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

[tippy2k2]

It depends, but in general no, it's not okay. Unless you're really strapped for cash or you can't buy a particular game new, giving a pre-owned game as a gift shows that you don't care about them enough to shell out the few extra bucks for a brand new copy.

Exactly! There are only a few cases where I think used is OK over new.

1. Old game. Obviously a PS1 copy of "Legend of Dragoon" is not going to be something you can get new anymore.

2. Strapped for cash. If my buddy who is living off of Ramen noodles is getting me a gift, I'll give him a pass for used.

Generally you are not going to get a lot of money off used versus new (I'd argue $10 at the very most for any game). "It's the thought that counts" seems to be a rallying cry in this thread but I now know EXACTLY what you think of me. I'm not worth the extra few bucks to you.

 

[Vegosiux]

The fact that a game is pre-owned means that the previous owner doesn't want to play it anymore. I think that fact is what should worry the publishers more than the few bucks they lose on sales.

 

[Something Amyss]

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.

Something he could do with a new release, too?

I don't know, I grew up on the concept that a used gift generally translates to "I'm cheap."

Then again, i utterly hate it when my mother spends more on my than she has to for birthdays, christmas, etc., so I'm torn.

 

[krazykidd]

You know why the hell wouldnt it be ok. Sometimes people cant afford to spend $60 on a birthday present but still want to get the person something they really want. I would actually be more annoyed if somebody wasted an extra $30 just so they could by me a new copy.

Really? Would you really be annoyed if your friend spent an extra 30$ on you? What is this hipster logic?

OT: personally , unless the game is out of print ( and you friend collects certain types of games) i wouldn't ever gift a used game. Maybe i'm more prideful than you guys but if it's truely a friend of mine , i wouldn't mind shelling out extra cash. I wouldn't want to receive a used gift either. Just buy something new that is within your means. I wouldn't buy a used t-shirt for a friend either. Sure it's the thought that counts , but still , buy something that you can afford. I rather someone buy me a regular 20$ watch ,than and 20$ rollllex ( cheap imatation of rollex, you know like in those movies where a guy has a pocket full of fake name brand watches)

 

[Baradiel]

Ofcourse! As long as they still work, why not?

Although I take the orange preowned sticker off first....

 

[Wamble]

why not. you are really giving him the entertainment value found in the game. not the case.
the only time I would say that it was bad, is if your friend was a collector.

 

[Vegosiux]

Really? Would you really be annoyed if your friend spent an extra 30$ on you? What is this hipster logic?

Inconceivable, I know, but some of us actually don't measure what the gift is worth in dollars.

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

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

I've received used games as birthday (and Solstice) gifts before.

It doesn't bother me. I usually get them from my friends who are less financially well off. Is it a little cheap? Sure. But that just means I don't have to spend as much on those friends in return.

And guys - those of you arguing about the morality of used games - wrong thread. This is just about whether it is too cheap to give someone as a gift.

 

[NathLines]

It's always ok to buy pre-owned games. I do not believe that you, as a customer, can be blamed for picking the better bargain. Yes, it hurts developers, but it is the developers and retailers responsibility to work something out. No one cares about any other kind of pre-owned media and since gaming is a relatively new medium, retailers haven't quite understood that the games industry works differently.

Buying pre-owned games is just as bad as borrowing or renting a game.

 

[CardinalPiggles]

I would personally be ok with it as long as the disc actually worked, even better if it managed to install on my Xbox.

Would I feel guilty about it? depends who I would be buying for; my snot nosed little shit head brother? I would be totally fine with. Even with the case beat up a bit.

 

[Ryu-Kage]

Depends on if the game is good or not. If it's a good game (or at least something he enjoys), then there's no real problem from what I can see. If it's something like Ninjabread Man, though, or some other game that the person got just to insult him or something, THEN you can set the gift giver on fire. [/joke]

No, but seriously, why would it be a problem as long as it works?

 

[krazykidd]

Really? Would you really be annoyed if your friend spent an extra 30$ on you? What is this hipster logic?

Inconceivable, I know, but some of us actually don't measure what the gift is worth in dollars.

Sure that makes sense , but to actually be annoyed? I mean comon . No one is going to turn around and say " you spent too much money on me your prick" to a friend.

 

[tehweave]

It's okay to buy a pre-owned game. Ever. At any point. There's nothing wrong with it.

 

[Agow95]

Perfectly acceptable, just avoid buying the really battered cases, and don't openly say, "I thought you'd like it and it was cheap"

 

[GotMalkAvian]

I think it's completely acceptable. I've bought used games for close friends a few times; I always make sure the game is in near-new condition and it allows me to get something I know they'll like even though I may be tight on cash.

I've also never been offended when a friend bought me a used game, because I understand the reasons I already listed above.

Now, if someone's cheaping out and dropping just a few bucks for the cheapest game they can find and it's in horrible condition, that could be a problem.

 

[finecrazydud]

do it. its not like your stealing the game.

 

[ms_sunlight]

Don't think of it as pre-owned; think of it as vintage.

Seriously, what's the problem? If someone gives me a present, I'm happy.

You know, there are people out there who are retro gaming collectors who would wet their pants at a pre-owned game, if that pre-owned game was some obscure SNES cartridge they'd been trying to track down, or maybe an original copy of Suikoden or something!