Gamerush-Use this thread for flipping discussions, morals, etc.

[spin03]

other thread is becoming way too massive, too quickly, and most of those posts arent about the deals. use this thread about flipping discussions.


my opinion on it all: people, just dont do it. it isnt needed. i have 380 in credit, and 21 games paid for, and i havent broken any part of the trade agreement, or even flipped. people who are flipping daily/weekly deserve to be banned. shouldnt even be discussed IMHO. if you really are desperate for some cheap preorders and used games, you dont need to flip to get your games. if you guys want, ill post a list of 7 good games to get.

I'm sure some of you other CAGers from GR have some other valid points, so post your opinions. Flippers, give your point of view. Please use this thread for anything GR related that doesnt include deals. Post Away

[indomitable]

Thanks Spin03 for making this thread. I was tired of the contamination of the other GR thread. Now I have my choice as to what I want to read with respect to GR.

[Friedle]

What exactly is flipping? I missed the thread in question.

[spin03]

What exactly is flipping? I missed the thread in question.

let me give you an example.

trade 3 games to blockbuster and get a used game for $5, and then going back later that day and sell it back to the store for $35. if you get a game for $5, play it for a week or 2.

worst grammar ever before revision.

[uuaww]

wait i don't get it, so you trade in 3 games, get another for $5 or whatever the promotion is, play is and beat it then trade it back for credit?

[spin03]

wait i don't get it, so you trade in 3 games, get another for $5 or whatever the promotion is, play is and beat it then trade it back for credit?

not really sure what you are asking, but flipping screw gamerush over because you are buying a game for $5, then trading it back to them for $35, and you didnt even play it. taking advantage of the deals, or flipping can result in a banning if done multiple times.

[SOSTrooper]

Thanks for the thread, the discussion within the other thread made it hard to follow trade in prices.

[spin03]

Thanks for the thread, the discussion within the other thread made it hard to follow trade in prices.


yeah. 20% off the posts were on topic.

[KowHunta]

I'm so tempted to do some flipping...I did the math, and I can get $240 if I trade in the games I have now, get new games, and trade them back. So tempting, I really do want to get an XBOX, PSP, or DS. My XBOX died, so I might just get another, instead of a new system. We'll see. Any advice/opinons?

[uuaww]

ohhhh i get it now, fuck that i don't own enough games or have the drive to do that, sounds shady to me.

[dpatel]

I agree with OP. The more people flip, the less likely these great deals will be around.

[KingDox]

well my GS usually has crappy games, but they have a big stock of good(new) games. I traded in some games today and saw they had Unreal Champ 2. I was really close to getting it even though I didn't want it. I could trade it back for 35 in credit and then flip it to get WM21 or KOTOR 2. But I don't think I will since, by the time I would have time to play those games I will be able to find them for 15 bucks after GGC.

I kinda belive that some one at GR knows that fliping is possible, but they don't care since the deals they get in alot of non-flipping customers.

[KowHunta]

I think I'm gonna go flip today, first time on this. I'm going to get roughly $250 in credit after its all said and done, and I might get a couple more new games when I trade in the originals to get another 3, bumping my over all total to $320. I really want to get a PSP. I guess I don't feel bad because I bought (not with credit, with cash) some games before my store was doing well. Checked my credit card, and one day, long ago, I spent around $500 (tax refund) all on games at GR. This'll be my only flipping I suppose, I'll be OVERWHELMINGLY satisfied if I get a PSP and 2 games, probably won't do much other gaming for a while either, dropping that much cash (even if it's credit) on something makes me oh so very dedicated to it. I'll use the remaining credit to buy a game rental pass. Still mulling this all over, but it's tempting.

[larry6171]

Well I have been flipping and flopping for a couple of days now and I am about at $260 in store credit plus I have two copies of Fight Night Round 2 (one sealed but marked as used) and two games for my kids...I started off with crap games too and they even let through some of my old sports games, 2002 and 2003....

[Friedle]

So, to do this you just need some crap games and catch a place with a trade-in bonus?

[flaprabbit]

I noticed at Gamerush in Lomita, Ca there was a hand written note by the register regarding the game trades. I couldn't see the whole note, but it did state something about only 1 game per day for the first 2 weeks of the promotion, and any suspicious activity for the employee to call other stores and check on the customer account. It seems that GR does know about the flipping and they probably tolerate it to a point as long as it doesn't become abusive.

[camelking6969]

if you do flip, take my advice do at night, lot less managers and corperate people around, trust me

[uzumaki_star]

What exactly is flipping? I missed the thread in question.

It is simple. I will give a quick example.

Go out to a store like for instance K-Mart find three different games for $5 bucks each for a total of $15 and buy them. Then go to Gamerush trade in those three games and use the credit you get on the Trade 3 for $5 deal (To understand the deal it is trade in 3 games and get any pre-owned game for $5). Next, get a pre-owned copy of Forza for $5. Finally, go back to the same Gamerush the next day and trade in Forza for $35 bucks.

The reason why Gamerush/Blockbuster frown upon this is because people get the games just to trade back for the extra credit and not to actually buy it to play.

To end the explanation is this. Forza trades in for $35 and you just bought it for $5 store credit (You only ended up paying $15 out of pocket for a newer video game). Gamerush gets upset if too many people do this.

[doraemonkerpal]

It is simple. I will give a quick example.

Go out to a store like for instance K-Mart find three different games for $5 bucks each for a total of $15 and buy them. Then go to Gamerush trade in those three games and use the credit you get on the Trade 3 for $5 deal (To understand the deal it is trade in 3 games and get any pre-owned game for $5). Next, get a pre-owned copy of Forza for $5. Finally, go back to the same Gamerush the next day and trade in Forza for $35 bucks.

The reason why Gamerush/Blockbuster frown upon this is because people get the games just to trade back for the extra credit and not to actually buy it to play.

To end the explanation is this. Forza trades in for $35 and you just bought it for $5. Gamerush gets upset if too many people do this.

actually, you bought it for $15 cash out of pocket... but yea, you pretty much summed up the term "flipping."

[KowHunta]

I think I'm going to have a friend trade all the games back in, I'd rather be safe than sorry. I'll just have him take back all the ones that I buy, then he'll buy different ones, and I'll take em back. I'll give him like $10 for his trouble. :p

[uzumaki_star]

actually, you bought it for $15 cash out of pocket... but yea, you pretty much summed up the term "flipping."

Corrected

[uzumaki_star]

I guess you can call my boyfriend a flipper because he buys games from Gamerush and after a couple of weeks he trades them back in.

[KowHunta]

I was told last night, btw, that corporate tells them not to trade after 11:00. Some stores do, but if they get audited, they frown on it. Not sure if the emloyees were just lazy though.

[scuba]

yea I used to flip

I did it twice but it was when gamerush first started like last year

I think the deal they had when they first started was trade 2 get any game for 5 and how could you not take advantage of that

I dont know how I got banned though now

i buy a game keep it for 2 weeks or so. I play the game, beat it whatever, then trade it back in and get another

[doraemonkerpal]

I guess you can call my boyfriend a flipper because he buys games from Gamerush and after a couple of weeks he trades them back in.

personally, i don't think being a "flipper" is a bad thing unless you abuse it or are buying up expensive used games at gamerush soley for the purpose of trading them back in for more credit. peeps who do this have wayyyyyyyyy too much time on their hands LOL! :D to each their own hehe.

[DV8]

So is it still considered flipping if you get that $5 game and beat it and then trade it in a week later? I'm planning on trading in SW:BF which I beat, and I only bought it last week. I think I'm going to trade in NFS:U and that plus some other crap game (which I'll probably buy for $5) for NSF:U2 to "upgrade" Am I considered a flipper?

[JSweeney]

So is it still considered flipping if you get that $5 game and beat it and then trade it in a week later? I'm planning on trading in SW:BF which I beat, and I only bought it last week. I think I'm going to trade in NFS:U and that plus some other crap game (which I'll probably buy for $5) for NSF:U2 to "upgrade" Am I considered a flipper?

Flipping is all about image and intent. As it's hard for blockbuster to gauge intent unless someone is ridiculously obvious about it (trade for games at one store, drive five miles, dump those off and get new ones), or have the appearence of impropriety over an extended period.

Because of that, there will be a degree of overlap between people that trade rapidly and people who flip. Blockbuster will be careful about cutting people off, however, because people who trade games in within a week or so of the intial release are fairly profitable (provided the game they brought in wasn't purchased on a promo they were running).

Most of the people who were whining about getting thier accounts frozen were exceeding reasonable levels... stores don't expect you to generate or hold on to 500+ dollars in credit. That's a big red flag right there.

[camelking6969]

you are exactly right js.

[nakanenui]

buying and trading should never benefit the customer. the company has to make a profit at your expense or else they go belly up. take for instance those who buy a game on a deal and sell if back for more than what was paid for it. you are getting a free rental, or worse, making a few bucks on top. the company notices this and presto change-o, you are now banned. i guess if you break even they dont really care that much cause they could most likely sell the game for more than they bought it off you in a short period of time if the title is a fairly recent one.

[mr99]

Interesting.

You guys would really hate me.

I ended up with almost $900 in credit tonight.

I had about $4000 the other week. For the record gift cards / trading cards max out at $500.

Then again Im not really "flipping" as defined in this thread. Im just driving a truck through some massive holes they have left open up here in Canada now that all stores have started trading, quite frankly Im sure it is a matter of time until they stop me, however I cant believe they havent yet.

The stores I have been going to about 15 in total are encouraging me, only one has somewhat slowed up, the rest are all about the trades, they cant get enough.

It really is quite ridiculous what they have going on here now, however I think I shall keep going until they 1, Change their system. 2, They Ban me.

One guy tonight was laughing as he handed me a gift card with $180 on it, he was like "dude what the hell are you ever going to do with all that credit?, why do you even bother?"

Im sure its only a matter of time until others / employees catch on and exploit the current holes.

Sometimes being in Canada is a good thing.

:D

[JSweeney]

buying and trading should never benefit the customer. the company has to make a profit at your expense or else they go belly up. take for instance those who buy a game on a deal and sell if back for more than what was paid for it. you are getting a free rental, or worse, making a few bucks on top. the company notices this and presto change-o, you are now banned. i guess if you break even they dont really care that much cause they could most likely sell the game for more than they bought it off you in a short period of time if the title is a fairly recent one.

Companies aren't that shortsighted. They're willing to take a couple losses on a good customer, as they'll eventually get that money back. It's people that are obviously exploiting the system and aren't offering them value back that are going to be clamped down on. It would take a pattern of losses on thier part before they likely even begin to notice.

[Pancake Rabbit]

This thread is ridiculous. I say just do whatever you want there's no need to discuss this issue and people shouldn't be preaching from "the good book of blockbuster." You don't have to obey the almighty "spin03" it is not illegal to flip and please don't buy into his whole thing about "awww poor little blockbuster all they want to do is make an honest dollar be nice to the little blockbuster" blockbuster rips off an amazing amount of people on a daily basis. 8 dollars to rent a game for a week? I'm not paying that. Remember late fees? Ever return a game/movie an hour or so late only to be slammed with late fees? Eye for an eye tooth for a tooth I say. Just do whatever you want, it's up to you as an individual to decide if flipping is worth the risk of being banned. There really is no moral issue here, blockbuster makes these deals and realize it is possible to exploit them. If they were losing money on this they wouldn't be doing it anymore. This is what...the fourth time they've run this promotion? Even if you do rake in the credit you are still spending it at blockbuster.

All I have to say is don't be a sheep just do whatever you want.

[io]

This thread is ridiculous. I say just do whatever you want there's no need to discuss this issue and people shouldn't be preaching from "the good book of blockbuster." You don't have to obey the almighty "spin03" it is not illegal to flip and please don't buy into his whole thing about "awww poor little blockbuster all they want to do is make an honest dollar be nice to the little blockbuster" blockbuster rips off an amazing amount of people on a daily basis. 8 dollars to rent a game for a week? I'm not paying that. Remember late fees? Ever return a game/movie an hour or so late only to be slammed with late fees? Eye for an eye tooth for a tooth I say. Just do whatever you want, it's up to you as an individual to decide if flipping is worth the risk of being banned. There really is no moral issue here, blockbuster makes these deals and realize it is possible to exploit them. If they were losing money on this they wouldn't be doing it anymore. This is what...the fourth time they've run this promotion? Even if you do rake in the credit you are still spending it at blockbuster.

All I have to say is don't be a sheep just do whatever you want.

I agree somewhat with both what you say and what jsweeney says. First off, flipping certainly isn't "illegal". I don't even think it is even really amoral - just that it might ruin a good thing. Do it to your heart's content if you so wish. However, what I, and presumably others here, don't like is that they have started banning people who are just trading in a bunch of things, even if flipping is not involved (if we're getting the full stories - perhaps we aren't in some cases). Perhaps it is a case of the flippers ruining it for everyone, and busy store managers not having the time or inclination to investigate each account in detail. I don't know. Maybe they just decided they didn't like all the crappy games they've been getting and they are cracking down in any case, regardless of flipping.

What I wish they would do, though, is tighten up the requirement A LITTLE. Perhaps limiting a single title to 4 trade-ins, period (instead of the 2 of a title per day). The 2 per title per day is fine with me, of course, as long as they aren't banning people who bring in 5 of something over a one month period, as it seems they have. In that case they aren't following their own guidelines. I understand fully them not wanting to accept too many of a title - so just make the restrictions tighter, and anyone who works within those restrictions should then not have to worry about being banned.

I do agree, though, that the deals must be working for them in the long run, or else why would they keep doing them? I thought the worst thing for them was the double-dip of a $10 trade-in bonus (for 2 games) AND selling a new game for $30. They HAD to be losing money on that. Some stores never allowed that, my store stopped doing it in the very last week, but many others, including Cory's, happily did it the whole time. He seemed to indicate that it wasn't a big problem for them. If THAT didn't cost them, I don't see how many of the other deals, even when fully-exploited, do (with the exception of PURE flipping back and forth multiple times)...

Anyway, sorry about the rambling... Obviously there is SOME problem with their trade deals and vaguely-worded policies or there wouldn't be so much discussion here. Personally I don't want to see them change a thing, but I would trade some slightly tighter restrictions for the security of knowing I can follow what they lay out and not fear being banned. The problem is, they would probably tighten things, and then STILL ban people semi-randomly and inconsistently - certainly from one store to the next.

[bmulligan]

Dusty has a point. Store credit is not the same as cash. If you have $100 in credit you can buy $100 worth of retail merchandise, which is really worth about 60-70 cash. And when you trade 3 to get a used game for $5 you aren't just buying a game for $5, you are spending 3 of your used games which have value.
BB will turn around and sell those for $5-10 a piece even if they are crappy ones.

Flipping may not be illegal, but it is against the trade agreement policy. However, there is no way to prove that you are flipping. There is no way to prove your copy of a game came from blockbuster or not.

The really strange thing about Gamerush is that they allow you to "double dip" on regular deals unlike any other store: They give you the game value as credit AND allow you to purchase a used for $5. No other store has ever done this. They could start making a great deal more if they eliminated store credit on this deal and made it a straight trade 3 get a used for $5. They would still be giving the best deal in town AND building an inventory.

[h2dk]

So I have a question for whomever has a good answer. Why is it that I have to sign up for a trade account at each blockbuster/gamerush that I go to? The credit I had at gr was not usable at bb. If this is the case, how do they know if you buy at one and trade at another??

[mr99]

I am interested to see what they start doing in Canada, promo wise, in the future. As it stands now, you recieve a min $8 in credit on ANYTHING, Yes ANYTHING.

Between $8-$30, with all kinds of fun points in between, my favourite so far are the baseball games they are giving $18 a piece for.

Sadly they have just reduced Madden 2003 from $15 to $9. :)

One store decided after a month or so and about 60 copies of Madden 2003 to stop taking it, the other 14 or so still are. Go figure.

Go Go Blockbuster!

[bmulligan]

You spell 'favorite' funny....

[uzumaki_star]

So I have a question for whomever has a good answer. Why is it that I have to sign up for a trade account at each blockbuster/gamerush that I go to? The credit I had at gr was not usable at bb. If this is the case, how do they know if you buy at one and trade at another??

That is the thing they don't unless they call the original store you have a trade agreement with. That is why most times when I get a newer game from Gamerush I just go to my local blockbuster and trade it in.

[uzumaki_star]

Interesting.

You guys would really hate me.

I ended up with almost $900 in credit tonight.

I had about $4000 the other week. For the record gift cards / trading cards max out at $500.

Then again Im not really "flipping" as defined in this thread. Im just driving a truck through some massive holes they have left open up here in Canada now that all stores have started trading, quite frankly Im sure it is a matter of time until they stop me, however I cant believe they havent yet.

The stores I have been going to about 15 in total are encouraging me, only one has somewhat slowed up, the rest are all about the trades, they cant get enough.

It really is quite ridiculous what they have going on here now, however I think I shall keep going until they 1, Change their system. 2, They Ban me.

One guy tonight was laughing as he handed me a gift card with $180 on it, he was like "dude what the hell are you ever going to do with all that credit?, why do you even bother?"

Im sure its only a matter of time until others / employees catch on and exploit the current holes.

Sometimes being in Canada is a good thing.

:D

Can you share some of that Canadian love into Michigan? Damn! that is a lot of credit.

[CoryCubed]

Personal Matters.

[uzumaki_star]

The problem is that people are so shortsighted and dumb that they take advantage of a deal and then that deal may be gone forever if the company catches on.

THEN these same people gripe and moan because companies don't ever have any good deals. Its so f'ing retarded.

To Flippers credit is the same as cash as they can buy ps2s or some other new item and sell it for a pretty close dollar to dollar ratio.


Those that follow the rules will do just fine by themselves. Remember the deal lasts til September so even then.

just don't get too carried away and spread the good titles around for regular people too.

My big complaint is that we get tons of crap games that I have to process and put out thus affecting my ability to do other things that are more important such as repricing, putting up signage to promote the new deals, rebalancing, cleaning, straightening, putting the right locater boxes out there, alphabetizing, and most of all provide great and personalized customer service.

If I am lacking time I can't actually talk to people yet I still haft to mention trades, preorders or something. I hate being the asshole that goes through the motions and haft to bug people about preorders.

Yes I still haft to ask everyone but I'd much rather spend time talking to them about games, what they play, that kind of thing. Thats why I work at Game Rush and not Home Depot or McDonalds while I'm in school.

Then my DL gets pissed at me for shit not being done. I hate flippers and will stop them when it affects my ability to do my job the way it should be done.

I've already identified three problem people (one dumbass went to at least 4 stores in one day) I and will be enforcing trade policy to the max as I am sick of processing crap like RTX Red Rock and Extermination and Cubix and Driving Type Emotion S and HeadHunter and Project Eden and Red Faction and all the other $4.99 junk. (there's a helpful list for some of ya)

I have a meeting with a corporate person and I'm am damn near close on doing what I can to change the requirements on this deal because my ability to do what needs done is becoming affected.

$7 is a perfectly reasonable price to rent a game. It takes Blockbuster at least 6 rentals just to break even on a game. Games are 2 times the price of movies on average.

You get a week. Thats $1 a day. Thats what the gas station nearby charges only they charge by the day. If you don't like the policy then don't rent there its that simple. You can always do gamefly or hell even the gamepass if you like (since you flippers are so smart I'm sure you can figure out the way to get it without a credit card).

I bet you go pay $6.50 or whatever to see a measely two hour movie right? Most flippers are the average 15-25 male dumbass that drives a honda and thinks he's the shit.

There's tons of factors in price increases its not just companies. You all after to remember things like inflation and taxes. Remember if a company raises a rental price the tax will be more as well.

Hell the arcade by my house just went to electronic token paying and they have raised their prices to 30 cents from 25 cents for credits and some games are $1.10 instead of $1.0

Do I complain? No. I Realize that over time prices are going to increase. Its life. No company in their right mind would be dumb enough to raise a price unless the current price was really hurting them.

Anyways enough ranting do what you want to do and just don't come to my store with your crap k thanks bye

CoreyCubed let me just be the first person to say that was a lot to take in but most of us understand your rant. Thanks for all the info that you provide for us.

[KowHunta]

I've found that if you don't use crap titles (4.99 stuff), it works out a lot better for the stores. I did flipping for the first time today, and I didn't have any titles that were cheapo, the cheapest trade I had was like 7.00. I've traded "crap" games before, but they were racing games, and in texas, racing games fly off the shelf whether or not they are good. Just try to not make too much of a profit, and it's a lot better.

[h2dk]

Regarding flipping:

I trade 3 games (including Forza and Republic Commando) at gamerush and get UC2. A couple days later, I go to a blockbuster (very limited selection) I trade 3 games (SC:CT, Jade Empire, etc.) but the only game worth a crap is Republic Commando. So I grab it for $5 (not my fault they have a crap selection, but I want to maximize my deal). Now if I were to take that Republic Commando to yet another blockbuster (a week later) with another high profile game and some 3rd game..... Well I know the moral answer...but is it terrible to do? I am trading in a bunch of high profile games that won't sit on their shelf long (especially with this deal:)) and not sticking them with multiple copies of crap games.

[dillopod]

I think that there is a major grey area in deciding if this is moral or not. I live in a town with two Gamerush stores within maybe 7 miles of each other. I traded some stuff in until I had a decent amount of credit then realized that I could buy two 4.99 or 6.99 games using credit and get one free with the current deal. Then I would take the three games to the other Blockbuster, trade them in and get any high priced used came for free ($5 credit) plus any extra credit if there is any. It didn't take long however for one of the employees (I believe the manager) at one of the stores to call me on it though and he wouldn't let me trade them. I'm not sure if he was in contact with the other store of if he just made a good guess but it was my fault for making so many returns in a small amount of time. I wasn't banned from the store but afterwards I felt like a real ass and don't ever look forward to going back into that store again. Not so much because I was caught but because I felt like as ass for taking advantage of a good deal. Kind of the "I'm not angry, just dissapointed" thing. On the other hand the comapny had to know that this kind of things were going to happen. These deals are just ridiculous. The only reason I can think that this really helps BB is that it gets people out of Gamestop and EBgames and into BB. I don't think that flipping really hurts the company but it could hurt each store and each store manager (gross profit, expenses, etc.). I'm sure it's very frustrating for a manager to find people doing this as it mostly just recycles crappy games through there stores and takes up there time and untimately wastes money. Anyway, I'm through with it. I just hope that if the time comes when I want to legitimately trade something in, I can. You could really screw yourself by getting caught. Not only do I not want to get caught again but in my opinion it's really just a crappy thing to be doing. But...I also don't look down on anyone who does this. Just be careful.

[CoryCubed]

Personal Matters.

[scuba]

Bottom line though is internally the high level Game Rush management main priority right now is getting flipping stopped and under control by end of June. Doubt that'll happen without getting rid of some of the deals but enjoy it while it lasts kids.

Sad part is I have been overly lenient on some deals. I had a guy yesterday trade in 5 n64 games. he wanted zelda but it was $9.99 and he only had $5.5 credit from the n64. Guess what I did? I let him do the $5 deal. Why? He wasn't trying to scam the system and he traded games I knew we'd sell (Mario Kart and Star Fox, at least $12 when sold).

I have no problem using the deals when it is advantageous to the customer and helps build loyalty to the business. If any of you have seen my post right under the op and compare it with what I did above you will get a good idea of what I did during the trade 3 get an extra $5 per game.

I know the business and I know where it hurts and helps Blockbuster. Plus, if I know they are not a flipper, it is always good to leave at least $3 credit on someones account. it helps bring them back in the store giving me more time to talk about games and what not rather than advertisements.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

does the system say what system the game is for

like if one trades in splinter cell CT for xbox, does it say that?

[io]

I know the business and I know where it hurts and helps Blockbuster. Plus, if I know they are not a flipper, it is always good to leave at least $3 credit on someones account. it helps bring them back in the store giving me more time to talk about games and what not rather than advertisements.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cory,

Going away from the topic of flipping - and moving to the one of taking advantage (as I have) of the preorder/new game deal...

Can you reiterate what you said a while back (buried in an old GR thread) about the trade 2 for $29.99 preorder deal? I believe that you said this was a good thing for GR even if the 2 titles are crap games (but not from flips) because the preorders generated, first off, are good for the individual store's numbers, and secondly, good over all for BB because they can then put in bigger orders with the publishers (and subsequently get greater discounts). I might be mixing up what you said with what I've heard in EB or GS discussions, so please (as you know the business) elaborate/clarify if you can.

On the flip side (no pun intended), is the same deal BAD if it is used to get a new ($50) game sitting in the store because that didn't count in the preorder numbers?

I, personally, have used the deal for a number of $40 games and even some $35 games (in addition to many $50 titles of course). I certainly don't feel bad in those cases, because I'm sure between my trade-ins and the $29.99, GR is making money. Also, I have been passing up great deals at Fry's (like $34.99 for SW Ep. III) and Target to buy all my games exclusively at GR. So, they have been successful in swiping my business away from their nearby competitors - but ONLY because of the trade 2/$29.99 deal. If that continues through September and they don't get too stingy with the trade requirements (and they aren't at all now) I don't forsee myself buying ANY games anywhere else for a while. (Just wish they'd carry more DS games!).

[CoryCubed]

Personal Matters.

[CoryCubed]

[Personal Matters.

[io]

Really as long as the cheap title will sell for at least $6.99 blockbuster should break at least even - assuming they pay around $40-45 for a game as long as there is no double dipping.

$30 - 3 + 14 = $41
Probably better to trade something more though - as it incrementaly gets better for blockbuster and you'll get more credit. Take a $9.99 - $3 credit

$30 - $6 + 20 = $43

$12.99

$30 - $10 + $26 = $46

So the better games you bring in the better - Blockbuster gets closer to profit and the more expensive may sell better and quicker and you get more credit off the $29.99 (I rounded for maths sake). I didn't include taxes though so that may affect things too.


It gets better for Blockbuster on the $39.99 games too as they may only pay $32-$35.

Thanks - I usually try to trade games that get at least $3 credit (and sell for $9.99) if not more - but sometimes the price drops on me :D while I wait for games to show up in the preorder system. I'm trying to trade things in that I don't see many of (regardless of price), so that's good for their resale ability. I'm kind of low on trade items now and might have to dip into the $5 CC games I got a few months ago (and have not gotten around to playing yet - a sign that they should go to make room for new games!). Most of those are GC titles that they don't have any of, so those will work well.

No sales tax here - makes figuring things out MUCH easier on these deals.

[Zennousha]

Most flippers are the average 15-25 male dumbass that drives a honda and thinks he's the shit.
I fall into the non-most flippers. I've done it more than a few times but it's always to end up buying PSX games that GR bought for like 50 cents anyways. Hell, I think 80% of what I've spend from my credit at GR is on PSX and DC games. I'm a good-guy flipper. ;)

[CoryCubed]

Personal Matters.

[PittsburghAfterDark]

You know there was a time not that long ago when you could do a variation on "flipping". Media Play and Circuit City were absolutely horrible at dropping their prices with everyone else. They both had return policies that would give you store credit without a receipt.

So you could find a game like Beach Spikers for $9.99 at Best Buy and take it back to either for $49.99. Given this site and another, now defunct uncledunkel.com, you could build up a collection rather quickly doing returns of cheap games for full price. Obviously it's shady, as all flipping is, and I guess it's no different than the Wal Mart returns which some have no problem with and others find shady. All in the eye of the beholder.

I basically think that if a store/chain is going to allow flipping or returns without a receipt they know what they're getting into; a certain amount of fraud or abuse.

I know that if there were a Gamerush near me I'd have my Xbox 360, 5 games, second controller, headset and memory card paid for already in store credit.

[electroslag]

I know you like video games, we all do. If you don't like your job get a new one! Gamestop, Blockbuster, and EB Games can hire guys like you to work for absolutely nothing just because you like games and you are to nerdy to get a real job. You are nothing more that a 10hr drone for blockbuster. You don't call the shots corportate does, all you can do is take out your frustrations on flippers like me that pay there employees 10hr to just flip. Let me break it down for you. I pay 2.50 for each game that I buy from blockbuster, I then trade that game for about a dollar. After I buy three I have 9.50 into a 45.00 purchase that is worth 35 in trade. 35-9.50=25.50 minus the 8% taxes. I know what your thinking I must be banned, and your right. But the guys I pick up at the plasma bank have fresh accounts and will flip games for $4 per game transaction. I then make 21 dollars in credit for every $4 that I spend. 2 flips per store per person working=42 and about 20 stores in a day=840. I go to work buy ripping off blockbuster. I will own almost ever XBOX 360 you guys can offer and I will sell them for a premium on Ebay come November. YOU THINK I AM A DUMBASS I WILL MAKE YOUR YEARLY SALARY IN ABOUT 2 MONTHS. I DID IT OVER CHRISTMASS WITH THE PS2 AND I MADE OVER 12,000. If you work hard and know the system it is really easy to tear you guys to pieces. THIS IS A DUMBASS PROMOTION THAT IS PISSING OFF YOUR CUSTOMERS. GAMERUSH = RETARDED.

[io]

THIS IS A DUMBASS PROMOTION THAT IS PISSING OFF YOUR CUSTOMERS. GAMERUSH = RETARDED.

Personally I have nothing to say about the rest of your rant (except that you should by nicer to Cory who is providing us all this inside info - but it sounds like you have been doing "fine" all on your own so probably don't care). I'm sure others will have plenty to say about it and I will leave it to them :D (don your flame-retardant undies NOW). But I sure as hell don't get this last line. The only thing even mildly irritating *some* of us, is that the deal is getting changed or cancelled at many stores. But now we can see one of the big reasons why this has happened - I had NO idea flipping went on at that scale. Wow...

[CoryCubed]

Personal Matters.

[CoryCubed]

Personal Matters.

[io]

Actually I think I'm doing well at Blockbuster considering I'm making $11.50 an hour with 40 hours a week+ overtime sometimes + tuition reiumbursement $2000 a year + 3 weeks fulltime vacation a year, at my new store just to chat about videogames and price some stickers and move some games every now and then.

Plus with the mystery shopping I do I eat free half the time. Not to mention I'm still eligible for financial aid which nets me an extra $2,000 a year (grants mind you not loans).

All this while I am going to school just so I don't haft to do this forever. I think I'm just fine where I'm at.

Cory, no need at all to defend yourself wrt what this guy said... I'm SHOCKED no one else has chimed in on this thread though - maybe the holiday weekend has kept a few of you away. Wanted to bump this up so others can comment...

[kaji7p56]

Actually I think I'm doing well at Blockbuster considering I'm making $11.50 an hour with 40 hours a week+ overtime sometimes + tuition reiumbursement $2000 a year + 3 weeks fulltime vacation a year, at my new store just to chat about videogames and price some stickers and move some games every now and then.

Plus with the mystery shopping I do I eat free half the time. Not to mention I'm still eligible for financial aid which nets me an extra $2,000 a year (grants mind you not loans).

All this while I am going to school just so I don't haft to do this forever. I think I'm just fine where I'm at.

Mystery shopping, eh? How do I get a job as a mystery shopper?

[CoryCubed]

Personal Matters.

[GizmoGC]

I know you like video games, we all do. If you don't like your job get a new one! Gamestop, Blockbuster, and EB Games can hire guys like you to work for absolutely nothing just because you like games and you are to nerdy to get a real job. You are nothing more that a 10hr drone for blockbuster. You don't call the shots corportate does, all you can do is take out your frustrations on flippers like me that pay there employees 10hr to just flip. Let me break it down for you. I pay 2.50 for each game that I buy from blockbuster, I then trade that game for about a dollar. After I buy three I have 9.50 into a 45.00 purchase that is worth 35 in trade. 35-9.50=25.50 minus the 8% taxes. I know what your thinking I must be banned, and your right. But the guys I pick up at the plasma bank have fresh accounts and will flip games for $4 per game transaction. I then make 21 dollars in credit for every $4 that I spend. 2 flips per store per person working=42 and about 20 stores in a day=840. I go to work buy ripping off blockbuster. I will own almost ever XBOX 360 you guys can offer and I will sell them for a premium on Ebay come November. YOU THINK I AM A DUMBASS I WILL MAKE YOUR YEARLY SALARY IN ABOUT 2 MONTHS. I DID IT OVER CHRISTMASS WITH THE PS2 AND I MADE OVER 12,000. If you work hard and know the system it is really easy to tear you guys to pieces. THIS IS A DUMBASS PROMOTION THAT IS PISSING OFF YOUR CUSTOMERS. GAMERUSH = RETARDED.

Spoken like a true 14 year old. Love the spelling, grammer, everything!

[GizmoGC]

Actually I think I'm doing well at Blockbuster considering I'm making $11.50 an hour with 40 hours a week+ overtime sometimes + tuition reiumbursement $2000 a year + 3 weeks fulltime vacation a year, at my new store just to chat about videogames and price some stickers and move some games every now and then.

Plus with the mystery shopping I do I eat free half the time. Not to mention I'm still eligible for financial aid which nets me an extra $2,000 a year (grants mind you not loans).

All this while I am going to school just so I don't haft to do this forever. I think I'm just fine where I'm at.

When I was managing a GR I was making $14.00 an hour. I can BB really cut down its price...yikes. I know in certain states they have to pay you a minimum amount...but I guess your eally an 'ASM' and now a 'Manager'....sucks

[rywateska]

Is this trade-in deal good at regular BB's or just the Gamerush locations?

[Scorch]

Spoken like a true 14 year old. Love the spelling, grammer, everything!

grammar*

[mr_pollock]

Yes I still haft to ask everyone but I'd much rather spend time talking to them about games, what they play, that kind of thing.


I love your posts, but "haft" is just making me cry!

[Matt Young]

What games can I get cheaply at EB or Gamestop and then trade in for equal or greater value at GameRush? I'm not going to flip games and try to screw GR, but I do want some newer games, and trading in 3 games worth a couple bucks each to get a more recent used game is a better deal than trading in 2 used games and paying $30 for a new release, especially since I have very little money.

[DevlynSyde]

I'd like to hear some insite on how they stop flippers or catch them? It doesn't seem as though they have any contact with other stores what so ever. So you could even buy the 10 for 25 deal they have now and drive down the street and trade them in 5 minutes after buying them and the second store doesn't even know. Why don't they have any sort of link to the other stores?

[CoryCubed]

Personal Matters.

[CoryCubed]

Personal Matters.

[CoryCubed]

Personal Matters.

[rywateska]

Is this trade-in deal good at regular BB's or just the Gamerush locations? ?

[uuaww]

meh, flipping let me get a newer game and i got rid of all my old ones.

[jousley]

I know you like video games, we all do. If you don't like your job get a new one! Gamestop, Blockbuster, and EB Games can hire guys like you to work for absolutely nothing just because you like games and you are to nerdy to get a real job. You are nothing more that a 10hr drone for blockbuster. You don't call the shots corportate does, all you can do is take out your frustrations on flippers like me that pay there employees 10hr to just flip. Let me break it down for you. I pay 2.50 for each game that I buy from blockbuster, I then trade that game for about a dollar. After I buy three I have 9.50 into a 45.00 purchase that is worth 35 in trade. 35-9.50=25.50 minus the 8% taxes. I know what your thinking I must be banned, and your right. But the guys I pick up at the plasma bank have fresh accounts and will flip games for $4 per game transaction. I then make 21 dollars in credit for every $4 that I spend. 2 flips per store per person working=42 and about 20 stores in a day=840. I go to work buy ripping off blockbuster. I will own almost ever XBOX 360 you guys can offer and I will sell them for a premium on Ebay come November. YOU THINK I AM A DUMBASS I WILL MAKE YOUR YEARLY SALARY IN ABOUT 2 MONTHS. I DID IT OVER CHRISTMASS WITH THE PS2 AND I MADE OVER 12,000. If you work hard and know the system it is really easy to tear you guys to pieces. THIS IS A DUMBASS PROMOTION THAT IS PISSING OFF YOUR CUSTOMERS. GAMERUSH = RETARDED.

Wow you sure seem proud of yourself, don't you? I mean I get the feeling that you are trying to brag about your "business sense" or whatever, but you just come off like a stupid ass. Here's hoping that we don't hear about your murder at the hands of one of your "employees". Actually...that would just be karma if it happens. Go Plasma bankers!

[stoned99]

So here's a warning to you all, my account has been put on hold. For the apparent reason that I was profiting from my trading. It seemed to happen after I accidently flipped a game after having only owned it for 3 days (I forgot which store I bought it from). The district manager apparently reviewed my trades and decided I was not playing fair. Considering I did not obviously break the trade agreement, this does seem a little harsh, and you would have thought a warning would have been in order first. I've yet to actually speak to the DM, but it does look like a no go. Does anyone have experience with opening second accounts and wether they can connect you back to the original ?

[rywateska]

Is this trade-in deal good at regular BB's or just the Gamerush locations?


For a third time?

[swetooth9]

For a third time?

both, i only have regular BB's and the deals work for me

[The watcher]

So here's a warning to you all, my account has been put on hold. For the apparent reason that I was profiting from my trading. It seemed to happen after I accidently flipped a game after having only owned it for 3 days (I forgot which store I bought it from). The district manager apparently reviewed my trades and decided I was not playing fair. Considering I did not obviously break the trade agreement, this does seem a little harsh, and you would have thought a warning would have been in order first. I've yet to actually speak to the DM, but it does look like a no go. Does anyone have experience with opening second accounts and wether they can connect you back to the original ?

With the new "reverse lookup program" that is in place, it is easy to track multiple accounts, and in most cases, (98%) it will merge the accounts, even at store level. Also, If you look at the trade agreements, there is a part that refers to "deceptive trading." Keep in mind, they are a "second hand dealer/pawn shop" now that they trade. They are required/obligated to report ANY deceptive trades to the local or County/Federal law enforecment. It has been done with part-time flippers, as well as full bore flippers/traders.
You have to know they track these trades outside the store.

[CoryCubed]

Personal Matters.

[GizmoGC]

grammar*

Uhh, it was on PURPOSE. My gawd girl!

[dmode249]

Just to let people know.... the manager Virgil at the BLOCKBUSTER/GAMERUSH in Riverside, Ca .... off of La Sierra is banning people from stores. He's watching people for flipping, and then getting their accounts banned. If you've been banned for flipping, and you've been to that store, then you know who to thank. Anyone know his last name? He's the manager, and he's a total hypacrite, making up rules that are not in the policy. Someone needs to report him.

[Matt Young]

What's up? Nice to see another Riverside area CAG.

I was actually planning on checking out that store, but I haven't been yet. I go to the Moreno Valley store on Alessandro, and the employees there suck. They'll tell me one day that I can stack deals, then the next, I can't... Then the next day after that, I can.

They also don't seem to know that half the deals even exist in the first place. The worst person there by far is this skinny, mannish looking black chick with cornrows who claims to be a manager. She's rude to everyone and tries to screw people over.

[stoned99]

With the new "reverse lookup program" that is in place, it is easy to track multiple accounts, and in most cases, (98%) it will merge the accounts, even at store level. Also, If you look at the trade agreements, there is a part that refers to "deceptive trading." Keep in mind, they are a "second hand dealer/pawn shop" now that they trade. They are required/obligated to report ANY deceptive trades to the local or County/Federal law enforecment. It has been done with part-time flippers, as well as full bore flippers/traders.
You have to know they track these trades outside the store.

I'm not sure I follow the deceptive trading part as being anything illegal. After all nothing is being stolen. I'm sure that rule is in place to force pawn shops to report obviously illegal behaviour (junkie trading in stolen property).

[KowHunta]

Uhm, what the hell is a reverse-lookup at BBV? Seems like it would be damn unreliable, unless the same name is on 2 accounts.

[DevlynSyde]

CoryCubed - I can tell you why people take some of the good games to EB and Gamestop - they also sell computer games :) I've considered doing this as well since there are computer games I would love to pick up, but instead all of them have gone to Gamestop. I've traded in 90% of the games I've ever owned to Gamerush.. and many of my preorders that I got for 30 after the trade 2 deal went back to Gamerush within a week as well... Doom3, Jade Empire, SW III, etc all were taken back within a week for your pricing enjoyment :)

I still haven't seen any response to the tracking of traders in the system. Why don't they have any internal tracking across stores? Is the only thing preventing me from buying 20 preowned games @ $5 b2g1 and taking them down the street to the next store just that I might piss a GR employee (you) off and you'll call around the stores? If you do call around and find someone bought them 20 mins ago at the closest store, can you just ban them right then despite not breaking the agreement?

[stoned99]

CoryCubed - I can tell you why people take some of the good games to EB and Gamestop - they also sell computer games :) I've considered doing this as well since there are computer games I would love to pick up, but instead all of them have gone to Gamestop. I've traded in 90% of the games I've ever owned to Gamerush.. and many of my preorders that I got for 30 after the trade 2 deal went back to Gamerush within a week as well... Doom3, Jade Empire, SW III, etc all were taken back within a week for your pricing enjoyment :)

I still haven't seen any response to the tracking of traders in the system. Why don't they have any internal tracking across stores? Is the only thing preventing me from buying 20 preowned games @ $5 b2g1 and taking them down the street to the next store just that I might piss a GR employee (you) off and you'll call around the stores? If you do call around and find someone bought them 20 mins ago at the closest store, can you just ban them right then despite not breaking the agreement?

They are watching trading at the corporate level, I know. I was banned this week because I was flagged by corporate as "trading for profit". Using only cheap games when trading in on the deals is seen as abuse. We're not even talking about flipping, it's actually a dirrect complaint about the traded in game quality.

Cory expressed his frustration above about the cheap games being traded in. But I like you have traded in just as many good games as bad. And I too have accepted 1.50 for crappy games.

Cory, just to be clear, you still make a profit on those games, what GR does not do very well is advertise it's existence and the deals that is running. A lot of people would buy those games, they are not necassarily bad games, just old games.

But if those games are a problem, lets see an exclusion list like GS and EB.

But beware, once the deals are equal (GS will price match trade values), you will find yourself at a disadvantage as your soon to be single competitor has more stores, more turnover, ability to order games, ability to actually sell games on day of release, and YES, they also sell pc games. I was forced to trade in a couple of games just recently to buy Guild Wars.

I said this in my earlier rant, GR needs to build customers and customer loyalty. These are early days in a growth market. Now is not the time to close out the real gamers.

[stoned99]

Uhm, what the hell is a reverse-lookup at BBV? Seems like it would be damn unreliable, unless the same name is on 2 accounts.

I'm thinking if my wife opens up an account, and adds me as a secondary trader, where will that show up ?

[dmode249]

I just think it’s interesting that there’s all this debate if it’s ethical to exploit the loop holes in Gamerush policies…. Whether it’s right or wrong etc…. but what about if the manager is guilty of flipping? I know my friend works at the La Sierra Gamerush, and was checking on Virgil’s account. He let some Brian guy do a trade AFTER his account was flagged. Virgil also flips, he just does with the different people’s accounts so nothing shows up on his name. i.e. a family friend or a customer. No wonder all the employees don’t like him…..

[fatmanforlife99]

do any of you know how many times you can use the 3 used games and one used for $5 in one visit, thanx

[The watcher]

I'm thinking if my wife opens up an account, and adds me as a secondary trader, where will that show up ?


Yes, it will. Especially if you stay around your area there in the O.C.

It will populate from the Corp. servers, company wide.

[stoned99]

Yes, it will. Especially if you stay around your area there in the O.C.

It will populate from the Corp. servers, company wide.

Hey, call me a cynic or a little paranoid, but I noticed you are a new user, who has a very good knowledge of BB. You tag name is also "Special". One final note, why do you assume I live in the O.C ?

If you are who I think you are (Mark), let me be the first to welcome you. Hopefully my comments have been somewhat constructive, I would hope you didn't share my comments about J?n., as I really wouldn't want to hurt thier feelings. My comments on this board are more about venting and not about being vindictive and mean.

I would actually prefer it if BB / GR was aware of any holes in it's deals, so that the rules could be tailored to be more clear and less subjective. Like I said in my earlier posts, it's a little unfair to treat people differently based upon a single set of rules. I know my freinds at BB are now looking at some very poor numbers going forward in the preorder department.

I wonder if being candid like this is a good idea, but I don't have anything to hide.

[CoryCubed]

Personal matters.

[CoryCubed]

Personal Matters.

[stoned99]

Here's the problem with taking advantage of the deals.

Corporate is retarded plain and simple.

Reason why? Well here's what will happen.

They will see they lost tons and tons on this deal. They won't see it because of all the loopholes and what not. They'll think it was a bad promo and never do it again.

They won't realized that if they would have put the necessary controls in place, it would have truly been a great deal (which it is) and done great for game rush.

What they need to do is simple

Code the computer to not allow the sports titles and any titles that sell for less than $6.99.

Code the computer to only allow the same title to be traded twice within a two week period on the same accoutn at ALL STORES. (i mean really come on, I understand if maybe two brothers have the same gba game or something like that but do you really trade in two of the same titles on a regular bases every two weeks unless your flipping?)

Maybe a message that flashes if someone has already traded today at that store or ANY OTHER STORE, so that the employee can call.

I know they'll always be ways around that but that would be an excellent start.

Cory, I agree mostly with what you have to say, limiting the quantity of a game based upon store stock, or items traded by an individual at a specific store, seems to make sense, but GS and EB dont do that, they move excess quantities to the wherehouse and sell then online. After all they still make a nice profit on games they sell for 5$ (but paid only 1-2$ for). So GR is behind the curve on that one.

A lot of people also beleived that to open GR's widely, BB would need to build stock up in used titles to sell at those stores. In fact if I recall the stores in my area received their opening stock from the stores on the East Coast. So if GR expects to expand, maybe your excess inventory will eventually end up else where, so trade 3 get 1, satisfy's that requirement nicely, assuming they dont end up with only NBA Live 2002 to sell (fixed in latest round of deals by limiting sports titles to only 2004+ only).

You comment about flipping I think is a little broad. Buying a game from EB and selling it to GR is not flipping. It's the basic truth behind a free market economy, ie Buy Low, Sell High. Buying a game from GR1 and selling it to GR2 in a very short time frame is. I mention the timeframe peice because many of us have bought a game, hated it a traded it right back in. Now applying a wait period on trading in this way may have unpredictable consequences, such as forcing people to trade these games into to EB and GS to maximize their trade in value, so perhaps the rule should be something like only used games are subject to a trade in delay.

This would be hard to enforce, but could be used as yardstick to establish who is or isnt flipping, and again I'm not aware of any such rules at EB or GS.

So maybe the bottom line is the exclusion list concept, exclude titles older than 1yr from 3 for 1 trade.

Anyway, Cory what do you think about "The Watcher" if he is from corporate you may want to temper your input as well. I think a lot of people have benefited from the information you have posted.

[stoned99]

I know profit may still be made but once people start buying new items with their credit that rapidly goes down into the negatives, plus games pile up at stores and don't sell.

The other dynamic in this is that GR is receiving a large number of preorders due to the deal, which allows GR to negotiate better per unit cost. If you think about it Fry's / Outpost sell almost all new games for 34.50 for the first week, they can do this because they still make a few bucks on a large volume of sales. The large volume of sales, allows them to buy the next block even cheaper. The only difference between Fry's and the 29.99 preorder deal is the fact that GR receives two games as well, which at a bare minimum are sold for 10 profit, thus GR's net cost is actually only 40$. So Fry's is actually making less per copy than GR.

The games piling up in store needs to be addressed, but like I said in an earlier post, web sales or stock for future GR's will probablly accomodate the excess stock. But hey limiting the number of copies each store can accept would probablly work even better. I had once hear that this could be done by the Manager. In fact it happened to me once, the manager would not accept a title, because she had to many copies.

[skygunnerblue]

To those who have been banned:

I'm curious as to how it happened, as in how you were informed of your banning. Did you walk in one day to do a trade only to have a note show up on your account? Did you get a phone call? Did they tell you why they banned you or how they caught you?

I think it would be entertaining to hear some of these stories. If you've been banned for flipping, please post how it went down.

[stoned99]

To those who have been banned:

I'm curious as to how it happened, as in how you were informed of your banning. Did you walk in one day to do a trade only to have a note show up on your account? Did you get a phone call? Did they tell you why they banned you or how they caught you?

I think it would be entertaining to hear some of these stories. If you've been banned for flipping, please post how it went down.

My story is available in all it's glory in the main GR thread. And I dont consider myself a flipper, so by all accounts flipping is not the only way to be banned.

[CoryCubed]

Personal matters.

[DavidDayton]

Wait a second, I'm confused... there are no Game Rush stores in the Sacramento, CA area at the moment, so this all sounds rather interesting.

If I understand this correctly:

* GameRush has good trade in promotions.

* GameRush doesn't want you to trade in games obtained from fancy trade in promotions.

* GameRush actively promotes having you trade in all the games you buy from them.

Isn't there a discrepancy here? How can GameRush legitimately ban someone from trading at their store if the person is following all their rules and policies? Yes, I know, you can refuse business to anyone, but it seems like these people are doing precisely what GR wants -- trading in games, buying games, and then quickly trading in their newly purchased games. There is a loophole present which allows one to make out quite well with trading, but how can that be construed as any sort of wrong-doing? They seem to be telling folks to trade in games, then banning them for trading in games.

[fatmanforlife99]

i agree with you they ban us and say we violated the policy and we get banned for trading games but if you do it daily i could understand.

[stoned99]

I think the bannings may be decided at the District Manager level. The number of people who have identified themselves as being banned is very small. But the number of people on this board trading heavily is high. If the rules had been set at corporate I would have expected a lot more people to have been banned. Especially as the East Coasters have had GR's for a lot longer than the West Coasters. I've started to research how to contact corporate to get some answers, I feel very descriminated against personally, I've even looked into who led the class action against BB recently. I'm sure they would enjoy another BB fleecing.

[CoryCubed]

Personal matters.

[stoned99]

Those people were the most retarded I have ever seen. In fact that was as frivelous as fat people sueing cause they get fat eating mcdonalds.

*I say that as a person, not as a representative of blockbuster*

Say goodbye to gamerush if another suit happens. Blockbuster has slashed hours dramatically because of the last one.

I sware to God of that happens I will quit blockbuster and unleash a holy war against all these people, not just blockbuster ones but every single person in this country who complains and bickers about everything, even when a company is doing its best to satisfy its customers and protect its assets so it can continue to be there for those customers.

If you truly were discriminated and banned, just be nice about it. I have 3 flippers at my store, I know full well what they are doing yet I have not banned them. Why? because they are fully within the rules and limits of blockbuster so why bother? I'm sending all the crap games they bring in to bad film and ensuring they never get put out. I know all the other stores will have them but it bothers me less when I know they haft to drive elsewhere.

I've even considered going to Dallas and flipping myself. I know I could rack up more thany anyone could ever imagine, based on my knowledge of the system.

Why would I do this? To completly erradicate all the crap in my area.


Can you pm what exactly happened? I may be able to help in someway, at least get some answers. I see know problem as long as you were within rules and guidelines stated by blockbuster.

and no one even say well blockbusters rich they can afford it.

BS. Blockbuster has halted all gamerush expansion till next year because they just posted a $58 million loss...mostly because of that lawsuit because people can't read. Blockbuster did everything in their ability to inform everyone of the new policy and if you think you can think of another way then by all means.

Either way no matter what bbv does the vast majority of CUSTOMERS ARE RETARDED (and half the employees) anywhere you go. I stood in line for 5 minutes the other day at the bank because some fat bitch forgot she wrote a check and was freaking out that the bank stole her money.

When will people understand that no matter where you go I guarantee at least one time you'll get screwed.

I hate that anytime i watch a commericial or hear one on the radio it gets that much worse when they have to go through 50 disclaimers before they end it, all because people are ignorant and dumb.

Cory, sorry I hit a sore spot with my class action comment. The fact that customers end up having to take drastic action is indicative of a corporate culture that doesn't play fair and feels like it can bully and discriminate against it's customers. It's true that any company can decide who it will and won't do business with, but it's reasons need to be sound and not arbitrary. Take Denny's for instance, a few bad managers acted in a racists fashion and the whole company was penalized. If I only came in to dennys when it was kids are free night, and ate the cheapest meal on the menu myself, would Denny's ban me. No, they would not, they are not so shortsighted. Another example is BestBuy, they send out many promotions, but only advertise the promotions to their best customers, so they avoid the so called demon customers by not giving them the same coupons and discounts. They call this their rewards system, which is a fair comment, as they reward those customers who provide the best profit margins. (Of course this board defeats their efforts as well, by advertising the penny guides, 5$ games and currently hosting a 5$ coupon).

If the rules are bad they need to be changed, you can't eliminate the customers who know the rules are bad. Once upon a time, bad rules were easily forgotten because information was localized, and could only be shared by word of mouth. Forums such as this one have changed the rules, information is now easily available to anyone who can read and owns a computer. So once again I say to BB, you too can read these forums, and if you want, change the rules back in your favour. But you better not descriminate, because now you have created a group of people who will only hurt your business, wether it be through negative posts, or through the legal system.

And Cory if you want to help me, give me the corporate name / address for GR and will start my adventure there.

[imamario02]

I've traded in

Cy Girls (PS2), Coolboarders 2001 (PS2), Dark Summit (PS2), The Sims (PS2), Dragon Ball Z 1 (PS2), Oni (PS2), Gravity Games (Xbox), UFC Tapout 2 (Xbox), Bass Club (PS2), Turok Evolution (Xbox), Mace Griffin (PS2), Sunny Garcia Surfing (PS2), MDK 2 (PS2), My Street (PS2), Midnight Club 1 (PS2), Run Like Hell (Xbox), Terminator Dawn of Fate (Xbox), Reign of Fire (Xbox), State of Emergency (PS2), Prisoner of War (Ps2), Blood Wake (Xbox), NCAA Football 2005 (GCN), and Psi-Ops (PS2 - Thank you 5$ off coupon for the freebie)

and after some magic, I have

250$ in store credit
Doom 3 Collector's and Splinter Cell Chaos Theory (Xbox)

instead of 23 not so good games that i didn't pay more than 10$ at the most for

Not to shabby if i do say so myself.... gonna go pick up a psp here in a few days, any suggestions on games to pick up? What do you guys think?

[DevlynSyde]

Wait, are you ranting about the suit that people filed about the no late fees thing? Man you're full of it acting like they tried to make it obvious. I rented several times after they changed it at two BBs and was never once told that they would bill you for the cost of the video if you didn't return the video within xyz time. I know that I hate the no late fee policy since it seems like they never have new videos in since people are immediately more lazy and don't return them, even tho I'm sure 90% of the time people watch it the day they rent it. I still return my videos the following day and thats where a lot of my Gamerush credit has gone from my trading so I'm sure they get their profit back out of me usually.

By the way, is there a way to pay for the monthly online thing with ValueCards? That would be pretty sweet.

[GizmoGC]

Wait, are you ranting about the suit that people filed about the no late fees thing? Man you're full of it acting like they tried to make it obvious. I rented several times after they changed it at two BBs and was never once told that they would bill you for the cost of the video if you didn't return the video within xyz time. I know that I hate the no late fee policy since it seems like they never have new videos in since people are immediately more lazy and don't return them, even tho I'm sure 90% of the time people watch it the day they rent it. I still return my videos the following day and thats where a lot of my Gamerush credit has gone from my trading so I'm sure they get their profit back out of me usually.

By the way, is there a way to pay for the monthly online thing with ValueCards? That would be pretty sweet.

Damn, you think if there is a HUGE change in ANY store, customers would ask about it. Oh course they fail to, and fail to pick up the dozens of pamphlets floating around the new releases, when you wait in line, and when you go to the counter to pay. My god, I hate blockbuster as much as anyone, but some customers are just dumbasses.

"Yes, Im going to rent this movie...oh, No late fees? Great! I plan on never returning this movie! What are you gonna do to me? Charge me late fees? There gone! Hahaha!!!!!" Is that what 90% of the customers think? The answer is Yes.

[stoned99]

Damn, you think if there is a HUGE change in ANY store, customers would ask about it. Oh course they fail to, and fail to pick up the dozens of pamphlets floating around the new releases, when you wait in line, and when you go to the counter to pay. My god, I hate blockbuster as much as anyone, but some customers are just dumbasses.

"Yes, Im going to rent this movie...oh, No late fees? Great! I plan on never returning this movie! What are you gonna do to me? Charge me late fees? There gone! Hahaha!!!!!" Is that what 90% of the customers think? The answer is Yes.

I like the no late fee policy for renting games, I usually wait for the message saying things are overdue, before I take it back. Yes, I know here I go again taking advantage of the rules :)

[DevlynSyde]

Damn, you think if there is a HUGE change in ANY store, customers would ask about it. Oh course they fail to, and fail to pick up the dozens of pamphlets floating around the new releases, when you wait in line, and when you go to the counter to pay. My god, I hate blockbuster as much as anyone, but some customers are just dumbasses.

"Yes, Im going to rent this movie...oh, No late fees? Great! I plan on never returning this movie! What are you gonna do to me? Charge me late fees? There gone! Hahaha!!!!!" Is that what 90% of the customers think? The answer is Yes.

*shrug* One would find it pretty simple for the company to explain their policy in their string of commercials or during the commentary that every single cashier gave for several weeks afterwards about the policy. As I said before, I never assumed that you could keep the movie forever and continued to return movies... but I certainly don't find myself to be dim witted and as a college grad I never picked up a pamphlet to read about some new policy that they went on and on about had no late fees when it clearly did. :shrug:

Back to GameRush, I guess the place has become more prevalent or there are more flippers but its so hard to find good preowned games now a days.

[CoryCubed]

Personal Matters

[CoryCubed]

Personal Matters

[stoned99]

I've had conflicting reports on where it is exactly. I was on Dallas last week where I thought blockbuster was headquarted and I was unable to find corporate and the number information gave me down there they were closed (it was saturday).

I got back into town and asked my new sm and she said its in Mckinney (Texas)

Have you tried the contact form on the website? I know they are usually pretty good about responding. If not you may try information and ask for Blockbuster Corporate in Dallas - they actually do have a number and not the website that employees are directed to tell.

Just all these lawsuits are killing me. Its kind of bothersome playing 1st party gamecube games because there is that seizure warning now at the beginning on all of them, all because of a lawsuit. I understand that the games may cause that but regular tv can do it just as well.

I submitted a request online yesterday, and of course it was misrouted, but the customer service rep, rerouted it to GameRush. So I will wait and see, if this is a decision made by the DM, I will definetly persue it up the food chain, I have time on my hands to spare, and I feel somewhat like I'm on a bit of a crusade for everyone. I continue to see people using the 3 / 5$ deal like they are buying soda, JSweeney said he's on trade #12. I think I was on trade #6 when I got banned. Things do not look equal at all.

Did you ever figure out who "the watcher" was, he's gone to ground, no new posts since last week. I suspect he wised up and figured that as a corporate representative his actions on this board could come back and bite him in the ass.

I'm sure at this point, that my comments have been cataloged as exhibit A.

[JSweeney]

I submitted a request online yesterday, and of course it was misrouted, but the customer service rep, rerouted it to GameRush. So I will wait and see, if this is a decision made by the DM, I will definetly persue it up the food chain, I have time on my hands to spare, and I feel somewhat like I'm on a bit of a crusade for everyone. I continue to see people using the 3 / 5$ deal like they are buying soda, JSweeney said he's on trade #12. I think I was on trade #6 when I got banned. Things do not look equal at all.

Did you ever figure out who "the watcher" was, he's gone to ground, no new posts since last week. I suspect he wised up and figured that as a corporate representative his actions on this board could come back and bite him in the ass.

I'm sure at this point, that my comments have been cataloged as exhibit A.

That was trade number 12 across the entire lenght of the two promos. (this time and the previous)
I've done 3 trade-ins since the most recent promo started.

[Ravenous]

I decided to register just for this GR deals. I love em and I take advantage of them. I like to get rid of crappy games that I just have laying around. Theyre all games Ive played and either hated or just saw no replay value. Granted, most of these games I bought for around $10 or less (from Pawn Shops, etc) but I dont go out of the way to "flip" I have better things to do.

Anyway, I turned in these games here the other day and bought two games for $5. I got rid of:

Chaos Legion
Roadkill
Ace Combat 4
ATV 1
TimeSplitters 2
SpyHunter 2

In return I got:
God of War
R&C - Up Your Arsenal

Great deal all around and I still have $20 credit. Both games were in mint condition, non formal rentals, and came with instruction booklets! But this pissed me off: I got screwed at another BBV two nights ago when the ass couldnt find the 2 copies of GoW they told me they had (just looked behind the counter). It wasnt a busy night at all. But last night the same thing happened. And the guy at this BBV actually helped me look through all the games (this BBV was out of my way) and actaully found GoW hidden in the Gamecube games. That was a class act! I hope they just Ban the asses that flip and dont get rid of this deal

Also Cory, do you defend BBV so much because you hate all the flippers or do you think theyre just a great company to work for that treats you right?

[sabin23]

Cory, I agree mostly with what you have to say, limiting the quantity of a game based upon store stock, or items traded by an individual at a specific store, seems to make sense, but GS and EB dont do that, they move excess quantities to the wherehouse and sell then online. After all they still make a nice profit on games they sell for 5$ (but paid only 1-2$ for). So GR is behind the curve on that one.

(Above qoute snipped from Post #93)

Is this why I've rarely heard EB or Gamestop banning people just because they have a pattern of trading in ONLY cheap games?

I don't think I've come across anybody getting banned from EB/GS but GR seems pretty anal about this based on this thread laiden with people saying corporate has been tracking their transactions and banning them.

[ericx]

i don't know if my blockbuster is doing it, but i'm planning on trading in simpson's road rage, LOTR: two towers, and madden 2004. for the newest released pre-played game.
will this work? Use the buy 2 get 1 free for the cheapest games and later trade them in for a 5 dollar game?

[stoned99]

That was trade number 12 across the entire lenght of the two promos. (this time and the previous)
I've done 3 trade-ins since the most recent promo started.

ah!!, then we are probablly about even, you may have 1 or 2 more. I had less the last time around and about 5-6 this time.

[stoned99]

i don't know if my blockbuster is doing it, but i'm planning on trading in simpson's road rage, LOTR: two towers, and madden 2004. for the newest released pre-played game.
will this work? Use the buy 2 get 1 free for the cheapest games and later trade them in for a 5 dollar game?

Thats an example of flipping, buy games at GR and reselling them back. What I'm not sure about is when it's ok to trade back games you bought from GR. I was using the trade in deals somewhat like a rental process. I would buy a game I was not sure about (feeling there was no risk of not being able to trade it back), play it, if I didn't like it I would trade it back. The tricky part is how quickly you can trade it back, without being labelled a flipper. No one has been able to answer this one. GS actually has a promo where they advocate this behaviour, of course their examples are all 20$ games, which will trade back in for either 15$ or 12$ a week later (I forget), I'm sure you would take a bath on a 50$ game.

[CoryCubed]

Personal Matters

[CoryCubed]

Personal Matters

[GizmoGC]

Cory, I gotta say it, and don't take any offense to it, but its JUST A JOB. You most likley are under 25, and this will NOT be a career for you. I understand you work there, and your hours get cut and such, but again, its JUST A JOB. You think if Blockbuster succeeds you will see anything? Nope, your just an SM, no bonus, no nothing. Ive worked for Blockbuster, I was a Game Rush manager, and you wouldn't beleive the BS I went through. I am SO glad I got out when I did. With your qualifications, I'm sure you can get a ASM/Manager job at Game Crazy, EB, GameStop, etc.

[CoryCubed]

Personal Matters

[io]

I know it does have lots of problems though. Most of them stem from corporate idiocy. They want GameRush to operate w/ the store at all times but they won't give the necessary hours nor train the people on the movie side well enough for it to work.

You know, I've heard alot of talk about the Gamerush side vs the regular BB employees - people complaining that no one is at the GR desk, or some employees copping ignorance of GR deals, etc... Maybe this is something the Oregon store has done right - because there I really see no difference between the two. All the employees are able to help with GR deals - in fact, it is very hard to tell who is really the "GR guy" at any given time. True enough, there is NEVER anyone at the GR desk - they seem to use it for storage more than anything. But I've never had a problem just going to the regular line to do all my trades/purchases (I often wave several movie-renting customers ahead of me as I know mine will take some time - asking them to look up preorder availability and the like :D).

Sometimes they aren't up on the most current deals (like the 50% Nintendo one) but they will look in the Map and figure it out - and all the employees seem to be aware of the Map although they don't always know where it is :D. Maybe in other places they try to keep more of a separation between the GR and regular movie stuff - but not there, and it works out much better (they never have to blow someone off because the "GR guy" isn't in, for example). There is certainly variation between the employees on general game and specific GR deal knowledge, but that would be expected anywhere.

Edit - Oh, and Cory, WTF with the DL accusing you of stealing so many games. That is pretty out of line to make such wild accusations - and when they prove to be false he pays no consequences?

[CoryCubed]

Personal Matters

[CoryCubed]

Personal Matters

[GizmoGC]

Cory, alot of the same shit I went through when I worked there. If ANYTHING turned up missing, I was accused of stealing. Oh course, I worked 12-8, and was checked when I entered and left the store, but was still accused of it each and every time. Nevermind the fact that stuff was always being stolen on a certain employees shift, I was to blame. Of course everyone in the store had access to the new games drawer, as well as used games obviously. Theres many reasons why I 'left' but thats just one.

Cory, just wait till your hours get cut even more...it WILL happen...

If you have any questions about Game Crazy, PM me. I was a SM for them for a while.

[billyknoxville]

People saying that "oh flipping will bring the end of the deals at GR!"

Flipping or not, the deals are gonna end anyways. GR is gonna be run by ex-eb/gamestop people so you can expect the end of any unique deals. Blockbuster also just posted that GameRush lost 58 million dollars, so you guys do the math. Deals are going to end and never come back it is only a matter of time.

[stoned99]

You know, I've heard alot of talk about the Gamerush side vs the regular BB employees - people complaining that no one is at the GR desk, or some employees copping ignorance of GR deals, etc... Maybe this is something the Oregon store has done right - because there I really see no difference between the two. All the employees are able to help with GR deals - in fact, it is very hard to tell who is really the "GR guy" at any given time. True enough, there is NEVER anyone at the GR desk - they seem to use it for storage more than anything. But I've never had a problem just going to the regular line to do all my trades/purchases (I often wave several movie-renting customers ahead of me as I know mine will take some time - asking them to look up preorder availability and the like :D).

Sometimes they aren't up on the most current deals (like the 50% Nintendo one) but they will look in the Map and figure it out - and all the employees seem to be aware of the Map although they don't always know where it is :D. Maybe in other places they try to keep more of a separation between the GR and regular movie stuff - but not there, and it works out much better (they never have to blow someone off because the "GR guy" isn't in, for example). There is certainly variation between the employees on general game and specific GR deal knowledge, but that would be expected anywhere.

Edit - Oh, and Cory, WTF with the DL accusing you of stealing so many games. That is pretty out of line to make such wild accusations - and when they prove to be false he pays no consequences?

It must be hard to train all the employee's on how to use the GameTrading system. I keep hearing it's a major piece of crap, and from I've seen it really is. I write corporate software for a living, so I know what I'm talking about. We spend huge amounts of time worrying about additional key clicks. The GR system is just completely retarded.

[stoned99]

Neither. I just think its unfair to them and i hate spending my time at work processing crap games all day.

My problem with the flippers is that most of the ones I see always have this smug face on like they are better than everyone. Even my stores are starting to get slimmed (from 40 to 32-35) because of blockbusters financial woes.

Its irrating that my store hardly has any good preowned games now because of them as well. I hate turning down people because we don't have a star wars Episode III or God of War preowned because a flipper got two copies of it yesterday (which is perfectly within rules of course, but I would rather a mother looking all over for star wars gets one for her son versus some dude racking up hundreds in credit so he can get his BS 3).

Plus I hate driving all the way to the mall or nw expressway for games and its nice being able to go 18 houses down the street to get a new game, especially while i go to school and have become obsessed with saving money, not because of expenses but just investing period.

I want GameRush to succeed for several reasons, these apply to gamestop, indy stores, and other places as well.

Competition - the more stores the better. Plus more stores = more selection = better deals= etc. Having them all around keeps each other in check. I bought a CDX at game exchange the other day. I shop any and everywhere because there will always be something different anywhere you go.

The problem w/people is that they get this company loyalty and won't go anywhere else, hence Microsofts monopoly or Wal-Marts vastness.

Covenience - Increases chance there will be a gamestore I can shop at if I am out of town or elsewhere, not to mention I have one just 18 houses down the road (half a mile roughly). Or maybe if I'm with some friends and they want to rent a movie at blockbuster or hollywood I can look at the games if I so choose, see if maybe any good trades came in or whatever.

Granted I do work there and 25% of my 1% out of my check does go to Blockbuster stock. Thats because if Blockbuster gets this GameRush stuff right I know they will do well but if they don't I also know they are screwed (online rentals, video on demand, etc.).

If flippers would bring back half the good stuff they get (on a cycle or so) I wouldn't mind as much. There is plenty of $12.99 titles that youcan do the buy 2 get 1 free and spare the crap $4.99

*Example*

Jason goes to 40049 and trades in 3 games and gets Forza. He also does the buy 2 get 1 free and gets Hitman, Mech Assault, and Wreckless.

He then goes to 40004 and trades in Forza, Mech Assault, and Hitman. He then gets Star Wars Episode III, does the buy 2 get 1 free as well, and then comes to my store.

He then trades in TimeSplitters, Portal Runner, and Oni. He picks up God of War. Again does the buy 2 get 1 free and gets Chaos Theory for $30.

By now he probably has at least $100 or more in credit. He may go to eb or gamestop or he may start the cycle again and goes back through the stores on the next day.

For christ sakes, bring one of the good ones back. Forza, Star Wars, and God of War are my biggest three to be asked for everyweek in preowned. Would it really kill ya to bring at least one good title back over? or at least do the $12.99 games instead?

$12.99 is still profitable if you are going to flip. For it to work though you may haft to do $4.99 titles to start out with unless you have something higher in value. Not I didn't include tax because after 3 flips it doesn't matter.

$12.99 * 2 = $26 plus a free one and you can get $15 trade in credit

Trade in those 3 and get Forza for $5. You'll have $10 credit left over.

Go ahead and do the buy 2 get 1 free on $4.99. Pay the difference. You have 4 games to trade.

At the next store, trade in 2 of the $4.99 and then Forza. You'll have $32 in credit.

You end up getting Star Wars for $5 and you'll have $27 leftover. Now do the buy 2 get 1 free on $12.99 games. You'll zero out your credit but you now have 5 games to trade.

At the next store you trade in your Star Wars for $30 and two of your $12.99 games. You'll get $40 in credit. Again you pick up another $5 game, say this time its Gran Turismo 4. You do the buy 2 get 1 free again on $12.99 and end up with a total of 6 games. Now granted after this you only have $10 in credit. Remember though you have 6 games. 1 $4.99 game 4 $12.99 game and 1 $30 game - Thats $51.50 in credit right there.

Just keep on going and you'll do fine and will have spread the love.

Well you would have loved me, I preordered Forza and StarWars from my store, and then traded them both back in to the same store to use in the trade 3 get 1 for 5. Admittedly I was building credit in preperation to preorder my XBOX 360 from the same store, but I traded in a huge number of top quality games along side the cheepo games. Now, I've taken my credit out of the store and I'm using it on the buy 2 get 1 free deals, and transferring my credit to other stores. Soon my credit will have been used and GR and BB will not be my first stop for new games. I'm discovering the in's and out's of the wherehouse, and so far game for game, the creidt I receive is higher than I was getting at GR.

When I need games on day of release, It will in fact be Fry's which consistently gets my business, they sell new games for 35$ first week of release.

[CoryCubed]

Personal Matters

[Ravenous]

Hey Cory (or anyone else that can maybe help me here.

I kinda hate to ask this, but how much do you think I could get for these games at GameRush:

TimeSplitters 2
Beyond Good & Evil
Conflict: Desert Storm Greatest Hits
Corvette
Defender
Fisherman's Bass Club
Ford Racing 2
Metal Arms: Glitch in the System
MTV's Celebrity Deathmatch
Smuggler's Run Greatest Hits
Starsky & Hutch
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution Greatest Hits

Thanks guys. Any help is appreciated

[Roufuss]

I was told at Gamerush today that the $5 dollar game I got, if ever traded back in, would only net me $5 dollars in credit.

Was this just a line of BS, or do they note the game you get in your account now?

[CoryCubed]

Personal Matters

[stoned99]

I alot of those changed recently though my best educated guess would be around $30

(8 for the top 2, 1.50 for the rest)

They are only worth something by using them in the trade 2 get game for 29.99 or trade 3 get used game for 5$. I would keep them otherwise.

[imamario02]

I alot of those changed recently though my best educated guess would be around $30

(8 for the top 2, 1.50 for the rest)

this being the flipping discussion though you can turn those into like 100 in credit buy doing the trade 3 for 5$ preplayed game

[Zennousha]

Smugglers Run gets a dollar and BG&E gets 5 for the PS2 version and 8 for the XBox version.

[Ben]

http://www.dictionary.com

[dmode249]

the reason? well some stores are closing down. They are closing stores in Washington area..... and on the east coast. They have scouts looking into what stores to close in California. Figures, when they have managers like Virgil in the Riverside area, doing things against policy, and the district manager doesn't even know.

[fatmanforlife99]

can anyone confirm what roufuss said
I was told at Gamerush today that the $5 dollar game I got, if ever traded back in, would only net me $5 dollars in credit.

Was this just a line of BS, or do they note the game you get in your account now

[DevlynSyde]

this being the flipping discussion though you can turn those into like 100 in credit buy doing the trade 3 for 5$ preplayed game

Actually... with 13 games, and an average tradein of the $5 pickup game of $30 since there aren't many worth $35 now, he could get $150 credit + what he would get for those 13 games. So somewhere around $175. ;)

[electroslag]

I am a very active flipper and I am asking other flippers what games are good for trading for profit. I had been using all 4.99 game from blockbuster but now they are all priced 7.99. I have been looking into bestbuy's Astroboys and some other games. If you have any ideas please post.

[stoned99]

Try EBGames.com using CAG16 and your EB Edge card.

[DevlynSyde]

I am a very active flipper and I am asking other flippers what games are good for trading for profit. I had been using all 4.99 game from blockbuster but now they are all priced 7.99. I have been looking into bestbuy's Astroboys and some other games. If you have any ideas please post.

I'm interested to know why flippers would move away from the games due to the $6 profit cut when flipping GR means no out of pocket expense. I was picking up GTA: SA and asked about these price raises to the GR person and he had no idea why, but figured it was for flippers but when I talked to him it didn't seem like it would change anything... but obviously it does.

[Ravenous]

I alot of those changed recently though my best educated guess would be around $30

(8 for the top 2, 1.50 for the rest)

Thanks for the info Cory. Do you know if GR still take N64 games, even super nintendo? I have a bunch of games I should get rid of, even if its for a dollar or so. I have games like Mario Kart, Golf, Tennis, Star Wars Rogue, DK 64, Banjo Kazooie, etc.

Also, do GR tend to stick to giving the same prices for a game or does it depend on the supply a store currently has?

[GizmoGC]

can anyone confirm what roufuss said
I was told at Gamerush today that the $5 dollar game I got, if ever traded back in, would only net me $5 dollars in credit.

Was this just a line of BS, or do they note the game you get in your account now

Its not possible. They would have to change the actual trade-in price...which if I remember is impossible to do (you can make it higher, not lower). Just trade the game at another store.

[fatmanforlife99]

no it is true i traded in Doom 3 and Forza that i picked up in the trade three and get any preowned for 5 they would only give me 5 dollars each so i left and i was very pissed so they can change the price. my question was answered by personal experiance but i traded in
splinter cell
hitman 2
rocky
psi ops
and got GTA SA and $12 store credit

[stoned99]

no it is true i traded in Doom 3 and Forza that i picked up in the trade three and get any preowned for 5 they would only give me 5 dollars each so i left and i was very pissed so they can change the price. my question was answered by personal experiance but i traded in
splinter cell
hitman 2
rocky
psi ops
and got GTA SA and $12 store credit

This is interesting, this strategy will guarentee that only junk games are traded in against the 5$ deal. If this is an attempt to emulate the EB deals, where you trade any 4/5 non pox games and get the 50$ game free it's poorly thought through. So all you need do is trade those games against the 29.99 preorder deal, and then pick up some older games using the B2G1 Free deal.

[bmulligan]

no it is true i traded in Doom 3 and Forza that i picked up in the trade three and get any preowned for 5 they would only give me 5 dollars each so i left and i was very pissed so they can change the price. my question was answered by personal experiance but i traded in
splinter cell
hitman 2
rocky
psi ops
and got GTA SA and $12 store credit


I bought a game last year when they were running the trade 2 get a used for $10. When I went to trade it back in again a few weeks later I was told I'd only get $10 for it since I only paid $10. I maintained that I traded in 2 games and paid $10, so technically I gave them much more value than 10 dollars for it, but the clerk didn't understand that logic. After that happened and 2 of my pre-orders were over 2 weeks late, I decided to start going to another Gamerush.

[shrike4242]

WTF is with all the "Personal Matters" posts that Cory's made?

[fatmanforlife99]

they said he is leaving read the new game rush thread in cheapass deals

[Pope On A Rope]

Is there a copy of the Gamerush trade agreement anywhere on the net? The amiable employees I dealt with today refused to show me a copy.

[Zon27]

WTF is with all the "Personal Matters" posts that Cory's made?


He edited a lot of shit out. He somehow caught flak for posting here and no longer will do so...kinda odd, but who knows.

[Zennousha]

Scanner is dead but here is a quick shot I took of one of the ones I signed.
http://www.rustejuxx.mynuts.org/gragreement.jpg

[Pope On A Rope]

Thank you, Zennousha.

[dmode249]

GAMECRAZY had a regional meeting, and they are going to stop price matching buy back prices because of Gamerush specifically. I guess a lot of people don't want to get accused of flipping, so they take all the good games they buy cheap from Gamerush, and sell them to GAMECRAZY. So all Gamerush has managed to do, is insure no one trades back the good games they buy. Sigh, well at least the deal ends on the 20th, so no more drama for awhile. And flipping is not illegal in CA, it's basically the same law that protects consumers here that covers people buying and selling houses for profit....... why are they going after CoryCubed . they should be going after Virgil the manager in Riverside, the la sierra store. He's the one screwing up everything. Just check out the numbers, and the drops of them.

[stoned99]

GAMECRAZY had a regional meeting, and they are going to stop price matching buy back prices because of Gamerush specifically. I guess a lot of people don't want to get accused of flipping, so they take all the good games they buy cheap from Gamerush, and sell them to GAMECRAZY. So all Gamerush has managed to do, is insure no one trades back the good games they buy. Sigh, well at least the deal ends on the 20th, so no more drama for awhile. And flipping is not illegal in CA, it's basically the same law that protects consumers here that covers people buying and selling houses for profit....... why are they going after CoryCubed . they should be going after Virgil the manager in Riverside, the la sierra store. He's the one screwing up everything. Just check out the numbers, and the drops of them.

I traded doom 3 to GameStop last week using the latest GR flyer, and got 30$ for it. They were not amused, but you're right about whats occurring, GR has created a huge fear factor and people dont want to get banned, so they do exactly what you described.

So I bought my first game from Fry's this weekend, Batman. I would have bought it at GR, but I've been turned away. I'm very disappointed with this whole affair.

[Broccoli Storm]

I don't know if this is a regional thing or not, but I've still been getting the full trade in amount for games that I paid 5 dollars for. Yesterday I traded in NBA Street V3, DBZ Sagas, Doom 3, Forza, Midnight Dub and SC:CT and got 30+ for each even though I had gotten all of those games from other locations.

[stoned99]

I don't know if this is a regional thing or not, but I've still been getting the full trade in amount for games that I paid 5 dollars for. Yesterday I traded in NBA Street V3, DBZ Sagas, Doom 3, Forza, Midnight Dub and SC:CT and got 30+ for each even though I had gotten all of those games from other locations.


I think what you've described is perfectly normal, and would definetly be regarded as flipping (intentional or not). Apparently GR does not want you to trade in any game back to them that you bought from them. And please don't use the arguement "I finished the game", or worse "I didn't like it", or how about the one I particulary like "I traded in a copy that I bought from a different store, but only after I had bought a second copy using the 5$ deal".

Just watch out for your impending ban.

[dmode249]

Virgil from riverside (la sierra) was telling some friends of mine, some insider info from gamerush about upcoming deals. Virgil says that the TRADE IN 2, get one pre-order for 29.99 is COMING BACK IN JULY !!!!

[Roufuss]

Virgil from riverside (la sierra) was telling some friends of mine, some insider info from gamerush about upcoming deals. Virgil says that the TRADE IN 2, get one pre-order for 29.99 is COMING BACK IN JULY !!!!

Can't wait to see the exclusion list on it this time.

No way Gamerush is dumb enough to throw this one back out there with the same exclusions as last time. By July, the Gamestop's and EB's should be stocked full of 2004 sports games again.

[Kastides]

You think these big corps care about you?????? Flip if you want i wont front... Game Rush will have a nice group of loyal customers thanks to these promotions.

[aaa]

You think these big corps care about you?????? Flip if you want i wont front... Game Rush will have a nice group of loyal customers thanks to these promotions.

when hundreds, if not thousands of people are making GR lose money, then yes, they would care. it isnt like 3 people do this. people should be banned.

[KowHunta]

when hundreds, if not thousands of people are making GR lose money, then yes, they would care. it isnt like 3 people do this. people should be banned.

Don't put them on a pedistal or anything. Instead of banning people and getting back the credit they lost...they just stop all the good deals, which will kill their customer base along with those who abuse the system? Yeah, real smart move BBV

[stoned99]

when hundreds, if not thousands of people are making GR lose money, then yes, they would care. it isnt like 3 people do this. people should be banned.

So, do you own stock in BB, or you are just a raving right wing republican (and if you are what the hell are you doing playing video games).

We live in a free market economy. Which means if it is not illegal it is legal. Therefore it is not morally wrong to work out how to take advantage of loop holes, poorly formed deals, mistakes made by know it all corporate morons. If this thread is correct and the person in marketing who formulated the deals was fired and replaced by a more knowledgable game person from EB, then more power to BB. Maybe they will get it right this time.

[Kastides]

Yeah, I really cant understand why people are getting so angry at the flippers... People will jump all over this promotion if they see its to their advantage. Dont get mad at us because we took advantage of this glitch to get us a free 360 and games.

Is BB gonna give you none flippers a cookie, for not taking advantage of the deal??? The answer is NO!!!. So stop your hating and start realizing that promotions come and go whether or not the promotions get abused.

Do you see me getting mad at BB for mysteriously adding a new term in the late fee policy, where after a certain time they charge your credit card for the full amount??? No, because they exercising their right within the terms of service. Is it morally right for them to insert new policies in small print, without clearly explaining to me what the new late fee policy is???

Bottom Line:
BB is gonna do whats best for them. I'm gonna do whats best for me. All you people hating on flippers, need to relax with the verbal insults. STR8 HATERS


P.S. i do feel bad for the people that work a GR.. Because its extra work for them at the same pay.

[dmode249]

I overheard Virgil at the riverside store say something about the JULY 4th promotion, something about buying 5 games and getting 5 free games. It was hard to hear, but he said that they were 19.99 or under games or something like that. He also said the trade in 2 and get a game for 29.99 won't start to late July.

[Ilovephysics]

Here is my issue with this, and I'm sure it has been covered: From everything I've seen, there is nothing truly wrong (morally, at least) with 'flipping'.. In fact, the very notion that it has been giving a name like 'flipping' seems more troubling to me, because I think it conveys a negative connotation, as if you were scamming BB, which certainly may or may not be the case.

This seems really no different than card counting in Vegas. 'They' want you to believe that card counting is illegal or you are 'cheating' them... and pretty much you know what you can and cannot do when walking up to a table.... or, well, 'they' won't be the first to correct you if that is the perception you have... So 'they' deny you service if the computer suggests you have an 'unfair' advantage... I.e., they are no longer going to be making money off of you in the long run in their eyes.

To me, I suppose BB *can* do this using the same logic that Vegas does. However, it should never get to this point. It sounds as if the whole reason they give the trade-in values that they do is to attract business from EB, GS, etc... well, it works. I'll go to BB GR given those deals, too. But they shouldn't be banning people from the store for using the system designed to get them into the store in the first place... they just should have better controls... perhaps just their own form of a 6 deck shue... you may not be 'winning', but you can at least get close enough to break-even that you'd still be winning compared to EB/GS over the long run... and since games generally decrease in value, you may still be ahead.

[electrictroy]

It's the same principle used on the stock market:
- Buy low
- Sell high

If a store is paying a price higher than another store's sale price, then they shouldn't blame the customer. They should blame themselves, and lower the buy price.

troy