This summary of the video was created by an AI. It might contain some inaccuracies.
00:00:00 – 00:17:22
The video delves into the creator's journey with purchasing and ultimately returning a refurbished Steam Deck from GameStop. Initially highlighted as a good deal with GameStop's subscription discount and protective packaging, the purchase soon showed signs of previous use and minor cosmetic wear. Despite powering up correctly after initial setup, the Steam Deck began exhibiting major functional issues such as a black screen at startup and random crashes during gameplay.
The return process revealed several challenges, including a mandatory restocking fee and inconsistent customer service from GameStop. The creator navigated through varied responses and confusion about policies, ultimately deciding to handle the return in person to avoid unnecessary fees. Jason, the creator, successfully returned the device in-store without a restocking fee, thanks to a helpful GameStop employee. He concludes that while the in-store return was smooth, GameStop needs to enhance its online return system and customer service, expressing reluctance to shop there again.
00:00:00
In this part of the video, the creator discusses their purchase of a theme deck from GameStop for $299, highlighting the deal’s value compared to buying a new one from Valve or a refurbished one from Steam. They mention GameStop’s subscription discount program which effectively lowered the price and provided additional savings. The unboxing experience is detailed, including the packaging differences between GameStop and Valve. GameStop uses larger boxes with more protective material but lacks Valve’s typical branding. The potential downside is that the one-year warranty is serviced by GameStop, known for mixed reviews on refurbished products. The creator expresses cautious optimism, noting that the package contents seem to match expectations, despite missing some of Valve’s usual packaging features.
00:03:00
In this part of the video, the presenter examines a 35-watt Steam Deck charger and the Steam Deck itself, both of which are from a refurbished unit. Key points include:
– The charger shows signs of prior use but is in about 90-95% good condition, despite having cardboard dust instead of a plastic bag.
– The exterior case of the Steam Deck has minor signs of use but is overall in good shape without major fraying on the fabric.
– Upon closer inspection, the Steam Deck has several surface-level scratches near the power and USB-C ports.
– The device does not power on out of the box, indicating it was shipped in power storing mode to preserve battery health.
– After plugging in, the Steam Deck appears to boot up correctly without major issues, only minor smudges and dust are noticed, likely from handling.
– The buttons, d-pad, and joysticks are in good condition, and the device proceeds to the initial setup screen.
00:06:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses their experience with a Steam Deck purchased from GameStop. After testing it for about a week, they encountered issues such as the screen staying black when powered on and random crashes while gaming, necessitating hard resets. Based on these problems, they decided to return the device within the original return period to test GameStop’s return policy for refurbished products. The speaker navigates the return process on the GameStop website and faces a $16 restocking fee for a defective product, regardless of whether they choose a refund, replacement, or unopened return. They find this fee unreasonable and highlight that it applies in every scenario. The speaker plans to return the device in person to avoid FedEx shipping fees and potential restocking charges.
00:09:00
In this part of the video, the speaker updates the viewers on their ongoing attempt to return a defective Steam Deck to GameStop. After initially emailing GameStop about a $6 restocking fee, the speaker received a response that items must be unopened for a refund, with a 5% restocking fee, and defective items should be addressed by contacting the manufacturer. Despite GameStop’s advice, Valve confirmed they do not cover warranties for items purchased from GameStop. The speaker then sent another email to GameStop emphasizing that the refurbished product was defective and arguing against the restocking fee. Eventually, a different GameStop representative named Fabio responded, agreeing to discount both the restocking and shipping fees if proof of payment is provided.
00:12:00
In this part of the video, the speaker describes their frustrating experience with a company’s inconsistent customer service regarding a restocking fee for a defective device. After being told both that they would and would not be charged the fee by different representatives, the speaker highlights the company’s unclear policies and the automatic deduction of the restocking fee when initiating an online return. Ultimately, the speaker decides to resolve the issue in person to avoid further confusion and ensure they are not wrongly charged.
00:15:00
In this segment of the video, Jason discusses his experience returning a Steam Deck to GameStop. He initially faced issues with their online return system but was able to complete the return in-store without any problems. The GameStop employee was helpful and facilitated a pain-free return process. He received a full refund without a restocking fee. Jason concludes that GameStop needs to improve its online return system, educate their support team about return policies, and better manage their refurbished program. Despite the successful return, Jason expresses reluctance to shop at GameStop again due to these issues.