During this period of mandatory confinement by the coronavirus many of you will have bought video games and / or game consoles to entertain you while the Alarm Status lasts. But what happens if after making the purchase you want to return the product? Stores are closed and delivery services such as Posts offer limited services while the quarantine lasts, but there is no need to worry: you can return the products after the alarm status is no longer in force.
- The Royal Decree-Law 8/2020 of March 17 specified in Article 21: "During the validity of the State of alarm or its possible extensions, the deadlines for the return of the products purchased by any modality are interrupted, either in person or on-line. The calculation of the terms will be resumed at the moment in which Royal Decree 463/2020, of March 14, which declares the State of Alarm or, where appropriate, the extensions thereof, becomes invalid. "
- That is, physical stores and online stores of video games in physical format have the obligation to suspend the return periods until the alarm state is suspended. So if you bought a game or console through a website during confinement, it will you can return up to fifteen days later that the Alarm State be repealed.
- If you bought it less than fifteen days after February 28 (15 days before the Alarm State), when the alarm state is suspended you will have the remaining days in the initial terms to return it. For example, if you bought a video game on March 9, you will have 11 days to return it after the suspension of Royal Decree 463/2020.
Next, we will explain how to return products in the main video game stores from Spain: GAME and Amazon.
Return games and consoles in GAME
From GAME they point out that any product purchased in their face-to-face stores or in GAME.es has their return deadlines interrupted, and that these are they will resume "at the moment the alarm state and its possible extensions are lifted". The terms remain the same as before: 15 calendar days (counting weekends and holidays).
For return a product to GAME the withdrawal document must be completed (available at this link), enter an invoice for the purchase and send the package to C / Virgilio N7-9; 28223, Pozuelo de Alarcn (Madrid). The product can only be returned if it has not been used or unsealed, "and are in the same state in which they were delivered."
GAME is not responsible for shipping costs if the product was correct; In case it was defective or wrong, you should contact Customer service (902 17 18 19). The refund will be made between 5 and 7 calendar days after the package is shipped. "Returns by bank card or PayPal do not usually take more than 48 hours from the time the payment is generated. Returns in points, purchase vouchers, Wallet Card or gift card take an estimated time of 72 hours to formalize" .
Return games and consoles on Amazon
Amazon has gone beyond what is stipulated by Royal Decree-Law 8/2020. The days that would have passed between the purchase and the state of emergency should not be taken into account. Any product Purchased from Amazon or its third-party sellers since February 15, 2020 it may be returned "up to 30 days after the official restoration of freedom of movement".
Those, "new products must be returned new, unused and complete". In the case of second-hand video games and consoles, "must not show additional damage or signs of use". The exceptions include a point that affects video games. "Sealed video or sound recordings or sealed software may not be returned if they were unsealed by you upon delivery."
Amazon bears the shipping costs in case the product was defective, incorrect or damaged. Otherwise, the consumer must bear the shipping costs, the possible gift wrapping or any other service related to the order.
You can find detailed instructions on how to return a product on Amazon you must access your Shopping history and clicking "Return or replace products". Once you select the return of a product, the system will allow you to choose between a replacement product, refund the balance to your Amazon account or refund the money to the payment method used.
