Annoying new Gamestop policy?

[link1110]

I was at the local Gamestop today, looking around, and I see Metal Gear Solid 2 Substance for PS2 for $24.99. Knowing this is a good deal, I grabbed it. I bring the case to the counter, and they have the game and manual, but they start refusing to give me the box saying that it was a "display box," now I'm pretty anal about buying games of any value if they're not complete (I once turned down a $7.99 Fox Hunt because it was missing a manual,) so I complained. Eventually the lady got the manager, and told him what was going on, and he gave me the box. Has anyone else had a similar problem, or is this just the store's policy?

[Saabmeister]

Sometimes some eemployees can be dicks. I have only ever had this happen once, and that was when I tried to buy a copy of Parasite Eve.

[Milk]

I would bet on the side of "employees being dicks". Why in the world would they have a store policy against giving out boxes for new games? Even if the box you picked up WAS for display, couldn't they have just given you an unopened copy of the game instead of starting an argument with you?

[link1110]

giving out boxes for new games

It was a used game, and since its a rare one, there were no new ones, but still, I wanted the box, and have never had this problem before. They said that they wanted the box in case someone brings in a disc-only game. Isn't that what the blank boxes with the game names on them are for? (I see them all the time,) and of course, arguing with any customer is bad business.

[googlefest1]

the clerk probbaly wanted the box

[sharp]

That clerk is just really bad, something like I want to buy a second hand car and they won't give me one doors for in the case they same car without the doors. Something which makes me not coming there again.

[Kid Ice]

I had the exact same thing happen to me a couple years ago...for a $3 copy of Dreamcast Bass Fishing. I argued with the clerk about it at length. I ended up leaving the store and going to a different Gamestop...when I told the clerks what happened there they laughed.

I called the offending Gamestop and got the manager's schedule and came in when she was there. She apologized and sold me the game with the box and threw in a Midway Sports t-shirt. She said she wished she had something better to give me but that's all they had.

[Big Papa Husker]

Good job... I would have complained too. I would have also told them, after I had paid for the game, that I was never coming back to their store again and will tell your friends to do the same. What a dick employee....

[PDorr3]

the clerk probbaly wanted the box

hah I wouldent doubt it.
Hell if I saw a used rez and they refused to give me box I would put up a fight until I got it, that is so ridiculous.

[Bluteg]

I was going to get Burnout 3 at the last Buy two Get one free sale. So I took the box up too the counter and the employee opens the drawer where there are 4 boxed Burnout 3s and he hands me the ONE copy in the paper sleeve. I politely asked for one in a box and he refused saying that they "must" sell loose copies first... I walked out.

Edit. post #666 \^_^/

[Fuyukaze]

This is not a new thing for them. They simply dont like giving out display stuff. Most gamestop emps I have known think a loose copy is good enough. Want the premium extras that came with a new copy like manuels and such? To bad. Those are extras and they only hold on to one copy.

[Kuros]

Yea, you guys got some messed up clerks there. I work at a Gamestop myself, and I sell the copies that are complete first. That guy should have given you the box with it right away, since it's not hard to make another display copy. Just get a generic case, grab one of the PS2 sleeves, write the name of the game on there and put it out on the floor.

The clerk in your situation was a dick.

[Tony Montana]

I was at the local Gamestop today, looking around, and I see Metal Gear Solid 2 Substance for PS2 for $24.99. Knowing this is a good deal, I grabbed it. I bring the case to the counter, and they have the game and manual, but they start refusing to give me the box saying that it was a "display box," now I'm pretty anal about buying games of any value if they're not complete (I once turned down a $7.99 Fox Hunt because it was missing a manual,) so I complained. Eventually the lady got the manager, and told him what was going on, and he gave me the box. Has anyone else had a similar problem, or is this just the store's policy?




Yea, you guys got some messed up clerks there. I work at a Gamestop myself, and I sell the copies that are complete first. That guy should have given you the box with it right away, since it's not hard to make another display copy. Just get a generic case, grab one of the PS2 sleeves, write the name of the game on there and put it out on the floor.

The clerk in your situation was a dick.

It actually depends, if it was the actual original case with front and back and instructions then it is ridiculous that they wouldnt give it to you. However theres these generic inserts that are just copies of the original front cover of the box. Those every GameStop only has one copy of to display the games without cases better. Those you can't get nor should you because they need them to display every game that comes in without a case.


and of course, arguing with any customer is bad business


I wouldnt agree that this is an absolute. Theres just as many times that customers can be unreasonable dicks.

[Rugal]

Which gamestop in Long Island was this? I had the same problem with the one in Centereach....guy was a complete ass when i asked a question about there Resident Evil 3 which they had but he claimed they were sold out.

[Slate]

I haven't ever gone to a Gamestop, But i can imagine why the employees would want to keep the boxes.

[DCVision]

I had this problem actually (not at gamestop) but some other video game xchange place.

I was on the DC collecting binge and brought the CD case (on the wall) up to purcahse it (think it was $4.99 for whatever game).

So he puts the CD in a jewel case... and I'm like.. wait a minute... where's the case I just handed you... that's what I'm buying... that's what I want... then he ranted on about IT being a display case.. (whatever.. it's friggin used) and they couldn't let it go.

I didn't buy it and said "I only buy complete games" and walked out... screw that....

[Yago]

One thing is for sure is that I hope they don't carry these BS policies over to the EB stores. I found the people that work at EB Games stores to be way cooler. Heck, I played games for an hour after the store closed with the manager of a local EB store, he was super cool. Gamestop sucks, in my opinion.

[Damaramu]

Yeah, some fucker (who no longer works there, I may add) tried pulling the exact same shit with a used copy of Tech Romancer.

He started to tell me that he couldn't sell me case that goes with the game......so I told him to forget it, until I spied another case for Tech Romancer: the cheap ass Gamestop one with the written in title. I pointed that out to him and he agreed to sell me the COMPLETE copy of the game.

I don't know what it's like in your area guys, but the Gamestops around here tend to be a ghetto at times. None of the EB's had that feel them. *_*

[Brisco]

I also work for Gamestop and would have to agree that the employee was just being a dick to be a dick. We always give out the box & instructions(as long as we have them) to the customer purchasing the game. Why would you not? I know that a lot of our stores, EB stores and others have treated you/us as collectors pretty crappy, but not all employees at these places are like that.

[DCVision]

Yea.. it really doesn't make any sense why they would make you take the crap first and then the last person gets the goods?

Isn't it supposed to be first-come first-serve?
I get there first so I should get the best copy you have.... sucker!

[Griking]

giving out boxes for new games

It was a used game, and since its a rare one, there were no new ones, but still, I wanted the box, and have never had this problem before. They said that they wanted the box in case someone brings in a disc-only game. Isn't that what the blank boxes with the game names on them are for? (I see them all the time,) and of course, arguing with any customer is bad business.

MGS2 Substance is rare? O_O

[Saabmeister]

giving out boxes for new games

It was a used game, and since its a rare one, there were no new ones, but still, I wanted the box, and have never had this problem before. They said that they wanted the box in case someone brings in a disc-only game. Isn't that what the blank boxes with the game names on them are for? (I see them all the time,) and of course, arguing with any customer is bad business.

MGS2 Substance is rare? O_O

Not rare, just much harder to find than the regular version. Its much harder to find than the Xbox version.

[Tony Montana]

...Heck, I played games for an hour after the store closed with the manager of a local EB store, he was super cool. Gamestop sucks, in my opinion.

Yeah thats a good idea. I dont see any problem with letting random people hang out in a store when the doors are locked and all the money is being counted and product is unlocked. Well that is as long as I dont mind someone robbing the store I guess. :roll:

[Kuros]

Yea.. it really doesn't make any sense why they would make you take the crap first and then the last person gets the goods?

Isn't it supposed to be first-come first-serve?
I get there first so I should get the best copy you have.... sucker!

That's how we work at my Gamestop. First come first serve. The people who buy the last of an item either get the gut copy if it's new, or the copy that's the most messed up if it's used.

[felix]

I worked at Ebgames for a while. They kinda do the same thing, but in a different way. 1 or 2 new games get opened and their cases get put on display on the floor. If those are the last 2 copies then we have to use the cases off of the floor.. I hate doing that because 9/10 times the cases out there are pretty battered (for a "BRAND NEW" game). They get dropped, stepped on, drooled on, groped, touched in their "no no" places and generally broken on the sales floor..

BUT I always told the customers before I rung it up that the case would be off of the floor and it wouldnt be sealed anymore. Most of the time they dont have a problem with it..

[link1110]

Which gamestop in Long Island was this?

Valley Stream

[Needle]

Since I hate the age-old stereotype that "All Gamestop employees are dicks" (mostly because I am one), let me just clarify how the system is supposed to work in a well-oiled store. Hopefully it'll clear up any misconceptions about the situation.

When people trade in games to us, we don't require that they have a box or manual. If there's no manual, then obviously when we sell it, there's not going to be a manual. This happens on a daily basis and there's not really anything we can do about it. If we have multiple copies of a game and the consumer specifically asks for a manual, we can dig around and grab one from another copy. No big deal.

If there's no box, then we have to use a generic DVD case and a fake insert as a display copy. The fake insert is a graphical reproduction of the cover of the game, and most Gamestop stores get ONE COPY of this insert. If we give that insert to the customer, then we're basically screwed. If we don't have an insert, or someone has sold it by accident, we have to fall back on those cheesy hand-written inserts. No one likes those.

The easiest way to tell if a box is fake or not is to check the box of the DVD case. If it's there, then it's real. :D Inserts are always one-sided, leaving the back of the case bare. Also note that just because a fake box is on the floor, it doesn't mean we don't have complete copies available. Bt that's a whole other story entirely!

In response to the original article, I would question whether it was a real insert or not. If it was real, then chances are the employee was mixing up various store policies in relation to the ones I discussed above. If it was a fake one, then the employee was actually entitled to keep it, as it counts as Gamestop property and is not for sale.

As far as allowing customers to buy generic DVD cases, I don't really have an opinion. Most Gamestop stores have a very limited amount of generic cases and are more likely to provide a generic Gamestop-brand clear case instead, as the DVD cases are more useful in store for a variety of marketing and display tasks.

In any case, putting up a stink about anything will always get you what you want. :roll:

[googlefest1]

why are there somany games with out the cases in the first place? -- are that many people so reckless with their stuff?

most of the time when i see games with out the cases - i assume they were stolen and the people traded them in-- i have a hard time beliveing that so many people destory or loose the original packaging

at many of the game stores i vist you can open up the jewl cases or dvd cases and take the game out - thats why i assume the caseless games were stolen and traded in

and its frustrating to me when looking especialy for deamcast games -- almost every game i find is missing the original case (southern to mid CT - i travel to most of the game stores in that area and thats what i find)

[Tony Montana]

why are there somany games with out the cases in the first place? -- are that many people so reckless with their stuff?

most of the time when i see games with out the cases - i assume they were stolen and the people traded them in-- i have a hard time beliveing that so many people destory or loose the original packaging

at many of the game stores i vist you can open up the jewl cases or dvd cases and take the game out - thats why i assume the caseless games were stolen and traded in

and its frustrating to me when looking especialy for deamcast games -- almost every game i find is missing the original case (southern to mid CT - i travel to most of the game stores in that area and thats what i find)

Yes people are that reckless. They either keep them in one of those cd wallet things that just hold the cds or they are just people who dont care about them and keep them laying around anywhere.

[Needle]

why are there somany games with out the cases in the first place? -- are that many people so reckless with their stuff?

Not everyone buys games to collect. A lot of the games we take back are owned by children who lack the basic responsibility required to keep all of the basic components intact. About one in every ten games taken back is the disc only, and about one in every eight is so horribly scratched that it needs to be sent away to be resurfaced before it can be sold.


at many of the game stores i vist you can open up the jewl cases or dvd cases and take the game out - thats why i assume the caseless games were stolen and traded in

Gamestop stores (and EB as well, as do many other chains) make it a practice to always display empty boxes to reduce this kind of theft. Honestly, a lot of the stolen merchandise we receive as trades (and trust me, it happens quite a bit) is actually complete and in pristine condition. Almost all disc-only games we receive as trades are well-worn and quite used.

[googlefest1]

i understand alot fo these come from children

but i have to say that i had games as a child - all my friends did and many of my coworkers - and my firends co-workers as well -- and all of our games were kept complete and intact - and when tradeing or buying from my friends co-workers and my co-workers - most of the games are complete and in good condition as well - the only thing missing occasionaly are the instructions maps and posters and post cards - and most offten system packaging is missing (i dont expect those to be kept anyways)

recently i picked up a tandy 1000 with a ton of software - mint and complete from a friends co-worker who had it as a kid


thats where im comming from - people i know on a personal level all treated thier things carefully

sure id expect some kids to destoy thier stuff - but not that many --

thats why its shocking to me

oh and the stores i vist it are gamestops and game crazies and EBs - and most of them had and have games you can take out of the packaging

[link1110]

In response to the original article, I would question whether it was a real insert or not.

I've seen their fake inserts on PS1 games. It was definately real.

[Kamino]

kill the clerk.
use a chainsaw.

[esquire]

giving out boxes for new games

It was a used game, and since its a rare one, there were no new ones, but still, I wanted the box, and have never had this problem before. They said that they wanted the box in case someone brings in a disc-only game. Isn't that what the blank boxes with the game names on them are for? (I see them all the time,) and of course, arguing with any customer is bad business.

Am I the only one that saw their hypocrisy in this? What's the point in keeping the case "in case someone brings in a disc-only game" if they are willing to sell the same game to you without the case? x_x

Granted they may want the box for display purposes but #1 they can and do use generic cases with the name written on them, and #2 Gamestop is not in the habit of keeping empty cases as it screws up their inventory since empty cases have UPCs. Also, keeping it may imply theft of the actual game. I can't tell you how many times I've been to a Gamestop where I take the blank case to the counter and they tell me they can't find the disc, so they just the case out.

I've never had this specific problem, but I've had a somewhat similar experience with display cases in general. I have taken a display case up to the clerk and they try to give me a different copy that is scratched to all hell, missing the manual, and the case looks like someone took a dump on it and buried it in the kitty litter box. I tell the clerk that I want the pristine display copy instead and they argue with me that it has the display labels on them and they can't give it to me. I promptly tell them to either print new lables and stick them on the other copy or I won't purchase the game. This usually does the trick. No retail store is going to turn away a sale (in theory at least). :)

[fcw3]

To you Gamestop Employees:

Please tell me why it is your company's policy to toss all used GBA/GBC/GB boxes and instructions and sell only loose carts ?

FRED

[poopnes]

To you Gamestop Employees:

Please tell me why it is your company's policy to toss all used GBA/GBC/GB boxes and instructions and sell only loose carts ?

FRED

Its not--I think. My Gamestop has just a few complete GBA games and tons of loose GB/C/A games. Honestly I'm sure 99.9% of the games that come in are loose. I'm sure no kid keeps their GB boxes.

[Needle]

To you Gamestop Employees:

Please tell me why it is your company's policy to toss all used GBA/GBC/GB boxes and instructions and sell only loose carts ?

FRED

Almost every used GBA game I've ever taken in had no box or manual with it. If you want us to sell used GBA games with the box and manual, then start telling people to trade them in. Not EVERYTHING is our fault you know :) Try to remember that the GBA userbase is on average younger than most, and also that the boxes are made of cardboard, not plastic, and it's probably easy to come to the conclusion that most GBA boxes get tossed quickly by their original consumers.

When we get trades with the box and manual, we usually keep them together. I have seen cases though where the box and manual will get thrown away. This isn't really a policy, but rather I think since most games come without boxes or manuals, most employees believe this is just how it's supposed to be.

[Promophile]

To you Gamestop Employees:

Please tell me why it is your company's policy to toss all used GBA/GBC/GB boxes and instructions and sell only loose carts ?

FRED

Oh god does that piss me off bigtime. On my last trip to EBgames I found that they had thrown ALL of their GB/GBA game boxes and manuals away.

I've had gamestores refuse to give me the boxes for games as well. Infact a local gamestore called Slackers in Southern Illinois won't give you SNES / Genesis boxes when you buy games.

[Cmosfm]

Happened to me before, it was just a cheap Cool Boarders game for PS1 that I didn't have, I took it to the counter and they bagged me a disk only in one of their colorful sleeves. I said "I want the case, I don't want just the disk", he said it was a display copy, I said "nevermind than, cancel it out, I don't want it than" and just walked out.

[aaron7]

the clerk probbaly wanted the box

:bad-words: I've seen that MUCH too often.

Me: Hey can I see that NES game behind the counter?
Them: What one?
Me: xxxxxx. The one sitting right there.
Them, while standing in front of it: Oh, uh, that's not for sale.

wtf. There should be rules against that... though I'd probably do the same if a rare title came in and I worked there lol

[joshnickerson]

Honestly, a lot of the stolen merchandise we receive as trades (and trust me, it happens quite a bit) is actually complete and in pristine condition.

I've actually heard the Gamestop guys joking about that the other day. Apparently some guy keeps coming in every week trading in sealed copies of the same games. The guy asked the clerk which titles were worth a lot and the clerk made a comment about which titles he suggested the guy should "grab" next time. Apparently he hasn't come back since. LOL

But I have a suggestion... if people complain about the condition of the opened box, why not remove the game and then reseal the display box? It'll keep people from getting their sticky fingers all over it and people who end up having to take the display box will be happy the box is in good condition.

[aaron7]

I also hate when they used to carry NES, and I would find a rare title in box... with a giant super-unremovable price tag on it!!!!!!

[esquire]

To you Gamestop Employees:

Please tell me why it is your company's policy to toss all used GBA/GBC/GB boxes and instructions and sell only loose carts ?

FRED

Oh god does that piss me off bigtime. On my last trip to EBgames I found that they had thrown ALL of their GB/GBA game boxes and manuals away.

I've had gamestores refuse to give me the boxes for games as well. Infact a local gamestore called Slackers in Southern Illinois won't give you SNES / Genesis boxes when you buy games.

What's worse is that most Gamecrazy's do the same thing but with Dreamcast and Playstation games. I was told this was done to save space, but let's be honest, you can't save much space by throwing out the jewel case. To make matters even worse, this one Gamecrazy had all their Dreamcast games in sleeves, spread out like a deck of playing cards inside some gargantuan glass display case. Yeah, like they really needed the space, and they were really taking advantage of not having the jewel cases. Sheez.

[Tony Montana]

To you Gamestop Employees:

Please tell me why it is your company's policy to toss all used GBA/GBC/GB boxes and instructions and sell only loose carts ?

FRED

They are right 99% of the games come in loose, for the other 1% sometimes they are left in boxes but sometimes space doesnt allow it, they are all crammed in the little glass case.



the clerk probbaly wanted the box



I've seen that MUCH too often.

Me: Hey can I see that NES game behind the counter?
Them: What one?
Me: xxxxxx. The one sitting right there.
Them, while standing in front of it: Oh, uh, that's not for sale.

wtf. There should be rules against that... though I'd probably do the same if a rare title came in and I worked there lol

Yeah you would definitely do the same thing, they should just run it to the backroom though so its not on the floor.

[smork]

...And while we are whining about Gamestop:

1) Why is it that a used game is the exact same price, whether it is pristine and complete or disc only and beat up? Shouldn't there be a pricing variation like most used CD stores have and game stores in Japan have? Sorry, but a beat-up, disc only Ogre Battle isn't worth $30 to me, but a nice complete one is, yet GS sells both at the same price (assuming you can find one, that is). A more reasonable idea would be $x.xx for a complete/good condition game, 10% off for a complete/OK game, 20% off for a disc only/good game, 30% off for disc only/OK. And they should NEVER sell heavily scratched games w/o resurfacing! So many times I've brought a game to the counter, checked the disc, and found it totally unacceptable. I don't need pristine by any means, but it sure would be nice to buy a game in decent condition, not just playable condition.

2) I really don't like the "new" games with the disc removed for security. I understand they need to protect inventory from shoplifters, but if I pay for new I want new new. Would it be too difficult to take a generic DVD case, photocopied instructions, and display that, keeping the sealed copies locked up? For a big title like a Halo it doesn't matter but for the games that it's difficult to get new it's a big deal. Case in point: the other day I went to a GS and saw G1 Jockey 3 -- they had a 'new' and a used copy. The used looked OK, btu I figured i'd spring the extra $5 for the new. Well, it was a 'new' one removed from the box, and lo an behold, when it was removed it was badly scratched -- looking far worse than the used one. I got the used one instead, but some poor schmoe is going to have to pay an extra $5 over used price to get a badly scratched new version. That ain't right.

Now I realize no game stores will be perfect, especially in a large chain like GS, but cmon. Throw us gamers a bone here!

-Sm

[poopnes]

Would it be too difficult to take a generic DVD case, photocopied instructions, and display that, keeping the sealed copies locked up?

Wouldn't that be illegal since the artwork (etc) is copyrighted?

[SoulBlazer]

Right. You can't photocopy the cover or the instructions without permission. As I've said in another thread, my Mom used to manage a video store. When she started to rent NES games, she would photocopy the instructions to include with the game until she got a cease and desist order. After that she bought some of those 'one sheet instructions'.

[poopnes]

If this bothers people so much why don't you just buy your games form Walmart, Target, Best Buy or any other place where they don't open up their games?

[FurinkanianFrood]

I have had the very same thing happen to me repeatedly. I have also had games that were sold as new turn out to be obviously used when opened.

Most stores these days keep very poor stock IMO and often I can only find a couple used copy of a particular game anywhere offline.

It varies by store of course. In some stores such practices are the usual policy on account of the manager. I'm pretty sure ome bad practices were actual corporate policy at EB, but with Gamestop it seems to depend on individual employees. Some EB stores seemed to deviate and actually not rip people off, but corporate seemed intent on encouraging what sometimes amounted to fraud (i.e. used as 100% new).

Perhaps the store managers are desperate to get rid of the screwed up copies sometimes?

Display copies I can deal with if they aren't stupidly mangled by idiots, incomplete optical disc games is another thing entirely.

I consider it bad policy to accept those games without the original case (with insert of course) and manual.

What is up with kids these days? Are they so damn lazy that they leave the discs lying about where they will be severely damaged when the case is right there? Do they think cases and inserts are gourmet snacks? Are these games really meant for kids who think they are food?

If games need resurfacing, they are too beat up to accept as trade-ins.

The bad, occasional customers like that may seem important to the bottom line, but a lot of folks I know refuse to buy anything in Gamestop whatsover because they get burned so damn often.

There are OK Gamestops mind you, just not nearly enough of them. Needs consistency.



Why is it that a used game is the exact same price, whether it is pristine and complete or disc only and beat up?


You ain't kiddin. And what's up with used copies of certain PS Greatest Hits selling for $40 in some of the stores. [/quote]

[GrayFox]

Damn. If we priced different condition discs, for different games, we'd literally be in hell. It would be ridiculously time consuming to be looking at a bunch of games/boxes, and trying to decide with your manager what 'condition' this is, and then we'd need seperate sku's for each of the conditions, and it'd just be ridiculous. No fun.

Also, Gamestop's policy on GB boxes and manuals is just, throw'em away. Luckly, we can save them if this happens, but I haven't seen a GB(A) box/manual in awhile at the stores I have been at.

[smork]

Would it be too difficult to take a generic DVD case, photocopied instructions, and display that, keeping the sealed copies locked up?

Wouldn't that be illegal since the artwork (etc) is copyrighted?

Probably so, but I have seen it at seemingly more than half the GS I have been to. Usually it's just that single sheet of the front cover. Just yesterday I popped my head in one, saw a PS2 Marvel vs. Capcom 2, thought, "Hmm, haven't seen that one in a while," looked at it, and it had a photocopied or printed jpg for a cover. Maybe they weren't selling it like that, but it was sure displayed with a copied cover.

The problem with going to Target/Best Buy etc is that they don't carry much beyond the most popular games, so if you want something a bit off-center you are out of luck. So, unless Fry's has something (and many times they do) it's GS/EB/Game Crazy...

[Promophile]

Actually i was in a GS the other day and noticed some strange pieces of paper with PS1 game covers printed on them sitting next to the counter. Asked my friend who works there and turns out they actually get copies of the covers of the majority of PS1 games for use in displays when they get a game without the manual / cover. Musta been like 800 different ones, they really DO have copies of just about all the PS1 game covers. Would love to nab the stack of em :embarrassed: . Whats awesome is that they were all longbox size with really good print quality.

[euronymous]

the clerk probbaly wanted the box

I agree. I've had this done to me tons of times always arguing and complaining to clerks. I've always wound up getting them. The funny thing is don't they have empty case and they put peices of paper in them and write what game it is. Man I hate Gamestop

[Tony Montana]

Would it be too difficult to take a generic DVD case, photocopied instructions, and display that, keeping the sealed copies locked up?

Wouldn't that be illegal since the artwork (etc) is copyrighted?

Probably so, but I have seen it at seemingly more than half the GS I have been to. Usually it's just that single sheet of the front cover. Just yesterday I popped my head in one, saw a PS2 Marvel vs. Capcom 2, thought, "Hmm, haven't seen that one in a while," looked at it, and it had a photocopied or printed jpg for a cover. Maybe they weren't selling it like that, but it was sure displayed with a copied cover.

The problem with going to Target/Best Buy etc is that they don't carry much beyond the most popular games, so if you want something a bit off-center you are out of luck. So, unless Fry's has something (and many times they do) it's GS/EB/Game Crazy...


Actually i was in a GS the other day and noticed some strange pieces of paper with PS1 game covers printed on them sitting next to the counter. Asked my friend who works there and turns out they actually get copies of the covers of the majority of PS1 games for use in displays when they get a game without the manual / cover. Musta been like 800 different ones, they really DO have copies of just about all the PS1 game covers. Would love to nab the stack of em . Whats awesome is that they were all longbox size with really good print quality.

You guys should probably read the entire thread before posting cause this was already explained. GameStops do have fake covers for most games, to display disc-only games, however I've never seen longbox size covers, the longbox games I've seen all had their covers shrunk to jewel case size.