EBgames insurance

[Falcon]

I've been trying to find out some more info about insurance for games that you buy from EBgames. As you all know, you pay a few dollars, and you get insurance on a game for about a year which means you can give it back at anytime and get a brand new one. Now I am trying to buy games online from EB and I would like to know if I can still get insurance when buying online?

[Joker T]

I am not sure if you can do it online when ordering you may have an option too....

[Darren870]

Call the hotline, I dont know they dont tell us much about online sales.

(I am an employee)

[Cmosfm]

I'm sure they don't, I order a lot of used games from EBGames.com and if they did, I'm sure they'd be whoring it out at the checkout page.

[Dangerboy]

If they don't, you can just bring the games into any EB Games store within the 14 days of getting them in the mail. Just show your invoice as your receipt and they'll re-ring it up with the warranty on there for you (you'd just pay for the warranty). If they don't they're idiots.

We do it all the time. Heck I've personally replaced about 30 customer CDs with the warranty on new ones, and of those, it's almost always a GTA:SA of Madden 05/06.

The warranty basically covers anything so long as the disc is one piece with no cracks or breaks.

Jason

[Falcon]

So the insurance could work to my advantage... lets say...

I buy a copy of Gran Turismo 4 with insurance (About $4 extra). I play the game for one year, enjoy it, and then bring it back for a sealed copy since I still have my insurance. Now I have a brand new copy, and I played through the game in the past so its a win-win situation :D

[Masco73]

My guess is they won't have a sealed copy in a year, they will give you a used copy if they have one that works. I wonder if they refund your money if they don't have a copy to replace it with??

[Darren870]

At my store (providence) we open the copy we are going to swap out and just switch the discs. You get to keep the case and instructions you had with it. It is a new one though.

If we dont have the game in the store...we just let you pick a differen't game.

[Griking]

I bet the reason that they don't sell the plans on the website is due to the fact that insurance and warranty laws are different in every state. Otherwise you're right, they'd be pushing them on every sale.

[Dangerboy]

My guess is they won't have a sealed copy in a year, they will give you a used copy if they have one that works. I wonder if they refund your money if they don't have a copy to replace it with??

1. We replace it with what you bought: New for new, and used for used. Your guesses are wrong.

If we don't have a copy of the game in stock, we check other stores for the customer, or we just let them grab something else.

Jason

[googlefest1]

do the employees in store have to give you the whole shpeil

this weekend i purchased some games at an eb and the sales clerk kept going with the insurance shpeil no matter how many times i said no

[Numsay]

Funny story, and no kidding around, this happened to me recently at EB while purchasing Super Mario Cart for the SNES during the 50% of sale.

Me: Hello, just this for me today (1 SMC, $12 regular price $6 after the 50% off)

Clerk: OK I'll go ahead and add a gameplay guarantee to that for you and that will be $7.45

Me: What's that, a game play guarantee?

Clerk: Ya, it's only a dollar and protects your game for a year.

Me: Oh, no thank you I'll pass on that

Clerk: Are you sure? If anything goes wrong with this for a year we will replace it.

Me: No thanks I'll just take the game today.

Manager standing behind the counter: Dude, that game is like $2 just get the game play guarantee, it's a good deal.

Me: Well, it's more like $6 but...

Manager: You know that has batteries in it right? Those are going to die.

Me: this has batteries in it? Are you sure? (I honestly have no idea)

Manager: Heck ya, all those old games do. You need to get that game play grantee because they will die.

Me: Well I think I'll take my chances. I'll just take the game.

Manger: Your making a big mistake those batteries will die.

Me: Looks a clerk and give her the I'm ready to go nod.

Clerk: So, did you want that game play guarantee then?

Me: No thanks just the game.

Clerk: Rolls eyes, $6.39

Me: Thanks

Clerk, Manager: Silence

I know these folks get this stuff pushed on them and I feel for them, but good grief that was extreme. I haven't been back since.
So do all carts have batteries? Even if they do what are the chances they will go out in the year I buy it.


Numsay

[Vectorman0]

Not all carts have batteries, just ones with a built in save function. The battery stores the save for as long as it lasts. A good example is to look at the clear GBC carts. You can easily identify the battery if there is one in that cart.

[Darren870]

I work in the #5 store in the US when it comes to sales and we dont even have time to keep a customer for that long.

Honestly thats so stupid, I push it and if I get a no...then its a no.

The only time ill push it for longer is if they are getting something that comes with an item. EX Mario Party 6 with Microphone. Because it covers the Microphone to.

You should of slapped the two in the face.

I was under the impression only carts that gives you the option to save has a battery. I know thats for the NES, not sure about SNES though. So dont quote me on that.

[SoulBlazer]

Hey Darren, did you say you work in the Providence EB? As in, the one in the Providence Place Mall?

And yet your profile says you live in New York. X_x

If you DO work in the Providence Place Mall -- I never knew that store was number 5 in sales in the country, but I believe it! Every time I'm in the mall (normaly for Dave and Busters or to see a movie or to eat with a friend) and pass by that store it's PACKED. And this is a SMALL location also, folks. My apartment has more square feet then this store does. :eek 2:

That's why I usually shop at the Rhode Island Mall and Warwick Mall locations. Easier to find what you want and to get in and out of. :D

But if you're still at that location you have my respect. :P

[izret101]

That was pretty stupid that they would force the point on you that much.
Especially for the manager to then try and talk you into it when the other one couldn't.

nd your right the chance that the battery in the cart will die(assuming it has one) will definately not die in the year you get it.
Those things last forever.... well not forever but really long.

[Darren870]

Soulblazer -

I go to school in RI, so I work in that store. I worked there all school year last year and just got my job back again. I started 3 years ago in CT store and then went to the Providence store during my sophmore year of school. Im now in my Junior year and start working again this sat or sunday. I'm the guy with the piercings, if you ever stop in.

It was #5 last may. Who knows now. Im sure its still around there.

[googlefest1]

the batteries are easy to replace anyways - and they are cheap - ive replaced a bunch with out problems

and no the batts dont last forever -- i have many carts with dead batteries -- well many in my book -- like 10 out of almost 1300 -- and thats not includeing sports, since i dont care if you can save or not.

[kevincure]

Put it this way - they push the GPG because they make money on it. It's essentially insurance with a very high risk markup. Is there any reason to pool risk on faulty SNES games at a really high price? Of course not.

[Darren870]

They would of only made .20 cents on it. I doubt they were pushing it for that reason.

My guess, they were behind on goal for that time of the day if it was at night, the end of the day. That would make a lot more sense.

[josekortez]

Both the manager and the associate in the Mario Kart story sound like f****** a******s to me. I once avoided a certain EB for 3 months because they would secretly add gameplay guarantees without asking me.

[evg2000]

So the battery dies in the cart because the cart is x years old, I'm guessing the replacement will be x years old also, so chances are it's battery will be dead, or will die soon also.

later,
Charles

[MrSmiley381]

Y'know, I sent my dad to pick up Guilty Gear X2 for me a while back, and the price seemed to be a dollar extra.

I'm looking at you, lousy service plan from EB.

It's a generally good EB though, and they gave me Castlevania Adventure 1 and 2 boxes and manuals for free, so I won't complain.

But just this once. Next time, I will go Spaltterhouse on them.

Preferably Splatterhouse 3, since that would allow for more EB Enemies on screen at once.

...

Do I smell a romhack idea?

[Diatribal Deity]

Put it this way - they push the GPG because they make money on it. It's essentially insurance with a very high risk markup. Is there any reason to pool risk on faulty SNES games at a really high price? Of course not.

More like the manager has been threatened by his district manager to make his goal or he will be unemployed.

Providence Place - home of "STEVE" and to some extent "Gary". Are they still around?

[Mr.FoodMonster]

Because it seems to be a good place to ask, do either EB or Gamestop have pre-sale bonuses or anything? Like, if I go in there and make a pre-order, does the guy get some kind of bonus? I'm thinking of pre-ordering a few games that are coming out this month, and I'd rather go someplace that the clerk will atleast get something out of the deal.

[NE146]

hah I was just at EB tonight and saw R-Type DX for the Gameboy.. it was $3.99. I asked to see it, popped it in my SP (which is always on hand) and decided to get it.

I gave the the chick there my $5 bill (we were the only two in the store) when she started telling me about the insurance.. so I held up the cart to her and just gave her a "do you really think I need insurance for a friggin $3.99 used gameboy cart?" kind of bemused look.

She cut herself short and said.. "eh..allright never mind". LOL

[Darren870]

Providence Place - home of "STEVE" and to some extent "Gary". Are they still around?

Yep, I work under both of them. Steve is my Manager. The best manager I've worked under. And I've worked under quite a few for that company.


Because it seems to be a good place to ask, do either EB or Gamestop have pre-sale bonuses or anything? Like, if I go in there and make a pre-order, does the guy get some kind of bonus? I'm thinking of pre-ordering a few games that are coming out this month, and I'd rather go someplace that the clerk will atleast get something out of the deal.

No...Just #'s no sort of bonus.



PostPosted: Tue Sep 06, 2005 10:44 pm Post subject:
hah I was just at EB tonight and saw R-Type DX for the Gameboy.. it was $3.99. I asked to see it, popped it in my SP (which is always on hand) and decided to get it.

I gave the the chick there my $5 bill (we were the only two in the store) when she started telling me about the insurance.. so I held up the cart to her and just gave her a "do you really think I need insurance for a friggin $3.99 used gameboy cart?" kind of bemused look.

She cut herself short and said.. "eh..allright never mind".

You would be surpirsed how many I sell on items < $10.00

[nik]

If I was the casual gamer who didn't take care of my items I'd take it... but I have no use for that insurence really.

Its weird when they push it on the old games.

One guy told me to get it for a 5.99 longbox PSX game, since it was "rare" and it would make it so if I damaged it I would get a new one.

So I told him if I break it, I'll come to him to purchase a new one, at full price.

I don't like it since they offer it again and again, but its their job, no big deal, I just let them do their thing, as they have to since EBgames doesn't care about their employee's as much as #'s, why make the guy/girls day that much harder by arguing with them.

What annoys me is when they repeat themselves 5 times, or argue and push me to get it for 15 minutes, and that is always a manager. I don't mind telling him I'll go elsewhere to avoid the 15 minute argument.

[Falcon]

hah I was just at EB tonight and saw R-Type DX for the Gameboy.. it was $3.99. I asked to see it, popped it in my SP (which is always on hand) and decided to get it.

I gave the the chick there my $5 bill (we were the only two in the store) when she started telling me about the insurance.. so I held up the cart to her and just gave her a "do you really think I need insurance for a friggin $3.99 used gameboy cart?" kind of bemused look.

She cut herself short and said.. "eh..allright never mind". LOL

Thats how it should be. They should ask you once, and if you say No, dont bother you again or else it gets irritating, and they will end up losing money from you along with others.

Theres nothing worse than a push salesperson to me... makes me want to look at them straight in the eyes, pretend that im listening, not respond, and just walk out of the store casually. :)

[Darren870]

Thats how it is in all the stores i've worked at. They must of been REALLY behind on numbers..

[NE146]

You would be surpirsed how many I sell on items < $10.00

I am surprised. O_O

Personally, I'll take the potential loss on the 3 bucks LOL

[rpepper9]

I know that if you buy a system at the store the insurance sucks. It cost you about 9.00 on a Gamecube, and that is only for 6 months.

Here is a little known fact:If you have a CompUSA in your area they will sell you a plan on any item they carry, even if you didn't get it at that store. They have 2 year plans, so you can bring in your Cube, let them scan the serial on the bottom and then abuse it for up to 2 years.

I purchased a used Cube at EBGames, got the CompUSA plan, and then used the plan to get a brand new Cube. All you have to do is wait the 60 or 90 days or whatever it is to use the plan. I don't know what the exact time frame is but is is something like that.

Pretty good idea, try it out sometime!

[CrimsonNugget]

Man, I'll have to double check my receipts now after I buy something. I had no idea they'd be so nasty as to sneak a guarantee on there without asking.

[Neil Koch]

I could see the "insurance" as being useful if you're buying new games for a little kid or something like that.

But I was in EB a couple of weeks ago buying cheap PS1 games (the games were between $1-4), and I almost lost it between the pimping of the insurance and the club. All the extra stuff would literally doubled what I was paying for the games.

Probably the only reason I didn't is because I worked in retail for many years and we had to do stupid shit like that (pimping store credit cards) as well.

[Darren870]

Well the 10% card off used games card is so worth it. I dont care who you are. Its only $5 and you get 10% all used games for a year.

I mean come on...its common sense.

Who shops at eb and doesn't buy over $50 in used games in a year??

[dendawg]

IMHO, if the counter person tried to keep pushing the insurance after I said no once or twice, I would've looked around the store, then ask them if this was EB Games or Best Buy. That oughta shut 'em right up. LOL

BTW Darren870 is right...the discount card is a good deal.

[Neil Koch]

Well the 10% card off used games card is so worth it. I dont care who you are. Its only $5 and you get 10% all used games for a year.

I mean come on...its common sense.

Who shops at eb and doesn't buy over $50 in used games in a year??

I don't shop there that much -- part of the reason is because of the pushing of the discount cards/insurance/subscriptions, etc.

I usually get games at Target, because at least they don't pester you every five seconds (I'm looking at you, Best Buy :angry:) or try to add on additional crap at the register.

[starchildskiss78]

That's why I like the EB Games by my house. They will ask you about the insurance but won't force it on you. The manager there is a great guy and one of his top employees is awesome. I DID buy the guarantee for Donkey Konga (because it covered the bongos too) but usually I'll politely tell them no. I take care of my games and it is rare that I have a disc that is totally fucked up (unless It's one I bought from one of these game places. I've been burned by that before.)

[Daria]

Come to think of it. Eb's never asked me about insurance. Just discount cards- which I already have.

[Darren870]

If you simply say no, they should stop...

I've worked with over 40 people in 3 diff stores and never have heard someone trying to push it after the first no, unless of course it covers a piece of hardware.

Appears Ill be working in the Middletown and Providence stores for all you RI folks.

[izret101]

Sorry to drudge up a few day old topic but i was in EB that is kinda around where i live.
Cashier: I know the game is only 4 bucks but do you want to get insurance. Its only a buck and makes me look good.
Me: No thanks
Cashier: Are you sure?
Me: Yea and don't try and push it on me. All you guys across the US are pushing this on customers already. And besides i live in Springfield so it is even less worth it for me. (Cashier makes aggrivated face) No offense but i don't need it.
Cashier: Fine have a nice day.

If the place wasn't a 30ish minute drive away maybe i would have got it.

The game was Crazy Taxi for DC.
I can get it resurfaced for less than 1/4th the cost of driving back out there.

[Darren870]

He shouldn't of said "it makes me look good", but you really didn't have to go on about the pushing thing. You really could of just said "No thanks, not interested"

[CocoVG]

Who shops at eb and doesn't buy over $50 in used games in a year??

Definitely me.

I live in Canada - EB's here charge $5 less than full retail on just about every used game in the store, regardless of it's age/actual worth. Now I know (from trading in games in the past) that they certainly don't give that much to the hapless people trading in those games, so I consider that whole process to be fairly criminal. Sure, it's where they make a large portion of their money, but they make it off the backs of those that don't know any better, and it's pretty shameful.

If I'm buying from an EB, I'm buying new. Either a pre-order of a piece of system hardware/game with bonus item that I'm after, or when they're running deals. (Such as the instant $10 off promotion running this month on a selection of 3 GBA and 3 DS games.) A variety of EB's that I've been to across the country have sold re-wrapped "new" games to me too. I understand that it's store policy to allow employees to take home new games for a certain length of time and bring them back, and they're still sold as new upon their return. Nothing irks me more than buying a GBA game, getting home to open it, and finding savegames in the save slots. Actually, what irks me more is going back to the store and getting a baldfaced lie about how the game was new.

So I use a certain amount of caution when using EB at all, but I'd certainly never support their used game empire. I'd rather hit some flea markets and find vendors that not only charge fair prices and dicker around with deals, but they need and appreciate the money more. (There's something quite nice about supporting the "little guy" - especially the ones that will go the extra mile to find titles you'd like.)

However, all that being said - the discount card IS a good deal if you decide to partake in the used games, because $5 for 10% off all year is nothing. Heck, you'll probably save that $5 the very first time you use it.

[Darren870]

Everything you said ... for the US stores is pretty much all false.


I live in Canada - EB's here charge $5 less than full retail on just about every used game in the store, regardless of it's age/actual worth.

Yea...sometimes, but not all. However with the card its $10 off. And then you look for the buy two get one free deals, and you are saving, a lot of money. The prices are pretty fair when it comes to age and worth. Only thing I find is there "rare" games can be too expensive.



Now I know (from trading in games in the past) that they certainly don't give that much to the hapless people trading in those games, so I consider that whole process to be fairly criminal

90% of the people trade in games they never want to play anymore. Once again shop for deals. This month its trade in any 5 prequalifying games and get an extra $25. I had a 12 year old come in yesterday and he thought he was getting $50..max. Well after all the promotions he got $98 bucks. Sure some times it a rip off and I tell these kids they are getting ripped off but they don't care because they arn't going to play the games ever again.

The other 10% just needs the cash or winds up keeping some of there games.



A variety of EB's that I've been to across the country have sold re-wrapped "new" games to me too. I understand that it's store policy to allow employees to take home new games for a certain length of time and bring them back, and they're still sold as new upon their return.

Employees arn't allowed to bring home there games any more, that ended about 1 1/2 years ago...

Re-wrapps are done for a lot of reasons. I can't say what because im sure the re-wrapp policy has changed, as I havn't worked in a store with a re-wrapp machine in 2 years. Some were for returns, other stuff was for used merchandise, sometimes home office sent us the stuff. If you get a re-wrapp simply ASK for something thats not ...


...

[FantasiaWHT]

What Darren said ;)

I ask once but I'm constantly working on my phrasing to get the best effect. If they say no I let it go except in a few circumstances

1- If it comes with an accessory or more than 1 disc
2- If it's a game I know will get played a ton, or kept a long time (since half the time people don't want it because they won't keep a game a year)
3- If it's a PS2 game :P About 50% of the time when I show people how badly a PS2 can scratch up a disc by itself, they buy the insurance.

Really if you think about it, worst case scenario is you've spent an extra $1, $2, or $3 to have a brand new game in a year's time. Any time I buy the insurance myself (games or systems) I always cash it in at the end of the year, whether or not it has actually broken.

[CocoVG]

@Darren: *sigh*

Just another reason I'd love to be closer to the U.S. - it's not the first time that promotions between EB in the U.S. and Canada have been vastly different. For the most part here, I'd consider EB a joke - but it's not as if EB has major competition in the form of GameStop (well, not anymore for you either) and other game retailers. Just the usual Wal-Mart and whatnot.

Thanks for mentioning that though, it's good to know only EB Canada bites the big one.

[SoulBlazer]

PS2's can scratch up a disc? :hmm:

I've had mine since early 2002, played over 200 games on it, NEVER seen that happen once.

Still not enough to convience me to buy the insurance since I take pristine care of my stuff. :)

[Darren870]

PS2's can scratch up a disc?

It happens, a lot. Usually due to just poor placement of disc in tray or something a long those lines. Ive seen a lot of cds with circular scratches..

[Cmosfm]

He shouldn't of said "it makes me look good", but you really didn't have to go on about the pushing thing. You really could of just said "No thanks, not interested"

Yeah, I agree.

You know, the thing is, when we have topics like this...it kinda gives certain people that extra incentive to be a complete asshole to EB employees simply doing their job.

Say no and be civil about it, don't be a fucktard.

[izret101]

He shouldn't of said "it makes me look good", but you really didn't have to go on about the pushing thing. You really could of just said "No thanks, not interested"

Yeah, I agree.

You know, the thing is, when we have topics like this...it kinda gives certain people that extra incentive to be a complete asshole to EB employees simply doing their job.

Say no and be civil about it, don't be a fucktard.

I wasn't a fucktard but at the same time i wasn't going to give him a chance to use the breath he had just inhaled to ask me to get it.

I was nice to the guy i didn't yell at him didn't bitch at him.
I was probably the nicest guy he delt with all day. Well mayeb not but i definately wasn't a dick with the guy. I would say i was rather patient with him after waiting for him to stock shelves while the other guy dealt with the people i mention below.

I was in the store for 10 minutes and they had to stop one guy from lifting a game and almost caled mall security on 3 others for screaming obsceneties about overpriced games.

Everyone else who came in just played the demos.

I know there are people from Mass but i don't know if anyone is near Holyoke. If anyone is they will be able to agree that it isn't exactly the greatest place to be.

[hex65000]

Just to clear up the whole thing about batteries and saves on NES/SNES/Genesis/some N-64/etc carts:

Some games where you want to be able to save data use a lithium battery as a 'keep alive' for a ram chip on the cart. They have a really good shelf-life and last quite a long time.

As noted, the batteries can and will eventually fail. It will happen and if you liked that game, you won't be happy when it does happen. Because all of your saved data has left this Earth.

The good news is that NEW batteries can be purchased that are not as old as the cart and are quite new. Lithium cells are used in many applications. So battery manufacturers are continuing to produce tens of thousands of compatable batteries every day. :D The trick becomes getting the cartridge apart and soldering on a new battery. It's a pretty simple job. The only hard parts are getting the tools, making sure you buy the right part (IE: getting the right mechanical form factor) , and being careful to not overtemp the battery too badly when you solder on a replacement. A good source for cheap batteries are old Genesis sports games. They are used mind you, so their lifespan has already been reduced by default.

You know, I actually have one game that won't save, and it's not the battery. I suspect it's the RAM chip and getting a replacement doesn't seem likely. Heck, I can't even find a data sheet for it. It's of course, pretty desirable too; Chrono Trigger for SNES. :P

The other method is flash ram (EEPROMS). These don't require any power to keep them alive, but you have a limited number of erases and writes before you start to experience data corruption. It's a pretty big number thankfully. This is the same technology your memory cards for the PSx and any other similar card are based on. The early flash rams weren't so hot. Now you can get parts that specify an average of a million writes or better before corruption is even a concern -- and may not happen until much later.

Hope that helps.

Hex.
[ A gusher of useless knowlege that just backed up your drainpipe . . . ]

[Diatribal Deity]

Game insurance/Replacement policies = close to 100% profit for companies

Trade in newer game: $20-30 credit
Store turns around re-sells game: $40-45 (20-25 profit)

Store sells new game: $50 ($5-8 profit)

Most companies have an actual average trade in value for games within a range - this is for all games if you were to add up everything they take in for a year and come up with an average price. This figure will be between $4-10 (this includes systems and games).

Average sale price for used games using this approach is probably between $15-25 but probably more.

This represents a profit of between 50-100% as opposed to 4-8% for new games. Then add the insurance/PRP or whatever you call it and you see why they don't want you walking out the door without it.

If that game gets traded in again and resold and so on and so forth the profit on that one game is astronomical. This is why they can give you the discount and give you additional trade-in value. They make a killing regardless.

EB Games was a company that had serious cash in the bank. In fact when Funco went bankrupt originally, EB was in the courtroom with a blank check with the buyout sparkle in their eye. The judge ruled it would have been a monopoly at that time and did not allow it. Times have changed (with Walmart, Target, etc..)obviously. It is speculated that they sold the company because their senior executives wanted to cash in on their stock options and make a killing, which they have if you look at the reports (they are public).

So understand when you walk into one of these stores the average consumer will take it from behind. Just be sure to take advantage like was said earlier of any deals and promotions and you will feel less sore.

JOE I HOPE YOUR READING THIS! LOL

[Darren870]

You think EB is the only store that does that??, every mom and pop store does that too. You can't say they don't, and unless the person knows what there doing they are ripping you off with prices too.

The insurance, really isn't 100% profit at all. You forget to factor in the most important factor...Shipping. Plus other times and fees just to return the game to the warehouse to be resurfaced then sent back to a store. None of thats free.