So I see GameStop's new method of stickering new & used product, and I don't like it.

[Oobgarm]

Pertaining to the fact that they're putting stickers on the actual INSERT now, and not the outer case.

WHY? It makes no sense no matter how you look at it.

There's can't be trouble with people swapping price stickers and trying to 'trick the system', unless the clerk is completely and utterly devoid of a brain. They'd also be relying on the same clerk to ensure the stickers on the inserts are being put on the right games. Besides, there are usually 3 stickers on each case anyway, and all three of them being wrong would be highly suspect.

It doesn't help with organization of spined/bookended titles. you can just put the sticker on the outside of the case for the same effect.

It just doesn't make any damned sense.

The only things this stupid practice is going to do:

1. Aggravate resellers who prey on GameStop to flip their finds on eBay, which, IMO, is fine and dandy. But where does GameStop get off by discouraging those sales? No matter who buys them, they're getting the same price. I mean, they can institute a policy which restricts such sellers to only a couple copies if that's the case.

2. Aggravate collectors and/or those who are particular about the condition and appearance of their games, such as myself. I know that GameStop isn't the best place to go if you're in this category, but sometimes there just isn't any other option.

3. Create more an unnecessary work for GS employees. It's not a tough job, sure, but I bet it's a real pain in the ass to have to remove EVERY insert for a sticker.

Anyone else's thoughts echo mine? I know this is another one of those 'GameStop sucks' threads that get very tiresome, and there's not much that can be done about it. And yeah, most folks that shop there couldn't be bothered to give two shits about it. But I wanted to put it out there, see what the community thought.

[PDorr3]

I thought it was only my GS that started doing this, I bought a few games like this and it pissed me off because taking those things off after they bake in the sun for a bit makes it alot harder than just peeling them off of the case plastic. I have not been going to GS nearly as much as I used to, but this is just one more annoyance that makes me just want to use DP and ebay for my game purchases from now on.

[Clownzilla]

Just let capitalism work and don't shop there. I do agree with you but you have to show your beliefs with your dollar. That's all you can do with a public company like that.

[TheDomesticInstitution]

No sir, I don't like it.

http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/460/mrhorse7uv.jpg

[8-bitNesMan]

Just let capitalism work and don't shop there. I do agree with you but you have to show your beliefs with your dollar. That's all you can do with a public company like that.

That won't faze them. If 98% of their customers don't give a damn then why should they? And for the record, count me in the 2% that HATES it...

[blue lander]

Mine's been doing the same thing for awhile now. At first I was pretty pissed off, but it's actually easier to remove the one sticker on the actual label than it is the five stickers stacked on top of eachother on the sleeve. Of course, once there's five stickers on the label, it'll be even worse.

I was thinking of just buying a bunch of empty Xbox/PS2/Gamecube cases without any stickers on them and transferring any Gamestop game I buy that's too encrusted with sticker goo. Won't help with the whole label thing, though.

[Half Japanese]

The stickers don't mean shit when the business side of the discs look like the ice after the Olympics figure skating competition. Same with every big retailer that sells used product I suppose. On the other hand, I've bought "new" product at Gamestop that looked more fucked up than the average used copy.

[mailman187666]

I think the gamestops in my area have been noticing the complaints on the internet and whatnot and have been trying to better the store over the past 6 months or so. I'm not going to trade in my games there, nor am I going to pre-order and Halo 3s or any other huge release game because "you won't be able to find it anywhere." I gotta say all the stickers are one of the few things left that I don't like about the store, especially when buying used games as gifts.

[roushimsx]

I quit going to the local Gamestops that do it and whenever I accidentally pick up a game from one of the other stores that stickered like that, I return it under the 7 day clause. Sometimes the sticker is hidden underneath one or two other spine stickers on the outside so you can't tell that there's one underneath :(

Pretty shitty practice, but 99& of the people don't really give a damn if they get a case, let alone if they get a case with the insert in decent shape. Keeps the spine sticker from getting worn/faded/removed and makes the job of the counter jockey easier, which I guess is the main reason they do it.

You'd think in the Gamestops that practice it that since they spent less time applying new stickers that they'd have more time to keep the store clean and organized, but I guess that'd get in the way of jabbering about WoW and hyping preorders.

[DefaultGen]

.....

[Ponyone]

I remember going to EB or some such store, and they put the sticker directly on the cd (it was a dreamcast game, forget which one) The sticker was on part of the center ring and the outer disc. I tried to remove it, it lifted off the data.

[Clownzilla]

That won't faze them. If 98% of their customers don't give a damn then why should they? And for the record, count me in the 2% that HATES it...

I agree that 98% of their customers don't care. Just don't be in that 98% and never shop there again. That's about all you can do. Trust me, I have not purchased from them in years and I don't plan on going back. Every time I buy something from Ebay or DP, I know it's money that Gamestop could of had if they actually cared about their customers. Understand that many people don't shop with them for that reason and it IS hurting their bottom line. We just got to keep up the good fight:)

[otoko]

This does not pertain to me. I haven't Spent any money in a Gamestop, EB games, etc since they discontinued carrying Dreamcast.

[Xian042]

Oh boy do I hear you..

When EB and GameStop first merged, I was pumped to find out they would be using GameStops price stickers instead of EB's, which pretty much ruined any game they touched.
Luckily, the GameStop stickers aren't so bad, if you buy it fast enough, you can peel them right off without leaving much residue behind. There is also Goo Gone that can help.
But for ever game stores had absolutely no consideration for collectors or perfectionists.
Would you belive one store manager that I worked with for some time actually threw out every PS1 case and put the disks in GameStop sleeves to save space? And this is when this store still had a pretty decent selection. I could have CHOKED her. She hurt he own sales as nobody will ever buy any of those games, and collectors missed out on a great dying PS1 selection.

A lot of stores do this, EB still takes Game Boy games in trade, if some rare games come in with boxes, they toss the boxes, sticker up the cartridge, and expect someone pay 9.99 for it. If they would just take the time to display it behind the shelf with box IT WILL SELL!

These corporate chains will NEVER cater to hardcore collectors. Its a battle we are just going to have to fight. Best way to avoid it? Be VERY COOL with the staff of the store itself, keep popping in an ask for the kind of stuff you are looking for. When it finally does come in, they will remember you and put it aside.
Thats how I got a Final Fantasy II and III in boxes with NO STICKERS from EB.

Good Luck!

[esquire]

Haven't you guys ever heard of "Goo Gone"?

http://www.magicamerican.com/products_gg.aspx

Seriously, I can't believe there is yet another GS bashing thread, about of all things stickers. This coming from a classic gaming forum that prides itself in finding things in the wild and restoring trashed items.

GS/EB has been doing this for some time now, and I have never had a problem pulling off a label and using Goo Gone on a Q-Tip to get rid of any residue. All it takes is a little time and patience. I've never had any tears or discoloration.

And if it means that much to you or you can't afford Goo Gone, buy the damn game new!

GS is not out there to ensure that you can buy cheap used games in pristine condition. If you want to blame anyone for this, blame the assholes who were swapping out the cases (or stickers placed in the case) so they could buy games for less than the actual re-sale price. This is why GS is doing this, or so I've been told.

[GrandAmChandler]

Gamestop is only good for one thing.

Buy 2 Get 1 Free.

[Xizer]

That won't faze them. If 98% of their customers don't give a damn then why should they? And for the record, count me in the 2% that HATES it...

It's a problem because that's bad business. The goal of any business is to get as much revenue as possible.

Even a small percentage, 2%, accounts for millions of dollars in lost revenue for a large company such as GameStop.


tl;dr: goo gone

Goo Gone might work magic when it comes to stickers on plastic, but not on the paper inserts underneath. That's what we're talking about.

It's bullshit to have to try and pull off a sticker on the actual paper insert. Oftentimes it will result in ripping of the insert, or when Goo Gone is brought into the equation, it gets that ruined wet paper ripple.

[Push Upstairs]

I'm just trying to find used games that actually *HAVE* an insert.

$10 for a disc only game? Pass & double pass.

[esquire]

Goo Gone might work magic when it comes to stickers on plastic, but not on the paper inserts underneath. That's what we're talking about.

It's bullshit to have to try and pull off a sticker on the actual paper insert. Oftentimes it will result in ripping of the insert, or when Goo Gone is brought into the equation, it gets that ruined wet paper ripple.

I was talking about the paper artwork. I never said anything about removing the stickers from the cases, nor would I as the topic of the OP is regarding the inserts. Moreover, I've removed those stickers off of PSP, DS, PS2, Xbox, 360 and Wii artwork, and never had a problem. What are you removing it from, tissue paper? if so, then it may be a problem.

All of the above inserts are generally glossy, thick stock paper, save maybe the original Xbox which is probably the thinnest of them all. Anyways, I'll walk it through for you.

1. Take out the artwork from the case;
2. Place the artwork on a hard flat surface;
3. Use your fingernail to start pulling off the sticker at two corners on the same side of a label;
4. Slowly pull of the label evenly, preferably using the force of the label to pull back against itself, rather than simply lifting straight up;
5. If label begins to tear, start procedure from opposite side;
6. If label tears off, apply Goo Gone and let sit
7. Use fingernail to pull or scratch off remaining label
8. Apply Goo Gone to Q-Tip to wipe off remaining sticker and/or residue.

Sheez you think its rocket science or something! No big woop. I've never had a tear or wet paper damage.

If that still is a problem, don't buy there, or buy the game new!

[Aussie2B]

I was working on getting a sticker off an insert once with Goo Gone, and it just turned into a complete disaster. It started off okay, but application after application, there was still sticky residue lingering and by the time I called it quits the insert absorbed too much Goo Gone and the image started to smear. Luckily it was just over the barcode, but it still looks nasty. Goo Gone isn't some God send. In fact, I don't think it's works that great at all, at least for stickers. The stickers that it gets off easily are ones you could probably pull up dry anyway. I have plenty of NES carts that I bought at GameStop years ago that I STILL haven't cleaned the stickers off of because GameStop used such horrible stickers back then that it would take so many applications to get them off (and if they were placed on a label, then you're screwed unless you can exercise TIGHT control on where the Goo Gone is flowing).

And here I thought GameStop was improving because the last couple used games I bought from them had stickers that came off very easily. I haven't see this new practice, but, then again, I also almost never go to GameStop and when I do I largely ignore the used section (gone are the days when they were a good value; now you get a measly 5 bucks off for a destroyed game).

[roushimsx]

8. Apply Goo Gone to Q-Tip to wipe off remaining sticker and/or residue.


Step 8 is an awesome way to fade and/or smudge the artwork where the sticker was. Removing a new sticker isn't a problem, but on an older one that's been sitting there for a while, you're going to be either:

a) tearing up the insert trying to get the sticker off
b) tearing up the insert trying to get the sticker off
or
c) tearing up the insert trying to get the sticker off

[Overbite]

Yeah it's annoying that cases are covered in stickers, but at least they come off really easy and without residue. At least in my case they do.

The worst is buying games from a place that used to rent them out. Security stickers on the disc itself :( I made the mistake of buying Onimusha 3 from a rental place. I did manage to get the sticker off without damaging the game though.

[Fuyukaze]

I was talking about the paper artwork. I never said anything about removing the stickers from the cases, nor would I as the topic of the OP is regarding the inserts. Moreover, I've removed those stickers off of PSP, DS, PS2, Xbox, 360 and Wii artwork, and never had a problem. What are you removing it from, tissue paper? if so, then it may be a problem.

All of the above inserts are generally glossy, thick stock paper, save maybe the original Xbox which is probably the thinnest of them all. Anyways, I'll walk it through for you.

1. Take out the artwork from the case;
2. Place the artwork on a hard flat surface;
3. Use your fingernail to start pulling off the sticker at two corners on the same side of a label;
4. Slowly pull of the label evenly, preferably using the force of the label to pull back against itself, rather than simply lifting straight up;
5. If label begins to tear, start procedure from opposite side;
6. If label tears off, apply Goo Gone and let sit
7. Use fingernail to pull or scratch off remaining label
8. Apply Goo Gone to Q-Tip to wipe off remaining sticker and/or residue.

Sheez you think its rocket science or something! No big woop. I've never had a tear or wet paper damage.

If that still is a problem, don't buy there, or buy the game new!

With this mentality, perhaps you could remove the stickers for me? Your such an expert and all. Also, if you could find a reasonably priced new copy of marvel vs capcom 2 for the ps2, let me know. I'm shooting for the 40-50 price range.

[Berserker]

I'll go ahead and say it right now -- I don't consider myself a collector. Also, I don't consider myself particularly "hardcore" whatever that means.

I'm a gamer, and I like to play old games. And despite being an unhardcore non-collector, I don't particularly want a bunch of shitty stickers all over my games.


If my local GameStop is doing this, then for me it's going to switch from last-resort to non-resort. I'm not going to raise a stink about it; I'm just not going to go there anymore. I barely do now as it is.

[zektor]

I never shop there...stopped years ago. I will not even order games from their online store.

I buy my new games at either Best Buy, TRU, Circuit City, and even occasionally at Shop Rite believe it or not.

As for used, I'll buy from a forum member or ebay. And, I make sure the used games I buy are in excellent condition before buying.

[Cryomancer]

The gamestop in pekin, IL puts them in there, but with the sticker backing still on. So it falls right out when you take it home with no damage to the insert. I love those guys.

As for the topic itself, this is a terrible practice. it's effectively causing extra damage to an already used product. It's like if the used car salesman stuck his name all over the car...oh wait, even NEW car salesmen do that. gah why do we have to put up with this crap.

[zemmix]

1. Take out the artwork from the case;
2. Place the artwork on a hard flat surface;
3. Use your fingernail to start pulling off the sticker at two corners on the same side of a label;
4. Slowly pull of the label evenly, preferably using the force of the label to pull back against itself, rather than simply lifting straight up;
5. If label begins to tear, start procedure from opposite side;
6. If label tears off, apply Goo Gone and let sit
7. Use fingernail to pull or scratch off remaining label
8. Apply Goo Gone to Q-Tip to wipe off remaining sticker and/or residue.


I don't see why we should have to put up with this to begin with. Since they have started putting the stickers on the sleeves at the GS's around here I've voted with my wallet and not purchased any games through them. The only thing I want from them really is my subscription to Game Informer because I like that mag, just stinks the discount card is now worthless.

It's a damn shame the country isn't full of stores like Digital Press that *gasp* actually care about the games and not whats best for the bottom line/shareholders.

[bb_hood]

Goo Gone might work magic when it comes to stickers on plastic, but not on the paper inserts underneath. That's what we're talking about.

It's bullshit to have to try and pull off a sticker on the actual paper insert. Oftentimes it will result in ripping of the insert, or when Goo Gone is brought into the equation, it gets that ruined wet paper ripple.

This is true. It can mess up paper bad. It can seep into the paper and leave a stain or make the inks run.
Also its just a bitch to use. Whenever I get a used game with stickers on it at gamestop its usually a mess to clean, and its not fun getting that stuff on your hands.

It pisses me off when they put the stickers on the games and ask as much as they do for them. The used games they sell are not that much cheaper than new games, so its not like you are getting a major deal. Most of the wear and tear will come from removing stickers they put on them, especially when they put the sticker on the paper insert along the spine. If you were to peel the sticker off the spine and it were to rip the insert, that game would look mad ugly on a shelf.

I dont buy the statement that they put the stickers on the insert because of people switching cases and 'stealing' games for cheaper. The stickers have the name of the game on them, so what stupid employee rings up a copy of Madden 2001 and gives the customer a different expensive game?
I think if anybody is stealing games from gamestop its the employees.

Bottom line is that if you dont like this practice, dont shop there at all. I dont.
Honestly you are not missing anything. These stores really dont sell anything all that hard to find or really rare by any means. They also do a really really shitty job a resurfacing scratched discs.

[blue lander]

I'm a gamer, and I like to play old games. And despite being an unhardcore non-collector, I don't particularly want a bunch of shitty stickers all over my games.


Same here. The bottom line is: When I have all my PS2 games or whatever lined up on my book shelf, I don't want Gamestop price tags obscuring the label on the spine, nor do I want there to be a half ripped sticker or a googone-soaked insert or a plastic sleeve with divots in it from where I dug too deep with my fingernail. It just looks tacky. Couldn't GS label games in a way that didn't deface the game (either by leaving it on or by removing it)?

Personally, I was adverse to the whole "pricetag-on-insert" thing at first, but it's so much easier than removing it off the plastic sleeve if you do it right. But that may be because the sleeve stickers have been stuck on for years (usually on top of several other stickers), whereas the insert stickers are brand new and remove quickly. So I guess that makes it the lesser of two evils.

[Flashback2012]

Here ya go...

https://websurveyor.net/wsb.dll/87069/GameStop.htm

It's a shame more people have no idea about their feedback site. I'm reminded on a regular basis that Gamestop pays attention to this and as unrealistic as it may sound, they ARE trying to find ways to improve their customer relations. They know how they're not highly regarded online, do a Gamestop related thread on any gaming site and you'll find that 80% of the comments regarding Gamestop/EB are negative in nature. Oh how nice it would be if more people caught on that they could use the site linked above to potentially unload on Gamestop.

Anyway, as an employee there, I certainly feel your pain. I personally abhor the practice as it deters me from wanting to buy product from my own store. I'm pretty good at peeling the labels off if they haven't been on for very long but sometimes it irks me because you can see the outline of the sticker on the insert. Understandably I know that it's not the insert that I play but the game itself but if I'm going to fork over money for a used version of a game that's only a measly $5 less than it's new counterpart, it better be as-new as possible....and by that I don't just mean the disc but the packaging, insert, and instructions as well.

Don't even get me started on GBA games with boxes/instructions.....

At any rate, hope that helps. If you feel that strongly about it, and you have friends who are equally perturbed by this practice go on there. Actually take it one step further, contact the stores and ask for the District Manager. If you're able to get on the line with him/her, state your displeasure with the practice and inform them that you fully intend on contacting the corporate office as well regarding the matter in addition to going to the feedback site. With any luck, if enough people in enough states chimed in on the same grievance, there's a sliver of a chance they may actually nix the practice. One can hope anyway. :bareass:

[cyberfluxor]

Gamestop is only good for one thing.

Buy 2 Get 1 Free.
In my opinion, Gamestop use to be good with new games. Now though, I don't trust them and screw their storage policy. Other retailers can sell me an unopened new game and most local stores easily beat GSs used game prices in addition to higher trade-in values. If only casual gamers and parents investigated they'd find these wonderful game stores. Oh, and no crappy stickers.

[xfrumx]

My Gamestops sticks the sticker on the spine but DOES NOT! pull the backing off to make it sticky making it easy to remove.

[Greg2600]

About the only way of maybe getting the stickers off the paper insert is with a hair blow dryer. Gamestop's stickers are so cheap that they always come right off the outer plastic sleeve. I think I took one off the paper recently as well with the hair dryer. In any case, yeah it's a pretty bad policy from Gamestop. What does it do? Even if you could "switch" the case, doesn't the bar code ring up the correct game? Then again, back in the day they use to put their stickers right on the label on cartridges, too.

[sirhansirhan]

I think that the practice we're discussing here is horrible, and I hate GameStop as much as everyone else here, more or less, but really, since they started this practice, I've found that maybe only half the local GameStops (of which there are a ton) actually do it. Some put the sticker on the outside still, some put the sticker with the backing under the plastic, some don't put a sticker on the spine at all. That is to say, despite how dumb it is, it hasn't caused me much of a problem. I just avoid the stores that I know do it.

[bangtango]

Hate to say it but Gamestop is getting a bad rap on this sticker issue.

Thrift stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army also put price stickers or tape on boxes, inserts, game discs and the cart label and yet we don't have anyone starting threads about it or calling to boycott them.

A ton of places do the same thing with stickers but read enough message boards and you'll be led to believe that it is a practice exclusive to Gamestop. It is hardly the case.

Someone can use the defense that GS should know better, being a retailer that sells games. However, most people (employees) involved with the chain, either in the store itself or in a regional/corporate office, see what Gamestop sells as "product" first and "games" second.

As for the Goo Gone product and all of the steps involved. Ain't happenin'. I spend my money on GAMES. Not on products to remove stickers or stains from said games which I already paid money for. If I can't remove it through my own efforts (i.e. using my fingernails or something I already had around the house) then the blemish will just stay there.

[DefaultGen]

.....

[esquire]

I don't see why we should have to put up with this to begin with. Since they have started putting the stickers on the sleeves at the GS's around here I've voted with my wallet and not purchased any games through them.

You don't have to put up with it just like you point out. No one forces anyone to shop at GS/EB. If you voluntarily decide to shop there, you are going to get the stickers.

This is the same argument over and over again, just like the quarterly "OMG GS/EB is selling opened items as new!!!!" post.

I seriously think we need a sticky thread on how GS/Eb sucks to avoid all these multiple threads, sort of like a rant thread.

[esquire]

Hate to say it but Gamestop is getting a bad rap on this sticker issue.

Thrift stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army also put price stickers or tape on boxes, inserts, game discs and the cart label and yet we don't have anyone starting threads about it or calling to boycott them.

A ton of places do the same thing with stickers but read enough message boards and you'll be led to believe that it is a practice exclusive to Gamestop. It is hardly the case.

I love in particular pawn shops that use magic markers to write the price on the item, or how about those idiots who had to use permanent markers to write their name on their SNES carts. But the worse has to be those silver video store labels that only half peel off and leave the word "VOID" on the cartridge.

[esquire]

I dont buy the statement that they put the stickers on the insert because of people switching cases and 'stealing' games for cheaper. The stickers have the name of the game on them, so what stupid employee rings up a copy of Madden 2001 and gives the customer a different expensive game?

You'd be surprised how oftern this happens, even when there isn't a switcheroo, especially with DS and PSP games where its difficult to distinguish the smaller text, such as with Legends of Heroes II or III. I had this happen to me. Also, half the time the employees are in a hurry and just throw anything in there.

[esquire]

With this mentality, perhaps you could remove the stickers for me? Your such an expert and all. Also, if you could find a reasonably priced new copy of marvel vs capcom 2 for the ps2, let me know. I'm shooting for the 40-50 price range.

Listen, I don't appreciate the tone or sarcasm or whatever it is you are dishing out. I was trying to help someone out. I've been collecting for some time and yes I guess I would consider myself an expert with restoring used, dirty, tarnished or whatever quality games, systems, etc. If you are serious, then PM and maybe I can help you out perhaps on a finders fee basis and a surcharge per game cleaned.

Try actually contributing to a thread rather than simply going in and making some asinine comment.

[esquire]

Step 8 is an awesome way to fade and/or smudge the artwork where the sticker was.

I've never had this problem. I barely apply any force with the Q-Tip to the artwork, just gently brushing it. Think of it like an archaeologist with his brush at a dig site. LOL.

[emceelokey]

My local Gamestops have been doing this since around the time of the 360's launch in late '05 and I've participated in many threads about this with many complaints and I'll add yet another thread to my resume on this subject. They're not too hard to take off though and I always clean any packaging and disc whenever I buy a used game from anywhere and I rather enjoy it.

And yes they sell "New" games when they're opened and played through by an employee. Don't like it then don't buy it. I sure as hell don't.

My main concern when buying a used game other than the disc itself and it being complete is having a decent dvd case. I hate how the cases get abused and they're touched by so many people that they're just disgusting sometimes.

[Fuyukaze]

Listen, I don't appreciate the tone or sarcasm or whatever it is you are dishing out. I was trying to help someone out. I've been collecting for some time and yes I guess I would consider myself an expert with restoring used, dirty, tarnished or whatever quality games, systems, etc. If you are serious, then PM and maybe I can help you out perhaps on a finders fee basis and a surcharge per game cleaned.

Try actually contributing to a thread rather than simply going in and making some asinine comment.


No one apreciates being told what they should and shouldnt accept for their money either. If you have no problem buying a game with stickers all over it, that's your buisness. If someone else does, that's theirs. When it's my money, I expect things the way I'd like them. If the place I do buisness doesnt like that, then I can move on to another source. Being as Gamestop is a store that deals mostly in games, I expect them to have a more gamer friendly aproach. Knowing that the market for collectors in the gaming hobby is as huge, I'd expect them to be just as interested in them as well. I've heard lots of reasons for the practices they do at gamestop and often times they dont sound the least bit honest. Some of the bitching about gamestop, often times alot of it is little more then the fanatic bitching that serves little more purpose then a wasted read. Sometimes though those rants actualy do serve a purpose. As far as cleaning, I think everyone swears by their own method of cleaning. Some use alcohol, some use goo gone, and some use the mr clean pads. Me, I dont even bother with most stickers if they are on paper and take up a larger space then 1"x1" as it tends to tear at the glossy finish reguardless of how new or old the game in question is.

[Nate Nanjo]

My gamestop's have started to do this yet, and I know all the managers, two of them I know would do it, the other two wouldn't.

[smokehouse]

I don't care if it is a rare title or not....stickers = no sale. They are defacing games...they might as well be taking a pin to the CD face and scratching off the printed label it has...no different in my book. This practice is 100% useless and down right dirty (like their trade in prices)...

They are taking games and ruining them...I've seen this done before and made comments on it in the past. It sucks they're doing this and can say I'll never buy a game that has gone through that abuse...















And to the goo-gone comment...lets see some before/after pics. I have a hard time believing those gigantic ass stickers come off with such ease while not damaging the original surface of the booklet what-so-ever. I too have used many tricks of the trade and goo-gone is damaging and oily...there's no way in God's green earth it will leave the manual looking like nothing was ever there...

[Cryomancer]

You'd be surprised how oftern this happens, even when there isn't a switcheroo, especially with DS and PSP games where its difficult to distinguish the smaller text, such as with Legends of Heroes II or III. I had this happen to me. Also, half the time the employees are in a hurry and just throw anything in there.

I've had employees there throw games into my bag without scanning them due to them not paying any attention to what they are doing.. i got Scurge Hive for DS for free that way. I guess the woman actually saying that she DID want to pre-order something shifted his priorities to "numbers" instead of "actually charging for product". Fuck em.

[ScourDX]

As long as sticker can be removed easily, I'm not complaining. EBgames sticker are harder to peel off. I do agree the GS put too many sticker - Front, back and spine. I think they can easily use one sticker for all their used game.

[Rob2600]

There was discussion about this two months ago in January:

Great article about what Gamestop SHOULD do (but most likely won't) - page 3 (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=108531&page=3)

I wrote:

"Recently at GameStop, I bought a used copy of Prince of Persia: Sands of Time for GameCube for $12.99. The yellow price stickers and bar code stickers were applied directly to the paper cover instead of the outer plastic. I'm not a collector, but it still annoyed me a little."

That was the first time I had bought a game at GameStop that had price stickers on the inside of the case. I haven't bought a game there since.

[Cornelius]

Listen, I don't appreciate the tone or sarcasm or whatever it is you are dishing out. I was trying to help someone out. I've been collecting for some time and yes I guess I would consider myself an expert with restoring used, dirty, tarnished or whatever quality games, systems, etc. If you are serious, then PM and maybe I can help you out perhaps on a finders fee basis and a surcharge per game cleaned.

Try actually contributing to a thread rather than simply going in and making some asinine comment.

I call foul, not that I'm a ref or anything. I read your first posts in this thread as being pretty condescending. You may not have intended that, but I think it explains the reactions you've gotten.

I can see your method working for a new sticker, that almost entirely comes off on its own. But you can't 'let goo gone sit' (paraphrased) on an insert without it causing permanent damage. Or maybe you have goo gone from the future that isn't the same as the rest of us collectors use.

[Flashback2012]

I guess it really is more fun to complain about the problem than actually do something about it. ;)

Gamestop Customer Service Center: 1-800-883-8895
Hours of operation: Open Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (CST); Saturday - Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (CST)

www.TellGameStop.com

[Icarus Moonsight]

Been there, done that, got the T-shirt. Didn't do anything except waste my time and cause me undo annoyance. If anyone is more clueless than the average gamestop clerk it's their customer service reps.

[rbudrick]

Dammit, Joe, when are you going to start franchising and destroying Gamestop? ;)

-Rob

[Slate]

Do we need another "OMG gamestop sux0rz" Thread? I say no. I'm not a moderator or administrator but this thread isn't positive.

[bcks007]

Sure it is, its warning people what might be coming there way. The gamestop i visit, always leaves the backing on the sticker when they put it inside the case, its something i need to watch for in the future, just in case it spreads everywhere. :-/

Nobody has mentioned this i think, but it takes alot of time, pealing stickers off very carefully, to avoid damaging manuals, artwork. Its not like a minute thing, and if your doing it in a minute, you should set up some business or something, maybe get a sweatshop going or something.
Also, some peoples fingers aren't as nimble when it comes to using your finger nail to be very carefull.

I know people have said that the stickers have small print on them, and can easily be switched to trick a employee, but can't they i don't know, look at the computer screen and match the game as they ring it up. No magnifying glass's needed.

[Oobgarm]

Do we need another "OMG gamestop sux0rz" Thread? I say no. I'm not a moderator or administrator but this thread isn't positive.

As I said:


I know this is another one of those 'GameStop sucks' threads that get very tiresome, and there's not much that can be done about it. And yeah, most folks that shop there couldn't be bothered to give two shits about it. But I wanted to put it out there, see what the community thought.

And I'm getting some reaction, which is mostly negative, as I suspected.

I bought a game from them yesterday with a sticker and asked the manager of the store why they did it. He babbled on about daily counts or something to that effect. Mostly a 'they tell us to do and we do it' kinda stance. He then proceeded to tell me that the best way to remove the sticker is by using a lighter(!!!!) to heat the adhesive. Pay no mind to the fact that you might set the insert on fire in the process, I guess.

The sticker came off with little fuss but left a fair amount of residue behind, BTW.

[mnbren05]

Hey I thought I would add this to the fire. Bought from Game Stop, one copy of Crackdown. Complete with case, manual, and disc for $16 (Had 3 different price tags, $24, $22, $16). When I got home I noticed the disc had 3 stickers on the actual game disc art side. One was a small white sticker with "Reserve GTA IV Today!" written on it, the other said trade more save more and was silver, and the final sticker was quite large and was a GameStop barcode for Crackdown. Needless to say this one was a return. I thought the game sellers grew out of the stick on the disc habit a few years ago. Now I fear to buy anymore used games from GS.

[RadiantSvgun]

The ones in my area don't do that. They just slap them all over the spine. Then again, most of their stuff is priced wrong since they don't put new stickers on. They have been getting worse and worse as far as the used selection goes though.

[Nate Nanjo]

They have been getting worse and worse as far as the used selection goes though.

The one's around me have getting worse with used games. Not so much the selection, but its seems 90% of stuff traded in now is Disk Only, I'm tried of seeing those generic inserts.

[RadiantSvgun]

You know, this nice plate of crow I'm eating is very bitter......

I found a new open copy of Stella Deus at gamestop today for 14.99. I buy it, I try to get the sticker off the spine, and guess what? Its on the artwork. Luckily I was able to get it off no sweat, but a small bit of sticky residue is left. Man, whoever did that was an ass.

[HYB]

Gamestops here at Finland aren't as bad as the US ones it seems, I mean here we get our games still sealed and not as display copies every time.

However it seems they started slapping the stickers on the inserts here as well. When I last bought a game used they had the stickers on the paper case that holds the inserts and one measly one on the actual game case. The sticker was easy to peel off so I didn't complain. It's been about a month now and yesterday I was craving for some Phoenix Wright action so I went and bought Justice for All used (the game is near impossible to find new). I was very happy even though the case now had 2 stickers. When I saw one on the instruction manual I nearly walked out of there, but my need for the game stil made me buy it. Luckily Finland is a very cold place so the stickers peel off easily and don't leave any residue behind. It still pisses me off and I'm going to say a thing or two about it next time I go there. I shouldn't have to peel stickers off my games.

[Oobgarm]

You know, this nice plate of crow I'm eating is very bitter......

I found a new open copy of Stella Deus at gamestop today for 14.99. I buy it, I try to get the sticker off the spine, and guess what? Its on the artwork. Luckily I was able to get it off no sweat, but a small bit of sticky residue is left. Man, whoever did that was an ass.

Really? Yikes. That's definitely not a good thing. Not at all.

[kainemaxwell]

I think the gamestops in my area have been noticing the complaints on the internet and whatnot and have been trying to better the store over the past 6 months or so. I'm not going to trade in my games there, nor am I going to pre-order and Halo 3s or any other huge release game because "you won't be able to find it anywhere." I gotta say all the stickers are one of the few things left that I don't like about the store, especially when buying used games as gifts.

Now see, it would be nice if more game stores did that- listened to the customers. But alas, big business and the dollar rules all. I actually didn't even notice this, I'll check it out when I go out later to the renovated GS in my mall (they renovated the whole store and fired the old staff and brought in a new one x_x).

[Flashback2012]

You know, this nice plate of crow I'm eating is very bitter......

I found a new open copy of Stella Deus at gamestop today for 14.99. I buy it, I try to get the sticker off the spine, and guess what? Its on the artwork. Luckily I was able to get it off no sweat, but a small bit of sticky residue is left. Man, whoever did that was an ass.

Here's a trick you should try. When you peel a sticker off and all that's left is residue, do this....take the sticker and continuously press it against the insert or case that you just removed it from over the area that has the residue. The sticker will eventually remove the remaining residue from the case/insert for you. The only caveat is the underside of the sticker needs to still be "sticky" for you to do this and it's not a 100% guarantee to work. I've done it hundreds of times to hundreds of cases/inserts and once in a blue moon I'll get a case/insert or sticker that just doesn't want to cooperate. The time of year also is a determining factor. It's far easier to pry stickers off in the warmer months than colder ones.

[Damaramu]

You also run the risk of pulling up part of the insert doing this as well. Careful!

[Volcanon]

Places like best buy in Canada put games in security cases and put the price on the case. why doesnt GS do that?

Why would anybody ever stick stuff on a CD? That's just dumb.

[DefaultGen]

.....

[calthaer]

I will contribute something positive:

There is always Best Buy, Amazon, and loads of other stores on the internet that can accommodate our gaming dollars.

[Daria]

I was talking about the paper artwork. I never said anything about removing the stickers from the cases, nor would I as the topic of the OP is regarding the inserts. Moreover, I've removed those stickers off of PSP, DS, PS2, Xbox, 360 and Wii artwork, and never had a problem. What are you removing it from, tissue paper? if so, then it may be a problem.

All of the above inserts are generally glossy, thick stock paper, save maybe the original Xbox which is probably the thinnest of them all. Anyways, I'll walk it through for you.

1. Take out the artwork from the case;
2. Place the artwork on a hard flat surface;
3. Use your fingernail to start pulling off the sticker at two corners on the same side of a label;
4. Slowly pull of the label evenly, preferably using the force of the label to pull back against itself, rather than simply lifting straight up;
5. If label begins to tear, start procedure from opposite side;
6. If label tears off, apply Goo Gone and let sit
7. Use fingernail to pull or scratch off remaining label
8. Apply Goo Gone to Q-Tip to wipe off remaining sticker and/or residue.

Sheez you think its rocket science or something! No big woop. I've never had a tear or wet paper damage.

If that still is a problem, don't buy there, or buy the game new!

Someone's never heard of grease stains. Or looked real closely at their games after "cleaning them".

Seriously why defend GameStop? They suck it's no mystery. If you're tired of these threads, they're easy enough to ignore. But, posting blatant lies such as this isn't helping anyone. I just hope no one's foolish enough to actually try this bullshit on their collections.

[esquire]

Someone's never heard of grease stains. Or looked real closely at their games after "cleaning them".

Seriously why defend GameStop? They suck it's no mystery. If you're tired of these threads, they're easy enough to ignore. But, posting blatant lies such as this isn't helping anyone. I just hope no one's foolish enough to actually try this bullshit on their collections.

Yes, its true. I'm lieing to you. I have nothing better to do but to waste me time posting untruths in the hopes that I will deceive you. You found out my evil plan. My goal was for everyone to apply Goo Gone to their collection which in reality will either destroy it or drastically decrease its value from the millions of dollars that its worth to pennies on the dollar. And I would've gotten away with it if it wasn't for you nosey kids. :rolleyes:

Seriously. For the record, I was not defending Gamestop. I was only commenting on my opinion (which is allowed here correct?) as to the absurdity it is to gripe about, of all things, stickers. I was merely pointing out that the stickers are not that hard to remove if you take you time and do it right. I thought I was trying to help. I apologize. Next time, I'll just +1 the typical anti-Gamestop response, just like in those South Park episodes.......rabble, rabble, rabble, rabble.

[Nate Nanjo]

I skip over the disc only cases when browsing games. When I do look at them i'll inevitably find something I want like Air Force Delta Storm or Futarama and i'll have to be pissed off the rest of the time i'm browsing that they weren't complete :P

One of mine has Digital Devil Saga, but just the disk. Hell, it took 2-3 months for a Xenosaga with case to show up. I usually skip the disk only case, but damn so many together it just makes me mad.

[PentiumMMX]

I'm not sure if mine has started to do this (Last time I was in, I was too focused on paying off my copy of Super Smash Bros. Brawl to care about looking around). Last time I bought a used game from them (I think it was Gurumin), the stickers where on the outside of the case like always.

[Kitsune Sniper]

I hope the Gamestop I buy stuff at doesn't do this. The manager isn't stupid, he actually CARES about the customers, so...

I'm going there on Friday, see what he thinks.

[Oobgarm]

I found a new open copy of Stella Deus at gamestop today for 14.99. I buy it, I try to get the sticker off the spine, and guess what? Its on the artwork. Luckily I was able to get it off no sweat, but a small bit of sticky residue is left. Man, whoever did that was an ass.

And I can confirm they're doing this on opened NEW copies of games now. Saw a good number of them yesterday while browsing. Certainly tosses that 'as new' definition right out the window.

There are a lot of games that other stores don't carry for exclusivity reasons, or just low-tier releases that only GameStop bothers with. If you were fine with the shelf copy before, this might change your mind.

[DigitalSpace]

And I can confirm they're doing this on opened NEW copies of games now.

:shameful:

[Flashback2012]

And I can confirm they're doing this on opened NEW copies of games now. Saw a good number of them yesterday while browsing. Certainly tosses that 'as new' definition right out the window.

There are a lot of games that other stores don't carry for exclusivity reasons, or just low-tier releases that only GameStop bothers with. If you were fine with the shelf copy before, this might change your mind.

I've seen a few stores in the area that are doing this (Tri-County mall immediately comes to mind). I wasn't able to convince the managers at my store to stop doing the sticker on the insert for used, but I did make a case for the new stuff and so far we've refrained from doing it on new...for now. :smash:

It's really apparent that management doesn't view their inventory as games but as "product" and when they look at it that way, they feel they can do whatever they like to it, stickering it up to no end and what not. It's good to know there are employees at other stores in other states that understand that it's just not cool to sticker the inserts.