Zenimax and Amazon dropped the ball.

  • sylviermoone
    sylviermoone
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    Well, the good news is my Hubby's copy has been magically found in a truck in Reno, or something!

    The bad news is we aren't scheduled to receive it until Monday night via FedEx. So as a result, we STILL HAVE the issue of him being locked out of the game whilst we await the physical code.

    Hey, Zenimax!!! The people with this issue really need to hear something of substance from you!!
    Co-GM, Angry Unicorn Traders: PC/NA
    "Official" Master Merchant Tech Support
    and Differently Geared AF
    @sylviermoone
  • thegamekittenub17_ESO
    It is amazing so many people are going to miss some days because of two companies with their heads stuck so far up their butts that they can't see the disasters that is happening now.

    Been reading the forums as I also helped impacman007 (my fiancé) deal with Amazon and Zenimax. Amazon was a hoot. They outright lied three times and I caught them. They denied it even when I showed their lie in their own words. Amazon oversold that is the truth of the matter.

    Now Zenimax knowing there is delivery dates being delayed and people that pre-ordered are going to be shut out tomorrow because of it do one or two things.

    First they keep saying the same thing over about tomorrow deadline (I seriously don't think they are reading the complaints but just posting to act as if they are concerned).

    Second, shift blame or tell you Amazon told them they would have all copies delivered by the 4th (apparently they aren't reading emails, support tickets, and etc just tapping an auto reply).

    Well I know Amazon lost us rerolling a prime membership after this (had problems before but not like this).

    And Zenimax needs to tighten the belt and read what is posted in every forum, ticket, email...because they losing people by the scores. I guess they don't really want this game to be a success that it could be.

    Hound them both over and over players. This is unacceptable behavior for any business that takes a person's money. We are customers without us..where is your company?
  • TRG_Ebrasu
    TRG_Ebrasu
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    At this point it pretty certain Zenimax has no plans on doing anything in regards to covering their end of this screw up. Tomorrow will pass and there will not be a whisper of a fix for this.

    Then come Monday they'll re-post the same we are working on it speach and that will continue until it is no longer an issue.

    They do not care; arguably the people who purchased a physical copy are in the minority and those of us who bought the CE (IE) even more so; so in the long run we pose little to no loss to them in the grand scheme of things.
  • Phyrdrin
    Phyrdrin
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    Gunslinger wrote: »
    I wonder if they are fooling themselves with the whole '5 million Beta testers' thing. Perhaps they think that they don't need to worry about us and our problems because we don't amount to much. However it can turn on you in a hurry Zenimax and it usually starts by thinking you have it made and and the customers are just being a pain so let's ignore them.

    The hardest question for us remains - will we quit because of this trashy treatment or not? In the end, ZOS believes they have us by the balls. They think so highly of themselves that they don't believe we'll go anywhere and are treating this thread like simple whining.

    What I'm frustrated about at this point is feeling completely powerless. Nothing I can do will really make a difference at this point - not boycotting this franchise, continuing to try to get support, or continuing to hope for some kind of response. But you know what? Here's a reality check for you ZOS -

    SWTOR was hyped up more than this and their customer base evaporated practically overnight because of let-downs that started with customer service and ended with content. This game isn't nearly as anticipated or popular as SWTOR was and their player base practically vanished. If you hope to keep your game P2P and in demand, start by taking care of the people that support you instead of spitting on them.

    Now, Bioware have their ducks in a row where customer service is concerned. But, guess what? It's too late. Most of their players have left and even bending over backwards will do nothing to bring them back.

    "Surprise me. Say something intelligent."
  • Dolenz
    Dolenz
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    I understand why everyone "wants" an extended grace period but I have a hard time understanding why people believe they are entitled to it.

    If this was a single player game and you did not get your physical copy would you expect the company to offer you a free download?

    I don't think there was any guarantee that we would have our physical copies in our hands on release date. ZOS released the game on that day and Amazon may have given us an expected delivery date but neither of those is a guarantee. But anybody who has not learned that stuff happens and deliveries are not always on time is just fooling themselves.

    I hope they come through and satisfy everyone on this matter as it would be a show of goodwill but I don't believe they are somehow obligated to do so. It is not their job to gurantee Amazon or UPS or Fed Ex's service.
  • thegamekittenub17_ESO
    TRG_Ebrasu wrote: »
    At this point it pretty certain Zenimax has no plans on doing anything in regards to covering their end of this screw up. Tomorrow will pass and there will not be a whisper of a fix for this.

    Then come Monday they'll re-post the same we are working on it speach and that will continue until it is no longer an issue.

    They do not care; arguably the people who purchased a physical copy are in the minority and those of us who bought the CE (IE) even more so; so in the long run we pose little to no loss to them in the grand scheme of things.


    We might not, but banks being charged (even temp) has well over 30 pages of complaints. This has reached 21 pages. They are losing people.

  • Phyrdrin
    Phyrdrin
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    Dolenz wrote: »
    I understand why everyone "wants" an extended grace period but I have a hard time understanding why people believe they are entitled to it.

    If this was a single player game and you did not get your physical copy would you expect the company to offer you a free download?

    I don't think there was any guarantee that we would have our physical copies in our hands on release date. ZOS released the game on that day and Amazon may have given us an expected delivery date but neither of those is a guarantee. But anybody who has not learned that stuff happens and deliveries are not always on time is just fooling themselves.

    I hope they come through and satisfy everyone on this matter as it would be a show of goodwill but I don't believe they are somehow obligated to do so. It is not their job to gurantee Amazon or UPS or Fed Ex's service.

    Guess what? This isn't a single player game. Also, Amazon did guarantee my copy to arrive on launch day. I have it in writing and have submitted this documentation repeatedly with no response.

    Nobody is fooling themselves here, only ZOS. No, they are not obligated to give us anything. What they are obligated to do if they are interested in maintaining their player base is take care of an issue that has expanded to massive proportions.

    "Surprise me. Say something intelligent."
  • impacman007ub17_ESO
    K, just checked my tracking from Amazon.. This is how it reads..
    - 4/05/2014 - Saturday
    7:41 pm
    Shipment information sent to FedEx


    6:00 am
    Shipment information sent to FedEx

    MURFREESBORO, TN


    Processed by shipper and loaded in trailer said to contain package

    Should I be worried!? Somewhere in Tennessee there is a trailer that is said to contain my package? I feel so reassured now!

    Thank you Amazon!

  • Nicor
    Nicor
    Amazon is moving slowing on this issue as well. My account today has finally been charged for the game. says preparing for shipment. Still no estimated delivery time. which means I'll be locked out until zenimax extends the deadline or my package comes in the mail...who knows when that will be.
  • Sakiri
    Sakiri
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    I also wonder how many of you folks actually understand how this process works.

    Zenimax didn't make anything. They didn't ship anything. They contract companies to print the discs, box the copies, and send them for them. None of this stuff is done in house. It very rarely is.

    What it sounds like to me is that Amazon screwed the pooch by not sending out orders in the order they were received, quite possibly overselling stock(Companies actually do this often because they expect there to be cancelled orders and/or returns), and Zenimax's hands are quite frankly tied with a lot of things.

    The support agents here may very well not be able to do anything.

    I could in theory see the grace extended until 23:59 Monday, because many places don't deliver on Monday, but that's it. Any other delayed shipping is either on Amazon, or whomever Zenimax contracted to produce and ship to retailers.

    While they should get into damage control mode, you guys don't understand that they're probably all freaking out and running around like chickens with heads cut off. They're not going to snap instantly and extend the grace period without someone up on the top end making the decision to do it, and some of you folks expected something to happen immediately.

    It doesn't work that way.

    Not excusing ZOS from some sort of blame, but it really does sound like the majority of this BS is on Amazon. Especially considering I know how this whole thing works.

    Not even Blizzard makes their products in house.
  • Gunslinger
    Gunslinger
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    I just saw a national news report that Zenimax is charging customers $14.99 when they set up their accounts instead of using the 30 days that comes with the game. Apparently there is some customer outrage over this but Zenimax has told everyone that they are "investigating". It would seem that they may have more than just one big problem on their plate. That snowball can gain speed quickly ZOS! Keep ignoring that customer base and you will learn that lesson. As for our problem we are not going away and we would like a reply as to our problem please.
  • smxzjh
    smxzjh
    I also wonder how many of you folks actually understand how this process works.

    Zenimax didn't make anything. They didn't ship anything. They contract companies to print the discs, box the copies, and send them for them. None of this stuff is done in house. It very rarely is.

    What it sounds like to me is that Amazon screwed the pooch by not sending out orders in the order they were received, quite possibly overselling stock(Companies actually do this often because they expect there to be cancelled orders and/or returns), and Zenimax's hands are quite frankly tied with a lot of things.

    The support agents here may very well not be able to do anything.

    I could in theory see the grace extended until 23:59 Monday, because many places don't deliver on Monday, but that's it. Any other delayed shipping is either on Amazon, or whomever Zenimax contracted to produce and ship to retailers.

    While they should get into damage control mode, you guys don't understand that they're probably all freaking out and running around like chickens with heads cut off. They're not going to snap instantly and extend the grace period without someone up on the top end making the decision to do it, and some of you folks expected something to happen immediately.

    It doesn't work that way.

    Not excusing ZOS from some sort of blame, but it really does sound like the majority of this BS is on Amazon. Especially considering I know how this whole thing works.

    Not even Blizzard makes their products in house.

    It's not ZoS fault, indeed. But the so called "extended" grace period makes ppl mad. ZoS is thoughtless. r u kidding ZoS? You really don't know the delivery service is not available on Sunday? Or do we really need to shout at them like "THE DELIVERY SERVICE IS NOT AVAILABLE ON SUNDAY!" so they can understand the situation? I don't blame the customer service persons. They are innocent. But ZoS does need to be responsible if they want to make a good game.
    Praise the Elder Bugs!
  • Phyrdrin
    Phyrdrin
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    While they should get into damage control mode, you guys don't understand that they're probably all freaking out and running around like chickens with heads cut off. They're not going to snap instantly and extend the grace period without someone up on the top end making the decision to do it, and some of you folks expected something to happen immediately.

    It doesn't work that way.

    Not excusing ZOS from some sort of blame, but it really does sound like the majority of this BS is on Amazon. Especially considering I know how this whole thing works.

    Not even Blizzard makes their products in house.

    Instead of accusing us of not understanding, how about reading what people are actually saying. We don't care whose fault it is. It doesn't take a magic wand to extend the grace period, especially when guarantees given in writing have been broken. That's why we are posting here - to get someone to notice who can actually make a difference.

    "Surprise me. Say something intelligent."
  • Gunslinger
    Gunslinger
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    And eq2imora_ESO if you had bothered to read all the posts you would see that almost all of us offered to have our subs retro active to Sunday or even allow us to pay a month and then add the 30 day on top later. WE are being reasonable in asking for help in this issue. It's the lack of response from ZOS that is the problem. I have an email that I replied to and sent back to them 13 hrs ago and still no response.
  • MistryssNite
    MistryssNite
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    Not only will some be locked out of the game, but you will also be locked out of these forums, I think. Therefore, this thread will die and perhaps responsibility. T.T

    I don't like this mess, but I hope it works out for all of you. Amazon and ZOS should also be paying for massages and yoga classes for those that were stressed out by this debacle.
    Current main: Pe'tra
    Female Khajiit Templar of the Aldmeri Dominion
    Feel free to join her in questing ^.^
    It's just been a morning of death
  • Valethar
    Valethar
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    Dolenz wrote: »
    blah blah blah blah blah

    Apples and oranges. You can't compare a SP game launch with an MMO. They're two different animals.
    Resistance is not futile! Say no to the Greed Collective™. Boycott Crown Crates.
  • Sakiri
    Sakiri
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    Phyrdrin wrote: »
    While they should get into damage control mode, you guys don't understand that they're probably all freaking out and running around like chickens with heads cut off. They're not going to snap instantly and extend the grace period without someone up on the top end making the decision to do it, and some of you folks expected something to happen immediately.

    It doesn't work that way.

    Not excusing ZOS from some sort of blame, but it really does sound like the majority of this BS is on Amazon. Especially considering I know how this whole thing works.

    Not even Blizzard makes their products in house.

    Instead of accusing us of not understanding, how about reading what people are actually saying. We don't care whose fault it is. It doesn't take a magic wand to extend the grace period, especially when guarantees given in writing have been broken. That's why we are posting here - to get someone to notice who can actually make a difference.

    I am reading what people are saying.

    And it *does* take a magic wand. This isn't something the company is going to take lightly and I can guarantee you that not a single employee here in this forum, ever, can make the call as to if they'll do it on anything but a case by case basis. That needs to come from up in the suits' department.
    Gunslinger wrote: »
    And eq2imora_ESO if you had bothered to read all the posts you would see that almost all of us offered to have our subs retro active to Sunday or even allow us to pay a month and then add the 30 day on top later. WE are being reasonable in asking for help in this issue. It's the lack of response from ZOS that is the problem. I have an email that I replied to and sent back to them 13 hrs ago and still no response.

    You're also not reading what I'm saying.

    There's a load of people here pointing fingers back and forth and making demands when a) they're working on it, and b) you have no actual cause to state that they *aren't*.

    The grace period was originally added most likely BECAUSE it released on a Friday, and not because of any expected delays, exclusively because of the weekend. It was very most likely done to cover folks for SATURDAY delivery, not Sunday, and not Monday.

    They're not going to extend it as far as some of you want them to.

    No patience, I swear. Ya'll want them to wave a magic wand that doesn't exist.
  • Rohan_Swift
    Rohan_Swift
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    Extending an early access during a weekend to help games that didn't ship on time is not as helpful as it may seem (mine from Gamestop won't be here till Monday). Mail and deliveries are spotty at best on the weekends. Please have the grace period end on a day that has all delivery services delivering their packages! While it might not ultimately be ZOS' fault, it is their product that is affected. Sometimes you have to suck it up and make the best customer service decision you can.
    Edited by Rohan_Swift on April 6, 2014 3:51AM
  • Valethar
    Valethar
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    They're not going to snap instantly and extend the grace period without someone up on the top end making the decision to do it, and some of you folks expected something to happen immediately.

    It doesn't work that way.

    We've been telling them the 48 hour grace period was insufficient since it was announced in February. They've had more than enough time to iron out that particular wrinkle. It's become more relevant in the last few days due to the Derpazon debacle.

    If you think that Sunday 'extension' was something new they thought up a day or so ago to address the Early Access outages, etc... you're quite mistaken.

    I wouldn't be at all surprised to find our forum access revoked at the same time the 'grace period' ends on Sunday. This is probably exactly what they're waiting for, because then they can continue to ignore us in peace until after everyone gets their copy, thinking it will be the end of it.

    It won't be, but they don't really seem to care one way or the other. They've already got the money.
    Resistance is not futile! Say no to the Greed Collective™. Boycott Crown Crates.
  • Phyrdrin
    Phyrdrin
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    @eq2imora_ESO‌ Your opinion is your opinion, but your words do nothing to change how anyone will feel about this. If they really were doing damage control they would try to keep their customers posted instead of in the dark.

    If they ban us from the forums just for trying to get what we paid for, then that is on them. All that will accomplish is proving their incompetence and the truth of what many suspect already. Should that happen, so be it. Our opinion will only sink lower and they will lose a large amount of players.
    Edited by Phyrdrin on April 6, 2014 3:54AM
    "Surprise me. Say something intelligent."
  • Gunslinger
    Gunslinger
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    Again eq2imora_ESO I made NO mention of extending the grace period. I said that we offered to make good on the extra time so Zenimax would be off the hook for free time for us. If you really want to help then petition Zenimax to address this problem because as I see it you have no dog in this fight.
  • JarronKai
    JarronKai
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    ZOS_AlanG wrote: »
    Amazon has acknowledged this shipping issue, and customers will be contacted by Amazon with further details in the event of a late shipment. Players who were eligible for Early Access can still play without a game activation code from a physical box until Sunday morning at 8 a.m. EDT.

    There have been a number of people asking whether they can get the digital Imperial Edition instead, and still keep the Explorer's Pack pre-order bonus.

    You can, but you will need to contact customer support and demonstrate that your account had an early access code applied to it. The easiest way to do this is to submit a support ticket with the same address your game account is registered to. When switching from physical to digital, you also need to keep the same edition (standard/Imperial).

    We are still working on this matter, and will post any further updates in this thread, and include them in the Dev Tracker.

    When I submitted a support ticket asking for this solution, I got yet another out-of-date, irrelevant canned response about "you are concerned about Early Access entitlements." HINT: Delete canned responses from your support system that are no longer appropriate because they apply to something that ended one or more days ago.

    Personally, I'm done with this. I'm not going to get my box from Amazon and that is fine by me because this disaster of a support team are not in any way prepared to actually run a functional MMO. It's too bad, I really enjoyed the 5 days I spent playing the game. Good luck to all of you in Tamriel.
  • Phyrdrin
    Phyrdrin
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    Sunday is approaching fast. It has been over 17 hours since I heard back from support regarding an issue the supervisor promised me to handle personally over the phone. Doesn't look like anything will be done and I can almost guarantee that nobody will be working Sunday. Looks like we have been abandoned.
    "Surprise me. Say something intelligent."
  • Celtic_Wolf
    Celtic_Wolf
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    We have to hold onto hope, or at the very least, bitter rage. We can't let this die without a resolution.
  • Phyrdrin
    Phyrdrin
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    We have to hold onto hope, or at the very least, bitter rage. We can't let this die without a resolution.

    I want to. Believe me, I do. But all I have seen thus far from ZOS is one broken promise after another.

    "Surprise me. Say something intelligent."
  • Lorthriel
    Lorthriel
    I don't have many answers, and I know this doesn't help the issue with communication between ZOS and the consumers, but I do believe you can still order the Imperial Edition through Gamestop.com. Here is the link.

    http://www.gamestop.com/pc/games/the-elder-scrolls-online-imperial-edition/113688#productDetails

    I actually did this earlier today and they accepted my order, but I decided I would just wait on my box from Amazon, since a rep told me that it WILL be here by April 12 and I figured that`s around when I would get my game even if I ordered from Gamestop. This is mostly for those of you that said Amazon may have you waiting for a while. I know it doesn't make things better with ZOS, but hopefully it`ll make things better for those that want to play the game anyway.
  • Phyrdrin
    Phyrdrin
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    @Lothriel thank you for your informative post. It's nice to see people trying to help each other in this situation. Unfortunately, I think he majority of us are on the verge of bailing from this debacle.
    "Surprise me. Say something intelligent."
  • sylviermoone
    sylviermoone
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    I, for one, will not be blocked from the forum. Though my husband may because he is waiting on his physical copy of the CE, my version was purchased digitally. I promise to take up the baton as it were, and do my part to keep this issue relevant and on the radar.

    A solution here is relatively simple. If you bought the game and have paid for it, you should not be locked out of it due to whatever miscommunication or other issue has happened between Zenimax and Amazon. Whether or not Zenimax is at fault, there comes a time as a company where you suck it up and make it right.

    Yes, the fault may lie at Amazon's feet, but it is Zenimax that will bear the brunt of a CR blowout. A simple statement such as "We are truly sorry that some people are having issues receiving their physical game copies. While we can not hasten delivery to you, we can offer to continue your game access until your game arrives." Is not difficult to make, and would do more than any of the other PR type canned responses that those affected have received.

    Earlier this afternoon, my husband received an Email in response to his ticket that they were escalating it up the chain, but he hasn't heard anything back. That was 12 hours ago, and is unacceptable customer service. Period.

    Co-GM, Angry Unicorn Traders: PC/NA
    "Official" Master Merchant Tech Support
    and Differently Geared AF
    @sylviermoone
  • Lorthriel
    Lorthriel
    Phyrdrin wrote: »
    @Lothriel thank you for your informative post. It's nice to see people trying to help each other in this situation. Unfortunately, I think he majority of us are on the verge of bailing from this debacle.

    I honestly don't blame you. I just wanted to give out a bit of hope to those still holding on. I`m sure some may just want to get their game and be done with it, but again, I also don't blame anyone for wanting to wipe their hands clean of ZOS. I have been reading these forums all day, as well as staring intently and refreshing my Amazon Orders page. It has been very frustrating just for me, and more so for many others.
  • Phyrdrin
    Phyrdrin
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    I, for one, will not be blocked from the forum. Though my husband may because he is waiting on his physical copy of the CE, my version was purchased digitally. I promise to take up the baton as it were, and do my part to keep this issue relevant and on the radar.

    A solution here is relatively simple. If you bought the game and have paid for it, you should not be locked out of it due to whatever miscommunication or other issue has happened between Zenimax and Amazon. Whether or not Zenimax is at fault, there comes a time as a company where you suck it up and make it right.

    Yes, the fault may lie at Amazon's feet, but it is Zenimax that will bear the brunt of a CR blowout. A simple statement such as "We are truly sorry that some people are having issues receiving their physical game copies. While we can not hasten delivery to you, we can offer to continue your game access until your game arrives." Is not difficult to make, and would do more than any of the other PR type canned responses that those affected have received.

    Earlier this afternoon, my husband received an Email in response to his ticket that they were escalating it up the chain, but he hasn't heard anything back. That was 12 hours ago, and is unacceptable customer service. Period.

    Thank you for writing this! I will be here until the final minute when we are blocked out as well, trying to keep this post fresh and on the top page.
    "Surprise me. Say something intelligent."
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