Why is XBLA way of doing business acceptable?

I would get Shadow Complex but apparently I have to convert to a point system and put more money into a Microsoft account than the cost of the game? I don't have to do that on Steam. I don't have to do that on PSN. The only thing I've ever seen like that is XBLA. If I went to a restaurant and rang up a $15 tab and the waiter/waiter came by and said, "I'm sorry but we only accept money in $20 increments so you'll have to pay $20 and we'll give you $5 on an account with us that can only be used at this restaurant and affiliated businesses" I'd never EVER do business with them again. Yet I'm supposed to do that with Microsoft? No one else does this kind of crap that I've ever heard of. I know how it makes sense for Microsoft. After all, if you have $5 in an account with them you'll be more likely to buy from them again. After all, they already have $5 of your money and you don't want it to go to waste. Also, there's the psychology of the point system because it doesn't register as money psychologically. It makes great business sense for Microsoft, how does it make sense for me and why is this even remotely close to an acceptable way of doing business?

Note: This is about online purchases using a credit card. Not about online purchases using a pre-paid card.

its fine the way it is. also, before branding companies of doing things in an unacceptable way, make sure you can spell the correct version of "waste," or no one will take you seriously. Well, the cows still will at least, as long as you are talking against the 360.mtradr43

I love a lot of things about XBL but that is definitely not one of them. It is garbage.

its fine the way it is. also, before branding companies of doing things in an unacceptable way, make sure you can spell the correct version of "waste," or no one will take you seriously. Well, the cows still will at least, as long as you are talking against the 360.mtradr43

Would you be willing to do business that way at Walmart? How about at a fast food joint? Would you be willing to work with a point system and put $20 into an account with a restaurant so that you can buy a $15 dollar meal? Why is that an acceptable way of doing business. If not, then why are you willing to do it on XBLA?

i believe nintendo's system is the same totally lame, i agreeJandurin

Nintendo's system is the same? I'm not doing business with them either then. I understand how it makes good business for them, but it's a rotten deal for me.

It's acceptable because that's what MS want to do. Yes it's lame if you just want the 1200pts ($15) for e.g. but for some things you need to pay with credit card. I can see why they do it, it's quite smart on their part, but annoying for people like me.Next-Gen-Tec

It's acceptable because Microsoft wants it to be that way? You know, you don't have to put up with any deal rotten or not that Microsoft throws out there. Are you willing to accept any bad deal that Microsoft puts out? Personally, I only like to do business when it's good for me. I'm not a charity for Microsoft or Sony or Nintendo.

I bought crash commando from psn yesterday as it is half price in uk....it was £4 but the least you can put in your wallet is £5 wtf.

Why they do it... I really don't know, and unlike many others here, I'm not going to speculate.

But really.... with Arcade games and add-ons like Rock Band tracks, I only ever have 20 odd points here and there left over. I'm not going to get all up in arms over pocket change. It's under a certain pain point for me, so it's really a non-issue.

I bought crash commando from psn yesterday as it is half price in uk....it was £4 but the least you can put in your wallet is £5 wtf.

sikanderahmed

Why they do it... I really don't know, and unlike many others here, I'm not going to speculate.

But really.... with Arcade games and add-ons like Rock Band tracks, I only ever have 20 odd points here and there left over. I'm not going to get all up in arms over pocket change. It's under a certain pain point for me, so it's really a non-issue.

VoodooHak

I bought crash commando from psn yesterday as it is half price in uk....it was £4 but the least you can put in your wallet is £5 wtf.

sikanderahmed

Transactions take up some cost so they set a minimum. Most online sellers do this for that very reason. Quite a bit different from requiring set intervals and setting up a point system.

I bought crash commando from psn yesterday as it is half price in uk....it was £4 but the least you can put in your wallet is £5 wtf.

sikanderahmed

if thats what microsoft wants to do then cool, its just business afterall, no point moaning about it..G-O-M-J

I'm asking why you are willing to do business this way? Personally, I'm not cool with just any business deal that gets put out there. I like business that actually works for me.

All I'm hearing here is typical cheapness by some people.. I'd much rather buy POINTS than have to use a credit card for purchasing things. I'm looking at you PSN. So paying interest on your credit card is ok now? Also, what if you don't have a credit card? bah what's the point of arguing this on SW....... xsubtownerx

[QUOTE="G-O-M-J"]if thats what microsoft wants to do then cool, its just business afterall, no point moaning about it..trakem

I'm asking why you are willing to do business this way? Personally, I'm not cool with just any business deal that gets put out there. I like business that actually works for me.

All I'm hearing here is typical cheapness by some people.. I'd much rather buy POINTS than have to use a credit card for purchasing things. I'm looking at you PSN. So paying interest on your credit card is ok now? Also, what if you don't have a credit card? bah what's the point of arguing this on SW....... xsubtownerx

You know, buying points in terms of interest works the same way if you are buying the points with your credit card. The only difference is that having the number in the account is easier to understand when it's in dollars rather than points. What's the advantage of points? You think that if you use your credit card to buy points that you then don't have to pay interest on it? That's not true or logical. BTW, I like to go with a debit card.

As for not having a credit card, then you'd have to go with a pre-paid card just like anything else you might want to do online.

[QUOTE="trakem"]

[QUOTE="G-O-M-J"]if thats what microsoft wants to do then cool, its just business afterall, no point moaning about it..G-O-M-J

I'm asking why you are willing to do business this way? Personally, I'm not cool with just any business deal that gets put out there. I like business that actually works for me.

You're still not answering my question. Would you do business this way with other companies like fast food joints? If not, why are you willing to accept this kind bad business with Microsoft.

All I'm hearing here is typical cheapness by some people.. I'd much rather buy POINTS than have to use a credit card for purchasing things. I'm looking at you PSN. So paying interest on your credit card is ok now? Also, what if you don't have a credit card? bah what's the point of arguing this on SW....... xsubtownerx

[QUOTE="G-O-M-J"]if it doesnt work for you then dont do business with microsoft, simple as that..trakem

You're still not answering my question. Would you do business this way with other companies like fast food joints? If not, why are you willing to accept this kind bad business with Microsoft.

Did you totally skip my explanation?

The reason Microsoft uses the Points system is because it reduces the amount of micro transaction fees tacked on by Credit Card Companies. Have you ever went to a gas station or store that says you can't use your card for purchases under $5? Don't be upset with Microsoft for using this method, be upset with Credit Car Companies that try to overcharge vendors for small purchases.mythrol

I agree, it does suck that you essentially have money floating that you don't want to spend.

Personally, I wish Microsoft sold points in increments of 800 and 1200 since that's how much most games cost.

The reason Microsoft uses the Points system is because it reduces the amount of micro transaction fees tacked on by Credit Card Companies. Have you ever went to a gas station or store that says you can't use your card for purchases under $5? Don't be upset with Microsoft for using this method, be upset with Credit Car Companies that try to overcharge vendors for small purchases.mythrol

The gass station is requiring a minimum perchase. That is COMPLETELY different and has nothing whatsoever to do with what Microsoft is doing in any way. Microsoft isn't just requiring a minimum perchase. They are requiring set increments. That's not the same thing. Hell, Sony has a minimum amount. I understand why they do that. What I'm saying it bad is the set increments and the point system.

I was making cookies yesterday and needed 1 cup of milk, but i had to buy a whole half gallon because they don't sell milk in 1 cup increments. Why is Borden's way of doing business acceptable!?lhughey

[QUOTE="xsubtownerx"]All I'm hearing here is typical cheapness by some people.. I'd much rather buy POINTS than have to use a credit card for purchasing things. I'm looking at you PSN. So paying interest on your credit card is ok now? Also, what if you don't have a credit card? bah what's the point of arguing this on SW....... trakem

You know, buying points in terms of interest works the same way if you are buying the points with your credit card. The only difference is that having the number in the account is easier to understand when it's in dollars rather than points. What's the advantage of points? You think that if you use your credit card to buy points that you then don't have to pay interest on it? That's not true or logical. BTW, I like to go with a debit card.

As for not having a credit card, then you'd have to go with a pre-paid card just like anything else you might want to do online.

I was making cookies yesterday and needed 1 cup of milk, but i had to buy a whole half gallon because they don't sell milk in 1 cup increments. Why is Borden's way of doing business acceptable!?lhughey

Because it's expensive to have a packaging plant there are the store so that they can sell you the exact amount of milk (or whatever) you want. Seriously, how else are they supposed to sell milk than in pre-determined increments? Have gallon guys and some conversion factor and something to weigh the jugs and lets you put in the amount you want? Sounds like a hell of a hassle that not too many people would bother with.

I was making cookies yesterday and needed 1 cup of milk, but i had to buy a whole half gallon because they don't sell milk in 1 cup increments. Why is Borden's way of doing business acceptable!?lhughey

OMG, why do people on system wars take this crap so personal?? They are BUSINESSES!! They are in it to make money, not to be role models to raise your kids by:roll: As if every other company doesnt do something sly to make money..............the heck you think advertising is??navyguy21

Yes and it is our right as a consumer to complain about flawed business tactics. Not to stand by and get leeched off. Which is very much what you are doing. Microsoft got your money. Like takin candy from a baby. Reckless buyers just need to STFU seriously.

[QUOTE="lhughey"]I was making cookies yesterday and needed 1 cup of milk, but i had to buy a whole half gallon because they don't sell milk in 1 cup increments. Why is Borden's way of doing business acceptable!?navyguy21

The gass station is requiring a minimum perchase. That is COMPLETELY different and has nothing whatsoever to do with what Microsoft is doing in any way. Microsoft isn't just requiring a minimum perchase. They are requiring set increments. That's not the same thing. Hell, Sony has a minimum amount. I understand why they do that. What I'm saying it bad is the set increments and the point system.

trakem

[QUOTE="trakem"]

[QUOTE="xsubtownerx"]All I'm hearing here is typical cheapness by some people.. I'd much rather buy POINTS than have to use a credit card for purchasing things. I'm looking at you PSN. So paying interest on your credit card is ok now? Also, what if you don't have a credit card? bah what's the point of arguing this on SW....... xsubtownerx

You know, buying points in terms of interest works the same way if you are buying the points with your credit card. The only difference is that having the number in the account is easier to understand when it's in dollars rather than points. What's the advantage of points? You think that if you use your credit card to buy points that you then don't have to pay interest on it? That's not true or logical. BTW, I like to go with a debit card.

As for not having a credit card, then you'd have to go with a pre-paid card just like anything else you might want to do online.

You mean you use pre-paid cards? Please see the original post. This thread has NOTHING to do with pre-paid cards. I'm talking about when you do your business online. Any online system is going to have the pre-paid cards in set increments just like pre-paid cards for anything else.

at any time you can load WHATEVER amount you want over the internet and logging into your accountmythrol

[QUOTE="xsubtownerx"]All I'm hearing here is typical cheapness by some people.. I'd much rather buy POINTS than have to use a credit card for purchasing things. I'm looking at you PSN. So paying interest on your credit card is ok now? Also, what if you don't have a credit card? bah what's the point of arguing this on SW....... Javy03

[QUOTE="lhughey"]I was making cookies yesterday and needed 1 cup of milk, but i had to buy a whole half gallon because they don't sell milk in 1 cup increments. Why is Borden's way of doing business acceptable!?navyguy21

OMG, why do people on system wars take this crap so personal?? They are BUSINESSES!! They are in it to make money, not to be role models to raise your kids by:roll: As if every other company doesnt do something sly to make money..............the heck you think advertising is??navyguy21

I'm over it.

You mean you use pre-paid cards? Please see the original post. This thread has NOTHING to do with pre-paid cards. I'm talking about when you do your business online. Any online system is going to have the pre-paid cards in set increments just like pre-paid cards for anything else.

trakem

[QUOTE="mythrol"]at any time you can load WHATEVER amount you want over the internet and logging into your accountJandurin

believe me the interest adds up.xsubtownerx