Users Accidentally Buy Items on PS4 PSN Store Using DualShock 4 for PS3

[forgo911]

I don't understand why Sony should refund this (apart from good PR). Don't get me wrong, it's a mistake that's understandable and unfortunate, but technically they used a piece of hardware not made for your hardware (and Sony, as far as I know, never said "you can use the PS4 controller for your PS3"), so Sony isn't at all to blame.
Not to mention, come on guys - this is pretty logical, this would probably be the first thing I'd think about when I discover that my controller works for both, because how is the PS3 gonna know that the controller is also controlling a PS4?

Now again, I understand that they would refund for PR reasons, but I don't think they are doing anything morally wrong by refusing. I mean, it's really your own fault. Not to mention, you probably still have your PS3 controller.

Now tell me if I'm wrong, but the last time I checked; the first thing you get drilled into your head is THE COSTUMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT. And after the shit they pulled with the Canadian market yesterday, this is a greater reason why I will never buy a ps4.

 

[The_Echo]

I mean...

Maybe, just perhaps... it was a fucking bad idea to keep your PS4 turned on while using a controller paired to it with another platform?

Also I find using a DS4 with a PS3 to be just dumb. The PS button on it doesn't work with PS3, right? So you have to keep a PS3 controller nearby anyway.

 

[aceman67]

The problem is, this is absolutely unprovable. Everyone can now claim for a refund on literally anything you've bought out over the PSN and claim you didn't know the controller was controlling both.


Saying that, I expect these guys to get some sort of refund now it's hit the press

its very easy to reproduce.

Hook a PS3 and PS4 up to two tvs side by side. Sync the DS4 controller to both consoles. Use DS4 to power on PS3 and Play. See what happens.

CAPTCHA: thank you

No, THANK YOU captcha.

Wait.....if the PS4 is turned off, how can it control both consoles

It was turned on.

Why the hell would someone keep the PS4 turned on while using the PS3 with the controller that controls the ps4, but using it to control the ps3...

That makes no sense -.- i would of thought it would of been obvious this would happen.

What if the PS4 was off, and they used the DS4 to power on the PS3, while at the same time unbeknownst to them, the PS4 also turns on. I figured it out pretty easily.

 

[sXeth]

I don't know. I find this highly suspect. I once tried to have my PS3 and PS4 on at the same time to download PS+ games. And it didn't seem that I could. Maybe I need to set something up, but it seemed I couldn't be connected to PSN on both at the same time.

Due to that, I'm not certain that this actually happened. Which would explain Sony denying the refund.

If it actually happened, they deserve refunds. I'm just not certain that it actually happened.

My guess would be the PS4 was connected and the PS3 wasn't. Or they picked up a new account on the PS4 (although that would give them a better chance of proving they were on both systems at once).

The total lack of proof is definitely going to hurt any odds of a refund. In addition, using unsupported hardware combos is basically the low end of the "modding your console" part of the EULA, which will probably cover it. These guys are prettymuch just looking silly for using the DS4 on the PS3 for what seems like no real reason other then they could.

 

[Ulquiorra4sama]

Wait.....if the PS4 is turned off, how can it control both consoles

It was turned on.

Why the hell would someone keep the PS4 turned on while using the PS3 with the controller that controls the ps4, but using it to control the ps3...

That makes no sense -.- i would of thought it would of been obvious this would happen.

What if the PS4 was off, and they used the DS4 to power on the PS3, while at the same time unbeknownst to them, the PS4 also turns on. I figured it out pretty easily.

So does that mean they got rid of that little "beep" sound that the PS3 makes when they put the PS4 together?

 

[klaynexas3]

And heck, has anyone calling foul on Sony even tried controlling both systems at once? Because Lord knows that NO ONE would ever make-up a false story in order to garner sympathy or just shine a bad light on a company he doesn't like (or has a momentary beef). Hell, Cracked does articles all the time talking about the bogus stories that get reported as fact; yet here we are taking the word of some guy that we've never heard of before, all because it means the chance to demonize a company that some people look for any excuse to demonize.

I actually tried this. What happened was that I was automatically disconnected from the PSN from one system when accessing it from another. So, began with PS3, then activated the PS4 and PS3 was automatically disconnected. For that reason I have to call out some bullshit on this story.

It didn't happen to me. Either that, or I did disconnect from PSN on my PS3 and was still connected on my PS4. Considering Dark Souls 2 has offline play, it's still very possible for them to have bought something off the store on their PS4. So, yeah, this story has plausibility to it, which also means Sony has some patching that needs to be done, fully working with the backwards support of the dualshock 4 on the PS3, or eliminating it entirely. And while it would be impossible for them to fully tell if these people are telling the truth or if they are simply wanting refunds, I think this would be a good lead to Sony developing at least some sort of refund method. I'd say something like Origin's refund system.

In short, for anyone reading this, it is fully possible to control both systems simultaneously and possibly buy something on accident.

 

[BrotherRool]

The problem is, this is absolutely unprovable. Everyone can now claim for a refund on literally anything you've bought out over the PSN and claim you didn't know the controller was controlling both.


Saying that, I expect these guys to get some sort of refund now it's hit the press

its very easy to reproduce.

Hook a PS3 and PS4 up to two tvs side by side. Sync the DS4 controller to both consoles. Use DS4 to power on PS3 and Play. See what happens.

I mean that it's absolutely unprovable that it was this happening that led to the purchase. So I could buy anything play it and then phone up customer service and tell them that I was using the controller for my PS3 (I'm even pretty sure that Sony can't delete it off your PS4 when it's installed, they probably just remove your ability to redownload it).

Saying that, I thought it would be normal practise for any customer service to accept someones desire for a refund if they ask often enough. As long as they make the process uncomfortable enough that people can't easily exploit it it's not worth the bad PR to check if a claim is genuine or not.


EDIT: It's an interesting bug though. I'm pretty sure when I use my PS3 controller for my PC it doesn't accidentally turn the PS3 on or control the PS3.

 

[uncanny474]

The problem is, this is absolutely unprovable. Everyone can now claim for a refund on literally anything you've bought out over the PSN and claim you didn't know the controller was controlling both.


Saying that, I expect these guys to get some sort of refund now it's hit the press

Yep, very good point. If Sony does this, what's stopping people from buying something online, finishing it and asking for a refund.

I feel for the consumers here, but at the same time, I also understand where Sony is coming from. This is one of the pains of a digital future, I guess.

I mean, they could check the playtime. If someone bought a game by accident, they probably wouldn't have played it, right? Or at least, they'd have less than 10 or so hours in it. And (since I don't know the PS4 interface) if it doesn't tell you playtime on your dashboard, I guarantee Sony or somebody is keeping track of it somewhere right?

 

[Beetlebum]

Not feeling the sympathy here.

So people are using a Playstation 4 controller and seem to be suprised that the controller they're using controls the Playstation 4. Even if your console is off/standby, people should know that it often takes a simple button (miss)press to turn it on.

Wireless controls are not idiot proof.

 

[erbkaiser]

I actually tried this. What happened was that I was automatically disconnected from the PSN from one system when accessing it from another. So, began with PS3, then activated the PS4 and PS3 was automatically disconnected. For that reason I have to call out some bullshit on this story.

Right now I am signed in on PSN on my PS3, my PS4, and my PS Vita so I guess theoretically it is possible to be accidentally using two systems at once.

However this is no different than accidentally making purchases otherwise, e.g. because you're sitting on the Dualshock 3 and somehow pressing buttons.
Or having your five-year old pick up the controller and accidentally buying stuff.
Good luck trying to get a refund in those cases!

There is a PSN account option that requires you to enter a password before a checkout can be made in the store, and people should have this enabled precisely to prevent user errors like this.

 

[TallanKhan]

I have a PS3 and PS4 both hooked up next to each other so gave this a go and i couldn't reproduce this in any way shape or form. I couldn't get the controller to sync with both systems, regardless of which one i fired up first. I own Dark Souls 2 and even tried playing that game specifically and nothing. Furthermore,when i hooked up a second controller I found that even if you do have both systems running and if you were able to control them from the same controller, you can only be signed into PSN on one system at any time. As soon as i signed in on the PS4 i got a notification on the PS3 that i had been logged out of PSN.

Now i am not saying it is impossible that this has happened, but honestly I'm sceptical. Even if it did happen my sympathy is limited. Sony have never endorsed the DS4 controller as compatible with the PS3 or made any statement even suggesting it is safe to do so. On that basis if people have chosen to do so they really do it at their own risk.

 

[tangoprime]

Honestly, I have to call BS here, unless Sony treats UK customers way differently than US customers. Or, in these cases, these customers have a history of doing this kind of thing. I recently made a PSN purchase on my PS3 that was for Vita and I believed it was for PS3. I contacted Sony via webchat as it was afterhours, and they understood, told me to be more careful in the future as sales are final, but they'll go ahead and refund my purchase, which they did very quickly.

 

[1337mokro]

Our controllers don't actually work that way, we advertised them as being PS3 and PC compatible but it still means that when you use it on the PS3 and it does something that we stress again we don't think is possible we still won't refund you.

TOS are a bunch of BS. When you deny your controller has the ability to do something, yet multiple costumers report a problem with it you then don't get to invoke TOS over something you deny to be possible. How the fuck does that work?

 

[vIRL Nightmare]

To be fair it doesn't sound like a good idea to use new hardware on an old system. Frankly I don't think there is a more right way to resolve this (to give a refund or not). I kinda feel bad for the people, but not that bad.

 

[Mersadeon]

I don't understand why Sony should refund this (apart from good PR). Don't get me wrong, it's a mistake that's understandable and unfortunate, but technically they used a piece of hardware not made for your hardware (and Sony, as far as I know, never said "you can use the PS4 controller for your PS3"), so Sony isn't at all to blame.
Not to mention, come on guys - this is pretty logical, this would probably be the first thing I'd think about when I discover that my controller works for both, because how is the PS3 gonna know that the controller is also controlling a PS4?

Now again, I understand that they would refund for PR reasons, but I don't think they are doing anything morally wrong by refusing. I mean, it's really your own fault. Not to mention, you probably still have your PS3 controller.

Now tell me if I'm wrong, but the last time I checked; the first thing you get drilled into your head is THE COSTUMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT. And after the shit they pulled with the Canadian market yesterday, this is a greater reason why I will never buy a ps4.

Well, that's the thing - "the customer is always right" is absolute bollocks. It's nonsense. It's breaking rules and making a loss just to please a customer to avert negative PR. This sounds reasonable at first, but it fosters a culture of "I MIGHT BE WRONG BUT I WANT TO BE TREATED AS IF I WASN'T" - you wouldn't believe how hostile it is to work in american retail, getting yelled at once a day by a customer that feels entitled - not because the company broke any rules, just because he pounds his chest enough.
Don't get me wrong, it's good to garner good PR by being nice - giving someone a new icecream-cone because it dropped right after walking out the store is good! But by allowing every customer to essentially break the official rules (and common sense) just to placate them enough that they won't be angry puts an incredible stress on retail workers, who now have nothing to hold on to: following the corporate rules might mean that an entitled idiot gets him fired, following "the customer is always right" might them fired because they made a loss.
Sorry that I rambled so much, I just HATE the concept of TCIAW so much it sometimes has to be let out.

 

[forgo911]

I don't understand why Sony should refund this (apart from good PR). Don't get me wrong, it's a mistake that's understandable and unfortunate, but technically they used a piece of hardware not made for your hardware (and Sony, as far as I know, never said "you can use the PS4 controller for your PS3"), so Sony isn't at all to blame.
Not to mention, come on guys - this is pretty logical, this would probably be the first thing I'd think about when I discover that my controller works for both, because how is the PS3 gonna know that the controller is also controlling a PS4?

Now again, I understand that they would refund for PR reasons, but I don't think they are doing anything morally wrong by refusing. I mean, it's really your own fault. Not to mention, you probably still have your PS3 controller.

Now tell me if I'm wrong, but the last time I checked; the first thing you get drilled into your head is THE COSTUMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT. And after the shit they pulled with the Canadian market yesterday, this is a greater reason why I will never buy a ps4.

Well, that's the thing - "the customer is always right" is absolute bollocks. It's nonsense. It's breaking rules and making a loss just to please a customer to avert negative PR. This sounds reasonable at first, but it fosters a culture of "I MIGHT BE WRONG BUT I WANT TO BE TREATED AS IF I WASN'T" - you wouldn't believe how hostile it is to work in american retail, getting yelled at once a day by a customer that feels entitled - not because the company broke any rules, just because he pounds his chest enough.
Don't get me wrong, it's good to garner good PR by being nice - giving someone a new icecream-cone because it dropped right after walking out the store is good! But by allowing every customer to essentially break the official rules (and common sense) just to placate them enough that they won't be angry puts an incredible stress on retail workers, who now have nothing to hold on to: following the corporate rules might mean that an entitled idiot gets him fired, following "the customer is always right" might them fired because they made a loss.
Sorry that I rambled so much, I just HATE the concept of TCIAW so much it sometimes has to be let out.

Surprising as it is I can relate to how bad you have it working in retail. I'm doing tier 1 tech support for at&t and I can agree with you that people are assholes. The sense of entitlement costumers have is insane. But no matter how abusive people got on the phone, they did get whatever they wanted. Now while I think there should be a happy little medium in between; it doesn't excuse Sony for what they are doing. Bad costumer support can kill a company; that's why they tell us the costumer is always right, so they can avoid bad PR. And if sony doesn't think that this is generating bad PR-even if it's not true-then their idiots.

 

[BobisOnlyBob]

 

 

[ZZoMBiE13]

According to Australian consumer law, Sony will have to offer refunds. Say what you want about us, at least we treat consumers with respect.

I know this is off topic, but I want to know badly enough that I'll risk the moderation.

Do people say negative things about Aussies? I try not to travel in circles that treat others that way, but when being online it's impossible to avoid all vitriol. But I can't recall ever seeing someone actively hostile to our friends from down under. I do play online shooters occasionally, so I have heard some pretty insane leaps in logic when someone decides to rip into another player. But I can't even think of a specific Aussie slur. Maybe that's naivete on my part, I don't know.

Is this seriously a problem? Or just a clever turn of phrase that I read too much into?

 

[Jclsy]

I do think sony should give refunds as long as they haven't used whatever they purchased.
If they don't, then oh well..
It was their own fault for having their PS4 on at the same time as their PS3, there is standby mode for a reason..
Why don't they just let whatever is downloading download in standby? And the DS4 home button doesn't work on the PS3 so there's no way they can turn on the PS4 unless they hit the button, which is their own fault.
Also, you can't be signed into two systems at a time and you don't need to be signed into PSN to continue downloading a purchase, so I don't understand how they accidentally purchased something if they were on their PS3.