Gamestop's policy of selling opened/played games as new

[sakicfan84]

http://kotaku.com/5205385/gamestop-sell ... be-illegal

The whole gutting of games and selling them as new was pretty shady in my opinion, but I wasn't even aware that there was a corporate policy that potentially allows Gamestop employees to actually play these games before they are sold off as "new". I have very little knowledge of laws relating to consumer protection, but is there anyway that this isn't illegal?

Any takers for defending Gamestop on this one?

[the7k]

I won't defend them, but I will say that it was fun getting to play brand new games for free. (I knew a manager.)

In fact, I didn't even realize the practice was a secret. As a result, anytime I do buy a game new, it comes from Best Buy. Knowing full and well what they do with 'new' games, I always asked if they have any "Factory-Sealed" copies; otherwise, you're paying more for used.

[zarathstra]

http://kotaku.com/5205385/gamestop-sells-played-games-as-new-sources-say-practice-could-be-illegal

The whole gutting of games and selling them as new was pretty shady in my opinion, but I wasn't even aware that there was a corporate policy that potentially allows Gamestop employees to actually play these games before they are sold off as "new". I have very little knowledge of laws relating to consumer protection, but is there anyway that this isn't illegal?

Any takers for defending Gamestop on this one?

::shrug:: Ever bought a book at a retail store? Odds are that had been read before by an employee. It happens. I can't seem to get upset about it.

[sakicfan84]

::shrug:: Ever bought a book at a retail store? Odds are that had been read before by an employee. It happens. I can't seem to get upset about it.

Yeah, I can understand people not really caring about this. I think the comparison between books and video games is pretty weak though. You walk into a Barnes and Noble and there are people sitting around reading books all over the damned store. There are chairs and couches everywhere; it's pretty much assumed that most of the books there are browsed through and read. On the other hand, I'm pretty sure that when the typical consumer goes into a Gamestop to purchase a "new" game, they have zero expectation that it has actually been brought to someone's house and played before.

[aaron]

there have been countless topics on this forum about this topic. it's silly, shitty, and stupid, which is why i only frequent gamestop for used games, not new ones. if i'm going to suckle upon a corporate teat to get my gaming fix, i might as well pay less money to do it at wal-mart or something and ensure that my game is still sealed.

so yeah, in summary, i agree that this practice is real dumb.

[schi0249]

I worked and loved that benefit. However, I always thought selling the "checked out" copies was sketchy at best. As for the practice of gutting. Unfortunately too many people are dishonest and it is required. I managed at the Mall of America. By the end of summer, we would gain 10-20 games without cases. Even though they are empty, people steal them.

[J T]

As a matter of fact, that happened to me just today at a Gamestop! The only reason I didn't bitch was because it was the last copy and there is a %50 off special on new games for just one more day. I bought Guitar Hero: Aerosmith for $10. Reasonable enough price even if it was used. But the most ridiculous thing was that she put a clear sticker seal across the opening while I was standing there checking out. Yeah, like that makes me feel like it's brand new now! God, now I have one more obnoxious sticker to peel off and clean up.

[corn619]

We discussed this not to long ago. Its sucks that GS does that so I don't buy new games from them. The stickers they use suck and ruin cases and cover art. There is many other better places in my area to shop for games. Usually the ma and pa places have a better selection and there cheaper anyways.

[siman552]

1. If it plays fine, then it is the same, but I do think this is wrong that they sell used games as new.

[Ziggy]

I HATE having to pay $50 or $60 for a new game in the first place. But when I do, I actually want it NEW, I want to open the factory wrap. Otherwise I'll just save $20+ and pick it up off eBay. I'll never buy 'new' games from Game Stop ever again. It's total BS.

IT'S NOT NEW IF ITS BEEN OPENED.