EB gives me an awesome deal on stolen DVD's... a winner is me!!

[Roufuss]

So yea, now that the topic has gotten your attention, here's the thing. There is a certain EB next to a Target in a strip mall... I went in a few months ago, looked around, noticed they had a TON of DVD boxsets, all in amazing like new condition, and lots of duplicates of each. I'm talking every season of CSI with doubles, 3 seasons of Desperate Housewives Season 1, some House Season 1's, a ton of Simpsons... like I said, this stuff didn't even look touched.

My girlfriend asked the employee, who told her that "Target has a little problem they can't seem to get a hold of". She asks "You mean theft?" and he says "I really can't say exactly, sorry".

Fair enough... not my position to pry.

So fast forward to today... we go in there for various reasons, I tell her "Hey, I'm going to come in, take a look around, see what the kids have stolen from Target lately". As you all know, EB has AMAZING prices on used DVD boxsets... you're going to see that in a minute.

I look around, and the first thing that catches my eye is South Park Season 8. This shit was JUST released Tuesday, 2 days ago. The box has some minor shelf wear, nothing major. I quickly snatched it up. I look around some more, and I see Desperate Housewives Season 2, ANOTHER Tuesday release. Wow, even better! The real kicker is Prison Break! I grab all three and head to the register. I also see Simpsons Season 8, they did have House Season 2 but it was already sold, 24 Season 4, and many many other newer release DVD's.

Here's the prices for the DVD's - they are all in very awesome condition for the most part.

Prison Break Season 1 - $24.99 used, $22.50 after discount
South Park Season 8 - $24.99 used, $22.50 after discount
Desperate Housewives Season 2 - $29.99 used, $26.99 after discount

Beating ALL the sale prices by a good 8 or so dollars. So I ask the guy at the register to see the discs, and he says "Don't worry about it, these things are flawless, almost like they've never been watched" and he and his fellow employee laughs. I say "Yea, I'm surprised you have these used, some of them just came out two days ago!" and he says "Yep, you're just lucky" and my girlfriend says "Nah, that guy knows whats up, he knows where they came from" and he laughs.

The dude says "Uh well.... I don't know anything about where they came from, we just take them in, no questions asked". It seems to me like the EB employees are either a) Aware of what is going on, but can't stop it or B) Someone trading in lots of DVD sets makes their numbers look good, and the things sell super fast so its another boost in the numbers. I mean, cmon, nobody would buy DVD's on Tuesday and already trade them in by Thursday at 2pm... everything is untouched. Desperate Housewives Season 2 has a boxcutter slash through the plastic casing, so maybe a Target warehouse employee is offloading some goods, who knows.

Regardless, I don't care, I got a very awesome deal, and I'm going to give this EB a call next Tuesday for Lost Season 2 and keep an eye out on House Season 2 ;) For all the EB / GS workers here, do they follow up on this suspicious acitivity? It seems swept under the rug here since I imagine the boost to their numbers is great.

[Cream]

How much is House S2? If it's a steal I'm tempted to make you buy me one :lol:

[Roufuss]

How much is House S2? If it's a steal I'm tempted to make you buy me one :lol:

I think they said it was $24.99 used, like the first season. Generally all EB used DVD boxsets are 50% off their MSRP. Lost Season 2 will probably be $29.99 used.

The first one they get is going to be mine, though ;)

[HumanSnatcher]

Damn, pretty lucky. I'd say that if the employees act really really sketchy about the reply of "I don't know what it is and I can't say" I wouldn't be suprised if they're in on it. If its not people off the street doing it, it could be Target employees/managers. Either way, great find!!

[Scahom1]

Damn, pretty lucky. I'd say that if the employees act really really sketchy about the reply of "I don't know what it is and I can't say" I wouldn't be suprised if they're in on it. If its not people off the street doing it, it could be Target employees/managers. Either way, great find!!

Unless the Target managers are complete idiots, they would of had a lock on the situation already. There are many ways to contain theft. I'm getting at least one manager is in on it. Or possibly an EB employee.

Sadly, if the EB manager had half a brain as well, he would realize that since what he had in his inventory is considered stolen property, the police can confiscate it if they pursue the theft issue. A store in my company had the same situtation happen to them a couple months ago.

BTW...awesome find!

[Roufuss]

Unless the Target managers are complete idiots, they would of had a lock on the situation already. There are many ways to contain theft. I'm getting at least one manager is in on it. Or possibly an EB employee.

Sadly, if the EB manager had half a brain as well, he would realize that since what he had in his inventory is considered stolen property, the police can confiscate it if they pursue the theft issue. A store in my company had the same situtation happen to them a couple months ago.

BTW...awesome find!

I thought at first it was kids doing it, but I mean, seeing South Park Season 8 and Desperate Housewives Season 2, which JUST RELEASED on Tuesday, along with Prison Break Season 1, Simpsons Season 8, and other things kind of made me go "hm... this problem still exists months later".

The fact that Desperate Housewives has a cut through the plastic which looks like the kind used when a boxcutter cuts too deep through a box in a retail environment (something I've done by accident) makes me thing something deeper is going on here.

I think he knows that what he has is considered stolen property but I'm sure that most of these DVD's don't last long... if someone traded in the new releases Tuesday / Wednesday and I already bought them, that's only a day or so, so the product moves fast. A big trade-in, and then $80 worth of used DVD's a customer bought makes #'s look good.

The situation as a whole is just REALLY interesting to me... the employees make jokes about it until asked directly and then clam up about the whole thing.

Haha, and thanks on the find, to think I made the joke about the new releases BEFORE I even went in there, that shit blew my mind. I was going to grab South Park Season 8 at Best Buy but I'll save $8 on a used copy, along with DH Season 2.

And now I can return the $38 Prison Break I never opened back to BB as well.

[botticus]

He knows that they're stolen, but he can't acknowledge that to you, or he's acknowledging that he's receiving stolen goods. And that would not be a good thing. But as long as he claims ignorance, he doesn't have to do anything about it.

Damn good deals anyway... I really need to get my ass over there and check out DVD selection.

[Jedi1979]

you know a while back during a buy 2 get 1 i came across brand new sets in a gamestop in a mall...at the time they said they had multiples of the sets that were still sealed since i asked to see the discs...needless to say i was happy since they were new

[Roufuss]

He knows that they're stolen, but he can't acknowledge that to you, or he's acknowledging that he's receiving stolen goods. And that would not be a good thing. But as long as he claims ignorance, he doesn't have to do anything about it.

Damn good deals anyway... I really need to get my ass over there and check out DVD selection.

Most normal EB's / GS's have ass for selection... this one is literally 3 stores down from a Target and blows all the other's selection away.

What's even more hilarious is that a different EB sandwiched in between a Circuit City and a Target (the stores are on either side of EB) has shit for selection. You think that one would be a haven for the hot property.

[Scorch]

How much was 24?

And keep an eye out for Scrubs season 2 and 3..

I would've sold you my Prison Break season 1 for $20 shipped. 'Cause you're cool. But anyone else, i'd charge $25.

[Roufuss]

How much was 24?

And keep an eye out for Scrubs season 2 and 3..

I would've sold you my Prison Break season 1 for $20 shipped. 'Cause you're cool. But anyone else, i'd charge $25.

Shit, I can still return that Prison Break, but I'm not sure if its worth the hassle over $2.50 ;) Keep me in mind though, I need to check the quality of the discs, I think one of the holders is broken, so I might take you up on the offer regardless.

24 Season 4 is $29.99 used, $26.99 before discount. I had already gotten it at this particular EB awhile ago ;)

I think Scrubs was like... $19.99 or $24.99. The real big discounts come from the higher priced shows.

[Scahom1]

He knows that they're stolen, but he can't acknowledge that to you, or he's acknowledging that he's receiving stolen goods. And that would not be a good thing. But as long as he claims ignorance, he doesn't have to do anything about it.

Yea but if a guy is trading in multiple copies of brand new DVD's, only a moron would fail to realize that they are stolen. Regardless of them being sold or not, trade in receipts are kept on file so it's traceable. I always think of the worst possible scenario, but what if the police consider the guys at EB an accomplish to the theft? Every store that buys back merchandise has a LP policy regarding purchasing stolen goods.

[HumanSnatcher]

Gotta love "plausable deniability"!

[lionheart4life]

Well, someone might have just bought the sets, burned copies of them, and traded them in while they are still worth something. However, I'm not sure why they would trade them in rather than resell whether they stole them or just made copies.

[TimPV3]

Here the only stolen goods my EB gets are disc only games, the funny thing is they know the kid and I'm almost positive they know he steals them.

[klyco]

Man, where do you live? This place sounds awesome.

[SaraAB]

If you were buying them and burning them it would be a lot cheaper to rent especially with the 19.99 a month plan most rental stores offer, most of those types of people rent and then burn. The employees have to be in on it, and probably the manager as well or else this situation would never be happening, it would be obvious if a customer is bringing in multiple of a single boxset a day or 2 after release, thats just insane. For all you know the employees are probably just doing it to boost numbers in their store and to get a little trade in credit in the process.

Heck i was in my local ebgames store one time where a customer openly admitted to renting every dvd from blockbuster and then burning them and watch them, he said he had every dvd release for the last 9 months. What happened was the employee asked him if he wanted to buy any used dvds when he opened up about his rental practices!

The point being i was doing that i wouldnt be running around telling random people i was, thats just really really stupid!

[asianxcore]

Congrats Roufuss!!!

I think an EB/Gamestop I frequent may have the same problem. Within a week or two from release, I was able to get Entourage: Season 2 for only $19.99 used. There was a thin cut (maybe from a boxcutter) on the top of the case. That same week I also spotted a used copy of Numbers for $24.99, which then dropped to $19.99 not too long after.

[Ziv]

I used to get things traded in before they came out at my store. These "thieves" probably work at a Target/Walmart somewhere. They'd have to be really dumb to trade it in right next door. Then again if they were doing that, the Target managers should know to look at the EB's selection.

[xmrblondex]

Congrats Roufuss!!!

I think an EB/Gamestop I frequent may have the same problem. Within a week or two from release, I was able to get Entourage: Season 2 for only $19.99 used. There was a thin cut (maybe from a boxcutter) on the top of the case. That same week I also spotted a used copy of Numbers for $24.99, which then dropped to $19.99 not too long after.
This makes me believe that it could have been a damaged product from the retail stores. If an employee opens a box of dvds with a boxcutter, then there is a possiblity of cutting one of the products, and that product can't be sold. Maybe they are reporting it as destroyed, and giving it to an employee?
-xmrblondex

[HumanSnatcher]

I just remembered something, the one person that said that the trades could be traced if they're stolen. It depends if GS falls under pawn shop laws. Some states they don't (don't know which ones though). I know in VA they do. But if the employee is a slackass and doesn't write down the info himself and the customer does it, they can just put anything down...

[eshbums]

I haven't traded anything in to a EB/GS in a while, but don't you have to give up your driver's license and sign some document stating that the property is yours to sell? That would clear EB/GS of any wrongdoing.

[HumanSnatcher]

I haven't traded anything in to a EB/GS in a while, but don't you have to give up your driver's license and sign some document stating that the property is yours to sell? That would clear EB/GS of any wrongdoing.

Yeah, its pretty much called pawn shop laws. Some states they may not fall under it

[nwaugh]

Yeah, its pretty much called pawn shop laws. Some states they may not fall under it
I hate that shit. I do very little trading in or selling, but some pawn shop tried to tell me that they needed my driver's license number when I was buying games and paying cash. I know that a DL number isn't the most personal of information, but I'd much rather not have somewhere as sketchy as a pawn shop have one of the numbers that identifies me (apologies to pawn shop owners and the familes thereof).

[HumanSnatcher]

I hate that shit. I do very little trading in or selling, but some pawn shop tried to tell me that they needed my driver's license number when I was buying games and paying cash. I know that a DL number isn't the most personal of information, but I'd much rather not have somewhere as sketchy as a pawn shop have one of the numbers that identifies me (apologies to pawn shop owners and the familes thereof).

Thats total bull that they need it for a sale. They only need info when you're selling items. I don't blame you for feeling that way. Hell, my license still has my SS#, because I've yet to update it. As in VA they switched over to an actual DL#, before you had your choice between using your SS# or getting a "control number" aka DL#. I really should update my license as I moved almost a year ago and I still haven't gotten it with the new address. Though I don't know if we're gonna be living here much longer, so whats the point...

[jalu6]

If you were feeling so inclined, you could scope out the store early on tuesday and see if there are any shady looking fellows carrying in a ton of DVD box sets.

Hell, you could probably offer him the same amount of cash that EB does and get them even cheaper.

Of course, if you buy stolen good directly from the theif, that may be illegal. EB seems to be doing a good job of laundering for you :)

[Ma12kez]

Nice haul Roufuss. I remember seeing a similar EB like the one you're describing, but it either had a Sears or a Wal-Mart right next to it (in the same mall) and they were all re-shrinkwrapped. You've got me thinking that the same thing is happening at this EB as well. I mean they're selection was great compared to the other EB/GS in my area. I will have to look into this matter.

[CocheseUGA]

My GS just asks me to fill out a form with my name and address. No ID. Of course, I haven't traded to them in a ton. Only thing I trade now is DVDs at MovieStop. Better deals.

Mine has the Buffy Chosen Collection, but damn it's expensive.

[cueball939]

I know there is this little place in Pasadena that I suspect might have a similar deal going on. This CD-ROM store pretty much sells all box sets for $20 a pop. And its not uncommon for them to still be sealed. ;) I'm not going to complain.

[banpeikun]

haha i remember you mentioning this a couple of months ago during the B2G1F sale

[banpeikun]

This makes me believe that it could have been a damaged product from the retail stores. If an employee opens a box of dvds with a boxcutter, then there is a possiblity of cutting one of the products, and that product can't be sold. Maybe they are reporting it as destroyed, and giving it to an employee?
-xmrblondexi agree with mr blonde. probably they're damaged boxsets that get written off, and the electronics manager is a video game junkie and takes them next door for some credit.

[ITDEFX]

wait doesn't EB take down your address, copy your driver's id and a few other things and make you sign a document saying its not stolen goods? Its been 2 years since I traded anything into EB so I don't know if anything has changed... This all sounds too fishy to me. I really would NOT buy anything from that store if employees are acting that strange.... chances are someone in that store is up to something. Wasn't there a story a few years back about some parent and there kid buying stuff from EB that was actually stolen but the mom got in hot water for it and not eb? I can't remember. Anyways...if something goes down and the Cops catch on and bust the people involved, I would not be surprised if an employee rats all the people who he sold the dvds to and mention that you were "suspious" about the dvds but bough them anyways.... the cops might think you knew it was stolen dvds and bought it anyways. But then again, this is Florida and shit like this happens. :(