Can a video game retailer do this?

[jq715861]

I am a PS3 owner and had 20 dollars on the upcoming shooter Haze. With the announcement that The Orange Box is coming out on the 11th, I decided to call up this retailer and switch my money from Haze to The Orange box.

Their answer to that question is that Haze had no money down on it. However, I have a receipt that says otherwise. They said it was switched over to Rock Band when it was picked up.

I didn't personally pick up Rock Band. I had hurt my neck the day before and couldn't drive. So, I sent someone with no knowledge of video games just to pick it up with more than the amount of money to cover the rest of what was needed to pay it off.

So, in short. Can they take money off of another pre-ordered game and move it without my permission?

[Thrashdragon]

They can move it around pretty much however they like. It's crappy customer service, but it's not illegal AFAIK. Preorders are a huge part of their business model however, so go down there and demand a district manager to scream at. Arbitrarily cancelling a preorder is not good for business.

They do, however, have to refund it should you want it back...and it sounds to me like they're claiming it was used up already when your friend picked up Rock Band...that's the receipt you need. If they took $20 off when he picked it up then that's where it went. If not, then go demand your $20 back and preorder Haze elsewhere.

[Parodygm]

It would seem odd. Is the real issue here that the person you sent down to pick up Rock Band pocketed the extra money?

[jq715861]

It would seem odd. Is the real issue here that the person you sent down to pick up Rock Band pocketed the extra money?

It was my mom. :o She felt bad since I was on muscle relaxants and painkillers for my hurt neck.

[LZ_Reborn]

I am a PS3 owner and had 20 dollars on the upcoming shooter Haze. With the announcement that The Orange Box is coming out on the 11th, I decided to call up this retailer and switch my money from Haze to The Orange box.

Their answer to that question is that Haze had no money down on it. However, I have a receipt that says otherwise. They said it was switched over to Rock Band when it was picked up.

I didn't personally pick up Rock Band. I had hurt my neck the day before and couldn't drive. So, I sent someone with no knowledge of video games just to pick it up with more than the amount of money to cover the rest of what was needed to pay it off.

So, in short. Can they take money off of another pre-ordered game and move it without my permission?

That is preposterous!! they can't do that, especially without your permision, one preorder had nothing to do with the other, even if it was the same customer, is not like it's a bank account where they can transfer funds from one account to the other. Sounds like one of their employes made a major screw up! and now they are trying to cover their tracks! I would go over there and clear that mess up! Don't hurt your neck in the process again though!;)

[Tokeio]

Every time there is a change to a pre-order, you have to sign a slip of paper detailing the change. This is policy at GameStop/EBGames. I didn't see a retailer mentioned so I'm assuming it's one of these two.

So, if they in fact used the $20 from Haze to pay for Rock Band, you should have a receipt showing that Haze money was removed and then used on Rock Band. If that's not the case, they screwed you and I'd march down there painkillers and all to give them an earful.