Used Games and Why they sell...
- Thread starter Imperioratorex Caprae
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1. While customers can return a used game within a week if they don't like it after playing it for full credit towards a different game it's not the same as getting a full refund, which is against Gamestop/EB games store Policy.amaranth_dru said:
2. Employees are under no circumstances allowed to take home a new (or even used) copy to play unless they pay for it. If you don't you're fired on the spot. Whoever you know who's doing this is breaking the rules pretty severely.
Like as most people have mentioned, people buy used because it's cheaper. It's why I buy them used. I don't have tons of money lying around.
As far as I know returned clothes are sold at a discounted price, at least in the few shops I know of like Matalan, Peacocks, Primark etc. They aren't sold as pre-owned but as 'returned for resale' or damged goods. A supermarkets equivalent would be bargain shelves, usually for items that have been damaged or are unfit for sale being sold at heavily discounted prices. The buyer goes into these deals aware that the item has been returned to the shop or is damaged.amaranth_dru said:
Videogames don't really get such a luxury, because they all work the same way. The price difference between new and used is rather artificial. A used copy should be just as functional as a new copy, the price difference comes from scuffs on a box or a missing manual. The product (the software on the disc) is the same on all accounts, whether used or new.
Glad someone said it. I don't buy used games to make a stand, to demo a game (that's just ridiculous, think I'm going to pay £20 to demo a game, then pay another £40 to buy the new version) or to take it to the industry. Neither will most. People that buy used games do it for a very simple reason... Its cheaper. Its not for "it gives them a chance to say I don't like this game, I can take it back" its because, new game £40, used game £5-£35.TestECull said:
Some people just don't have the money to buy the game new and just don't see a real reason why they should. They don't know or care about the industry, they just want to play their games.
The only reason I'll pay the extra for a new game is if the game had impressed me enough prior to release for me to want to purchase it around release day rather than waiting for it to go pre-owned.
Actually never, I'm pretty good at not impulse buying lol, but I've worked at a Costco over the summer and I'd see people at the cash look at their total in the hundreds, turn to their spouse and say "We only came in for milk." Made me laugh every timeSavagezion said:
Kk... EB Games in Australia. You have 7 days to return ANY GAME purchase (new or used) if you do not like it. I believe new games will only give you store credit and not cash refund... BUT ... most people who buy one game will eventually buy another, so you really aren't losing out at all.amaranth_dru said:
Brilliant concept. I do not buy any new releases from anywhere else. I buy older games on steam and tend not to buy used just because i like my shinies.
Honestly I'm not bothered by used games because with the way the games industry has been treating it's actual customers these days. They've done everything but proven tactics to sell games better, (lower competitive prices, have a demo, have digital copies cheaper than physical, DRM is the devil, stop with crap over priced DLC)
Basically I get the serial number and other things being hard to get around but you could just send companies packages to go with said game when customers buy it new they get it, OR people can buy said packages. Gasp, decent ideas?
But that would cost extra money, if only there was a way to compromise...oh yeah they already did with shitty try harder manuals and crappy ecoboxes that break discs. Seriously fuck the companies already, they've been punishing people for buying their games enough already and bitching about used games and pirates making them lose jobs. Meanwhile despite used/piracy they make millions upon millions of dollars profit over what they spent.
If they were really hurting they'd try REAL tactics like selling games for cheaper when they're not worth 60 to begin with. 4-5 hour game? Make it 30 bucks like Sonic Generations was. But they're making a killing regardless with their 60(or 120 where you come from) dollar price tag, piracy and used games do not stop them from making insane amounts of cash.
Basically I get the serial number and other things being hard to get around but you could just send companies packages to go with said game when customers buy it new they get it, OR people can buy said packages. Gasp, decent ideas?
But that would cost extra money, if only there was a way to compromise...oh yeah they already did with shitty try harder manuals and crappy ecoboxes that break discs. Seriously fuck the companies already, they've been punishing people for buying their games enough already and bitching about used games and pirates making them lose jobs. Meanwhile despite used/piracy they make millions upon millions of dollars profit over what they spent.
If they were really hurting they'd try REAL tactics like selling games for cheaper when they're not worth 60 to begin with. 4-5 hour game? Make it 30 bucks like Sonic Generations was. But they're making a killing regardless with their 60(or 120 where you come from) dollar price tag, piracy and used games do not stop them from making insane amounts of cash.
Gamestop has had this policy for a while now and there is nothing at all is stopping people from doing that. I've been doing that now for about a year with Xbox 360 games. Every Friday night after work I take my game for that week back to get a new game for the coming week. This week I returned Saints Row The Third to get Skyrim. I've been swapping the two out for each other for a month or so.NightHawk21 said:
I buy used games for a few reasons:
- I get an extra 10% off of used games. At a minimum I can save $10 on a new release.
- I get points on that Power Up Rewards card and I have printed out a few "Save $10 on any used title" coupons.
- I can take a game back within 7 days with no penalty. I wouldn't abuse such a policy but it's a nice safety net if a game is really not for me and I am certain I will never want to play it again.
- When I don't want to give money to a developer because they do stupid, anti-consumer things like support SOPA.
- I would rather invest in a game store that carries a bigger selection of games than investing in a big box store that only has the 30 most popular games per platform. I can still buy Gamecube games at Gamestop, haven't seen a Gamecube game in a big box store in years.
- I get an extra 10% off of used games. At a minimum I can save $10 on a new release.
- I get points on that Power Up Rewards card and I have printed out a few "Save $10 on any used title" coupons.
- I can take a game back within 7 days with no penalty. I wouldn't abuse such a policy but it's a nice safety net if a game is really not for me and I am certain I will never want to play it again.
- When I don't want to give money to a developer because they do stupid, anti-consumer things like support SOPA.
- I would rather invest in a game store that carries a bigger selection of games than investing in a big box store that only has the 30 most popular games per platform. I can still buy Gamecube games at Gamestop, haven't seen a Gamecube game in a big box store in years.
Circumventing DRM is illegal under the WIPO treaty in any signatory country, including the US (DMCA codified it) which means being a proponent even violates Terms of Use here on the Escapist.dogstile said:
Just so you're aware.
And no, I'm not reporting anyone. Just saying.
Anyway, the topic at hand is ridiculous. Used games don't need a justification. Buying new is not a sin, and there is no single reason people buy used. It does demonstrate the power of propaganda, though. People have actually decided that they need to defend it on the industry's terms.
I do love the idea of a 7-day return policy for new games, but I. along with a lot of people would probably end up abusing it, in my experience, 7 days is normally more than enough time to finish a game, once I'd finished the game I'd just return it within the time limit get my money back get a new game
(Not directly on topic, but following onMatthew94 said:
And all PC games should, AT THE VERY LEAST, have a benchmark tool that's downloadable before the release. Basic stuff like that can help curb piracy figures and used game sales. And they should actively look at what difference lowering the price can make: Valve have said that when they lower the price on Steam the increased sales counter the 'lost' money.You're talking about pirating the game and then buying the full copy, he's talking about buying the full game and then downloading a cracked .exe. (I.e. The analogy doesn't work.)Deshara said:
Pretty sure it's a chain wide policy so I would assume it would be the same in Canada. You could probably find out online with a bit of searching but the easiest way would be to call up a few stores and ask what their return policies are for used games.NightHawk21 said:
You'll have to point out where man, i'm reading through it now and I can't see why cracking it for your own personal use is illegal. Hell, for as long as I can remember as long as you don't distribute a crack, its fine in a UK court (i'm not American, so its all i'll know it by).Zachary Amaranth said:
1. (From the Back of My Gamestop Reciept): "Used (pre-owned) merchandise and opened new accessories may be returned for a full refund within 7 days of purchase or exchanged for the identical item within 30 days of purchase."Dorano said:
2. I can only go by the snippets of conversation I hear from the local employees, and the one or two friends who worked at the local store who told me they allowed employees to do so prior to games releasing (and after release). So yes its hearsay but hearing it from different sources tells me that somethings going on there.