MS Point-buying dog gets Gamertag, owner gets refund

by Richard Mitchell { Nov 2nd 2009 at 6:45PM }

Remember Greg Strope? No? Perhaps you'll remember his dog, Oscar, who purchased 5000 Microsoft Points -- worth $62.50 -- last week while his owner slept. At the time, we reported that Strope was out of luck thanks to Microsoft's "no refunds" policy. As it turns out, Microsoft contacted Joystiq to inform us that it will refund Strope's money after all, and will be "providing extra for good measure." In addition, Microsoft is sending Strope an extra controller and an Xbox Live subscription just for Oscar. The company even set the dog up with his own Gamertag: Oscar The K9.

Now, if Microsoft would just introduce a canine Avatar model, Oscar would be set for life.

Tags: culture, dogs, microsoft-points, oscar, pets, xbox-live

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Jake @ Nov 2nd 2009 9:47PM

Cool move Microsoft, but I'm still not going to forgive you until you cut the proprietary hardware bull.

Jake @ Nov 2nd 2009 9:50PM

Really?
The fact that they're going out of their way to lock out third party memory is ok with you guys?

Or did I just not give the proper "FIRST!!!" response?

Regardless, I don't understand why they went beyond just giving him his money back.

Arctrick @ Nov 2nd 2009 6:52PM

Now I wish I had a dog...

Farseye21 @ Nov 2nd 2009 6:53PM

"...that the it will refund..." typo in there? haha otherwise cool move microsoft... for once.

Ryan @ Nov 2nd 2009 6:53PM

This to me atleast is,.. well.. strange.

Customer: Hey MS, my dog spent $62 on Xbox Live and I was asleep, messed up, can I get a refund please?

Microsoft: No...... Nah it's cool B, were gonna hook you up with your money back, and on top of that here's another controller, whats that? Your happy? Not happy enough,.. here is an Xbox Live subscription for yo Puppy dog, we made him a sick gamertag.

3 Months later,...

Customer: Hey MS, My 360 is blinking 1 red light and won't start, but it is in warranty, can I get it fixed?

Microsoft: Sure B, well hook you up after you pay us $100, just be sure to use your own box, we ain't handin' those out no more son.

davidw @ Nov 2nd 2009 9:49PM

Not sure what you're talking about man...if you're in the one year warranty period they'll fix any issue you have, I've never had an issue with that. Also, they will still ship you the box, you just have to ask for it.

Tonicboy @ Nov 3rd 2009 1:06AM

Then clearly you don't understand how PR works. If a story is hot and you have a chance to milk it, then paying someone $30-40 bucks is a crazy cheap price to get good publicity for another day. Did I say crazy cheap? Because I meant insanely, ludicrously cheap.

Tep @ Nov 2nd 2009 6:54PM

So I guess they gave him a dog-tag?

...

I'll shut up now

the_pop @ Nov 2nd 2009 10:38PM

That was really paw.

The Voice of False @ Nov 2nd 2009 6:58PM

... what a lame publicity stunt.

Whocares @ Nov 2nd 2009 10:02PM

or a funny as fuck joke, sure microsoft suck balls - but its still funny

Mr. Trauts @ Nov 2nd 2009 7:10PM

They gave the dog a gamertag? The dog? Seriously?

Where is my free 12 months of Xbox LIVE? MS can obviously afford it if they're giving animals online for free now.

Demon G Sides @ Nov 2nd 2009 7:28PM

They're not spending money on giving 12 months to an animal who can't even use the service...

Aero @ Nov 2nd 2009 7:37PM

That's a Ludwig tier pun there Richard. Nice job.

Xylon Uxkid @ Nov 2nd 2009 7:40PM

Wow Microsoft, a refund?!?!?!

Drunk Ste @ Nov 2nd 2009 8:49PM

Holy crap look what I just saw.
http://letsadopt.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/elephants-fly-2.jpg

aced911 @ Nov 2nd 2009 8:21PM

So if my girlfriend accidentally buys 60 dollars worth of MS points and we immediately call Xbox support I don't get a refund but if the dog does it, it's cool?

There's a great "they obviously don't know who the bigger bitch is" joke in their somewhere.

ytilanigiroon @ Nov 3rd 2009 1:22PM

How the hell do you "accidentally" buy Microsoft Points? That's like "accidentally" wearing a strap-on...

Bryan T @ Nov 2nd 2009 9:36PM

This is an absolute joke.

But, FWIW, the "this language is Ruff" and "dog-tag" are two of the best Puns I have heard in a while.

psycros @ Nov 2nd 2009 10:49PM

Have to agree..unusually classy move for Microsoft. Maybe the Live staff are cool people. Hey, its possible.

Courtney @ Nov 3rd 2009 1:18AM

I continue to find it ridiculously anti-consumer that points purchased with a credit card can't be refunded if the request is made in a timely manner (even a 48 hour window would work for most folks who need a refund for one reason or another).

ytilanigiroon @ Nov 3rd 2009 1:18PM

I continue to find it amusing that people put themselves in a position for things like this to happen and then blame the rest of the world for it. If I were Microsoft I'd send the dog some Milk Bone's and been done with it. With regard to the people I've heard bitch about "oh, my baby bought an On Demand game" or "my dog spent my money on MS points" ... stop leaving your controllers out, and stop blaming everybody else for your mental retardation.

yolarrydabomb @ Nov 3rd 2009 2:08AM

well oscar been busy watching netflix. LOL

Katana Master @ Nov 3rd 2009 2:27AM

That's awesome.

Furie @ Nov 3rd 2009 7:25AM

They did a better job handling this than Sony. Bad Sony, go to your corner!
http://furiekins.blogspot.com/2009/09/sony-playstation-store-rip-off.html

Nobledevil @ Nov 4th 2009 4:46AM

1. You can turn off that billboard in the options, so that "parent" should have done so if he has a young child.

2. Why the hell does he have his credit card directly linked to his PSN name?

3. Why doesn't he require a password at checkout since he has a curious four year old son who he allows full access to the system at (apparently) all times?

Furie @ Nov 4th 2009 6:24AM

1. First time the PS3 was used really after the update. There's no obvious notice saying "here is how to switch off this new service" that comes with the agreement.

2. Convenience. It's something I'll bet hundreds of thousands of PS3, 360 an PC owners do. Saving credit card details for convenience.

3. Trust and understanding about the way in which the PS3 is used. It's replaced th DVD player, and the boy knows how to switch it on and put on a film. This is the only way that the PS3 is used,as the other functions hold no interest to the child. The new feature disturbed the status quo and offered a new interest to the child which they clicked through. As any parent knows, maintaining the status quo is important to keeping routine and helping survive the day stress free :)

ChomskyKnows @ Nov 3rd 2009 9:11AM

this is just marketing BS...

dark_inchworm (stronger than never, ever before) @ Nov 3rd 2009 9:47AM

Nice hat ya got there.

BigL @ Nov 3rd 2009 11:43AM

this is complete BS....i call BS on this story the minute I read it!!! You expect me to believe the dog was able to complete that whole process?!?! WOOOW EFF THAT!! Now me who legitimately bought a 1600 MS PT card and i added to my account, I went to DL maps for GOW2 and it keeps getting stuck at 99% and wont finish and MS wont do absolutely sh!t about it after I have been an xbox live customer for 5 yrs and not once have I ever b!tched about anything and they dont wanna refund me!?!?!? WOOOOOW EFF to the mother FN YOU MS.

whylekat @ Nov 3rd 2009 3:59PM

"Now, if Microsoft would just introduce a canine Avatar model, Oscar would be set for life."

sounds more like they're too busy being introduced... To free publicity. ;)

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