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ASN spent £200 on game refusing to refund

207 replies

MissesG · 08/11/2022 20:46

I am teaching my sixteen year old daughter with ASN about money. She is cognitively underdeveloped and behaves as someone much younger. first she started with smaller amounts of money and less that she had to buy with now she has got her own debit card and we built up to bigger amounts which she was handling mostly well.

But one night she got carried away impulsively bought something expensive on moviestarplanet over all she spent in the region of £200 on the online game in the space of 2 months with the debit card and used up the virtual assets she got with it. I only found out when she didnt have the money to use on what it was intended for! I was expecting this sort of thing might happen, but know most places protect people against this sort of thing and thought shed have the money back soon. I checked and sure enough according to their terms, they dont accept purchases made by under 18s without parental permission, nor do they accept cards used by under 18s.

First I got her to contact the business and be honest that she had done it without my permission and used her under 18s card, with receipts of every transaction. The response she got was that all sales are final and that they will not be refunding! I sent my own email explaining to confirm, and they told me the same thing and that all sales are final and that the case is closed!

She really needs that £200. I am really disgusted and angry and have now told them she has ASN and warned them that I will be opening up a dispute with the bank. Im not sure if ive got a leg to stand on or what that entails or if moviestarplanet can still refuse to refund.

OP posts:
whowhatwerewhy · 10/11/2022 08:16

Does your DD regret her spending?
I would explain to her that buying in game accessories is like going to the cinema or fair you pay see the film or pay for your ride . You have nothing physically to show for it . Like her in game purchases she has enjoy using the item and has nothing physically to show for it . As just as if she had seen an 18 film and didn't like it there is no refund.
It's a hard lesson for you and DD.

Testina · 10/11/2022 08:23

MissesG · 08/11/2022 23:26

Im just so sad for her. £200.

Do you need to be sad?
16yo earns their own money and chooses to spend it on online game. The items are virtual, but she knows that - and she was buying entertainment.
Should she be sad for you if you rent an Amazon film for £4.99 and once you’ve watched it, it’s gone?
This wasn’t one frenzied silly night of hoodwinked spending.
She spent her money on some rung that she wanted.

Overthebow · 10/11/2022 08:44

MissesG · 08/11/2022 22:58

The money wasnt for spending on games though.

Why was it for then? If she earnt it and it was in her account she spent it how she wished. Not sure why you think she should get a refund for something she has already played and chose herself.

miszesG · 14/11/2022 16:07

I closed my account and but made a new one and came back.

No I dont think she did understand what she was doing. I explained she has ASN and they are issuing a refund and closing the account on the game.

It really is hard to keep control over an older child, but I have made sure that she cant do this again and followed the advice to get her a go henry card.

whowhatwerewhy · 14/11/2022 17:30

You have been very lucky to get a refund. I think for the time being you need to take full control of her finances.

miszesG · 14/11/2022 17:57

whowhatwerewhy · 14/11/2022 17:30

You have been very lucky to get a refund. I think for the time being you need to take full control of her finances.

Yes, itll be better for her

WhiteFire · 14/11/2022 18:53

OP. I have never linked a card to gaming accounts and use cards / codes for any purchases, even for Netflix. This means there can't be any expensive purchases - if the money isn't there, then the purchase is stopped. It is useful for the dc as they can then decide if to buy it or not. It's not foolproof, ds has autism and is incredibly impulsive, but at least there is some limit to any potential damage.

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