Confused why characters are deleted.

[Feba]

It's not SE's fault you don't remember your old account info.

[Kailea]

Here is my story to put it simple. 4-5 years ago I buy FFXI when it was first released in the US. I play for nearly 2 years. I quit game and buy WoW. Cancelling *not deleting* my content ID. Eventualy I grow bored of WoW and using the return to Vandiel campaign I have my content ID restored, I'm back. (and a new set of keys given to me voiding my old ones) The expansion for WoW comes out. Once again I cancel *not delete* my content ID. Eventualy as always WoW becomes boring and I'm looking to see the expansion's here with my original character. That is my story.. so far.

I have been on the chat with guy (as mentioned above for about 5mins, after a 6 hour wait). I sat on hold on the phone for nearly 3 hours with no answer, as to the suggestion above after the chat. Being as I work 2nd shift on the east coast getting a hold of these people is really difficult not to mention it seems like 3478912347912 people are calling or trying to get online support with maybe 1 or 2 agents doing this job. Pretty much ready to give up. I got off work early today due to lack of work. 6pm EST I got home, and have been on hold on the chat once again since 6:30pm... it's now 8:55pm and they close at 9pm my time.. once again gg SE. I don't see this happening...

again stop using the online chat, call them, you get better results in my opinion

also, I dont get the "give new cd-keys" that does not make since, I had my charater restored and was never give new keys.... although I was only gone for 6 months

[Vinnie66]

I know ALL my info. I have both sets of keys. I can't even log into PoL with my old keys, as I said my original keys were deleted with the first return to vanadiel campaign, they deleted them and gave me my new ones. Don't ask me why I don't know. All i know is new keys were given.. my old character restored on this new set of keys and off I went.

I would call them.. if I could get through.. and not be charged about 300$ to call the west coast. I did get through on the online chat today however after a 4-5 hour wait, and I obviously won't be returning.

You have been connected to SER James.
SER James: Hello, Vincent, thank you for contacting the PlayOnline Information Center. Just a few moments while I review your question, please.
SER James: For security reasons, we are unable to address your account issues without first verifying your identification. Please respond with the following information:
SER James: PlayOnline ID
Full Real Name
Birthdate
Complete Mailing Address
PlayOnline Registration Code
Current Credit Card information, first 4 and last 4 digits only.
Me: ********
ME : ********
Me : ********
Me : darnit i left my wallet in the car for my CC.. can i go grab it fast? 30 seconds?
SER James: That's about as long as I can wait
Me : baack sorry
Me : **** ****
SER James: Thank you. Unfortunately we will not be able to assist you with your request, as all original Content IDs on this account have been deleted due to inactivity.
SER James: The only possibility of recovering any old characters on this account would be if another Return Home to Vana'Diel Campaign is offered
Me : but i was told if i didnt delete them they can be restored?
Me : i never deleted it?
Me : i only *cancelled* my id.. not delete..
SER James: As noted in the manual, Content IDs are subject to inactivity deletion after the first 90 days of cancellation
Me : my friend who didnt play for 3 yrs just had his restored just last week.. we were supposed to restore together.
SER James: On this account, the Content IDs have been deleted due to inactivity
SER James: I cannot speak as to what may or may not have happened on another account, only this one.
SER James: And on this account, the only option is to purchase a new Content ID and create a new character
Me : so after a 6 hr wait on this god forsaken chat you wish to say that you guys delted my 3 yrs of work? thanks a lot.. you wont be seeing my purchases or a new account from me..

End

So as you can see SE does not just store your content ID even if you only cancel it. I never deleted it and was deleted by them (not me), for whatever reason I don't know. Inactiviy obviously, but really I guess they just don't want repeat customers. Guess I just got unlucky and some people get lucky. Regardless I obviously won't be returning. So I bid you all farewell and thanks for your tips and hopes. I will have to find a time killer elsewhere.

[Kailea]

I know ALL my info. I have both sets of keys. I can't even log into PoL with my old keys, as I said my original keys were deleted with the first return to vanadiel campaign, they deleted them and gave me my new ones. Don't ask me why I don't know. All i know is new keys were given.. my old character restored on this new set of keys and off I went.

I would call them.. if I could get through.. and not be charged about 300$ to call the west coast. I did get through on the online chat today however after a 4-5 hour wait, and I obviously won't be returning.



End

So as you can see SE does not just store your content ID even if you only cancel it. I never deleted it and was deleted by them (not me), for whatever reason I don't know. Inactiviy obviously, but really I guess they just don't want repeat customers. Guess I just got unlucky and some people get lucky. Regardless I obviously won't be returning. So I bid you all farewell and thanks for your tips and hopes. I will have to find a time killer elsewhere.

no its called freeing up space, everyone knows that after 3 months of inactivity, an account has the possibility of being wiped out. Its not SE's fault, your friend got lucky, you did not.

also not SE's fault that you choose to use online chat, and wait that long, useing the phone is atleast 2x as fast.

[Vinnie66]

You are joking about the phone being faster right? It took me an hour of speed dialing just to beat the busy signals.. when i finally did i sat on listening to this computerized voice tell me how important my call is and that they will be with me shortly. for 3 hours

As for making space.. it's not like they have 10 million accounts.. and it's not like a few text files of binary's and such take up that much room regardless.. oh well right. It's about a 60$ savings from me buying a couple expansions and a new monthly fee, i guess as a business they don't want mine so.. life goes on

[Kailea]

You are joking about the phone being faster right? It took me an hour of speed dialing just to beat the busy signals.. when i finally did i sat on listening to this computerized voice tell me how important my call is and that they will be with me shortly. for 3 hours

As for making space.. it's not like they have 10 million accounts.. and it's not like a few text files of binary's and such take up that much room regardless.. oh well right. It's about a 60$ savings from me buying a couple expansions and a new monthly fee, i guess as a business they don't want mine so.. life goes on

you dont know how much space a character can really take up, unless you work for them..... to keep everything running smoothly they need to clean up and defrag things every once in a while. Your account was a target, because it was on the inactive list. Its funny.....you are mad at them for doing their job.....

Get over it and start over if you want to play so bad, instead of whining here.

[Vinnie66]

The only mmo on the market that actually delete's characters. Am i whining? No. Am i a bit frustrated? Yes, namely at the fact of spending 20 hours of my time to get an answer.

Not saying the game is bad, but with a mediocre account base at best, how many people do you think they have, like me, that have turned away for the same reason? Do you think it hurts them more to lose the come back customer than it does storing a few mb's of files? I think it does. So if doing their job involves turning potential customers away then that's the way it is. Never said I wanted to play soooo bad either.. now you are beginning to troll my thread but no matter I am moving on anyway

[Kailea]

The only mmo on the market that actually delete's characters. Am i whining? No. Am i a bit frustrated? Yes, namely at the fact of spending 20 hours of my time to get an answer.

Not saying the game is bad, but with a mediocre account base at best, how many people do you think they have, like me, that have turned away for the same reason? Do you think it hurts them more to lose the come back customer than it does storing a few mb's of files? I think it does. So if doing their job involves turning potential customers away then that's the way it is. Never said I wanted to play soooo bad either.. now you are beginning to troll my thread but no matter I am moving on anyway

bye

[Hazina]

Lesson number 1 of FFXI playing, always reactivate your account every 5 months if you decide to graze other pastures :D

Honestly it sounds like your issue is with the keys, you should never have to change your keys as it opens a whole new account?? Did you ever cancel your playonline ID? Because that might do it.... Content IDs is what stores your character info, playonline ID is what stores your address, payment, password, username and what not. If you cannot even log into pol my guess is you lost your playonline ID not your content ID which can be activated and reactivated fairly easily....

Sorry if I said something that you already knew....

[Kailea]

Lesson number 1 of FFXI playing, always reactivate your account every 5 months if you decide to graze other pastures :D

Honestly it sounds like your issue is with the keys, you should never have to change your keys as it opens a whole new account?? Did you ever cancel your playonline ID? Because that might do it.... Content IDs is what stores your character info, playonline ID is what stores your address, payment, password, username and what not. If you cannot even log into pol my guess is you lost your playonline ID not your content ID which can be activated and reactivated fairly easily....

Sorry if I said something that you already knew....

he said that when he used the return to Vana program back the first itme, they gave him new keys... and honestly that does not sound right.....

[Hazina]

Hmmmm no it doesn't your game keys are tied to your playonline ID are they not? At least that was my understanding. Mr or Miss SE rep might have screwed up on that one, or OP canceled his playonline ID ><

Yay for research! Looks like you can receive a new playonline account if you ever canceled it afterall : Return to Vana'diel Campaign

Good luck OP hope you do get your character(s) eventually.