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[Apharmd Battler]

I happend to be in Fry's and they hasd some nice deals, so I picked up a copy of Rainbow Six: Lockdown for $37. No big deal I thought. I still have my receipt so I'll jkst exchange this unopened copy at my local EB twards my XBox360 or pre-pay for Far-Cry Instincts. When I go into exchange the manager tell me that she can't take the game. I'mm puzzled and ask why and she says that I didn't buy it from this store. The was a price tage on the game but nothing that indicated it came from a particular retailer. I was taken aback because I've done this several times in the past without a problem, now all of a sudden the rules changed?! In fact when I returned games I specificallyl told them that another store had it for a good price, and I'm returning it to save money (I know I've returned games form EB and other places without a hitch). You can go to any retail store (i.e. Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy) and this wouldn't even be an issue. At first I felt a but offended. I wasn't trying to pull a fast one, I merely found the game someplace cheaper and got it for a good deal. Excuse the hell out of me for saving money. I merely said well I don't want to argue, your policy is what it is, but I don't understand why you can't take it back. It's unopened and evrything is intact. And she just shrugged her shoulders.

I used to order all my games online becuase I had good relationships with the vendors. I'd call them up and have them ship me stuff all the time. We had a good relationship. They used to cut me deals because I was a heavy purchaser. Not that I want special treatment from EB but their damn policies of the past few years have started to tick me off. I could understand why they got rid of the return game policy. But I really got mad when they got rid of price matching. Like in the above situation they don't sem to want the gamer to save any money unless it buying a used copy of a title from THEM for $5 less than retail. The only reason I even started at EB again was becuase the previous manager begged me for my business, and did her best to accomodate me. Now I detest the fact that they are one of the few places I know I can get a hot title on release day. I guess if I wasn't such a diehard impatient gamer I could look for other options, but dammit...daddy need his medicine.

But back to my original question....is this an official policy or is my local EB manager being a total nitwit?!

 

[GhaleonEB]

So you are upset because your attempt to milk the system was thwarted?

 

[dark10x]

Err, that doesn't seem right at all. The store would essentially be handing you money out of its pocket. The fact that it has worked in the past only means that you were lucky.

 

[Dr_Cogent]

If you bought the game quite recently (within the last week or so), they would probably adjust it if you could prove to them the price is different elsewhere (like with a flyer).

Other than that, you have nothing to complain about. It's a free market.

What you are trying to do is what I would classify as a "scam".

 

[Link316]

they haven't accepted unopened games for awhile, probably because they know people can reshrinkwrap used games

 

[bdoughty]

Solution: Return game back to Fry's, collect $37...

 

[VictimOfGrief]

"here's your problem... your game was set to evil...."

 

[Apharmd Battler]

Um, I wasn't aware thast I was milking the system. Like I said above, I told them flat out that I bought the game someplace else. And in the past it didn't matter if the game had come form their store or elsewhere.

If this has been the policy all along then that's cool...it's just the first time I've ever heard of it. In my opinion it the same as if I had returned the copy I had originally bought. I wasn't trying to get over I was trying to save some cash. I was returning the same itme I had purchased 2 days earlier intact and unopened. BUt if this is the policy then I can live with it, but my point was I had done this before and this had never been an issue. They knew exactly what I was doing, so if this was against policy this was the first I've heard about it.

No biggie, I'm heading back to Fry's this week anyway...I just wanted the scoop on thier policy. Thanks for the above info I now know that if I buy from EB it's a keeper.

 

[Apharmd Battler]

If you bought the game quite recently (within the last week or so), they would probably adjust it if you could prove to them the price is different elsewhere (like with a flyer).

Other than that, you have nothing to complain about. It's a free market.

What you are trying to do is what I would classify as a "scam".

Didn't see this post....

I told them the game was on sale at Fry's and I had the flyer in the car. They told me they don't price match and I said O.K. I wasn't trying to scam them becuase like I said above we've openly done this in the past.....oh forget it. You guys make me feel like a criminal...but to quote the old law shows, ignorance is no excuse.

 

[dammitmattt]

they haven't accepted unopened games for awhile, probably because they know people can reshrinkwrap used games

There is a huge difference from factory shrinkwrap and a shrinkwrap machine. Although it would fool the idiots out there in retail, I'm sure.

 

[tedtropy]

Although it would fool the idiots out there in retail, I'm sure.

And thus a thousand bored housewives and oily high school students gathered on mmlemay's position. Today, blood will be spilled.

 

[Gek54]

Why did you tell them you bought it somewhere else?

 

[Scoobert]

There is a huge difference from factory shrinkwrap and a shrinkwrap machine. Although it would fool the idiots out there in retail, I'm sure.

Have you seen how Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks is shrinkwraped? You would think a 2 year old shrinkwraped those games. :lol

 

[Scott]

It's actually kind of odd that she wouldn't take it all, as I believe the policy on accepting sealed titles is to "Treat them as used."

At least, that's the way it is here, as I've traded in a few sealed games before (that I've gotten from promotions, contests, etc), and everytime they've told me they have to give me the Used rate for the title. On two of the occasions, they even opened the game on the spot, checked the contents, then put it aside to (I assume) put a million stickers on it after I left.

Really not that weird of a policy, when you think about it, as they're likely just trying to avoid being scammed for the full MSRP of the item (in which case, they lose their profit margin on the copy), or maybe even to avoid being resold stolen goods as "new." Why they wouldn't take the game at all, though, is beyond me...

 

[Wario64]

they haven't accepted unopened games for awhile, probably because they know people can reshrinkwrap used games

so what are you saying, they don't accept returns on new games at all? (i am bursting with laughter in this post)

 

[Parallax Scroll]

What incentive would EB possibly have to buy the game from you at full retail price when you didn't buy it from them in the first place?

 

[xsarien]

so what are you saying, they don't accept returns on new games at all? (i am bursting with laughter in this post)

I believe Apharmd "problem" is that he wanted to trade-in a new, unopened game not purchased at EB for in-store credit.

 

[SaitoH]

From a small retailers point of view: I wouldn't take the game. In the first place, you didn't buy it from me. Secondly, if you wanted credit, at best I would treat it as a used game. Most often I refuse to buy "new" games outright, simply because they can be stolen, or re-shrink wrapped.

 

[lethial]

EB took an un-opened copy of Fable I recieved with my crystal xbox and promptly took off the no tamper sticker and shrink wrap, checked the back of the disc and gave me the used amount. That's the way the buisness is.

 

[Dr_Cogent]

Didn't see this post....

I told them the game was on sale at Fry's and I had the flyer in the car. They told me they don't price match and I said O.K. I wasn't trying to scam them becuase like I said above we've openly done this in the past.....oh forget it. You guys make me feel like a criminal...but to quote the old law shows, ignorance is no excuse.

Just try to see it from there perspective as a business. If they allow you to do what you wanted to do, they lose profit. They don't care about you either as an individual. It's capitalism at work.

If you don't want a hassle doing what you are doing, you would be better off buying your games at Walmart.

 

[zackattack]

I think your price sticker was enough to tell them that you didn't get that specific copy from their store. It's not hard to tell the difference between a new copy with a "plain" price sticker and having 5 "PLAYED IT TRADE IT" stickers engulfing your game.

Try harder next time.

 

[Hellraizah]

.

 

[cvxfreak]

It's always smart to ask for gift receipts. You can use them as a backup in situations where, you for example, wanted to put your order towards an Xbox360. Then say the game was a gift from someone and this gift receipt was included. If the standard EB sticker and trade in labels are the markers, then try to fool them by using an adhesive sticker, stick it on and then peel it off. I forget how Fry's games are packaged, though.

I personally don't see anything wrong with this kind of dealie. I've never done it myself, but you aren't scamming if you are giving back the exact same thing with the same UPC code in the same condition. But that's just me.

 

[Wario64]

I believe Apharmd "problem" is that he wanted to trade-in a new, unopened game not purchased at EB for in-store credit.

ah ok. well yeah, ebgames has every right to fuck you over then if that's the case (i am grinning like a stupid idiot in this post)


this is just as bad as returning games at walmart for a gain

 

[fugimax]

this is just as bad as returning games at walmart for a gain

In fact, it's the same thing!

 

[Fuzzy]

I personally don't see anything wrong with this kind of dealie. I've never done it myself, but you aren't scamming if you are giving back the exact same thing with the same UPC code in the same condition. But that's just me.

So the fact that he would be selling the product to a store for the MSRP+tax when the store buys it for less from distributers sounds ok to you? If the store sells that to someone else for the MSRP+tax they make $0 profit on it.

 

[johns all like]

i've done this once before and it was only because i wanted to see if it would acutally work. it is a very touchy subject, but i wouldn't be upset if it didnt work, you are essentially getting 10-15 bucks for finding the game cheaper.

 

[cvxfreak]

So the fact that he would be selling the product to a store for the MSRP+tax when the store buys it for less from distributers sounds ok to you? If the store sells that to someone else for the MSRP+tax they make $0 profit on it.

I don't believe it should be done if he never bought it from EB in the first place, but he did. The worst is that it would be a transaction that was cancelled.

I won't deny that the company hates this kind of practice, but from a consumer standpoint, it's not theft in my opinion.

 

[element]

But back to my original question....is this an official policy or is my local EB manager being a total nitwit?!

EB has never taken unopened games without a receipt from an EB for that game. The policy has always been to accept it as used. If you were treated any other way, then someone wasn't doing their job.

I stopped shopping at places like EB, and pretty much buy all my games from Fry's now. They have games the day they come out, mostly at a discounted price as well.

 

[Fuzzy]

I don't believe it should be done if he never bought it from EB in the first place, but he did. The worst is that it would be a transaction that was cancelled.

I won't deny that the company hates this kind of practice, but from a consumer standpoint, it's not theft in my opinion.

He didn't buy it at EB, he bought it at Fry's for $37.

EDIT: Unless he meant that he bought one at EB before and wanted to return the new one from Fry's to EB with a receipt because the he had already opened the one he bought at EB.

 

[cvxfreak]

He didn't buy it at EB, he bought it at Fry's for $37.

...I know that...

Yes, but he also bought a copy from EB beforehand. He wants to cancel the deal albeit with a different but equal copy, and I don't find that unethical at all. But that's just my view.

EDIT: Yeah, that's what I meant.

 

[Craig Majaski]

OK, some of you are misunderstanding the situation at hand, I think. The way I'm reading it is:

A) He went and bougt a new game at EB, opened it up and played it.

B) A few days later he sees Fry's is selling the game for $37.99 instead of $49.99.

C) He goes and buys a new copy of the game at Fry's and then returns THAT copy to EB for a full refund.

EB should take it back under normal circumstances. Then again, I would have tore off the price sticker and wouldn't have told them I bought it somewhere else.

 

[WrathOfOtaibah]

I was told the reason was because someone could trick the store by resealing or someone would be reselling a stolen game.

 

[johns all like]

OK, some of you are misunderstanding the situation at hand, I think. The way I'm reading it is:

A) He went and bougt a new game at EB, opened it up and played it.

B) A few days later he sees Fry's is selling the game for $37.99 instead of $49.99.

C) He goes and buys a new copy of the game at Fry's and then returns THAT copy to EB for a full refund.

EB should take it back under normal circumstances. Then again, I would have tore off the price sticker and wouldn't have told them I bought it somewhere else.

i dont think it matters if he had a copy of the game or not. taking advantage of one store having it for cheaer is the issue.

and i'm under the impression that he purchased it at EB, then took it to fry's to exchange. either way, it's pretty much the same thing. buying a game cheap, selling it higher.

 

[cvxfreak]

I was told the reason was because someone could trick the store by resealing or someone would be reselling a stolen game.

Those are legit reasons, but clearly it's also profit driven. Understandably so.

Resealing on the other hand should be VERY obvious, especially to EB workers. For GC games this becomes a tough deal since some are wrapped used-style (I see this at Target/Best Buy for games from certain companies). For PS2 and Xbox games I'm sure there's safeguards against it.

 

[suaveric]

OK, some of you are misunderstanding the situation at hand, I think. The way I'm reading it is:

A) He went and bougt a new game at EB, opened it up and played it.

B) A few days later he sees Fry's is selling the game for $37.99 instead of $49.99.

C) He goes and buys a new copy of the game at Fry's and then returns THAT copy to EB for a full refund.

EB should take it back under normal circumstances. Then again, I would have tore off the price sticker and wouldn't have told them I bought it somewhere else.

If that's what he did then I'm not sure why they didn't take it back, except for that price sticker.

I do this kind of thing from time to time. If I get a great deal on a game online, but it's going to take a while to get shipped to me, I'll go out and buy another copy of the game at a normal store. Then when the online copy finally arrives, I take it back to the local store with the receipt for a refund. The local store doesn't lose anything, they get back exactly what I bought from them.

 

[ChrisReid]

This poster didn't seem to get that the original poster bought it at EB to begin with, but I'll ignore that in my reply below.

So the fact that he would be selling the product to a store for the MSRP+tax when the store buys it for less from distributers sounds ok to you? If the store sells that to someone else for the MSRP+tax they make $0 profit on it.

Furthermore, the company buys the quantity they expect to sell. If they go buying back extra copies for MSRP+tax, then they'll have an extra copy at some later date when the price goes down and they would have expected to have sold through all their first higher-priced batch. At this point, they're losing money.

 

[Dave Long]

But you were trying to put one over on them. You paid $38 at another retailer and you're trying to get back $50 from them, right. Even if you were looking for only that $38, they're certainly not going to price match on a return. That would be insanely ridiculous of you to even ask that. Plus, the game goes into their inventory and now they have to resell it. If they don't, and the markdown comes along later, then they're the ones that REALLY got screwed.

 

[Mr_Furious]

Apharmd Battler:

1. Why are you paying full price @ EB when EVERY major release is on sale for significantly cheaper @ Fry's within the 1st week of it's release (in most cases day 1)?

2. Why didn't you just take the price sticker off the game and then return it to EB? They would've said nothing at all and would've just taken it back.

3. Why don't you still take the price tag off and take it back to another EB and DON'T say anything about finding it cheaper elsewhere or anything similar? Just tell them you changed your mind.

Oh and, STOP PAYING FULL PRICE FOR GAMES WHEN YOU HAVE A FRY'S WITHIN REACH THAT WILL ALWAYS HAVE MOST ALL GAMES ON SALE!!!!!!

You're welcome

 

[RevenantKioku]

i dont think it matters if he had a copy of the game or not. taking advantage of one store having it for cheaer is the issue.

and i'm under the impression that he purchased it at EB, then took it to fry's to exchange. either way, it's pretty much the same thing. buying a game cheap, selling it higher.

??
If he has a receipt from EB for a game that he has unopened, there shouldn't be an issue. That's how I read it it as well.
I do this every once in a while.

 

[Battlezone]

I'm a bit confused. Did he try to return the game with a receipt and they refused to take it back? Because that's just bad customer service. He's not trying to get over on anyone, from what I'm reading. In fact, had this whole thing happened in the following sequence:

1. Buys game at EB, but doesn't open it
2. Finds game at Fry's cheaper, buys it and plays that
3. Takes unopened EB game back with receipt, tells them he found it elsewhere cheaper, and returns it

...there would be no problem, right? In fact, whether or not he bought another game somewhere else is irrelevant. The fact is, he bought a game from EB and tried to return the same game to the store with a receipt, and is being refused. *That* is bad customer service.

 

[Manick Joe]

Craig Majaski got it right and no they should not have taken it back. As said earlier you were lucky to get by with it in the past. If you can't figure out why a sealed game from another store would not be accepted by a different retailer then you lack basic business sense.

 

[RevenantKioku]

Craig Majaski got it right and no they should not have taken it back. As said earlier you were lucky to get by with it in the past. If you can't figure out why a sealed game from another store would not be accepted by a different retailer then you lack basic business sense.

Well, EB shouldn't be the wiser in this case.

 

[Drensch]

I'm pretty sure he's not doing the walmart trick (aka theft), I think he's doing this:

He bought the game at EB. He opened it and had been playing it.
He saw the game at Fry's for cheaperg . He bought it at Fry's.
He took his EB receipt, and fry's copy to return at EB, to get the difference in what he paid back.


I am totally against the Wal-mart trick, it is nothing more than stealing. However, if he did buy a copy at EB and was returning a copy at EB with a receipt, I see no problem with what he did. He was not trying to defraud EB or take from them, he was simply returning an item.

 

[Mega Man's Electric Sheep]

This is weird to me, as my EB price matches games that I bought a week ago, and all I have to have is a receipt. I go in, show them the receipt, say "I found it for 5 bucks cheaper", and they refund me the difference without caring if I've opened the game or not. I don't even have to have the game with me!

 

[CompositeMolar]

Remove the stickers on it and bring it back, I don't think they can refuse to refound you if you have your receipt.

 

[Squirrel Killer]

The way I'm reading it is:

A) He went and bougt a new game at EB, opened it up and played it.

B) A few days later he sees Fry's is selling the game for $37.99 instead of $49.99.

C) He goes and buys a new copy of the game at Fry's and then returns THAT copy to EB for a full refund.

That's the way I read it to, but after seeing all the hate directed to him, I went back and re-read his post to find that he doesn't directly say he first bought a copy at EB. He indirectly mentions it so that a careful reader will know what he's doing, but I can see where someone who miss it.

If that is the situation (bought at EB, opened, bought at Fry's, tried to return Fry purchased copy to EB) I don't think he's scamming anyone, and if he had just taken off the price sticker and kept his mouth shut, his transaction would've gone smoothly and without incident. Lesson, take off the damned price sticker.

 

[Spike]

Take the sticker off and return it to another EB. Problem solved.

 

[DarkAngelYuna]

Wth, is this a joke thread or is he really that stupid?

 

[Apharmd Battler]

If that's what he did then I'm not sure why they didn't take it back, except for that price sticker.

I do this kind of thing from time to time. If I get a great deal on a game online, but it's going to take a while to get shipped to me, I'll go out and buy another copy of the game at a normal store. Then when the online copy finally arrives, I take it back to the local store with the receipt for a refund. The local store doesn't lose anything, they get back exactly what I bought from them.

WOW, I surprised this thread is still alive!!

YEs, I pre-paid for the game at EB. I have the EB receipt. The games less than a day later drops $15 at Fry's I'm in Fry's searching for PSP stuff and I buy the copy at Fry's. I mnow have two copies of the game. My plan was to return the game at EB and put the money towards something else. IMHO, I wasn't trying to scam EB..I was tryting to save some money and get something else that I would like. It's not like they don't see me just about every week. Also note that I've done this openly at this same store about a dozen times! There is no hidden agenda, I'm wasn't trying to sneak a freebie. I've done this before several times when Fry's or Best Buy have a sale. All of a sudden I'm reprimanded on the policy and I feel like a total jerk.

IMHO....I had an unopened copy of a game that they could turn arounf and sell at full retail, they weren't losing my money because I was just going to purchase something with the full credit. But if that's the store policy that's fine, it was just all news to me. Sorry for the cryptic post but I was at work and saw another EB thread and thought I would get the GAF opnion on the matter (my first mistake ). Anyway, I now know the policy, and I may stop buying games at EB all togetherr and go back to my old connections. All the advantages for shopping at EB have eroded over the past few years. I fully respect their position, I just wish I had know sooner. My question was is this normal, and it has been answered. Thank you all............