Hi Tankers ! I have been lurking here in the forum for a while and enjoying Tanki for a bit now. It's been easy to play and fun but all that changed a month ago. I have not put a fortune into the game but I 'am annoyed that the company that produce Tanki have used such a low and trashy trick too basically "up" long term income. I have read some have put hundreds of dollars into there tanks. I feel Tanki could have added extra components too the game or added some extra value to generate more income instead of taking back what they had already sold you and selling it back too you for vastly inflated prices which is very wrong (extortion) and a very shabby way too treat there very loyal customer base. I also suspect but cannot prove and may be wrong that the sudden way that the servers are suddenly become very laggy and almost in some cases unplayable (They where certainly not like this a month or two ago on my machines) with almost no explanation from the technical staff or information about how long it will be before its resolved leads me to suspect that this is just a big refreshment and clearout of the old customer base (fresh money noobs required) although I may just be getting cynical in my old age. Quote FederalBureauFBI "All I know is that you're registered, right? --> When registering, you accepted the EULA ---> you read the EULA ---> you understood that all the payments you do are non-recoverable - then don't complain. You won't get your money back. There is no theft. You ACCEPTED the conditions which say once you pay, you say 'bye' to your money. You accepted that. Now don't complain from the conditions. " Actually because the crystals where paid for with real life, real world hard earned money with the contract of "pay X currency for Y (non tangible) product, this puts this issue into real world law. Effectively Tanki's position must then be justified in real world terms. At the moment they have kept totally silent on this subject letting the unpaid and quite frankly unjustifiably loyal admins/volunteers take the front line flak. My point being: A: Speaking as a large online retailer (bigger than Tanki's senior company BTW) international distance selling regulations that exist in most developed countries state there is no difference in the sale of a "Tangible" product or service, to a "non Tangible" product. The sale of an online currency (eg crystals) to purchase further non tangible goods (virtual tank components) is the same as selling real life book tokens to purchase books (tangible goods) You cannot sell a product or service to someone then take that product back with out the buyers consent at a later stage because it belongs too them not the retailer. It is just plain theft regardless of what is left in return e.g.: I steal your book back in the night and leave you some more book tokens at a seriously reduced value to the books original value. Even if the tokens left where of a higher value, it's still without consent and is considered theft. Even if it states the purchased virtual property remains the property of Tankionline.com. This is not an opinion its actual Law with real world legal precedent. Google it! Especially WoW item and account thefts, there has been several successful prosecutions for it in several countries in Europe and America. Ref: Just one example: http://www.mmo-champ...orld-quot-theft Even if the Tanki contract states to the contrary of the law, the law still trumps there user contract, "(Insert Company name) reserves the right to change the contract at any time and without consent" is unenforceable/wrong in law and is always included in these standard user contracts for use, along with all the other vague butt covering attempts in the user contract to behave how they please which hold no precedent in law and this leads me to my second point. B: If you paid for your crystals via PAYPAL as I am sure a lot of you have. You have usually up to £500/$500 payback protection. Use it, it works! PayPal have a complaints systems If a 2nd party to a deal breaks there original sale of contract for whatever reason and refuses to return the payment they will (pending an investigation) return your money from there own pockets and then seek to pursue the 2nd party for the return. This also goes for most major credit card companies including Visa, MasterCard and American express. A lot of you are asking what can we do about it and the admin and others are stating "nothing just suck it up" well that's wrong; Point B: above is what you can do about it. This company as with all companies are relying on the fact you do not know your rights or just cannot be bothered to/ or have the time to pursue it and will just keep playing and stump up to re-upgrade or go over to World of Tanks (which is brilliant BTW but not the same thing as Tanki) even if 50% of you leave it will not take long for you to be replaced with noobs who are keen to climb fast (read spend) and have no clue as too what this game used too be like and will happily pay the higher prices making Tanki more in the long run. It's a standard old skool business trick to increase long term growth, a short shock and then long term gains by refreshing the customer base, they calculated the percentage that would leave in disgust and what you spend vs. the long term benefits of new players re stocking the garage at higher cost and guess what! Depressing isn't it. REF: Ford - cost of fuel tank safety modifications vs. insurance payout to bereaved families (Google it) Remember this only applies to crystal currency that has been purchased with real money with a proof of purchase not given or won in the game. The following responses to legitimate complaints about this issue are unacceptable and mean nothing in the real world if you want to do something about it. 1) Quoting the standard template downloaded EULA 2) Stop whining it's happened and there is nothing you can do about it The rebalance may be here to stay and that's for Tanki to decide ultimately, it's there choice but the interference in the pre-purchased items in your garage is very shaky. I have nothing further to say on this except this is my experience in the real world selling online in a similar company. It's up to you users to take the action to get your money back or go elsewhere (WOT). I am usually found gaming in the Novalogic games and have always been treated very well by them. I am not going to reply to this or start debating the points above. Make your own minds up and then tell your gaming friends what you think Tanki's reputation is. Ban me if you want admin I'am already in my Cruiser III on W.O.Ts playing capture the flag right now...Bye :P Barnsey