Joystiq LGJ columnist Mark Methenitis has written a piece analyzing the claims posited earlier this week by Kotaku surrounding the legality of GameStop's employee "checkout policy" and found that, in his professional opinion, the illegality of this practice may be in question for a variety of reasons. The main question at hand: Is GameStop deceiving customers who purchase employee-played (read: "used") games as new? His answer: Much like most legal matters, it really depends.
Depends on what, you ask? For one, Methenitis says games sold at GameStop as new where, "the disc, packaging, or other materials are damaged in any way, or if one-time use download codes are used" could be "a deceptive act." The problem with minutiae such as this, he says, is that damages are so small (monetarily speaking) that a lawsuit would be ineffective in court. Furthermore, he says that laws put in place to protect consumers from used vs. new item fraud are often based on products that degrade rather than "nebulous" products like DVD discs and, to a greater extent, cartridge-based games (such as Nintendo DS titles).
With legal ambiguities surrounding this issue, we'd simply suggest buying used titles from your friendly, online click-and-order retailer in the meantime, rather than contributing to billions of dollars in used game sales at your own and other gamers' expense.
Reader Comments (83)
Posted: Apr 11th 2009 10:39PM (Unverified) said
Got a "new" DS game from a Gamestop at the local mall today (Big Bang Mini).
Box wasn't factory sealed and the entire first level had been unlocked.
Sucks.
And I think even more than the money is the fact that you know what you just bought was already played/used by someone else. It's fine if it's labeled used an you expect it, but when a game is said to be new it's just frustrating.
I'm not going to bitch about it, but that was likely the last time I buy something from Gamestop.
Box wasn't factory sealed and the entire first level had been unlocked.
Sucks.
And I think even more than the money is the fact that you know what you just bought was already played/used by someone else. It's fine if it's labeled used an you expect it, but when a game is said to be new it's just frustrating.
I'm not going to bitch about it, but that was likely the last time I buy something from Gamestop.
Posted: Apr 11th 2009 10:42PM (Unverified) said
Can't speak for other states, but as a former litigation employee for the NYS AG, I'll tell you that your government is bit more concerned enforcing the law with investment banks, landlords and contractors ripping off little old ladies in the middle of winter, and sexual perverts suing for early release from prison than video game store policies.
If you don't like the way Gamestop does business shop at Amazon where you can get free shipping and no sales tax in most states, or buy a PC and download Steam. What exactly is the issue here?
If you don't like the way Gamestop does business shop at Amazon where you can get free shipping and no sales tax in most states, or buy a PC and download Steam. What exactly is the issue here?
Posted: Apr 11th 2009 11:13PM preciousdeath said
Well put. Stop whining and shop somewhere else. After watching the youtube videos from the former GS employee, I made the decision to not give them anymore money. I want to support honest, hard-working companies that care about their customers.
Everyone should join Goozex NOW! It's the best way to get the highest return on investment for your games, especially if you tend to play a game for a short period of time and then trade it in.
Reply
Everyone should join Goozex NOW! It's the best way to get the highest return on investment for your games, especially if you tend to play a game for a short period of time and then trade it in.
Posted: Apr 12th 2009 6:26AM (Unverified) said
Would you like to have your taxes raised so that 50% of your paycheck is docked so that we have resources to go after Gamestop and Chucky Cheese as well as that little brick and mortar place called AIG?
Didn't think so. Now scurry away, troll.
Reply
Didn't think so. Now scurry away, troll.
Posted: Apr 12th 2009 3:17PM Haggard said
You raise a good point - there are more important things to worry about. But people feel passionately enough about games to care that GameStop has these practices. I'm probably wrong, but there must be some cost-effective way to stop GS from doing this.
Reply
Posted: Apr 12th 2009 4:06PM BigD145 said
Raise taxes? No thanks. I'd rather that certain states didn't get money for "X to Nowhere" projects. Those millions could easily pay for personnel to uphold laws. Taking away the immunity that most corporate companies get would also be a boon. Remove the tax shelters and more money will roll in.
Reply
Posted: Apr 12th 2009 8:52PM (Unverified) said
State governments don't dole out FEDERAL pork spending like the Bridge To No Where project, idiot. The vast majority of court action in this nation takes place at the state level. The State Courts, much less the Federal Circuit courts -- LOL -- aren't going to take your, frankly, whiny video game store grumblings seriously. End of story. You cry about this as though the matter had the gravity of the Dred Scott Decision, it would be funny if it weren't so sad. This is why American courts are so top heavy and out of control with frivolous lawsuits jamming the system -- because whiners and the legal equivalent to medical hypochondriacs have to complain and sue about everything instead of having some fucking dignity. Grow a pair.
Reply
Posted: Apr 11th 2009 10:54PM (Unverified) said
the problem isnt in any way analogous to used car dealerships vs. new car dealerships. gamestop is a single retailer selling both used and new copies of the same media. they price new games at a premium over used games, but allow some new games to be used by a layman's definition. it may not be illegal but it's dishonest and underhanded at very least.
Posted: Apr 12th 2009 12:17AM (Unverified) said
AFAIK, Gamestop/EB put in this policy because there was a high rate of theft by their own employees. Now with the perks that Gamestop/EB employees get, there's no reason for them to steal. In fact, they have more incentive to be a good employee so that they can keep playing games for free.
Posted: Apr 12th 2009 12:59AM (Unverified) said
So let me get this right. GameStop employees are ill-informed about games, and don't know jack about them because they don't play games. Especially the newer releases.
The obvious, easiest solution for them to get product knowledge is to let them demo the damn games at home, on their time.
So now we're upset that the games we're buying product that has been handled (presumably with care - if there is more than incidental damage similar to that of a gutted game that employee should have to buy it). And a very very small percentage of that store's product at that. If significantly more than 1% of the store's new stock at any given point has been played by an employee, then I'd be surprised.
It's the principle you say? Whatever. I say let these poor minimum wagers keep one of the cooler benefits to their job.
For those that hate this company, every solution they bring to your problems leads to another round of complaints. They won't ever do anything right.
Tell you what. If you can run a video game store better than they are then quit your bitchin' and go do it. Obviously there's money to be made - go get your share of their 8.8 billion.
The obvious, easiest solution for them to get product knowledge is to let them demo the damn games at home, on their time.
So now we're upset that the games we're buying product that has been handled (presumably with care - if there is more than incidental damage similar to that of a gutted game that employee should have to buy it). And a very very small percentage of that store's product at that. If significantly more than 1% of the store's new stock at any given point has been played by an employee, then I'd be surprised.
It's the principle you say? Whatever. I say let these poor minimum wagers keep one of the cooler benefits to their job.
For those that hate this company, every solution they bring to your problems leads to another round of complaints. They won't ever do anything right.
Tell you what. If you can run a video game store better than they are then quit your bitchin' and go do it. Obviously there's money to be made - go get your share of their 8.8 billion.
Posted: Apr 12th 2009 1:25AM Atomicwaist said
Well said! And trust me a few of my old coworkers and I have discussed this numerous times. The big problem? Getting the the developers to purchase ad-space in the store, because that is a HUGE amount of the company's profits. The next time you go into a GameStop or EB Games, look for the EA Sports display or the Activision display. Each of those was purchased by that company, then shipped on their dime to that location. Then GameStop not only sells them the floor space for the unit, but also for the box art/marketing materials that their employees have to put up. FYI that EA Sports rack cost EA over $1 million for its initial 8 month span in appx. 500 stores, I don't even wanna know how much it costs them now...
Reply
Posted: Apr 12th 2009 10:42PM (Unverified) said
not all of them. My friend is the same guy that you see on a gaming blog yet he works at GS and know releases and other info as such.
Reply
Posted: Apr 12th 2009 2:34AM Anticrawl said
If you and GameStop want to run gaming retail like the car retail business all employees must be properly education and make their wage on a commission bases so we can haggle these bullshit "opened but new because we say it is" circumstances.
Posted: Apr 12th 2009 2:37AM (Unverified) said
Just buy game from place other than game spot if you really care.
Posted: Apr 12th 2009 2:58AM (Unverified) said
How about this: Don't buy at GameStop. Just a thought.
Posted: Apr 12th 2009 4:16AM (Unverified) said
What's the big deal? If the disc doesn't have a finger print or scuff on it and no one-time-use codes are used, who f-ing cares? This is one case where what you don't know won't hurt you.
Joystick: Stick to reporting the news, not making it.
Joystick: Stick to reporting the news, not making it.
Posted: Apr 12th 2009 1:42PM MystileArmor said
If you don't like it Brian, why comment and why don't you just go to a different website?
Reply
Posted: Apr 12th 2009 4:11PM (Unverified) said
Hey Brian, I found a better site for all of you that don't like the way "joystick" does business:
www.amishrakefight.org/gfy
Check it out!!!
Reply
www.amishrakefight.org/gfy
Check it out!!!
Posted: Apr 12th 2009 12:23PM (Unverified) said
when i want a new game, i go to wal-mart and when i want a used game, i go to gamestop easy as that!... ppl whenever ya want a NEW game go to wal-mart or best buy but not to gamestop! and when you want a used game go to gamestop.... used ps3 games are like new.
Posted: Apr 12th 2009 2:14PM (Unverified) said
I fail to understand while discussing Gamestop how the car argument works here but not there.
Also why hound Gamestop when every other gamestore does this very same thing.
Also why hound Gamestop when every other gamestore does this very same thing.
Posted: Apr 12th 2009 4:02PM arod said
OMG Game Dude! I miss that place. That's where I first saw The Dreamcast prior to its american release..
Posted: Apr 12th 2009 6:02PM (Unverified) said
Here's an idea...if you don't like Gamestop's policies, DO NOT shop there...plain and simple. Stop complaining and go to Best Buy or shop on Amazon.
Posted: Apr 13th 2009 12:18AM xnowimcoolx said
at my local EB games they just use clear round stickers (no markings at all) to seal the games ... so if I can find a bunch of those stickers I should be able to return my used games I bought from there with no problems ... full refund. If they wanna play the new/used game, I can play it too!
Posted: May 11th 2009 10:01PM (Unverified) said
and i suppose you magically don't need a receipt anymore either?
Reply
Posted: Apr 13th 2009 1:22AM jhego128 said
Lol, i used to buy my games at Game Dude. I live like 10 min away from it...
Posted: Apr 13th 2009 3:55AM (Unverified) said
Game dude FTW i live close to it!!!
Posted: Apr 13th 2009 9:09AM Gemini Ace said
Blockbuster allows employees to borrow movies before they release. Of course, they're rentals so it's not exactly the same. I don't think Ive ever bought a new game at Gamestop that wasn't in the shrinkwrap. I think this is just Kotaku's way of driving traffic. And, I guess it's working.
Posted: Apr 14th 2009 11:43AM (Unverified) said
I refuse to by an opened game at new prices regardless of whether it has been played or not. I have bought at least 10 PS3 games at Walmart that I originally planned to buy at Gamestop, due to the fact that they didn't have sealed copies of the game. I give games as gifts to friends and family and I don't want to give them a new game that looks used. Sorry Gamestop but I ain't buyin'!







