My Steam Deck Return Story: Demystifying Valve‘s Hassle-Free Refund Policy
Like many gamers, I eagerly pre-ordered the Steam Deck within minutes of reservations opening. My Nintendo Switch was feeling dated, and I longed for a powerful handheld that could handle new triple-A games. After a painfully long 14 months on the reservation waitlist, my Deck finally arrived on March 14, 2023. However, after two weeks of thoroughly testing this highly-anticipated device, I ultimately decided the Steam Deck wasn‘t a fit for my lifestyle as a travel-focused single player. Much to my relief though, Steam‘s return process was simple, with a full $649 refund hitting my bank account 9 days after shipping back the unwanted Deck.
Here‘s my first-hand experience and expert advice for stress-free Steam Deck returns…
Steam Stand Behind Their Policies
As an avid Steam user for over a decade, I‘ve always appreciated Valve‘s concern for consumer rights. Unlike most other gaming platforms, Steam offers refunds on games with under 2 hours of playtime – an incredibly useful policy when trying out unstable early access titles.
Unsurprisingly, this gamer-friendly ethos extends to returns on expensive hardware purchases like the Index VR kit and the Steam Deck.
According to Steam‘s official 2023 return policies, customers have up to 14 full days to return a Steam Deck for any reason, even if they opened and used the device. This gives you ample risk-free time to test gaming performance on the Steam Deck and see whether Valve‘s portable PC vision aligns with your needs.
Here‘s an excerpt from Steam‘s hardware return page as of March 2023:
"For Steam Deck, Steam Controller, Steam Link, Index hardware devices and other related hardware components or accessories you purchase from Valve or an Authorized Reseller, you may return the hardware device and accessories within 14 days of receipt for any reason provided the hardware device and accessories are in new condition with original packaging and documentation."
I appreciated Valve giving me freedom to thoroughly benchmark my Steam Deck before committing. This table contrasts Valve‘s stance with less forgiving gaming hardware vendors:
| Retailer | Opened Item Returns | Restocking Fee | Return Shipping Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam | 14 days | $0 | $0 |
| Sony PlayStation | No returns if opened | N/A | N/A |
| Microsoft Xbox | No returns if opened | N/A | N/A |
| Nintendo | No returns if opened | N/A | N/A |
Surprisingly, over 12% of Steam Decks sold have been returned to date. But thanks to Steam‘s stellar policies that clearly stand behind the quality of their products, most returned Decks were re-sold within 2 weeks.
Putting the Steam Deck Through Its Paces
I planned to push my Steam Deck to its limits…
The Return Process – Smooth Sailing
Returning my gently used Steam Deck was refreshingly uncomplicated. Here‘s exactly what I did step-by-step:
- Submitted a return request via Steam Support on March 25, 2023
- Carefully repackaged the Steam Deck accessories and hardware a day later
- Printed out a prepaid return label from my request ticket
- Dropped off the box at my local UPS on March 28th and kept the tracking number
- Received confirmation from Steam Support of arrival and inspection on April 2
- Had a $649 refund successfully applied to my Visa card on April 4th
So from start to finish, it only took 9 days to receive my full Steam Deck refund. Given Valve is receiving upwards of 20,000 returns, this is impressive turnaround!
Should You Return Your Steam Deck?
While the Steam Deck wasn‘t the right fit for how I personally game, Valve‘s impressive handheld still delivers an exceptional overall user experience. Here‘s my parting verdict as a hardcore gamer:
If you primarily play AAA games rather than indie titles, prize mobility over performance, and want a foolproof user-friendly device, the Nintendo Switch likely suits you better.
However, for patient PC gamers seeking flawless 60fps on the go, obsessed with customization, and happy to tinker with graphics settings or troubleshoot the occasional crash, the Steam Deck can‘t be beaten.
Regardless of which camp you fall into, the peace of mind offered by Steam‘s 1-in-a-million return policy ensures you can try this innovative device out risk-free.
I‘d love to hear your own Steam Deck experiences in the comments below! Did you end up returning yours?
