Ordering used games from Gamestop.com

[Lungkisser]

Hey CAGers. This is my first post, because I wanted to ask this on a mature forum and cheapassgamer.com is a site I've used frequently to find deals, and I figure this is something someone here can respond to. That said...

For anyone whose ordered used games recently from Gamestop.com, have you notice that they've all been, like, disk doctored or whatever you want to call it? As in, they all have an obvious ring around the entire underside of the disk showing they've been cleaned by some kind of machine? A few weeks ago I ordered a few Tales games and had this happen on all of them (two PS2, one Gamecube) but thought nothing of it as I've only really ever had disk-read problems with my 360. This past week I ordered 3 copies of Call of Duty: World at War for 360 for me and two friends as gifts, and ALL THREE have this on the bottom. I haven't tried the disk out (I'm assuming it'll work...) but it still bothers me that they do this. I thought maybe it was because those other three games were old, but these are relatively new and I wouldn't think all three would even NEED to be doctored.

I'm just wondering if this is something anyones noticed, can comment on, etc. It seems to me like this is the wrong course of action unless the disks received in-store are in terrible condition (and, anti-Gamestop or not, I've usually had good luck the majority of the time in that regard.)

[lokizz]

ive bought used stff from them from time to time and only once did i get something that didnt work. i called them up told them whats what and i believe they sent me a link to print out a free shipping label, sent the game back and got a replacement. you can also return the game to a local store as long as you have the print out that comes with the games in the box.


i tried a disck doctor once back during the dc era and it fucked my game up completly since then ive never tried one and tossed out the disck doctor i bought.

[mtxbass1]

I'd return all 3 of those copies of CoD:WaW and go buy it at Kmart where it's 29.99 NEW this week...that is, unless you had credit or something at GS.

It's almost a given that a majority of times, things from gamestop.com are going to come in poor condition. It's been that way for years.

[Lungkisser]

I'd return all 3 of those copies of CoD:WaW and go buy it at Kmart where it's 29.99 NEW this week...that is, unless you had credit or something at GS.

It's almost a given that a majority of times, things from gamestop.com are going to come in poor condition. It's been that way for years.

Well I'm glad I only paid a little under $30 when I bought these (buy 2 get 1 free + 10% off, 16% off with CAG16, and SAVER for free shipping brought them to like $28 each total) ... but that still sucks. Deals like that always come around AFTER you order something. :bs:

[anotherpoorgamer]

I heard that all defective discs from local Gamestops go back to the warehouse to be disc doctored and are sold online or shipped back to the stores.

A little off-topic, but can you use gift cards purchased in-stores to buy stuff on Gamestop's website right?
Thanks ahead.

[J7.]

If they start disc doctoring games when they don't even need it, I'll take my business elsewhere. Doing that really hurts the lifespan of the disc.

[addicted2games]

Well there is no way to actually trade games in for credit to GS.com, only to the actual B&M stores. I think that GS.com only gets their used games from the B&M Gamestop stores sending in defective games. GS.com will resurface them (doing a crappy job at it, I might add) and then sell them on their website. The only games you can really trust is the new games when ordering from the site. Used games can come scratched and disc only. But you can return GS.com orders to B&M stores if need be.

I would say 80% of my used games that I ordered from GS.com are not complete and 95% are resurfaced.

*edit* I see someone has beat me to my theory on how the site gets their used games.

[IAmTheCheapestGamer]

Hey CAGers. This is my first post, because I wanted to ask this on a mature forum and cheapassgamer.com is a site I've used frequently to find deals, and I figure this is something someone here can respond to. That said...

For anyone whose ordered used games recently from Gamestop.com, have you notice that they've all been, like, disk doctored or whatever you want to call it? As in, they all have an obvious ring around the entire underside of the disk showing they've been cleaned by some kind of machine? A few weeks ago I ordered a few Tales games and had this happen on all of them (two PS2, one Gamecube) but thought nothing of it as I've only really ever had disk-read problems with my 360. This past week I ordered 3 copies of Call of Duty: World at War for 360 for me and two friends as gifts, and ALL THREE have this on the bottom. I haven't tried the disk out (I'm assuming it'll work...) but it still bothers me that they do this. I thought maybe it was because those other three games were old, but these are relatively new and I wouldn't think all three would even NEED to be doctored.

I'm just wondering if this is something anyones noticed, can comment on, etc. It seems to me like this is the wrong course of action unless the disks received in-store are in terrible condition (and, anti-Gamestop or not, I've usually had good luck the majority of the time in that regard.)

It could be that the 360 games were all ring scratched by RROD 360's and that's why they resurfaced them like that.

You would think for a major company like GS they would have professional machines and not do the telltale DDing of the discs.

Ahhh well, good luck and just return them in-store, since you can do that.

[omg itz adam]

I have ordered four games from GS.com

2 came in great complete condition except a crack in the case (could be worse imo)

The other 2 resurfaced crack cases ect...... I will never order off their site if thats what they put on there take them back.

[bigdaddybruce44]

Not for nothing, but they are used games. Unfortunately, not everyone takes good care of their stuff. You could argue that GameStop should not accept scratched games or games are missing manuals or cases, but then, we couldn't take advantage of them and flip scratched-up, incomplete crap from HWV sales and such. So, we can't have it both ways.

At the very least, as has been pointed out, if the games come incomplete or scratched, you can just return them in-store. Considering there are about a zillion of these damn places, now, you shouldn't have a big issue finding one close by.

[Squarehard]

It is hard for me to purchase games in person in GS stores as is, having to make sure each copy is alright and not F*ed up one way or another, shopping online with no actual access to even inspect the game until it arrives is even worse for me. I just avoid it unless I really really want something I can't get in the store.

[IAmTheCheapestGamer]

Not for nothing, but they are used games. Unfortunately, not everyone takes good care of their stuff. You could argue that GameStop should not accept scratched games or games are missing manuals or cases, but then, we couldn't take advantage of them and flip scratched-up, incomplete crap from HWV sales and such. So, we can't have it both ways.

At the very least, as has been pointed out, if the games come incomplete or scratched, you can just return them in-store. Considering there are about a zillion of these damn places, now, you shouldn't have a big issue finding one close by.

The thing is, they nailed many of us with refurb fees(sometimes up to $4 PER game)for those scratched up, disc only HWV games during the $4 last gen game sale from HWV when trading them into Gamestop, which just happened to coincide with a Gamestop 10/20/30% credit bonus deal.

Supposedly, they're not taking in bad condition stuff anymore and I've seen them personally reject stuff from people at a couple of my local stores when it's too messed up. However, they still have millions of games from before they supposedly started this crackdown to go through and many of them are probably going to be traded back in by the same suckers who constantly take such lowball amounts and don't wince.

So, the cycle will continue, since I think the refurb fees are a total fuckin' scam perpetrated by Gamestop, since I doubt they send out thousands of games to a central hub to be 'resurfaced'. It's just like the disc guarantee garbage they try to get people to get, it's more straight money that goes into the fat cats pockets.

[Ziv]

Yes they do ship them back to a wharehouse to be resurfaced. Visit a Gamestop early on a Monday morning and see the boxes being shipped out for yourself. Usually about 22pounds worth per box.