Forum, so that this may be addressed.
http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=27607455124&sid=1


So I've recently had a dilemma. I noticed the availability of "Flight Master's License" in my spellbook and went to a mount trainer to check it out. Obviously, it wasn't there, so I went to close the window. However, I did this without realising that where in most windows there is a "close" button, instead there was a "train" button. So, by clicking this I accidentally purchased Artisan flying. This was completely unintended, and a complete waste of 5000g I had saved for Cataclysm. I thought, no big deal, this kind of thing has happened to me before, I'll just contact a GM and ask to reverse the effects (including the removal of Artisan Flying).

I did just that, and after a day of waiting, I get a response that is something like "We are unable to resolve this issue at the time. Please visit www.blizzard.com/support/wowgm/ for further assistance." The website offered me no help, and the GM offered absolutely no reasoning and no alternative solutions. This annoyed me a little bit. So I responded saying that I thought it seemed that reversing the effects seems fair, and it wouldn't hurt anyone. I also explained that the previous response was just about useless.

Moments later I get another response that basically said "We're sorry that you are unhappy with your purchase of Artisan Flying. Though sometimes we offer assistance with accidental purchases, this time we can't because it gave you an achievement. We recommend being more careful when making purchases in the future."

1. I'm not unhappy with my purchase, I'm unhappy that this mistake cannot be reversed even though it would do no harm to other players, nor myself. I'd like to note that in the time that I've owned the new flying skill, I haven't gone near a flying mount as to show that I truly do not want the skill. I've also not spent a single copper, in case it may ease the process of refunding.

2. If you've been able to assist others in a similar fashion, why can't you assist me? Just take the achievement from me as well. If you're unable to do that ... Well you should be able to do that. You're not really much help otherwise. This is another issue that should be addressed. If you want to help your players, provide your employees with the means to do so.

3. I recommend YOU turn that "train" button into a "close" button, like most other windows in the game, and put the "train" button to the left, instead of the right. Rather inconsistent, don't you agree?
#3 - Nov. 10, 2010, 4:18 a.m.
Blizzard Post
Q u o t e:
If you've been able to assist others in a similar fashion, why can't you assist me? Just take the achievement from me as well. If you're unable to do that ... Well you should be able to do that. You're not really much help otherwise. This is another issue that should be addressed. If you want to help your players, provide your employees with the means to do so.


This is the most integral part of the equation. Due to the request of our developers to leave achievements as automated as possible, they do not provide Game Masters with the means of altering them in any way (granting, editing, or removing). There are a few extremely extenuating circumstances, but unfortunately, mistaken purchases such as this are not among the few we have purview over. If you feel this should change, our Suggestions forum is the best outlet for expressing your concerns.

Q u o t e:

I recommend YOU turn that "train" button into a "close" button, like most other windows in the game, and put the "train" button to the left, instead of the right. Rather inconsistent, don't you agree?


An excellent observation, and another that would best be voiced in our Suggestions forum. As a CS Forum Agent, I'm afraid I have no direct control over these things, like our developers and policy makers do. Those folks do read the Suggestions forum regularly, however, and they appreciate and consider each thought and concern expressed over there.