GameStop Forces Customer to Buy Used

GameStop is a store that is becoming a more of a shame than an actual pride for the gamers in the world today. The store has hit a all time low.

[Hitman0769]

Typical, why does this not surprise me?

[Misterhbk]

Hmm...I see how this can be seen as a bad thing but it's no different than what others stores do.

If you walk into a bestbuy wanting to buy a laptop for a certain amount of money but you don't anything about laptops then odds are the sales associate, who probably knows at least a little bit, will be able to talk you up to buying one for more than you wanted all because you weren't an informed buyer.

Lets face it, it was a mom and in general with the gaming world 'moms' are uninformed about pretty much everything. Any informed gamer knows the difference between New and Used and can make that choice for themselves. A mom will only see the price difference and go 'might as well get this one.'

Also, if it was such a big deal the mom has a week to return the game for a full refund, and could then buy the new version.

Don't get me wrong, I don't mean ti come to Gamestop's defense but there is a point where self responsibility comes into play. the mom went into a store that she knew nothing about, and well...thats what stores do. they up sell so they can get the most profit possible.

[tplarkin7]

Nice post. I agree.

But, Gamestop isn't serving the customer. I buy most games new. The Gamestop clerk whines. If the new game happens to be the last one, they've taken it out of the sleeve for security purposes.

I respect Gamestop's right to make a profit. But, as a customer, I don't want to deal with a whiney salesman that shortchanges me.

So, I try go to Best Buy for new games.

[LOGICWINS]

"I respect Gamestop's right to make a profit."

Yup, me too. This is America. No one forces anyone to buy games at Gamestop. If you gt ripped off, thats because you CHOSE to gt ripped off.

I lol'ed when I read the title. It gives the impression that a GS employee literally "forced" the mom at gunpoint.

[MetalFreakMike]

I hear ya on that one. Stores pull this crap everyday. Always lying and trying to get you to buy something that you don't need or want. Pretty much forcing you to buy whatever they throw at you.

I don't really shop at Best Buy anymore after I got into a fight with one of the employees that claimed a I3 Intel processor has four cores. I kept on telling him that they have hyper-threading and it makes the OS think there are more cores then there really is. He told me that I didn't know anything and he was done talking to me. They really need to hire better employees to work there.

[3dawg]

good point. i on the other hand buy used games from gamestop to take advantage of their 7 day return policy for pre-owned games. i get to play games for free for 6 days while they hold on to my $

[jadenkorri]

wow, one of the reasons i stopped buying at Gamestop/EB games. When they refused me 5 dollar match on MW2, when the store across the street was 5 dollars cheaper. I walked across the street and never went back.

[alien626]

iam surprise...my local gamestop dont do this...they are actually nice sadly one story makes the store bad...i know they might not be the best place to go to sell a game but they dont force me to buy use games...

[gamingdroid]

"I respect Gamestop's right to make a profit."

Well said! I don't like GameStop business practices, but there are plenty of other options. Stop whining and go somewhere else. Problem solved!!!

[LOGICWINS]

^^THIS

[killerhog]

There's has to be a reasonable reason to exchange or return an item. You cannot just go "I bought this use and now I want to exchange for new" or else they don't gave to do so.

[Heartnet]

This exact thing happened to me in gamestation haha Bought enslaved and he put a pre order copy in ma new case... then told me to buy a pre owned copy haha i did cuz i cba to wait any longer than i had hehe

[thesummerofgeorge]

Fack off with this garbage. Gamestop didn't force anyone to do anything... They tried to sell someone a used game, and apparently that's news. This is the worst attempt to make something out of nothing I've seen on here in a long time.

[Jazz4108]

Gamestop is such a rip off. I used to work for them as a manager and I could write a whole article on there deceptive practices as they are all about themselves as a company. Sure some of the employees care and we tried to help out but we were the ones the company would write up and make work hell for as they want people who will sell used and sell reservations and take peoples trades and give them nothing for them while selling it used on the shelf for only 5.0 less then new. There's a lot more so pm me if you wantto know more of there slimeball tactics and there's a lot of them.

[snipes101]

Gotta say this: hate the company and some slimy employees if you will, but don't assume everyone that works there is a mindless too. I have some good friends that happen to work at gamestop stores and serve me well all the time. This sounds like one bad employee and a clueless mother.

[AAACE5]

People are weak nowadays! What ever happened to the people like me who will say, "F*ck you, I don't want it".

[JeffGUNZ]

Where in that article did any forcing occur? It looks like to me they were just attempting to sell her a used copy. Who would think that a business would try and make money.

If they truly forced her into buying a used game, they would have given her no option and refused to sell it new.

This article is a joke.

[wicko]

I've almost been "forced" to buy used - I use the word forced meaning if I wanted to buy a particular game, the only way I could get it was used.

I decided I was going to give up my grudge on Alan Wake for being 360 exclusive and just buy it, since I figured it's been out for a while and should be $20 or so. I asked for a new copy, and they checked the computer, and told me it was "discontinued". But they had used copies! I said no thanks and walked away.

So basically if they figure there are enough used copies of a game floating around to sustain any interest in a particular game, they no longer buy new copies from the publisher. So now I just go to Best Buy or Futureshop, sometimes on Amazon as well, because these places actually stock new copies.

[BigBoss07]

The only time I ever got mad at gamestop was when they hired this guy that was very pushy with their new Powerup Pro Rewards card. He must have spent 30 minutes talking it up and I kept saying I don't buy used unless I absolutly have too. I preordered AC Brotherhood CE for PS3 four months in advanced from this guy and when I went to pick it up on a midnight launch, He had preorderedit for the 360.

I was livid pissed, but they said they had an extra one at the store they had opened up closer to my home. The guy whose actually over all the stores in the area works at that store and I now buy from him from now on because he's awesome to talk to and is very knowledgable on gaming. Sometimes even if its the same company, it really just up to who works behind the counter.

[SilentNegotiator]

NeoGaf posts about supposed trips to Gamestop are stories now?

"Almost forced"?!? Put him in jail and throw away the key!!!

[PsERSONA]

I read this on NeoGAF earlier, this is just hilarious. lol

[miDnIghtEr]

I love that the story is from a kid, that had to have his Mom buy him a game because he's too young. :) LMAO.. NEOGAF and their kids.

Just like this site!

[spec_ops_comm]

Every N4G user who approved this article should be permanently banned and, in the event that they are male, castrated to prevent further contamination of our species.

[Matpan]

women don´t procreate?... just a random thought... :P

[JsonHenry]

They don't "force" me to buy anything. But they certainly try and sell me used. I'm sorry. If I am buying a game and the used price is only a couple bucks less than retail I am getting myself a shiny new copy.

[subtenko]

Alright enough is enough. boycott gamestop, I stopped shopping there years ago. Everyone spread the word, make posters, everything. Stop shopping at gamestop. EVERYONE...

you all deserve better

[showtimefolks]

and i been going to this gamestop for 8 years and most people i see coming in are core gamers atleast in this store.

and they don't force you but there are some games i don't buy new and why not buy used and save on a game 6 months after release?

I feel like gamestop is just hated for a lot of wrong reason when there is a gamestop hate article everyone just jumps on the bandwagon. Best buy,amazon,gamefly all sell used games too the only difference being gamestop usually have the better prices on used games plus you can always find deals like id did yesterday

crysis 2
bulletsstorm
dead space 2

buy 2 get one free for 65 bucks

I try to buy almost every game new but some which i miss are 6-9 months old and used games wise its better because of price

there are 4 gamestops in my area and i have never had any bad experiences from either of them

[BeOneWithTheGun]

Why not buy used??? I will tell you why: When you buy used not one fucking penny goes to the developer. It goes into the Gamestop coffers. Plus, they gave some poor schmuck $15 for the game when he came in to try and get another one, most likely being poor which is why he was having to sell, and then they turn around and sell it for triple what they just paid???

Fuck that.

[Crazyglues]

LoL... he says becoming - Gamestop has always been more of a shame then a pride of gaming...

The sad part is that people are only started to see that now, it's been like this for years..

Welcome to Current events... Oh yeah and it looks like someone finally made this device called the telephone. -(seems to work pretty good).... LoL

I mean come on really, this is a surprise?

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[CarlosX360]

I smell a class action suit looming ahead. Tread lightly, GameStop. Tread lightly.

[NYC_Gamer]

i wish more places had mom&pop shops they deserve the support

[TheBeast]

Mom and pop shops are the ones that show all of the love!

[WombBat]

I agree, I asked the clerk for a super Mario galaxy 2 and he handed me an open game that had a sticker that Said "new" on it, but it didn't have the plastic wrapping.

So of course I handed it back to him and said can I get an actually new copy please, I'm not tryna pat the same price for a used a** game.

Effin swindlers

[Disccordia]

At above: a fair point but having worked for game in the UK I can tell you they probably aren't swindlers it's just that the last one or two copies they have to take out the wrapping because they need to be used as display cases.

[jerethdagryphon]

herer in the uk there so many used game store they have to be nice
one store kknows i like my new games new and sealed so thell leave a copy sealed which is agasint there usual practice of securing the discs
they other store knows im obsessed with my disks being perfect and will check therre stock for the best disc they have or will clean it i nthere machine at no charge good stores

[Cablephish]

Who the gets their mom to buy LA Noire for them?

EDIT: Profanity, my bad.

[Misterhbk]

Sort of what i was thinking as well cablephish. It just doesn't make any sense to me. If the person is 16 or under well either they probably shouldn't be playing the game at all, or maybe they should have just gone with their mom to pick up the game?

Most moms, girlfriends, etc. who don't play games themselves know next to nothing about the stores and places where most people buy their games.

I learned that the hard way back in March of last year when God of War 3 and FF XIII released. Told my wife to go preorder them both for me at the Gamestop near our house. Simple instructions is you ask me, but she didn't know the difference between GameStop and Game Crazy, thinking that they were close enough to the same and it didn't matter.

Long story short GameCrazy began to go out of business as you all know and I had to drive hours just to find a store where I could get my games.

[bluegoblin]

what is this game crazy u speak ok? haha

no but that sucks.. lol

[HardCover]

It was a present for his younger brother. Seems entirely likely that he just asked the mom to buy it since she was probably out shopping anyway.

you shouldn't have to supervise someone's purchase when all they want is a new copy of something they have the name of, ya know? GameStop simply shouldn't hustle so hard.

[slapedurmomsace]

Did you guys read this..the title says forces to buy, than the story goes on to read tried to convince her and than ALMOST forced her to buy. I'm not a Gamestop apologist, but this could have been an outta touch mom who got confused.

[SaiyanFury]

I have to "half" agree with the article. While I've never been "almost" forced to buy used, GameStop (locally) has been getting a bit aggressive with pushing used game sales. I only buy new games there, and every time I go for one, the first thing the guy behind the register does, is he goes and looks for a used copy. I immediately tell him I want it new. And every time, they hesitate. If this doesn't stop, I do have other sources I can buy my games from, least not, the internet.

[Sitris]

While I agree it should be your choice, I know that every assistant has to meet a certain percentage of sales that are used games. If you don't reach that percentage then you can get in trouble from your managers. Happens in almost all game stores. The sales person will be hesitant cause they want you to help them meet their required sales. Personally I always buy used, why pay full price for a ps3 game, when used has litle to no difference to new version. Never understood paying more for the exact same thing personally.

[SaiyanFury]

While I can certainly admit you've got a great point, and I understand your position and opinion. I also buy used, but rarely. Usually it's an older game that I buy used, that would be rather expensive to purchase. I'm speaking of games of retro generations such as Sega Saturn and Sega CD and the like. Usually off of eBay or Amazon. I find the used price at GameStop to be rather exhorbitant at a savings of a meagre 5 dollars. The typical games I buy are usually relatively new on the market and I find their markup somewhat in excess. I'd prefer to spend the extra 5 dollars. Besides, I'm sort of akin to a kid at Christmas when buying new games. I love unwrapping the game and smelling the freshly opened game case.

You have a good point, sir (or madame), and I completely agree. It's all about choice. Should you choose to buy used only that is certainly your prerogative. :)

[BeOneWithTheGun]

@sitris: When I am making a purchase I am not thinking of how I can help the "associate" meet his goals. Quite frankly, I don't give two shits about his quota.

When I go to a resturant and order the steak, if the waitress brings me lobster and then is all hesitant when I tell her I want a steak I will promptly leave, make a call to the health board about rat feces I found while dining, call the local IRS and leave a message about how I overheard the manager talking about "hiding profits" and then call Employment Security and advise I heard from 6 people that their unemployment insurance is not being paid.

If I am really upset, probably call the local news and advise of the gay sex I overheard in the bathroom, that the chef has hepatitis B and is still cooking and stand out front with a picket sign for a week.

[Jack-Dangerously]

That is the basic point I was scrolling down to say, but luckily noticed someone else had said it. Way to READ an article then post ;) lol.

[clrlite]

They were always trying to get me to buy used products over new products. That way they can buy a game like God of War 3(for $4) from someone who didn't know any better, then sell it for $40 dollars.

[jc48573]

that's why i only rent at Gamestop =) I always return most of my games.

[newn4gguy]

I HATE GameStop, but I'm on their side on this one.

The quote is out of context. She was told to buy used because it actually DOES save her money. The whole "wrapping" thing was about the plastic around the case. Essentially, that is what you're paying for.

They can't and did not force her to buy it used. It's a choice. They can and do try to pursuade you to do so because they are pressured by corporate. I used to work there. I'm sure a lot of you on this site have.

Grow up. This writer and the original poster are both looking for hits. Please...let it go.

[zero_gamer]

Right. Nobody forced her to purchase a used game, but recommended her to purchase used instead of a sealed copy. Ultimately she made the final decision.

This isn't from a GameStop apologist either, just using common sense instead of posting a hate comment.

[DeFFeR]

Well - it didn't turn out bad for this game (L.A. Noire) because the only thing missing is a token for a suit or something.

BFBC2, or other "online pass" games don't come with the code for online validation when you buy used, so Gamestop might take advantage of this and push the "well, don't forget your MS/PSN points because you need it to play online" bull.

I hate gamestop (except for promotional sales like this week... Buy 2, get 1 free... I'll send my apologies to the game companies in order to save myself $55)

[newn4gguy]

Exactly. Thanks.

[archemides518]

you are completely wrong. she was not told to buy used because it saves her money, she was repeated told to buy used because it makes gamestop more money. nothing about that tactic is done in the interest of helping her out or providing a service to her, only to make them more money at her expense and taking advantage of her perhaps uneducated position. and she wanted the new.

you act like they're robin hood or something.

[newn4gguy]

No. I act like we don't know the intentions of the individual.

It saves her money AND it makes the company more money. Whether this employee did it for one reason or the other, we don't know. We can't just assume though!

GameStop, as a whole, is a thorn in my side. I quit there and started working at a used game/movie/music store that gives more money than GameStop when you're selling and sells them for cheaper than GameStop when you're buying.

The facts here are that it DOES save her money. It does. Nobody is losing here...except maybe some prick who thinks a game that had been used for like a week is somehow not as good as one that is brand new. It's the same game!

[Zuhk]

Dummy, the people that lose are the developers which means we as gamers will lose in the lon run.

[Scrupuless]

horrible article.

[BX81]

Not even sure it's an article. This is as long as a facebook post.... Let's be honest, would you send your mom out to go buy your clothes? Probably not because you know exactly what you want to wear and let's face it your mom probably isn't in tune with that. The same applies for video games! If you know what you want go get it your self. Don't send your mom who probably knows jack about video games.

[Vortex3D]

The salesguy at Gamestop is expected to sell as many used game as possible. Obviously, it's more profit for the store. As buyers, if the salesguy insisted to only sell an used copy, we can always say no. It's the same as being asked to buy the discount card. Unless the discount card is used often to buy used game, it's pointless to spend the extra $15. The salesguys at Gamestop or any store will always try with their sales pitch but it's the buyer that determines to fall into the sales pitch or not. If the buyer is powerless to say no, then the salesguy has won.

Here are a few simple facts to bring up if you don't want to buy used game or discount card:
1. With games that have activation code, simply say it becomes more expensive to buy the game used.
2. How about if I buy the used copy, take it home and play it. Then, return the used copy since it has money back in 7 days and buy the new copy that has free activation code.
3. Don't buy enough used games to justify the discount card. The game magazine included with the discount card is useless since there are plenty of game review sites or I already have been subscribing to other game magazines.
4. Or, don't say anything and walk out the store.

The more amazing sales pitch is pre-order games. Since when new games actually sales out at every store nowadays? Even the bonus DLC included with many pre-order are quite useless. Seriously, extra health, slightly more powerful weapon or armor, etc don't give you anything unless you really suck at playing games. The whole reason why stores (not just Gamestop) pushing for pre-order is once buyers pre-order a game, it's less likely that the buyers will cancel the game later. It's a sales strategy to ensure most of the pre-order buyers will come back to buy the game later since the "money has already been spent".

[jerethdagryphon]

one tihng i cant stand when i was stateside is goign in to a store and trying to buy a game only for the guy to try to sell me the 360 version when i say i have ps3 he trys to sell me an xbox.... hapens far to often annoys me

[Prototype]

I can't name the countless times I try to get a PS3 version of something and they actually either pass me the 360 version or try so hard to ask "why get THAT on ps3?"

I remember when Resistance 2 first came out, the guy at Game Stop actually told me "we only have the PS3 version for now, If you still want it I'll go get it..." I'm thinkin "NO S-IT!"

[T3MPL3TON]

All she had to do was so no.. they can't force you to buy a used copy plain and simple.. and if they tried.. leave and go to another store. It's as simple as that. If you bought it while being "forced" then you weren't forced.

Forced would be if they took all the new games off the shelf and only sold used.

[SCW1982]

This article is to Vague to be taken seriously.

[DarkBlood]

well i wish employees would stop at the first sound of me saying no to anything they try to offer me, but no they try a second round with a *are you sure and explain to me how it works etc etc like i dont know any better*

[A7XEric]

Well I mean if you are interrupting them before they can even tell you what they are offering, that sounds a little ignorant to be honest.

But there are also a good amount of people out there who will push something a million times until the customer has to get an attitude to get them to shut up.

[DarkBlood]

no i stop and listen anyways even though i know exactly what is going to be said so what i mean to say is it is getting really annoying its different people but the same ones i come a week after to pick up a game *it was a few months ago* youd think theyd get it by now

but i still say no thanks regardless, im just thankfull i have the tolerance for it as i dont exactly go there everyday

[edwoods]

A7x what are you like 10? You sound like some little dweeb who hasn;t yet gotten off mommy's lap to see how the real world works. You dont wait on someones pushing explaination on upselling you something once you have already told them no. It is at that point that you should become rude and refute any extension to this idiots deceptive proposal. And even in the even though youll argue deception is subjective, once the customer says no , you should STOP!!! its not that difficult ladies. if it was me id make it simple. u goit 5 sec to go fetch me my damn game or im heading to walmart and grabbing your name for a formal complaint

[A7XEric]

This hardly sounds like the employee "forced" anything. He suggested the sale of a used game first since it was cheaper, which Gamestop typically likes to do. But aside from that fact the guy doesn't really seem to explain how he was pushing the used copy beyond that.

[MrBeatdown]

This happened to me years ago but it backfired on them. If I remember correctly, Max Payne 2 for Xbox was $30. I wanted and asked for it new, but the Gamestop monkey insisted on giving me a used one.

So I took it, played it, and returned it seven days later. Then I went back a few months later and bought a new copy when it went on sale for $10.

[Fasteddy]

As a Gamestop employee, I would never force used on anyone unless it really benefited them. I don't care if buy new or used, it's what the customer wants, I just want people to leave happy. Just because one employee dicked a customer doesn't mean the whole company hit an all time low, it just means that dude was being a dick. It happens at every retail store, get used to it. Dicks, their everywhere.

[DarthJay]

Exactly. This "article" is just typical, reactionary, tabloid garbage written by people that have no business being writers. It is a true shame to see the state of "journalism" today, not that I would call this journalism. Like someone said earlier, it looks like an editorialized Facebook posting written by a five year old with no comprehension on reality.

[kuroukage]

Sounds like BS to me. Just sounds like the kids Mom was ignorant and got him a used game because she thought she was saving money and getting a better deal and more then likely got talked into it. Also "almost refused" doesn't mean he flat out refused. Sounds more like she didn't even try to go against anything the person said and she just stood there and took it. If you're going to be a doormat in life then it's to be expected that people are going to walk on you.

[danielle007]

This is bull-shizzle. At GameStop, employees are required to ask if they would like the game pre-owned rather than new, and it depends on what the customer says.

"GameStop had hit an all time-low" because of this? Really? There are individual crappy employees in every single store. This is not GameStop policy. This is that person being stupid, and that woman making too big deal out of it. "Almost refused" means he tried to convince her otherwise to maybe try to help her out. It's what we all do at GameStop. If someone can buy a game new for $60 or pre-owned because there's a sale for $34.99, I will let that person know and make it clear, but I'll let them buy what they want.

[thefoxtrot]

Screw yourself. I wrote that thread and the dude knew full well it was a birthday present and still tried to hard sell her on the used game when it just came out. She made it clear that she would rather give someone a new gift that save 5 bucks (which is still a rip off for used games).

She also didn't make a big deal, she got her new game after getting hassled and asked me what I thought of the whole thing.

[danielle007]

Screw myself? Classy, pal.

If the lady walked out of there with a new game, then she wasn't forced to do anything. If you don't want to deal with sales people, then shop online. Because that's what sales people at GameStops do. Hell, that's just what all sales people do, period. We sell you things and let you know our offers, so customers can make informed decisions.

You'll get "hassled" anywhere. Either you or the woman made a big deal out of nothing, so congrats. You made a crappy N4G article about a sales person being a sales person. If you don't want to have people let you know the deals and offers, then shop online and quit crying.

[tethered]

*N4G fanboy report -
Customer: I want to buy a game, as a gift, for a friend.
GameStop: You must buy that game used.
Customer: I don't want to buy used.
GameStop: No, you must buy it used! (pulls out gun!)

Customer has no choice. Forced to buy used game from GameStop.

*Real story -
Customer: I want to buy a game, as a gift, for a friend.
GameStop: You must buy that game used.
Customer: I don't want to buy used.

Customer leaves GameStop and goes to Best Buy to purchase the game)

Really?!?! There is no story here people!!!

[Jack-Pyro]

Exactly, though the conversation is more likely to go like this.

Customer: Hey, I'd like to buy a game for my friend.
Gamestop: Hey, you can save a little money if you buy used, would you like to do that?
Customer: Hey, yeah, that sounds good.
Gamestop: Awesome I'll ring it up.

[tethered]

You missed my point.
My point=> Nobody forced anyone to buy anything!

[BX81]

@tethered. Calm down crazy Jack Pyro got your point. He's just said the employee asked if they wanted a used copy and the customer said ok.

[coryok]

stupid lol, gamestop always pushes products on people, if they dont want things pushed on them than they should go somewhere else to buy their games. they could also just bring someone with them and ignore the guy behind the counter while you talk to your friend

[thespaz]

Game Stop has a point.

Buying used games is cheaper for the consumer AND has a 7 day return period AND since PS3 uses Blu-ray, chances are that the game is not scratched.

Other than the case, I can't tell the difference between new and used. Once the game is inside the PS3, it's all software at that point.

However, I wouldn't buy a used 360 game.

[LeoDDestroyer]

Yeah that the best part with getting it preowned you can always return it within 7 days for a full refund. Newer preowned are about five dollars cheaper which may not seem like much but after playing it for a couple of days you think I really don't like this game so you can return it for the full price you paid. Now people may say why not rent it in the first place but think of it as a bonus that you normally wouldn't have when buying it new.

[thespaz]

Do you think that maybe people take advantage of the used game return policy to basically rent games for free?

By the way... RedBox now has video games for rent for $2.

[danielle007]

I would. You can return that 360 game within the same 7 days.

Unless its EA, then you're not getting anything different than the new copy, and there are so many cheap, cheap preowned 360 and PS3 games that aren't easy to find new anymore. It's a win win win.

[jophus]

This should be an article about an unloving mother who would rather save a buck than get her child a brand new copy of a game as a gift! For shame, woman!

/sarcasm

Also, Gamestop doesn't MAKE anyone do anything. Even a parent who's not as educated in the product as a regular gamer knows the difference between 'used' and 'new'. C'mon. This article is lame.

[SwampCroc]

I doubt he refused to get the woman anything... Retail is Retail... and the customer is always right. even if the customer doesn't know shit..

so it kind of sounds like bull to me... because if the woman wanted a New copy of the game. She would have gotten a New copy...

i've never had problems with Gamestop or any store I've bought video games from.

if you want to buy "used" it's your option. if you want to buy "new" well that's an option too...

people making shit into an argument and there's no reason to create one.. it's meaningless shit... just play your fucking games.. no one cares how you acquire them.

[dragon82]

I have a hard time taking someone, who can be "forced" into buying anything, seriously.

[spektical]

i dont see the problem.. why couldnt gamestop just sold 60 and not wrap the damn thing.. jeez some people are stupid, there are plenty of other stores to get your factory seal if its really that important.

gamestop doesnt sell factory sealed games.. unless you get preorder on midnite launch. i thought most people should know this by now... great store to trade in games, and buy used ones, and dont give me the "you dont support devs" bs. Im not rich, and unfortunately this is how I play new games.

[smashman98]

In other news gaming websites continue to post things like "you wont believe what happened when i went to gamestop" as news.

cmon this isn't a story this is someone who let themselves get tricked into buying used vs new which in itself isnt a big deal

this story doesnt even represent gamestop as a company it represents that one employee and that one customer cmon journalist instead of reporting on this crap do some real reporting

[pomoluese]

I need more examples this just seems like one douche at one store. It does kind of open my perspective on the whole buying used though, guess I should buy games new if I want to support a developer.

[ThePhuq]

Article is complete bunk.

There's no truth behind it.

[cheetorb]

In my former life I worked at Gamestop. My manager told us always get a used copy first. Don't get them a new one unless they ask. Also you would get reprimanded for suggesting new, games or systems. It is as lame as you think it is.

[Hicken]

Skipping everything above.

I work at GameStop. Yeah, many of our practices suck. Often, it's the employees that suck even more.

The way we (at our store) do it is like this: we encourage you to buy a used game, we don't force you. GameStop's return policy is that a new game, once opened, cannot be returned. With a used game, you've got 7 days to decide whether or not you like a title before you CAN'T get your money back.

Another reason is that, if you have the discount (now call the PowerUp Rewards) card, you'll save more money. New LA Noire is 60. Used is 55. Used with a card is 50. Ten dollar savings, AND if you don't like it, you can return it. If you DO like it, you can always bring the used copy back and pay the difference for a new one.

As for the game being out of the case, that's a stupid thing to bring up. Obviously, there are thousands (literally) of game cases on the sales floor. These are actual cases from actual games because the logistics for having a representative promotional case for every copy of game in a store's inventory at any given time would be a nightmare. Therefore, at least one copy of a new game is placed on the sales floor to advertise that we do, indeed, have that game in stock. That copy is the last sold, as selling it would mean having to "gut" and price another copy to replace it on the floor; and customers tend to like having their new games still wrapped in plastic.

I'll be the first to tell you I hate nearly everything the company has come to stand for, as even in my two years working there, I've seen a massive change in their attitude toward gamers. That being said, a little common sense goes a long way in a situation like this.

[AnonUser5555]

That "selling an opened game as new" procedure is complete and utter crap, and could easily remedied by selling it as what it is: USED

Everyone knows that Gamestop employees bring home the opened / floor copies of the games to try them out. Then, when we go to buy a game and it's the last copy, the case is taken off the floor, filled with that "new" game, and sold as new.

That is complete and utter BS. Sell it as used, and take off the $5.

[Hicken]

First, we don't take the display copies home. That would defeat the purpose of us having such a copy in the first place.

Second, not all opened games have been played; especially for the larger releases, we're required to have 4 or more cases on the floor.

Third, a GS employee who can't take care of the game he takes home- that means having it scratched, using whatever exclusive codes are included, or damaging the case- loses that privilege.

Fourth, if employees DON'T try the games, we can't tell you anything about them. And there are already too many employees in the company now that know nothing about games; these people are all about making a sale. If you'd rather go into your game store and have people who know nothing just make up something to tell you about a game, you're in luck: that's what GS is doing now.

We don't get paid enough to buy every game; even if each of us chose just one game and that person was the only one who tried it, we still wouldn't have enough money to go around.

You tell me: how do we go about knowing games without being able to play them? Should we just hop online, read what may well be a biased, fanboy opinion of something, and then relay that to you?

[AnonUser5555]

Fine. Open the game. Play it. Learn about it.

And then sell it USED, because that's what it is.
______

Also...you said both:

"First, we don't take the display copies home."

AND

"Third, a GS employee who can't take care of the game he takes home- that means having it scratched, using whatever exclusive codes are included, or damaging the case- loses that privilege."

So which is it? You guys either don't take games home...or you have that ability until you scratch a game. What a load of bull.

[FlareDReborn]

"Think of it like this, buying a factory seal, brand new game makes the developers or publishers money. However, buying a used game does not gain the developer or publisher money, only GameStop". Didnt know that i wont be buying anymore used games from gamestop. I WISH GAMECRAZY STILL EXISTED.

[Hyperbomb69]

I usually buy used because

1. Its a little bit cheaper
2. I have their power card which saves a little more on pre owned games.
3. I never buy any games new unless theyre actually really good. (Metal Gear,Street Fighter, Final Fantasy)

[Double_O_Revan]

This is the kind of crap that made me stop shopping at GS years ago. I buy everything from Amazon. Not only do I get what I want without being hassled by annoying employees, but I get everything cheaper with no tax AND almost always get $10-20 in credit to put toward the cost of another game.

Thanks to game credits, I have Uncharted 3 reserved for $30, Not only brand New in the super special and expensive wrapping, but I'm getting a DLC code and will likely get a $20 game credit before the game releases. And I dont have to drive anywhere to pick it up. It'll be on my doorstep on release day.

If you don't buy from Amazon, I highly recommend trying it. You'll never drive and deal with idiot employees again.

[AnonUser5555]

For the record, you're SUPPOSED to pay tax to Amazon.com even if it's not charged. The government is [apparently] going to start trying to collect those taxes. You're expected to report it on your annual tax return :) ...not that anyone does.

[Dorwrath]

Never had an issue, the only really communication the Employee at gamestop ever tells me is " Good Morning/Good Afternoon, how can I help you?" or "is there anything else I can do for you?"

Never had a issue with them "Forcing" me to buy a used game.

Forced, lol what did they do hold her at gun point and force her to buy a used copy. Forced, lol

[Excalibur]

Yep Gamestop put a gun to her head and made her do it.

They also had one of their employees follow her around with that same gun and didn't let her buy it at Walmart, Best Buy or any other store.
And the ultimate evil act they did was disconnect her internet service so she couldn't order it from Amazon.

Yep they "Forced" her alright, those evil bastards!!!

[Sieg]

OH noes! I'm going to get mug at GS for buying a used game!! :O

[thekiddfran]

I hate gamestop. I never buy new games there because they take the plastic wrapper off the game case. For me thats a no-go. My mate who works in gamestop said they borrow the new games for a few days to play them, then puts the game back in the case and sells it for new......thats bollox.

[Sieg]

They do the same at Blockbuster and Gamexchange. Your game is not as new as you think. It went through many unboxing before you did for inspection, display, testing, and etc... Despite it's "used" you have return policy.

[thekiddfran]

They dont on amazon that is why I only buy online now. Straight from the production line and onto my lap.

[skyblue14213]

I have heard one of their lame excuses is they want to make sure there are game discs inside the shipment of games that they receive or some other bologna like that. I can tell if a game is inside a sealed game case just by tapping on the game case and hearing the noise the disc makes as a result of tapping the case at the disc part so I don't know what they are trying to pull with me.

[Sieg]

One bad shopping experience do not reflect on the whole company itself. Different sale person mean different method of selling. Just because someone went to GS and rage and post it on the internet doesn't mean that company is bad. Look at Bestbuy, Fry's, etc... before you judge. Seriously consumers, use your brain!

[Shield]

Article lost me at "Forces" . . . please!

[akashkira54]

so true, i went to buy shift 2 and the lady at the store was like sir used or new , i was like new cause i wont get the online pass if i got it used , then she tried to convince me that shift 2 online sucks and i should buy it used but i still got it new . those as***** r annoying

[skyblue14213]

There are 2 gamestop stores and a target located within a few minutes of each other(walking distance) and for the most part the staff at both gamestop stores are cool, though there were a few instances that occurred at one of the gamestop stores but they were resolved rather quickly due to mistakes on gamestop's part.

Anyway, if any gamestop employee tried this with me concerning a game they know that I will just go buy the game at any of the other stores. I am glad that there are a few choices in the vicinity because it cuts a lot of the bull out for me that a normal consumer would have to go through if there was only one choice to get games in a particular area.

I usually buy my games online because it usually is cheaper ,but once in a while when gamestop has their buy 2 get 1 free game sales I usually take advantage of those sales and I usually save a few dollars in the process. Currently all of the game stop stores in my area have had good customer service, though in the past I have come across some unsavory one's so I have an idea of what the author of this article is talking about.

Though gamestop did not force her to buy any game but rather tried to take advantage of the situation by trying to coeherce her. If I was in that situation I would have said "If you are going to give me your suggested unsealed copy for $15-$20 cheaper than the new price then you have a deal, otherwise I want a sealed copy of the game or I am taking my business elsewhere, it is your choice: do you want my money or shall I give it to some other store?" .

[Deadman_Senji]

You don't order your games online?

[Maester07]

I'm reading the article now but fail to find any mention of customers FORCED to buy a product. As in non-consent. Can someone point this out for me please? Surely no one would come up with such a headline for the sake of a few hits.

[bigboss716]

oh wow -_-'

[neilmar420]

who cares buying used is way better cause when they get tired of that boring ass game they can take it back and either get their money back or get a better game.

[madcowz64]

I can back this article up, it happened to me around a month ago. I was buying Crysis 2 for the 360 and the guy went on telling me how I'd save if I got the used version. He tried to get me to buy the used one for a good 15min. I like to buy new games because I don't want Gamestop getting more money than they should and I've had bad luck with used games in the past. I believe it was either $60 for new or $45 for used. Little did he know select EA games were $39.99. I told him mabey you should check your in store sales before you offer me something more expensive that YOU said was cheaper. There is two gamestops near me and one is brand new and the other I've shopped at forever and the know me so I'll never shop at the new one again.

[stragomccloud]

Honestly, I don't think the actions of some employees represent the company as a whole. The guys that run the gamestop near my whole are good people, and two of my friends are store managers, who would never try to pull that kind of crap... so... I really wish people would stop posting these kinds of articles!

[PooEgg]

That is true I have come across good and bad Gamestop employees. The problem is that often when I do come across a good Gamestop store employee they don't tend to stick around that long. I hear it is not the best place to work.

I am the type of person who will be very loyal to a store if I get good customer service, but often when I walk into a Gamestop I get blah service, not necessarily bad, just not anything remarkable that makes me think 'oh this is nice, I think I'll make this store my exclusive game store'. I do like their new rewards program though, it is a step in the right direction.

[stragomccloud]

I've heard it is pretty bad too. I hear the DM in my area likes dropping the axe a lot.

[madcowz64]

Well they are told to say what they say, they want to keep their job.

[PLAYER5095]

f*ck bestbuy f*ck gamestop f*ck target f*ck walmart f*ck macys f*ck ross for my gaming needs amazon.com ftw

edit juz checked amazon and theyre offering la noire for 40 bux and crysis 2 for the same price... this is y i love amazon!!!

[PooEgg]

I have a love hate relationship with gamestop.

I love it when I am trying to find an older game that stores like Best Buy no longer stock, but I get annoyed every time they sale me an opened new game at full price. Sometimes they don't even bother to ask if a pre-opened game is okay, they just ring it up and act like it is normal.

I understand they need to protect their property, but they really should mark the game down a few bucks if it is open and let the customer know that they are getting the last copy but at a discount. I think this move alone would increase their sales. I know I would feel better about shopping at Gamestop for new games if I didn't feel their was a chance I would pay full price for a possibly used game.

[caperjim]

Hopefully next gen will be digital downloads only. Its not like the consumer is gaining much from buying used games. There isnt much difference in price. Why buy used when you can have it new for a few dollors more.

The only party that wins is the game store.

[madpuppy]

digital downloads are consumer unfriendly and only benefit the publisher, with the exception of games under 15.00, Digital downloads take away so many consumer freedoms that I can hardly believe that there are people out there that champion them. Sorry, I will take physical media thank you very much, something that I can put on a shelf or lend to a friend or even....wait for it....sell if I want to!!!

YOU lose ALL those freedoms when you say yes to only digital downloads. you could even lose the right to own the game if a developer decides they want to.

[caperjim]

Your right about digital downloads will hurt consumers more. I was thinking long term and from a developer viewpoint.

I too love that shiny new game case with the cool picture on the front. Renting games from the local video store is great too. Something you wont be able to do with downloads.

The truth of the matter is everything is going digital whether we like it or not. Judging by how popular downloading is people must see benefits in it.

[Psychotica]

I prefer to buy the games used because I have 7 days to return it and get a full refund if I don't like it.

[Barajas_201]

i wish there were gamestops in mexico :(

[Winkle92]

I admit, for buying new games GS is the worst place to go. But since I rarely buy new, It's awesome. GS is kind of like a pawn shop. You wouldn't go there to buy a new fancy laptop, so don't expect to get one. You go for the large selection and to buy cheap.

I buy MAYBE two new games a year. All the rest I buy are used. Maybe it's not great for the publisher, but at $60 a pop I just can't justify buying new. And for used games, nobody beats GameStop's prices. Plus the employees (at least here in Kansas) are really nice and I can have a great conversation with them.

Lot's of hate for GS here but I thought I'd throw out my own experience with them. But I'll say it again, you're an idiot if you buy new games at GS.

[MoreRPG]

why you say is the worst place to buy new games???

[Winkle92]

I just say that because they open the games beforehand and label them with stickers that are very hard to remove. Messin up the box and opening the game kind of defeats the purpose of buying new. Might as well buy used seeing as it usually comes in the exact same condition. Imo, of course.

[palaeomerus]

This is not news. This is a dumb "he said/she said" story from Neogaf.

WHAT THE HELL ?

[madpuppy]

Although I believe that this probably happened, I don't think that is should reflect on the company as a whole. Personally, I have never had a problem at a gamestop, They never attempted to "force" anything on me. They have never attempted to coerce me into get a particular console or to buy a used game, They have asked if I am interested in renewing my power up card, which I do because I really like game informer.

Other than that the only thing I really have a problem with is what they charge for trade in games. but, that is corporate and not customer service related.

NOW, on the other hand I have had a bad experience with Play n' Trade
the manager there was trying to convince me to get rid of my PS3 and get a 360, his method of coercion was insidious, He told me that Sony was pulling out of the gaming market and that the PS3 would be unsupported soon, and then he told me that ALL of Sony's exclusive games are going to be released on the 360. that Microsoft "put Sony's gaming division out of business"

Now, to me that is some creepy stuff, imagine how many people he has told that don't know any better? how many people that wanted a PS3 because of the exclusive games that were fooled into a 360 thinking that they would be able to play those games on a 360?

That, my friends is irresponsible and underhanded, If someone asks about the difference between the consoles, they should be given real information, the features of each console should laid out for them to make their own choice. I even think that the salesman should preface the fact that he/she prefers a certain console themselves.

[mastershredder]

Sorry, aside from the actual issue of the topic:

"A user on NeoGAF reported that his Mom went to GameStop to purchase a game".

That right there is enough to warrant laughing the article out until closure. We all know GameStop has their own bags of tricks, but News worthy? Really?

[helghast102]

Sounds more like customer stupidity tbh
Should have forced HIM to hand over a New copy, or just go to a different store.

[MoreRPG]

i dont mind buying used game specially if it is a ps3 game because the quality of the disc is better

[MaverickStar7]

Its very possible this could have happened, and these stores are littered with idiot employees. But these anti-Gamestop stories are tired, and almost always exaggerated. Far worse things become evening news specials at other stores. If I hear these stories from something other than a forum commenter or low level gaming blogger then I might feel there was some grain of truth to it.

[edwoods]

its real simple, you say "listen son, you got 10 seconds to have a sealed copy of 'game name' in front of me or else I'm heading to walmart. If he still play hokey with you, get his name and report him later to corporate, explain that gamespot lost any future business with you. If he doesnt give you his name, add that to the list of complaints and get his name through another source.

[CraigBaker]

I guarantee this is being made out to be more than what it is for simple flame bait. Every store is out to make, money if they weren't than they wouldn't last long. I bet this woman probably asked for the game and was not forced, but offered a cheaper version of the game with added incentive of 10 percent off if she were in the power up rewards program. This sales pitch is engrained in the skull of every gamestop employee and i could care less. If you want new, you will get it new. I bet my left nut the store wouldn't refuse to sell it. I strictly by new games from my gamestop and they roll out the red carpet every time i walk in the store cuz i spend hundreds a month there, so to suggest they only want u buying used is absurd.

[InTheZoneAC]

why is this story any bit of news? It happens all the time, idiots trade in new games, gamestop sells them for like new prices, but because it is like new and cheaper than new, although only $5, it doesn't hurt the consumer to spend less.

I would never buy a used game for $54.99 from them because after tax it's like buying it new again.

But this article is stupid and definitely not new.

[xTHRASHx]

lame article. we all already know this.

[Whitefox789]

Its even harder to tell if a game is new or not just from the fact they sell new copies with the disc not "in" the case.

I recently got Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 new from there the guy took the case I gave him put a disc in the case from drawer. Then he did something that puzzled me, he put the case in this sheet of plastic that's in the shape of an envelope and sealed it.

Soooo are they doings things backwards???

[KitoSoma]

This is not at all surprising to me. When I bought Final Fantasy XIII, they added that "Game Protection" to my purchase without telling me, and then refused to refund it.

[MAULxx]

This is one of many reasons I try & stay away from Lamestop, I mean, Gamestop. I buy the majority of my games online & save alot of money. If I just can't wait & I just have to go Gamestop then I make sure I'm getting a new copy. None of the lame "it's not sealed but it's new" trash. If it's not factory sealed then it's used! Try taking back a game that you've opened & see what you get from them.

[MorningStar]

You gotta love how people make out as if they were actually FORCED to take the game... wouldn't surprise me if the same person had sold games to gamestop. People bitch about it but don't realize how little companies make from selling new games. Games are over priced its a fact so to say pre-owned is hurting the market is bull. Thats like saying piracy hurts it. If nobody bought pre-owned games or pirated games the same game would still be the same price wouldn't be cheaper. Don't get me wrong nothing nicer than that new game but if it works and its in good condition wtf does it matter?

[marichuu]

GameStop is quite strange... even here in Denmark.
An acquaintance of mine who worked at GameStop got fired because he refused to throw customers out that were in the store for too long without buying anything.
I was one of those customers. Every now and then I'd stop by to chat with other gamers and the employees (mainly the one that got fired). He was doing his job as long as there were people in need of assistance, but apparently he needs to be an ass in order to work for GameStop.
I've stopped supporting that chain...

[Tikicobra]

I only use GameStop for older games. I don't usually buy games used, so I just get my games from Target, Wal-Mart and Best Buy.

[Jonmau5]

Do many people on N4G actually read the article on the site or just description and then comment on that...

The article is not written great and provides no proof via any credible source.

Gamestop probably do push used games but this article provides no proof whatever to say they do so. Think of it from the point of view of ALL game retailers as well as Gamestop.

They DO NOT care what game you buy or if you buy it used or new, they just want your money, simple.

The employee working for minimum wage does not care what the company wants so naturally they will probably suggest the used version of the game to help you out as the customer.

[BEEFSTYCK]

Forced? Maybe if you're a pushover who's afraid to say no. I think Gamestop is crap but c'mon they can't force you to do anything you don't want to.