Game Stores Selling Opened Games as "New"

[WhyWasThat]

Personally, I love the feeling of getting a sealed copy and opening it for the first time. So I'm always a little disappointed when they take the battered display case I bring up and just stuff the manual and disc in, and hand it to me as 'new'.
I enfuriates me, actually.

 

[hedges1001]

Here's why it matters: I. Do. Not. Like. To. Over. Pay. It's a ripoff. End of.

Except you're not overpaying, except by using a determination of value that just does not matter. Sealed or opened doesn't affect the current value of the game. It may affect some nebulous future value of the game, but with digital distribution, there just won't be any value to old games, since their value is based on rarity and there's literally a million of them out there.

It matters because that determination of value applies to anywhere else I would buy it -- or to Gamestop itself, if they happened to have a copy that they had labeled as used. Face it, used is worth less than new, opened is used, gamestop routinely rips off their customers.

there is also the fact that some people dont know the definition of used. used is a game that has left the store, gone to a machine what plays it and is the played and THEN traded-in, then sold as second hand. not a disc that's been removed from its box.

*sigh*

I'm posting this again:

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

I sincerely hope I never buy something online that was put up by one of the chuckleheads in this thread that are saying opening the shrinkwrap does nothing to the value. They'd fleece me.

ok first: that's really a list for standards for e-commerce where the situation is completely different (net vs store) a net seller only needs a digital photo of a product and the customer has the RIGHT to return a product with a full refund within 1 week of reciept, this isnt the case in store since the product is on display. TLR your list is being used in the wrong context if this were a thread about e-bay it'd be in context

 

[Jitters Caffeine]

It's still a new copy of the game it's just not in the wrapper. It should only be an issue if you're collecting them for the sole purpose of keeping them sealed and in 'mint' condition.

But it could also be an issue with, like what happened with Gamestop a couple years(?) ago, when the stores were instructed to remove tickets from the boxes that were essentially free time on a rival service that Gamestop pushes on it's customers, but was still included in the price of the product.

 

[Yopaz]

Many stores remove the CDs and place them elsewhere. It means that people can't steal games as easily, since stealing the box would mean they only get an empty box. Its still a new game, they just removed the CD beforehand.

I don't care, so long as I can return it as a new copy if need be.

Yeah, this is quite common. It also means there will be more storage space for boxes meaning they only need one box on display while having several copies of the game in the back room.

However my favourite place for games (huge electronics store that sells pretty much everything) got sealed copies on display inside boxes that have a plastic casing which has to be removed before you leave or it will trigger the store alarm. While I got nothing against stores keeping the discs behind the counter carefully packaged I do prefer to get my games factory sealed the way you get them when ordering from online retailers or from the store I mentioned. The games are still new, but GameStop is the only store where I have ended up getting new games that had disc errors from the first day. This might be a coincidence though.

 

[Ranylyn]

Regardless, the cop wouldn't do anything as nothing that I know of is being against the law.

You're clearly not familiar with the law, then.

The issue isn't selling something used. It's CALLING it new. First off, this is fraud. New is worth more than used, and as such, they are unlawfully swindling customers out of extra dollars. This is quite literally a scam. Would you tolerate a doctor selling you placebos instead of what you actually think you're paying for? Would you knowingly pay full price for a replica painting just because the trader tells you "No, no, it's the original!" Fraud essentially encompases any dishonest attempt at profit.

Honestly, based on my experiences working in a warehouse for a furniture store, and unpackaging floor models to set out on display, I could go on all day about business practices involving displays and customer stock, but I won't subject you to a wall of text. I WILL, however, tell you to think before you post.


Captcha: deep thought (which is what gaming retailers need to give about their methods)

 

[everythingbeeps]

used
   
adjective
1. previously used or owned; secondhand: a used car.
2. showing wear or being worn out.
3. employed for a purpose; utilized

Just putting this out there, because some people don't seem to understand what the word means.

#2 seems to fit perfectly. As I've said, "new" copies still wind up being scratched and scuffed from the paper sleeves, so they end up "showing wear".

So hey thanks for finally putting an end to the confusion, it turns out that by definition opened games are used!

 

[Chased]

Wow awesome responses thus far.

[snip]

The main problem is that you're paying for new, and getting something that is categorically used. It may be in "Like New" condition, but it's not new.

I can't see any meaningful difference between between "new" and "works just like new".

If they want to sell it to me for less then great, but I wouldn't demand it.

Anyone who genuinely gets their panties in a bunch over a disk having been removed from a box gets nothing but thinly veiled derision from me.

Very meaningful difference: like new is less valuable on the open market. Only in gamestop do you pay the same for an open item that you do for a sealed one, therefore, in gamestop you get ripped off. I mean, seriously, go on Amazon and look at the gap in prices between "new" items and "like new" items. Or go into a Best Buy and try to buy a TV that has been used as a display unit. In both cases, the open item is going to cost a lot less.

Retailers take the disks out of the case to protect from theft. Its a fact. A retailer would have to be collosal morons to place sealed coppies on the shelf.

I worked in an Australian game shop for 2 years and it is common practice. Every game retailer in Australia does this and you know what? Never once did I have a customer complain about getting an opened copy.

If you pre-order or reserve a copy, sure I would want a sealed copy too. But if you grab one off the shelf, don't expect a retailer to pull a sealed copy out of their ass, particularly if its an older game which doesn't warrant having display coppies on the shelf.

And that's why I don't buy new games from game retailers. If I'm gonna buy new as a planned thing, I'll go to Best Buy or Walmart, where the games are kept in some sort of a theft deterring case -- either a big glass one for everything, or a small plastic one for individual games. A new product, by definition, is sealed. I'm not gonna pay full price for something that isn't. It's really not that difficult of a concept.

But why do you even care? I'm really struggling to understand it.
I don't even buy discs anymore really, and if I do it's from amazon so it's a non issue for me, but I think having a seal broken on a box is probably worth games not being stolen. It makes literally no difference to the product that you receive, in fact, maybe the disk would even be safer locked away in a drawer than on display being picked up in it's case by everybody that walks by it.

Basically because I don't like overpaying for things. It's a rare exception for me to buy a game new in the first place. If I'm buying new, I want new, dammit. Don't give me used and charge me for new. If I wanted used, I'd buy it used.

It is new, it's never been in another console's/pc's disk drive, they're just protecting the new copy. Why does breaking a box seal alter anything about the actual goods? It just seems very picky to me.

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.

I agree with Owyn on this topic. Selling an opened game is not new. The seal has been broken and especially in an industry dealing with used merchandise, an opened game should should be discounted since it's impossible to tell if it's been used.

I also forgot to mention, when I bought Red Dead, the guy straight up told me that they play the "gutted games." I'm by no means hating on the dude, that's the stores policy and he gave quick response to this question so he seemed honest. Still, playing a new game makes it used regardless if an employee played it or my grandmother.

 

[Lev The Red]

when i bought Fallout 3, the dude at GameCrazy gave me an opened case. he looked pretty high, so i was able to finagle him into selling me a game that had come out 3 days earlier for about $30 by making him think it was used.

back to the subject. i have mixed feelings about it. i understand why they do it (it makes theft more difficult), but that doesn't mean i like it. if they're gonna do it, they need to have 3 tiers of games: New (aka "unopened"), Opened (but unused), and Used (opened and previously owned). Opened games should be cheaper by maybe $5-10.

 

[Gibboniser]

Not really sure what's the big deal with the sealed box fetish.

 

[JediMB]

Not really sure what's the big deal with the sealed box fetish.

It should really only be relevant for collectors who don't plan to open/play the games, but... eh... people will take every excuse they can get to demand a discount?

 

[DudeistBelieve]

It's really the principal of the thing. I'm not paying full price for something that's been opened, I don't care if it's never been played. If I'm dropping 60 plus tax, I want it factory sealed.

Just a thought, but I'm assuming you buy clothing all the time that has not only been "opened", but probably tried on by someone else!

Yeah but that's a little different. First of all, a brand new pair of pants or a shirt isn't gonna cost my 60 dollars.... well maybe in some stores, but clothing is one of the few things I buy on the cheap. also it's not like the option is there to get my clothes sealed.

It's also store logic. If I buy their open copy and decide I don't want it, they won't let me return it because the seal is gone.

 

[Chased]

It's also store logic. If I buy their open copy and decide I don't want it, they won't let me return it because the seal is gone.

I also had this issue. A game store I used to go to would only allow you to return new games sealed but they always gutted all of their new games - so even if you buy a game walked 3 feet and then walked back you couldn't return it because it was already "opened."

 

[rosac]

Wow, some serious OCD going on here. If you're just going to break the seal and play it yourself, why do you care that a Gamestation employee has already done this in order to prevent theft? Goddamn those people, wanting to eke out what little profit they can from those new games whilst still giving the publishers and developers money, those monsters.

 

[elvor0]

It's so people don't shoplift, there's nothing wrong with the games, I did it myself when I worked in GAME, they keep them safe, it's so so people don't steal them, if it doesn't work (which has never happened to me), just take it back.

 

[ResonanceSD]

Because I used shorthand to suggest that you are anal-retentive because you care about unimportant imperfections?

Or you know, because I don't want to support scams? Every store in my city gives discounts on damaged or opened products, only the two GameStops don't. I'm not paying full price of showcase hardware (Television, monitors, xyz) without even having to open my mouth, I'm not paying full price for damaged products (got an album with a damaged case this week for half price, sadly they had none without damage on them). Why should I make an exception for games and shitty stores?

If the store can't handle theft and security without damaging the product I won't pay full price, I won't even support that store.

Damaging the product? How does breaking the shrink wrap count as product damage? IF YOU BUY A GAME NEW THAT ENDS UP BEING ACTUALLY DAMAGED, TAKE IT BACK TO THE STORE.

 

[ChildishLegacy]

The lack of talk about the quality of the actual game/the change in your gaming experience due to a seal being broken pisses me off, it's like people are thinking about their picky little customer support problems before "can I actually play the game the same way as somebody buying a sealed copy can? - yes!" You are buying a game, you get to play a game with no problems.

 

[Ranylyn]

Damaging the product? How does breaking the shrink wrap count as product damage? IF YOU BUY A GAME NEW THAT ENDS UP BEING ACTUALLY DAMAGED, TAKE IT BACK TO THE STORE.

1) EVERY game I get that has been opened DOES have at least one scratch on it, which DOES affect loading time AND cause freezes. But no, if I take it home to see if it works, and then return it, because I broke the sticker they put on the game, I can't get a refund anymore, and they only offer me 5% of what I paid for the trade in value.

Before you ALL CAPS us and think your supposed LOGIC solves everything, keep in mind that we WOULDN'T even BE complaining if this WASN'T being a MAJOR issue for SEVERAL YEARS, already!

 

[ResonanceSD]

Damaging the product? How does breaking the shrink wrap count as product damage? IF YOU BUY A GAME NEW THAT ENDS UP BEING ACTUALLY DAMAGED, TAKE IT BACK TO THE STORE.

1) EVERY game I get that has been opened DOES have at least one scratch on it, which DOES affect loading time AND cause freezes. But no, if I take it home to see if it works, and then return it, because I broke the sticker they put on the game, I can't get a refund anymore, and they only offer me 5% of what I paid for the trade in value.

Before you ALL CAPS us and think your supposed LOGIC solves everything, keep in mind that we WOULDN'T even BE complaining if this WASN'T being a MAJOR issue for SEVERAL YEARS, already!

Apparently you've just got shitty luck then, or your GS is staffed by Edward Scissorhands Gutting a game means removing it from a jewel case and putting it in a sleeve. That's it. No reduction in quality whatsoever.


Also, which games do you buy that actually need to run from a disk these days?

 

[The_Echo]

At the GameStop I go to, they take the disc out of the display copy. That's it, and that's for the sake of theft prevention.

Every other copy is sealed and placed in a locked drawer.

Actually, I've gotten that 'last copy' of a game before on multiple occasions, and it still wasn't the display. Maybe they don't sell the display copy in my area.

 

[Akisa]

Because I used shorthand to suggest that you are anal-retentive because you care about unimportant imperfections?

Or you know, because I don't want to support scams? Every store in my city gives discounts on damaged or opened products, only the two GameStops don't. I'm not paying full price of showcase hardware (Television, monitors, xyz) without even having to open my mouth, I'm not paying full price for damaged products (got an album with a damaged case this week for half price, sadly they had none without damage on them). Why should I make an exception for games and shitty stores?

If the store can't handle theft and security without damaging the product I won't pay full price, I won't even support that store.

Damaging the product? How does breaking the shrink wrap count as product damage? IF YOU BUY A GAME NEW THAT ENDS UP BEING ACTUALLY DAMAGED, TAKE IT BACK TO THE STORE.

Here is the problem with that logic, I went back to the gamestop store with the last copy game which were opened by them. The game was defective, but when I tried to return the game in a calm manner, but than they said I couldn't return it because the game was opened. I spent like an hour complaining that it was sold like that before being asked to leave. I tried the next day, but I was promptly removed again. It wasn't until I tried another Gamestop that I was able to exchange the game.