The pre-owned debate continues to rumble on, most recently with David Braben listing six possible solutions to the ‘problem’. I wonder what publishers would think if they knew one of Britain’s biggest game retailers is actively promoting second hand game sales over brand new titles as from the evidence I have gathered that seems to be exactly what GAME are doing.
Over on the ‘Games Inbox’ gaming letters page at Metro, the free daily newspaper, an email has been published by a chap called Rob Holland regarding his recent visit to a GAME store:
“I’m becoming a little concerned about GAME’s new focus on pre-owned titles. They used to have a pre-owned section for those who wanted to buy second-hand but now nearly all of the shelves contain pre-owned stock, even the chart. Not only that but when you ask for a brand new title the staff are quite insistent on selling the pre-owned items, sometimes to the extent that it almost verges on bullying. A customer should only have to ask for something once and not feel like they have to fight for it.”
That’s a big accusation. We know that GAME will make a larger profit on a second hand game than on a brand new title but are they really pushing pre-owned titles rather than brand new games? A response to Mr. Holland’s email followed the next day and seems to back this up. In a further twist, it claims to be from a staff member at GAME.
“RE: Rob Holland. This is not a new focus on pre-owned, as a GAME employee this is something we have always done in my last four year of working at GAME.”
The following day there is yet another response,
“RE: Rob. I too have experienced GAME staff trying to force pre-owned games on me while trying to buy a new copy. After asking a second time for a new copy to still have the sales assistant try and flog a second-hand copy to me I just turned around and walked out.”
And another..
“I’ve also been pressured by staff into buying pre owned from GAME. I popped in about a few months ago to buy God of War 3, it was 40 quid new and 35 pre owned (which is also unusual as it’s usually the other way around) I had the cash so I took the new copy to the counter, the guy at the counter asked me on two occasions if I wanted the pre owned copy because it was cheaper and in great condition (which it was to be fair), anyway I eventually caved in and bought the pre owned copy as I was in a hurry and didn’t feel like arguing over who I would rather screw out of my money, GAME or the developers.”
And yet another..
“I took Halo:Reach to the counter at my local GAME and they offered me a pre-owned copy for 2 quid cheaper. Seems fair enough to me, 2 quid is 2 quid and it even had the 48 hour trial still in it! “
A recent post in the comments section on MCV claimed that retailers could make 100% profit by reselling games rather than the few pence they make from new titles. Are GAME driving their own profits at the expense of publishers?
Have you experienced GAME staff trying pressure you into buying a a pre-owned copy of title when you take a new game to the till? Let us know in the comments section.
If there is anyone from GAME HQ reading who would like to comment then please get in touch.
chibber
Quite simply they are – The last few times I’ve purchased a game from GAME I’ve walked up to the counter with a new copy of the game (after checking out the preowned sections to see if they have it there) and the cashier has said “would you prefer to buy a preowned version and save yourself some money” then produced a preowned version from behind the checkout! with this kind of thing going on I kind of sympathise with publishers
TSBonyman
Gamestop in Ireland also offer pre-owned at point of sale but i’ve never felt pressured to buy.
mcduff1979
i actually prefer to buy preowned unless its an EA game… gives me the chance to pick up a few games that slipped my notice… now i just need bayonetta
jsquadron
This happened to me last year at the GAME outlet in lewisham. I wanted to buy modern warfare 2 for 44.99 but the manager insisted I bought the pre-owned one instead for 42.99 citing I could get myself a nice double cheeseburger at Mcdonalds. He wouldn’t leave my side till I purchased the pre-owned one.
On a related note, my local ASDA won’t accept trade-ins for Halo reach saying its not on their database
DrNate86
I’ve never been badgered into buying pre-owned, but tbh I will usually go for the cheaper option anyway. It makes sense from a business perspective, you can’t blame them really!
skibadee
I went to get Enslaved about 4 days after it came out & they said preowned 5 pound cheaper so I took it, but I said at the counter Enslaved thinking I would hand over 40 for the original.
mcduff1979
cheaper is always good in the age of gaming where a game now retails in the region of £49.99 and im happy to buy pre-owned on a new title :)
Bodachi
You need to go to better stores if their charging 50 quid.
samiro05
I went in in the summer of 2009 to get tiger woods 10 n i took the game to the counter n he did not even ask me if i wanted the pre owned version he just said he was going to see if they have it pre owned n spent the next 10 mins complaining to his colleague that he couldn’t find it pre owned. i wasn’t impressed
welshrob87
Don’t really like buying pre owned games, especially from Game. A couple of years ago I asked them how much they would offer me for a sealed copy of GTA IV Limited Edition, they offered £6. If I had broken the seal and taken the game out they would have offered £13. Ended up selling it online for £55.
grogy86
I dislike Game, used to shop their years ago all the time spending £40 quid on games….now i just buy my games from supermarkets as they tend to do the best offers like fifa 11 for £25 etc