Poll: Is it okay to buy a pre-owned game as a present for a friend?

[SSoSFAGTiaCaGwaP]

My brother's friend had a birthday recently, and he bought him a pre-owned game for a present. I thought it was a bit too frugal of him, because the cover was tattered and it was only twenty dollars.

Is it okay to buy a pre-owned game for a birthday present?

EDIT: Looks like my poll's gone...

 

[ChildofGallifrey]

My brother's friend had a birthday recently, and he bought him a pre-owned game for a present. I thought it was a bit too frugal of him, because the cover was tattered and it was only twenty dollars.

Is it okay to buy a pre-owned game for a birthday present?

It's okay to buy pre-owned games period. And when it becomes illegal, and companies can charge $200 for a game because there is no competition, and people will shell out that money anyway, I'll say I told you so.

For your actual question, I would. That way, if he doesn't like the game, he can return it, get his money back, and get something he wants.

You ninja'd me, and your name is a quote from my favorite movie. Dammit, you win on two levels...

But yeah, OP, there is NOTHING wrong with buying a pre-owned game, as much as publishers would like you to believe otherwise. I buy a lot of my games pre-owned (but then I do buy a lot of previous generation games that aren't in print anymore).

 

[Vault101]

no, you deserve to burn in hell along with the murders and child molesters /sarcasm

 

[EHKOS]

Yes. In fact I would feel guilty if it wasn't. If the option is there I would rather my friends spend less on the same product.

 

[Dr. Pepper Unlimited]

Sure. I welcome them and I don't mind if people by them for me. Pre-owned is almost a given for some of the much older games I own.

 

[Vault101]

no, you deserve to burn in hell along with the murders and child molesters

I took off the /sarcasm because you clearly don't care about your friend

why would i care if my freind got me a second hand game? hell they got me a present, which is more than I could ask for, plus theoreticlaly theres hardly much difference (aside from the disk "potentially" being more worn but even then..)

I mean what kind of a freind would i be if I got pissy about it?

"yeah I know Ive been raving about skyrim but unable to afford it....but fuck you man! you got me second hand! you should have paid that extra $20 for new you stingy bastard!"

 

[gigastar]

Of course its ok. It also helps if the game you bought for him is any good too.

 

[Shoggoth2588]

I don't see a problem with it. Sometimes a game is only available pre-owned, like if you're shopping for a classic game collector. At this point though, if you do buy used I would suggest looking for cases that aren't damaged. If possible, print up a new cover for the game case. Otherwise I don't see a reason why buying a used game is a bad idea.

 

[saucecode]

Well... you know... whats the difference?

 

[Batou667]

As long as the disc is in good condition, then it's functionally the same as a new copy, right? So what's the difference?

I wouldnt buy games for anybody except family or close friends, and they wouldn't be too proud to accept preowned.

Although, since it's a gift, I would try my best to get a copy with an undamaged box, take off all the preowned stickers, etc.

 

[Funkysandwich]

It sure beats a kick in the balls.

 

[babinro]

Absolutely. The only time I'd consider this wrong is if they'd focus on online gaming and the product requires an online pass. Then your gift becomes an obligation to spend $10 to have fun.

 

[willsham45]

Pre Owned anything as a present is fine. As long as the item is reasonable and good.
Besides for games it is the disk that counts.

 

[Yan007]

Sure, but be sure to throw in a $10 bill in the box. I hate the damn publishers that do this.

 

[Gaiseric]

Sure I've done it before.

If the disc is in good shape I don't think it would be a issue.

 

[Furioso]

Whatever happened to "It's the thought that counts" Seriously, he isn't going to hate the game if its used, he is going to hate it if the game is terrible, and if it's a great game, then he will think it's a great present

 

[Scarim Coral]

As long the game itself is still in good condition (run it without any problem) than it should be ok if he know him well (if he know he would buy a cheaper game as oppuse to a brand new game).
However where I come from we tend to give each other presents that are more or less the same value meaning if he givene him a $20 game then h should expect a present that cost $20 from him in his birthday aswell.