Valve has replaced a Steam Machine for free after it was stolen by porch pirates, saving one UK redditor roughly £1,000
A UK Redditor had their Steam Machine stolen from their doorstep after Royal Mail delivered it while they were away at work. The delivery driver had photographed the package and even attempted to shield it with a plastic bag before leaving, but parcel thieves—colloquially known as ‘porch pirates’—absconded with the hardware despite these precautions.
When the customer discovered the theft upon returning home, they contacted Steam Support to report the incident. Valve’s customer service team agreed to send a replacement Steam Machine at no cost, effectively saving the customer approximately £1,000 given the device’s premium price point.
The resolution stands out as a notable example of responsive customer service, particularly given that Valve bore no responsibility for the theft—the loss resulted from package delivery circumstances entirely beyond their control. The incident highlights both the growing problem of parcel theft and the positive customer support practices that can turn a frustrating situation into an unexpectedly positive outcome.