GS B2G1 + FYE T2G1 Experience (experts please help)

[n8rockerasu]

Hey guys, I need some advice from the CAG pros.

I just did my best to utilize the B2G1 from Gamestop in conjunction with the T2G1 deal for 360 at FYE. From GS, I purchased Madden 06, NBA 2K6 (2), College Hoops 2K6 (2), and Ridge Racer. I called my local FYE beforehand, and asked the manager if there were any restrictions on the trade-ins (since I heard the deal was very YMMV). He told me no, there just couldn't be multiple copies of the same game.

Well, this part I had figured out, I'd just have my fiance trade the 2 duplicate games, and say they were for her brother (separate transaction right?). Anyway, I get there, they hardly have ANY new 360 games, so I remember what somebody posted on here about just getting whatever and exchanging it later.

I grab Oblivion and Madden 07 and let my fiance take Fight Night Round 3. My fiance continues to look around the store and I go up to the counter, at which point the bitch cashier cops a serious attitude almost immediately, as though I'm taking money out of her pocket. She inspects the games to make sure they're perfect (because more than likely, FYE will resell them as being new...more on that below), then she gets to Madden 06, she inspects it, puts it back in the case, then says "hold on, I'll have to see about this one". She comes back and informs me that her manager said not to take that one because they have 10 of it. I told her I had just called up there and was told there were no restrictions. She insists again "Oh well, I can't take it". I ask to speak to the manager, and she tells me "He's busy"

Now I'm really pissed off, so I say "Shit, let me see which to take back". She finally rings me up, and I leave.

About 3 minutes later, my fiance goes through the line, the girl inspects the games, then asks for her ID, notices we live in the same apartment, and freaks out! "You can't trade in the same games!" she shrieks. To which my fiance replies "These are my brother's. He's in school and asked if I could trade them for him." The cashier continues. "I know you and that guy were together! I saw you!" My fiance insists that they were not my games (what a trooper huh?), and the cashier begrudgingly does the trade-in. My fiance again tries to reassure her that the games were for her brother, and the girl just scoffs, rolls her eyes, and walks away. (Rude, no?)

Now, I'm not saying we were completely innocent, but the system is the system, and from my understanding, the point of this whole site is working the system to your best advantage. I wasn't stealing any games. I was just trying to use the promotion that FYE themselves were offering. Even if it's in their not so upfront policy to have a problem with what we were trying to accomplish, this cashier went out of her way to be a bitch about it. The funny thing is, right on the receipt, they make the mistake of stating "Tell Us How We Did!" I think I'll be doing that.

Oh, the other question I'm really curious about, since I got a game I really didn't want (Oblivion...sorry, I know it's supposed to be badass..just not my thing), how can I exchange it "unopened" when the copy they sold me isn't even sealed??? How can I even prove that they didn't sell me a used copy since their trade-in restrictions are so insanely strict? If I'm stuck with this game, or have to sell it on Ebay, I'm really going to be burning up their corporate hotline. Either way, I doubt I'll be doing much more shopping at FYE.

[icruise]

This may not be what you want to hear, but I can't feel too sorry for you. You're trying to game the system, so I don't think you can get too upset when they call you on it.

[62t]

1. FYE is well known for being picky on condition of games. It might be worth it to pay extra to trade in for a new game.
2. There no 100% confirmation on being exchange. I was told they dont do that at my store. Some store decide not to do trade in at all.
3. You should have your fiance go to the store at a different time. They are unlikely to remember everyone trading in. Come back at a different time when there is different staff.
4. Feel free to not shop at FYE. The really good deal in this site might not always work, but when they do, it is heck of a deal. Personall I got $210 worth of games for about $65.

[espy605]

I was just trying to use the promotion that FYE themselves were offering.

I called my local FYE beforehand, and asked the manager if there were any restrictions on the trade-ins (since I heard the deal was very YMMV).

As you already knew, the deal was very YMMV, and many people found discrepancies with what they were told on the phone versus what actually happened in store.

Oh, the other question I'm really curious about, since I got a game I really didn't want (Oblivion...sorry, I know it's supposed to be badass..just not my thing), how can I exchange it "unopened" when the copy they sold me isn't even sealed???
To be honest, this doesn't make much sense since Oblivion new sells for more than the trade-in allows unless you paid for the difference (which I don't see you noting). Sometimes, they do interpret the deal differently, and give you any new game (despite the $50 limit many stores imposed) but if the lady was this strict I doubt it.

I've never had a problem with them passing off a used game as new, either, although I'll admit their used games aren't obvious they're used at first glance, since the "USED" sticker is tiny and they don't have a separate "used games" section.

Regardless, if it wasn't sealed new, you should have noticed it when she handed it to you. If you go back now, it'll be a case of you said/she said. Even so, many FYE's did not allow people to exchange games back bought in this promotion, so that was YMMV as well.

[62t]

At one store they did have used game selling new. However the used game is probably trade in sealed (I could see the TRU price tag under). At another store they sell the new sealed game as used. (those were games I traded in)

[n8rockerasu]

I appreciate your guys' responses, but I think some of you are missing my point. I agree that I tried to work the promotion, and they called me on it. I don't mind that. In fact, sometimes I like being called on stuff cause it just makes me rethink my MO (which is what I'm doing now...next course of action) My main point was that she was incredibly bitchy doing it. She actually got offended when I just asked "Why not?" when she told me they couldn't take Madden 06. She kinda scoffed and said "Well, it does have a little scratch...but that's not even the reason. We have like 10 of them!"

I'm just saying, policy or not, if you give attitude and fight with customers over a few dollars, you'll lose those customers. It's just bad business. I own my own business, so maybe I approach my own investments with more of a capitalistic atttitude, but if FYE is doing their best to get the most out of me, what's wrong with me doing my best to get the most out of them?

And maybe my proposition that FYE could resell used games as new is a bit conspiracy theorist, but it just seems plausible to me. I agree that I should have said something when she handed me my "new" game that had no wrapper/seal, but it did appear to be their system (took case I gave her, found disc in drawer, put in case), and if I had said one more thing to her, she likely would have jumped the counter to strangle me. That was my mistake though, but as a consumer, I shouldn't have felt so unwelcome by this cashier. That's my gripe.

Oh, for the person who said getting Oblivion new didn't make any sense...guess what, I did. I guess that shows how unclear this whole promotion really is. They only made me pay the tax. The game had a 59.99 sticker on it, and I paid $4.20. Yes, that would have been a great deal, except I could care less about the game. The 3 I wanted were Fight Night Round 3, NHL 2K7, and Dead Rising.

[62t]

Fye, like gamecrazy and some other store, will stop taking in a game if they reach a certain number of copies.
As for the cashier once again you can just comeback at a later time. If you keep making a big deal it would make you expereience a lot less enjoyable, espically with this site.

[YoshiFan1]

FYE in general limits how many copies of a used game they stock. At one FYE I went to last year, they wouldn't take a game even if they only had 1 used copy in stock but at most stores it seems to be after they have 3 used copies in stock, they won't take any more.

[icruise]

I appreciate your guys' responses, but I think some of you are missing my point. I agree that I tried to work the promotion, and they called me on it. I don't mind that. In fact, sometimes I like being called on stuff cause it just makes me rethink my MO (which is what I'm doing now...next course of action) My main point was that she was incredibly bitchy doing it.
What help did you want from the "experts" then?

[n8rockerasu]

What help did you want from the "experts" then?

That's actually a good question. What I was really hoping for was just advice on what I should try next. Considering you guys consider yourself "cheap ass gamers" I thought surely someone would have a good idea on how to get around this little setback. I'll probably call another nearby FYE tomorrow, ask them SPECIFICALLY about the 2 games I have remaining, and see if they'd be willing to take them. As for Oblivion, if FYE won't let me exchange it, I'll probably just sell it. If I understand correctly, it has pretty decent resale value. In summation, I was just looking for a few suggestions guys, but thanks for the scolding.

[icruise]

In summation, I was just looking for a few suggestions guys, but thanks for the scolding.
My pleasure. :bouncy:

So can you tell us again what games you finally ended up with?

[n8rockerasu]

My pleasure. :bouncy:

So can you tell us again what games you finally ended up with?

Well, as of today (hopefully I can pull off some tweaks tomorrow), I traded in NBA 2K6 and College Hoops 2K6 for Fight Night Round 3. And also, Ridge Racer and College Hoops 2K6 for Oblivion. Decent, I know, but like I said, I was really looking for Dead Rising and NHL 2K6. DR from what I hear is freakin awesome, and NHL 2K6 is supposed to be the best hockey game ever, so I'm pretty psyched for that.

[icruise]

One possible solution is to either trade with someone here on CAG or to go to a site like Goozex.com (see thread below) and trade your games. I've seen Dead Rising come up there, and it's worth the same amount of points as Oblivion.

http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=106536

[n8rockerasu]

Hey, thanks man. See, that's basically the kind of help I was hoping for. Just stuff that I don't have much knowledge about. I'll definitely give it a look. Even with the predicament I had, I figured just grabbing Oblivion would be better than hanging on to my 17.99 06 sports games. Thanks again!

[Kerig]

I have one question: Why did you walk out of FYE with an opened copy of a game that you knew you wanted to return in the near future? (or an unsealed copy they claimed was "new", even...)

This question comes up often in the EB/GS "they sold me used for new!" threads, the answers are always snickerable at best.

[Weedy649]

Its YMMV not just with the deal, but with the people working too. Ive done the deal 3 times.

The first time: The two employees were very nice, a bit picky about the disc but its something thats common at FYEs. Id have to say very good experience. Was ps2 games and if it was over 40 id pay the difference

Second time: Even better, this time i got 2 360 games from borders so they were new but opened, the cashier didnt give any restrictions about what to pay.

third time: had an understanding cashier but a VERY RUDE employee who tried to send me packing. she tried to get someone else to agree that the deal was over but a guy came over and cleared everything up. So 1 horrible employee and 2 extra extra nice ones.

[n8rockerasu]

I have one question: Why did you walk out of FYE with an opened copy of a game that you knew you wanted to return in the near future? (or an unsealed copy they claimed was "new", even...)

This question comes up often in the EB/GS "they sold me used for new!" threads, the answers are always snickerable at best.

Yeah, I get your point. This looks stupid on my part. My defense? I've NEVER bought from FYE before (the closest one is like 35 minutes away). I usually shop at one of the 3 EB/GS's within 10 minutes of my house, or just buy online. I really wasn't aware of any of their "policies" and based on what I discovered today, most of their employees aren't either.

***The Resolution***

I quickly learned this morning, that the next 2 closest FYE's (40 and 45 minutes away respectively) don't even sell videogames. This left me staring yesterday's FYE store right in the face again. I decided to call them and inquire about the exchange policy. I told the guy I had just bought a game yesterday, new, and wanted to exchange it. He asked me if it was "opened". I explained to him that it was never sealed. He said "Well, the disc and manual should have been in plastic." I said "They were, but the cashier girl took them out and put them in the case for me. That's just how I got it." He sounded extremely confused, but said "Hold on." and went to find out what to do. He came back and told me they would take it, and for me to just make sure I had my receipt.

He also said he wasn't sure why she did that, but I later learned that this girl must have simply just been a worthless employee. I decided I would swing by the store again. Attempt to trade in my 2 remaining games...again (providing Cashier Bitch wasn't working). Thankfully, she wasn't. An older woman was working the counter. She was incredibly nice, not difficult at all, and gladly took Madden 06 and NBA Live 2K6. To sweeten things even more, FYE miraculously now had a new copy of Dead Rising. What a difference a day makes.

To sum up, I think this experience was the definition of YMMV. I have my theories on why Cashier Bitch just had it in for me. My best guess is that I was wearing a sweatshirt and ballcap of my college alma mater, and she either had an ex-boyfriend who screwed her over who went there, or she herself had been rejected from said university. Either way, I got what I wanted in the long run, so I'm happy.

(Oh, anyone wondering about what I did with Oblivion, since I was able to do the last trade in for Dead Rising, I decided to hang onto Oblivion, maybe even play it for a bit, and just trade it on goozex.com if I don't like it.)