Dad Blames Microsoft for Son's Xbox Live Spending Spree

Recommended Videos

rob_simple

Elite Member
Aug 8, 2010
1,864
0
41
Clearing the Eye said:
rob_simple said:
Clearing the Eye said:
Gearhead mk2 said:
Why aren't IQ tests mandatory for parents yet?
Because one's I.Q. has no bearing on their ability to parent--or anything else, for that matter. It's a number arrogant twats like to parade around to make themselves feel big.
True, that's why we should implement a Parent Aptitude Test (I call him Pat, for short) that would use a series of hypothetical situations and financial/employment analysis to determine whether or not someone is fit to be a parent.

For example:
You are at the supermarket with your six year old kid. He is screaming the roof down, knocking shit off the shelf and generally being an insufferable little dicksplash. Do you...
A)Start screaming back at him to 'fucking behave yourself, you little prick.'
B)Calmly pull him to one side and tell him this kind of behaviour is unacceptable.
C)Completely ignore him and continue deciding what brand of cheap liquor you want to get shit-faced on this evening.
The answer is C, right?
Correct! Here is a baby and a bottle of Bombay Sapphire to get you started.
 

Fusioncode9

New member
Sep 23, 2010
663
0
0
This is why I despise children, and moronic parents who think their kids are angels. If I had done something like that when I was a kid, I'd probably be dead. Hell, I once got grounded for a month just for talking back to my teacher.
 

MasochisticAvenger

New member
Nov 7, 2011
331
0
0
Put as many warnings and confirmations as you want, it won't make much difference. Parents will still leave children to make their own decisions, children will just take the extra few steps to make the purchases, and the parents will cause a stink because X company didn't do enough to stop their kid from making purchases.
 

GeorgeMarx

New member
Jun 20, 2011
4
0
0
This seems entirely against the flow of the thread but it is true that Microsoft retain credit details. Not just that though, they also don't allow you to remove them without contacting them by phone. They technically have the option to remove credit details there, but it has been broken for a long time. More than likely they've left it that way intentionally.

I've bought points for my brother before, and he has had my credit details on his account ever since, if he really wanted he could probably spend more at my expense.
 

MasochisticAvenger

New member
Nov 7, 2011
331
0
0
GeorgeMarx said:
This seems entirely against the flow of the thread but it is true that Microsoft retain credit details. Not just that though, they also don't allow you to remove them without contacting them by phone. They technically have the option to remove credit details there, but it has been broken for a long time. More than likely they've left it that way intentionally.

I've bought points for my brother before, and he has had my credit details on his account ever since, if he really wanted he could probably spend more at my expense.
Well you can always buy Microsoft points from retailers (I know EB Games sells them, so I'd assume GameStop does as well).
 

RinguPingu

New member
Mar 14, 2011
6
0
0
Another case of a parent not bothering to be informed and then blaming others for his own failure. This is the same thing that's causing the moral panic about video game violence. We've got a bunch of people complaining about stuff they don't know anything about, not bothering to educate themselves so that they can make actual informed remarks and decisions.

Luckily we're reaching the point where people who grew up as gamers are getting into positions where they can influence the general populace, so we might actually see an end to these dime-a-dozen travesties.
 

ThunderCavalier

New member
Nov 21, 2009
1,475
0
0
Jiggy said:
Wait wait wait. Does it show how much the points to get something will cost or does it show how many points something will cost? That would make a pretty big difference in believing the Fathers story.
As someone who has purchased MS Points to buy stuff, I can tell you that, YES, they do tell you how much points cost, from small increments like 400 points for $4.99 to large barrels of points for $74.99. If this kid doesn't realize how much $75 is, even at 12, he's in for a whole world of pain the minute he tries to purchase stuff.

I'm legitimately surprised, however. This is probably the only story I've read that's brought up an anonymous nobody and one of the corporate powerhouses like Microsoft... and the nobody's in the wrong. I mean... so in the wrong. Honestly, you put your credit card information in; shouldn't you check to see if that can be abused in any way? Shouldn't you be checking your account more often for any suspicious charges? Shouldn't you be checking on your son when he's playing games that regularly involve shooting people? I mean, I'm not going to say anyone under 17 years isn't allowed to play anything involving a gun; one of my childhood favorites was the original Halo, dammit, but I'm not going to say that you can leave your underaged child in a game regularly involving shooting annoying dickheads without checking on him from time to time. Maybe even check to see if he's accessing features of the game that don't involve shooting people? Like... say... the Marketplace?

Oh, and the kid is stupid, too. If you're going to spend your parents' money, kids, buy something worthwhile. Like... the Skyrim or Mass Effect DLCs. Or... some good Indie games. Hell, get Minecraft if you're going to get the CoD map packs!
 

shrekfan246

Not actually a Japanese pop star
May 26, 2011
6,374
0
0
zombiesinc said:
Seriously?

Be a parent. I'm really sick of listening to so many parents' excuses these days. They throw their kid(s) in front of a TV, tell them to entertain themselves but the moment anything goes wrong or in a direction they don't like, rather than take responsibility for their laziness they blame anyone and everyone else. Sick, just sick.

LRN 2 PARENT
Man, that would be too much like work though. Parents can't be taking all of that time out of their days to teach their children proper morals and how money works and stuff, jeez. Television should be good enough!

Off-topic and I promise not creepy at all: What's that shirt say in your profile pic? Because I feel like my immediate guess is just wrong, for some reason, but I would be excited if it weren't.
 

Fasckira

Dice Tart
Oct 22, 2009
1,678
0
0
Clearly the dad is just as good as the kid when it comes to fiscal matters, pretty sure I'd notice £100 per day coming out of my account before 6 months had elapsed. Hopefully Microsoft will discard this case instantly and tell the guy to stop trying to blame others for his inability to parent his kid.
 

Treblaine

New member
Jul 25, 2008
8,682
0
0
Microsoft should still implement a pin-code system for purchases with email re-authorisation if you forget the pin code. Simple.
 

easternflame

Cosmic Rays of Undeadly Fire
Nov 2, 2010
745
0
0
The kid knew that it was costing money, if he didn't someone inform the father that his son is retarded.
Also it's easy for the father to complain, but why did he not see it in the bill? This went on for more than six months. Also, if he would've payed any attention to the message when he first payed a fee, he would've noticed that it says your card details will be saved for future purchases.
Needless to say as well, if the kid was playing COD, the father wasn't paying much attention in the first place.
 

unoleian

New member
Jul 2, 2008
1,332
0
0
Worgen said:
Well, hes technically not wrong about blaming ms for this. They have made it very easy to buy things and as far as I know there is no way to take you'r credit card off an account unless your updating it to a new card. Hell, I've heard about them charging expired cards before. I think Jim Sterling had a rant about that.
Dash>Account Settings>Manage Payment>Remove Payment Option. 10 seconds through three menus, and it's gone.


How the f@#k could they charge an expired card? That's impossible.
 

Worgen

Follower of the Glorious Sun Butt.
Legacy
Apr 1, 2009
15,526
4,295
118
Gender
Whatever, just wash your hands.
unoleian said:
Worgen said:
Well, hes technically not wrong about blaming ms for this. They have made it very easy to buy things and as far as I know there is no way to take you'r credit card off an account unless your updating it to a new card. Hell, I've heard about them charging expired cards before. I think Jim Sterling had a rant about that.
Dash>Account Settings>Manage Payment>Remove Payment Option. 10 seconds through three menus, and it's gone.


How the f@#k could they charge an expired card? That's impossible.
yeah yeah yeah, someone already said that, I guess they added the option since I stopped using my xbox, I'm like two big updates behind since I don't play it anymore.

Got me how they were charging expired cards but they were.
http://www.destructoid.com/hey-microsoft-no-means-no--215276.phtml
http://www.destructoid.com/beware-xbox-live-s-zombie-expired-credit-card-charges-213136.phtml
http://www.destructoid.com/microsoft-sued-over-xbox-live-subscription-renewals-208624.phtml
 

Darkmantle

New member
Oct 30, 2011
1,031
0
0
easternflame said:
The kid knew that it was costing money, if he didn't someone inform the father that his son is retarded.
Also it's easy for the father to complain, but why did he not see it in the bill? This went on for more than six months. Also, if he would've payed any attention to the message when he first payed a fee, he would've noticed that it says your card details will be saved for future purchases.
Needless to say as well, if the kid was playing COD, the father wasn't paying much attention in the first place.
I played Diablo, Warcraft and Doom from when a was 7 years old, I didn't turn out badly at all. It varies kid to kid, so that's not a legitimate test of parenting quality
 

easternflame

Cosmic Rays of Undeadly Fire
Nov 2, 2010
745
0
0
Darkmantle said:
easternflame said:
The kid knew that it was costing money, if he didn't someone inform the father that his son is retarded.
Also it's easy for the father to complain, but why did he not see it in the bill? This went on for more than six months. Also, if he would've payed any attention to the message when he first payed a fee, he would've noticed that it says your card details will be saved for future purchases.
Needless to say as well, if the kid was playing COD, the father wasn't paying much attention in the first place.
I played Diablo, Warcraft and Doom from when a was 7 years old, I didn't turn out badly at all. It varies kid to kid, so that's not a legitimate test of parenting quality
Me too, halo 1 came out when I was 5. I'm not saying that the kid is a bad person. All I'm saying is, my mom taught me the right things when it came to xbox. She didn't turn on the parental controls because she trusted me. I guess I phrased it wrong. The bottom line is, it's the dad's fault.
 

bigfatcarp93

New member
Mar 26, 2012
1,052
0
0
It's clear to me that this kid shouldn't have been playing CoD, based on the fact that he's too fucking stupid to understand "This purchase will cost $19.99. Confirm?"

I mean, weather children should be precluded from M-Rated games completely is rather more dependant on the kid and the parent's understanding of the kid. I mean, my dad is an attentive parent who closely monitors my younger (13) brother's activities, but he allows CoD simply because he's familiar enough with the games, and with my brother, to know that it's not an issue. I mean, for his age, my brother's a smart, mature kid, and he knows how to segment reality from fiction. However, we would NEVER allow him to play CoD online. We know better than that.

Off on a tangent there, but my point is that this asshole, and yes I mean the father, is completely irresponsible. You need to monitor what your younger kids are doing in games, especially online. But no! Don't worry! If it doesn't go well, you can just blame the company that made the game/console! Why not! All they did is design and patent a piece of entertainment, then slap a huge, unmistakable letter on the front telling you age restrictions.

Those bastards.
 

Dfskelleton

New member
Apr 6, 2010
2,851
0
0
How do you not understand that you're spending rea-
AAAAUUUURGHH!!!
The worst part is that I feel like this has already happened multiple times.
Just...


I had almost temporarily forgotten how stupid some people can be. I guess I have to thank Mr. Ghera and his son for reminding me.
 

Darkmantle

New member
Oct 30, 2011
1,031
0
0
easternflame said:
Darkmantle said:
easternflame said:
The kid knew that it was costing money, if he didn't someone inform the father that his son is retarded.
Also it's easy for the father to complain, but why did he not see it in the bill? This went on for more than six months. Also, if he would've payed any attention to the message when he first payed a fee, he would've noticed that it says your card details will be saved for future purchases.
Needless to say as well, if the kid was playing COD, the father wasn't paying much attention in the first place.
I played Diablo, Warcraft and Doom from when a was 7 years old, I didn't turn out badly at all. It varies kid to kid, so that's not a legitimate test of parenting quality
Me too, halo 1 came out when I was 5. I'm not saying that the kid is a bad person. All I'm saying is, my mom taught me the right things when it came to xbox. She didn't turn on the parental controls because she trusted me. I guess I phrased it wrong. The bottom line is, it's the dad's fault.
Fair enough. What seems to matter most is parental involvement, the father should have been there to talk to his kid and check up on him when he was playing.

What bothers me I guess is that be obviously wasn't paying attention to his kid for 6 months.
 

easternflame

Cosmic Rays of Undeadly Fire
Nov 2, 2010
745
0
0
Darkmantle said:
What bothers me I guess is that be obviously wasn't paying attention to his kid for 6 months.
Not only that, he wasn't paying attention to his bills for six months. That shows a total lack of responsability on his part. Which only goes further to sustain my point. The father was not a responsible man.