Watch out: EB/GS/GC all sell open games as new from time to time...

walletandgromice

walletandgromice

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Maybe Scorch or someone else could shed some light here. I just stopped by my not-so-local gamecrazy to pick up Halo 3. The dude rung me up and then proceeded to hand me an opened box with a fairly dirty Halo 3 disc in it. (this was after he tried to sell me the $3 for 1/yr cleaning service -- clearly worked wonders in this case). He explained it was opened because of their "try in store before you buy"-policy to which I was just confused. The game is open and has been played. He looked at the other copy and that one was scratched and was missing its instruction book!

Anyway, I was weirded out and asked to return it on the spot. I don't think it's OK for a retailer to sell an open game as new. Car dealers have "demo" cars for just this purpose and sell the demo cars at a discount. Had the game been priced as used I would have had no problem. What if I wanted to give it as a gift?

Is it just me being weird or is this wrong?
 
It's a bullshit policy across the board regardless of the store. I have my local EBstop conditioned to not try and sell me opened things as new. Unfortunately, there are enough other people who don't mind it and as such, I don't see it going away anytime soon.
 
unsealed = used to me. i don't care if the person swears on their children that it was never opened. some games i keep sealed and can't stand that shit
 
The Gamecrazy by me has a rack of older cheaper "New" games for sale and they are all gutted...

The only thing not gutted is the stuff behind the counter but they seems to have the same policy's as EB/GS and if its the last copy they have no problem grabbing a gutted box off the wall and putting your game in...
 
it does happen, but not as common as EB/GS as they dont put out display case. The last copy is usually sealed.
 
Ya, it's pretty annoying when I went GS the other day and I wanted to buy FF12, and found FF12 CE "New", but it was opened and in a general case labeled FF12 Collector's Edition.

I rarely see other places that try to sell opened games as new.
 
the real issue is, will stores sell all sealed copies before selling the gut or will they sell the gut and just repeat the cycle.
 
[quote name='monkeydeew']the real issue is, will stores sell all sealed copies before selling the gut or will they sell the gut and just repeat the cycle.[/quote]

This is a good point. I'd like to think that a store would be courteous enough to just re-use the same opened copy for demo, but their better interest would be to try to move the gut as quickly as possible so as not to be stuck with it when the game becomes less popular... Evil!

This was my first negative experience at Gamecrazy and I hope it will be my last.
 
[quote name='walletandgromice']
Car dealers have "demo" cars for just this purpose and sell the demo cars at a discount. [/quote]

No they don't, you test drive the car you will actually be driving. I'm not trying to defend Gamecrazy here, but almost never will you buy a new car that hasn't been driven. People want to test drive the actual car, not a "demo". Get your facts straight.
 
The official policy of GameStop is that:

1)The customer must be notified that the game was opened.
2)The Check-Out policy only allowes used items to be checked out, but, most stores break the policy due to lack of knowledge about this change.
 
Well, Gamecrazy actually is probably FAR worse than gamestop for selling opened new stuff.. Since they let people try games in the store, and a lot of kids (and adults who are kids) come in just to waste time and play new stuff so it gets opened, then sold..
 
[quote name='contej85']No they don't, you test drive the car you will actually be driving. I'm not trying to defend Gamecrazy here, but almost never will you buy a new car that hasn't been driven. People want to test drive the actual car, not a "demo". Get your facts straight.[/quote]
You can ask to drive the very car you're going to buy but many dealerships have a demo. I've bought 3 new cars in my life and have been to plenty of dealerships. While I have driven the car they were trying to sell me, I've also been in the position where they would only let me drive a demo (which was pretty useless when the demo was automatic but I was buying standard).

Call around and ask dealerships if you don't believe me.

No one is going to accuse you of defending Gamecrazy, but you're certainly antagonistic toward my post.
 
not too suprised I remember trying to get some ps2 games back then when ps2 games still had the sticker seal. I tried to buy it buy the game had the funny re-shrink wrapping packaging around it and noticed there was no seal. Nowadays ps2 games no longer have this seal of course...
 
[quote name='walletandgromice']You can ask to drive the very car you're going to buy but many dealerships have a demo. I've bought 3 new cars in my life and have been to plenty of dealerships. While I have driven the car they were trying to sell me, I've also been in the position where they would only let me drive a demo (which was pretty useless when the demo was automatic but I was buying standard).

Call around and ask dealerships if you don't believe me.

No one is going to accuse you of defending Gamecrazy, but you're certainly antagonistic toward my post.[/quote]

I'd love to know where you found this car with zero miles on it then. Not saying they don't exist, but you don't get a discount if someone else test-drove it.
 
The "rack of new/gutted games" is the 18.99 and under stuff and corporate told us to gut the games.

He explained it was opened because of their "try in store before you buy"-policy to which I was just confused.
Click to expand...

He's right, and that's what we're supposed to do. If someone tries it and they buy it, I sell them the copy I let them demo. If they don't buy it and someone else does, I knock 10% off without them even asking - in most cases, i'll say "This is the last one we have. It was a demo copy, per our policy of trying games before you buy them. I'll knock 10% off for you since it's opened".

I think I'm the only one that does that though. It's just because I've been on the other side, I've been sold an open game as new and that sucks. So I try to make amends whenever this occurs.

I also let anyone buying a used game to see the disc before I sell it to them, and in most cases, I will buff it for them before they leave the store.
 
this isn't really new to me.

at the store I work at, it goes like this:

we get the new games in. one (1) copy gets gutted, priced, and put out on display. the other copies of that game, however many there may be, get put in the back, ready to be sold. when a customer brings us said game, we give them a copy from the back until all those copies are sold. the last copy that gets sold is ALWAYS the gut copy. I kindly explain to the customer that the game IS gutted, but never been played, then show them the disc. if they complain, I explain it's store policy and if they don't like it, they can shop somewhere else.

it's not that bad. now if you get a "new" gutted copy of a game and it's clearly been played, then yes, by all means you should vie to get some $ off. but, if it's the gut copy of a new game, don't be a dick to the employee, he's just doing his job and he has to deal with numerous unruly customers throughout the entire day.
 
Comparing Test driving a car is not valid. A new car is a very expensive machine with thousands of moving parts. It also doesnt come in sealed retail packaging. A game is a circle of plastic, each one identical to the last.

In my experience, Gamecrazy is much better about gutting games than EB/GS.

Gamestop has a new policy where all the new games are in alphabetical order on the shelves, but 'focus' games they want to draw your attention to also have TWO gutted copies on the ends of the shelf, right next to each other, in the same row as the alphabetized copy.

So lets say its the new FIFA game. Theres a gutted copy on the 'F' shelf, and over on the right end of that shelf, theres a generic case to make a division, and then two more gutted FIFA's on the end. So thats three guts right there.

For most games Gamestop only gets a handful of non preorder copies, and they routinely open half, or even all of those copies to make pretty wall displays as dictated by corporate.
 
I've had it happen to me once when I bought God of War when it first came out. They shrink wrapped it and sold it new. I thought about it and decided to exchange and wait for a factory sealed copy. When I tried to return (I never broke the shrink wrapping) the manager didn't want to take it back. He claimed I wrapped it back up. The two guys who sold it to me were there and told the manager they sold it just like that. The manager did apologize, but I am not sure what was done with the 2 other employees.
 
[quote name='monkeydeew']the real issue is, will stores sell all sealed copies before selling the gut or will they sell the gut and just repeat the cycle.[/QUOTE]

All the Gamestop around here sell you the gut copy before the sealed copy. If you question a gut copy, they'll say shit like "oh, don't worry, it's new!" but they won't tell you that you can't return the game- period. At my stores, you have to ask for a sealed copy if they had both gut and sealed copies.

I never bought anything from GC new and I rarely buy new games in B&M stores anymore.
 
Slightly OT - My recent Gamestop experience:

I wanted to pick up I-Ninja for the GC (I know, the PS2 version is easier to find, but I wanted it for the 'cube). Store locater showed three stores in my area with a copies (turned out to be one each). First two locations? Incomplete. No case, presumably no manual either. Third location? Complete, but the manual was torn to shreds and the case looked as if someone had spilled large amounts of chocolate milk into it...and allowed it to dry and harden into a thick brown crust. Did not purchase.
 
I currently work at a gamecrazy and i know that this whole opened box sold as new thing does happen. Usually it occurs because of tournaments held by our store. If we dont have any used copies of a game that we need for a tournament, we are instructed by the corporate office to open new copies to use. Once the tournament is over, the game goes back on the shelf as new. In reference to the play it before you buy it policy, we never open a new copy of a game for that reason. If there are no used copies in stock, then you simply cannot try it out before you buy it. I personally try to never sell the opened copies to any customers. If its the last copy, i make sure i show them and tell them that the copy is new, but has been opened for the above said reason. Usually i send out the opened copies in pulls.
 
[quote name='Acidbath42024']I currently work at a gamecrazy and i know that this whole opened box sold as new thing does happen. Usually it occurs because of tournaments held by our store. If we dont have any used copies of a game that we need for a tournament, we are instructed by the corporate office to open new copies to use. Once the tournament is over, the game goes back on the shelf as new. [/quote]
Really doesn't explain why I was to be sold on a "new" Silent Hill 3 last year. It was dusty as hell and opened. That isn't exactly a game that can be used in a tournament. Passed on that one and found a used copy for $17 less in the same store.

The only thing I've bought new from GC was the Tekken 5 Ultimate Collector's Edition, about a month after the $29.99 price drop.
 
[quote name='Dante Devil']They shrink wrapped it and sold it new. I thought about it and decided to exchange and wait for a factory sealed copy. When I tried to return (I never broke the shrink wrapping) the manager didn't want to take it back. He claimed I wrapped it back up. [/quote]

Yeah, that's my concern. It's definitely a one-way street when it comes to the definition of "new" games with store policy vs consumer. So what if you buy the opened, gutted copy as "new" and later decide to return it for cash/payment back? They'll see its opened, despite any claims on what your receipt will read, and you'll probably get shit and be offered a trade for the same used game or store credit.
 
ot but gc related. i took a bunch of 360 games over to gc in hopes of scoring those prices in the wiki but the values i got were significantly lower. i.e. Bionicle Chromehounds Far Cry Instincts Phantasy Star Tomb Raider Legend on the wiki say 9-16 but in store i think far cry topped out at 8 with the others all around 5.50. they are a little more than gs basic trade in values, but that promo right now is basically giving 100% more trade in. eeeek
 
[quote name='Acidbath42024']In reference to the play it before you buy it policy, we never open a new copy of a game for that reason. If there are no used copies in stock, then you simply cannot try it out before you buy it.[/quote]
that's now how it's supposed to be

http://www.gamecrazy.com/difference/

No other video game retailer lets customers test-drive games before purchase. And did we mention that this applies to any game? Whether you're a parent whose “gamer kid fragged” someone else's stupid “honor student,” or a single guy looking for the romance of taking people out—with an Uzi—our “Try Before You Buy” policy empowers you to make educated purchases and go home satisfied every time. Shrinkwrap isn't sacred—the customer is.
Click to expand...
 
[quote name='SL4IN'] when a customer brings us said game, we give them a copy from the back until all those copies are sold. the last copy that gets sold is ALWAYS the gut copy. I kindly explain to the customer that the game IS gutted, but never been played, then show them the disc. if they complain, I explain it's store policy and if they don't like it, they can shop somewhere else.

, if it's the gut copy of a new game, don't be a dick to the employee, he's just doing his job and he has to deal with numerous unruly customers throughout the entire day.[/QUOTE]

But hey, when they complain, its ok to tell em to if they dont like it, go away. But dont be a dick to the employee, cause thats not cool.
 
When they do this I gladly buy the title (like I did last Friday) and play the living crap out of it over the next 5 days... If I dont like it I return it and get my full amount back.

Thanks for the free rental asswipes.
 
[quote name='Snake2715']When they do this I gladly buy the title (like I did last Friday) and play the living crap out of it over the next 5 days... If I dont like it I return it and get my full amount back.

Thanks for the free rental asswipes.[/QUOTE]

Funny, I would always re-shrink it when selling it to a customer in a certain way and let them know if its opened now, no return. They always thought they could get away with a free rental.
 
[quote name='GizmoGC']Funny, I would always re-shrink it when selling it to a customer in a certain way and let them know if its opened now, no return. They always thought they could get away with a free rental.[/QUOTE]

yeah well I wanted to try that new Fishing master game. So I went to the local Gamestop. They had a display game. I went to get a new one and it was also opened with the ups on the spine. I asked her if it was the only copy or if she had an open one. She claimed both her copies were open but its new.

I then talked to her about the return policy.

Got the game home and while decent I will be waiting to pick it up for the Father in Law. So mid week its going back.
 
i always turn down the open copy
worst time was a few months ago when i found a new tales of the abyss at one GS. it was in one of the generic cases. turns out someone stole or they lost the original box, so they were going to give me a disc only game and charge me for it since it was "new". and yes, i even asked about getting a discount.
 
[quote name='tindall311']i always turn down the open copy
worst time was a few months ago when i found a new tales of the abyss at one GS. it was in one of the generic cases. turns out someone stole or they lost the original box, so they were going to give me a disc only game and charge me for it since it was "new". and yes, i even asked about getting a discount.[/quote]

I saw that the other day. I don't mind if it's an open copy since i'm going to be opening it anyway, but when someone steals the box art and they make a custom box art and STILL try to pawn it off as new? nah. no thanks.
 
[quote name='Scorch']I saw that the other day. I don't mind if it's an open copy since i'm going to be opening it anyway, but when someone steals the box art and they make a custom box art and STILL try to pawn it off as new? nah. no thanks.[/QUOTE]

Yeah. My favorite is when they take off a few bucks for a trade in that has no case or manual, but still charge the same price for the used game in the generic case as the one in the real case.

And I almost never take the new opened game. Why bother, its not like I cant get the game somewhere else?
 
[quote name='jza1218']And I almost never take the new opened game. Why bother, its not like I cant get the game somewhere else?[/QUOTE]
What?! You mean the guys at EB with their "If you don't preorder this NOW, you will never get it... ever!" jargon are lying?!
 
[quote name='mrelusive']What?! You mean the guys at EB with their "If you don't preorder this NOW, you will never get it... ever!" jargon are lying?![/QUOTE]

Haha, yeah thats always good for a laugh. Oh noes, I didnt pre-order Halo 3. Help me EB wan Kenobi, you're my only hope.
 
[quote name='mrelusive']What?! You mean the guys at EB with their "If you don't preorder this NOW, you will never get it... ever!" jargon are lying?![/quote]

Yea, it turns out even if I didn't preorder Halo 3 I could've walked into every store in town and had hundreds of copies! I didn't have to wait til after December! :O
 
A gutted copy is not brand new, period. I was so excited to buy SFA last summer I didn't realize I recieved a gutted copy until I walked out the door.
 
I'm amazed that some people in this thread act like this is a new thing. it's been going on for a very long time.
 
[quote name='SL4IN']I'm amazed that some people in this thread act like this is a new thing. it's been going on for a very long time.[/quote]

Its been going on for... *goes back through the many topics on the subject* a very very long time. Enough for hundreds of posts to already have been made to rant about this.

I honestly think once a month when you login your screen should flash colors and it should say "I agree not to post another stupid topic about gamestop/eb/etc. on the topic of "new" games being sold open. We already know, QQ elsewhere."
 
Getting the 'complete game' ended when Gamestop bought Electronics Boutique. EB guaranteed all current gen used games to be complete. It was a sad, sad day when that all ended. Oldtimers here will fondly remember the morning update. :cry:
 
[quote name='georox']Its been going on for... *goes back through the many topics on the subject* a very very long time. Enough for hundreds of posts to already have been made to rant about this.

I honestly think once a month when you login your screen should flash colors and it should say "I agree not to post another stupid topic about gamestop/eb/etc. on the topic of "new" games being sold open. We already know, QQ elsewhere."[/quote]

But but but but but but but then some of us won't have anything interesting to say. :cry: Besides which, I laugh at the indignation towards GS, yet some of the same people(myself included at times) will be one of the first to post getting A, B and C games from a B2G1 from GS.

I, however, only really go to them most times when I am forced to, when I cannot find a game I'm looking for ANYWHERE else and usually, I only have credit to spend there due to a trade deal that was super good.

Otherwise, I just go in there once every couple months to be a devil customer and look for stuff they cleared out of the system or super cheap stuff, like the PS1/N64 75% clearance.
 
[quote name='IAmTheCheapestGamer']But but but but but but but then some of us won't have anything interesting to say. :cry: Besides which, I laugh at the indignation towards GS, yet some of the same people(myself included at times) will be one of the first to post getting A, B and C games from a B2G1 from GS.

I, however, only really go to them most times when I am forced to, when I cannot find a game I'm looking for ANYWHERE else and usually, I only have credit to spend there due to a trade deal that was super good.

Otherwise, I just go in there once every couple months to be a devil customer and look for stuff they cleared out of the system or super cheap stuff, like the PS1/N64 75% clearance.[/quote]
I generally only buy from em if its a game I want in CE/some Preorder gift from, or if *nowhere* has it. I love my habbit of buying 3 under $12 used games a year, yet they always think I want their magazine and edge card. I want to stab that fatass working at the counter who always pushes it. I don't think he understands no anymore, I've literally had to argue 5 minutes with one of them once about it. NO MEANS I DONT' WANT YOUR DAMN THING! >_>
 
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