Gamefly quality issues - scratched/chipped discs

A while back Gamefly stopped shipping rentals in the protective cardboard sleeve.

Since then, the quality of games that I have rented and bought has dropped dramatically. My rentals have been coming scratched, and most of them have had chips out of the end of the disc.

I am on my second copy of Medal of Honor : Airborne, and it doesn't work either. The disc has five chips on the edge. I bought 2 games a couple of weeks ago, and they were in less than stellar condition.

It's bad enough that I am considering dropping Gamefly. I've been a member for a year and a half, and I have mainly have kept it because of their good prices on used games - but if I'm going to keep getting scratched and chipped discs, it's not worth my time or money.

What about you other Gamefly subscribers? Have any of you had similar issues (specifically since GF dropped the cardboard insert)?

**EDIT** I wasn't sure where to put this topic, so Mod move it to wherever it belongs.

I've never used gamefly, but have you called them and complained? That's the first thing I would've done.

And if the service is as bad as you describe and it doesnt show any signs of getting better, I would cancel your sub.

I haven't been able to find a phone # for them on their site. If anyone has it, I'd appreciate it.

If they don't shape up, I will drop the service. It just blows - up until this problem started up, I was very happy with the service.

Looks like they only have email support.

http://gamefly.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/gamefly.cfg/php/enduser/ask.php

gamefly phone

888-986-6400

i only do dS and psp games never had a problem yet besides shipping

Thanks, slidecage - I'll give them an earful Monday.

i've been using gamefly for 5 or 6 months specifically for 360 games and have never had a problem with any games being chipped or too scratched to play.

I noticed the chips on the side...I don't think it affects gameplay but yeah, ever since they dropped the "protective sleeve" on their mailers, I've been getting more chipped discs and they are newly released games.

i have not noticed any problems with any of the games i have rented since they stopped using the cardboard. maybe i have just been getting lucky

Thank you OP. I was reconsidering renewing my membership but if they don't use the cardboard protector anymore I'm not going to resubscribe.

This is the email I sent them:

I received a replacement copy of Medal of Honor : Airborne for the 360 yesterday, and it also does not work. Please send me another replacement copy, one without scratches or chips in the end of the disc.

Since Gamefly discuntinued shipping rentals in the protective cardboard sleeve, I have noticed that the games I have been both renting and buying have been arriving in poor condition - scratches and chips on the edges of the game discs.

When the cardboard sleeve was used, the games I rented and bought were in like-new condition.

I understand that dropping the cardboard sleeve from the packaging may save a little bit of money on shipping costs, but it looks like the quality of the product is suffering noticably.

If this situation continues, I may be forced to discontinue my membership with Gamefly. With continuing issues like these, I do not feel like I am getting my money's worth out of your service.

Please let me know what your company intends to do about this matter.

Thank you,
XXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX


And this is the response I got:

Dear XXXXXX,

Thank you for contacting GameFly. Our apologies that you received an unplayable game as a replacement copy. We will have another replacement copy sent to you. If that game is currently unavailable, you may receive the next available game in your GameQ to get a game into your hands as quickly as possible.

Please send the unplayable game back to us in its original game sleeve and mailer immediately. We apologize again for the inconvenience.

Sincerely,

GameFly Customer Service

Not nearly good enough, Gamefly.

Something doesn't compute here. GamesNFlix doesn't use the sleeve, and I've gotten a bunch of broken discs from them (usually cracked and unplayable). I think the last Gamefly disc I got did have the sleeve, but that was a DS game? So maybe they are starting to use them again? I don't turn over rentals too quick but have never had a bad disc from GameFly.

But I've been with NetFlix, with no sleeves, since 1999 and I have NEVER gotten a damaged disc. This is probably 150 rentals at least. So there is more to the equation than just the sleeve, IMO.

Yeah, like maybe the OP's mailman plays frisbee with their Gamefly rentals before getting them to their door. Unless something says 'DO NOT BEND' on the packaging, my mailman will try and cram it into my mailbox with alot of force. Plus, sometimes the machines that process the mail may cause damage to more delicate items(like games/dvds) if they're not well protected.

Since I guess I'm a caveman in the stone age and would probably never consider an online rental service for my games(when I can find/buy the ones I want cheap enough through normal means), I guess this doesn't matter one whit to me.

But as I said, take it up with the local post office, since it may be that they're getting damaged in transit and it has NOTHING to do with Gamefly's packaging or lack thereof. Plus, maybe it's not Gamefly so much as the LAST person to rent the games from them that caused the damage, since not everyone treats a rental game with the same respect others might.

[quote name='turls']Something doesn't compute here. GamesNFlix doesn't use the sleeve, and I've gotten a bunch of broken discs from them (usually cracked and unplayable). I think the last Gamefly disc I got did have the sleeve, but that was a DS game? So maybe they are starting to use them again? I don't turn over rentals too quick but have never had a bad disc from GameFly.

But I've been with NetFlix, with no sleeves, since 1999 and I have NEVER gotten a damaged disc. This is probably 150 rentals at least. So there is more to the equation than just the sleeve, IMO.[/QUOTE]

ds and psp games still have the cardboard

Yeah, they are only hurting themselves by taking out the cardboard sleeves.

I did file some sort of Postal Inspection report - not that I think it'll really do any good.

The discs I used to get from Gamefly were near-perfect. Since they've stopped the cardboard, chipped to all hell.

I think it's a two-pronged problem. No cardboard sleeve, so the games get damaged, and Gamefly is not carefully inspecting what they are sending out.

After using Nflix for a year and never having any problem (one movie froze in one part but that was it for like 50-60 movies) I tried a free trial at GF.

I only got two games during the trial but they both worked fine. They also seem to ship the exact same way that netflix discs do (sleever and mailer). I've never seen any cardboard reinforced shipping but I've also never seen any unplayable discs so I'm either lucky, or you're unlucky. Maybe GF is not as careful in their handling/processing of the discs themselves.

[quote name='pittpizza']Maybe GF is not as careful in their handling/processing of the discs themselves.[/QUOTE]

Exactly - it's like their QC went into the toilet.

Just got off the phone with GF. I told the rep about the situation and he admitted that there has been feedback from other users also noting their displeasure with the condition of games.

I told him to please note that if the situation does not improve, I will quit the service and use one of their competitors. I've done my part - I urge anyone else dissatisfied as of late to do theirs.

So what about when you buy the games, are those still coming in perfect condition?

No, they are not. The last 2 I bought (at the same time) were in less-than-stellar condition. I also brought that up to the rep I spoke with today. I am buying no more from them until the quality is back to where it had been.

I PMed Cheapy about it also - since the front page text for the Gamefly used games says something to the effect of "usually in excellent condition".