Fun, Profit, and Burning

Post by **Esrever** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 2:22 am

Jesus, people, it's not like people shat inside the used games' cases.

...unless you bought them at Blockbuster.

I have no problem buying a game used if the case, disk and manual are all in good shape. Actually, I'd probably even buy a game without the manual if it made a big enough difference price-wise. I guess I only care about the packaging and so on for the games I really care about... and those are games that I have to buy new anyhow because I'm getting them right when they are released.

But actually, all of the used games I've bought at EB have been in perfect condition, right down to the unbent manual and safety precautions insert. If I didn't know any better, I'd say some of them had barely been played at all! But then, they are Gamecube games...

DarkPrime · Post by **DarkPrime** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 8:06 am

My local GameStop has tons of used Genesis games for 2 bucks apiece. No box or manual tho'. But it is the easiest way for me to get my 16-bit fix without resorting to ROMs or eBay.

I don't really see a problem in buying used games. I've bought some new games that were in worse condition than some used games.

Post by **Green Gibbon!** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 12:15 pm

I've bought some new games that were in worse condition than some used games.

That depends on where you buy them. Both GameStop and EB Games still use this horribly outdated "gutting" system where at least one copy of every new game in the store is removed the case, then the case is tossed on the shelf for people to peruse. Depending on the store and management, they sometimes treat the gut copies and cases very poorly.

DarkPrime · Post by **DarkPrime** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 1:20 pm

I bought DOA3 from Toys R Us and it had a huge slice down the back of the box. I didn't notice this until I got home. They said since the game itself was not damaged, they wouldn't take it back. Something about I could've made a copy of it while I had it at home. Yeah, I could've, But I wanted a replacement copy anyway.

On the other hand, I got Shenmue 2 from GameStop used for $15. Perfect Condition, Still had the DVD movie. Just no shrink wrap.

I guess it does depend on where you buy it from.

BlazeHedgehog · Post by **BlazeHedgehog** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 1:38 pm

Usually places will replace things like that for the exact same product. I know that was the policy at Walmart/Target/K-Mart.

Spazz · Post by **Spazz** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 2:55 pm

I think Wal-Mart will take anything back regardless of where you bought it, as long as it's something that they sell.

Post by **Popcorn** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 3:18 pm

Depending on the store and management, they sometimes treat the gut copies and cases very poorly.

How can you treat a case 'very poorly', exactly, without actively doing something to it like shooting it or taking a shit on it or something? I don't know about your Gamestop, but where I work, the worst that happens to an empty game box is that people pick it up and look at it and then put it back again. Often in the wrong place, of course, but that generally has no lasting impact on its condition.

As for the discs-- in our store, we stick them in a little envelope and don't get them out again until someone wants to buy it. It's not like we store them next to radioactive landmines or something.

Sure, I've seen plenty of second-hand games in bad condition, but that doesn't necessarily make all pre-owned items anything less than spotless. There've been numerous times, for instance, when someone has bought a game and decided, without removing it from their shrinkwrap, that they don't want it anymore-- and then we've sold it on as second-hand in the very same condition you'd find it in Game or EB. I'm gonna have to jump on the 'nothing wrong with buying used games' bandwagon here.

DarkPrime · Post by **DarkPrime** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 3:29 pm

BlazeHedgehog wrote:Usually places will replace things like that for the exact same product. I know that was the policy at Walmart/Target/K-Mart.

That's what I tried doing, but they were totally against it. Guess this particular store had some type of problem in the past.

Post by **Green Gibbon!** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 3:40 pm

On the other hand, I got Shenmue 2 from GameStop used for $15. Perfect Condition, Still had the DVD movie. Just no shrink wrap.

Sometimes you can get brand spanking new merchandise sold as used. That happens when a store closes somewhere or the company buys out another smaller store. All the merchandise from those stores gets redistributed throughout the company, but due to some policy or legal issue I was never clear on, even the new items can only be sold as used. It was cool at first, but then they started deliberately damaging the cases I guess so there was no confusion or something.

How can you treat a case 'very poorly', exactly, without actively doing something to it like shooting it or taking a shit on it or something?

You can be careless with it. Discs and cases are often crammed way tighter than they should be, especially in our old undersized store where space was a constant issue. Things get knocked over, stepped on, and lately they don't even shrink wrap anymore. They just slap the price sticker (which does not come off easily) straight on the box and toss it on the shelf. You can imagine how many manuals get lost and the assorted dried substances you find on cases. When I pay $55 for a new game, I want it in new condition.

I don't have an ethical vendetta against the used market, I'm just anal. I'm like that with all my stuff. There's just something special about arriving home with a brand new, factory-sealed game, then tearing off the wrap and peeling off those stupid stickers that they attach to the top (and sometimes bottom) of the case. Even when I buy a new game and don't have time to get around to it for a while, if Spam or Phat Boy open it and play it first, it still pisses me off.

Post by **Green Gibbon!** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 3:42 pm

Incidentally, some of the interesting used merchandise that somehow passed by certain employees (and I have a good idea who they might've been), included a DC keyboard covered with stains and pubes, and some used PS2 game that had literally been peed on.

Post by **Popcorn** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 4:00 pm

Wait, is there some scientific way to discern a pube from scalphair?

Zeta · Post by **Zeta** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 4:06 pm

The Gamestop near me (the closest is an hour a way) is HORRIBLE when it comes to pricing used games. If you're lucky, you'll find a used game for $10 cheaper than it was new. Most are only $3-5 cheaper. What's the bloody point if $5 more can get you a brand spanking new copy?

Post by **Green Gibbon!** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 4:31 pm

What's the bloody point if $5 more can get you a brand spanking new copy?

That's another reason the profit margins on used merchandise are so ridiculously high. Alot of people won't even bother to look at the new stuff, they immediately rummage through the used assuming that's where they'll find the best deals.

Light Speed · Post by **Light Speed** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 4:43 pm

You would be surprised how many people want to save 5 bucks by buying a used game. I have nothing against used games, I just like my shit new. I don't care if my siblings open them and play the first, but I do like them new. When I bought the last Rainbow Six 3 new at GameStop it kind of pissed me off that it didn't come in a shrinkwrapped case. The guy offered to shrinkwrap it again, but I didn't really see a point. Still to this day that case feels weird to the touch like thousands of hands have groped my game case.

Brazillian Cara · Post by **Brazillian Cara** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 5:33 pm

Okay, since everyone here but me hates Sonic Heroes, I accept any offer of an used (but in perfect coditions) version for the GCN. Anyone?

Light Speed · Post by **Light Speed** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 11:03 pm

Heheh, this is a Sonic the Hedgehog fan site. We all bought the game played through it, bitched about and are keeping it. Simply put, we're whores.

WhoopA · Post by **WhoopA** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 11:06 pm

All except those who rented first, discovered it was shit and thus saved forty-five bucks.

Light Speed · Post by **Light Speed** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 11:08 pm

I don't even do that with games I am unsure about, much less a Sonic the hedgehog game.