Retro game prices too high on eBay?Gamestop thinks otherwise

[ATARI800XLfan]

You didn't really respond to a single point that I made, so I'll only respond to one of yours: only an impatient fool pays $60 for a new game.

Uhh what? You said that all those items that I pointed out that are sold used no longer has a market and/or all their stores have shut down. I pointed out that's not true.

You also said the comic book market is all but dead, which I then proceded to point out is wrong.

And finally, you're whole point to begin with was that by buying used, we're hurting the industry, which I fail to see and explained why I fail to see this.

Are you having a problem following the conversation?

No he is not. It is obvious you just are settled in your opinion and will not except any one Else's opinion on the matter and believe your opinion is fact.

[sabrage]

You didn't really respond to a single point that I made, so I'll only respond to one of yours: only an impatient fool pays $60 for a new game.

Uhh what? You said that all those items that I pointed out that are sold used no longer has a market and/or all their stores have shut down. I pointed out that's not true.

You also said the comic book market is all but dead, which I then proceded to point out is wrong.

And finally, you're whole point to begin with was that by buying used, we're hurting the industry, which I fail to see and explained why I fail to see this.

Are you having a problem following the conversation?

No he is not. It is obvious you just are settled in your opinion and will not except any one Else's opinion on the matter and believe your opinion is fact.

I gave well-reasoned arguments for why media as a whole is on the decline; you fed me some anecdote about what you saw at the thrift store the other day. I never argued that the used market wasn't there, I argued that it was detrimental to each of these industries. If there wasn't a used market, we wouldn't be having this argument. I can't believe I even need to say that. If you're going trying to tell me that the fact that Gamestop dedicates a bigger section to Used games than it does for New ones (why do you think they sell so few PC games these days?) isn't detrimental to the developers who make the games we love then I'm just going to end this conversation now, because there's no point. But nobody would argue that, because such a fundamental gap between reality and one's perceived notions of reality couldn't exist. You'll notice that, while gaming saw its biggest year ever last year, we're still seeing casualties like Cave, Hudson and THQ - now why do you think that is?

DC has already culled several of its New 52 series, so clearly not all of them are "flying off the shelves" as you put it.

[ATARI800XLfan]

You didn't really respond to a single point that I made, so I'll only respond to one of yours: only an impatient fool pays $60 for a new game.

Uhh what? You said that all those items that I pointed out that are sold used no longer has a market and/or all their stores have shut down. I pointed out that's not true.

You also said the comic book market is all but dead, which I then proceded to point out is wrong.

And finally, you're whole point to begin with was that by buying used, we're hurting the industry, which I fail to see and explained why I fail to see this.

Are you having a problem following the conversation?

No he is not. It is obvious you just are settled in your opinion and will not except any one Else's opinion on the matter and believe your opinion is fact.

I gave well-reasoned arguments for why media as a whole is on the decline; you fed me some anecdote about what you saw at the thrift store the other day. I never argued that the used market wasn't there, I argued that it was detrimental to each of these industries. If there wasn't a used market, we wouldn't be having this argument. I can't believe I even need to say that. If you're going trying to tell me that the fact that Gamestop dedicates a bigger section to Used games than it does for New ones (why do you think they sell so few PC games these days?) isn't detrimental to the developers who make the games we love then I'm just going to end this conversation now, because there's no point. But nobody would argue that, because such a fundamental gap between reality and one's perceived notions of reality couldn't exist. You'll notice that, while gaming saw its biggest year ever last year, we're still seeing casualties like Cave, Hudson and THQ - now why do you think that is?

DC has already culled several of its New 52 series, so clearly not all of them are "flying off the shelves" as you put it.

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exactly, nice to see there are some people on this site that think things through before they type things down.

[BurningDoom]

You didn't really respond to a single point that I made, so I'll only respond to one of yours: only an impatient fool pays $60 for a new game.

Uhh what? You said that all those items that I pointed out that are sold used no longer has a market and/or all their stores have shut down. I pointed out that's not true.

You also said the comic book market is all but dead, which I then proceded to point out is wrong.

And finally, you're whole point to begin with was that by buying used, we're hurting the industry, which I fail to see and explained why I fail to see this.

Are you having a problem following the conversation?

No he is not. It is obvious you just are settled in your opinion and will not except any one Else's opinion on the matter and believe your opinion is fact.

What?! Seriously, is anyone following this coversation? He said that I didn't respond to a single point he made, I then pointed out that I indeed did respond to his points.

[BurningDoom]

I gave well-reasoned arguments for why media as a whole is on the decline; you fed me some anecdote about what you saw at the thrift store the other day. I never argued that the used market wasn't there, I argued that it was detrimental to each of these industries. If there wasn't a used market, we wouldn't be having this argument. I can't believe I even need to say that. If you're going trying to tell me that the fact that Gamestop dedicates a bigger section to Used games than it does for New ones (why do you think they sell so few PC games these days?) isn't detrimental to the developers who make the games we love then I'm just going to end this conversation now, because there's no point. But nobody would argue that, because such a fundamental gap between reality and one's perceived notions of reality couldn't exist. You'll notice that, while gaming saw its biggest year ever last year, we're still seeing casualties like Cave, Hudson and THQ - now why do you think that is?

DC has already culled several of its New 52 series, so clearly not all of them are "flying off the shelves" as you put it.

No, you clearly said that those other industries were in decline, so they don't matter in the same way video games do when it comes to a used market. I say you're completely wrong about that. And I'm saying EVERYTHING has a used market, yet you only see the game industry whining about it. Why is the game industry so special that they think there shouldn't be a used market in gaming when everything else does?

Also, if things are floundering for those companies, then why don't they do something to fix it rather than blame the consumer? If you can't fix it, then the other guy wins. That's what capitalism is about.

And I can absolutely guarantee you that DC New 52 is flying off the shelves. Like I said, Justice League #1 is in it's 6th printing, that's unprecendeted. And my LCS owner has told me that he's making sales that he hasn't made since the 90s because of it, as well as gaining new customers. And what comic is getting axed by DC? None that I know of, except those series that are planned from the beginning to be mini-series.

[sabrage]

No, you clearly said that those other industries were in decline, so they don't matter in the same way video games do when it comes to a used market. I say you're completely wrong about that. And I'm saying EVERYTHING has a used market, yet you only see the game industry whining about it. Why is the game industry so special that they think there shouldn't be a used market in gaming when everything else does?

Also, if things are floundering for those companies, then why don't they do something to fix it rather than blame the consumer? If you can't fix it, then the other guy wins. That's what capitalism is about.

And I can absolutely guarantee you that DC New 52 is flying off the shelves. Like I said, Justice League #1 is in it's 6th printing, that's unprecendeted. And my LCS owner has told me that he's making sales that he hasn't made since the 90s because of it, as well as gaining new customers. And what comic is getting axed by DC? None that I know of, except those series that are planned from the beginning to be mini-series.

Dude. The crux of my argument is that the used market is destroying these industries; you can't waltz in and say "I saw a used comic book yesterday, CHECKMATE." The music industry doesn't complain because they make their money off iTunes, concerts, contracts and merchandise. Borders, one of the nations largest bookstores, went bankrupt last year. DC has already cancelled 4 of their New 52 series (Static Shock, Hawk & Dove, Mister Terrific and Men of War) because they were. Not. Selling. Movies had their lowest year in several decades last year (though this is largely attributed to piracy, from a company perspective they're exactly the same.) If publishers weren't trying to fix it, why do we have to put up with things like (as I already mentioned, but for your benefit as your memory seems a bit dull) online passes, always-on DRM, Rage's sewer levels, and exhorbitant DLC prices? I'd honestly like to know how you can explain those things, if the games industry isn't directly trying to combat used sales.

Now go back two pages and re-read my original response to you, where I said almost verbatim everything I said in this one.

[CFFJR]

This is a bit random of me, I know, but...

DC keeps trying to reinvent themselves in the most misguided fashion possible

Holy mother, what a steaming pile of a logo.

What was so wrong with the last revision? That one looked really good, and it was still fairly new.

[ATARI800XLfan]

No, you clearly said that those other industries were in decline, so they don't matter in the same way video games do when it comes to a used market. I say you're completely wrong about that. And I'm saying EVERYTHING has a used market, yet you only see the game industry whining about it. Why is the game industry so special that they think there shouldn't be a used market in gaming when everything else does?

Also, if things are floundering for those companies, then why don't they do something to fix it rather than blame the consumer? If you can't fix it, then the other guy wins. That's what capitalism is about.

And I can absolutely guarantee you that DC New 52 is flying off the shelves. Like I said, Justice League #1 is in it's 6th printing, that's unprecendeted. And my LCS owner has told me that he's making sales that he hasn't made since the 90s because of it, as well as gaining new customers. And what comic is getting axed by DC? None that I know of, except those series that are planned from the beginning to be mini-series.

Dude. The crux of my argument is that the used market is destroying these industries; you can't waltz in and say "I saw a used comic book yesterday, CHECKMATE." The music industry doesn't complain because they make their money off iTunes, concerts, contracts and merchandise. Borders, one of the nations largest bookstores, went bankrupt last year. DC has already cancelled 4 of their New 52 series (Static Shock, Hawk & Dove, Mister Terrific and Men of War) because they were. Not. Selling. Movies had their lowest year in several decades last year (though this is largely attributed to piracy, from a company perspective they're exactly the same.) If publishers weren't trying to fix it, why do we have to put up with things like (as I already mentioned, but for your benefit as your memory seems a bit dull) online passes, always-on DRM, Rage's sewer levels, and exhorbitant DLC prices? I'd honestly like to know how you can explain those things, if the games industry isn't directly trying to combat used sales.

Now go back two pages and re-read my original response to you, where I said almost verbatim everything I said in this one.

Exactly, games are just a bigger mainstream medium so there complaining gets more attention then when other mediums to try bring used sales up. You make very good constructive points.

[BurningDoom]

No, you clearly said that those other industries were in decline, so they don't matter in the same way video games do when it comes to a used market. I say you're completely wrong about that. And I'm saying EVERYTHING has a used market, yet you only see the game industry whining about it. Why is the game industry so special that they think there shouldn't be a used market in gaming when everything else does?

Also, if things are floundering for those companies, then why don't they do something to fix it rather than blame the consumer? If you can't fix it, then the other guy wins. That's what capitalism is about.

And I can absolutely guarantee you that DC New 52 is flying off the shelves. Like I said, Justice League #1 is in it's 6th printing, that's unprecendeted. And my LCS owner has told me that he's making sales that he hasn't made since the 90s because of it, as well as gaining new customers. And what comic is getting axed by DC? None that I know of, except those series that are planned from the beginning to be mini-series.

Dude. The crux of my argument is that the used market is destroying these industries; you can't waltz in and say "I saw a used comic book yesterday, CHECKMATE." The music industry doesn't complain because they make their money off iTunes, concerts, contracts and merchandise. Borders, one of the nations largest bookstores, went bankrupt last year. DC has already cancelled 4 of their New 52 series (Static Shock, Hawk & Dove, Mister Terrific and Men of War) because they were. Not. Selling. Movies had their lowest year in several decades last year (though this is largely attributed to piracy, from a company perspective they're exactly the same.) If publishers weren't trying to fix it, why do we have to put up with things like (as I already mentioned, but for your benefit as your memory seems a bit dull) online passes, always-on DRM, Rage's sewer levels, and exhorbitant DLC prices? I'd honestly like to know how you can explain those things, if the games industry isn't directly trying to combat used sales.

Now go back two pages and re-read my original response to you, where I said almost verbatim everything I said in this one.

Well yeah, of course game companies are combating it, they want more money. We wouldn't be having this discussion if they weren't combating it. My point was that it's BS that they are combating it and making us out to be the bad guys, because a used market exists for everything and always will. And I think my comment about "Doing something about" didn't quite come out right. I didn't mean so much straight combating the used market itself, but rather putting out a better product. Your Halos, Call of Dutys, Marios, Zeldas, Elder Scrolls, etc. don't have any issues selling games new.

And piracy isn't the same as buying used either, piracy is a straight crime, buying used isn't. Combating piracy I feel is perfectly legitimate and I support. But combating piracy doesn't have anything to do with used sales.

And the comics, come on. I wouldn't be surprised that those titles would get cancelled, they aren't exactly their best stuff; Hawk & Dove in particular has the fan-hated Rob Lifield doing the art which is just asking to get cancelled. That's like pointing out Mega Man Battle Network as if it's representative of the whole Mega Man series. On the other end of spectrum, Justice League #1 is in it's 6th printing; and Detective Comics #1, Batman #1, Action Comics #1, and Superman #1 are all in their 5th printings. That's a huge deal. But nonetheless, my order forms still show those books you mentioned coming out as far as comics are solicited to (which is April), no indication they are being cancelled. I'd imagine Diamond Distributors (who we order through, and all comic shops order through) would have taken these out of their order form books if they were cancelled. Unless this one of those ridiculous explanations where they're all like "We told the story as we intended to do. There's nothing else left to tell."

I can fully admit that they're losing money on used sales, that's not my argument. My argument is that they need to suck it up, stop blaming the consumer, and deal with it because it's something that always has been around, and always will as long as the consumer has a say in it. And we're not doing anything wrong by buying used. The other industries have accepted this.

And I'm sure a good 90% of Racketboy members are gonna agree that used games are a great thing, because our buy/sell/trade thread and great deals thread are quite popular.

[DonSilvestre]

Hopefully without being argumentative and annoying:

Kind of cool that GS is offering these retro games, even if I have all of them already and they're overpriced. I've long wished GameStop would be willing to carry classic plastic these days, even if it were at eBay prices. Retro is super in right now, and I think they'd sell way better than they think, even if they limited what titles they'd take in (AKA no sports titles other than NBA Jam basically). I won't be spending my points on these rewards, but anything to promote the hobby is good in my book.

On the issue of used game sales - I think they've gone about fighting it in the absolutely wrong way. Now when you buy a game it's not a complete experience anymore (the new Mass Effect 3 action figures being the biggest offenders thus far in my book) to the point where customers eventually are going to figure out that it's pretty much NEVER worth it to buy a game new. What they should have done is started paying attention to the used market value of their games and adjusted prices accordingly post-release. When I still would pay $60 for a game at Wal Mart that's selling for $30 used at GS, it's a no brainer. Video game prices (though admittedly dropping much faster these days) just don't drop fast enough for newer games. If there was always a $5 gap between new and used, I'll take the new game every time. When there's a $30 gap, give me a piece of that sweet used action.