Game Stores Selling Opened Games as "New"

[Moontouched-Moogle]

I've bought a "new" GBA game with a SAVE FILE already on it with 98 HOURS logged.

Cannot trust a single gaming retailer. Ever. Shameless scummy bastards. Oh, so this disc is new? WHY ARE THERE 7 THUMB SMUDGES ON THE DISC!? I swear one of these days I'm going to go in with a cop and buy a game and see how they dive for their magical "not last copy."

I have to wonder how you bought a "new" GBA game without realizing it was false, considering they come in those semi-flimsy cardboard boxes, which would be hard to maintain and even harder to reseal/return in new condition, and Gamestop doesn't put used ones in a box of any kind.

As for the original topic, my local Gamestop seems to be doing this less and less with the major console games, just using the printed-out Display covers on empty boxes instead. There are still a few like that here and there though, and it seems to be very common with the PSP games. On the other hand, PSP games are harder to wreck, what with the plastic shell around them. The shell DOES have that opening where the disc is exposed, but it's a lot safer than a naked disc.

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

A few months ago I purchased Skyrim from a local game store and the clerk told me that this particular copy of Skyrim was the last copy, so he took the display box put the disc in and sold it to me at full retail price. I'm a pretty chill dude so I was like, "Cool, I got the last copy." I then later purchased Borderlands from a different local game store and the same occurrence as previously stated happened. Again, I shrugged it off and went on my way. Recently, I just purchased Red Dead and again it was the "last copy." After this third occurrence I'm beginning to suspect that game stores purposely open up and remove discs from their games. Maybe they do this to lock up the discs or to let employees take them home. Regardless, it's starting to bug the life out of me they are selling unsealed games as new, for full price.

Has anyone else experienced this before and are you cool with stores doing it?

Uhh... Yeah? All stores take the discs out of the boxes to prevent theft. It's not like they're out playing them in the back. They're not "used", it doesn't affect the game at all.

How do people not know this, even if you haven't worked in retail, you should've noticed this by now.

 

[FalloutJack]

This hasn't happened to me. Not Gamestop, not the Exchange, not any place I've been to here in Pittsburgh. This may annoy some folks, but I find that my video game retail stores are pretty decent. The selection is good, the staff are reasonable and friendly, and I've been able to facilitate such strange actions as moving a game cross-county so that I don't have to travel to a distant store to get at it. Other people aren't so lucky and I understand that, but this subject doesn't appear to happen here.

 

[Ruzinus]

If it bothers you, you have to right to not buy that copy and go shop somewhere else.

In fact, if it bothers you, then you SHOULD refuse to buy the copy and go somewhere else. Vote with your wallet.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

Broken seal = no longer in new condition = less valuable = I'd better be charged less for it, otherwise I'm going elsewhere where I can either get it sealed, pay less, or both. By definition, if the seal is broken it's no longer in new condition. The shape the disc is in is immaterial -- I've bought some absolutely beautiful used games, but I've never paid the full new price for one, and I'd be crazy to do it barring, say, a rare game that is now more valuable than it was when it was new. And then I'd still be crazy to pay as much for a copy with a broken seal as it would cost me to get a sealed one.

So you refuse to pay more money than copies that have actually been used because they broke a seal that you are about to break in about 30 minutes when you get home? I guess this is just one of those things that I'll never give a shit about tbh. You're getting the same gaming experience as everybody else that bought the game new with the disc in fresh out of the factory state. Everything but a seal that makes no difference to your gaming experience is objectively the same. If I get the same experience from that disk at the same time as somebody else I'd be expecting to pay the same price as them. It's like the actual game comes second to people when issues like this come up.

Broken seal = no longer in new condition = less valuable = I'd better be charged less for it, otherwise I'm going elsewhere where I can either get it sealed, pay less, or both. By definition, if the seal is broken it's no longer in new condition. The shape the disc is in is immaterial -- I've bought some absolutely beautiful used games, but I've never paid the full new price for one, and I'd be crazy to do it barring, say, a rare game that is now more valuable than it was when it was new. And then I'd still be crazy to pay as much for a copy with a broken seal as it would cost me to get a sealed one.

It's Retail, not Resale. Just opening it doesn't remove any value unless you plan to resell it. Used games are cheaper, not just because they've been opened, but because they've been used, and have the potential for condition issues.

If you're buying a game to actually PLAY it, there's generally no difference between a new, sealed copy and a new, unsealed copy. If you're buying a game to own it and sell it later... Well, I have no idea why anyone would do that, when millions of game discs are made, and a near infinite number of digital copies exist.

You guys really aren't getting it. Here's the quality ratings criteria from half.com, which are essentially the same as the criteria used by any reputable dealer. The only exception is that some of the things in the "Unacceptable" category are about things that they just don't carry, regardless of quality -- mainly the parts about region lockouts.

Brand New
Items must still be in manufacturer's seal
Opened items can't be listed in this category even if they were never used

Like New
Opened and used items that still appear brand new
Must include all boxes, instructions, and artwork from manufacturer

Very Good
Cases and boxes can show wear (scuffs, cracks, scratches)
DVD, CD, game disc, or game cartridge can't be scratched or scuffed
Items must include all boxes, instructions, and artwork from manufacturer

Good
Item can be missing only one of the following items:
Media box or sleeve
Artwork
Instructions
DVD, CD, game disc, or game cartridge can be lightly scratched or scuffed
The media item must work without the need of repair or resurfacing
Skipping CDs, DVDs, and game discs can't be sold
Fuzzy or snowy VHS tapes can't be sold
Games that don't load or play can't be sold

Acceptable
Media items in generic cases
CDs and DVDs must be in a plastic case (no paper sleeves)
Items missing more than one of the following:
Media box or sleeve
Art work
Instructions
DVD, CD, game disc, or game cartridge can be lightly scratched or scuffed
Media item must work without the need of repair or resurfacing
Skipping CDs, DVDs, and game discs can't be sold
Fuzzy or snowy VHS tapes can't be sold
Games that don't load or play can't be sold


Unacceptable - The following items cannot be sold on Half.com:
CDs and DVDs that skip, jump, freeze, or otherwise don't function properly
Games that skip, jump, freeze, or otherwise don?t function properly Imported DVDs (U.S. region 1 DVDs may be sold)
Region-free DVDs manufactured outside the United States
Promotional music
CD jewel cases with promotion marks (saw cuts, punch-outs, drill holes, UPC strikes)

Source: http://pages.half.ebay.com/help/policy/pricing.html

Each lower grade of the same item is categorically worth less than the grade above it. While I recognize that Gamestop doesn't and really can't bother with the gradations of used quality, beyond keeping the absolute worst levels out of their stores, they absolutely can and should recognize that a game is no longer new once the seal has been broken. It's the same concept as driving a brand new car off the lot, or taking a TV out of the box and putting it on display: it's not new anymore, and it's not worth as much as it was when it was new.

Edit: Oh, and by the way, Gamestop employees do, in fact, play the gutted games. According to numerous former employees that can be turned up by a simple google search, they're allowed, even encouraged to take one game at a time home for four days at a time. Corporate encourages this because it keeps their employees informed about new releases. Knowing this, do you guys still want to defend calling these used games new?

 

[Kirlac]

I once did a work experience thing at a game store for a few days when I was in high school and the staff would routinely take games/dvds home for the night to have a look at. I don't think it's the purpose for the cases being opened but it does happen. Most of the stores I've been to have the original cases on display, and thus take the discs out to prevent theft, otherwise they will have sealed copies behind the counter. I have had friends that have bought "new" games that have a redeemable code inside that had already been used though. I don't think they (usually) sell second hand games as new (if it does happen it's usually a mistake and they grab the wrong disc/booklet/cartridge/etc.). I would usually request a sealed copy though. If they don't have a sealed copy, make them give you a discount since they can't prove it's new (that's why they are factory sealed) or else get it elsewhere. Most online distributors send out sealed copies and for less than retail stores sell them for.

 

[sethisjimmy]

If the game looks fine and plays fine, what's the difference? You can still sell it as if you had just bought it new. If there's a problem, you just take it back. I'm sure the chances of there actually being a problem are comparable (or less) to that of a manufacturing defect anyway(ie; very little).

Doesn't bother me.

 

[willsham45]

If you go to a game store you get what you get. Storage is an issue yes it sucks but if you have a problem with it say and or go somewhere else. Most games bought on-line new come sealed.
Then again it is becoming more and more pointless when I think now my download collection is now bigger than my hard copy collection.
And when I do buy from a shop it is always from the discount section so as long as it works I am happy.
But really I think it would be better if the games were factory sealed with those stickers that leave a hologram behind when taken off...I can see some cool things done with that.

why is this partly reminding me when I bought a new mobile phone and before I could do anything the cashier had set it up for me and pealed off the screen cover...I should have demanded a new phone.

 

[Exius Xavarus]

A few months ago I purchased Skyrim from a local game store and the clerk told me that this particular copy of Skyrim was the last copy, so he took the display box put the disc in and sold it to me at full retail price. I'm a pretty chill dude so I was like, "Cool, I got the last copy." I then later purchased Borderlands from a different local game store and the same occurrence as previously stated happened. Again, I shrugged it off and went on my way. Recently, I just purchased Red Dead and again it was the "last copy." After this third occurrence I'm beginning to suspect that game stores purposely open up and remove discs from their games. Maybe they do this to lock up the discs or to let employees take them home. Regardless, it's starting to bug the life out of me they are selling unsealed games as new, for full price.

Has anyone else experienced this before and are you cool with stores doing it?

No, I hate it, in fact. It bugs the shit out of me because if I'm paying full retail price for a brand new game, I want a brand new game. They'll tell me "Well the game's never been played!" and to which I replay, it doesn't matter if the game's never been played, because there may be a chance that it HAS been played. GameStop employees are allowed to take games home and play them, so while they aren't technically "pre-owned" per se, someone else has already opened the case and put that game into their own system. Charging me full price for used goods is bullshit.

I instantly cancel that particular game if I'm getting a display case for a brand new game. If you're going to charge me full price for a new game, it will be unopened and completely sealed. I don't want to to pay full price for a game someone else has already gotten to play before me. If I wanted to buy a copy someone else has opened and played before me, I'd buy it pre-owned. That section of the store exists for a reason.

 

[targren]

It happened to me once. I called bullshit and left, then bought it across the street at Target. Screw them.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

You guys really aren't getting it.

No, you don't get it. Why do you care whether it's "new" or "like new"? It doesn't affect the value of the item itself, only the resale price of the item. The quality is unchanged. "New" vs "Like New" only matters with resale, not retail.

It matters. Otherwise you wouldn't get a discount on open box items in literally every store that isn't Gamestop. And hell, the resale value is diminished. That's enough reason right there for it to matter: the object you are buying is worth less now, end of story.

 

[Razentsu]

Those are gutted copies. They remove the disc for safe keeping and put the box up on shelf for display. I don't mind the practice, and I don't really mind buying a game non-sealed. I unwrap the game anyway, so I don't see much of a difference.

As long as the game plays fine, I'm happy.

 

[lacktheknack]

Bothers me immeasurably. The main reason I buy new would be to support the company that released it, and if they're sliding me a used copy, then they've undermined it.

Also, it means they're lying jackasses, so there's that.

 

[00slash00]

this hasnt happened to me but it wouldnt bother me if it did. as long as the box has the instructions and everything in it and the disc isnt damaged, thats all that matters to me. i couldnt care less if i didnt get to be the one to tear off the plastic or cut the sticker