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http://kotaku.com/5834002/gamestop-policy-open-your-games-steal-your-codes-sell-them-like-new

Due to Square Enix and OnLive having a partnership - including a coupon to download it (in a similar fashion to steam, I guess) in the game box; Gamestop are opening new copies and removing the coupon.

=|

This seems like it would be better suited for the Video Game board.

I wasn't sure. It's about a video game, sure, but it's more news about a company doing a pretty dickish thing.

Oh Gamestop,

They disgust me.

I never shop there anyway, but this is more reason to continue doing so.

How is this legal? And I guess they just sell those opened games as new?

MrH wrote:How is this legal? And I guess they just sell those opened games as new?

Pretty much. A few years back, they tried to hand me a "new" copy of a game that was opened (my first encounter with this policy and the *LAST* time I bought anything new from them). I told them I wanted a new, unopened one and the clerk responded with "It is new!". When I asked if I could return the "new" copy the next day since its a gift and I'm not sure if my friend already had the game as long as I didn't do anything more with it (like playing), they responded that I could only exchange it since it had been opened and was no longer eligible for a cash refund. So... to recap, they consider it "new" and the same as an unopened copy when trying to make you pay for it but it suddenly is completely different if you try to return it hours later. The fact that they not only opened it but actually changed the declared contents of the package while claiming that it's still new is complete BS. If they had a problem with the streaming copy included, they should have just refused to sell the copies and returned them unopened to the publisher when the streaming copy was announced. They wanted to have their cake and eat it too and it backfired on them. Another stupid thing is that they are *eventually* planning on having their own streaming service but they don't have one currently; OnLive isn't a direct competitor to what they offer at this time as a streaming customer likely doesn't have a rig that meets the specs of the game for regular download (the kind Gamestop/Impulse currently offer).

If Gamestop is allowed to pull this kind of bull, what's to stop them from pulling the unused DLC code cards from "new" copies of their games and then saying that "new" copies are the same as used so why not buy used and save $5? If they're willing to do the former, the next step in their combating the "$10 initiative" that publishers have to discourage used sales is to try and tamper with that at well. I hope the publisher sues them to teach them a lesson.

Ah, Gamestop. The worst thing to happen to the video game industry ever since the 1983.

Melissia wrote:Ah, Gamestop. The worst thing to happen to the video game industry ever since the 1983.

What happened on 1983


Gamestop.... I only shop there because it is literally two steps away from my workplace. Damnit, this pisses me off.

Slarg232 wrote:

Melissia wrote:Ah, Gamestop. The worst thing to happen to the video game industry ever since the 1983.

What happened on 1983


Gamestop.... I only shop there because it is literally two steps away from my workplace. Damnit, this pisses me off.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_video_game_crash_of_1983

So RAW you all get these cheaper? It's like they're slashing the prices.

I'm glad there are no Gamestops over here. Though if a game store were to try it here, I'd go against it like the theft it so clearly is.

When I ordered pokemon black, they didn't give me my promo when I got it, I ordered when they first started taking reservations, I even picked it up the day it was released.

n0t_u wrote:So RAW you all get these cheaper? It's like they're slashing the prices.

I'm glad there are no Gamestops over here. Though if a game store were to try it here, I'd go against it like the theft it so clearly is.

EBGames is affiliated with gamestop.

I’ve had issues with preorders from EbGames. I pre ordered Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 from EB and I got some bogus excuse by the staff that marketing never sent them the pre order bonus codes. A friend of mine who used to work at that store said that not receiving the pre order stuff was a common occurrence and that there was nothing they could do about it. What’s odd is that I’ve pre-ordered from their website and received no issues regarding the pre order bonus stuff.

That being said, I like to shop at Game more than EB. Their prices are usually cheaper and their webstore preorders arrive on your doorstep on release day.

Gamestop usually only sells used games for 10% off of what retailers usually list them at.

$59.99 at retailer= $54.99 at Gamestop used.

$29.99 at retailer= $26.99 at Gamestop used.

$19.99 at retailer= $17.99 at Gamestop used.

Not really a money saving thing in my own opinion because stores will usually have these things called sales where the prices are cheaper, but there are some idiots that just don't get that concept(not that I'm talking about anyone here, just a work experience).

Me: "Yes ma'am we have Call of Duty: Black Ops for $59.99 on PS3 but its on sale for $49.99 right now."

Customer: "That's 50 bucks, that's too expensive."

Me: "It is 50 but this one is also the special edition that comes with the first map pack which costs 15 dollars if you buy it alone."

Customer: "That's still too expensive, I'll just go get it used at gamestop."

Me:....

After she left we had a good couple of laughs at her expense. First she'll be paying five dollars more to get it used and second off if it is used, she won't be getting the voucher for the map pack. So all in all she'll end up paying $20 more for going to gamestop. So yeah, we laugh at that sometimes.

candy.man wrote:

n0t_u wrote:So RAW you all get these cheaper? It's like they're slashing the prices.

I'm glad there are no Gamestops over here. Though if a game store were to try it here, I'd go against it like the theft it so clearly is.

EBGames is affiliated with gamestop.

I’ve had issues with preorders from EbGames. I pre ordered Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 from EB and I got some bogus excuse by the staff that marketing never sent them the pre order bonus codes. A friend of mine who used to work at that store said that not receiving the pre order stuff was a common occurrence and that there was nothing they could do about it. What’s odd is that I’ve pre-ordered from their website and received no issues regarding the pre order bonus stuff.

That being said, I like to shop at Game more than EB. Their prices are usually cheaper and their webstore preorders arrive on your doorstep on release day.

I'm afraid Game are just as bad.

I'll stick with steam me thinks...

halonachos wrote:After she left we had a good couple of laughs at her expense. First she'll be paying five dollars more to get it used and second off if it is used, she won't be getting the voucher for the map pack. So all in all she'll end up paying $20 more for going to gamestop. So yeah, we laugh at that sometimes.

Customers are fun, eh?

"Are these buy one, get one free?"

"No, but they're half price, so it's pretty much the same effect."

"I don't think I'll take them if they're not buy one get one free."

Hmm interesting.

I think I will most likely stick with Steam(if all I want is the game) and Amazon(if i want a special edition or just the CD).

I mean while Steam is good my gf managed to buy the remaining expansions I needed for The Sims 3(Late Night to Generations) for a fraction of the steam price. Doesnt help I had all the Cd's of The Sims 3 games.

But yea Steam and Amazon for me.

Surely this must be illegal!?

KamikazeCanuck wrote:Surely this must be illegal!?

May shed some light on the subject.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/gamestop-removed-onlive-coupons-from-deus-ex/083708

Leading retailer GameStop has admitted to removing coupons from the PC version of Deus Ex: Human Revolution that entitled buyers to a free copy of the title on streaming games service OnLive.

That the code had been included was only revealed by Square Enix on Tuesday – the same day the title arrived on the US High Street.

As revealed last week, GameStop is itself preparing to launch a streaming games service in 2012. The move is no doubt designed to pre-empt a possible future shift from boxed games retail to a wholly digital model.

And clearly, promoting a rival’s streaming games service does not fall into this strategy.

An email sent to GameStop staff obtained by Ars Technica reads: "Please immediately remove and discard the OnLive coupon from all regular PC versions of Deus Ex: Human Revolution.

"Our desire is to not have this coupon go to any customers after this announcement."

A spokesperson for the chain added that: "Square Enix packed the competitor’s coupon with our DXHR product without our prior knowledge and we did pull these coupons."
The news comes amidst ongoing rumours that UK retail is growing increasingly uncomfortable about selling PC games that integrate Valve’s Steam functionality.

Wolfun wrote:

candy.man wrote:

n0t_u wrote:So RAW you all get these cheaper? It's like they're slashing the prices.

I'm glad there are no Gamestops over here. Though if a game store were to try it here, I'd go against it like the theft it so clearly is.

EBGames is affiliated with gamestop.

I’ve had issues with preorders from EbGames. I pre ordered Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 from EB and I got some bogus excuse by the staff that marketing never sent them the pre order bonus codes. A friend of mine who used to work at that store said that not receiving the pre order stuff was a common occurrence and that there was nothing they could do about it. What’s odd is that I’ve pre-ordered from their website and received no issues regarding the pre order bonus stuff.

That being said, I like to shop at Game more than EB. Their prices are usually cheaper and their webstore preorders arrive on your doorstep on release day.

I'm afraid Game are just as bad.

Yeah, that guy on that forum that said something because a game wasn't available actually means that GAME is running a vast conspiracy [/sarcasm]

The guy in that link's points are absolutely ridiculous.

He says something as if it's a fact, then states that GAME must be lying when they deny it, despite him having no proof or even reason to suspect that GAME have done anything, besides the fact that he doesn't like them.

This is one of the reasons I cant stand Gamestop and their capitalist shenanigans.

Spartan 117 wrote:This is one of the reasons I cant stand Gamestop and their capitalist shenanigans.

What's this? You hate a company for trying to beat competition? I would have done this a long time ago if I was Gamestop. Does GameInformer publish ads for IGN? Does Mac comes with a PC sticker sheet? Does every 100 dollars you spend at GW get you a 10 dollar off coupon to PP?

Please. Get off your pedestals.

Chowderhead wrote:

Spartan 117 wrote:This is one of the reasons I cant stand Gamestop and their capitalist shenanigans.

What's this? You hate a company for trying to beat competition? I would have done this a long time ago if I was Gamestop. Does GameInformer publish ads for IGN? Does Mac comes with a PC sticker sheet? Does every 100 dollars you spend at GW get you a 10 dollar off coupon to PP?

Please. Get off your pedestals.

If you want to be abused as a consumer that is your right, but not everyone wants to be. They could always choose not to carry the title if they feel it is a threat tho their business, but opening games then selling them as new is just pathetic, and they have been doing it long before this instance. They tried to pull this on me several times years ago when I asked for a new game and they gave me a open game. I asked if I would be able to return it as a new title and they said no becuase it was already open. It was new to sell in that condition, but not to return. I am not the only person to run into this issue either. The problem isn't that they may have been selling something in competition but in how they handled it, which was poorly.

As consumers we are allowed to recognize and be critical of companies, including GW, Square, and Gamestop. I don't get this idea that we are not allowed to be upset by how a company acts. Now I will agree it is silly to complain about a company but continue to patronize them. I haven't shopped at Gamestop in ages and haven't missed it one iota.

Perhaps you might want to take a look under your own feat before complaining about others for your own shortcomings.

Heh. I don't mind gamestop at all.

Just the other day I got a fair trade in on all of my old games that I never play anymore and got a couple brand new ones, and still have enough on my account to get MW3 and BF3 when they drop.

I don't see what the big deal is.

Ahtman wrote:

Chowderhead wrote:

Spartan 117 wrote:This is one of the reasons I cant stand Gamestop and their capitalist shenanigans.

What's this? You hate a company for trying to beat competition? I would have done this a long time ago if I was Gamestop. Does GameInformer publish ads for IGN? Does Mac comes with a PC sticker sheet? Does every 100 dollars you spend at GW get you a 10 dollar off coupon to PP?

Please. Get off your pedestals.

If you want to be abused as a consumer that is your right, but not everyone wants to be. They could always choose not to carry the title if they feel it is a threat tho their business, but opening games then selling them as new is just pathetic, and they have been doing it long before this instance. They tried to pull this on me several times years ago when I asked for a new game and they gave me a open game. I asked if I would be able to return it as a new title and they said no becuase it was already open. It was new to sell in that condition, but not to return. I am not the only person to run into this issue either. The problem isn't that they may have been selling something in competition but in how they handled it, which was poorly.

As consumers we are allowed to recognize and be critical of companies, including GW, Square, and Gamestop. I don't get this idea that we are not allowed to be upset by how a company acts. Now I will agree it is silly to complain about a company but continue to patronize them. I haven't shopped at Gamestop in ages and haven't missed it one iota.

Perhaps you might want to take a look under your own feat before complaining about others for your own shortcomings.

They have chosen not to carry it.

rather than hear this discussion on every forum.

Goliath wrote:They have chosen not to carry it.

rather than hear this discussion on every forum.

They may have chosen not to in the UK, but in the US they certainly did carry it. They may have chosen to not carry it anymore, but that isn't the same as never having done so.

Ahtman wrote:

Goliath wrote:They have chosen not to carry it.

rather than hear this discussion on every forum.

They may have chosen not to in the UK, but in the US they certainly did carry it. They may have chosen to not carry it anymore, but that isn't the same as never having done so.

Let's face it, they would have continued to do it, too.

It was only because it was on every forum that they stopped.

Monster Rain wrote:Heh. I don't mind gamestop at all.

Just the other day I got a fair trade in on all of my old games that I never play anymore and got a couple brand new ones, and still have enough on my account to get MW3 and BF3 when they drop.

I don't see what the big deal is.

Perhaps its location based?

I too never really had too many problems with them.(heck my brother used to work at GS) Aside from the slowly dieing out of PC games there. They had some nice black friday sales last year

kenshin620 wrote:Perhaps its location based?

Could be.

Until today I had no idea that there was so much hate for this company.