Is GameStop's Used "New" Games Policy Illegal?

[WheresMyCow]

To be honest I'd prefer it if the games didn't have any packaging (Excluding the case, of course). All that stuff is just a pain to get off. But more on topic, I guess it really depends, do these Employee "rented" games rented for however long they please and whatever they want or are they just short gameplay tests to get a feel for it, to better their ability to sell the games?

But in my opinion, if it's as good as new I'll buy it as new. If it's damaged in any way, I want my used discount.

 

[pantsoffdanceoff]

The only problem I have with used games is the disgustingly low buy back.
How is this fair?
Fallout 3(360) + GTA4 (360) + 10$ = Fallout 3 (PC)

Blockbuster.

I don't know how many times I've called Blockbuster and Gamestop... and BB gave me at least $15 more for a game. I bought Mirror's Edge, 3 days after I bought it I beat it... gamestop was going to give me $26. Blockbuster gave me $45.

Not to mention Blockbuster's used games (while lower in selection) are typically way cheaper than Gamestop's. I mean, at gamestop Zelda for Wii is still $45 Used! I got mine for $29.99 at BB. Same with Super Paper Mario.

If only people knew other stores have significantly better used game deals, GS would be out of business. Only time I ever go to Gamestop is if BB doesn't have it. And being a former BB employee, I can guarentee that we don't TOUCH games when they come in.


I eye-roll at people talking about yesteryears... but is it me, or did EB Games have a much better policy on used games than Gamestop?

Thanks for the tip sir, definitely will be checking out Blockbuster next time. too bad the don't do PC.

 

[level250geek]

Illegal? I don't know. Deceitful. You betcha. When I buy a game new, that's what I want. New. Brand-spanking new. Not "kinda new" or "almost new" or "practically new." NEW.

I don't have a problem with the employees taking the game home to try at all, and my problem with them re-selling these games is only that they are charging full price for something that has been used.

This just makes me want to not make impulse buys at GameStop at all. A pre-order you pick up on day one, still shrink-wrapped, sure. But just "Let's see what they have on the shelf?" No thank you.

 

[level250geek]

The only problem I have with used games is the disgustingly low buy back.
How is this fair?
Fallout 3(360) + GTA4 (360) + 10$ = Fallout 3 (PC)

Blockbuster.

I don't know how many times I've called Blockbuster and Gamestop... and BB gave me at least $15 more for a game. I bought Mirror's Edge, 3 days after I bought it I beat it... gamestop was going to give me $26. Blockbuster gave me $45.

Not to mention Blockbuster's used games (while lower in selection) are typically way cheaper than Gamestop's. I mean, at gamestop Zelda for Wii is still $45 Used! I got mine for $29.99 at BB. Same with Super Paper Mario.

If only people knew other stores have significantly better used game deals, GS would be out of business. Only time I ever go to Gamestop is if BB doesn't have it. And being a former BB employee, I can guarentee that we don't TOUCH games when they come in.


I eye-roll at people talking about yesteryears... but is it me, or did EB Games have a much better policy on used games than Gamestop?

Thanks for the tip sir, definitely will be checking out Blockbuster next time. too bad the don't do PC.

I second the thanks for the Blockbuster tip, and I think you're right: at least EB offered better trade-in values.

 

[Rednog]

I'd use BB but my beef with them is that they charge a ridiculous amount for game rentals. Mine is $9.99 for 5 days, I know pay like $12 with tax. Some people have told me to just sign up for their gamer's club, but that spawns more problems because some places only have like 3 copies and they don't come back for like a month and the odds of you catching it when it comes back are slim to none.
Oh well at least BB and Gamestop aren't FYE, that place to me is the lowest on the totem pole for used games, I've tried it twice and both times I had to go back several times for another copy because the ones they gave me were mutilated in some way or just wouldn't work. I bought Gears of War from them the last time and the disc that finally worked has an odd white discoloration in the disk.

 

[Lord Krunk]

What the hell are they even talking about? Since when are chains and corporations governed by laws?

I see what you did there.

Anyway, I suppose they can do it, even if I personally frown upon it. Why? Well, it depends on your definition of 'new'. The word is pretty vague, when you think about it.

Soon, they will have to use 'NEVER BEEN OPENED' or 'ABOUT A MONTH OLD' slapped on the front of their games as a legal repercussion for this. It's ridiculous, but I suppose they'll do anything for an extra buck.

 

[Hey Joe]

Are times really that tough for Gamestop?

Surely you'd work a few of the bigger titles into your overheads and have a game store copy exclusively for the use of of store employees. Selling them as new, just really, really stupid.

 

[Disembodied_Dave]

It's not unethical.. Why is this even an issue?

The only arguments are over sentimental nonsense.

 

[Zersy]

WAIT !!!!!!!


So if i work for Gamestop i can take Games home and play them for free ? !!!

Where do i sign up !!

 

[Ago Iterum]

I don't think it should be an issue. I'd be okay with getting a game used for those purposes sold as new.

 

[JMeganSnow]

How does this work with games that you have to register online with a unique CD key? Do the employees not register them? Does this USE UP ONE OF YOUR INSTALLS?!

That hardly seems right.

 

[nova18]

My local Gamestation uses a Store copy that I see them play behind the counter on their store console. If they run out of copies of that game, they will offer you the store copy BUT they will let you know its been used and knock £5 off.

Good system if you ask me, its why I love Gamestation.

 

[samsonguy920]

Much as it may seem silly to some people, I too enjoy the feel of unwrapping into a new game, would actually feel soiled in a way were I to discover that the copy I had bought had already been opened before, and then I had to buy it for full price. But that OCD aside, there is also the point that if it was loaned to a GS employee, and USED by that employee...then it is USED, not new, and should be labeled and sold as such. I dont see why it would be so difficult though for a store to set aside one or two copies of a new game as overhead for the staff to demo so they can sell it all the better. Just dont try to sell it later as a new (as in untouched) game. That is deceitful and can easily be defined as fraudulent practice. You wouldnt want your burger from McDonald's served to you with a bite already taken out of it? True the person who took the bite can tell you it is oh so yummy, but...ick.

 

[black lincon]

WAIT !!!!!!!


So if i work for Gamestop i can take Games home and play them for free ? !!!

Where do i sign up !!

there are strict rules that apply to that policy.

first and foremost, it's completely up to the manager as to whether or not you can take a game. next you have to take into account whether or not the game is used, managers are more likely to allow employee's to try used games. next, if it's new how new is it? if you were trying to get a crack at halo 3 on the launch day your out of luck but if you for some reason had a new copy of beyond good and evil, they might not have a problem with it. finally, you can only take a game for 2 days, thats it. well there are two ways to get around that, you can either get your manager to indefinitely allow you to take a game out which will never happen, or you can take a game out two days before a day when GameStop is closed like Christmas or something, which buys you one extra day.

 

[PTSpyder]

i work at a gamestop and no one is allowed to take new games that are opened take them home and preview them. this rule is only allowed for used games.
i understand people take advantage of loop holes but seriously who cares. if you feel sketched out buy an unopened copy from a different store.

*claps* Done! *stands up and walks out*

 

[Orekoya]

Why don't they just provide their employees with their own copy of the game?

That is a horrible idea. The cost of doing that just for their 17000 full-time employees alone(as they usually keep about 2-3 part timers per full timer) at 60 dollars is 1.02 million dollars per game launch. Who would be paying for that? Answer: you. Because they'll just past that cost right down to the consumer.

 

[Beautiful End]

Okay, I'll just skip right over the rest of the comments. I know what they're saying anyway.

As a GameStop employee, I gotta admit it IS useful to check out games....but I've never agreed with that policy. I have wondered too many times the same thing: Why are we allowed to play new games? Aren't they used after that?

I suppose it depends on the Manager in charge. Some managers frown upon that policy and only allow their employees to either check out a single copy (Perhaps one given to the manager for free? But that's a long shot) or just check out used copies. I've had all sorts of managers; the ones that allowed us to check out used games told us to be ready to hand it over if a customer walked in looking for that specific used copy (In case it's a recently released title and it's the only copy available at the moment).

Our current manager doesn't really give a crap about this but I still try to check out used games, simply because I do feel like I'm cheating the customers. At the same time, if I hand them over the open copy we have (The last copy), I let them know in advance why it is open and stuff. Yes, I still think gutting games (Opening the package and pulling the game and all its important contents out) is bullshit. I wish we could have dud display boxes or something, at least for new games. Yes, it would be a drag but that would make a lot of customers happy.

How does this work with games that you have to register online with a unique CD key? Do the employees not register them? Does this USE UP ONE OF YOUR INSTALLS?!

That hardly seems right.

We wouldn't be allowed to use it, of course. I remember I was asking the manager if we had a used DC Online copy I could borrow and he explained that we wouldn't take the game used because it has one-time unique code and for that reason, people are not even allowed to check out the game. If the game comes with DLC or something, we don't use it or anything. I guess it would have to be a douchebag employee the one that uses the brand-new game codes for himself.
...This is why I prefer to check out used copies too. If a brand new game DLC gets lost somewhere, it does affect the game.