Would you get in trouble for this?? (possible cheap-ass tactic)

[BustaUppa]

Okay, technically I can't find anything wrong with this, but it could probably get you kicked out of a store. So I figured I'd run it by you guys.

Say you go into a game store that takes trade-ins. You're by the counter and some mother has a stack of her kid's game's that she's trading in. You clearly hear the manager say he'll give $8 for, let's say, Mario Advance for GBA. You then speak up, reach into your wallet, and offer to take the game for $10.

Technically, is there anything the store can do to stop you? I came really close to doing this a while ago, so it got me thinking. Maybe there's some law relating to it... I mean worse comes to worst, you could just discreetly whisper your offer to someone, step outside the store, and complete the transaction. It's bound to piss people off, but would you be in any danger otherwise?

[scsg75]

you would get kicked out of the store most likely and told not to come back, other than that, there's no law against it.

[snotnose_colossal]

ive actually done that before and i know people that work at EB do it all the time, guess it depends on whos workin where

[Theenternal]

Ill do it once in awhile, it depends on the person behind the counter. If I was working, i wouldn't care about trade ins. And I hear employees say "we'll we can't give you much for it" all the time. The only thing they can really do is make you get out of the store.

[MrMaddness]

I don't mind it...but I say just to do it outside. That way its perfectly legal, otherwise its solicitation.

[JackSuper]

Yes, I have done this once before, I picked up Brute Force for $3 after a Gamestop employee offered the guy $2. All the employee did was remind me to take my business outside of the store.

[Kaijufan]

Offering a dollar more is a great idea. Ill have to keep my ears open when people are trading in games.

[GizmoGC]

Do it in my store, and don't expect to ever walk in again.

[drsuper23]

It all depends on who's on the other side. I've seen it happen where the employee said that if the other person was giving them a better deal to go ahead and take it. Then again there are people who think that somehow the world is going to end and take exception to it.

[chunk]

Do it in my store, and don't expect to ever walk in again.

Where is your store? I will come and do it just to piss you off.

Why are you so adamant about ripping off mothers and little kids?

[grayghost81]

Do it in my store, and don't expect to ever walk in again.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA YOU'RE BADASS!

[funtownarcade]

That is BS I have worked at both major videogame retailers and promise you there is NOTHING they can do about it. The higher-ups clearly tell the employees they don't mind even them doing it as long as its outside the store.

[The Game]

Do it in my store, and don't expect to ever walk in again.

Where is your store? I will come and do it just to piss you off.

Why are you so adamant about ripping off mothers and little kids?

I tell you where MY store is and I'll be sure to throw you the fuck out for being a little shit.

And ripping of moms and little kids? Someday when you are all grwon up and have a real job and learn what business is all about you will realize that no one is being ripped off.

Its people like you that think they could ever get a job at EB or Gamestop with an attitude like this. People come in all the time and ask for jobs that argue with me about trade ins and things they don't feel is fair and all I do is laugh at them and ask them if they actually expect to ever work for me.

And if you think I am full of shit, then why is my store always ranked at the top of the district/region??????

[Alpha2]

It's only a problem if you;re harrassing the customer, There's no law that says you can't make an offer if the person isn't happy with it.

Person 1: "8 bucks? uuunngh...."
Person 2: "I'll give you 10 for it!"
Registermonkey: "Hey, you cant do that"
Person 2: "What? Are you gonna change store policy and give him 10?"
Registermonkey: "Well, no... I cant do that..."
Person 1: "Thanks for the cash!"
Person 2: "Thanks for the game!"
Registermonkey: "..."

They can ask you to exchange the money outside, not on store grounds, but they cant keep you from doing it. Hell you;d be doing the store a favor half the time concidering how many hundreds of over priced, unsellable used games I see in EB and gamestop.

There are some stores where the register guys will offer more money from their own pockets if they;re game collectors. The management frowns one this and claims they're stealing profits form the store which leads to their termination... so if they offer to do this for you becareful not to be too loud about it.

[karmapolice]

Ive thought of doing this but have never done it because I didnt want to be an ass...if you like being an ass go ahead

[video_gamer324]

If you're going to try and steal business from EB or GameStop, catch the person before they make it to the counter. That way, you're only stealing a potential customer, not an actual customer.

[BABETOOTH]

Do it in my store, and don't expect to ever walk in again.

People like you piss me off. I could understand if you owned the store. Believe me you won't make more money for being an ass. You are only helping Corporate America make more profits for what, am sure your efforts are not even aknowledged by your employer. Give up the power trip. Be a nice guy and help the little guy once in a while. It is called "good kharma"...

[elprincipe]

There's nothing wrong with doing it in legal terms, but they can (and will) kick you out of the store and perhaps ask you not to come back. You're taking their business and they won't be very happy about it. Of course, perhaps just some joe employee won't care, but you can bet the managers will at least.

[CaseyRyback]

Never seen anything worth anything get traded in

[BABETOOTH]

There's nothing wrong with doing it in legal terms, but they can (and will) kick you out of the store and perhaps ask you not to come back. You're taking their business and they won't be very happy about it. Of course, perhaps just some joe employee won't care, but you can bet the managers will at least.

Guys we are forgetting something. We live in a Capitalist Society, The highest bidder wins. This is why a store offers a good sale to steal customers from another store. Can EB get mad at Gamestop for offering more money for the same trade in. The answer is no. That's exactly what we are doing. Be discrete and offer a bit more money for the game. The only way you would actually "steal" a customer would be if the store employee had already started the paperwork and then you made the person change their mind...

[xzafixz]

And if you think I am full of shit, then why is my store always ranked at the top of the district/region??????

You must be lucky, because you seem like an ass and i sure as hell wouldn't shop in your store.

[chosen1s]

I've seen some pretty sweet games get traded in, and it was hard for me to hold back.

Still, it is rude and improper, if not illegal. It bugs me that game stores give so little for games, but they have to make money too. If gizmogc can keep from singing the praises of his store for this thread I'm going to have to support him on this. The stores will not make money if you steal their customers. Especially when they are getting trades for the big games that are sure to sell.

Every business, whether you realize it or not, has to make money or they will go away. They're not bottomless money-pits that are just there for fun or because somebody walked up to a guy and told him his destiny was to open a video game store.

And yes, when you take their customers you are STEALING from them. You think that space their store is sitting in is free? They paid for that customer to be able to walk in there and sell them a game that they will turn around for a profit. Look at it this way - why don't YOU open up a store. Start out by shelling out $1,000 a month for rent (pretty cheap for a good location), then another $100 a day for employee salaries ($3,000/month), figure $150/month (again, probably low) cost for all the punks who will be stealing from you. I won't even get into the costs of regular maintenance and electricity, phone, etc.

Now, someone FINALLY comes into your store to sell you some games that you might make $30 or $40 bucks on, and one of your customers who is in YOUR STORE that you're paying rent on steals the deal out from under you? Man, I have to tell you - that's just wrong. Gamestop PAYS for people to recognize their property as a place that they can trade and sell games. When you free-load at their store, you are stealing from them because you are using the service they PAID for (the service being a recognized locale where the owner is buying games) for free.

Anyone who has had the misfortune to have to read any of my posts knows my stance - wrong is wrong whether it's small or big. In this case it is wrong in every way.

Incidentally, I have been told that it is technically illegal. Not sure if it is true, but at least in some states I would expect it is illegal to try to negotiate business on somebody else's property, just as it would be illegal to stand in front of a guy's hot dog stand and try to sell hot dogs to his customers.

[RedvsBlue]

Do it in my store, and don't expect to ever walk in again.

Tool

[pimp tyranny]

i gotta try this out. i don't much care for the EB/Gamestop employees anyway

[chosen1s]

And if you think I am full of shit, then why is my store always ranked at the top of the district/region??????

You must be lucky, because you seem like an ass and i sure as hell wouldn't shop in your store.

I would shop at this store every day of the week. An employee who thinks it's important to make sure his store runs the way it's supposed to? Absolutely. I'd bet he doesn't let his employees snipe all the good games when they get traded in either. And he probably doesn't try to rip people off or sell crap to ignorant mothers either.

Since when did doing the right thing become unpopular?

[Dragonlordfrodo]

I had something similar happen.

I was trading in some DVD movies to a local shop in buffalo, and the guy said "We have too many of this movie in stock, I will buy it personally off you". And I sold it to the clerk. He gave me his own money, because the store isn't buying it, the worker is buying it from me.

Now would a worker get in trouble for that?

[CaseyRyback]

most of the time when I walk into a store and someone has a rare game, workers will even tell them to Ebay it unless a manager is around

[BABETOOTH]

Do it in my store, and don't expect to ever walk in again.

Why are you so adamant about ripping off mothers and little kids?

I tell you where MY store is and I'll be sure to throw you the shaq-fu out for being a little shit.

And ripping of moms and little kids? Someday when you are all grwon up and have a real job and learn what business is all about you will realize that no one is being ripped off.

Its people like you that think they could ever get a job at EB or Gamestop And if you think I am full of shit, then why is my store always ranked at the top of the district/region??????

Thegame, not only are you full of shit but you are an ASSWIPE. "Your Store"??? Do you Own it? And BTW what do you call getting $15 credit for a 2 week old game. RIP OFF!!! Am not putting down your job cause believe me mine aint glamorous but you impress nothing but pre-teens with your credentials. You need to grow up and give up the power trip. You will feel better...

[JibbaJabba]

Incidentally, I have been told that it is technically illegal. Not sure if it is true, but at least in some states I would expect it is illegal to try to negotiate business on somebody else's property, just as it would be illegal to stand in front of a guy's hot dog stand and try to sell hot dogs to his customers.

Source please!!

Also if the hot dog stand is on public property, not only could someone else stand in front of his stand to sell hot dogs but they could also blow a big cloud of ass gas his way.

[BABETOOTH]

Chosen1 you are very naive. You think this stores dont make money? What did they ever do for you exept suck your money. Thats exactly what this stores need. Some competition. Competition is what drives prices to go down so CAGers coud take advantage of this deals. If you feel so bad for the stores by games from a Mom and POp shop so at least your helping a small owner who probably works at his own store as opposed to aCorporate Giant. Use your head young lad.

[AGuth]

Do it in my store, and don't expect to ever walk in again.

Okay, suppose a 'potential' customer walked in and wanted to trade in a few games for store credit. The guy at the register can only give him like $8 total. He probably expected maybe $25 (hell, we all expect kore than we really get). So this 'potential' customer decides he/she doesn't have enough cash to make up the difference between the $8 store credit and that shiny new copy of say, Fight Night 2004. This person doesn't want the credit because it doesn't really do any good because the games out of his price range anyway and he's about to walk right out of the store empty handed. Here I come in, and I see some stuff in this guy's lot that I wouldn't mind having. I offer him a decent price for some/all of it. This amount of cash I just gave him now allows him to get the game he wanted. In essence, I just gave you business from an individual who couldn't give you business one minute ago, turning a 'potential' customer into a 'paying customer.' I've done this several times in my local game stores and have been personally thanked by the managers for helping them out. Oh, but I would probably be thrown right out of the store by some of the nerdboy store managers here huh?

[BABETOOTH]

GOOD ONE AGUTH !!!!

[chosen1s]

Chosen1 you are very naive. You think this stores dont make money? What did they ever do for you exept suck your money. Thats exactly what this stores need. Some competition. Competition is what drives prices to go down so CAGers coud take advantage of this deals. If you feel so bad for the stores by games from a Mom and POp shop so at least your helping a small owner who probably works at his own store as opposed to aCorporate Giant. Use your head young lad.

Fine,

If it's so easy for a game store to rake in the money and these Corporate Giants need some competition, I look forward to visiting your store, where you will be giving significantly fairer (higher) prices for used games. Where will you be doing this? I will be your first customer.

I'll tell you what they've done for me: Valkyrie Profile, Suikoden II, Dracula X, Mario RPG, Rez, need I go on because I'm just scratching the surface?

p.s. - Yes, I'm quite happy that they didn't let some schmuck come in and buy those games out from under them before they had the chance to buy them and sell them to me.

[Lootr2Core]

Guys we are forgetting something. We live in a Capitalist Society, The highest bidder wins. This is why a store offers a good sale to steal customers from another store. Can EB get mad at Gamestop for offering more money for the same trade in. The answer is no. That's exactly what we are doing. Be discrete and offer a bit more money for the game. The only way you would actually "steal" a customer would be if the store employee had already started the paperwork and then you made the person change their mind...[/quote]


Your argument is flawed as the store that you are in and offering a different deal is being paid for by their customers. While not illegal it is unethical. The business that you are standing in is providing the space and the reason for people and games to be there. Even if you stand outside you are taking advantage of someone elses work. If you put the store out of business by taking away customers/profits.. where will you go for your deals (to scavange)?

We do live in a capitalistic society, but if we don't live in somesort of ethical society, well whats the point of living?

[chosen1s]

Incidentally, I have been told that it is technically illegal. Not sure if it is true, but at least in some states I would expect it is illegal to try to negotiate business on somebody else's property, just as it would be illegal to stand in front of a guy's hot dog stand and try to sell hot dogs to his customers.

Source please!!

Also if the hot dog stand is on public property, not only could someone else stand in front of his stand to sell hot dogs but they could also blow a big cloud of ass gas his way.

My sources are:
Some friendly gamestore Managers I'm friends with. Not a conversation where they were being defensive - more like "Do you believe somebody can actually get arrested for pulling that?" - "Really?" - "Sure can."

And on another thread I am positive I ran across some others who had mentioned they were pretty certain it is illegal (They were recommending you go outside the store to bargain).

Like I said, I'm not sure it's true but this thread is the first that I have heard otherwise.

[chosen1s]

Do it in my store, and don't expect to ever walk in again.

Okay, suppose a 'potential' customer walked in and wanted to trade in a few games for store credit. The guy at the register can only give him like $8 total...This person doesn't want the credit because it doesn't really do any good...I offer him a decent price for some/all of it.

I don't have nearly the ethical problem with this because you allowed the store to do what they have paid to do. They paid for the opportunity to have "first dibs" on that customer. If the customer didnt' like it, the store has had the opportunity they paid for. I would still think it would be respectful (and possibly more legal) to follow them out of the store though.

[chosen1s]

It double-posted this for some reason

[Ledhed]

[quote="AGuth"] I've done this several times in my local game stores and have been personally thanked by the managers for helping them out. [quote]

Personally, I don't mind if someone swings a deal with someone who didn't want to trade their games to the store anyways. Like someone said before, that's competition, and as long as it isn't done on store grounds, it is fine with me. But the manager THANKING you?

"Man, I was wondering when that person was gonna realize you are the better deal! Can I buy you a beer?"

You're 2-lb trout became a 20-lb trout in the same story.

[BABETOOTH]

[ Your argument is flawed as the store that you are in and offering a different deal is being paid for by their customers. While not illegal it is unethical. The business that you are standing in is providing the space and the reason for people and games to be there. Even if you stand outside you are taking advantage of someone elses work. If you put the store out of business by taking away customers/profits.. where will you go for your deals (to scavange)?

We do live in a capitalistic society, but if we don't live in somesort of ethical society, well whats the point of living?[/quote]

Loot, so you are teling me that if I offer some dude money for his game at a store, such store runs the risk of going out of business due to my activity? WOW how did stores survive before they sold used games. How does Toys R Us compete. Next thing you know they'll be out of business too right?

[Lootr2Core]

Chosen1 you are very naive. You think this stores dont make money? What did they ever do for you exept suck your money. Thats exactly what this stores need. Some competition. Competition is what drives prices to go down so CAGers coud take advantage of this deals. If you feel so bad for the stores by games from a Mom and POp shop so at least your helping a small owner who probably works at his own store as opposed to aCorporate Giant. Use your head young lad.

I can't wait for Babetooth to grow up, and try to get a job to support himself and maybe afamily. "what did they ever do for you? sheesh talk about narcissistic. They provide a service if you don't want the service move on. I'm guessing either BABETOOTH is a kid who hasn't entered the real world yet, or is a government employee. :)

[chosen1s]

Guys we are forgetting something. We live in a Capitalist Society, The highest bidder wins. This is why a store offers a good sale to steal customers from another store. Can EB get mad at Gamestop for offering more money for the same trade in. The answer is no. That's exactly what we are doing. Be discrete and offer a bit more money for the game. The only way you would actually "steal" a customer would be if the store employee had already started the paperwork and then you made the person change their mind...

You don't understand Capitalism. You are only talking about half of Capitalism. The foundation of Capitalism relies on every person's ability to utilize what they paid for. You're not in a Capitalistic society just becasue you are able to bid on a tractor and win it at the fair market price. You are only in Capitalism if you are ALSO allowed to choose how that tractor is used once you have purchased it. If you bought it and then had to share it with all of your neighbors for free, you are not in a Capitalist society. Retail stores PAY for the right to sell exclusively out of the space they occupy. When you try to use that space you are stealing.

I've got an idea - how about one of you asks Defender if he will let you make a slightly lower offer to any of his customers who want to buy a game off his site...free of charge? I'm sure he won't mind if you can afford to undercut him a little. After all, it's a Capitalist society, right? Why should you have to set up your own site and do your own advertising when his site is all set up? After all, there are probably some games he is priced a little high on. He deserves to be undercut - ON HIS OWN PROPERTY - right?

[CaseyRyback]

everyone knows gamestores only make a small precentage of money from selling new games. The place they make their money is used games, so yes you are impacting their business.

[chosen1s]

I can't wait for Babetooth to grow up, and try to get a job to support himself and maybe afamily. "what did they ever do for you? sheesh talk about narcissistic. They provide a service if you don't want the service move on. I'm guessing either BABETOOTH is a kid who hasn't entered the real world yet, or is a government employee. :)

Well said. I remember when I thought retail stores owed me something. Darn. Back to reality. I have to go to bed so I can get to work tomorrow.

[alongx]

We do live in a capitalistic society, but if we don't live in somesort of ethical society, well whats the point of living?

Why don't come down from that soapbox you are preaching from and ask President Bush, "What's the point of living?" He, like many other powerful men and women in this country, still seem to find a reason to go on living despite not having the highest moral turpitude.
I'm sorry, but your whole argument takes advantage of a false premise: to make your argument even remotely plausible, you are expecting me and every other reader here to believe that our society holds the highest code of ethics, from consumers, to store employees, to corporation management. Which, to me, seems laughable. And I think it's safe to say that I'm not the only person who would feel this way.

[BABETOOTH]

I'll tell you what they've done for me: Valkyrie Profile, Suikoden II, Dracula X, Mario RPG, Rez, Gitaroo Man, Castlevania Chronicles, Castlevania: SOTN, Persona 1&2, Klonoa, Mega Man X2, Mega Man X3, FF2, FF3, Lunar I, Lunar II, Arc The Lad Collection, need I go on because I'm just scratching the surface?

p.s. - Yes, I'm quite happy that they didn't let some schmuck come in and buy those games out from under them before they had the chance to buy them and sell them to me.[/quote]

You got some great games. Good for you! My point is they sold these games new for a profit. Lets say $50 a pop plus tax. Then I bring them back and they give in average $12 each but here is the catch no tax added to that credit. Yet when you bought those used games on average $25 each you also paid tax. If they dont give me tax on my used game how can they charge it on the same game when they sell it. That sounds a bit illegal too. This is why I dont feel bad for any of these chain stores.

[youbastards]

Do it in my store, and don't expect to ever walk in again.

:shock: WOW...tough talk from a game jockey!!! :lol:

[alongx]

You got some great games. Good for you! My point is they sold these games new for a profit. Lets say $50 a pop plus tax. Then I bring them back and they give in average $12 each but here is the catch no tax added to that credit. Yet when you bought those used games on average $25 each you also paid tax. If they dont give me tax on my used game how can they charge it on the same game when they sell it. That sounds a bit illegal too. This is why I dont feel bad for any of these chain stores.

Do you know why they don't give you the $12 + tax? Because you aren't an agency which collects tax dollars for the US government that would then pass the money on to the government. Do you think they just keep the tax money and laugh all the way to the bank? No, they hold it in specialized accounts and then send a big check to the government every month. This happens on the sale of a new or used game. In fact, it happens on every sale, at every business, everywhere in America. And they probably put money aside to pay for the taxes when they purchase an item secondhand, although I can't be sure about that. I don't know where the re-purchase of used goods would be categorized for taxing purposes.

Background knowledge: important things in giving a valid argument.
Research could be good if, like in this case, you don't know anything about what you're arguing about, but insist on arguing anyway just for the sake of pissing other people off.

Edited for profanity.

[BABETOOTH]

[ I've got an idea - how about one of you asks Defender if he will let you make a slightly lower offer to any of his customers who want to buy a game off his site...free of charge? I'm sure he won't mind if you can afford to undercut him a little. After all, it's a Capitalist society, right? Why should you have to set up your own site and do your own advertising when his site is all set up? After all, there are probably some games he is priced a little high on. He deserves to be undercut - ON HIS OWN PROPERTY - right?[/quote]

First off we are not talking about "DEFENDER" I would never approve of such behavior. We are talking about a ChainStore that will not be affected by me telling a person discretely if they would like to sell me one of their games outside of the store. If stores did not make a good profit out of selling new games then if I was Toys R US i would not sell them...

[CaseyRyback]

first of all the quote button is your friend.

Games are mainly sold as leaders to get you into the store. Ask anyone who owns a gamestore how much they make on a new game and you will see how little it is

[Ledhed]

You got some great games. Good for you! My point is they sold these games new for a profit. Lets say $50 a pop plus tax. Then I bring them back and they give in average $12 each but here is the catch no tax added to that credit. Yet when you bought those used games on average $25 each you also paid tax. If they dont give me tax on my used game how can they charge it on the same game when they sell it. That sounds a bit illegal too. This is why I dont feel bad for any of these chain stores.

If you traded at GameStop, then technically you DID get your tax refunded on the $12. When you pay for something with that credit, you will not pay tax on $12 worth of merchandise. Any difference paid after that is taxed, but not your trade credit.

[AGuth]

[quote="AGuth"] I've done this several times in my local game stores and have been personally thanked by the managers for helping them out. [quote]

Personally, I don't mind if someone swings a deal with someone who didn't want to trade their games to the store anyways. Like someone said before, that's competition, and as long as it isn't done on store grounds, it is fine with me. But the manager THANKING you?

"Man, I was wondering when that person was gonna realize you are the better deal! Can I buy you a beer?"

You're 2-lb trout became a 20-lb trout in the same story.

Well, I have been a regular customer at many of these game stores for over a decade, and I make it a point to spend on a couple hundred dollars a month on games/hardware at these gamestores in addition to finding cheapass deals elsewhere. It also helps that the manager at one store lives two houses down from me and that another manager plays on my flag football team. I give them enough business that they don't have to worry that I'll spend more money with someone else. They just want to sell as much stuff as they can and beat out the other stores. So take that 20 lb trout shit somewhere else.

[BABETOOTH]

Background knowledge: important things in giving a valid argument.
Research could be good if, like in this case, you don't know shit about what you're arguing about, but insist on arguing anyway just for the sake of pissing other people off.[/quote]

ASSHOLE, I never said I "new" it was illegal, I said it sounded a bit illegal. I should have said I did not know the reason why but I never pretended to know it either. But since your are in GOD MODE right now. What happens when I return a new game for a refund, and I get all my money back, Did I just screw their "TAX CHECK" the send monthly to UNCLE SAM" Enlighten me big boy...

[magilacudy]

I've got an idea - how about one of you asks Defender if he will let you make a slightly lower offer to any of his customers who want to buy a game off his site...free of charge? I'm sure he won't mind if you can afford to undercut him a little. After all, it's a Capitalist society, right? Why should you have to set up your own site and do your own advertising when his site is all set up? After all, there are probably some games he is priced a little high on. He deserves to be undercut - ON HIS OWN PROPERTY - right?

Hate to play Devil's advocate, but you can't compare VGD to a B&M store like that (we're not talking about his store in NYC). After all, there is no 'property' to speak of. And I'm sure that he is undercut in these forums pretty often in various threads. I'd say that the practice in question is most similar to thread-jacking, where someone butts in on your trade thread to say that the game's cheaper someplace else. Annoying, yes. Illegal, no.

If you make a routine out of it, where you loiter waiting for people to trade in, then I think that could be grounds for getting your ass kicked out. But if its just a spur of the moment thing, and here's where I draw the line, if your original intention was to do business with the store not to rip them off then I say its kosher. The employee still reserves the right to say something to you about it, but I don't think you should get kicked out or banned for one instance (especially if you made a purchase or traded in something yourself).

EDIT: BTW, AGuth your wife (I'm assuming that's your wife in your avatar) is hot.

[thatstoobad]

Do it in my store, and don't expect to ever walk in again.

no soup for you!

[Alpha2]

You know what I'd like to do one day is actually have a store compete for the game. I mean I'll come in and they;ll offer me 5 bucks for some game I was expecting atleast 12 for and walk away form the counter in disgust(like I normally do) and some guy will say "hey I'll give you 10 for it" then the registermonkey will go I'll give you 11.50!

But actually it'll never happen because the prices they offer at the chain stores are shit, I might as well keep my game and let someone else loose money by trading it in, atleast I'll have it for sentimate sake.

Also when you factor in some of the people who are trading in their games treat them lke crap (or maybe the store did it) and when you get to the used rack they're selling former 'coasters' for 30 damn dollars, they won't likely be sold ever.

Anyway, People want the best price whether they;re buying or selling and they;ll do what ever they can to get it unless they respect you.

[Ledhed]

So take that 20 lb trout shit somewhere else.

I'll take it home, feed it, see how big it gets. When it hits 40 lbs you can tell us about how the manager gave you head.

[BABETOOTH]

You got some great games. Good for you! My point is they sold these games new for a profit. Lets say $50 a pop plus tax. Then I bring them back and they give in average $12 each but here is the catch no tax added to that credit. Yet when you bought those used games on average $25 each you also paid tax. If they dont give me tax on my used game how can they charge it on the same game when they sell it. That sounds a bit illegal too. This is why I dont feel bad for any of these chain stores.

If you traded at GameStop, then technically you DID get your tax refunded on the $12. When you pay for something with that credit, you will not pay tax on $12 worth of merchandise. Any difference paid after that is taxed, but not your trade credit.

are you sure? I was under the impression that if you took the $12 and bought a $20 game the you were taxed on the $20 and not solely on the difference $8. But then again according ALONGX am a stupid shit for voiceing my oppinion...

[Ledhed]

You got some great games. Good for you! My point is they sold these games new for a profit. Lets say $50 a pop plus tax. Then I bring them back and they give in average $12 each but here is the catch no tax added to that credit. Yet when you bought those used games on average $25 each you also paid tax. If they dont give me tax on my used game how can they charge it on the same game when they sell it. That sounds a bit illegal too. This is why I dont feel bad for any of these chain stores.

If you traded at GameStop, then technically you DID get your tax refunded on the $12. When you pay for something with that credit, you will not pay tax on $12 worth of merchandise. Any difference paid after that is taxed, but not your trade credit.

are you sure? I was under the impression that if you took the $12 and bought a $20 game the you were taxed on the $20 and not solely on the difference $8. But then again according ALONGX am a stupid shit for voiceing my oppinion...

Nevermind ALONGX, I couldn't figure out his trip either. And yes, if you do this at GameStop, I assure you you would only pay tax on the $8. Make sure it's trade credit, or GameBuck$ as some retard in marketing decided we should call it. If it is normal store credit, yes you get taxed. If it is trade credit, not a penny of it is taxed.

[BABETOOTH]

[quote=chosen1s]
I've got an idea - how about one of you asks Defender if he will let you make a slightly lower offer to any of his customers who want to buy a game off his site...free of charge? I'm sure he won't mind if you can afford to undercut him a little. After all, it's a Capitalist society, right? Why should you have to set up your own site and do your own advertising when his site is all set up? After all, there are probably some games he is priced a little high on. He deserves to be undercut - ON HIS OWN PROPERTY - right?

Hate to play Devil's advocate, but you can't compare VGD to a B&M store like that (we're not talking about his store in NYC). After all, there is no 'property' to speak of. And I'm sure that he is undercut in these forums pretty often in various threads. I'd say that the practice in question is most similar to thread-jacking, where someone butts in on your trade thread to say that the game's cheaper someplace else. Annoying, yes. Illegal, no.

If you make a routine out of it, where you loiter waiting for people to trade in, then I think that could be grounds for getting your ass kicked out. But if its just a spur of the moment thing, and here's where I draw the line, if your original intention was to do business with the store not to rip them off then I say its kosher. The employee still reserves the right to say something to you about it, but I don't think you should get kicked out or banned for one instance (especially if you made a purchase or traded in something yourself).

I totally agree with you! I think your arguments ort of meets every one elses half way combining it into something we can all agree on. Well said...

[BABETOOTH]

LEDHED thanx for the info!!!

[BABETOOTH]

You got some great games. Good for you! My point is they sold these games new for a profit. Lets say $50 a pop plus tax. Then I bring them back and they give in average $12 each but here is the catch no tax added to that credit. Yet when you bought those used games on average $25 each you also paid tax. If they dont give me tax on my used game how can they charge it on the same game when they sell it. That sounds a bit illegal too. This is why I dont feel bad for any of these chain stores.

If you traded at GameStop, then technically you DID get your tax refunded on the $12. When you pay for something with that credit, you will not pay tax on $12 worth of merchandise. Any difference paid after that is taxed, but not your trade credit.
Thanx!

are you sure? I was under the impression that if you took the $12 and bought a $20 game the you were taxed on the $20 and not solely on the difference $8. But then again according ALONGX am a stupid shit for voiceing my oppinion...

Nevermind ALONGX, I couldn't figure out his trip either. And yes, if you do this at GameStop, I assure you you would only pay tax on the $8. Make sure it's trade credit, or GameBuck$ as some retard in marketing decided we should call it. If it is normal store credit, yes you get taxed. If it is trade credit, not a penny of it is taxed.

[CaseyRyback]

if this gets anymore out of hand I am locking this. I am tired of reading remarks with profanities directed specifically at someone. Its not cool, and we all know what type of path it leads down

[Ledhed]

if this gets anymore out of hand I am locking this. I am tired of reading remarks with profanities directed specifically at someone. Its not cool, and we all know what type of path it leads down

Sorry dude, I really didn't mean to make it an issue. I'll stop, for you. And only you.

[CaseyRyback]

if this gets anymore out of hand I am locking this. I am tired of reading remarks with profanities directed specifically at someone. Its not cool, and we all know what type of path it leads down

Sorry dude, I really didn't mean to make it an issue. I'll stop, for you. And only you.

I appreciate it. This site had just had a lot of really big flame wars lately and its getting a little annoying. I think flaming has its place but bringing up profanities in reference to another person is where I draw the line

[BABETOOTH]

I can't wait for Babetooth to grow up, and try to get a job to support himself and maybe afamily. "what did they ever do for you? sheesh talk about narcissistic. They provide a service if you don't want the service move on. I'm guessing either BABETOOTH is a kid who hasn't entered the real world yet, or is a government employee. :)

Well said. I remember when I thought retail stores owed me something. Darn. Back to reality. I have to go to bed so I can get to work tomorrow.

I am probably older than the 2 of you put together (5 and 6) LOL I dont need to justify anything to any one. I do have a family and I dont work for the goverment. I love this website for the great deals that are posted by so many of you (THANKS) am not here to pick a fight with any one specially kids who just got rid of their diapper rash. I visit the website and sometimes voice my opinion and thats that. Nothing personal. I think you guys got me figured out wrong... Have some fun without getting too offensive!

[chosen1s]

I've got an idea - how about one of you asks Defender if he will let you make a slightly lower offer to any of his customers who want to buy a game off his site...free of charge? I'm sure he won't mind if you can afford to undercut him a little. After all, it's a Capitalist society, right? Why should you have to set up your own site and do your own advertising when his site is all set up? After all, there are probably some games he is priced a little high on. He deserves to be undercut - ON HIS OWN PROPERTY - right?

Hate to play Devil's advocate, but you can't compare VGD to a B&M store like that (we're not talking about his store in NYC). After all, there is no 'property' to speak of. And I'm sure that he is undercut in these forums pretty often in various threads. I'd say that the practice in question is most similar to thread-jacking, where someone butts in on your trade thread to say that the game's cheaper someplace else. Annoying, yes. Illegal, no...

EDIT: BTW, AGuth your wife (I'm assuming that's your wife in your avatar) is hot.

I disagree, though well stated.

It's actually pretty easy to compare his site to a B&M store. The 'property' is the site. Defender built it, and pays to maintain it. People visit his site just like they visit a store. The only difference is that it's a lot harder for someone to steal a customer because customers don't interact with each other there.

No, it's not like thread-jacking. The reason being that Defender pays a fee for his site I am sure. When someone pushes in on your thread, they are bullying in on something you got for free. For instance - if someone comes and decides to let their kids play tag in the middle of your picnic at the park. It's a free park for everyone. Sure, you were there first, but the place is free to everyone. On the other hand, if they came to your back-yard, or to a restaurant that you had rented out for the night and shoved their way in, then you have a legitimate complaint because you PAID to keep them out. Thread-jacking does not involve taking advantage of something that the person you are taking it from had paid for (Yes, CheapyD pays for the site but you are not taking anything away from him).

Once again, Annoying is when someone takes over your space at a public place. Highly unethical/perhaps illegal is when they take over the space that you paid for to use privately.

Yes, AGuth's wife is hot.

[BABETOOTH]

if this gets anymore out of hand I am locking this. I am tired of reading remarks with profanities directed specifically at someone. Its not cool, and we all know what type of path it leads down

Sorry dude, I really didn't mean to make it an issue. I'll stop, for you. And only you.

I appreciate it. This site had just had a lot of really big flame wars lately and its getting a little annoying. I think flaming has its place but bringing up profanities in reference to another person is where I draw the line

I Agree!!!

[BABETOOTH]

see you manana

[chosen1s]

ASSHOLE, I never said I "new" it was illegal

Dude, this is one of the funniest things I've read all night. I really need to go to bed. I'm sure you know how to spell "knew", but still, to start out a comment with a profane insult and then proceed to mis-spell a simple word like this is priceless. You're right, I should have more of a sense of humor about this stuff.

However, I do get on my soapbox about people who think the world owes them. It frustrates me because I'm a person who really wants to help people. I used to envision myself working at homeless shelters and working with people who were down on their luck. I'm not against it even now, but it is extremely discouraging to know that there are people out there who think I owe them my money (this gets into a lot of my political views).

I have also done some of my own business ventures and it is really frustrating that everybody out there thinks you owe them something because you are selling. They can't just say "I'll buy that" or "I don't want to pay that". They think they have a right to let me do all the work and then get a handout just because they exist.

That's all I'm saying. I did get a little worked up, but that "new" comment really made my night. Hope everybody gets some good sleep. Oh yeah, I doubt seriously that you're older than me. I'm old enough to have voted against Clinton and Gore. (which I did)

[number6]

I was an assistant manager for an EB for 3 years (we called ourselves assmans), and if you did this in my store I'd kick out and ask you never to come back. Offering to do business in another person or company's place of business is probably not illegal in that you'd ever get arrested, but it is extremely rude. EB, or Gamestop, paid for the space you are trying to solicit in.

I can't deny that trade-in values at these stores are low. But if you don't like it, sell your games on Ebay and don't shop at EB or Gamestop. Simple as that. Doing this, walking into a game store and stealing business, is not at all unlike someone emailing a winning bidder on one of your ebay auctions and offering to sell it for a dollar less. It's taking advantage of the fact that you, in ebay's case, or the company, in EB or Gamestop's case, went to the effort to bring the person in the store or bid on the auction, and attempt to make a transaction. You're leeching off of that by swiping the transaction out from under the company.

Is it illegal? Maybe if you do it again after they've asked you to leave. Is it rude and unethical? Undoubtedly so.

[DavidDayton]

You know, I have the vague impression that if you are a regular customer who makes plenty of preorders and purchases, even the angriest of managers would think twice before "kicking you out" forever... if the manager is trying to keep up with a district quota on sales, and knows that the guy in question is good for -several- preorders and purchases, he'd be stupid to get rid of him. Scare him, yes... but not get rid of him.

While I agree that the manager SHOULD dissaude and forbid "stealing" sales, I think that anyone who would jump to the level of "banning" a customer is much too angry to be a manager. For a repeated "offense", I could see the logic... but it would make more sense to warn the guy first.

[thextreme1]

I do it at my local Gamestop all of the time. The manager always laughs and tells me to take it outside jokingly. I bought Dead To Rights for $7.00 like that along with others.

[JSweeney]

if this gets anymore out of hand I am locking this. I am tired of reading remarks with profanities directed specifically at someone. Its not cool, and we all know what type of path it leads down

Sorry dude, I really didn't mean to make it an issue. I'll stop, for you. And only you.

I appreciate it. This site had just had a lot of really big flame wars lately and its getting a little annoying. I think flaming has its place but bringing up profanities in reference to another person is where I draw the line

I Agree!!!

You know, just because a thread directed at someone isn't obscenity laced, it doesn't mean it's not offensive. You should go back and look at some of your previous posts and mull that over.

[The Successful Dropout]

i posted in another topic (i forget which one) a week or so ago about gamestop....that the game stop i was in recently had two women selling their games (to gamestop) and the employee was giving them ridiculously low prices for the games...and the women didn't know what they were doing, so they just went with the prices....every1 was staring at these women like they were nuts...and a customer next to them offered them a higher offer...and the gamestop employee yelled at him saying he could get him arrested for interfering with the transaction...i dont know if this is true....you would probably just get a verbal warning if anything....and it might vary from state to state....

[JSweeney]

Do this enough, and they'll forbid your return.
Then the chance of prosecution becomes very real if you go there again.

State of Michigan:

MCLA 750.552 is the general state statute for trespass. This statute prevents anyone from trespassing upon the premises of another after having been forbidden to do so. Violation of the statute is a criminal misdemeanor offence, punishable by a fine of up to $50.00 and 30 days in jail or both.

[The Successful Dropout]

yeah...i would never try this anyway....you'll never get a good deal through pissing off one of the stores that you rely on getting good deals from....it seems like you have to kiss ass to get the really good deals from the employees at eb and gs....

[Ymeegod]

"And ripping of moms and little kids? Someday when you are all grwon up and have a real job and learn what business is all about you will realize that no one is being ripped off.

Its people like you that think they could ever get a job at EB or Gamestop with an attitude like this. People come in all the time and ask for jobs that argue with me about trade ins and things they don't feel is fair and all I do is laugh at them and ask them if they actually expect to ever work for me.

And if you think I am full of shit, then why is my store always ranked at the top of the district/region?????? "

LOL, what about game developers then? Isn't EB ripping off them by selling used games without giving a dime in royalities to the publishers :0.

And being at the top really isn't saying much especially most sales are based on location.

[BustaUppa]

If you make a routine out of it, where you loiter waiting for people to trade in, then I think that could be grounds for getting your ass kicked out. But if its just a spur of the moment thing, and here's where I draw the line, if your original intention was to do business with the store not to rip them off then I say its kosher. The employee still reserves the right to say something to you about it, but I don't think you should get kicked out or banned for one instance (especially if you made a purchase or traded in something yourself).

This is the best argument I've heard so far.... the way this guy described it is basically what I had in mind when I envisioned this whole situation. Like he said, I definitely wouldn't recommend going to a store JUST to try this out. But if you saw some ignorant mother about to take $8 for, say, a mint non-GH CastleVania, I'd definitely recommend speaking up. And be discreet about it, of course. And as others have pointed out, I've been in stores where an employee basically told a customer NOT to trade something in, because the item was rare and they'd get a much better price on eBay. I feel like this is the type of thing where you just need to be sensible and use good judgment, on a case-by-case basis.

[Ledhed]

if this gets anymore out of hand I am locking this. I am tired of reading remarks with profanities directed specifically at someone. Its not cool, and we all know what type of path it leads down

Sorry dude, I really didn't mean to make it an issue. I'll stop, for you. And only you.

I appreciate it. This site had just had a lot of really big flame wars lately and its getting a little annoying. I think flaming has its place but bringing up profanities in reference to another person is where I draw the line

I Agree!!!

You know, just because a thread directed at someone isn't obscenity laced, it doesn't mean it's not offensive. You should go back and look at some of your previous posts and mull that over.

May I ask who's posts you are referring to?

[alongx]

if this gets anymore out of hand I am locking this. I am tired of reading remarks with profanities directed specifically at someone. Its not cool, and we all know what type of path it leads down

I appologize for any profanity in my previous posts, I was just trying to make a point. I'll try to tone it down in the future.

[alongx]

I never said I "new" it was illegal, I said it sounded a bit illegal. I should have said I did not know the reason why but I never pretended to know it either. But since your are in GOD MODE right now. What happens when I return a new game for a refund, and I get all my money back, Did I just screw their "TAX CHECK" the send monthly to UNCLE SAM" Enlighten me big boy...

I didn't comment on the legality of this course of actions in the post you were quoting, first of all. And I certainly wasn't preaching morality to you. I just took a minute to explain simple accounting procedures.
You see, on every end of every transaction, Uncle Sam likes to take a taste. That is what we call tax. And we pay them all over the place. When a tax is incurred, the company places the tax money aside and sends it to the government at the end of the period, which is usually a month. If an item is returned and the full amount is paid back, then, if the government already received the money, they usually would send it back, or ask the store to keep the amount which they are owed from the next months' check.

[Venkman]

True, but Gamestop doesn't offer people a better trade in by walking into EB and asking people once they are at the counter in EB.

I'm all for the better trade in, though. If someone will give me $5 more, that just means I'll have another $5 to spend in that store. Chances are if you are trading in, you are looking to get another used game and/or a new one.

It's tricky. I wouldn't mind so much, but people also don't have to be an ass.

[BustaUppa]

There is indeed a fine line between "Ass" and "CheapAss."

[MrBadExample]

There is indeed a fine line between "Ass" and "CheapAss."

This has to be the best comment in this thread.

I can see where the stores need to protect their interests. Still it's hard not to feel ripped off when a new game sells for $50 and the used copy is $45. A 10% off sale? No one would waste the money to advertise that small of a sale. Can you imagine if used cars were only 10% cheaper?

[ElwoodCuse]

I did this once. I was going to sell GTA3 (shortly before VC came out). They offered me like $12 or something ridiculous, since it was still selling used for $44.99. There was a guy at the counter buying a used PS2 and a stack of games. I sold it to him for $20. Clerk didn't care at all. To make it up to them I bought some stuff from them later on.

[BULL_Ship]

Its people like you that think they could ever get a job at EB or Gamestop with an attitude like this.

What a prestigious job thats way better than working at mcdonald's lol. DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO JOIN THE GAMESTOP. LOL You make it sound like its being drafted into the nba or something.

[JSweeney]

if this gets anymore out of hand I am locking this. I am tired of reading remarks with profanities directed specifically at someone. Its not cool, and we all know what type of path it leads down

Sorry dude, I really didn't mean to make it an issue. I'll stop, for you. And only you.

I appreciate it. This site had just had a lot of really big flame wars lately and its getting a little annoying. I think flaming has its place but bringing up profanities in reference to another person is where I draw the line

I Agree!!!

You know, just because a thread directed at someone isn't obscenity laced, it doesn't mean it's not offensive. You should go back and look at some of your previous posts and mull that over.

May I ask who's posts you are referring to?

Not you Ledhed. While all of us are guilty of stepping over the line of good taste and/or decorum, Babetooth has been being fairly presumptous for a newbie... while he didn't swear in most of his posts, he still was rather impolite and coarse.

[BABETOOTH]

[quote=BABETOOTH]

ASSHOLE, I never said I "new" it was illegal

At least I made you laugh CHOSEN1. To my defense it was really late and my allergies are very severe. Medication is no joke. Nothing personal last night. BTW I may not win to many spelling contests but I can spell better than that. As for your voting choices, you are entitled. I voted Clinton and Gore but I also made the mistake of voting for Bush Sr. This was back in College when I thought being a Republican was the in thing. I guess too much "Family Ties" and Alex P. Keaton (Michael J. Fox) during my formative years had a bad influence on me. I am voting for Kerry not because I agree with everything he stands for but because he is the lesser of two evils.
Are you part of the "Religious Right" Just wondering...

[JSweeney]

Geez, Lets hope Sneaky and his grammar nazis never see that post.

[Moray]

LOL, what about game developers then? Isn't EB ripping off them by selling used games without giving a dime in royalities to the publishers :0.

And being at the top really isn't saying much especially most sales are based on location.

Yes, location is very much what determines sales numbers, but those aren't the only numbers that make you number one. There are a lot of other factors that give your store placement in the ranks. Subscriptions, Reserves, multiple item sales, etc. (insert more corporate babble)

As for someone offering a customer more money for a trade? I just ask them to take it outside. Why not? If someone offered me more for a trade I certainly wouldn't want the employee jumping all over them for doing it. And if they did, my impression of the employees in that store wouldn't be a very positive one. Customer service is the #1 reason I will return to a store, so I treat everyone the way I would want to be treated when they walk through the door.

[Grave_Addiction]

From now on when I go into a Gamestop or EB games, I'm going to wear a white t-shirt that says "I will give you $1 more for your trade in."

[jshorr]

Without replying to anyone specifically I can give my thoughts on this......

I remember doing this kind of thing when I was a kid trading/selling baseball cards. I would whisper to someone that I had some cards to trade/buy and if they wanted we could go outside and talk. I'm sure the stores, which were independently owned, would have been really upset but back then I didn't care. I'm sure what I thought was the guy ripping people off was him just trying to make a living....he was working 9-5 like everyone else, not living in a mansion and making tons of money.

I don't think any laws are broken (I'm not sure though) but I know that the stores are paying rent to do business on their premesis. Whether or not you think they are ripping people off it's wrong to interfere with their business in that way, although it's a lot better if you are discrete and do all dealings with people outside the store.

I think Capitalism and free market mean that you have the right not to buy from a store, to look elsewhere, to deal with who you want, but there are limits. Employees from one store shouldn't go into another to mention deals/sell items, and neither should an individual. I agree with others who said that just because an employee doesn't care, it doesn't make it right. If you think gamestores are ripping people off then go on ebay, web boards etc. to buy and sell or if you have to stand outside of the game store....but let the people in the store do their business.....

That said it's no reason to get way bent out of shape, if you are a regular employee or even if you are a manager. Ask the people to please not do this kind of thing and if you feel you need to ask them to leave the store. Is it really necessary to try to make them feel like they shouldn't ever come back into the store?

[BABETOOTH]

From now on when I go into a Gamestop or EB games, I'm going to wear a white t-shirt that says "I will give you $1 more for your trade in."

This is the best one yet!!! love it!!! BTW I apologize to those who think I was a bit abrasive. I just want to have a good time and will tone it down unless provoked. I respect everyones opinion regardless of mine!

[Flamegames]

I went to this local gamestore one time and there was somebody trying to trade a new xbox with 3 games and 2 controllers and they were going to give him like $60 cash or $100 trade.(This was about 1 year ago) Obviously he left and I followed. Asked what they were going to give him. Asked what he wanted. Gave him $100 cash and ended following him back to his place and getting around 15 more newly released games for about $10 each. Pretty sweet deal at the time.


Same store:

I took games to trade into the same store and it was some rare games(some they were selling in store for like $50 each). I brought about 15 games in. Register monkey said I will give you $90 without taking the time to look in his pricing book at the games. I said, are you serious, several of these games are $50 in your store, several are $40 several are...ect. Basically I know the store prices like the back of my hand so I can trade high valued games for high store credit...

I took my trade and left the store and went to their other branch that is about 10 miles away. Guess how much I got for the same games in the same store, but at a different location..........$220.00 a difference of $130 and Im no price is right bitch, but WTF.

You will like this also. I have a handful of stories about gaming stores. So like I indicated above, I get high traded games cheap and trade them for stuff I want in the store. The manager at this store like stalked me. He had my name from the trade slip and my address. He like found my ebay user handle and was tracking what I bought and what I traded in there store. He threatened to kick me out of the store because in his words " I am not supporting your ebay sales" Another WTF. It is probably illegal to stalk someone or threaten in this manner, but anyway.
I had to change my ebay handle and some other info 2 times because of him. Finally, I use there other branches of the same store to trade stuff now.

The real question.. Do I give a flying crap about big business corporate gaming stores? About as much as I care about Wal-Mart.

[btantra]

I am against offering customer more $$$ in other people store. I will let you know why (for those of you who are in the REAL WORLD, you already know why, I am sure).

Say there's this person A who's a realtor. Then a person B who wants to sell his house. Lastly, a person C who wants to buy a house.

Person B comes in to person A's office to sell his house and A can give $100,000 for his house (A can resell the house for $145,000). Person C who just happens to be at A's office overheard this and offers B $130,000 for the house. B agrees to sell to C directly.

That leaves realtor A with no client and no $45,000 profit.

So, for those of you who hasn't "grown up" yet, do you still think that kind of practice won't affect business? Granted games don't have that much profit, but if there are lots of people doing it, it will hurt as much.

If you are doing this in the store, you and the game seller needs to pay commission to Gamestop or EB since they are the one who's bringing both of you together at the same spot just like EBAY does to millions of people. Understand?

[btantra]

The real question.. Do I give a flying crap about big business corporate gaming stores? About as much as I care about Wal-Mart.

You might not care and you don't have too, but you still need to respect them as a business. It's just like some people dont' care about their parents, but they still need to respect them!

[jshorr]

This is a very good point. You pay ebay a comission for your transactions, and stores charge their own comission in the form of somewhat jacked up prices.

I am against offering customer more $$$ in other people store. I will let you know why (for those of you who are in the REAL WORLD, you already know why, I am sure).

Say there's this person A who's a realtor. Then a person B who wants to sell his house. Lastly, a person C who wants to buy a house.

Person B comes in to person A's office to sell his house and A can give $100,000 for his house (A can resell the house for $145,000). Person C who just happens to be at A's office overheard this and offers B $130,000 for the house. B agrees to sell to C directly.

That leaves realtor A with no client and no $45,000 profit.

So, for those of you who hasn't "grown up" yet, do you still think that kind of practice won't affect business? Granted games don't have that much profit, but if there are lots of people doing it, it will hurt as much.

If you are doing this in the store, you and the game seller needs to pay commission to Gamestop or EB since they are the one who's bringing both of you together at the same spot just like EBAY does to millions of people. Understand?

[Rodimus]

[quote="The Game"][quote="chunk"][quote="gizmogc"]
Its people like you that think they could ever get a job at EB or Gamestop with an attitude like this. People come in all the time and ask for jobs that argue with me about trade ins and things they don't feel is fair and all I do is laugh at them and ask them if they actually expect to ever work for me.quote]

I know this was an eairlier post but I just have to comment on it.

I'm asuming you work at an EB or Gamestop. Now why do you highly regard your job as something only "special" people can have. I would "HATE" to work in an EB or Gamestop. I've actually been offered jobs their while in conversations with managers their. Personally, for me retail sucks as a job. I've done it, don't get me wrong, but I very much dislike it. Only like $6 an hour, most people at EB's or GS don't know shaq-fu about games. (Perfect example, my video game challanged brother works part-time at an EB.) What's so great about your job?

Sorry to the rest of you, I'm just venting. And anyone reading this that works at a video game store. I don't mean this directly to you. Just the person I'm quoting.

[CaseyRyback]

I find it funny when its a totally different atmosphere when the store is run by people who play games and those who do not.

Both EB's down in Wilmington are run by people who do not play games, are sales concentrated and do not even know store policies (case in point getting an exchange or return on Street Fighter Alpha 3 was hell until I talked to the district manager). The gamestops down here are totally different as they can say something besides "do you need any help?" and will even talk to you about other stuff besides what is in the store for sale

[ig88vsbobafett]

Ive done it in a EB before all they do is ask you to do it out of the store.

[cag1000]

i did this recently and got the eye toy complete and never used for 15 bucks. the eb guy told the guy trading it in to take my deal. he was also trading in some brand new sweet ass games like month old releases and i was tempted but didnt

[Alpha2]

when it really comes down to it it the only thing that really matters is the law, and the law says you cant do buisness on someone elses property.

If you really feel justified in doing this sort of thing, watch the guy, if he looks apprehensive about the credit ammount tap him on the shoulder, talk to him like he's a friend of yours and get him to step out side with you, have a short chat and offer him more for it outside.

Just dont do it in the store in front of the counter, he dosent know you and dosent have to listen, heck he may walk right back in and sell it to the store anyway rather than a stranger but atleast he had a choice.

Just because a guy asks how much credit they can get for a game at the counter dosent mean they;re gonna sell it to the store. If you get som ridiculously low price quoted to you you;reeither going to crumble under the impression there is no way to get more for it or you;ll take you buisness elsewhere.

Some times I wish people would acutally ask "is ther anyone in the store that will give me more than 6 bucks for this game?" so that someone can speak up and go "Heck yeah! they;re selling it for 30 here! let's go outside and talk!"

[wubb]

I would think at the very least the store could kick you out and ask you not to return.

I'd guess if it's not the store manager or owner behind the counter you probably have a decent chance of them not really caring.

[The Game]

[quote="The Game"][quote="chunk"][quote=gizmogc]
Its people like you that think they could ever get a job at EB or Gamestop with an attitude like this. People come in all the time and ask for jobs that argue with me about trade ins and things they don't feel is fair and all I do is laugh at them and ask them if they actually expect to ever work for me.quote]

I know this was an eairlier post but I just have to comment on it.

I'm asuming you work at an EB or Gamestop. Now why do you highly regard your job as something only "special" people can have. I would "HATE" to work in an EB or Gamestop. I've actually been offered jobs their while in conversations with managers their. Personally, for me retail sucks as a job. I've done it, don't get me wrong, but I very much dislike it. Only like $6 an hour, most people at EB's or GS don't know shaq-fu about games. (Perfect example, my video game challanged brother works part-time at an EB.) What's so great about your job?

Sorry to the rest of you, I'm just venting. And anyone reading this that works at a video game store. I don't mean this directly to you. Just the person I'm quoting.


I DO work at EB. And when I hire people I amke sure that they know ALOT about games. I mean c'mon, who would want to shop in a Video Game store that had employees that knew fuck about games?? I wouldn't. I have and when I had the opportunity to become a store amnager I made a promise to myself to only hire people who knew their shit.

Alot of people come in asking for jobs that have recently been in to do business and bitched and complained about trade ins or prices on used games. Do you think I want these people working for me?? That is what some people sound like on this thread. They do not understand business.

Casey RyBack does and chosen1s does.
BABETOOTH doesn't.

Alot of times people offer customers more money. All I do is ask them to do it outside and away from the store. I don not want people doing this but most of you are right. That person will most likely spend the money in my store. I have never and will probaly never ban anyone from my store. If someone is doing something innapropriate I simply ask them to leave until they can act properly.

This post has gone off topic then on topic then off topic and back on topic. The simple question was this. Is this wrong? Morally yes. Legally no.

When I go to work I try to get my customers the best deals possible. We usually have deals where people can get bonus $$$ for their trades or save on pre played with coupons, GMR cards, or in store specials. You guys just need to find a store with employees to traet you right and if they don't demand that they do. Do what you need to. Call the District Manager if need be. We are all in this together. I know how expensive games are. I know some tardes are bogus. But hey. EB pays my mortage, my car payment, flies me around the country once a year and allows me to do what I love most in life. Play video games and since I manage my store efficiantly I am able to spend time at home with my wife and 4 kids. I run my store very well and take great pride in what I do. Is my job better than working at McDonalds??? To you maybe not, but I can't think of anything else I would want to do.

Peace!

[CaptainObviousXl]

[quote="The Game"][quote=chunk][quote=gizmogc]
Its people like you that think they could ever get a job at EB or Gamestop with an attitude like this. People come in all the time and ask for jobs that argue with me about trade ins and things they don't feel is fair and all I do is laugh at them and ask them if they actually expect to ever work for me.quote]

I know this was an eairlier post but I just have to comment on it.

I'm asuming you work at an EB or Gamestop. Now why do you highly regard your job as something only "special" people can have. I would "HATE" to work in an EB or Gamestop. I've actually been offered jobs their while in conversations with managers their. Personally, for me retail sucks as a job. I've done it, don't get me wrong, but I very much dislike it. Only like $6 an hour, most people at EB's or GS don't know shaq-fu about games. (Perfect example, my video game challanged brother works part-time at an EB.) What's so great about your job?

Sorry to the rest of you, I'm just venting. And anyone reading this that works at a video game store. I don't mean this directly to you. Just the person I'm quoting.


I DO work at EB. And when I hire people I amke sure that they know ALOT about games. I mean c'mon, who would want to shop in a Video Game store that had employees that knew shaq-fu about games?? I wouldn't. I have and when I had the opportunity to become a store amnager I made a promise to myself to only hire people who knew their shit.

Alot of people come in asking for jobs that have recently been in to do business and bitched and complained about trade ins or prices on used games. Do you think I want these people working for me?? That is what some people sound like on this thread. They do not understand business.

Casey RyBack does and chosen1s does.
BABETOOTH doesn't.

Alot of times people offer customers more money. All I do is ask them to do it outside and away from the store. I don not want people doing this but most of you are right. That person will most likely spend the money in my store. I have never and will probaly never ban anyone from my store. If someone is doing something innapropriate I simply ask them to leave until they can act properly.

This post has gone off topic then on topic then off topic and back on topic. The simple question was this. Is this wrong? Morally yes. Legally no.

When I go to work I try to get my customers the best deals possible. We usually have deals where people can get bonus $$$ for their trades or save on pre played with coupons, GMR cards, or in store specials. You guys just need to find a store with employees to traet you right and if they don't demand that they do. Do what you need to. Call the District Manager if need be. We are all in this together. I know how expensive games are. I know some tardes are bogus. But hey. EB pays my mortage, my car payment, flies me around the country once a year and allows me to do what I love most in life. Play video games and since I manage my store efficiantly I am able to spend time at home with my wife and 4 kids. I run my store very well and take great pride in what I do. Is my job better than working at McDonalds??? To you maybe not, but I can't think of anything else I would want to do.

Peace!
dude at the ebgames in my town there is no one that knows anything. Also i think it is wrong and unethical to take away buissness i mean these stores get most their profit from preowned games

[Cmosfm]

These threads seriously start to get old after a while.

Normally, this type of thread breaks people off into those who understand buisness and the way it works and those who think Gamestop is ripping them off becuase they don't get 45.00 trade in credit for a game they paid 50.00 for last year.

You have to understand people, game stores make NOTHING off of new systems and games...5-10.00 each. And in buisness sense, that's nothing...it's piddly. Now how are they going to make up losses and stay in buisness? hmmm, how about give billy 20.00 trade in credit for a game we can sell for 40.00! 20.00 profit right there!

Sorry people, but if you don't understand how the buisness world works, don't argue your naive little "points".

I know if I owned a game store, and someone came in with a copy of Resident Evil Outbreak, and I was going to give him 15.00 and he was happy with that...then some little prick comes up and says "Ill give you 20!"...he's out of the store, and he won't be coming back. Taking profit from a store is wrong, basically it's the same as stealing...you stole there potential profits.

So continue arguing, nothing I say is going to make the whiny "gamestop'z A RIPoFF!!!!!!" children understand the buisness world.

[waxHead]

These threads seriously start to get old after a while.

Normally, this type of thread breaks people off into those who understand buisness and the way it works and those who think Gamestop is ripping them off becuase they don't get 45.00 trade in credit for a game they paid 50.00 for last year.

You have to understand people, game stores make NOTHING off of new systems and games...5-10.00 each. And in buisness sense, that's nothing...it's piddly. Now how are they going to make up losses and stay in buisness? hmmm, how about give billy 20.00 trade in credit for a game we can sell for 40.00! 20.00 profit right there!

Sorry people, but if you don't understand how the buisness world works, don't argue your naive little "points".

I know if I owned a game store, and someone came in with a copy of Resident Evil Outbreak, and I was going to give him 15.00 and he was happy with that...then some little prick comes up and says "Ill give you 20!"...he's out of the store, and he won't be coming back. Taking profit from a store is wrong, basically it's the same as stealing...you stole there potential profits.

So continue arguing, nothing I say is going to make the whiny "gamestop'z A RIPoFF!!!!!!" children understand the buisness world.

do you think stating your points in such a condescending tone is helping resolve the issue?

[elprincipe]

You got some great games. Good for you! My point is they sold these games new for a profit. Lets say $50 a pop plus tax. Then I bring them back and they give in average $12 each but here is the catch no tax added to that credit. Yet when you bought those used games on average $25 each you also paid tax. If they dont give me tax on my used game how can they charge it on the same game when they sell it. That sounds a bit illegal too. This is why I dont feel bad for any of these chain stores.

Do you know why they don't give you the $12 + tax? Because you aren't an agency which collects tax dollars for the US government that would then pass the money on to the government. Do you think they just keep the tax money and laugh all the way to the bank? No, they hold it in specialized accounts and then send a big check to the government every month. This happens on the sale of a new or used game. In fact, it happens on every sale, at every business, everywhere in America. And they probably put money aside to pay for the taxes when they purchase an item secondhand, although I can't be sure about that. I don't know where the re-purchase of used goods would be categorized for taxing purposes.

Thank you for posting this, although I will point out that the US government gets NOTHING, nada, zero, zilch from your paying sales tax. Sales taxes are set and go to state governments in the United States. The federal government has plenty of other ways to bleed us dry, unfortunately.

[BABETOOTH]

CaptainObviousXl
Please leave me out of your crap... As for the Bunnyman "Cmosfm" you sound like a winner. If you kick people out of your store that means even less profit. May be the person you kick out tells his friends not to go to your store. Believe me there are plenty of places where you can buy videogames. Best thing one can do is be nice to customers. That along with good prices translates into more sales!!!

[paz9x]

undercutters pizza. Just imagine the undercutters games sequel.

[dracula]

[quote=BABETOOTH]

Do you know why they don't give you the $12 + tax? Because you aren't an agency which collects tax dollars for the US government that would then pass the money on to the government. Do you think they just keep the tax money and laugh all the way to the bank? No, they hold it in specialized accounts and then send a big check to the government every month. This happens on the sale of a new or used game. In fact, it happens on every sale, at every business, everywhere in America.




Not in oregon :P. BTW, just curious if any of you live in oregon, are your states infrastructure(roads. public works, schools) hurting because of the lack of sales tax? I would like to see higher cigarette taxes, make them $20 per pack and that would be fine with me.

[dracula]

These threads seriously start to get old after a while.

Normally, this type of thread breaks people off into those who understand buisness and the way it works and those who think Gamestop is ripping them off becuase they don't get 45.00 trade in credit for a game they paid 50.00 for last year.

Well I agree and disagree about this, look at MVP 2004. I fully know that it will be selling for $3 new when MVP 2005 comes out next year, so I have no problem waiting 11 months being the cheap ass that I am. I think EA and the other sports games makers could do is just put out an expansion pack every year with updated rosters and sell it for $20 new rather than make a new game, it would cost less to make and be a great deal for the consumer and the publisher, right?

Just look at the madden games, they were great for the genesis 12 years ago, and I still play my john madden championship edition with all the great old teams.

But back on topic, I would LOVE it if stores didnt give their employees the opportunity to snipe games before they go on the shelves.

If I am in a gamestop, and someone tries to trade in old school games(snes, nes, genny, dc) and the store no longer takes it, I will have a look at it and ask to meet them outside if I have any interest in it. That is the only time I ever interefere with a gamestop or EB, if they no longer accept what the person is trying to trade in.

The only problem is that gamecrazy, gamestop and eb have employees that call dibs on the good games that get traded in and the good games never make it to the shelf, so doesnt the store lose business for that? The employee will just snipe the game before it hits the shelves and the customers lose out on getting to buy the good games that got traded in and the employees that snipe the good games just turn around and sell it on ebay.

as for the regmonkey(i think his namne was gizmogc) who works at gamecrazy and said,"do that in my store and I would never let you back in" well in another thread he was saying how he snipes the games he knows have a good trade value at another store, and uses his employee discount at his store to buy the game on the cheap and then resells it at gamestop/eb. He abuses the system just as much as the kids who offer one dollar more of the trade in value for it at the store. Can you spell H-Y-P-O-C-R-I-T-E??? That kind of thing really makes me sick. It is employess like gizmogc that make his particular gamecrazy have such a sh!tty selection, and when you hear about regmonkeys that give their store a bad name, think of gizmogc.

[Ledhed]

But back on topic, I would LOVE it if stores didnt give their employees the opportunity to snipe games before they go on the shelves.

I'd like to agree with you on this, because you are right, we definitely get the upper hand here, and that is a bit unfair. Still, this is one of the few benefits available to employees at these stores. Most of the people I've ever known who work at GameStop are working there because they are collectors. It's pretty much the reason I still work there, seeing as how our discount has been slowly and methodically excised out of relevance. The whole 'buy it with discount, sell it on ebay' thing isn't as widespread as people think. Like I said, people work there because they like videogames and they know this is one of the best ways to get the upperhand in terms of collecting them.

If youare so concerned with this, why not try to get a job at one of these stores and have that benefit for yourself? You seem like a very intelligent person and I can't see any reason why you wouldn't get hired. During your interview though, don't say "Man, all I do is play man. Nothin' else. I'm just what you need, cuz all I ever do is play games man." I GUARANTEE you won't get the job then.

[The Successful Dropout]

yeah....my gfs looking for a job....shes thinking of target or some cellphone place....im trying to push her into working at gamestop so she can hook me up....if she does...(which i doubt)....i will never have any money due to all of the "first dibs"....or maybe ill save money due to getting them while they're not rare and too expensive...who knows?

has anyone else had their gf get a job somewhere just to benefit yourself? lol....or am i the only asshole?

[Ledhed]

My girlfriend works at Pizza Hut. We had about $36 worth of 'borrowed' pizza not more than 2 hours ago.

[The Successful Dropout]

nice....maybe i can get my gf to work at gamestop and own $3600 worth of "borrowed" video games

[jetblac]

I did this twice once I got gta 3 for 6 bucks. the next time the seller said no. I offered him $5 more. guess he didn't want me to take advantage of his loss. Must of been a tight ass

[Reality's Fringe]

I don't mind it, as if the person accepts your offer then it's less paper work for me to fill out. All I ask is that you take it outside, or at the very least out of earshot(as someone mentioned before, that IS considered solicitation). The only way it would upset me is if I was about to jump on a game and someone got the upper hand!

[dracula]

But back on topic, I would LOVE it if stores didnt give their employees the opportunity to snipe games before they go on the shelves.

I'd like to agree with you on this, because you are right, we definitely get the upper hand here, and that is a bit unfair. Still, this is one of the few benefits available to employees at these stores. Most of the people I've ever known who work at GameStop are working there because they are collectors. It's pretty much the reason I still work there, seeing as how our discount has been slowly and methodically excised out of relevance. The whole 'buy it with discount, sell it on ebay' thing isn't as widespread as people think. Like I said, people work there because they like videogames and they know this is one of the best ways to get the upperhand in terms of collecting them.

If youare so concerned with this, why not try to get a job at one of these stores and have that benefit for yourself? You seem like a very intelligent person and I can't see any reason why you wouldn't get hired. During your interview though, don't say "Man, all I do is play man. Nothin' else. I'm just what you need, cuz all I ever do is play games man." I GUARANTEE you won't get the job then.

Well I already have a job as a schoolteacher(substitute/halftime) but I may try to get a job at a thrift shop over the summer. For one thing, I could get to snipe stuff that comes in for much cheaper, and another thing, those places like GS, EB, and GC wouldnt pay me enough(not that thrift shops pay great money, they dont but I would be able to snipe valuable stuff that comes in and not just games).

My time is valuable, I cant work for $9 per hour, I am 27 years old and have to worry about more important things than games like paying the rent. BUT that is ultimately why I think most of the employees at GS, EB, and GC are ok, sure there are a few bad apples, but most of them are pretty cool, as long as they arent assholes, I am fine with them. And yeah I know most of them arent total ebay whores.

[JSweeney]

Well I already have a job as a schoolteacher(substitute/halftime)

Is this a man you want influencing your children?

I kid, I kid.

:)

[Quackzilla]

Well if you know a foreign language and you see someone who looks like they may talk that language (like you know japanese and the customer is asian, or know italian and the customer is italian, etc.) you can try and talk to them about buying the game directly without the cashier knowing.

Ofcourse, they could be american born and only speak english, making you look like a fool. Then I laugh at you, ha ha ha.

[Delta]

I say let the people who trade in games get ripped off. They're either lazy or not very intelligent. I could trade in a game at EB and get $10 or sell it on ebay and get $25. Hmmm...what to do?

[weimerwanger]

on the subject of being hired at gs/eb:
one time i was in line at gamestop and the man in front of me was in a shirt and tie and had no games in his hand for purchase. when it was his turn at the register he opened a leather-bound portfolio thingy and handed a fancy resume to the cashier.
and he wasnt applying for a managers position :?
i thought it was pretty funny

[dracula]

on the subject of being hired at gs/eb:
one time i was in line at gamestop and the man in front of me was in a shirt and tie and had no games in his hand for purchase. when it was his turn at the register he opened a leather-bound portfolio thingy and handed a fancy resume to the cashier.
and he wasnt applying for a managers position :?
i thought it was pretty funny

I think it is a good idea to wear pants anytime you are applying for a job, it looks more professional, but I doubt he will wear a tie to work at his GS job

[CaseyRyback]

undercutters pizza. Just imagine the undercutters games sequel.

I guess no one caught that. That is quite possibly my favorite Tom Green sketch. The way he jumps out and approaches people always makes me laugh so hard