GS may be backing off aggressive used game sales

[Furian]

http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2009/06/publishers-for-obvious-reasons-have.ars

A new report claims that GameStop may be backing off the practice of pushing used games to customers. While this has to be treated as rumor, it could point to some major pressure from the industry to stem the sales of used titles.

 

[Thongsy]

They have never pushed used games on me. Though they always try to get me to buy an Edge card. Preorder and trade-in things, but never push their used stuff too much if at all.

 

[Persona7]

I hate it when I ask for a "NEW COPY" and then they tell me if I want to save a 5$ on a used copy.

That and the shitty employees caused me to not shop there anymore.

 

[Ziv]

I don't know if the article says it or nor (didn't read it) but they are going to stop the register from prompting for used games for the first 60 days after release. But good employees will know what they have in stock and offer it anyway.

 

[laaj]

[quote name='Ziv']But good employees will know what they have in stock and offer it anyway.[/QUOTE]

Problem is there aren't many good employees at Gamestop. Reason why I haven't entered one in years. If they are any good at sales and have a brain, they can make lot more $ working somewhere else.

 

[Furian]

I think it's interesting because GS's profit margin is heavily dependent on pushing used merchandise. With this rumor, and increasing trend towards digital distribution (PSP Go, Xbox Live Games on Demand, and of course Steam) it's hard to see where they make their money 5 years down the road.

As usual, PA is all over it. And this comic is two years old. Only going to get worse...

http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2007/03/30/

 

[crunchewy]

Wasn't the last we heard, though, that Gamestop was weathering the economy quite well? I think right now selling used games has to be a big win for Gamestop, and I don't think they were hurting before either.

Moreover I don't think it's correct to say that Gamestop's used sales have no positive impact on publishers/developers balance books. When people trade in used games they may well use the credit to purchase new games (I know I have, though I also buy used), and Gamestop certainly pushes pre-orders, especially when you are trading in. Gamestop's used sales do benefit the industry, just indirectly.