Tuesday 22 December 2009

Well, that lasted a long time...

So, this is the end then, I found I just couldn't be bothered really blogging like this, so I set up an entirely new site. I know nobody is reading this, but if you are, then head over now to:
http://family-furie.broadswordsnbunnies.co.uk/

I may start doing a proper blog on there eventually.

Monday 28 September 2009

Sony "Playstation Store" Rip Off

Two weekends ago, my four year old son managed to buy a £15 PSP game through the Sony Store. Sony refuse to give a refund "because he accepted the terms" and because they "don't give refunds".

I pointed out that not being able to read, he couldn't have accepted the terms. They still refuse to give a refund for a product that is unused. Full details as to how your four year old can easily buy stuff follows:

One of the great things about the PS3 was the Playstation Store. Buy and download games and content from a single online shop provided by Sony. They even let you have a "quick buy" option, where details are saved and purchases are made though a few clicks of the X button.

This has worked well for me for over two years now. Even drunk I can manage to buy the new Singstar or Rock Band songs I want. So all was well and good.

The store is quite difficult to navigate, this is an advantage as it has meant that there's no way my youngest son can buy anything. You need the ability to read to be able to navigate the menus.

At the start of September, Sony added a "What's New" feature. This is essentially an advertising billboard that appears when you switch on the PS3. The screen has lots of details of new products, a lift of things you've done recently and... adverts for games currently sold.

One Sunday morning my son turned on the PS3 to watch a DVD. He's getting quite confident now and can manage this. However, when the PS3 booted, the "What's New" feature had an advert for Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters for the PSP. He thought is looked like a great game, so pressed X on it to play it. Here's where Sony fail.

The ad leads right to your basket to buy the game. All you need to do to actually make the purchase is to press X a few times. You add to the basket, agree to the terms and add funds to your account. Which is what he did putting me £14.99 out of pocket for a game I can get physically for a fiver.

So, Sony have essentially laid out a honey pot for kids with access to PS3's. Nice!

Of course, Sony will understand the issue, can see I haven't downloaded the game and refund me the money? Nope - they do not issue refunds.

I can understand the problem, but surely they can give me the money back as a credit? Remove my access to the game and then let me spend the £14.99 on something else with them?

Nope, they are sticking the line on this one. They've tricked my four year old into buying a game he can't play (it's rated 7+, so too old for him, I don't know what the legal ramifications are of that).

Still waiting for a final outcome, but they were very definite in their last reply of "no refunds".

Thursday 24 September 2009

At last!

A little corner of the internet to call my own. Somewhere I can ignore and allow the weeds to grow.

Or maybe I shall add a soapbox and spend my days moaning about things! Excellent :)