PSA: Don't buy the Before the Fall OST off the store for the Primogs code anymore.

I purchased the Before the Fall OST a few weeks ago, mostly for the Primogs minion code that the store page currently says it comes with. My OST arrived and I happily unwrapped it in the search for the code that would no doubt be within. Unfortunately the only thing I found was a 16 digit code for the Japanese Square Enix Store that I can't use, with no minion code in sight, I sent out a customer support ticket asking about it.

The first response I got from Customer Support simply told me "The OST isn't available until 2016 - 02 - 24 and that's why you haven't received your minion code yet."

Dumbfounded by how, when I said "Before the Fall OST" and "Primogs minion code", the Customer Service rep assumed I was talking about the unreleased Heavensward OST, I sent a reply explaining the situation a second time.

The next response included a picture of the OST with an MS painted circle around the spine of the OST where the code SHOULD have been included (But wasn't).

I replied once again stating that my copy didn't have any minion code in that location. All I received after this was a series of emails stating that only first run copies of the OST include the code and that if I opened the seal on the OST I couldn't return it for a refund. Basically, I'm screwed and there's nothing I can do about it.

So I'm making this post here to make sure everyone is aware that if they order the Before the Fall OST, there's a very good chance they will NOT be receiving the Bonus Code that the store page advertises.


To clarify, there is a pink tab over the album cover image that says "BONUS CODE INCLUDED" on the store page:

https://store.na.square-enix.com/pro...ray-music-disc

There is also a disclaimer on the page that says that only first run copies of the OST will include the code. Which, now that the first run appears to be over, makes the "BONUS CODE INCLUDED" message completely misleading and bordering on false advertisement.

Very very shady practice from a company that I love for a game that I love. I'm really upset that I got scammed like this and I hope it doesn't happen to anyone else.

If I remember it correctly (been awhile), the code is inside the small paper ad that is wrapped around the spine of the CD case, not inside the CD case itself. I agree it should be inside the case, but I'm pretty sure it's there instead. Hope that helps.

EDIT: Bah, sorry. Read too fast. Just read where you said your spine flap didn't have a code.

Wasn't that ridiculous first print thing only for Dalamud and Bahamut?

Holy crap dude. It should be in the little paper lining.

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x...psznpz2cco.jpg

Jesus.. I bought the thing myself mainly for the Primogs, and I can't deny the awesome soundtrack I listen to all the time.


Okay. So you bought it and didn't receive a code. That really sucks, I'll admit. Don't trust the SE store then, there are plenty of other sites to order from. I personally used CDJapan which verified that it was in fact a "First Press" edition, so I wasn't worried. I'm sorry you had to go through this, that's really bad on SE's part, but please don't turn people away from the soundtrack, as it is awesome, this is SE Store's fault.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MikeTavish

Very very shady practice from a company that I love for a game that I love. I'm really upset that I got scammed like this and I hope it doesn't happen to anyone else.

---

To be *somewhat* fair, the NA Square-Enix store isn't run by Square-Enix. It's actually run by a 3rd party company called Pepitastore Inc., who, in my personal experience, is the worst company I have ever dealt with when it comes to customer service.

This time around, I just ended up ordering the HW OST from cdjapan. I've never actually used them before, but I've read good things.

Sorry to hear about trouble. :/

Just to be clear, if you want the OST for the OST, by all means pick it up! It's fantastic!

I'm just warning people who are buying it primarily for the code that IS STILL ADVERTISED. You will likely not get a code.

That is not bordering on false advertisement.

That is a textbook example of false advertisement.

I have 2 copies of A Realm Reborn OST on Blu-Ray. My first one had the code for the Wind-up Bahamut that was already used. I called SE and made an ongoing discussion with them on why my code was already used. So then I went to CDJapan and got a copy from there, and it had the code in it. So I used that.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Naraku_Diabolos

I have 2 copies of A Realm Reborn OST on Blu-Ray. My first one had the code for the Wind-up Bahamut that was already used. I called SE and made an ongoing discussion with them on why my code was already used. So then I went to CDJapan and got a copy from there, and it had the code in it. So I used that.

---

See, I want the minion really badly because I'm a bit of a completionist in these games and not having that minion will bother me, but I really don't want to spend another $40+ to get it. It's really frustrating.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Admo

To be *somewhat* fair, the NA Square-Enix store isn't run by Square-Enix. It's actually run by a 3rd party company called Pepitastore Inc., who, in my personal experience, is the worst company I have ever dealt with when it comes to customer service.

---

SE just can't win can they, people said this same thing about Digital River which was the company that ran the SE store before Pepitastore.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MikeTavish

See, I want the minion really badly because I'm a bit of a completionist in these games and not having that minion will bother me, but I really don't want to spend another $40+ to get it.

---

You were effectively tricked into buying the wrong item, and any normal person would open it to get the code under the circumstances. I cannot see how they possibly have a leg to stand on if you demand to return it for a replacement with the code or a full refund. Or they could just send you a code on its own since it cannot be beyond their power to obtain one from S-E to fix things if they're misrepresenting a product. Keep pushing, they're in the wrong here, and take screenshots of the page on the site in case you have to escalate things further. Insist that you need it resolved swiftly so you can source a version with the code elsewhere if they can't provide one, too; they chose to run this offer and promote it this way. The Primogs are cute.

As someone who has all the OST minions so far, it's really troubling to hear that this could happen to me and SE would end up going "tough luck!"
It's one thing when it's the first print only ala Wind-up Dalmud. But the store is still saying they include the Primogs code.
This is a pretty terrible situation to have happen, and wouldn't wish that on anyone.

Nothing was really misrepresented, the icon does state that includes bonus code but if click on the item and read the information about the item it states that only first run copies had the bonus code.

Quote:

---

First-run Copies feature a Bonus In-Game Item
Copies of the initial run of the soundtrack will include an in-game item bonus code for a new minion – “The Primogs”! A set of five musical minions that can join you in your adventure!

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lexia

Nothing was really misrepresented, the icon does state that includes bonus code but if click on the item and read the information about the item it states that only first run copies had the bonus code.

---

I respectfully disagree; the listing is misleading. "BONUS CODE INCLUDED" clearly implies that a bonus code is, well, included, not that a bonus code once existed and it may or may not be included in the set. The Japanese version of the store uses the same kind of labels but puts a note in clear red text when a bonus is no longer available rather than a note in the present tense implying it's still included like the US page. The listing should be updated if they have run out of first press copies. Someone trying to get the code will trust the official shop more than any other vendor, even though third parties are more conscientious about advising their customers truthfully, it seems.

I cannot see how the OP can possibly lose any kind of claim against S-E under the circumstances. They advised that the code should have been there in email #2, and they're still showing the misleading wording, too, which could confuse more people in future. The very least they should be doing is accepting a return.

When did OP buy this? Cause SE store doesn't even have it for sell anymore as it on a waiting list so right there shows first run copies are not available anymore.

I bought it in late January.

Unfortunately the Customer Support team hasn't even responded to my last email. It seems that "You're screwed, deal with it" was pretty much all they had to say to me and when I asked for a replacement code they said they don't give out codes. I asked to return it and they said "You'll have to pay the shipping yourself and if it's opened at all you will receive no refund of any kind".

There's really nothing left I can do, that's why I came here, so I can at least help others before it happens to them too. Though looking at the store page now, it looks like they're out of stock.

They are technically imported as well, hence the price.

Pretty much first print means you have to buy them when it first comes out if you want to get the minion.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Admo

To be *somewhat* fair, the NA Square-Enix store isn't run by Square-Enix.

---

That's not really the consumers problem, that should be Square-Enix's problem.

I found the sound track on cdjapan
http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/SQEX-20022

They seem to cross of the code when they are out of first print copies and it seems they don't have any with the code as well.

So in the words of Customer Support, I'm screwed and there's nothing I can do about it. ;)

Maybe I got the last one, I ordered it in early January and got the minion D: Welp, guess I need to get on preordering the HW OST then.

Well, this most certainly sucks! I should be getting the soundtrack today and will be able to verify if they truly ran out of codes. I also got the art book and will see if the same BS applies there, too. If this is true then I hope a Dev or Moderator can chime in let the people responsible for the false advertisement know what's happening, because that is exactly what it is.

It's common in Japan to have bonusses with first press CDs/DVDs etc, but you can never really tell from the item itself whether it actually is a first pressing or not. The store in NA and EU import the soundtracks from Japan, so they might think they're still getting the first press edition even when they're not.

Only recommendation I can give, is if you really want a Japanese CD/DVD only for the bonus, make sure to pre-order it, or get it through CDJapan where they actually tell you if it's a first press edition or not.

As others have stated, I would use CDJapan for now on if i were you. I will personally go to SE Store first if it just released but man before the fall is almost a year old i mean yea they falsely advertised i wont deny this and its BS but you also learned a lesson and the truth might suck and this is rude and i apologize but you gotta be a smart shopper as well. CDJapan has a leg up already, they let you know when first print is sold out.

If you havent imported from Japan be prepared for possible customs issues and if they turn up use CDJapan's customer support they were a big help.

Im sorry you had to go through this. One more bad thing ive heard of their service and another not to use it.

And while its not SE running it, the people who do run it represent SE nonetheless.

I still don't think it false advertising, just think people need to look pass the flashy eye candy border and read the actual description of the page cause it does state

Quote:

---

First-run Copies feature a Bonus In-Game Item
Copies of the initial run of the soundtrack will include an in-game item bonus code for a new minion – “The Primogs”! A set of five musical minions that can join you in your adventure

---

and if you notice even further below that it was released on

Quote:

---

Release Date: 8/26/2015

---

and assuming how fast stuff from the SE store sells out ordering something 5 months after it release pretty high chance it not going to be a first run print. It was why lot of companies put a little note on their ads like "limited time offer" or "while supplies last" which is pretty much what the store is saying by the first run disclaimer.

Fifty dollars for a soundtrack in of itself is pretty steep, even if it did come with a minion.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Morzy

As others have stated, I would use CDJapan for now on if i were you. I will personally go to SE Store first if it just released but man before the fall is almost a year old i mean yea they falsely advertised i wont deny this and its BS but you also learned a lesson and the truth might suck and this is rude and i apologize but you gotta be a smart shopper as well. CDJapan has a leg up already, they let you know when first print is sold out.

---

But you forget that not everyone has heard of CDJapan. I never did and I would trust Square Enix store before any other store I've never heard of.

Also, not everything sells out right away. I visit the store often and some items take months before the sell out. The only item I ever saw sell out quickly were the Carbuncle plushes. Even the other plushes didn't have high demand like the Carbuncles. The books and CDs don't seem to sell out quick either from what I've noticed. At least not at the Square Enix store.

Yeah I had no idea there was any other option for the OST other than the Square Enix Store. And yes, while the page does say the release date and that only first run copies come with the code, I also did some research prior to ordering and found a reddit post from December with someone mentioning they got the OST recently and it had the code. Combine that with the "BONUS CODE INCLUDED" and I figured for sure they still had codes.

As far as the Art book goes, I bought that in the same order and it had the code, so I wouldn't worry about that.

I wish a dev would just be super cool and give me a code or something. Hint hint.

Well, I got my order today and I did receive the code for the Primogs. I ordered it on February 2, 2016. You must've gotten a bad CD package that's just missing the code. I would definitely get a hold of customer service. That definitely sucks now that I know they didn't run out.

I too gotten my code just a week ago. I ordered through Amazon (Since I live in singapore and SE's store does not to oversea shipping) and made sure they stated that the code was given. Cost me about 70USD which sucks.

Well, this is even more disheartening. Not sure what my options are here since Customer Service wasn't willing to do anything for me.