Gamestop sells demo disc as new game
by Scott Jon Siegel 
{ Nov 25th 2007 at 5:30PM }
This sort of thing is entirely possible thanks to Gamestop's policy of holding discs from new games behind the counter. The customer brings the empty case up front when purchasing, and the underpaid Gamestop employee finds the corresponding disc and puts it in its box. The major problem with this system becomes abundantly apparent with incidents like this: consumers have no real way of knowing if the disc they're being handed is the one that Gamestop employees originally yanked out of the packaging.
The best advice we can offer is to double-check Gamestop purchases for scratches, scuffs, or sharpie scribblings before walking out of the store. Unfortunately, we doubt that Gamestop's policies are going to be changing anytime in the near future.
[Via Gemaga]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Shmil @ Nov 25th 2007 5:36PM
seems like an everyday fuck up, not really that big of a deal
Sam406 @ Nov 25th 2007 6:50PM
Mighty good avatar, my friend.
gonk @ Nov 25th 2007 11:22PM
say it with me:
gamestop sucks ass
http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2006/12/18
http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2007/03/30
http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2007/10/31
NATO_Duke @ Nov 26th 2007 10:57AM
Got to agree. Big deal. Get back in mommy's car and drive down to Gamestop to swap it or get your money back.
Mistakes happen.
Raikage (NDF - PK THUNDER RING) @ Nov 26th 2007 4:01PM
Anyone notice the RP? No? I guess not...
Animagnum @ Nov 25th 2007 5:37PM
Jeez. That's a real bummer. If it weren't for the scribbled out "Demo: Not for Resale" marking on the disc, I could see it being an honest mistake by an employee.
sheppy2.0 @ Nov 25th 2007 6:21PM
Actually, I'd say that Gamestop got took by a conartist. After the customer brought the full package up, they got the demo disc. So person out there snagged the demo and managed to get full trade in value for a demo disc. Gamestop, being fully staffed by people who likely don't give a shit one way or another, didn't do research on the disc they got. So I'd say both the consumer and the store were the victims here.
Johndude @ Nov 25th 2007 6:33PM
How can Gamestop be a victim? They make billions a year lmao
Synner @ Nov 25th 2007 6:33PM
Yeah, brilliant theory, except the part where it says NEW, not PREOWNED game sherlock.
Lifted 0ne 4l9 (NDF - Fire!) @ Nov 25th 2007 9:13PM
this type of thing is why i don't feel bad for doing the towel trick to my 360 so i could exchange it for credit towards my next 360 (didn't give me the RROD and was over a year old and the towel trick started to only give it 3 days of life each time) feel a lil bad for whoever bought it but it's definitely not intelligent to buy a used 360 used.
baochan @ Nov 25th 2007 5:39PM
You report on this like it's news. This happens every day. Electronics Boutique has been pulling this nonsense for years. After the third time I bought a "new" GBA game with save data on it, I stopped shopping there altogether.
There's not a new game in the entire store. That's why they don't get any extra copies on launch day except for pre-orders. All their games are used. The only way to get a new game at an EB Games or GameStop is if you pre-order. Otherwise you're just paying for the quality. If it's not scratched too much, it's labeled as "new".
If enough people refuse to shop there, maybe their policies will change. But it doesn't look like that's happening anytime soon. Please don't shop at EB Games or GameStop. As a fellow gamer, I'm begging you.
aeamek @ Nov 25th 2007 5:43PM
Are you saying that shrinkwrapped copies aren't really new? The ones with the MS seal on them to show that it's never been opened?
baochan @ Nov 25th 2007 5:45PM
They don't sell shrinkwrapped, sealed games at GameStop and EB Games. I dare you to find a single one in their store (other than pre-orders).
Shane-o @ Nov 25th 2007 5:57PM
I don't think you realize how little sense you are making. I work in an EB Games in Canada, and I assure you we have plenty of copies of new games that aren't pre-orders. The system is, all the games you see on the shelves on the floor are empty to prevent theft, and the discs are kept in storage under our counter. That said, those are what we would call "last copies" and are only sold if we don't have any sealed and new
copies left, which are all kept in shelving units behind the counter. Its not retarded, its meant to keep people from just walking out the door with them, and under no circumstance do we sell a game thats been used as new. Don't bitch before you know what the deal is.
Dave Silva @ Nov 25th 2007 6:10PM
Then I guess those sealed copies of Fatal Fury Battle Archives, Persona 3, and Devil May Cry Anniversary were flukes, then!
Look, you HAVE to ask for a real, sealed copy. The local stores have some games in drawers. I don't bring the box from the front of the store, I go straight to the clerk, ask them if they have any of the games I want in their storage drawers, and if they do, I buy them. Simple as that.
I don't buy opened "new" games there, all I do is buy cheap used games and those that are definitely not reshrinkwrapped.
baochan @ Nov 25th 2007 6:18PM
Maybe that's true. I honestly haven't set foot in an Electronics Boutique in years (since that third "new" GBA game), and haven't been in a GameStop since they merged with EB and adopted their shady practices. Other stores seem to do just fine without opening all their new games (with security boxes, etc). It's just the theft-prevention method EB's decided to use, and they've lost my business forever because of it. Shop wherever you want. I just like my new games un-tampered-with.
josh @ Nov 25th 2007 7:42PM
I was in a Gamestop wednesday... in the cabinets behind the counter there were stacks of shrink wrapped games. I'm sure they only stock the new hot games, but they do stock some.
Dio @ Nov 25th 2007 8:40PM
Gamestop DOES sell shrinkwrapped games, but they also open new games, put the discs behind the counter, and sell it as "new". Then again, they do have their own shrinkwrapping machine... The safest way to ever buy from them(say, if you have no choice or they are they only store with preorder bonuses), then just preorder. Mark your calendar and don't forget it because sometimes the automated machine might not call you to remind you of the preorder you made.
Kevin Leonard @ Nov 25th 2007 9:07PM
The same thing happened to me. A year or so ago, I bought a "new" copy of Meteos from EBGames. The chick working there told me she had to clear her saved game before giving it to me.
jesus_bon_jovi @ Nov 25th 2007 11:30PM
Hmm i know Gamestop employees are allowed to 'check out games' to play at home and since the cart based games save the data on the cart itself unlike the Disk based games its possible someone checked out the 'gutted' version of the (cart) game and didnt erase the saved game. I dont remember the exact rules on which games can and cannot be 'checked out'.
Kingz @ Nov 27th 2007 8:40AM
@baochan:
Easily done.. Here in Aus all new games from EBGames are skrinkwrapped...
One of the only good things about being a gamer and living here..? :P
aeamek @ Nov 25th 2007 5:43PM
Sounds like a honest mistake. Why the hostile tone toward Gamestop? Seems like a lot of people give that company a bad rap, but I've never had a problem with the store I go to.
Anon @ Nov 25th 2007 5:49PM
They write "Demo: Not for resale" on the discs to prevent honest mistakes. Someone scribbled it out. Put two and ****ing two together.
VCkilledme @ Nov 25th 2007 5:51PM
lmao
You think scribbling out 'Demo: Not for Resale' is an honest mistake? Is fraud legal where you live?
LaughingTarget @ Nov 25th 2007 6:07PM
Next time an employee at your favorite chain does something stupid, lets boycot the entire corporation. Yes, corporate policies are a good reason to get up in arms, a retarded register jockey isn't. Fire the dumbass and be done with it.
This is just something you have to deal with when there is low unemployment. Companies need people and all that are left are the dregs that are otherwise useless.
Sokkratez @ Nov 25th 2007 5:41PM
No, the best advice you could offer is don't shop at GameStop. I don't and I'm better off for it.
rockintom @ Nov 26th 2007 7:44AM
Why not just not buy new games there? They are still a great resource for used games. Bash all you want, but I still find them handy for sub-20 dollar ps2 games.
rv @ Nov 26th 2007 1:22PM
The reason why I have bought all my recent games from target.
Abscissa @ Nov 26th 2007 4:12PM
"Why not just not buy new games there? They are still a great resource for used games."
Because their used games are overpriced.
ALH @ Nov 25th 2007 5:41PM
Why did they scribble out the 'demo- not for resale' label in the first place? That sounds awfully fishy to me.
The Artist formally known as Jesus @ Nov 25th 2007 5:49PM
Maybe a customer who returned it scribbled it out. That way they could get more money on the trade in.
It's still awfully shady of them to sell it though.
ALH @ Nov 25th 2007 7:43PM
I was under the impression traded in games would actually be tested before going on the shelf, evidently not :|!
Strike Man @ Nov 25th 2007 8:07PM
@ALH: In all seriousness, did you honestly think that they employ people who sit around and playtest games all day?
ALH @ Nov 26th 2007 5:36AM
well i would have thought they would at least put them into a console to see if they loaded as far as the title screen, i've always been paranoid about trading back glitchy games for that reason.But thinking of it now it does seem a bit of an impossible task.
GoldenS1104 @ Nov 25th 2007 5:43PM
This is the exact reason that I check the disc thoroughly before I by it. I also request that the employee writes "display" on the receipt and signs it so, in the event that I do need to return it, I don't get any trouble.
MosquitoControl @ Nov 25th 2007 5:51PM
Underpaid?
They sit around all day talking to 5 year olds about Grand Theft Auto, occasionally stocking shelves, and selling demo discs to unwitting customers.
How much do you actually think people should earn to do that?
Probot @ Nov 25th 2007 6:12PM
You also have to take into account they are the target of customer's scorn and ignorant online rantings, despite having no control over store policy.
MosquitoControl @ Nov 25th 2007 8:48PM
Yup. Anyone that deals with the public has to deal with that, even doctors and lawyers.
Of course, Gamestop employees also have little training, education, or accountability.
Again, why are they underpaid? They make the same amount as any other retail worker. It's an unskilled position and, in places like Gamestop, it's usually still filled by underskilled employees.
rv @ Nov 26th 2007 1:17PM
$8 an hour.
phihexy27 @ Nov 28th 2007 3:17AM
Wow, you are an idiot!!! You definitely have no idea of what a day of work in the field of retail consists of. I currently work in retail, but have had many other non-retail jobs. The retail jobs that I have held are definitely more demanding than the non-retail. Take into account that a job does not only consist of what you perceive it to.
Here is a day of retail:
Take care of customer inquiries, suggest products based on their needs, restock shelves, meet quotas, organize your section, take out trash, deal with ignorant and or demanding customers who have no reason to be angry with you, make sure company is safe from theft, help train new employees, et cetera et cetera
Nik @ Nov 25th 2007 5:52PM
@ baochan -
That's not at all true. Besides the fact that EB Games (Electronics Boutique) no longer exists because it was "merged" with Gamestop, there *are* new games there. When I worked at EB there were new games that we kept behind the counter and in the back, sealed. The problems arise when you get the last copy of a new game. There is always at least 1 copy (usually more for popular titles) used for floor displays and with the theft that goes on in there they can't leave the disks in the case. They put the new disk into a paper holder and place it in ABC order behind the counter. Mistakes happen constantly and I'm not saying it's a great system but what you stated was false. In no way am I defending these store in general. They are terrible. The employees are underpaid, untrained and the BS they put up with from corporate to sell only used games makes them apathetic to say the least.
Doug Kaplan @ Nov 25th 2007 5:52PM
I think the big story here is someone bought Steambot Chronicles.
Arturo @ Nov 25th 2007 5:53PM
Did no one notice the "RP" on the disc? *rolls eyes*
Crazylink @ Nov 25th 2007 5:54PM
I was about to bring that up.
Blast Processing Megadrive @ Nov 25th 2007 10:02PM
'Twas the first thing I noticed. Anyone who knows anything about the ratings, there will never be a final version of a game with a RP (rating pending) icon.
Shockgamer @ Nov 25th 2007 5:54PM
Which is only a good thing.
I remember buying this game in its release week, knowing that it would be scare within a month. I'm glad I did; it is a great niche game.
Shockgamer @ Nov 25th 2007 5:55PM
D'oh.
That was meant for Doug Kaplan.
Nik @ Nov 25th 2007 5:59PM
Hey, Mosquito - you try working in the busiest EB in town, in a tourist mall. There's stocking shelves, trying to communicate in Spanish to all the tourists, having people scream in your face because the used PS2 you sold them doesn't work again after they exchanged it for the third time, children throwing up/peeing/pooping on the floor you have to clean, ringing up the 30 customers in line with only one other employee in the store to help you because the company is cheap, having the AC break down every two weeks, people throwing games at your face that they bought used and want to return because they don't work but you are only allowed to exchange for a used game since EB tracked your used sales and you were under threat of being fired if you didn't have high numbers, and through all this you get to make a cool what .. $7 an hour? Where do I sign up!? Sounds great.
Synner @ Nov 25th 2007 6:46PM
Waah waah, then quit, you whiney bitch.
Kurochi @ Nov 26th 2007 1:13AM
Yeah, except I made 5.23 without a raise for 7 months and had the best numbers in my store (all while being promised an increase for 3 months constant).
Called their bullshit and went to work at publix where at least I get a half decent wage.