Best Buy tests the sale of used video games
by David Touve 
{ Sep 30th 2005 at 7:00PM }
Somewhat quietly, or at least quietly
until CNN covered the story, Best Buy has been testing the sale (and trade-in) of used video games in their storefront
locations. Of course, the buying and selling of used games has been going on for quite sometime, but apparently
BestBuy getting into the business has some games industry folks a bit bothered. According to CNN, Mark Rein, a VP
with Epic Games, described the pilot
program as "That's just fleecing us." Whether the widespread sale of used games will make new games more or
less expensive would seem to be a debate worth opening up a bit.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Bo @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
Same thing as transferring license with software, video and even used commodity. You don't see auto makers bitch about car dealers selling used cars. It has been done, consumers demands it, its not going to stop, so deal with it.
It may hurt the game publisher bottom line, but it creates consumer activity in the videogame market. Imagine a consumer/kid that can only afford to pay for a used game that otherwise he wouldn't be able to afford. He really enjoy it. Eventually when a sequel comes out and he has the money, more likely than not he will pay for a new release of the sequel. Not to mention word of mouth is the best way of advertising and exposure is the key.
One solution is make the retail price so cheap, its not economical to re-sell used games. Like that's ever going to happen with new release titles...
Michael @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
Blockbuster? Best Buy maybe?
Zachary @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
I really hope this doesn't work out for Best Buy, to me rows upon rows of used games will just look trashy.
Google Nazi @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
Video games are overpriced anyway. i know, because i'm a scientologist!! YOU DONT KNOW BECAUSE I KNOW!
Enough making fun of tom cruise.... used games help the videogame industry just as pirated movies off the net help the movie industry.
I was talking to this guy at gamestop and he was saying that bestbuy was going to have used games soon but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. People like to buy used games because it is what they can afford. I buy less games because I buy only new games unless its a out-of-production game like sonic cd.
Selling used games is not illegal, and the only thing close to it being illegal is the games that have "not for resell" on it.
Hitch @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
This has been done in the UK in all towns, cities and villages for the last 15 years from the 3DO to the PC with no effect on new game prices in that time and no problem from any of the major retailers.
I don't understand why all countries haven't been doing this for as long. I used to love popping down the market to exchange my old games for others or buying "new" 2nd hand games. Saved me a fortune in my time! Good on Best Buy.
The Man @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
I don't normally bother commenting, but i feel I have to right now.
What the hell is the big deal? Like 6 (Hitch) said, used games have been sold in the uk for donkeys years, especially in major games stores! ie electronics boutique, GAME, Blockbuster... what the fark is the problem?
1sider @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
Booooooooo!
This is awful. Retailers like to sell used video games because it nets them a HUGE profit margin. THink about it: you go to the store, and trade in some game and they tell you it's worth $15 in trade-in credit. Then they turn around and sell it for $44.95 because a new copy is $49.95. It can't get much worse. We've all taken our used games to EB or Gamestop and been stunned at how little they give us for it, then look on the shelf and see how high the retail price is. It's all b.s.
Screw this idea and screw Best Buy.