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EB Spring Sale Trade-In Question (PS2 System)

Belfast

Member
I'm thinking of trading in my old PS2, the one with the nearly burnt out laser. I'm sure it still works it some capacity, but I retired it last fall when GTA:SA kept freezing on me. It'll still technically "run" games, just not all that well.

Its a fliptop, so I'd have to take the time to put the original top back on, but would EB accept this system? I know they often refurbish them, but I just don't know if there's a certain condition you have to turn them in. Other than the laser problem, mine should be fine, even though its a first gen. Also, do I need to return things like the power cord, video cables, controller, etc to get the full price they're offering?

I just have this system sitting around, basically, so I might as well get some credit for it if I can.
 
Just return the system, power, and AV cords. If the system looks normal and you act completely normal and cool about it (e.g. don't look like you're nervous or hiding something) you'll be FINE.

See, policy says (or said when I was around) that every traded in PS2 should be tested with the the hardest to read four discs (a blue,black,and two dvds I think) and if it doesn't work with all of them, the trade is denied. Obviously this is a huge pain for the service rep, so if you in the offchance to get caught, just try trading it in another time or at a different store.

Personal Aside: I will warn you (and I know this won't apply in many places, I'd hope) that my EB in particular 'racially profiled' PS2 trade-ins. I had a superior tell me to only bother with the procedure if the person trading it in was a minority or shady-looking (as if they were related). I was offended enough that I just never checked anyone's PS2 from then on and just honored all trades.
 
Juice said:
Personal Aside: I will warn you (and I know this won't apply in many places, I'd hope) that my EB in particular 'racially profiled' PS2 trade-ins. I had a superior tell me to only bother with the procedure if the person trading it in was a minority or shady-looking (as if they were related). I was offended enough that I just never checked anyone's PS2 from then on and just honored all trades.

wow
 
Musashi Wins! said:
You could get Sony to fix it for free. Just costs shipping.

Yeah, I was thinking that too when I was through this, but I figured that @ $75 trade-in, I couldn't help but "trade-down" to the slim one.
 
I'm not sure how things have changed but when I traded my launch PS2 for the new + pro scan model in 2002 they didn't test it at all. And I had even opened the console once or twice to get a look at the insides to see if I would have the nerve to install a mod(which I didn't) so the sticker was gone.

All they made sure I brought in were the control pad, power cord and A/V cables.
 
Musashi Wins! said:
You could get Sony to fix it for free. Just costs shipping.

I know, but I have a slimline. So its no big deal, really. And Sony probably won't be too cool about fixing a flip-top. :) Especially since it voids your warranty. If I can get some credit for it and pick up a couple new games, that's good enough for me.
 
Can you trade in a flip top? I had sony fix a broken machine I bought used for $20. They asked me if I ran diagnostic tools or tried to mod the system. I said no. No warranty sticker, used, etc. they didn't care. Shipped back a new system. One of the best deals ever (ps2's were 180 at the time).
 
Juice said:
Personal Aside: I will warn you (and I know this won't apply in many places, I'd hope) that my EB in particular 'racially profiled' PS2 trade-ins. I had a superior tell me to only bother with the procedure if the person trading it in was a minority or shady-looking (as if they were related). I was offended enough that I just never checked anyone's PS2 from then on and just honored all trades.
Growing up in LA County, I can completely understand their logic. It's sad, but it's just an attitude that develops over time.
 
trade it in along with a game that you KNOW works 100% perfectly with it, and they will be more likely to just check the system using the game you are trading in.
 
It's really a YMMV sort of thing. Our district at one point was the lowest in working/defective PS2's. I'm talking 0%, which basically means nearly every PS2 in the district was traded in as working. From now on we have to check every single system, if it's a PS2 we just use a blue disc most of the time. And if it's missing the warranty sticker it's automatically considered broken.

If we don't test a system it means big trouble for that employee. So it really is a YMMV.
 
Juice said:
Personal Aside: I will warn you (and I know this won't apply in many places, I'd hope) that my EB in particular 'racially profiled' PS2 trade-ins. I had a superior tell me to only bother with the procedure if the person trading it in was a minority or shady-looking (as if they were related). I was offended enough that I just never checked anyone's PS2 from then on and just honored all trades.

wow, I've always wondered why they didn't even bother to test my PS2 when I traded it in
 
To my surprise, the clerk at one of my local EB stores said the system didn't even have to be working, as long as it was still in one piece.
 
I traded in my old PS2 a few weeks back due to excessive DRE and other problems. I did it at Gamestop though, but they also give $75. However, I shop there too often and know the people there, so I told them. On all broken systems, they'll take them, but they'll charge a $50 refurbishing fee, so you basically get $25 for the thing. If you want to be honest you could go that route. Honestly, if I'd been out of area I would've had no compunctions about trading it in as-is somewhere I'd never be again =p.
 
Hmmm...so many different reports, I'm not sure what to do. I guess I could always still give it a shot, but I need to put its original cover back on...which is proving to be a pain in the ass....I don't know why they would need it to be in perfect working condition if they're just going to refurbish them anyway, but who knows.
 
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