Ethical Behavior when Trading or Returning in games?

skyline_boy001

Just created this thread that so the forum members can discuss in this thread what they consider to be unethical practices when returning or trading games.

I think that if a game is genuinely crap or "faulty" like COD WAW competitive modes was stuffed in the first week or so then it is perfectly allowed to be returned.

EB need to set more guidelines to regulate the sort of incomplete versions being sold in stores.

Do you think this is a better than piracy, as one is actually paying money for a game instead of stealing it?

BTW when did EB start their trade in offers that gave more than what it cost to buy? I think it all started with GTA IV and then followed by:

Mario Kart Wii
MGS4
Star Wars The Force Unleashed
Fable 2
Fallout 3
Gear of War 2
Halo Wars
Killzone 2

I think these trade in offers help people that are on tighter budgets and lower disposable incomes to purchase more games than they normally can.

Also their are two levels of this trading in "deal", those who go and take nice games from the DSE sales and run over to JB and trade them into JB and then take that game to EB to trade in and those that just buy a game from a store for a lower price and then trade in the game to EB for a higher price. Which one if any is more acceptable?

I know that a real reason to trade in a game within the first week is because it is shit, in my personal experience with MGS4, I just hate the whole stealth thing.

I think the 7 day policy is awesome, it helps me decide on which games are worth keeping. What are you opinions?

A way to combat to people trading in a game once a game is finished (especially a single player) is to add multi player or promise some DLC.

I hope this post is not too disjointed ted any I haven't repeated myself.
_________________

Eagerly Waiting For:
Detox
Uncharted 3

ObsoletE · Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 7:37 pm�� Post subject:

i'm a fan of the return policy when used in the correct manner, but given there's such proliferation of exploiting it, it should be reined in a little.

i also hate it when i read of people going to DSE (or where-ever) picking up a bunch of $2 games and trading them in for $90 at EB. but mostly because they're often games i want, and can't get now because some douche has bought 50 copies. (exageration denotes annoyance.)

i have exploited the occasional "trade 3 get <game title> free" offer, but only through buying from EB in the first place, that way no one is missing out on some bargain of a game because it's still at EB to be bought later.

i guess with more and more PC games requiring online registration, and sometimes linking to a Steam account, it's only a matter of time that EB are burnt enough by returned games no longer having valid CD Keys that these'll be removed from the policy, and we can only hope that with more console games including codes for downloads, that the policy will be changed to ensure the game is complete before returns are accepted.

until then, well as much as i think people who bought 20 copies of Halo Wars, sold the Mythic code and returned the game for a full refund are scum of the earth (if you kept the game, or sold the game with full disclosure on the code, then i have no issues with what you did), there's not much i can do since EB have left the loophole open for themselves.

really - it's theft. pure and simple, no different to if you had walked in and stolen the code from the shelf and walked out.

i REALLY hope that when Halo Wars 2 comes out with the Ballistic Map Pack codes to sell to the Americans, that when everyone walks back to EB with their 20 non-virginal cases EB turn around and say "get out".

i will laugh so hard.
_________________

My Play-Asia Affiliate Link.

skyline_boy001 · Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 7:53 pm�� Post subject:

I never play PC games but I am sure that they don't really allow returns for opened PC games?

I think that EB should display a clear sign that states that no refunds or exchanges will be given if your PC does not match the games minimum systems requirements, unless you have some sort of screen shot, but then again that screenshot can just circulate all over the Internet.
_________________

Eagerly Waiting For:
Detox
Uncharted 3

Gamesta · Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 8:01 pm�� Post subject:

Starman · Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 8:09 pm�� Post subject:

Maybe they can do the gift card solution. If the game doesn't suit then money back in gift card form. If marks or scratches are reported within 7 Days or so then a certain amount deducted from the gift card and the gift cardee notified. Don't know how it would work though.
_________________

ObsoletE · Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 8:15 pm�� Post subject:

Benza · Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 10:01 pm�� Post subject:

Personly I have no problems exploting the companies to profit myself, they're not exactly going to go out of there way to look after me so fuck looking after them.

That said doing stuff that ends up fucking over other gamers (Selling the Halo Wars Code, buying bulk copies of sale games etc) is just a shitty thing to do.
_________________

dloiscute · Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 10:23 pm�� Post subject:

Games are expensive. And unlike clothes you cant try them in store, so I think EB 7 day return is a great incentive to pick up a game your unsure about. I think it should be monitored a litter stricter though, for example; COD4:GOTY 'brand new' would sometimes be missing a map pack code... Very suspicious. Fair enough with PC games returns policy though.

Also, I am all for the trade-in deals at JB etc. They may offer genuine value at times. I dont really find anything wrong with buying a few cheap games with the intention of trading them later as JB will still sell those games later down the line. I dont find it exploiting as its not like people are getting away with exchanging pirated or fake game copies... Now that would be true exploitation. Its also a way to get rid of a few bad games wasting space on my shelf lol
_________________

☑Tekken

Passa · Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 11:05 pm�� Post subject:

I personally have a problem with 'brand new' meaning 'returned copy within 7 days' at EB. All the second hand games I've bought for my 360 are in much better condition than some of the 'new' games I see at EB.

I wouldn't buy a PC game from EB unless it came sealed in plastic, because even if they haven't been returned and had the key stolen, EB are dumb enough to leave cases with the serial code stickers on them in shelves. Not cool.

Exploiting cheap games for trade-ins is wrong to an extent. I don't really have a problem with someone buying 3 games and trading those in for a game they want. Problems crop up when people are buying mass numbers of these cheap games, trading them in and then selling the new releases they acquire. I was seriously bummed out about those last DSE sales because I missed out on the few titles I actually wanted for the ridiculously low prices.
_________________

Xbox 360 Gamertag + Xfire Username + PlayStation Network ID: Passa91

Rabscallion · Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 11:56 pm�� Post subject:

Well I had no problem with doing the halo wars thing, I bought one, sold the code for $100 and had the game scott free. If someone wants to do that 20 times, good on them. Its worth what peolpe are going to pay- Its not theft if people sell the thing then return them, because 1. the EB can reject it, and 2. EB SHOULDNT BE SELLING THEIR GAMES AS BRAND NEW THEN. If they sell a game to someone and it is returned after 7 days it is not new. Furthermore some games are 'eb rented' multiple times and end up a second hand disc anyway. If you bought it form JB you would be sure that your getting a code, instead your buying from a company who cannot assure it unless its sealed, TOUGH LUCK.

As for trading in 3 games. Its an opportunity waiting to be done! why frown on the people out to make an entrepanurial dollar for themselves!? they need to go to the hard work of buying games, trading em then taking the risk that they may make a profit, and in most cases sell the game for cheaper than RRP anyway. I missed out on a few DSE things last time and sure i was slightly dissapointed, but thats my fault for not getting my priorities right and turning up early.

You woudlnt buy an opened pc game, so why buy an opened console game? If your so pedantic about a missing code by them from a retailer that assures the games are new, simple as that.

Some staff dont even check if the disc is scratched! Ill confess once I returned a game after 7 days that I had played quite thouroughly and didnt look totally new, and they just accepted it without second thought. If your going to create a regime where people can borrow them for a week to decide live with the consequences.

FINALLY> the halo wars box doesnt even say it includes the MYTHIC CODES. its just an added extra.

Infested Jibbs · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 12:08 am�� Post subject:

Charly · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 12:13 am�� Post subject:

Rabscallion · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 12:16 am�� Post subject:

Jibbs-

However you have really skipped over the point there that LETTING PEOPLE RETURN GAMES AS A SELLING POINT and then reselling them as brand new as not to recoup a loss is also unethical. So bassically your fine with one side of the spectrum but dont want to see the full picture. Your fine with being able to return the bigs on ps2 but then are pissed off when you get a scratch on your disney sing it game.

People have every right to buy a game and then either trade it back in OR return it if the store is stupid enough to let them. If there is a glut of second hand copies? so what! at least it means those second hand "insert game" will probably be in much better condition than the 2nd rate 'BRAND NEW" game you are about to buy.

theory · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 12:18 am�� Post subject:

This thread is not going to help anything. Everyone is just going to drop their rant. People will read it. Some will agree. Some will disagree. Nobody is wrong because it's all opinion. We are gonna go around in circles for what might be ages.

So I'll drop in my two cents.

In my humble opinion, there is nothing wrong with exploiting the poo out of trade-in offers and sales. If you have nothing better to do with your time than get to stores at opening time to snag multiple copies of games, good luck to you. This world is dog eat dog. Gotta look after number one. Survival of the fittest. All that crap.

It is a damn shame that you might also want that game that is on sale, but such is the nature of the beast and the nature of sales. If you want the game at that price that badly, take the day off work, get your ass out of bed and be at the store at opening time. Likewise, ask EB for a sealed copy of the latest game. Tell them you don't want an open game for fear of getting a recently-returned copy.

Truthfully, EB doing this is probably the only thing we will all be able to agree on. As soon as a game leaves a store it is second-hand. Like driving a car off the lot when you purchase it. They should be shut down for it.
_________________

mattstep · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 12:31 am�� Post subject:

theory · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 12:37 am�� Post subject:

mafija · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 1:22 am�� Post subject:

Jesus Christ.

Does it really matter if you get an opened copy of (Insert fantasy game marketed for 12 year olds)? I think a lot of you forget what you buy games for and that is to enjoy them not to treat them as if one day they will be valuable enough to trade for stocks and bonds.

If your biggest worry in life is scratching your "Pokemon super special turbo happy fun friends" game or your poster of pikachu dressed as a break dancer is missing than you really really need a life.
I know some people collect games and that's sweet but the majority just play the arse out of their game and throw it out because it's so scratched or they pawn it off at a cheaper price to go towards a new purchase (Un scratched of course) and isn't that what it is really all about?

I just don't see how it is unethical? We all seem to know it happens YET people will still go there and bitch about getting an opened copy....If you don't like the way EB conducts business than go elsewhere and buy your game it's actually quite simple.
We have all bought an item of clothing and it was either too small or we decided we didn't like it AFTER we got it home and slipped it over our unwashed sweaty bodies which after a day of shopping smells like a rat crawled up under your pits and vomited but BIG WHOOP that is life.

And if you really want a game than do what most normal functioning humans do and that is to pre-order it, That way you can be guaranteed to get it.

My point is enjoy the game and don't treat it like it's your wife....afterall it's 30 cents worth of plastic that you paid $80 for!
_________________
Kocobo Je' Srbija!

Sinthesys · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 1:46 am�� Post subject:

Ciel · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 1:52 am�� Post subject:

mafija · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 2:37 am�� Post subject:

Sinthesys so your saying that you don't get your moneys worth because it doesn't have a plastic wrapping?
And please also explain how it not having wrapping is the same as cutting a shirt?
Again if you don't like the way they conduct business then why do you shop there? Or are you saying it's okay for you to do it but if it happens to you its unethical?

Ceil quoting family guy is just well,lame. Especially when you claim it as your own like you thought of it

mafija · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 2:42 am�� Post subject:

P.S you know who it is that usually ruin things?

It's the do gooders....If they buy 3000 copies thats not of your concern, It really has nothing to do with you, The customers money, The Business' goods.......where do you come in to this equation?

I really hate when people bitch about such trivial things. "He got a bigger slice of cake than me"

HAHA
_________________
Kocobo Je' Srbija!

Sinthesys · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 3:07 am�� Post subject:

Ciel · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 3:18 am�� Post subject:

Smurf80 · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 8:56 am�� Post subject:

These shops will "eventually" cotton on to the idea of what is happening and will either refine the 7 day return option or worst off get rid of it all together which wont benefit anyone.

I only return a game if I have finished it within 7 days or I didnt like it at all, which is why the 7 day policy was invented.
_________________

Thanks to segax for the sig!

XtremeXfactor · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 9:23 am�� Post subject:

The only time i've returned games to EB is when they've given me the wrong game (eg: i wanted NBA 2K5, but was given NFL2K5 instead).... or no game in a game case (both sealed and unsealed).

I have pre-warned them previous that i may come back if a pc game doesn't work (Sims 2 - i barely met the system requirements, when i tried it out - it actually didn't bother me enough to return it. I upgraded my pc a short time later and it was all good

).

On the other side of the coin, i'm not a fan of the likelyhood of buying a 'new' copy of something, only for it to be someone elses returned copy after having it within 7 days. If i buy new - i want new.

There have been a few games over the past 2-3 years where i wished i did actually return something to EB, or actually shopped at EB so i could have returned it within 7 days. Two games in particular, Timeshift (purchased in December '07 - played it once for less than 30 minutes and havn't played it since) and Conflict: Denied Ops (purchased from K-Mart less than half the price it was at retail, yet i thought it was pretty crap).

I didn't warm up to the idea of trading in games until last year, with me i know i will lose a certain amount per game the longer i hold on to it and in a lot of cases (eg: 2006/2007 sports games that now have 2009 sequels) are not worth trading in. For me i've relaxed my stance on trading in games - due to the lack of space i have to store any new purchases.

��	��PAL Gaming Network Forum Index ��-> General Forums, Archive	All times are GMT + 11 Hours Goto page 1, 2 Next
Page 1 of 2