Buying a used steam game

[Roie Shalom]

Hi,
I'm not sure if it's the right sub forum but coudn't find one more suitable. I see some steam games for sale on Ebay, which are used. Is it possible? Ain't I suppose to buy a game from steam's site, and that's it? If not, how is the "switching hands" process working?

 

[Iamsoda]

Hi,
I'm not sure if it's the right sub forum but coudn't find one more suitable. I see some steam games for sale on Ebay, which are used. Is it possible? Ain't I suppose to buy a game from steam's site, and that's it? If not, how is the "switching hands" process working?

They sell the account information that holds the game or games or maybe they sell you a code to activate a game, but usually the former.

 

[WildCard999]

With any Steam games if they are used they are tied to a single account. I highly doubt there transferable.

 

[Iamsoda]

With any Steam games if they are used they are tied to a single account. I highly doubt there transferable.

they aren't but if it is being sold as a gift code that isn't activated, that can go on your current steam account.

 

[WildCard999]

With any Steam games if they are used they are tied to a single account. I highly doubt there transferable.

they aren't but if it is being sold as a gift code that isn't activated, that can go on your current steam account.

True but would you trust that code? Personally I wouldn't, Steam always has a ton of sales, some of which can go up to 75% off plus there are demos and free weekends. Unless the OP is getting one hell of a deal (and can ensure its not some kind of scam) then it may be worth it.

 

[Roie Shalom]

"Unless the OP is getting one hell of a deal "
What do you mean by OP?
So if one selling the key it's ok to buy? What if the seller would also want to play with the same key? Is it possible?

 

[WildCard999]

OP=Original Poster. On Steam you can't use the same key for two accounts. Once that key has been activated it is permanently attached to that account. I've seen a lot of issues from trying to swap games to other accounts with Steam and most if not all have not been able to. Even I have an older account which I don't have the email or password to so even though I have the original box and code I still wouldn't be able to play the game since it's locked to my old account.

 

[WildCard999]

Like Iamsoda said its more then likely there selling the account with the games and not the individual codes.

 

[Roie Shalom]

I guess then Steam makes it hard to sell second-hand games in Steam to not lose money for this and force users to buy only from them.. I think it's messy to go to another account just to play a game.. Perhaps I better buy from steam the normal way.

Or, maybe let's say I see one selling a steam gift. If I buy it and find out that it's activated key that I can't use, will Ebay force the seller to send me the money back? It's little money but it's still interesting to know, don't want to be dumped with used key.

 

[Iamsoda]

With any Steam games if they are used they are tied to a single account. I highly doubt there transferable.

they aren't but if it is being sold as a gift code that isn't activated, that can go on your current steam account.

True but would you trust that code? Personally I wouldn't, Steam always has a ton of sales, some of which can go up to 75% off plus there are demos and free weekends. Unless the OP is getting one hell of a deal (and can ensure its not some kind of scam) then it may be worth it.

Paypal will back you up if it is your word against theirs and the code doesn't work. Love super buyer biased decisions.

 

[Iamsoda]

I guess then Steam makes it hard to sell second-hand games in Steam to not lose money for this and force users to buy only from them.. I think it's messy to go to another account just to play a game.. Perhaps I better buy from steam the normal way.

Or, maybe let's say I see one selling a steam gift. If I buy it and find out that it's activated key that I can't use, will Ebay force the seller to send me the money back? It's little money but it's still interesting to know, don't want to be dumped with used key.

Purchase through paypal.