Consumer complaint received 2018-02-08
Company: Google Compare Credit Cards Inc.
State: WA
Product: Credit card or prepaid card
Sub-product: General-purpose prepaid card
Issue: Problem with a purchase or transfer
Sub-issue: Card company isn't resolving a dispute about a purchase or transfer

Complaint:
In XXXX of 2017, I made an online purchase through a gaming app I downloaded from the online XXXX XXXX store. This game allows for in-game purchases with a prepaid visa or XXXX or XXXX XXXX. I had spent close to $ XXXX building my gaming experience and in-game character. Now within game, there are always updates and bulletins telling the player of what is new or now possible to achieve through increased purchases by the consumer. There are vehicles and weapons and bonuses all possible and available if you buy the right package or amount of equipment. Or so you are told. When I was gifted a large amount of XXXX XXXX purchased by a friend, I decided to spend most of it in game in an attempt to procure the rare or exclusive items that would strengthen my gameplay. I decided to buy a redundant amount of chances in the form of " chests '' and began to open them. The reason I even considered doing so was because I'd seen video footage of in game characters coming upon or utilizing weaponry or items that showed a stronger, more exciting gaming experience. It was only after foolishly expending more money than I'd ever spent on a game as well as studying the patterns that I realized impossibility of the game designer 's claims, i.e, the vehicles shown to be purchased had no way of existing because there existed no path or action that could fulfill a dizzying and cascading pattern of unachievable or impossible chances or tasks that had to be completed in game shown to be only possible through in game purchases. Basically that if I'd just spend the right amount on the right items, I'd procure said items. It is only through a study of my account that the sum of such attempts could be found, but I assure you, it is a significant amount for a stupid game. Once I realized all this, I attempted to contact the game designer but was ignored after 4 or 5 emails. I then approached XXXX XXXX XXXX but received no email back. I then phoned customer service, where I was received by XXXX, who, after a couple attempts at changing subject, told me I was calling a call center in XXXX. 
After relaying my situation, I was told that Google has no responsibility for refunding in game purchases from a game or application. Also that XXXX XXXX isn't responsible for any of its clients content because Google did not profit in any way from any of the applications it offered for purchase in its store. That it was just a platform where anyone can show, give away or sell there product. So not only was I to accept the idea that Google didn't make a XXXX from it's massive online marketplace but also that it was apparently a safe harbor for any company who wanted to commit fraud, lie about it's product and face no responsibility for fulfilling promises it had printed on its adverts that were backed up on XXXX 's servers. That is like saying that, yes, you rented out your upstairs to a criminal and that, yes, you are aware they are using that space to break the law, but, no, there is nothing you can OR will do to stop him because, even though you could, there is nothing saying you have to. So that criminal continues using your property as a jump off point to breaking the law. So how can a XXXX XXXX company be allowed to offer a place where illegitimate companies can commit fraud, BAIT XXXX switch and any other number of technology assisted crime. Especially XXXX as large and dominating of the marketplace as XXXX has become? Who does XXXX go to when such a massive entity as XXXX does them wrong? Who do I turn to when ive been taken advantage of by the company who has basically created the marketplace where billions of people traverse daily? And it shouldn't matter the amount or the persons involved as justice is supposedly blind. How slippery and dangerous of a slope will exist if the letter of the law is made to adjust or adapt around the desires of or is ignored altogether by a few powerful companies. The backlash may be small but I can almost guarantee that through this trend of lack of personal responsibility, will arrive a generation saturated with the morally ambiguous, ethically adjustable and legally apathetic belief systems and institutions only the evil side of anyone wants to experience. Life isnt black and white. That is why the law is. No room for smoothed out arguments or lines made in the shifting sands or adjustable ethical standards. I'd say it was simple if it was. As it should be. But what is simple is deciding to do it again and again until it is standard practice to walk outside the letter of the law.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation