As the title says, would a game exchange on GOG work? I just want to put this out there and see what others think:

- You buy a game but before downloading have decided you don’t want to play it.

- Another GOG user does the same but with a different game

- Both purchased games are checked to see if they’ve been downloaded (I think this can be automated, rather than having GOG staff check each account). If they haven’t been downloaded..

- ..The two users can then exchange their games

I don’t envisage the price of the game being an issue as GOG won’t lose out. Also, there’s no financial transaction, just a straight exchange. So I could exchange a $10 for a $5 game. My loss financially but I gain a game I want to play.
It’s just an idea and in all likelihood, I’ve missed something obvious that would prevent this working. Any thoughts or suggestions would be much appreciated.

If I recall right, in that case (= you haven't yet tried to download the game, nor the extras) GOG will refund you the game, if you want. So both persons could ask for a refund and buy the game which they really wanted.

Then again, I don't see why GOG couldn't also have a "gift to other user" button, which would be active as long as you don't try to download the game, and maybe also for only a predetermined time (don't the GOG gift codes also expire at some point, if no one uses them?). Doesn't GamersGate work like that already now, ie. you can decide after the purchase, whether you want to keep the game, or gift it?

Gift purchases are valid indefinitely. I have a three year old gift code laying around, that's never going to get redeemed. Bought it as a gift for my mother, but I also burned the install files to a disc, as I know she'd be daunted by the whole setting up account, downloading game bit.

In general, but there is the theoretical possibility that the game gets pulled and you might not have a chance to redeem it. In which case, they would presumably let you get a different game or have a refund.

But, that's extremely rare, I think that's only happened due to licensing issues being revoked retroactively and when there's been severe bugs.

I know I wanted to something similar, contacted support, and got a reply. They replied that you have seven days after the sale, to contact support and ask that the game be removed from your account and either given your money back, or exchanged for a GOG CD-Code that you could give to someone else to redeem. (if I remember correctly, you must not have downloaded anything from the game at all for support to help you)

I wasn't aware that there was a refund policy, although I purchased the game a long time ago so am not sure if it's eligible anyway.

Also, I'm a strong advocate of GOG, their games and their principles. Therefore I would prefer, as I'm sure GOG would, to exchange a game with another user rather than have it refunded. Surely that's better for all?

To be specific, I purchased Legend of Grimrock and have not downloaded anything relating to the game, including of course the game itself. I would be happy to exchange it for a game of lesser value that's sitting in someone else's account. I can't see any flaws in this process and I believe it be beneficial to all parties.

No.

I hardly see any use for such service, as such an incident (two persons purchasing a game, but then deciding they don't want it in a relatively short period of time from each other) seems unlikely to happen, especially often enough to justify the extra work GOG would have to put in. Besides, I have no faith in the probability that both parties would accept the other one's game because let's face it, it could be anything, such as Ultima 9.

So, I'm afraid you're gonna have to stick to the methods that are currently in place:
-Doublecheck your purchase
-Ask for a refund

Or just purchase everything as a gift. That way if you decide not to actually use it you can give it away no problem, and if you do want it just redeem the gift yourself.

A good idea is to buy impulse games as gifts, so you can buy during the sale, and aren't stuck with them if you have buyers remorse.

In fact, I might start doing that, when I find a game at a really good price, but am not quite sure about it.

EDIT: Damned ninjas. Seriously, Mr. Gog get a better web host, I swear that post wasn't there when I loaded the page.

This seems to be the general consensus and thanks for all the replies.

I'm normally good at doing research before buying with LoG being the exception. I'd rather give the game a go than ask for a refund so was just looking at alternatives. I never thought of that. Thanks for the suggestion.

No.

What we need is more legal ways to try games before paying instead of complicating purchases with systems like these and less hype around pre-order or playing at zero day release. (IMO)

Seeing as you bought the game already, and the fact people can still download the games that have been taken down (if they bought it) I don't see why you wouldn't be able to redeem the code.

Basically, if GOG finds out that the party they licensed the game from might not have all the necessary power to license, then it could happen. IIRC, it has happened once.

Other than that, I think the more common thing is if there's a serious bug that requires them to yank a title, I'd like to think that they wouldn't permit people to redeem gift codes for it until the problem was resolved.

Lol, thought "exchange" was the verb, "work" a noun. Major Confusion at your service.