Accounts Closed due to "Billing Discrepancy"

[Lazzadorabcd]

This weekend my accounts were closed (saturday AM) blizzard isnt available to talk to you at all until monday 8am PT.

More importantly you can only talk to accountadmin which isnt available via the telephone.

Most importantly - no one at blizzard will comment about the multi boxing I have been doing. They basically arent telling me anything or giving me any reason why the accounts where closed. They said i can reactivate them if I fill out a form and notarized. Or I can contact a GM or someone on the forums. BTW - I cant log into the forums or the game because my accounts are locked - gg blizzard.

All and all i am pretty amazed at how poorly blizzard handles this stuff.

It terms of the accounts. I use keyclone and in game macros only - nothing else. I play all four accounts on one computer.

The only thing I can think of is that I bought and pay for one of the accounts but its in my wifes name. She played it for all of one day 2 years ago when I bought it. But if that is the only issue, I dont understand why blizzard would close all my accounts.

I am really annoyed and seriously considering just walking away from the whole thing. I have called blizzard twice and they dont even want to help me it seems.

[kllrwlf]

It's most likely because one of the accounts is your wife's and considered account sharing.

This also happened to a couple of other people, which is why we always suggest having all accounts have the same exact info.

[Lazzadorabcd]

Yeah I guess if that is the case I need to buy a new account and just ditch the wifes toon.

Its probably not worth chancing using a game card.

Do you guys think that blizzard just said - well we know that there is only one person playing all four accounts and they arent all registered to the same person? If so why would they close them all and not just the one in question?

Thanks - yeah i didnt really think it is due to multi boxing. I just feel like blizz does a poor job of actually explaining the problem and a lot of there t/c are pretty vague.

[Vyndree]

I bought and pay for one of the accounts but its in my wifes name

Please see my posts in this thread ('http://www.dual-boxing.com/forums/index.php?page=Thread&threadID=8272').



Particularly this part:

http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/legal/termsofuse.html

Establishing an Account.
You may establish one (1) user account (the "Account") on the Service for each Authentication Key you receive from Blizzard. To establish an Account, you will be required to provide Blizzard with certain personal information and the Authentication Key provided to you by Blizzard. Your failure to supply accurate information to Blizzard when requested, or to update that information as it changes, shall constitute a material breach of this Agreement.
During the registration process, you will be required to select a username and a password that are unique to the Account (collectively referred to hereunder as "Login Information"). You may not share the Account or the Login Information with anyone other than as expressly set forth herein.


Blizzard’s Absolute Right to Suspend, Terminate and/or Delete the Account.
BLIZZARD MAY SUSPEND, TERMINATE, MODIFY, OR DELETE THE ACCOUNT AT ANY TIME WITH ANY REASON OR NO REASON, WITH OR WITHOUT NOTICE. For purposes of explanation and not limitation, most account suspensions, terminations and/or deletions are the result of violations of this Terms of Use or the EULA.

Also review the blizzard support page:
http://us.blizzard.com/support/article.xml?articleId=20460&rhtml=true

Limitations placed on Account Access
The ToU speaks extensively about what you may and may not do with a World of Warcraft account. This section highlights a few passages from the ToU that are most relevant to this policy. The core message is that you, and only you (with the exception of a minor authorized to use an account by a parent or guardian), should be accessing an account registered in your name.

Blizzard Entertainment does not recognize the transfer of Accounts between individuals. (Section 1E of the ToU)
You may not share your Account or password with anyone, except that if you are a parent or guardian, you may permit one (1) minor child to use the Account instead of you (in which case you may not use that Account at the same time). (Section 1A of the ToU)
You are liable for all activities conducted through the Account, including any activities which may be conducted by your minor children that you allow to use your Account. (Section 1A of the ToU)
You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your User Name and password, and you will be responsible for all uses of your User Name and password whether or not authorized by you. Security of your account is your responsibility. (Section 1D of the ToU)





Do you guys think that blizzard just said - well we know that there is only one person playing all four accounts and they arent all registered to the same person? If so why would they close them all and not just the one in question?

All accounts logged in from the same IP, making the same exact keypresses at the same exact time? Furthermore, there's a likelihood of player reports claiming that you are "botting" or "multiboxing".

Blizzard isn't stupid -- they know that you're logged in and playing the game as a SINGLE player connected to multiple accounts. They also know that the account information on the simultaneously-played accounts is not matching. So, since they don't know if your wife is account sharing or stealing your accounts or vice versa, they shut down all of the accounts until they get proof of ownership.

You broke the rules. They have the right to ban you without warning. They do not owe you any customer service at this point, sadly. I do, however, wish you the best of luck in getting this sorted out. :S I understand it's a frustrating experience and I hope you and others reading this thread can learn from it.

The rules are black and white. No account sharing.

[Bollwerk]

Moral of the story:

When playing more than 1 account at a time, make sure the all have the same billing / contact info.

This is easily the #1 reason for account action on multiboxers.

[Heenan]

I had a semi-long reply, then I saw Vyndree's post... so, what she said. Ignorance of the law excuses no one.

[Hellzchildren]

I actually had to get forms to a notary and then fax them into blizzard to confirm my identity. I just hit 70 last week and had grinded out 20k honor during AV weekend, so I did what i had to do to get the accounts back.

[Lazzadorabcd]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. Yeah it was stupid for me to not get clarification on this issue. I just assumed that since the federal government recognizes us as one so does everyone else. Which is pretty much the case apparently not in blizzards eyes tho.

Well you're right good lesson learned. I did get all the accounts forms filled out and notarized so it looks like ill get the accounts back.

I still think that even if you break the rules blizzard should explain it to you.

Oh well live and learn! Ill have to remake Lazzadord!!!

At least it will be easy to get him thru instances :)

[Vyndree]

I still think that even if you break the rules blizzard should explain it to you.

I do agree with this. The blizzard reason for not being extremely clear on what went wrong is that botters/malicious cheaters will use that information to figure out how to get "around" the system.

They also put in their EULA that they can ban you for any or no reason, so they TECHNICALLY don't owe you an explanation.

In any case, as a customer I don't like that policy. But that's just me, and I DID click "I agree" every time the ToU/Eula pop up so it's my own fault for agreeing to it with my dollars.

[Knytestorme]

I have always wondered though, what would happen if someone took Blizzard to court over getting banned. It would only be able to be small claims court really, but given that we pay in advance and get no refund if banned it could be possible for someone to take them to get a refund and use that as a way of getting info on what they were banned for or how they were detected.

If Blizzard fell back onto the "we can ban you if we feel like it for no reason" then one would assume that there should be a pro-rata reimbursement of money paid in advance since they just decided to discontinue their contract with you through no fault of your own, while if they banned someone for exploiting then it wouldn't be unreasonable for someone to decide to take them to small claims to get a refund or for Blizzard to prove they exploited and it's during that phase that info could be gleaned.

I'd assume though that in either of these situations, Blizzard would just pay up to avoid the hassle, legal cost and potential for info leaks...but it would be an interesting scenario.

Actually, now I think about it, I'm surprised that details about Blizzard's investigation techniques and bot discovery tools haven't leaked already from the Glider case unless they haven't entered the discovery phase yet.

[Vyndree]

I have always wondered though, what would happen if someone took Blizzard to court over getting banned. It would only be able to be small claims court really, but given that we pay in advance and get no refund if banned it could be possible for someone to take them to get a refund and use that as a way of getting info on what they were banned for or how they were detected.

If Blizzard fell back onto the "we can ban you if we feel like it for no reason" then one would assume that there should be a pro-rata reimbursement of money paid in advance since they just decided to discontinue their contract with you through no fault of your own, while if they banned someone for exploiting then it wouldn't be unreasonable for someone to decide to take them to small claims to get a refund or for Blizzard to prove they exploited and it's during that phase that info could be gleaned.

http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/legal/termsofuse.html

Termination.
This Agreement is effective until terminated. You may terminate this Agreement by terminating the Account and deleting the Program. In the event that you terminate or breach this Agreement, you will forfeit your right to any and all payments you may have made for pre-purchased game access to World of Warcraft. You agree and acknowledge that you are not entitled to any refund for any amounts which were pre-paid on behalf of the Account prior to any termination of this Agreement. Blizzard may terminate this Agreement with or without notice by terminating your Account. The provisions of Sections 2, 4 and Sections 6-17 shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

I'm not sure if that would work or not... The wording of the agreement is somewhat ambiguous. In the event of account termination, you forfeit your right to any and all payments you may have made for pre-purchased game access... Right after that line "Blizzard may terminate this Agreement with or without notice..."

Not sure if that means "when Blizzard terminates the account, you forfeit your right to any and all payments".... It's just not worded very clear.

[Knytestorme]

That's the thing though...if they terminate the agreement because they feel like it without claiming wrongdoing by the player then it should stand to reason that the player is entitled to a refund and I don't think they'd have an issue with that, easy to get around by never banning someone without a reason :)

If however they ban an account through claims of exploitation then I don't think it's unreasonable that someone who is adamant they did nothing wrong (say someone that got keylogged and has too much time on their hands) to take Blizzard to court and get them to prove that they breached the agreement. Doesn't mean they are disputing that they clicked OK to agree to the terms, just that they are disputing they actually broke the terms and thus invoked that clause to forfeit their rights to the remaining funds.

I agree with you, it's badly worded there, but I think there could be a case made for looking at it either way. How far it went would depends on the judge and how biligerent Blizzard wanted to be, but I still think that if anyone took them to court over this that it would be limited to small claims and Blizzard would just allow a summary judgement against them so as to make it all go away quietly with no extra cost to themselves.

[Otlecs]

That's pretty petty of them to be honest. By the book, but petty.

If anyone else is in the position of taking over a spouse's account, I suggest you do the following:

- Go out and buy a new box.
- Register it in your personal name.
- Transfer the characters you want to keep to the new account - only the surnames need to be the same.

If there are multiple characters involved then it gets expensive, but it's the only safe way apart from starting from scratch.

Of course, if you don't share a surname then you've no choice but to start over.

[Majestic_Clown]

That's pretty petty of them to be honest. By the book, but petty.

If anyone else is in the position of taking over a spouse's account, I suggest you do the following:

- Go out and buy a new box.
- Register it in your personal name.
- Transfer the characters you want to keep to the new account - only the surnames need to be the same.

If there are multiple characters involved then it gets expensive, but it's the only safe way apart from starting from scratch.

Of course, if you don't share a surname then you've no choice but to start over.Just want to highlight something about the above statement.

Transfering a character from one account to another account where you are not the registered account owner also is a break of the Terms too. You do the PCT at your OWN RISK

Before someone else posts...regardless of friends, family etc

[Coltimar]

This post made me a bit nervous. One of my toons is on an account I made for my 7 year old. It actually has his name on the account. He has moved on to T-Ball, Swimming and chasing little girls around town on his bike (as 7 year boys should be doing) so I just assumed his account for myself. I started another trial last night and leveled a new warlock to 7. We'll see what happens.

[-silencer-]

In any case, as a customer I don't like that policy. But that's just me, and I DID click "I agree" every time the ToU/Eula pop up so it's my own fault for agreeing to it with my dollars.

Don't you love the fact that you're *forced* to click "I Agree" since you can't returned opened software to virtually any store? Sounds fair to the consumer. :)

[Awbee]

Here is what you have to do to have your child's account changed to your name.



Thank you for inquiring with Blizzard Entertainment. We have incorporated a Parental Control feature into our Account Management system. You are receiving this email because you have expressed interest in activating our Parental Controls system.

Upon receipt of the following information, we will update the account to reflect the contact information of the parent and provide you with the security information necessary to create your own parental control schedule and to modify voice chat privileges. Be sure your email filter is set to receive emails from "billing@blizzard.com".

If any of the requested information is missing, incomplete, or illegible, you may be asked to resubmit, please take care to review your fax before you send it. We would like to process this information as quickly as possible, but inaccurate or unreadable information may result in delays.

If the account in question is under the name of the **MINOR** please FAX the following to (949) 725-0701:

1.) A legible photocopy of the identification of the current registered account user. Acceptable forms of identification for the child are: Birth Certificate, Passport, or any other government issued ID which displays the date of birth. (School IDs are *not* accepted.)

2.) A legible photocopy of the identification of the account user's guardian. Only a government issued photo ID will be accepted for the guardian.

3.) A copy of the Terms of Use Form (found here: http://us.blizzard.com/support/article.xml?articleId=21469) completed by the guardian (please be sure to provide an email address to which your child DOES NOT have access).

Alternatively, you may mail these materials to our office at the following address:

ATTN: Parental Controls
Billing & Account Services
Blizzard Entertainment
PO Box 18979
Irvine, CA 92623

Once you have received this information, you will be able to log into the account and schedule or restrict access time as needed. You will also be able to enable or block the voice chat function.

Our Parental Control FAQ is located here: http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/faq/parental-control-faq-small.html.

If you have any questions about this process or are having trouble navigating the website, please give us a call that we may assist you directly. Billing Representatives are on hand to take your call Monday thru Friday between 8am and 8pm Pacific Time, at 1-800-59-BLIZZARD (800-592-5499). Customers in Australia should call 1-800-041-378.

[Coltimar]

Thank you Awbee ('http://www.dual-boxing.com/forums/index.php?page=User&userID=6543'), this takes a load off.

[Vyndree]

In any case, as a customer I don't like that policy. But that's just me, and I DID click "I agree" every time the ToU/Eula pop up so it's my own fault for agreeing to it with my dollars.

Don't you love the fact that you're *forced* to click "I Agree" since you can't returned opened software to virtually any store? Sounds fair to the consumer. :)

Actually, you can returned the opened software as per the terms of use...
http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/termsofuse.html

YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY READ THE FOLLOWING WORLD OF WARCRAFT TERMS OF USE AGREEMENT (THE "TERMS OF USE" OR "AGREEMENT"). IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH ALL OF THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT, YOU MUST CLICK "REJECT." IF YOU REJECT THIS AGREEMENT WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER FIRST PURCHASING THE WORLD OF WARCRAFT SOFTWARE, YOU MAY CALL (800)757-7707 TO REQUEST A FULL REFUND OF THE PURCHASE PRICE. ONCE YOU AGREE TO THE TERMS OF USE AND THE END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT (EULA), YOU WILL NO LONGER BE ELIGIBLE FOR A REFUND.

That's why people should ALWAYS fully read and understand legal contracts before they sign them. Although this particular portion of the agreement is written in caps at the very top of the document so there's no excuse for not knowing this one.

[dRiN]

Thread number 123123213 made me finally decide to play all accounts "legal". No more characters on my GF account (bye lvl 60+). No more characters from an account that is mine but not in my lastname holding a lvl 70 and some 60+ : ( stupid stupid and Blizz won't change it for me. Contacted them in several ways.

So now I have 7 accounts to pay for and allot of time needed to get back on track :D

Go Me!

[Heenan]

It's very easy to see why Blizzard wouldn't support account detail changes. It would make account stealing/selling much easier, so why would they condone such practices?

It's also easy to see why the accounts need to be in your name. You may not always be with your wife/husband/girlfriend/boyfriend/significant other, so who gets the account if one side decides to leave? You are protecting yourself by having everything in your name anyway. A child under your care is different, seeing how you are making their decisions for them.

With so many of these posts I think we should have a big, bold sticky that says: Before beginning multiboxing ALL OF YOUR ACCOUNTS NEED TO BE UNDER THE SAME NAME. Period.

[Gurblash]

I think we should have a big, bold sticky that says: Before beginning multiboxing ALL OF YOUR ACCOUNTS NEED TO BE UNDER THE SAME NAME. Period.

Agreed 100% if not a post, cause we ALL know how often those get read before people post...., make it a header on the forums themselves lol.

[Drizzit]

I think we should have a big, bold sticky that says: Before beginning multiboxing ALL OF YOUR ACCOUNTS NEED TO BE UNDER THE SAME NAME. Period.

Agreed 100% if not a post, cause we ALL know how often those get read before people post...., make it a header on the forums themselves lol.I agree too. When i first started i read the posts on how to start and i don't think any said they have to be in your name (if they did it was very settle). That is why at first i bought 3 addition accounts and was going to use wife, thank god the day before i started someone made a post about account sharing. That day I bought the 4 account.

[Oatboat]

With so many of these posts I think we should have a big, bold sticky that says: Before beginning multiboxing ALL OF YOUR ACCOUNTS NEED TO BE UNDER THE SAME NAME. Period.Yup - I agree. Had to buy all new copies and start over. Luckily my boxings were only lvl 8 at the time, but my 70's on the accounts... eh buh bye 8|

[BGuru]

What I don't understand is why all the people that aren't multi-boxing and sharing accounts aren't getting banned.
In the last 3 years I've known dozens of people in my guild that share accounts, one person's son even plays multiple guildies characters in the summer to get them honor.
I tell everyone they are in danger of getting banned and I just get laughed at.
Only bad thing that ever happened was our GM got his epics sharded and he never knew who did it cause so many people used his account.

[BGuru]

True I just have to step foot in Stormwind and 4 or 5 people will say "wtf" or "cheater".

Yesterday while having my 4 Shaman following my Pally someone said "cheater" and I said OMG those cheaters are following me get them off me. 8o I found it funny for some reason. The guy sent me a tell later asking if the cheaters were still chasing me.

[Vyndree]

What I don't understand is why all the people that aren't multi-boxing and sharing accounts aren't getting banned.

Because they are not all logging in from teh same IP address making the EXACT same keypresses at the EXACT same time and getting reported by every joe schmoe anti-multiboxer on the server.

However, if you believe someone (even a non-boxer) is account sharing, you can report them and it will be investigated appropriately

[Bovidae]

Blizzard's customer service is not very friendly on this matter.

I have purchased 5 copies of WoW. The first in my own name, the second in my sons name (even though he was a minor at the time), the third in my wifes name (even though she played less than a month) and 4/5 in my name.

I had no luck, and was treated quite harshly, when I wanted to change the first name on my wifes account. Community property laws be damned, is Blizz's stance. I wish I had asked for a refund, sooner.

The more interesting time was with my sons account. Minors are not allowed to enter the type of agreement that OWNING a wow account entails. This is why sharing an account with 1 minor child is allowed, because the adult must accept the contract, and allow the child to use the account.... Anyways, the account was registered in the name of my minor child. OK, Blizz has a provision to transfer ownership to make the correction to my name. To my knowledge the ONLY circumstance that exists. BUT, since he is now 18, they don't give a damn.

So that is how I bought, paid for, and subscribe 5 accounts, but only play 3 :*(

[-silencer-]

In any case, as a customer I don't like that policy. But that's just me, and I DID click "I agree" every time the ToU/Eula pop up so it's my own fault for agreeing to it with my dollars.

Don't you love the fact that you're *forced* to click "I Agree" since you can't returned opened software to virtually any store? Sounds fair to the consumer. :)

Actually, you can returned the opened software as per the terms of use...
http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/termsofuse.html

YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY READ THE FOLLOWING WORLD OF WARCRAFT TERMS OF USE AGREEMENT (THE "TERMS OF USE" OR "AGREEMENT"). IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH ALL OF THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT, YOU MUST CLICK "REJECT." IF YOU REJECT THIS AGREEMENT WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER FIRST PURCHASING THE WORLD OF WARCRAFT SOFTWARE, YOU MAY CALL (800)757-7707 TO REQUEST A FULL REFUND OF THE PURCHASE PRICE. ONCE YOU AGREE TO THE TERMS OF USE AND THE END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT (EULA), YOU WILL NO LONGER BE ELIGIBLE FOR A REFUND.

That's why people should ALWAYS fully read and understand legal contracts before they sign them. Although this particular portion of the agreement is written in caps at the very top of the document so there's no excuse for not knowing this one.
I'm quite aware of the Bliz process, but I was referring to simply taking a box back to a store for refund/game exchange. With the possible exception of Wal-Mart, which I absolutely refuse to shop/support, I can't think of anyone that'll take an opened game back. With Bliz, you have to go through the hassle of faxing receipts, have Bliz verify with the store of a purchase, and shipping the game.. meanwhile hoping that they mail you a check before next year. They don't make it easy on purpose.. my cousin (a network securities attorney) didn't like the EULA stating his account could be suspended at any time for letting his kids play the account, so he returned it to Bliz out of principle.

[Vyndree]

With Bliz, you have to go through the hassle of faxing receipts, have Bliz verify with the store of a purchase, and shipping the game.. meanwhile hoping that they mail you a check before next year. They don't make it easy on purpose..

That's human laziness then.

There is a link to the EULA/ToS on the OUTSIDE of the wow box. Theoretically you COULD read over the ToU/EULA by visiting this page prior to purchase. But human laziness dictates "want now, buy now" and so you bring it home.
Now, prior to peeling open the package and voiding any ability to return the product to the store you COULD HAVE read the ToU/EULA that is linked on the outside of the game box. But human laziness dictates "want to play now, open now" and you opened the box and voided your ability to return the boxed product to the store.
Finally, prior to clicking "I accept" on the ToU/Eula after install and after each patch, you COULD HAVE clicked "I decline" if you didn't agree with the ToU/EULA and filed for a full refund from Blizzard. But human laziness dictates "who cares, I want to play NOW" and you either skim the rules, don't read them, or are too lazy to go through the phone process to return the product to Blizzard.



Where is this Blizzard's fault? Are they supposed to re-manufacture the product packaging to list the full and up-to-date terms of use/eula every time there is a change and make sure the point of sale stores remove the old packaged products from teh shelves? Are 3 warnings not enough?

At some point people have to take responsibility for their actions -- or inactions. Laziness is laziness.


my cousin (a network securities attorney) didn't like the EULA stating his account could be suspended at any time for letting his kids play the account, so he returned it to Bliz out of principle.

That's because you can let your KID play your account. KID. Nonplural. If he wants to share it with multiple KIDS then he has to either buy another account or disagree to the terms of use and return the product. I'm assuming he chose to do neither.

http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/termsofuse.html

You represent that you are an adult in your country of residence. You agree to these Terms of Use on behalf of yourself and, at your discretion, for one (1) minor child for whom you are a parent or guardian and whom you have authorized to use the account you create on the Service.

[Coltimar]

Vyndree did you read the EULA before you played WoW?

[Code]

The truth does sometimes hurt, as Vyn has indicated. With enough effort (and skill being on hold for hours with Blizzard while at work), you will be able to get all of your accounts back. Blizzard wants your money ultimately; this was likely the result of an auto-generated flag brought to the attention of a lazy employee with the power to suspend your accounts.

For a couple hundred bucks you can a hire shitty counsel to send a green-quality letter to their legal department and expidite the process internally if you're really zealous. If they still refuse, go on a campaign for the rest of your life against Blizzard for the injustice they served you. Or sue them for the time spent accross all characters. If you could somehow get someone to post this at the Consumerist dot com you could be in business. With millions of unique views per month, their current course of action would definitely not be in their best interest in the longrun.

With AoC slowly trying to get it's snout in the bowl, even losing 4 accounts like this will 4 too many in the eyes of a marketing/finance manager's eyes.

Don't give up; keep us updated!

[yarr]

I went through the same thing, (well except the account suspensions) where one of my accounts wasn't in my name. Luckily i had a "spare" shaman on one of my accounts so i just had to open a 5th account and transfer it over, so i didnt have to waste any time leveling a 5th character to catch up.

However it did transform my "final" group from pally/mage/2shaman/priest to pally/3shaman/priest, which it turns out, I actually like better! =)

[Pixel]

Oy...
I'm happy and disapointed that I found this thread and the one linked to it.

I'm -just- starting to multbox, two accounts are mine, one is my husbands. Only one of them is in my name however. I don't want to risk getting my hubby's account, nor mine own, banned.. So looks like I will have to go out and get some fresh keys.
/sigh

At least I was only starting.. Not like I put a whole lot of time into it just yet.

I'm super paranoid right now too.. because during the first 4 lvls of my toons lives (just a few hours ago) some random person asked if all the accounts where mine. And I said straight up one was my husbands. :o
Let's hope this guy doesn't report me. I'm not doing this again until I get what I need in -my- name.

/sigh
/frustration
/impatience!! :D

[Vyndree]

Vyndree did you read the EULA before you played WoW?

Isn't it obvious? ;)

How do you think I am so fluent in EULA and TOS speak? ;)

[Vyndree]

So looks like I will have to go out and get some fresh keys.

Refer-a-friend is awesome, btw. ;)

When you get your new accounts use refer-a-friend first, then enter all the account keys for the full versions. You'll get the free trial time plus an extra month of gametime for your referral. ;) Plus the free time that comes in the box, of course.

[Mendicant]

So looks like I will have to go out and get some fresh keys.

Refer-a-friend is awesome, btw. ;)

When you get your new accounts use refer-a-friend first, then enter all the account keys for the full versions. You'll get the free trial time plus an extra month of gametime for your referral. ;) Plus the free time that comes in the box, of course.Yes, this is awesome. I did this with my 4x new accounts... hopefully my main will soon have 4 months of free play. :)
Highly recommended. My new accounts are still running on the 10-day trial time even though I upgraded them to the full version. Awesome.

[Ishar]

eh, forgive me if this is a dumb question, or has been covered before. (I didn't see it covered anywhere...)

....

so, is there any provision for changing the contact name on an account? like in the case of using a middle name in one instance, and the first name in another, or mistyping a name? Or hell, what if someone legally changes their name after buying their account...(say, gets remarried or something.)

Just wondering. Would think that there would be provisions for that sort of thing.

then again, 8 million customers or whatever, they might not care anymore. lol.

/shrug. idle curiosity heh.

[Gurblash]

so, is there any provision for changing the contact name on an account? like in the case of using a middle name in one instance, and the first name in another, or mistyping a name? Or hell, what if someone legally changes their name after buying their account...(say, gets remarried or something.)

I believe there is, and it would fall under the same contexts as the Minor owning an account. You'd have to provide legal notorized documents stating your prior and current papers, probably with photograph proof. I'm almost certain this has been discussed before and I believe that is how one would resolve such an issue. :D

[Pixel]

So looks like I will have to go out and get some fresh keys.

Refer-a-friend is awesome, btw. ;)

I've been thinking of that most certainly will have to take advantage! :thumbsup:
after all.. we pay monthly fees.. I should get -some- free time during my life.

Quick question...... maybe I'm just not looking in the right area, or I've some how missed this.. But where on earth do you place in the new key for your account, without reinstalling the program? (which is what I have been prompted to do numerous times in order to use the new key.)

[edited: added my question]

[merujo]

Quick question...... maybe I'm just not looking in the right area, or I've some how missed this.. But where on earth do you place in the new key for your account, without reinstalling the program? (which is what I have been prompted to do numerous times in order to use the new key.)

[edited: added my question]

upon account creation on the website, thats where u input the cd-keys.
as for the wow folder, u can even copy it, backup it, it will work with any account u login to.
(i hope i understood ur question correctly.)

[Pixel]

Quick question...... maybe I'm just not looking in the right area, or I've some how missed this.. But where on earth do you place in the new key for your account, without reinstalling the program? (which is what I have been prompted to do numerous times in order to use the new key.)

[edited: added my question]

upon account creation on the website, thats where u input the cd-keys.
as for the wow folder, u can even copy it, backup it, it will work with any account u login to.
(i hope i understood ur question correctly.)Got'cha! Thanks :)

[zanthor]

my cousin (a network securities attorney) didn't like the EULA stating his account could be suspended at any time for letting his kids play the account, so he returned it to Bliz out of principle.

He's not a very good attorney. The EULA ALLOWS 1 kid (minor dependant) to play the account (shared).Sounds like a great attorney to me, he read that it doesn't allow his kids to play. You can NOT share an account with your child. You can buy your child an account, they cannot be legally bound by a contract so by blizzards rules it has to be in the adults name and the child can play. The adult can not then play the account without voilating the TOS.

Basically the TOS is completely covered in any case of account sharing by saying it's not their problem.

That said, everyone who reads even a little of these forums should know that this isn't up for discussion, blizzard will ban you if they can catch you (and they can), and you won't get the accounts back unless you can jump through their hoops - at which point it's a game of waiting to be banned... again.

As long as you continually prove ownership I don't see this ever becoming a permanent ban. What stops me from having 4 friends load keyclone onto their machines and join my 5v5 team... they sit at the keyboard and "play" the game while I issue orders through my keyboard multicaster... Thats NOT account sharing, as I'm never logging into their account, I am however sending keystrokes to their machines...

Hell, in Iowa you can execute a legal name change for only $100, depending on how much you value your time, the $200 round trip and 30 days of not being you may be worth it.

[Lazzadorabcd]

Thread number 123123213 made me finally decide to play all accounts "legal". No more characters on my GF account (bye lvl 60+). No more characters from an account that is mine but not in my lastname holding a lvl 70 and some 60+ : ( stupid stupid and Blizz won't change it for me. Contacted them in several ways.

So now I have 7 accounts to pay for and allot of time needed to get back on track :D

Go Me!Wait a second.... SO if you multi box but accounts that are registered in your name, if you dont have have account name containing your actual name, they can ban you???

My account names are really long weird things with numbers and letters and basically stuff that doesnt make any sense.


Secondly - HOLY COW!!! I really openned a can of worms here!!!

Update on me - I got all the accounts back today. So It looks like the smartest thing to do is just buy a new account and lvl that guy up and then just move on.

So I have all 4 accounts registered to me - all on the same IP - all with the same billing and credit card info

Anything else I need to watch out for?


BTW thank a lot to all the people on this forum. People are really friendly and great about helping out. Its definitely appreciated. SOme day when I am actually good at multi boxing hopefully i can help someone else out! 8|

[Awbee]

Account names are not the same as the owner names. My name maybe be "Bill Wowplayer" but my account name is "omgwtfpizza". When I log into my account "omgwtfpizza" on www.worldofwarcraft.com ('http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/') and check the billing information it shows "Bill Wowplayer" - it is the Billing/Owner name there that they mainly look at. Your account names can be anything, just not your billing name.



NOTE:These names are made up, if these are actually your names, well I am sorry. :P

[Talamarr]

Thread number 123123213 made me finally decide to play all accounts "legal". No more characters on my GF account (bye lvl 60+). No more characters from an account that is mine but not in my lastname holding a lvl 70 and some 60+ : ( stupid stupid and Blizz won't change it for me. Contacted them in several ways.

So now I have 7 accounts to pay for and allot of time needed to get back on track :D

Go Me!Wait a second.... SO if you multi box but accounts that are registered in your name, if you dont have have account name containing your actual name, they can ban you???

My account names are really long weird things with numbers and letters and basically stuff that doesnt make any sense.


Secondly - HOLY COW!!! I really openned a can of worms here!!!

Update on me - I got all the accounts back today. So It looks like the smartest thing to do is just buy a new account and lvl that guy up and then just move on.

So I have all 4 accounts registered to me - all on the same IP - all with the same billing and credit card info

Anything else I need to watch out for?


BTW thank a lot to all the people on this forum. People are really friendly and great about helping out. Its definitely appreciated. SOme day when I am actually good at multi boxing hopefully i can help someone else out! 8|

Well, lets be clear here. Account name doesn't mean name on the account =)

The account name you log into WoW with is your account name. The name on your account is different and is your actual name. Are you getting those confused or did you really enter a bunch of "long weird things with numbers and letters " as your actual name?

The name of my account as shown in the Account Manager screen may be John Smith on all 5 of my accounts but my account names for each character could be Bighotstud1, Bighotstud2, Bighotstud3, etc and that is fine.

[Lazzadorabcd]

I think i just got confused with the worded someone used.

I use my real name for the registered name and weird numbers/letters for the account name.

All of my accounts will have my name as the registered person as well as the billing info


I am assuming that is enough to keep blizzard off my back! Maybe they were just mad at how easy i was able to face SM :thumbsup:

[Lazzadorabcd]

One more question


Is there any issues with using the G15 keyboard and binding like "shift+5" to a Gkey????


I cant beleive there would be but its the only other thing i didnt think to confirm is ok

Thanks

[Talamarr]

One more question


Is there any issues with using the G15 keyboard and binding like "shift+5" to a Gkey????


I cant beleive there would be but its the only other thing i didnt think to confirm is ok

Thanks

I asked this very question on the Customer Service forum and was told that is ok by a blue poster. He specifically mentioned the G15 and how you can bind alt+key to a single key press.

Rapid-fire (i.e. holding a button down and have it repeat a keystroke) seems to NOT be ok. I didn't get a blue response to that question but from the rest of the customer service forum community.

As long as you don't introduce a pause, it's ok.

[Lazzadorabcd]

What do you mean "introduce a pause"

[JoeWunsch]

yeah you really have to make sure of this before you start multiboxing.

Unless you are multiboxing on magtheridon (and even there), you attract tons of attention.

When I go on a new server, and if I go to a major city, sometimes ill have 20,30,40,50 or more people gathered around me watching me.

This really attracts way to much attention to be breaking any rules.

My first group I had 5 60 warlocks, 2 of them were on accounts not in my name. Once I heard of someone getting suspended/banned on that on this forum, I threw my 2 warlocks away and started new ones because its just not worth it imo.

[Talamarr]

What do you mean "introduce a pause"

Software or hardware that injects a pause or delay in your keystroke to simulate multiple keypresses is illegal.

I.E I press F1, my G15 sends my heal key, pauses a second to wait for GCD and sends another key press to heal again. Those types of things are considered automation.

I sort of strayed off your original question but it was naturally going to be another question you had as it was for me too =)

Here is one of many threads in the customer service forum about it
http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=6762551711&sid=1&pageNo=3

[Vyndree]

That said, everyone who reads even a little of these forums should know that this isn't up for discussion, blizzard will ban you if they can catch you (and they can), and you won't get the accounts back unless you can jump through their hoops - at which point it's a game of waiting to be banned... again.

QFT.

While we're perfectly happy to inform our other multiboxers as to what IS the ToU/Eula, encouraging anyone to break the rules or explaining how to break the rules is against our community guidelines ('http://dual-boxing.com/forums/index.php?page=Board&boardID=31').

As long as this conversation stays as a "this is how the rules are defined" we should be fine. :) I'm all for intelligent discussions. :)

[Vyndree]

I use my real name for the registered name and weird numbers/letters for the account name.

All of my accounts will have my name as the registered person as well as the billing info

This is perfectly acceptable. In fact, this is what you are SUPPOSED to do. As long as the registered "real name" on the account you play on is your legal and current name, you are not violating those rules. The actual ACCOUNT NAME (used for logging into the game with your password) is just for yourself to make up -- it doesn't have to match your other accounts.

Billing does not need to match on accounts. You can pay one with game cards, one with paypal, and one with a credit card. It doesn't really matter.


Is there any issues with using the G15 keyboard and binding like "shift+5" to a Gkey????


I cant beleive there would be but its the only other thing i didnt think to confirm is ok

We have a great GM quote wiki ('http://dual-boxing.com/wiki/index.php/GM_Conversations') with some links that will help you figure this stuff out. When in doubt, make your own thread on the official customer service forums ('http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/board.html?forumId=11112&sid=1') and clarify. :) While we can give you advice it is always best to have official proof before making any final decisions.

That being said...
Timers in Out-of-game Macros ('http://dual-boxing.com/wiki/index.php/GM_Conversations#Regarding_Delays_.26_Timers_in_ou t-of-game_Macros')

G15 Keyboard Legality
http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=1371550895&pageNo=1&sid=1#4
Malkatorix, Blizzard Poster

"I use a G11 myself. Just don't use the macro keys to do anything a normal wow macro could not do in a single press. Think of them as extra storage for normal macros, and you're fine. "
Malkatorix, Blizzard Poster http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=5720292152&sid=1&pageNo=2#27

[-silencer-]

That's because you can let your KID play your account. KID. Nonplural. If he wants to share it with multiple KIDS then he has to either buy another account or disagree to the terms of use and return the product. I'm assuming he chose to do neither.

You make a lot of assumptions. It's human laziness to not pull a EULA/ToS website of a box, head home to read it, then go purchase the game in store? That makes all but about a dozen of the most paranoid/OCD people in the world lazy. Most people who actually read the EULA don't do so until they're installing the game, and there's nothing terribly unethical about the EULA anyway. However, they're making assumptions about account sharing without contacting the user first. The main point here is the fact that Bliz is suspending accounts that are frequently used across different IPs without verifying if an account is actually shared or not, then make you jump through hoops to get the account back. My cousin's KID, singular, spends half the time with him, and splits partial time between two sets of grandparents with frequent visits to the rest of the family. A minimum of 3 IP addresses used on a weekly basis will appear as a shared account, even though it's *one* user on *one* laptop. Before multiboxing, my account was suspended for taking my laptop with me while I was visiting family around the country on a month long vacation, and it took weeks to get it back. My sister's account has been suspended multiple times for this same thing - constant travel for her job means she's playing from up to 12 hotel IP addresses in a given month. After about the 5th time of incompetence from Bliz customer "service" in getting the issue resolved (which is NOT done quickly), she ditched the game. My cousin doesn't want to deal with a chance of that same sort of problem, so he proved he was 'lazy' and returned the game through Bliz, and it "only" took 4-6 months to get a check back, however, they kindly included sales tax.

This whole conversation wasn't intended to be a slam on Bliz for the return policy. That's there to cover their own ass. It's about the fact that returning a videogame is much more difficult than returning most other products at a store.

[Vyndree]

You make a lot of assumptions. It's human laziness to not pull a EULA/ToS website of a box, head home to read it, then go purchase the game in store?

No, it's human laziness to not return the item if you do not agree with the terms.

I'm merely pointing out that there ARE alternatives if you are VASTLY opposed to returning the item to blizzard because it will "take too long".

If you KNOW that you're too lazy to return it directly to Blizzard, which is the correct decision?
Find another way to figure out whether the EULA/ToS is acceptable to you such that you can return the box in-store rather than to blizzard?
Ignore the rules, do what you want, then QQ when you get banned for breaking the rules even though you clicked "I accept"?
Agree and abide to the rules regardless of your personal opinion on them just because, while you may not like the rules, you'd rather not have to call Blizzard's phone # to return the product directly.
Claim that the product is "unreturnable" due to your human nature of wanting to open the box and because it's "too hard" to return it to Blizzard?



The point of my post wasn't "you should read the ToU/EULA before you EVER buy a product".

Nor was the point of my post "you should read the ToU/EULA before you EVER open a product".


The point of my post was a conditional. Consider it a Modus Ponens.

IF you know that you are too lazy to return a product to the manufacturer after you open the box, then you should probably know that you want to keep the product before you open it.
You know that you are too lazy to return a product to the manugacturere after you open the box.
Therefore...?
You should probably know that you want to keep the product before you open it.



I make no assumptions. I only laid down the first premise: If you know that you are too lazy to return a product to the manufacturer after you open the box, then you should probably know that you want to keep the product before you open it.

I then went on to offer advice on possible options for the person who fits that premise to be able to read the ToU/EULA before ever opening the box such that it would be impossible to return to the point of sale. It's not Blizzard's problem to bend to your will just because people are too lazy to call the number in the EULA/ToU and return the product directly.


Because it is so easy to "make assumptions" about what I did and did not say, I will quote my own post for clarification.





With Bliz, you have to go through the hassle of faxing receipts, have Bliz verify with the store of a purchase, and shipping the game.. meanwhile hoping that they mail you a check before next year. They don't make it easy on purpose..


That's human laziness then.


Let's clarify that again.

THIS:

With Bliz, you have to go through the hassle of faxing receipts, have Bliz verify with the store of a purchase, and shipping the game.. meanwhile hoping that they mail you a check before next year. They don't make it easy on purpose..
is human laziness.

In what other REASONABLE way should blizzard cater to your needs? They can't force the point of sale to take back the opened product due to the nature of the account key. They can't update the packaging every time there is a ToU/Eula change so that you can read it on the box prior to purchase.

They offer the only thing they can offer: return the product to them, and they will refund the purchase price.

If you KNOW you are unwilling to do that, but you BUY the product anyway (SUPPORTING the manufacturer) KNOWING that whether or not you agree to the terms you are not going to return the product either way... It is YOUR responsibility to educate yourself PRIOR to purchase.



The main point here is the fact that Bliz is suspending accounts that are frequently used across different IPs without verifying if an account is actually shared or not, then make you jump through hoops to get the account back

THIS is only the case if the IP jump went an impossible-to-travel distance within an impossible time. For example, logging in from NY and logging in 5 minutes later from China.

Yes, they make mistakes. Yes, people have gotten mistakenly banned for wintrading (playing on a formerly wintraded, or later wintraded team). Yes, people have gotten mistakenly banned for botting (linux). Yes, people have mistakenly gotten banned for 3rd party automation (multiboxers). Yes, people have mistakenly gotten banned for account sharing (when being hacked).

Blizzard is not all-knowing. Blizzard makes mistakes. Blizzard has a method to appeal their decisions and will rectify mistakes if it is right to do so. Is this process easy? No. Does this have anything to do with understanding the eula/terms? no.

You STILL have to understand the terms of use and eula BEFORE you click "I accept". THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR CLICKING "I ACCEPT" IF YOU DO NOT ACCEPT OR DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE TERMS/EULA.

If you have a problem with the way Blizzard identifies and actions accounts, that's for a different thread.


That's there to cover their own ass. It's about the fact that returning a videogame is much more difficult than returning most other products at a store.

And what would you expect them to do? Allow returns at the store? Would you appreciate getting a "dud" for a account key because some turd returned the boxed game after he had used the account key and activated the account?

Would you rather they just take your word that you bought the box and sent you the money you claim to have spent without asking for you to mail them the box or the receipt? How would Blizzard deal with fraud?

How do you KNOW how long it takes to get a refund by calling their number? Have you called their number? Have you attempted to see how long it would take to get a refund? A week? A month? A year? How long did it take to get a refund via blizzard's method, since it's so "inconvenient"? Have you heard how long it took someone else to get a refund?

I mean, if we're talking about people making assumptions -- how long DOES it take and how hard IS IT to get a refund using blizzard's method? I mean, since we're claiming it's so hard it's like pulling teeth...

If you have a suggestion for them that's more in-line with your needs and equally useful for Blizzard to prevent fraudulent returns then by all means -- post it in the suggestions forum and I will support it. But at this point I can't think of one, nor do I blame Blizzard for protecting their product.

[Gurblash]

Epic Post crits Gurblash for 25,000 damage.
Gurblash dies.