Gamestop to Merge Used/New Games?

[GameNinja]

Reading around Kotaku, I stumbled upon this rumor article and was surprised to not find a thread here on it:

http://kotaku.com/5862094/eb-gamesgamestop-gets-rid-of-used-games-section?tag=rumor

Apparently EB Canada employees have now been instructed to merge their used/new games sections and remove clear indication of whether a game is "used" or "new" by having the same white stickers etc. They are now supposed to stack the used games on top of the new games to cover them as well. The sticker (presumably the one with the bar code and the price) still says NEW or USED.

If true (which apparently it is, at least for Canada) it seems like marketing psychology to get customers to buy more used games, which I believe GS has a higher profit margin on.

For most of us I guess it is kind of annoying but not really a huge deal. For the average customer (like the article points out) they may easily mistake the game for new, which becomes a problem with the growing amount of online codes etc.

[Emperor Megas]

Just...wow. :|

[Lady Jaye]

Fuck. I work near an EB Games, I'll check if they started pulling this crap. If this is so, then I guess I'll give more of my business to Future Shop/Best Buy and The Source when they have amazing deals. The point made in the Kotaku article is a good one: what about the online codes, etc.? How some games with online components are associated to a one-use code and once that code is used, you must pay to access that feature.

If that policy is in effect, I'll contact the Office de la protection du consommateur (the Quebec equivalent to the Better Business Bureau) and see if that's even legal. Might be lucky and some law would prevent this practice to come into effect here. In any case, if that happens elsewhere in the country, I think people should contact their provincial consumers' protection agency to see if EB Games can really get away with it.

[Ludwig]

Well maybe the bump up the prices for used games and hope people will fall for it, thinking they are new. Who knows?

[Tupin]

Technically, all of their games are used, so it's really no big deal. I never shop at Gamestop unless I specifically am looking for a used game because that's what I will get no matter what.

[GameNinja]

Well maybe the bump up the prices for used games and hope people will fall for it, thinking they are new. Who knows?

Apparently they already have some of their used prices above their new prices, probably because they were not yet "updated" or something.


From the employee cited in the article:
"There are also MANY games where the new copy is as cheap as $19.99 but the used copies stacked on top of it are $34.99."

[portnoyd]

Publishers are gonna be mighty pissed.

[duffmanth]

Fuck just when I thought I couldn't hate Gamestop/EB anymore! Their used prices are retarded, $5 less than new, fack no! Oh well...just another reason why I never shop there.

[Osaka]

Having (regrettably) spent many years working for various Gamestop stores, this comes as absolutely no surprise to me. It's no secret that GS make a MUCH higher profit on their used games than their new ones. If they had their way, they wouldn't even sell new games since they make next to no money on them, but that obviously would not fly. When they give you $20 store credit for a brand new game that they will turn around and sell for $54.99, it's no wonder they want to try something like this.

Gamestop does get a lot of customers who know how this works though, and I can't imagine this going over to well with the gamer crowd.

[Flashback2012]

Technically, all of their games are used, so it's really no big deal. I never shop at Gamestop unless I specifically am looking for a used game because that's what I will get no matter what.

See...now why would you post something like when you know it's absolutely not true. I understand everyone loves to get their digs in on the company 'cuz it's internet cool to do so but at least have a semi-legit jab when you do. I mean I'm looking right at a copy of Sonic Generations on PS3 I picked up over the weekend from there that has it's shrink wrap completely intact. You're trying to tell me that's used? @_@

I do realize you're being facetious a bit in your remark and I get what you're saying. It's safe to assume you're in the group of people who insist opened = used. I personally don't agree with that point of view completely but that argument has been beaten to death already and we'd be nitpicking semantics anyway. :ass:

As for the matter at hand, I'm surprised they're trying this...again. EB did this before the merger and it blew up in their faces. Not only did the employees hate it, but the customers did as well. I remember there being talk of something like at Gamestop when I was still there but it was vehemently opposed by store managers because it made their "Title On-Hand" more time consuming and it was a waste of man hours. If they do decide to implement this, I fully expect a nice backlash from employees, customers, and possibly other sources such as publishers. Since we live in the information age, it's not that hard to notify a staunch anti-used company like EA or Ubisoft to inform them that GS is doing this which could result in a delay in getting their shipments or outright denial of product.

Long story short...pwn some douches if you have to. Scorch them on the surveys. Call and complain to customer service, I'm pretty sure it's still a toll free number. Contact the BBB or it's equivalent. Start an Occupy Gamestop movement and set up a "I only want to buy new sealed games" day. :ass:

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

Seems like a way to save shelf space. Perhaps they are looking for ways to fit the games that are coming for the next generation of consoles.

[Flashback2012]

Having (regrettably) spent many years working for various Gamestop stores, this comes as absolutely no surprise to me. It's no secret that GS make a MUCH higher profit on their used games than their new ones. If they had their way, they wouldn't even sell new games since they make next to no money on them, but that obviously would not fly. When they give you $20 store credit for a brand new game that they will turn around and sell for $54.99, it's no wonder they want to try something like this.

Gamestop does get a lot of customers who know how this works though, and I can't imagine this going over to well with the gamer crowd.

The new games can and do make a profit, just not nearly as much as the used games do. They're simply a means to an end for Gamestop to acquire used product that they can mark up however they see fit. New games are great for getting people in the door. The store I used to work at has no less than 3 or 4 COD: MW3 posters in their windows. Gotta hype, Hype, HYPE that new game! @_@ I'm sure if there's used copies in the store, they'll try to peddle those first but the plan it to entice them with the new and then hit them with the used (at least that's how it always used to be).

[Sunnyvale]

I'm kinda confused by all the Gamestop hate. I hate em, so I don't go there, problem solved, who cares what they do? If you don't like their policies, trot on down to Hastings or Best Buy.

I find this type of thing so common on the interweb. "Let's all bash Ebay!" Never mind that without Ebay, your game wouldn't be worth half what it is, but they took more than 10%, so people get pissed? Don't like Ebay, don't use it. Don't like GS, don't go.

Durp!

[Bojay1997]

I do realize you're being facetious a bit in your remark and I get what you're saying. It's safe to assume you're in the group of people who insist opened = used. I personally don't agree with that point of view completely but that argument has been beaten to death already and we'd be nitpicking semantics anyway. :ass:

I think you are ignoring the whole policy of letting employees "borrow" new games to use overnight. You can believe what you like, but under the law of many states, opening the factory packaging makes an item "used". In fact, Gamestop settled a lawsuit several years ago which required them to post in their stores that their "new" merchandise may be opened and that under the laws of some states, that would make the item used. Personally, I have a couple local GS stores that have great managers and therefore, they know if I am buying something there, it has to be factory sealed or they will just tell me they don't have it and they never try to pressure me into accepting a resealed copy. Similarly, I have generally had good luck with their website. Having said all that, I fully understand why some people hate Gamestop and at the corporate level, they are among the worst companies I have ever dealt with.

[BlastProcessing402]

I first heard of this a week or two ago, and I still don't get the outrage. Is it a little annoying/stupid to arrange things like this? Sure. Is it something to get all head asplode :angry: over? No. Oh dear, you'll have to pay attention to what you're buying as you shop, whoopdeefreakindoo!

(And didn't the policy of employee "borrowing" end a few years back? Not that it would matter if you got there before they were down to display copies, anyway.)

[camarotuner]

"Long story short...pwn some douches if you have to. Scorch them on the surveys. "

I'd just like to point out that "pwning douches and scorching them on the surveys" will not in any way effect policy and only punishes the poor hourly wage jokey who rang out your transaction since the survey hit nails them and they don't have anything to say about policy.

[Clownzilla]

Our Gamestop ripped out all the shelving and just placed a gigantic bargain bin in the room.

[Dobie]

Our Gamestop ripped out all the shelving and just placed a gigantic bargain bin in the room.

I know you say that facetiously, but my GS is pretty damn close to that. There's 3-4 bins of games, accessories, and plastic doo-dads all just thrown together in the middle of the store. Holy hell is it annoying trying to find an older 360 game somewhere in that mess.

I think their ultimate business plan is to just throw everything in a pile on the floor, and put a little metal box up by the door for you to put money in. Think "Hoarders" meets "G4."

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Other big box entertainment retailers that buy/sell used games, movies, etc. typically shrink wrap them and shelve them in the same section as the brand new product.

I'd personally prefer segregated new and used product but GameStop isn't pioneering anything here.

[Ro-J]

I'm kinda confused by all the Gamestop hate. I hate em, so I don't go there, problem solved, who cares what they do? If you don't like their policies, trot on down to Hastings or Best Buy.

I find this type of thing so common on the interweb. "Let's all bash Ebay!" Never mind that without Ebay, your game wouldn't be worth half what it is, but they took more than 10%, so people get pissed? Don't like Ebay, don't use it. Don't like GS, don't go.

Durp!

But doesn't it make you nostalgic for all of the Funcoland hate that used to be plastered across the forums? The more things change...

[DKTheArcadeRat]

Apparently EB Canada employees have now been instructed to merge their used/new games sections and remove clear indication of whether a game is "used" or "new" by having the same white stickers etc. They are now supposed to stack the used games on top of the new games to cover them as well. The sticker (presumably the one with the bar code and the price) still says NEW or USED.


Last time I was in GameStop(here in the US) I believe I saw white stickers on both, but the USED games still said USED on the sticker. I don't understand how it would be an effective use of space to stack all the games on top of each other though.

[PapaStu]

The labels are already the same color. One says New, the other Used. GameStop rolled away from the yellow stickers years ago. If people can read then they're ok. Worse case scenario.... go to the counter and ask for a new copy of X. New copies will be grabbed and sold to you.

Still not seeing the big deal.

[Tupin]

See...now why would you post something like when you know it's absolutely not true. I understand everyone loves to get their digs in on the company 'cuz it's internet cool to do so but at least have a semi-legit jab when you do. I mean I'm looking right at a copy of Sonic Generations on PS3 I picked up over the weekend from there that has it's shrink wrap completely intact. You're trying to tell me that's used? @_@

I do realize you're being facetious a bit in your remark and I get what you're saying. It's safe to assume you're in the group of people who insist opened = used. I personally don't agree with that point of view completely but that argument has been beaten to death already and we'd be nitpicking semantics anyway. :ass:

As for the matter at hand, I'm surprised they're trying this...again. EB did this before the merger and it blew up in their faces. Not only did the employees hate it, but the customers did as well. I remember there being talk of something like at Gamestop when I was still there but it was vehemently opposed by store managers because it made their "Title On-Hand" more time consuming and it was a waste of man hours. If they do decide to implement this, I fully expect a nice backlash from employees, customers, and possibly other sources such as publishers. Since we live in the information age, it's not that hard to notify a staunch anti-used company like EA or Ubisoft to inform them that GS is doing this which could result in a delay in getting their shipments or outright denial of product.

Long story short...pwn some douches if you have to. Scorch them on the surveys. Call and complain to customer service, I'm pretty sure it's still a toll free number. Contact the BBB or it's equivalent. Start an Occupy Gamestop movement and set up a "I only want to buy new sealed games" day. :ass:
At my Gamestop, they always take the loose disc out of a sleeve, place it in the case, and seal it with a sticker. Same with cartridges. I've only ever gotten a few factory sealed games there. Strangely enough, I think they were all Capcom games, though that must be a coincidence. Semantics, as you said. I've heard of the employee rental thing, the employees always reassure me that the games have never been played, just opened, at least at the one I go to. Does that still happen?

On topic, it's not that big of a deal. It's probably being done to save space, which most Gamestops I've been to seem to lack for games.

[camarotuner]

The next space saving moves you can "look forward to" (or not) will be PS2 and Gamecube leaving the stores plus bargain bin (read: caseless) xb360 games.

[Koa Zo]

Oh I remember gamestop!

That's the store where I ordered a "new" copy of Panzer Dragoon Orta, and when it arrived in the mail I had a scuffed case with stickers all over it.

That's the store where I purchased a "new" Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne, and when I got out to my car and looked at it I noticed the big scratch on the disc. I went back in to return it but it was their last "new" copy, and I couldn't get cash back because it was opened.

Yeah, that's the store where I bought the Tekken 5 collectors joystick set, and they insisted nothing came in the box besides the joystick. When I pointed out the details of the collectors case and game that are pictured on the box they argued more but finally relented and "found" the merchandise that was supposed to be in the "new" unused item box.
When I got home, the joystick did not register in a lower diagonal position. Guess what?! I couldn't get a refund because it was already opened!

That's the store that refused to give me my pre-order bonus DVD with Gradius V unless I put down $5 for a pre-order on another game after I had paid in full for Gradius V.

That's the store where I brought a "new" Ikaruga to the counter for Gamecube. The guy went to the back to "find" the contents. I was distracted talking to my friend when he rung it up and swiped my credit card. When we got out to the car and I took it out of the bag, surprise! USED stickers on the outside. A split, cracked spine on the GC game case, fingerprint covered disc, and a wrinkled manual!

That's the store where I tried to buy a new Resident Evil 4 and they INSISTED on selling me a dented limited edition tin with disc only for $15 more! They threatened to call the cops on me after I began to swear at them "Just sell me the f~ing new game I brought to the counter!"

Yeah, GAMESTOP!

[Porksta]

Instead of gutting the games and throwing away cases and manuals and what not to save space, why don't they just lower the prices so they will actually sell them? If I am not buying a CIB DS game for $X, what makes them think I will spend the same amount on a cart only game?

[Flashback2012]

I think you are ignoring the whole policy of letting employees "borrow" new games to use overnight. You can believe what you like, but under the law of many states, opening the factory packaging makes an item "used". In fact, Gamestop settled a lawsuit several years ago which required them to post in their stores that their "new" merchandise may be opened and that under the laws of some states, that would make the item used. Personally, I have a couple local GS stores that have great managers and therefore, they know if I am buying something there, it has to be factory sealed or they will just tell me they don't have it and they never try to pressure me into accepting a resealed copy. Similarly, I have generally had good luck with their website. Having said all that, I fully understand why some people hate Gamestop and at the corporate level, they are among the worst companies I have ever dealt with.

I have no idea how it is now, but in the 10 years I was there, the policy on game check outs strictly forbade employees from checking out new titles, shrink wrapped, gutted, or otherwise. It was always limited to just pre-owned titles. I clearly remember reading several memos over the years reinforcing the policy of only pre-owned titles for check out and having to sign my name along with the other employees the printed copies of said memos to keep on file. I can't imagine they've relaxed the policy since I've been gone but who knows.

As for state laws governing the condition of games and their packaging, I'm honestly in the dark about it and was speaking from a matter of personal opinion really. As far as any posting in the stores, there's nothing in any stores around me to indicate these things so my state must not have any concise legislation on the matter that I'm aware of. :?


I first heard of this a week or two ago, and I still don't get the outrage. Is it a little annoying/stupid to arrange things like this? Sure. Is it something to get all head asplode :angry: over? No. Oh dear, you'll have to pay attention to what you're buying as you shop, whoopdeefreakindoo!

(And didn't the policy of employee "borrowing" end a few years back? Not that it would matter if you got there before they were down to display copies, anyway.)

The policy as I remember it was only pre-owned titles could be checked out unless it was the last copy of the game in the store. As far as I know the policy still exists (though as I stated above, I've no idea if they've relaxed the rules and allow new games to be checked out).


"Long story short...pwn some douches if you have to. Scorch them on the surveys. "

I'd just like to point out that "pwning douches and scorching them on the surveys" will not in any way effect policy and only punishes the poor hourly wage jokey who rang out your transaction since the survey hit nails them and they don't have anything to say about policy.

What's the term I'm thinking here...."job hazards"? "Comes with the territory?" I'm not saying in the sense where you're required to wear a hazmat suit and handle radioactive equipment or know how to disarm an IED but more to the effect of if you're a garbageman and you're handling/dealing with smelly trash then you're going to smell like said trash at some point. In the case of a GS employee and the context I was trying to convey; being rude, condescending, and dismissive towards a customer for wanting a new copy over a used one is grounds for a possible bad feedback. Conversely, if they cater to the customers needs, doesn't push the point of used to an obnoxious level (informing is fine, pushing is not), and creates a positive environment for the customer to shop in, then they should by all means get a good feedback submitted on their behalf.


Other big box entertainment retailers that buy/sell used games, movies, etc. typically shrink wrap them and shelve them in the same section as the brand new product.

I'd personally prefer segregated new and used product but GameStop isn't pioneering anything here.

I don't know if they still do it but at least for a while there Best Buy was using yellow colored shrinkwrap to differentiate the used titles from the new. I don't know how it is in other Best Buys but the ones around here never suffered from a lack of used product on the shelves, just a horrible selection and horrible prices to boot. :ass:


At my Gamestop, they always take the loose disc out of a sleeve, place it in the case, and seal it with a sticker. Same with cartridges. I've only ever gotten a few factory sealed games there. Strangely enough, I think they were all Capcom games, though that must be a coincidence. Semantics, as you said. I've heard of the employee rental thing, the employees always reassure me that the games have never been played, just opened, at least at the one I go to. Does that still happen?

On topic, it's not that big of a deal. It's probably being done to save space, which most Gamestops I've been to seem to lack for games.

The check out policy is still in effect as far as I know and also as far as I know, they're NOT supposed to be checking out new games. Does it happen? I'd be a fool to think it didn't. Trust me, I find it rather unfortunate that they have dipsticks who work for them that abuse the policy and always felt it was one thing that should have gotten revoked because of the abusers. I think they keep it in place to curb internal theft. I rarely used the practice since I only worked weekends for several years and my full time job prevented me from being able to stop in to the store at a reasonable time to return items checked out. As a collector, I never found much use for it as I knew what I wanted anyway and figured I'd just buy it outright.

Funny enough, GS would have plenty of space if they would just get their heads out of their arses and fire their staff responsible for store layout. Their idea that the walls must be completely covered in games on all sides and from ceiling to floor is ridiculous. I've long maintained that they don't even need to display new games at all or in limited fashion behind the counter.


The next space saving moves you can "look forward to" (or not) will be PS2 and Gamecube leaving the stores plus bargain bin (read: caseless) xb360 games.

Unfortunately that's the truth. PS2 is already getting the disc only treatment for most titles under a certain price point. The only reason they haven't gone hog wild with it is because they're waiting on the next gen systems to supplant PS2 and Cube real estate. I've seen it happen several times over for various systems going all the way back to Genesis and SNES. I figure by this time next year, the stores will have their PS2 and Cube selections reduced to just one free standing gondola in the store. :roll:

[xelement5x]

I can also attest to having seen both new and used games for sale there with the same white sticker. It probably makes sense logistically (why buy 2 different rolls of colored stickers) and psychologically (trip up the consumer to buy used instead of new). I've had hit or miss luck with GameStop, but I'll still take a look at their offerings on occasion. The main draw I've had from them recently are their used PSP games, and the accessories; both of which are pretty darned cheap.

I almost never buy new games from them anymore, since Amazon normally provides me with a lower price and the comfort of knowing that my new game is ::gasp:: actually new! Most of my used game purchases are from Entertainmart, that place is so great

[kedawa]

I scrutinize everything I buy there quite thoroughly before purchasing, so I doubt this would 'fool' me, if that's even their intent to begin with.

[camarotuner]

I find it unlikely that this is an attempt to "fool" anybody as much as save space. But I do agree this is not a good way to lay out the product and will likely cause much confusion that would have to be cleared up constantly by the employees and customer service issues up the butt.

But I think the OP said he saw this in Canada. I've not seen this in the states yet. Has anyone?

[AceAerosmith]

You come here with a biased report of alleged misdeeds of such a storied vintage video amusements vendor and expect me to believe this rubbish? Mixing of used and new merchandise so as to mislead the prospective buyer into a purchase of previously handled wares when they had wished to purchase new?

Pshaw, I will hear none of it. Good day, sir.

I said, good day!!

[Griking]

Fuck. I work near an EB Games, I'll check if they started pulling this crap. If this is so, then I guess I'll give more of my business to Future Shop/Best Buy and The Source when they have amazing deals.

So after all the shit that Gamestop has pulled THIS is the one that finally turned you off to them and sent you to the competition?

Personally I don't see this as being as big of a deal as many of their other crimes to gamers. As long as new and used are still marked as new or used it just seems like a space saving technique to me. Why have two displays for the same game in every store? They're going to need to find display room for the new tablets and ipod stuff that they plan on selling.

[Oobgarm]

up the butt.

Best post in this thread.

[calthaer]

So after all the shit that Gamestop has pulled THIS is the one that finally turned you off to them and sent you to the competition?

I agree that Gamestop is a sub-par establishment, and that we shouldn't give them our business, for all the reasons stated above and more - and it's been that way for years.

I would rather, however, that we see more posts talking about all the alternative places where we can buy games (Amazon, Toys R Us, Half.com, Steam, GoG, etc.) and discussing their merits / demerits. This would do far more to destroy Gamestop than any amount of nerdraging - it would give us a ready list of all sorts of other places to go. Then we could just dismiss these sorts of posts as entirely redundant and focus on what's important: getting some good games at a good price.