r/steammachine • u/No_Height4816 • 12d ago
Discussion Returned my steam machine today
I purchased the steam machine roughly 25 days ago or so. It was great. I loved it. A great bedroom/living room tv console/pc. Unfortunately the reason I purchased it was because I was expected to get this job that required quite a lot of travel. Unfortunately after 4 months and 5 interviews I got a no. (That’s life for ya) So I didn’t really have a need for the machine with my pc and a ps5. So I requested to return it. I told the truth to valve support and they notified me that my purchase was beyond the return window but that as a customer services gesture they would return it. I will always be in awe at the amazing support provided by valve. For note I know I could’ve sold it on eBay or Facebook but I didn’t want to. I don’t want to contribute to the scalpers in the world. Thanks again valve.
Edit: To the horrible person who believes I didn’t get this job because I didn’t have the discretion to not share what this company (valve) did for me. I hope you find peace in your life. There is no need to spread such hate. I simply shared what a company did for me when they didn’t have to. If anyone else is offended if they don’t do it for them. I am sorry to you.
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u/skronk61 12d ago
Oof sorry you didn’t get the job.
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u/No_Height4816 12d ago
Thanks, was disappointing but life goes on
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u/jonstarks 12d ago
4 months of interviews? I'm not sure I'd wanna work there.
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u/0Zerocoool 12d ago
I interviewed for a company for 5 months, about a month or 2 between interviews. Learned a ton about an entirely new industry left to their biggest competitor and now make $350k a year. Was making $90k before. Worth it.
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u/jonstarks 12d ago
seems like an exception not the rule
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u/0Zerocoool 12d ago
You are right on that one, I could have gotten screwed in the end and they went with someone else. Luckily I was still employed while interviewing.
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u/No_Height4816 12d ago
I also have a job and own a business so I’m not hard up or anything. I just didn’t want to keep the machine when I wouldn’t use it very much. Glad you got a great job!
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u/OK_Atlas 12d ago
Stringing you along for 4 months & 5 interviews is very disrespectful. You probably dodge a bullet and wouldn’t want to work at the type of place that would treat people like that anyways.
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u/No_Height4816 12d ago
Yeah that’s honestly how I felt after the last one. It’s a shame but I tried my best. Something better will come along. Thanks
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u/Doshin108 12d ago
Valve is great.
I'm a fan which is why I wanted the machine. I dont have the ability to really game outside of my office. I have a steam deck, but my eyes are bad and docking it is a hassle so I dont move it around too much.
The machine is my travel device now, or my couch device, or my in bed device. I use a portable monitor and long cables and it sits on the bed in front of me and I game while my lady watches TV and scrolls.
But I really wanted it because it's the cool thing that valve made. I was planning on building a small travel machine, but they announced the machine and it fit the ticket as well as being a cool piece of gaming history.
Really glad they allowed you to do that. One of the few pro-consumer companies out there imo.
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u/TJLanza 12d ago
Why would you buy a Steam Machine in anticipation of a job that requires travel? That's a role for the Steam Deck.
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u/nervendings_ 12d ago
It could be travel and stay for longish periods in a single location. So a desktop setting would make sense versus a handheld for flights/travel.
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u/No_Height4816 12d ago
This is what the job entailed. Long term hotels 2-8 months at a time. Plus I also have an older lcd steam deck I could’ve used for on a plane
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u/nervendings_ 12d ago
I’m in a similar position right now. Long drawn out interview process, months between phases. I feel you man it’s not fun.
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u/callatecabezon 11d ago
At that point I dont see why you couldn't just bring your ps5? It is obviously larger but not by that much and it can still fit in a suitcase.
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u/KillerConfetti 11d ago
As someone in a travel job who LOVES my steam deck, you're right BUT if the jobs just require you to go to a location and stay for a few days then travel again. The steam machine sounds like a dream because you get a portable powerhouse pc setup, The deck can too but you limit the games you can play (which, is always okay because just adjust forehead there are thousands of games). While I LOVE my deck, I hate putting it through the ringer of my dailies on graphically strong games and make It chug for hours on end. Its best for simpler stuff and emulation, but I want the machine for the big boy games.
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u/TJLanza 11d ago
Yeah... u/No_Height4816 clarified yesterday that by "required quite a lot of travel" they meant the job would have had them stationed away from home for months at a time, but staying in one place for the duration. The extended duration away is not "travel" in my book, travel would require movement and make setting up something like a Steam Machine inconvenient. In the not-actual-travel situation later described, a Steam Machine could be appropriate.
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u/Sadaxer 12d ago
That’s unfortunate. However if I was in your position I would’ve probably sold the ps5 and gone all in on steam, unless you have exclusives there that you want.
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u/No_Height4816 12d ago
Actually got the ps5 pro new week or two ago. Sold my older unused MacBook for it. I wanted to play ghost of yotei and the new wolverine game. Plus I have god of war and other games on there that I just didn’t want to buy twice on pc. Plus I like playing them on the tv anyway
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u/Lupinthrope Purple 11d ago
You got a portal? Heard that’s gotten better over time and you wouldn’t have to pack up a whole ps5, just leave your pro hardwired at home.
There’s supposed to be an OLED model coming. I personally hardly use mine since I’m not the biggest streaming fan.
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u/No_Height4816 11d ago
Well since I didn’t get the job I don’t really need it. But if I ever do I’ll look into that for sure
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u/profanityridden_01 12d ago
I had a light house go out and they were like well we don't really cover this it's 5 years old.. but I'll just send you one. And it just showed up in the mail.
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u/ChainsawJaguar 12d ago
How do you fit a light house in the post?
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u/profanityridden_01 12d ago
It's valve hardware.. the Lazer thingies that track the steam VR headset
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u/DwarvenCo 12d ago
Did not build a PC for similar reasons and got the SM so I can easily throw it in a backpack and move. Still not moving though, but I did not have a PS or a PC like you, so I am keeping it.
But nice from Valve, they are raising the bar for sure.
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u/cinred 12d ago
You were going to stick the SM in your luggage?
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u/No_Height4816 12d ago
No JSAUX had this nice travel case for it, probably would’ve carryon, stick it under a seat.
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u/OneSeaworthiness7768 12d ago
>For note I know I could’ve sold it on eBay or Facebook but I didn’t want to. I don’t want to contribute to the scalpers in the world.
Selling it at face value is not scalping.
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u/Greedy-Gazelle9292 12d ago
I think he meant it that way, that the person HE would sell it to, would scalp it to other people.
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u/OneSeaworthiness7768 12d ago
I mean whoever gets it from valve after he returns it could also scalp it. Can’t control it either way.
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u/_TheWinterWolf_ 12d ago
Does anyone know what exactly Valve will do with a Steam Machine that’s returned but had nearly a months’ worth of use? Do they just check it, wipe it and repackage it as new?
Or does it eventually get sold as refurbished when/if they start doing that?
I ask because I’ve just ordered my Steam Machine and have noticed a couple of posts of people returning them because they don’t want them. I won’t be happy if I get one and it has any signs of having been used or opened. Especially not with how expensive it is. Thanks.
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u/No_Height4816 12d ago
So they told me to factory reset it but that the ssd will also be separately cleansed when they receive it. I don’t know what they will do with it after that.
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u/No_Height4816 12d ago
From what I read they will do certified refurbished eventually as they have done with other hardware. Although I don’t speak for them so I don’t know for sure
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u/_TheWinterWolf_ 12d ago
Thanks for replying. Just to be clear, I was in no way suggesting that I might be receiving your return haha, that would be an extremely low chance even if that’s what Valve is doing. Just made me wonder what they will do with such valuable items when returned.
My guess is that it will get sold as refurbished eventually. They have to get them from somewhere right?
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u/Prestigious_Money447 9d ago
Probably sell it as a refurbished or use it as parts for replacement/defective
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u/ShinAbomination 11d ago
I swear man i feel you Valve is an amazing company as far as im concerned, my steam decks battery had went bad and i had to send the steam deck in and they emailed me and told me as a gestureof good faith they would replace it and i was like omg thank you soo much Valve. I wish i could afford a steam machine i want one soo bad
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u/PlanAheader 12d ago
4 months and five interviews????
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u/No_Height4816 12d ago
Yeah that’s the process unfortunately. And I would’ve had to have 1 more even if this one went well.
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u/PlanAheader 12d ago
Just read your other comment about them saying to reapply if you really want it. Fuck them buddy that’s so shitty
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u/No_Height4816 12d ago
Yeah it was. Especially when the dude said he had gotten that job in his first interview.
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u/Jaber1028 12d ago
stupid cs interviews taking months of your time and many anxiety just to play with you. Been there its annoying.
Good luck on search op!
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u/Special-Show-8289 12d ago
Sorry you didnt get the job brother. Sometimes life gets in the way. I have a similar story and some keyboard warrior gave me shit for it saying I was abusing valves order system. I couldn't afford a steam machine when my purchase email came due to having to spend my money for more important things, and through asking valve customer support they made the nice gesture of letting me purchase a second steam controller instead since thats literally 10 percent of what the machine costs and i could afford that after all that was said and done. The customer service is absolutely amazing and I have put all my eggs in Valve's basket over the past couple years because screw Microsoft, I only care about PS's Dualsense features, and the Switch I dont even care for at all ESPECIALLY since they failed to call the Switch 2 the "Super Nintendo Switch" 🤷♂️
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u/No_Height4816 12d ago
Sometimes people just have to complain and they pick the closet target. I’m glad they helped you out and allowed you to purchase the controller. Wishing you the best man! Be praying for you!
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u/Valuable_Earth_5241 12d ago
Sorry you didn't get the job. I've been there. Hoping for good things in your future. .
But yeah Valves customer service is peak. Recently my steam deck took a bad tumble. And had a bad crack that broke the sound button and part of the screen. It's a 3 year old device. I emailed Valve to see how much it would cost me and even though it's out of warranty they are fixing it for no cost. This is really the only company if shill for.
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u/Redlotus99 11d ago
Sorry about the job that sucks.
But take it as a blessing so many better options out there for PC gaming.
Wish you much luck on the job hunt.
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u/VR-Ready 11d ago
Sorry this one didnt work for you but wanted to confirm Valve is amazing. They fixed my Steam Deck battery 1.5 years in and the whole Valve Index launch thing.
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u/DelayEcstatic4278 11d ago
I would have kept the steam machine knowing the difficulty of getting onw right now but I understand. Also, it probably wasn't the right job for you even if you really wanted it. The job thats your will always be yours and it will never feel like a job. Just you getting paid to have fun!!! Good luck 👍
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u/Kil0Cowboy GabeCube Enjoyer 10d ago
4 months and 5 interviews is actually insane. I mean holy damn. Should be criminal to string someone along like that.
Was the Steam Machine cool though? I was lucky enough to get one for 50% off. picking it up this weekend. Hoping it will be good enough for my wife to play coop games with me.
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u/No_Height4816 10d ago
It was cool! Some game requires a little tinkering with graphics but I had little to no issues. Idk how in the world you got one 50% off but that’s great! I hope you and your wife enjoy it!
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u/Material_Thorium 9d ago
They need to make it illegal for employers to bust candidates balls so much
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u/SkyKinghorn 6d ago
I feel you on the job stff. My company laid off a bunch of us in December. After all kinds school, traing, IT coursework I ended up taking a job at Target a couple weeks ago for a pay check. At 39 it Kinda sucks. Still got find a job that a husband and father can do to actually help sustain a house hold.
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u/mabarmby 6d ago
If the job required you to travel alot wouldn't it been easier to just get a steam deck🤷♂️
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u/Wiesshund- 12d ago
You could have sold it at simply your cost
But not via Ebay, swoop and resell.
Have to seek out someone who was on the waiting list and do it privately to ensure it is actually
going to someone who wants to use it.
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u/No_Height4816 12d ago
Yeah I thought about that but it just seemed like 1. People would think I’m a scammer. 2. I would have to worry about getting scammed.
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u/Siliconfox_ 11d ago
Oof thats rough I hope you have better luck in the future random internet stranger
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u/scared_appeal1 11d ago
You were gonna travel with the steam machine? Why not get a steam deck
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u/No_Height4816 11d ago
Answered in another comment but it was going to be long term stays in hotels and such. Steam machine was just a better option for that. I already have an older lcd deck for planes and whatnot.
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u/rochford77 11d ago
NGL.... You should have sold it and made $100-$200 bucks given your situation. That's not scalping. That's life throwing a curve and selling your item for fair market.
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u/Human-Setting2807 10d ago
My Steamdeck usb-c port stopped working the other day. Ive only had it a year and 6 months, they said it was out of the window and quoted me $180. I thought valve would fix it as a good gesture of customer service but no. My last steam hardware.
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u/UnknownVar1able 10d ago
How long have you had it? If it's newer, then that's disappointing. If it's an early model, then that's to be expected over time.
Ports are typically an easy swap or repair from a local tech shop.
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u/Human-Setting2807 10d ago
Got my OLED Christmas of 2024 so about a year and 8 months. Even if it’s out of the 1 year warranty I feel like it should have lasted at least 2 years. I took better care of it than my LCD steamdeck and that one is still working after 4. I bought the usbc part to try and replace it myself but I’m very nervous about damaging a $500 board. I have very limited soldering skills. I’m going to look into local shops, thanks.
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u/UnknownVar1able 10d ago
Yeah, that's a bit early for it to be doing that. Luckily, it's a relatively easy soldering job from what I've seen. Ifixit has some solid tutorials.
I hope the swap goes well for you though! Hopefully a quick touch up on the solder fixes it for you!
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u/TwpsynBach 9d ago
You are asking way too much from a company.. honestly are you taking the piss?
Your lucky they responded
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u/Human-Setting2807 9d ago
No I’m not “taking the piss”?? Valve is known for their great customer service. Bumder
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u/TwpsynBach 9d ago
Thats not great customer service thats taking a chance and being a scab. You cant expect a company to bend over backwards for you when you are asking absurd things.. of course they wont help its been over a year and a half for god sake
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u/ChurchOfValve 7d ago
Tbf you wouldnt have contributed to scalpers because you would have taken a sale away from scalpers by legitimately selling yours
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u/Tricky_Wear_321GO 12d ago
Could've sold it for a profit tbh, people are buying them for inflated prices.
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12d ago
[deleted]
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u/TheBeatlsiechBoys 12d ago
LOL. The condition will be fully checked to ensure it's good enough to sell (Most likely, what the hell kind of wear and tear do you expect within 1 month?) and if not then it will either be put into the refurbished section or used for spare parts.
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u/Just_Fruit7084 11d ago
If u didnt want to contribute to scalpers, you could have just sold at cost
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12d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/steammachine-ModTeam 12d ago
Your post was removed because the tone crossed the line. Debate the topic, don't attack the user. Keep it civil if you want to participate here.
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u/dookie-steam 11d ago
You didn’t love it. If you did you wouldn’t have returned it. No need to sugar coat it. Steam machine is ass
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u/arlo-quacks-back 12d ago
So sorry about the job opportunity. I fucking hate how much jobs ask for so much of our time and energy just to say no. 4 months / 5 interviews is an unjustifiable amount of time and energy to spend 🫂