Gamestop shenanigans sell open games as 'new'
Gamestop isn't new to weird shenanigans in their business tactics. In late January, James Munn, over at Aeropause, told the story of a Gamestop employee selling him a "new" game by opening a display box and putting the game disc into it. He was even asked if he wanted it shrink-wrapped, essentially discrediting any item in the store from being truly "new." Now we have a similar tale.After hearing about the awesomeness of God of War II all week from colleagues, a lazy Sunday drive to go pick it up seemed in order. We even called ahead to make sure they had copies and were informed they did. Arriving at the Gamestop store, we went straight to the counter and asked for God of War II. The gentlemen proceeded to ask if there was a reservation, we said there wasn't, and he walked over to the display wall and grabbed the empty box for God of War II. He then walks back behind the counter and takes some discs and the manual from the security case, we immediately realized we were experiencing the Aeropause article.
"I'd like a new copy please."
The clerk looked up and said, "This is new. We just take the game out of the box." He then closed up the case and pointed to the front of the box where the sticker said "New: $49.99." He continued to tap the word "new" on the front of the box as if that somehow made this an unopened product. There was no mention of a 10 percent discount for selling an open package, nor was there warning that I'd receive an open package. Meanwhile, there were clearly unopened God of War II games in the security case.
It's moments like this where you think you're dealing with a Ferengi, or imagine channeling Sheneneh from the show Martin and saying something like, "Oh, no you di-in't."
After twenty seconds of truly stunned silence, we walked out of the store, drove to Best Buy and got a new copy of the game. Which wasn't just in its factory-sealed box, but in a second security case.
The problem isn't that the Gamestop tried to sell an opened item, it's that they'll charge full price for an open product. Yes, some retailers will re-stock open items, but most places won't take back opened games and they sure won't sell you an open game as "new." If we're purchasing a new title and paying full price, we want the item to be the same as when it arrived from the factory -- you know, "new." Gamestop continues to pile up the shady business practices.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 9)
J @ Mar 25th 2007 2:30PM
This has happened to me several times! It's even worse when they put retail stickers directly on the box. Needless to say, I don't support gamestop any more.
Yoshi Likes Boys @ Mar 25th 2007 2:31PM
I had this same thing happen in 2005 with a PSP Wipeout game at EBGames. It's an extremely shady business move, but hell, you're talking about a CHAIN FRANCHISE of shady mall shops, replacing independently owned shady mall shops.
J8675309 @ Mar 25th 2007 2:32PM
They tried to do that to me a long time when I bought the original R63 on Xbox, BUT he said it was their last one and I believed him because he did have a hard time finding it in his drawer. He said they take the disc out of the display case, and the display one was all they had left.
But I still said, "no thanks," and drove to nearby BestBuy for a NEW new copy.
Skippy @ Mar 25th 2007 2:32PM
I like to go to a Gamestop on hot summer days. You know, cause they're shady.
deaftly @ Mar 25th 2007 2:32PM
ive also had this happen to me before
LordAlu @ Mar 25th 2007 2:35PM
This is a perfectly fine business practice in the UK. GAME, Gamestation, Currys.Digital, HMV, Comet, PC World... I don't see what the problem is?
Dash @ Mar 25th 2007 2:35PM
Its probably just for security reasons. If the disk isn't damaged in any way what's the harm in doing so?
Alan @ Mar 25th 2007 2:37PM
I used to work at Gamestop and that's done with every game. When they get new games in one is opened and 'gutted' (disc and inserts removed and put behind the counter) so they have a box to display.
rfom @ Mar 25th 2007 2:37PM
Well this is something "new". Wonder if thats Gamestop policy or some employee screwing up - maybe they take out the DVDs and store them separately, unaware that its not a done thing. On the other hand, if they passing off used DVDs as news, well....
dave @ Mar 25th 2007 2:39PM
Gamestop sucks. The only thing I like about them is Game Informer Magazine. I've experienced this situation before and did the same thing. They are always trying to rip you off.
I like the whole pre-order b.s. too. I pre-ordered a 360 at launch and after a month of not recieving one after the release, I waited in line at best buy for 12 hours and got one. Needless to say, when I went back to Gamestop to get my money back.. they wanted to give me $400 in store credit.
I said "No! What the hell am I going to do with $400 store credit? I wanted a 360, you don't have it. I want my money back!!" After arguing with the guy behind the counter for a few minutes, he begrudgingly pulled out $400 out of the register drawers and handed it to me. That was the last time I did business with them.
Tyler @ Mar 25th 2007 2:39PM
I asked about it when buying Phoenix Wright for the DS and they claimed it was because too many people would open cases and steal the games. In their defense, the cases are not behind glass like they are in most Targets, Best Buys, etc
Ironhide @ Mar 25th 2007 2:40PM
Given enough to do so, people will whine about anything. This is acceptable for smaller stores who simply can't afford to put live product on the floor. The game is new. It's never been played, and it has the same exact warranty as a shrinkwrapped game. I get the last copy myself from time to time and if I have an issue with the box they swap it for a different box. Seriously, with what's going on in the world today, there are much more important things to whine about.
Biphster @ Mar 25th 2007 2:40PM
It happens all over here in Denmark too. you get the case off the shelf, they open it and put in a disc (In a sealed windowed paper sleeve) and the user manual. Technically the Disc is sealed though, but they could have very easily sealed them in themselves. I don't like it either and tend to buy most of my games from amazon.co.uk (They are cheaper than here in DK too).
EbulaJonez @ Mar 25th 2007 2:40PM
I've only had this happen to me with games that have been out for several weeks. Everytime I buy a new game at Gamestop that is the day or the week it came out It's always sealed...Nonetheless, It's still messed up that they do that
micklol @ Mar 25th 2007 2:42PM
"I like to go to a Gamestop on hot summer days. You know, cause they're shady."
Nice ^^
I got my "NEW" copy of final fantasy X at ebgames. And when I ask for a brand new copy, the baldheaded guy with a tatoo looked at me as he wants to punch me in the face and continue to put stickers on the case. And After I paid it, he just threw the game to me without even saying a "thanks".
Never went to eb again
why not the LS2LS7? @ Mar 25th 2007 2:44PM
I find this article as baffling as the first one.
EB and Gamestop have done this for 10 years. If you buy the last copy of a game in the house, you get the display box from the shelf and they pull the disc/cart from behind the counter where it was stored to keep people from stealing it. They put the disc/cart in the box and you're off. And yeah, it sucks, the box then has the price sticker on it.
This happens to me a lot, right now I see Shadow of the Colossus and Lunar Knights in front of me with the stickers on them.
This is very ordinary for smaller retailers, people have gotten used to supermarket-sized places which have enough stock of everything that you rarely buy the last one.
Legally, "new" means it hasn't been sold as new before. When you buy a new car it often has miles on it from being test driven.
Dash @ Mar 25th 2007 2:44PM
Oh never mind, they just erased his post too.
Erec @ Mar 25th 2007 2:44PM
My buddy, who manages a GameStop, and I joke about this a lot.
I supervised a warehouse at a Best Buy for a couple years. If you guys had any clue what goes on in those places, you'd be *thrilled* to buy one of those gutted copies of new games at GameStop, because those things are a hell of a lot more 'new' that factory-sealed copies of games at places like Best Buy.
During the holidays at my store, we'd get over 100 boxes just from UPS, one of at least 4 deliveries I'd get before noon. I had maybe two hours to receive over 1,000 individual media products. That sort of schedule didn't afford us the 'luxury' of treating the games the way you guys would expect 'new' games to be treated. There was a relatively high chance of something getting damaged in the case, of the 'sanctity' of the 'new-ness' being damaged, but we didn't really care, you could just bring it back and exchange it.
So yeah, when me and my buddy talk about this stuff, we laugh. Because a lot of people get up in arms about a gutted copy of a new game, claiming that it's no longer 'new'. When in reality, and I don't mean this to be disparaging, merely frank, the reality is that if you guys knew what happened to your games, especially factory-sealed ones, before you got them, you'd be very happy to buy your new games from a place like GameStop because there's such a small chance of anything happening to those games, even the gutted copies.
Jonz @ Mar 25th 2007 2:46PM
I don't understand the fuss. This is standard practice in Holland, and many other European countries. The games on the shelves are the ones you purchase. At the counter, the clerk will put the manual and the disc into the retail box. Only when a popular new game is released, there is a possibility of receiving a sealed copy from behind the counter. Normally though, it's a display box filled with a game and manual.
What's the big deal? As long as the game isn't second hand or anything, why would you receive a discount? Who cares about a sealed copy? I guess it's just what you're used to. We're not used to sealed copies, so it would make sense not to see the big issue here.
max stubbs @ Mar 25th 2007 2:46PM
"This is a perfectly fine business practice in the UK. GAME, Gamestation, Currys.Digital, HMV, Comet, PC World... I don't see what the problem is?"
Yeah, I dont see what the big problem is?
HotShotX @ Mar 25th 2007 2:46PM
It's actions like this, putting stickers all over game cases, and other shady practices that GS uses all to crank out an extra buck.
Too bad they piss off their "hardcore" gamer customer demographic in the process. Honestly, I'd love to see a nationwide GS boycott until some heavy changes are made.
~HotShotX
MosquitoControl @ Mar 25th 2007 2:47PM
What kind of moron mentions the first amendment on a privately owned website?
Dave @ Mar 25th 2007 2:48PM
Same thing happened to me at Gamestop about 12 months ago and I refused it. He then got a real sealed copy but basically had a tone like "what is your problem... it WAS new!" I told the guy, sorry that isn't new and it is a gift so no way am I giving it pre-opened.
Nick Huber @ Mar 25th 2007 2:49PM
Wtf fuck does it matter, I work at gamestop and no one has ever complained. We do it everyday, because we have to. One game is gutted and put on the shelve, because assholes out there STEAL. If everything was live then not only would the store have to be the size of best buy, but would have to have more security. Gamestop's are in small stores in malls and stripmalls, imagine if every copy of the game was out there in some plastic security window, you'd have to have more employees and a larger store. Game prices would rise, along with strategy guides and used games, much higher than they are now. There is no good way to limit the space on our walls without gutting one copy, and putting it's display out, leaving the other 60+ copies in a cabinet. Your game hasnt been played, and if it is scratched, you don't have to buy it. The whole reason they do this though, besides space, is that people steal, maybe even people who read here. Best buy has a much higher inventory loss than any game stop i'll tell you that. It's the way they are FORCED to do business. Calling them shady is just stupid, it's not like there is this huge conspiracy against gamers where they take out all the games and take dumps on the discs.
Elatis @ Mar 25th 2007 2:50PM
I just don't buy at Eb anymore after they tried to sell me a used (and scratched) disc as new.
I also once saw an employee get someone a "new" disc from his gym bag in the back. The employee said they get to take "new" games home to try them as long as they treat the discs good (so they can still be sold as new).
A store that deals in new and used merchandise should never be allowed to sell a product that could be used as "new".
I buy my games at big retailers now since they don't open them....and they're not behind glass either. What's the deal with some people posting here? High crime zones or what?
just a guy @ Mar 25th 2007 2:51PM
This happened to me at a GameStop also. Thing was, it was a gift for my brother, so now I had to explain that the chumps at the store assured me the game was new despite the opened package that would say otherwise. Might not be such a big deal if I was keeping the game, but it looks shitty when it's a gift. I should have gone somewhere else, but I was in a bit of a hurry.
AJ @ Mar 25th 2007 2:52PM
They only do it for like one to five games of the twenty or so they get. It is just so you bastards won't steal games. They have shrink wrapped ones behind the counter.
Striderhayasa @ Mar 25th 2007 2:52PM
Ive seen it done countless times myself. I have too many other reasons not to go to Gamestop anymore. My last purchase from them was God of War II where there was a screw up at the computer and I ended up paying an extra 10 dollars for the damn demo because they had no record of my reserve. Never again. I've also seen the Wii SD cards going for as much as $99.99 for 1GB at Gamestop when you can get the same SD card from Staples for $14.99 on sale, $19.99 regular price, if not cheaper. I've seen clerks take defective games for PSP and resell them as used. The casing for the UMDs was clearly cracked and damaged and the retailer still sold one of the games to some poor slob that wasn't paying attention.
Gamestop is the worse game retailer in the country, shame it's also the largest. Looks like I'll be going to Got Game on South Street or FYE or even K-Mart if I have to. f*ck Gamestop.
Mort @ Mar 25th 2007 2:53PM
This is the daily workings at my local EB games... Every game in the shop is opened.. They just store the disks and manual in some drawers behind the counter.
Never really thought about it this way, though. Next time I'm gonna ask for a sealed copy, just to piss 'em off.
Josh @ Mar 25th 2007 2:55PM
Basically, if they sell you an opened copy, you can't return an unopened copy to the store for full credit.
Screw that. And screw you guys who say it doesn't make any difference. If I'm buying a "new" game, I want it to be sealed.
Will @ Mar 25th 2007 2:55PM
"The employee said they get to take 'new' games home to try them as long as they treat the discs good (so they can still be sold as new)."
No they don't. What they can do is check out a copy of a used game, assuming they have more than one used copy of that game, and take it home and play it. And they can only have one used game checked out at any time. That's one of the biggest perks of working there.
They can't, under any circumstances, take how new games, even gutted copies. That doesn't mean some employees don't do it, but those guys are definitely in the vast majority because it's strictly against GameStop's rules. You'll find guys that ignore rules like that everywhere, though.
m0nk3yb0y @ Mar 25th 2007 2:56PM
This is how it's always been as far as I know. I worked at a GameStop (well, Babbages, remember those?...) for two years. They call this "gutting" the game. You need to have a display box on the shelf and they can't take the chance of putting a full copy on the shelf for someone to steal. When I worked there I did have a method for keeping the security sticker in tact though, and I agree on the price tag on the box, that always irked me the most.
a dirty bastard @ Mar 25th 2007 2:57PM
they did it to me i went in to buy valkuri profile for psp the said it was the last 1 they gave the open dispay box and the disk from behind the counter and charged me for new
i told him to fukin keep it and i left that was the last time ive been in any video game store
amazon.com from hear on out
sheppy @ Mar 25th 2007 2:59PM
I raised a bitchfest once because I purchased a copy of Summon Night 2 for GBA at $29.99. So I don't mind getting an opened box for things like GBA (but let's put it this way... most people don't know how to treat discs) but the game cartridge itself had the insertion wear and tear on it. I asked him "umm, think you got a new copy back there somewhere?" He proceeded to tell me it WAS a new copy despite my pointing out the wear and tear the cartridges get when constantly put into a GBA console. He claimed it would be completely new and to prove it, put the cartridge in a used GBA. It had an 18 hour gamesave on it. He let out a slight "damnit, they're supposed to erase these" under his breath and begrudgingly gave me a $5 discount. However, if it was a common game, have to argue about the "newness" of a cartridge with visible wear and tear would have normally forced me away. But this was Summon Night 2.... not like I can walk into Best Buy for that shit.
dukemeiser @ Mar 25th 2007 2:59PM
I made the poor choice of going to Gamestop a few weeks ago. There was only one register and one guy running it. When I got in line there were 3 people ahead of me. I just wanted to buy one game and leave. But the guy checking people out had to give a big long sales pitch to everybody that was in line. "Want to reserve anything? Want to become a member? You'll save so much money! Used games, magazine, blah blah blah" Only each speech was 5 minutes long. I waiting 15 minutes to buy my one game cause this couldn't shut up.
Rod Munch @ Mar 25th 2007 3:00PM
Yeah this happens all the time in the UK, so I always by from Amazon or Play.com. Although after a recent look around Tesco I saw that they sold their games in those security boxes unopened AND about a fiver cheaper than Game and Gamestation! God I hate Tesco but I can appreciate a cheaper copy of Final Fantasy XII in pristine factory sealed quality. I had a similar experience at Asda last year when I bought DOA4 on the day of release for £10 cheaper than Game (was only £40 at ASDA). So basically I have this to say about the "specialist" game shops, why do you treat your customers who want to give you a heap of cash for a NEW game like shit?
Jason @ Mar 25th 2007 3:03PM
The only real problem I see is that if you try to return one of these games within Gamestop's 10 day window, there's no way of knowing if the copy is "unopened" or not. I could see a gamestop employee rejecting a return, claiming the game to be "opened by the customer." Now, that would really suck. Has that happened to anyone?
Grant @ Mar 25th 2007 3:05PM
The point is, the factory sealed copies usually have those certification stickers sealing them, which i feel hold little proof of an authentic game, but at the same time, whats to stop someone from recieveing a fake(copied) disc, an employee pocketing the real one, and when the customer returns they get the run-around of returning a fake disc.
I think it's really just pure laziness on the behalf of these stores, none of the lazy people that work there want to constantly restock the games, which all have anti-theft devices on them, and the stores are small enough to see people if they were removing the discs from the cases.
The point is, they have the room, because they stock the cases and the games at all times, there really is no need to remove the games from the cases except for anti-theft, but with alarm sensors in all cases and the amount of stickers they close the cases with, it's really a non-issue.
Grant @ Mar 25th 2007 3:06PM
"if every copy of the game was out there in some plastic security window, you'd have to have more employees and a larger store. Game prices would rise, along with strategy guides and used games, much higher than they are now. "
Uh, no. game prices have risen because of development costs.
game stores sell a RETAIL item, which has an INSANE resell value, they are CASH COWS.
New games have a decent profit margin, but used games have around a 75-100% mark-up.
game stores are not stuggling in the least, if thats what you think, you need to take a class or two in business.
Mark Korsak @ Mar 25th 2007 3:07PM
Is it really only recently that people have been noticing EB Games doing this? It's been happening for years, and theres always reasons behind it. I know a lot about how their business works, as I have friends who work high up at EB Games whom I talk a lot about this with them. First the games arrive factory sealed, and enough are put aside for the preorders and our stored somewhere, either behind the desk or in the display case. This is why the person saw new copies of GoW2 there and couldn't have those, because they were already preordered. Now they need some boxes on the wall, so a couple are set aside for wall use. Extras will go into the display case, but considering the popularity of GoW2, they probably didn't have enough extras to go into the display case for regular sale. Now for the wall boxes... Can't have regular games up there or they will be stolen. You want those games stolen? Because then you can't buy it and prices will eventually go up. So the new disc and manual are taken out, and the box is on the shelf. These are clearly not used and you can tell by the quality. The box, disc, and manual are all in mint condition, it just doesn't have wrapping around it. If you consider it "used" then buy the used copy (which the parts will be slightly worn, such as the box), and save $5. If you still don't like how it works, then learn to preorder or buy somewhere else. EB/GS stores are small, and if they had to put EVERYTHING in security boxes, that would have them loose a lot of shelf space, something that stores like best buy have plenty to go around. Also note that I don't work at EB Games so I'm not trying to get more people to go there so to say, I'm just defending them as I'm a fan of their business.
Yourself @ Mar 25th 2007 3:07PM
That Summon Night story is a lol.
This whole thing has happened to me as well, a copy of Mega Man X Collection for the GCN. However, I was dying for the game and had been looking for it at all the stores in my general area, this GameStop being the only one that had it. So I just caved.
The reason I REALLY don't stop at GameStop anymore though... well, I live in Baltimore. The neighboorhood where GameStop is isn't exactly great... so much so that the store has a "Police Check-In" book on the counter.
micklol @ Mar 25th 2007 3:07PM
". My buddy, who manages a GameStop, and I joke about this a lot.
I supervised a warehouse at a Best Buy for a couple years. If you guys had any clue what goes o............."
true true, but at least BestBuy dont "OPEN" their games, and if it is dameged I get another NEW one no question asked. With EB and GS, the game disc is taken out so there is ALWAYS scratch on the disc.
MY "NEW" FFX has a lot of scratch before I even touched the disc, and will EB let me exchage for another "NEW" one? NOT a F-ing chance.
oh and,
I think the clerks are trained to say the "SAME" respose to different shituations.
Dave: "Needless to say, when I went back to Gamestop to get my money back.. they wanted to give me $400 in store credit."
My roommate placed a pre-order on a 360 and they dont have it, so he decided to go and get his money back from eb, and guess what they tell him? "We will give you store credits"
Whenever they ask you if you wanted the 3 dollars warranty on you game - if your answer is YES then they give you a smeil, if no then frawn.
micklol @ Mar 25th 2007 3:07PM
"Wtf fuck does it matter, I work at gamestop and no one has ever complained. We do it everyday, because we have to. One game is gutted and put on the shelve, because assholes out there STEAL. If everything was live then not only would the store have to be the size of best buy, but would have to have more security. Gamestop's are in small stores in malls and stripmalls, imagine if every copy of the game was out there in some plastic security window, you'd have to have more employees and a larger store. Game prices would rise, along with strategy guides and used games, much higher than they are now."
You see how EB and GS train their employees now??
You are not paying customers or friend, you are "f-ing" theif and enemy.
DukeFett @ Mar 25th 2007 3:08PM
"damnit, they're supposed to erase these"
That's the type of shit I don't want, and why I won't shop at mall stores like that anymore.
Kazi @ Mar 25th 2007 3:08PM
"There is no good way to limit the space on our walls without gutting one copy, and putting it's display out, leaving the other 60+ copies in a cabinet."
It's called a cardboard print out with a picture on it. Shit, I guess that's too complicated.
I had this issue with GameSpot in a much much worse way, this was the second time I've ever shopped there. I had preordered LOZ:TP there earlier last month.
Went to buy a copy of Animal Crossing: Wild World for my niece for Christmas last year. Asked the cashier if they had any new copies of it. Of course they did. He takes out a copy from the little yellow paper disc sleeves and puts it in one of those silly blue boxes. Now, if it were used or I got a discount I wouldn't have complained but the numbers coming from his dirty filthy mouth was the full price. I didn't catch it at first since I was also buying DMC3, Guitar Hero and an extra guitar. Went out to my car, pulled out the receipt and saw the price on Animal Crossing.
All I could say was,"WHHHHHAAATT?" No Manual, no box and he's selling it to me for full price. Not to mention this is a gift. I went back in, demanded a refund for everything I bought and canceled my LoZ:TP preorder, argued about getting cash for the LoZ preorder, and left with my money. On the bright side of this whole thing I got more money back for the LoZ preorder than I put into it since they had a nice little deal for preordering it and the cashier didn't catch it.
Grant @ Mar 25th 2007 3:10PM
also,
every other retail store and every other consumer good has an "open box" or "display unit" discount.
why should games be special, and eb not give that $5 or $10 discount?
price hoarding anyone?
valthun @ Mar 25th 2007 3:16PM
I worked at Gamestop many years ago. It was standard practice to gut one copy of a game for display. Would it be better for the company to get packages specifically for display? Yeah probably but you then need to get the publisher to do that for you. It still is a new game. It has just been removed from the case to help prevent theft. We would do the same thing to hardware as well, such as video cards. The consoles were alway up on a high shelf that anyone would need a latter to reach.
I no longer shop at Gamestop, not because of this practice. But because they are a pawnshop for used titles, and almost never have a copy of a new release available on the release day. It's a business that cares more about used sales than new sales now. I was working there when they went from NES titles being 1 to 2 bucks used, to an individual price based on title. We had to remark all of those titles with a higher price.
Erec @ Mar 25th 2007 3:16PM
"true true, but at least BestBuy dont 'OPEN' their games"
You'd be surprised. They don't gut games like GameStop, but they also don't have a problem selling something as 'new' that's been opened for any number of reasons and resealed. You think GameStop is the only place that has a machine that can shrink wrap things?
Like I said, some of you guys get on GameStop because you think you know. Take my word for it, you don't. In my opinion, as someone who's actually worked behind the scenes at a couple of these places, GameStops are usually the lesser of many evils.
Judd @ Mar 25th 2007 3:16PM
Yea, I worked at Gamestop as well and this is not some strange occurance. It's not even right to say that this is a common occurance, as much as it is Gamestop policy. It's just what you do. As the "game advisor" I would really only be doing the register if the store was busy, the manager or assistant manager would usually handle transactions. Because these are stores where usually there are only like 2 people working at a time, if he handled the transactions, I'd handle the gutting.
This is the procedure:
You get a package of a new title. You first put the amount of reserves for the title in a seperate drawer. Then you put the remaining games except for one in the game drawers behind the counter in alphabetical order. Finally you take the last copy, put a price sticker on the front, put an ID sticker on the back. Open up the game, put it in a special Gamestop sleeve, put the sleeve in the drawer with the other copies and put the box on the floor. We don't bother taking the manual out of the box. Who the fuck is going to steal a manual?
I've argued with my manager over the legitimacy of calling these titles new. But he made a few good points.
1. The game has never been played.
2. You can't just put live copies of the games on the floor. (However, my brother who works at Gamecrazy has it different. They have the opened used copies on the floor. But all the new titles are unopened right behind the register. The problem is Gamestop has too many titles in comparison to put them all behind the register.)
3. If people want we can shrinkwrap it.
Now that last point sounds stupid. But think about it. What did we actually do to make the title not new? We opened up the seal. So if people like their games sealed we can do it for them. Seriously, is there any difference between the company putting their own plastic on the case? If anything we are making it a little easier for the customer. Those boxes are annoying as hell to open by hand.
http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2002/09/30
I'm Confused @ Mar 25th 2007 3:18PM
A lot of Gamestop/EB supporters and employees are giving the defense that they need a display copy, yet they can't risk theft. This I understand, but I'm still confused...
Why can't they just create a cardboard mock-up of the box to display? My local EB is always filled with cardboard advertisements, etc., so it doesn't seem like it would be completely unreasonable. I mean, from the comments here it's obvious that the practice does bother many consumers.
Also, another question for anyone who may know. How many copies of any given game are typically gutted? I remember back in Nov. it was impossible to find a copy of Twilight Princess anywhere in town, but I went to EB games and they had an entire row of them. As soon as I reached out to even touch one, though, the guy behind the counter informed me that they were sold out. They had at least ten copies on the shelf! If they feel the need to put out a lot of copies to "advertise" the game, wouldn't a large poster or display do the same thing?