Best Buy testing price matching of used games
by Andrew Yoon 
{ Aug 7th 2009 at 1:00PM }
It's currently unclear if this is a nationwide Best Buy policy, or if it's simply a localized test. We've contacted Best Buy for more information, and will update the story with an official statement. Until then, let us know if your local Best Buy is also participating in this program. Update: A Best Buy representative informed us that this is, indeed, a local test and not a nationwide program. Hopefully, the "test" proves positive, as we'd love to see this program expand.
[Thanks, tmacairjordan87!]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Temidien @ Aug 7th 2009 1:05PM
If this goes nationwide, I may just jizz in my pants *cue music*
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Aug 7th 2009 1:07PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmRZnRp8_B8
there ya go buddy
Obie @ Aug 7th 2009 1:24PM
THIS SHIT JUST GOT REAL!
whylekat @ Aug 7th 2009 3:09PM
Like at the end of 6th Sense?
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Aug 7th 2009 1:05PM
wow....thats crazy....I mean I know Gamestop RAPES people for used games but sometime those games are like $30 used when a brand new one is still $60. That cant be good for Best Buy's bottom line
charlie b. @ Aug 7th 2009 1:09PM
not exactly true. say there are 10 customers. and these 10 customers prefer going to GameStop for cheap used games, as opposed to going to Best Buy for new games at a higher price.
now, with this deal, imagine half of those people hear of Best buy's promotion and think "for the same price, why don't i buy new instead of used?"
Best Buy will then gain 5 customers they didn't have before.
i think Best Buy knows what they're doing.
tmacairjordan87 @ Aug 7th 2009 1:09PM
It's unlikely we'd see something like that very often, but I think their plan is to make more money in the long run just by drawing in a lot more people. Rumor is that publishers are also secretly backing this plan so they can put a dent in gamestop's used sales.
tmacairjordan87 @ Aug 7th 2009 1:11PM
Yeah that's true too. If gamestop is selling a used game for $40, but those 5/10 go to best buy and get it for $40 new then that's 5 more copies that the developer makes money off of.
They'd rather take the hit and make $40 per game instead of nothing.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Aug 7th 2009 1:11PM
sure they may gain FEW customers. but I dunno if it will make enough of a dent to GameStop tho....I mean MILLIONS of people would have to do this....
KingOfGods @ Aug 7th 2009 1:23PM
I'm sure Gamestop will eventually undercut this deal by lowering their used game prices putting a little more pressure on Best Buy.....Well it is still good news either way for us consumers.
pekosROB @ Aug 7th 2009 1:23PM
Yep! For some reason, Heavenly Sword is still $50 new, even though it was a launch title (I believe, at least in 2007) with the PS3!! Used is $30 at Gamestop (it was on sale last week for $20).
This will be nice if you want to get a copy of SFIV - it dropped ti $20 NEW at Gamestop apparently...
LegendaryRedass @ Aug 7th 2009 1:23PM
Also, more customers in the store mean more products potentially sold. I know every time I go in best buy, I look at games and movies, and I usually get at least one game and two movies. On top of that, every customer they hook in are customers that aren't at gamestop. In the end, they're taking sales from the competition. Even if they aren't making as much as normal, they're hurting the competitions bottom line.
PN04 @ Aug 7th 2009 2:26PM
It's hilarious because Gamestop likes to sell opened/used/gutted games as new, now bestbuy is selling new games as used! LOL
Help me! @ Aug 7th 2009 2:43PM
New/popular games which would be carried by Best Buy generally sell for within $5 of the new price used at gamestop, in my experience
Worse come to worst, Best Buy could just put on a cap of 20-30% off
Manly Mcbeefington (Mr. ESC Vice President and PR of Wiizers Sweatshop Inc.) @ Aug 7th 2009 5:36PM
But think of all those persons who like their games scratched with cheetos finger prints and prefer the mystery of not knowing what monstrosities that game disc has seen of what places it has visit [Like the interior of a human rectum].
HazyCloud @ Aug 7th 2009 1:07PM
Bravo, Best Buy. *applauds*
tmacairjordan87 @ Aug 7th 2009 1:07PM
This all depends on how far best buy's willing to go. If they're just doing this for show then all it means is maybe a $5 drop for new games. They don't really keep very many old games in stock usually, so the chances of seeing a big drop (around $20 or more) is unlikely.
If they are willing to push this all the way, and stock older games just to draw in more people, we could see a price war between the two companies which would be great for us :D
Banstyle @ Aug 7th 2009 1:10PM
Best Buy doesn't stock older games though.. at least not ones in NYC. So you won't find some dirt cheap bargain bin titles for $10 like you would at Gamestop.
When I buy used, I'm not looking for a $5 difference. I want more than that.
-Vexx- @ Aug 7th 2009 1:11PM
But its good for that new title that just game out. Whats wrong with saving a few bucks?
Banstyle @ Aug 7th 2009 1:14PM
Nothing wrong with saving money, but if the price difference is more than $5 they will simply not stock it at BB.
BB often does not carry anything older than one year on it's racks.
sting @ Aug 7th 2009 1:35PM
I also want more than $5 off if I buy used. Even if its a new title. I'd rather fork over an extra 5 bucks to know that I'm getting everything I need (ie. Manual, certain game codes, scratchless discs).
I don't mind buying used, but it should at least be $10-$15 cheaper than the game new.
~~
http://bit.ly/f5cyp
CTC XBL-supapaypamawio PSN-ctclaw @ Aug 7th 2009 1:40PM
Maybe your local Best Buy doesn't stock old stuff, but mine still has plenty of old games that I would like to try this deal on. I live in Utah about 30 minutes south of this store, I'm interested in seeing what other stores around here are doing it as well.
Kevin949 @ Aug 7th 2009 1:48PM
@sting
What I'd like is for gamestop to stop selling pre-opened games as "new" even if they did put it in that stupid baggie. It's not new because I can almost guarantee that game has been in someones console before I bought it. Yes, I've worked for several gamestops and had friends that worked there as well, I know how things go down there.
Eh @ Aug 7th 2009 2:14PM
@Kevin949
What 'd like is for people to stop buying games at Gamestop. With so many Walmarts, Targets, Kmarts, and Best Buys theres absolutely no excuse to shop at Gamestop if you dont like buying opened games for new prices.
Banstyle @ Aug 7th 2009 6:58PM
@Eh
I shop at Gamestop because I can get a 360 game for $17. Sometimes for less! Not always the greatest games but there is nothing cheaper. That's why I shop there.
You would never see prices like that at Best Buy. They would simply stop stocking the item rather than match the price. Gamestop restocks automatically because they get in USED games.
Stix Remix @ Aug 7th 2009 1:09PM
Anyone who wants to undermine Gamestop is A-OK in my book.
Latin_Trident @ Aug 7th 2009 1:19PM
Anyone that BANKRUPTS gamestop is A- OK in my book
Evans @ Aug 7th 2009 1:21PM
Anyone that wants to fuck gamestop and bestbuy is A-OK with me
baby sea tuna @ Aug 7th 2009 1:25PM
It's funny that you say that because I've said on more than one occasion that I would fuck a Best Buy if I could.
Shagittarius @ Aug 7th 2009 2:08PM
Is Best Buy would be my video game sugar-daddy I would certainly reciprocate that with a little hanky-panky.
TrojanGuy @ Aug 7th 2009 4:10PM
Agreed 100%. I try to avoid Gamestop if possible and this will make it even easier.
johnny3000 @ Aug 7th 2009 1:11PM
man i sure hope this happens up here in Canada as well so i can finally get some new games in stead of old crappy scratched disks with no Manuel...
Chromekreeper @ Aug 7th 2009 1:22PM
amen brother
baby sea tuna @ Aug 7th 2009 1:27PM
Who's Manuel? Is he the guy that installs games?
johnny3000 @ Aug 7th 2009 1:30PM
flipping hell i really have to double check my spelling...
manual not manule
Ben Forbes @ Aug 7th 2009 1:36PM
... just quit while you're ahead.
firelord @ Aug 7th 2009 2:53PM
Manuel, relay instructions!
-Vexx- @ Aug 7th 2009 1:10PM
I endorse this.
THEN IT MUST BE GOOD
koehler83 @ Aug 7th 2009 1:13PM
Price matching at GameStops used price is still MSRP, isn't it?
Toop @ Aug 8th 2009 1:39PM
I had a similar thought. This should be easy when I've seen used games at EB Games (Gamespot) priced at more than they are selling new versions of that game for. Damn sharp management they've got there.
WINterfang @ Aug 7th 2009 1:13PM
WOAH! holy ****.
uncle jesse @ Aug 7th 2009 1:13PM
Hmmmm. I wouldn't mind getting a look at the fine print on this deal.
Sounds too good to be true.
Gamer4Life @ Aug 7th 2009 1:45PM
Everyone should do this with every deal they see.
uncle jesse @ Aug 7th 2009 1:46PM
This is true.
Cheesus(Crust) @ Aug 7th 2009 1:15PM
Damn nice BestBuy!
Courtney @ Aug 7th 2009 1:15PM
Holy delectable discounts Batman!
John Perkins @ Aug 7th 2009 1:15PM
I'm curious as to how the price matching works. If it's too much of a hassle, I can't see it catching on or even putting a slight ding into GameStop's business. It would have to be a very streamlined process to be even remotely effective.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Aug 7th 2009 1:18PM
I'm curious to that as well. I mean used game prices vary from location to location, based on how many they have in stock in a certain range. and Condition of the game. a game that is the DISC ONLY with scratches may be more than $15 different than one that does have a case with no scratches...
Moptimus Slime (Leader of Princess Griffins Royal Guard, Golden Parachuter, Long Name Aficionado) @ Aug 7th 2009 1:16PM
god dammit Best Buy you bring that shit to Ohio and will buy any game you ask me to.
Got left over copies of Ninjabread Man? Consider them sold!
Moptimus Slime (Leader of Princess Griffins Royal Guard, Golden Parachuter, Long Name Aficionado) @ Aug 7th 2009 2:07PM
also, I checked Best Buy's website, and they have a thing that lets you see how much they'll give you when you trade in a game. So now instead of wandering blindly into Gamestop and hoping they aren't fucking you over, you can get a competitive offer.