Gamestop shenanigans sell open games as 'new'

[Tan]

If this was a conversation about music CD's, DVD's, or season sets those who don't agree this is wrong would be singng a different tune.

Also those stores seem to be able to showcase even more products in their cases and yet don't seem to have the same problem with shoplifting or store stock, perhaps EB/GS could learn a thing or two from them. 

[Tynstar]

IT IS NEW!!!!!!!! I hate this f'ing argument. Don't like it please go somewhere else and stop bitching. If you buy a new car it has miles on it already!!!!!! OMG IT IS NOT NEW AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


99.9% of people that buy games are going to rip it open and play it anyways so GameStop saves you a step. I really don't see why this is an issue.

[phoenix1967]

99.9% of people that buy games are going to rip it open and play it anyways so GameStop saves you a step. I really don't see why this is an issue.

I think it's an issue because of the double standard, Tyn. If you were to buy a fully new game, open the shrink wrap, and break the seal, you'd only be able to trade it in at "used" game values. Whereas, the store can do the same thing, but charge new prices.

The standard set for the customer is higher than that of the organization.

While I agree with your logic, imo the argument still has merit. Not that it's going to change anything, though. Because like previously mentioned, it's been going on for many years, at just about everyplace that sells software.

[Tynstar]

Tan and I talked about this for some time this morning. i will never agree that it is a "used" game.

[Tan]

Tan and I talked about this for some time this morning. i will never agree that it is a "used" game.

It's definately not a used game, but it's not a brand new one either, falling somewhere in the middle doesn't warrant paying full price as if it was sealed new though IMO.

[Tynstar]

Go away

[Mezmoron]

Why does it not warrant paying full price?  Because Best Buy does open item prices?  It's not like some kid took it home and played with it for a week...

I see nothing wrong at all with this.  If you don't like it, go to a major retailer and purchase your game.  Otherwise, quit your bitchin.

Ken

[Tan]

Why does it not warrant paying full price?  Because Best Buy does open item prices?  It's not like some kid took it home and played with it for a week...

I see nothing wrong at all with this.  If you don't like it, go to a major retailer and purchase your game.  Otherwise, quit your bitchin.

Ken

Don't get me wrong, I've bought plenty of "opened new" games before, when you've only got 1 game chain within a 500 mile radius you don't have much choice. Like 8 EB games within a hour or two's drive but no competition at all.

Sounds like Best Buy must be a good place to buy games. Major retailers have very limited variety and online shopping for Canadians is usually a bust. Display copies loaded with stickers front and back for the same price as a factory sealed copy just doesn't gel well with me i guess. I'm surprised with so many collectors here that having to clean sticker residue and unsealed boxes/cases is so easily accepted.

[two_scoop_steve]

If you don;t want them open, goto bestbuy or a wal-mart type store.. I usally buy games used though.

[Tynstar]

Why does it not warrant paying full price?  Because Best Buy does open item prices?  It's not like some kid took it home and played with it for a week...

I see nothing wrong at all with this.  If you don't like it, go to a major retailer and purchase your game.  Otherwise, quit your bitchin.

Ken

I said the same thing LOL

[Mike Leon]

I agree that opened games are not "new", but I've always felt like it's ridiculous nit-picking to complain about it. The store isn't hiding anything from you. You can see the quality of the disc. You can see that the package is no longer shrink-wrapped. If you still buy it, that's your decision.

I've personally gone both ways on this one before. If the disc is still pristine, I'll buy it. Shrink wrap is a pain in the ass to peel off anyway.

If we really want to make everyone happy, we should start arming the Gamestop managers. Then they can leave everything in the package and shoot the bastards who try to steal.

[djbeatmongrel]

As an employee of gamestop and an avid collector i must respond. I see both sides to this arguement and am willing to defend either one for differents reasons.

As an employee i see this as a good anti theft issue. considering the amount of traffic gamestops have at times with 2-4 employees staffed at a given time (depending on the location), i see security devices to be even more of a hassle. Having one open copy of a new game "the gutted game" helps us keep track our last copies of a game. when a customer buys the gut copy we don't have to pull a box off the floor later on to make sure our stock is represented correctly. I most cases guts are handled with the utmost care going from the box, to a protective sleeve and then filed away until its purchase.

As a collector i dont enjoy tearing off the shrinkwrap and popping a game right into my system to enjoy it for the first time. That fresh virginal aura is a beautiful thing when it comes to any collectible. Certain games that are bound to be rarities, like MGS3:subsistence LE are a must have to get sealed.

Really if YOU have an issue with it, tell Gamestop/EB about it. As biggest retail chain for videogames I am sure making this a growing complaint across a defined % of the customer base would help them try to rectify this problem instead of falling just on deaf ears.

[Sauza12]

This has always been one of those little things that bug me, but not enough for me to do something about it.  I've had stores try to sell me the display copy as new before, but usually I can just ask for a sealed copy and they give it to me.  Yeah, they usually say that it has never been played, but usually they don't say much back when I tell them I'm a collector.  Apparently those are magic words because it usually ends at that.

Once I wanted to buy a new game and they didn't have anymore sealed copies, so I just took the display copy.  It didn't ruffle my feathers too much, but it still just doesn't feel right. 

However, one thing that pissed me off to no end happened to me through my girlfriend.  Let me explain.

For my birthday a year or two ago, my girlfriend bought me Donkey Konga 2 from a Game Crazy by our house.  She asked for a new copy because it was a birthday present and they got the display copy.  She asked for a new-new copy and they said that no one had played that copy which she accepted because she knows I'm not a shrinkwrap nazi.  When she gave it to me she told me why it wasn't sealed and I was fine with it until I went to play it.

The disc had figerprints all over it and a few very light scratches, and you could tell the bongos had been used.  They flat out lied to my girlfriend and sold her a used game for the new price.  If you want to sell me the display copy for as a new game, I don't mind, but if you try to sell me the demo copy, I better get the used price.

[Tynstar]

Did you go beat them?

[Sauza12]

I was going to, but they were really strong...