So GameStop Reseals “New” Games Now...

Deleted member 40335 · Nov 10, 2018

The gut copy policy sucks, it's not new if it's been opened, yet they still sell it for sticker price. Why not just print a pic of the cover art of the game and slap it on a box? Or better yet just hold all the new copies behind the counter UNOPENED! Glad I stopped shopping there ages ago.

Popetita · Nov 10, 2018

I don't get the outrage when one of these posts show up.

It is Gamestop.
We all should know their policies by now.
The game might be gutted but works just as a new one.

One thing I hadn't heard is the resealing which seema a bit extra work and bs for nothing. I was gonna call bs and say that they turn you away if you bring a sealed copy to trade in but I have only done so in some scheme...

Edit: also with actual publishers totally gutting physical copies this practice matters even less. You are complaining about an insignificant piece of plastic.

Amiablepercy · Nov 10, 2018

F2BBm3ga said:
Is that how you really acted? You come off as a kind of a jerk.

This is something theyve been doing since the 90s even. I don't agree with selling it as new. Like they should take 5 bucks off it or something, but whatever.

The thing that annoys me the most at gamestop is when they go really hard on the upsell after saying No multiple times. I recall a manager who appeared to be coaching a rep on upselling while I was browsing, then when I went up to the counter to purchase from the rep, he stepped in and I guess was trying to show the rep how "easy it is to upsell" and just got a bunch of firm Nopes from me. I saw the rep having a slight smug grin in the back.

Edit: misquoted

Saks for ost · Nov 10, 2018

Treat people working in shops better OP. Stupid company policies is no reason to be an ass to people.

bdiddy82 · Nov 10, 2018

That's happened to me the last 4 times I've gone in to buy a game at EB.

Either I have terrible, terrible luck, or that seems to be their MO as of late.

Colossal Moo · Nov 10, 2018

Durock said:
GameStop today is having a weekend long Pro Days sale that has a lot of great deals on games. I specifically went it in just now to pick up Wolfenstein 2 as it's on sale for $14.99 new. I go up to the counter and told them I wanted it new but I want it sealed. The guy looks up the game and it's their last copy so it tells me unfortunately it won't be sealed. I tell him him "no thank you. I'm good".

So this lady—who I assumed to be the manager— that was standing in the back comes up almost immediately, reaches under the counter, and pulls out a piece of plastic and says "we could reseal it for you" and then commenced to explain the guy who was assisting me that they can reseal the games now. I just laughed and walked out.

Ridiculous, right?

EDIT: Just to clarify, I'm very much aware of GameStop's "gutted" copy policy. They receive a shipment of games and they open one so they can use the case as a display. So yes, it's "technically" new, as it has allegedly not been touched. Just placed in a sleeve and put in a drawer to be sold as the last copy they have in stock.

But as the customer, I prefer having my games new and factory sealed when I purchase them. There is nothing wrong with that. If I'm going to purchase the thing "resealed", then I might is well just take it as it is.

You did the right thing. If GameStop wants to call a copy of a game new, the copy should be a sealed unopened copy. GameStop's claim that a copy is new even if they have opened the copy and/or put stickers on the case is bullshit. Their definition is even more outrageous if employees are allowed to take the "new" disk home and play it.

GameStop should sell the opened copies as used. BTW, this is the reason I stopped shopping at GameStop and switched to Amazon.

Baron Von Beans · Nov 10, 2018

When I worked at a GS 17 years ago, and I found out I had to shrink wrap games, I went crazy with that shit. I shrunk wrapped everything I could get my hands on.

Food, shoes, other employees wallets and stuff I could easily nab in a joking manner, I even tried to shrink wrap some water once. That was a moderate success iirc

Colossal Moo · Nov 10, 2018

spad3 said:
GameStop's been doing this for years. And there's nothing wrong with it either. They have to have a "gut" copy to be able to display the game case on their shelves. When they sell out of copies, the "gut" copy is the last available and they usually put a sticker or re-seal for the buyer. The general rules of new games apply to the gut copy.

source: i'm a former employee.

I won't say it's the worst thing in the world but I also would say it's not honest to claim an opened copy of a game is new. For starters, the copy of the case on the shelf can be damaged. Also, other people in the thread stated that GameStop employees can barrow the "gut" copy's disk and play the game at home. So basically, GameStop's claiming the "gut" copy is a "new" game even though the case has been handled by lots of customers and may be damaged, the case may have stickers on it (I have seen this and it's very annoying), and the game's disk may have been used by GameStop employees. That is not new. That sounds like used to me.

Colossal Moo · Nov 10, 2018

AGoodODST said:
That's pretty embarrassing if you acted that way, Christ.

How is it embarrassing? The OP is a customer and when he saw GameStop was selling used merchandise as "new" merchandise, he decided he didn't want it and left the store. That is his right. He had no legal or moral obligation to buy the game.

AGoodODST · Nov 10, 2018

Colossal Moo said:
How is it embarrassing? The OP is a customer and when he saw GameStop was selling used merchandise as "new" merchandise, he decided he didn't want it and left the store. That is his right. He had no legal or moral obligation to buy the game.

Laughing at an employee just doing their job is incredibly childish and embarrassing in my opinion. From the OP's description they were not being particular pushy either.

Of course there is nothing wrong with not buying a game lol

ShinUltramanJ · Nov 10, 2018

I know I told this story once before. Back when Tatsunoko vs Capcom released I had preordered it. I was working the day it came out, so I couldn't get to GameStop until the evening of release day.

They were calling during the day asking if I was definitely picking the game up because they didn't have any copies for sale, and people were asking for it.

So I get to GameStop and they hand me a gutted copy with stickers on it. This pissed me off and I gave the employee shit for it. Why the hell would you open a copy of a game whose copies are all claimed??!!
They needed a display copy. Really? A display copy for something you have no stock of?! Why? Pissed me off.

JayWood2010 · Nov 10, 2018

Poor behavior on your part. If you dont want it then just say no thanks, I appreciate it though, and then leave. Instead you were disrespectful which is amusing because you posted about it as if you were some moral hero for laughing at an employee for having the audacity to try and help you with your request...

THErest · Nov 10, 2018

Old news: Gamestop sells games that have been opened as new. Usually the shelf copy, or a sneaky employee "rented" copy.

Possibly new news: They reseal it. That changes things, because now you may unwittingly purchase a previously opened copy and never suspect.

F2BBm3ga · Nov 10, 2018

Amiablepercy said:
I don't agree with the policy but you do come off like a douche Lord in your post. The employees were doing their job and in any CSR job you follow company policy. So you are either A) trying to sound like a cool dudebro in front of like minded dorks flexing like you described or B) you didn't laugh at all and just slunk away thinking about how bad you were going to put GS on blast on resetera when you got home. I can't decide .

What? What the hell are you talking about? Are you retarded?

What do you mean laugh? When did I say laugh?

Amiablepercy · Nov 10, 2018

F2BBm3ga said:
What? What the hell are you talking about? Are you retarded?

What do you mean laugh? When did I say laugh?

Sorry misquoted

BojTrek · Nov 10, 2018

I love the differing opinions on this topic... I am on the side that once they open it, it is used.

I love buying items and opening the wrapper, opening the box and seeing the item in its prestine packaged state.

Even if the disc never entered a game system, to me when they touch it the game became semi used and should be discounted.

I used to be an Air Jordan collector, now I buy them and wear them... and play basketball in them. But if the box was open and shoe was tried on... I'd ask if they had an untouched pair and would not buy them if the package was disturbed.

I don't get angry at GameStop for doing it, but it is my right to feel it is used and not buy it.

Oh, I remember now as I type this... what if you are buying a gift for a kid for a birthday or holiday... kids love opening items/gifts... I told GameStop no before because it's a gift... I can't give a kid a gift that is opened.

Pearljam and Earl · Nov 10, 2018

ConanEdogawa said:
If it's not sealed it's not new.

I've seen this a number of times in this thread, and other earlier ones, and while it's totally fine to not want a copy that's unsealed, that's your own personal "head canon" belief if you think that it somehow doesn't count as new if it's not factory sealed.

If anyone has a link to the law saying that "new" means "factory sealed", I'd love to be corrected, but one's own perception of what "new" means to you is just that, a personal perception, whereas "new" is a legal definition that has nothing to do with whether there's a sheet of plastic wrapped around the game box.

All of that said, if an employee has taken the disc home, then yes, that definitely ought to legally classify as a used game.

SmarmySmurf · Nov 10, 2018

Pearljam and Earl said:
I've seen this a number of times in this thread, and other earlier ones, and while it's totally fine to not want a copy that's unsealed, that's your own personal "head canon" belief if you think that it somehow doesn't count as new if it's not factory sealed.

If anyone has a link to the law saying that "new" means "factory sealed", I'd love to be corrected, but one's own perception of what "new" means to you is just that, a personal perception, whereas "new" is a legal definition that has nothing to do with whether there's a sheet of plastic wrapped around the game box.

All of that said, if an employee has taken the disc home, then yes, that definitely ought to legally classify as a used game.

It absolutely is the law. Factory seals exist explicitly as proof/a guarantee of not being tampered with by a 3rd party (ie the merchant). Breaking the seal means used. There is no argument for any other definition.

Pearljam and Earl · Nov 10, 2018

SmarmySmurf said:
It absolutely is the law. Factory seals exist explicitly as proof/a guarantee of not being tampered with by a 3rd party (ie the merchant). Breaking the seal means used. There is no argument for any other definition.

Do you have a link to support this claim?

As far as it seems to me legally, if the party who unseals the game is a licensed reseller, then no, breaking the seal does not mean the game is used. The game is classified (by the publisher/distributor, the retailer and the eyes of the law) as "new" if bought unsealed from an authorised seller, and on the flipside, a factory sealed copy sold by a private individual is a second-hand product and explicitly not "new".

hydro94530 · Nov 10, 2018

Because if you take that "new" (opened so not new) copy back the next day to return it they'll tell you it's used and to fuck off.

And if you go their reseal route, try taking that to another store and return it as new. You'll get an equal fuck off as well.

The policy is crap and no one should shop there for new stuff, let alone defend it.

Stock · Nov 10, 2018

Working retail sucks. Please be kind to the person behind counter, especially if no intentionally bad behavior was had. GameStop has shrink wrapped last copies for at least over a decade now. I remember getting the last copy of Demon Souls "new", but it was a scarce game at launch and the wrapping didn't take anything away from the sublime masochistic experience.

RedMercury · Nov 10, 2018

It's nice they would offer to seal it for you like if you were getting it as a gift for someone, and they didn't lie to you or anything. You should have thanked them instead of laughing and walking out, that was a jerk move. Those people don't make much, maybe don't be a jerk to them for just doing their jobs next time.

RetroGiant · Nov 10, 2018

What are the chances this happens with online purchases?

Polyh3dron · Nov 10, 2018

Philly Cheesesteak said:
It's cringe worthy how some of you act towards GameStop. Laughing at someone and walking out when they offered to reseal it for you because they thought you might were getting it as a Xmas gift? Wow. The funny thing is that only "gamers" are the ones who make this a giant deal. When I was working at GS and had to explain to people that it was the last copy we had, they were like oh ok. In the years I've worked there, I never once encountered anyone throw a fit over not getting a sealed copy.

It's a shitty policy, and when the company complains about having low sales I have zero sympathy.

NateDrake · Nov 10, 2018

RetroGiant said:
What are the chances this happens with online purchases?

None? Online orders ship from a warehouse. Unless you mean making an online order for a hold in store, then that could realistically happen.

hydro94530 said:
Because if you take that "new" (opened so not new) copy back the next day to return it they'll tell you it's used and to fuck off.

And if you go their reseal route, try taking that to another store and return it as new. You'll get an equal fuck off as well.

The policy is crap and no one should shop there for new stuff, let alone defend it.

This would vary store to store and would be up to the manager. Some stores will put a clear sticker on the opening to tell you opened the game. Some won't do that and if you returned the game the next day would know it was the gutted copy and may allow a full return. Policy procedure is up to the manager and the district/regional managers. No two GameStop operate 100% the same.

Polyh3dron · Nov 10, 2018

RetroGiant said:
What are the chances this happens with online purchases?

Chances? It happened to me. I bought a new copy of Tokyo Mirage Sessions from them online thinking there was no way I would have to deal with this, but when it arrived it was already opened and had one of those shit stickers on it that damages the case upon attempted removal of it.

s3ltz3r · Nov 10, 2018

Pearljam and Earl said:
I've seen this a number of times in this thread, and other earlier ones, and while it's totally fine to not want a copy that's unsealed, that's your own personal "head canon" belief if you think that it somehow doesn't count as new if it's not factory sealed.

If anyone has a link to the law saying that "new" means "factory sealed", I'd love to be corrected, but one's own perception of what "new" means to you is just that, a personal perception, whereas "new" is a legal definition that has nothing to do with whether there's a sheet of plastic wrapped around the game box.

All of that said, if an employee has taken the disc home, then yes, that definitely ought to legally classify as a used game.

Does GameStop receive the games unsealed from the factory? I know Best Buy gets their games sealed. Oh yes, and so does Amazon.

Sillution · Nov 10, 2018

RetroGiant said:
What are the chances this happens with online purchases?

It is possible because some times if you are not ordering a new game that just came out, they can send your online order to an actual store that is sitting on some games (and possible that that copy is the gut) and ship it in a box that looks like it was sent from the warehouse with an address label that also looks like a factory label but in fact it was shipped to your house from the store.

Colossal Moo · Nov 10, 2018

Pearljam and Earl said:
Do you have a link to support this claim?

As far as it seems to me legally, if the party who unseals the game is a licensed reseller, then no, breaking the seal does not mean the game is used. The game is classified (by the publisher/distributor, the retailer and the eyes of the law) as "new" if bought unsealed from an authorised seller, and on the flipside, a factory sealed copy sold by a private individual is a second-hand product and explicitly not "new".

GameStop is not taking the game out of the wrapper and leaving the case and disk in pristine condition.

I know for a fact (because it happened to me) that they would put ugly stickers on the "new" case. I never found a way to completely remove the stickers from the case and the case never looked as good as a new undamaged case. GameStop's argument is slapping ugly unremovable stickers does not make the game a used game. That argument does not make a whole lot of sense. When I buy something new, I want a new undamaged product. I don't want a product with a damaged case.

Two, it sounds like GameStop also allowed its employs to barrow the "new" game's disk and use it. Once again, if someone has taken a game's disk and used it, the game is no longer new, it's used. GameStop can try to play word games and claim the game is new but that is just lying.

I am not sure why you are defending GameStop but their position on calling opened games new is bad because the opened games often have damaged cases and their employees have often used the game's disk. Just because a GameStop has a policy calling some used games "new" does not make those used games real new games. Most people think new products are products which are unused, unopened and in perfect condition.

Bakercat · Nov 10, 2018

I'm now imagining a sad GameStop manager holding some kitchen plastic wrap in her hands as a customer walks out of the door laughing into the rain...

Vilam · Nov 11, 2018

Trace said:
Gamestop continuing to not understand what the word "New" means.

As well as some posters in this thread apparently.

Colossal Moo · Nov 11, 2018

Vilam said:
As well as some posters in this thread apparently.

OK, your post nails it. I was also surprised at how many people defended GameStop's unscrupulous behavior.

So GameStop Reseals “New” Games Now...

Deleted member 40335

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