U.K. Retailer Offers Pre-Owned Pre-Orders

[Andy Chalk]

U.K. Retailer Offers Pre-Owned Pre-Orders

U.K. retailer Game [http://www.game.co.uk] is testing a new program that will let customers put pre-orders on pre-owned games.

The fat margins on pre-owned game sales make it a big part of a healthy retail diet, but even so the idea of pre-ordering pre-owned games seems a little excessive to me. If you want a game badly enough to pre-order at all, then isn't it likely that you're willing to lay down a few extra bucks to get on on launch day and not a week later?

I guess we'll find out soon enough thanks to the gang at Game, which is now offering pre-owned pre-orders on major unreleased titles like Crysis 2 [http://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Age-2-Xbox-360/dp/B0047TG2R0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1299256376&sr=8-1]. The pre-owned pre-order process seems to be the same as regular pre-orders, with two big differences: you'll save a few bucks and you'll have to wait a week longer to get it.

The regular release of pre-owned copy [http://www.game.co.uk/Xbox360/RolePlaying/~r351143/Dragon-Age-2-with-PreOrder-Bonus-ingame-Fadeshear-The-Lion-of-Orlais/], on the other hand, will run you £33.99 (about $55) without the bonus items and won't be available until March 18.

It strikes me as a bit ill-conceived, at least from the perspective of the customer. Gamers who make a habit of pre-ordering games aren't going to give up items and sit on their hands for an extra week just to save a lousy eight bucks. It's just not enough incentive, especially given the trend toward "online passes," which typically cost more to purchase separately than the pre-owned savings. Call me crazy if you will, but I can't see this one working.

via: GamesIndustry [http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2011-03-04-game-begins-trial-of-pre-owned-pre-orders-article]


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[Onyx Oblivion]

Can I pre-order defective copies, too?

I guess it's a solid plan if the game has no pre-order bonuses, and you're looking to save money , AND you're willing to wait the few days it takes for someone to trade it in.

But I'd never use it, myself.

 

[Catchy Slogan]

What? This makes no sense. Who was sitting around one day and thought that this would be a good idea? How can they even know how many pre-owned copies they'll get? How can they promise something that's at best a guestimation?

 

[AngryMongoose]

That.... actually makes alot of sense to me. It's seems less like a pre-order, and more "Reserve a used copy and tell me when they're avaliable"
Maybe there isn't much point for mainsteam new games, but if you're looking for some obscure PS1 game, it might actually help.

 

[ace_of_something]

We have a local gaming chain that offers much better deals than these big chains. So the idea of buying a used game is more feasable because a $60 game becomes $50 after a few months it's $45 if it has terrible reviews even less. It's weird it's like they base the used price off of interest and quality rather than 'how long it's been out'. Hell I got MVC3 6 days after it came out for $45.
So yeah If they offer me ten dollars of DLC with the game and I can it $11-15 dollars less I probably will.

Amazing that now matter how big a development team, how many years went into a game it's value is almost always $60. It's like the set the price with no regard to production costs.

That being said... yeah pre-ordering used? That's weird.

 

[ph0b0s123]

The likes of EA, etc are going to be pi$$ed. Their war on used games is obviously going well.

 

[Wolfram23]

I could understand "pre ordering" a used game that they don't have in stock, esentially "putting your name down" for the next one to get into the store. But putting a pre order on an unreleased pre ordered game for a used copy is just ridiculous.

 

[Braedan]

I think this is a hilarious idea to see how many people will go for it. Almost seems like a social experiment.

I could see it working out with older games not sold, and not returned often because of how old they are being put on hold for you when they come in, but that would seem like a strategy for a collector game shop... such as "we just got in a mint used copy of Final Fantasy 7" I could see going for a few bucks.

 

[Atmos Duality]

Wow, I can imagine Gamestop doing this too and jizzing themselves:

"Ok, we currently charge 5 dollars for pre-orders for a $60 game. Why not extend that system to our $55 used games?"

"That way, the customer can pay 5 bucks to save 5 bucks on a game he will pick up two weeks later! And the developer doesn't see a penny of it!"

Human stupidity really is the most consistent force in existence.

Amazing that now matter how big a development team, how many years went into a game it's value is almost always $60. It's like the set the price with no regard to production costs.

You can thank the retail market for that; flat pricing presents the customer with the illusion that all of their products are equal in value. This helps to sell shitty games alongside best sellers (we approach the true value Used Market, where the demand can influence the price greatly. Like how MvC2 or any used Pokemon game used to sell for as much, or more, than when it was new).

The only time a retailer will cut prices is if they need to move inventory for that title.

Over time, people will just adjust and adapt to the price. I remember when PC games averaged around 40 dollars in retail (console games have always been notoriously high since the first game market crash in the 80s. NES games used to sell for $50 new).

 

[Tiswas]

I wouldn't mind this if Game weren't notoriously more expensive anyways.

I'm certain I can walk into Asda/Morrisons/Tesco/Sainsburys and get it brand new for £34-£35. Maybe even £30 depending.

And CEX will have it at £25-£30 around the same time Game is.

But like everything at Game. This is designed for all those people who don't look around.

 

[FinalDream]

£33.99 is not a good pre-owned price. I pay that to get a new copy of the game online!

 

[Danpascooch]

The whole idea of used games (at least at retail) is stupid, $5 off? Really? Is it that big of a deal?

It's generally a bad idea to get preowned at all, much less PREORDER it!

 

[GiantRaven]

GAME is aware that they need to sell new copies of games in order to keep developers/publishers afloat, bringing in new games which they can sell for money, right? This whole used games thing is slowly getting more and more out of hand.

 

[manythings]

Can I pre-order defective copies, too?

I guess it's a solid plan if the game has no pre-order bonuses, and you're looking to save money , AND you're willing to wait the few days it takes for someone to trade it in.

But I'd never use it, myself.

I've seen pre-owned copies of games the day after release.

OT: You're really giving people a lot of credit, I'm willing to bet there are people who would chance losing an arm to save $8.

More importantly I won't be done with Dragon Age 2 for at least 3 weeks. I have all manner of playthroughs to do.

 

[Charli]

Ugh dear god I can't believe I have to market this crap with a smile...

Sorry guys.

 

[Actual]

How can they even know how many pre-owned copies they'll get? How can they promise something that's at best a guestimation?

I came to ask this question too. How can they say we'll have a returned game by the 18th? It's likely but there's no way to guarantee it, or that there will be enough for the orders they've taken.

 

[robandall]

GAMES second hand prices for new-ish games have always been a joke. It's normally cheaper to get them new from eBay. What this will likely do is force the hands of games publishers to find a way to lock down/profit from the second hand market once and for all.

 

[Charli]

I think its a good idea ^.^

Ugh dear god I can't believe I have to market this crap with a smile...

Sorry guys.

As long as you aint the ginger dude who works in cambridge and took the piss out of me the day I was buying the WoTLK collectors edition, I accept your apology to the gaming populace. If you are that guy, let me tell you, I HATE THAT GUY.

Naw I'm a brunette dudette in ...Kent (I'm not going to be that specific) Who peddles Warcraft like a drugdealer so that is not even remotely close.