Gamestop shenanigans sell open games as 'new'

[Tan]

Posted Mar 25th 2007 2:25PM by Alexander Sliwinski

Gamestop isn't new to weird shenanigans in their business tactics. In late January, James Munn, over at Aeropause, told the story of a Gamestop employee selling him a "new" game by opening a display box and putting the game disc into it. He was even asked if he wanted it shrink-wrapped, essentially discrediting any item in the store from being truly "new." Now we have a similar tale.

After hearing about the awesomeness of God of War II all week from colleagues, a lazy Sunday drive to go pick it up seemed in order. We even called ahead to make sure they had copies and were informed they did. Arriving at the Gamestop store, we went straight to the counter and asked for God of War II. The gentlemen proceeded to ask if there was a reservation, we said there wasn't, and he walked over to the display wall and grabbed the empty box for God of War II. He then walks back behind the counter and takes some discs and the manual from the security case, we immediately realized we were experiencing the Aeropause article.

"I'd like a new copy please."

The clerk looked up and said, "This is new. We just take the game out of the box." He then closed up the case and pointed to the front of the box where the sticker said "New: $49.99." He continued to tap the word "new" on the front of the box as if that somehow made this an unopened product. There was no mention of a 10 percent discount for selling an open package, nor was there warning that I'd receive an open package. Meanwhile, there were clearly unopened God of War II games in the security case.

It's moments like this where you think you're dealing with a Ferengi, or imagine channeling Sheneneh from the show Martin and saying something like, "Oh, no you di-in't."

After twenty seconds of truly stunned silence, we walked out of the store, drove to Best Buy and got a new copy of the game. Which wasn't just in its factory-sealed box, but in a second security case.

The problem isn't that the Gamestop tried to sell an opened item, it's that they'll charge full price for an open product. Yes, some retailers will re-stock open items, but most places won't take back opened games and they sure won't sell you an open game as "new." If we're purchasing a new title and paying full price, we want the item to be the same as when it arrived from the factory -- you know, "new." Gamestop continues to pile up the shady business practices.

Joystiq Article

[Tan]

I know not everyone agrees that this is a bad thing  but new is new. It's not new if it's already been opened by someone else. Nor does it make as good a gift to someone else if the shrinkwrap is gone. Just my opinion, I've accepted "opened new" in the past but sometimes i just want a new game dammit! 

Who wants a display copy with those crappy stickers all over it, and to top it off if the game isn't mainstream they'll only have 1 or 2 copies of it anyway. Maybe it isn't their fault and maybe it is, either way there has to be a better way to do business than that.

[Tondog]

They did that when I bought GUN on PS2.

[TraderJake]

My copy of Rayman and 1080 Avalanche came in that manner.

[Tan]

In the least they should stop opening 5-10 copies of a game just for a display wall and use a different method for advertising.

[DefaultGen]

I once asked for a copy of Fire Emblem for GC, so he pulls the box off the shelf and takes the disc/manual out of a drawer.  I told him forget it.  Why would I pay full price for an opened game?

[TurboGrafxer AKA DCer]

i agree that this is shady business practice. if i buy something as new i want it new. not opened by someone else and 'tucked away'. part of buying a new game is opening it and haveing that new game smell. ahhhh. i guess im weird like that. plus the satisfaction that it has touched no other hands. i hate rewraps. especially used game stores that try to rewrap games (older classics games) and sell them as new.
for instance this happened last month: i went to game swap at eastgate mall in cincinatti. and there they know what i normally collect and are always showing me stuff that has recently come in. well that day the big guy that works there comes over to me with a rewrapped 'tricky kick' for the tg-16. obviousely it was rewrapped because it was just the case and no box. what did he think i was? - stupid. i pointed this out and he says 'ha ha you knew. someone else will eventually buy it though.' now that too is bad business practice too.

[Grim Fandango]

I bought a couple of "new" games there, just because of what might have been a pricing error. Got Sonic Advance for $8 and Xevious NES Classic for $3. I'd have been mad if they just gave me the cartridge only, at least they give you everything as if it was new.

[DefaultGen]

for instance this happened last month: i went to game swap at eastgate mall in cincinatti. and there they know what i normally collect and are always showing me stuff that has recently come in. well that day the big guy that works there comes over to me with a rewrapped 'tricky kick' for the tg-16. obviousely it was rewrapped because it was just the case and no box. what did he think i was? - stupid.

My GameCrazy had a few more-expensive "sealed" GBA games that I was about to jump on until I realized the price tags were under the shrinkwrap.

[Zimbacca]

I have not have the Gamestop that I go to ever do that to me.  But  from everything I've heard the one I go to was a hell of a better than the other ones.  Though not so much since they restaffed. 

[The Metamorphosing Leon]

I've bought like four new console games my whole life. All have been in the original packaging, one exception was when I got the last copy of SW: Battlefront II from an EB, tried to make me pay full price for a box with ripped plastic coating thingy, I went to target and got one there instead.

[James]

How is this news? Every shop (Apart from PCWorld) that I can think of has been doing this for over ten years. It's to stop people shoplifting. It's not something I like, but when their used games are the same price as new online I don't bother with high street stores anyway.

There were a couple of occaisions when I bought new games in Gamestation because they were the Deal of the Week. They had stocked up for the special offer, so had a stack of sealed ones behind the counter.

[shaggy]

I know not everyone agrees that this is a bad thing  but new is new. It's not new if it's already been opened by someone else. Nor does it make as good a gift to someone else if the shrinkwrap is gone. Just my opinion, I've accepted "opened new" in the past but sometimes i just want a new game dammit! 

Who wants a display copy with those crappy stickers all over it, and to top it off if the game isn't mainstream they'll only have 1 or 2 copies of it anyway. Maybe it isn't their fault and maybe it is, either way there has to be a better way to do business than that.

I totally agree.  Once that case is open it is not new.  Why do they have the security thingies up at the entrance of the store if they are opening the display cases for security purposes.  There are other ways of security measures without opening the containers.  I know for a fact that Gamestop staff takes games home to play.  Who says that they aren't playing these "new" games at home or in the store.  If you go to Target or Shopko or  any other store a display item is reduced cost because that is what it is, a display item.  Man, I hate Gamestop.

[phoenix1967]

Yeah. It all depends on the store management. I personally never buy a "new" copy of a game this way.

I don't know if this is true of all gamestop/EB, but the ones near me allow you to try it for 7 days and if you don't like it bring it back for an exchange (not $ back).

[Ghost Soldier]

Posted Mar 25th 2007 2:25PM by Alexander Sliwinski

Gamestop isn't new to weird shenanigans in their business tactics. In late January, James Munn, over at Aeropause, told the story of a Gamestop employee selling him a "new" game by opening a display box and putting the game disc into it. He was even asked if he wanted it shrink-wrapped, essentially discrediting any item in the store from being truly "new." Now we have a similar tale.

After hearing about the awesomeness of God of War II all week from colleagues, a lazy Sunday drive to go pick it up seemed in order. We even called ahead to make sure they had copies and were informed they did. Arriving at the Gamestop store, we went straight to the counter and asked for God of War II. The gentlemen proceeded to ask if there was a reservation, we said there wasn't, and he walked over to the display wall and grabbed the empty box for God of War II. He then walks back behind the counter and takes some discs and the manual from the security case, we immediately realized we were experiencing the Aeropause article.

"I'd like a new copy please."

The clerk looked up and said, "This is new. We just take the game out of the box." He then closed up the case and pointed to the front of the box where the sticker said "New: $49.99." He continued to tap the word "new" on the front of the box as if that somehow made this an unopened product. There was no mention of a 10 percent discount for selling an open package, nor was there warning that I'd receive an open package. Meanwhile, there were clearly unopened God of War II games in the security case.

It's moments like this where you think you're dealing with a Ferengi, or imagine channeling Sheneneh from the show Martin and saying something like, "Oh, no you di-in't."

After twenty seconds of truly stunned silence, we walked out of the store, drove to Best Buy and got a new copy of the game. Which wasn't just in its factory-sealed box, but in a second security case.

The problem isn't that the Gamestop tried to sell an opened item, it's that they'll charge full price for an open product. Yes, some retailers will re-stock open items, but most places won't take back opened games and they sure won't sell you an open game as "new." If we're purchasing a new title and paying full price, we want the item to be the same as when it arrived from the factory -- you know, "new." Gamestop continues to pile up the shady business practices.

Joystiq Article

I agree with you on this.  New means unopened you open it and it's used.  Regardless what as a store you have done with it.  They tried to pull this same crap with Monster House for the GC with me.  How do I know that they didn't refinish the disc and tried to pawn it off as new.