Second Hand Shenanigans

[charlesr]

Or be like Argos and have game folder to flick through - digital though.

weird.

[EvilBoris]

Or be like Argos and have game folder to flick through - digital though.

weird.

Doesn't Argos already do that?

[Corranga]

It wouldn't take that much of a change though would it? Just display one empty case on the shop floor for each format and leave the sealed ones in drawers/'out the back'. Of course, this would rely on the shop staff quickly putting the cases back on the shelf when they have a gap in serving people. I'd imagine even if it wasn't on the shop floor people would just ask, especially for big releases.

That really wouldn't work. Firstly, there has already been discussions about some publishers offering presumably bigger discounts / supply of back catalogue / preorder stock of up-coming titles based upon how much exposure 1 game gets over another.

Secondly, let's say I pop in and see a game I fancy. I pick up the one box for Super Battle Evolution Mega Rhubarb X Edition Gamma and have a wander around the store, looking at the other games.
Maybe I buy it, maybe I put it down elsewhere deciding I don't really want it because I already have the previous Beta game.
Meanwhile, 10 other people have walked into the store, watched me take the 'last copy' or seen there isn't one on the shelf, or, days later staff still haven't noticed I put the game down in the wrong section, and 50 people have walked our not buying it...

etc...

When I bought in store regularly (now I don't because I'm patient enough to wait for a couple of quid saving..), I'd just go in, up to the desk and ask if they had a sealed copy of the game, the buy, or not..

[randombs]

When I went to buy Mirror's Edge way back when, I bought it from CeX for a few quid less than Game down the road were selling it new, because it would be unsealed from Game so I thought, "What's the point if it's been opened?". A few days later I realised I hadn't contributed to overall game sales for ME(of course, it would have just added one, but that one still holds meaning) and felt bad about my decision.

I don't mind if stores sell new games unsealed, provided the staff are trained to look after the innards properly, and perhaps random spot-checks could be made for online codes(not sure if they're scratch cards or just printed on the card) and innards in general. I just check the disc and instructions before paying and ask for another set if I'm not happy with the condition.

I get the feeling people complaining about unsealed games are just a vocal minority, seeing as my local Game is almost always packed when I walk past. Also, I sometimes find sealed games I buy online arrive with the disc rattling around inside and/or bits of the CD holder broken, as well as the case. It's hardly ever, but then I've hardly ever bought an unsealed new game whose condition I haven't been happy with.

I don't see unsealed new games as some sort of 'epidemic' - vote with your wallets if you're not happy. You're well within your rights to demand sealed games but if your local doesn't honour that, just buy from somewhere else. Alternatively, maybe you could get friendly with the shop staff and ask them to keep a sealed copy round the back for you. Not sure how workable this is in reality, but you never know.

[Mr M0by]

Alternatively, maybe you could get friendly with the shop staff and ask them to keep a sealed copy round the back for you. Not sure how workable this is in reality, but you never know.

Or pre-order. The cases are never opened & in the case of collectors editions / numbered copies etc the assistants are bound to sort you out with the box in best condition etc or not put any price labels on it etc.

[randombs]

That sounds better