Gamestop not selling new games sealed?

I'm wondering if this really depends too on the ages. I know, when I was a teen, I'd buy a new game, I almost always got an open one. Heck, even if it was sealed behind the counter, they would physically unwrap it before I could have it.

I don't buy many new games in Gamestop now (usually, if I'm buying new, I go to another establishment where I know I won't have to deal with this), but I recently did by Blast Works new. I was expecting the gutted copy, but asked for the game, handed to me beautifully sealed, no questions asked.
 
[quote name='lordxixor101']I'm wondering if this really depends too on the ages. I know, when I was a teen, I'd buy a new game, I almost always got an open one. Heck, even if it was sealed behind the counter, they would physically unwrap it before I could have it.[/quote]

What the fuck? Do you live in a bad neighborhood or something? The only place where I've seen that to be the policy was a K-mart out in the ghetto, saying that they were required to checked and see if a game was in the case (I suppose because of possible theft).

It makes no sense for them to open it before giving it to you.

As I've grown older, I seem to care more and more about the games being gutted. When I was a kid, I didn't give a damn. I was just happy to be getting a game. Now that I'm spending more and actually working instead of an allowance, I care about the condition of the games I receive.
 
I always find better deals online and occasionally at big box stores like Best Buy than in Gamestop.

I haven't bought anything from there in years.....
 
GameStop can sell a new or used product at any price that it wants but don't many states have consumer protection laws that require stores to tell consumers when a product is open box and/or used? Even if GS says a product is new -> never been purchased or used -> if it opens the product, then it can't claim the product to be new anymore, can it?

And from what I've seen, it seems that GS employees grab discs from the same pile under/behind the counter whether you buy "new" or used products as the discs are all stored in the same CD paper sleeves. Maybe, this explains why some used discs look brand new.
 
[quote name='GuardianE']What the fuck? Do you live in a bad neighborhood or something? The only place where I've seen that to be the policy was a K-mart out in the ghetto, saying that they were required to checked and see if a game was in the case (I suppose because of possible theft).

It makes no sense for them to open it before giving it to you.

As I've grown older, I seem to care more and more about the games being gutted. When I was a kid, I didn't give a damn. I was just happy to be getting a game. Now that I'm spending more and actually working instead of an allowance, I care about the condition of the games I receive.[/QUOTE]

No, this happened in some pretty nice cities in Michigan, maybe 10 years ago. So, it definitely wasn't the ghetto. They told me it was a company wide policy, but I think it had to do with the manager at the establishment (truth be told, it could have been personal, I went to the store nearly every day since I worked in the mall, so i was told by employees she never thought i bought anything, even though I was buying probably a game every week or 2 at the time).
 
Jesus, people who complain about open copies of games just sound like pretentious dorks.

I understand if it's a gift, but if you're making a personal purchase and you're pissed about a piece of plastic, get over yourself. Check the disk. If it isn't scratched, get over it.

To condemn a company and treat such an act as abhorrid is just plain stupid. I've made more game purchases from picking up a box and flipping through the manual than staring at cover art from behind glass. I guess I'm the anomaly where I appreciate the game more than a plastic film.
 
It's just the principle of the thing. It's not a big deal to me, and I'd never boycott the store over it. It's just one of many things I dislike about the store that add up to keep me from going there.
 
I like getting what I pay for.

If I wanted it opened for me, I'd just buy a used game. They tend to come in the same condition anyway from my experience.
 
I refuse to buy gutted new games. New = sealed if you're buying it from a retailer, no exceptions. Especially w/ the employee check-out program, which I understand includes gutted new games.

Everyone complains about this topic because we're all familiar with it, but you have to feel bad about the average consumers who get screwed over by it.

I was in a store a few weeks ago when they had the 25% off coupons, and this poor woman was trying to return a game that her son got for his birthday from his grandmother. The unassuming grandmother was sold a gutted copy, the kid didn't want it, and they were trying to get something else. Usually for gutted games they put a seal on the case, so they know if it was 'opened' by the person or not, and this game didn't have one. 1 of 2 things happened:

1) The kid 'opened' the game and decided he didn't want it

2) the guys that sold it forgot or just didn't bother with it

Problem was it came from a different store, so they couldn't take it back at all, other than for same-item exchange or as a trade-in (less than half it's MSRP), AND it has some scratches. So they explain this all to her and she doesn't get it. She insists it was given in that same condition, and they go back and forth for like 10 minutes. After seeing it so much here on CAG I thought my head was going to explode at the sheer inanity of the conversation.
 
I[quote name='Gothic Walrus']The one thing that's struck me in these threads is that, so far, I haven't seen a viable alternative offered on how to store the games.

This isn't a perfect world, and saying "don't gut the games" isn't a viable option for most of the franchise's locations. So tell me: what's a better solution to the problem than gutting the games?[/QUOTE]Now THIS is an argument I don't buy. You mean to tell me the number one store to get video games can't find a better solution? They have boxes and art for all sorts of games that aren't even out yet. You mean to tell me they can't just take those down and put them in regular shelf space? You mean to tell me that by 'gutting' the games they save THAT much inventory space? Most gamestops I see waste at least 3-4 boxes showcasing games for pre-order. In terms of actual games in stock I've rarely seen more than one box. Why does it have to be an actual case why not use those pre-order art. Heck if they'd take down the 7 boxes of Starcraft Ghost maybe you'd have room to fit actual games you have in stock. It's not like GAMESTOP of all companies can't say to someone "Can you slip in a few extra covers for our displays?" They have a ton of boxes they use for used games. There are many many solutions to how to display video games. Gutting them is something you'd expect at a Mom & Pop Store. Even then it's have to be a Grand Opening where something went wrong. There's no excuse I've seen that mitigates the situation and it's why GameStop is last on my list of places to actually purchase. I go there to visit occasionally to see what demos are out and maybe chat with an employee if it's slow but purchasing is where I draw the line.

[quote name='guinaevere']I ♥ my store and I ♥ the folks working there even more. All of you need to stop by to visit the worlds best GameStop.[/QUOTE]dudette where are you again? I wanna go see your GameStop.
 
This is old news. Gamestop is a joke. Non gaming stores put it to shame.

I only go there if they have a good kiosk for an upcoming game, or to browse games because I'm already out. Never do I pay though.
 
[quote name='Wolfkin']INow THIS is an argument I don't buy. You mean to tell me the number one store to get video games can't find a better solution? They have boxes and art for all sorts of games that aren't even out yet. You mean to tell me they can't just take those down and put them in regular shelf space? You mean to tell me that by 'gutting' the games they save THAT much inventory space? Most gamestops I see waste at least 3-4 boxes showcasing games for pre-order. In terms of actual games in stock I've rarely seen more than one box. Why does it have to be an actual case why not use those pre-order art. Heck if they'd take down the 7 boxes of Starcraft Ghost maybe you'd have room to fit actual games you have in stock. It's not like GAMESTOP of all companies can't say to someone "Can you slip in a few extra covers for our displays?" They have a ton of boxes they use for used games. There are many many solutions to how to display video games. Gutting them is something you'd expect at a Mom & Pop Store. Even then it's have to be a Grand Opening where something went wrong. There's no excuse I've seen that mitigates the situation and it's why GameStop is last on my list of places to actually purchase. I go there to visit occasionally to see what demos are out and maybe chat with an employee if it's slow but purchasing is where I draw the line..[/quote]

1. Pre-order boxes have almost no information on them. They only serve as cover art.

2. You'd be surprised about how much space all of the gutted games saves.

And I have no clue what half of your argument is in the beginning.

All of this probably has to do something with how far away your local GS is from the main office. I've learned that the further away you get from the coorporate location (located just north of Dallas) the shittier they get.

It all comes down to basic selling and marketing techniques. Having the actual "product" (in this case, the boxes with their manuals) be tangible and inside of the consumers hands, they are much more inclined to purchase it on a whim.

Edit: And furthermore, having display art for every title just would not be feasible.

And I don't work for Gamestop.
 
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[quote name='Treehouse Gamer']Edit: And furthermore, having display art for every title just would not be feasible.

And I don't work for Gamestop.[/quote]

Considering the Gamestop.com rep, Retroactive, on CAG saying that they were implementing reprinted coverart by GS for most Used Titles, I'd say it's pretty feasible.
 
[quote name='GuardianE']Considering the Gamestop.com rep, Retroactive, on CAG saying that they were implementing reprinted coverart by GS for most Used Titles, I'd say it's pretty feasible.[/QUOTE]

You are right that GS is reprinting a single cover for current generation games to be used with used games that are traded in without a case. This is actually a policy they have been following for a while. The problem is that GS does not usually display a single box for new games. They do not have the option for stores to put out non-gutted copies, because many stores lack basic anti-theft systems. So gutted insure that they maintain the most valuable piece of the merchandise while increase exposure of the game, since not everyone that shops there, spends all day on message boards.
 
Theoretically, I agree that "gutting" is a shitty practice.
Practically, I just dont give a fuck! *shrugs*

I understand the argument that "new" should mean "in factory shipped condition". Further, I see how this is a big deal for those that like to collect games. Moreover, I appreciate those who choose not to purchase these items.

But for me to be buying a game "new" from GS in the first place means that it is a game I am desperate to play *rightnow*, there is no used copy nearby, and I want to use store credit (an automatic 5% discount with tax savings) and not cash. Really, as long as the game works, I'm not to inclined to care whether the package was opened or not. I'd daresay that the vast majority of GS shoppers dont care either. But, particularly for new games, there tend to be dozens of places where you can buy said new games, so I dont see why it would even be a 'practical' issue even for the collectors.

Funny aside, one of the workers in my local "nerdy" GS is actually a "sealed-only" type. The irony was not lost on him either.

And on the subject of GS "
 
I don't buy opened games for the same reason I don't any open product (like electronics). With others handling it there's an exponentially greater chance that some damage has occured, and "new" should truly mean "new." I purchased quite a few gutted games in the past (before I knew better) and every one of them was scratched and/or smudged. No thanks; not doing that anymore.
 
[quote name='guinaevere']I realize that, but it's still selling a not-new-condition product as new.[/quote]

I never buy new games from gamestop for this reason as well. I'll buy it from anywhere else except there. I only shop gamestop for used games.

If you argue with the manager, he can give you an open case discount of like 10%. They offered me this on several occasions and other times not at all. Depends on the popularity of the game.


just do you guys know, employees borrow games overnight if they come in the next day, they bring them back. Some mgrs allow it. This is why new games are scratched sometimes.

Any deal you can find at gamestop you can find a better one on amazon or ebay.
 
It's annoying when the employees try talking you into buying a gutted copy, or try to explain how it is "new". Once I brought up Killer 7 to purchase (it was labeled new so I wanted a sealed copy) and I asked the employee if they had one that hasn't been opened. He found one more left that wasn't opened and while ringing me up proceded to explain to me how it is new even if it's opened. I just said "yeah, yeah, yeah" because I just wanted to take my damn game home and get out of there.

It's also annoying when you ask if they have a non-gutted copy left and when they don't, they make a snooty comment towards you because you don't want it opened and handled.

But basically, I haven't bought a new game from Gamestop in months simply because every time I ask if they have one that's not opened the answer is "no". One store even told me that they opened their whole stock of a particular new title. Why the hell would they do that?
 
Have you ever seen a retailer sell opened CD's or DVD's as new? I haven't (well, except when Gamestop was selling "new" DVD's). Video games are a smililar form of media (not anymore expensive then some DVD sets) and should be sold in a similar manner, or the customer should be given a discount when it's not.
 
Next time ask if its ok to return a new game if you open it.

[quote name='Rozz']It's annoying when the employees try talking you into buying a gutted copy, or try to explain how it is "new". Once I brought up Killer 7 to purchase (it was labeled new so I wanted a sealed copy) and I asked the employee if they had one that hasn't been opened. He found one more left that wasn't opened and while ringing me up proceded to explain to me how it is new even if it's opened. I just said "yeah, yeah, yeah" because I just wanted to take my damn game home and get out of there.[/QUOTE]
 
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