This week had a great start to it. New games, new news and all that. And then we posted abut the Kalahari sale, which saw upcoming and new games receive a pretty hefty discount. Even better, there were valid vouchers floating around the net, which could have netted you further discounts. Expect those bargains to cancelled however.
Kalahari has begun cancelling sales made with various vouchers, claiming that the voucher system was used and abused. Expect your inbox to be filled with plenty of these letters, as my personal copies of InFAMOUS: Second Son and Titanfall were just some of the many games on the chopping block:
Hi Darryn,
As requested from customer services, we’ve cancelled your item. A refund has been processed and you will be refunded according to your method of payment.
We’re really sorry we couldn’t help you this time, but hopefully next time you’ll give us a chance to wow you with our great service.
Of course, refunds will follow, but you won’t get that discount again. Naturally, folks are proper livid. What happened with most buyers, is that the vouchers that were published, were stacked and used to buy a digital voucher on Kalahari. A R350 voucher could be bought for R150, and when applied to the current promotion, netted a substantial saving.
Games such as Infamous: Second Son and Call of Duty: Ghosts were being snatched up for around R300 a pop, not a bad deal at all. According to Kalahari, this system has been abused, resulting in various orders being cancelled.
MyGaming got the following response from Kalahari:
On Monday this week we kicked off our 6 Days of Heavenly Online sales with a 24 hour sale on our hottest Book, DVD, Music and Game titles. We advertised discounts of 30% off, but we actually offered even better discounts on some of our games titles which was very exciting, and very well received.
A few shoppers did however learn that there was a way to reduce the prices of their purchases even more by using some of our promotional coupon codes. We issue these coupon codes on a fairly regular basis to various groups of customers for different reasons (e.g. specific promotions or loyalty rewards). Our terms and conditions make it pretty clear that these coupon codes can only be used one at a time, and are only meant for the people to whom they are issued. They’re not transferable, and may not be used to purchase vouchers.
We give our customers some leniency in the sense that they may not all be as familiar with our terms and conditions as they should be, but we can’t condone blatant abuse. Sadly, there was some blatant abuse of these coupon codes which goes against our terms and conditions. The particular codes that were abused have been suspended and the intended recipients are being issued with replacements for their benefit.
Where the abuse was particularly extreme we may still take action in line with our terms and conditions – but we’re still analysing those orders carefully. We’ll definitely be in contact with anyone affected.
Regarding the codes that you referenced in the mygaming.co.za article below: These were codes that were being abused and which are now inactive. You’ll see that The Deal Breaker (who you credit for the article) has actually updated their piece. We’d appreciate it if you remove these codes from your article too.
While EGMR’s Alessandro Barbosa got the following Twitter response:
@capitan_barbosa Hi, we come across a large number of customers who had taken a few vouchers and unfortunately some abuse of these vouchers.
— kalahari.com (@kalaharicom) February 27, 2014
It’s a shit situation, and I’m as angry as anyone here is. Unfortunately, Kalahari has every right to do this, according to their terms of service.
Last Updated: February 27, 2014
VampyreSquirrel
February 27, 2014 at 11:32
*shrug* cancelled my order anyway 😛
Rags
February 27, 2014 at 11:40
Yeah, stacked for Thief, then saw the reviews…
Willem Swanepoel
February 27, 2014 at 11:56
Watch TotalBiscuit’s review 😉 You will change your mind tbh, it is still a good buy
RinceandGATHERTroops!
February 27, 2014 at 12:12
lol
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
February 27, 2014 at 12:12
“bullet” dodged 😛
eXpZA
February 27, 2014 at 11:37
Well… duh guys. You abused it, you know it. It wasn’t an intended scenario and there’s no rational way to assume otherwise.
Alex Hicks
February 27, 2014 at 11:41
I’m sorry – but I’m not sure that’s true. I saw no terms and conditions on the electronic voucher other than minimum purchase price. Their flaw, their problem.
Not going to fight their decision – but to be honest it was R150 more than I was going to spend on them if the vouchers hadn’t stacked.
eXpZA
February 27, 2014 at 11:59
*shrug* I don’t have a sign on the door to my house saying “Don’t slap your willy on my face”, but if someone does it I might take steps to undo the event and prevent it.
Alex Hicks
February 27, 2014 at 12:02
haha …. wow – extreme example is extreme. And flawed. Prevent – yes. Undo? Only if you want to lose credibility.
Hammersteyn
February 27, 2014 at 12:01
Agreed
Kensei Seraph
February 27, 2014 at 11:45
Rational reason for why it is allowed: when entering the code there was no attempt to prevent this so called “abuse”.
Hammersteyn
February 27, 2014 at 12:01
So now it’s our problem. We should all visit hello peter!
Kensei Seraph
February 27, 2014 at 12:12
I don’t use Kalahari anymore after they “visited” my house 5 times when I was home and didn’t even hoot and when Borderlands GotY edition didn’t have any of the GotY edition content.
Trebzz
February 27, 2014 at 11:38
Well fuck this :/
Hammersteyn
February 27, 2014 at 12:01
Yup
Rags
February 27, 2014 at 11:39
Pfft, now being smart is considered being abusive. 😛 tsk tsk tsk
Ricardo Harvey
February 27, 2014 at 11:42
Kalahari strikes again
LAblak22
February 27, 2014 at 11:42
Complete bullsh*t. Complete and utter bull — we’re being punished for their mistake?
Gideon Venter
February 27, 2014 at 11:56
No, you’re not being punished, they’re just not letting you take advantage of them. You’re getting your money back, and can still purchase the items at a reasonable price. Nothing’s being taken away from you.
LAblak22
February 27, 2014 at 12:01
I don’t want their filthy Judas silver. They could have at least waited for me to put on some make-up and a dress so I looked pretty before they fu — hey now — me.
Gideon Venter
February 27, 2014 at 12:02
That… That made me laugh much more than it should have. Thank you sir. Have a cookie, and a like.
Hammersteyn
February 27, 2014 at 12:02
bwahaha
Kagutsuchi
February 27, 2014 at 13:38
And in a sense we are being punished. We won’t be able to take advantage of the 30% off, since it was only valid for that one day.
LAblak22
February 27, 2014 at 13:42
Right? I mean cancel out the vouchers and at least give us the chance to pay in the difference.
Admiral Chief in Vegas
February 27, 2014 at 13:42
Now I am screwed and the rest of my “credit” is now mysteriously missing
Kagutsuchi
February 27, 2014 at 13:43
I’d be 100% fine with that. That would be fair. What they’re doing now, however, is not.
Admiral Chief in Vegas
February 27, 2014 at 13:43
Indeed
LAblak22
February 27, 2014 at 14:47
To their facebook wall! Onward, noble steed!
Admiral Chief in Vegas
February 27, 2014 at 14:55
DO IT!
LAblak22
February 27, 2014 at 15:24
If all these people who got screwed flooded their wall, pretty sure (like 34% sure) they’ll buckle.
Admiral Chief in Vegas
February 27, 2014 at 15:26
I hope so, I WANT MAH TITANFALL
LAblak22
February 27, 2014 at 15:43
Commence the flooding… Now.
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
February 27, 2014 at 12:06
I think it goes more about the fact that the consumer (legit) wasn’t aware that Kalahari didn’t intend these vouchers to be used this way.
They went to the site and the site allowed them to stack the voucher which they then used to purchase whatever it is they purchased.
They paid and received payment notification. You see, once you have that receipt and invoice and you’ve paid then Kalahari *technically* have a legal requirement to honor the agreement that has already been struck.
There were no disclaimers when purchasing items that vouchers may not stack or be used by only certain groups of people. Therefore the consumer cannot be held reasonably accountable for the apparent “abuse” as their was no other warnings being clearly displayed.
Gideon Venter
February 27, 2014 at 12:18
You agree to their terms of service when you create an account on Kalahari, not when you buy their products.
Also, as I noted in another response, Kalahari does not have a legal requirement to honor this agreement, as it violates a previous agreement.
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
February 27, 2014 at 12:19
lol. See response to said other comment. I do agree with you. Don’t worry.
HvR
February 27, 2014 at 12:50
Nothing in their T and C’s cover this situation.
The T and C only covers them that it allows them not to accept multiple vouchers.
The fact that THEIR system allowed the stacking of voucher using the normal interface means THEY cancelled the previous agreement not that the agreement was violated.
Wyzak
February 27, 2014 at 12:08
Unless you cancelled a pre-order elsewhere in order to buy it here for cheaper.
Kensei Seraph
February 27, 2014 at 11:44
Couldn’t they simply incorporate a something into their website to prevent this?
A simple check to see if the code has been used when they check if the code is valid would work.
Gavin Mannion
February 27, 2014 at 11:44
I can see their point but in reality their system is at fault, The system shouldn’t allow for stackng in the first place. It also shouldn’t allow for the same code to be reused surely?
LAblak22
February 27, 2014 at 11:48
Exactly. Don’t build a house of cards in the wind, as my uncle always says. My uncle never said that.
They should just bite the bullet and be all, “We made a mistake and you’ve won this round, you bastards.”
Mossel
February 27, 2014 at 11:54
Exactly.
Macethy
February 27, 2014 at 11:58
Why did they issue everyone with the same generic code in the first place? If it was a unique code for each customer, we wouldn’t have this problem! Stupid Kalahari is stupid
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
February 27, 2014 at 11:59
Surely if you have paid and been invoiced then they can’t refuse delivery of paid for items? Consumer protection act surely applies here that once you have paid and payment had been accepted then they need to legally oblige if possible? So short of actually running out of stock or being completely incapable of delivering said items they have to give it to the buyer?
Gideon Venter
February 27, 2014 at 12:04
Except that this is covered in their terms of use, protecting them.
I’m a little surprised that everyone here is acting like they’re being robbed because they can’t rob Kalahari.
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
February 27, 2014 at 12:09
I didn’t purchase anything so it doesn’t affect me.
Just pointing out that once an agreement has been reached then that agreement is legally binding.
The system should never have allowed the vouchers to stack if it isn’t allowed.
Don’t worry, I hear what you’re saying. No one is being robbed. They just losing out on what they thought was an awesome move by Kalahari.
Misunderstanding. As long as they get their money back it’s cool.
But I think the anger by most is that the system allowed the stacking.
Yeah there are those that actually abused the system good and proper. but most were innocent in this.
Gideon Venter
February 27, 2014 at 12:16
Two things:
“Just pointing out that once an agreement has been reached then that agreement is legally binding.” Not so if this agreement violates a previous agreement (as it does in this case) or an existing law.
“The system should never have allowed the vouchers to stack if it isn’t allowed.” True, but devs and QA are fallible, and so they have the terms of service to cover them. From a PR point of view, not great, but practical and proper.
Yes, the system should not have allowed it, but it’s being fixed in a fair manner.
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
February 27, 2014 at 12:18
You make valid points.
Still feel sorry for those that thought they were getting great deals though.
I had this odd feeling something like this was gonna happen though
RinceandGATHERTroops!
February 27, 2014 at 12:32
I think Avo drank something this am, he’s making WAY too much sense today. I miss the Real @Unavengedavo:disqus 🙁
Unavengedavo
February 27, 2014 at 12:29
In what way does it violate a previous agreement? When you registered you were in agreement with their Terms and Conditions and it states that you are only allowed to use one coupon per basket and you aren’t allowed to purchase vouchers with it.
Just because the system was buggy doesn’t mean that you should abuse it, because you already agreed that you wouldn’t
HvR
February 27, 2014 at 13:17
Nope nowhere in the terms and agreement that I accepted does it states:
” I agree not use coupons for A, B and C”
it states that “Kalahari does not allow the use of vouchers for a, b and c”
The fact that they allowed it makes the section null and void.
Gideon Venter
February 27, 2014 at 13:36
“The fact that they allowed it makes the section null and void.” Not true. Leniency in enforcing a law or rule does not remove it. Some crimes go unprosecuted, doesn’t mean they weren’t violations.
It’s noted in the statement from Kalahari above that the behaviour of the consumers in this case violated their terms of use.
Also remember, in legal matters one should follow the spirit of the law, not the letter of the law.
HvR
February 27, 2014 at 13:46
“I agree to …” and “…regulating when and how they may be used” is a big difference in “letter” it clearly states allowance of use and not an agreement on the consumers side.
Once payment is made coupons are considered used and sales agreement has been reached (in the T&C’s). An agreement can only be cancelled by Kalahari in the case of fraud.
Gideon Venter
February 27, 2014 at 13:51
Then perhaps we should classify all this as fraud then.
To me, the intention was there. I remember seeing in the comments of the article noting the discounts that someone specifically came to tell people of an unexpected way to get more of a discount out of these deals, and people eager to exploit…
HvR
February 27, 2014 at 14:16
Fraud for using a system and interface they created and using valid voucher numbers they issued?
Which part of that is the intentional concealment of facts ?
Draco Lusus
February 27, 2014 at 13:50
Double post I know, just to add in here so you get the notification.
I’ve read the CPA and as far as I remember, there is a clause in there, that states that no matter the T&Cs you agreed to, if they contraction the CPA, they are invalid. You can’t sign away your rights, and thus, they can state whatever the want in the T&C’s, but since as HvR stated:
“Once a sale agreement has been reached yes.
For instance a shop is allowed to correct a too low price on a till BEFORE you pay. Once they accept your card and cash agreement has been reached.”
So screw their T&C, sure cancel the gift vouchers cause that is basically stealing money 😛 I want my game!
Gideon Venter
February 27, 2014 at 13:54
Basically stealing your money? Except you get your money back?
Damn, maybe Kalahari should just stop offering discount deals, if this is the way people act when they don’t get them…
This entire thing is making me sad.
Admiral Chief in Vegas
February 27, 2014 at 13:55
Kalahari’s “discount deals” are a massive joke in any case. This one looked worth it, but alas, once again Kalahari proving they are no up to scratch. Takealot has also been crap recently
Gideon Venter
February 27, 2014 at 13:58
I have terribly little experience with Kalahari, so I wouldn’t knoe about the quality of their discounts.
Steam can be pretty amazing though.
Also, AWX is awesome. The member discount is not much, but it’s consistent, and the customer service I’ve experienced is top notch.
Spend in the places that make you happy…
Admiral Chief in Vegas
February 27, 2014 at 14:16
Steam gets all my moolah, and I HATE having to “cheat” on Steam for this supposed “deal”
Useless Kalahari
Gobz
February 27, 2014 at 14:23
You crawl back, wallet in hand and beg for forgiveness right now!
Draco Lusus
February 27, 2014 at 14:09
They gave me horrible service the last time I used them, and lost out on R300. I don’t think me using a R200 voucher to get a discount on a game was all that bad.
Especially since it was their cock up after all. 🙂
Don’t feel sad, be happy that you can be the high and might, holier than thou amongst us common thieving rabble.
Gideon Venter
February 27, 2014 at 14:13
High and mighty I am not, sir, just think people should calm down. If you were legitimately screwed out of money, I’d say pursue that. And, you know, not shop at the place that screwed you over again.
Draco Lusus
February 27, 2014 at 14:19
I guess 🙁
Gideon Venter
February 27, 2014 at 14:20
Sorry that you got screwed man 🙁
Draco Lusus
February 27, 2014 at 14:26
Not cancelled yet! Maybe I’ll get those 2 books for the gf and my Last of Us 🙂
rogue_riezo
February 27, 2014 at 19:23
I gave them my money, I was issued a receipt. They revoked their product without warning or notice. I have been screwed.
Mossel
February 27, 2014 at 12:13
lol well stated. I will be happy if they just remove the coupons from my purchase. I wuld still like to be eligible to buy Titanfall for R349. It is only fair.
Umar Reborn
February 27, 2014 at 12:15
I emailed asking that, no response yet. I would gladly remove them and pay the balance
Mossel
February 27, 2014 at 12:18
Yeah, it’s still a great deal. I completely understand that we were abusing it, so now I am willing to pay the difference.
Gideon Venter
February 27, 2014 at 12:19
That would be fair, I think.
RinceandGATHERTroops!
February 27, 2014 at 12:14
Isn’t there something in the Consumer Protection act that states if a customer buys something at a cheaper rate than intended it is at the fault of the seller and the customer keeps said product? Pretty sure there is.
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 27, 2014 at 12:16
Yes, it’s like a store marking an item with a lower price incorrectly. They have to honour that price until they fix it.
RinceandGATHERTroops!
February 27, 2014 at 12:19
Or a woman of the night saying at first R50 and then claiming she said R55… No, wait…
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 27, 2014 at 12:25
I don’t want to wait. I want to pretend I didn’t read that. HAPPYPLACEHAPPYPLACEHAPPYPLACEHAPPYPLACE
Draco Lusus
February 27, 2014 at 13:46
I’ve read the CPA and as far as I remember, there is a clause in there, that states that no matter the T&Cs you agreed to, if they contraction the CPA, they are invalid. You can’t sign away your rights, and thus, they can state whatever the want in the T&C’s, but since as HvR stated:
“Once a sale agreement has been reached yes.
For instance a shop is allowed to correct a too low price on a till BEFORE you pay. Once they accept your card and cash agreement has been reached.”
So screw their T&C, sure cancel the gift vouchers…
Unavengedavo
February 27, 2014 at 12:25
Unfortunately you agreed to the Terms and Conditions when you registered and it states that you are only allowed to use one coupon per basket and you are not allowed to use it to buy other vouchers… Even if the system was buggy, you still agreed that you wouldn’t do it.
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 27, 2014 at 12:26
Yes, I only read what was really happening & how it worked now. They’re quite correct.
RinceandGATHERTroops!
February 27, 2014 at 12:29
Just saw that now. If it’s in the T&C’s sorry for them!
Private draken
February 27, 2014 at 19:13
CPA laws over rule Kalaharis Terms and Conditions. That is how law works. Else i could go make a Terms and Conditions on my website stating you must pay me R1000 for pressing accept. Cant do that, its breaking a law.
HvR
February 27, 2014 at 13:12
Once a sale agreement has been reached yes.
For instance a shop is allowed to correct a too low price on a till BEFORE you pay. Once they accept your card and cash agreement has been reached.
Lupus
February 27, 2014 at 21:28
They aren’t mad about the stacking of the vouchers, they are upset by the stacking of the vouchers, then using that to buy gift vouchers, which then are used to purchase products at even cheaper rates. Some people exploited it further by opening multiple accounts and doing this to double or quadruple the amounts.
So yeah I agree with them in that regards they were exploited and people went overboard, I used a voucher and they haven’t cancelled my order, probably as I didn’t exploit it??
Kervyn Cloete
February 27, 2014 at 11:46
I have no problem (well, not a big problem) with them cancelling the orders, as we were exploiting a flaw. But I used a different account to purchase the additional gift voucher than the one I used to make the pre-orders, and I have yet to see a refund for the cash I spent to get that voucher. I’m essentially out R300 on that account now.
Umar Reborn
February 27, 2014 at 11:52
Prepare to wait..Kalahari is infamous for their horrible refund system…And in worst case scenario they give you Kalahari credits which is fine in you case. I cancelled once and got credits
Sageville
February 27, 2014 at 11:57
Surely they can’t force you to take store credit, I’m sure I read somewhere about that in the consumer protection act. You can only get store credit if u return stuff you don’t want (i.e. not a defect). On a transaction where you have received nothing you are entitled to money back.
Umar Reborn
February 27, 2014 at 11:59
Does that apply to in progress orders as well? That’s what happened to me, ordered something but needed the money back but got store credit instead
iAmWeasel
February 27, 2014 at 12:01
They give the option where you can get it paid back to you.. BUT.. it does forever and a day till you actually see the money. I kid you not, I waited once easily a month or more.
Sageville
February 27, 2014 at 12:02
Eish
Weanerdog
February 27, 2014 at 12:07
AFAIK if you paid for it they must refund you in the same way, so if you paid cash you get cash back regardless of why you returning it and you may return anything without reason within the required time.
Gobz
February 27, 2014 at 11:49
Yes, people shouldn’t have abused it and yes, there are terms and conditions. But that being said, there’s always going to be abusers and there’s always going to be people who don’t read such things so why do their systems allow for this?
Even with the system allowing for it, the codes were out for hours upon hours, allowing plenty of time for them to notice how they were being used – especially from the conversation going on on twitter and various websites – and those codes were never deactivated at the time. Right now it seems like their own fault.
LAblak22
February 27, 2014 at 11:50
Days, actually. And it IS their fault. I hope Godzilla kills them all. -__-
Gobz
February 27, 2014 at 11:51
Even worse. Ridonkulous.
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
February 27, 2014 at 11:53
Teribad
LAblak22
February 27, 2014 at 12:02
I’d like to play this game too, but I’m not that Punny…
Umar Reborn
February 27, 2014 at 11:49
I just want to say, I was part of this lol I honestly thought it was promotional, yes I’m naive (People seem to be flabbergasted that there are some of us that believed it was legit) But as soon as I found out it was an exploit I cancelled my order of Dark Souls 2 unfortunately. I do think it’s wrong, it’s kind of like theft if I can be blunt…Though Kalahari is not handling this well, and in all honesty their system is kinda failing them right, expect a huge outcry
Martin du preez
February 27, 2014 at 11:49
Suck it nerds
Sageville
February 27, 2014 at 11:53
..!..
Martin du preez
February 27, 2014 at 11:56
I just feel better now after I missed the deal 🙁
Willem Swanepoel
February 27, 2014 at 11:58
not everyone’s deal is getting cancelled.
There are people who didnt abuse it and still get pretty awesome discounts … like me 😉
Sageville
February 27, 2014 at 12:02
me too!
High five!
Mossel
February 27, 2014 at 12:03
Hehe yeah I didn’t use the third R75 off voucher. So maybe mine will still stick.
Admiral Chief in Vegas
February 27, 2014 at 12:30
Third????
Mossel
February 27, 2014 at 14:08
Two R75 vouchers and one R50 voucher. I didn’t use one of the R75 vouchers. That was what I meant to say! xD
RinceandGATHERTroops!
February 27, 2014 at 12:15
Hehehehe
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 27, 2014 at 12:17
NERDS!
DBL_ZA
February 27, 2014 at 11:52
Kalahari screwing their customers over as usual.. This is the third time in a row I’ve had my order cancelled because of their screwups….
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
February 27, 2014 at 11:52
Well that sucks I guess. I didn’t order anything as I was still on the fence about what I wanted.
Oh well. Guess this answers my question about whether I should get a new game or not….
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 27, 2014 at 11:52
My terms & conditions of purchase say their terms & conditions of sale are wrong.
Sageville
February 27, 2014 at 11:52
Well, I ordered stuff before reading about using Uberutang’s Voucherception, I raged for missing out, now not so much…. I bought Thief PS4 just using only the coupons, they didn’t cancel that, I did log another account and used the same coupons again to get Game of Thrones Season 3 Bluray, somehow it added one of coupons twice, so in total I saved R450 from those coupons, still awesome, though it does point to the coupon system being a bit buggy.
ElimiNathan
February 27, 2014 at 11:53
Friend of mine already got his games
Mossel
February 27, 2014 at 11:58
hahaha! nice. Kalahari can suck the cock of justice!
ElimiNathan
February 27, 2014 at 11:59
Deepthroat it until they start gagging
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
February 27, 2014 at 11:53
Shouldn’t there be some form of accountability from Kalahari though?
They did offer it at X price, which according to the consumer protection act means they need to honor that deal. It was already paid for and invoiced. Once that whole process has been done they don’t actually have a legal right to cancel the order do they?
Mossel
February 27, 2014 at 11:53
Although this is a shit situation, I feel it’s not my problem. They should’ve programmed the site so that only those whon received the coupons were able to use it. Also if a coupon was used to purchase a voucher there should be an error stating that you cant do it! Easy.
Mossel
February 27, 2014 at 11:55
Fuck this, I was n big kalahari fan up until now. I’m taking this up with them if I receive anything in the mail.
Umar Reborn
February 27, 2014 at 11:56
If Kalahari has a bug in the system…is it okay for us to exploit it?
Hammersteyn
February 27, 2014 at 12:04
We didn’t know it’s a bug. We all thought it was a great deal and value for money. How wrong we were.
Umar Reborn
February 27, 2014 at 12:05
True, if you used it in a legit way, you shouldn’t be punished this way
Kensei Seraph
February 27, 2014 at 12:05
Ethically? No
But like Hammersteyn said how were we supposed to know it was a bug?
Umar Reborn
February 27, 2014 at 12:08
True true, they can’t just cancel all the orders now….Kalahari is making a huge mess up of this
HvR
February 27, 2014 at 12:33
Yes, their system is making the offer of sale on their behalf.
It isn’t my fault they are using a stupid broken system.
IN a brick and mortar shop if the sale assistant is a dumb-ass and I can can convince him to give me an extra 20% off. Is it my fault or the shop owners fault that he employed an dumb-ass,
fs_alexania
February 27, 2014 at 11:59
There was additional abuse not mentioned here. Their system was pretty flawed and it turned out that if you clicked the Apply button multiple times on a slow connection, it would get applied multiple times. All im saying is, someone’s in trouble.
Wyzak
February 27, 2014 at 12:08
Their crap website is the only culprit here.
fs_alexania
February 27, 2014 at 12:12
Not disagreeing with you, but I reckon that hurt them more than anything. In other news my friend’s game arrived this morning so….
Wyzak
February 27, 2014 at 12:24
They should have learnt from this and taken the knock on the chin. Now they are pissing off a ton of people who might never buy from them again.
Once off loss vs recurring loss…
Hammersteyn
February 27, 2014 at 12:00
Canceled my order and now I can support BT Games again. Their terms and conditions don’t fuck people over.
LAblak22
February 27, 2014 at 12:01
Their prices sure do, though. :D/
Hammersteyn
February 27, 2014 at 12:03
Get the advantage card. Save 10% on all preorders and more
LAblak22
February 27, 2014 at 12:10
Well, I’ve had one for years and never got that 10%.
Hammersteyn
February 27, 2014 at 12:57
Ask them?
Morne Nell
February 27, 2014 at 12:02
If they don’t honour, I will not support them ever again. Yes it is a IT fault But there is the customer protection act and in this instance the act is on the customers side
Anon A Mouse
February 27, 2014 at 12:58
The act is not on the side when there are blatant abuse as was the case here, BUT they can’t ask for items to be returned or the difference to be paid in. If the item shipped it’s on them, if not they have every right to correct the mistake.
Wyzak
February 27, 2014 at 12:07
I phoned there consultants while I was busy ordering and they told me that everything was fine and that the system won’t allow anything that I’m not suppose to be able to do. So they must try and cancel my orders…
Gobz
February 27, 2014 at 12:09
Since they’re one of those companies who probably record all conversations, you should ask for a copy of that recording now if it exists 😉
RinceandGATHERTroops!
February 27, 2014 at 12:12
Apply lotion here?
AchtungBaby_
February 27, 2014 at 12:15
Well I’m pissed as hell. If something is not allowed then the website should have measures in place not to freakin allow it! They are to blame especially since they always show items are in stock and you get an email you’ll receive the product a month later because they can’t “source” it. They have a flawed website and they are very slack about it, not trying to fix the problem. Besides I purchased my game which was on special that day only. So now would I have to pay full price since that special too has passed? Job well done kalahari, really you are just the best company in the world *rolls eyes*.
SL3DGE
February 27, 2014 at 12:16
Well I got my cheap-cheap copy GTA V just yesterday. Can’t
count how many times I had my orders cancelled by Kalahari in the past. My
sympathies to all whom have fallen in the battle of El Cheapo Sale.
Actual picture of Kalahari’s web administrator:
Unavengedavo
February 27, 2014 at 12:18
Just before you complete the registration on Kalahari it does say the following:
By proceeding further you agree to kalahari.com’s Terms & Conditions
(last updated: 12 July 2013)
And this in turn says the following about the Coupons:
So technically they have covered themselves in this regard… Or am I wrong?
Kensei Seraph
February 27, 2014 at 12:18
You actually read those?
*Slowly starts to applaud*
Unavengedavo
February 27, 2014 at 12:19
Lol, you never know if you agree your 1st born as a sacrifice O_o
Mossel
February 27, 2014 at 14:54
Lol reminds me of the Human Cent-iPad episode from South Park. You agreed to this!!
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
February 27, 2014 at 12:21
Well that settles it.
They have every right as they made it clear only one coupon per purchase.
Sorry peeps. But it was part of the signout so they have every right.
Better luck next time everyone?
HvR
February 27, 2014 at 12:30
Counter argument is that their system allowed the use of generic multiple vouchers and generated an invoice which is a legal offer of sale which the customer.
The T and C’s protect them in that you have no foot to stand on if the system does not allow you to use multiple vouchers.
The fact that their system did allow the use of multiple vouchers means they were willing to accept the suspension of their T and C.
Unavengedavo(aka. Bilbo)
February 27, 2014 at 13:00
So lets say I quickly borrow your phone to make a call and I agree with you not to make an international call, and I then proceed to make an international call because your phone didn’t block me from doing it, would you be pissed off at me and demand the money back?
HvR
February 27, 2014 at 13:08
Not the same scenario.
If I give my phone to my brother and give him instructions local calls only and he allows you to make an international call I have no claim against you and have to take it up with my brother.
Private draken
February 27, 2014 at 19:21
Yes they covered in the T&A, but CPA laws overwrite company T&As. Most laws override things stated in a T&A, else people could really get fucked over by evil companies.
Deano
February 27, 2014 at 12:18
Cant really blame them…
My Titanfall order is still on 🙂 R299 hope they don’t cancel that.
I only used 1 voucher.
Kensei Seraph
February 27, 2014 at 12:20
My experience with Kalahari:
Didn’t deliver despite the 24 hour delivery notice, although they did visit my house 5 or 6 times over 3 weeks and each time no one was home… during holidays… when I was at home for 4 pf those visits…
Borderlands GotY Edition I got from them had none of the GotY Edition content other than the paper sleeve in the case.
When ordering my Siberia Elite headphones I found Kalahari was the cheapest but no way in hell was I going to wait for half a month to get my 24 hour delivery with most of the box contents missing.
Beanz777
February 27, 2014 at 12:21
Used one voucher for Watch Dogs so my order will stand. Sucky situation
Jacques du Preez
February 27, 2014 at 12:27
Mmmm. Well this isn’t going to well for my first Kalahari buy. It was a flaw in their own system. Please don’t say that devs make mistakes. That is the same system handling your money. That doesn’t bode well either. So thanks Kalahari. You are either terrible at PR or your site is dodgy. Pick one and only one. Either way. I won’t be going back there.
Rags
February 27, 2014 at 12:33
Judging by the comments, Kalahari should win Worst Company in the Whurldz!!!11
Unavengedavo
February 27, 2014 at 12:34
Nope, judging by the comments, people should read the Terms and Conditions 😛
Kensei Seraph
February 27, 2014 at 12:36
So you’re saying that Kalahari is on par with EA?
Rags
February 27, 2014 at 12:41
I am poking fun at the butthurt. The EA thing is also a farce, voted by the same butthurt gamers. 🙂
Kensei Seraph
February 27, 2014 at 13:02
So then you don’t deny the MSSA?
Refresh to see edit.
Rags
February 27, 2014 at 13:49
Oh hehe. The MSSA are not the worst either, but I hate them the most of the 3. 😀
Unavengedavo
February 27, 2014 at 12:38
I think I should change my name to Bilbo O_o…
http://www.damnlol.com/pics/380/f2135917de3f02618db37e8df79cbde1.jpg
Wazza
February 27, 2014 at 12:40
I suppose David Warner complained and now we all suffer
Draco Lusus
February 27, 2014 at 14:28
No, was this person over here http://www.hotsadeals.co.za/2014/02/update-deals-kalahari-stackable.html
A one Jason Banfield, AKA as Uber nerd killjoy, AKA MAJOR TWAT!
Admiral Chief in Vegas
February 27, 2014 at 12:42
Does this mean I win?
Rags
February 27, 2014 at 12:45
What’s in the doos?
Admiral Chief in Vegas
February 27, 2014 at 12:45
Hehehehehehehehhe….
Or should I say MUAHAHAHHAHAAHAHAHHAA
Unavengedavo(aka. Bilbo)
February 27, 2014 at 12:47
His Fleshlight arrived… That’s why it’s such a small box 😛
Admiral Chief in Vegas
February 27, 2014 at 12:48
Not all of us have hobbies like you do Avo…
Unavengedavo(aka. Bilbo)
February 27, 2014 at 12:49
Well my hobbies include long walks in the park, reading Women24 and, reading Terms and Conditions 😀
RinceandGATHERTroops!
February 27, 2014 at 12:51
TO the latter BOOM!
Admiral Chief in Vegas
February 27, 2014 at 12:52
Long walks in the women24 terms and conditions, got it 😉
Unavengedavo(aka. Bilbo)
February 27, 2014 at 12:57
Well their terms and condition are just a generic set used by most of the news24 affiliated sites :/
SL3DGE
February 27, 2014 at 12:45
Before and after please….
Admiral Chief in Vegas
February 27, 2014 at 12:45
Hehe, no way, just now they wanna come collect!
SL3DGE
February 27, 2014 at 12:49
Kalahari just sent me a mail saying that my parcel will be late…is that a good thing or just a slow death?
Admiral Chief in Vegas
February 27, 2014 at 12:52
Jis I dunno dude, hoping its a good thing!
Rags
February 27, 2014 at 12:53
He is still going to die though 🙁
SL3DGE
February 27, 2014 at 13:22
The sad thing is, although you may get your money back…the joy is lost forever…Kalahari can’t refund you on that!
Rags
February 27, 2014 at 13:47
Tha’ts deep man. 😀
Mossel
February 27, 2014 at 14:59
Haha that might be the saddest thing I’ve ever read.
Draco Lusus
February 27, 2014 at 16:38
Was wondering thw same thing!
Umar Reborn
February 27, 2014 at 12:56
Apparently there are people who has to give the items back to the courier….
HvR
February 27, 2014 at 13:00
You are also allowed to have your bull-terrier run on a chain between the front door and the boundary of the property.
“No sorry your courier was never at my front door and I didn’t hear the doorbell”
Umar Reborn
February 27, 2014 at 13:00
Lol , courier? I don’t know anyone named Steve O-O
Unavengedavo(aka. Bilbo)
February 27, 2014 at 13:01
And please ignore the new pavement I had to lay in the drive way… There is in no way a shallow grave below it 😀
Umar Reborn
February 27, 2014 at 13:05
That smell is just a dead mouse I killed. A really big one. Who has a name tag. And apparently this mouse’s name is Steve
Unavengedavo(aka. Bilbo)
February 27, 2014 at 13:09
That smell? Oh… That’s just my pig farm in the back yard 😉
Umar Reborn
February 27, 2014 at 13:10
LOL yeah, I just fed my pigs a really big mouse now
Anon A Mouse
February 27, 2014 at 13:01
That’s against the CPA. If you received the item it’s yours for the price you paid.
Umar Reborn
February 27, 2014 at 13:03
Seems consumers need to become more educated on CPA laws, as some companies are starting to take advantage…
Draco Lusus
February 27, 2014 at 14:31
Spot on, yes people were dicks about exploiting it, and I would fully back them cancelling the orders used on multiple accounts, to buy gift vouchers.
But the CPA is there for a reason, so is proper IT governance. If they never followed it, not our problem.
SL3DGE
February 27, 2014 at 13:19
….aaaaaand cue paranoia inducing music…..
guest
February 27, 2014 at 13:09
So does this apply to only those who used the discount codes to buy kalahari gift vouchers?
Or to all orders which legitimately used the discount codes?
Eg, I used 2 discount codes on one game and the third on another game.
Dr Alukard PhD
February 27, 2014 at 13:18
I gotta say I feel for them. It’s a bit of a PR nightmare, they probably should have reversed the orders for the cash value but given people the difference in vouchers, if you scored R200 then you get R50 X 4 vouchers (provided they fix their crappy system and you can redeem only one at a time). I was a frequent buyer from Kalahari but really their service has taken a dive.
I would still love for someone to challenge this and see if, even with the T&C’s, when a sale has taken place do they still have to honour it?
Gobz
February 27, 2014 at 13:21
Well I have a friend who will DEFINITELY challenge them so if he gets the cancellation letter, I’ll let you know what happens 😛
Draco Lusus
February 27, 2014 at 13:55
Please do, as I posted in my replies, the CPA protects us with this. Whatever their T&C’s say, means shit, if the sale is made.
Admiral Chief in Vegas
February 27, 2014 at 13:57
Aye
Admiral Chief in Vegas
February 27, 2014 at 13:57
Indeed, I too want to know
Admiral Chief in Vegas
February 27, 2014 at 13:24
Agreed, haven’t done a Kalahari purchase in years since their “specials” are overpriced or crap, and delivery is mostly late
Tarisma
February 27, 2014 at 13:31
Also their “new” games are often old and overpriced
Dr Alukard PhD
February 28, 2014 at 01:16
100% used to do it for that and the free delivery, but then their service levels took a dive. Probably got to big and did not have the support (staff, IT, distribution etc…) investment needed.
Johan du Preez
February 27, 2014 at 13:27
Yes they do have to honour it, the moment they took your money the sale is done.
Morne Nell
February 27, 2014 at 13:34
Personally I think the way it worked was the way they intended. BUT they underestimated the uptake of the offer. 2000 people saving R200 = R400000 loss. The goods are already marked down by 30% so the loss is extreme and they can’t handle it. (mark-up probably less than 5%). Remember this was not a glitch in terms of one day, the vouchers was usable for a few days. I think what happened next was someone made some sums and said WTF.
Dr Alukard PhD
February 28, 2014 at 01:14
Nah, gotta disagree with you. I can’t imagine for a second, and given that the T&C’s (or terms of service or whatever) mention not being able to stack vouchers that this wasn’t an issue on the code/website side, something not tested or a bug. I don’t think they, or any business, would be silly enough to take a gamble – betting there would be a small uptake (in which case they would have surely limited the number of “specials”).
I do not see anything malicious or intentional in this, just seems to be a huge mess up. Which does not surprise me given what I had previously experienced dealing with Kalahari.
I do hope they get it together; so the little H (inside a circle) in the middle of my lawn does not go to waste.
Bradley Schultz
February 27, 2014 at 13:20
I don’t shop Kalahari since they took my money for a pre order weeks in advance and then didn’t deliver my collectors edition. By then I couldn’t get it anywhere. Offered me a lousy R50 voucher which I told em to shove where the son don’t shine. I cannot abide such poor service.
Tarisma
February 27, 2014 at 13:36
I feel so sorry for the poor PR people, they are gonna have a shit time.
Admiral Chief in Vegas
February 27, 2014 at 13:40
This just in, the fuckers cancelled my Titanfall, yet I am sitting with the other half of my order.
Dear Kalahari, come get your stuff and gimme my money back!!!!!
APK BANK
February 27, 2014 at 13:43
Download Falppy Bird Apk and More games & apps
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fred
February 27, 2014 at 13:54
Ons soek nie jou fokken flappy voel nie , gee ons Titanfall en Infamous vir 200 rand.
Admiral Chief in Vegas
February 27, 2014 at 13:43
Also, WHERE IS MY CREDIT that was left???? Has this been funnelled to the EFF or Nkandla????
Dammit Kalahari
Gareth L (That Guy)
February 27, 2014 at 13:54
This is why I *deserted* Kalahari ages ago.
Admiral Chief in Vegas
February 27, 2014 at 13:58
After this fiasco, I’m with you dude
DrKiller
February 27, 2014 at 14:06
I really just buying something from them if they have specials or discounts..
DrKiller
February 27, 2014 at 14:02
This whole thing is a huuuuuge debate.. I was one of them who bought a R350 voucher (with all the coupons), but I actually DID get all those coupons without searching for them on the internet.. So I gave the voucher to my friend in the office, to order stuff for us (obviously he added some vouchers too).. This shouldn’t be wrong.. Its not like I created a second account to take advantage, we both had a lot of sales on both our accounts.
So now he got refunded with R350 voucher.. I think we should fight with Kalahari, we didn’t “abuse” it as others did.. Why is it our fault that Kalahari’s system is f’ed? They’ve been around for YEARS
Admiral Chief in Vegas
February 27, 2014 at 14:03
Same thing here man, yet I do NOT have R350 voucher back!!!
DrKiller
February 27, 2014 at 14:05
Lets all go to HelloPeter? 🙂
Admiral Chief in Vegas
February 27, 2014 at 14:11
I’m thinking about it
DrKiller
February 27, 2014 at 14:11
I’ll support you there 😉
SL3DGE
February 27, 2014 at 14:10
All this talk about game sales brings back so many good memories.
Like this one: http://www.lazygamer.net/xbox-360/incredibles-is-having-a-massive-sale-right-now/
Lazygamer…you’re so good to us.
fs_alexania
February 27, 2014 at 14:12
It’s gotten worse, they’ve started rocking up at delivery addresses with legal documents demanding the shipped items back. While at the same time claiming that the whole amount paid was with vouchers and no refund is due as no actual money was paid (in this specific case only one voucher was used on a R350+ item).
Gobz
February 27, 2014 at 14:15
Where you checking this dude?
I’m a little curious as to what legal documents would allow them to do this though.
fs_alexania
February 27, 2014 at 14:18
At work, a large number of people here made orders yesterday. Fedex rocked up with all manner of legal papers a couple minutea ago. The guy next to me handed his over (already open) and he’s been on the phone fighting with Kalahari ever since.
Rags
February 27, 2014 at 14:20
Why fight when you are in the wrong? :/
fs_alexania
February 27, 2014 at 14:25
Oh he’s not fighting the recall he’s fighting the fact that they’re claiming he’s owed no refund cause their system claims he paid no real money (on a R350+ item using a R75 voucher)
Gobz
February 27, 2014 at 14:20
O_o
Well now I really feel sorry for their PR people.
Morne Nell
February 27, 2014 at 14:25
That means only one thing Kalahari is in deep KAKA, and if they can’t rectify they probably go bust.
Rags
February 27, 2014 at 14:27
Its Naspers. That’s pocket change for them.
lolz
February 27, 2014 at 14:34
CPA baby, I paid X for the games, I wants mah Gamez… Besides kalahari’s problem with no T&C’s being listed is not my problem… You say I can pay that, then, whoops my bad ne… No no no no… That’s like the escort charging Brenda double after the evening, for no reason..
PestControl
February 27, 2014 at 15:00
OK so I’m curious… firstly all you really need these days (for pc games at least) is the serial key. If you’ve got that you should be able to download a digital version right? Now what happens if you received your item from Kalahari, already opened it up and activated the key, and afterwards they rock up and demand the game back. Surely it won’t matter seeing as you’ve already used the key (or wrote it down in case you haven’t had the opportunity to activate it).
Anyways, I pre-ordered like 5 games for a total of R2k (after all the discounts were applied). I used the three vouchers mentioned in Darryn’s article (for a total of R200 discount). If I understand this correctly I should only have used one of the vouchers per “basket”, in other words I should have split my order in three? If this is the case them all I can say is that it’s simply retarded.
Mossel
February 27, 2014 at 15:05
LOL I was also thinking this! Very interesting question indeed.
Mossel
February 27, 2014 at 15:09
What if I got the game, activated my cd key on Steam and then prceeded to burn the actual CD and bury the ashes…as one does. All of this before I found out they want to get the game back?
Draco Lusus
February 27, 2014 at 15:20
Let them have the game back and ask for a refund…not your problem after that 🙂
Private draken
February 27, 2014 at 19:29
Yip not sure what Kalahari are doing. People are just adding the games they buy to steam/origin. So if they come take your game and give refund, they are losing out on even more because they will not be able to sell those used cdkeys.
Josh Strauss
February 27, 2014 at 19:46
I have spent quite some time reading through the comments below and reviewing the situation. Should anyone care these are my observations:
1) A company such as Kalahari must follow a Dev, QA, Prod SDLC. If loading multiple vouchers is very much against the T&Cs then a Programming 101 course would have taught the developers data validation. If one coupon/voucher is loaded then give an error message if another is loaded. Also perform a validation check when processing payment. There are two separate places they
could have stopped the multiple vouchers.
2) By Kalahari stating “We give our customers some leniency in the sense that they may not all be as familiar with our terms and conditions as they should be…” it shows that are not simply throwing this in their customers face as the reason they are not honouring the purchase. They continue ” but we can’t condone blatant abuse.” however they do not define blatant abuse.
2a)
I think we can safely move the T&Cs argument aside for a moment due to Kalahari’s own admission. If we look at what we think constitutes abuse we need to look at two angles. The first is the consumer who added the first coupon, then the second, then the third. They got R200 off and proceeded to pay. Do we automatically think getting R200 off is abuse? I wouldn’t think so considering Edgars is currently giving R300 off jeans. The system was not hacked or worked around. It was a straight deal. If anyone has watched Extreme Couponing then this is not so extreme. I do not believe the person who falls into this category should be penalised and Kalahari should take it on the chin.
2b) The other category is the person who figured out how to work around the system. They opened multiple accounts to buy vouchers to use on their main account. They went out their way to abuse the coupons. They are the people I believe are the blatant abusers Kalahari refers to however I don’t think that will be the case. Kalahari seems to be targeting everyone who used the coupons regardless how they used them. This is what I call blatantly unfair. The rest of my points will be directed at those who fall into the first category.
3) Imagine a real e-tailer like Amazon doing this to their customers. They would never be using these gung-ho tactics of Kalahari. They would have accepted it. Now before anyone say that Amazon is a multi-billion dollar company and can afford a mistake like this then just think that Kalahari is owned by Naspers which is currently sitting with a market cap of R543.63 BILLION. I did not miss type that.
4) I feel for Kalahari but heads need to roll internally and not take their customers down with them. By cancelling the orders they are essentially saying their customers who used the coupons within the constraints that their system allowed are abusive thieves.
5) T&Cs or not a purchase agreement was made. If a store sign says “Only 2 bottles of Coke per customer” (It is a T&C) and I take 3 bottles to the cashier who doesn’t say anything and rings them up and I pay. Can you imagine on the way out you are stopped and ordered to return one bottle of Coke because you should have read the sign. I should have been stopped at the cashier (when I clicked purchase) not after the fact.
6) Will a judge or the consumer commission adjudicate that a consumer getting R200 off their purchase was grossly unreasonable and the consumer knew this just could not be? I personally don’t think so but will this be tested?
Whatever happens now, Kalahari’s reputation is even more in the dumps than is was previously.
ZumaIsPoes
February 28, 2014 at 08:00
they have over heads , people to employ , u can’t expect them to give away brand new games at 300 and still be here next week for you to purchase games rom them again , am sorry it just don’t work that way…sometimes you just have to pay 🙂
Private draken
March 1, 2014 at 16:21
Overheads mean nothing when you break CPA law.