So I started playing STO again after a fairly long break, and started leveling a rank 35 I had.
Came to level 40 and was about to buy a new ship, didn't have enough dilithium but I had 16K of zen.
But nope:
"Due to purchase Activity, your account is temporarily unable to sell Zen On the Exchange"
Found out that because of a purchase of Zen in Neverwinter through Steam mye account was put on probation....
And after I layd out all the transaction history from Steam, and asked how long this probation time was I got this response:
:
Hello,
Thank you for the update.
We appreciate the feedback, we apologize for any inconvenience. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide any estimated timeframe regarding this concern since this is a system generated .
We are truly sorry for this experience.
We appreciate your kind understanding.
:
This is one of the worst experiences I have had with any customer services, you have a system that you don't have control over that fairly random accuses your customers of possible fraud....
YOU DON'T GO AROUND ACCUSING YOUR CUSTOMERS OF FRAUD!!
As I posted before, for all you other guys/girls using Steam to buy your Zen, back out of the C-store after you purchase your Zen, then go back in and make your purchase. I have done this every time I have purchased Zen since this started and none of the items I have bought have been bound that should not have been already.
For example:
You want to buy a 10pk of Master Keys to sell, but have no Zen. So, you buy some Zen through Steam. Great. You get the message that anything you buy will be bound. Now, this is the crucial part of this, DON'T BUY ANYTHING at this point that you don't plan on using on that character. Close the C-store, and reopen it. Now try to buy something. If you don't get the probation message, you're fine. Buy to your heart's/wallet's content. I have literally done this dozens of times in the last few months.
This isn't really that hard. It's basically just a minor inconvenience to those of us that prefer Steam. Does it really make a difference as far as preventing fraud? Probably not. If all it takes is backing out of the C-store and re-opening it, someone can probably program a bot to do that too. And, not to be mean to anyone in particular, but if you can't handle a simple workaround like what I just described above, you should probably just quit the game and turn off the computer. I mean c'mon. This isn't rocket science, or if you prefer, warp field theory.
As I posted before, for all you other guys/girls using Steam to buy your Zen, back out of the C-store after you purchase your Zen, then go back in and make your purchase. I have done this every time I have purchased Zen since this started and none of the items I have bought have been bound that should not have been already.
For example:
You want to buy a 10pk of Master Keys to sell, but have no Zen. So, you buy some Zen through Steam. Great. You get the message that anything you buy will be bound. Now, this is the crucial part of this, DON'T BUY ANYTHING at this point that you don't plan on using on that character. Close the C-store, and reopen it. Now try to buy something. If you don't get the probation message, you're fine. Buy to your heart's/wallet's content. I have literally done this dozens of times in the last few months.
This isn't really that hard. It's basically just a minor inconvenience to those of us that prefer Steam. Does it really make a difference as far as preventing fraud? Probably not. If all it takes is backing out of the C-store and re-opening it, someone can probably program a bot to do that too. And, not to be mean to anyone in particular, but if you can't handle a simple workaround like what I just described above, you should probably just quit the game and turn off the computer. I mean c'mon. This isn't rocket science, or if you prefer, warp field theory.
First of what you explain doesn't work, I get the warning no matter what I do.
Second the C-store/bound to account is not my problem its the dilithium exchange that won't let me sell Zen. So im stuck for the next 12 days grinding 8000 dilithium a days, for my new space ship...
They do not have a right! Cryptic is a company that exists solely to provide goods and services for its customers and in return, profits for betterment.
I am seeing alot of lifetimers here who payed an upward of $300 and already, they're been flagged and their zen purchases restricted and unable to work. According to this screenshot below, cryptic cannot do that! If you purchased masterkeys and attempted to sell them on the exchange, you are unable to do so by this preventative system.
<snip>
Paying $300 dollars for lifetime and some zen, and being told that they (the players) are being restricted from making in-game money or using dilithium trading is not only a slap in the face, but essentially cryptic developers defecating on players faces.
This is essentially fraudulent! If any company which you payed for goods is not being delivered they can face legal consequences. Any company must deliver goods as per the consumer rights!
They do have a right to change how any of their games work, and no, there are no legal remedies for the users. In other words, you cannot sue them for changing the rules.
Read the Terms of Service on the PWE site. They can change the terms of the agreement (a legal contract that you agree to by playing any of their games) at any time, with or without notice. Specifically, read sections 2 and 24 of the Terms of service. You should read the whole thing, since you agreed to it.
I don't agree with their method of "preventing fraud", but the only forms of recourse anyone here have are: 1. Do not spend any more money on ANY PWE game - just play for free. 2. Just don't play the games. All other remedies are spelled out in the TOS.
They do have a right to change how any of their games work, and no, there are no legal remedies for the users. In other words, you cannot sue them for changing the rules.
Read the Terms of Service on the PWE site. They can change the terms of the agreement (a legal contract that you agree to by playing any of their games) at any time, with or without notice. Specifically, read sections 2 and 24 of the Terms of service. You should read the whole thing, since you agreed to it.
I don't agree with their method of "preventing fraud", but the only forms of recourse anyone here have are: 1. Do not spend any more money on ANY PWE game - just play for free. 2. Just don't play the games. All other remedies are spelled out in the TOS.
This does appear to be the harsh reality of the situation at the moment. Personally this probation period is a giant anticlimax after having 1. The anticipation and excitement of wanting to spend dilithium to upgrade my ship and character, 2. Making the decision to spend real money on the game. 3. Instead of being rewarded for spending money, there is a punishment for being put on probation. Now while I wait for the probation period there is a certain negativity and frustration associated with the game while I play it.
The psychology of providing and meeting a "need" should be a positive one with minimal time before the reward. This way people are better conditioned to spend money in similar scenarios in the future. They have made the decision to implement this probation period which contradits the usual preferred norms. For them one of the most important ways they can tell if this is working is by looking at their profits. If we end up showing a disinterest in the game and ultimately spend less money contributing to it, then they are more likely to implement a system that is friendly for their consumers. This of couse would only work if the money that they lose from us is more than what they are saving from prevented fraudulent transactions.
So I started playing STO again after a fairly long break, and started leveling a rank 35 I had.
Came to level 40 and was about to buy a new ship, didn't have enough dilithium but I had 16K of zen.
But nope:
"Due to purchase Activity, your account is temporarily unable to sell Zen On the Exchange"
Found out that because of a purchase of Zen in Neverwinter through Steam mye account was put on probation....
And after I layd out all the transaction history from Steam, and asked how long this probation time was I got this response:
:
Hello,
Thank you for the update.
We appreciate the feedback, we apologize for any inconvenience. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide any estimated timeframe regarding this concern since this is a system generated .
We are truly sorry for this experience.
We appreciate your kind understanding.
:
This is one of the worst experiences I have had with any customer services, you have a system that you don't have control over that fairly random accuses your customers of possible fraud....
YOU DON'T GO AROUND ACCUSING YOUR CUSTOMERS OF FRAUD!!
This is the most ridiculous thing I have seen..
Well at least they didn't tell you it's a reporting bug. Seriously it sucks. When I buy zen, which has become increasingly rare since Delta Rising came out I use paypal. I know some people don't have that option but if you do I advise you to use it.
Space the final frontier. These are the voyages of [your name here] on a five year mission to gain one level after the delta rising xp nerf.
I'm sorry but I call BS on this "fraud prevention". If there were an issue it would be between the card holder and Steam to begin with.
But the bottom line YOU HAVE MY FRIGGIN MONEY NOW LET ME SPEND IT. Goin on 48 hrs now and still locked out from dilithium. The money has already passed from bank hold to steam to Arc and I still can't spend it? Again BS!!! Release the funds and slap the individual who thought this was a good idea through his damn desk.
Needless to say I'm po'd. 15mins no problem I get it. 1hour still not an issue 24. I'm starting to get mad. 48hours later my cash is gone and my zen sits in limbo. No this will not do at all.
All I can say is my fleet has a returning veteran player trying to give you money and level up his ship. All you have managed to do is upset him. We all are sick of companies destroying the game with controlling exchange values and sending messages. What you are doing makes sense but is also making players who invest in your game angry. They are less likely to invest due to the hastle and at times risk of losing their account with steam.
Hey everyone,
Well, I am sat in merry limbo at the moment... How long does this "probation" last exactly? Also very worried that this is now going to cause problems with my Steam account. Was looking to sell a couple of keys on the exchange to get EC (seemingly hard to come by at the moment) but lo and behold, I cannot do that...
Nice. Don't think this is really the way to treat someone who gives you money... And at Christmas as well... Tsk Tsk.
Hey everyone,
Well, I am sat in merry limbo at the moment... How long does this "probation" last exactly? Also very worried that this is now going to cause problems with my Steam account. Was looking to sell a couple of keys on the exchange to get EC (seemingly hard to come by at the moment) but lo and behold, I cannot do that...
Nice. Don't think this is really the way to treat someone who gives you money... And at Christmas as well... Tsk Tsk.
I'm sorry but I call BS on this "fraud prevention". If there were an issue it would be between the card holder and Steam to begin with.
But the bottom line YOU HAVE MY FRIGGIN MONEY NOW LET ME SPEND IT. Goin on 48 hrs now and still locked out from dilithium. The money has already passed from bank hold to steam to Arc and I still can't spend it? Again BS!!! Release the funds and slap the individual who thought this was a good idea through his damn desk.
Needless to say I'm po'd. 15mins no problem I get it. 1hour still not an issue 24. I'm starting to get mad. 48hours later my cash is gone and my zen sits in limbo. No this will not do at all.
The TOS clearly indemnifies PWE/Cryptic for ANY fraud or abuse arising from your account and the use or abuse of it. Credit Card fraud and identity theft are crimes virtually everywhere, so why not let law enforcement handle it, and just FREEZE accounts when an issue arises, rather than preemtively limit the use of accounts using (I assume) an automated system?
This system/policy will drive people away from doing business with this company, and from playing the games where this system is used. If the idea is for people to spend money on these games, this policy is bad business. I, for one, will NOT spend another penny on PWE/Cryptic, unless this policy is re-thought.
Although this makes sense, and I'm glad to know that my money, my account, and security are paramount to your institution. I am outraged, and very disappointed in this system. For no good reason I was flagged, simply for buying ZEN. My Friend who had this same issue, sent in a ticket. In this ticket he has had almost no reply from you. if you're going to have a system, Arc you have to respond to peoples tickets faster than five days per response and the first response is an automated message telling him there's nothing you can do.
First off, not a deception. The system is in place to protect accounts and the game economies.
Second, it does not activate on everyone. It only activates the probation on accounts that hit specific criteria that need to be looked into deeper by the system.
The probation lifts within 7-10 days. While on probation you can still spend your Zen you charged up but the items you purchase are bound to your account. If you wait the 7-10 days then the items you buy will not be bound.
Fair enough, then can you clarify what are the specific criteria? because in the oficial thread is not stated the criteria...so maybe the people has to buy and see if they get or not the locked items by undefined time? o and i say undefined time because even if you said are 7-10 days there is people with problems on the expiration period, as you have seen by yourself http://sto-forum.perfectworld.com/showthread.php?t=1286371&page=23
So, well, anyone is free to spend their money in whatever they please... i i just hope they dont get into the locked items probation sistem in Xmas time, that would be nasty, and if so, i hope they dont have the usual issue with probation not expiring, that would be a even more nasty xmas.
This will most likely only affect those that do not have an established purchase history prior to that purchase of Zen. This system is meant to combat the trends/patterns of fraud and protect legitimate users/players. It will initially catch some legitimate users but in the long run this protects their purchases, the economy of STO, and more.
So, if any new player want to buy gifts for a friend or fleet mate or anyone, well they are most probably in for a locked items week... oh, but if they keep spending eventualy they can get a "purchase history" ¿howmany purchases need a customer to not be flaged? its that stated clear somewhere that a customer can see? and ¿can you get flaged for probation more than once?
Is this fraud prevention system the reason I'm getting a message that I've tried to sign in too many times and to try again later?!?
Can't get into the game to play.
I'm a brand new STO player and I ran into a mission that required 100 dilithium. I'm lieutenant 9 to give you idea how new. I ran into the mission "Asteroid Mining" and spent some time on the map figuring that out and getting there. It requires dilithium to get started??? I look at the exchange and see that I can get dilithium for zen. It looks like less than a penny worth of zen at that. 100 dil= less than 1 zen if I read it right. I figured what the hell it's cheap and I'm enjoying the game so far. Plunk my $6 canadian down and my balance in the store reads $575. I got to exchange and now all of sudden it's read and says "Due to recent purchase activity your account is unable to sell Zen on the exchange"
How **** am I supposed to progress through this ****ing mission?
BAIT and switch comes to mind.
I'm mad now and I've spent 2 hrs figuring all this TRIBBLE out and finding this thread and reading instead of enjoying the game. Over a ****ing penny worth of currency.
**** YOU and your penny worth of currency perfect world - I'm back to work in a few days so I don't have 10-12 days. So I don't get to progress while I'm on time off. Over $5? you blew off a customer over penny worth of currency.
In the last half year with PWE/Cryptic's maneuverings of the Dilithium store banishment & changing some of the items afterwards, fraud prevention probations, & the "your Zen wallet is going to expire" are the reasons I have skipped the last couple of Zen sales including this current sale.
I'm sure PWE/Cryptic's company-line of implementing such measures is for the overall good & is genuine intent.
The ceasing of the Dilithium Store items greatly hindered my account for all my growing characters. The salt in the wound was PWE/Cryptic altering some of the items afterwards as well. I offered specific evidence in my ticket to only be retorted with a company-line statement of cowardice not even addressing questions. Geez.
I've only purchased a few times with intent to sell on exchange, but I'm cautious to buy almost anything from the C/Z Store anymore fear it places my account in even a little trouble or some sort of nuisance.
PWE/Cryptic's decision to cease their stable of games encompassing Zen Wallet feature I'm sure is a business decision with reasoning, but coercing players to move Zen now under threat of it "expiring" someday via email is a bit much. I think it was a good feature I used to use often, buy Zen when on sale, then when needed disperse to whichever PWE game I could play & would benefit the most at any given time given that particular game's sale ... a good idea it was.
Maybe I missed it, but what I didn't read was an option to refund my $ for whatever amount of Zen I have in my Zen Wallet because PWE/Cryptic has changed the conditions. That option would be my choice then in the future if I want to buy Zen again I would under PWE/Cryptic's new rules.
Again, I'm sure PWE/Cryptic has their well thought-out reasons for all their actions, but for me at least, it hasn't encouraged me to spend more $ but has made me hold-back & even more hesitant. The worst of it is ... STO is still an incredibly good & fun game despite it's glitches & faults.
maybe just stupid question, but i cant find answer here.
when the probation period ends, will be the items ( master keys ) still bound to account or i will be able to sell them ?
and it is strange system. i am new to this game, i play it cca 2 months, in the time i purchased cca 10 000 - 15 000 zen, so they must have my moneys and they see that i am really paying them
maybe just stupid question, but i cant find answer here.
when the probation period ends, will be the items ( master keys ) still bound to account or i will be able to sell them ?
and it is strange system. i am new to this game, i play it cca 2 months, in the time i purchased cca 10 000 - 15 000 zen, so they must have my moneys and they see that i am really paying them
All item you buy while you are in probation, will be bounded permanetely, so yes, even when you probation time expires, well, they got your money you dont have what you wanted, you are welcome.
When you are in game you are warned that things will be bound, but that this binding will end after the probation period so I bought the ship upgrade tokens I wanted.
Find out today that they never will go unbound, unlike the warning. I'm going to file a complaint with steam and others to let them know its a scam. The wording clearly states the binding will end, but instead it lies.
Sad part is I got scammed into spending money this christmas on the game - but I'm done. No point in supporting this system at all, especially as its aimed at punishing players who have had accounts for YEARS and have paid for items for a long time, and spent several hundred dollars.
Fair enough, then can you clarify what are the specific criteria? because in the oficial thread is not stated the criteria...so maybe the people has to buy and see if they get or not the locked items by undefined time? o and i say undefined time because even if you said are 7-10 days there is people with problems on the expiration period, as you have seen by yourself http://sto-forum.perfectworld.com/showthread.php?t=1286371&page=23
So, well, anyone is free to spend their money in whatever they please... i i just hope they dont get into the locked items probation sistem in Xmas time, that would be nasty, and if so, i hope they dont have the usual issue with probation not expiring, that would be a even more nasty xmas.
And by your own words:
So, if any new player want to buy gifts for a friend or fleet mate or anyone, well they are most probably in for a locked items week... oh, but if they keep spending eventualy they can get a "purchase history" ¿howmany purchases need a customer to not be flaged? its that stated clear somewhere that a customer can see? and ¿can you get flaged for probation more than once?
As you all can see, there is very simple and fair questions that cryptic can not or want not to ansewr to their customers ¿why? i dont know, but not stating clearly if you are going to get in a locked items system unless your spend money in a purchase to get the answer...well. great catch.
I have been a STO payer since Beta.. a lifer since way to long it seems! Why do i say that?
I used to be the guy that said "Dude.. you gotta play this.. it's not everything we expect.. but it's pretty close!" that was 5 years ago.. these days's it's usually. "Dude.. you.. really don't have to play this.. in fact.. I have no valid reason why you should.." My STO buddies.. and.. i LOL when i say that, cause most of them have already left saying "Borellus.. you are such an Idiot if you stick to this game!" but there was me.. Mr. Optimist.. and then i got that "Buy it on Steam and you are screwed thing!" And so.. YES.. maybe i DO get more Zen out of ARC.. and maybe PW would prefer me to use that.. but i have ALWAYS got my ZEN through Steam and it was NEVER a F**KING problem! I Don't LIKE ARC.. I don't Want to use ARC... i should not be punished for NOT using arc! BUT.. last month.. i got flagged and i was like "WTF!!!"" Went through the forums.. read.. "oh.. if it happens once, but you pay.. it shouldn't happen again" Wasn't pleased... but.. nothing i could do about it.. next month..."
A month later.. ONCE again.. I BUY ZEN.. through steam.. BLAM!!! Banned again!!!
And before the smart people say "well no one is forcing you to buy it through Steam!" No one ASKED me if i wanted a F**KING ACCOUNT Guard either!
They tried this so many times.. They want the players.. but then FORCE us to change our original accounts into ARC accounts with the "account guard" at the time.. the thing MOST PEOPLE turned off.. cause you couldn't do ANYTHING.. check Gateway on Tablett.. Account Guard.. do it on phone.. ACCOUNT GUARD.. clear your Cache on PC.. ACCOUNT guard! So i turned that off.. Nice option.. but NO thank you.. WAS an option though..
So there i was.. Playing.. and PAYING.. like i had done for years.. and now i get PUNISHED for paying?! Well.. No! F**K that!!!
I used to be on these forums to praise this game.. Used to hear the complaints and was always "whoa.. whoa.. guys.. come on.. early game.. let them do the magic..." but 5 years on.. the Magic has turned into a cheesy Vegas show and to see it work.. BADLY.. i have to pay.. but then get a big flip off for doing so.. Love how they can take my money.. but while they do it, flip me over the console and ram it up my rear!
My account is now locked in Star Trek Online. I had purchased Zen through Arc for the past 2 years though I recently updated to an ACTUAL gaming computer and decided to use Steam. Once I purchased Zen through STEAM, I received a notice stating my account is locked and I wouldn't be able to trade any items that were purchased from the store. Check my billing history on Arc. I've put a fair decent amount into this game. Unlock me so that I may be able to purchase/trade even if I have to use the Arc client. Thanks.
I received this:
Hello,
Thank you for contacting us! Due to your recent Zen purchase, this account has been placed on temporary probation and you will be unable to use the Dilithium exchange, or purchase unbound Zen Market items until the probation period ends. We apologize for the inconvenience, but Customer Service cannot remove or alter the duration of this probation.
Regards,
Ashynt
Game Master
Perfect World Entertainment
Was this a notice hidden somewhere because I never saw it.. Instead I'm directed here. What a bunch of bull****. What probation? For using Steam instead of that god awful arc client that loved to crash everyday on me? Pffft..
The warning message one recieved when buying the zen did not specify that lock box items would get bound to the account too, at the time i assumed it ment anything i buy with zen would be bound to me which is fine since i planned to use the keys i brought, after opening 22 boxes i had to empty my inventory only to find i couldnt trade anything i had won..... so now im left with a bank full of weapon crates module crates etc etc and with no option to sell them like i normally would.
I have purchased zen many times via steam and from what i've read here there is no reason for me to have been flagged my purchase history should have been enough.....
I am quite disgruntled and this has put me off from further purchases until this matter has been dealt with in a timely manner.
I too fell for this scam. I'm not gonna bother explaining my situation since everyone's is pretty much the same. I will, however, tell you all that I have filed a complaint against PWE with the BBB (Better Business Bureau). After doing some research and investigation, it appears, I am not the only one to do this. Over the past month (last year included) there have been many complaints about this system filed with the BBB. NONE of them were resolved and PWE refused to settle the matter beyond, pretty much, saying "This is how it is now and we are sorry you don't like it". I, on the other hand, via their ticketing system prior to filing a complaint, got a similar response with an added threat. PWE said this "Once again the probation system is working as intended, and temporary. We are unable to terminate the probation upon your request and if you wish to further dispute this matter, we may consider it harassment and may seek disciplinary action on you account.". So they threatened my account for pursuing justice pertaining to MY money and MY purchases. If Delta Rising wasn't bad enough now you have this load of horse **** to deal with. Read my signature PWE and suck it up because it's the truth!
As I posted before, for all you other guys/girls using Steam to buy your Zen, back out of the C-store after you purchase your Zen, then go back in and make your purchase. I have done this every time I have purchased Zen since this started and none of the items I have bought have been bound that should not have been already.
For example:
You want to buy a 10pk of Master Keys to sell, but have no Zen. So, you buy some Zen through Steam. Great. You get the message that anything you buy will be bound. Now, this is the crucial part of this, DON'T BUY ANYTHING at this point that you don't plan on using on that character. Close the C-store, and reopen it. Now try to buy something. If you don't get the probation message, you're fine. Buy to your heart's/wallet's content. I have literally done this dozens of times in the last few months.
This isn't really that hard. It's basically just a minor inconvenience to those of us that prefer Steam. Does it really make a difference as far as preventing fraud? Probably not. If all it takes is backing out of the C-store and re-opening it, someone can probably program a bot to do that too. And, not to be mean to anyone in particular, but if you can't handle a simple workaround like what I just described above, you should probably just quit the game and turn off the computer. I mean c'mon. This isn't rocket science, or if you prefer, warp field theory.
Yeah... that's totally helpful to those who have already spent their zen. *facepalm*
I use a verified bank card through Paypal for over 10 years and you want to flag me for fraud. How ****ing TRIBBLE are the people working for PWE when they made this program? If I can not buy dilithium with zen to increase my game enjoyment, you don't get money. Your loss. It is no surprise this game went free2play.
Going on day #6 that I can't sell zen for dilithium. It's bad enough I have to grind out the TRIBBLE to upgrade my ship but now I can't even do that with the 8k per day limits. Acr/STO/PWE. whomever.. FIX THIS ****! I've used the same paypal for TWO YEARS and I get flagged for this ****.
When you are in game you are warned that things will be bound, but that this binding will end after the probation period so I bought the ship upgrade tokens I wanted.
Find out today that they never will go unbound, unlike the warning. I'm going to file a complaint with steam and others to let them know its a scam. The wording clearly states the binding will end, but instead it lies.
Sad part is I got scammed into spending money this christmas on the game - but I'm done. No point in supporting this system at all, especially as its aimed at punishing players who have had accounts for YEARS and have paid for items for a long time, and spent several hundred dollars.
No you misunderstood from the very 1st post in this thread
On Thursday October 30, Star Trek Online enabled a new fraud prevention system. This system has been in place on another Cryptic game, Neverwinter, since July, where it has worked effectively. It has been enabled on STO due to increases in credit card fraud over the past several months.
What this new system does to protect all players is to temporarily change the way ZEN is treated by accounts that may be flagged for consideration in the new probation system. While we are introducing this system into STO, there is a chance that the rules may result in a false positive trigger but we have reduced the chance for that to the bare minimum. When purchasing ZEN, if an account is flagged, it puts the account into a temporary probation state for review by the system. New ZEN buyers and those with a limited purchase history may get temporarily flagged into the probation system. Once you have an established purchase history with us, the system is unlikely to trigger.
When on probation, Zen cannot be traded on the Dilithium Exchange to acquire Dilithium. Also, some purchases made in the C-Store may become bound-to-account instead of being tradable. You will get a warning dialog at the time of purchase letting you know that the purchase will be bound-to-account.
The bound-to-account status is contagious, so that if you open a Lock Box using a Master Key that has this status, everything from the Lock Box will also be bound-to-account in the same way. This contagious nature applies to anything you get from the C-Store that can be opened, and the purpose is to prevent fraudulent purchases from being traded off of the account.
The system is intended to have minimal impact on users who purchase for themselves. All purchases are bound-to-account, so you can still move the purchases between your own characters. This is only an inconvenience if you planned to purchase for later trading to other players.
If you receive the warning about a C-Store purchase being bound-to-account and do not wish to have bound items, cancel your purchase and try again the next day. The probation status is removed from your account once the financial transaction is confirmed, which can take up to 10 days. Any purchase you make after the probation status is cleared will not have the bound-to-account status added, and can be traded freely. Purchased items that become bound-to-account will permanently remain account bound, so you need to make this choice before purchasing.
Current and past users that have an established purchase history with us are less likely to have this ever trigger on their accounts so the majority of you should not see any difference when you purchase Zen and items.
Thank you for your continued support!
Aaron "Adamanteus" Biedma
Product Manager
Star Trek Online
No you misunderstood from the very 1st post in this thread
Would you like screenshots of my STEAM and PAYPAL accounts showing the money was transferred and completed this past Sunday already? The SAME day I purchased my Zen?
10 days is BS.
I'll just keep e-mailing the customer service rep until they can point us to someone who can remove this TRIBBLE. I would be fine with a 2 day waiting period after a new transaction however, it's going on 6 days and I have established billing/credit from the SAME paypal I used on ARC. The only difference, I used STEAM since it came on my Asus 751. I like the all-in-one shop.
Comments
Came to level 40 and was about to buy a new ship, didn't have enough dilithium but I had 16K of zen.
But nope:
"Due to purchase Activity, your account is temporarily unable to sell Zen On the Exchange"
Found out that because of a purchase of Zen in Neverwinter through Steam mye account was put on probation....
And after I layd out all the transaction history from Steam, and asked how long this probation time was I got this response:
:
Hello,
Thank you for the update.
We appreciate the feedback, we apologize for any inconvenience. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide any estimated timeframe regarding this concern since this is a system generated .
We are truly sorry for this experience.
We appreciate your kind understanding.
:
This is one of the worst experiences I have had with any customer services, you have a system that you don't have control over that fairly random accuses your customers of possible fraud....
YOU DON'T GO AROUND ACCUSING YOUR CUSTOMERS OF FRAUD!!
This is the most ridiculous thing I have seen..
For example:
You want to buy a 10pk of Master Keys to sell, but have no Zen. So, you buy some Zen through Steam. Great. You get the message that anything you buy will be bound. Now, this is the crucial part of this, DON'T BUY ANYTHING at this point that you don't plan on using on that character. Close the C-store, and reopen it. Now try to buy something. If you don't get the probation message, you're fine. Buy to your heart's/wallet's content. I have literally done this dozens of times in the last few months.
This isn't really that hard. It's basically just a minor inconvenience to those of us that prefer Steam. Does it really make a difference as far as preventing fraud? Probably not. If all it takes is backing out of the C-store and re-opening it, someone can probably program a bot to do that too. And, not to be mean to anyone in particular, but if you can't handle a simple workaround like what I just described above, you should probably just quit the game and turn off the computer. I mean c'mon. This isn't rocket science, or if you prefer, warp field theory.
Vice Admiral of - Starfleet Command -
First of what you explain doesn't work, I get the warning no matter what I do.
Second the C-store/bound to account is not my problem its the dilithium exchange that won't let me sell Zen. So im stuck for the next 12 days grinding 8000 dilithium a days, for my new space ship...
They do have a right to change how any of their games work, and no, there are no legal remedies for the users. In other words, you cannot sue them for changing the rules.
Read the Terms of Service on the PWE site. They can change the terms of the agreement (a legal contract that you agree to by playing any of their games) at any time, with or without notice. Specifically, read sections 2 and 24 of the Terms of service. You should read the whole thing, since you agreed to it.
I don't agree with their method of "preventing fraud", but the only forms of recourse anyone here have are: 1. Do not spend any more money on ANY PWE game - just play for free. 2. Just don't play the games. All other remedies are spelled out in the TOS.
This does appear to be the harsh reality of the situation at the moment. Personally this probation period is a giant anticlimax after having 1. The anticipation and excitement of wanting to spend dilithium to upgrade my ship and character, 2. Making the decision to spend real money on the game. 3. Instead of being rewarded for spending money, there is a punishment for being put on probation. Now while I wait for the probation period there is a certain negativity and frustration associated with the game while I play it.
The psychology of providing and meeting a "need" should be a positive one with minimal time before the reward. This way people are better conditioned to spend money in similar scenarios in the future. They have made the decision to implement this probation period which contradits the usual preferred norms. For them one of the most important ways they can tell if this is working is by looking at their profits. If we end up showing a disinterest in the game and ultimately spend less money contributing to it, then they are more likely to implement a system that is friendly for their consumers. This of couse would only work if the money that they lose from us is more than what they are saving from prevented fraudulent transactions.
Well at least they didn't tell you it's a reporting bug.
But the bottom line YOU HAVE MY FRIGGIN MONEY NOW LET ME SPEND IT. Goin on 48 hrs now and still locked out from dilithium. The money has already passed from bank hold to steam to Arc and I still can't spend it? Again BS!!! Release the funds and slap the individual who thought this was a good idea through his damn desk.
Needless to say I'm po'd. 15mins no problem I get it. 1hour still not an issue 24. I'm starting to get mad. 48hours later my cash is gone and my zen sits in limbo. No this will not do at all.
Click to Join armadafleet.org/
Well, I am sat in merry limbo at the moment... How long does this "probation" last exactly? Also very worried that this is now going to cause problems with my Steam account. Was looking to sell a couple of keys on the exchange to get EC (seemingly hard to come by at the moment) but lo and behold, I cannot do that...
Nice. Don't think this is really the way to treat someone who gives you money... And at Christmas as well... Tsk Tsk.
Some people have said 10 to 12 days.
The TOS clearly indemnifies PWE/Cryptic for ANY fraud or abuse arising from your account and the use or abuse of it. Credit Card fraud and identity theft are crimes virtually everywhere, so why not let law enforcement handle it, and just FREEZE accounts when an issue arises, rather than preemtively limit the use of accounts using (I assume) an automated system?
This system/policy will drive people away from doing business with this company, and from playing the games where this system is used. If the idea is for people to spend money on these games, this policy is bad business. I, for one, will NOT spend another penny on PWE/Cryptic, unless this policy is re-thought.
Fair enough, then can you clarify what are the specific criteria? because in the oficial thread is not stated the criteria...so maybe the people has to buy and see if they get or not the locked items by undefined time? o and i say undefined time because even if you said are 7-10 days there is people with problems on the expiration period, as you have seen by yourself
http://sto-forum.perfectworld.com/showthread.php?t=1286371&page=23
So, well, anyone is free to spend their money in whatever they please... i i just hope they dont get into the locked items probation sistem in Xmas time, that would be nasty, and if so, i hope they dont have the usual issue with probation not expiring, that would be a even more nasty xmas.
And by your own words:
So, if any new player want to buy gifts for a friend or fleet mate or anyone, well they are most probably in for a locked items week... oh, but if they keep spending eventualy they can get a "purchase history" ¿howmany purchases need a customer to not be flaged? its that stated clear somewhere that a customer can see? and ¿can you get flaged for probation more than once?
Siganture banned solution
time to nerf url links?
Can't get into the game to play.
How **** am I supposed to progress through this ****ing mission?
BAIT and switch comes to mind.
I'm mad now and I've spent 2 hrs figuring all this TRIBBLE out and finding this thread and reading instead of enjoying the game. Over a ****ing penny worth of currency.
**** YOU and your penny worth of currency perfect world - I'm back to work in a few days so I don't have 10-12 days. So I don't get to progress while I'm on time off. Over $5? you blew off a customer over penny worth of currency.
I'm sure PWE/Cryptic's company-line of implementing such measures is for the overall good & is genuine intent.
The ceasing of the Dilithium Store items greatly hindered my account for all my growing characters. The salt in the wound was PWE/Cryptic altering some of the items afterwards as well. I offered specific evidence in my ticket to only be retorted with a company-line statement of cowardice not even addressing questions. Geez.
I've only purchased a few times with intent to sell on exchange, but I'm cautious to buy almost anything from the C/Z Store anymore fear it places my account in even a little trouble or some sort of nuisance.
PWE/Cryptic's decision to cease their stable of games encompassing Zen Wallet feature I'm sure is a business decision with reasoning, but coercing players to move Zen now under threat of it "expiring" someday via email is a bit much. I think it was a good feature I used to use often, buy Zen when on sale, then when needed disperse to whichever PWE game I could play & would benefit the most at any given time given that particular game's sale ... a good idea it was.
Maybe I missed it, but what I didn't read was an option to refund my $ for whatever amount of Zen I have in my Zen Wallet because PWE/Cryptic has changed the conditions. That option would be my choice then in the future if I want to buy Zen again I would under PWE/Cryptic's new rules.
Again, I'm sure PWE/Cryptic has their well thought-out reasons for all their actions, but for me at least, it hasn't encouraged me to spend more $ but has made me hold-back & even more hesitant. The worst of it is ... STO is still an incredibly good & fun game despite it's glitches & faults.
when the probation period ends, will be the items ( master keys ) still bound to account or i will be able to sell them ?
and it is strange system. i am new to this game, i play it cca 2 months, in the time i purchased cca 10 000 - 15 000 zen, so they must have my moneys and they see that i am really paying them
All item you buy while you are in probation, will be bounded permanetely, so yes, even when you probation time expires, well, they got your money you dont have what you wanted, you are welcome.
GG Cryptic.
dnirg eht nioj
When you are in game you are warned that things will be bound, but that this binding will end after the probation period so I bought the ship upgrade tokens I wanted.
Find out today that they never will go unbound, unlike the warning. I'm going to file a complaint with steam and others to let them know its a scam. The wording clearly states the binding will end, but instead it lies.
Sad part is I got scammed into spending money this christmas on the game - but I'm done. No point in supporting this system at all, especially as its aimed at punishing players who have had accounts for YEARS and have paid for items for a long time, and spent several hundred dollars.
As you all can see, there is very simple and fair questions that cryptic can not or want not to ansewr to their customers ¿why? i dont know, but not stating clearly if you are going to get in a locked items system unless your spend money in a purchase to get the answer...well. great catch.
GG Cryptic.
dnirg eht nioj
Just.. NO!!
I have been a STO payer since Beta.. a lifer since way to long it seems! Why do i say that?
I used to be the guy that said "Dude.. you gotta play this.. it's not everything we expect.. but it's pretty close!" that was 5 years ago.. these days's it's usually. "Dude.. you.. really don't have to play this.. in fact.. I have no valid reason why you should.." My STO buddies.. and.. i LOL when i say that, cause most of them have already left saying "Borellus.. you are such an Idiot if you stick to this game!" but there was me.. Mr. Optimist.. and then i got that "Buy it on Steam and you are screwed thing!" And so.. YES.. maybe i DO get more Zen out of ARC.. and maybe PW would prefer me to use that.. but i have ALWAYS got my ZEN through Steam and it was NEVER a F**KING problem! I Don't LIKE ARC.. I don't Want to use ARC... i should not be punished for NOT using arc! BUT.. last month.. i got flagged and i was like "WTF!!!"" Went through the forums.. read.. "oh.. if it happens once, but you pay.. it shouldn't happen again" Wasn't pleased... but.. nothing i could do about it.. next month..."
A month later.. ONCE again.. I BUY ZEN.. through steam.. BLAM!!! Banned again!!!
And before the smart people say "well no one is forcing you to buy it through Steam!" No one ASKED me if i wanted a F**KING ACCOUNT Guard either!
They tried this so many times.. They want the players.. but then FORCE us to change our original accounts into ARC accounts with the "account guard" at the time.. the thing MOST PEOPLE turned off.. cause you couldn't do ANYTHING.. check Gateway on Tablett.. Account Guard.. do it on phone.. ACCOUNT GUARD.. clear your Cache on PC.. ACCOUNT guard! So i turned that off.. Nice option.. but NO thank you.. WAS an option though..
So there i was.. Playing.. and PAYING.. like i had done for years.. and now i get PUNISHED for paying?! Well.. No! F**K that!!!
I used to be on these forums to praise this game.. Used to hear the complaints and was always "whoa.. whoa.. guys.. come on.. early game.. let them do the magic..." but 5 years on.. the Magic has turned into a cheesy Vegas show and to see it work.. BADLY.. i have to pay.. but then get a big flip off for doing so.. Love how they can take my money.. but while they do it, flip me over the console and ram it up my rear!
My account is now locked in Star Trek Online. I had purchased Zen through Arc for the past 2 years though I recently updated to an ACTUAL gaming computer and decided to use Steam. Once I purchased Zen through STEAM, I received a notice stating my account is locked and I wouldn't be able to trade any items that were purchased from the store. Check my billing history on Arc. I've put a fair decent amount into this game. Unlock me so that I may be able to purchase/trade even if I have to use the Arc client. Thanks.
I received this:
Hello,
Thank you for contacting us! Due to your recent Zen purchase, this account has been placed on temporary probation and you will be unable to use the Dilithium exchange, or purchase unbound Zen Market items until the probation period ends. We apologize for the inconvenience, but Customer Service cannot remove or alter the duration of this probation.
For more information, please go the STO forums.
http://sto-forum.perfectworld.com/showthread.php?t=1286371
Regards,
Ashynt
Game Master
Perfect World Entertainment
Was this a notice hidden somewhere because I never saw it.. Instead I'm directed here. What a bunch of bull****. What probation? For using Steam instead of that god awful arc client that loved to crash everyday on me? Pffft..
I have purchased zen many times via steam and from what i've read here there is no reason for me to have been flagged my purchase history should have been enough.....
I am quite disgruntled and this has put me off from further purchases until this matter has been dealt with in a timely manner.
Yeah... that's totally helpful to those who have already spent their zen. *facepalm*
Enough.
No you misunderstood from the very 1st post in this thread
Would you like screenshots of my STEAM and PAYPAL accounts showing the money was transferred and completed this past Sunday already? The SAME day I purchased my Zen?
10 days is BS.
I'll just keep e-mailing the customer service rep until they can point us to someone who can remove this TRIBBLE. I would be fine with a 2 day waiting period after a new transaction however, it's going on 6 days and I have established billing/credit from the SAME paypal I used on ARC. The only difference, I used STEAM since it came on my Asus 751. I like the all-in-one shop.