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What game retailers wont tell you
firefly2003
Member UncommonPosts: 2,527
Where would we be without video game retailers? A stalwart of the business since day one, they're still a vital part of the industry ecosystem, providing a window into the games world in thousands of malls and high streets, giving gamers a place to hang out and browse, and, of course, supplying a healthy selection of great deals without the painful delays of online shopping.
But, like any business, they're in it to make money, and they're not necessarily telling you exactly how they go about doing it. Check out a few of the dirty (literally, in some cases) secrets of the video game retail trade.
They're making a bundle on your trade-ins
Just how do specialist retailers like Gamestop stay in business with competition from huge chains like Walmart and online discounters like Amazon? Answer: their used games.
Over 40% of Gamestop's profit comes from selling pre-owned games, according to a Wall St. Journal estimate. That money comes straight from the folks prepared to accept Gamestop's ultra-low trade-in prices for their valuable games. Do yourself a favor: resell your games yourself, via eBay, Craigslist, your local small-ads, or use peer-to-peer trading sites like Goozex. Line your own pockets, not Gamestop's.
They sell opened games as new
Ever wonder how game retailers can get away with selling opened copies of games as if they were new? Yeah, us too.
Ask the employees, and they'll typically tell you they use empty, display boxes on shelves to reduce shoplifting, and when you buy one of those copies they're just putting the original contents back inside.
Don't believe them. According to a 2009 expose by Kotaku, Gamestop policy allows employees to take those games home and play them for days at a time. Insist on a sealed copy, and be prepared to walk if they refuse. After all, if you wanted a used game, you'd have picked one from the used game rack.
Extended warranties are a waste of money
All sorts of retailers just love to push those extended warranties on concerned customers, and it's not because they have your best interests at heart. All they really have is cold, hard greed: they know the vast majority of extended warranties go unused, making that cash pure profit. With the Red Ring of Death behind us, home consoles don't often outright break these days, and even if they do you'll have the manufacturer's warranty (and subsequent cut-price repair program) to rely on. Warranties on games themselves? Yes, they exist, and no, they're not worth the few bucks they cost. Just put your game back in the box when you're done and everything will be fine.
They don't always clean the used kit before reselling it
Getting surprise extras in your video games is usually a pleasant experience. Usually.
One shopper received a shock when their haul of reduced-price Gamecube games contained a few six-legged (and unsanitary) passengers: dead roaches, complete with eggs. Yuk. Maybe they came from the store, maybe they came from the previous owner. Either way, if that's not enough to make you look over your next game purchase with a fine-tooth comb, you've got a stronger stomach than us.
If you don't pre-order, expect to be treated like a scrub
If you've set foot in a Gamestop, you'll be familiar with the pre-order sales pitch. "Call of Honor VII is in really high demand! If you don't pre-order RIGHT NOW you won't get a copy until next year!"There are sound commercial reasons for this, and for once it's not necessarily because they want to get one over on you: counting pre-orders gives the store a clear idea of regional demand, and lets them plan their exact allocation of launch-day games.
But you don't have to play along if you don't want to. Roll up on launch day, ask for a copy, pay up, walk out. And if they say "No preorder? Sorry, we're sold out," don't take their word for it. Check the retailer's web site, and place a store pickup order if you can. You may -- like this consumer -- find the store suddenly becomes a great deal more cooperative.
http://blog.games.yahoo.com/blog/656-what-game-retailers-won-t-tell-you
Comments
MMORPGs are on Consoles TOO. And Gamestop sells PC titles as well.
Though one important thing Game Retailers won't tell you.
PREORDER for BONUSES! Gamestop only requires 5 dollars down on preorders and you get bonuses like Beta Access and in-game items. Then if you are interested in another game, just ask them to move that pre-order amount over to a different game.
I usually buy most PC titles online, but I don't like putting down 50 bucks to preorder to get items or beta access when I can do it at Gamestop for 5. I have a 10 dollar preorder that I've switched around to a number of games already.
Hmmm...here I thought most digitally order and download these days. Ohh-well; no problems here.
They aren't as evil as you make them seem. They're just businesses and as such have to make money.
But but but... there is a hot chick that works at the gamestop where i buy my games she will never do me wrong!!!
Where I live there isn't much of a choice. Most of the big stores have a skeleton crew of a PC gaming section. It's actually kind of sad when I revisit any of the stores where I used to purchase my games. Also, It sucks for me as I'm one of the few nuts left lying around that still prefers to purchase a boxed copy. What are ya gonna do, eh.
"Mr. Rothstein, your people never will understand... the way it works out here. You're all just our guests. But you act like you're at home. Let me tell you something, partner. You ain't home. But that's where we're gonna send you if it harelips the governor." - Pat Webb
good to know that somehow FF11 isnt an mmo.
Apparently stating the truth in my sig is "trolling"
Sig typo fixed thanks to an observant stragen001.
Neither is PS:O
All 5 Gamestops Ive been to have not had sealed games. They have the box yes but the CD is elsewhere. When I buy them, they take the cd, slap it in there, then put the seal on afterwards.
Its completely different to abroad where the actual case is factory sealed in its entirety
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The question is...has anyone had any problems with this method? I have a MASSIVE collection, almost all my games (except the old PS1/PS2/XBox/etc collection) have come from GameStop and I haven't had a bad game yet. The only game that ever has failed me during this gen was Halo 3 and that's because my dumbass hadn't heard the warning not to move the console while the disc was in. I was worried the kids would knock it over standing up and decided to lay it down. /facepalm
Back on topic, what's the big deal? I honestly don't see an issue.
Welll...not much my cousins supposedly brand new FF13 looked like it had been used (a couple of scratches here n there) and my brand new copy of little kings story was quite dirty!
These were 2 different stores in maryland mind you! >.<
Also that post I made earlier was a reply to you saying that the ones you got were sealed o.O
Edit:
Also we really sohuldnt be paying full price for something they say thats un-used when its been obviously used right? Thats like...False advertising o.o
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I found a free 1GB SD-card in the used Wii I bought from Gamestop.
It had porn on it.
Yeah, mine have been sealed. I must just be lucky with the GS near my house.
Factory sealed, that is. The whole 3 stickers, top bottom and side, sealed.
I was saying I didn't get the big deal of them sealing it but if they're selling used games and calling them new, yeah, that's a problem. If they just pull them out to put in the drawer, I think that's okay.
My gamestop both in Lubbock and in Houston must have an amazing shrinkwrap (or plastic wrap, not sure which) machine, because all my games come in it. Yeah, there are empty cases on the shelf, but I never get the same box that I pulled off the shelf. I can tell by the stickers that are on it. You need to go to a better gamestop if thats what your getting. Otherwise go to a place like Best Buy or buy off of Amazon.com or Gamestop.com
I see someone found my old Wii..
I mean... those dirty... ...
I cannot stand how pre-order bonuses force your hand on who to order from.
As an example....take LA Noire. If you get it from Gamestop you get an extra case(content). If you get the game from Best Buy, then you get a suit. If a person is like me, then they opt for the gameplay content everytime....thus limiting the choice of retailer.
If I pre-ordera game then I use Gamestop, and if picked up after launch I use Best Buy(sometimes other places if they have a good sale). I would like to get all my games thru Best Buy due to the price match policy, but sadly Gamestop is tops in the class when it comes to pre-order items IMO.
Note....I didnt include Amazon in discussion because although they at times have same items to offer as GS, many times I pick my new games up at midnight on launch. Amazon doesnt allow for it.
Asking Devs to make AAA sandbox titles is like trying to get fine dining on a McDonalds dollar menu budget.
i've never had a problem with opened new games from gamestop, not that i buy many new games there. usually just cheap older used games.
long ago i did trade in my old playstation there. the thing was junk, would always freeze up on any, and i mean any cutscenes or cgi stuff in any game. so i took it in, said it worked fine. the guy tested it on an opening cinematic of some nba game and miraculously it worked. a few months later my buddy bought a used playstation from there and it would freeze up on any cinematics or cgi stuff. i got a good laugh about that.
the struggle to free myself from restraints becomes my very shackles
Pre-order, lol. I feel bad for people who fall for that crap. Have a little patience. Show some restraint.
Vault-Tec analysts have concluded that the odds of worldwide nuclear armaggeddon this decade are 17,143,762... to 1.
Yea, I concur that the concept of "buyer beware" should be adheared to with retailers yet, gamestop has always supported what they sold me. I have taken back numerous Pre-order cash without any problems. I like the idea of pre-owned games due to the price and getting any amount of money back from a game is a deal in my books. While I have not found any bugs in pre-owened...yet, I have taken them back for a little cash.
Nevertheless, thank you for reminding me that "money talks and...." well you know the rest.
Where im from we have a shop called game and you trade in your old game for points and you almost get the price of points as you bought the game,
Also pre owned sell as pre owned and with a sticker saying pre owned and thay dont sell for the price of new,
When you pick up a case for a new game the case is empty but thay go into the stockroom and bring a sealed copy and put the case back on the shelf plus you get 400 points per game purchess and you get 400 points and up.
http://www.speedtest.net/result/3845509852.png
As long as it installs and has no key issues it doesnt really matter if it is 2nd hand as long as you go with your eyes open and don't pay full price. Direct downloading will be the norm in a few years at any rate - pretty much how we get our games in scotland at the moment edit : well maybe not all, but you get the idea.
rpg/mmorg history: Dun Darach>Bloodwych>Bards Tale 1-3>Eye of the beholder > Might and Magic 2,3,5 > FFVII> Baldur's Gate 1, 2 > Planescape Torment >Morrowind > WOW > oblivion > LOTR > Guild Wars (1900hrs elementalist) Vanguard. > GW2(1000 elementalist), Wildstar
Now playing GW2, AOW 3, ESO, LOTR, Elite D
I kinda like going into a gamestore. Of course they want to take my money, them and every other store in the world.
And if they sell a pre oened game to me and I don't notice it that would really be bad for me how? Sure, I could have bought it somewhat cheaper but I probably just would have bought a new game anyways. And with steam and codes, this is getting rarer and rarer with PC games anyways, I don't play on a console.
I don't like steam and prefer to get a hardcopy of a game.
I dont understand the OP's problem with gamestop. They are a business just like any place that wants to make a profit. How are they any different tha any other place that takes trade ins. You are not forced to trade your stuff in with them but its there if dont wasnt to mess with selling it yourself.
Most preorders are just 5 bucks, most people will blow that on a Starbucks coffee. The preorder just helps them know how many to order rather than blindly buy any amount. And 9 out of 10 times you get something cool in return so both win.
I myself also like physical copies of a game. I just dont get why people are so in love with digital downloads, especially in todays world where only takes one bad hackers attack to ruin things. Hackers cant ruin my physical copy of a game. Not saying digital downloads dont have a place and certainly offer people a choice. But its not better or worst than physical editions of the game, not least not till I see a price difference for digital copies.
I think your ire should be aimed at places like steam that charge same price for a game that they dont have to have a physical store for, have overhead of shipping and having to guess on what to buy or not to buy. They never have overstock and can keep selling the same code for the game for years without it taking up space in thier inventory.
But that debate for another thread, I just think the OP has it wrong. I like that if a i have a problem with my game, there is an actual human that can help me that day and usually walk out with it resolved. I can pay cash and not hand out my CC information if i choose.
Gamestop is a company that needs to make business, and honestly Game Stores, and Video Stores are a game of the past.
First Vongo came out and threaten Video Stores, and then Netflix came out partner with stars, and caused Video Stores a lot of profit, who wants to pay $7 for a DVD and get ripped of and only have for two days or pay late fees, now there are RedBox Rentals too which take the place of video stores.
Gamestop, and its scams, I do not generally buy used games for any reason, and I have no problem with Gamestop selling used games, or Trade-In, but if game stop is lying to its customers and selling them used games saying that they are new out of the box, then I seriously have issues with that because I shop at another store before named Comp USA back in the day, and they rip off customers there, should I not mention how many RIP-OFF reports their store has on the internet, because some of their stores take returned items and resell them without informing its customers they are used items, and on the other hand when they build your PC for you they never return everything that came with it, as I found missing pieces, and if you want it done right you just have to do it yourself.
Oh yeah, and if you are pissed off at Game Stop just call game stop, or walk in when your buying another game, and be like Hey I hear you have another game for the Wii its called (Battle Toads) It will make em rage lol.
Seriously though ripping off customers selling used products is not a way to go, and I do not approve of GameStop doing such, but I do support it if they inform the customer before purchase that it is a used product.
Spec'ing properly is a gateway drug.
12 Million People have been meter spammed in heroics.
Talk about bonus content!