Gamestop is ripping off customers!

I've heard from other employees that the employees are allowed to rent games from Gamestop for free and return them in one day in mint condition like it just came from the box or else they have to buy it if it isn't mint.

If you have a problem with a one day used game you are way to picky

I've heard from other employees that the employees are allowed to rent games from Gamestop for free and return them in one day in mint condition like it just came from the box or else they have to buy it if it isn't mint.

If you have a problem with a one day used game you are way to picky

Iceman8012

But they shouldnt be selling it for full price if it was an open copy. Even if it was one day.

It's called gutting. If you don't like it, either ask for a new copy or shop somewhere else.LordAndrew

Unforutnately, you're right. The only way to speak up is by demanding an unopened copy or just go somewhere else. I have to say though that the TC has a point. It's just absurd for them to have a sales practice like that and I can only hope that the "masses" will eventually see through that as well.

The only thing I can add is that it is best to call ahead and ask them if they have an unopened copy of a game. Otherwise you are just gambling.

It's called gutting. If you don't like it, either ask for a new copy or shop somewhere else.LordAndrew

the problem comes in when they pull crap like they did to me and many others, and just GIVE you the gutted copy without telling you how it is. you EXPECT a fully sealed copy when you buy a new game. they should at least tell you if the only one they have is the gutted copy and make you aware before you buy it.

on top of that, i know for a fact they have sold the employee "rented" copies as new. i know people who have worked at gamestops before. that place is a cesspool all around, although i know there are some stores that are okay - but they are the exception not the rule.

It's called gutting. If you don't like it, either ask for a new copy or shop somewhere else.LordAndrew

I don't agree with a lot of EB/GS's business practices so I avoid shopping there when possible. Some of their practices that I find despicable are:

- Gutting games. Let me get this straight: I open a sealed game, its instantly used even if I never play it. You guys open a sealed game, rent it out to employees, then store the disc in drawer where it gets filled with scratches and its still considered new? Yeah, that seems completely fair.

- Occassionally EB/GS will attempt to overcharge customers. The most recent example was the re-release of Shin Megami Tensei Digital Devil Saga. The MSRP was $30. Guess what EB/GS did? They took the new copies, opened them up, stuck used stickers on them, and charged $50 in an attempt to claim the games were just used original copies (since the original copies go for way more)

- The trade-in scheme that they have going. Although to their credit they're only able to get away with it because most people are too stupid to realize that they could be getting 2-10x more for their games and systems on eBay or craigslist.

- "You want to buy (insert huge, ultrahyped AAA release title here)? Do you have a preorder? No? Then ignore the boxes upon boxes of copies we have sitting behind me, we won't be able to sell anything to non-preorder customers until we get another 'shipment'"

I don't agree with a lot of EB/GS's business practices so I avoid shopping there when possible. Some of their practices that I find despicable are:

- Gutting games. Let me get this straight: I open a sealed game, its instantly used even if I never play it. You guys open a sealed game, rent it out to employees, then store the disc in drawer where it gets filled with scratches and its still considered new? Yeah, that seems completely fair.

- Occassionally EB/GS will attempt to overcharge customers. The most recent example was the re-release of Shin Megami Tensei Digital Devil Saga. The MSRP was $30. Guess what EB/GS did? They took the new copies, opened them up, stuck used stickers on them, and charged $50 in an attempt to claim the games were just used original copies (since the original copies go for way more)

- The trade-in scheme that they have going. Although to their credit they're only able to get away with it because most people are too stupid to realize that they could be getting 2-10x more for their games and systems on eBay or craigslist.

- "You want to buy (insert huge, ultrahyped AAA release title here)? Do you have a preorder? No? Then ignore the boxes upon boxes of copies we have sitting behind me, we won't be able to sell anything to non-preorder customers until we get another 'shipment'"

gameguy6700

The only thing I find wrong with your comment is that the pre-order people deserve the first shipment of games because they actually took the time to be sure of a copy the other people should really just get over it

Just ask for a brand new one from behind the counter. The GS that I go to always has copies of games behind the counter that are not open. You just have to ask for them. If you don't like it don't buy them new or get them some were else.

- "You want to buy (insert huge, ultrahyped AAA release title here)? Do you have a preorder? No? Then ignore the boxes upon boxes of copies we have sitting behind me, we won't be able to sell anything to non-preorder customers until we get another 'shipment'"

gameguy6700

People that have already paid for there copy are entitled to get it before people that did not pre-ordered it. If the amount of copies they have are the amount they also have pre-ordered than just go some were else.

[QUOTE="gameguy6700"]

- "You want to buy (insert huge, ultrahyped AAA release title here)? Do you have a preorder? No? Then ignore the boxes upon boxes of copies we have sitting behind me, we won't be able to sell anything to non-preorder customers until we get another 'shipment'"

LeviLRP

People that have already paid for there copy are entitled to get it before people that did not pre-ordered it. If the amount of copies they have are the amount they also have pre-ordered than just go some were else.

thats not what hes talking about. hes talking about the fact that gamestop will routinely get in MORE copies than are pre ordered, but still not sell to people who didnt pre order, in an attempt to get them to pre order in the future. i hate them.

[QUOTE="LeviLRP"][QUOTE="gameguy6700"]

- "You want to buy (insert huge, ultrahyped AAA release title here)? Do you have a preorder? No? Then ignore the boxes upon boxes of copies we have sitting behind me, we won't be able to sell anything to non-preorder customers until we get another 'shipment'"

OneWingedAngeI

People that have already paid for there copy are entitled to get it before people that did not pre-ordered it. If the amount of copies they have are the amount they also have pre-ordered than just go some were else.

thats not what hes talking about. hes talking about the fact that gamestop will routinely get in MORE copies than are pre ordered, but still not sell to people who didnt pre order, in an attempt to get them to pre order in the future. i hate them.

That happened to me when I bought COD4: GOTY edition. They took an empty box off the shelf and got a game in an envelope and put it in the case. It didn't bother me enough to not get it, but I most likely won't buy from there again if they do that. When you spend $60 on a game, the least you can get is the game still being in its original packaging.

going to gamestop is just not smart..i went to a sidestore in blockbuster called game rush and they gave me 12$ for a game and i went to gamestop and they gave me 6$ honestly even thought game rush doesnt have as good of a selection its still better. ConkerAndBerri2

Do this. I work at Blockbuster, and even though most stores don't have Game Rush yet, most Blockbuster's have a higher tradein value then Gamestop.

I agree it is poor business practice if you have to ask whether a game was already opened before buying it "new". As for the benefit of trading in your games.. you may get more money for your games on eBay, but you have wait for the bidding, shipping, etc. GS is essentially charging you for the convenience. But I agree that they are ripping you off. I've traded in games that won GOTY and were in mind condition and only got about ten bucks. Then, they re-seal the game, slap on a Used sticker and sell it for forty bucks. They are profiteering gluttons.

well i have never had anything like that happen to me at a gamespot. The customer service is alwasy pretty good to me when i need to return a new game.giggens

The staff may be friendly and courteous, as they are at the store in my area, but that doesn't negate the fact that they do some unethical things.

whinewhinewhine

1. ask if they have a sealed copy
2. ask for a look at the disk
3. decide whether to buy

Instead what people do is just skip all 3 easy steps and just head immediately to their favorite forums to complain. Gutting gives me a copy of the manual that I can browse along with the useless information that the box cover gives. If you don't want it, there are plenty of other people that are willing to buy the last available copy of a game.

whinewhinewhine

1. ask if they have a sealed copy
2. ask for a look at the disk
3. decide whether to buy

Instead what people do is just skip all 3 easy steps and just head immediately to their favorite forums to complain. Gutting gives me a copy of the manual that I can browse along with the useless information that the box cover gives. If you don't want it, there are plenty of other people that are willing to buy the last available copy of a game.glacies_diaboli

That sounds like an unprofessional attitude to take on the subject. If you are going to gut the game, then you should mark it as used. As for your three tips, they're good pieces of advice, but let me ask you something. Have you heard of customer service? Consumers shouldn't have to follow a step-by-step process to avoid getting ripped off. Retail employees get paid to deliver good customer service and to deliver quality goods and services. I suppose Gamestop is the exception to the rule.

How? The manual isn't limited to me alone, any person can come in and read it too. Whether or not they choose to take advantage of this is their own problem. And unproffesional? Let's stop being pretentious here. We're not some kind of consumer protection group. We're a bunch of people in one place who in the end will have little impact on what a major store's policies are. People get ripped off all the time, instead of waiting for the company to change it's way easier to just use common sense.

And seriously it's not like a bomb's going to explode if you don't do any of the above. I wouldn't have to make my foolproof-step-by-step-process-to-buying-at-a-videogame-store™ if people just took the time (which is what? less than 5 minutes?) to know what they're getting into.

...And seriously it's not like a bomb's going to explode if you don't do any of the above. I wouldn't have to make my foolproof-step-by-step-process-to-buying-at-a-videogame-store™ if people just took the time (which is what? less than 5 minutes?) to know what they're getting into.glacies_diaboli

I think you're avoiding the issue. As a consumer, when I ask for a NEW copy of a game, I expect to receive what I intend to pay for. I shouldn't have to ask if it is a used game being peddled as new. If you want to provide the costumers with the benefit of reading the game manual before they buy, then either have copies of the game manuals available on request or sell the previously opened games as used. An alleged lack of common sense does not justify a lack of business ethics.

I think you're avoiding the issue. As a consumer, when I ask for a NEW copy of a game, I expect to receive what I intend to pay for. I shouldn't have to ask if it is a used game being peddled as new. If you want to provide the costumers with the benefit of reading the game manual before they buy, then either have copies of the game manuals available on request or sell the previously opened games as used. An alleged lack of common sense does not justify a lack of business ethics. EnigManic

New doesn't mean sealed. If you intend to buy a sealed copy, how hard is it to tell them that's what you want? You just change one word when you go to the counter and there you go.

Okay, let's say they do sell their display copies as used. With my Edge card I can always ask for this display copy and get a new release for approximately 20% less at the cost of some plastic I'm throwing out anyway. Now that they have no display copy, they have to gut another one. The next person also takes advantage of an Edge card to get it cheaper. Repeat ad infinitum.

What game company would love to lose $10 every time they sell a copy?

And do tell where they're going to get copies of game manuals. Should we pass the blame on publishers now?

[QUOTE="Iceman8012"]

I've heard from other employees that the employees are allowed to rent games from Gamestop for free and return them in one day in mint condition like it just came from the box or else they have to buy it if it isn't mint.

If you have a problem with a one day used game you are way to picky

Ants2k1

But they shouldnt be selling it for full price if it was an open copy. Even if it was one day.

one day isn't a big deal imo, some of you are being too picky

And do tell where they're going to get copies of game manuals. Should we pass the blame on publishers now?

glacies_diaboli

Not to mention where to keep them all. We would have to keep them on file somewhere just in case we get one random copy of game (I work at a GameStop and that happens quite often). There's not enough space in my store to keep that many manuals around, not to mention spend the time to find them all for the games that came in.

[QUOTE="glacies_diaboli"]

[QUOTE="EnigManic"] I think you're avoiding the issue. As a consumer, when I ask for a NEW copy of a game, I expect to receive what I intend to pay for. I shouldn't have to ask if it is a used game being peddled as new. If you want to provide the costumers with the benefit of reading the game manual before they buy, then either have copies of the game manuals available on request or sell the previously opened games as used. An alleged lack of common sense does not justify a lack of business ethics. OneWingedAngeI

New doesn't mean sealed. If you intend to buy a sealed copy, how hard is it to tell them that's what you want? You just change one word when you go to the counter and there you go.

Okay, let's say they do sell their display copies as used. With my Edge card I can always ask for this display copy and get a new release for approximately 20% less at the cost of some plastic I'm throwing out anyway. Now that they have no display copy, they have to gut another one. The next person also takes advantage of an Edge card to get it cheaper. Repeat ad infinitum.

What game company would love to lose $10 every time they sell a copy?

And do tell where they're going to get copies of game manuals. Should we pass the blame on publishers now?

because genius, they will not say a word to you and just stick it in your bag. its happened to me twice and my friend once. you get home, say WTF, go back and then they try to tell you you cant return it because its open. just shut up. a new game should always be sealed. once you break the seal on anything they wont take it back as new, so they cant sell it as new either. it should honestly be illegal unless the customer specifically agrees to it.

besides. would it kill them to knock off a dollar or two and sell it as new but unsealed? no, they want to scam something they broke the seal on to an unlucky customer. gamestop is in the business of ripping off the unwary. it is buyer beware, but when youre caught your still a scumbag.

Actually, it is illegal to sell an opened product as new. The only reason EB/GS hasn't gotten skewered over it yet is because no one is going to initiate a civil suit over a $10 difference and even if they did try to sue for more EB/GS would just settle it out of court since its cheaper for them to settle than to fight until the claims hit millions of dollars.

I've heard from other employees that the employees are allowed to rent games from Gamestop for free and return them in one day in mint condition like it just came from the box or else they have to buy it if it isn't mint.

If you have a problem with a one day used game you are way to picky

Iceman8012

[QUOTE="LordAndrew"]It's called gutting. If you don't like it, either ask for a new copy or shop somewhere else.OneWingedAngeI

on top of that, i know for a fact they have sold the employee "rented" copies as new. i know people who have worked at gamestops before. that place is a cesspool all around, although i know there are some stores that are okay - but they are the exception not the rule.

[QUOTE="OneWingedAngeI"] [QUOTE="LordAndrew"]It's called gutting. If you don't like it, either ask for a new copy or shop somewhere else.BuryMe

on top of that, i know for a fact they have sold the employee "rented" copies as new. i know people who have worked at gamestops before. that place is a cesspool all around, although i know there are some stores that are okay - but they are the exception not the rule.

no not always. they sometimes just put it in the bag quickly and hand it to you. the first time i didnt catch it and the second time i did. sometimes you are just picking up a game quick and i mean come on, you expect a new copy of a game to be new.

[QUOTE="LordAndrew"]It's called gutting. If you don't like it, either ask for a new copy or shop somewhere else.ishoturface

Well, yeah. But there's not much we can do about it. People have been complaining on forums for years and they haven't changed. All you can do is ask for a sealed copy. If they can't provide that, buy the game elsewhere.

no not always. they sometimes just put it in the bag quickly and hand it to you. the first time i didnt catch it and the second time i did. sometimes you are just picking up a game quick and i mean come on, you expect a new copy of a game to be new.OneWingedAngeI

So it has happened to you twice? And you learned from it, good for you. Now if only everyone would do the same then we'll have less of a problem.

Also they do tell me when a game isn't sealed even if I don't ask (perhaps it's Pavlovian now since they know I'm going to). If it doesn't happen in your store then I already said that it's as simple as asking for a sealed copy. And come on, you can't see them rummaging in the drawer they keep gutted discs in? It's fairly obvious that they're going to give you a gutted copy once they start looking in that drawer. I guess your store just hires people that are faster than a speeding bullet :\

If we can only pay attention for 5 minutes... you're throwing away about $50, you might as well see where it lands.

[QUOTE="ishoturface"][QUOTE="LordAndrew"]It's called gutting. If you don't like it, either ask for a new copy or shop somewhere else.LordAndrew

Well, yeah. But there's not much we can do about it. People have been complaining on forums for years and they haven't changed. All you can do is ask for a sealed copy. If they can't provide that, buy the game elsewhere.

^^^This

[QUOTE="OneWingedAngeI"]no not always. they sometimes just put it in the bag quickly and hand it to you. the first time i didnt catch it and the second time i did. sometimes you are just picking up a game quick and i mean come on, you expect a new copy of a game to be new.glacies_diaboli

So it has happened to you twice? And you learned from it, good for you. Now if only everyone would do the same then we'll have less of a problem.

Also they do tell me when a game isn't sealed even if I don't ask (perhaps it's Pavlovian now since they know I'm going to). If it doesn't happen in your store then I already said that it's as simple as asking for a sealed copy. And come on, you can't see them rummaging in the drawer they keep gutted discs in? It's fairly obvious that they're going to give you a gutted copy once they start looking in that drawer. I guess your store just hires people that are faster than a speeding bullet :\

If we can only pay attention for 5 minutes... you're throwing away about $50, you might as well see where it lands.

um no you do realize that they dont keep every game in that glass case, they also keep new games in other shelves. trust me my wife used to be management at a gamestop.

as for posting on the forums about it, ive done it for years and will continue to try and dissuade people from shopping there. just like when at best buy i tell people who are about to buy monster cables not to, and laugh at the employees there who just lost their commission.

i can hurt their business and that makes me happy.

Some of you have commented about "simply asking them for an unsealed copy". We can discuss common sense in the off-topic boards. The issue here is business ethics. If a customer is going to be charged full-price, then he/she should receive a new sealed copy. If GS employess intend to sell a gutted copy at full price, they should ask the costumer if it's okay. Otherwise, they should sell it as used.

Furthermore, it is disgusting to receive a few bucks for your trade-in when GS is just going to sell it for 30 or 40 bucks. It's highway robbery. As for those of you who suggest "going somewhere else", that's hard to do when EB/GS keeps buying out the competition.

Furthermore, it is disgusting to receive a few bucks for your trade-in when GS is just going to sell it for 30 or 40 bucks. It's highway robbery. As for those of you who suggest "going somewhere else", that's hard to do when EB/GS keeps buying out the competition.

EnigManic

1. Sell direct to consumers, either personally, or online through something eBay.

2. Regular Pawn Shops - there are a lot of these throughout the country, and these are just as capable of buying games form you...sure, you may not get store credit, and there may not be standardized pricing between pawn shops, but you don't see GS buying out pawn shops, so they are always available as competition.

For me, the GS near where I am at is on where I don't have any problems with their service. They sell me sealed copies of games when I want new...when I'm getting used, they check the quality of the disc, and make valid recommendations of whether it's a good copy...when I'm looking for a used title, they know their inventory pretty solid from memory, and they also don't pressure me to preorder anymore than simply asking the standard question while checking out.

I dunno, I've come across some bad GS's, of course...but I've also come across bad GameCrazy's...it really amounts more to the employees than anything in my experience.

All you guys complaining about how much they get for a trade-in and how much GS sells it back on the shelf for, are not taking in all the variables. First of all, when you trade something in, you should not expect to get more than $30 for it. This is because once you open a game its value goes down instantly. You can't complain about GS giving you an opened copy with no discount while at the same time wanting $50 for a game you bought a week ago. A good rule of thumb I have always gone by is the once something is used, its value goes down 50%.

Secondly, while it is understandable to gripe about only getting 15 bucks for a trade in only to see them resell it for 40, you should really see where they are coming from. You have to take into account how old the game is, and how popular it is. They can put whatever price they want on the box but they dont know if they will even be able to sell it again if it is obscure and unknown. Not to mention the fact that you must take inventory costs into account. They are taking your game NO QUESTIONS ASKED and putting it into their inventory. There is only so much space available in any given store, and taking trade ins affects their ability to stock their shelves with new releases.

All you guys complaining about how much they get for a trade-in and how much GS sells it back on the shelf for, are not taking in all the variables. First of all, when you trade something in, you should not expect to get more than $30 for it. This is because once you open a game its value goes down instantly. You can't complain about GS giving you an opened copy with no discount while at the same time wanting $50 for a game you bought a week ago. A good rule of thumb I have always gone by is the once something is used, its value goes down 50%.

Secondly, while it is understandable to gripe about only getting 15 bucks for a trade in only to see them resell it for 40, you should really see where they are coming from. You have to take into account how old the game is, and how popular it is. They can put whatever price they want on the box but they dont know if they will even be able to sell it again if it is obscure and unknown. Not to mention the fact that you must take inventory costs into account. They are taking your game NO QUESTIONS ASKED and putting it into their inventory. There is only so much space available in any given store, and taking trade ins affects their ability to stock their shelves with new releases.

Gamefan1986

baloney. i sell games that just came out that i really hated for $5 less than retail on ebay. your rule of thumb is, frankly, terrible. am i going to sell my macbook pro on ebay for 50% of what i paid? not a chance. ill likely get over 75% of its value.

the big gripe people have is mostly about them giving people an unsealed game at new cost. i realize they can price used games however they want, its their prerogative. mine is to warn people of the ripoff that is gamestop and try to cause them to lose business. but again, this topic is mostly about them giving you a display copy at full cost, often times while not even informing you of the fact and then telling you that youre out of luck if you want to return it.

I totally agree with OneWingedAngel. And your argument about their need to sell traded-in games for what they charge is ludicrous. Any good business needs to make at least enough revenue to cover their overhead expenses. GS accomplishes that with their sales of new games, consoles and accessories. Whatever revenue they make from the sale of used games and consoles is at least 80% profit. As long as a copy of a game is in excellant condition, there is absolutely no moral reason to give you a few bucks for it and then sell it for thirty or forty bucks.

The other related issue I have is that GS, like any good business, tries to build a reputation of delivering customer service and quality goods at a "fair" price. But they're not delivering good service if they're ripping you off, no matter how much they smile and say, "Have a nice day." I have no objection to selling your old games on eBay. My beef is that if you do that, you have to deal with the relevant delays and shipping costs, while GS claims to deliver convenient, quality trade-in service.

Personally if you don't like their business practices don't shop there. Don't complain to everyone else because you can't shop at the right places.Iceman8012

i think it is our duty as a community to complain and deter as many people as possible from shopping there