Rhys P.

This Christmas, DO NOT buy in-store at GAME. Any protection you assume you have for returning incorrect or unwanted consoles or games, your wrong as you will only receive store credit as a refund!

Instead go to Curry's, Argos or Asda in-store who all sell at the same price but instead, offer the basic returns rights you would expect at any other reputable company of this size in this day and age.

Couple of weeks ago, I decided to buy a new Xbox console plus some games as a gift. I chose to drive past Curry's, Argos and Asda, wrongfully choosing Game to be the best place to buy a games console, expecting unrivalled customer service being the specialists. I also worked for Game many years ago myself.

Purchased the console in-store at Berryden Industrial Estate, Aberdeen, but unfortunately my gift was unwanted. Having never even taken it out the carrier bag, I expected nothing other than a run of the mill return for full refund. Instead I was informed I could only get store credit back (nearly £500).

The Manager Craig, couldn't have been less sympathetic, repeatedly shrugging his shoulders telling me its a recent policy change and 'it is what it is'. I asked him why it wasn't made absolutely clear to me when spending a large amount of money (for me) that the goods were non-refundable other than store credit, and his response was that he and his staff simply dont have to inform customers and it's not normally as issue because people don't normally return consoles.

Craig pointed out it was made clear on the receipt which it absolutely was, but that's not much use to anyone after the point of sale. He also added there was clear information on display explaining their policies under the counter. I had to take a step back and crouch down to read a poster not in plain view but instead, roughly floor level to just above my knees (I'm 6ft1). I asked him why this wasn't pointed out or even better, on top of the counter where customers can see it before they make their transactions but he didn't have a response.

I found Games' returns policy is completely different for online orders despite being the same business, offering a 28 day no fuss returns, as you would expect. Manager Craig's response was his familiar shoulder shrug.

Furious with the situation, I can't get my head around how a business gets away with this. I will never use Game again and hope others will read this before they make the same mistake in the lead up to Christmas.