Used Games and Why they sell...

[Xanthious]

Does your gamestop really do that? Is it a new policy, cause I'm pretty sure mine didn't when I still bought stuff there? Shit what's to stop someone from taking the game beating it then trading it back in that window?

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.

 

[Epona]

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.

 

[Something Amyss]

Nope, because robbery isn't legal. Cracking your games to have obtrusive DRM removed however, actually is legal. Its a defence that's worked in court.

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.

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.

 

[Oly J]

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

 

[Woodsey]

Basically the solution is that all games should have demos that arrive before launch

(Not directly on topic, but following on 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.

I use GTA IV with a crack because I don't like SecuROM and don't want it on my machine. I bought a legit copy, brand new no less. How in seven fucks am I stealing from Rockstar if I'm cracking a copy I already paid them for?


By that logic modding games is also stealing, because lol DLC.

And I'm sure somebody's refunded a store for the stolen merchandise after robbing it at gunpoint, but that doesn't mean all robbers leave payment.

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.)

 

[WWmelb]

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

A lot of people do abuse this at EB... my own housemates do. But. They really really don't seem to care, or to lose out on it at all.

 

[NightHawk21]

Does your gamestop really do that? Is it a new policy, cause I'm pretty sure mine didn't when I still bought stuff there? Shit what's to stop someone from taking the game beating it then trading it back in that window?

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.

These are American gamestops right? Do you know if Canadian ones do it too?

 

[Xanthious]

Does your gamestop really do that? Is it a new policy, cause I'm pretty sure mine didn't when I still bought stuff there? Shit what's to stop someone from taking the game beating it then trading it back in that window?

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.

These are American gamestops right? Do you know if Canadian ones do it too?

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.

 

[Dogstile]

Nope, because robbery isn't legal. Cracking your games to have obtrusive DRM removed however, actually is legal. Its a defence that's worked in court.

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.

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.

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).

 

[NightHawk21]

Does your gamestop really do that? Is it a new policy, cause I'm pretty sure mine didn't when I still bought stuff there? Shit what's to stop someone from taking the game beating it then trading it back in that window?

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.

These are American gamestops right? Do you know if Canadian ones do it too?

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.

Nice might have to go back to the store and check it out. Thanks.

 

[Imperioratorex Caprae]

1.Used games sell better (at Gamestop at least) because it gives a customer a chance to say "I made a bad decision, I don't like this" and return it after playing it for a full refund.
2. Who can tell the difference at Gamestop, where EMPLOYEES TAKE HOME NEW COPIES TO PLAY THAT EVENTUALLY GET SOLD AS NEW TO CUSTOMERS.

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.
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.

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."

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.

 

[Savagezion]

Shit what's to stop someone from taking the game beating it then trading it back in that window?

For some reason, I have thought about this a couple of times today and find this quote interesting. I don't have a problem with this policy it nor anyone who uses this work around. Do what you do, it is what it is.

However, I find it funny that people also use this argument against piracy as to "What is to stop someone from just downloading all their games for free?" There are two strikingly parallel judgements here. What is to stop everyone from using Wikipedia and not contributing once a year to keep the site active and free? The thing is honestly, most people do what they can to support what they love. Kind of interesting how society actually believes that the general public are out to screw over businesses.

NightHawk, I don't mean this as an attack against you, honestly. It's just this question for some reason stuck with me today. I am sure you spend plenty of money on games, good luck with your endeavors. We do what we can with what we got. My ass would forget to return it, I know me.

It is just really interesting how some people are the quick to point out how customer service is a threat to the industry. Heh, that just sounds funny. I know they are mentioning piracy but one could argue this is similar. An anti-piracy person would be all over NightHawk for thinking of doing that. However, they might be torn because if they believe the industry about piracy harming the industry they probably also believe the industry when they say Gamestop's used games are hurting the industry. Customer Service is hurting the industry! Haha. I dunno, I thought it was a funny parallel. Figured I would share.

 

[Savagezion]

1.Used games sell better (at Gamestop at least) because it gives a customer a chance to say "I made a bad decision, I don't like this" and return it after playing it for a full refund.
2. Who can tell the difference at Gamestop, where EMPLOYEES TAKE HOME NEW COPIES TO PLAY THAT EVENTUALLY GET SOLD AS NEW TO CUSTOMERS.

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.
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.

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."

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.

They can check out 1 or 2 used games according to company policy last year. This is why Gamestop was under Federal Trade commission investigation last year. It was all over the internet. But it had to do with check outs being mixed with new merchandise and basically selling used copies as new.

 

[NightHawk21]

Shit what's to stop someone from taking the game beating it then trading it back in that window?

For some reason, I have thought about this a couple of times today and find this quote interesting. I don't have a problem with this policy it nor anyone who uses this work around. Do what you do, it is what it is.

However, I find it funny that people also use this argument against piracy as to "What is to stop someone from just downloading all their games for free?" There are two strikingly parallel judgements here. What is to stop everyone from using Wikipedia and not contributing once a year to keep the site active and free? The thing is honestly, most people do what they can to support what they love. Kind of interesting how society actually believes that the general public are out to screw over businesses.

NightHawk, I don't mean this as an attack against you, honestly. It's just this question for some reason stuck with me today. I am sure you spend plenty of money on games, good luck with your endeavors. We do what we can with what we got. My ass would forget to return it, I know me.

It is just really interesting how some people are the quick to point out how customer service is a threat to the industry. Heh, that just sounds funny. I know they are mentioning piracy but one could argue this is similar. An anti-piracy person would be all over NightHawk for thinking of doing that. However, they might be torn because if they believe the industry about piracy harming the industry they probably also believe the industry when they say Gamestop's used games are hurting the industry. Customer Service is hurting the industry! Haha. I dunno, I thought it was a funny parallel. Figured I would share.

That's an interesting take and in a lot of regards doing what I mentioned is like piracy. Still I think you're right about people and we do support what we love, and like to hold on to it. Still I just love finding like exploit or loop-holes or what not.