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RJE95's avatar
RJE95
Seasoned Newcomer
1 day ago

Does Moola respect consumer laws?

I was trying to understand the "No, Moola is not refundable" in relation to consumer laws as previously the EA policy was 14-days if not downloaded or other specific circumstances. If we have to use Moola to buy a kit, but Moola can't be refunded, then how does this work with consumer laws?

When trying to understand this, I came across this guide by the European Commission that seems to describe Moola as everything a company shouldn't be doing 😅. I don't have a legal background so I'm struggling to understand if Moola is not covered by the legislation stated here, and how I can actually understand my rights if there's some sort of legal loophole used?

For example, if I want to buy the 1000 Moola pack so I'm not overpaying for a kit price, can I not refund the remaining unspent Moola within 14 days? 

Denying consumers’ right to withdraw from a contract for the purchase of in-game virtual currency within 14 days for any in-game virtual currency that remains unused

Also if there is a technical issue that makes the content unplayable, I believe I could also get a refund when buying a pack/kit directly. Does Moola make this no longer possible?

If anyone can share insight on this or where I can find EA policies about Moola that's inline with what the European Commission have published, please respond. I also don't mind discussion on the topic here (such as for other countries etc)

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2 Replies

  • NoahLGP's avatar
    NoahLGP
    Seasoned Ace
    15 hours ago

    I think there are no law in E.U. yet but E.U. consumers can do class action and sue EA if they feel it's unfair.

    Digital Fairness Act will be the law including Dark Pattern, Digital Currency and other agressive mechanisms but it's under construction until 2030 at least.

     

    Stop Destroying Videogames is also stuck in a process so EA has still the right to delete your owned content (Marketplace content) like they did with The Sims Mobile in January.

  • SpielKatzechen's avatar
    SpielKatzechen
    Seasoned Traveler
    21 hours ago

    So this is interesting. I'm not an EU specialist, and I don't know much about EU consumer protection laws generally, but I did find the directive that that guide is based on and I may have a theory as to how they'll get around it. 

    Article 16(m) covers exceptions to the right of withdrawal and states "the supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium if the performance has begun with the consumer’s prior express consent and his acknowledgment that he thereby loses his right of withdrawal." 

    My interpretation is that so long as when you buy Moola EA makes you agree that you lose your right of withdrawal, they don't have to give you refunds. This jives with what is stated in the second paragraph under Principle 5 of the guide you found. So I'd look at the buying screen and see if there's something there that you have to agree to, or if its in some kind of terms and conditions click, because it does have to be separate from the buy button. 

    Mind you, if you're in the EU, you're welcome to try reporting them, to the org that made that guide, your local representatives or your country's consumer protection agency. There are things about Moola that do seem to run up against some of the things they warn about. 

     

     

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