ripped off by gamestop [Archive] - Retrogaming Roundtable

11killer11

05-11-2009, 07:34 PM

I don't feel as this needs it's own topic but we all get ripped off from Gamestop once in a while so here's my story....

Friday I go into Gamestop because Me and my dad were stopping by Staples for a External Hard Drive. They were having their Final Days Clearance on their Game Days Sale so I decided to pick up Line Rider 2 for DS which was $7.99. Since this was on my want list I decide to pick it up it. It's being advertised as New but the game is not sealed and the actual cart is up at the counter. Me not wanting to start talkin to the clerk as to why they're not sealed but being advertised as new, just buy it and go.

You think they advertised it as new but it was really pre-owned? I don't think so but who knows.
It was sealed to begin with why do you open it and then advertise as new?

Sonicwolf

05-11-2009, 07:37 PM

You think they advertised it as new but it was really pre-owned? I don't think so but who knows.
It was sealed to begin with why do you open it and then advertise as new?

They tend to either A do that or B let the employees play with the games before they sell them.

Neil Koch

05-11-2009, 07:39 PM

Yay. Yet another "Gamestop sucks" thread. Yawn.

Overbite

05-11-2009, 08:03 PM

Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one who doesn't give a damn if it's opened. I usually buy used games anyway and if I do buy new it's on release day and I preordered it. I get wrapped games all the time.

Actually I did buy kof11 new opened but it was because they only had one copy and none used.

Diosoth

05-11-2009, 08:04 PM

If you want it new, demand they give you a copy in the original factory shrinkwrap. If they won't... well, walk out.

And yes, Gamestop is an awful store. The FTC is looking into their practices now. I hope they get nailed with fines so bad they have to shut down.

Sonicwolf

05-11-2009, 08:13 PM

Im glad up here we dont have to see GameStops anywhere. British Columbia is filled with EB Games' - - The someone less evil looking version of GameStop.

Tupin

05-11-2009, 08:25 PM

EB Games IS Gamestop, just under a different logo. That said, I don't have a problem with the employees, just the companies practices.

I guess they don't get that once a game is taken out of the plastic, it isn't new. It doesn't matter if it wasn't played, if it's taken out of its wrapping, it's used, not new.

This is why I always buy my games at Best Buy, sure the selection is more limited, but at least they sell new games.

monkeychemist

05-11-2009, 08:40 PM

yes, that's why I ended up buying it because everywhere else was depleted. Yesterday was my birthday, I am poor so when I get money to buy a game I don't feel like waiting 2 weeks to get it. I get about 1-2 games a year, so my anticipation is already pretty strong.

So yea it was dumb to get it but thats all I could do I guess. It sucks that they sell an opened game as new. That's BS, but all the other stores that carry games fade out games after a year so really crappy selection.

...and to the guy who said "yay another gamestop sucks thread" butt out, no one forces you to read everything at digitpress.

Sonicwolf

05-11-2009, 09:01 PM

EB Games IS Gamestop, just under a different logo.

I know, thats why I said "the less evil looking version"

emceelokey

05-11-2009, 09:34 PM

Yet another "How is this new when it's opened" thread. Trust me, I'm no fan of that either but that's why I buy new games when they're actually NEW, as in just released this week, not three years ago, this was there's less chance of the game hitting the sales floor.

When I worked there, probably about 5 years ago now, I remember the head store manager of the area said something about "possession" and that when people can actually hold the game in their hand and look through it and all that, they're more likely to buy the game or what have you. Apparently it worked. In a way I kind of like it. I know whenever I go to Gamecrazy I don't even think of their new games because they're all behind the counter and just to look at the game you have to get an employee to pull it down for you.

ProgrammingAce

05-11-2009, 09:36 PM

I'm as anti-gamestop as anybody here, but i don't really get the complaint. I was expecting another paragraph to your story about how you got it home and the disc is scratched to high hell. Now that's happened to me before, buy a new game that's been gutted and find it's been scratched so bad it doesn't play anymore. But to be honest, i took the game back and they didn't have any problem refunding me.

Seriously though, you knew exactly what you were buying. Obviously you thought it was worth the convience of not having to wait for shipping.

GrandAmChandler

05-11-2009, 10:00 PM

He chose..... Poorly (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000TG72PG/?tag=retrcom-20)....

http://purgatorio1.com/wp-content/pics/GrailKnight.jpg

Sonicwolf

05-11-2009, 10:04 PM

He chose..... Poorly (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000TG72PG/?tag=retrcom-20)....

http://purgatorio1.com/wp-content/pics/GrailKnight.jpg

Love the reference.

Did you ever notice how Donovan turns into Doc Brown from BTTF for around 2 seconds after he chooses poorly and starts melting?

SegaAges

05-11-2009, 10:07 PM

He chose..... Poorly (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000TG72PG/?tag=retrcom-20)....

http://purgatorio1.com/wp-content/pics/GrailKnight.jpg

WIN!

Yeah, unless I am buying a game on a killer deal (very rare at G$), then I either pre-order, or buy used.

Last game I pre-ordered from them was Project Sylpheed, which is my now all time fav S-E game.

TonyTheTiger

05-11-2009, 10:19 PM

Is this "no discount" policy a chain wide one? Because when I bought Castlevania Chronicles (admittedly quite a few years ago) it was a shelf copy and the manager outright offered me a 10% discount without me even saying anything.

I really don't have any principled objections to the shelf copy. I've used the opportunity to flip through a new game's manual once or twice. And if the prospect of buying a shelf copy is so objectionable then the consumer is free to shop around. What I do object to is the employees doing anything with the shelf copy beyond storing it away in a sleeve. The whole employees borrowing the shelf copies thing needs to stop because then selling the game as new is genuine misrepresentation. I don't care what they do with the games marked "used" but if they insist on putting "new" on the item they shouldn't be allowed to leave the store with it.

kupomogli

05-11-2009, 10:36 PM

Well. No one got fucked over by Gamestop as badly as I did. Guaranteed.

When I was younger and stupid, also right when the Playstation was out a few years. I had a bunch of the more popular expensive trade in titles for SNES. I had 12 titles from Mega Man X, Mario Kart, Super Mario RPG, etc. Called Gamestop before hand to trade the games in because some PSX titles I wanted to get.

So had my mom and step dad trade the games in for me, in a large bag. When I ended up getting back from going out to eat in the mall, the trade in ticket had every single game except for MK2 as a "generic title" trade in value of 2.00. Needless to say I was fucking pissed, but the Gamestop employee, an older woman, flat out refused to give the games back since it was already signed as traded in.

So instead of getting 12+ trade in value for multiple of those games(MMX and Mario Kart were 12, SMRPG was 16, and MK2 was 1, those I specifically remember.) I ended up getting about 25 dollars and from the rest of the money I had could only buy a single 50.00 game.

That's not really Gamestop's fault, but their fucking thieving employees and my parents who really didn't know what the trade in values were before hand.

Fuyukaze

05-11-2009, 10:46 PM

Gamestop sucks, that's a given. Catch is, you accepted it as being an open copy the moment you paid for it. If it was the only copy and you were given an empty case, then you'd be cheated. Add insult to injury if you didnt realize it till you get in your car and return less then 5 minutes later and they swear they gave you the game and somehow they have a disc only copy when 5 minutes before they only had the one. Yet you didnt leave the parking space right in front of the store and not one customer walked in.

scooterb23

05-11-2009, 11:35 PM

Well. No one got fucked over by Gamestop as badly as I did. Guaranteed.

*SNIP*

That's not really Gamestop's fault

*insert favorite facepalm pic here*

As for the OP, you gave them the money for something you didn't want, because you were too impatient to wait a couple days for shipping by buying online, and you're complaining...why?

boatofcar

05-11-2009, 11:39 PM

*insert favorite facepalm pic here*

As for the OP, you gave them the money for something you didn't want, because you were too impatient to wait a couple days for shipping by buying online, and you're complaining...why?

Because it's the internet. What's it for if not to complain about stupid stuff no one cares about?

Flashback2012

05-11-2009, 11:41 PM

Don't misinterpret this as an attack by any means but at the same time I fail to see the need to offer any sympathy on your behalf. I don't agree with the gutting of new games any more than you do but you could have simply walked away and chose not to endorse their practice by not giving them your business but you didn't do that.

GS didn't force you to buy it. Their views on new games do not line up with yours and you DID have the option available to you to NOT purchase it based on what you believe in but instead of sticking to your convictions, you pursued the discount angle. You were refused one and yet you STILL purchased the game from them?! :?

I guess it's easier to play the victim at this point and make accusations that they cheated you somehow when the evidence in your responses proves this to not be the case. You claim you were out of options and yet that clearly isn't true at all. You optioned against waiting up to 2 weeks for a mail order copy because it was your birthday and you apparently had to have the game TODAY. It was merely a coincidental inconvenience that none of the other retailers you tried prior to GS had it in stock. I don't know how many GS/EB are in your area but you also had the option of having them check for you to see if another location had a sealed copy of the game in stock.

At any rate, it doesn't matter. You got your rant of your system by posting it on here for all to see and you got the game you wanted for your birthday. It's Monday and a new GS bashing thread was in order anyway. If anything, it gives us the opportunity to break out the :deadhorse: smiley.

scooterb23

05-11-2009, 11:43 PM

Because it's the internet. What's it for if not to complain about stupid stuff no one cares about?

Porn and stealing music.

YoshiM

05-12-2009, 12:05 AM

Porn and stealing music.
http://images.broadwayworld.com/upload/23373/tn-500_img_8768.jpg
He agrees with you on the former.

NayusDante

05-12-2009, 12:38 AM

I recently did the same thing. I picked up Retro Game Challenge, "new," with a gash on the case that left a big visible crease down the front of the paper. I had decided that I was buying it anyway, but I did my best to get her to mark it down. Of course, she declined, and gave me the same "OMG ITZ NEVER BEEN PLAYED!!!111" crap, which I honestly don't care about. I can erase the save files, but I can't repair a damaged cover insert, which is essentially the only packaging we have left to display these days.

Instead of going home to play while angry, I actually checked the URL at the bottom of my receipt. Click the "click here to skip survey or submit negative feedback," (POLITELY AND PROFESSIONALLY) describe your disappointment with their policies, and check the box to indicate that you'd like to be contacted by the district manager. You'll get a friendly call from the DM who will be happy to explain store policy, and that he "doesn't see it changing any time soon." If they get enough of these calls, I'm sure that they'll realize that gamers aren't happy.

There's no sense bashing someone for buying a pseudo-new game from GS, as it accomplishes absolutely nothing.

sisko

05-12-2009, 01:10 AM

If they get enough of these calls, I'm sure that they'll realize that gamers aren't happy.

Sure they'll realize it, but they won't do anything about it because they know that their policies save them money, and idiots will continuously concede to those policies anyway (and then complain about it on the internet)

scooterb23

05-12-2009, 01:18 AM

Fun fact: if all the "Gamestop Sucks" threads in the Modern Gaming forum were combined into one. The forum would go from 101 pages long, to 8 topics.

koster

05-12-2009, 01:42 AM

Fun fact: if all the "Gamestop Sucks" threads in the Modern Gaming forum were combined into one. The forum would go from 101 pages long, to 8 topics.

Then merge them, I say, and make the topic sticky... LOL

djbeatmongrel

05-12-2009, 02:01 AM

I'm indifferent to Gamestops practices and don't mind too much because i know a store or 2 around me that does keep good care of even the gutted stock of new games. I will say OP is pretty stupid becuase if he didn't want he didn't want it he didn't have to buy it. Since you settled this thread shouldn't have even been started.

The GOTY edition has been out for a year and a half. It's not like they are going to make a steady amount of copies to prevent shmucks like you from playing chicken little on the message boards when your dumb ass threw a handfull of rocks overhead.

This thread should'nt have even been made because you should have dealt with your decission and had been enjoying the game when you got home.

Fuyukaze

05-12-2009, 02:12 AM

Says "meh!" and continues browsing porn.

It aint been said but it's quoted for future refrence.

lakerstowin

05-12-2009, 02:30 AM

I also have problems at gamestop.My biggest problem is when I buy games and I dont check and go home, they are not in case or the wrong game is in the case.I think its my fault that I dont check before I leave but sheesh shouldnt I trust a company that sells you something to see you are give you the right item?

Emuaust

05-12-2009, 03:10 AM

+1 for a thread merge.

TonyTheTiger

05-12-2009, 03:17 AM

The problems people have with Gamestop can apparently be reduced to four complaints.

1) They gut games to put on the shelves.

2) The employees can borrow/play the gutted games which are then sold as new.

3) They put stickers all over everything.

4) They pay jack for trades.

In the long run, what you have here is not some evil corporation hell bent on making people's lives hell. What you have is a retail chain. There's nothing technically wrong with #1. They could do worse. #3 is annoying but really only the insert stickers are a real hassle. #4, well, you aren't going to get top dollar anywhere going through a middle man like that. Only #2 is genuinely deceptive. But this is really par for the course with major retail establishments. We could make lists like these for Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Target, Blockbuster, Toys 'R' Us, the former Circuit City, etc. The lists might look different but there's always going to be some little pet peeve. Gamestop just takes most of the abuse here because this is a video game site and Gamestop is the biggest video game retailer so we have the most experience dealing with the company and its annoying habits.

I don't much like stickers all over my games either and waste little time in removing them as carefully as possible. But in the end, it's just a sticker. We might be a little more OCD about that stuff here but a little perspective can go a long way. I certainly wish that things would be a little different but it's not like there's some huge expos� about corporate headquarters refusing to hire minorities or employees wiping their asses with game manuals.

bcks007

05-12-2009, 04:34 AM

5: Pre-order goodies get stolen, lost, never found, etc.

Oobgarm

05-12-2009, 06:25 AM

6. Anything else to fault them for your own stupidity.

Kroogah

05-12-2009, 06:30 AM

I ordered a large pizza w/pepperoni and mushrooms from Gamestop, and I specifically told them to put the pepperoni on top. When it arrived, not only was the pepperoni NOT on top, it was a styrofoam plate with 3 tacos al pastor! I don't even like tacos al pastor. I'm starting an online petition to complain about this.

tubeway

05-12-2009, 07:10 AM

Sniderman

05-12-2009, 07:30 AM

Fun fact: if all the "Gamestop Sucks" threads in the Modern Gaming forum were combined into one. The forum would go from 101 pages long, to 8 topics.

Just typed "GameStop" into the search engine here. Let's see what threads we got (skipping this thread)...

thoroughly pissed with gamestop (most recent post 5/8/09) (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=131260&highlight=gamestop)
GameStop Selling Games Played By Employees As New (most recent post 5/2/09) (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=130213&highlight=gamestop)
Zero Originality: The Gamestop Whistle Blower (most recent post 3/24/09 - became a GS sux thread (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=121726&highlight=gamestop)
Gamestop rant (most recent post 3/4/09) (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=128761&highlight=gamestop)
Internal GameStop video on selling to women (most recent post 3/3/09) (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=128563&highlight=gamestop)

And I just kind of gave up after that.

s1lence

05-12-2009, 09:37 AM

I think we should start a positive gamestop experience thread considering 95% of the hate gamestop threads are all user error.......

Icarus Moonsight

05-12-2009, 10:10 AM

I have no love for Gamestop but, seriously gals, it's your own fault you got raped. You should wear a longer skirt and stop showing your midriff... Makes you look like you just WANT IT! Or, you could simply, I don't know, think before you spend! 99.9% of buyers remorse cases is the buyers own doing. :) Didn't want to wait for shipping? Your choice. Only copy on the shelf? There's sure to be one on the internets! Yeah, it's not just for bitching anymore (CompuServe). Bigfoot made me do it? Your choice (we all know you're a sasquatch hunny :p ). The guy at Gamestop hypnotised me? Not true, that is only a contact high... You lightweight. :kiss:

Sometimes, the horse deserves to be beat... Most times, not.

Is Ubik the MergeKing up to the task of coralling all the Gamestop indirect hate mail/love letters to bad decisions? I can't think of anyone more qualified... Hell, it's MergeKing for a reason... Just pretend they're random videos man! LOL

skaar

05-12-2009, 10:15 AM

Personally, I think it's inevitable we'd end up with all these gamestop threads. It's a collector forum and they're the biggest chain in the US dealing in used games... hmmm....

I don't like dealing with them, but as long as you're aware of their policies the choice is yours if you want to go through on a transaction.

shopkins

05-12-2009, 12:27 PM

I understand your issue, I just don't get why it's Gamestop's fault or why you didn't go home and buy it online. It's not like it's a rare game and I'm pretty sure if you ordered it from Amazon it would get there more quickly than two weeks and still be shrink-wrapped. For a little extra dough you could get it there in just a couple of days.

I do always prefer getting a shrinkwrapped game and I always ask for one, but since I'm going to open it soon after I get it home anyway to look at the manual, my main concern is just having the best shot at having the manual and disc in pristine condition. I've no emotional attachment to opening shrinkwrap. So, if I look at the disc and it looks like new, I'll still take it.

I would have a problem with a game that employees have taken home and played being sold as new, though, that does seem deceptive.

Gamestop is far, far from perfect, but as a person from a rural area, I have to say that having Gamestop is better than not having Gamestop. The only other real option if you want to walk into a store and buy a game brand new here is Wal-Mart.

Ztype85

05-12-2009, 02:07 PM

On the rare chance a Gamestop has a game that I want to buy and I'm offered an opened copy, I always tell the clerk before he puts the disc in the case to show it to me. I guess I just don't really care about it being sealed as long as everything is intact and the disc is perfect.

The one thing I really don't understand is why two copies of the same game are exactly the same price when one is missing the manual, or even the original box/artwork. Years ago I bought a lot of used games from them and I didn't realize until I got home that some were missing manuals. Call me anal but the next day I went to several Gamestops, to find copies of the games I had bought, and simply stole the manuals out of the boxes and left. Haven't really had any respect for the company ever since I had a bad experience when they sold my pre-ordered Dreamcast back in '99. Matter of fact, it seems everytime I walk into a Gamestop I have a bad experience. Back then there were more options for buying games elsewhere, but nowadays (for someone like me who doesn't like buying games online) it's hard.

kupomogli

05-12-2009, 02:22 PM

*insert favorite facepalm pic here*

It was technically not Gamestops fault but overall the fault of the thief employee. The fact that their computer system allows for an employee to add in "generic trade in title" means that they are also responsible, because an employee could do that any time that they want. Instead the only thing that should be allowed is the barcode number with the title of the game so something like that couldn't have happened. This was over 10 years ago so nothing I really care about now, but being younger, probably about 13 at the time, pretty harsh thing to happen being fucked over like that.

Nature Boy

05-12-2009, 02:25 PM

The problems people have with Gamestop can apparently be reduced to....

If the place totally bugs you, don't shop there.

Joe West

05-12-2009, 02:31 PM

I dont buy from game stop, I agree with him, a opened game is a Used game & it should be sold as a USED GAME......

NayusDante

05-12-2009, 02:37 PM

It's also a waste of time to say "don't shop there." If you're interests extend beyond the top-10 selling games and shovelware, you have to go somewhere other than Wal-Mart/Target. Best-Buy comes to mind, but GameStop is much more ubiquitous. There's two GameStops within 15 minutes of my house, and they're in shopping centers across the street from each other. Best Buy is three times as far. Play N Trade is twice as far as Best Buy.

The other option is to order online, dodging state sales tax and having to deal with shipping costs and hassles.

It might take a "Boston tea party" of sorts to really convince GameStop to change their ways. Has anyone considered forming a group to cosplay and put the display cases in plastic bags, or something symbolic of sealing games?

TonyTheTiger

05-12-2009, 02:49 PM

If the place totally bugs you, don't shop there.

I do shop there and the place doesn't totally bug me. What gave you the impression that it did?

I dont buy from game stop, I agree with him, a opened game is a Used game & it should be sold as a USED GAME......

An opened game is not a used game. It's an opened game. When an employee takes it home and uses it, then it becomes a used game. That's actually an important difference and why the shelf copy concept isn't bad by itself but when combined with employees borrowing said shelf copies...then problems begin.

vintagegamecrazy

05-12-2009, 02:55 PM

In turn, I'd like to see a thread on how people here have ripped off Gamestop. You know. Getting stacks of penny guides, cancelling pre-orders and getting a refund so they can keep the pre order goodies (which someone here admitted to doing regularly), stealing manuals out of cases, or knowingly trading in broken games and systems.

Maybe GameStop will join the board and complain about people ripping them off.

I have a good story for that, I have a close friend that tried to buy a GCN game from GS, they had three or four copies in stock and only one was missing the manual and they flat out refused to sell him a complete copy and insisted that he buy the one missing the manual, he did refuse to buy it though. He was pretty mad though and later on his cat ended up pissing on a few of his games and he let them dry out and then casually traded them to the same store that refused to sell him the complete copy of the game he wanted.

It's a true story and definitely a story of someone screwing GS but this time around they deserved every bit of it!

Personally, I think it's inevitable we'd end up with all these gamestop threads. It's a collector forum and they're the biggest chain of idiots in the US dealing in used games... hmmm....

I fixed your quote so that it was closer to reality and more truthful.

TonyTheTiger

05-12-2009, 02:59 PM

I have a good story for that, I have a close friend that tried to buy a GCN game from GS, they had three or four copies in stock and only one was missing the manual and they flat out refused to sell him a complete copy and insisted that he buy the one missing the manual

How is that possible when the game cases, manuals and all, are right there on the shelves to be taken up to the register?

Lil_John

05-12-2009, 03:43 PM

The GOTY edition has been out for a year and a half.

Yeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaah!

kaedesdisciple

05-12-2009, 03:45 PM

Yeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaah!

Oh, and Garry Shandling

The 1 2 P

05-12-2009, 06:25 PM

Apparently Gamestop is the biggest end game boss in video game history. And just like the latest celebrity gossip scandal, this boss cannot be stopped.

Nature Boy

05-13-2009, 09:50 AM

I do shop there and the place doesn't totally bug me. What gave you the impression that it did?

I should have taken your name out of the quote, as I was simply trying to end your sentence "The problems people have with Gamestop can apparently be reduced to...." with what I said.

It wasn't directed at you - just the morons who keep shopping there and complaining about it. It's obvious they go there because Gamestop offers them something they can't get somewhere else (variety let's say).

They can't seem to grasp that the pro (variety) outweights the con (selling used as new) when they go to make whatever purchase they're griping about. They'd rather just bitch about it over doing something (finding variety somewhere else).

In the end, if you put your money on the counter, shame on you for supporting them if you dislike them so bad. Talk with your wallet, not your keyboard.

shopkins

05-13-2009, 10:46 AM

How is that possible when the game cases, manuals and all, are right there on the shelves to be taken up to the register?

Yeah, that doesn't make sense. You have access to it in the store before you take it to buy it, so you can always mix and match. The employees at the ones I go to don't seem to give a shit about this, I mean, no one has ever yelled "don't open those" at me.

monkeychemist

05-13-2009, 07:27 PM

just the morons who keep shopping there and complaining about it. It's obvious they go there because Gamestop offers them something they can't get somewhere else (variety let's say).

They can't seem to grasp that the pro (variety) outweights the con (selling used as new) when they go to make whatever purchase they're griping about. They'd rather just bitch about it over doing something (finding variety somewhere else).

No need to throw out insults you dick (and not just you, also the other jerks who also called me a moron). It was my first time making a purchase there so I wanted to talk about it. I didn't realize the topic was taboo in this forum. Maybe I should have done a search but whatever

...and yes, I did suck it up and pay for it because in this instance I preferred the convenience. Does that prevent me from voicing my opinion about my dislike in the transaction? No! Last time I checked you can voice your opinion freely, so suck it.

In the end, if you put your money on the counter, shame on you for supporting them if you dislike them so bad. Talk with your wallet, not your keyboard.

Unfortunately your idea is just too idealistic. After reading the many posts about GS that someone kindly posted earlier it seems like they will do whatever they feel like it whether we like it or not...and why not, they are *pretty much* a monopoly as far as local game stores?

I don't mean to beat a dead horse (but hey I pretty much did when I started this topic so it's fair game) Microsoft sells us shitty products and people bitch about it all the time. Do they change their practices? No because for each person that no longer buys from them there are 3 new customers lined up.

So why not complain in a discussion forum? I think the biggest offense I committed in creating this topic was posting it in modern gaming as opposed to off-topic. (but really it belongs half and half)

Leo_A

05-13-2009, 07:51 PM

I think people are mostly annoyed because you claimed you were ripped off, yet knowingly and willingly still paid for what you recieved rather than just walk about.

Your like someone that complains about politics, but never does anything about it like voting each November.

Also, this was your first purchase at a GameStop? You must be just about the last person in this country that plays videogames and had never been at one before...

monkeychemist

05-13-2009, 08:03 PM

PapaStu

05-13-2009, 08:25 PM

This has happened to me more times than I could count (well I could count them because of the way that I track my games, but thats neither here nor there). There are games it bothers me with and I will ask for a sealed one and if they have no others, I say thanks but no and walk out. I'm not going to be stunned that my local GS only got in one copy of Princess Debut for the DS, and that I'm buying sed copy and that the case has been opened. It's just the fact of life for games that are niche small titles and ones that have been on the shelves for a long time (like Oblivion).

What I don't get is that you said you looked online and it was going to take 2 weeks for the game to show up. Where is this the case? I check both Amazon and GameStop and they both currently have PS3, PC and 360 copies available for sale at 29 a pop, new and would ship in 24 hours. Heck, if you ordered Amazon, you'd have not even paid shipping if you chose Saver shipping and it would probably only show up a few days after a faster paid for method not to mention you'd have paid no sales tax either.

I can perfectly understand the desire to have a game now, I get that way any number of times a year. Especially if you arn't buying all that many in the first place due to your financial situation, but I guess i'm not feeling all that bad for you because you still chose to pull the trigger at the end. Their policy of displaying the games they have in stock forces them to gut a copy, its just how it is.

TRM

05-13-2009, 08:39 PM

A few noteworthy things.

I rarely shop at Gamestop. However, I rarely purchase or play videogames anymore. I have been playing the Mario Party series on Gamecube lately, but otherwise stick with the classic games that I know and enjoy. My older brother loves gaming in general, and he browses Gamestop whenever he gets the chance. His only complaint about the store is that sometimes the employees are a little too anxious to ask him if he needs any help or what not, when my brother just wants to be left alone to browse the shelves. Otherwise, he has no complaints. However, the difference is probably that my brother is a gamer, and not a collector. If there are a few stickers on the box, or the game is missing a manual, it is not preferable to him, but at the end of the day my brother wants to be able to sit down and play the game. I have a few other buddies which shop at Gamestop for XBox games from time to time...once again, they are gamers first and foremost. For the person who is merely a gamer and not a collector, I think that Gamestop works fine. As someone else also mentioned, around my area Gamestop, Wal Mart and Target are the only places where one can typically buy videogames. The closest Best Buy is easily an hour away, and not worth the drive, and if one really just wants to find the game and buy it and then play it, Gamestop seems to work okay, since they have a larger selection of games and so forth.

To those who claim that a "new" game without shrinkwrap but never played is technically not new: I disagree with this opinion. Let's say that I go to Barnes and Noble and purchase a book which is for sale. Chances are, that someone had leafed through the pages previously, and maybe they even sat down to read parts of the book before buying it!?!? However, I am pretty sure that most people consider the books being sold at Barnes and Noble as new, despite the fact that they may technically have been fingered through (and thus potentially briefly used). On the other hand, if the disc at Gamestop was removed from the case but NEVER used, I really do not see how that alone makes the game used. If one tries to sell it later on eBay for instance stating that it was never used, yet is missing the shrink, there may be a problem because there really is no evidence supporting the fact that the game is indeed new. But the act of having the game removed from the shrinkwrap does not make it used, if it never was used.

On a further note, I believe that Gamestop employees should not be able to take the new games home or play with the new games. That would make the games used, and then selling them as new in this case seems a bit deceitful. However, if this was not allowed to happen, and the games were opened but never used, then they should be sold as new, because after all...they were never used!

TRM

05-13-2009, 08:46 PM

When I worked there, probably about 5 years ago now, I remember the head store manager of the area said something about "possession" and that when people can actually hold the game in their hand and look through it and all that, they're more likely to buy the game or what have you. Apparently it worked. In a way I kind of like it. I know whenever I go to Gamecrazy I don't even think of their new games because they're all behind the counter and just to look at the game you have to get an employee to pull it down for you.

Working in retail for four years or so, and also taking a few marketing (and many business) classes have supported the notion of the head store manager 100%. Everyone wants to see the stuff before they buy it, and there are plenty of people which prefer as little interaction with other people as possible and/or do not want to have to flag down a clerk to start asking about a title for sale, and thus having a case they can walk around with and hold works wonders, and bags the sale. Personally, I am another one of the people who will not bother to look at games, electronics, etc if I have to track down and ask an employee to show it to me.

Kyle15

05-13-2009, 08:58 PM

A few noteworthy things.
To those who claim that a "new" game without shrinkwrap but never played is technically not new: I disagree with this opinion. Let's say that I go to Barnes and Noble and purchase a book which is for sale. Chances are, that someone had leafed through the pages previously, and maybe they even sat down to read parts of the book before buying it!?!? However, I am pretty sure that most people consider the books being sold at Barnes and Noble as new, despite the fact that they may technically have been fingered through (and thus potentially briefly used). On the other hand, if the disc at Gamestop was removed from the case but NEVER used, I really do not see how that alone makes the game used. If one tries to sell it later on eBay for instance stating that it was never used, yet is missing the shrink, there may be a problem because there really is no evidence supporting the fact that the game is indeed new. But the act of having the game removed from the shrinkwrap does not make it used, if it never was used.

On a further note, I believe that Gamestop employees should not be able to take the new games home or play with the new games. That would make the games used, and then selling them as new in this case seems a bit deceitful. However, if this was not allowed to happen, and the games were opened but never used, then they should be sold as new, because after all...they were never used!

You can't compare items that generally come sealed in plastic to those that don't.
Most books are released and priced accordingly. If any get messed up during their time on the shelf, they are taken care of most of the time.
This is not the same with games.

Also, to quote a GS employee: "If you buy a sealed game from us and open it, the game is now used whether or not you even opened up the case."
To this I said: "Why can you all open a game, do whatever you want with it, and call it new?"
His answer: "Sorry, there's a grey area there."

Gamestop absolutely makes me sick sometimes. :P

NayusDante

05-13-2009, 09:42 PM

His answer: "Sorry, there's a grey area there."

That answer is a hell of a lot better than what I got:

"Because WE know it's still new."

TRM

05-13-2009, 10:24 PM

You can't compare items that generally come sealed in plastic to those that don't.
Most books are released and priced accordingly. If any get messed up during their time on the shelf, they are taken care of most of the time.
This is not the same with games.

Also, to quote a GS employee: "If you buy a sealed game from us and open it, the game is now used whether or not you even opened up the case."
To this I said: "Why can you all open a game, do whatever you want with it, and call it new?"
His answer: "Sorry, there's a grey area there."

Gamestop absolutely makes me sick sometimes. :P

Well if you open it up and do not play it, then it is still technically a new game. Proving this to Gamestop or to Farmer Joe down the street, it could be a difficult thing, but regardless, it is still technically new. If a store opens up an item to place one on display, keeps it under lock and key, does not use it, and sells it as new...it is just that...new. If people really get so sick by Gamestop, then just stop shopping there. I mean, I really do not see what the big deal is. If the store is selling the game as new, and it looks new, and so forth, if it is the display copy and is opened, there really is no way to prove if it was used by employees or not, so sometimes one just has to take things on faith.

I've seen books before at various Waldens/Borders/Barnes and the like which were shrinked, next to unshrinked copies...but I think the unshrinked ones would be also new...

Anyway, new is new, and used is used, and shrink or no shrink is not the 100% evidence of usage or not.

Icarus Moonsight

05-13-2009, 11:08 PM

The proof of 'NEW' is in the plastic wrapper. Not wrapped? Don't take someones word for it. Assume it's anything but new. Do otherwise if you want. Even buy it. Hoping that they won't be pricks about a refund/exchange if needed. Just don't count on it. I'm not a gambler when it comes to my time and money. Others are. It's a personal choice.

Also, don't go crying to anyone (even the internet) when your own decisions backfire on you.

Kyle15

05-13-2009, 11:13 PM

Well if you open it up and do not play it, then it is still technically a new game. Proving this to Gamestop or to Farmer Joe down the street, it could be a difficult thing, but regardless, it is still technically new. If a store opens up an item to place one on display, keeps it under lock and key, does not use it, and sells it as new...it is just that...new. If people really get so sick by Gamestop, then just stop shopping there. I mean, I really do not see what the big deal is. If the store is selling the game as new, and it looks new, and so forth, if it is the display copy and is opened, there really is no way to prove if it was used by employees or not, so sometimes one just has to take things on faith.

I've seen books before at various Waldens/Borders/Barnes and the like which were shrinked, next to unshrinked copies...but I think the unshrinked ones would be also new...

Anyway, new is new, and used is used, and shrink or no shrink is not the 100% evidence of usage or not.

Um, factory sealing obviously means it was never used.
To me, if it is opened, it isn't new. I have no idea where it has been just like a used game.
I have bought a couple of "new" opened games from eBay, all of which looked used. There was absolutely no way they were new.
GS is also guilty of this, and it has happened to me.

About a year ago, I decided to go for Killer7 for the GC at a local GS. They only had an opened "new" copy, but it was only $10, so I grabbed it because it wasn't full price.
To my surprise, I got home and found adhesive on both game discs. I normally look before I buy used stuff, but I took the benefit of the doubt with this "new" game and didn't check it.
The store did let me exchange it for a used copy which happened to be pristine of all things.

Anyway, I've learned a lesson: don't go for anything "new" opened at GS, be it a 50% discounted game or not.

TRM

05-13-2009, 11:21 PM

Um, factory sealing obviously means it was never used.

word: reseals...

monkeychemist

05-13-2009, 11:23 PM

What I don't get is that you said you looked online and it was going to take 2 weeks for the game to show up. Where is this the case? I check both Amazon and GameStop and they both currently have PS3, PC and 360 copies available for sale at 29 a pop, new and would ship in 24 hours. Heck, if you ordered Amazon, you'd have not even paid shipping if you chose Saver shipping and it would probably only show up a few days after a faster paid for method not to mention you'd have paid no sales tax either.

I looked at the online stores like you mentioned but if you go with the free shipping option on amazon, or ship to store at Walmart/Target you have to wait two weeks. Don't believe me, pretend to buy it and look at the expected receiving date, yup it's in 2 weeks. The only way that they ship within 24 hours is if you pay for shipping. Shipping is usually $4-5 which is more expensive than FL tax (~$2). So with that justification I felt that it was worth paying the tax to have my game here immediately (and it supports my State).

NayusDante

05-13-2009, 11:29 PM

Sales tax is a good thing, please pay it. That goes to things like education, roads, etc.

The 1 2 P

05-14-2009, 02:03 AM

word: reseals...

Theres a big difference between y-fold factory seal and shrink wrap reseals. The majority of us gamers can spot the difference a mile away and I can even do it blind folded.

Gameguy

05-14-2009, 04:32 AM

How is that possible when the game cases, manuals and all, are right there on the shelves to be taken up to the register?
It could depend on the location, at EB Games(which is basically Gamestop) some stores keep the manuals with the games on the side. Apparently some places had people stealing the manuals so they now keep them separately. Other locations don't care and keep everything in the case.

I do buy games from them, but pretty much just used games or games that are extremely cheap. If it's a good price, as in a price that I'd consider buying a used copy at, I'll get it. For games with cardboard boxes I ask them to be shrink wrapped instead of having a sticker put on to seal the box, it just makes it easier for me and they usually do it without complaining. Overall the store seems to be run similar to how my local thrifts are run so it's not that bad compared to other stores. The Value Villages I've been to apply price stickers to paper books and comic books all the time, and they write their marks using grease pencils on everything including fabric which is just stupid as it's hard or impossible to get off. I'm not sure what kind of stores you're used to where it's better than Gamestop, the main differences are other stores use better price stickers but are sold out of games before Gamestop is or never carried those games to begin with. I don't like major retail stores in general, they're all terrible.

Richter Belmount

05-14-2009, 05:16 AM

How did he get ripped off? He knew of gamestops business practices , knew he could it cheaper online ,knew he could get it sealed online.However he still gave them his money being self aware of all his options. You just ripped yourself off by giving into convenient .I think a rip off is more along the lines of the phrase bait and switch , however this didn't take place with the deal you got since your self aware and informed of your purchase options. We know buying from Game Stop sucks however we don't have the need to vent about it all the time.

Oobgarm

05-14-2009, 06:55 AM