Official Amazon Trade-In FAQ 4.0 - READ 1st POST

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handsomepete

handsomepete

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

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. 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!

[quote name='Indigo_Streetlight']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.[/QUOTE]

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 NORAM 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
Click to expand...
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
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
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GENERAL FAQ (Updated 06/07/2011)
Can I post a question on this thread?
  • Only if you can't find the answer from below. :lol: And please let me know if it needs to be added to FAQ.
Can I edit this FAQ? (updated 6/7/11)
  • You bet! Up top there is a section for notable TIVs - feel free to add anything in there (and if you can remember, clean up after yourself in a few days when the TIV has undoubtedly dropped). You can edit the FAQ too, please just make sure it's useful and well formatted! Thanks!
Since when did Amazon start doing trades?
  • The program began in 2009 and is handled by a third party merchant, NorAm International.
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. The address is:
    NorAm International
    22 Hampshire Dr
    Hudson, NH 03051
    (This is also an option when submitting your trades)
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. 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?
  • 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.
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 6/8/11)
  • Usually a day or with little delay at all, but the longest reported days so far is 4.
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 NorAm 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!
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 NorAm.
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/gamestaq/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 NORAM 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)
      Click to expand...

      [*]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
      Click to expand...

      [*]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)
      Click to expand...
    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 6/9/11)
  • Not sure yet, but that's the name on the trade-in shipping labels now instead of NORAM. May just be NORAM with a different name. This will be updated as we learn more.
Post away!
 
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[quote name='WV Matsui']This is at $29.70 now. Do you guys think it will go back up? I locked it in at $38 but want to play it a little longer. Is it worth the gamble or should I go ahead and send it?[/QUOTE]

No major sales yet, so it might pop up as trade of the day for 30 or more. just keep checking and don't send it much later than 3 or 4 days past the due date.
 
[quote name='SporkWielder']Doubt anyone would want to jump on this, but if you got in on the Tales of Vesperia for $15.99 deal at Newegg and didn't enjoy the game, it's currently trading in for $20.25

http://www.amazon.com/Tales-Vesperi..._1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1337291988&sr=1-1[/QUOTE]

Thanks, I got a couple copies to unload. I was shocked to see what the collector edition sells for on amazon! I picked one up way back when Hollywood video was open during a b2g1. I think it was only like 20 bucks before discount!
 
[quote name='WV Matsui']This is at $29.70 now. Do you guys think it will go back up? I locked it in at $38 but want to play it a little longer. Is it worth the gamble or should I go ahead and send it?[/QUOTE]

If you think it's worth $5 to hold on to it for another week it's the Trade In of the Day (again) for $33.
 
[quote name='handsomepete']This'll probably last all of 5 minutes, but AC:R :ps3: is back up to $15. Relevant only because w/ Best Buy @gamer coupon it'll be $10 next week. Good for a free rental or to offset the cost of one by buying two and trading one (although really having to buy a second magazine will nullify that anyhow).

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004YVOCV4/?tag=scurker-20[/QUOTE]
Thanks, submitted one. Don't know if I'll actually trade it in though. If I find a Best Buy copy with Ass 1 then I'll keep it.
 
If anyone locked in Soul Calibur V the other day at ~$33 and haven't found a source yet, Gamefly has it for 19.99 tonight. The tiv has already tanked, so if you don't already have it locked it in, too late!
 
AC:R :ps3: trading at 17.55 currently

http://www.amazon.com/Assassins-Cre...OCV4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1338381731&sr=8-1

Pretty easy to finish this bad boy (if you don't care about achievements/trophies) in a day or two - lock this in today and go pick up a copy from best buy with coupon for $10 (or $15 if you need to buy a magazine) and send it in!

p.s. 16.20 tiv if you're more of a :360: type

http://www.amazon.com/Assassins-Cre...ft-xbox-360/dp/B004YVOCYG/ref=trdrt_list_asin

p.p.s. unrelated note, MLB 2k12 for both :360: and :ps3: are still trading in at pretty high values (~$33) if you're looking to unload em.
 
Is it just me, or has the Amazon trade program become borderline dishonest in the last 6-7 months?

The past 2 books and 1 gameswith high TIVs I sent were returned as unacceptable. What on earth does 'cracked disk' mean with an almost brand new game?
 
[quote name='XF Gator']Is it just me, or has the Amazon trade program become borderline dishonest in the last 6-7 months?

The past 2 books and 1 gameswith high TIVs I sent were returned as unacceptable. What on earth does 'cracked disk' mean with an almost brand new game?[/QUOTE]
this crap again. it means the idiot taking the disc out of the case, pulls it out, instead of pressing push, and then, cracks the disc. write an email to amazon or trade to best buy.
 
[quote name='XF Gator']Is it just me, or has the Amazon trade program become borderline dishonest in the last 6-7 months?

The past 2 books and 1 gameswith high TIVs I sent were returned as unacceptable. What on earth does 'cracked disk' mean with an almost brand new game?[/QUOTE]

It means they probably cracked it when yanking it out of the case to check it. Look at the inner ring for a hairline crack when you get it back.

And there has always been some shadiness (or at least some level of incompetance) to the program - in that a large number of things have been cracked or broken that were not sent in that way. I've experienced it myself, but it is certainly nothing new in the last 6-7 months. I haven't sent in anything in a month or two but I have had no problems so far this year. I thought they were getting better, in fact, from 1-2 years ago.
 
[quote name='io']It means they probably cracked it when yanking it out of the case to check it. Look at the inner ring for a hairline crack when you get it back.

And there has always been some shadiness (or at least some level of incompetance) to the program - in that a large number of things have been cracked or broken that were not sent in that way. I've experienced it myself, but it is certainly nothing new in the last 6-7 months. I haven't sent in anything in a month or two but I have had no problems so far this year. I thought they were getting better, in fact, from 1-2 years ago.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, we also saw the old "incorrect item" stuff occur quite frequently on games that had plummeting TIVs. This is the one area where best buy shines in comparison to Amazon and Gamestop - not only are you there when they inspect your games so that you can witness the removal of the games from the cases, but the inspectors also aren't (borderline) obligated to throw in some random refurb fees.
 
[quote name='bgame2']Yeah, we also saw the old "incorrect item" stuff occur quite frequently on games that had plummeting TIVs. This is the one area where best buy shines in comparison to Amazon and Gamestop - not only are you there when they inspect your games so that you can witness the removal of the games from the cases, but the inspectors also aren't (borderline) obligated to throw in some random refurb fees.[/QUOTE]

Well, no, for me Best Buy is a non-entity since I was banned for trading without explanation for crossing some unknown threshold at some random point. And it happened well after I did the bulk of my trading last Fall so that was kind of annoying. I did my first trade in over a month end of Dec. no problem then in Jan. I found out I was banned. I guess I should call the number but I just never feel like dealing with it, so I pretend Best Buy doesn't have a trade-in program any more. As a result, I've completely stopped preordering there and shopping there in general except for the occasional Deal of the Day. It would have been so much better for them simply to limit trades (if that was the problem) at the kiosk level rather than blanket ban.

So in that respect Amazon and GS are 1000's of times better than Best Buy. I've traded probably 10x as much to GS over the years as I ever did to Best Buy without any fear of being banned with no explanation. (Yes, you can get banned from GS trading but it has to be from uber-abuse such as trading in 30-40 HDMI cables over a few days like a certain CAG ;)). And Amazon handles it they way they should - if you've traded 2 copies of a game, they don't take any more! Wow, what a novel approach to dealing with that potential problem. You'd think maybe Best Buy could have implemented that given they started taking trades well after Amazon's program was in place.
 
[quote name='io']Well, no, for me Best Buy is a non-entity since I was banned for trading without explanation for crossing some unknown threshold at some random point. And it happened well after I did the bulk of my trading last Fall so that was kind of annoying. I did my first trade in over a month end of Dec. no problem then in Jan. I found out I was banned. I guess I should call the number but I just never feel like dealing with it, so I pretend Best Buy doesn't have a trade-in program any more. As a result, I've completely stopped preordering there and shopping there in general except for the occasional Deal of the Day. It would have been so much better for them simply to limit trades (if that was the problem) at the kiosk level rather than blanket ban.

So in that respect Amazon and GS are 1000's of times better than Best Buy. I've traded probably 10x as much to GS over the years as I ever did to Best Buy without any fear of being banned with no explanation. (Yes, you can get banned from GS trading but it has to be from uber-abuse such as trading in 30-40 HDMI cables over a few days like a certain CAG ;)). And Amazon handles it they way they should - if you've traded 2 copies of a game, they don't take any more! Wow, what a novel approach to dealing with that potential problem. You'd think maybe Best Buy could have implemented that given they started taking trades well after Amazon's program was in place.[/QUOTE]


I'm also banned at Best Buy - although the wife isn't ;) and the employees find that amusing. In fact when I called the number, the nice representative suggested having someone else do my trades. She also told me that they were 1 year bans that were not automatically lifted so I would have to call to get it removed. Maybe it's just the lawyer in me but in my opinion a "1 year ban" that doesn't get removed automatically is not a 1 year ban, it's an indefinite ban. Oh best buy you crack me up.

Having noted the above, I was really only referring to the cross your fingers after shipping to Amazon aspect of the trade in. I completely agree with you io, Best Buy needed to do far better than they did with explaining the banning or implementing a prospective (rather than reflective) approach to banning people. I posted previously that a warning email would have been the way to go. It would have been a sort of C&D letter. Anyway, I don't want to clutter up the thread with OT stuff, but going back to the poster's original issue - I definitely found a shadiness to Amazon's inspection procedures in my experiences.
 
[quote name='XF Gator']Is it just me, or has the Amazon trade program become borderline dishonest in the last 6-7 months?

The past 2 books and 1 gameswith high TIVs I sent were returned as unacceptable. What on earth does 'cracked disk' mean with an almost brand new game?[/QUOTE]

It's just you. I've had no problems with them except for a lost package but that was UPS's fault.

I've never been one for conspiracy theories. Incompetence, yes. Willful destruction, no.
 
The only time Amazons'(or rather NorAm's) inspection process was shady to me was when I tried exploiting the same glitched tiv's as other CAG's that many on CAG received full credits for. I ended up having to get promotional credits applied to my account later on after arguing the condition of both items I sent in.

Albeit I'm sure bgame2 is probably talking about when they deny a regular trade by saying it's too scratched or whatever, then when you receive the game(s) back they're in mint condition still.
 
[quote name='confoosious']It's just you. I've had no problems with them except for a lost package but that was UPS's fault.

I've never been one for conspiracy theories. Incompetence, yes. Willful destruction, no.[/QUOTE]


This.

I trade in a pretty decent amount of stuff to Amazon and I've never had a single issue. This includes random items with ridiculously high TIVs and games that could have easily been denied for one reason or another (cart-only, BB exclusive, etc.). Never had a single issue, damaged item, or rejection.

Luck of the draw, I guess?
 
[quote name='XF Gator']Is it just me, or has the Amazon trade program become borderline dishonest in the last 6-7 months?

The past 2 books and 1 gameswith high TIVs I sent were returned as unacceptable. What on earth does 'cracked disk' mean with an almost brand new game?[/QUOTE]

That's just how they are in general. When it comes to accepting high TIV items, it all depends on who you get when your items arrive and are inspected. Those opportunites are alot more rare now days and its not a guaranteed win even if you lock in prices ie Ben 10, Family Party Fitness, My Horse and Me from a few months ago.
 
To provide some detail into what my most troubling issue was:

I had an item delivered via UPS. After 5/6 days of the item not being checked in I contacted Amazon. Amazon contacted Noram (at least they told me they did) and then suddenly later that day the item was marked as "damaged". I again contacted Amazon in a fury asking why after 6 days I was just now being notified that it was damaged. Amazon did not know, but they were kind enough to request specific information from the "report". At that point (next day) the status changed to "Item lost in shipping". I think you can figure out how well I accepted that.

Let's be clear Amazon gave me my money and a promotional credit (after I sent an email summarizing the chain of events). That said, I had at least 5 "incorrect items" and another 5 "damaged items" over a 1 year span. The damaged were all returned to me in horrendous shape (1 of which was not even my item -generic cover on a game that I sent brand new). The incorrect items were all the items I sent - the last 3 of which matched the Amazon UPC's (I never checked the first two).

There are the two entities: Amazon and Noram. Is Amazon shady? Hell no. Is Noram shady? Speaking from my personal experiences only, yes.

Your results have obviously varied.
 
[quote name='bgame2']Your results have obviously varied.[/QUOTE]

It's still important to reiterate once in a while that things like this _do_ happen, and that it is wildly varied (and really just luck of the draw). I suspect that in reality noram isn't really that shady, but maybe sometimes they get employees that steal / are overly careless tossing packages / etc or managers that are equally careless but don't want to get in trouble so they cover up / lie / reject. Who knows.

I actually understand the incorrect item stuff for the overblown tivs - if I were noram I'd be annoyed that Amazon's system wasn't preventing Barbie Horse Magic Unicorn Time :ds: from hitting a $500 tiv too. They appear to have fixed the magic tiv calculator which I had hoped would increase the overall reliability of noram, but it seems to be about the same as it ever was.

That said, I've probably traded in over $4000 in stuff over the past few years and have had at most 3 or 4 things sent back unfairly and one trade-in shipment that vanished entirely after it was received. That's a pretty good track record for anything like this imo.
 
I've been trading for a couple of years now and have only had incidents in the last couple of months.

One of them was really irritating -- I had a factory sealed DVD that I traded in new, which they opened and the returned to me in a now-smashed case as an "Unauthorized Copy," which was just total BS. An outright lie.

I also had a used OOP DVD that was worth $33 -- only had one release, ever -- and they returned that with the tag "Incorrect Edition." There was NO OTHER edition, ever!

I complained to Amazon CSR and they gave me the full credit on the first one, and a $5 credit on the second. I do believe either both were incompetence or an actual, intended attempt to not pay out the value of the item. The rationale for the rejection was totally wrong, not to mention when they opened the first DVD I traded in, it would never be worth the same amount because it was no longer sealed! I didn't have much of a problem there when I complained about it, between that and the damage it was no longer in the same condition when I sent it.
 
[quote name='phantomfriar2002']I've been trading for a couple of years now and have only had incidents in the last couple of months.

One of them was really irritating -- I had a factory sealed DVD that I traded in new, which they opened and the returned to me in a now-smashed case as an "Unauthorized Copy," which was just total BS. An outright lie.

I also had a used OOP DVD that was worth $33 -- only had one release, ever -- and they returned that with the tag "Incorrect Edition." There was NO OTHER edition, ever!

I complained to Amazon CSR and they gave me the full credit on the first one, and a $5 credit on the second. I do believe either both were incompetence or an actual, intended attempt to not pay out the value of the item. The rationale for the rejection was totally wrong, not to mention when they opened the first DVD I traded in, it would never be worth the same amount because it was no longer sealed! I didn't have much of a problem there when I complained about it, between that and the damage it was no longer in the same condition when I sent it.[/QUOTE]

Taking in new condition DVDs / Blus was an asinine step I wish they would reverse. Obviously too prone to problems both in terms of fraud and verification.
 
The thing with the ridiculous high TIVs thing is that they have in their T&Cs that they can reject for incorrect pricing or pricing errors (last I checked) so they don't have to do something so stupid as to smash your case or crack you disc. They can simply say "pricing error - see our terms" and be done with it.

I 100% can believe they have incompetent employees that don't know as much about video games or that carelessly break your stuff. I can even believe they have some asshole employees that reject stuff for shits and giggles. But conspiracy theories of management issuing some sort of directive to damage high TIV games deliberately makes me laugh. Why do something you have no need to do?

Anyway, whats up with the random no Trade in of the Days anymore? I check it every morning and lately it's been missing on some days.
 
[quote name='confoosious']The thing with the ridiculous high TIVs thing is that they have in their T&Cs that they can reject for incorrect pricing or pricing errors (last I checked) so they don't have to do something so stupid as to smash your case or crack you disc. They can simply say "pricing error - see our terms" and be done with it. [/quote]



That's why they come off as a shady operation, to me. They have a legal way out and still reject items with some bs excuse like "wrong edition" "incorrect item".

What I really don't like is how they crack your discs while taking them out for inspection and don't take the responsibility for it. In the last year I sent in a box set of HD DVDs (yeah I know they aren't worth much but it's the principle of it), that were returned as cracked discs. 4 of the 6 were cracked by them. The set's disc box was a cardboard one that used these gel/rubber sweet tart shaped cylinders to hold the discs. Patience was needed to remove disc from these holders. A few of the discs were sent back with cracks that extended far into the data portions of the disc.

I can't complain really and just suck up quite a few of my losses these days because I've gotten so many things form these "flips".
 
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Sent in 6 games and 1 blu.

They accepted 4 games and the blu. The other two games are now listed as expired! I asked for then to be retuned but haven't. What do I do?
 
[quote name='WV Matsui']Sent in 6 games and 1 blu.

They accepted 4 games and the blu. The other two games are now listed as expired! I asked for then to be retuned but haven't. What do I do?[/QUOTE]

I've had this happen to me twice. I contacted customer service and they ended up giving me promo credit for the trade in amount for the items that weren't accepted and "couldn't be located."
 
[quote name='coopscohen']I've had this happen to me twice. I contacted customer service and they ended up giving me promo credit for the trade in amount for the items that weren't accepted and "couldn't be located."[/QUOTE]

Just worried my account would be flagged
 
I've only had to contact customer service on one or two different occasions concerning issues with a trade in which the item had been damaged in transit or from Amazon. Granted I've traded in quite a few items, but it annoyed me to no end when they sent my item(s) back with a huge slit from a box opener/utility knife and then stated that these items were "damaged" so they had no option but to deny my trade-in.:roll:

As a result, I am a bit hesitant in dealing with Amazon's trade in service and contemplate whether it's worth it or not before making any decisions to trade in items to Amazon.

At the moment I have some textbooks locked in for trade, but I just don't know if it is worth the possible hassle that I've experienced in the past.
 
Anyone know a cheap way to get boxes? Cost me 3.50 to buy a freaking box to trade in a game I got 20.25 for opposed to 16.80 at Best Buy. Really not even worth the hassle for $0.50.
 
[quote name='brauma']Anyone know a cheap way to get boxes? Cost me 3.50 to buy a freaking box to trade in a game I got 20.25 for opposed to 16.80 at Best Buy. Really not even worth the hassle for $0.50.[/QUOTE]

If you're trading in a single game you can just use a padded envelope. I know this won't help but ever since I got Amazon Prime I've been somewhat overwhelmed with boxes/padded envelopes.
 
[quote name='brauma']Anyone know a cheap way to get boxes? Cost me 3.50 to buy a freaking box to trade in a game I got 20.25 for opposed to 16.80 at Best Buy. Really not even worth the hassle for $0.50.[/QUOTE]

dumpster dive at a liquor store
 
[quote name='brauma']Anyone know a cheap way to get boxes? Cost me 3.50 to buy a freaking box to trade in a game I got 20.25 for opposed to 16.80 at Best Buy. Really not even worth the hassle for $0.50.[/QUOTE]
Use the flat rate boxes from the post office. Just assemble them inside out. They will have the USPS markings on them but that's fine.
 
[quote name='klimb22']Use the flat rate boxes from the post office. Just assemble them inside out. They will have the USPS markings on them but that's fine.[/QUOTE]

This does not work. At least not for most people. In fact, I was at the PO the other day and they wouldn't ship a package from a woman that was wrapped in brown paper because they could tell it was a flat rate box size. She said it was a previously used box, but they said even that wasn't allowed.
 
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[quote name='evanwink']This does not work. At least not for most people. In fact, I was at the PO the other day and they wouldn't ship a package from a woman that was wrapped in brown paper because they could tell it was a flat rate box size. She said it was a previously used box, but they said even that wasn't allowed.
[/QUOTE]

Amazon uses UPS so they don't care if it's a USPS flat box. Buy cheap boxes at Walmart.
 
[quote name='brauma']Anyone know a cheap way to get boxes? Cost me 3.50 to buy a freaking box to trade in a game I got 20.25 for opposed to 16.80 at Best Buy. Really not even worth the hassle for $0.50.[/QUOTE]


Go to a dollar store and ask them to save you some boxes. Candy boxes are heavy duty and amazon pays the shipping, so weight isn't a problem.
 
[quote name='scblueeyedguy']Amazon uses UPS so they don't care if it's a USPS flat box. Buy cheap boxes at Walmart.[/QUOTE]

Good point, I wasn't thinking about it being UPS, so I guess that would work. Still theft, though.
 
Max Payne 3 trades in for $36.00 on PS3, the highest I've seen. I cancelled my not-yet-sent-in $33.75 trade-in and placed another one at this higher value.
 
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