Gamestop is Such a Rip-Off!!!

[Cardiac Kids]

I have to know this from you guys.

What do you think about when you bring in 10 games to trade in and you walk out with 5$ less than you need to get that new game on your "edge" card?

What about the games they buy for 3$ from you (with the 20% mark-up) and turn around and sell it for 39.99$? How does that make you feel?

There has got to be some kind of law against what they do... right?

If you took games to trade in you might be happy you got your hands on the game you wanted, but was it worth it?

Tell you though, owners of that store must be making a killing in profit.

[Bucballanyone]

That is why they are in business, to make money and they seem to be doing well, there are Game Stops all over the place.

If they took your old game in for trade say $20 and sold the new one for $39, they wouldn't be in business long. Not enough profit. Then they'd be in the rental business and would have to charge even more.

[Cardiac Kids]

So you're ok with spending 60$ on a game and turning around to sell it for 3?

Do you not see a problem with an 1100 percent markup on most of what they sell, vs. what they bought it for?

I agree it's a great business to be in, but where's the competition? Is it a monopoly?

[PhillyBucFan]

It depends on the demand for the game. My kid can take in old GBA Pokemon games and get $9 per game. My step trades in her SP and gets $3.

If you think you can sell it used for more, than do so. I'm just glad she gets something for a game she no longer plays.

[LJ BuCz 27]

yeah they rip you off. I traded in Madden (huge mistake) and still didnt have enough to buy a game that came out a year ago.

This was over a month ago.

I was going to trade in GTA 4 and Rainbow Six Vegas 2 and still 20 bucks short for the USED game I want

[Pantera Canes]

Sell the game yourself. There are many websites that allow others to bid on it, or sell it directly. Heck, if its the new Madden I might of bought it myself. :D

[#1BucsDefense]

There has got to be some kind of law against what they do... right?

Not a chance, its just called good business. If you don't like it, sell the game yourself. If they sell the game for $40 you should have no trouble at all selling it for $20 or even $30.

[DaBucsDaBest97]

I have to know this from you guys.

What do you think about when you bring in 10 games to trade in and you walk out with 5$ less than you need to get that new game on your "edge" card?

What about the games they buy for 3$ from you (with the 20% mark-up) and turn around and sell it for 39.99$? How does that make you feel?

There has got to be some kind of law against what they do... right?

If you took games to trade in you might be happy you got your hands on the game you wanted, but was it worth it?

Tell you though, owners of that store must be making a killing in profit.


Dude I used to work at a Gamestop up here in Dayton, Ohio. Yes it is a HUGE rip-off. The owner doesn't get much profit off the stores, mostly all goes to the HQ in Grapevine, Texas. When I worked there, I would just laugh at the terrible values GS gives people.

Sorry Bro. lol

[DaBucsDaBest97]

It depends on the demand for the game. My kid can take in old GBA Pokemon games and get $9 per game. My step trades in her SP and gets $3.

If you think you can sell it used for more, than do so. I'm just glad she gets something for a game she no longer plays.

Thats because its"pokemon". Pokemon and Mario named games are normally worth the most. Simply because those two are big named products.

[Cardiac Kids]

Thats because its"pokemon". Pokemon and Mario named games are normally worth the most. Simply because those two are big named products.

I think it has more to do with availability and demand. They sell used copies of games over a year old for 50$. Look at the price of Gears of War used (for how long it stayed that way) Same thing with Halo. But, turn around to examples like this. I bought GH: Aerosmith pre-order. I got it that Sunday it came out. I used to have a huge collection of 360 games, so i traded in a bunch of them and got Assassin's Creed and the pre-order. Then, since both games royally sucked, 6 days after i bought GH:A i took them back and decided that i could pay off the rest of my Unreal Tournament 3 preorder. Still came up 5$ short. They said they would only give me back my full amount for Assassins Creed and not GH:A (6 days later) since i said that Assassin's Creed was defective, and it was. So, 6 days after i bought a 64$ game all they would give me back was 32$.

A couple weeks ago i brought in some stuff to trade, thinking i was going to have a bit twords Gears 2. I brought Kingdom Under Fire, Lost Oddysey, GTA4, Rock Band, with a flawless brand new wireless guitar, Viva Pinata, NFS: Pro Street and was still 25$ short. That's almost half. They should have a seperate line for people trading in stuff that has a sign that reads wait here to be bent over.

That's weird about the owner though, you would think if he was the owner of a store, the money would be funnelled to him. I think it would be great to own one of those. Think about how much money people waste on video games. If someone bought 10 games all brand new when they came out at 65$ each totalling 640$, then traded them in they would get about 50 to 60$ total depending. It has always been that way though, probably about time someone started gathering all that money into one pocket.

I agree too, you should sell stuff like this online yourself for a little less than what they would get for it, but i think the convenience of the Gamestop is what get's most people. They either don't have or don't want to take the time to do it themselves.

[PhillyBucFan]

Thats because its"pokemon". Pokemon and Mario named games are normally worth the most. Simply because those two are big named products.

Exactly why I stated that it depended on the demand for the game. The more popular games will draw a higher demand. The bigger the name... the higher demand... duh.

[The_Z_Factor]

Don't ever trade your games into Gamestop. In fact don't support Gamestop at all , if you want to sell your games put them on Ebay or Craigslist , you will get a lot more there.

[#1BucsDefense]

Then, since both games royally sucked, 6 days after i bought GH:A i took them back and decided that i could pay off the rest of my Unreal Tournament 3 preorder. Still came up 5$ short. They said they would only give me back my full amount for Assassins Creed and not GH:A (6 days later) since i said that Assassin's Creed was defective, and it was. So, 6 days after i bought a 64$ game all they would give me back was 32$.

Did you really expect a full refund when trying to return a game just because you didn't like it?

More importantly, if you have so many complaints, why do you keep going back to that store? You have all these examples of times you claim they screwed you, yet you keep going back. It can't be the only place to buy games.

[Nun Puncher]

Not sticking up for Gamestop butt hey're taking something off of your hands that they may or may not sell themselves. It's no different than Pawn Shop policy but just not as seedy. If you're bringing in games that over or close to a year old you're not going to get squat for them. It's also based on the quality of the game. If it has the potential for alot of future Downloadable Content such as Grand Theft Auto 4 or Gears of War 2 you'll get more bang for your buck. But if your bringing in Iron Man ( Example ) , a crap movie game that you've held onto for a year you'll get $5.00.
With games costing $60.00 these days ( The real rip-off ) it pays to do some reserch and look for deals. Places like Toys R Us sometimes has buy 2 new games get one free. Whenever I trade in games it's immediately after I beat them so the trade in value is what it would cost for renting the game for roughly a month from Hollywood Video.
You may want to check out Gamefly. Pretty much the same thing as Netflix. Rent a game get it in the mail , seal it and send it when you're done with no late fees. And if you feel like purchasing a game through them that you like it's usuallya good deal beacsue they have so many copies.

[BlackNGold]

You should check out Blockbuster. They actually give you a pretty good credit for games.

[Cardiac Kids]

Here's the used-game business model: A gamer who bought "Kong" new at retail, who finishes it or just decides he doesn't want to keep it, can sell it back to GameStop and receive $9.60 in cash or $12 credit towards another game. GameStop marks that up 133% and resells it for $27.99 which, according to Michael Pachter, contributes to the company's $800 million to $1 billion in annual U.S. sales on used games alone. Pachter is a research analyst covering the videogame sector at LA-based Wedbush Morgan Securities.

"GameStop and Electronics Boutique [which merged with GameStop last April] essentially own about 80% of the second-hand game market," says Pachter, with about 3,200 stores in the U.S. combined. Their competition comes mainly from Movie Gallery's Hollywood Video and Game Crazy stores and Blockbuster's Game Rush stores. And Best Buy is currently testing the used-games business in about 50 stores.

A spokesperson at Grapevine, TX-based GameStop would not return calls for this story.

Meanwhile, what Pachter is hearing from publishers is that each second-hand game sale cancels out one possible new-game sale, which is cutting into the game makers' profits.

"Publishers were originally looking at the second-hand market as a second swipe at the apple," observes Hal Halpin, president of the Interactive Entertainment Merchants Association (IEMA), the trade association that represents 75% of retailers that sell video games, including Wal-Mart, Toys R Us, Circuit City, Target, and Blockbuster. "They were hoping that used games would drive new sales, or that there might be a revenue-share option, such as with DVD rentals."

But apparently they feel it hasn't turned out that way.

"I think publishers are making noise because they'd like to get a piece of that almost $1-billion that GameStop is making ... and that's all there is to it," says Pachter. "Or they'd like to somehow regulate the price of used games, to be able to say to GameStop 'we'll sell you copies of, say, the brand-new "Halo," but you've got to promise us that you won't sell the used copies for less than 80% of the new price.' If the retailers were to do that, if the used copies of a $50 game would go for, say, $40, most gamers would pay the extra $10 for the new version. That's how the used market would be regulated, but I don't think that's going to happen."

Link. (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002035113)

[Jakopo]

I wish they would quit buying the junk that they do so they could give more for good games.

The problem seems to me that they will take just about any game, regardless of how old or how many copies they already have, and every $1 they spend on them is $1 less that they will spend on a newer used game that someone will immediately turn around and buy.

Just look at their shelves, they are loaded with old crap that no one will ever buy. All of that is subsidized by the small $ they give for the good stuff.


One shouldn't be selling used games to them anyway -- you get a much better price on e-bay.

[WyoBuccNasty]

I am now over gamestop. My kids tore up my madden as they do many of my disk so i have made it a habbit to just buy used games to replace the damaged goods to save some cash. Anyways, went in tonight to get a copy of madden. 54.99 was the CHEAPEST they had. I can but it new at walmart for 59.99....WTF. I'm done.

[Legacy]

Dunno what you guys are complaining about. I traded in 7 Wii games today and got about $60 in store credit. I used that credit to get Gears of War, Crackdown and Burnout: Paradise for free.

The prices of their used games are proportional to the demand for the product and the demand determines what you're going to get when you trade games in. You can usually tell how much you'll get for a game by looking at the used by for it. For example, I got $15 for Zelda when the listed price in the store was $34.

The only problem I have with Gamestop is their online service. Their games take foreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeever to ship. ****es me off...

[Buc Fan Scotty]

Can I get an Amen? You said it brother. :)

[Buc Fan Scotty]

I agree with you 100 %. I refuse to trade in anything to Game Stop. I will go the Ebay route or Craigslist when selling a game. I think there needs to be some laws governing places like Game Stop and college book stores. They relentlessly charge top dollar for things but when you go to trade the exact same thing back to them you are lucky to a tenth of what YOU paid them for the exact same item.

[Buc Fan Scotty]

Dunno what you guys are complaining about. I traded in 7 Wii games today and got about $60 in store credit. I used that credit to get Gears of War, Crackdown and Burnout: Paradise for free.

The prices of their used games are proportional to the demand for the product and the demand determines what you're going to get when you trade games in. You can usually tell how much you'll get for a game by looking at the used by for it. For example, I got $15 for Zelda when the listed price in the store was $34.

The only problem I have with Gamestop is their online service. Their games take foreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeever to ship. ****es me off...

Let me ask you something and I am not trying to come across like a jerk. Do YOU personally pay for your games out of your own money? How much did you pay for the 7 Wii games? I am sure this is at least 7 or 8 times the worth of the games you got in return.

[CSG]

I would HATE to see some of you buy a car and watch what happens to it's value the MOMENT you drive it off the lot.....

[Legacy]

Let me ask you something and I am not trying to come across like a jerk. Do YOU personally pay for your games out of your own money? How much did you pay for the 7 Wii games? I am sure this is at least 7 or 8 times the worth of the games you got in return.
Yeah, I pay for them out of my own pocket and, yes, I did pay way more for them than I got in return, but expecting to get anywhere close to a 100% return on the sale of your used games is absolutely absurd.

I don't have a problem with trading in games I have no interest in playing any longer for those I do wish to play, even if I'm taking a monetary loss on the transaction. It's unlikely I could have sold those games for much more by doing it myself on an auction site, since none of the games were high profile titles (outside of Zelda: The Twilight Princess) and every single one of them was more than a year old.

[#1BucsDefense]

I agree with you 100 %. I refuse to trade in anything to Game Stop. I will go the Ebay route or Craigslist when selling a game. I think there needs to be some laws governing places like Game Stop and college book stores. They relentlessly charge top dollar for things but when you go to trade the exact same thing back to them you are lucky to a tenth of what YOU paid them for the exact same item.

So there should be laws to stop businesses from maximizing their profits? You don't like it, so you do what you should, go the Ebay or Craigslist route. If enough people did that, then the stores would have to pay more for buybacks in order to keep doing business. But instead, people complain yet keep going to these stores for the convenience. If there weren't other options I would understand the want for regulation, but as there are other options, people can just use them.

[Buc Fan Scotty]

So there should be laws to stop businesses from maximizing their profits? You don't like it, so you do what you should, go the Ebay or Craigslist route. If enough people did that, then the stores would have to pay more for buybacks in order to keep doing business. But instead, people complain yet keep going to these stores for the convenience. If there weren't other options I would understand the want for regulation, but as there are other options, people can just use them.

Profit is not a dirty word. I am just pointing out that these two businesses in particular tend to as you put it 'maximize their profits' to the extreme. I do see your point about there being other options. Believe me, I have been using the other options to the best of my ability.

I just think that the two businesses I mentioned tend to take advantage of people thru their buyback policies. I still feel it should be regulated in some way. But it appears the only type of regulation or satisfaction I will receive for my hard earned money is not to patronize Game Stop or college bookstores. I think I will call it grass roots street regulation. :)

[Buc Fan Scotty]

Yeah, I pay for them out of my own pocket and, yes, I did pay way more for them than I got in return, but expecting to get anywhere close to a 100% return on the sale of your used games is absolutely absurd.

I don't have a problem with trading in games I have no interest in playing any longer for those I do wish to play, even if I'm taking a monetary loss on the transaction. It's unlikely I could have sold those games for much more by doing it myself on an auction site, since none of the games were high profile titles (outside of Zelda: The Twilight Princess) and every single one of them was more than a year old.

If you dont have a problem with it than more power to you. I wont knock you for that. However I have a problem with a business or anyone that will look you in the eye, smile, and sell you something and if you choose to trade it in or trade it back at a later date they will only give you a fourth of what you paid them originally and thats if your lucky. THAN in turn they will sell it for much more than they gave you and thats for damn sure. That just doesn't sit well with me. I guess I am old school and understand the value of a dollar. I am not bagging on anyone here by saying that.

I was in Game Stop about 3 years ago waiting in line. The guy in front of me was hard on his luck and was selling his ps2 games and dvds. The guy had 20 Ps2 games and 35 dvds. All of them had cases and manuals etc. Keep in mind this was 3 years ago and Game Stop was only giving this guy $95.00 cash for all he was trading in!

I guess in summary all that I am saying is that I want to make sure I benefit from my hard earned dollar to the fullest extent. Places like Game Stop prevent me from doing this so I just simply wont go there anymore. It is my choice and I hope some of you will agree with me and not go there.

[PhillyBucFan]

Profit is not a dirty word. I am just pointing out that these two businesses in particular tend to as you put it 'maximize their profits' to the extreme. I do see your point about there being other options. Believe me, I have been using the other options to the best of my ability.

I just think that the two businesses I mentioned tend to take advantage of people thru their buyback policies. I still feel it should be regulated in some way. But it appears the only type of regulation or satisfaction I will receive for my hard earned money is not to patronize Game Stop or college bookstores. I think I will call it grass roots street regulation. :)


So... let's say you buy a pair of jeans and wear them a couple of times... then, let's say, they don't fit or you don't like them... do you expect to get your cost back? How about you buy a television, or a computer? Do you think you are going to get your cost back at a reasonable rate?

Why are games any different than the above? You buy it, you use/play it... then you want a high percentage return value??? You are lucky to get anything. If you don't like GameStop, then don't do business with them.

Regulations?? Beyond stupid.

[Buc Fan Scotty]

So... let's say you buy a pair of jeans and wear them a couple of times... then, let's say, they don't fit or you don't like them... do you expect to get your cost back? How about you buy a television, or a computer? Do you think you are going to get your cost back at a reasonable rate?

Why are games any different than the above? You buy it, you use/play it... then you want a high percentage return value??? You are lucky to get anything. If you don't like GameStop, then don't do business with them.

Regulations?? Beyond stupid.

It sounds to me like you feel the need to defend Game Stop. If that is the case than by all means do so. Its your dollar that you can blow there if you want to. We are not talking about jeans or a television now are we? Game Stop gives you credit or cash for the same games they sell you. That is part of their business and how they choose to operate it.

Regulations? Yes, I feel it should be regulated in some way or form yes. If you feel that is stupid than it is your opinion and your dollar. What is stupid to me is paying $60.00 for a Xbox 360 game and when you beat it or get tired of it you go to Game Stop and turn it in for the small sum of credit or cash they give you. Then watch them turn around and sell your game for 10 times what they gave you. That to me is what is truly stupid. That is why I am against Game Stop and pursue other options. Are they a business? Yes. Are they driven by the profit motive? Yes. Do they need to screw people? Absolutely not. Do I have options? Yes. Do I have to shop at Game Stop? Hell no and I wont.

It is your dollar. Maybe you have so much money to spend on games that you dont care or someone else buys them for you. I work hard for my money and earn it. I will benefit from MY dollar as much as possible. I will not let Game Stop benefit from my dollar thats for damn sure.

[Cardiac Kids]

We shouldn't complain about how much they buy our games back for, right?

If they are no longer as valuable, then why can they sell a used copy of something for 55$? And please, don't try to tell me the demand bullcrap. Then you would also have to agree that ALOT of their customers are happy spending 5$ less for something that is used. I sure as hell don't agree. Look how long Halo was full price, years ago, even after Halo 2 was out. Gears of War came out and a year later a used copy goes for 5$ less in that place. It's rediculous.

Think about this, you buy 3 games for your kid for Christmas full price, new, from Walmart. A couple days later when the attention span has dropped, maybe by say New Year's, they want you to bring them up to Gamestop so they can trade them in. You walk out of there with a subscription to game informer and about 20$ on an Edge card. How does that feel? Or, say you're smart and opt not to bring your child there and they do it behind your back....

[Cardiac Kids]

Think about this, if you bought 20 games new, and you returned them and got 20$ a piece back. That's a good deal right? They still got you for the cost of a new 42" LCD. Too bad you won't get even close to that back. 20 games at full price is 1200$+. You'd be damn lucky if you got 200$ back.

[Buc Fan Scotty]

We shouldn't complain about how much they buy our games back for, right?

If they are no longer as valuable, then why can they sell a used copy of something for 55$? And please, don't try to tell me the demand bullcrap. Then you would also have to agree that ALOT of their customers are happy spending 5$ less for something that is used. I sure as hell don't agree. Look how long Halo was full price, years ago, even after Halo 2 was out. Gears of War came out and a year later a used copy goes for 5$ less in that place. It's rediculous.

Think about this, you buy 3 games for your kid for Christmas full price, new, from Walmart. A couple days later when the attention span has dropped, maybe by say New Year's, they want you to bring them up to Gamestop so they can trade them in. You walk out of there with a subscription to game informer and about 20$ on an Edge card. How does that feel? Or, say you're smart and opt not to bring your child there and they do it behind your back....

I truly think most of these people just dont get it, they dont care because they dont pay for their own games, they have so much money that it just doesnt matter to them, or they just dont understand the value of a dollar or a combination of the aforementioned.

[Cardiac Kids]

I truly think most of these people just dont get it, they dont care because they dont pay for their own games, they have so much money that it just doesnt matter to them, or they just dont understand the value of a dollar or a combination of the aforementioned.

I think most of them are smart enough to get it, and don't care. The there are some who are really ignorant, because the games didn't belong to them, whether they spent the money on them or not. Not saying people on this board, i mean in general. Gamestop is a HUGE money vaccum that is taking advantage of people more than they know right from their pockets. Hell even the kids should be wise about it and stop giving someone all their money. That extra grand is more than a months rent to some of us. Who knows, maybe they equivilate that to what they spent in the arcades as a teen or something and think it's ok. The thing is, the game is not depreciated in value and Gamestop is the one showing us that when they turn around and gouge you to get it back.

Get rid of the game somewhere else people, do you and your kids or whoever a huge favor and put some time into it and your effort will pay off. If we all used alternative methods, they would be forced to offer us more or they would sink quick. I'd rather see kids trade games straight up with each other then give them to gamestop. Video games are so poular now that this has got to become one of the worst ways we Americans waste money. Right up there with cigarrettes. If it's not by now, it will be soon.

edit: What if you bought a house for 100 grand, and lived in it for a couple years. I came along to buy it for 20 grand, which in Gamestop would be a "good" deal. You didn't care cause, hey you lived in it for a while and you got use out of it. Then i turned around and sold it right in front of you for 95 grand. The difference? Most people take care of their games and can keep them immaculate. It's really hard to do that to a house after a couple years of living in it, but you know what? You probably want more for your house than it cost you.

[Legacy]

I truly think most of these people just dont get it, they dont care because they dont pay for their own games, they have so much money that it just doesnt matter to them, or they just dont understand the value of a dollar or a combination of the aforementioned.
Look: I understand the value of the dollar, I pay for my own games and I don't have money to throw around at everything.

I simply understand that I'm paying for entertainment, while you seem to be living in some fantasy world where entertainment should be doled out by the government cost-free. While you're right that I'm coming out of the transaction with a monetary loss (as I've already admitted), I'm gaining what I gauge to be an equivalent amount of new entertainment. I never trade in my games then let the money sit on the Edge card. I always have a few games I'll purchase on the spot with the money I get from the trade in. In this scenario, I'm trading in something that has zero entertainment value for me for something that does, which, in my eyes, evens out the money I lose from the original cost of the games I traded in.

Besides, I stand by my assertion that if you think you're selling your used games for 100% what you payed for them, you're absolutely out of your mind. As has already been pointed out, there are other avenues for you to pursue if you want to sell your used games yourself, but you'll be incurring a monetary loss no matter how you look at it.

[BucJordan]

edit: What if you bought a house for 100 grand, and lived in it for a couple years. I came along to buy it for 20 grand, which in Gamestop would be a "good" deal. You didn't care cause, hey you lived in it for a while and you got use out of it. Then i turned around and sold it right in front of you for 95 grand. The difference? Most people take care of their games and can keep them immaculate. It's really hard to do that to a house after a couple years of living in it, but you know what? You probably want more for your house than it cost you.

You really don't see the difference? Really?

Let me help you out. It's called TECHNOLOGY. A couple years after a new game comes out, there's probably already a sequel out. No one WANTS the old game. There's similar games which are newer and have better graphics. Yes, they jack up the price to make profit, mostly because they don't even end up selling a lot of the games they buy off people. Some games they'll only give you 50 cents for because there is NO demand for it, and there's a very low chance it even sells.

Now, maybe people WOULD start getting ripped off for their houses if there was unlimited available land, and every new house had features not available in the houses of a year ago, and they all started at $100,000 retail regardless of any new features.

Cliff's Notes: Technology is key. The more rapid the advances are in a certain group of goods, the faster that group of goods depreciates in value.

[Jakopo]

GameStop's net profit margin last quarter was a whopping 2.7%!



As I poster earlier, I think they buy far too much garbage to begin with and if they bought less of it, they could pay better for the stuff that is still in demand.

You could probably take Madden 05 in now and get $1 or $2 for it. They are never going to sell it but they'll still give you something for it.

[Buc Fan Scotty]

Look: I understand the value of the dollar, I pay for my own games and I don't have money to throw around at everything.

I simply understand that I'm paying for entertainment, while you seem to be living in some fantasy world where entertainment should be doled out by the government cost-free. While you're right that I'm coming out of the transaction with a monetary loss (as I've already admitted), I'm gaining what I gauge to be an equivalent amount of new entertainment. I never trade in my games then let the money sit on the Edge card. I always have a few games I'll purchase on the spot with the money I get from the trade in. In this scenario, I'm trading in something that has zero entertainment value for me for something that does, which, in my eyes, evens out the money I lose from the original cost of the games I traded in.

Besides, I stand by my assertion that if you think you're selling your used games for 100% what you payed for them, you're absolutely out of your mind. As has already been pointed out, there are other avenues for you to pursue if you want to sell your used games yourself, but you'll be incurring a monetary loss no matter how you look at it.

First off I am not living in a fantasy world where I feel entertainment should be doled out by the government cost free. I never suggested this in any way, shape, or form. I merely suggested that it be regulated in SOME way. There is no need for you to exaggerate my opinion to make yourself look better or smarter or whatever it is you are trying to accomplish.

Secondly, I never stated that I feel that I or any other customer of Game Stop should be able to sell my or their used games back to Game Stop for 100% of what was paid for them originally. I am not sure where this comes from but it seems like you are again trying to exaggerate my opinion to make yourself look better or your point of view superior to mine. Getting 100% back for a used game? That is crazy and I understand that.

Game Stop is a business driven by the profit motive. I do however feel that what they currently give you for used games is absolutely ridiculous. Even more so when they turn around and sell what you turned in to them for 6 to 7 times what they gave you in credit. Now if my stuff isn't worth anything how come they turn around and sell it for what they are? I guess that is just me in my fantasy world. This is where I feel that some type of regulation is needed. I truly feel they need to give you more than they do that is for damn sure.

I have choices and alternatives and I realize this. My choice is not to feed the monster that is Game Stop. Plain and simple.

[Buc Fan Scotty]

GameStop's net profit margin last quarter was a whopping 2.7%!



As I poster earlier, I think they buy far too much garbage to begin with and if they bought less of it, they could pay better for the stuff that is still in demand.

You could probably take Madden 05 in now and get $1 or $2 for it. They are never going to sell it but they'll still give you something for it.

If you believe that their profit margin was only 2.7% last quarter I have some ocean front property for you here in Arizona. Sure the economy is bad and all but that is only what Game Stop may be reporting.

[Legacy]

Scotty, no offense, but anyone who advocates regulation of anything has no idea what they're talking about. Gamestop's used game sales is actually helping hold their profit margin above 0% right now, since they're seeing a decline in sales of new games.

[Buc Fan Scotty]

Scotty, no offense, but anyone who advocates regulation of anything has no idea what they're talking about. Gamestop's used game sales is actually helping hold their profit margin above 0% right now, since they're seeing a decline in sales of new games.


No offense taken. How bout this, SOMETHING needs to be done about it hows that? :) Btw my foot is hurting from kicking the dead horse.

[PhillyBucFan]

No offense taken. How bout this, SOMETHING needs to be done about it hows that? :) Btw my foot is hurting from kicking the dead horse.

Free enterprise. You buy a car, you tire of it... it breaks down, whatever... you sell it for a lot less than you paid. Better yet, you trade it in... you get very little for it. Then the car dealer sells it for a lot more than what you paid.

What don't you get? As I said earlier, I am happy to get anything for games or game devices that my kids no longer use. They grow out of them, just like they did all the Barbie and Bratz dolls. I get nothing in return for those. Not their clothes, either.... which came at considerable costs.

You don't like Gamestop, then don't go there. For me, I am glad they take my unwanted and used items and give me something (albeit, sometimes a small token) for something that would have otherwise been thrown out.

[CSG]

Free enterprise. You buy a car, you tire of it... it breaks down, whatever... you sell it for a lot less than you paid. Better yet, you trade it in... you get very little for it. Then the car dealer sells it for a lot more than what you paid.

What don't you get? As I said earlier, I am happy to get anything for games or game devices that my kids no longer use. They grow out of them, just like they did all the Barbie and Bratz dolls. I get nothing in return for those. Not their clothes, either.... which came at considerable costs.

You don't like Gamestop, then don't go there. For me, I am glad they take my unwanted and used items and give me something (albeit, sometimes a small token) for something that would have otherwise been thrown out.

DING DING DING!!!!

Dibs for POTW

[BigBuc22]

thats why u should just use ebay, amazon, or craigslist.... gamestop sucks...

[GradyFox]

Simple solution to your issue.

Quit going to Gamestop.

Will that close the place down?

No.

But it will keep you from feeling ripped off.

Ebay has been around for quite awhile, along with many, many other sites, use them.

If it's too much of a hassle or you don't want to be bothered.

Then quit whining, there are other avenues, you're not forced to use Gamestop and their buyback prices.

[Pirate4Life]

It seems like some of you wanted "something" to be done.

How about this:

The video game industry (or at least about 90% of the major players) is preparing to begin coding their games with "security locks."

Now, the Madden/Metal Gear/GTA you buy will ONLY WORK ON WHICHEVER CONSOLE IT IS FIRST PLAYED ON. You can't bring it to your friend's house to play on his or her 360/PS3, and eventually, the trading-in of games will diminish entirely.

This is to eliminate people giving away games and stealing profit from the companies themselves.

Stupid idea if you ask me, but hey, that's the nature of the business.


And I know this because I'm in the industry...there's a very good chance it's going to happen soon.

[#1BucsDefense]

I think most of them are smart enough to get it, and don't care. The there are some who are really ignorant, because the games didn't belong to them, whether they spent the money on them or not. Not saying people on this board, i mean in general. Gamestop is a HUGE money vaccum that is taking advantage of people more than they know right from their pockets. Hell even the kids should be wise about it and stop giving someone all their money. That extra grand is more than a months rent to some of us.

If you're that concerned about your money, you shouldn't be spending so much on video games.

But either way, I think you don't get it. Nobody says you have to like GameStop, or that you have to shop there. If you don't like it, by all means use one of the MANY other options to sell your games. If GameStop is able sell these games back at 6-7 times what they paid you for it, you should EASILY be able to get 3-4 times what they would've paid you for it selling it on your own. But to ask for ANY type of government regulation on this because you don't like what they're doing is ridiculous. Some people like the convenience of GameStop and don't mind the low trade in value, all government regulation would do would be to take away that option from those people and leave you in the exact same situation you're in now, having to sell your games yourself in order to get a better trade in value. You wouldn't make things better, only worse.

[Cardiac Kids]

If you're that concerned about your money, you shouldn't be spending so much on video games.

But either way, I think you don't get it. Nobody says you have to like GameStop, or that you have to shop there. If you don't like it, by all means use one of the MANY other options to sell your games. If GameStop is able sell these games back at 6-7 times what they paid you for it, you should EASILY be able to get 3-4 times what they would've paid you for it selling it on your own. But to ask for ANY type of government regulation on this because you don't like what they're doing is ridiculous. Some people like the convenience of GameStop and don't mind the low trade in value, all government regulation would do would be to take away that option from those people and leave you in the exact same situation you're in now, having to sell your games yourself in order to get a better trade in value. You wouldn't make things better, only worse.

If i don't get it, then why are you saying almost the same thing i did throughout this thread? Do we both not get it? I like to see that other people have gripes and have voiced opinions either for or against. It makes a good debate. You never know, this thread might have helped a few parental figures with their holliday shopping, either directly or indirectly. There is a huge spectrum of feelings over this topic as expressed here and all are welcome in this thread.

[#1BucsDefense]

If i don't get it, then why are you saying almost the same thing i did throughout this thread? Do we both not get it? I like to see that other people have gripes and have voiced opinions either for or against. It makes a good debate. You never know, this thread might have helped a few parental figures with their holliday shopping, either directly or indirectly. There is a huge spectrum of feelings over this topic as expressed here and all are welcome in this thread.

I looked it over again, and I made a mistake, you're not the one who was calling for regulation to stop Gamestop's buyback policy, that was Scotty, so consider that last post directed at him.

[Jakopo]

It seems like some of you wanted "something" to be done.

How about this:

The video game industry (or at least about 90% of the major players) is preparing to begin coding their games with "security locks."

Now, the Madden/Metal Gear/GTA you buy will ONLY WORK ON WHICHEVER CONSOLE IT IS FIRST PLAYED ON. You can't bring it to your friend's house to play on his or her 360/PS3, and eventually, the trading-in of games will diminish entirely.

This is to eliminate people giving away games and stealing profit from the companies themselves.

Stupid idea if you ask me, but hey, that's the nature of the business.


And I know this because I'm in the industry...there's a very good chance it's going to happen soon.

I hadn't heard this before, this will suck. I buy 1/2 of my games used.

[Legacy]

For those of you complaining about Gamestop's trade in policy, check this site out: Goozex (http://www.goozex.com/referral.asp?idr=6176562530703).

It's a networking-type site that allows gamers to request and offer games for trade. It's a pretty nifty way of obtaining new games at a rate that may be more consistent with what you view the actual value of a game being.

[Nun Puncher]

Free enterprise. You buy a car, you tire of it... it breaks down, whatever... you sell it for a lot less than you paid. Better yet, you trade it in... you get very little for it. Then the car dealer sells it for a lot more than what you paid.

What don't you get? As I said earlier, I am happy to get anything for games or game devices that my kids no longer use. They grow out of them, just like they did all the Barbie and Bratz dolls. I get nothing in return for those. Not their clothes, either.... which came at considerable costs.

You don't like Gamestop, then don't go there. For me, I am glad they take my unwanted and used items and give me something (albeit, sometimes a small token) for something that would have otherwise been thrown out.

Exactly.

Although, Gamestop needs to get with the times. They're selling used games that cost more than brand new games that have been marked down that you can find at Best Buy and other places for waaay cheaper since the holidays are over . As said, if you don't like Gamestop don't go. Do some research and go where you get a deal. You don't have to get in line with the rest of the cattle. Some places like Toys R Us sometimes offer buy 2 games get one free.

[skulldog06]

I think there needs to be some laws governing places like college book stores.

I'm with you there, brother. Those college bookstores are the biggest scams going. Oh, and isn't it so cute how they change editions once to twice each year on average!!! Pure garbage!!!!

[Big D]

It seems like some of you wanted "something" to be done.

How about this:

The video game industry (or at least about 90% of the major players) is preparing to begin coding their games with "security locks."

Now, the Madden/Metal Gear/GTA you buy will ONLY WORK ON WHICHEVER CONSOLE IT IS FIRST PLAYED ON. You can't bring it to your friend's house to play on his or her 360/PS3, and eventually, the trading-in of games will diminish entirely.

This is to eliminate people giving away games and stealing profit from the companies themselves.




Stupid idea if you ask me, but hey, that's the nature of the business.


And I know this because I'm in the industry...there's a very good chance it's going to happen soon.


I may be wrong but I don't think this one will happen for this reason : When my sons 360 goes bad as we all know they do will Xbox replace his 50+ games so he can play them on his new console I will have to buy?

[Malibu]

I'd love to see that happen, just for the backlash.

[Cardiac Kids]

I'm with you there, brother. Those college bookstores are the biggest scams going. Oh, and isn't it so cute how they change editions once to twice each year on average!!! Pure garbage!!!!

Yeah that is some serious crap. It seems like they change it so you can't sell them back. If they are going to do that so much, then why should they stay so expensive? Then again, i have kept alot of my books like my art history books and humanities to add to my library. The have tons of good references.

[Jakopo]

For those of you complaining about Gamestop's trade in policy, check this site out: Goozex (http://www.goozex.com/referral.asp?idr=6176562530703).

It's a networking-type site that allows gamers to request and offer games for trade. It's a pretty nifty way of obtaining new games at a rate that may be more consistent with what you view the actual value of a game being.

That looks like a cool site, have you used it yet? I'm always skeptical when dealing with the general public.

[Legacy]

That looks like a cool site, have you used it yet? I'm always skeptical when dealing with the general public.
I haven't, since I don't currently have any games to trade, but friends of mine have had nothing but good experiences with it. Just keep track of the feedback of who you're trading with. I've heard some people have gotten burned using it, but when you look at who they traded with, it's people who have multiple negative feedbacks.

You can also set up a network on that site and just trade amongst people you know and trust.

[skulldog06]

Yeah that is some serious crap. It seems like they change it so you can't sell them back. If they are going to do that so much, then why should they stay so expensive? Then again, i have kept alot of my books like my art history books and humanities to add to my library. The have tons of good references.

It's funny how the changes between a 1st and 2nd edition of a certain textbook are so dinky. They literally will switch around a few chapters. The biggest changes they'll ever make is adding 1 (at the most) chapter. Thank god I am done with school.

[austinincollege]

FYI Gamestop gives you 7 days to return used games no questions asked...so if you are unsure if you are going to like a game buy it used...play it for 5 days...if u like it keep it if not bring it back...

[skulldog06]

FYI Gamestop gives you 7 days to return used games no questions asked...so if you are unsure if you are going to like a game buy it used...play it for 5 days...if u like it keep it if not bring it back...

Thanks for reminding me. I just returned the worst sports game of all time: MLB 2K8.

[Da Bucs GM]

ugh man I can't believe what pimps this company is. you got to trade in 3 games(2 new ones, and 1 semi old one) to get 1 new game. That means to get a brand new game right now you'd have to trade in like 2k10, madden, and some other game just to get that one new game you want.

[DeLandBucFan]

ugh man I can't believe what pimps this company is. you got to trade in 3 games(2 new ones, and 1 semi old one) to get 1 new game. That means to get a brand new game right now you'd have to trade in like 2k10, madden, and some other game just to get that one new game you want.

Then don't go there!!!

Damn it man, I don't understand all these people complaining about Gamestop in this thread. They are not the only store on the block that sells new and used video games. No one says you are required to do business with them. If you feel like you are being cheated, then stop doing business with them.

Complain all you want (not trying top pick on you GM, you just happened to be the last one here) but their business model obviously works for them. There are people out there (like me) that do not want, and for miscillaneous reasons, cannot have, large libraries of video games. That means when I beat a game, and deem it to have little or no real replay value, I cannot just allow it to sit on my shelf while I go out and pay full price for another game.

Case in point: Infamous. I bought this game brand new. Beat it twice within a two week time frame, once as a "good" character, and once as an "evil" character. After that, I had seen everything the game had to offer, earned all of the trophies, and had nothing left to accomplish in the game. I took it back to Gamestop and got 30 bucks for it (half of what I paid), which I then turned around and used on another new game, so I paid half for that game.

Yeah, I just lost out on the 60 bucks I spent the first time around, but I got what I felt was my moneys worth out of it and had no more use for it. It basically boils down to this: Either you like the convenience and don't mind losing out on a few more dollars on the trade ins, or you don't, and shouldn't be dealing with them. Don't blame them for coming up with a business plan that makes them money.

[Da Bucs GM]

Then don't go there!!!.

I don't. I sell my stuff online.

Damn it man, I don't understand all these people complaining about Gamestop in this thread. They are not the only store on the block that sells new and used video games. No one says you are required to do business with them. If you feel like you are being cheated, then stop doing business with them.

Complain all you want (not trying top pick on you GM, you just happened to be the last one here) but their business model obviously works for them. There are people out there (like me) that do not want, and for miscillaneous reasons, cannot have, large libraries of video games. That means when I beat a game, and deem it to have little or no real replay value, I cannot just allow it to sit on my shelf while I go out and pay full price for another game.

Case in point: Infamous. I bought this game brand new. Beat it twice within a two week time frame, once as a "good" character, and once as an "evil" character. After that, I had seen everything the game had to offer, earned all of the trophies, and had nothing left to accomplish in the game. I took it back to Gamestop and got 30 bucks for it (half of what I paid), which I then turned around and used on another new game, so I paid half for that game.

Yeah, I just lost out on the 60 bucks I spent the first time around, but I got what I felt was my moneys worth out of it and had no more use for it. It basically boils down to this: Either you like the convenience and don't mind losing out on a few more dollars on the trade ins, or you don't, and shouldn't be dealing with them. Don't blame them for coming up with a business plan that makes them money.

Which makes all this^ irrelevant( toward me of course)

[DeLandBucFan]

I don't. I sell my stuff online.



Which makes all this^ irrelevant( toward me of course)


Then why complain about them? You're already not doing business with them, so why do you really care if they require you to trade in three games to walk out with a new one without a dime out of your pocket?

Look, like I said in my first post, I'm really not trying to bash on or pick on you at all, you just happened to be the one to bump the thread. But if you're not doing business with them, then you're just complaining about them just to do it.

[Da Bucs GM]

Then why complain about them? You're already not doing business with them, so why do you really care if they require you to trade in three games to walk out with a new one without a dime out of your pocket?

Look, like I said in my first post, I'm really not trying to bash on or pick on you at all, you just happened to be the one to bump the thread. But if you're not doing business with them, then you're just complaining about them just to do it.

I complain because I was once one of them. I broke free of "the cycle" 2 weeks ago. And I do feel for the people(grown ppl only tho) who get ripped off from that place.

Now do they have a excellent business plan. HELL YES!!!!!!!!! It's great. I love it from a business man view. They're laughing all the way to the bank. If I was an employer there I'd smile everyday that ppl come in and trade in there games, get shafted and walk out the store with a smile. More money for me.

But I'm not a employer, I'm a customer. And I feel for them rather they realize what's going on or not.

[DeLandBucFan]

I complain because I was once one of them. I broke free of "the cycle" 2 weeks ago. And I do feel for the people(grown ppl only tho) who get ripped off from that place.

Now do they have a excellent business plan. HELL YES!!!!!!!!! It's great. I love it from a business man view. They're laughing all the way to the bank. If I was an employer there I'd smile everyday that ppl come in and trade in there games, get shafted and walk out the store with a smile. More money for me.

But I'm not a employer, I'm a customer. And I feel for them rather they realize what's going on or not.

Fair enough then.

I look at it purely from a business stand-point. Their business plan is brilliant, because they are offering a service (taking in old or unwanted games) and giving you something in return, even if it is below fair market value. And people knowingly accept it, simply for the convenience of it.

I find it hard to believe that there are that many people who are unknowingly getting ripped off by dealing with Gamestop. Everyone knows what they paid for their games, and you know if you trade it in two weeks later for half-price, you're not getting the fair market value. These complaints about "Gamestop ripped me off!" seem a little silly, because no one with any sense at all (I'm talking about adults here) couldn't possibly not realize that they were getting less than they put in to it.

[Da Bucs GM]

Fair enough then.

I look at it purely from a business stand-point. Their business plan is brilliant, because they are offering a service (taking in old or unwanted games) and giving you something in return, even if it is below fair market value. And people knowingly accept it, simply for the convenience of it.

100% argee
I find it hard to believe that there are that many people who are unknowingly getting ripped off by dealing with Gamestop. Everyone knows what they paid for their games, and you know if you trade it in two weeks later for half-price, you're not getting the fair market value. These complaints about "Gamestop ripped me off!" seem a little silly, because no one with any sense at all (I'm talking about adults here) couldn't possibly not realize that they were getting less than they put in to it.

true, like you said it's the convenience of it. right now they are giving back 25 dollars if you turn in madden 10. I went online and sold my madden 10 for 45 dollars. Most ppl don't want to go out of there way, or wait 3 days(ebay auction) to get more money in return. Meanwhile they trade in the game get $25 then drop another $40 to get the new game. While all I do it add a 20 and go. That stuff adds up. O Well

[Jakopo]

Their best part is how much they sell used games for -- Used madden's go for $54.99 when new ones go for $59.99.

Talk about raking it in! Pay $25 for it, sell it for $55. No risk involved at all, because it still sells big!




I remember the day I bought NCAA '10. As I was paying, the cashier said something like, "I know you are just buying this game now, but if you want to sell it back in a couple weeks, we are paying $30 for it".



Whoever uses Gamestop to buy used game or sell used games deserves to get ripped off!

[BucDelta-11]

ugh man I can't believe what pimps this company is. you got to trade in 3 games(2 new ones, and 1 semi old one) to get 1 new game. That means to get a brand new game right now you'd have to trade in like 2k10, madden, and some other game just to get that one new game you want.

Did you really just figure this out...? Seriously? I learned this the first time i went there, gamestop is only good for buying used games, let someone else get ripped off. Please do keep selling, you are saving me like $10 compared to new games.

[Da Bucs GM]

Did you really just figure this out...?
No........I'm just doing something about now
Seriously?
No
I learned this the first time i went there .
Congrats to you, first time I went in was when I was 12 and thought gamestop was heaven
gamestop is only good for buying used games
Yea 3-5 months after the games drop
Please do keep selling, you are saving me like $10 compared to new games.

:confused:

[BIG BUC FAN76]

I have to know this from you guys.

What do you think about when you bring in 10 games to trade in and you walk out with 5$ less than you need to get that new game on your "edge" card?

What about the games they buy for 3$ from you (with the 20% mark-up) and turn around and sell it for 39.99$? How does that make you feel?

There has got to be some kind of law against what they do... right?

If you took games to trade in you might be happy you got your hands on the game you wanted, but was it worth it?

Tell you though, owners of that store must be making a killing in profit.

You, and other people like you are the reason they are still in business.... I NEVER trade games in.... I keep them, for what I will get, I may want to go back and play them sometime, or I sell them on craigslist or ebay....

People that trade their games to game stores are fools.....

[TheOutsider]

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/The_Outsider05/490144064_NTMMd-L-2.jpg

Really, it's sad how close to the truth that strip is.

[Kyle]

if a game just has story mode I rent it and don't buy it. Its not worth spending money for a game you'll beat and then not want anymore. I don't get rid of my old games,because they still have value to me.