So my PC recently crashed and I have been trying to get my Steam account up on my backup PC. About a month before my PC crashed, I reset my password and e-mail on my account for security reasons and have since forgot my new password. Upon trying the password recovery feature on Steam, I was met with a vague error message instructing me to 'try again later'. After a brief search, I find it's not just me with this problem. Naturally, I decided to contact Steam customer support with my problem. This is the e-mail I received:
"Hello,
A staff member has replied to your question:
Hello [Unatasingu], Thank you for contacting Steam Support. In order to investigate this issue, we must verify the purchase receipt and your ownership of the CD Key. Please handwrite your Support Ticket Number [snipped] on the quick reference card or sticker above the CD Key (the number should not be written on a separate piece of paper or inserted with an image editor) and reply with a digital photo or scan of the CD Key and the receipt for your recent purchase. Please ensure that you submit a full-color image in .jpg format, rather than a photocopy. If you have any difficulty locating the CD Key on the packaging, please see the following link: [snipped] We accept receipts issued within the last 90 days. Receipts from auction sites and used merchandise sellers will not be accepted. After verifying your proof of ownership we will gladly assist you with this issue."
To which I replied:
"Now by CD key, what do you mean? The CD key for Half-Life 2? if that's the case I CANNOT provide this, as I bought the came when it came out 7 years ago. I have moved SEVERAL times since then and lost it. In fact I may have thrown out the CD key as soon as I realized I wouldn't need it anymore, as Steam saves your games library and purchase history.
It's not entirely necessary to enlist your help, however. My account information is still saved on my other PC [that recently crashed, causing this whole scenario]. I'll just have to recover it myself. I obviously would not have to endure this headache if Steam had a functioning password recovery feature. Once I have solved the issue, I'll be more than happy to send a screenshot of the thousands of dollars worth of games in my library as... "Proof of ownership". I do realize this will not suffice, but conversely it is to make the point that there is rarely any non-digital proof of ownership with a digital distribution platform. Perhaps it's time to stop working on L4D 3, and fix that password recovery feature.
Thank you for your time."
Just wanted to share this for comedic value. Anyone else been a little irked at Valve and their (lack of a) business model?
"Hello,
A staff member has replied to your question:
Hello [Unatasingu], Thank you for contacting Steam Support. In order to investigate this issue, we must verify the purchase receipt and your ownership of the CD Key. Please handwrite your Support Ticket Number [snipped] on the quick reference card or sticker above the CD Key (the number should not be written on a separate piece of paper or inserted with an image editor) and reply with a digital photo or scan of the CD Key and the receipt for your recent purchase. Please ensure that you submit a full-color image in .jpg format, rather than a photocopy. If you have any difficulty locating the CD Key on the packaging, please see the following link: [snipped] We accept receipts issued within the last 90 days. Receipts from auction sites and used merchandise sellers will not be accepted. After verifying your proof of ownership we will gladly assist you with this issue."
To which I replied:
"Now by CD key, what do you mean? The CD key for Half-Life 2? if that's the case I CANNOT provide this, as I bought the came when it came out 7 years ago. I have moved SEVERAL times since then and lost it. In fact I may have thrown out the CD key as soon as I realized I wouldn't need it anymore, as Steam saves your games library and purchase history.
It's not entirely necessary to enlist your help, however. My account information is still saved on my other PC [that recently crashed, causing this whole scenario]. I'll just have to recover it myself. I obviously would not have to endure this headache if Steam had a functioning password recovery feature. Once I have solved the issue, I'll be more than happy to send a screenshot of the thousands of dollars worth of games in my library as... "Proof of ownership". I do realize this will not suffice, but conversely it is to make the point that there is rarely any non-digital proof of ownership with a digital distribution platform. Perhaps it's time to stop working on L4D 3, and fix that password recovery feature.
Thank you for your time."
Just wanted to share this for comedic value. Anyone else been a little irked at Valve and their (lack of a) business model?