Amazon Trade-In FAQ 5.0

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handsomepete

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Welcome to the Official CAG Amazon.com Trade-In Thread

THIS IS NOT A FLIPPING THREAD. USEFUL CREDIT TRANSFER OPPORTUNITIES WELCOME, BUT KEEP THE PROFIT MARGIN TALK / SNEAKY OR LYING SHENANIGANS OUT

Hey trade-in pals! SENDING THINGS IN DISC / CARTRIDGE ONLY / GENERIC CASE NO MANUAL / ANYTHING BUT COMPLETE COULD RESULT IN REJECTION. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS. YOU MIGHT GET ACCEPTED, YOU MIGHT NOT. NO ONE KNOWS. IF YOU CUT OUT A UPC OR DO ANYTHING TO TRICK THE FINE(?) FOLKS AT AFS EXPECT IT TO BE OPENED AND REJECTED. THERE ARE NO HARD AND FAST RULES. IF IT IS ACCEPTED, IT WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY ONLY BE CONSIDERED "ACCEPTABLE." RISK YOUR TIME AND EFFORT AT YOUR PERIL!

I'm getting an acceptance rate of about one per day; it makes me think some supervisor is standing around with a glass of absinthe next to a couple of dumptruck loads of games...while the one responsible for the glitch is made to scan each item and recite its TIV with tears in their eyes. - Indigo_Streetlight
Amazon.com Trade-in Home Page

------- FAQ BELOW - LEAVE ME ALONE PLEASE -------
Useful links:

-- BlueLobstah

-- CheapAssGamer

THANKS TO DISILLUSION386 and GI60 FOR POSTING AND MAINTAINING THE PREVIOUS AMAZON TRADE-IN FAQ THREADS

This thread’s primary purpose is to discuss Amazon.com’s video game trade-in program. Conspiracy theories about AFS smashing games before sending them back / stealing children / sneezing and touching public door handles / etc welcome, but try to avoid going nutso. PLEASE READ THE TRADE-IN DEAL DETAILS AND FAQ BEFORE ASKING ANY QUESTIONS.
Trade-In Procedure

1. SELECT ITEMS: Search for items to trade in. Your trade-in items must meet the product eligibility criteria.
2. SHIP GAMES FREE: Print a shipping label and packing slip, package your games, and ship them
3. GET A GIFT CARD: An Amazon.com Gift Card will be deposited into your account upon receipt of games

Shipping Instructions

1. Print this entire page. (Packing slip and shipping label once you have submitted a trade)
2. Cut out the shipping label and the packing slip.
3. Make sure your items are in good working condition and include the case and cover art.
4. Securely pack the items in a box or envelope and include the packing slip in the package.
5. Attach the shipping label squarely onto the outside of the package and add your return address.
6. Take it to your nearest UPS Store and mail it by (one week from submission of trade)
7. Or you can ship to:
note to self: look up new address
Trade-In Product Eligibility

Trade-in items must match the exact version displayed in the Amazon Trade-In Store, not be damaged, include original packaging (e.g. the manual, cover art, and case), and be postmarked no later than 7 days after submission. You will receive an e-mail confirmation and an Amazon.com Gift Card will be deposited into your account within 2 business days of item receipt and verification by the merchant. Items not accepted by the merchant will be returned to you approximately 14 days after receipt.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

GENERAL FAQ (Updated 12/26/2012)
Can I post a question on this thread?
Only if you can't find the answer from below. And please let me know if it needs to be added to FAQ.

Can I edit this FAQ? (updated 6/7/11)
You bet!

Since when did Amazon start doing trades?
The program began in 2009 and is handled by a third party merchant, previously known as NorAm International. Now known as AFS (Amazon Fulfillment Services).

What kind of shipping does Amazon provide us?
Free UPS ground ---- USPS is no longer available for free. There is now also an option to provide your own shipping.

Do I have to provide my own box or envelope?
Yes.

Do all my games in the same trade-in submission have to be shipped in the same box? (updated 3/9/11)
Not necessarily - people have sent in multiple boxes for the same trade-in submission successfully. It's even possible to send half at one time and the other half at the end of the valid shipping period. However, it's probably best to always ship everything at once.

Can I put separate trades in to a single box? (updated 6/7/11)
Sure, and they'll likely be accepted just fine. However, it isn't recommended since you would only have proof that you sent one of the trades (whichever mailing label you used). So it can be pretty risky.

Can I send in sealed games?
Yes. They won't reject games that still have the original shrink wrap.

Can I add Delivery Confirmation and Insurance to my shipment?
UPS Ground already provides you with tracking information, and I imagine you could get some sort of insurance added at a UPS store or location if you were so inclined.

I don't trust UPS ground. Can I pay for postage myself? What's the address?
Yes. You're more than welcome to do so. Just use the address on the amazon provided shipping label and make sure to get some sort of tracking.

When do I have to send my games once I have submitted my trade order?
You have 1 week (7 days) to send your games. There have been reports of submitting trades up to 15 - 20 days late, but that is definitely ymmv and not in the written rules. Send on time for the best chance at success!

Crap, I have one day to go before my shipment deadline, but the website states that my deadline has already passed. How do I print out a shipping label and packing slip? (Updated 9/9/13)
Load up any existing order (if you don't have any, check your browser's history or just submit a new one to use the link), and substitute the transaction ID for the trade-in order you need at the end of the URL.

Some step by step directions:
1. Go to your trade-in page on Amazon and find the Trade-In ID of the transaction:

Trade-In Placed:

August 24, 2013

  • Total Amount Submitted: $35.00
  • Amount Paid: $0.00
2. Copy the entire Trade-In ID (i.e. TRN-1234567-1234567) to your clipboard by highlighting it and hitting Ctrl+C or right click -> copy with your mouse

3. Paste the Trade-In ID to the end of this link:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/tradein/multicondition-your-account/print-label/ref=trdrt_ya_yaprnt?ie=UTF8&orderID=

So it should look like this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/tradein/multicondition-your-account/print-label/ref=trdrt_ya_yaprnt?ie=UTF8&orderID=TRN-1234567-1234567

The Print Shipping Label screen for that trade should now come up.

How long does the whole trade-in process usually take?
From the time you send in your games, it may take up to 14 business days for the package to arrive. Most people usually receive their credit (Amazon GiftCard) in 3 to 5 business days, however.

How long does the "processing" status usually take? (Updated 10/11/12)
Usually a day or two with little delay at all. It may take multiple days or even weeks if it's an usual item/hardware.

My games were received on Friday (based on Delivery Confirmation), will I have to wait until Monday to receive credit?
People have received credit on a Saturday.

I do not have the manual, cover art, or original case for a game I want to trade in. Will they accept it? (updated 6/9/11)
While the details specifically state that original packaging is necessary, people have reported in the past that their trades were accepted despite missing some of these. This is extremely YMMV, however since some were also rejected by missing manual or cover art. On the other hand, older gen games; such as SNES, N64, and GB cartridges, normally get accepted without the original box and manual, but still YMMV.

It should be noted that with the new condition requirements (see later in the FAQ), you may be able to send an item in missing some or all of the required items (manual / cover art / case) and still have it accepted in "Acceptable" condition.

I do not have the manual, accessories, original box, original included game, etc for a console or accessory I want to trade in. Will they accept it? (updated 3/9/11)
The current wisdom is "probably not" - it's pretty YMMV but AFS seems stricter than they should be on this. Your chances seem to be better for them accepting a console or accessory without the box / manual / etc if it's older generation or rare. You're more than welcome to give it a shot though if you're feeling lucky - just pack it well and include as much as you can! Don't expect greater than 'acceptable' condition though.

My game is really beat up, what are the chances they’ll accept it?
This is YMMV. Some people have reported in the past that they sent in games in bad shape that were still accepted. Your best bet is still to trade in games in mint condition. Minor scratches are expected as these are used games.

My game came with DLC codes and I used them. Will my game be accepted? (Updated 12/28/11)
It is expected that included DLC codes have already been redeemed, so you should be fine. It is a kindness however if you have no use for it to not redeem it and let the next lucky soul who buys it from awd or wherever have a crack at it. Up to you!

My cover art (PLATINUM HITS) differs from the pic on amazon, will my trade be accepted?
It all depends on the UPC so just turn your game around, type in the UPC into the amazon search box. If the game comes up, then it's accepted regardless of cover art. Click on that result to submit your trade.

I have a game from a limited edition bundle, will they accept it?
If the game’s cover art has a UPC barcode, they will most likely accept it. If your game's cover states "Not for Resale" and does not have a UPC barcode, the game will most likely get rejected. Some people have had their games accepted in the past, but this is very YMMV.

The UPC barcode is not intact on my game's cover art, will that be accepted? (updated 3/9/11)
This is YMMV, but probably not. The UPC is all powerful within the walls of AFS..

I sent in my games, all of which were in pristine condition with the original packaging, but they said that one game is damaged and is now being returned.
Always pack your games well. Put a lot of newspaper around your games in the box to secure them and to prevent any damages from haphazard box cutting. People in the past have requested their entire trade-in order if it’s obvious the damage wasn’t their fault, and Amazon ended up accepting the rejected game. This is YMMV as well.

Can I trade in multiple copies of the same game?
Yes. Once you click “Trade in” for a particular game, you may change the quantities. Once you submit, you can no longer change quantities on that trade-in batch.

How many multiple copies of the same game can I trade-in (updated 1/11/11)?
Maximum of 2 copies within 3 a month period.

I locked in X copies of a game but I now only have Y available to send. Can I just send in Y without being penalized? (updated 3/9/11)
Yes, you can always just send in a portion of your trade-in order and they'll just credit you for whatever they receive. However, the quantities you submitted for will stay locked in that instance (I think) so if you, for example, submitted for 2 copies and only sent 1, you may not be able to trade any more copies of that game for 3 months (see previous question).

Will the Trade-in of the Day TIV stay for 24 hours?
It's been reported that there is a limit (maximum # of copies) that will get the promoted TIV so lock yours.

So if I find a good flip, I can just send 2 copies of that game and not worry about Amazon accusing me of stolen merchandise?
Technically yes, but do keep in mind that other CAGs might want to participate in the current deal, and trading in a large number of the same game will definitely lower the TIV of said game. Let’s be nice to other people. This is probably moot for most folks now with the per account / address trade-in limit.

Wow, these TIVs suck (updated 3/9/11)!
Really? Hrm. While that may be true, they're often better than other comparable places. Your options of what to do with your used games are greater now than they've ever been, so feel free to shop your trades around or just sell them off on glyde/ebay/whatever. Also, not a question.

What the fuck? The TIV of a game I just bought for this deal tanked! What do I do?
The TIVs on Amazon fluctuate depending on the number of trades that are submitted, and we really can’t do anything about it. The best course of action for trading in games is to lock in your trade if you already have the games or are absolutely sure that you can obtain them. You can always cancel the trade submission if you end up not finding the games.
LOCK = SUBMIT YOUR TRADE, Don't just put it in the cart.

Can I edit a submitted trade?
Nope - once upon a time you could modify trade in quantities of submitted trades, but that ability has been removed.

Can I use my credit on items that are not video game-related?
Yes. This is the other perk for trading in games at Amazon since you're not limited to just video games.

Can I use my credit on items sold by third-party merchants on Amazon?
According to the fine print of the Amazon gift card use, some merchants are excluded. Your best bet is to try it on the checkout page of your order.

Strategy guides? I can trade in game/strategy guides? Whaaaaa?
Go to the Textbook Buyback section (http://www.amazon.com/Textbooks-Trad...ode=2205237011[/URL]). You can either search on the title of a strategy guide you have to see if they'll accept it, or search for guides. The two best search strings to start with are 'prima guides' and 'bradygames'. Might try 'doublejump' if you want to trade in some of those. (Thanks eugaet)

I locked in some hilariously overvalued trade for some weird rare game/accessory/etc that I can pick up for cheap cheap cheap. They didn't accept it. What should I do? (updated 3/9/11)
The truth is that AFS can reject things for any reason they see fit. While some people have managed to get silly things like a $200 credit for some cheerleading game (or for a PS2 - just ask io!), it's sooooooo YMMV that often it's not worth the effort. EXPECT REJECTION ON THINGS THAT ARE CLEARLY MISVALUED. That said, as long as you're willing to risk it, go for it!

What's all this item condition nonsense? And how can I get screwed over by it? (updated 6/9/11)
We're still kinda sussing out the details surrounding the new item condition portion of Amazon Trade-Ins, but it looks like there's a couple things to consider:
Good Condition eligibility (games):
- The video game, original manufacturer packaging and all original elements are included, but shows wear from normal use
- Game still plays perfectly
- Disc may have light scratches and other elements may have minor damage
- Item may have been personalized (marked or identified)

Acceptable eligibility (games):
- Game still plays perfectly
- Item may have been personalized (marked or identified)
- Item may be missing or have irreparable damage to one or all of the following: case, manual, artwork, bundled accessories, UPC

Note that a game will almost certainly not be accepted if it meets any of these conditions:
- Game does not play perfectly
- Disc is cracked
- Marked Not for Resale (or is otherwise marked not for sale)

Consoles/accessories have some slightly different criteria, but the idea is the same.

Did it seriously just ask me if I wanted my game / other item returned if they refuse to give me credit for it? (updated 6/9/11)
Yes, that just happened.

Unless you're purposefully sending them things you deem to be trash, please remember to choose the option that has them return your item to you during the checkout phase.

Who is AFS? (updated 9/14/13)
Amazon Fulfillment Services (previously known as NorAm). Dunno if they changed names, were bought up by Amazon, or what. Not too interested anyhow.

Why does my package jump back and forth between states? (updated 9/14/13)
Look at a map of the involved cities and it'll make sense. Something to do with UPS hubs and proximity to the state border/cities.

Post away!

 
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not sure if this question has been answered already.. (might be good in the FAQ)

Has anyone experienced locking in 2 of same title, and one of the two be downgraded?

 
Dude, I didn't notice that I had SMT IV locked and now it expired.

In other news, my other trades were accepted. Afro Samurai with cover was accepted as Good.

 
Very true. I went to a Gamestop that had Champions of Norrath, buth the disc had a very small crack in the center. I decided not to buy it. I'm sure it would play fine, but I had a strong suspicion that Noram would return it to me if I tried to trade it to them. Did I make the right move?
You made the right call. That would have been too risky and Noram would have probably rejected it saying "severe damage".

not sure if this question has been answered already.. (might be good in the FAQ)

Has anyone experienced locking in 2 of same title, and one of the two be downgraded?
Yes. It happens!

Dude, I didn't notice that I had SMT IV locked and now it expired.
Just a quick heads up that I submitted mine and sent in one after getting one from AWD and I sent in just the game with the case and club nintendo code (which was the only thing in the case) minus the CE stuff and it was accepted since it has the same upc on the back as the CE does on the box. I plan on picking it up later down the road so sold it for now given my backlog.

 
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did you put 'good' and do not return?

:(
I did put that

1 day later. Does not compute.
I live fairly close to the Hebron, KY Amazon facility. I dropped it off around 4pm the 20th and it was there by 11am the 21st. They did get to examining it pretty quickly though, it often takes a lot longer.

This is another reason you send it in as acceptable, I argued against the whole "well they can just downgrade it, but MAYBE I will get the higher TIV" for a reason. They assume you are going to send the condition you submit, so since you sent just the game they will wait for you to send the other parts. There is a difference between a bundle like rock revolution, and just a game.
If I send it back I will set it to acceptable rather than good.

Mine says Please ship any remaining items by: 8/23/13 but all my items in the order say processing. Hasnt it always said that?
My rock revolution transaction status is "Processing" and tells me to Please ship any remaining items by 8/24/2013. Did you send yours in as Good condition or Acceptable?

 
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I picked up a heavenly swords ps3 copy from GS, it had the cover art, original case but the front page of the manual was torn from the rest of the manual and then stapled back together. Would that mean it'll be downgraded to acceptable or does amazon still take it as good? I will try to find another manual in a better condition but I doubt if I'll find one near me.

 
I picked up a heavenly swords ps3 copy from GS, it had the cover art, original case but the front page of the manual was torn from the rest of the manual and then stapled back together. Would that mean it'll be downgraded to acceptable or does amazon still take it as good? I will try to find another manual in a better condition but I doubt if I'll find one near me.
Just curious, why would you trade it in? That's less than a dollar profit.

 
It's part of the 3 for $10 promotion. Maybe he was trying to break even or something
Yeah I know, that's why I mentioned less than a dollar profit. Not worth the hassle if you ask me. Anywho, I sent in two Rock Revolutions as 'Good' only because I also sent them with two copies of Wanted as good. Should've just made them 'Acceptable'. I'm getting the same message saying, "Please ship any remaining items by 8/26/13."

 
You made the right call. That would have been too risky and Noram would have probably rejected it saying "severe damage".

Yes. It happens!

Just a quick heads up that I submitted mine and sent in one after getting one from AWD and I sent in just the game with the case and club nintendo code (which was the only thing in the case) minus the CE stuff and it was accepted since it has the same upc on the back as the CE does on the box. I plan on picking it up later down the road so sold it for now given my backlog.
That's interesting. SMT IV is still in first print from what I can see. I suppose that I could trade it without the CN code since it has a digital manual. One of the ones I bought came without the CN code. People are just taking the code on the later ones. GameStop is giving a little bit more for this so I probably will trade there.
 
I just got 19.58 each for 2 copies of Rock Revolution that I sent in (with the bar code cut out) as 'acceptable'.

Hopefully this trend continues...with the shot in the dark copy of Rocksmith I found at BB for 9.99. 

 
Kung Fu Panda was $23.xx, I believe, not too long ago.

Good one on Top Gun--it's gone up as well :)
Both games just shot up in TIV today

KFP2 10.24 -----> 21.37

Top Gun 20.16 -------> 25.05

(KFP2 might have had a higher TIV some weeks ago but I don't know about that :) ), so I would advice everyone who has/can find the games to lock the trade ASAP before they drop in value again

 
When it says 'ship any other items by xxxx', do we use the SAME label attached to that trade in to mail the other items? Essentially, two different packages with the same tracking?

 
When it says 'ship any other items by xxxx', do we use the SAME label attached to that trade in to mail the other items? Essentially, two differenit packages with the same tracking?
No, use the 'Need another label?' link to generate a 2nd one from the print label screen. this can also be done after the 7 day window expires.
 
Anyone's tomb raider minus the sticker get approved yet ?
Just had my 4 Tomb Raiders accepted(the game only's) 1x360, 1xPS3, 1x360Steelbook, 1xPS3Steelbook......$19.xx a piece

also on a more related topic(which I realized in the middle of writing the above),

I had done the Tomb Raider Survival Edition back in June....

Bought them for $145.50....(used it just as a credit transfer as my local GS did not have Kindle cards then)

Trade-In Placed: June 18, 2013
  • Total Amount Submitted: $150.00
  • Amount Paid: $150.00
  • Graded Amount: $150.00

Transaction Status: Verified and Processed

2 Items Submitted
Paid: 2

Gift card deposited
[SIZE=.825em]View Gift Card Balance[/SIZE]
Good
$150.00

Tomb Raider Survival/Collector's Edition
Platform: PlayStation 3 EAN: 0662248913063
Submitted Condition: Good Qty: 2
Expected Amount Per Item: $75.00







edit - Wow....didn't expect all the links to be valid too.....LOL

 
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Alright, got my TR CE's and they both have stickers that came off like nothing and the correct UPC underneath.  The outer boxes were beat to hell though and almost all the little air pillows popped but no damage to the tins.  Long as these get accepted I'll be paying off my PS4 and will have only spent around $240 in credit.  It is too bad that these weren't like $20 because the tin seems pretty decent and would have happily kept one if they weren't so much.

 
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I had a bunch of trade-ins accepted today...including one copy of Rock Revolution, disc-only (as in just the disc in a generic case without cover art), as Acceptable! :D/ So that's $1.69 -> $20.87!

Hopefully the other copy I just sent in with the UPC cut out has a similar outcome. :D

 
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I had a bunch of trade-ins accepted today...including one copy of Rock Revolution, disc-only (as in just the disc in a generic case without cover art), as Acceptable! :D/ So that's $1.69 -> $20.87!

Hopefully the other copy I just sent in with the UPC cut out has a similar outcome. :D
perfect, i sent mine the same--just the disc in a case.

:D

 
I had a bunch of trade-ins accepted today...including one copy of Rock Revolution, disc-only (as in just the disc in a generic case without cover art), as Acceptable! :D/ So that's $1.69 -> $20.87!

Hopefully the other copy I just sent in with the UPC cut out has a similar outcome. :D
WTH? Trade in is $0.25 on amazon, I'm lost.

 
Nice, hopefully you'll get the same result!

I forgot to mention that it was downgraded to Acceptable, so it looks like choosing "Good - Do Not Return" is still fine.
nope, I got the "send missing items by message like someone else got with my DNR good copy. It is the luck of the draw.

 
Got my 2 Norraths today. sadly they were not complete yet the filler I bought for myself was but had a bad disc.  What do I need to show to return said game to gamestop?

 
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Got my 2 Norraths today. sadly they were not complete yet the filler I bought for myself was but had a bad disc. What do I need to show to return said game to gamestop?
Like receipt wise? The packing slip is the actual receipt for online purchases so take that and what you're returning to the store.

 
So I just received my 2nd TR : CE in today.  This one did not have the sticker over the UPC and has a different UPC than the previous one.  This had the UPC of 662248912752.

I'm still going to send it in, It's the exact same product but hopefully that UPC won't screw me over.  I will let everyone know what happens with it.

 
Hey guys, looking for some quick advice before I ship these packages off. I have two orders for 2x Fight Night (Good), and 2x Wanted (Good), but unfortunately, I was only able to get one complete copy of each. Will Amazon grade one as Good and the other as Acceptable if I send them both in as the same package? And will it matter if I send one Platinum Hits FNR3 (complete with PH disk) and the other as disk-only (non-PH)?

 
Hey guys, looking for some quick advice before I ship these packages off. I have two orders for 2x Fight Night (Good), and 2x Wanted (Good), but unfortunately, I was only able to get one complete copy of each. Will Amazon grade one as Good and the other as Acceptable if I send them both in as the same package? And will it matter if I send one Platinum Hits FNR3 (complete with PH disk) and the other as disk-only (non-PH)?
From what I've been reading here over the last 3-4 months, each copy in a package is graded separately. So the complete ones should be good and the non-complete one acceptable, assuming you selected "do no return" when locking the trade.

Does the Fight Night 3 PH come with an extra disk than the non-platinum hits version? I got the non-platinum hits from GS and the UPC seems to match the one I locked in on amazon which says its platinum hits.

 
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Technically I would say yes.

Video Game - Acceptable Condition Eligibility Criteria
Trade-in items must match the exact version displayed in the Amazon Video Games Trade-In Store.
Typical elements included with a video game: disc/cartridge, manual, case, artwork, bundled accessories, and UPC (or EAN).
Please check your item to ensure it meets this criteria:
  • Game still plays perfectly
  • Item may have been personalized (marked or identified)
  • Item may be missing or have irreparable damage to one or all of the following: case, manual, artwork, bundled accessories, UPC
 
From what I've been reading here over the last 3-4 months, each copy in a package is graded separately. So the complete ones should be good and the non-complete one acceptable, assuming you selected "do no return" when locking the trade.

Does the Fight Night 3 PH come with an extra disk than the non-platinum hits version? I got the non-platinum hits from GS and the UPC seems to match the one I locked in on amazon which says its platinum hits.
Awesome, thanks for the quick response. I didn't select "Do Not Return," but if they're graded separately anyway, it shouldn't make a difference, right?

And the only reason I asked about FNR3 was because one copy I got was complete and had the "Platinum Hits" logo on the disk, but the incomplete copy I got was incomplete and didn't have the PH logo on the disk. Mine didn't come with an extra disk or anything lieke that. Someone had brought up earlier that the Sega Fun Pack probably wouldn't be accepted if the disks weren't both Greatest Hits, so I figured maybe it was a similar principle with Platinum Hits (though I'm not sure if that claim had any merit to it or not).

 
just got my tomb raider collectors edition accepted today, i sent the gamestop version without the slipcover was accepted as good :)

 
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