insisting on “verify you’re oved 18” even for Steam accounts are over 18 years old.
insisting on credit cards, when most Aussies don’t have one. We use debit cards because we have money, why use credit?
I now know a few people in their 40s who are wondering if they should sign up for unwanted credit cards just so they can keep buying games on Steam.
100% malicious compliance. Steam never likes being told what to do by anyone - users, devs, governments.
Edit:… Aaand it’s in breech of the codes. So… I guess the ACCC will have to take Valve to court again.
The code terms mandate that age checks must be ‘robust, reliable and fair’. Forcing people to get credit card accounts would not meet the code. It explicitly states “in order for age checks to be fair, service providers should offer more than one method of age checks to users”.
Why use credit?
Because liquid capital can be invested and earnt on. If you use low or zero interest credit to buy things, and invest your actual money, you actually end up with more money. I have had £30k on zero interest credit cards for about 10 years now, invested in accounts earning between 4 and 6%. I have to transfer the credit between cards every 2 to 3 years and that attracts a fee of 3%. So in effect I receive 3 to 5% a year on £30k I don’t have.
Credit card companies don’t care. All it takes is one missed date on that introductory offer expiry on one card and that 0% becomes 19% on the backdated 30k, accrued monthly… eating your meager profit plus more, plus time spent. And the companies know it will statistically happen sooner or later, which is why they make these offers.
You do you though. Personally I hope it works out for you, fuck the banks.
Never missed a payment yet. I see the roughly thousand a year I make from it as worth the hassle. A regular income, spreadsheet to track deals expiry dates and direct debit payments. Not much else is required.
Two very dumb things:
I now know a few people in their 40s who are wondering if they should sign up for unwanted credit cards just so they can keep buying games on Steam.
100% malicious compliance. Steam never likes being told what to do by anyone - users, devs, governments.
Edit:… Aaand it’s in breech of the codes. So… I guess the ACCC will have to take Valve to court again.
The code terms mandate that age checks must be ‘robust, reliable and fair’. Forcing people to get credit card accounts would not meet the code. It explicitly states “in order for age checks to be fair, service providers should offer more than one method of age checks to users”.
Why use credit?
Because liquid capital can be invested and earnt on. If you use low or zero interest credit to buy things, and invest your actual money, you actually end up with more money. I have had £30k on zero interest credit cards for about 10 years now, invested in accounts earning between 4 and 6%. I have to transfer the credit between cards every 2 to 3 years and that attracts a fee of 3%. So in effect I receive 3 to 5% a year on £30k I don’t have.
Credit card companies don’t care. All it takes is one missed date on that introductory offer expiry on one card and that 0% becomes 19% on the backdated 30k, accrued monthly… eating your meager profit plus more, plus time spent. And the companies know it will statistically happen sooner or later, which is why they make these offers.
You do you though. Personally I hope it works out for you, fuck the banks.
Never missed a payment yet. I see the roughly thousand a year I make from it as worth the hassle. A regular income, spreadsheet to track deals expiry dates and direct debit payments. Not much else is required.
God money is so made up and stupid.
Totally agree. But it’s accepted globally to pay for holidays which I really enjoy 🤣