Consumer Protections Set by Steam

I’m a PC gamer who games primarily via Steam, but this is just not true. Steam really only protects the consumer when forced by a regulatory body. For example, Steam used to have a No Refunds policy until the EU forced them to have the 2 hours/2 weeks policy they have now.

Really, we should be thanking consumer watchdogs and regulatory bodies.

At some point they realized some people left their bluetooth on on their phones (which wasn’t the case when the initial deployment happened, bluetooth was seen by most as a battery sucking crap technology) and by comparing the bluetooth ping logs at two points they could approximate driving speeds to a decently accurate degree. You couldn’t use the data to pinpoint a specific user really and you couldn’t pinpoint speed exactly so it was no use to law enforcement, but it was fabulous data to model traffic on.

This is exactly why I turn my bluetooth off of my phone. I know grocery stores use this too for tracking where people shop within the store.

They even dug out the bluetooth data showing the average speed had gone down approaching the red light proving that driver habits were responding to the camera

How does this work exactly? Tracking people’s bluetooth devices as they pass the intersection?

Speed bumps everywhere, no turn on red signs, and now speed trap cameras.

I’m in support of speed bumps and no turn on red signal. As a pedestrian, cars (and bikes!) are dangerous.

Cameras suck though. Fuck cameras.

Since my Steam Deck broke I’ve been reading a lot more, so unironically a great suggestion.

The best part is that I actually get to own my books and pass them to other people after I’m done with them. Oh, and they’re not funded by underage gambling. And I can support a local shop down the street from me.

If this is being a dork and having a wasted life, I don’t want to change a thing.

I hope you’re able to practice talking to people more, as you clearly need work.

A penny to the PD is a penny too much. Speed bumps are better.

Cops and ICE are just going to use this to surveil citizens unjustly (arguably against their 4th amendment right).

• https://www.seattlesolidaritybudget.com/stop-surveillance-city
• https://stopsurveillancecity.wordpress.com/
• https://350seattle.org/2024/02/13/we-will-not-let-seattle-become-surveillance-city/

We live in the dumbest timeline

Same, Valve quoted me $197. I also found out that they don’t do their own repairs and—at least in my case—they’re outsourcing to https://www.reconext.com/ which has… less than stellar reviews.

• The 18 months post was a guesstimate. I bought it in November of 2023 which was 16 months ago
• It’s $185 + tax which is $197

3 month new warranty was offered after the repair was completed

This is not correct, it was a 3 month guarantee on repairs. (A 3 month extended warranty would be far more generous, but not what I was asking for).

why would you demand an additional 12 month “guarantee” on the repair

It is fairly typical in the automotive world, especially collision shops.

They never diagnosed a cause. They said it’s possible it’s not repairable and that they’d dispose of it for free or send it back.

deleted by creator

They’re generally a bad idea, especially if you’re a political dissident.

lmaoo

This has been awesome to witness. Finally some good news.

Sadly, this is the only screen my Steam Deck is capable of displaying right now 😭

Indeed I am from the US.

Yeah, I was excited for the Steam Deck because of the “pro-sumer” aspect of it in terms of repairability and customer support. I know the economic landscape has changed, but a 3 hour long difficult repair with $40 of tools and $80 of parts doesn’t feel particularly pro-sumer to me. Valve is charging $185 for the same repair, and I can’t get them to confirm that the repair would be warrantied (meaning, if it broke again in the same way they’d cover the cost again). Kinda frustrated with Valve right now (and, obviously, Nintendo and Sony aren’t any better).

This game has been getting universal acclaim, but no one in my friend group (including myself) liked this game. It is interesting to see non-games industry folks like the game. I’m glad you enjoy it!

I also need to leave this instance. My Steam Deck 1TB OLED died, the repair onerous and expensive, and Valve told me to kick rocks (the unit is 18 months old/6 months out of warranty).

Bye everyone!