Gaming Forums => General Gaming => Topic started by: SupaKirb on March 08, 2011, 08:35:39 PM
Title: STOP GIVING GAMESTOP YOUR MONEY! (GameStop Vs Amazon)
Post by: SupaKirb on March 08, 2011, 08:35:39 PM
So I had plans on selling some of my games that I didn't want anymore... So I did what other people in my situation do... I went to GameStop! Power to the Players and what have you! Anyways, I wanted to check how much they would give me for my games, so let's have a look...
GAMESTOP
First off Epic Mickey. It's a fairly recent Wii game. Not new, but not old either, so let's see what GameStop offers me...
GameStop humbly offers me $16.00 for Epic Mickey..... Original Value? $49.99 + $2.50State Tax= $52.49 (yeah I keep every one of my receipts) Not that great of a deal... but hopefully we get something better for Kingdom Hearts! Kingdom hearts Re:coded.... Much more recent, hasn't really aged much, and including Tax and all that stuff, I originally payed $36.74
Now what does Lovely GameStop want to give me for this fairly pricey DS game?
12.00.....
-GameStop Total Value= $28.00....
AMAZON
OK Now let's see what Amazon.com will give me for this stuff... (Keep in mind Amazon.com is a site that always has price drops and raises, so selling at a more opportune time can deliver better paydays)
OK Epic Mickey. Again, it's a fairly recent Wii game
Amazon gives me $28.75. Hmm.. Not bad considering that's more than half of it's original value.. good start Amazon..
OK now what about Kingdom Hearts?
Amazon gives me...
$22.00. Again, not bad considering that's more than half of it's original value. (Also, with trade-ins at Amazon, shipping is paid for. (as long as you use a UPS store.) Just thought I'd mention that.)
-Amazon Total Value= $50.75.
FINAL
OK so let's go over all the math here....
GameStop Total Value= $28.00.... Amazon Total Value= $50.75. Original Total Value=$89.23
Do you see the difference here people? And who knows, if I did this trade-in sooner I would probably get a lot more back.
But long story short.... Trade in your games to Amazon guys... You get store credit for the entire website.. and not just games. Meaning you can spend it anywhere you want, and also any time you want. It's a way better deal than what crappy GameStop is offering.
SUCK IT GAMESTOP! POWER TO THE PLAYERS MY REAR END!
Title: Re: STOP GIVING GAMESTOP YOUR MONEY!
Post by: Morari on March 08, 2011, 08:38:15 PM
I thought that this was old news? Gamestop gives you squat for your used games, but then marks them up to near new prices to sell them back to others. Nevermind that pretty much all of their games are "used" anyway, since they unbox so damn many of them. The place is a glorified pawn shop.
Title: Re: STOP GIVING GAMESTOP YOUR MONEY! (GameStop Vs Amazon)
Post by: broodwars on March 08, 2011, 08:45:57 PM
Personally, I've never understood the whining from people over the amount they give you for what is essentially a Pawn Shop service. What they do with your trade-in afterwards is none of your business. If you don't like the offer they give you, take your trade-in elsewhere. As you have already pointed out, there are alternatives that offer better monetary return. I don't particularly care for Amazon's due to the long delay between when you send the package and when they give you the credit (or reject your items, as happened to me when I sent in a copy of Uncharted 1 that I got used from Gamestop that had a "not for resell tag" on it I never noticed). I've heard good things about Best Buy's service, though.
Bottom line: if you like the immediacy of Gamestop's service and don't mind that you aren't getting the top value for your return, use the service. If you don't, don't use the service and don't whine about it. It's your own choice whether you want to use their trade-in service, and you have no one to blame for "getting screwed" but yourself.
Title: Re: STOP GIVING GAMESTOP YOUR MONEY!
Post by: SupaKirb on March 08, 2011, 08:49:21 PM
I thought that this was old news? Gamestop gives you squat for your used games, but then marks them up to near new prices to sell them back to others. Nevermind that pretty much all of their games are "used" anyway, since they unbox so damn many of them. The place is a glorified pawn shop.
I drew this up for my friends who still sell there stuff at GameStop. Believe it or not, there are still people who don't understand that there are much better ways to sell their games. Yes it's old news to most of us, but it could be a helpful tip to those curious about how much they can save when they sell the right way.
Also yeh, I know what you mean with GameStop's selling of games... I bought Zelda Phantom Hourglass new from them. And the guy got a display case, took a supposedly "new game" from a folder of sorts, and handed it to me as new. I was to naive then and I didn't really speak up much, but the next time a GameStop employer even thinks of doing that to me, they got another thing coming.
I thought that this was old news? Gamestop gives you squat for your used games, but then marks them up to near new prices to sell them back to others. Nevermind that pretty much all of their games are "used" anyway, since they unbox so damn many of them. The place is a glorified pawn shop.
Exactly, people shouldn't complain. (I hope I wasn't mistaken as complaining?) It is YOUR choice on who you do business with. Realistically, you are never going to get top value for your used games. But there are better options out there. Like Amazon.
Title: Re: STOP GIVING GAMESTOP YOUR MONEY! (GameStop Vs Amazon)
Post by: NWR_insanolord on March 08, 2011, 08:59:49 PM
Goozex will generally get you even better value than Amazon, but it'll take longer as well. I was looking to trade in a bunch of stuff a couple months ago, and I chose GameStop over those other ways that would probably have given me quite a lot more because it was quicker and simpler.
Title: Re: STOP GIVING GAMESTOP YOUR MONEY! (GameStop Vs Amazon)
Post by: ShyGuy on March 08, 2011, 09:02:52 PM
Where does Hastings rank?
Title: Re: STOP GIVING GAMESTOP YOUR MONEY!
Post by: broodwars on March 08, 2011, 09:07:36 PM
Exactly, people shouldn't complain. (I hope I wasn't mistaken as complaining?) It is YOUR choice on who you do business with. Realistically, you are never going to get top value for your used games. But there are better options out there. Like Amazon.
Yeah, I suppose I should have been a bit more specific because I wasn't really referring to you. I was more referring to the people who go around these forums screaming "YAR! GAMESTOP BE EVIL AND DESTROYING THE GAMES INDUSTRY! THEY TAKE MY GAME WORTH $15 TRADE-IN AND SELL IT FOR $45!" All the complaining about GameStop just irritates me, because this is a free market economy and you're free to take your business wherever you choose. Just understand that where you take your business is your decision, and it's a business' responsibility to try to get as much value as they can for your trade-in. GameStop has some policies I don't care for (the opened "New games" really irritate me), but you can't beat the immediacy of boxed retail 5 minutes from your house and they do have an agreeable selection of Used Games (not as extensive as Amazon, but much faster access time). I time and plan my trips carefully to take advantage of various sales and deals, and I'm overall satisfied with how I've come out of them.
Title: Re: STOP GIVING GAMESTOP YOUR MONEY! (GameStop Vs Amazon)
Post by: SupaKirb on March 08, 2011, 09:20:42 PM
@insanlord- Excellent point you brought up. You said that you use Gamestop because it's basically more convenient correct? This is probably another huge reason people choose GameStop more often than not. And Goozex? Hmm... never heard of it. I'm gonna look into that site. Thanks.
@broodwars- I see where you are coming from. It is pretty annoying when people complain about something that is their own doing.
@ShyGuy-Hastings? Is that another trading site?
Title: Re: STOP GIVING GAMESTOP YOUR MONEY! (GameStop Vs Amazon)
Post by: ShyGuy on March 08, 2011, 09:45:14 PM
Game/Music/Movie/Book store chain, they take trade-ins, cash or credit. http://www.gohastings.com/
Title: Re: STOP GIVING GAMESTOP YOUR MONEY! (GameStop Vs Amazon)
Post by: oohhboy on March 09, 2011, 12:55:04 AM
It maybe a free market economy, but the lack of information loaded with massive information bias, let alone perfect information really messes with the whole "free market always works" and the invisible hand rubbish.
While the tone of the OP is somewhat alarmist and the news, well old, he has done his homework. While I wouldn't say Gamestop is killing gaming, it's not doning it any favors by playing both side for it's own gain. There is nothing "free market" about this if this is all you subscribe to. A far more free market solution would be to directly trade between people than to go through a middle man that charges such ridiculous margins.
Title: Re: STOP GIVING GAMESTOP YOUR MONEY! (GameStop Vs Amazon)
Post by: Stogi on March 09, 2011, 01:08:06 AM
Craigslist?
Title: Re: STOP GIVING GAMESTOP YOUR MONEY! (GameStop Vs Amazon)
Post by: oohhboy on March 09, 2011, 01:32:57 AM
I never said the free market works all the time. :cool;
Title: Re: STOP GIVING GAMESTOP YOUR MONEY! (GameStop Vs Amazon)
Post by: Chozo Ghost on March 09, 2011, 03:03:34 AM
Yeah, about 10 years ago I was foolish enough to trade my NES games in to EBgames (which is now owned by Gamestop, but it wasn't at that time). I remember they gave me 3 cents for Super Mario Bros. and then like a week later I saw it on the shelf being sold for $3 which is 100 times the value of what they gave me. I was an idiot but I learned my lesson and that was the first and only time I bothered trading anything in anywhere.
But although Amazon offers much better rates, if you want my advice you should sell the games yourself via sites like ebay or half.com. That way you get cash instead of a store credit, and you will get a much better value because you are cutting out the middle-man. Of course there is commission, but its like 15% or so which is far better than them giving you peanuts and then selling it for close to retail. You can sell it close to retail yourself.
ETA: Buying games from them isn't a great idea either because they charge too much and always make you deal with a bunch of bullshit. They always try to con you into paying for warranties and signing up for memberships and magazine subscriptions and other useless bullshit. Don't listen to them! They last time I bought anything from them the guy working there kept harassing me to spend $20 on a player's guide to the game I bought and he got really offended when I refused. So **** him and **** gamestop.
Title: Re: STOP GIVING GAMESTOP YOUR MONEY! (GameStop Vs Amazon)
Post by: Morari on March 09, 2011, 10:09:11 AM
"YAR! GAMESTOP BE EVIL AND DESTROYING THE GAMES INDUSTRY!
They are if you believe game publishers. Anyone who buys a used game might as well be stealing it as far as they're concerned. :P
Title: Re: STOP GIVING GAMESTOP YOUR MONEY! (GameStop Vs Amazon)
Post by: lolmonade on March 09, 2011, 10:19:28 AM
I've never understood the mentality of selling games for the sake of buying new ones. If i'm unsure of whether a game will be worth brand new retail pricing, I'll always rent it before making a decision on it. I've got to know that my game will have long-term replay value before I drop cash on it, or if not, I'll have to find it super cheap a year or two down the road to justify owning it. Sure, it's an extra $5-7 over the cost of a new game if you decide to purchase, but it's much better than buying that game at $50-60, playing it once, and then trading it in for $15-25.
Regarding Epic Mickey, while I appreciated the atmosphere and attention to detail in animation and story ideas, I felt the game to be too bland, which is just an example of why I'm grateful that I rented before I considered purchasing. Then I was able to purchase Kirby's Epic Yarn after renting both over the weekend and finding that game delightful to play with my wife.
Title: Re: STOP GIVING GAMESTOP YOUR MONEY! (GameStop Vs Amazon)
Post by: Sarail on March 10, 2011, 07:13:06 PM
Hah! I thought I was the only one near a Hastings. Fantastic. I'd like to know, too. I've never taken anything in to get traded before there.
Title: Re: STOP GIVING GAMESTOP YOUR MONEY! (GameStop Vs Amazon)
Post by: MegaByte on March 10, 2011, 07:21:10 PM
FWIW, I've gotten several items in great condition for cheaper than anywhere else from Hastings through Amazon. I've never seen a B&M shop.
Title: Re: STOP GIVING GAMESTOP YOUR MONEY! (GameStop Vs Amazon)
Post by: SupaKirb on March 12, 2011, 12:10:57 AM
Well as you know I have about $51 bucks from Amazon for my game trade-ins. I was going to buy 2 new DS games with the money, Probably Pokemon, and either Mario 64 DS or Crono Trigger. But Because Crono Trigger is about 14 bucks, I will just be getting that and donating the rest to the American Red Cross's Tsunami relief effort for Japan.
Anyways yeah... it's not much, but it's something. I thought I'd take one for the team. And besides, I love Japan, so it's money well spent.
Also, thank you for all of your replies on this topic, didn't think I'd get so many lol.
Title: Re: STOP GIVING GAMESTOP YOUR MONEY! (GameStop Vs Amazon)
Post by: Stratos on March 17, 2011, 06:37:43 AM
I'm liking your avatar, SupaKid. Nostalgia Chick is great.
As for used game sales, I remember I sold a few N64 games back in the day. I saved boxes then and brought in the boxes. I was pretty sad they didn't give me extra for the complete package/nice condition but then later I saw they had tossed the box. I saw my game on the shelf next trip down and no box. I asked and the guy said they don't keep boxes. Sad.
And I don't sell games now. I've regretted every single sell back I've done except for one. And my sister regrets the one last one (GC Harvest Moon).
In fact I later bought back one of the games from a different source and will probably try to gather the others at some point as well. I'm just too attached to my games and like collecting.
Title: Re: STOP GIVING GAMESTOP YOUR MONEY! (GameStop Vs Amazon)
Post by: nickmitch on March 21, 2011, 12:27:02 AM
Yeah, GameStop is a rip, but you Amazon is an enitirely different company. Looking a going in to a GameStop, you sell them a game, they give you credit, then they resell the game at a high mark up. Ok. But keep in mind, Amazon's business model relies on supply chain, so they're good at it. You're used game could go anywhere in the world (almost). Meanwhile, GameStop has to sell it back at that one store. That's pretty limiting.
I'm not defending them by any means, but at least you should look at why GameStop is a rip.
Title: Re: STOP GIVING GAMESTOP YOUR MONEY! (GameStop Vs Amazon)
Post by: Oblivion on March 21, 2011, 12:47:57 AM
I personally love Gamestop, so I don't know what people are talking about.
Title: Re: STOP GIVING GAMESTOP YOUR MONEY! (GameStop Vs Amazon)
Post by: UncleBob on March 21, 2011, 01:05:03 AM
My only concern with GameStop is the entire selling open games as new shtick. Aside from that, trading in/selling your old games is a horrible, horrible thing to do, so if you get ripped off in the process, 'meh.
Title: Re: STOP GIVING GAMESTOP YOUR MONEY! (GameStop Vs Amazon)
Post by: Nick DiMola on March 21, 2011, 11:35:44 AM
Meanwhile, GameStop has to sell it back at that one store. That's pretty limiting.
This isn't exactly true. I believe the games initially go back on the shelf at that store, but Gamestop ships games around to meet demand in given areas, or to spread stock between stores. But, yes, it is more limited than Amazon in its operational capacity.
My two biggest complaints about the place is the one UncleBob mentioned and the fact that they willingly toss game boxes and manuals for used games to make space in the store. Obviously, it's an understandable practice, but it makes purchasing a bunch of used stuff pretty unappealing for me.
Title: Re: STOP GIVING GAMESTOP YOUR MONEY! (GameStop Vs Amazon)
Post by: Chozo Ghost on March 21, 2011, 12:19:00 PM
If one were to search the dumpsters behind Gamestop stores would they find these tossed out game boxes and manuals?
Title: Re: STOP GIVING GAMESTOP YOUR MONEY! (GameStop Vs Amazon)
Post by: Dirk Temporo on March 22, 2011, 03:06:13 PM
Only in the event that the game that those boxes and manuals went to was unable to be found. Sometimes discs just seem to disappear, and somebody will pull a case off the shelf and want to buy it, only for there to be no game. So the case just gets thrown in the trash, along with whatever is in it. Oftentimes, the game is found several days/weeks/months later.
Title: Re: STOP GIVING GAMESTOP YOUR MONEY! (GameStop Vs Amazon)
Post by: NeoStar9X on March 23, 2011, 08:34:52 AM
I would never trade in games at GameStop. Such a massive rip off compared to reselling the game yourself via Amazon.com Marketplace or just selling it to Amazon.com.
Title: Re: STOP GIVING GAMESTOP YOUR MONEY! (GameStop Vs Amazon)
Post by: NWR_insanolord on March 23, 2011, 10:16:04 AM
You get more that way, but it's also significantly more effort and a lot less immediate. There are things GameStop does that I don't like, and I'd certainly love to get more for trade-ins, but I'd still rather go to GameStop when I'm trading things in (which I don't do often) than go that way.
Title: Re: STOP GIVING GAMESTOP YOUR MONEY! (GameStop Vs Amazon)
Post by: Chozo Ghost on March 23, 2011, 05:12:05 PM
You might as well just give your games to Goodwill if you are going to be basically just giving them away for peanuts to Gamestop. Either way you aren't going to get what they're worth, but at least by donating them to Goodwill (or whatever other charity that would take them) you can actually feel good about it. If I'm only going to get $5 for a game that's worth $50 then I'd rather just give it away so that it helps someone in need.
Not only would I not feel the least bit good about trading in it Gamestop, I would actually feel bad because I would know I had been ripped off and I would feel insulted by the tiny pittance they would give me for something that's worth far more. So you can take stuff to them and feel bad and get **** on, or you can donate it and feel good about it.
ETA: Toys for Tots might be a way to go. I don't know if they accept video games, though.
Title: Re: STOP GIVING GAMESTOP YOUR MONEY! (GameStop Vs Amazon)
Post by: NWR_insanolord on March 23, 2011, 07:31:19 PM
If you've ever taken an economics class you've learned the concept of an opportunity cost. Basically, it means what you're giving up by making a purchase, or in this case a sale. You choose to take an action because what you get for it is worth more to you than what you'd have otherwise done with it.
For me, the opportunity cost of trading a game in at GameStop is the game sitting unplayed in a case. That's not benefiting me at all. I traded in a bunch of DS games last week that'd I'd have never played again due to owning sequels or other, superior versions, and got $85 that I put toward my 3DS preorder. That benefits me quite a bit, and will allow me to buy more games with it than I otherwise would have.
GameStop may not be worth it to you, but, as far as I know, no one is forcing you to go there. You're free to do whatever you like with your old games, so let me do what I please with mine.
Title: Re: STOP GIVING GAMESTOP YOUR MONEY! (GameStop Vs Amazon)
Post by: Chozo Ghost on March 23, 2011, 07:37:35 PM
Just as no one is forcing me to go to Gamestop I'm certainly not forcing you to NOT go there. You can do whatever you want... all I'm saying is that in my personal opinion its better to sell games on amazon or ebay and maybe get 3 times as much out of it.
Title: Re: STOP GIVING GAMESTOP YOUR MONEY! (GameStop Vs Amazon)
Post by: Oblivion on March 23, 2011, 07:42:36 PM
It may be better, but I like the convience. That's just how I am.
Title: Re: STOP GIVING GAMESTOP YOUR MONEY! (GameStop Vs Amazon)
Post by: NWR_insanolord on March 23, 2011, 07:52:43 PM
That's the thing, you can get more from Amazon or eBay, but it requires a lot more effort and takes a lot longer.
Title: Re: STOP GIVING GAMESTOP YOUR MONEY! (GameStop Vs Amazon)
Post by: Chozo Ghost on March 23, 2011, 08:36:27 PM
If you want to get rid of a bunch of games really easy you can just list them as a bulk lot on ebay and then just sell them all in one sale. You likely won't get as much out of it this way than you would by selling the games individually, but it would be a lot faster and easier and might yield more money than a trade in at gamestop would.
If you do it like that you would only have to make one trip to the post office which couldn't be any more hassle or time consuming than a trip to Gamestop.
Title: Re: STOP GIVING GAMESTOP YOUR MONEY! (GameStop Vs Amazon)
Post by: Oblivion on March 23, 2011, 08:44:51 PM
Um, bulk selling on ebay is NOT faster than taking a 5 minute drive to a Gamestop and selling them in one swoop. A 5 minute drive, then ten minutes of trading, versus putting the games in bulk sell on ebay, waiting for someone to buy it, sending it to the post office, with the stamps, boxes, etc., then waiting to get your money through paypal? No way, Gamestop it is.
Title: Re: STOP GIVING GAMESTOP YOUR MONEY! (GameStop Vs Amazon)
Post by: Nick DiMola on March 23, 2011, 08:55:11 PM
FWIW, I just traded a bunch of stuff with Amazon and it was extremely easy and I got a pretty nice return ($90 for a bunch of shitty Storm City review copies).
I searched the games in their trade in site, added them to the "cart", checked out, printed a label, drove to the UPS Store which is next door to Gamestop, funny enough, and sent them away. It took a few days to get the money, but now I can use it for whatever I please at Amazon.
I think Gamestop is a viable alternative if you want to get money right away, but I figured I'd share my experience as it's the first time I've ever traded in games.
Title: Re: STOP GIVING GAMESTOP YOUR MONEY! (GameStop Vs Amazon)
Post by: NeoStar9X on March 23, 2011, 10:52:38 PM
Amazon usually doesn't require much effort. It takes longer to get your money of course and that is the biggest negative I feel. If you do a lot of shopping on Amazon.com it's really worth it. Even though GameStop is easier and quicker I don't like being ripped off. At least I feel I would be. Them giving someone 5 or if they're lucky 10 dollars for a game and then turn around and price it for $40 or more really bothers me. There prices could be and should be higher.
I will admit I'm bias. Unless I have to or I know for certain they will break a street date on something I really want to get (rare) I rather not shop there. The size of most of the stores (very small) and the uneasy feeling I'm constantly being watched bothers the hell out of me.
Title: Re: STOP GIVING GAMESTOP YOUR MONEY! (GameStop Vs Amazon)
Post by: NWR_insanolord on March 23, 2011, 11:28:09 PM
I buy almost all my new games from Amazon, so I'll check that out next time I trade things in. In this case I wanted to apply the trade credit to my 3DS preorder, which was at that store, so I had no choice.
Title: Re: STOP GIVING GAMESTOP YOUR MONEY! (GameStop Vs Amazon)
Post by: Stogi on March 24, 2011, 12:20:59 AM
I'm surprised most of you don't have a local used media store; one that sells and buys used games, movies, cds.
I'm also surprised most of you haven't tried a pawn shop.
Title: Re: STOP GIVING GAMESTOP YOUR MONEY! (GameStop Vs Amazon)
Post by: Chozo Ghost on March 24, 2011, 01:13:22 AM
Another thing you have to factor in when trading in at Gamestop is they give you a store credit which is only redeemable at Gamestop. The problem with that is they charge higher prices than Amazon, not to mention they have far less merchandise to choose from.
Title: Re: STOP GIVING GAMESTOP YOUR MONEY! (GameStop Vs Amazon)
Post by: NWR_insanolord on March 24, 2011, 08:57:46 AM
I'm surprised most of you don't have a local used media store; one that sells and buys used games, movies, cds.
We used to have an amazing local game store that paid way more than GameStop and still charged less for used games. It also had games from all generations, with big racks full of cartridges and the walls covered with disc cases. Unfortunately, their landlord wouldn't allow them to put up those metal grates over the windows like they have at GameStop, and because of that they got robbed pretty often and that forced them out of business. I really miss that place.
Title: Re: STOP GIVING GAMESTOP YOUR MONEY! (GameStop Vs Amazon)
Post by: Oblivion on March 24, 2011, 10:02:44 AM
I'm surprised most of you don't have a local used media store; one that sells and buys used games, movies, cds.
I'm also surprised most of you haven't tried a pawn shop.
I do. The place's trade rates are a few dollars more but they also sell most used games for a few dollars more to make up for it.
I usually am not in enough of a bind to sell my games to have to get the $$ the same day, so I usually sell online, but I have no animosity towards people who go those routes. I've gotten some of my best deals from Gamestop ($20 for a new copy of Marvel vs Capcom 2 on PS2 ;D )
