Scammed and Blizzard just says "Tough luck"??

#0 - Feb. 1, 2008, 8:10 p.m.
Blizzard Post
Alright, so I decided I wanted to get myself a spectral tiger mount. Now I'm not going to spend the money to buy the cards and HOPE for one, nor would I ever buy one off of eBay. So my only solution is to find someone in-game who has one. I just bought a Tabard of the Flame the same way, no problems.

So I make a realm forums post, and start saying, "WTB Spectral Tiger mount code, paying very well PST". I get lots of people that just want to know how much I'm paying and so on. A couple of days go by and I'm still looking then I get a whisper from someone, talked to him quite a bit he and he came to Booty Bay with me (level 70 warrior, had pvp gear) but he said no code unless I give half the gold up front (I was paying 5k), I was like how do I know I won't get scammed and he says "Well if I scam you I can get banned, but if I give you the code you could get banned but I'd be out my code.." so I figure, well if this guy does scam me, I've never been scammed before and I've only had one restoration since I can remember.

So of course he tells me some BS code, it doesn't work and he leaves BB and says BRB. I tell him I want my gold back if he's going anywhere, he says ok but still hops on the bird. So I follow him back to SW where he's already hitting the AH. Awesome. So I say screw that and put in a ticket right away and told him he has until the GM contacts me to give me my gold back and I would cancel the ticket. Then he starts replying, "Dude what are you talking about, my friend was playing my character farming me honor"... awesome.

About an hour and a half later a GM contacts me and asks me all the information then says they will escalate the ticket to a character specialist, I thank her and we're both on our way. A week goes by and no response so I sent in a ticket on a different character just to make sure they haven't forgotten about me (I checked here and saw the response times can be up to a week). GM tells me Not to worry and they would get to it as soon as possible. So today I'm just in IF and I get an email (while I'm online..?) that says "Greetings,

Thank you for contacting the World of Warcraft Game Master Department.

We have investigated the player you have reported for scamming, and are taking the appropriate actions. Because of privacy concerns, we are unable to disclose the nature of the action taken.

Due to many variables involved with item reimbursement and types of scams, restoration is not guaranteed. We have made every effort to verify your particular case, but unfortunately, we were unable to provide the restoration of items or money. We are sorry for any inconvenience you may have been caused. While we will make every effort to provide assistance in cases of loss, the decision to go forward with a restoration is entirely at Blizzard's discretion.

Please refer to our Character & Item Restoration Policy (http://us.blizzard.com/support/article.xml?articleId=20457) for further details on recovering lost items.
"
So now I'm disgusted and furious at Blizzard. Understandable it was my mistake, but I've NEVER been scammed before and the only thing I have had restored was my Arcanite Pistol. On the support site it says "We do not wish to encourage career victims, nor will we penalize players who legitimately make the occasional slip-up. Reimbursement of any kind is NOT guaranteed. While we will make every effort to verify and restore your loss, the decision to reimburse your loss is entirely at Blizzard's discretion."
So basically if the guy is having a bad day he can say, "Sucks for you buddy". Even though I submitted the ticket as SOON as I realized I was scammed.

Frankly I'm disgusted that Blizzard lets people like this scam people (I got tells from MULTIPLE people that this SAME character has done this before to other people) but screws over the honest people. I've been playing since launch (I played in the open beta too). I want to know why my reimbursement was declined. I'm about ready to just say screw it and cancel my account over this. Punish the SCAMMER not the VICTIM.
#79 - Feb. 1, 2008, 10:31 p.m.
Blizzard Post
Actually, there's been a lot of discussion in this thread regarding our policies on trading World of Warcraft TCG loot items for in-game currency. I feel it is my duty to set the record straight regarding our current policies on the subject.

I understand that this can be a bit of a grey area, and somewhat confusing. Essentially, if a World of Warcraft TCG loot code is advertised as an in-game item, then exchanging the code for in-game currency is not a violation of our policies. Given that this code is only redeemable for an in-game item, and is from a 'sanctioned' source, we currently treat this just as if it were a trade or auction house purchase. In-game -> in-game = A-OK.

Please keep in mind that this does not cover the exchange of in-game currency for the physical card, or any other transfer of real world item for a virtual item. Real World -> Virtual, or Virtual -> Real World = No No.

As with any trade, exchange or purchase in-game, though, if we are able to confirm that a 'scam' is taking place, then it is very much a violation of our policies, and appropriate action will be taken. As always, due to our privacy policies we'll be unable to keep reporting players apprised of what action is taken, and restoration is never guaranteed.

edit:
This is a unique policy that covers specifically the sale for in-game currency of codes (not the card itself) that may be redeemed for an in-game item only. Specifically, World of Warcraft TCG loot codes, and Blizzard Event in-game collectible codes, (such as the Murloc in-game pet code).

I hope that helps clarify the situation, guys.
#81 - Feb. 1, 2008, 10:38 p.m.
Blizzard Post
Q u o t e:
Not really. You just directly contradicted a specific quote from Pavonum on the matter as well as one of his less-specific-but-implied posts.


I did, and this was because the policy changed after thorough review and in consideration of these specific circumstances alone.

Q u o t e:
When did this change?


Sometime after September of 2007, I expect, though I'm unable to be specific.
#127 - Feb. 1, 2008, 11:55 p.m.
Blizzard Post
Q u o t e:

Are TCG cards special in this regard? Or could I sell a Blizzcon beta access code for gold? What about a 60 day game time card code? What about a code for a non-Blizzard product?
I agree that the floodgates have been opened here.


Indeed they are.

This is a unique policy that covers specifically the sale for in-game currency of codes (not the card itself) that may be redeemed for an in-game item only. Specifically, World of Warcraft TCG loot codes, and Blizzard Event in-game collectible codes, (such as the Murloc in-game pet code).

No other transactions are currently sanctioned under this policy.

Q u o t e:
edit: No offense meant to the CSF Blues, but I'm sure having stickies that link to discussions of old/out of date policies, etc., doesn't help the cause. ;)


Noted and altered. My apologies once again for any confusion or consternation that this might've caused =(.
#137 - Feb. 2, 2008, 12:54 a.m.
Blizzard Post
While I understand the concerns that are being expressed here, I think the specific point is being missed.

I'm not discussing the legality of ownership for virtual property within World of Warcraft, nor am I truly at liberty to engage in a debate of that nature. The End User License Agreement as well as the Terms of Use cover those points more than adequately.

The matter at hand, and my previous posts on the subject, were made exclusively to define the boundaries under which two in-game items (in this case some gold and a mount) could be swapped in addition to the nature of what kind of Game Master intervention may occur if one of the parties involved fails to hold up their end of the deal.

Beyond that, the powers that be are aware of the complexities of the situation, but I thank you all for your feedback.
#169 - May 14, 2008, 6:28 p.m.
Blizzard Post
Q u o t e:
If it's relevant NOW, post a new thread. There's a reason you have the option to create new posts when others are months old.


Correct.