ebgames.com rant (they damage games on purpose)

[qbertandernie]

sorry if this has been done before...i did a search and didnt find it...

i ordered a bunch of games from EB.com. i have ordered from them before, and its kind of a crapshoot as to whether the games are in good shape, but in the past about 75% were. i dont mind stickers on the carts because they usuaully arent hard to remove, but the last two times ive ordered ive found that the games seem to have been scratched all to hell. the first time i figured it was one person who traded all their games in at once, but this time there are a larger percentage and across all platforms. upon closer inspection, it appears as though the folks at EB.com are SANDING OFF THE STICKERS. this is ridiculous. several of the back labels, plastic and even some front labels(motor city patrol, ardy lightfoot and ultimate qix) look like someone sanded them down! WTF? who would prefer a label that is scratched down to the white over a sticker? and why do they need to remove other stickers on the backs of the cart when they are sticking their damn stickers all over everything? this pissed me off to no end, as i was hoping to at least get games in fair condition, but these were deliberately damaged! hope theyll take them back, because some are so badly damaged you can barely tell what the game is...

anyone else experienced this too?

[Videogamerdaryll]

They probably are doing it as quick,easy and cheap as possible..

So sanding it off then shipping it out means less time and work.....


The only things I know that EB does is..
Sell Garbage no working mismatched part used systems..

And they take stuff that didn't sell and bust it up ..(certain stuff)
I have found plenty of that with the dumpster dives...

You'd be shocked on just what they throw out/bust up..

[Captain Wrong]

I'd wager most people who buy these carts are casual/mainstream gamers who really don't care a whit about condition. As has been mentioned about a billion times before, that is the primary market EB, Game Stop and all the rest are aiming for. Sucks for you, but anyone who is a collector shoule know to stay away from these stores.

[qbertandernie]

this stuff isnt even in a condition that someone who didnt care about condition would pay for.

i think..what an odd sentence...

[EnemyZero]

thats like when i take my games to a local eb they check take the games,...look it in the system and toss it on the floor ....nice...

[ClubNinja]

Sucks for you, but anyone who is a collector shoule know to stay away from these stores.

It's not about staying away from these stores - it's about finding the right ones. Half of my Genesis and SNES games have come from one local EB. They're all flawless. I would never trust the sight-unseen games from the EB website, but some of their stores are invaluable. Even for collectors.

[Captain Wrong]

Sucks for you, but anyone who is a collector should know to stay away from these stores.

It's not about staying away from these stores - it's about finding the right ones. Half of my Genesis and SNES games have come from one local EB. They're all flawless. I would never trust the sight-unseen games from the EB website, but some of their stores are invaluable. Even for collectors.

Actually, that's what I meant. Stay away from the on-line stores. :)

[gamegirl79]

I ordered Zelda Link's Awakening DX from ebgames.com a few weeks ago. When I got the cart, it literally looked like it had been run over by a car. I didn't expect it to work. To my surprise the game played okay, but I couldn't save my progress or create/delete any user profiles. I called them up and they sent out a replacement, which I am still waiting on.

[Aussie2B]

Speaking of these stores purposely damaging games, what's up with EB's and GameStop's practice of damaging PlayStation and Dreamcast cases? Why do they cut out the plastic strip on the front part of the case next to the spine? I know cases can be replaced, but I'd MUCH prefer to have the original case it was sold in. I've often passed up on games that I might've bought had they not done that to the case.

[slip81]

The only cart game I've ordered from EB online is Castlevania III and it looks and plays fine. I guess I got lucky, but in the future I will be carfull not to order something from there unless I can't get it elsewhere.

[Queen Of The Felines]

I ordered Zelda Link's Awakening DX from ebgames.com a few weeks ago. When I got the cart, it literally looked like it had been run over by a car. I didn't expect it to work. To my surprise the game played okay, but I couldn't save my progress or create/delete any user profiles. I called them up and they sent out a replacement, which I am still waiting on.

You just have shitty luck with online stores in general, don't you? ;)

I never, ever buy anything sight unseen, I don't care how good of a deal it is.

Kristine

[gamegirl79]

You just have shitty luck with online stores in general, don't you? ;)


Yes, yes I do. LOL But only when it comes to video games. I've bought countless computer parts, DVD's, clothing, hell even car parts online and never had a problem. Any problem I've had with online shopping was when I ordered a video game. I still have a charge on my credit card from gamestop.com that is under dispute. :roll:

[Richter]

happened to me too >_< and it's part of my secret santa gift ;_;

[izret101]

I have had no problem buying new games from them. Thanks for the heads up on used stuff.
Are current gen games equally destroyed? Or are they only doing this with the old stuff?

[qbertandernie]

ive never bought current gen stuff online...

aussie2bs post reminded me of the gamestop that i frequent...all of the ps1 games they have have been taped together with packing tape. that sticky crap doesnt come off easily, and it nearly covers the whole case. im sure they have to deal with theft, but damn...keep the disks behind the register or something.

[sirgeoph]

I hate to plug, but...

The company I work for, TheGameTrader.com, is nothing like most online used game retailers. For one, we also have retail stores and we're strict with what we take in there. Our webstore is made up of items from our stores. Every item is cleaned and tested before being listed as "in-stock" on the website. All CIB games have sturdy boxes, not crushed crappy boxes. All games are cleaned internally and externally to the best of our ability -- no stickers and little or no markings. We're smaller, so we can be more personal with our customers... I've done a few sales over the phone and grabbed stuff out of a store that someone wanted in Michigan... we do what we can, and being a smaller operation, we can do that, though I don't plan to change just because we get any bigger.

Check us out. Just wanted to let you know that not all online used game retailers are the same.

[izret101]

About thegametrader.com i just checked your site.
Your plug got me there but i will probably never buy. The shop i go to has less selection but MUCH better prices on what i want.

[sirgeoph]

Out of curiosity, what'd you have problems with prices? We've got one guy who's job is to reprice like 14000 items, so some systems havent been repriced in a while.

Lemme know and I can tell you what's up... we used to take trade-ins via the website, which counteracted the higher prices, but right now our webstore is understaffed to really handle that.

I hear about our higher prices alot in our retail stores, but, we also give nearly 70% more in trade credit than EB or GameStop, so people trade with us rather than them, making the prices irrelevant since they aren't actually paying for the items.

And, I hate to give this as a reason, but in Louisiana and Mississippi (where we have retail stores) we've pretty much got a monopoly on everything before PS1 and Dreamcast since EB and GameStop stopped carrying them in their stores.

Keep in mind too that EB and GameStop don't tell you wht condition the games come in (manual, box, loose, etc) whereas with us, you know exactly what you're getting (with cheap shipping too).

[it290]

Nice site. Some of the prices are fairly high, but hey, if everything is in great condition, that's okay. The website is a pain to navigate though. There needs to be a way to see all the games that you have in stock for any given system... browsing by genre is a bit silly.

[sirgeoph]

if you go to advanced search, then select the system, you can change Show: All Items to Show: Items in-stock only

[Gemini-Phoenix]

Simple resolution to this - Buy sealed games.

Or shop on eBay where you can actually see the condition... It's what I do, and never accept anything less than perfect!

[spoon]

ive never bought current gen stuff online...

aussie2bs post reminded me of the gamestop that i frequent...all of the ps1 games they have have been taped together with packing tape. that sticky crap doesnt come off easily, and it nearly covers the whole case. im sure they have to deal with theft, but damn...keep the disks behind the register or something.

Which GS is that? I know we don't do it over on monroe street. How stupid and odd of them I must say. Ever check out disc condition of DC items at an Eb locally? I have once, Almost every game I took up to the counter, The clerk tossed it on the ground as "defective" Ah well, thank good for Alllied Record Exchange and 2play (Prices a bit high there though.)

[Promophile]

ive never bought current gen stuff online...

aussie2bs post reminded me of the gamestop that i frequent...all of the ps1 games they have have been taped together with packing tape. that sticky crap doesnt come off easily, and it nearly covers the whole case. im sure they have to deal with theft, but damn...keep the disks behind the register or something.

Which GS is that? I know we don't do it over on monroe street. How stupid and odd of them I must say. Ever check out disc condition of DC items at an Eb locally? I have once, Almost every game I took up to the counter, The clerk tossed it on the ground as "defective" Ah well, thank good for Alllied Record Exchange and 2play (Prices a bit high there though.)

My gamestop uses clear packing tape as well for PS1 games, and they have no Dreamcast games, AND the farthest they go back is N64 / PS1. My other Gamestop doesn't even HAVE N64 / PS1 games, only current gen.

[spoon]

^
Yeah, all games/systems relesed before PSX/N64 were sent to one GS in the district. Usually it is the smaller stores that only carry current GEN from what I am told.

[Cobra Commander]

Hey sirgeoph....
Which store do you work at? I've only ever been to the Biloxi store a few times. It's a 2 hour drive for me. I almost cried when I first walked in. The prices were kinda high on some things, but overall, I love Game Trader. You guys seem to have evrything.
Sorry for the empty post. I just wanted to say my peace.

[sirgeoph]

I actually work in the headquarters office as the Web Site Director (I handle all internal and external programming and design), but I used to work at our Metairie store. During the holidays, though, I"m working at the Metairie and Kenner, LA stores.

I do appreciate the kind words! As I said, our prices might be a tad high, but, we also price based on the games worth, not "old game, 5 bucks" and on top of that, we give WAY more than EB or GameStop... four xbox games might fetch you 10 or 20 bucks at GameStop, whereas at GameTrader depending on the games, you might get about 50 to 65 dollars if they're all over 20+ dollars in retail value, plus, if you trade 5 or more current-gen games, you get a bonus 10 dollars in credit, 10 games'll get you 20 extra dollars.

And we feature quite possiby the best customer service. :) At least in my area... the EB and GS's feature emotionless salespeople who never greet you when you walk-in... a retail no-no.

Where do you live? We've got one in Laurel MS, which might be even further for you, but we might be opening in Jackson during 2005.

Excuse the deviation from the topic.

[izret101]

Just as an example of over priced stuff i did a search for Ogre Battle becaus i know the prices of all of them in the store i shop at.
Ogre Battle 64 Your CIB $55 Theirs sealed $45 (at the most)
Ogre Battle Limited Edition Yours CI $60 Theirs $35
Ogre Battle March of the Black Queen Yours C $40 Theirs $40

Two out of the 3 you were higher.
I don't even want to go into the NES games i get there for much less than you would charge.

Sometimes they do buy one get one half off deals too so then they are even cheaper still.
Generally they give me a better deal because i give them pricing info, have gotten them a few coustomers and i spend alot of my money there when i have it.
I guess my message is shop local first because if you get to know the guys they will generally get to know and like you.

You also need to make sure all your link on that main page are working when i checked it a few didn't.

Like i said before though you have alot more selection than some places so that is a bonus.

[jaybird]

I'm not sure EB would go to the trouble of sanding off stickers of thousands of carts. I know I've bought probably 50 used carts from them in the last month & many were in shitty condition, but none were sanded.

I even recieved a SNES cart in three pieces. :)

I'd say 50% of the used cart games are flawless, 40% have some minor damage & 10% are so bad you don't even put them in your collection.

[sirgeoph]

Just as an example of over priced stuff i did a search for Ogre Battle becaus i know the prices of all of them in the store i shop at.
Ogre Battle 64 Your CIB $55 Theirs sealed $45 (at the most)
Ogre Battle Limited Edition Yours CI $60 Theirs $35
Ogre Battle March of the Black Queen Yours C $40 Theirs $40

Two out of the 3 you were higher.
I don't even want to go into the NES games i get there for much less than you would charge.

Sometimes they do buy one get one half off deals too so then they are even cheaper still.
Generally they give me a better deal because i give them pricing info, have gotten them a few coustomers and i spend alot of my money there when i have it.
I guess my message is shop local first because if you get to know the guys they will generally get to know and like you.

You also need to make sure all your link on that main page are working when i checked it a few didn't.

Like i said before though you have alot more selection than some places so that is a bonus.

I'm not going to lie, our rare stuff is usually pretty steep...and I think a lot of our current-gen games could be cheaper, but, as you said, with those people you have connections, so they cut you deals. I'm not trying to persuade you into changing dealers. We've got sales and stuff too, but mostly in our retail stores. Unfortunately, they get all the attention, but, they've also been around for 5 years in some cases, whereas our webstore is just really getting started. Trust me, I've been talking to the owner about cheaper prices for the website than in the stores, which is what I think we'll do eventually.

As for NES games, I checked a fellow DPer's online shop and statistically, he was 5-10 dollars more expensive than us and had a much smaller selection. I'm not putting him down, just pointing out that some people value games differently than others. The fact is, if people are buying our stuff at those prices, why change 'em, ya know?

Anyways, thanks for the comment. Check back in some time and we might be better to suit your needs once we work out the kinks.

[demented-yoshi]

Sirgeoph I mean of no offence to the company you work at or anything but your prices are a joke.

A nes for example no cords games power supply or anything for 60 bucks U.S.D thats laughable i dont care how well it works I can go to any store and get the same thing for 5 bucks canadian dollars and most of the time it will work fine and if not big whoop i take it back.

Another over priced item would be the nes top loader i know its rare and all but 150 U.S.D for the system with hookups 2 controllers and mario/duckhunt and please don't tell me you think that game is rare or I'd have to slap you across the face.

Whats really sad is you could proboly get a better deal from ebay now i think thats really sad i thought people got ripped buying off that site.

I have one suggestion lower all prices on nes systems i'm not bothering to even glance at anything else on that site.

[qbertandernie]

spoon wrote:
qbertandernie wrote:
ive never bought current gen stuff online...

aussie2bs post reminded me of the gamestop that i frequent...all of the ps1 games they have have been taped together with packing tape. that sticky crap doesnt come off easily, and it nearly covers the whole case. im sure they have to deal with theft, but damn...keep the disks behind the register or something.


Which GS is that? I know we don't do it over on monroe street. How stupid and odd of them I must say. Ever check out disc condition of DC items at an Eb locally? I have once, Almost every game I took up to the counter, The clerk tossed it on the ground as "defective" Ah well, thank good for Alllied Record Exchange and 2play (Prices a bit high there though.)


the store at spring meadows(on airport)..this stuff started when Jodi became the manager. hes alright now, but was kind of a jerk at first. doesnt matter anyway, the ps1 games are away til after xmas...

[sirgeoph]

No offense taken. It's not really MY store, I just work for them, but, I don't want to leave you unanswered:

As I mentioned earlier, we've but one guy who does our pricing... he works in shifts in that he'll work on say GBA for a week or two and when he's done with that, he'll move to PSX for a few weeks and so on... Sometimes systems like the NES might have been early in his loop and are just waiting for him to come back around and reprice them.

Trust me, I know a lot of our stuff is highly priced, like the top-loader, for example, but as I mentioned, these are also our in-store prices. In a store, you have different factors: price-matching, salesmanship, and, most of all, trade-ins which can all either reduce the price, or can convince you it's worth it. :)

also as I've already mentioned, the retail stores get all of the attention. I was just recently (read: 2 days ago) speaking with the owner about special "web only" prices where our website is significantly lower than our in-store prices. I buy my games from us too, and trust me, 20 bucks for Ice Climber on the NES is hardly a deal. But those in charge of pricing (which doesn;t include me) feel that if the games are selling at thos eprices, why change them? And the fact is, they are selling -- in the stores. Top loaders never stay in stock and anything above a R3 for classic systems gets sold within 3 or 4 days of it being traded in. Granted, it could be because of the monopoly in our area that I stated earlier, but, we do well offline. And, contrary to what you might think, the webstore's picking up very well considering we only relaunched it but 2 months ago.

I hate to keep hijacking this thread, but I'd like anyone remotely interested in the store to be patient and check back often... I've been working on getting policies and prices changed over the past few weeks, but when someone's done it one way for 5 years, it's hard to get them to change, you know?

I'm a consumer just like you, as well as a collector -- I know the worth of the games we sell and while not everything is priced competitively, there are deals to be had.

If anyone has some specific sites other than eBay to point out prices considerably lower than ours, feel free to PM them to me so I can do what I can. You seriously cannot compete with an auction site. Just look at the eBay forum -- weird stuff goes for hundreds of dollars whereas amazing stuff might go for 2 dollars.

[qbertandernie]

prices on that site make me want, now more than ever, to have my own store.

[izret101]

Well the site isn't bad people just need to give it a break. After all it is a store. Your not going to be buying games for 30 bucks if thats what their worth. You will be paying 40 or more because there are employes and taxes that need to be payed.

@ Sirgeoph those prices were before any deals that i might get or they might be running at any time.

How about everyone gives the guy a break now it isn't his store he works for them. Noo need for punhcing in the face... although that toploader deal... just kidding ;)
Get your online trading back up i will make a killing trading in complete NES games to you guys :-P

[joshnickerson]

I ordered a few NES carts of EB.com. One was in pretty good shape, but the other had some serious marks on it. The third one, 8 Eyes, was missing most of the front label. :angry:
Thus continues my epic feud against EB Games.

[sirgeoph]

Well the site isn't bad people just need to give it a break. After all it is a store. Your not going to be buying games for 30 bucks if thats what their worth. You will be paying 40 or more because there are employes and taxes that need to be payed.

@ Sirgeoph those prices were before any deals that i might get or they might be running at any time.

How about everyone gives the guy a break now it isn't his store he works for them. Noo need for punhcing in the face... although that toploader deal... just kidding ;)
Get your online trading back up i will make a killing trading in complete NES games to you guys :-P

Hey, much appreciated... I wasn;t offended...just didn't want us to get a bad rep, you know? Anyways, we're going to start price matching with online stores, so if EB is cheaper, we'll match it for you... we're also going to be running daily specials identical to the ones in our stores (like on tuesdays, if you buy 40 dollars worth of n64 games, you get a free n64...we do that on all systems...some days we have a buy 2 get 1 free sale) so keep an eye out

dammit... i keep turning this thread into a commercial. that's it no more. PMs from here on out.