CD key missing after purchasing from store

#0 - Nov. 17, 2010, 5:55 p.m.

A while back I posted about an issue that I was having regarding loot cards:

http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=25559735975&sid=1

One of the stories told in a reply by Draeneir has stayed with me until this day:

Q u o t e:
I have a WOTLK key code story.

I went to Walmart, I selectively searched through their bin of 500 or so copies of WOTLK and picked one out. I looked it over to make sure it wasn't tampered with.
I bought it and took it home. I opened it up and the sticker code that should have been stuck to cardboard cd case was GONE. You could see where some factory worker scumbag pealed it off before it was shrink wrapped. (Out sourcing saves Blizzard money)

I had to go back to Walmart and lie to them to get a new one.

I guess it's worth saving a few dollars in labor, vs the risk of having their paying customers scammed.
After all, if I didn't get a replacement copy, I would have had to spend another 40$. The total cost for Blizzards fail would have been $0.00.

I will be opening up the Cataclysm game in front of a Walmart employee this time.

I post this again as the launch of cata is fast approaching. Though I do not personally know Draeneir nor have any way of verifying his/her story's authenticity, based on this persons alleged experience, I would like to recommend that anyone who plans to by a physical copy of the game from a local retailer open the game and verify the presence of the CD key before leaving the store.

Maybe unnecessary, but better safe then sorry.

Harlsoco

#11 - Nov. 17, 2010, 6:32 p.m.

The contents of the game are not packaged at our facilities, Shouraku, therefore the claim that a Blizzard Employee “stole” a CD key out of a game box is completely false.

There could be several factors that could have contributed to the poster not receiving a key in the contents.

Q u o t e:
I went to Walmart, I selectively searched through their bin of 500 or so copies of WOTLK and picked one out

This part of his post stood out the most. There could have been an issue with a shipment missing keys and that player just happned to pick one out. He also states that the box appeared fine but that he noticed the key was missing from the CD enclosure after he had unwrapped it.

Either way, players can decide for themselves on whether or not to open the contents at the place of purchase or not. However, they should be aware of that particular stores item return policies, especially if the merchandise has been opened.