Bethesda ‘redeem code’ does NOT work [Update August 12, 2023]

I just realised that the screenshot that should have appeared with this post did not make it past the preview so here are the two screenshots, I sent to Bethesda:

This is the screenshot referenced in the post below. If you click on the image it will open at full size.

And this is the original screenshot dating from August 4, 2023. Again, if you click on the image, you can see that apart from the date, the two screenshots are the same because the problem remains the same.

cheers,
Meeks

Warning: this is going to be an angry post.

I’ll start by defining some terms:

Bethesda is the company that created the Elder Scrolls Online [ESO]. ESO is what’s known as an MMORPG, or a massively multiplayer role playing game.The game keeps expanding and those expansions are called ‘chapters’ [by ESO].Each ‘chapter’ has to be bought so you can play it. The way you buy a ‘chapter’ is by buying an ‘activation code’.The activation code unlocks code that is already there, but unavailable.You can buy said activation code from Bethesda itself, or Steam [a gaming platform], or from a third party reseller.The third party reseller I have been using for years is called Greenman Gaming. Greenman Gaming sells me an activation code that it receives from Bethesda.To apply the activation code, you go to the Bethesda website, login, press ‘Redeem Code’, type or copy-paste the activation code into the appropriate box. And that should be it. By redeeming the code, the relevant chapter should be unlocked. The latest ‘chapter’ is called Necrom.I bought Necrom on August 4, 2023. I am still waiting for the activation code to be redeemed.

In other words, I’m still waiting for something I bought and paid for to actually work.

The tech support person at Greenman Gaming has been great, but as the activation code comes from Bethesda, and as it has to be redeemed on the Bethesda website, there’s nothing they can do.

When I first contacted Bethesda support, this is what I was told:

‘We understand you are having an issue with a third party purchase.We do not have the tools to support a third party purchase and request you reach out to the seller for any problems you may have.’

I had contacted Greenman Gaming as soon as the code didn’t work. I admit, at that point I was wondering whether I’d bought a dodgy activation code. Greenman Gaming replied:

‘We have been partnered with Zenimax and Bethesda for years, and we receive all of our game keys from them directly, we haven’t experienced their support team refusing to assist with an issue such as this before.’

I emailed Bethesda support again:

‘Hi. Thanks for your response, but it doesn’t make any sense. I’ve always bought my chapters/DLCs from third party sellers, and this is the first time I’ve had any issues redeeming the code.
As for contacting the seller, I’ve already done so and they told me to contact you. I feel as if you’re all passing the buck on this one.
Question: is there a reason the activation code I entered is not working? Or is there a problem with the /redeeming/ of that code? And why would buying the upgrade from a third party seller be a problem in the first place?’

At the end of that email, I asked that the issue be escalated until I received a ‘proper answer’.

On August 5, 2023, I received another email from Bethesda that acknowledged my request:

‘I am escalating your ticket to a specialized team to ensure you receive the best possible resolution of your issue. Thank you for your patience while they review your request, they should be reaching out to you shortly.’

Shortly did not happen.

Every two days I sent an email to ensure that the support request wasn’t closed after 4 days of inactivity. In my last email I said I would go public if I didn’t get some satisfaction.

Today, August 10, 2023, I finally received an email from a new person at Bethesda. This person essentially told me to do what I’d ALREADY DONE BEFORE. The tone of the email was particularly infuriating as it seemed to imply that I was too stupid to follow the most basic of instructions. Worse, the redeem code function still did not work.

After testing the instructions, this is what I replied:

RJS – this response is both useless and offensive!

You have told me to do EXACTLY WHAT I HAVE DONE BEFORE. On EXACTLY the same page. With EXACTLY the same result. And that result is a FAIL.

If you had bothered to look at any of the screenshots I sent during the course of this laughable ‘support’, you would see that I had already done what you ‘suggested’. And this is the result today:

[image error]

This is the screen you see AFTER you enter data into the Redeem Code box. There, circled in red,  is the keycode I copy-pasted in order to ensure that I did not make a mistake. And there, also circled in red is the data and time.

Hoping that this time something would be different, I waited a good 5-10 minutes before checking my email. The result? NOTHING FROM BETHESDA!!!!!!!

I then checked my spam folder and again….NOTHING FROM BETHESDA.

Please do not treat me like an idiot. I want this problem escalated to someone who actually knows what he or she is doing. The problem is with the Bethesda website and I want it fixed. In the meantime, I am going to follow through and go public with this mess. I’ve had enough.

Andrea Flory

I guess I can understand the patronising tone of the tech support person as I did make the mistake of mentioning that I was 70. I guess they didn’t read the part about using computers for 40 years. -grinds teeth-

What I can’t understand is how a company as big as Bethesda can be so poor at customer support. Or perhaps they know what the problem is but are not prepared to fix it for just one[?] customer. Or perhaps they’re so big they think it won’t matter if one[?] customer gets angry.

At this point, I am so outraged, I’m prepared to be a thorn in Bethesda’s side until hell freezes over.

Apologies but I had to vent or go crazy,
Meeks

p.s. If anyone else has had this issue, I’d love to hear about it in comments!