New game but already opened??

[darisma]

Would you buy a new game but it is not really new? Like sometimes at Gamestop when they tell you they only have one last copy left for the NEW game. They go find you the game then get the box from the display shelf and the game from their cd case and still sell it to you as NEW. What's up with that? Who knows if the employee already took turn playing that game and etc. But the bottom line is once they opened the case they should not just sell it as a new game!

[AngellicLulu]

Would you rather the store raise prices to their games because of the theft involved with leaving the game unopened on the shelves?
Most managers do not allow those store copies to be played. There are some cases where managers allow employees to check those out, which shouldn't be allowed.
It's a good practice to leave the last copy case empty and on the store floor and have the disc behind the counter and I have bought many copies like this. It is a bad practice but entirely the fault of the store manager to allow those discs to leave the store. Everytime I have gotten the opened New copy it was in prestine condition but I have heard about problems with Gamestop in particular. I can tell you that the EB I started working at does not allow those discs to leave or be played at all.

[nwaugh]

You know, I hated the practice before this weekend, and now I hate it even more. I watched a GameStop employee "check out" an unopened copy of Condemned. I was there for Resident Evil 4, and asked for a copy. They had an opened one that the clerk claimed to still be new. I asked how many employees had checked it out, and the clerk responded "none, but only because none of us own a Gamecube. It's a great game."

[b3b0p]

Just don't buy it. Take your business and money someplace else.

[nwaugh]

Would you rather the store raise prices to their games because of the theft involved with leaving the game unopened on the shelves?

I'd rather them spend the extra 50 cents and print a display insert for the games if they're so intent on having a copy for customers to handle, just as TRU has started doing. Opening a new game and using as a display copy is the worst option available to Gamestop/EBGames.

It's a good practice to leave the last copy case empty and on the store floor and have the disc behind the counter and I have bought many copies like this.

When it comes down to it, the stores should simply not try to sell opened games as new. This isn't acceptable retail practice anywhere else, and it shouldn't be accepted at game stores. I don't care if the disc hasn't even left the case, an opened game isn't in the same conition that it left the factory in, and shouldn't be sold as such.

Don't get me started on stores that re-seal games.

[guardian_owl]

I have never liked the practice, I don't care what if they say it is new and unplayed, then you have all those ugly stickers all over the case, an opened fuglied box game should not sell for the same price as a factory sealed game. If they want to continue the practice, knock $2 or something off the price of the display copy and I imagine they'll be a lot less hating of the policy.

[Rig]

Depends on the condition to me. I've had some that were in perfect condition, whereas other opened copies already had scratches on the disc...I pass the scratched ones up.

[nwaugh]

Just don't buy it. Take your business and money someplace else.
Certainly. I'd just like to think that there is a middle ground that would allow game stores to still get my money and allow me to get a product that i'm satisfied with. I support competition and know that without game retailers competing against big box stores we would have a lot fewer cheap ass games. Their questionable practices make it hard to support them, though.

[botticus]

My only problem with it is that once you buy it, it's a big pain to return if the need arises. I went through that with Killer 7. Bought it online (cheap), but it seemed that my order was never going to ship. Went to the store, they actually took the plastic off of a sealed case, but it was empty, and then they put a disc in it. I finally received my online order a few days later, went to return the store copy... and they didn't want to take it. I didn't really care, so I gave them the sealed copy that arrived in the mail and kept the store copy. It is still somewhat silly though.

[battleroyal33]

I have bought a few games like this from EB b&m, last one being Ys for the PS2 some months back, as long as the disc is not scratched and the case not covered in stickers( 1 is ok but more than that I start to rethink it) I dont mind, Im opening and playing the game soon anyways. Now if they try this with a scratched up disc or a copy that you know has been played or used, well then its used and should be sold as used.

[GuilewasNK]

Would you buy a new game but it is not really new? Like sometimes at Gamestop when they tell you they only have one last copy left for the NEW game. They go find you the game then get the box from the display shelf and the game from their cd case and still sell it to you as NEW. What's up with that? Who knows if the employee already took turn playing that game and etc. But the bottom line is once they opened the case they should not just sell it as a new game!

I don't care for the practice but I'll buy it if it is something that I can't find locally and something I will play right away anyways. I inspect the the disc before I buy it. Otherwise I'll just go elsewhere. Why Gamestop and EB don't just use the flip cards like TRU is something I don't understand though. Even if they did the ghetto thing and just photocopied the covers it would be better. I doubt it will change anytime soon since they merged.

[AngellicLulu]

I'd rather them spend the extra 50 cents and print a display insert for the games if they're so intent on having a copy for customers to handle, just as TRU has started doing. Opening a new game and using as a display copy is the worst option available to Gamestop/EBGames.



When it comes down to it, the stores should simply not try to sell opened games as new. This isn't acceptable retail practice anywhere else, and it shouldn't be accepted at game stores. I don't care if the disc hasn't even left the case, an opened game isn't in the same conition that it left the factory in, and shouldn't be sold as such.

Don't get me started on stores that re-seal games.
It's foolish to compare EB/Gamestop to Toys R Us. EB/Gamestop doesn't nearly have the same security measures as Toys R US or the staff. That's not the worst option it's the easiest option. To fault a chain of stores for using the most cost beneficial method of selling their games is silly. The game is still "new", it's just not "sealed". Sure I personally think the company should give a slight discount for the final copies that are opened, maybe 5% off or something.

If you don't want the game to play, then refuse to buy the opened copy. To completely redo all their stores to change to printed out versions of the games would be time consuming and foolish. If that's the solution you have then you need to consider that unlike Toys R Us, EB and Gamestop carries many more games. They'd have to print out much more than Toys R Us and would have to completely redo their stores which would take time. Each EB/Gamestop only has maybe 5 FT employees, and aren't alloted many hours for PT. The store would probably have to be closed for a full day to redo each store and the lost revune wouldn't be worth the few gamers that refuse to purchase the opened copies.

[Mafia]

Personally, once it has been opened, I don't think they should be selling it as new and would be much better off just taking the couple dollars loss and not trying to decieve their customers into thinking that they are getting a new game. This shit wouldn't fly on eBay and other major retailers either have to mark it down and sell it as opened/repackaged or send it back.

Anyone know of any state or federal laws against this practice?

[gunm]

Personally, once it has been opened, I don't think they should be selling it as new and would be much better off just taking the couple dollars loss and not trying to decieve their customers into thinking that they are getting a new game. This shit wouldn't fly on eBay and other major retailers either have to mark it down and sell it as opened/repackaged or send it back.

I agree--most stores won't accept opened merchandise as new, so why should consumers? As others have said, if I was in that situation, I'd take my business elsewhere.

I think there is/are law(s) that prohibits selling used items as "new", but I'm too lazy to look them up.

[urzishra14]

bah.. reasons why i only purchase used games.. same quality but a buttload of markdown

[DOMINATOR912]

IMO, if it ain't sealed, it ain't new. The only time I bought a display copy was for Aria of Sorrow, and that's because I knew I wasn't going to find it elsewhere. It's because of crap like this (and trade-in prices) that I only go to EB for games that I absolutely MUST have on release day. For anything else, I simply go to CC or BB.

[Pancake Rabbit]

I don't shop at eb or gamestop for this reason. oh and the fact they rip people off.

[GuilewasNK]

IMO, if it ain't sealed, it ain't new. True.

I work in a college bookstore and if we get new items returned with the plastic off we kock off some of the price. It isn't used but it isn't new either if it isn't being sold in the same condition that it arrived from the vendors in. If we do product returns the vendors certainly wouldn't take them back with the plastic off.

[souljah420]

This happened to me recently at ebgames. I ended up buying the game (gunvalkyrie) because I had never even seen it at another store. I do think the practice is bullshit though.

[DomLando]

Hasnt this been discussed many times before??

[Mono`]

If it's the last one and you don't like it you're out of luck but if you're desperate for the game don't bitch about it.:bomb::bomb:

[GuilewasNK]

Hasnt this been discussed many times before??

Yeah but some people may have never been to Gamestop or EB before.

[Fox5]

What about when someone returns a game and they resell it as new? I've seen that happen before if the returned game is in good condition.

[phantomer]

it's eve worse when they reseal opened/display copies and sell em as new. i got riddick for xbox last blackfriday at eb for $10 and it was resealed, with small scratches on the disc.

[CYRiX]

As long as they reseal it and sell it as a used price I kinda like it, cuz that protects it from slippery hands in the store.

[Radioactive_Man]

"oh it's a gut copy, no thanks then"

That's all that needs to be done. Don't like it then GTFO it's not like any of you guys shop a GS, seeing as most of you think they are the devil store.

[argyle]

Hasnt this been discussed many times before??


Many, many, many, MANY times before...

I personally think it's stupid because:

A) If it's not scratched, then I'm about to remove the shrinkwrap just after buying it anyway, so why do I care

and

B) As everyone has said, they don't twist your arm and MAKE you buy that copy - you can go somewhere else if you're that anal about it.

But I'm sure this argument will pop up eternally for the rest of our lives.

[GuilewasNK]

Many, many, many, MANY times before...

I personally think it's stupid because:

A) If it's not scratched, then I'm about to remove the shrinkwrap just after buying it anyway, so why do I care

and

B) As everyone has said, they don't twist your arm and MAKE you buy that copy - you can go somewhere else if you're that anal about it.

But I'm sure this argument will pop up eternally for the rest of our lives.

I think boils down to the price being the same as a factory sealed item. I always just politely decline if I am not pleased. We should ask Cheapy how they do it in Japan.

[Staraang21]

i don't understand why these stores can't ask the game companies to send them an empty case. problem solved.

[Quigoni]

I think it's BS that GameStop was selling some anime DVDs that had beat to crap boxes (with no discs in them anyway). Then they went and sealed the damn box after they put the discs in there for me (why they did this after I specifically asked them not to I don't know). They were selling them as new but since they were trying to get rid of their anime collection, it was half off.

Only because it was half off did I continue the purchase after inspecting the condition of the "new" box.

I feel bad for the people who got beat up boxes and decided to pay full price anyway!

[uzumaki_star]

I just don't buy anything new from Gamestop and EB anyway for the fact it is easier to return used ones than new ones.

[souldreamx]

If I'm getting a really good price on it (like the buy one, get one free on $18.99 and under games at Game Crazy on Black Friday), I'm not really going to complain. But my biggest issue with it is that you just don't know. I really hate buying a "new" game as a gift for someone and then finding out that it looks like it's used. If it's the shelf copy, well, then fine, but a lot of the EBs/GameStops around here will pull out a case from behind the counter and then put the game inside. I know that at least one of the GameStops around here lets employees play games and then sells them as new (my sister did that once when she was working there and ended up feeling so guilty about it that she just bought the game anyway). Maybe it's still "new" if the game was just removed and has not been played, but as soon as that game is being handled and has entered a game console, it's just not that much different from a used game, is it? I mean, when you sell back a game, there's no price difference whether it's lightly used or if it's been thrown around a bit, is there? I understand the need for display copies of games, but ususally when you purchase display merchandise from a store, you get it at a discount. I mean, even a dollar off or something, just to acknowledge that it's not the same as a factory-sealed version you might get elsewhere.

It's usually not a big deal if you're just going to open it and play it anyway. But it's a pain when I'm buying a game as a gift, as I often do. My biggest problem is that you just don't know the condition you're buying your "new" game in, and if you need to return it, you're often SOL.

[AlanSaysYo]

To me, the game becomes used when the plastic wrapper comes off the case. Simple as that.

But when you look at what happens with other "new" products, this EB/Gamestop thing really isn't that uncommon...

You never know how many people have tried on a shirt before you buy it, how many people have put their stinky feet in a pair of new shoes, or how many people have had their greasey mitts on the steering wheel of a new car (which may have a thousand miles on it by the time you get it). Of course, all three usually don't come in sealed packaging, but you get the idea.

[freestyledust77]

If a customer has an issue in my store, i give 10% off, never have had a complaint yet/

[Puffa469]

If a customer has an issue in my store, i give 10% off, never have had a complaint yet/

Thats the way it should be.

Personally, I dont have a problem as long as the game isnt all beat up. I do inspect a 'new' opened game before I buy it tho.

I generally buy used games and rarely buy a new game. If I do its usually cos Im buying it on launch day. In that case, especially if Im paying $50 for a game, I would only buy a sealed version. it works out tho cos if your buying on launch day, the boxes on the shelves are usually fakes so theres no opened display copy to worry about buying.

[CaoPi]

how bout used DVDS then can they be returned at ebgames, gamestop if you don't like them?

[RAMSTORIA]

I'd rather them spend the extra 50 cents and print a display insert for the games if they're so intent on having a copy for customers to handle, just as TRU has started doing. Opening a new game and using as a display copy is the worst option available to Gamestop/EBGames.



.50 x 2000+ games x 10,000+ stores = a lot of money 10 million dollars or so, probably more if you think about how many games and stores there are

[crystalklear64]

I hate this as well. If I'm going to be paying retail price for a game I want the thing to be sealed and untouched with no stupid stickers and stuff all over the case. This was strange to me on black friday because I shop at Ebgames all the time. However, I've only ever bought used games from there. When I bought Jade Empire and Fable:TLC new, they brought out the empty case and a disk. I was a little peeved, but I guess its my bad for not buying it at Best Buy or somewhere.

[evophile]

I understand the need for display copies of games, but ususally when you purchase display merchandise from a store, you get it at a discount. I mean, even a dollar off or something, just to acknowledge that it's not the same as a factory-sealed version you might get elsewhere.

This is true. I see this at BB and CC all the time. I was at CC yesterday and they had a "new" display HDTV on sale, yet at a discount. BB and CC do this all the time and usually throw them in the "open box" category with a discount which is what EB/GS should do.

I think that is the major problem with what goes on at EB/GS is that they don't do this but more so the fact that they sell USED items as well. They are trying to sell you something, that aside from varying physical condition can qualify as exactly the same as another product they sell; yet for a cheaper price.

CC and BB have a lot more expensive things to have to display than EB/GS ever will. You can't photocopy a picture of the TV and put it up. I know it's expensive and not totally feasible but EB/GS could do it with games. Or even easier they could just take a couple dollars off and no one would say anything at all I bet.

[niceguyshawne]

I usually don't mind if the game is in good shape when I check however I bought a display copy of Goldeneye: RA for the Gamecube from the Sam Goody sale the other day. Disc one was fine and I didn't think to check the second disc. When I got to the second disc, the GC wouldn't read it. When I pulled it out I understood why. It looked like someone had wiped with it. After some cleaning it did work, I am just waiting for it to lock up. (probably on the last level).

Lesson learned, always check BOTH discs.

[m0dem]

the only reason I dont like it because if you dont want it and didnt play it you cant return it

[Radioactive_Man]

the only reason I dont like it because if you dont want it and didnt play it you cant return it

Now that's a reason to be mad. When I sell a game that is a gut copy, I put one of those circle seals on it, you don't break it then bring it back.

Another thing, kinda off topic, when we get returns we sometimes open them. Why? Because some jack offs think they are smart and open the game then shrink wrap it back up without the game or a stupid ass AOL cd. So you can blame those people for me having to open another copy of the game. Cause I sure as shit ain't giving that guy $50 for a AOL cd.

[crystalklear64]

Now that's a reason to be mad. When I sell a game that is a gut copy, I put one of those circle seals on it, you don't break it then bring it back.

Another thing, kinda off topic, when we get returns we sometimes open them. Why? Because some jack offs think they are smart and open the game then shrink wrap it back up without the game or a stupid ass AOL cd. So you can blame those people for me having to open another copy of the game. Cause I sure as shit ain't giving that guy $50 for a AOL cd.
Yea whenever I get stuff with that seal, I make sure to take the time to peel it off nice and slowly so If needed, I can stick it back on for a return.

[GizmoGC]

Can we just sticky this post so we don't have to hear about how horriable it is every day to have to pay full price for an 'opened' copy of a supposed 'new game'. Its SHOCKING!

How can they do that? Isn't illegal? We should start a petition! They got sued before, ya know. Lets never shop there again. We should demand a discount. We need to call their DMs. Lets picket! WE KNOW

[asianxcore]

at TRU we can order specific clamshells for games, so that we don't have to open copies to let customers know we have them. EB isn't above this. they have plenty of stuff in their store that are clamshelled, and you have to bring the empty copy up to pick up a real copy.

i don't really mind if the copy is opened and it is flawless. but there was one time I bought a copy of SMT: Nocturne for full price, and the disc looked like it was put through sandpaper. I had to go to a video store and pay to get it repaired. the whole keeping things in ziplock bags is lame too, doesn't protect it very well. I know here on the westcoast, The Wherehouse, used to keep their expensive used DVD set discs in Case Logic cases until a customer wanted to come get it.

also with GBA games that are last copy, who knows how many kids grab stuff in an EB and smash the box to hell, sure that isn't their fault entirely, but I shouldn't have to pay a new price for stuff like that.

[Radioactive_Man]

Yea whenever I get stuff with that seal, I make sure to take the time to peel it off nice and slowly so If needed, I can stick it back on for a return.

http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0VAAAAGcaT3wFZRJvWQa9GpWamtgiMDvppInIPk9pGpyy5XkNN 0I15zWUOhGr3nlDoWpCX6GGsbvdf4mOfJhja!CofBv8Gsfzdjg 4oupmfdKRgm8FhTHfrBt1BEyTjC7X/16x16_smiley-indifferent2.gif

[masha]

Girl was a virgin but a little bit pregnant. :-s

[DigitalSpace]

I've bought them before, usually when they're cheap enough that it's not an issue (like $4.99 games at EB), or if I can't find a copy anywhere else. The games are always in excellent shape.

[mietha]

Only on a game that is a REALLY good deal. I would NEVER pay full price for an opened game. I don't give a shit what they say, if it's not sealed, it's not new. And to any moron who argues for it, they could always just use demo/fake boxes like toys r us. There is absolutely no reason to use this method and one of the main reasons I only go to EB if there is no other choice.

[DuelLadyS]

I feel like arguging the other side for shits and giggles today...

Sure, they could do the photocopy thing. But there's 2 problems with that. Someone's gotta pay for the copies- good quality color copies are not cheap, and since there's bound to be stupid people stealing empty game cases, they'll need backups. And I do believe that someone paying for it is us, the customer. You want to pay another $1.50 per game to cover the costs of copies? I don't, not really.

Plus, someone's gotta actually cut out the copies, put them in cases, and put them on the shelves while taking down the real cases, them re-assemble the real cases... make that another $2-3 per game. That's a lot of extra manhours to pay for, exspecially with the holidays and having to take time off and explain to an idiot that no, 5-year-old Billy cannot get Mario on the PlayStation 360, even though he asked for it.

Oh yeah... in order to make that photocopy... you STILL have to gut a copy to get the cover paper out. How does that help? And what happens if the copy guy manages to close a cover in the process? You wanna buy a game with the display copy case? (I actually have a friend who had to take a display case for her FF X-2 for this reason.)

I'm all for a 5-10% off display copies when it's the last one in the store, tho'. Cheapasses are happy, and the amount is so nominal the gamestores probably wouldn't notice the difference... but, unless we all quit buying gutted copies (including idiot Billy's parents) that won't happen.

[Raider]

I feel like arguging the other side for shits and giggles today...

Sure, they could do the photocopy thing. But there's 2 problems with that. Someone's gotta pay for the copies- good quality color copies are not cheap, and since there's bound to be stupid people stealing empty game cases, they'll need backups. And I do believe that someone paying for it is us, the customer. You want to pay another $1.50 per game to cover the costs of copies? I don't, not really.

Plus, someone's gotta actually cut out the copies, put them in cases, and put them on the shelves while taking down the real cases, them re-assemble the real cases... make that another $2-3 per game. That's a lot of extra manhours to pay for, exspecially with the holidays and having to take time off and explain to an idiot that no, 5-year-old Billy cannot get Mario on the PlayStation 360, even though he asked for it.

Oh yeah... in order to make that photocopy... you STILL have to gut a copy to get the cover paper out. How does that help? And what happens if the copy guy manages to close a cover in the process? You wanna buy a game with the display copy case? (I actually have a friend who had to take a display case for her FF X-2 for this reason.)


The main reason I don't shop at EB Games and Gamestop is because of this. It always seems that they never have any sealed copies of the game and want to sell you the one that's been opened.

There are many options like others have said that can be done, it just seems that they don't want to change things because they are still selling things so people must be buying open games as new so there is no need for them to change. Until people stop buying games there they will not change their policy. Other stores have to lock up their games (Wal-Mart, Target, K-Mart) while other stores have their games in a security case (Best Buy, Circuit City) or stores like Toys "R" Us have empty fake copies of the game then you take it to the counter for a sealed version. I'm sure Toys R Us get's copies of the covers from the publishers for free, or at little cost. Maybe someone who works there knows? I'm sure if a company is buying X number of copies of your game they will work with you to get you what you need for you to sell their product.

[flaprabbit]

The only problems I've had with display copies is sometimes the clerk will look at the disk and if there is a spot or a mark on it, they will wipe the disk on their shirt, multiple times. I don't want it after that.

[Damanthia]

As long as they reseal it and sell it as a used price I kinda like it, cuz that protects it from slippery hands in the store.

I just have one thing to add to this discussion that it doesn't look like was mentioned in this thread (but likely has been in many others.) When EB used to allow returns of open and played games that cutomers decided they did not want, these games were frequently resealed and sold as new. A game could have been heavily abused for a couple weeks by customers and then it was just resealed to cover this up.

This is one reason I like the fact that the Xbox stickers usually cover all three sides of the case. It is fairly easy to spot a resealing job, but some distributors actually seal their new games like this - with the cheaper shrinkwrap. If there are no manufacturer stickers there isn't an easy way to actually know if it is really new and therefore what the disk might look like on the inside.

[MetroidFan1164]

I've bought them before, usually when they're cheap enough that it's not an issue (like $4.99 games at EB), or if I can't find a copy anywhere else. The games are always in excellent shape.

Same here, I've never had a problem!

[CarmenJubei]

of course not! it is actually ridiculous, and they are dishonest

[Josef]

I personally hate this practice but I will say this: At least Gamestop usually only guts one copy of each title. EB guts 3, 5, 10 or more copies!

At one of the local EB's they gut every single copy of small release DS games that come in! Is there really a need for this? There's no room in the back to store the other copies after the first one is gutted?

[schuerm26]

It's foolish to compare EB/Gamestop to Toys R Us. EB/Gamestop doesn't nearly have the same security measures as Toys R US or the staff. That's not the worst option it's the easiest option. To fault a chain of stores for using the most cost beneficial method of selling their games is silly. The game is still "new", it's just not "sealed". Sure I personally think the company should give a slight discount for the final copies that are opened, maybe 5% off or something.

If you don't want the game to play, then refuse to buy the opened copy. To completely redo all their stores to change to printed out versions of the games would be time consuming and foolish. If that's the solution you have then you need to consider that unlike Toys R Us, EB and Gamestop carries many more games. They'd have to print out much more than Toys R Us and would have to completely redo their stores which would take time. Each EB/Gamestop only has maybe 5 FT employees, and aren't alloted many hours for PT. The store would probably have to be closed for a full day to redo each store and the lost revune wouldn't be worth the few gamers that refuse to purchase the opened copies.

That is ridiculous. Gamestop has better security. Have you ever been to a Toy's R US. The employees are mostly morons. Gamestop has much better security due to the store being tiny. EB Games and Gamestop carry more games than Toy's R Us because the carry used games. They get almost the exact amount of NEW games. You don't need printouts for used games since it is already open. You can take the disc out and display the actual case. Don't be stupid. If Toys R Us can do it, Gamestop can do it.

[schuerm26]

I know that at least one of the GameStops around here lets employees play games and then sells them as new (my sister did that once when she was working there and ended up feeling so guilty about it that she just bought the game anyway). SOL.

Why don't you report them to the better business bureau then. If they are doing that it is illegal. If enough people report them that might change some of the practices.

[zionoverfire]

at TRU we can order specific clamshells for games, so that we don't have to open copies to let customers know we have them. EB isn't above this. they have plenty of stuff in their store that are clamshelled, and you have to bring the empty copy up to pick up a real copy.

Often when they leave out the case it has the manual inside, this allows some customers, like me to browse through the manual since it's typically more discriptive than the case and far more informative than most store employees.


also with GBA games that are last copy, who knows how many kids grab stuff in an EB and smash the box to hell, sure that isn't their fault entirely, but I shouldn't have to pay a new price for stuff like that.

That I hate, I recentlly bought the display copy of Shining Force from a local EB and the box is bent and ripped and just to be extra nice they covered it in EB stickers.

[schuerm26]

I feel like arguging the other side for shits and giggles today...

Sure, they could do the photocopy thing. But there's 2 problems with that. Someone's gotta pay for the copies- good quality color copies are not cheap, and since there's bound to be stupid people stealing empty game cases, they'll need backups. And I do believe that someone paying for it is us, the customer. You want to pay another $1.50 per game to cover the costs of copies? I don't, not really.

Plus, someone's gotta actually cut out the copies, put them in cases, and put them on the shelves while taking down the real cases, them re-assemble the real cases... make that another $2-3 per game. That's a lot of extra manhours to pay for, exspecially with the holidays and having to take time off and explain to an idiot that no, 5-year-old Billy cannot get Mario on the PlayStation 360, even though he asked for it.

Oh yeah... in order to make that photocopy... you STILL have to gut a copy to get the cover paper out. How does that help? And what happens if the copy guy manages to close a cover in the process? You wanna buy a game with the display copy case? (I actually have a friend who had to take a display case for her FF X-2 for this reason.)

I'm all for a 5-10% off display copies when it's the last one in the store, tho'. Cheapasses are happy, and the amount is so nominal the gamestores probably wouldn't notice the difference... but, unless we all quit buying gutted copies (including idiot Billy's parents) that won't happen.

You're argument doesn't work. You said that dumbasses would steal the empty photo copied cases. If it would happen with photocopied cases, wouldn't it happen now with the real cases? Exactly. There wouldn't have to be a price increase because of that. As for the color photocopies. Toys R Us seems to be able to do it yet still charge the same price for a new game.

You wouldn't have to gut anything to get a photocopy of a game cover. They are readily available pretty much anywhere you want to look on the internet.

You just posted a terrible argument for the other side.