Complaint against Gamestop online/sent me a resealed game as new

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mbstuff

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If anybody reads only three lines of this post, I want to know if anybody recently has gotten a game that's obviously been resealed (a display copy or possible even a used one) that was sold by gamestop online as a new game. By recently I mean after they settled their class action suit.

I got two games from that great gamestop coupon from a couple of weeks ago. I got Astro Boy gba and Midway arcade collection 2 xbox for $30. That's the good news. The bad news is the Midway arcade 2 I got today was at best a resealed display copy. It had the store shrinkwrap (the one where the seal doesn't have folded edges but looks like sara wrap all crunched together) instead of factory shrinkwrap, the seal sticker was crooked and loose in the middle, and THE DISC WAS SCRATCHED.

I couldn't believe they kept doing this after settling a class action suit. I can't believe they claimed this thing is new. Even the manual has damage at the edges. Here is a copy of the e-mail complaint I just sent them. I'm pissed I spent the time to write it instead of playing the game.

"Regarding order 4***********, I received the games today, and when I opened the box, I noticed that Midway Arcade Collection 2 was sealed in non-factory shrinkwrap, the kind with melded edges made with shrinkwrap machines and not the folded edges of normal factory-sealed xbox games. I also noticed that the xbox sticker seal on the edge of the game was misplaced and did not fit well onto the case. The sticker was both crooked and loose, and in my judgment had been taken off and then replaced.

Still, I gave it the benefit of the doubt that it was indeed a new game, until I opened the case and examined the game disc. The disc has scratches on it, and though I admit there are not many scratches, there are two large scratches that stretch the entire radius of the disc. Clearly, I did not receive a factory-sealed copy of this game. At best I received a display copy that had been resealed. At worst, I've received a used game resealed and resold as new. I am angry at this not because of the money involved (I appreciate that I received a great deal on this game), but because of the principle involved. When I order a new game, I pay a certain premium to ensure that the game is new. Otherwise, I would simply buy a used copy of the game. When I receive a game in this condition, with a scratched disc and a case that has been resealed, that premium has been stolen from me.

I cannot believe that Gamestop continues this practice even after settling the class action suit brought against it some time ago because of sales of new games that might not have been new. I would like to reiterate that this practice of selling games as new when in fact it has been opened is unacceptable.

I also noticed that Gamestop's return policy precludes me from returning games taken out of the shrinkwrap, meaning I cannot return this game. Yet, Gamestop can sell me games that are classified as new and sold at the premium of new games, but at the same time have been taken out of shrinkwrap at one time.

I bought this game using a forum-specific coupon code from cheapassgamer.com. I will be posting my experience with gamestop.com there, and I will also consider further action."


And now, I have posted that experience.
 
Good email. It expressed your anger without being threatening. You may get a positive response from this. This sort of thing makes me weary of ordering from them online. Good luck!
 
I also second the good email. It's so easy to get angry over this, but you kept it cool and even namedropped CAG. Awesome work.
 
Not sure if naming CAg in there was the best idea... now how will we get exclusive codes from them? BTW, nice e-mail.
 
The name dropping is not so bad since it kind of shows what got you to make a purchase at Gamestop (and shows that their CAG promos are drawing people in), though I'm not sure if mentioning that you were going to post your experience was necessary. That seems like kind of a given, and mentioning it sounds a little bit like a threat (and I mean just a little bit). Otherwise, I think your letter was fairly well written. If I were you, I would still try to negotiate with a customer service rep to maybe get an exchange.
 
Personally I don't think mentioning CAG is that big of a deal. It was a pretty good letter and I support it. I decided a year ago never to buy anything from this company again. They are very conveniently located to me, but it is experiences like this that keep me away from them. And also their extremely dismal selection of games for the systems I own.

Gamestop needs to shape up or ship out. There is too much competition out there for us gamers to put up with consistent practices like this, regardless of their "good deals." Sometimes a low price isn't worth it in any way.
 
It's possible somebody other than gamestop sloppily replaced the seal, reshrink-wrapped the game, and returned it to them as new. You'd think someone who went to all that trouble would probably steal the disc and manual out of the inside, but maybe they just wanted their money back after playing the game and didn't want to totally screw over the poor guy who bought it after them.

Now if this sort of thing is a pattern or somebody somehow knows they are doing this, that's another story.

Hopefully they'll let you return it for a full refund, or send you a new one.
 
[quote name='wubb']It's possible somebody other than gamestop sloppily replaced the seal, reshrink-wrapped the game, and returned it to them as new. [/quote]

This is the only reason I didn't break out "shaq-fu you" when I e-mailed them. Like you said, I want to know if this practice is systemic. I don't really mind Gamestop selling display copies at B&M. When I realize it's a display copy I simply tell the clerks that I don't want it.

But the way this was done on-line -- they replaced the seal sticker and slapped on a shrinkwrap -- it insults my intelligence. Do they think I won't notice the crappy shrinkwrap and sticker? Especially with a scratched disc?

I just want to know if this was an isolated case-- in which case I can understand how stuff happens and not even ask for a return. But if it is their policy to sell dislplay copies/used games as new, I will never buy from gamestop on-line again.

I can see why someone went through the trouble of filing that class action suit a while back (for gamestop selling used games as new)... I can't think of any other retailer whose definition of "new" is "possibly opened at one time". I don't even think that's legal in some states.
 
Semi-related question: I know Gamestop had a court settlement, but what about EB Games and their practice of selling USED games or DISPLAY games as NEW?
 
[quote name='uzumaki_star']I hate GameStop !!! Bunch of lames !!!!![/quote]

Theres only one gamestop I hate, back when I was in highschool there was this gamestop in the mall I used to go to all the time, till this overweight dude became manager and he was a total dick just beyond evil so many events I could list. Then I started going to ebgames and havent stopped, I find the sales staff to be more laid back.
 
I got an e-mail response today, asking me to call someone, who I assume is a customer service specialist.

I've calmed down a little bit, as I did get a real good deal, and it wasn't like I was buying a new copy of gitaroo-man. Still, I just want to call in and tell him that from my experiences in various forums, there is a significant (maybe not huge, but significant) portion of the game-buying population that is wary of shopping from gamestop (and EB, to a somewhat lesser extent) because of their definition of "new".

I would really like to know if my experience was isolated, or whether others are getting similar experiences with gamestop on-line. Please reply if you have.
 
i would be so friggin mad if this happened to me on an online order.
I hate it when i'm in the store and they tell me they have one new copy left, and then they slowly go to the shelf to get me the gut copy that is open... gezus... i look at them like "never opened means NEW, open means USED"... friggin' bojo's :evil: both EB & GS do it to me...
 
I got a game from Gamestop.com that was re-sealed. I emailed them and just told them my game was not new. They gave me a shipping label via email to print out. I all had to do was drop it off at post office and I was refunded when they received it.

I love gamestop.com. Freeshipping, no tax, easy returns, and now the nice deals for CheapAssGamers.com.

EBGames has tax and shipping, however, sometimes they do have really nice deals despite.


Chris
 
[quote name='b3b0p']
EBGames has tax and shipping, however, sometimes they do have really nice deals despite.[/quote]

EB charges tax because they have in-store returns, which I would really like at Gamestop. 2 of the last 5 games I bought from Gamestop didn't work.
 
[quote name='Scorch']I also second the good email. It's so easy to get angry over this, but you kept it cool and even namedropped CAG. Awesome work.[/quote]

Cheapy prefers you do not name drop CAG
 
[quote name='PenguinMaster'][quote name='b3b0p']
EBGames has tax and shipping, however, sometimes they do have really nice deals despite.[/quote]

EB charges tax because they have in-store returns, which I would really like at Gamestop. 2 of the last 5 games I bought from Gamestop didn't work.[/quote]

I don't have a Gamestop by me, so printing a label, slapping it on the box my game(s) came in, and sticking in the mail box is much easier. Even if I did have a Gamestop I would prefer to do it this way.

Chris
 
[quote name='moammo']i would be so friggin mad if this happened to me on an online order.
I hate it when i'm in the store and they tell me they have one new copy left, and then they slowly go to the shelf to get me the gut copy that is open... gezus... i look at them like "never opened means NEW, open means USED"... friggin' bojo's :evil: both EB & GS do it to me...[/quote]

Something funny(not really) happened to me the only 2 times I've been in an EB store in the past 6 months. About 6 months ago, I bought a game for $20(Spider-Man 2, not that it matters what the game is), and it was on sale for the Thanksgiving deals. Well, the store had just opened up literally less then 10 mins. ago, and the guy tells me, this is the last copy we have left, blah, blah, and proceeds to give me a USED copy(albeit mint). I told him, this is a gift, which it was, and he then shrinkwrapped it. That still didn't fly with me, so I ended up buying it for myself, and buying the friend another item instead. I would have felt wrong giving something as new, that wasn't.

So, 6 months go by, I'm back at EB, and wait, same sales clerk even... Yes, my memory is that good, and bam!, he tells me that game X is the last copy they have, and takes a USED game, and puts it in the case. The sleeve even says "IF SEAL IS NOT BROKEN, 14 DAYS FOR REFUND". Yet, I'm charged the same price as a NEW game. And, I bet it's not the last copy. I bet I can go there Monday(which I may for the hell of it) to find the same game that they supposedly only had 1 copy left of. And, that copy just happened to be used. I don't appreciate being lied to/taken advantage of.

If this happened in my only 2 visits to EB in 6 months to buy NEW games, then how often does this stuff happen? Not a good sign...
 
^^

Those were not used games, but displays. Get over it people. They can not put the full games on the shelves, since it makes it very easy to steal them.
 
[quote name='62t']But they could easily print some case for display.[/quote]

Seems like it would be kind of tough to keep track of what games were actually in stock if you didn't have the actual box out on the sales floor. Me, I'd rather get an open game and be able to browse through the store then have everything behind glass and wait for some guy to unlock a case for me.
 
[quote name='rodeojones903']^^

Those were not used games, but displays. Get over it people. They can not put the full games on the shelves, since it makes it very easy to steal them.[/quote]

Not only is it easy to print or produce some kind of display box, they do it already when they try to push preorders.

When you buy an appliance from somewhere... and all they have left is the display... most establishments not only inform you that it is a display, but also mark a percentage off of the full price.

It's just a simple fact of poor customer service. A new product is a new product. These are not new products. It's as simple as that. And they get away with it. The only way they are ever going to stop is if a large percentage of their customer base go elsewhere to buy new titles, such as Best Buy. The only way they are going to get the message is through their sales.
 
[quote name='Skylander7'][quote name='rodeojones903']^^

Those were not used games, but displays. Get over it people. They can not put the full games on the shelves, since it makes it very easy to steal them.[/quote]

Not only is it easy to print or produce some kind of display box, they do it already when they try to push preorders.

When you buy an appliance from somewhere... and all they have left is the display... most establishments not only inform you that it is a display, but also mark a percentage off of the full price.

It's just a simple fact of poor customer service. A new product is a new product. These are not new products. It's as simple as that. And they get away with it. The only way they are ever going to stop is if a large percentage of their customer base go elsewhere to buy new titles, such as Best Buy. The only way they are going to get the message is through their sales.[/quote]

See up here in seattle I've run across numerious times where I got a came cheaper than retail because it was the display model. Whenever I get the display case it's $5 off just like a used game.
 
[quote name='Skylander7'][quote name='rodeojones903']^^

Those were not used games, but displays. Get over it people. They can not put the full games on the shelves, since it makes it very easy to steal them.[/quote]

Not only is it easy to print or produce some kind of display box, they do it already when they try to push preorders.

When you buy an appliance from somewhere... and all they have left is the display... most establishments not only inform you that it is a display, but also mark a percentage off of the full price.

It's just a simple fact of poor customer service. A new product is a new product. These are not new products. It's as simple as that. And they get away with it. The only way they are ever going to stop is if a large percentage of their customer base go elsewhere to buy new titles, such as Best Buy. The only way they are going to get the message is through their sales.[/quote]

The company would then have to send out a copy of the display case everytime they send the store a game...even if they send the store just one copy of a game. When you think about it, this is extremely inefficient and then there comes the whole thing about how many copies of the display cases they have to send out because each individual store has different sizes for their display sections. And if they gave you a "discount" for each game they displayed, then the employees would have an even harder time dealing with corporate in case the marketing was changed every week or something and they had to keep unsealing new games and stuff to keep up...

Pretty much, the difference between printing out a cover for display boxes for preorders and printing out covers for instock items is that each store's inventory is different; for preorders, every store gets the exact same marketing materials.

That's why you don't see ANY other company doing this. At best, BB and TRU put their games into a big plastic case thingie that's supposed to keep you from stealing the game; EB and Gamestop would have to redo entire layouts of all their stores if they were going to do this.
 
[quote name='rodeojones903']^^

Those were not used games, but displays. Get over it people. They can not put the full games on the shelves, since it makes it very easy to steal them.[/quote]

No they are used. I don't care if they were used to play, used for display, or used for toilet paper. Used is used. If I open a game for display in my home and then try to return it as new then they will not take it.

Why should I pay for their displays? That is their problem, not mine. There are plenty of other solutions to displaying games. They could use glass cases. They could use security cases. They could print out copies of the covers. They could buy a copy for store display and sell it as used when they are finished. Toysrus, circuit city, bestbuy, and just about every freaking store on the planet buys security cases to display their games. Why can't ebgames and gamestop do the same?

This is bullshit. It really has nothing to do with display copies. The real reason is that gamestop and ebgames want to steal from their customers by selling used games as new and using games for display copies makes for an easy coverup.

I have no idea how stores like these became popular. Do you people just like to get ripped off? I never shop at ebgames or gamestop and I never will.
 
I bought some shoes last week. When the guy brought them out for me to try on, it was obvious the box had been opened before. Not only that, the little paper wasn't in the toe of the shoe. My goodness, I think somebody may have tried them on before. Did they buy them, walk around for a month and the return them? No, they tried them on. Were the shoes still new? In my opinion yes and I bought them.

Yesterday, I was at GameStop and wanted Deus Ex for Xbox. It was the last copy and the box was open. Was it new? In my opinion yes and I bought it. I really don't see what the big deal is. Of course this has nothing to do with the OP. I would be upset if I bought something online and it showed up open or scratched.
 
[quote name='vietgurl']The company would then have to send out a copy of the display case everytime they send the store a game...even if they send the store just one copy of a game. When you think about it, this is extremely inefficient and then there comes the whole thing about how many copies of the display cases they have to send out because each individual store has different sizes for their display sections. And if they gave you a "discount" for each game they displayed, then the employees would have an even harder time dealing with corporate in case the marketing was changed every week or something and they had to keep unsealing new games and stuff to keep up...

Pretty much, the difference between printing out a cover for display boxes for preorders and printing out covers for instock items is that each store's inventory is different; for preorders, every store gets the exact same marketing materials.

That's why you don't see ANY other company doing this. At best, BB and TRU put their games into a big plastic case thingie that's supposed to keep you from stealing the game; EB and Gamestop would have to redo entire layouts of all their stores if they were going to do this.[/quote]

[sarcasm]Oh ok....Wow I feel really bad for EBgames and Gamestop. I guess since they are too lazy to redo their stores I might as well let them charge me new prices for used games. While they are at it I guess I might as well just let them rape my ass too![/sarcasm]

There are certain costs associated with running a business. Reputable businesses figure out ways to eat those costs while still serving their customers and remaining profitable. Scams try to trick their customers into unknowingly paying extra. EB and Gamestop are scams.

If they wanted to mark their items in three categories (new, used, and display) while charging the same price for new and display then that would be fine. But they want to try to trick you into buying the display copy by pretending that it is new.
 
[quote name='ogreeley']I bought some shoes last week. When the guy brought them out for me to try on, it was obvious the box had been opened before. Not only that, the little paper wasn't in the toe of the shoe. My goodness, I think somebody may have tried them on before. Did they buy them, walk around for a month and the return them? No, they tried them on. Were the shoes still new? In my opinion yes and I bought them.

Yesterday, I was at GameStop and wanted Deus Ex for Xbox. It was the last copy and the box was open. Was it new? In my opinion yes and I bought it. I really don't see what the big deal is. Of course this has nothing to do with the OP. I would be upset if I bought something online and it showed up open or scratched.[/quote]

The difference is that if you bring those shoes back to the store then they will refund you your money. It doesn't work that way with games. You cannot return opened games because they are considered used. The blade cuts both ways.
 
The thing here is that most stores, i.e. Sears will sell their display model at a lower price because it has been opened. They call this as either a display discount or open-box discount. Sometimes it is a dramatic discount others it is not.
I understand the need for EB/Gamestop to have display copies that do not have the games in them, but it's not right to sell these at "new" prices. It doesn't necessarily need to be a used price either, but there should be some discount involved. I especially find it very unethical for them to sell a new game over the internet and when the person recieved it, it was in fact one of these display copies.
Wouldn't you be pissed if an ebay seller claimed it was new when it was in fact a resealed copy?
I mean it's getting ridiculous. I've heard several people complain about these display copies conditions and I've gotten one myself that wasn't in very good condition.
Well, the main point I'm trying to make is that I believe EB/Gamestop should be free to sell their display copies as long as they give a open-box price to them (not a used price mind you, it hasn't been used, so they claim) Most stores give you at least 5-10% off open-box or display models (my main example is Sears or CompUSA).
Alright, I'm done ;-)
 
[quote name='gizmogc']Get over it people. Your buying a $50 game, not a car.[/quote]

So at what point should we start caring? $100? $175? $250?

It's not just the money, it's the principle.
 
okay...let's take a look at this...

1. retailers can't print display boxes up because it's illegal~ copyright mumbojumbo ~ that's why a marketing company for a game is responsible for displays for games that aren't out yet (unless the owner does it out of their own pocket, even then it's sort of, quietly frowned upon legally)

2. when it's a floor model for say, a fridge in best buy, someone's been poking around in that fridge for months. no one's been poking around your disc for months. and sometimes a store can sell out of and restock a game several times in a week, so even a small discount for 'display box' items would be ridiculously bad buisness sense because~

3. the game is unchanged. the only thing that is/should be different about a display copy is that you didn't get to open the plastic wrap. there are even ways to leave the seal in place while removing the disc, nintendo doesn't even *have* those seals. (i've seen people trying to turn tricks returning cds and games like this all the time)

basically, if you're buying something so that it can stay in sealed/mint condition and you don't plan on ever opening it or playing it, then you actually might have a reason to buy it later/somewhere else. if you're buying it as a gift, some places have shrinkwrap or bag seal things, if they don't, go somewhere else or get over it. *shrug*.

online i can understand wanting a factory sealed copy, since you didn't get the opptunity to say no. probably just a mix up. also, keep in mind sometimes the factory sealed copies of new games still get messed up 'rings' or lines around them when the disc doesn't snap into the button firmly (gets knocked around during shipping). tends to happen with huge releases more, imo (madden comes to mind)

oh, and excuse me if i don't understand this, "they're selling used for new, those bastards" sentiment, wouldn't it f up the books if they sold more copies of something then they actually had? =P

~
 
[quote name='tauruskatt']
2. when it's a floor model for say, a fridge in best buy, someone's been poking around in that fridge for months. no one's been poking around your disc for months. and sometimes a store can sell out of and restock a game several times in a week, so even a small discount for 'display box' items would be ridiculously bad buisness sense because~

3. the game is unchanged. the only thing that is/should be different about a display copy is that you didn't get to open the plastic wrap. there are even ways to leave the seal in place while removing the disc, nintendo doesn't even *have* those seals. (i've seen people trying to turn tricks returning cds and games like this all the time)
[/quote]
In response to #2 and #3... that disc has probably been moved and shuffled around by the employees lots of times, hence the many complaints I've heard about the condition of display discs. EB/Gamestop doesn't take much care with their display discs and the one I got was obviously worn from being in a drawer and being shuffled about. These display copies are not in new condition at all (IMO, there are some, but the ones I have encountered), otherwise I wouldn't have made that point.
The point here is that there would be no point if the display copies were actually in new condition. I have no issues with plastic wrap, bs, I'm gonna open it anyways. What I have a problem with is I am getting a lower quality product for the same price as a new product. If the game looks new and I'm paying new, I have no issue, but so far I haven't heard of someone completely satisfied with the condition of their display copy game. Sure, in store you can refuse (if they don't pull the oh I already sealed it game with you). But online it's another story.

It's nice to see a new person on the boards making very clear points and not "You're dumb" statements. I understand what you are suggesting and I partially agree with it. It's just better to refuse to buy it, but the OP didn't have that option. I'm sure there are plenty of display copies that are flawless, but the one I recieved was not and same with the OP. So this is a matter of principle, is it ok to get something advertised as "new" when it's not in new condition. I think not and not for the idea that I want to sell it or whatnot... but think about it this way, I tried to sell EB back the same game I bought that was a display copy in the same condition I recieved it and they refused me because of it's condition. In otherwords, something that was considered new to them, wasn't even acceptable as used.
 
People are free to read the instruction booket, plus often pin numbers are stolen. It is a also a pain to remove the sticker from the case. Yes I know about goo gone but I see no reason to spend extra money on it. As for rather it matter or not, try reselling your game on ebay or returning an open copy. The value of your display copy will be a lot lower than a factory sealed copy, and for some games the factory sealed copy will worth a lot more. Or try returning an open game and tell the store you have not play it, to them it is not returnable.
 
Give me a break. A new product is a new product. Not only do these stores accept trade in values for games that are sometimes at most 5% of what the resell them at, but a retailer who engages in deceptive business practices in selling a display and sometimes defective product advertised as new is royally screwing the consumer. As for saying that it's a copyright infringement to print a flyer or display for a game, they do it already for pushing sales far in advance of release. It's perfectly legal in marketing a product that they are currently selling. Anybody standing up for said practices is not only part of the idiot consumer base that these corporate entities depend upon for their deceptive selling practices, but also part of the reason the get the hell away with it.

I could care less for a store having to redo an entire layout for their already flawed business systems. I'm the consumer, it's my hard earned money that they wish to generate revenues from, and it should be my consumer rights that they respect in doing so.

And finally, CD's/DVD's are sensitive media. If not stored properly, they can become defective. A bunch of people constantly sliding a disc in and out of a paper sleeve and eventually selling it as a new game is a bit wrong for the consumer who pays the full price, as it only takes one scratch to make a disc skip.
 
[quote name='62t'] Or try returning an open game and tell the store you have not play it, to them it is not returnable.[/quote]
That's what I tried and they said I could sell it back as used and I was curious what they'd give me for my "new" (display) copy. And they refused to take it because it was scratched. At least it was playable so I can get that out of it... even if it jumps during some movies... :sigh:
 
I'm willing to bet that those in this thread who are supporting these practices are:
A) Game store employees who just hate having to deal with people checking disc conditions
B) People who have never paid their own money for a supposedly new yet previewed by an employee beforehand game from said stores
C) Never ordered a game from Gamestop online and dealt with their asshat customer service dept.
 
I am sure there are people who dont mind this. I see parents buying games for their kids and they could care less. It seems everytime I get a display copy it is a rare/hard to find game, which makes it difficult to find it at another place.
 
[quote name='Skylander7']
C) Never ordered a game from Gamestop online and dealt with their asshat customer service dept.[/quote]
Oh, Gamestop customer service.... let me tell you a little more about my encounter with them... I ordered Valkyrie Profile a year ago used from gamestop.com... I waited two weeks and then called them when it had not arrived. They told me they had received it back the day before saying my address did not exist (which was BS, seeing that I checked my address). A. They did not notify me they had recieved it back nor did they refund my money after receiving it back.
So I asked if I could have it sent to another address and they said I would have to wait to reorder it online later that day when they put it back on their website. BS, anyone? It never did come back on their site and I called them the next day and they claimed they had no idea what happed to it and I would be refunded my money... minus shipping, of course... :bs:
I buy mainly from ebgames.com now. Thank you, Gamestop for opening my eyes to the greedy bastards you are. I doubt they ever actually shipped it and probably put it on ebay instead.
 
[quote name='tauruskatt']okay...let's take a look at this...

1. retailers can't print display boxes up because it's illegal~ copyright mumbojumbo ~ that's why a marketing company for a game is responsible for displays for games that aren't out yet (unless the owner does it out of their own pocket, even then it's sort of, quietly frowned upon legally)

2. when it's a floor model for say, a fridge in best buy, someone's been poking around in that fridge for months. no one's been poking around your disc for months. and sometimes a store can sell out of and restock a game several times in a week, so even a small discount for 'display box' items would be ridiculously bad buisness sense because~

3. the game is unchanged. the only thing that is/should be different about a display copy is that you didn't get to open the plastic wrap. there are even ways to leave the seal in place while removing the disc, nintendo doesn't even *have* those seals. (i've seen people trying to turn tricks returning cds and games like this all the time)

basically, if you're buying something so that it can stay in sealed/mint condition and you don't plan on ever opening it or playing it, then you actually might have a reason to buy it later/somewhere else. if you're buying it as a gift, some places have shrinkwrap or bag seal things, if they don't, go somewhere else or get over it. *shrug*.

online i can understand wanting a factory sealed copy, since you didn't get the opptunity to say no. probably just a mix up. also, keep in mind sometimes the factory sealed copies of new games still get messed up 'rings' or lines around them when the disc doesn't snap into the button firmly (gets knocked around during shipping). tends to happen with huge releases more, imo (madden comes to mind)

oh, and excuse me if i don't understand this, "they're selling used for new, those bastards" sentiment, wouldn't it f up the books if they sold more copies of something then they actually had? =P

~[/quote]

This is of course comming from a woman who admited only a few minutes ago to working in a game store. :wink:
 
[quote name='AngellicLulu']
In response to #2 and #3... that disc has probably been moved and shuffled around by the employees lots of times, hence the many complaints I've heard about the condition of display discs. EB/Gamestop doesn't take much care with their display discs and the one I got was obviously worn from being in a drawer and being shuffled about. These display copies are not in new condition at all (IMO, there are some, but the ones I have encountered), otherwise I wouldn't have made that point.
The point here is that there would be no point if the display copies were actually in new condition. I have no issues with plastic wrap, bs, I'm gonna open it anyways. What I have a problem with is I am getting a lower quality product for the same price as a new product. If the game looks new and I'm paying new, I have no issue, but so far I haven't heard of someone completely satisfied with the condition of their display copy game. Sure, in store you can refuse (if they don't pull the oh I already sealed it game with you). But online it's another story.[/quote]

yeah, unfortunately i've heard of that happening. it's a shame, but i guess it's one of those things linked to management, not nessasarily the company as a whole (for example, there's this *one* mcdonalds around me...that...i would...just...uggghh...i'd eat coffee grounds off my car hood before i'd order fries in that one...*shudder*). but it's not like i'd hate every mcd's for it, heh...
as far as management >.> i've witnessed a manager force one of their employees to purchase a new game they accidently scratched the disc of for that very reason =P

[quote name='AngellicLulu']It's nice to see a new person on the boards making very clear points and not "You're dumb" statements. I understand what you are suggesting and I partially agree with it. It's just better to refuse to buy it, but the OP didn't have that option. I'm sure there are plenty of display copies that are flawless, but the one I recieved was not and same with the OP. So this is a matter of principle, is it ok to get something advertised as "new" when it's not in new condition. I think not and not for the idea that I want to sell it or whatnot... but think about it this way, I tried to sell EB back the same game I bought that was a display copy in the same condition I recieved it and they refused me because of it's condition. In otherwords, something that was considered new to them, wasn't even acceptable as used.[/quote]

firstly, thanks ^^; it's actually rather nice to see someone on a message board reply in the same manner also!

and yes, i think it should really be a matter of information. just like i bet the OP wouldn't have had a problem if they had origionally ordered 'new but unsealed' or gotten a call that said, 'it's in new but not factory sealed condition, is that okay?". i can see where you're coming from about the 'new condition', and *especially* if the disc wasn't clean, that stinks. but whenever anything sealed is opened, a game or a candy bar or a pair of pantyhose, whatever it is, it's now 'used' (and then we go back into people not wanting to buy unsealed things for a new price, heh). so yes, basically i think it's just the fact that it's asking for trouble if a customer doesn't get a fyi about it being a display copy.


~
 
[quote name='zionoverfire'][quote name='tauruskatt']okay...let's take a look at this...

1. retailers can't print display boxes up because it's illegal~ copyright mumbojumbo ~ that's why a marketing company for a game is responsible for displays for games that aren't out yet (unless the owner does it out of their own pocket, even then it's sort of, quietly frowned upon legally)

2. when it's a floor model for say, a fridge in best buy, someone's been poking around in that fridge for months. no one's been poking around your disc for months. and sometimes a store can sell out of and restock a game several times in a week, so even a small discount for 'display box' items would be ridiculously bad buisness sense because~

3. the game is unchanged. the only thing that is/should be different about a display copy is that you didn't get to open the plastic wrap. there are even ways to leave the seal in place while removing the disc, nintendo doesn't even *have* those seals. (i've seen people trying to turn tricks returning cds and games like this all the time)

basically, if you're buying something so that it can stay in sealed/mint condition and you don't plan on ever opening it or playing it, then you actually might have a reason to buy it later/somewhere else. if you're buying it as a gift, some places have shrinkwrap or bag seal things, if they don't, go somewhere else or get over it. *shrug*.

online i can understand wanting a factory sealed copy, since you didn't get the opptunity to say no. probably just a mix up. also, keep in mind sometimes the factory sealed copies of new games still get messed up 'rings' or lines around them when the disc doesn't snap into the button firmly (gets knocked around during shipping). tends to happen with huge releases more, imo (madden comes to mind)

oh, and excuse me if i don't understand this, "they're selling used for new, those bastards" sentiment, wouldn't it f up the books if they sold more copies of something then they actually had? =P

~[/quote]

This is of course comming from a woman who admited only a few minutes ago to working in a game store. :wink:[/quote]

Heh.. now I'll drink to that one :)

Seriously... as game store employees, of course they protect their own self interests on this one. Being paid a low wage, one of the perks of working at the game store is being one of the first to manhandle a new release. That, and some even go as far as to playing the "display" copy a few times. I, for one, would have to defend a company's deceptive retail practices and have to have tums under my register for those "pissed off" customer moments.t
 
[quote name='"zionoverfire']
This is of course comming from a woman who admited only a few minutes ago to working in a game store. :wink:[/quote]

Lmao~ fine, fine *throws hands up in the air!*

You've caught me! good job on the stalk-past-thread-listing. congrats. now what, tar and feather me because you think i have nothing of importance to say about the topic? =P

okay, j/k. but seriously~ i'm fine morally with the way my company works because i don't hold a gun to anyone's head forcing them to buy shady bootlegged discs or trade in their old games. clearly, for some people replay value or collection value is worth more then the trade in, but why shouldn't there be an outlet for dispensing of stuff you're done with easily? what do you think ebay's for? if it's ethics of policies or local store managment you want to discuss, then i guess it's getting a bit off topic for here...

but either way~
i once made a 7year old cry because i told his mommy what was in GTA:SA and she wouldn't let him have it. i'm fine with that. ^^

~
 
[quote name='tauruskatt'][quote name='zionoverfire']
This is of course comming from a woman who admited only a few minutes ago to working in a game store. :wink:[/quote]

Lmao~ fine, fine *throws hands up in the air!*

You've caught me! good job on the stalk-past-thread-listing. congrats. now what, tar and feather me because you think i have nothing of importance to say about the topic? =P

okay, j/k. but seriously~ i'm fine morally with the way my company works because i don't hold a gun to anyone's head forcing them to buy shady bootlegged discs or trade in their old games. clearly, for some people replay value or collection value is worth more then the trade in, but why shouldn't there be an outlet for dispensing of stuff you're done with easily? what do you think ebay's for?

~
[/quote]
Heh, welcome to CAG. And Zion's weird stalking habits ;-)
Oh, IKIK. No one's planning on tar-and-feathering you, well I take that back there are some kinky ones on here ;-)
Your role as a game store employee plays a small part in how you feel about this but you also bring in a different perspective... we all have biases... I'm biased cause I've been ripped off. You're biased cause you work for the enemy... IKIK.
 
[quote name='tauruskatt']
i once made a 7year old cry because i told his mommy what was in GTA:SA and she wouldn't let him have it. i'm fine with that. ^^

~[/quote]

Nice! :lol: I was just kidding. Honestly I've never cared much about it seeing as the game is not going to be sealed about 5 seconds after I get it anyhow.
 
Yes, there are such things as the uninformed consumer. But gimme a break, it doesn't matter if they purchase a game to collect, trade, or use as a spatula for a grilled cheese sandwich. To walk the line of morality in justifying why a company should engage in such practices is also going to draw flak on the morality in decieving the consumer.

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

As for informing a parent of a mature rated game, I commend you on that. However, if I'm not mistaken, store policy for both EB and Gamestop is to card buyers for mature rated games and refuse sales to minors. I believe there was legistlation involved on that one.. but I don't clearly remember.
 
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