Article: Publishers: Don't hate the player; hate the Gamestop

**Shane R. Monroe** · 05-12-2010, 09:02 AM

You can view the page at http://www.monroeworld.com/forums/co...e-the-Gamestop

**entexman** · 05-12-2010, 04:42 PM

I never shop at Gamestop so I am not being hurt by the $10 fee publishers like EA are charging for an online play activation code. I buy all of my games new unless the game is out of print and then I buy on ebay or Amazon for used games sales. I personally can't stand walking into a Gamestop. I hate the place.

Personally I think Amazon is a much better place to purchase new games. I don't have to listen to the clueless gamestop employees about why buying an Edge card is a great deal. I don't want to sell the games I play for store credit. I just want to purchase the games I am interested in at a reasonable price and that aint happening at Gamestop.

I am not sure if what EA is doing really addresses the problem of Gamestop overcharging for used games, I think if anyone is to blame for the problem it is places like Gamestop and I would urge people not to shop at Gamestop more than anything else myself. You can get more for your gaming dollar at Amazon if you are willing to wait a couple of months after a new game is released.

**Shane R. Monroe** · 05-12-2010, 04:53 PM

I still say ... use Gamestop like Shake & Bake bags. How many games out there does it actually take longer than 7 days to beat? $0 rentals (you have to keep $55 in the proverbial Gamestop-kitty of course) is better than renting ANYWHERE else. In the end, you've played all the games you can eat and you still walk away with your $55.

With the disposable nature of video games and the gamers themselves caring so little for games that they get rid of them the second they finish'em - why not jump on the "screw over Gamestop" bandwagon. Remember, you can "rent" there for free, then BUY the game for long term ownership when it hits Greatest Hits price.

Unethical? Compared to what Gamestop does - not even close. My karma is totally neutral.

**WorknMan** · 05-12-2010, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by entexman

I am not sure if what EA is doing really addresses the problem of Gamestop overcharging for used games, I think if anyone is to blame for the problem it is places like Gamestop and I would urge people not to shop at Gamestop more than anything else myself. You can get more for your gaming dollar at Amazon if you are willing to wait a couple of months after a new game is released.

I think it's kind of dumb to blame Gamestop for selling used games at high prices. If anything, if you feel like you need to blame somebody for this, you should be blaming the people who are selling the games to Gamestop for $20-$30. If they can buy a game for that price and sell it for $55, why shouldn't they? Hell, I would.

It's not like they're ripping people off... I mean, if they were selling used games as new (which I've heard they do, but that's not what we're talking about here), that would be one thing. But it's not like they're being dishonest about it. "Hey, here's a used game and the price is $55." If folks are willing to pay that much for it, nothing wrong with that, IMHO.

**javierdlopez** · 05-12-2010, 05:13 PM

Gamestop could easily counter the entire thing by dropping their prices for used games and closing the gap on the insane amount of profits they make on these games. They could easily drop the price of the used game to $15 or $20 below the retail price of a new game. The consumer still saves money if he or she has to buy an "Online Pass" and they're still making money.

Personally, I don't pay $60 for any new games anymore, since the typical new release costs anywhere between $50 and $55 on Amazon anyhow. If Amazon can sell a new game at $5 and $10 under retail, then why can't Gamestop sell a used game for $15 or $20 under retail? Sure the uneducated consumer will probably be lazy and walk into Gamestop and try and save the $5. But I'm not sure the consumer is going to hold the Publisher responsible for something GameStop should be explaining to its customers. There's already a lawsuit in the works where some guy who bought Mass Effect 2 is suing for false advertising since the box claims access to free DLC, and since the code was no longer present in the box, the guy got the shaft.

**javierdlopez** · 05-12-2010, 05:15 PM

BTW, glad to see us discussing "games" again.

**Shane R. Monroe** · 05-12-2010, 05:29 PM

Don't think I ain't tryin' ....

**TripHamer** · 05-12-2010, 05:41 PM

I'm guessing that Gamestop will both:

Lower the price for those used games and,

Buy them from you much cheaper.

Also, I would think that keeping the price high and issuing a new online code would be a good idea.

**Shane R. Monroe** · 05-12-2010, 05:50 PM

I agree. That's Gamestop's style. They will change it up so they don't lose their profit margin.

Now, you want to know what *I* would do if *I* were Gamestop? Online Pass rebates. It works so well ... Check this out ...

- Used games stay the same ripoff-$5-less price.
- Every game that is hobbled as a used game has a VOUCHER thrown in for a $10 Online Pass "rebate". You fill it out, mail it in, and Gamestop will send you an Online Pass (or rebate check -whatever).
- I don't have the figures here, but I know that > 50% of rebates are never claimed.

Gamestop comes off looking GREAT, they only lose a SMALL part of their profit margin - but ONLY half the time or less. These kids ain't waiting. They will buy the stupid pass instead of waiting for the rebate.

Gamestop 2 : Publishers 0

**entexman** · 05-12-2010, 06:15 PM

Originally Posted by WorknMan

I think it's kind of dumb to blame Gamestop for selling used games at high prices. If anything, if you feel like you need to blame somebody for this, you should be blaming the people who are selling the games to Gamestop for $20-$30. If they can buy a game for that price and sell it for $55, why shouldn't they? Hell, I would.

It's not like they're ripping people off... I mean, if they were selling used games as new (which I've heard they do, but that's not what we're talking about here), that would be one thing. But it's not like they're being dishonest about it. "Hey, here's a used game and the price is $55." If folks are willing to pay that much for it, nothing wrong with that, IMHO.

I disagree that it is the consumers fault. Gamestop practically has a monopoly on retail video game sales. Gamestop preys on people who can't afford to save up and purchase games outright and entice their customers to trade in a game or system for store credit towards another purchase. The people who do this will end up purchasing the $5 off "used game" because they can't even afford to pay for the full price version. Gamestop simply exploits the poor and the uneducated to the maximum. How is this not wrong?

I just personally don't care for Gamestop. Is it that hard to understand?