Game Stores Selling Opened Games as "New"

[FalloutJack]

This hasn't happened to me. Not Gamestop, not the Exchange, not any place I've been to here in Pittsburgh. This may annoy some folks, but I find that my video game retail stores are pretty decent. The selection is good, the staff are reasonable and friendly, and I've been able to facilitate such strange actions as moving a game cross-county so that I don't have to travel to a distant store to get at it. Other people aren't so lucky and I understand that, but this subject doesn't appear to happen here.

 

[Ruzinus]

If it bothers you, you have to right to not buy that copy and go shop somewhere else.

In fact, if it bothers you, then you SHOULD refuse to buy the copy and go somewhere else. Vote with your wallet.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

Broken seal = no longer in new condition = less valuable = I'd better be charged less for it, otherwise I'm going elsewhere where I can either get it sealed, pay less, or both. By definition, if the seal is broken it's no longer in new condition. The shape the disc is in is immaterial -- I've bought some absolutely beautiful used games, but I've never paid the full new price for one, and I'd be crazy to do it barring, say, a rare game that is now more valuable than it was when it was new. And then I'd still be crazy to pay as much for a copy with a broken seal as it would cost me to get a sealed one.

So you refuse to pay more money than copies that have actually been used because they broke a seal that you are about to break in about 30 minutes when you get home? I guess this is just one of those things that I'll never give a shit about tbh. You're getting the same gaming experience as everybody else that bought the game new with the disc in fresh out of the factory state. Everything but a seal that makes no difference to your gaming experience is objectively the same. If I get the same experience from that disk at the same time as somebody else I'd be expecting to pay the same price as them. It's like the actual game comes second to people when issues like this come up.

Broken seal = no longer in new condition = less valuable = I'd better be charged less for it, otherwise I'm going elsewhere where I can either get it sealed, pay less, or both. By definition, if the seal is broken it's no longer in new condition. The shape the disc is in is immaterial -- I've bought some absolutely beautiful used games, but I've never paid the full new price for one, and I'd be crazy to do it barring, say, a rare game that is now more valuable than it was when it was new. And then I'd still be crazy to pay as much for a copy with a broken seal as it would cost me to get a sealed one.

It's Retail, not Resale. Just opening it doesn't remove any value unless you plan to resell it. Used games are cheaper, not just because they've been opened, but because they've been used, and have the potential for condition issues.

If you're buying a game to actually PLAY it, there's generally no difference between a new, sealed copy and a new, unsealed copy. If you're buying a game to own it and sell it later... Well, I have no idea why anyone would do that, when millions of game discs are made, and a near infinite number of digital copies exist.

You guys really aren't getting it. Here's the quality ratings criteria from half.com, which are essentially the same as the criteria used by any reputable dealer. The only exception is that some of the things in the "Unacceptable" category are about things that they just don't carry, regardless of quality -- mainly the parts about region lockouts.

Brand New
Items must still be in manufacturer's seal
Opened items can't be listed in this category even if they were never used

Like New
Opened and used items that still appear brand new
Must include all boxes, instructions, and artwork from manufacturer

Very Good
Cases and boxes can show wear (scuffs, cracks, scratches)
DVD, CD, game disc, or game cartridge can't be scratched or scuffed
Items must include all boxes, instructions, and artwork from manufacturer

Good
Item can be missing only one of the following items:
Media box or sleeve
Artwork
Instructions
DVD, CD, game disc, or game cartridge can be lightly scratched or scuffed
The media item must work without the need of repair or resurfacing
Skipping CDs, DVDs, and game discs can't be sold
Fuzzy or snowy VHS tapes can't be sold
Games that don't load or play can't be sold

Acceptable
Media items in generic cases
CDs and DVDs must be in a plastic case (no paper sleeves)
Items missing more than one of the following:
Media box or sleeve
Art work
Instructions
DVD, CD, game disc, or game cartridge can be lightly scratched or scuffed
Media item must work without the need of repair or resurfacing
Skipping CDs, DVDs, and game discs can't be sold
Fuzzy or snowy VHS tapes can't be sold
Games that don't load or play can't be sold


Unacceptable - The following items cannot be sold on Half.com:
CDs and DVDs that skip, jump, freeze, or otherwise don't function properly
Games that skip, jump, freeze, or otherwise don?t function properly Imported DVDs (U.S. region 1 DVDs may be sold)
Region-free DVDs manufactured outside the United States
Promotional music
CD jewel cases with promotion marks (saw cuts, punch-outs, drill holes, UPC strikes)

Source: http://pages.half.ebay.com/help/policy/pricing.html

Each lower grade of the same item is categorically worth less than the grade above it. While I recognize that Gamestop doesn't and really can't bother with the gradations of used quality, beyond keeping the absolute worst levels out of their stores, they absolutely can and should recognize that a game is no longer new once the seal has been broken. It's the same concept as driving a brand new car off the lot, or taking a TV out of the box and putting it on display: it's not new anymore, and it's not worth as much as it was when it was new.

Edit: Oh, and by the way, Gamestop employees do, in fact, play the gutted games. According to numerous former employees that can be turned up by a simple google search, they're allowed, even encouraged to take one game at a time home for four days at a time. Corporate encourages this because it keeps their employees informed about new releases. Knowing this, do you guys still want to defend calling these used games new?

 

[Kirlac]

I once did a work experience thing at a game store for a few days when I was in high school and the staff would routinely take games/dvds home for the night to have a look at. I don't think it's the purpose for the cases being opened but it does happen. Most of the stores I've been to have the original cases on display, and thus take the discs out to prevent theft, otherwise they will have sealed copies behind the counter. I have had friends that have bought "new" games that have a redeemable code inside that had already been used though. I don't think they (usually) sell second hand games as new (if it does happen it's usually a mistake and they grab the wrong disc/booklet/cartridge/etc.). I would usually request a sealed copy though. If they don't have a sealed copy, make them give you a discount since they can't prove it's new (that's why they are factory sealed) or else get it elsewhere. Most online distributors send out sealed copies and for less than retail stores sell them for.

 

[sethisjimmy]

If the game looks fine and plays fine, what's the difference? You can still sell it as if you had just bought it new. If there's a problem, you just take it back. I'm sure the chances of there actually being a problem are comparable (or less) to that of a manufacturing defect anyway(ie; very little).

Doesn't bother me.

 

[willsham45]

If you go to a game store you get what you get. Storage is an issue yes it sucks but if you have a problem with it say and or go somewhere else. Most games bought on-line new come sealed.
Then again it is becoming more and more pointless when I think now my download collection is now bigger than my hard copy collection.
And when I do buy from a shop it is always from the discount section so as long as it works I am happy.
But really I think it would be better if the games were factory sealed with those stickers that leave a hologram behind when taken off...I can see some cool things done with that.

why is this partly reminding me when I bought a new mobile phone and before I could do anything the cashier had set it up for me and pealed off the screen cover...I should have demanded a new phone.

 

[Exius Xavarus]

A few months ago I purchased Skyrim from a local game store and the clerk told me that this particular copy of Skyrim was the last copy, so he took the display box put the disc in and sold it to me at full retail price. I'm a pretty chill dude so I was like, "Cool, I got the last copy." I then later purchased Borderlands from a different local game store and the same occurrence as previously stated happened. Again, I shrugged it off and went on my way. Recently, I just purchased Red Dead and again it was the "last copy." After this third occurrence I'm beginning to suspect that game stores purposely open up and remove discs from their games. Maybe they do this to lock up the discs or to let employees take them home. Regardless, it's starting to bug the life out of me they are selling unsealed games as new, for full price.

Has anyone else experienced this before and are you cool with stores doing it?

No, I hate it, in fact. It bugs the shit out of me because if I'm paying full retail price for a brand new game, I want a brand new game. They'll tell me "Well the game's never been played!" and to which I replay, it doesn't matter if the game's never been played, because there may be a chance that it HAS been played. GameStop employees are allowed to take games home and play them, so while they aren't technically "pre-owned" per se, someone else has already opened the case and put that game into their own system. Charging me full price for used goods is bullshit.

I instantly cancel that particular game if I'm getting a display case for a brand new game. If you're going to charge me full price for a new game, it will be unopened and completely sealed. I don't want to to pay full price for a game someone else has already gotten to play before me. If I wanted to buy a copy someone else has opened and played before me, I'd buy it pre-owned. That section of the store exists for a reason.

 

[targren]

It happened to me once. I called bullshit and left, then bought it across the street at Target. Screw them.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

You guys really aren't getting it.

No, you don't get it. Why do you care whether it's "new" or "like new"? It doesn't affect the value of the item itself, only the resale price of the item. The quality is unchanged. "New" vs "Like New" only matters with resale, not retail.

It matters. Otherwise you wouldn't get a discount on open box items in literally every store that isn't Gamestop. And hell, the resale value is diminished. That's enough reason right there for it to matter: the object you are buying is worth less now, end of story.

 

[Razentsu]

Those are gutted copies. They remove the disc for safe keeping and put the box up on shelf for display. I don't mind the practice, and I don't really mind buying a game non-sealed. I unwrap the game anyway, so I don't see much of a difference.

As long as the game plays fine, I'm happy.

 

[lacktheknack]

Bothers me immeasurably. The main reason I buy new would be to support the company that released it, and if they're sliding me a used copy, then they've undermined it.

Also, it means they're lying jackasses, so there's that.

 

[00slash00]

this hasnt happened to me but it wouldnt bother me if it did. as long as the box has the instructions and everything in it and the disc isnt damaged, thats all that matters to me. i couldnt care less if i didnt get to be the one to tear off the plastic or cut the sticker

 

[algalon]

Simple. if it's not sealed, it's not new. With the ridiculous methods game companies use to lock content now if it's purchased used, I do not want to get home with my "new" game only to find out it had been previously installed on another machine and the one online registration code, or whatever copy protection, has been used up. This would lead me to having to make the effort to call the game company, likely get customer service that does not speak English fluently, and then be told I'm screwed because I purchased an opened box. Thanks but no thanks.

This is another of those threads that crops up about every month or so. Gamestop is bad business period for their practices. I can buy a new game cheaper from amazon than I can buy used from Gamestop, so why bother?

 

[AstylahAthrys]

One or two display copies will be opened, but the game will not have been played. In order to protect product, game sellers do keep empty cases on shelves with the new game untouched, save for putting it in a protective sleeve. Most are kept, sealed, behind the counter. At least this was how it was when I worked at Gamestop. I, at least, find it understandable. It would be so easy to walk away with a case otherwise.

 

[jimbob123432]

If it's the display copy of an older game, then I don't really have a problem with it, but if it's a new game, it had better be in a sealed box. My local game stores don't put empty cases on display for the newest games (1-3 months old), they just display a sealed copy behind the counter.

 

[2HF]

I work at Gamestop and we do open new copies of games because we have to display a box. You'd think this could be easily solved by simply shipping a single extra copy of the box art to every retail location though I imagine that might get the tiniest bit pricey.

We are not allowed to check out new games, at least not at my location. They are kept in white sleeves as opposed to the usual yellow for used games and kept in a separate drawer from the used games. When we sell them we always inform the customer about the condition and give them a chance to look at the disk and make sure they're happy before we sell it to them. We keep all activation codes and DLC codes in the sleeve with the games, not out on the floor in the case.

Disregarding all that, if you don't want an opened copy of the game then don't buy an opened copy of the game.

 

[lowkey_jotunn]

For indy games, smaller titles or things with only a few copies, I can see them using a real game for the display, and I might forgive this type of behavior.

For a blockbuster title like Skyrim or Borderlands? Hell no. A legit store can get their distributor to send an empty case. Failing that, they can find a non-new case to display. Either a used-game trade in, or a return, or something that got damaged in shipping.

I'd immediately suspect something fishy.

 

[Flailing Escapist]

I can't speak for gamestop or anywhere else but where I work we do sell new games that have already been open. You see there are a couple things that we won't put out on the floor with the disks inside -games are one of those- because they WILL be stolen. I know we keep most of our new games in the wrapping but it eventually gets to a point where we really have nothing but the open new games left, at least until/if we order more.

But I'd also like to point out that at where I work we can't take new games- or new anything (open or unopen) home with us, unless we buy then, of course.

Edit: Now if I pre-ordered a game and it was opened I'd be fucking pissed. But that's something completely different, I think.

 

[chadachada123]

A few months ago I purchased Skyrim from a local game store and the clerk told me that this particular copy of Skyrim was the last copy, so he took the display box put the disc in and sold it to me at full retail price. I'm a pretty chill dude so I was like, "Cool, I got the last copy." I then later purchased Borderlands from a different local game store and the same occurrence as previously stated happened. Again, I shrugged it off and went on my way. Recently, I just purchased Red Dead and again it was the "last copy." After this third occurrence I'm beginning to suspect that game stores purposely open up and remove discs from their games. Maybe they do this to lock up the discs or to let employees take them home. Regardless, it's starting to bug the life out of me they are selling unsealed games as new, for full price.

Has anyone else experienced this before and are you cool with stores doing it?

Uhh... Yeah? All stores take the discs out of the boxes to prevent theft. It's not like they're out playing them in the back. They're not "used", it doesn't affect the game at all.

How do people not know this, even if you haven't worked in retail, you should've noticed this by now.

Maybe he hasn't noticed because, herp derp, not (nearly) all game stores do this. Some do, but even Gamestop doesn't do it for all of their games, it depends on which Gamestop you go to. Perhaps OP's store only recently started doing this shit (which doesn't even prevent theft to begin with, because you don't need to have the boxes for all of your stock out on the floor at once).

Edit:

I can't speak for gamestop or anywhere else but where I work we do sell new games that have already been open. You see there are a couple things that we won't put out on the floor with the disks inside -games are one of those- because they WILL be stolen. I know we keep most of our new games in the wrapping but it eventually gets to a point where we really have nothing but the open new games left, at least until/if we order more.

But I'd also like to point out that at where I work we can't take new games- or new anything (open or unopen) home with us, unless we buy then, of course.

Same answer as above, basically.

If you have 30 new copies of Modern Warfare 3, why bother gutting and putting all 30 on the shelf as open display? Seems like it'd be better for the pickier consumers to leave a majority of the copies as fresh stock while keeping consumer loyalty by showing most of your consumers that you leave copies fresh and not already opened like other stores, right?

 

[Shoggoth2588]

I'm not cool with it either. It's why I buy my (new) games from either work or amazon these days. It's alright: you can admit to shopping at Gamestop by the way. The place is a monopoly at this point. Apparently if you make a stink about it they take off about %5 since you're technically getting a display copy.

Considering new copies stay behind the counter, I doubt he was shopping at GameStop...

It depends on what you're buying: If you're in there on day one, buying a newly released game it will more than likely be behind the counter and wrapped up in the factory seal. If you're buying a new copy of saw Final Fantasy 13-2 (pulling a title out of thin air) it will likely be a display copy. Maybe my Gamestops are just horrible like that but it seems like the older the game, it won't matter if you buy new or used; the shrink-wrap will be gone and the disc will be behind the counter while the box will be on a shelf out with the other boxes (or the floor once again, depending on the Gamestop you're in)

All of their games are behind the counter really...except for the hand-held carts/discs they keep in the case by the counter.