Trading in systems to GameStop

[Brandwin]

Picking up my PS5 tomorrow and was going to trade in my PS4 Pro. I've read conflicting reports. Some say don't wipe the system and some say they do. Does GameStop run games or just needs to boot to the home screen? Just want to make the experience as easy as possible but also not comfortable with them wiping the console.

 

[Deleted member 1105]

Don't wipe the system because they need to test a game, it will only take longer if you do

 

[Deleted member 18025]

Always wipe the system

 

[SpottieO]

I wouldn't trust them to wipe the system. Wipe first, deal with the longer wait time. Better to be safe.

 

[Jombie]

They no longer want you to factory reset. That's been my experience the last couple of times.

 

[Goat's Beard]

Don't wipe the system because they need to test a game, it will only take longer if you do

Click to shrink...

This.

After testing the system, they will wipe it in front of you.

 

[Still a Gray Area]

Picking up my PS5 tomorrow and was going to trade in my PS4 Pro. I've read conflicting reports. Some say don't wipe the system and some say they do. Does GameStop run games or just needs to boot to the home screen? Just want to make the experience as easy as possible but also not comfortable with them wiping the console.

Click to shrink...

They run a game. Don't wipe before going there UNLESS you're cool with waiting for them to do the system setup.

My advice, delete everything except a couple of games. let them test and then ask them to reformat the system while they ring up your PS5.

 

[OldeManWinter]

I just traded in my X One X and I only deleted my personal account info. They wiped the hard drive right in front of me after they tested the system.

 

[platocplx]

Picking up my PS5 tomorrow and was going to trade in my PS4 Pro. I've read conflicting reports. Some say don't wipe the system and some say they do. Does GameStop run games or just needs to boot to the home screen? Just want to make the experience as easy as possible but also not comfortable with them wiping the console.

Click to shrink...

Don't forget the charge cable for the controller. That's one thing that super annoying that they ask for.

 

[DominicanGlory]

Wipe it now, make a bogus user, profit?

 

[GrimGrinningGuy]

Don't wipe the system because they need to test a game, it will only take longer if you do

Click to shrink...

Wipe it and set up a dummy account . I don't trust them to do it

 

[Alucrid]

why not just reinstall the OS and go through the set up with a default profile?

 

[Faceless_Caesar]

When I traded in my base PS4 I wiped it then they just did the setup, ran a game, made sure it worked, wiped it again and blew the dust out before accepting it.

 

[Egg0]

Traded in my PS4 Pro yesterday. I wiped my system and don't remember them testing a game. They tested my controller way longer than the system.

Always wipe that shit, don't trust other people with your accounts.

 

[G_Shumi]

Don't wipe the system but if you do, install or download a couple of games so they can test them.

Also, don't forget to remove the console from your profile on Sony's website.

 

[EJS]

When I traded in my Xbox, I wiped it, but they had to have me sign in to my MS account there to check the hard drive or something.

I wiped my payment methods on my MS account before I did it, just to make sure. I haven't gotten any emails about it so looks like it's ok.

 

[Deleted member 1105]

Wipe it and set up a dummy account . I don't trust them to do it

Click to shrink...

Sure, this is an option. I was just saying if you wipe it they will have to set it up from scratch to test a game. When I traded mine in they let me see them finish resetting it before even giving me the credit.

 

[Badcoo]

I just traded in my X One X and I only deleted my personal account info. They wiped the hard drive right in front of me after they tested the system.

Click to shrink...

How much did you get for it? Were you trading it towards ps5/XSX?

 

[DontHateTheBacon]

Wipe it and set up a dummy account . I don't trust them to do it

Click to shrink...

This is how I feel. I will be doing this soon with my OG PS4.

 

[ElNino]

Strange, when I've traded in consoles to EB in Canada the most they have ever done was power it up (not even plugged into a TV). They take your driver's license information so if anything comes back from the trade-in I guess they can contact you directly.

 

[Bigkrev]

Wipe the system, create a new PSN profile, download something free from the store (such as a demo or a game like Rocket League), and if you are trading any games in, install one of them to the system. That way they still get to do their test but you don't expose any personal info. Did this with a Switch a year ago and it went fine

Also, if you have a pre-order, you can do this today and apply the balance to your pre-order instead of holding up the line tomorrow

 

[CelestialAtom]

Wipe it now, make a bogus user, profit?

Click to shrink...

This is what I did. I wiped the system and just created a random user account, so all is good.

 

[Brandwin]

Wipe the system, create a new PSN profile, download something free from the store (such as a demo or a game like Rocket League), and if you are trading any games in, install one of them to the system. That way they still get to do their test but you don't expose any personal info. Did this with a Switch a year ago and it went fine

Also, if you have a pre-order, you can do this today and apply the balance to your pre-order instead of holding up the line tomorrow

Click to shrink...

I'll just go that route. Want to try trade it today instead of the busy time tomorrow.

 

[CelestialAtom]

Wipe the system, create a new PSN profile, download something free from the store (such as a demo or a game like Rocket League), and if you are trading any games in, install one of them to the system. That way they still get to do their test but you don't expose any personal info. Did this with a Switch a year ago and it went fine

Also, if you have a pre-order, you can do this today and apply the balance to your pre-order instead of holding up the line tomorrow

Click to shrink...

If it is paid off, you can't (just FYI). I know OP's situation is different, but you have to wait for the day-of just for anybody (like myself) who have paid it off already, but want to get some of that money back via a trade-in.

 

[Bigkrev]

If it is paid off, you can't (just FYI). I know OP's situation is different, but you have to wait for the day-of just for anybody (like myself) who have paid it off already, but want to get some of that money back via a trade-in.

Click to shrink...

If the system is fully paid off, you can get around that by asking to move $5 from that balance to pre-order a game (whatever launch game you were planning on buying), and then you can do the trade in and apply any amount of it to the PS5 pre-order and it should give you the bump in their system, so $5 would go on the system and the rest would go on a gift card

 

[Oneandonly16]

I traded both of mines in last month after wiping them and didn't have any trouble. They booted up both but didn't test any games, probably because they needed an account to test them.

 

[Diarrhea Day-Lewis]

I would say do it today to make life easier for the GS reps. Otherwise you will back up the line a lot, and they probably will be swamped with people wanting a ps5 or Xbox. I paid off my ps5 yesterday and their phone was ringing off the hook with ppl constantly asking if they had Series X in store.

 

[Sacul64]

Don't wipe the system because they need to test a game, it will only take longer if you do

Click to shrink...

This, you can also wipe the system yourself and then get it to the point that a game can be installed and payed.

 

[MistahS]

I'd say wipe the drive and set up a dummy profile so they can test the games quicker.

 

[WillRobBanks]

I traded in my system; I wiped it beforehand and did the basic setup before taking it in. It went very smoothly.

fyi, need a USB charging cable with the system, controller, power cord, and HDMI

 

[Deader2818]

So, right now due to covid, employees are not suppose to be testing the systems. They just make sure everything is there, nothing looks damaged, take it in, bag it up and let it set for 3 days. After the 3 days they take it out clean it THEN test it and wipe it.

 

[AustinJ]

Depends on the laws in your state, is what I gathered the last time I traded a console in.

I brought my wiped One S in to GameStop when I got a One X, and they told me to take it home and re-log in and then bring it back. I'm in Washington. They said it was to help prevent stolen consoles and it is state law.

 

[Lord Azrael]

I've read conflicting reports.

Click to shrink...

Don't wipe the system because they need to test a game, it will only take longer if you do

Click to shrink...

Always wipe the system

Click to shrink...

 

[MadMike]

I recently traded in my Pro. Absolutely wipe the system just to be safe.

I also recommend going through the setup process before you pack everything up. You don't need to sign in to PSN or even connect to your network. After that, throw in any old physical game and let it fully install. You'll save a good 15+ minutes if they don't have to do these in the store.

 

[Mary Celeste]

Here's a dumb question but I like being careful

Once my PS4 is wiped, I'll get all those games i have downloaded back once I sign into my account on PS5, yeah?

 

[Jacknapes]

Wipe your account off, and set it back up with a dummy account. Just make sure you include all cables, including the controller charging cable.

Here's a dumb question but I like being careful

Once my PS4 is wiped, I'll get all those games i have downloaded back once I sign into my account on PS5, yeah?

Click to shrink...

Yes, they're linked to your PSN account and not the console. Unless you've got PT installed, then it's bye bye

 

[Deeb]

Picking up my PS5 tomorrow and was going to trade in my PS4 Pro. I've read conflicting reports. Some say don't wipe the system and some say they do. Does GameStop run games or just needs to boot to the home screen? Just want to make the experience as easy as possible but also not comfortable with them wiping the console.

Click to shrink...

If you have to sell it to GameStop, wipe it and set up the default account so they can test it. Question: Why not just list it on Facebook Marketplace for more money than GameStop will give you? You should be able to get an easy $200 vs the $140 cash from GS.

 

[hanshen]

I traded in both X1X and PS4 Pro. I wiped both systems before going in. They didn't let me wait at all. All they did was turning it on to see if it boots.

 

[Kewlmyc]

So, right now due to covid, employees are not suppose to be testing the systems. They just make sure everything is there, nothing looks damaged, take it in, bag it up and let it set for 3 days. After the 3 days they take it out clean it THEN test it and wipe it.

Click to shrink...

That's actually good to know, thanks.

 

[JEH]

I wiped my ps4 before I went. Did the full initialization that took hours. After that I did the initial set up and made a guest account. Guy had no trouble testing.

Make sure to bring the DS4 charger and hdmi cord.

 

[OldeManWinter]

How much did you get for it? Were you trading it towards ps5/XSX?

Click to shrink...

$175 in credit. I am using that towards a nice headset (haven't decided which on). I did buy an XSX previously through Target.

 

[TheFurizzlyBear]

You can wipe it ahead of time if you want. Just make sure to get it back through the initial setup before bringing it in. I also recommend giving the controller and system some TLC as well cus if busy many will become extra critical of dirt and grime on the system and pad.

 

[CelestialAtom]

If the system is fully paid off, you can get around that by asking to move $5 from that balance to pre-order a game (whatever launch game you were planning on buying), and then you can do the trade in and apply any amount of it to the PS5 pre-order and it should give you the bump in their system, so $5 would go on the system and the rest would go on a gift card

Click to shrink...

The only problem is that you won't get the promotion, as it all has to be done on the same transaction and placed on the PS5 pre-order from what I remember working there.

 

[Ouroboros]

Wipe the system and then set up a generic account so they can test a game quickly.

 

[Mercador]

Format it. Even if they say the will, they don't, I know this firsthand.

 

[Vincent Grayson]

Format it. Even if they say the will, they don't, I know this firsthand.

Click to shrink...

They're supposed to do it in front of you these days.

 

[Alek]

Strange, when I've traded in consoles to EB in Canada the most they have ever done was power it up (not even plugged into a TV). They take your driver's license information so if anything comes back from the trade-in I guess they can contact you directly.

Click to shrink...

I think they take your ID so the police can track the movement of stolen goods. Not so that they can contact you if the goods they purchased turn out to be broken.

 

[klastical]

ALWAYS WIPE YOUR SYSTEM BEFORE HANDING IT TO A STRANGER. I dont care what the associates want me to do. Its my info that could be stolen, not theirs. With the ps4 you can actually set it up with a guest account very quickly after you reinitialize it. The Xbox makes you sign into an account first, which sucks so they will have to go through the entire process themselves.

Someone said that they wipe the system in front of you. When I traded in my ps4 they didn't even plug it in. They just took it out of the bag, tested the buttons with there hands and that was it. I was very surprised that they didn't turn it on at all lol. My one X they did turn on and attempt to initialize but they gave up and just gave me the credit instead of making me wait.

 

[Terraforce]

ALWAYS WIPE YOUR SYSTEM BEFORE HANDING IT TO A STRANGER. I dont care what the associates want me to do. Its my info that could be stolen, not theirs. With the ps4 you can actually set it up with a guest account very quickly after you reinitialize it. The Xbox makes you sign into an account first, which sucks so they will have to go through the entire process themselves.

Someone said that they wipe the system in front of you. When I traded in my ps4 they didn't even plug it in. They just took it out of the bag, tested the buttons with there hands and that was it. I was very surprised that they didn't turn it on at all lol. My one X they did turn on and attempt to initialize but they gave up and just gave me the credit instead of making me wait.

Click to shrink...

Always wipe the system

Click to shrink...

They do it in the store right in front of you, so unnecessary. If you've already unlinked and deleted yours profile off the system there's no risk of losing any information to begin with anyway.

 

[LycanXIII]

They do it in the store right in front of you, so unnecessary. If you've already unlinked and deleted yours profile off the system there's no risk of losing any information to begin with anyway.

Click to shrink...

It actually depends on if it's a trade hold store or not. If they have a hold, they don't wipe it/can't sell it until a month later in case it was a stolen system. Give the store a call and see what they would prefer/if they have a trade hold. PS4's are really easy to set up even if you do wipe them though.