EB Games rant!

[Evil E]

:angry: I went to EB games today and got a N64 for their 1 day sale for $9.99--got it home, realized they gave me a RF adapter instead of a A/V adapter. Ok fine I can deal with it for now, so I hooked it up....nothing! Tried channel 3 and 4, nothing still. The system powered up (power light came on) but wasn't working. I called them, they said come in and exchange it, so I did. I drove all the way back, exchanged for one with A/V cables, got in my car and realizeed the controller joystick is messed up, so I went back in and got a different controller. I get home, hook it up, NOTHING AGAIN!!!! I smack it and fiddle with it, and finally the game comes on. It must have a short in it or something. When I turn it off and back on--nothing happens--just a blank screen. You have to turn it off and on a couple times to get it to work!! I am so pissed!! DOES EB GAMES EVEN TEST THEIR SHIT BEFORE THEY SELL IT? Damn it is frustrating!! I am wasting money in all the bloody gas I am having to use to take this crap back!! I called a different EB games, and explained my situation, and I told him I don't want to deal with that other store again, so he said to bring it back to his store tomorrow, and they will exchange it for me.....AGAIN!
So I will take it back to them tomorrow night after work--hopefully this store is better, and actually tests the products before they sell it!! :angry:

[charitycasegreg]

that sucks. The only time something even clse like this happend to me is whe I got my genesis back a long time ago. It was 100 bucks and I got it for christmas but it didnt work right so we had to drive a half hour exchange it. I think it was bought by somebody else, then they brought it back to the store, and they resold it without fixing it.

[Half Japanese]

No, they don't test it. Or maybe I was just a semi-regular. I took an Xbox that stopped accepting s-vid/component input to EB to trade in (with the intention of using the credit at another eb to buy a new Xbox). I walk in, he asks me 'does it work?" (it did, just not with high-end cables) and issued me a $100 gift card. I think their mindset with a lot of the stuff (at least new stuff) is that it can be refurbed and sold for more than a used one typically runs anyway. Or something...I dunno.

[The Manimal]

Doh! Wish I would have at least gone to a local EB to check. LOL

[Evil E]

No, they don't test it. Or maybe I was just a semi-regular. I took an Xbox that stopped accepting s-vid/component input to EB to trade in (with the intention of using the credit at another eb to buy a new Xbox). I walk in, he asks me 'does it work?" (it did, just not with high-end cables) and issued me a $100 gift card. I think their mindset with a lot of the stuff (at least new stuff) is that it can be refurbed and sold for more than a used one typically runs anyway. Or something...I dunno.

They are total jackasses!! I am gonna make the guy test it for me in the store tomorrow before I leave!! I refuse to make another exchange trip after tomorrow night. bastards...... :hmm:

[Oobgarm]

Games don't always have to be tested, but taking in systems without testing them first(with their own wires) is stupid and lazy. Even good looking systems can have problems that can't be discerned by looking at it.

Definitely have them test it before you take it.

[EnemyZero]

They don't test it..either does gamestop, whenever I bring stuff , they make look to see fi the games are scratched but they never test them. I've gotten many broken consoles..my last was an N64 as well..whenever I'd power up I'd get a green screen...took it back for another...set it up and It was like playing around with an NES I had to keep fiddling with it for like 10 minutes to get a game goin so I brought it back for another , that one the a/v inputs and the r/d were both ripped apart so I brought it back and said the hell with it.

Same thing happened at Game Stop with a DC I bought >.<

[YoshiM]

Dumb question but did you clean the cartridge? If you bought the game from EB they don't clean carts either. I've bought a few from them that didn't power up and required a nice swab scrubbing to work. That could explain the situation.

Still they should at least have somebody clean the cartridges before selling.

[Schenley]

I've had good luck with EB/Gamestop. But, I probably have about 15 locations within a half-hour of me, and one is two minutes away.

I've gotten an N64, Dreamcast, PSOne at EB/Gamestop. I went when the store was empty, and had the guy hook it up so I could see if it worked. He was happy to be doing something, so he did it with no problem!

For the PSOne, I actually got a PSX at Gamestop. After 3 weeks, it stopped working. Yesterday I went back and returned it and 'upgraded' to a PSone. Gamestop has a 90 day warranty - which is pretty generous in my book. EB's warranty on used stuff is 14 days.

[Cmosfm]

Nah, they don't test it at all. I bought a Gamecube from there, and it stopped working about 8 months after I bought it (which is really odd) and I was quite angry about it. So I took it up to EB and got trade in credit for it. LOL I still have that nagging "you did wrong" thing in the back of my head, someone told me this is a conscience, but what do they know...anyways yeah so I doubt I'll do anything sneaky like that again. :(

[Querjek]

Dumb question but did you clean the cartridge? If you bought the game from EB they don't clean carts either. I've bought a few from them that didn't power up and required a nice swab scrubbing to work. That could explain the situation.

Still they should at least have somebody clean the cartridges before selling.
I second this... my N64, which I got from EB in January for $15, would not power on with the game I had (Bought from a pawnshop) until I thoroughly cleaned it.

[jonjandran]

Dumb question but did you clean the cartridge? If you bought the game from EB they don't clean carts either. I've bought a few from them that didn't power up and required a nice swab scrubbing to work. That could explain the situation.

Still they should at least have somebody clean the cartridges before selling.

All these responses and I had to scroll to yours YoshiM to get to a good response.

I'd bet the farm that a dirty cart is the problem.

I've gone through hundreds of N64 carts and 90 % wouldn't play without a good cleaning first.

[SoulBlazer]

Well, I don't know if they do this for all systems, but I know when I've been in my local EB and people have bought used MODERN systems (PS1, PS2, GC, XBox) the person at the front HAS taken the system out, plugged it in, made sure it worked, and then rung up the sale and sold the warrenty, etc. Maybe they just don't bother with the older systems. (shrug)

[number6]

I know when I exchanged my GBA for an GBA SP at EB they asked me if the GBA worked. I told them yes it still works (which it did) and they accepted that, but they also took down my name, address, and telephone number off my driver's license. They did not test the unit, but I imagine if it did not work I would have received a call or something.

I don't think it is cool to take a non working or a system with problems in for a trade and not mentioning functional issues that may effect the resale of the item. It's the same thing like dishonest sellers on ebay misrepresenting their items.

[Achika]

I know when I exchanged my GBA for an GBA SP at EB they asked me if the GBA worked. I told them yes it still works (which it did) and they accepted that, but they also took down my name, address, and telephone number off my driver's license. They did not test the unit, but I imagine if it did not work I would have received a call or something.


We do the same thing at Gamestop, and atleast at GS that isn't what the information is used for. One copy gets sent to HQ and the other copy stays in the store. The information has to be collected since the gov't says so (it would be the same in a pawn shop)

[KirbyStar27]

:angry: I went to EB games today and got a N64 for their 1 day sale for $9.99--got it home, realized they gave me a RF adapter instead of a A/V adapter. Ok fine I can deal with it for now, so I hooked it up....nothing! Tried channel 3 and 4, nothing still. The system powered up (power light came on) but wasn't working. I called them, they said come in and exchange it, so I did. I drove all the way back, exchanged for one with A/V cables, got in my car and realizeed the controller joystick is messed up, so I went back in and got a different controller. I get home, hook it up, NOTHING AGAIN!!!! I smack it and fiddle with it, and finally the game comes on. It must have a short in it or something. When I turn it off and back on--nothing happens--just a blank screen. You have to turn it off and on a couple times to get it to work!! I am so pissed!! DOES EB GAMES EVEN TEST THEIR SHIT BEFORE THEY SELL IT? Damn it is frustrating!! I am wasting money in all the bloody gas I am having to use to take this crap back!! I called a different EB games, and explained my situation, and I told him I don't want to deal with that other store again, so he said to bring it back to his store tomorrow, and they will exchange it for me.....AGAIN!
So I will take it back to them tomorrow night after work--hopefully this store is better, and actually tests the products before they sell it!! :angry:

That happened to me once, but at Gamestop. I was so ticked off!!! :angry:

[Crush Crawfish]

I've had pretty good luck with EB Games, probably because I don't go there very often. But I did buy a copy of Tech Romancer for Dreamcast that doesn't work right....I gotta return that someday.

[Evil E]

Dumb question but did you clean the cartridge? If you bought the game from EB they don't clean carts either. I've bought a few from them that didn't power up and required a nice swab scrubbing to work. That could explain the situation.

Still they should at least have somebody clean the cartridges before selling.

dry swabbing, or alcohol dipped swabbing? Will a alcohol dipped swab mess up the cartridge?

[punkoffgirl]

I'm afraid EB won't have me as a customer anymore. I've been constantly disappointed when I've gone in. First, it was seeing games that were marked UP for Christmas; they were clearly obvious, because they hadn't even bothered to completely cover or remove the older, cheaper prices on the used games. Then today, I tried to buy my brother a copy of Splinter Cell. They looked forever for the game itself, while the guy tells me, "Sometimes it gets busy and people just stick the games in wherever, so sometimes we can't find them." It's not the image I would have thought they'd want to give out, but whatever. So I wait, and wait and wait. Finally to be told, "We don't have it. It must have been an old display box." You know, if they kept the games in the boxes in the first place, this wouldn't happen. And I think that's pretty shoddy bookkeeping, that they only way they can tell if they HAVE a game in stock is to look through the discs themselves, no database or store inventory to keep track? No apology, nothing.

[number6]

There is probably a lot of the employees taking the games home to "try them out." I have often wondered when I bought a new game and the shrink rap did not look all the professionally applied :

"Did they open this game and play it themselves and when they were done re-shrink wrap it?"

I know I am probably being paranoid, but I don't put it past some of the people that work at my EB. I used to work part time at Best Buy and they would re-shrink wrap high ticket items and resell them like they were never opened. Ever since then I have been highly suspicious of games when the shrink wrap does not look perfect.

[punkoffgirl]

Well, EB games don't come sealed. They take all the games out & store them behind the counter, then replace them in the cases when you buy the game, so there is NO shrinkwrap.

[number6]

I thought they only took the display versions out of the box. All the Gamecube/GBA games I have picked up are in the boxes shrink rapped. If they went and got a disk out of a cabinet and tryed to charge me full price I would shop elsewhere or ask for $10 off for a used game.

[punkoffgirl]

I'm pretty sure this store didn't have anything BUT what you're calling "display versions". Because I paid full price for Manhunt, and the disc came out of their bin in the back and went into the case, too.

[Felixthegamer]

I'm with you, punkoffgirl. I haven't shopped at EB in a long time because I don't like it. Evil E, I sure hope you can get a working one!

[brykasch]

Well I don't usually shop at the EB where I live (on opposite side of town) unless they have a big sale. I buy on-line used games from em and usually don't have any problems. But I know they don't test. In Dec I bought a PSX off ebay with mem card and controller. The system was doa with a blown controller port. Well needing a new xbox thanks to the wonderful drive on my first one. I had my wife take the 90 bucks I sold the xbox for, the psx, controller, mem card, blinx, and a couple of other dinky psx games, and she came home with a new xbox with the tetris/star wars combo. SO I know they didn't test it at all.

Now I bought a used gc from earlier in the year from gamestop that would work for animal crossing (game loads into gc memory), but any other game would give dde a few minutes into play no matter what cleaning I did. So even testing may not have caught that one. Sent it back and got one that has worked till this day.

But every store should have a tv with all the connectors hooked up so all you have to do is just plug it in and bam you can tell. I can see though some of these systems are moved from store to store as well so basically just test your system the minute you get home and put it through the paces. especially a cart sytstem.

[l_lamb]

I went to EB three days ago and saw a very large (2 x 3') poster offering Sonic Heroes FREE with the trade-in of 4 non-sports games for PS2, Gamecube, or Xbox. I pointed it out while I was checking out (since EVERY new game I bought was the last one and I had to wait 10 minutes for them to locate and repackage) to my friend who was with me. I knew I had some duplicates I had picked up over the last year I could trade that had never even been opened.

Tonight I went back and the same two guys were there. The poster had been replaced with one for FFXI. The guys recognized me from Tuesday night but acted totally ignorant when I asked about the offer. The "manager" claimed to have called another store to check but he was on his cell phone talking to a friend. He looked up what I had and offered me $17, which included a $16 bonus for trading in 4 at a time. The cases are worth more than a quarter each. The second employee started to offer me something for the GC Baldur's Gate I had, but I cut him off and left.

[Dangerboy]

There is probably a lot of the employees taking the games home to "try them out." I have often wondered when I bought a new game and the shrink rap did not look all the professionally applied :.


It's against store policy to take games home. Has been for a while. Plus, since March of last year EB Games no longer allows '1 time swaps' for games. Once it's opened, it's the customer's. If you suspect employees are abusing games, ask for the District Manager's phone number.


"Did they open this game and play it themselves and when they were done re-shrink wrap it?"

If you have a sealed one that's not factory, it's most likely a Display Copy that was no longer needed and re-sealed to be stored back in the display case. It's not uncommon for a store to have several display copies of a game. heck, I think we have 9 DCs of FFX-2 alone at my store.

Also, in EB's defense (and not that particular store), we got in a shipment of Rebel Strikes straight from Nintendo, and they looked like they were factory shrunk by a baboon. Also, a LOT of Microsoft titles have been coming right from the press screwed up. I've had several Mech Assaults whose Inserts were trapped inside the top part, so they were bent. I've also seen several perfect factory sealed XBox games opened to see the manual's slightly torn on top, as if the machine/person stuffing the cases was ever so slightly off.


I know I am probably being paranoid, but I don't put it past some of the people that work at my EB. I used to work part time at Best Buy and they would re-shrink wrap high ticket items and resell them like they were never opened. Ever since then I have been highly suspicious of games when the shrink wrap does not look perfect.

You have every right to be. If somethings up, report it. I know I do my damdest to help people out. Sucks that there are others poisoning the well.
Here's for the best,

Jason
Let's see if this warrants an e-mail..

[Dangerboy]

I_I Lamb:
If I may ask, what games were they that you were going to trade in? Several non-sport ones don't qualify...want to see what rude boy screwed up/didn't explain/forgot to tally.

Jason

[punkoffgirl]

Hey, Dangerboy, what *I* want to know is are they SUPPOSED to be selling sealed games, or is it "okay" for them to be selling games they've opened and removed the discs from at full price?

[Dangerboy]

Punkgirl:

Yes.

Since stores have to 'gut' copies of games to have them on the wall for people to look at (so you're not looking at empty photocopies like GameStop) as well as give people an idea of what the store has in stock.

The idea is that the games are New in terms of 'never being played', not so much as 'never being opened'.

So sealed or not, the game is still new. If stores didn't open at least one copy of a game for display on the shelf, you'd walk into a store with nothing on the walls from the 6 foot mark and below. If it's a dispaly version that has to be sold, they place a 'seal sticker' on the side to act as the shrink wrap. As long as that's not messed with, it's considered sealed still.

I personally try to use the mock display boxes as much as possible, but they only go so far. We (as in my store) usually replace Jewel Cases for cracked ones for free, or offer new generic DVD cases to replace the slimey display box original should the customer ask. And yes, we put all the inserts/manuals/game in the new case ^^

It's kind of like how a 'new' car is still open and able to be sat in by customers. Only our new games aren't test driven ^_^

[SoulBlazer]

And that's fine with me. I've bought display copies and resealed games before. As long as the customer knows BEFORE hand, and I've always been told, then it's okay with me.

[Lady Jaye]

Then, explain to me why the "new" copy of Metroid Fusion I bought a year and a half ago had a save state in it. The fucking EB employee who used MY game before selling it "as new" never even bothered to erase the saved game (it was a 15-min. game, but still...). :angry:

And it's not something I could have checked on the spot and complained about back then because it happened shortly after I lost my GBA (and 6 months before getting my first SP). Obviously, since 6 months have elapsed between buying the game and trying it for the first time, what could have I done? I doubt I even knew which EB I bought it from.

Anyways, I now buy my games directly at work, so I know they're really brand-new and still in their original shrinkwrap.

[l_lamb]

I_I Lamb:
If I may ask, what games were they that you were going to trade in? Several non-sport ones don't qualify...want to see what rude boy screwed up/didn't explain/forgot to tally.

Jason

He acted like he didn't even know what I was talking about, then supposedly called another store and told me that the offer had expired.

I was trading in:
GC Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance
GC Animal Crossing
GC Eternal Darkness
GC Pac-Man World 2

The offer only said non-sports games did not apply. All games were actually brand new; they were duplicates that I picked up on sale elsewhere. I opened them just before I went to EB. The manager didn't even look at what I had until after he told me the offer was over.

[josekortez]

i_lamb, I don't care how good Sonic Heroes is. I wouldn't have traded in those 4 games. They're really good games, but you could trade them with people on this site for something else. Besides, recent history has told us that most next-gen games drop eventually.

[Dangerboy]

Lamb:

Eek...bad sign...all four are player's choice games...GH, PH, and PC games are ranked insanely low on the trade in chart. Balders Gate is currently selling new for like $9, so I couldn't see that getting more than a $1 or 2 at most.

However...

The other games should have been at least $2 to 5 each...I'm wondering if maybe the BG came up as the 'some normal games not included', and the system only clocked in the other 3 for the special (read $9 extra instead of $4 extra) and the dummy behind the counter didn't catch it.

Stores were sent lists of the non-excluded games, which were specifically provided for the customer to browse through to see what doesn't trade in towards the specials. I'd ask to see it...but considering how they treated you before, I doubt they'ed do that.

As for the Sonic Promotion, I haven't been to work in a day and a half, so I couldn't check. I know they usually cycle out which games the 4 trade in offer are good for. Sounds like they forgot to remove a marketing poster in a timely basis. It should have still been honored though, due to employee mistake.

The fact that the employee offered you money for the game is also rather shady. I'm make a friendly complaint to the local DM. Sounds like there needs to be some house cleaning done.

Jason

[Fatghost28]

If EB doesn't have a factory sealed copy of the game I want, I won't buy it from them.

[Dangerboy]

Then, explain to me why the "new" copy of Metroid Fusion I bought a year and a half ago had a save state in it.

One of Two things:

1. Possibly tossed it into a GBA at the store to look at it, then checked it out. I've done that with a used game or two, just not new.

2. That time frame is also still in the "1 time exchange policy" era, so unless the save state has the employee's name on it, it could have been purchased by a customer, didn't like it, returned it for something else, and then was resealed. Unless they have an open GBA, there's no way to erase save states. Don't be so jumpy to blame a clerk (unless, as stated above, the kid's name was on the save).

Jason

[Cmosfm]

This is a good thread.

Anyways, I'm glad EB did away with the employee rentals. Because they used to do what Gamestop currently does....allow employees to take home a BRAND NEW disk (while the case is on display on the floor) and play it. They get is scratched and they have to pay for it...but the thing is, it's still used once it's played. I don't see how Johnson the gamestop employee plays a new game and keeps it looking like new and then the store resells it as new....then Jim the gamestop customer does the same thing and can only return it and get 50% store credit of what he paid for it.

All rules should apply to all people...employees shouldnt be able to try out brand new games, instead wait till they come in used.

As for the display boxed games being sold as new, that shit pises me off also, why? It's still technically considered used. I feel that game stores should take a loss on this and all display box games should be sold at used prices. They lose what, 5.00, wow.

But oh well....can't change the system, you can only bitch about it.

[Achika]

Gamestop employee time!

As for "checking out" games: This policy is ok'ed or revoked on a store to store basis. All "impact" stores are not allowed to check games out. For stores that are not "impact", the final decision is made by the manager on wether or not a game may be checked out. If it is 'ok'ed', then only those games that have been out for two weeks or longer, may be checked out. I've been getting shuffled around to impact stores for so long, that I don't even know if this policy is still going on.

As for the "copied inserts". We do the same thing as EB, 'gutting' the display box, putting the game behind the counter and original packaging on the shelf. The photocopies come into play when the original is lost (in most cases, a customer thinks the game is in the case and steals that *viola* case is gone). Instead of just writing the name of the game on a system specific tag with the companies logo on it, we put out the artwork so it can then be image recognized somewhat. For the newer games that we haven't recieved artwork for, only then is the name written on a tag.

[Dangerboy]

They lose what, 5.00, wow.

$5 x 1000 games = $5,000
$5,000 x 1,500+ stores = $7,500,000

$7.500,000. "Wow" Indeed.


Instead of just writing the name of the game on a system specific tag with the companies logo on it, we put out the artwork so it can then be image recognized somewhat.

If a box has been ganked, we usually grab a new DVD case, grab a minty pre-owned verison insert, and place that together.

Does the gutting apply to all the pre-played games as well? Every GameStop I've been to around here only displays the generic hand writing/xeroxed pic inside generic case for the pre-played games, so you have no idea what's complete or not. At least with EB's way you know what has original case and what is disc only right there on the shelf.

And on a completely seperate note, an honestly curious question about Game Stop's pre-orders...when the customer's put $5 down on a game, does that go towards th egame, or no? I've had several people tell me they "Lost $5 at GameStop when they pre-ordered it" O_o;;

Jason

[Achika]

They lose what, 5.00, wow.

$5 x 1000 games = $5,000
$5,000 x 1,500+ stores = $7,500,000

$7.500,000. "Wow" Indeed.


Instead of just writing the name of the game on a system specific tag with the companies logo on it, we put out the artwork so it can then be image recognized somewhat.

If a box has been ganked, we usually grab a new DVD case, grab a minty pre-owned verison insert, and place that together.

Does the gutting apply to all the pre-played games as well? Every GameStop I've been to around here only displays the generic hand writing/xeroxed pic inside generic case for the pre-played games, so you have no idea what's complete or not. At least with EB's way you know what has original case and what is disc only right there on the shelf.

And on a completely seperate note, an honestly curious question about Game Stop's pre-orders...when the customer's put $5 down on a game, does that go towards th egame, or no? I've had several people tell me they "Lost $5 at GameStop when they pre-ordered it" O_o;;

Jason

Here the gutting applies to everything (except regular playstation @_@) new or used. We only breakout the xerox or hand written notes when we don't have the case anymore.

You don't "lose" $5. It will a) go towards the game if and when you pick it up b) if you decide you don't want the game anymore, the credit will be placed in your hand or put towards another reserve "rolling over" or c) if you provide the stub and the original reciept that you reserved with, you can get the $5 back how you paid for it (put down cash, refund cash, put down CC, get credited back on your CC).

If you lose the stub, it's usually not a big deal. Bring in your ID that matches the name on the reserve and you'll get the game and the $5 credit. Any store that tells you that "if you loose your stub, you're out $5" doesn't know what they are doing. It's just "easier" for the employees to match the reserve if you have the ticket (though, I don't understand that. Since it's WAY easier to alphabetize the tickets rather than in numerical order)

If a reserve is unclaimed for 3 months I believe, they get sent to corporate, something happens and we have to call the DM for the credit number, etc. later.

Unless the store is a total dumb-ass, you should always be able to get back your $5.

[Oobgarm]

If EB doesn't have a factory sealed copy of the game I want, I won't buy it from them.

That is an excellent proposition, sir. :D

If you don't like the way a company conducts business, don't shop there. They're not missing your money.

Some people are willing to accept that games are sometimes reshrinked or opened to display. Most people that shop at our store want the game, opened or not-because they're gonna open it when they get home, anyway.

[Packerfan66]

Those Mother F#@kers at gamestop tried to keep my $5 one time when I forgot my stubb. I was going to kill those SOB"s over this. I asked if they had it in a computer or something but acoarse they don't do that. Well I finally made one of them look in the file under the desk for my name and there it was on file. You think they would treat customers better then that especially one that has 20" arms and think nothign of putting a beat down on them. I've been to a lot of Gamestops and they had great service but the one in Fargo terrible. THey just act like they are to cool to help someone out.

[Evil E]

Those Mother F#@kers at gamestop tried to keep my $5 one time when I forgot my stubb. I was going to kill those SOB"s over this. I asked if they had it in a computer or something but acoarse they don't do that. Well I finally made one of them look in the file under the desk for my name and there it was on file. You think they would treat customers better then that especially one that has 20" arms and think nothign of putting a beat down on them. I've been to a lot of Gamestops and they had great service but the one in Fargo terrible. THey just act like they are to cool to help someone out.

You are acting like a disgruntled Packers fan!! I would be that angry also if I were a Packers fan!! All kidding aside, these stores don't care about the customers, it's probably because the employees don't care due to the bad wages being paid! That is just a guess, but I know most retail stores that pay well, get good employees that care, and ones that are cheap asses, get employees who could care less!! :hmm:

[Cmosfm]

Those Mother F#@kers at gamestop tried to keep my $5 one time when I forgot my stubb. I was going to kill those SOB"s over this. I asked if they had it in a computer or something but acoarse they don't do that. Well I finally made one of them look in the file under the desk for my name and there it was on file. You think they would treat customers better then that especially one that has 20" arms and think nothign of putting a beat down on them. I've been to a lot of Gamestops and they had great service but the one in Fargo terrible. THey just act like they are to cool to help someone out.

LOL take a chiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiil pill bro.

I know where you're coming from, but 5.00! haha, anyways, hopefully you got a cool nifty item for preordering it otherwise it was pointless.

Anyone notice that it's pointless to preorder items unless you get something free? You can 99% of the time get the game the release day anyway. Out of my entire game experience I've only found 2 games hard to get on release day which were GTA: VC and Super Smash Bros Melee.

Again, if you DO preorder and they guarantee you a copy...say 100 people preorder and they only get 75 copies in, its a FIRST COME FIST SERVE basis not a FIRST PREORDERED FIRST SERVED basis. Which I feel is pretty damn fucked up. I don't preorder anymore...if I want the free stuff the guys there just give it to me. I've got more willpower than to spend 50.00 on a game just to get it new....wait a few months, hit a few pawnshops, and you'll eventually get it between 10.00-30.00. I got Tony Hawk UG a month after release day for 20.00. Still waiting to luck up on Final Fantasy X2 or Manhunt...I'll hold out for a Greatest Hits version if I have to!

:angry: <=====That's my determined face! GET CHUR GAME FACE ON!

[number6]

There is probably a lot of the employees taking the games home to "try them out." I have often wondered when I bought a new game and the shrink rap did not look all the professionally applied :.


It's against store policy to take games home. Has been for a while. Plus, since March of last year EB Games no longer allows '1 time swaps' for games. Once it's opened, it's the customer's. If you suspect employees are abusing games, ask for the District Manager's phone number.


"Did they open this game and play it themselves and when they were done re-shrink wrap it?"

If you have a sealed one that's not factory, it's most likely a Display Copy that was no longer needed and re-sealed to be stored back in the display case. It's not uncommon for a store to have several display copies of a game. heck, I think we have 9 DCs of FFX-2 alone at my store.

Also, in EB's defense (and not that particular store), we got in a shipment of Rebel Strikes straight from Nintendo, and they looked like they were factory shrunk by a baboon. Also, a LOT of Microsoft titles have been coming right from the press screwed up. I've had several Mech Assaults whose Inserts were trapped inside the top part, so they were bent. I've also seen several perfect factory sealed XBox games opened to see the manual's slightly torn on top, as if the machine/person stuffing the cases was ever so slightly off.


I know I am probably being paranoid, but I don't put it past some of the people that work at my EB. I used to work part time at Best Buy and they would re-shrink wrap high ticket items and resell them like they were never opened. Ever since then I have been highly suspicious of games when the shrink wrap does not look perfect.

You have every right to be. If somethings up, report it. I know I do my damdest to help people out. Sucks that there are others poisoning the well.
Here's for the best,

Jason
Let's see if this warrants an e-mail..


Thanks for responding to my post.


I have a question about the Display Copies. Why do stores do this for all the console games, but not the PC games? When I pick up the PC box at the store I buy that copy.

I also have seen display copies for upcoming games. Why can't you get display copies from the game publishers like they provide for the upcoming games so you don't have to ruin a brand new game by opening one of the real copies for sale?


Like I have said before, if the game is not sealed I am not paying full price for it. The first time I am told it's the full price for an opened item I will take my business elsewhere. If they reseal a display copy I am OK with that. As long as everything is there and I percieve that I have a brand new copy I am cool.

It's interesting that you mention Rebel Strike. That is one of the games I thought had been opened. It looks like I may have been mistaken in that instance.

Personally I have overall had a good experience with my local EB store. I only buy new stuff at EB. I go to Gamestop for used games because they have that 10% off card.

[Dangerboy]

"Allo,


Why do stores do this for all the console games, but not the PC games? When I pick up the PC box at the store I buy that copy

The gutting of PC games is on a store to store basis. We gut damn near everything. That and most of the lower $ games we don't, most of those nobody wants ^_^;


I also have seen display copies for upcoming games. Why can't you get display copies from the game publishers like they provide for the upcoming games so you don't have to ruin a brand new game by opening one of the real copies for sale?


With risk of getting yelled at, believe me, *I* TRY my damndest to re-use the display boxes as much as possible. In fact, I think I untentionally piss off higher ups because of this. If we have 12 Champion's of Norath Diplay boxes, I'll cover up the "Coming Soon" Sticker with a "Released" Sticker" and call it a day. Next thing I know, someone else has gutted 3 copies and tossed them up next to the dummy boxes. I'm not some zombie fied 'clerk/sales associate's, I'm one of you guys trying to fight the good fight from behind the counter.

My favorite was when I was told to gut copies of a game that weren't out yet. No joke.


If they reseal a display copy I am OK with that. As long as everything is there and I percieve that I have a brand new copy I am cool.

This is just me being curious...if they showed you it was complete, brand new with everything, and slap a seal on it, you'd walk, but if they went to the back and shrank it, you'd buy it? :angel: I've bought open versions of new games all the time (especially CD/DVD games)...even before I started working corporate retail. But again, as stated by everyone else, it's understandable if you want the factory seal on it, especially considering the circumstances around specific stores. More power to you.

Rebel Strike sin't the only one, but it stands out the most. There was also the one shipment of EA games were the factory shrink was *sealed* but not *vacummed* shut. Looked like someone slapped 20 copies of Madden into ziplock bags. Try explaining that as unopened to someone. :o


I go to Gamestop for used games because they have that 10% off card.

Um...you do realize EB has their Edge Card program, where you get the 10% off the pre-played too, right? And like, if you have the Edge card, this month you get up from 20 to 30% off pre-played depending on how many you buy? :D

Here to help, from the other side of the counter.
Jason
(crosses fingers...)

[number6]

This is just me being curious...if they showed you it was complete, brand new with everything, and slap a seal on it, you'd walk, but if they went to the back and shrank it, you'd buy it?


No. It would have to be sealed before I buy it. If they pulled a disk out of a cabinet I would say no deal. The point is when I go in and pay full price for a brand new game I want the product to be fresh. If I did not care about the conidtion I would just wait and buy a used copy at a lower price and be happy.

I remember years ago when I used to buy most video games at Toys-R-Us that they would discount the display model and I think that is the only fair thing to do. Once the box is opened the game is no longer new. That's just the way I look at it. If I buy a new game and open the box at home, then at that moment I decide I don't want this game I can't return it for full retail price anymore even if all I did was remove the shrink wrap. I understand that this is how the major game stores do business, but I am not going to accept this as a consumer. Like I said, as long as I see the box shrink wrapped when I pay for it that's all that matters. I guess my point is as long as the product is presented to my liking I will pay. I think it's a little unprofessional to pull a disk out of a cabinet and place it in display copy box and expect the customer to pay full price at that point. I know I would say something to the employee and if they said take it or leave it I would be out the door never to come back. I can buy new games just about anywhere.




Um...you do realize EB has their Edge Card program, where you get the 10% off the pre-played too, right? And like, if you have the Edge card, this month you get up from 20 to 30% off pre-played depending on how many you buy?




I was not aware of that. I will have to check out my local EB stores and see if they have enough selection of used SNES/dreamcast games to warrant me getting the Edge card.



With risk of getting yelled at, believe me, *I* TRY my damndest to re-use the display boxes as much as possible. In fact, I think I untentionally piss off higher ups because of this. If we have 12 Champion's of Norath Diplay boxes, I'll cover up the "Coming Soon" Sticker with a "Released" Sticker" and call it a day.



Well I think you need to get promoted to executive level so you can steer corporate strategy. The reuse of the coming soon display boxes should be mandatory.

Thanks for answering my questions. Like I said I have had no problems at my EB store.

[SoulBlazer]

Your viewpoint is fine, but you realize you're out of touch with 99 percent of the customers, right? Like, I could care less if they sell me a display copy. As long as the CD and everything else is brand new, then to me the game IS brand new, and I don't mind paying full price for it. After all, I'm going to rip the shrink wrap off when I get home anyway. :roll: And regardless if you buy a shrinkwrapped or non shrinkwrapped new game, you still can't return it anymore.

[number6]

Your viewpoint is fine, but you realize you're out of touch with 99 percent of the customers, right?



How do you know I am out of touch with 99% of the customers? If 99% of the customers don't care if it is shrink wrapped then shouldn't software stores allow you a certain amount of time after purchase to return the game for a full refund even if it is opened? Maybe you found out that the game is not what you thought and since it is basically new why should it matter to the software seller if it has been opened? As long as the disk isn't scratched and all the matrerials are in the package it should not matter right? I am just applying the same principals the retail stores apply to software in my purchaing decision. I think I am acting perfectly reasonably. If it does not matter to you great. I just don't agree with the obvious double standard in play here and I for one will not pay full price for opened software even if I am going to open it up as soon as I get home. Perhaps I am a collector and I may decide never to play the game in question and I know it will be worth more as a collectable if it has never been opened. I just saw a factory sealed Final Fantasy 2 SNES game on ebay go for well over $100. Would it have been worth as much if it was not sealed? Of course not.




And regardless if you buy a shrinkwrapped or non shrinkwrapped new game, you still can't return it anymore.


That is flat out wrong.

From the ebgames website: ( http://www.ebgames.com/ebx/help/shipping/returnPolicy.asp )




Returns and exchanges of new and pre-owned merchandise will be accepted within 30 days.

Exceptions: Video games, computer games, video game systems, computer hardware, action figures and DVDs may NOT be returned if opened or unsealed and non-defective. You may exchange these items for the same item if the original is defective.

[punkoffgirl]

You know what else bothers me about this "display box" deal?
What if the employee grabs the WRONG disc from the back and sticks it in the box, then I get home and *gasp* break the seal on the sticker and see that it's the wrong game. This could happen SO easy with this setup and no inventory count on hand.. and I can see the store unwilling to do ANYTHING for me, because I'd already brought it home and broke the seal, and couldn't "prove" that it had been their mistake.

[Dangerboy]

This could happen SO easy with this setup and no inventory count on hand..

1. You're incorrect about "no inventory count" on hand. Unlike other stores, EB has their full instore inventory (down to the free promos) in the computer. Let's us know what we have in stock at the push of a button. We also do counts on a regular, daily basis. I should know. I have to count the largest sections :o


What if the employee grabs the WRONG disc from the back and sticks it in the box, then I get home and *gasp* break the seal on the sticker and see that it's the wrong game. and I can see the store unwilling to do ANYTHING for me, because I'd already brought it home and broke the seal, and couldn't "prove" that it had been their mistake.

2. The above incident HAS happened, *twice* in my EB lifetime. What happened? we checked the computer inventory, did a quick physical count (which took all of 40 seconds) and corrected our mistake, resealed the package, apologized, and sent the customer on his/her way. Hell, I did it myself the other day (PS2 NCAA inside a XBOX NCAA Case). I felt dumb, apologized profusely, and swapped the games. Customer had no problems what so ever, and even bought another game (which I triple checked before letting it leave my hand).

On the opposite note, I bought a 'sealed' EA Games 3 Pack from a rival store right off the shelf, employee puts in the bag and sends me on my way. Walking out, I had this gut feeling that something was wrong, sure enough, the 'sealed' shelf copy was an empty Display Copy version. I returned, politely showed him the case, and he realized his fault, and corrected the situation. No harm, no foul.

[SoulBlazer]

I know I don't care cause I'm not a collector. If it bothers you that much, just pass on it that day and go somewhere else and buy a sealed one. No worries. I'm not picking on you or anything, just saying. ;)

However, I do know that I'm allowed to return a 'display copy' of the game as long as the seal which they slap on the side of it when they sell it to me is still unbroken. (And of course I know about unopened stuff. I was talking about a game once you open the wrap or break the seal.)

How did this thread get started again? :roll:

[Captain Wrong]

How did this thread get started again? :roll:

How did this topic get started again?

[Evil E]

How did this thread get started again? :roll:

How did this topic get started again?

That would be me--bitching about how EB games kept giving me messed up products due to their lack of checking and testing merchandise before they peddle it out to unsuspecting consumers like myself!! It is a very maddening thing really!! It would take them all of 2 minutes to plug in and test a console when they buy and before the sell!! And it would take them even less time to check out games when they buy and before they sell!! Shitty way of doing business IMHO..........

E.---

[SamuraiSmurfette]

You know, not all EB's have display space available for testing.
(especially mall stores)
You can take a chance on a $9.99 N64.
you'd pay that at a yard sale, or a thrift shop and not think twice if it works.
and if you want to make sure you get a non-broken one,
your best bet is to go to a strip mall (non-mall) location.

Besides, EB does take in broken systems for credit
(at least EB Canada does)
They salvage them for parts to make their refurb units.
(Sony, and Microsoft will not supply us with parts)

I could go on and on about EB and the things I like and hate,
but I'll spare you.

There's alot of GOOD EB's out there...you just have to find them..
For myself, I am a collector of games, and a manager at EB.
I have a lot of different rules in my store as to how product gets handled.
but in all honesty, would you rather be able to go up and peruse the display boxes, or wait for some dingbat in Walmart to come open a glass case, then stare at you while you shop?

[Captain Wrong]

That was a retorical question, Evil E. LOL

[Evil E]

That was a retorical question, Evil E. LOL

I am fully aware of that! I was trying to point out how the whole thread has morphed from the beginning--but that is ok. I find the whole lot of discussion very interesting, and it's good to see others relieving their frustrations about the way these game stores conduct business.

E.--

[Evil E]

[quote="SamuraiSmurfette"]You know, not all EB's have display space available for testing.
(especially mall stores)
You can take a chance on a $9.99 N64.
you'd pay that at a yard sale, or a thrift shop and not think twice if it works.
and if you want to make sure you get a non-broken one,
your best bet is to go to a strip mall (non-mall) location.

Excuses excuses excuses! I don't care if it costs 3 cents! You don't do business this way! MAKE ROOM TO TEST THINGS OUT!! Design the stores bigger, put a tv with A/V inputs in the back and test it there--to every problem there is a solution! You don't buy stuff, not test it, then sell it, not test it--it is totally and utterly ridiculous!! If the mall stores are too small, lease a larger space, or don't do business in a mall! The strip mall sotres have ample space for a TV to test systems and games out on. I mean, come on, they could even use a dinky-ass 13inch TV with inputs if space is that much of an issue!

[farfel]

EB does do testing. They "enlist" the customer as free labor to do the testing at home. It's part of EB's cheaper, better, faster merchadising method. Mostly cheaper = customer = free testing labor.

(shields up!)

[jonjandran]

Excuses excuses excuses! I don't care if it costs 3 cents! You don't do business this way! MAKE ROOM TO TEST THINGS OUT!! Design the stores bigger, put a tv with A/V inputs in the back and test it there--to every problem there is a solution! You don't buy stuff, not test it, then sell it, not test it--it is totally and utterly ridiculous!! If the mall stores are too small, lease a larger space, or don't do business in a mall! The strip mall sotres have ample space for a TV to test systems and games out on. I mean, come on, they could even use a dinky-ass 13inch TV with inputs if space is that much of an issue!

Every pawn shop I go into has a 9-13 inch TV sitting on the counter with front AV inputs . When someone brings in a system , dvd player , etc,. They hook it up to the TV and test it. Takes a minute or two and they have verified it works.

Boy that would be REAL hard to do at EB or GameStop. :roll:

[Achika]

Out of the 5 Gamestops around the state that I've been shuffled around to, we have all tested out the systems. There are customers getting pissed in line because we have to test out the system and can't help them right away.

Still, you'd be amazed at the amount of customers that bring in a system, I spend the time gathering the parts (since they didn't bring in adequate ones) testing it, to find out it doesn't work. I hand the system back, tell them so, "Oh, yea, sorry I forgot to tell you it doesn't work"

[jdc]

The used videogame business and the increase in profit over new product has allowed these places to operate in questionable ways.

Why care if a product gets returned when you can just keep repackaging it and reselling it until it finally stays the hell away? The average customer usually doesn't give a crap whether a used game is scuffed or dirty. If they DID, then half of the used games that you see would qualify to head straight for a dumpster.

Stores pay $297.50 COST for a PS2...and sell it for $299.99. On the other side of the coin, you give some guy $75 for a tradein on one....and sell it for $229. The used videogame industry is a licence to print money while taking advantage of people.

I'm fastidious with my games. No scuffs, no fingerprints, everything kept mint. It pisses me off when I can take in a game for trade that's in immaculate condition...and get the same trade in value as some slob that trades in his scuffed and fingered printed copy with the ratty case.

[bufftbone]

:angry: DOES EB GAMES EVEN TEST THEIR SHIT BEFORE THEY SELL IT? :angry:

Umm..as a former employee of the company, not always, in most cases, never (if it was preowned). If it was a refurbshed model, they are suposed to be tested and fixed before they ship out of the West Chester warehouse but often have problems (usually due to lazy people).

[bufftbone]

I'm afraid EB won't have me as a customer anymore. I've been constantly disappointed when I've gone in. First, it was seeing games that were marked UP for Christmas; they were clearly obvious, because they hadn't even bothered to completely cover or remove the older, cheaper prices on the used games. Then today, I tried to buy my brother a copy of Splinter Cell. They looked forever for the game itself, while the guy tells me, "Sometimes it gets busy and people just stick the games in wherever, so sometimes we can't find them." It's not the image I would have thought they'd want to give out, but whatever. So I wait, and wait and wait. Finally to be told, "We don't have it. It must have been an old display box." You know, if they kept the games in the boxes in the first place, this wouldn't happen. And I think that's pretty shoddy bookkeeping, that they only way they can tell if they HAVE a game in stock is to look through the discs themselves, no database or store inventory to keep track? No apology, nothing.

well they do have an invetory system but they was some managers and employess there run the store, because of the shitty treatment they get from their district manager, just dont care anymore. things do get mixed up at times. the inventory system may say they have 5 copies but it's usually better to do a physical check.

i worked for them for a long time and when i started it was good, easy, and pretty organized. towards the end of my employement it got bad. lots of things going on with this and that and other things that fileing correctly, as text book of a ting as it should be, wasn't the highest priority (it was with me though).

[bufftbone]

Hey, Dangerboy, what *I* want to know is are they SUPPOSED to be selling sealed games, or is it "okay" for them to be selling games they've opened and removed the discs from at full price?

They've been doing it for years now. It depends on how it's classified in their inventory on how it's sold. As Dangerboy said, if you susepct something is worng, report it, talk to a store or district manger. Dangerboy and I always took care of our customers, all store managers are trained and TOLD to do the same but often times don't. Sometimes it's pressure from an evil fiber eating district manager breathing down their throat about this goal or that goal so you may receive a hard time about a return. Again report it.

[bufftbone]

null

[Push Upstairs]

First, it was seeing games that were marked UP for Christmas; they were clearly obvious, because they hadn't even bothered to completely cover or remove the older, cheaper prices on the used games.

I'm not trying to stick up for EB (i hardly buy stuff there myself) but all the stores in this area raised thier prices on certain games and all systems around x-mas time.

Of course this was for *USED* games and they were older systems.


I don't like the idea of inflated prices for x-mas, but i understand why (non-EB) stores do it.

[Dangerboy]

It pisses me off when I can take in a game for trade that's in immaculate condition...and get the same trade in value as some slob that trades in his scuffed and fingered printed copy with the ratty case.


That's because stores see games as "stock" not individually handled specimans. On the same side, I'm GLAD I can get mint copies of games at the same cheapie price as their ugly conditions ones.

Also, you're partially wrong. I've seen GameStop take $$ off the trade in value for 'resurfacing fees" on scratched games. That however, opens up a whole new can of worms about "Man they charged me fees just to rip me off..." etc etc....

Who is holding a gun to your head saying you have to trade games in at stores? I'm sure there are quite a few collectors on here that would gladly take your games before they are sent off to a store.

[SoulBlazer]

That's why I never trade in games. They give you crap for it. I sell all my stuff on Amazon.

[punkoffgirl]

This could happen SO easy with this setup and no inventory count on hand..

1. You're incorrect about "no inventory count" on hand. Unlike other stores, EB has their full instore inventory (down to the free promos) in the computer. Let's us know what we have in stock at the push of a button. We also do counts on a regular, daily basis. I should know. I have to count the largest sections :o


I'm quite sure I'm not incorrect about this store. They never ONCE looked at the computer while searching for the game.. The only time they touched it was to ring up my purchase of Manhunt. They only told me that they didn't have a copy of the game after they gave up looking for it through the "baskets" they have the games stored in under/behind the desk.

[Dangerboy]

Punkoffgirl:
Then that EB needs some serious cleaning/organizing...and I mean all around, O_O

Jason

[punkoffgirl]

Punkoffgirl:
Then that EB needs some serious cleaning/organizing...and I mean all around, O_O

Jason

Yeah, that's why I mentioned the "lack" of inventory to begin with.. They spent a good fifteen minutes digging through bins for the game only because I'd grabbed a box that was on the shelf. I'm normally the last person to say this, but I think the people working there were too old and didn't know or really care about anything (I know age in either direction doesn't always preclude knowledge, so please no flames!)