HMV (finally) embraces used game sales

by Randy Nelson { Jul 3rd 2008 at 5:00AM }

HMV, the music, movie, and games retailer with locations throughout the UK, Canada, Singapore, and Hong Kong, is finally catching up with the ~~wants~~ needs of modern gamers. Starting later this year, the chain will begin selling second-hand games at some of its locations, ramping up across the globe in 2009.

We're not sure why it took so long for HMV to begin selling used software. Perhaps it thought it was actually in Japan, which lifted its ban on used game sales in 2002?

In any event, the move will put HMV on a level playing field with other UK games retailers, including Game and CEX, who have offered used titles for some time (the latter dealing in them exclusively). Now all HMV has to do to recreate the US game-buying experience is to get bought out by GameStop. You know, like New Zealand's Gamesman.

Tags: hmv, used-games

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Kye - WiiDSixty DF @ Jul 3rd 2008 5:11AM

Good, but HMV is still overpriced.
Unless there is a sale or something I wouldn't even go near it to look for games.

Gamestation for me all the way;
Where the staff know what the f*ck they're talking about.

Rob Bourne @ Jul 3rd 2008 5:22AM

Nah, even Gamestation are pricey these days - their trade prices are crap too.

Lately I've found Blockbuster to be the best on the high street for both buying and trading.

On topic: HMV are indeed overpriced. On everything. I'll pass, thanks

Kye - WiiDSixty DF @ Jul 3rd 2008 9:12AM

True, ever since Game took them over their prices have become higher.
But it's still worth going there if you want to ask someone something about games.

I'll try blockBusters though. Saying that, Asda and Tesco can have some good prices.

potato @ Jul 3rd 2008 11:54AM

In Canada I actually prefer HMV. I remember EB being completely understaffed for the Halo 3 midnight launch - only a SINGLE cashier was working! The line was easily over an hour long, and I had enough of it at the half-hour mark.

I walked 5 minutes to the nearest HMV, and got the game for $10 off retail, at midnight. Zero lines. Awesome.

Their prices are no worse than EB or anyone else...

EMaster @ Jul 3rd 2008 5:32AM

This is not going to change their Video Game Sales. The HMV in downtown Toronto (the biggest one in town) is never sold out of anything except for Wiis. Think buying my games for nothing and selling them for triple is going to help? No. When people think of HMV they think Movies and Music. They should scrap their gaming business alltogether. To Me HMV selling video games is like the post office selling Condoms.

Simon Johnson @ Jul 4th 2008 2:50PM

I'm an employee of CeX, and with their current business model, they will struggle to compete with the trade-in prices that CeX offers. For those who disagree, go compare some games from both websites, then we can talk.

And well done to the poster for mentioning CeX, I thought we where unknown!

KS Rees @ Jul 3rd 2008 5:49AM

I don't understand why anyone would bother buying on the high street when games on the internet are so much cheaper, I regularly see used games in Gamestation going for more than new copies on play.com

Also don't give me the "Supporting local shops" malarky. Screw 'em, should have got on the .com gravy train.

AirIntake @ Jul 3rd 2008 12:22PM

Where on the internet are used games cheaper than EB/GS including shipping to Canada?

Chase @ Jul 3rd 2008 6:02AM

Did anyone else read the title as "HIV (finally) embraces used game sales", stop, and scratch their head? No? Just me?

Here's hoping HMV handles the sale of used games better than GameStop - who has no standards. GameStop will sell used games in terrible condition, without case or manual, for more than it would be reasonable.

It's a shame GameStop bought EB Games. EB Games handled it much better by actually having standards and, seemingly, caring about what they sold to their consumers.

Kye - WiiDSixty DF @ Jul 3rd 2008 9:23AM

I remember EB.
I bought my N64 with Mario Kart and GoldeneEye from there.

Memories.

Kye - WiiDSixty DF @ Jul 3rd 2008 9:24AM

I remember EB.
I bought my N64 with Mario Kart and GoldeneEye from there.

Memories.

Rob Bourne @ Jul 3rd 2008 9:43AM

Must suck to be EB - bought out by Gamestop in the States, bought out by Game in the UK...

They were great, too. Just like Gamestation before they sold out.

I'll agree with Kye though, their staff tend to know what they're talking about, which is good. Game staff talk nothing but shit. It actually angers me to hear them bullshitting parents and other people who aren't clued up.

Pedobear @ Jul 3rd 2008 10:04AM

I see tonnes of EB games in Canada, but I haven't ever seen a gamestop.

followthategg @ Jul 5th 2008 10:05AM

Good good, but yeh they are very over priced. I got so fed up with buying overpriced games and films so now 9 times out of ten i use Amazon, easier that way no matter how lazy it is it's still better than paying 20 odd pound more.

J.Goodwin @ Jul 3rd 2008 6:44AM

Love CEX almost as much as Game Universe.

Those in the northeast US should be aware that they in fact have a shop in Boston and one in New York Citeh?

MJ @ Jul 3rd 2008 6:56AM

Well seeing as Gamestation is now owned by Game that is probably why trade in prices are worse.

HMV in Manchester used to have a used game section a few years ago, though it wasn't really very good. Noone knew about it and the trade in prices were crap. Sometimes even only having a £2 difference in new/used games.

Honestly can't think of the last time I stepped foot in a HMV store.

voodoo_craig @ Jul 3rd 2008 12:08PM

We had one when I worked in HMVin Meadowhall too, nobody traded any games with us so all the games available were actually new ones we'd written off to get it going.

I picked up loads of brand new games dirt cheap and with staff discount =P

FOXHOUND @ Jul 3rd 2008 7:08AM

Unless it's from a major retailer or an eBay store I'm familiar with using, I try not to buy used on software; especially since an incident with AIR FORCE DELTA back on the Dreamcast. I was sold a used copy that looked like someone sandblasted the damn thing.

As for the picture, RALLISPORT2... man, *that* was my rally game on Xbox-anything before DiRT. But what's the game on the bottom? -squint-