The (old) GameRush/Blockbuster Thread

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Welcome to the Official CAG Gamerush/Blockbuster video game deal thread.

First and foremost, please check out the
GameRush Trade-In Prices Wiki.

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What is this thread for?
The primary function of this thread is to discuss current trade-in and sale promos and to post any trade-in values you have obtained. Please post trade-in values with the date of the trade (or quote) and system. One of the CAG Wiki editors will then add them to the Wiki.

It is also permissible to discuss system availability, credit issues, etc. As long as it is related to game trades or sales at Blockbuster it is generally OK to discuss it here.

Unlike more tightly focused clearance threads, it is OK to discuss more general Gamerush/Blockbuster issues here as well as trade requests as long as they are kept to a minimum (and usually just during specific deals, of which there are none currently).

Due to the questionable stability of the Gamerush brand, it is also permissible to discuss ways of converting credit from Blockbuster to other stores (ie, which games may be used for trading in to other stores such as Gamecrazy or EB/GS). As of right now, we have no indication of Gamerush's imminent demise, but given Blockbuster's ongoing financial difficulties we need to be aware of the possibility.

What is this thread NOT for?
There will be absolutely NO DISCUSSION of the recent doctored coupon. Do not discuss what you bought, what you traded it for, or anything else - all such posts will be deleted. Any discussion of that should be done here.

Also, it is bad form to discuss the flipping of games from one Gamerush store to another should another such opportunity arrive (through trade-in deals which we haven't had recently anyway). It is one thing to "play the market" with trade-in values from one chain to another (GR to GC to EB) - free market buy low/sell high and all that. But taking advantage of loopholes in a single store's policies/promos is frowned upon and has, in the past, led to trade-in bans from GR.

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General Info
- Trade-in credit can be placed onto your store account or onto a "Value" card
- Credit on store accounts can only be used at that one store
- However, credit can be transferred from the store account to a card at any time
- Value cards can be used at any location
- Gamerush stores often do not get new game stock until the Friday of the release week, thus a few days later than most retailers

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Gamerush vs. regular Blockbusters
All Blockbuster game-related discussion belongs here. Most threads created in the Deals forum will be merged in to here. There seems to be the impression by many CAGs that if they don't have a Gamerush store near them then this thread does not apply to them. However, regular (non-GR) Blockbuster stores often run the same promos and generally have the same trade-in values.

The key differences:
- Only Gamerush stores sell new and used video game hardware, with the exception of the occasional new controller/memory card spotted at regular stores. (Edit - Some recent exceptions have cropped up: many regular BB stores had a PS3 bundle available over Christmas and a few stores have been reported to sell DS Lites).

- Only Gamerush stores allow for preorders of new games (though, it seems, many of those have even stopped taking preorders).

- While many Gamerush stores have cut back on their new game stock, some regular (non-GR) Blockbusters have started selling new games. They usually have a very limited selection of top-selling new 360, PS3, and Wii games. I will be maintaining a list below here for those with Blockbuster credit but no access to a GR store.

- Trade-in values are controlled centrally and are uniform across all Gamerush and Blockbuster locations EXCEPT if the Blockbuster is a franchise location. You can tell from the receipt if your store is a franchise store. All Gamerush stores are corporate-owned so they will have uniform pricing.

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New games that may be available for purchase at select non-GR Blockbusters
For those with access to only regular Blockbuster stores but wanting to take advantage of the decent trade-in values Blockbuster offers, this is the list of new games being sold by some regular Blockbuster locations. Note that they will generally not get new games on the release date. They will most likely have them a few days to weeks later.

:ds:
Legend of Zelda Phantom Hourglass

:360:
Bioshock
Blue Dragon
Call of Duty 4
Guitar Hero III
Halo 3
Lego Star Wars TCS
Mass Effect
NBA Live 08
The Orange Box

:ps2:
Guitar Hero III
Spiderman Friend or Foe

:ps3:
80GB PS3 bundle for $600 (PS3, Surf's Up Blu-Ray, HDMI cable, 20-week rental card)
Assassin's Creed
Lego Star Wars TCS
NBA Live 08
Ratchet & Clank Tools of Destruction
Rock Band bundle
Uncharted

:wii:
Guitar Hero III
NBA Live 08
Mario Party 8
Mario Strikers Charged
Super Mario Galaxy

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Current Trade-In Deals

There are no trade-in deals at this time. The trade 3 get an extra $5 per game is still in affect at some (very select) locations.

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Reported Trade-In Prices

Trade-In Price Wiki
 
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I know they are saying they won't have it til Friday, but if anybody happens to spot COD4 at their BB/GR, let us know.... I'm gettin' sick of waiting for it.
 
[quote name='Bezerker']I made out like a bandit today.

I got 3 copies of the Darkness, 3 HoV's, 2 Happy Feet's, and 1 Jaws

All in all:

Darkness: $17.54 -> $35
Hour of Victory: $16.24 -> $35
Happy Feet: - $11.69 -> $26
Jaws - $9.XX (cant find receipt) -> $19

I'm back up to $300 credit, but i figure I might as well milk it up just in case there arent any more decent flips for a while. Two more locations have all 4 games above in stock. I'm gonna head back tomorrow to get some more fodder.

Anyone know what Untold Legends for PS3 trades for? I bought a copy for myself for $11, but i figure if it trades decent, i'll trade it as well.[/quote]

Is Happy Feet the one for Wii and Jaws trades in for $19 for which console?
 
[quote name='mrhappi79']Is Happy Feet the one for Wii and Jaws trades in for $19 for which console?[/QUOTE]

Yes on Wii and Xbox only.

Okay, Wiki updated.

I also got a list of about 20 or so PS2/XB titles that are $4.99 or less @ GS that trade in for $.75 - $2.50. Mostly junk but for those by special GR you can double your money in credit ($3.75 into $7.50 after coupons and GR extra $5). I left it in my car so I'll update around 10:00pm PST with it. I managed to pick up another... 14 or so Darkness. And about 7 or so HoV. Plus a few Happy Feet. Which will become... about $900 by next Monday, assuming I don't find any more Darkness or HoV or Happy Feet. Which you shouldn't. Because I will. So that is really more like $1000+ in just a week, from $500 cash, which came from $700 in credit, which came from $350 cash, which came from $200 credit, which came from $100 cash about two weeks ago. I'm up $900 credit from my first $100 cash. Viva capitalism~



RANT - RANT - RANT - RANT - RANT - RANT - RANT - RANT - RANT - RANT -
-If you want to know trade in prices and it's between 10am and 10pm, CALL YOUR LOCAL BLOCKBUSTER/GAMERUSH! It's really lazy to have another CAG check a price for you UNLESS the stores are closed (specifically for us out on the west coast in the morning or the east coast at night). Prices never change during the middle of the day, so if it's that important, wait until you're done with work/school to call if the price isn't listed on CAG, then post that trade in price on this thread so others know. If you need to know a trade in price, it's presumed you actually live near a GameRush to begin with- so don't have other CAGs do your dirty work for you. This doesn't apply if you have idiot employees that won't give out trade prices over the phone.

-If the price in the Wiki was updated on a Tuesday (in this case, 11/06/07) then that price is STILL GOOD until the following Monday (11/12/07). Don't ask if the value is still good if it's been updated since last TUESDAY. That is why a lot of us on the west coast ask people on the east coast if HoV, Darkness, Happy Feet, etc are still good- we want to plan our route based of off trade values.

-Also, if you post on an internet forum asking for the nearest GR near you without realizing what a "store locator" is, you need help or a parent.
 
[quote name='nlyonssmith']Kunai, what did you use to convert back to cash? or to convert to EB/GS credit?[/QUOTE]

I sell consoles to a nearby mom and pop store. I'm going to stock up on consoles and make a craigslist post in about two weeks, too.
 
Nintendo is gonna own the markup console sales for Christmas this year. I've seen DS lites go for $140 by themselves in the past week. It may be even better to sell on craigslist. I was able to find another 2 Darkness, 2 Hov's, another jaws, and another happy feet. I'm up to $500ish in credit.

I'm wondering how limited the LE Rock Band set will be. If its gonna be a moderately low number, ill pre-order a couple, i'm sure those will hold up real nice on ebay.
 
You guys are funny... I was in a Gamestop today and forgot my little list of good BB games in the car. I didn't see any HoV and forgot about Darkness. They had one Happy Feet. As a result I let out a big "meh" to the whole idea. I didn't feel like it was at all worth it to drive to another EB or GS. I'd rather keep my credit there anyway...

I suppose if I could get some new releases at the 10 mile away BB store that occasionally has a handful of new games then it might be worth it to double my EB/GS credit (as I'd be buying them there or at GC otherwise). But without any knowledge of what they might get in or when they'll get it, it is more hassle than it is worth.

I couldn't imagine being able to walk into a Blockbuster branded store and actually buy something like a Wii or PS3. Unbelieveable... (for those who weren't around earlier this year, even my GR, before it closed in March, never got one a Wii and they only got 4 PS3s and sold them all to a dealer).

And now I see that the EB/GS 25% off coupon expires tomorrow. Oh well...
 
I just got back from Blockbuster where I flipped two copies of Darkness 360. They had a Wii there and when I tried to buy it the employee told me that I couldn't buy it with the Value Card. At first I thought he was joking but he said that it's against Blockbuster policy to buy consoles using their very own value card. He said something about there being major employee fraud regarding VCs and that's why the policy exists. I then asked him if I could buy a Gift Card and use it to buy the Wii and he said that it's the same thing and that I still wouldn't be able to purchase the Wii. Needless to say I got very upset but calmly asked for a manager. He then pointed to an empty spot on his shirt to indicate that he WAS the manager. He said I could speak to the store manager when she next comes in but that she too would say the same thing.

Ummmm, I thought I could buy anything with the Value Card including video game consoles seeing as how I traded video games to get credit on the card. Either it's a policy that's always existed or I ran into some hardass employee. Anyone know if this is the case?
 
[quote name='mrhappi79']I just got back from Blockbuster where I flipped two copies of Darkness 360. They had a Wii there and when I tried to buy it the employee told me that I couldn't buy it with the Value Card. At first I thought he was joking but he said that it's against Blockbuster policy to buy consoles using their very own value card. He said something about there being major employee fraud regarding VCs and that's why the policy exists. I then asked him if I could buy a Gift Card and use it to buy the Wii and he said that it's the same thing and that I still wouldn't be able to purchase the Wii. Needless to say I got very upset but calmly asked for a manager. He then pointed to an empty spot on his shirt to indicate that he WAS the manager. He said I could speak to the store manager when she next comes in but that she too would say the same thing.

Ummmm, I thought I could buy anything with the Value Card including video game consoles seeing as how I traded video games to get credit on the card. Either it's a policy that's always existed or I ran into some hardass employee. Anyone know if this is the case?[/quote]


I remember this being covered in the old thread but I don't remember the specifics. io is sort of the BB guru, he could probably answer this.
 
It is NOT policy that you can't buy hardware with value cards, but some managers choose to make that a reality.

Or to clarify, if it is policy, then apparently only a tiny fraction of managers know of this policy. So I tend towards the former.
 
I was told about this when I first started trading. The manager said it was different store to store. you can however use store credit to buy consoles, so if you want to leave it on an account at a store when you trade, try that.

I bet IO has more details.
 
[quote name='botticus']It is NOT policy that you can't buy hardware with value cards, but some managers choose to make that distinction.

Or to clarify, if it is policy, then apparently only a tiny fraction of managers know of this policy. So I tend towards the former.[/quote]
Do you suggest I speak to the store manager about this? I was thinking of calling their Customer Service line to find out if it is their policy.

Who is IO btw?
 
We've seen this type of thing posted by CAGs in the past. I don't think it is a Blockbuster policy, but it may be a policy at that store. Certainly most don't enforce it if it is a Blockbuster policy (and I really doubt it is). Is there another store you can try?

It would certainly throw a wrench into djkunai's plans if it became official policy :lol:.

Edit - Man, you people blasted out the answers while I composed my silly message. Basically, I agree with what Botticus said. Either it is NOT a system-wide policy (most likely) or it is very loosely enforced.
 
[quote name='io']We've seen this type of thing posted by CAGs in the past. I don't think it is a Blockbuster policy, but it may be a policy at that store. Certainly most don't enforce it if it is a Blockbuster policy (and I really doubt it is). Is there another store you can try?

It would certainly throw a wrench into djkunai's plans if it became official policy :lol:.

Edit - Man, you people blasted out the answers while I composed my silly message. Basically, I agree with what Botticus said. Either it is NOT a system-wide policy (most likely) or it is very loosely enforced.[/quote]
There is another blockbuster store I can try. But now I'm skeptical as to whether or not they're gonna have the same policy enforcement there.

Do regular blockbuster sell consoles?

Also if they do take store credit for consoles, would I be able to transfer my value card credit to store credit?
 
[quote name='mrhappi79']I just got back from Blockbuster where I flipped two copies of Darkness 360. They had a Wii there and when I tried to buy it the employee told me that I couldn't buy it with the Value Card. At first I thought he was joking but he said that it's against Blockbuster policy to buy consoles using their very own value card. He said something about there being major employee fraud regarding VCs and that's why the policy exists. I then asked him if I could buy a Gift Card and use it to buy the Wii and he said that it's the same thing and that I still wouldn't be able to purchase the Wii. Needless to say I got very upset but calmly asked for a manager. He then pointed to an empty spot on his shirt to indicate that he WAS the manager. He said I could speak to the store manager when she next comes in but that she too would say the same thing.

Ummmm, I thought I could buy anything with the Value Card including video game consoles seeing as how I traded video games to get credit on the card. Either it's a policy that's always existed or I ran into some hardass employee. Anyone know if this is the case?[/quote]

I bought my Halo 3 Edition 360 with a value card, so I don't think it's policy. By the way, traded these 2 in today - still holding their value...

Forza 2 - $32
Fuzion Frenzy 2 - $15
 
[quote name='Rob26Smith']Just came back from BB and bought a Wii and Wireless headset for the 360 using my value card. No problems!!![/quote]

Congratulations!!! :applause:
 
In the past month i've bought both a Wii and a 80gb PS3 with value cards at 2 different stores. The PS3 was paid off with 4 GCs and the manager rung me up since he had to go in the back and get the system. The Wii was 2 gift cards..... Once I get to around $150 I usually start a new card just so I don't raise eyebrows when the employee gives you your card back and says WOW you got XXX.XX in credit ...

Didn't make it out today so gonna make my last run in the morning before the GS coupon expires. :D
 
I've bought over 15 consoles in the past few months with value cards no problem. Franchise stores do make their own rules, however.
 
Ok, I'm going crazy, trying to find the closest GameRush, and their local store finder doesn't really help much. It is starting to seem like there isn't a GR, within the whole state of Virginia.

Does anyone know of a GameRush within Virginia or it's surrounding states?
 
[quote name='$hady']In the past month i've bought both a Wii and a 80gb PS3 with value cards at 2 different stores. The PS3 was paid off with 4 GCs and the manager rung me up since he had to go in the back and get the system. The Wii was 2 gift cards..... Once I get to around $150 I usually start a new card just so I don't raise eyebrows when the employee gives you your card back and says WOW you got XXX.XX in credit ...

Didn't make it out today so gonna make my last run in the morning before the GS coupon expires. :D[/QUOTE]

This isn't just a question for you, but since you're talking about systems...

How can you tell if a store sells systems? Do all Blockbusters potentially have them (well, excluding franchise stores, which seem to be able to do what they want!), or just GameRush stores? I haven't even thought to ask, since we've just got Blockbusters here. But if they could have a PS3, I'll definetely be making a trip around to some local blockbusters tomorrow!
 
It's raining, it's pouring, Kunai keeps on scoring.
At GameStop he'll shop 'til he'll drop,
Then flip at GameRush in the morning....
 
[quote name='CaptPete']This isn't just a question for you, but since you're talking about systems...

How can you tell if a store sells systems? Do all Blockbusters potentially have them (well, excluding franchise stores, which seem to be able to do what they want!), or just GameRush stores? I haven't even thought to ask, since we've just got Blockbusters here. But if they could have a PS3, I'll definetely be making a trip around to some local blockbusters tomorrow![/quote]
GR stores carry systems BB do not, at least around me...
oops just saw you only have BB guess you dont need the GR location finder for numbers... I'd call rather than driving around.

[quote name='Unknown50862']Ok, I'm going crazy, trying to find the closest GameRush, and their local store finder doesn't really help much. It is starting to seem like there isn't a GR, within the whole state of Virginia.

Does anyone know of a GameRush within Virginia or it's surrounding states?[/quote]
If you just trying to trade BB gives the same credit as GR BUT you are limited to there smaller game selection..
 
[quote name='Unknown50862']Ok, I'm going crazy, trying to find the closest GameRush, and their local store finder doesn't really help much. It is starting to seem like there isn't a GR, within the whole state of Virginia.

Does anyone know of a GameRush within Virginia or it's surrounding states?[/QUOTE]

I can tell you that a year or so ago when I was still travelling to DC I checked on GR in VA in MD and there were none that I could find anywhere near there. I think you have to head to Ohio or Georgia, perhaps North and South Carolina, to find any. They like to put them in places I don't ever have the need or desire to visit. Out West, they are pretty much only in Southern California. See my previous comment ;). Right now the nearest GR to me (that I know about - in Fresno, CA) is about 740 miles away, with an estimated driving time of 12 hours according to Mapquest. Needless to say I don't go to GR much any more.
 
I can add that I'm pretty sure there's no GR in SC or NC. On the upside, the BB employees have been very helpful with my trade-ins.
 
[quote name='Agrippan']I can add that I'm pretty sure there's no GR in SC or NC. On the upside, the BB employees have been very helpful with my trade-ins.[/QUOTE]

Are you sure about that? Or did they all close recently? We had a CAG that was pretty active at GR a year or so ago and he was in one of the Carolinas. He was definitely buying systems and the like so it was GR, not just a regular BB. I'm sure some of you remember him: Camelking-something-or-another was his user name ;). (looked it up - Camelking6969 it must have been).
 
[quote name='io']Are you sure about that? Or did they all close recently? We had a CAG that was pretty active at GR a year or so ago and he was in one of the Carolinas. He was definitely buying systems and the like so it was GR, not just a regular BB. I'm sure some of you remember him: Camelking-something-or-another was his user name ;). (looked it up - Camelking6969 it must have been).[/quote]
Hmm, I'll spend a couple minutes with the locator and see if anything comes up.

EDIT: Yea, sorry but I was way off; there are plenty of GR stores in NC around the Charlotte area and also a bunch in SC.
 
[quote name='djkunai']It's raining, it's pouring, Kunai keeps on scoring.
At GameStop he'll shop 'til he'll drop,
Then flip at GameRush in the morning....[/quote]Why do I have a feeling that if Blockbuster still bans people, kunai will be the one to find out?
 
[quote name='Agrippan']Hmm, I'll spend a couple minutes with the locator and see if anything comes up.

EDIT: Yea, sorry but I was way off; there are plenty of GR stores in NC around the Charlotte area and also a bunch in SC.[/quote]

Thank you! The thing is, is that I have 10 copies of both Forza 2 and Fuzion Frenzy 2 (Tropicana Twister...hehe), and GR/BB seem like the best bet for trade-ins. Now the reason I need a GR, is because my Xbox 360 has been broken for awhile now, and I've been keeping it alive with the towel trick, but it has gotten to the point, to where I need to do it every other day.

One last question. I've seen some discussion on this, but no solid answer. Is it confirmed that BBs do not carry consoles, or is it just unlikely?
 
[quote name='Unknown50862']
One last question. I've seen some discussion on this, but no solid answer. Is it confirmed that BBs do not carry consoles, or is it just unlikely?[/quote]

I know I've never seen any consoles at any of the BBs I've been to, but I don't know for sure.
 
I'm pretty sure that Blockbusters get the bare minimum. They seem to do random new games/pre-orders, and some accessories.

I'm thinking about moving some credit to EB/GS so i can get the new Zune next week. Turning $50 GR credit into $32 EB doesnt seem worth it to me as its almost bringing me back down to the 50% gain that i got from the start. I was wondering if anyone knew any decent cheap titles to trade? EB's doing a Trade 5 get 30% bonus deal for the rest of the month.
 
I'm assuming no CoD4 sightings yet? Man, I should really try to flip some games....maybe today at lunch, I just don't have to time to run to 2-3 different stores. I guess I'll settle with my $380 in credit thus far.

Now I have the dilemma to get a 360 Elite and sell my premium....or just get a lot of games.
 
I'm in Greenville, SC and had no problem buying a Wii console just a few days ago with a GameRush Value Card. And BTW, there are a few regular BB stores around here selling Playstation 3 consoles. I think partly because the GR stores weren't selling them.
 
I made some trades last night which you can add to the Wiki if needed:

Sonic The Hedgehog (360) $8
Bulletwitch $15
Virtua Fighter 5 (PS3) $16
Tourist Trophy $6
Call Of Duty 2 (360) $10

Purchased Naruto:Rise of a Ninja for 360 (Wish I would have went to GS instead to buy some HoV & Darkness, but my wife wanted to get home & I had a poker game to get to...)
 
Just FYI, I just picked up COD4 at my local GR a few minutes ago. One day ahead of when they claimed they'd have it (and two days after *most* normal stores got it). Just thought I'd share. They had a handful of copies and also a few copies of the limited edition.
 
WOOHOO! :applause: I just got off the phone with one of my GR's and they have 3 Wii's in stock! I am going after work to get one. Now I don't have to try to pawn off my GR credit on ebay.

Too bad the Wii will have to remain hidden until Dec 25th. :(

On another note:
I just ordered the component cables for it from Dealextreme for $6. :bouncy:
 
Wiki updated. I'm also trying to compile a list of stores that are still offering the $5 bonus (also on the wiki). If your local GR still offers it, please post!
 
In for a couple more, just to highlight this one.

PS2 Jaws Unleashed gets 19$, if you have an edge and are using the 25% 3 deal, this can make you an easy 8$, not as good as the darkness profits, but I like to mix it up a little to at least seem like I'm trading different stuff.
 
[quote name='mkernan']Just FYI, I just picked up COD4 at my local GR a few minutes ago. One day ahead of when they claimed they'd have it (and two days after *most* normal stores got it). Just thought I'd share. They had a handful of copies and also a few copies of the limited edition.[/QUOTE]

Still no COD4 at my local store. They say it should be in tomorrow for sure.
 
A little late to the party, but anyways...

regarding giftcards to buy consoles... that is definitely only one or two store's policy. Most likely those stores had some sort of employee theft regarding giftcards and implemented their own policy to stop/curb it. A call to corporate should allow you a one time exception to that store's policy, but if you've traded a lot of one or two particular games to several stores (darkness, jaws, HoV, etc.), I would refrain from calling since they can see your history at all the stores combined. So they will see that you have traded in 8 copies of each game to the local area, figure something fishy is going on, and but a ban on your trading account. Also a good reason not to raise a stink over it at that one store since they might get a bug up their ass and start calling local stores to find out what you've been up to over there.
 
Re: CoD4...

All stores that will be carrying the game should be getting them Friday in the early afternoon (around 1-2ish). Add the amount of time it takes most of the incompetent managers to figure out what to do with them and you're looking at it being on the shelf no later than 6PM.
 
[quote name='Warner1281']A little late to the party, but anyways...

regarding giftcards to buy consoles... that is definitely only one or two store's policy. Most likely those stores had some sort of employee theft regarding giftcards and implemented their own policy to stop/curb it. A call to corporate should allow you a one time exception to that store's policy, but if you've traded a lot of one or two particular games to several stores (darkness, jaws, HoV, etc.), I would refrain from calling since they can see your history at all the stores combined. So they will see that you have traded in 8 copies of each game to the local area, figure something fishy is going on, and but a ban on your trading account. Also a good reason not to raise a stink over it at that one store since they might get a bug up their ass and start calling local stores to find out what you've been up to over there.[/QUOTE]

I have gotten the look a few times when I had bought consoles in the past. I even got one guy that said "we can't take gift cards to purchase consoles", but all it took was me saying "this is store credit, I can use it on anything in the store" and a manger to straighten him out. I'm not a gross polluter, but I have done my share of trading in the same game 3 times in a week, and they have never said anything. I don't flip, and I always have my games opened (so they don't think i stole them).

I plan to pickup a Wii in about 15 minutes. :)
 
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