Used Game Insurance at EB?

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Alright, so I just talked to a friend of mine. He came from EB Games where he picked up a used copy of Ghost Recon. His first time buying used, he was a little worried, so he asked what he could do if it didn't work. The employee told him that he had to pay $2 now for insurance in order to return or exchange it later. Conveniently enough, the game freezes on one of the levels. :?

I've never been offered insurance before, nor have I heard of it till now. The return policy simply says it needs to be in the original packaging and condition as it was bought in order to exchange it. Just curious, has anyone ever heard of this before? Or did my buddy get jipped out of a whopping $2? Thanks!
 
Now this is a scam if I have ever heard one! We may be selling you a defective product, actually, there si a good chance it is defectave, so pay us $2.
 
I knew EB did this on new games, but not on the used stuff. I can't believe that anyone would actually buy this though. I thought EB had a lifetime warranty on all used games?
 
The pre-owned games used to be Guaranteed For Life w/ original reciept . When I overheard a sales pitch for this , I just thought , WTF will they try to pull next ? More unnecessary insurance that you will be hassled about when you try to make a "claim" . ](*,)
 
I still have a hard time believing they charge you 3 dollars for a warranty on a new game. Forget that. If my new game doesn't work, I'm going to get a replacement, bullshit warranty or not.
 
Hence why EB is my last choice. Even gamestop doesn;t pull this crap. Trying to make you buy insurance for a pre-own game they themselves have not even tested. Biggest friggin scam if I ever heard of one.
 
[quote name='CappyCobra']Hence why EB is my last choice. Even gamestop doesn;t pull this crap. Trying to make you buy insurance for a pre-own game they themselves have not even tested. Biggest friggin scam if I ever heard of one.[/quote]
You don't have to buy the insurance to exchange it, if it was defective/scratched/etc when you got it. The insurance is for when YOU damage the game yourself.
 
The insurance isn't for how the game is when you buy it. The insurance is for if you scratch up the game once you get it home (over the next year). I'm not saying I'd buy it, but that's what it's for. I think CC and TRU offers it too.
 
[quote name='dafoomie'][quote name='CappyCobra']Hence why EB is my last choice. Even gamestop doesn;t pull this crap. Trying to make you buy insurance for a pre-own game they themselves have not even tested. Biggest friggin scam if I ever heard of one.[/quote]
You don't have to buy the insurance to exchange it, if it was defective/scratched/etc when you got it. The insurance is for when YOU damage the game yourself.[/quote]
To give you a little background on my decision:

A few weeks ago I purchased RallySport 2 Pre-owned. Played a few circuits and I was getting disc read errors. Brought it back a few days later wanting to exchange it for another copy. The SA told me that they didn't have any more copies in stock and they would issue me a credit. "CREDIT?! You mean to tell me you don;t have any copies of this game to replace my defective copy and you want to give me a CREDIT! Shaq-fu you! I want my money back! It's been less than 7 days!"

Just before I was about to pull my Fatality move on him, the manager walk s over and refunds my money. Saying that since they didn;t have it in stock, they would refund my money. Either way, I came back within 7 days so I should not have been hassled like that. If it was a new copy of a game I'd understand. But preowned? Come on. It's a crapshoot. You won;t know if it works until you played it through.
 
I saw a guy at EB tell a customer to shut up when they asked if the used game was scratched up.
 
[quote name='Rozz']I saw a guy at EB tell a customer to shut up when they asked if the used game was scratched up.[/quote]
My EB lets me inspect the game for scratches before they put it in the case. Everyone should do that before buying used. I've never been hassled at my EB about returns, except for DC games off the website, since they don't carry DC games there, but they gave me store credit anyway.
 
[quote name='Rozz']I saw a guy at EB tell a customer to shut up when they asked if the used game was scratched up.[/quote]
Wow I bet that guy never went back to EB again.
 
i 0n0 , i have a grudge against eb, they are just soo lakj;skldfjl;askjfk;asdjfds, they're too smug about what they do, i can understand if the manager is anal, but not the other employees, i see them screwing over lil kids and ignorant parents all the time, and its depressing
 
You know, I wonder how long it will be before the grocery store will begin to offer you a warranty on the 24 pack of Mountain Dew you are buying... I mean for damn sakes its rather petty to offer a warranty on a freakin used game. Looks like I found yet reason why NOT to go to EB Games.
 
[quote name='rjarmstrong100']Used stuff has a lifetime warranty with EB as long as you keep the original receipt. I know becuase i have just started working there (YAAY for me!)[/quote]

unless your particularly store has it's own rules, that's not the company policy. you have 2 WEEKS to return a game if there are any problems with it.

if a game is under $10 it's $1 to insure it, $25 it's $2, over $25 it's $3, new or used. i work for them and have no problem offering this confidently. it's up to you if you want to buy it, but it's a good deal, especially on new games (we've replaced several literally snapped-in-half grand theft autos), or rarer used games. as i said, you have two weeks to get a new copy or store credit if a game you buy doesn't work. if you buy a scratched-up disc you're asking for problems, so look first. yes, it's overall pure profit for the company, but it's a nice thing to have as an option, it's by no means forced. any questions?

p.s. i like my job a lot, but certainly think there are some shady policies - this just isn't one of them.
 
[quote name='demomanTNA']I still think its funny that EB is offering a warranty on a used game. Oh well.[/quote]

Why? They realize some games have problems and want to help.
 
[quote name='Scorch']Why? They realize some games have problems and want to help.[/quote]

Why I think its funny is that in most cases a person will know if the used copy works well or not within the 2 week return period. Perhaps I just don't get it... oh well, right.
 
I'm curious what this insurance covers. If it's only games not working when you get them it's obviously a shady situation at EB, since if your game doesn't work when you get it you just take it back. However if it's one of those policies that covers anything that you may do to the game (such as sitting on it, letting your little brother pick it up and scratch it, etc.) then it's actually a pretty good deal. I myself would never get it, just because I'm very careful with my games and there's noone in my house that would get ahold of them, but it may be good like I said for people with little brothers, kids, or pets.
 
^ Somebody already answered that it covers damage you cause. You're allowed to return the game within 2 weeks with the reciept if it doesn't work.

Whenever I buy a used game anywhere, I always ask to see the disk first. I've never been hassled by an employee for this.
 
#1) EB does not have a lifetime guarantee on anything, much less used games!

#2) The extra guarantee you can buy pretty much covers anything, scratches, cracks, breaks, anything.

#3) Allyou have to do is pay the extra money, hold on to your recipt and if anything goes wrong, you take it back to ANY eb and they replace the game for you. If they dont have the game you brought back, you should get the amount paid for your game in store credit for somehting else.
 
You know... The last time I stepped into ebgames I picked up a copy of Technic Beat. It was the last copy and the only copy in Baltimore county. They offered me an insurance policy. Although I just simply replied with a "no", I should have asked "How are you going to replace a game when it's the only copy you have?" Weird eh...
 
WOW. Some of you guys are so fucking anal about everything. It's not a scam and it's not a ripoff for most people. The warranty protects against damage done by the CUSTOMER, not by the store. So if you damage it, you get another copy. Simple as that. Enough with the fucking scams and ripoff EB threads.

Don't give me this shit that they shouldn't be selling defective games in the first place. There is no reason as to why your not checking the surface of a preplayed game before you pay cash for it. If you buy a scratched game, your taking a risk. Don't blame the store, because you could have prevented this before you even purchased it.

$3 to protect a $50 investment is a good deal. Unless your one of those OCD guys (like myself, heh) who protects their games like their children, I don't see why this is such a big deal. Do you realize just how poorly some people treat their games? Work a week in an EB store and look at the trade ins we get. Not pretty.

Refusing to shop in a store simply because they waste another 5 seconds of your life by asking you if you want a warranty is pathetic.
 
Okay guys here's how it works.

Games 0-9.99 insurance is $1
Games 10-24.99 insurance is $2
Games 25-99.99 insurance is $3

Basically here's the deal.

EB replaces your disc (as long as its not cracked in half) with the SAME item you purchased. So if you got a new Madden 2005, and scratch it up 4 months down the line, take it back and they will give you another NEW Madden 2005.

Another cool thing. If you trade your game in before your year insurance wears off, you GET the amount you paid in extra bonus trade in. So if the game is normally worth 5 bucks, and you paid 2 dollars for insurance, your game is going to be worth 7 dollars.

Its not a bad deal, but I only get it on games I know Im going to play a crapload (Halo 2, Madden, etc..)
 
i just ask if I can see the disc, if it looks clean, i will probably get the game. If I was looking at getting a used system from eb, then hell yeah i would get the warranty, that is just common sense.
 
[quote name='ragepower']Okay guys here's how it works.

Games 0-9.99 insurance is $1
Games 10-24.99 insurance is $2
Games 25-99.99 insurance is $3

Basically here's the deal.

EB replaces your disc (as long as its not cracked in half) with the SAME item you purchased. So if you got a new Madden 2005, and scratch it up 4 months down the line, take it back and they will give you another NEW Madden 2005.

Another cool thing. If you trade your game in before your year insurance wears off, you GET the amount you paid in extra bonus trade in. So if the game is normally worth 5 bucks, and you paid 2 dollars for insurance, your game is going to be worth 7 dollars.

Its not a bad deal, but I only get it on games I know Im going to play a crapload (Halo 2, Madden, etc..)[/quote]

OK I have a question. What happens when I redeem my warranty and they DO NOT have the title that I bought. Will they give me full credit back or just trade in. Or will they even give me any credit at all? I dunno, Id rather buy the dskins (AKA the game condom). Thier way seems like too much red tape BS. At most of the local (most not all) I'd rather have less contact with the rep rather than more. Someone like Scahom1 might try some high handed heavy sales tactic on me.
 
[quote name='sying']
OK I have a question. What happens when I redeem my warranty and they DO NOT have the title that I bought. Will they give me full credit back or just trade in. Or will they even give me any credit at all? I dunno, Id rather buy the dskins (AKA the game condom). Thier way seems like too much red tape BS. At most of the local (most not all) I'd rather have less contact with the rep rather than more. Someone like Scahom1 might try some high handed heavy sales tactic on me.[/quote]

You will get a credit for the amount you paid (or if you would rather just have the game, we could probably find it from another store in the area.

Scared I might make you say yes? :p I don't force customers to buy the guarantee. I simply ask them as they are ready to pay. Takes 5 seconds and I only need 1 word out of a customer, "Yes" or "No"

I'm just amazed at how there are so many uninformed posters who automatically jump to the clichéd concusion that EB is 1 giant scam, and it annoys me.
 
[quote name='Scahom1']Enough with the shaq-fuing scams and ripoff EB threads.[/quote]

Hi, OP here. I did not start this thread to bash EB. I personally spend lots of money there, and have no intention of stopping anytime soon :p I was simply weary of the fact that my friend asked what to do if he got the game home and it didn't work, and he was told he needed insurance. No bashing here, just thought it seemed they weren't completely informed.

As for what the thread turns into after that? Beyond my control. But I want it on record that I didn't intend for company bashing :lol:
 
[quote name='Scahom1']I'm just amazed at how there are so many uninformed posters who automatically jump to the clichéd concusion that EB is 1 giant scam, and it annoys me.[/quote]

I just think its a dumb idea, plain and simple. But that is just MY opinion, and it does not represent the opinion of the rest of CAG. Nuf said.
 
Each side has its good arguements. Personally I would get a dskin because of simple economics. 50pk dskin=40.00
$50*50dskins=2500.00 value protected

EB:
$3*50 ($50+ games)= 1500.00 value protected. Not to mention that you save numerous trips to EB. Thats always good.

EB has just enacted a new replay program with thier new loop hole that they just made. Get the game for $50.00, pay the $3.00, when you get done, you and your dog play a little game of frisbee, and redeem your insurance voucher for a new game. Just make sure that the item is not in stock with the nifty find-it. Feature on www.ebgames.com

Now I don't fault EBgames' efforts to make a little buck. But according to the economics its NOT A GOOD DEAL. Its just like the hardware extended warranty that you push, its not even done in-house. Its done by the same third party company that I can buy for my store in the DBL distributors catalogue, yet I choose not to because I usually recomend them to get the manufacturers extended warranty because it invloves less red tape and less involvement from me.
 
The situation the OP describes is shady, I don't see how you can argue that. Being told you need insurance to cover you if a POed game you just bought does not work when you get home is not EB policy and not what the insurance crap is meant to cover.

I doubt the EB employee didn't know better, he just saw an opportunity to sell one of those policies. (Maybe his store tracks who sells the most?)

Anyway, it's just like any other store - there are going to be some bad apple employees.
 
[quote name='ragepower']Okay guys here's how it works.

Games 0-9.99 insurance is $1
Games 10-24.99 insurance is $2
Games 25-99.99 insurance is $3

Basically here's the deal.

EB replaces your disc (as long as its not cracked in half) with the SAME item you purchased. So if you got a new Madden 2005, and scratch it up 4 months down the line, take it back and they will give you another NEW Madden 2005.

Another cool thing. If you trade your game in before your year insurance wears off, you GET the amount you paid in extra bonus trade in. So if the game is normally worth 5 bucks, and you paid 2 dollars for insurance, your game is going to be worth 7 dollars.

Its not a bad deal, but I only get it on games I know Im going to play a crapload (Halo 2, Madden, etc..)[/quote]

According to the EB employee I talked to the other day, the insurance covers ANYTHING that happens to the game. I asked him point blank "What happens if I get pissed off at this game and stomp on it?" His answer, "Bring the pieces in with the receipt and you'll get a replacement game."

Now obviously people could try to use this for scamming, but I'm sure EB has a record of the games you have purchased and the amount of times you have brought damaged games back.

This policy is not a scam, it suppliments the current return policy and offers protection against damage that you, the consumer, could possibly do to your games.

Oh, and you can always just decline it. What is the big deal?
 
Is the warranty just for a year?

Rhino offers a LIFETIME warranty for free!!!

I hate proping a competitor, but they are the lesser of the two evils.
 
Y'know, it wasn't too long ago when the local EB stores assured me that some used games I bought came with a (free) lifetime guarantee. I wonder if they will still honor that?
 
[quote name='demomanTNA'][quote name='Scahom1']I'm just amazed at how there are so many uninformed posters who automatically jump to the clichéd concusion that EB is 1 giant scam, and it annoys me.[/quote]

I just think its a dumb idea, plain and simple. But that is just MY opinion, and it does not represent the opinion of the rest of CAG. Nuf said.[/quote]
just keep in mind that many people purchase video games for kids, and often times kids don't take good care of their things, video games or otherwise. in a situation like this, it makes a lot of sense to pay a couple extra dollars for a warranty like the one they are offering. if i was buying a 10 year old an expensive game, i'd probably get them the warranty to go along with it. the employees don't know who you're buying the game for, so they have to ask.
 
A tad off topic but Best Buy has recently started offering PRP's on videogames. I think it is $3 for a two year PSP on any game. The first time a cashier asked if I wanted a PRP on my game I just started laughing.....I thought she was kidding. I wonder when Best Buy will start offering PRP's on CD's and movies. :roll:

Personally, I view any type of extended warranty or service plan as a complete waste of money.
 
Yeah I remember when Best Buy tried to make me buy their warranty on some subwoofers I bought for my car, and then the guy at the door checking my package insulted me cause I didn't buy the stupid warranty and said that I would blow out the subwoofers within a month. 3 years later, and my subs are still goin strong.
 
[quote name='thatstoobad']just keep in mind that many people purchase video games for kids, and often times kids don't take good care of their things, video games or otherwise. in a situation like this, it makes a lot of sense to pay a couple extra dollars for a warranty like the one they are offering. if i was buying a 10 year old an expensive game, i'd probably get them the warranty to go along with it. the employees don't know who you're buying the game for, so they have to ask.[/quote]

Very valid point, I totally agree with that. :applause:
 
[quote name='Richlough']The pre-owned games used to be Guaranteed For Life w/ original reciept . When I overheard a sales pitch for this , I just thought , WTF will they try to pull next ? More unnecessary insurance that you will be hassled about when you try to make a "claim" . ](*,)[/quote]

Yeah its fourteen days for a returned item.

On another note, I purchased a new headset for my PS2. Long story short I decided I wanted a different brand. I went to exchange it for it, and they would not take it back. It was unopened and I was out of the 14 day return policy on all items. I was like 4 days out and it was brand new , unopened and I had the receipt.

I was not happy.
 
[quote name='demomanTNA']
Why I think its funny is that in most cases a person will know if the used copy works well or not within the 2 week return period. Perhaps I just don't get it... oh well, right.[/quote]

Not if it's a long RPG game. I've ran into this a few years ago when I bought a used copy of Final Fantasy 7. I didn't get into the problem until 3 weeks after buying it. It kept freezing up when I went through the FMV in Cosmo Canyon where the old man explains the spirit energy. Turns out when I checked the disc when I bought it, I didn't notice that it had a dent in the disc. I couldn't return it and my friend was good enough to swap his copy of the disc for mine since he didn't play his PSOne anymore.

That's why I'm glad Game Crazy & Gamestop have 90 warranties on their games without spending more than the price of the game.
 
[quote name='rocksolidaudio']my EB has replaced several games that have been cracked in half, no questions asked.[/quote]

Aren't YOU your own eb?
 
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