Why do people whine about buying used games?

On many occasions on this board, I have seen people bashing gamestop with one of the main reasons being that the game companies don't make any money off the sale of used games. I don't get it; why are games held to this bizarre double standard on the sale of used merchandise? You don't hear anyone whine about how the auto industry doesn't make money on the sale of used cars, and you certainly don't hear anyone whine about the furniture industry doesn't make money off the sale of used sofas. So what's the difference in video games?

I don't mind buying used games at all. Just not from Gamestop GS is such a rip off when it comes to used games.

I hate people who complain, but I hate buying used boxes and games, they are disgusting :P like physically.

I buy used games but I hate the boxes some times. I try picking the cleanest one. I just hate their trade in scams. $20 trade in value on a $60 that came out 3 days before? That's what I hate.

Usually I don't like Gamestop but earlier today I did find a used copy of Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner with the box and manuel for $20. I washappy to find it sitting at a bin filled with used PS2 games. However,I sometimes hate how the box is disgusting and the annoyance of getting the yellow stickers off the case and cover. I have to be careful of not ruining the case with those annoying stickers. I think the worse is when they put the wrong game in the case or when the "new game" lookes like it was used before.

Usually when people use the words "gamestop", "used", and "games" in the same sentence they're complaining about gamestop's business practices, not the practice of buying used games in general. Gamestop rips off its customers to an extent that should be considered criminal. They pay people only a small fraction of what the game they're trading in is actually worth, and then resell it at a price that's usually only $5 cheaper than buying the game new.

But yeah, people who whine about buying used games are annoying. Just how much of a tool do you have to be to take that stance?

Maybe some people prefer to buy new, and support devs? Do you have a problem with it? I don't because the developers that I buy from are developers I'd love to see constantly produce games.

Games tend to only have a single outlet of distribution in its chain. Its Distribution > Sales. Thats it. By buying used games you skip the only way the publisher makes money.

Audio and video industries have multiple ways to gain money. Movies have theater release > on-demand > DVD > cable > free cable. Audio has concerts > albums > TV > radio. The 2nd hand market hurts them, but they have enough chances of revenue that it has no real significant impact since its likely to occur closer to the end of the chain of possible income sources.

Games do not have the luxury of such a mature revenue system. In short, a used game sales hurts alot more than used movie or album purchase. In the publisher's eyes piracy or used games are basically the same thing: People playing their game without any compensation.

Its difficult to blame the consumer though, considering they are just trying to save a few bucks. But developers want to get paid to. Its complicated.

Usually when people use the words "gamestop", "used", and "games" in the same sentence they're complaining about gamestop's business practices, not the practice of buying used games in general. Gamestop rips off its customers to an extent that should be considered criminal. They pay people only a small fraction of what the game they're trading in is actually worth, and then resell it at a price that's usually only $5 cheaper than buying the game new.

But yeah, people who whine about buying used games are annoying. Just how much of a tool do you have to be to take that stance?

gameguy6700

yes i find it annoying that people will walk into gamestop see two copys of a game, one for 49.99 and one for 47.99 and go hmm gotta get the used you save two dollars and the devs lose 50$ yes thats annoying i dont really care about people who are doing it to save decent ammounts of money like if it was 20-30 dollars off.

also most trading happens with gamestop and no offense if your a gamestop ceo or something but they suck balls. i was in there the other day and they were ripping some kid off by making him trade his 3 games in for 10 dollars off a different game and btw they were good selling games like in the 30-50$ new price range.

Don't have a problem with buying used games. I mostly buy used games when I can't find it new.

My only beef with Gamestop ishow shady they are on how they sell used games as brand new.

I kinda think it's silly to whine about buying a used game due the the argument "But then the developers don't get the money". If you buy a used car you don't pay the model company the same amount of money for it as the previous owners aswell as the additional money that previous owner wants for it. Of course that would be a dream come try to every company in the world but such isn't the case.

When you buy a product, then you've bought it, it's yours. There are of course rights and regulations when you buy a product such as not copying and distributing around in a very large quantity. You've paid the developers for the game as they've expected, they got the money. Then later you decide you want to sell it and you do that for 80% lower the price you originally paid for it, I doubt the developers care about that small amount of money you earn from it and if you have the buyer pay say 50$ + the additionally 80% price cut for a game that's 3 years old.

Well they you might aswell just toss it in the trash cause nobody will buy it unless you find some moron. Nobody wants to use more money then they can, if you see a way to save money then you go for it. It's in our mindset, but you also have the opposite side that wants others to pay full price for your products so you can get more money. That's capitalism plain and simple.

Now this is by no means a encouragment or defence towards piracy, since that is plain and utter stealing but buying a used game is a purchase nonetheless even if the Developers don't get those 5 bucks you paid for it. When the regards of Gamestop and their used games policy, it is a gigantic rip-off.

I hate people who complain, but I hate buying used boxes and games, they are disgusting :P like physically.

JigglyWiggly_

o_0 I never come across a used game i find revolting or disgusting, they´re all in pristine condition.

Where do you get your games, hobos´r´us?

I buy used games but I hate the boxes some times. I try picking the cleanest one. I just hate their trade in scams. $20 trade in value on a $60 that came out 3 days before? That's what I hate.

musicXpirate

I've only recently started buying used games (mainly because I have to re-buy some of my games cause they wont work on a PAL 360) but I used to hate doing so because of the horrible looking boxes, torn up manuals, and scratched discs. However I cant really fault gamstop since they're only trying to recoup the money they spent buying the game new from the publisher. Why do you think they charge so much and pay you so little for your used games? That's why if a game doesnt sell well at release it's up to the retailer to lower the price and try and get as much of it's money back as possible (the publisher isnt going to offer them a refund ya know).I think for them it's almost more about breaking even than making a profit. I do find it funny how people come in here and say "I'm single handedly supporting my favorite developer by buying thier game" when allthey're reallydoing is helping said retailer keep it's doors open so that they can continue to provide an outlet for said publisher to sell thier games. Think about it. If you really want to stick it to Gamestop then stop selling back your games and force them to price new ones more competitively.

I have no problem with buying used games. It's all okay to me.

However I cant really fault gamstop since they're only trying to recoup the money they spent buying the game new from the publisher. Why do you think they charge so much and pay you so little for your used games? That's why if a game doesnt sell well at release it's up to the retailer to lower the price and try and get as much of it's money back as possible (the publisher isnt going to offer them a refund ya know).I think for them it's almost more about breaking even than making a profit.MentatAssassin

Is this really true? Granted, I've never worked video game retail, but with most other markets (music, books, DVDs) it is set up so that the retail store can return product that doesn't sell. So being stuck with product shouldn't really be an issue. In addition, most price drops are MRSP price drops... so it is the publisher/distributor making those decisions. So is the video game industry different?

Maybe some people prefer to buy new, and support devs? Do you have a problem with it? I don't because the developers that I buy from are developers I'd love to see constantly produce games.

Mr_Nordquist

because it's a d-i-r-t-y, filthy thing not to be talked about! some obsessed gamers treat their games like virgins, buying them 'sealed and new' every time and talking fetishistically about how they "haven't broken the seal yet"; about it still being in its wrapper, and some of them never rip open the plastic, preferring instead to 'preserve' it.

but with most 'normal' people, it's probably something to do with making sure development teams get the money from a purchase so they can put it back into development. people usually do this with games they really like. at other times maybe they just have the money, so they'd prefer to have a nice, clean copy.

I don't know about everyone else, but I refuse to shop at gamestop anymore because of a few of their business practices. For instance, when they take trade-ins, they 100% never check to see if they work. One time I bought 3 games used from gamestop as well as a used DS. 2 games and the DS didn't work, and I'd had it happen to me once in the past before too. Also, as some others have said, sometimes you'll get new games that oddly enough seem to have been opened before and occasionally are missing the manual and stuff like that. It's a crappy retailer that gets its business because, like McDonald's, it's on every street corner making it the closest game store.

[QUOTE="gameguy6700"]

Usually when people use the words "gamestop", "used", and "games" in the same sentence they're complaining about gamestop's business practices, not the practice of buying used games in general. Gamestop rips off its customers to an extent that should be considered criminal. They pay people only a small fraction of what the game they're trading in is actually worth, and then resell it at a price that's usually only $5 cheaper than buying the game new.

But yeah, people who whine about buying used games are annoying. Just how much of a tool do you have to be to take that stance?

07pops07

yes i find it annoying that people will walk into gamestop see two copys of a game, one for 49.99 and one for 47.99 and go hmm gotta get the used you save two dollars and the devs lose 50$ yes thats annoying i dont really care about people who are doing it to save decent ammounts of money like if it was 20-30 dollars off.

also most trading happens with gamestop and no offense if your a gamestop ceo or something but they suck balls. i was in there the other day and they were ripping some kid off by making him trade his 3 games in for 10 dollars off a different game and btw they were good selling games like in the 30-50$ new price range.

Using the "You should be supporting the devs" argument is being a tool because you're supporting a commercial entity's interests above your consumer interests. Yeah, in cases like gamestop where a used game's price is insignificantly lower than the new game's price you should go ahead and get the new game for many reasons (not supporting gamestop's business practices, encouraging them to sell used games at an acceptable price, and supporting the publisher). But in other cases, like buying used games from yard sales or ebay (where the prices are usually much lower than a new game) it's foolish to opt to buy a game for $60 instead of $35 simply because you want to show devs your support.

You don't see this kind of thinking in any other industry. I'm willing to bet that you don't hold the philosophy that you should buy all your movies new in order to support the studios or that everyone should only buy new cars in order to support automakers (who, btw, need a lot more support right now than video game companies). It's only gamers who sometimes think that buying used is wrong because companies aren't getting the optimal amount of profit that they could be getting. And usually it's those same gamers who are supportive of the industry's price hikes (a $10 increase in the price of games for no reason other than lame excuses), in-game ads in a $60 game, and rip-off DLC (EA games selling cheats as DLC, content that was being made at the same time the game was still in development being withheld from release so it can be sold as DLC, etc). In other words they're sheep of the industry because to them the industry is always right and can do no wrong.

Buying used saves money and who doesn't like to save money. Also, few games are worth buying "new"

Buying used saves money and who doesn't like to save money. Also, few games are worth buying "new"

killeer2007

Using the "You should be supporting the devs" argument is being a tool because you're supporting a commercial entity's interests above your consumer interests.

gameguy6700

This. Let's see. Here's an example. I can buy one new game for $60. Or three used games for $60. But I want EA to have my money so badly that I'm going to just get the new game. I find this mentality hilarious but by no means discourage it. Someone has to buy the new games so that I can buy them used later and cheaper. So you 'holier than thou' gamers keep it up. Just make sure you take care of those games and don't lose the manual 'cause I won't buy a used game without it. Oh..and thanks!

I'm all for BUYING used games, I just got 2 today, SSX On Tour and Tekken 5, both for PS2. We all have the right to say whatever we want, but it is odd that people bash GameStop like they don't have a choice. If you go to GameStop looking for a specific game and it cost to much, or is covered in stickers, or is in bad condition. You have options to get/not get the game. If it's too high, then look elsewhere (Ebay, Amazon, Half.com, etc.), too many stickers for you, don't get it. If its scratched up, ask them (that's what I do) for there best copy and if they only have a bad copy, then look elsewhere. Today, when I got the 2 above mentioned games, I left w/o checking them (I rarely forget to do that) and Tekken 5 was pretty scratched up, no big deal, after I got out of the grocery store, I went back in and told the cashier and he looked at it and said someone took that game and shouldn't have and then he grabbed me another copy that was in excellent shape, then he said, sorry about that. Now, as for trading in games, that's a different story. What they give you for trade in credit is ridiculous, but if we all have the choice, NOT TO DO IT. Ask them how much trade in credit you will get and if your not happy, tell them and find other ways of getting rid of the game(s). I've been trading/buying used & new games through EB Games/GameStop for over 10 years and I'll be dealing with them for another 10+ years. Some people just blow things out of proportion, and act like they have no choice but to only go to GameStop and buy/sell/trade.DManSteelerFan

We all know we have a choice but we still complain in order to warn other people and because of feelings of righteous indignation. Gamestop's business practices are so egregiously bad that they insult the consumer's intelligence. They're essentially calling us stupid and naive when they tell us that trading-in a $40 game for $5 is a good deal, or when they claim that a game is "new" as they pull a scratched and smudged disc out of a drawer. The worst part is that they're obviously right since the mere fact that they're the largest gaming retailer means that there are a lot of naive idiots out there falling for Gamestop's bull****. As a result, I think that when a lot of people on here are complaining they're not commiserating but rather hoping to inform people who fall for Gamestop's scams that there are other, better options out there (hence the reason every "how much will I get if I trade in these games?" thread quickly turns into a GS/EB hate thread). I know that's true in my case at least.

[QUOTE="07pops07"]

[QUOTE="gameguy6700"]

Usually when people use the words "gamestop", "used", and "games" in the same sentence they're complaining about gamestop's business practices, not the practice of buying used games in general. Gamestop rips off its customers to an extent that should be considered criminal. They pay people only a small fraction of what the game they're trading in is actually worth, and then resell it at a price that's usually only $5 cheaper than buying the game new.

But yeah, people who whine about buying used games are annoying. Just how much of a tool do you have to be to take that stance?

gameguy6700

yes i find it annoying that people will walk into gamestop see two copys of a game, one for 49.99 and one for 47.99 and go hmm gotta get the used you save two dollars and the devs lose 50$ yes thats annoying i dont really care about people who are doing it to save decent ammounts of money like if it was 20-30 dollars off.

also most trading happens with gamestop and no offense if your a gamestop ceo or something but they suck balls. i was in there the other day and they were ripping some kid off by making him trade his 3 games in for 10 dollars off a different game and btw they were good selling games like in the 30-50$ new price range.

Using the "You should be supporting the devs" argument is being a tool because you're supporting a commercial entity's interests above your consumer interests. Yeah, in cases like gamestop where a used game's price is insignificantly lower than the new game's price you should go ahead and get the new game for many reasons (not supporting gamestop's business practices, encouraging them to sell used games at an acceptable price, and supporting the publisher). But in other cases, like buying used games from yard sales or ebay (where the prices are usually much lower than a new game) it's foolish to opt to buy a game for $60 instead of $35 simply because you want to show devs your support.

You don't see this kind of thinking in any other industry. I'm willing to bet that you don't hold the philosophy that you should buy all your movies new in order to support the studios or that everyone should only buy new cars in order to support automakers (who, btw, need a lot more support right now than video game companies). It's only gamers who sometimes think that buying used is wrong because companies aren't getting the optimal amount of profit that they could be getting. And usually it's those same gamers who are supportive of the industry's price hikes (a $10 increase in the price of games for no reason other than lame excuses), in-game ads in a $60 game, and rip-off DLC (EA games selling cheats as DLC, content that was being made at the same time the game was still in development being withheld from release so it can be sold as DLC, etc). In other words they're sheep of the industry because to them the industry is always right and can do no wrong.

Movies are allot different then games because they have theaters, rent , buying , and buying used which is very small market compared to used game trading probably because people like to keep their movies after they watch them. Frankly the people who put the most work into movies allready get paid,its just justin timber lake who makes more money if it sells well

Really i dont make cars or market cars hence i cant tell you why but auto makers are constantly fighting over who has the better resell value they seem to not mind the used car industry. i think its because the people buying a used car would not have bought a new car if there wasn't used someone buying a used video game would have bought the game anyways because the difference between used and new video games is not as large as cars.

its not the optimal ammount of profit i care about its the fact that a good selling quilty game=more quilty games

a good selling pos game means more pos games, no will make any games if people dont buy them

[QUOTE="gameguy6700"]

[QUOTE="07pops07"]i am sorry how is supporting devs being a tool excatly.

yes i find it annoying that people will walk into gamestop see two copys of a game, one for 49.99 and one for 47.99 and go hmm gotta get the used you save two dollars and the devs lose 50$ yes thats annoying i dont really care about people who are doing it to save decent ammounts of money like if it was 20-30 dollars off.

also most trading happens with gamestop and no offense if your a gamestop ceo or something but they suck balls. i was in there the other day and they were ripping some kid off by making him trade his 3 games in for 10 dollars off a different game and btw they were good selling games like in the 30-50$ new price range.

07pops07

Using the "You should be supporting the devs" argument is being a tool because you're supporting a commercial entity's interests above your consumer interests. Yeah, in cases like gamestop where a used game's price is insignificantly lower than the new game's price you should go ahead and get the new game for many reasons (not supporting gamestop's business practices, encouraging them to sell used games at an acceptable price, and supporting the publisher). But in other cases, like buying used games from yard sales or ebay (where the prices are usually much lower than a new game) it's foolish to opt to buy a game for $60 instead of $35 simply because you want to show devs your support.

You don't see this kind of thinking in any other industry. I'm willing to bet that you don't hold the philosophy that you should buy all your movies new in order to support the studios or that everyone should only buy new cars in order to support automakers (who, btw, need a lot more support right now than video game companies). It's only gamers who sometimes think that buying used is wrong because companies aren't getting the optimal amount of profit that they could be getting. And usually it's those same gamers who are supportive of the industry's price hikes (a $10 increase in the price of games for no reason other than lame excuses), in-game ads in a $60 game, and rip-off DLC (EA games selling cheats as DLC, content that was being made at the same time the game was still in development being withheld from release so it can be sold as DLC, etc). In other words they're sheep of the industry because to them the industry is always right and can do no wrong.

Movies are allot different then games because they have theaters, rent , buying , and buying used which is very small market compared to used game trading probably because people like to keep their movies after they watch them. Frankly the people who put the most work into movies allready get paid,its just justin timber lake who makes more money if it sells well

Really i dont make cars or market cars hence i cant tell you why but auto makers are constantly fighting over who has the better resell value they seem to not mind the used car industry. i think its because the people buying a used car would not have bought a new car if there wasn't used someone buying a used video game would have bought the game anyways because the difference between used and new video games is not as large as cars.

its not the optimal ammount of profit i care about its the fact that a good selling quilty game=more quilty games

a good selling pos game means more pos games, no will make any games if people dont buy them

You seem to be missing the fact that the used market operates the same no matter what the product. The supply of used product is directly dependant upon how well the new product sells. As a result, if more people buy a used game that means that more people have to have bought the game new as well. Thus, devs already have a good idea of how well their game has sold compared to other games. Even if everyone bought new things wouldn't change much at all since every game would sell more copies and thus the standards for a decently selling game would rise. In other words, assume that 20% of consumers buy their games used. If they all bought every game new, then every game's sales would increase by 20% and thus there would be no increase in relative sales. That "relative" part is important. It means that while sales do still increase, which publishers/developers would love since it means they make more cash, the sales discrepancy between an obscure game and a well-known game would remain the same. As a result, developers would still choose to avoid obscure/risky titles because they would still be able to make more profit (ie their profit is optimized) by playing it safe.

Movies are sold used all the time. Go check out your local movie rental store sometime, I guarantee you that they have several bins of used movies for sell. Also make note of the prices of used movies vs. new movie. Furthermore, film studios do not make much money off of theater releases, and they make just as much money from movie rentals as game companies make from game rentals (which is to say not much). It's home video sales that are the main source of their profits.

The film market also operates the same as the video game market. Film studios' profits are tied to DVD and ticket sales just like game developer studios' profits are tied directly to game sales. The employees in both industries make no extra money no matter how well the movie/game they worked on sells. It's just the studios and developers/publishers who make more money, and it's those companies who in turn decide what projects they work on next based off what they think will sell best. So no, movies aren't really that different from games when it comes to economics.

So you see, by "supporting developers" you're really nothing more than a tool of the industry. Alone you make no discernable difference in sales figures. If everyone followed your example then it still wouldn't matter because relative sales still wouldn't change. The only thing that happens when people choose to buy new instead of used just to support developers is that companies get more money and you lose more money.

I buy used games all the time at gamestop and mostly ebay. You gan get some great deals there.