Three Copies of Generations

[Glic2000]

Aww I'm sorry, I wish I could gift them to people on this site but it's not very honest of me if I do, LOL.

Apparently you can.  Someone on the official forums discussed this was a customer service rep.  Here is the transcript:

"Scott: Hi, my name is Scott. How may I help you?
You: Hi Scott. So... what do we do with the extra copies that you guys sent out...?
You: Of The Sims 3 Generations.
You: A lot of us got an extra (or two) copy.
Scott: I did not understand
Scott: have you got the more than one copy of the game
Scott: >?
You: Sorry, but you're not speaking proper English. Can you please put me through to someone that does?
Scott: I meant that have you got the extra copies of the game than you ordered ?>
You: No. I pre-ordered The Sims 3 Generations about a week ago from EA. I received my free copy of Outdoor Living Stuff Pack and today I had two packages on my doorsteps. Each contained a copy of The Sims 3 Generations. I only ordered 1 copy of Generations, not two. And I was only charged for one.
You: People are receiving multiple copies of the game.
You: What do we do with them? Do we keep them or are you paying to send them back? Because I'm certainly not shipping it to you from my pocket.
Scott: You can distribute them to your friends
You: Seriously? lmao Do you guys even realize how many free games you shipped out?
Scott: No problem in the end our customer are benefiting from it . So its never a loss. "

[simlishlol]

Cool!

[DeNile]

Can I have one? Please?

[mysticmirror]

Are you serious? I can't believe they would say that. Just for my own conscious let me contact EA myself and if they say the same thing, sure I don't see why not. But how would I decide who to gift them to?

[PlatnumDymnd]

I got two all together. And I got two copies of the free Outdoor Living stuff pack. That's a good idea to go to the customer service. I think I will do it too.

Chronic are the games the same globally? UK the same as US? Australia?

[Pam]

I got three copies today.  I'll be contacting EA for information on what to do.  In the meantime, please DO NOT give your extra copies away.  At least, not to anyone on this Forum.  We cannot be involved with something that could be considered pirating.

[PlatnumDymnd]

Hey Pam! How are you feeling this eve? Wow three copies. I'm waiting for my turn on the EA customer service queue.

[mysticmirror]

I understand that Pam completely that's why I said I was going to contact EA myself first to see what they say. I don't want to do anything that considered wrong.

[PlatnumDymnd]

Ok I just got off with the EA customer support chat session and yes it seems to be an error on their part.

Amy: Hi, my name is Amy. How may I help you?
2291438777: hello?
Amy: yes.
2291438777: oh good. I'm so sorry. ok did you get my question?
Amy: yes.
Amy: You are afraid of charge.!!
Amy: We are not going to charge you!!
Amy: How many copies?
2291438777: why did i get extra copy?
Amy: its our mistake.
Amy: So you are not going to be get charged.
2291438777: i got two copies total. I did my pre-orders and so i got the free Outdoor Living also. Was that part of the error?
Amy: No shipment charge nothing.
Amy: Outdoor Living  is free to all users.
2291438777: So we just keep them?
Amy: Yes .
Amy: Enjoy gaming with EA.
Amy: Is there anything else I can help you with today?
2291438777: you have been a big help thanks
2291438777: gnite.


Man I should do pre-orders more often. I'm still going to keep an eye on my bank account for awhile.

[mysticmirror]

I'm going to be keeping a close eye on my bank account too. When I talk to EA and if they tell me to keep them I think I may just put them under my pillow for the Sim Fairy to come along and exchange them for simpoints...hey it could happen.

[Esther1981]

I got 2 boxes. Opened them and I have 2 Generations!  This is weird!!

[NancyJ]

They're not asking for them back? Wow, with the number of people that appear to be affected that's a huge ding in their bottom line. The 'value' of the boxed games is pennies but I imagine the shipping costs were non-negligible in a country as big as the US and if you factor in the lost sales from everyone who gives away 1-2 spare copies of the game, that's gotta be huge. I feel sorry for the poor sod whose mistake it was - he's gonna get lynched

[Pam]

I've just confirmed with EA customer support.  We can send the extra copies back without paying for shipping, but there is no compulsion to return them.  Here's the transcript from my chat session:

 Maria: Hi, my name is Maria. How may I help you?
 2292411024: Hi Maria.  I pre-ordered Generations and when it arrived, I actually got 3 copies of it. 
 2292411024: Am I going to be charged for the extra 2 topies?
 Maria: EA Store team is aware of the issue and is investigating the cause of it. You will not be charged for the additional copies of the game. If you are willing to send the copies back to us, then you can send us back the extra copies of the game and not have to pay for the shipping. As it was a mistake on our side, so there is no compulsion to send back.
 2292411024: I've had people say that it's ok to gift the extra copies.  But you would prefer that we return them?  I represent a Sims 3 Forum, so I want to have the correct information to pass on to our members.
 Maria: Well as this has been done from EA's end and is being investigated.
 Maria: So if you wish you can surely give us back and if you think you can have these copies with you the there is no issues.
 Maria: There is no compulsion to return.

[Seabody]

So.. hang on. People who pre-ordered Generations have been receiving multiple copies. At least Pam, Platnum and someone on the official forum talked to EA. EA has said that this was an error on their part, you will not be charged extra, they will be investigating, and you are free to do whatever you like with the copies of the game.
Is this right?

EDIT: And people who currently have more than one copy cannot give them out to people on this forum unless Pam gives us the green light?

[Pam]

Yes, they admitted that the problem is on their end and all that.  I suspect that probably a lot of people got duplicates.  So, I've passed along the information to all of you.  However, the Forum cannot be officially involved in organizing or promoting the gifting of the duplicate copies to members.  We can't control what goes on in private, though.  I have to advise caution about sharing personal information, as well.  And lastly, please do not post any specific information regarding how the extra copies have been disposed of on the Forum.  We will not be held liable for any issues or problems that may arise between Forum members or with Electronic Arts.