Terrible Payment System

[Chocobits]

I agree. However, I feel as if Square-Enix is trying to kick the can down the road by keeping quiet about it - or the community reps are too afraid to actually bring the issue to the attention of the top brass in Tokyo. There's SOMETHING that led Square Enix to choose ClickandBuy over a proper, regulated American payment processing company - or doing it themselves. To me, this suggests that there have been business ethics violations on the same scale as the Livedoor scandal, and Square is probably trying their hardest to keep a lid on it.

Well, it's going to be impossible to keep a lid on it as long as users are willing to quit over a lack of reliable, trustworthy payment processing options.

P.S. Side note to Square Enix: If ClickandBuy tells you "we're reliable, we're trustworthy", and you're willing to put more value on their word over the customer's, then there is a very serious problem going on internally at Square-Enix...

I could be very off base with this observation, and if so correct me, but I've always felt that the Japanese business model revolved around the fact that JPs are more docile and less vocally objective than in countries like the US, so they don't tend to cry foul like we would. Negotiations are done in pubs and taverns over many drinks, and it's customary for one or both parties to bring "gifts" to the meeting, including money, women, jewelry or other incentives. Don't confuse gifts with bribes though - they're two very different things!

If something goes terribly wrong and an apology is needed, it's a very overly melodramatic affair where someone falls on their sword and accepts responsibility, instead of laying out a clear and concise plan out action to remedy the situation. (Tanakaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa)

Which works great. If your only customers are Japanese clients. Since they're not, antiquated business model is antiquated.

[Enri]

I hate the payment system with a passion

[Karbine]

Just registered a friend for FFXIV and it was almost enough explaining to him what he needs to do, to make him not want to try it. He noticed it was overly complicated and silly, and specifically said "Its like they don't want you to even play!". Just thought I'd re-state the importance of reforms to the payment set ups....

[Pyrix]

Wouldn't canceling your content ID for each character put the price down to $0.00?

[Neptune]

Are there really fees to use Click and Buy? I wasn't aware of that.

[Morticous]

Are there really fees to use Click and Buy? I wasn't aware of that.

Me neither....

[Libtech]

I didn't have any problems setting up a click and buy account. The only thing semi- inconvenient about it was my bank calling me to verify that a foreign company was trying to charge money on my credit card to establish my click and buy account, which wasn't very inconvenient.

If I need to provide them with a written notice for cancellation that seems fine to me. Also they haven't done anything shady to me yet as far as my credit card statement records go. Everything went pretty smoothly when I bought Crysta through Click and Buy for the Tokyo relief donation.

Doesn't seem like a big deal to me yet.

[bahley]

I agree Click and Buy is a terrible idea. After I found out FFXIV was going f2p indefinitely, I wanted to remove my credit card information from their site just because I am paranoid and don't want people to have my info if they don't need it. It was impossible and the only thing I could do was completely cancel my account. Something tells me though that they're still holding onto my credit card.

I have played many MMOs and have never seen such a convoluted registration and payment system. Why can't I just enter my credit card information in SE accounts page and then select an option for 1,3,6 months like pretty much every other company. That should be all there is to it, and it should be a process that takes 15 seconds.

[Veasna]

After I found out FFXIV was going f2p indefinitely.

Can't tell if serious, sarcastic or terribly misinformed.

[Chocobits]

Can't tell if serious, sarcastic or terribly misinformed.

FFXIV IS free indefinitely. Can't tell if definition of indefinitely eludes you. Hint: it doesn't mean "forever".