2012-08-22 22:21

So, today I picked up a copy of Battlefield 2142 from a charity shop because it was cheap and at ok price considering how old it is and how many few players I assume are still playing it.



I get home and I got the game installed but when I log into my account it asked me for the CD key again so I put it in again and I get a message saying that it has been registered by another account.



I contacted EA support chat to ask if they could change to key to my account and offered to take a photo of the box, the serial key and some of my account credentials to prove that I legitimately own it.



You are now ready to chat with Neeti.

Neeti: Thanks for contacting EA Help! My name is Neeti how may I help you?

you: hi

Neeti: Hello

you: I contacted an EA last week about an issue I was having with Battlefield 2142

Neeti: no worries.

Neeti: Please provide me with the case number so that look into the details

you: when I log into my account and put in the key it says that it has been registered by another user

Neeti: Okay

Neeti: May I have your email address or the case number please?

you: yes its <hidden>

Neeti: Thanks

you: If you like I can give you a photo of the game, the CD key and my account details to prove it is mind and that i do own it

Neeti: <name>, would you mind waiting for few minutes while I check your account details?

you: no problem

Neeti: Thanks

Neeti: Thanks for waiting

Neeti: May I please have the serial key you are referring to?

you: yes one moment while I type it from the game manual

Neeti: Sure, please take your time

you: <serial key>

Neeti: Thanks

you: no problem

Neeti: Would you mind waiting for few minutes while I check the code details?

you: sure

Neeti: Thanks

Neeti: I'm still looking into your account details.

you: that's ok take your time

Neeti: Thanks

Neeti: <name>, thanks for your patience.

Neeti: Which game are you referring to and where did you purchase it from?

you: it's for Battlefield 2142 and I bought it from a charity shop.

Neeti: Okay

Neeti: Let me check the code details once again, <name>.

you: ok

Neeti: Thanks so much

Neeti: Thanks for waiting, <name>

Neeti: The screen name is "<hidden>" which is linked with the email address with domain name <hidden>

you: oh?

you: I don't know of this username or have gmail email

you: I guess that was the person that gave it into the charity shop

Neeti: Okay

Neeti: But the game is registered on the email address with domain name <hidden>

you: well as I said, it was the person that gave it to the charity shop where I bought it

you: well I don't know for certain it was the exact same person you know

Neeti: I understand.

Neeti: Let me check what best I can do for you.

you: ok

Neeti: Thanks for waiting.

Neeti: <name>, I wish I could help you out.

Neeti: Since the game is purchased from the retailer and the email address could not be verified. Please contact the retailer for further assistance in this matter.

Neeti: Thank you for contacting EA. Is there anything else I can help you with today?

you: how exactly is a charity chop going to help me?

Neeti: <name>, I understand your concern.

Neeti: I apologize for my inability to help you further in this matter.

you: why can't you just transfer the serial key to my account?

Neeti: Had it been possible I'd have done that by now

you: are you basically telling me that I take it back to the shop and get a refund?

Neeti: Since the codes are not only system specific but are also retailer specific.

Neeti: I'm bound to policies

you: and EA wonder why the are known as the worst company in America...

Neeti: I'm sorry if you feel that way.

you: for the sake of an old game that very few play anymore

you: and EA is telling me to take money back from a charity....

you: wow, unbelievable.

Neeti: I understand your state of mind.

Neeti: Let me look for a work around for you.

Neeti: Have you ever played the game?

you: no, that is why I bought it.

Neeti: Okay

Neeti: Do you have the purchase receipt?

you: I owned every Battlefield except this one and wanted to see what it was like before the franchise was runined.

you: no sorry I didn't get one

Neeti: It looks rather difficult at the moment.

you: whats difficult? are you felling ok?

Neeti: <name>, we'd require the purchase receipt to verify the purchase.

you: you know you don't have to work for EA if you don't want to, I can come and rescue you and your friends.

Neeti: I value your time hence I'm asking you to contact the retailer to get the purchase receipt.

Neeti: Please feel free to initiate a new chat session once you have all the required details.

Neeti: We'd be glad to take it forward.

you: how exactly is that going to help?

you: charity shops don't give receipts

Neeti: There must be a proof of purchase.

you: I can take a photo of the box with the key and my account details

Neeti: We specifically look for the purchase receipt.

you: but I can tell you that I won't be able to get a receipt from the charity shop I got it in because they did not have a till or any system gor proof of purchase

Neeti: I understand your concern.

Neeti: Let me look for an alternative.

Neeti: <name>, thanks for your patience

Neeti: I apologize for not being of much help.

you: so what can you do?

Neeti: I'd be glad to help after verifying the purchase receipt which can be collected by the retailer

you: ok

you: well can you send me a transcript of this chat?

Neeti: Yes, you'll get the transcript of this chat session.

you: and just before I leave are you sure you don't want me to come and rescue you from your EA overlords?

you: thanks for the transcript

Neeti: I apologize for not providing you the expected help as I'm bound to policies.

you: would it be possible to give me another key to activate?

Neeti: I can provide you with Origin discount code which would help you to avail 15% discount on any EA game purchased online

you: no but ill take a 100% code for Battlefield 2142

Neeti: I'll be able to share these details only after verifying the purchase receipt.

Neeti: Please contact the retailer and ask for the purchase receipt.

Neeti: I'd certainly assist you further regarding this matter.

Neeti: Are we still connected?

you: yes

Neeti: Is there any other information you would like to know?

you: erm I guess I'll hae to return it to the shop and take my money back from a charity -_-

Neeti: I believe the retailer would be the best alternative here.

Neeti: They might provide you with more options as well

you: bye

Neeti: I understand how does it feel when you paid for the game and are unable to play the same

Neeti: I really want to help you but even I'm bound to policies.

Neeti: I hope you understand

Neeti: Please feel free to contact us back with the required details

Neeti: We'd certainly help you.

you: don't worry I'm sure I won't need to





In summary EA want me to return to the charity shop and ask for receipt or proof of purchase which is not possible.