In the somewhat defense of GameStop.

I've seen a fair ammount of threads disscussing that GameStop sells "used" games and "new". While it isn't being honest, most people act like GameStop is doing this to make more money which isn't true. GameStop makes its money from used games. Say they bought new game X back for $30 and then sell it for $55, they make $25 of profit that doesn't go to the developer. Now when they sell a used game, that $60 doesn't go to them, I'm assuming a small portion of it does end up in the retailers hands but I'm not to sure about that, but they still don't make $25 or anywere near that for selling a game as new.

If an employee rents a gutted game out for a day or two, they sell it as new because if do sell it as used, they would owe the developer $60, and they could only make $55 off of selling it used. Sometimes copies of games that were used and rented out get mixed in with the gutted new copies of gamesaccidentally. While it still isn't being honest and they are charging you $5 more, they do it to keep even and not owe $55 to the developer, not to make a bunch of money off of uninformed customers. If you don't want a gutted copy of a game or believe that it may have been used and indeed not new, just kindly ask the clerk if they have a factory sealed copy of the game, and if they don't and you decide to buy the game, make sure you ask to see the disk before buying it. Sometimes new copies of disks from gutted copies get finger prints on them from employee's taking them out of the paper sleeves and putting them into the case.

I've never had any problems with Gamestop. If the game works, I'm happy. It's best to get used games rather than new games because really, there is no difference. It works right? Also, you get a 7 day return policy...so it's like renting it, but you get a full refund within 7 days if you decide to return it.

I've seen a fair ammount of threads disscussing that GameStop sells "used" games and "new". While it isn't being honest, most people act like GameStop is doing this to make more money which isn't true. GameStop makes its money from used games. Say they bought new game X back for $30 and then sell it for $55, they make $25 of profit that doesn't go to the developer. Now when they sell a used game, that $60 doesn't go to them, I'm assuming a small portion of it does end up in the retailers hands but I'm not to sure about that, but they still don't make $25 or anywere near that for selling a game as new.

If an employee rents a gutted game out for a day or two, they sell it as new because if do sell it as used, they would owe the developer $60, and they could only make $55 off of selling it used. Sometimes copies of games that were used and rented out get mixed in with the gutted new copies of gamesaccidentally. While it still isn't being honest and they are charging you $5 more, they do it to keep even and not owe $55 to the developer, not to make a bunch of money off of uninformed customers. If you don't want a gutted copy of a game or believe that it may have been used and indeed not new, just kindly ask the clerk if they have a factory sealed copy of the game, and if they don't and you decide to buy the game, make sure you ask to see the disk before buying it. Sometimes new copies of disks from gutted copies get finger prints on them from employee's taking them out of the paper sleeves and putting them into the case.

DarkGamer007

I'm sorry, but I can't agree with you on that.

No matter what, opening up new game and selling it to customers for full-price is no no. In Best Buy and other places, displayed TVs are sold cheaper.

It's ****ing opened game. It ain't new. It shouldn't be full retail price.

They COULD just display printed copies of a cover. It can't be that difficult to get a cover which is just printed paper. I'm sure you can find one online or ask the company to i dunno... send the cover paper? Just slide that paper in empty DVD case and you can use that to display.

To me, it seems like Gamestop employees simply want to play the new game and that is being used as excuse to display opened game and selling it for full retail price. Gamestop is just being irresponsible with their items and showing lack of respect to their customers.

Game retailers make 18-25% profit from new game sales. Compare that to 300-400% profit on used titles. Of course new games can be returned to the publisher if they are not sold. The retailer is stuck with used games until they have sold. I would guess that only about half of the games that stores buy back used are ever sold. Even accounting for that, you can see why it's so tempting for stores to focus on used game sales.

Gutting copies and selling them as new devalues new games and blurs the line between new and used games. I think this is intentional.

Excuse my ignorance, but what is a 'gutted copy of a new game'?

While it isn't being honest, most people act like GameStop is doing this to make more money which isn't true. DarkGamer007

If you don't want a gutted copy of a game or believe that it may have been used and indeed not new, just kindly ask the clerk if they have a factory sealed copy of the game, and if they don't and you decide to buy the game, make sure you ask to see the disk before buying it.DarkGamer007

a gutted copy of the game employees cant rent but is still considered newTheJayhawksWin

Then this is not a new game. Who could argue that it is?

[QUOTE="TheJayhawksWin"]a gutted copy of the game employees cant rent but is still considered newdistort10n

Then this is not a new game. Who could argue that it is?

For the most part, the gutted game would be the last copy sold after all the sealed ones are gone. If you do not want that, just walk away. You don't have to buy the game. Go to Target, Best Buy, Wal-Mart, etc... I'm sure there's one not too far from whatever Gamestop you're in.

I cannot defend Gamestop for opening a game, letting employees play it, and then selling it as new. No way.

But you have the power, as a consumer, not to support that. Believe me, once stores are left with the last gutted copies of every game, they'll stop that practice.

[QUOTE="DarkGamer007"]

I've seen a fair ammount of threads disscussing that GameStop sells "used" games and "new". While it isn't being honest, most people act like GameStop is doing this to make more money which isn't true. GameStop makes its money from used games. Say they bought new game X back for $30 and then sell it for $55, they make $25 of profit that doesn't go to the developer. Now when they sell a used game, that $60 doesn't go to them, I'm assuming a small portion of it does end up in the retailers hands but I'm not to sure about that, but they still don't make $25 or anywere near that for selling a game as new.

If an employee rents a gutted game out for a day or two, they sell it as new because if do sell it as used, they would owe the developer $60, and they could only make $55 off of selling it used. Sometimes copies of games that were used and rented out get mixed in with the gutted new copies of gamesaccidentally. While it still isn't being honest and they are charging you $5 more, they do it to keep even and not owe $55 to the developer, not to make a bunch of money off of uninformed customers. If you don't want a gutted copy of a game or believe that it may have been used and indeed not new, just kindly ask the clerk if they have a factory sealed copy of the game, and if they don't and you decide to buy the game, make sure you ask to see the disk before buying it. Sometimes new copies of disks from gutted copies get finger prints on them from employee's taking them out of the paper sleeves and putting them into the case.

TriangleHard

I'm sorry, but I can't agree with you on that.

No matter what, opening up new game and selling it to customers for full-price is no no. In Best Buy and other places, displayed TVs are sold cheaper.

It's ****ing opened game. It ain't new. It shouldn't be full retail price.

They COULD just display printed copies of a cover. It can't be that difficult to get a cover which is just printed paper. I'm sure you can find one online or ask the company to i dunno... send the cover paper? Just slide that paper in empty DVD case and you can use that to display.

To me, it seems like Gamestop employees simply want to play the new game and that is being used as excuse to display opened game and selling it for full retail price. Gamestop is just being irresponsible with their items and showing lack of respect to their customers.

I totally agree with this. Gamestop is a very smartly run business that takes advantages of its customer base. Its as simple as that. The shrewdest company usually wins out. It's only a matter of time before developers and console makers eliminate the middle man. Maybe not next generation but in two or three generations there will be no more Gamestop. xxxMoreBeerxxx

I don't think it's really being shrewd.

I actually think it's incompetence. This kind of negative reputation can be so easily fixed if they run their buisness more organized. Just asked for printed cover paper and display that, and there is no need to open up good new copies to display.

This kind of incompetence I think is in place due to the lack of competition. Best Buy other other electronic companies are there, but only Gamestop is exclusive game store where people feel more comfortable going to ask bunch of questions and know they can find the exact game they want with more reliability. You ain't going to find Silent Hill 2 in Best Buy.

Monopoly is basically what's ruining Gamestop.

[QUOTE="xxxMoreBeerxxx"]I totally agree with this. Gamestop is a very smartly run business that takes advantages of its customer base. Its as simple as that. The shrewdest company usually wins out. It's only a matter of time before developers and console makers eliminate the middle man. Maybe not next generation but in two or three generations there will be no more Gamestop. TriangleHard

I don't think it's really being shrewd.

I actually think it's incompetence. This kind of negative reputation can be so easily fixed if they run their buisness more organized. Just asked for printed cover paper and display that, and there is no need to open up good new copies to display.

This kind of incompetence I think is in place due to the lack of competition. Best Buy other other electronic companies are there, but only Gamestop is exclusive game store where people feel more comfortable going to ask bunch of questions and know they can find the exact game they want with more reliability. You ain't going to find Silent Hill 2 in Best Buy.

Monopoly is basically what's ruining Gamestop.

The copies are gutted before being put out on the shelves for display. I don't care for the practice but it has nothing to do with incompetence.

I do wish they would find an alternate way but it really isn't a big deal, since the vast majority of their stock is factory sealed. Every once in a while I'll buy a gutted copy, assuming it's mint or hard to find, and really the rest is psychological. If the disc and case are flawless, who gives a ****?

And if people are that uptight over the practice, why not buy somewhere else?

And by the way, the gutting of merchandise is nothing new. Retailers have been doing it for years. I also take issue with your assertion that Best Buy gives discounts on floor models when, based on my own experiences, they usually don't or offer a token 5-10 percent discount, which is nothing.

If the employees at GameStop open up a factory sealed game and play it (whether it's for 5 minutes or 5 hours), it has been used and should NOT be sold as new. Otherwise, it's nothing but deception on their behalf because the customer has no way of knowing if the product is new or used.huladog123

And you think this only happens at Gamestop?

What do you think happens when a person returns merchandise at a store? Do you really think they throw it away?

No, they place it back on the shelf or send it to the factory to be re-packaged which means you could very easily buy something at full retail price that is technically "used."

And unlike Gamestop, you'd never even know it.

But none of that changes the fact that they shouldn't be opening the games and then charging full price. they have other options. Keep in them in a locked display case on the floor so they don't get stolen, or keep them all behind the counter.

There's just no reason to open games and then sell them as new.

[QUOTE="huladog123"]If the employees at GameStop open up a factory sealed game and play it (whether it's for 5 minutes or 5 hours), it has been used and should NOT be sold as new. Otherwise, it's nothing but deception on their behalf because the customer has no way of knowing if the product is new or used.Grammaton-Cleric

And you think this only happens at Gamestop?

What do you think happens when a person returns merchandise at a store? Do you really think they throw it away?

No, they place it back on the shelf or send it to the factory to be re-packaged which means you could very easily buy something at full retail price that is technically "used."

And unlike Gamestop, you'd never even know it.

This depends on the definition of 'new' and you do offer a good point for a thought experiment.

You bought a pair of jeans and take them home. Your husband/wife hates the color and you take them back. You didn't wash them and you didn't remove the tags, so you receive your refund and the store inspects the jeans and puts them back on the shelf at full price.

Are these jeans new or used?

You buy a video game that comes factory sealed. Gamestop opens the game and lets their employees rent it out or take it home themselves for a few days. It comes back with no scratches, instructions are pristine, box is fine and they sell it at full price.

Is this game new or used?

Take it further...is removing the factory seal on a game box the same as removing the tags on the clothes and is playing the game the same as washing the clothes before you return them?

Most places do not let you return clothes especially after you washed them.

My point is that if I knew that something was "used" then I should have an option to wheel and deal on the price: 5% - 10% discount which in all honesty only eliminates the sales tax anyway. I think that would be fair.

[QUOTE="DarkGamer007"]

I've seen a fair ammount of threads disscussing that GameStop sells "used" games and "new". While it isn't being honest, most people act like GameStop is doing this to make more money which isn't true. GameStop makes its money from used games. Say they bought new game X back for $30 and then sell it for $55, they make $25 of profit that doesn't go to the developer. Now when they sell a used game, that $60 doesn't go to them, I'm assuming a small portion of it does end up in the retailers hands but I'm not to sure about that, but they still don't make $25 or anywere near that for selling a game as new.

If an employee rents a gutted game out for a day or two, they sell it as new because if do sell it as used, they would owe the developer $60, and they could only make $55 off of selling it used. Sometimes copies of games that were used and rented out get mixed in with the gutted new copies of gamesaccidentally. While it still isn't being honest and they are charging you $5 more, they do it to keep even and not owe $55 to the developer, not to make a bunch of money off of uninformed customers. If you don't want a gutted copy of a game or believe that it may have been used and indeed not new, just kindly ask the clerk if they have a factory sealed copy of the game, and if they don't and you decide to buy the game, make sure you ask to see the disk before buying it. Sometimes new copies of disks from gutted copies get finger prints on them from employee's taking them out of the paper sleeves and putting them into the case.

TriangleHard

I'm sorry, but I can't agree with you on that.

No matter what, opening up new game and selling it to customers for full-price is no no. In Best Buy and other places, displayed TVs are sold cheaper.

It's ****ing opened game. It ain't new. It shouldn't be full retail price.

They COULD just display printed copies of a cover. It can't be that difficult to get a cover which is just printed paper. I'm sure you can find one online or ask the company to i dunno... send the cover paper? Just slide that paper in empty DVD case and you can use that to display.

To me, it seems like Gamestop employees simply want to play the new game and that is being used as excuse to display opened game and selling it for full retail price. Gamestop is just being irresponsible with their items and showing lack of respect to their customers.

I agree with the second guy on all levels for this one. They should seriously just print out cardboard covers and put them on shelve. Thats cheaper aswell, when considered the already opened case might be a detterant for a potential sale.

I mean, if I buy a copy of.... Lets say Resident Evil 5, I can't take it to another store after four days and demand they buy it off me at full price. Its called degradation, and its an important part of a functioning barter system, which GameStop have betrayed and disrespected.

On the subject, does anybody know if the chains of EB Games in Australia do this?

If so, they can kiss a customer who bought his PS3, and 9 games from them goodbye.

The craziest thing is that game publishers typically have thousands upon thousands of extra box inserts lying around. I bet all Gamestop would have to do is ask for them and the publishers would gladly give them enough copies for all their stores at a minimal cost. (maybe with an extra disclaimer that it's only for display purposes)

[QUOTE="Grammaton-Cleric"]

[QUOTE="huladog123"]If the employees at GameStop open up a factory sealed game and play it (whether it's for 5 minutes or 5 hours), it has been used and should NOT be sold as new. Otherwise, it's nothing but deception on their behalf because the customer has no way of knowing if the product is new or used.distort10n

And you think this only happens at Gamestop?

What do you think happens when a person returns merchandise at a store? Do you really think they throw it away?

No, they place it back on the shelf or send it to the factory to be re-packaged which means you could very easily buy something at full retail price that is technically "used."

And unlike Gamestop, you'd never even know it.

This depends on the definition of 'new' and you do offer a good point for a thought experiment.

You bought a pair of jeans and take them home. Your husband/wife hates the color and you take them back. You didn't wash them and you didn't remove the tags, so you receive your refund and the store inspects the jeans and puts them back on the shelf at full price.

Are these jeans new or used?

You buy a video game that comes factory sealed. Gamestop opens the game and lets their employees rent it out or take it home themselves for a few days. It comes back with no scratches, instructions are pristine, box is fine and they sell it at full price.

Is this game new or used?

Take it further...is removing the factory seal on a game box the same as removing the tags on the clothes and is playing the game the same as washing the clothes before you return them?

Most places do not let you return clothes especially after you washed them.

My point is that if I knew that something was "used" then I should have an option to wheel and deal on the price: 5% - 10% discount which in all honesty only eliminates the sales tax anyway. I think that would be fair.

The game is used, if it was taken out and played it is used no matter what condition it is in.

Am I the only one here who thinks that selling a used game for 5$ less than the new is a rip off? I can't believe people fall for that. Why give them 55 big ones for asecond hand game, when I can find it for 25-30 on ebay? And as for people who do that cause they don't want to go through the process, well... I obvioulsy value my money more than u do...

I'm surprised nobody here knows that if you ask, you can get 10% off a gutted game being sold as new. Got The Witcher for 10% off the other day when I got a gutted copy.Im_single

[QUOTE="Im_single"]I'm surprised nobody here knows that if you ask, you can get 10% off a gutted game being sold as new. Got The Witcher for 10% off the other day when I got a gutted copy.Gammit10

It's against commercial law. They can't sell cheated goods as new unless people know that they're not new.