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my package arrrived yesterday. came in a box which was nice. some scuffing on yhr box which I suspect is from poor quality paint or paper used. got $14 back from Amazon

Storin, you got $14 back because of the damage?

And a future ban!

yeah for the damage. I wont be banned. I've had prime since they came out in 2005/2006

Originally Posted by storino03 yeah for the damage. I wont be banned. I've had prime since they came out in 2005/2006

Just be careful. Bans are based on number of concessions in a given time period, not seniority or loyalty or anything like that. Just don't ask for more concessions for a while or return large items and you should be fine.

When I got mine from Target a couple of weeks ago, they gave me a beaten up and damaged version despite having many fresh copies in the glass case. I was with family at the time so I didn't want to make a scene, but being the CAG I am I was extremely frustrated.

Then, I realized that I wasn't buying this as a collector, but rather as a normal person, where any normal person would unwrap the box immediately upon arriving home and throw away the outer packaging. Which I did, and I'm still enjoying the game and the gold Wiimote thoroughly.

Long story short, the condition of the outer box should have absolutely zero impact on whether or not you purchase this if you plan to actually play the game and use the Wiimote like I did. If you're like me, you're not going to need that box to package up the Wiimote again - you'll be using it!

My two cents.

I filled a complaint about my damaged box as well. Don't be afraid to if you get a bubble mailer... but from the sounds of it, they fixed it by using boxes now.

Got mine today in perfect condition from Amazon.

As far as the condition of the outer box, whether you're interested in keeping it or not is besides the point. If person pays the 'new' price for a new item, that item should be in new condition. Damage or dented boxes are not what you're paying for. There's already a precedent at Gamestop that they can get away with selling opened items as new, should we have a new precedent of retailers selling damaged or less than new condition items as new, for the same cost as non-damaged?

That's rhetorical of course. The point is the customer pays the cost of 'new' and they should get the item in new condition.

My two cents.

Complaining about the condition of the box only helps Amazon to know there is a problem and to know they need better packaging. I try to fill out the packaging feedback for everything I order. It is just an outer box but as said, you are buying something new and it should be as New.

I completely agree (as should everyone else, so no more companies can get away with it.)
Damaged items should never be sold as new. Scratched/scuffed/bent/broken, it doesn't matter, if it's damaged in any way (even if it is just the packaging) you should not have to pay full price.

Also it's the holiday season. What if these damaged items were intended as gifts? Are you going to give someone something that's damaged?

Originally Posted by HaloGX Got mine today in perfect condition from Amazon. As far as the condition of the outer box, whether you're interested in keeping it or not is besides the point. If person pays the 'new' price for a new item, that item should be in new condition. Damage or dented boxes are not what you're paying for. There's already a precedent at Gamestop that they can get away with selling opened items as new, should we have a new precedent of retailers selling damaged or less than new condition items as new, for the same cost as non-damaged? That's rhetorical of course. The point is the customer pays the cost of 'new' and they should get the item in new condition. My two cents.

Except the item in this case wasn't damaged. Not one bit. just the box. If you order a TV and the box has some dings, which they all have because most are shipped just like that without a separate box, is that grounds for returning it if the TV performs as advertised, which is what this guys actual game and controller did?

And it's SOOOOOOOO not the same thing as an opened game being sold as new. In one scenario they open a game, put it in a paper sleeve, leave the case out there for countless customers to handle and flip through the manual, then sell it to you as "new" for the same price as an unopened copy. In another, everything is new, sealed , and unopened, but the packaging is a little dinged up. Which happens to be the case with a lot of shit. I mean, if every customer returned perfectly working items because the packaging had some minor damage, retailers would be ed and people having an appliance in their house would be a rarity.

My three cents( I like to give the reader their moneys worth)

Originally Posted by JP73 Except the item in this case wasn't damaged. Not one bit. just the box. If you order a TV and the box has some dings, which they all have because most are shipped just like that without a separate box, is that grounds for returning it if the TV performs as advertised, which is what this guys actual game and controller did? And it's SOOOOOOOO not the same thing as an opened game being sold as new. In one scenario they open a game, put it in a paper sleeve, leave the case out there for countless customers to handle and flip through the manual, then sell it to you as "new" for the same price as an unopened copy. In another, everything is new, sealed , and unopened, but the packaging is a little dinged up. Which happens to be the case with a lot of shit. I mean, if every customer returned perfectly working items because the packaging had some minor damage, retailers would be ed and people having an appliance in their house would be a rarity. My three cents( I like to give the reader their moneys worth)

You are right, of course, but reason is unlikely to prevail in any discussion in which "collectors" are involved. You see, "collector" has lost its denotative meaning of "one who collects things" (as I do, and maybe you do too) and is now code for "whatever OCD or irrational behavior I want to engage in is acceptable and justifiable and who are you to judge."

Now, if the item is a gift, I do understand the concern. I too would not give a gift that was damaged even on the outside, because that sends a signal that either you're cheap (you bought them a damaged item at a discount) or that you're careless (didn't care enough to notice the damage or in fact damaged the item yourself in transit).

Originally Posted by JP73 Except the item in this case wasn't damaged. Not one bit. just the box. If you order a TV and the box has some dings, which they all have because most are shipped just like that without a separate box, is that grounds for returning it if the TV performs as advertised, which is what this guys actual game and controller did? And it's SOOOOOOOO not the same thing as an opened game being sold as new. In one scenario they open a game, put it in a paper sleeve, leave the case out there for countless customers to handle and flip through the manual, then sell it to you as "new" for the same price as an unopened copy. In another, everything is new, sealed , and unopened, but the packaging is a little dinged up. Which happens to be the case with a lot of shit. I mean, if every customer returned perfectly working items because the packaging had some minor damage, retailers would be ed and people having an appliance in their house would be a rarity. My three cents( I like to give the reader their moneys worth)

Really? You're comparing a TV box to a game box? Those are two different things. Maybe if the game boxes looked like a TV box, I'd see your point. And if the TV boxes looked more like game boxes (particularly Skyward Sword's), then I'd complain about the TV box too.

But what the user that posted right after my first posted, is a good point. It does help Amazon, or whomever, address a customer satisfaction concern. These companies are in business to serve us. We should be served as best as possible, and they should be aware of these things in order to serve us as best as possible.

You are right, of course, but reason is unlikely to prevail in any discussion in which "collectors" are involved. You see, "collector" has lost its denotative meaning of "one who collects things" (as I do, and maybe you do too) and is now code for "whatever OCD or irrational behavior I want to engage in is acceptable and justifiable and who are you to judge."

rofl. what does this even mean?

Originally Posted by KrayzieKMF my launch copy came in a box ymmv

Same. after hearing the horror stories on the boxes being demolished I feel sorry for you guys

Originally Posted by HaloGX Really? You're comparing a TV box to a game box? Those are two different things. Maybe if the game boxes looked like a TV box, I'd see your point. And if the TV boxes looked more like game boxes (particularly Skyward Sword's), then I'd complain about the TV box too. But what the user that posted right after my first posted, is a good point. It does help Amazon, or whomever, address a customer satisfaction concern. These companies are in business to serve us. We should be served as best as possible, and they should be aware of these things in order to serve us as best as possible.

I'm not sure what would be the difference between a game box or TV box. Are you planning on using the game box in a way which you wouldn't the TV box? In each case, it's just a box that holds the item you spend your money on. And I could see if you had an issue with the a game case being damaged. Why exactly is it unacceptable for this particular Zelda box to have flaws, but perfectly fine for a TV box? Will the Zelda box hold a position of power in your household, while the TV box is just a peasant box?

Another thing to note is the box is very poor thin and cheaply made. This isn't like the Mario All Stars Box. To call the box paper thin would only be a slight exaggeration. So maybe, to fulfill your needs to complain, you can try complaining to the manufacturer for making a box, which apparently is a potential deal breaker, so flimsy and low quality.

And like the other reasonable poster said, yes, i can perfectly understand wanting a decent condition box if this is a gift. But I didn't think this was an issue, as the gentleman with the Sonic Avatar who started this discussion clearly meant it to refer to people buying it for themselves. For obvious, though superficial, reasons, if you are giving it as a gift, then I perfectly understand wanting a box that isn't cosmetically challenged.

Originally Posted by nnthomas rofl. what does this even mean?

I believe it means that people who are anal, petty, and incredibly OCD hide behind the "collector" label. I uhhhh.... I thought that was pretty clear and straightforward

This should be obvious, but if you would like to respond to this, I would request that you please read everything I have to say first. Thanks!

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Nintendo has no excuse, of course. I don't think the companies should be allowed a pass on this one; if something is offered as new it should be offered in new condition - I completely agree with this notion. I have had a bad experience with Gamestop in the past when I returned an opened and clearly-used copy of SoulCalibur IV which had been sold to me as new, and vowed to never shop there again. So yes, I get it.

I believe this particular case to be different. In terms of practicality, it makes no real difference if the outside box is scuffed or dented, considering that the innards (the game, which is itself wrapped in plastic, and the Wii Remote) are in perfect condition, having never been opened. They're not "used" - the insides are very much "new". I can vouch for this from personal experience.

Truth be told, I think filing a complaint or sending an email to either Nintendo or the retailer is a rational and necessary step. In fact, I'll probably write a short note today to both Target and Nintendo because I didn't get the chance to speak my mind in the store (read my earlier post). What I don't think is so rational is non-collectors returning the game due to a dent or a blemish on the outside of the box, when a simple complaint will suffice. There's such a thing as doing something for the principle of the matter, but when have you crossed the reasonable boundaries of practicality for mere spite?

This was not a malicious incident on the parts of Nintendo or the retailers, not counting the asshole salesmen who will give you the worse copy first (but that's often because the management tells them to - having worked in retail, at Target no less, I can confirm that this is a common strategy and an order by management. YMMV, anyway.) If anyone is to blame, it would be the shipment companies charged with distributing these across the country... but even then, it was clearly accidental. Yes, this isn't an acceptable standard, but there really is no reason to punish the retailers by excessively returning copies that are functionally new.

Again, this is all very much IMO, so don't take this the wrong way - if you want to return your "damaged" copy for a new one, you have the right within the retailer's rules. That said, I believe the outer packaging of SS to be a rather insignificant part in the purchase of what is otherwise an excellent game and a great deal on a special edition Wii Remote, which doesn't warrant the complaints and all out rage that it's been getting. Call me crazy, but maybe the CAG mentality on this one is a little extreme.

I think I'm up to about 25 cents on my opinion, so I'll cut it off here. Sorry to butt-in, but please accept this argument from a concerned CAG.

Originally Posted by JP73 Except the item in this case wasn't damaged. Not one bit. just the box. If you order a TV and the box has some dings, which they all have because most are shipped just like that without a separate box, is that grounds for returning it if the TV performs as advertised, which is what this guys actual game and controller did? And it's SOOOOOOOO not the same thing as an opened game being sold as new. In one scenario they open a game, put it in a paper sleeve, leave the case out there for countless customers to handle and flip through the manual, then sell it to you as "new" for the same price as an unopened copy. In another, everything is new, sealed , and unopened, but the packaging is a little dinged up. Which happens to be the case with a lot of shit. I mean, if every customer returned perfectly working items because the packaging had some minor damage, retailers would be ed and people having an appliance in their house would be a rarity. My three cents( I like to give the reader their moneys worth)

The TV box comparison isn't a good one. People are not known to prop their TV box up on a shelf to display it also they do not have collectors edition TV's that I know of. TV boxes are also usually the shipping container, you could slap a label on a TV box and ship it, you do not do that with a video game box, you put it in another box for the very reason of protecting the inner box. If I bought a TV and the box was dinged up, I would refuse shipment or ask the store for another one because the outer damage may be a sign of damage to the TV. I wouldn't get to the point of asking for a return or compensation because I would not buy it in the first place. That is also the reason stores have "Dented box sales" because people do not want the TV when the box shows sign of damage even though the TV may be 100% fine inside.

Also, where would you draw the line for damaged boxes. Would you be ok with buying a new game and the bluray case being in pieces if the disc still works? Would it be ok if the bluray sleeve was in pieces but the disc still works? Would it be ok if the actual bluray's top surface was scratched up but the disc still works?

If you buy a new game, it should be new, period. The outer printed box should be pristine and there is no reason to say otherwise. If you are ok with the outer box being slightly damaged that is great but it is also a person opinion. Maybe you would be ok buying a bluray and having a shipping label slapped on it without any outer container I don't know.