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[AlphaGamer]

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[Collector_Gaming]

ok call me stupid but why are they throwing away game cases? Don't those cases belong to games? And if so then where are said games?

[kedawa]

It just makes my CIB games more valuable, so I'm certainly not too annoyed.
I do think it's a waste, especially if it isn't being disposed of properly, and would never do it myself, though.

[joshnickerson]

ok call me stupid but why are they throwing away game cases? Don't those cases belong to games? And if so then where are said games?

To save space. It takes up far less space to put a bunch of DS carts in a display case or pop discs into paper sleeves and dump them in a bin that it would in complete condition on the walls, where newer (and more expensive) products can be placed.

BTW, this isn't exactly a new policy, Gamestop has been doing this for DECADES, since the 16 bit era.

[Wraith Storm]

I pisses me the hell off!

I was looking for a complete copy of Puzzle Quest for the DS two years ago and finally had to give up and order it off Ebay. None of the Vintage Stocks or Game Exchanges in my area had a copy. The only place that had a copy was Gestapo and guess what... It was used and therefore cart only.

One of the most popular, best selling handhelds of all time and still current and quite relevant to the gaming scene (3DS was not out yet) and Gestapo decides to throw away all the cases and instructions! Brilliant, freaking Brilliant.

I refused to buy it and looked around for like 6 months. I could find the PS2 version and PSP version but for a while it seemed like the DS version was gold locally. But like I said, I ended up ordering it off Ebay so all is well.

[Gameguy]

This is a US only thing. I've never seen any Canadian stores throwing away cases, for games traded in without cases they're usually sold with generic cases with a generic paper printout with the name on it. I mentioned recently(few months ago) that I've seen copies of Harvey Birdman for PS2 at $0.99, this was with the original case and inserts.

[Collector_Gaming]

To save space. It takes up far less space to put a bunch of DS carts in a display case or pop discs into paper sleeves and dump them in a bin that it would in complete condition on the walls, where newer (and more expensive) products can be placed.

BTW, this isn't exactly a new policy, Gamestop has been doing this for DECADES, since the 16 bit era.

huh is this a out west kinda thing because I been to multiple gamestops in new england and out side of new england (even in nashville area) and I never seen this done.

[joshnickerson]

huh is this a out west kinda thing because I been to multiple gamestops in new england and out side of new england (even in nashville area) and I never seen this done.

I think it really depends on the size of the store too... I've noticed that the larger stores do still have the previous gen games (DS, PS2, GC) still in their original cases. Could depend on the staff running the joint as well.

[Greg2600]

Couple things. Firstly, Gamestop's are basically out of their Gamecube and in many cases PS2 games. Since they no longer allow trade ins, what you see (loose discs for PS2) is largely all they have left. I won't comment on DS as to what they are throwing away or not, but the second point is that often that is how Gamestop gets the stuff traded in! Many parents or kids themselves throw the cases away.

One final point is that even though Gamestop may put out a blank case holder, they may actually have the game's original case in the back room. I was at a GS not long ago, when they started blowing out the Gamecube inventory. I picked out several games, and the employee went to find all the discs. When she came back, she was putting the discs into blank cases. I stopped her, and said I wanted the case with manual I picked out. She was a newbie, and told me the "policy" was to retain the original case, if they still had more discs, so it could be displayed. I of course got the more senior dude there, who said it was fine. So my point is through policy or just plain disorganization and clutter, Gamestop misplaces the cases.

[Trebuken]

This started with E.T. on the Atari 2600, not Gamestop.

[AlphaGamer]

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[The 1 2 P]

I think it really depends on the size of the store too... I've noticed that the larger stores do still have the previous gen games (DS, PS2, GC) still in their original cases. Could depend on the staff running the joint as well.

In my area even the stores that still sell PS2 and Gamecube games in cases also have a fair amount of disc only copies in disc sleeves.

Also, I think it's time we give all the "Gamestop sucks" threads their own subforum. I mean, the servbot got a subforum just for malfunctioning all the time(even though it should have been put out of it's misery) so why not.

[Ryudo]

To save space. It takes up far less space to put a bunch of DS carts in a display case or pop discs into paper sleeves and dump them in a bin that it would in complete condition on the walls, where newer (and more expensive) products can be placed.

BTW, this isn't exactly a new policy, Gamestop has been doing this for DECADES, since the 16 bit era.

When I worked there in 2006-2007 we never did that. The only cases that were tossed were broken ones and replaced. Games that had no box or cover art were given a case with GS cover art.

[IHatedSega]

Gamestop just sucks. People need to really start a campaign to make them change.

[AceAerosmith]

Gamestop just sucks. People need to really start a campaign to make them change.

I've stopped looking for used games at the Gestapo anymore. Most have their shitty insert anyway. The ones that have the original insert are usually games I don't want. Very few with manuals and scratched discs make it just a waste of my fucking time.

And, I've always wished they'd just invest in disc resurfacers. I understand that it's not worth it to scrub a PS2 game clean for resale, but some of their PS3/360 games look like they were pressed against a bench grinder. Cheap fucks.

As for collecting, I would never turn to Gamestop to find a "collectible" game unless you pre-ordered something brand new.

[CRTGAMER]

I've stopped looking for used games at the Gestapo anymore. Most have their shitty insert anyway. The ones that have the original insert are usually games I don't want. Very few with manuals and scratched discs make it just a waste of my fucking time.

And, I've always wished they'd just invest in disc resurfacers. I understand that it's not worth it to scrub a PS2 game clean for resale, but some of their PS3/360 games look like they were pressed against a bench grinder. Cheap fucks.

As for collecting, I would never turn to Gamestop to find a "collectible" game unless you pre-ordered something brand new.

I still shop at Gamestop for used games. As mentioned earlier, the Refund Policy helps to find a game CIB inexpensively thru multiple locations. Another trick is to presearch at their online site and look at the stores tjhat do not list "Low Stock". A better chance of finding used CIB or in the case of new games, still sealed.

Gamestop can send scratched games back to their own refurbishing center. You can tell, the UPC sticker has a large R on it. I'm not keen on the refurbished discs, few have not worked for me.

[ScourDX]

What do you expect from company specialized in making profit. If you really hate them, I would stop buying from them. I would use Craigslist to hunt for used games.

[Tokimemofan]

The worst part was when I sold them a GBA SP, they were in such a hurry to throw away the box that they did so before even paying for it.

[duffmanth]

They have to get rid of older games at some point, they're not really like an indy game store where they carry tons of retro games.

[j_factor]

When I worked there in 2006-2007 we never did that. The only cases that were tossed were broken ones and replaced. Games that had no box or cover art were given a case with GS cover art.

What about GBA games?

[Rickstilwell1]

I've actually seen a Gamestop that had an actual heiarchy of pricing. A boxed copy that didn't have a manual actually had a slightly lower priced sticker than a copy of the game behind it on the display that had the manual. I don't know if they did that because of the manual or if it was because of the condition of the actual disc behind the counter.

[Bubble_Man]

It also gets under my skin. I was looking for a copy of SMT: Strange Journey a few months back and one of the local Gamestops said they didn't have it, but called a nearby store and it turns out that the other one did and the employee said they'd hold it for me. I immediately drove over there and requested the game at the counter. The girl working there walked over to the sliding game drawer and pulled out an envelope with the cart in it. It was not only missing the case, but even had a yellow price tag smacked right across the frong label. I basically said "no thanks" and walked out.

[Gameguy]

I've actually seen a Gamestop that had an actual heiarchy of pricing. A boxed copy that didn't have a manual actually had a slightly lower priced sticker than a copy of the game behind it on the display that had the manual. I don't know if they did that because of the manual or if it was because of the condition of the actual disc behind the counter.
I've seen several copies of the same game with different prices at the same store, but that was because they were too lazy to update the stickers when the prices changed. I've seen this happen at several stores over the years.

[Daria]

I've seen several copies of the same game with different prices at the same store, but that was because they were too lazy to update the stickers when the prices changed. I've seen this happen at several stores over the years.

Fun fact: If it's mispriced lower they're SUPPOSE to honor the sticker price. Couple years back I argued my way into a cheap-o copy of Xenogears 2 that was marked with a Xenogears 1 sticker. But YMMV, some managers are just dicks.

Edit: As for throwing away boxes, back in the day when they actually sold retro games I saved a minty tetris box and manual from the garbage. We didn't throw away that kind of stuff at my store, but then boxed games were a rare trade in. The one time can remember someone actually bringing in a lot of really nice boxed NES games we ended up talking the customer into taking the time to sell it on ebay.

[The 1 2 P]

The one time can remember someone actually bringing in a lot of really nice boxed NES games we ended up talking the customer into taking the time to sell it on ebay.

Believe it or not that actually happened to me at a chain store(not Gamestop) that use to exist here a few years ago. Most of the employees knew me from always trading in stuff or just buying games. One day I was trying to trade in Disc World II for the PS1 and the cashier told me that I'd be better off selling it on ebay because the store would only give me $5 credit for it and at the time it was going for $25 and up. I'll never forget that experience as it was memorable for all the right reasons.

[BlastProcessing402]

Gamestop just sucks. People need to really start a campaign to make them change.

Here is your campaign. Shop someplace else.

Enough people don't give a crap about what GS does that they're never going to change, so just stop shopping there if you find it so awful.

[Tanooki]

That or find a way to try and class action sue them for selling used goods as new with their open box shenanigans. Even if you lost that one or they settled, the fact it would get out there would make more people aware you're buying used goods as new with deceptive practices with how they do it.