Steam--your cd key is already in use

[Darkstar One]

So, I go to Best Buy and pick up Napoleon Total War.  Get it home.  Try to install it.  Get error message telling me this CD key has already been used.

Doublecheck my typing.  Try it again.  Same thing.   ****.

Take game and receipt.  Go back to Best Buy.  Ask for another copy of NTW.  Get told it's not their problem, and that I need to email Steam support.

Which I have.  Three times, over the last four days.   No responses.

Escalate at Best Buy, eventually get phone call from local DM..."You have to contact Steam support."

What's Steam's rep in handling these situations?  Am I SOL and out $43?

[Punisher]

1) If paid by credit card, do a charge back
2) Bring it back to a different BB and just tell them you're getting cd errors during install and you want to exchange it.
3) Call the DM back and tell him/her that Steam told you that it looks like the game was used and returned to the store before you bought it.

[Crawley]

What's the story with this game? Is Steam required to install/play it? Or is the key just used to get a digital download copy from Steam?

[Destructor]

Steam as a whole works great.

Unfortunately Steam doesn't have squat in the way of customer service.

That said - I agree with the 'return to another Best Buy for a swap' thing. Lie your ass off as suggested and say it won't read the disc and you want to do a swap.

[Punisher]

What's the story with this game? Is Steam required to install/play it? Or is the key just used to get a digital download copy from Steam?

Actually, I am curious why you put the key in steam too.