Crown Store stock never actually goes away?

Recremen

According to this Reddit thread you can apparently still buy anything that has previously shown up on the Crown Store, just through the support ticket system. Are these baseless rumors, or real legit things? Would love an official clarification from @ZOS_GinaBruno , @ZOS_JessicaFolsom , etc! There's a few things I skipped out on back before costume dyeing that I would strongly consider now, and I certainly have the crowns raring to go. Would also be interested in knowing if this functionality extended to other items on the Crown Store that are exclusive to the gambling boxes. Please hit us up with the knowledge bomb!

IrishGirlGamer

That did NOT work for me.

There was an Imperial officer collection (three costumes) available in the Crown store. I wanted one of them for one of my characters. I had to travel for a week and when I returned the costume set had been pulled - and I had missed out. Fair enough, my mistake.

But I did everything I could to get that collection, including pm-ing @ZOS_GinaBruno directly. Nothing. Not even a response. And then a couple of months later ... wait for it .... wait for it .... yes, a version of the costume appeared in the Crown crates.

So I spent multiple times the amount I would have spent on the costumes trying to get them from the Crown crates. What a win for Zenimax.

rootimus

IrishGirlGamer wrote: »

So I spent multiple times the amount I would have spent on the costumes trying to get them from the Crown crates. What a win for Zenimax.

I don't see how you can complain, if you elected to become part of the problem of your own free will.

starkerealm

IrishGirlGamer wrote: »

That did NOT work for me.

Honestly, it sounds like you need to get the right support rep. Wrong one, and you're out of luck.

Runs

starkerealm wrote: »

IrishGirlGamer wrote: »

That did NOT work for me.

Honestly, it sounds like you need to get the right support rep. Wrong one, and you're out of luck.

This is exactly my issue with the support from ZOS and other companies that have lax requirements on their customer service. One person will be treated fairly another will be completely turned down based entirely on the rep their ticket gets sent to. No mater what the policy is, it should be a standard policy for everybody.

starkerealm

Runs wrote: »

starkerealm wrote: »

IrishGirlGamer wrote: »

That did NOT work for me.

Honestly, it sounds like you need to get the right support rep. Wrong one, and you're out of luck.

This is exactly my issue with the support from ZOS and other companies that have lax requirements on their customer service. One person will be treated fairly another will be completely turned down based entirely on the rep their ticket gets sent to. No mater what the policy is, it should be a standard policy for everybody.

It's not about being lax with customer service. It's just that, in most cases, CS reps aren't paid enough to care.

AnviOfVai

If that's true I would love to get my hands on the tiger mount...but im pretty sure they will shut this system down if it was ever active in the first place....*limited time only* *limited stock* All lies..

drakhan2002_ESO

katiesmith12341 wrote: »

If that's true I would love to get my hands on the tiger mount...but im pretty sure they will shut this system down if it was ever active in the first place....*limited time only* *limited stock* All lies..

The default senche (tiger) mount was the 1 year subscriber loyalty reward. The loyalty rewards have been deemed as not returning, even to crates. So...the only way to get one of those was to subscribe to ESO during the first year.

If you're talking about the blue dro m'athra mount, that one might make a return in the crates...

JKorr

katiesmith12341 wrote: »

If that's true I would love to get my hands on the tiger mount...but im pretty sure they will shut this system down if it was ever active in the first place....*limited time only* *limited stock* All lies..

The tiger senche loyalty mount is the only one they ever specifically said will never be offered for sale. You had to be subbed for 300 days in the first year to get it.

The other "limited time" items had a chance of returning to the store at some point. That was pre-clown crates however.

While it would be really nice and customer friendly to bring the items back to the store for outright purchase, I'm afraid the limited time items will now only return in the clown crates.

Rosveen

That's shady as ***. Even if this Petyr guy actually did it, I don't think he should - selling discontinued items under the table is unfair to other players who don't have this option. It's also a waste of precious CS time which could be spent on solving actual problems. Imagine the flood of tickets when the word gets out.

QUEZ420

katiesmith12341 wrote: »

If that's true I would love to get my hands on the tiger mount...but im pretty sure they will shut this system down if it was ever active in the first place....*limited time only* *limited stock* All lies..

drakhan2002_ESO wrote: »

katiesmith12341 wrote: »

If that's true I would love to get my hands on the tiger mount...but im pretty sure they will shut this system down if it was ever active in the first place....*limited time only* *limited stock* All lies..

The default senche (tiger) mount was the 1 year subscriber loyalty reward. The loyalty rewards have been deemed as not returning, even to crates. So...the only way to get one of those was to subscribe to ESO during the first year.

If you're talking about the blue dro m'athra mount, that one might make a return in the crates...

I'm one of the proud owners of the loyalty reward senche tiger mount n even tho these new money pit mounts r nice looking n all nothing trumps the tiger senche.

starkerealm

Rosveen wrote: »

That's shady as ***. Even if this Petyr guy actually did it, I don't think he should - selling discontinued items under the table is unfair to other players who don't have this option. It's also a waste of precious CS time which could be spent on solving actual problems. Imagine the flood of tickets when the word gets out.

Not much more of a waste of their time than the guy who was reporting people in Stormhaven for bad spelling earlier this evening. (I seriously hope they were joking.) And at least in this case, ZOS does end up with a happy customer.

If it works. If their system is set up to handle it. Then it really doesn't matter. People can put through their requests, and ZOS gets paid. I mean, someone buying a 2500 mount, is paying that rep's time for the next two hours. So the company does come out ahead. If everyone has (roughly equal access) to the system... it's not unfair. Now, if it's just one or two reps doing this, and it's not supported by policy, that's different.

reiverx

JKorr wrote: »

katiesmith12341 wrote: »

If that's true I would love to get my hands on the tiger mount...but im pretty sure they will shut this system down if it was ever active in the first place....*limited time only* *limited stock* All lies..

The tiger senche loyalty mount is the only one they ever specifically said will never be offered for sale. You had to be subbed for 300 days in the first year to get it.

The other "limited time" items had a chance of returning to the store at some point. That was pre-clown crates however.

While it would be really nice and customer friendly to bring the items back to the store for outright purchase, I'm afraid the limited time items will now only return in the clown crates.

It would be nice if they extended that to loyal console users. The only time I see the tiger senche is when a PC transfer shows it off.

TheSeer

Sad thing is there are only 3 things I would want.

Breton Hero Costume, Elven Hero Costume, and the Nord Hero Costume.

QUEZ420

reiverx wrote: »

JKorr wrote: »

katiesmith12341 wrote: »

If that's true I would love to get my hands on the tiger mount...but im pretty sure they will shut this system down if it was ever active in the first place....*limited time only* *limited stock* All lies..

The tiger senche loyalty mount is the only one they ever specifically said will never be offered for sale. You had to be subbed for 300 days in the first year to get it.

The other "limited time" items had a chance of returning to the store at some point. That was pre-clown crates however.

While it would be really nice and customer friendly to bring the items back to the store for outright purchase, I'm afraid the limited time items will now only return in the clown crates.

It would be nice if they extended that to loyal console users. The only time I see the tiger senche is when a PC transfer shows it off.

But showing it off jus feels sooooooo good. My fav is when a console pleb sees me on my senche tiger n jus attacks me wit a heavy n light attack over n over again lol. Watching his frustration n jealousy build excits me a lil LUL.

Abeille

Rosveen wrote: »

That's shady as ***. Even if this Petyr guy actually did it, I don't think he should - selling discontinued items under the table is unfair to other players who don't have this option. It's also a waste of precious CS time which could be spent on solving actual problems. Imagine the flood of tickets when the word gets out.

Hehehe, "shady".

And his name is "Petyr".

This is priceless.

NewBlacksmurf

I believe it is true that opening a support ticket can allow you to obtain items not listed. I wouldn't conclude that it's an automatic thing as each ticket is subject to circumstances.

Isn't that the point of support?
To assist where you cannot assist.....

I don't think contacting anyone on the forums should be considered as contacting support. A ticket number does and should be considered contacting support so PMs and stuff aren't the same at all

Acrolas

starkerealm wrote: »

If it works. If their system is set up to handle it. Then it really doesn't matter. People can put through their requests, and ZOS gets paid. I mean, someone buying a 2500 mount, is paying that rep's time for the next two hours. So the company does come out ahead. If everyone has (roughly equal access) to the system... it's not unfair. Now, if it's just one or two reps doing this, and it's not supported by policy, that's different.

First, there's no correlation between any crown purchase and anybody's paycheck. That correlation can only be achieved by being sole proprietor.

Secondly, even one example of this behavior means ZOS is guilty, directly or indirectly, of false advertising under Maryland Commercial Law Code § 13-301.
http://law.justia.com/codes/maryland/2005/gcl/13-301.html

It's like Target selling Hatchimals during their advertised store hours, saying they're out of stock, then having an employee continue to sell them at the back unloading bay from 2 AM until 5 AM. without telling anyone. Once discovered, that deceptive behavior would get primetime news coverage. So if this really is happening, it needs to stop, ZOS needs to publicly admit it happened, and publicly state it's not going to happen at any time in the future.

starkerealm

Okay... wow, this is stupid.

Acrolas wrote: »

starkerealm wrote: »

If it works. If their system is set up to handle it. Then it really doesn't matter. People can put through their requests, and ZOS gets paid. I mean, someone buying a 2500 mount, is paying that rep's time for the next two hours. So the company does come out ahead. If everyone has (roughly equal access) to the system... it's not unfair. Now, if it's just one or two reps doing this, and it's not supported by policy, that's different.

First, there's no correlation between any crown purchase and anybody's paycheck. That correlation can only be achieved by being sole proprietor.

No one is asserting a direct correlation. However, if the company is making more money from the transaction than they are spending on labor to complete that transaction, it is not "wasting their time." Even if ZOS is paying their reps $25 an hour, if the transaction takes less than an hour to complete in their system, the company comes out ahead.

Acrolas wrote: »

Secondly, even one example of this behavior means ZOS is guilty, directly or indirectly, of false advertising under Maryland Commercial Law Code § 13-301.
http://law.justia.com/codes/maryland/2005/gcl/13-301.html

Heh. No, it's not. I actually read section 301. This actually slips around it. Your example below would be illegal, under 5(i) and 5(ii).

Here what ZOS did was produce an item: Legal (in case you're confused on this point.)
Offer it for sale on a limited basis: also legal.
Remove it from general sale once the promotion is over: again, legal.
Allowing people to purchase the item after they are no longer advertising it. Which is, in fact legal.

Acrolas wrote: »

It's like Target selling Hatchimals during their advertised store hours, saying they're out of stock, then having an employee continue to sell them at the back unloading bay from 2 AM until 5 AM. without telling anyone. Once discovered, that deceptive behavior would get primetime news coverage. So if this really is happening, it needs to stop, ZOS needs to publicly admit it happened, and publicly state it's not going to happen at any time in the future.

What is not legal, under Maryland law is advertising something, then not providing a reasonable supply of it (which is kinda unusual, but doesn't apply here.) And also lying about being out of stock, which is illegal under Maryland law.

So... no, this is actually completely legal. They stopped advertising a product, but didn't remove it from sale. If that were illegal, it would open up hilarious obligations on stores to advertise everything they have in stock. Which is ludicrous when you think about it like that, isn't it?

Acrolas wrote: »

So if this really is happening, it needs to stop, ZOS needs to publicly admit it happened, and publicly state it's not going to happen at any time in the future.

Nah, it really doesn't matter. Of course, busybodies throwing a tantrum over it, and screaming, "it's against the law," might get the system shut down entirely, simply because the company doesn't feel strongly enough about it to even check with legal. In which case, those individuals have ruined it for everyone through their shoddy grasp of consumer protection laws.

Here's an accurate... or at least more accurate example of this, and why it's legal.

Used to be Subway had a sandwich called The Feast. It was a monster. A lot of different stuff went on it. Limited time. Remember that term? It was available for about six months. Then it was discontinued. Thing is, you go to a Subway today, about five or six years later, and ask for one... and if you have a guy working the counter who knows what you're talking about, they can still make them and ring you up.

What you have here is nothing less than someone ordering something that's not on the menu. Which is an entirely legal concept.

JamilaRaj

Recremen wrote: »

Are these baseless rumors, or real legit things?

It is most likely real, but not always legit. See, Petyr Baelish works in the Whale Retention Department and can grant discount or minor items in order to keep whales subbed and spending, but you have to make sure you do not send money to his PayPal.

Anyway, that title is pretty sick clickbait, dude. Words like crown, store, goes, away on the same line really suggest at first glance the thread is about something else entirely!!!

Rosveen

starkerealm wrote: »

If everyone has (roughly equal access) to the system... it's not unfair.

Except we don't. Up until now, most of us probably had no idea the system existed. On the contrary, ZOS officials led us to believe it doesn't. And as per the second post, some people actually tried and were turned down, so there's no fairness and transparency here.

If ZOS is okay with selling old items, why don't they just bring them back to the crown store? Surely that would be easier and more profitable than CS reps selling items manually to a handful of people.

nine9six

I have a Support Ticket in right now to see if I can get the Ashlander Pack unlocked on my account.

*fingers crossed*

Also, Petyr has been very helpful with Gifting Crown Store items to my Guildies. I'm hoping he can work his magic with this ticket as well.



I will update this thread when all is said and done, regardless of the outcome.

Acrolas

starkerealm wrote: »

Here what ZOS did was produce an item: Legal (in case you're confused on this point.)
Offer it for sale on a limited basis: also legal.
Remove it from general sale once the promotion is over: again, legal.
Allowing people to purchase the item after they are no longer advertising it. Which is, in fact legal.

The item is advertised as no longer being available after a certain date. Out of stock.
Allowing any withholding to be sold under the table after the item is advertised out of stock is the false advertising.

Section 9i. As crowns and everything purchased with them are a lease, they fall under consumer services. In this case, and in the Hatchimals example, an omission of material fact in promotion or sale.

Don't worry. I've been called stupid or worse a great many times, even in court. Never tarnished the win.

Sigtric

This is just a guess but...

Recently some emails went out to some subset of players (and later people who cancelled their Plus membership) stating that they were testing/doing a system that would allow you to gift crown store items to other players.

Make sure you have enough crowns in your account > submit a ticket to CS requesting the item and the @ account name of the person you wanted it gifted to.

I received something this way, so I know it was going on for at least a little while.


I am guessing this might be some confusion related to this. There was nothing I read or heard about that said old crown items were available

starkerealm

Acrolas wrote: »

starkerealm wrote: »

Here what ZOS did was produce an item: Legal (in case you're confused on this point.)
Offer it for sale on a limited basis: also legal.
Remove it from general sale once the promotion is over: again, legal.
Allowing people to purchase the item after they are no longer advertising it. Which is, in fact legal.

The item is advertised as no longer being available after a certain date. Out of stock.

No. ZOS never said it was "out of stock." Just that it would be sold on certain days, which it was.

starkerealm

Sigtric wrote: »

This is just a guess but...

Recently some emails went out to some subset of players (and later people who cancelled their Plus membership) stating that they were testing/doing a system that would allow you to gift crown store items to other players.

Make sure you have enough crowns in your account > submit a ticket to CS requesting the item and the @ account name of the person you wanted it gifted to.

I received something this way, so I know it was going on for at least a little while.


I am guessing this might be some confusion related to this. There was nothing I read or heard about that said old crown items were available

Yeah, this might be what was going on. The gifting system was being tested... and because of how it was set up, it allows people to "gift" things to themselves. With the CS reps having access to the entire back catalogue of goodies.

Greifenherz

starkerealm wrote: »

No. ZOS never said it was "out of stock." Just that it would be sold on certain days, which it was.

How is "out of stock" not synonymous to "no longer available" which is something that ZOS said? Genuine question. :x

starkerealm

Greifenherz wrote: »

starkerealm wrote: »

No. ZOS never said it was "out of stock." Just that it would be sold on certain days, which it was.

How is "out of stock" not synonymous to "no longer available" which is something that ZOS said? Genuine question. :x

"Out of stock," means you cannot sell the item. "No longer available," means you don't want to sell the item, but may have some available.

JKorr

Greifenherz wrote: »

starkerealm wrote: »

No. ZOS never said it was "out of stock." Just that it would be sold on certain days, which it was.

How is "out of stock" not synonymous to "no longer available" which is something that ZOS said? Genuine question. :x

Out of stock means no more items. No longer available means they aren't selling them now. One means they can't sell more even if they wanted to; the other means they could sell more if they wanted to.

Sort of like "There are no plans to add locked rng boxes to the game." Technical details, careful word choices......

starkerealm

JKorr wrote: »

Greifenherz wrote: »

starkerealm wrote: »

No. ZOS never said it was "out of stock." Just that it would be sold on certain days, which it was.

How is "out of stock" not synonymous to "no longer available" which is something that ZOS said? Genuine question. :x

Out of stock means no more items. No longer available means they aren't selling them now. One means they can't sell more even if they wanted to; the other means they could sell more if they wanted to.

Sort of like "There are no plans to add locked rng boxes to the game." Technical details, careful word choices......

...which become really, really, important, when you're getting into things like consumer protection laws.

It's illegal (in Maryland) to say you're sold out on something you advertised, when you still have stock. At least, it's illegal to do it intentionally.

Acrolas

starkerealm wrote: »

"Out of stock," means you cannot sell the item. "No longer available," means you don't want to sell the item, but may have some available.

Out of stock = no inventory for consumers to buy.
No longer available = no inventory for consumers to buy.

The limiting factor isn't what the seller has, it's what the buyer has been permitted access to.