Interesting Gamestop policy

[snappahead]

This may not matter to non-collectors, but I was pretty stunned when I heard about it. I'm a big fan of the Nintendo DS. Just am and I like to collect games for it.

I was in a local Gamestop and noticed that there was a case full of loose cards, but no DS "used" labeled cases on the shelves. I asked the guy what gives and he explained that they throw away DS cases. "It saves a lot of space" he said. I was shocked. Apparently, because the 3DS is out, they've made it policy to toss all the DS cases that get traded in.

As a collector, this really breaks my heart LOL. It's one thing to buy a loose SNES or Genesis cart, but the DS uses these tiny little cards that are like memory sticks. Who wants to buy a loose card like that. You could lose the freaking thing in your hair, theyre so small. Maybe no one cares...I don't know, but I was really amazed to hear that. If any if you guys find yourselves looking to trade in a DS game, please think twice about going to Gamestop.

 

[darthviper107]

It's OK, everyone hates them already

They also take out new games, play them, and then put them back into the case and sell them at full price.

 

[snappahead]

It's OK, everyone hates them already

They also take out new games, play them, and then put them back into the case and sell them at full price.

I know about all that. To be honest, that never bothered me anywhere near as much as this. If they tried to sell me an opened game as new, I'd just refuse it. This DS policy can't be remedied so easily. They do the same to PS2 games too unless it's over a certain value.

 

[plasmid303]

Yeah, it sucks. In time, a lot of obscure games are going to be harder to find, and GS isn't helping those games retain any value by tossing out the box, cover and booklets. I don't collect games much anymore, but part of the charm was indeed the packaging. Maybe that isn't so true anymore with modern games, but a lot of games from the 80' and 90's had really rad and unique boxes, especially limited edition sets and Japanese games that had spine cards and special inserts.

 

[Solidus]

I'm just surprised that Gamestop has managed to stay in business for all of these years. In addition to their terrible reputation (for a lot of things) Amazon and Best Buy should be cutting significantly into their profits.

 

[snappahead]

Yeah, it sucks. In time, a lot of obscure games are going to be harder to find, and GS isn't helping those games retain any value by tossing out the box, cover and booklets. I don't collect games much anymore, but part of the charm was indeed the packaging. Maybe that isn't so true anymore with modern games, but a lot of games from the 80' and 90's had really rad and unique boxes, especially limited edition sets and Japanese games that had spine cards and special inserts.

It's hard to compete with nostalgia like the old paper NES and SNES boxes or plastic cases of the Master System and Genesis, but I still really like modern game cases. And IMO, for stuff like the DS (and certainly the Vita) the cases aren't just nice, theyre essential. I picked a Vita game out from under my fingernail the other day. Been looking for it for weeks. Those old NES boxes and Genesis cases are really expensive and sought after by collectors today because so many were just thrown out back when and it's happening still today. I guess I'm the only game collector on here hehe.

 

[canuck_spartan]

I'm with u. I wouldn't go into a GS to buy a used DS game abd pay full price if the book and case are missing. It's like buying a book without a cover, or a banana without a peel. That's just dumb...

 

[THX-182]

I wouldn't buy a DS game of any sort without the case.

 

[daikkenaurora]

Yeah I dont buy opened new games when they try to give them to me.

 

[Boba Ben]

Man, I hate freaking Funcoland.

 

[NataN]

GS sold me an opened copy heavy rain for the price of a new one,the guy said it was their last display copy. I let it slip since they sold it to me for $15 as part of their black friday sale. didn't have time to start looking for it all over the city + it was in great condition.

 

[THX-182]

While the fact that the stuff they are selling is generally fine and works perfectly and is essentially brand new even if opened and played, it is not new. It is used if it has been played or opened. Period. I don't mind them opening games and selling them opened. But don't advertise them as new. If it isn't sealed, it's not new and they can't guarantee anything as with a new copy.

For all we know the Gamestop employee whacked off to a porno, didn't wash his hands and then popped one of their "NEW" games into the same PS3 he just had that porno in. He could be ____-handling those games they are selling as new... You never know.

 

[Darth_Fatso]

I refuse to buy gutted games. I used to let it slip but when I first picked up a gutted "new" copy of Dead Space a few years ago, I didn't take the time to inspect the disc at the store and when I finally did inspect the disc at home, it was covered in scratches. Since then, I rarely buy from Gamestop at all. I never buy used games there cause GS has the brilliant idea of removing the cover art from the cases and putting the price sticker on the cover art making it impossible to remove the sticker without damaging the cover art.

 

[Boba Ben]

While the fact that the stuff they are selling is generally fine and works perfectly and is essentially brand new even if opened and played, it is not new. It is used if it has been played or opened. Period. I don't mind them opening games and selling them opened. But don't advertise them as new. If it isn't sealed, it's not new and they can't guarantee anything as with a new copy.

For all we know the Gamestop employee whacked off to a porno, didn't wash his hands and then popped one of their "NEW" games into the same PS3 he just had that porno in. He could be ____-handling those games they are selling as new... You never know.

I'd say there is a strong possibility that this has happened on several occasions.

 

[hairlesswookiee]

They also take out new games, play them, and then put them back into the case and sell them at full price.

Yup. When I found this out I pretty much stop buying any new games from them.

 

[Darth_Fatso]

Wasn't Gamestop sued for selling gutted games as new few years ago?

 

[Shropt]

I don't understand how the game companies are OK with their policies. I as a manufacturer wouldn't want some guy opening my product, doing who knows what with it, and selling it as new to a consumer.

 

[snappahead]

You guys are b!&@$ing about the wrong subject. No one else pissed about the cases being thrown away!? I can't be the only collector here can I?

 

[darthviper107]

I don't understand how the game companies are OK with their policies. I as a manufacturer wouldn't want some guy opening my product, doing who knows what with it, and selling it as new to a consumer.

I'm still surprised that any of the game publishers give them pre-order exclusive content. They must sell a big chunk of the games to get that deal

 

[Shropt]

You guys are b!&@$ing about the wrong subject. No one else pissed about the cases being thrown away!? I can't be the only collector here can I?

Video game collecting isn't mainstream enough for most people to think that way. Gamestop has been destroying/not caring about cases for years.