Acceptable to buy used games as gifts?

[Jugernot]

I'm going to be buying some late christmas presents for a couple of friends and was wondering what you guys thought about buying used games as gifts?

Was going to buy Lair for a friend with PS3 and something for a friend with a Wii.

I pretty much exclusively own used games from Gamefly and Gamestop... but wasn't sure if it would be acceptable to give as gifts.

Opinions?

Jugs

 

[Manuwell]

What difference does it make if the gift is used or not ?
The fact that you give them the damn thing for free makes it a gift.

 

[mugs]

Some people would probably say it's tacky, and I wouldn't do it myself unless it's a rare game or a game that is not sold new anymore. But personally I wouldn't mind receiving a used game as a gift. They're just as good as new games and cost less. Most of my games were bought used as well.

Unless the game is pretty old, Gamestop's used prices are usually only 10% less than new, so you might want to just buy new if that's the case.

Of course the Edge card knocks off another 10% if you have that, and used games are B2G1 now.

 

[Jugernot]

Price is my main reason for buying used... I can get Lair for $22 shipped from Gamefly and it's pretty much still $60 new everywhere.

Every game I have recieved from Gamefly has been pristine with no scratches or smudges... unlike Gamestop.

 

[theprodigalrebel]

My best friend gave me his old video card as a birthday present when he upgraded his GPU. You think I was going to be a little bitch about a free Radeon 9800 just because it wasn't new/gift-wrapped/in the original packaging?

This probably depends on how old/easy-going your friends are. Are they going to be 'Yeah! Free Game!' or 'Eew, it's pre-owned'? You can probably tell.

 

[FoBoT]

my wife said no

 

[Cdubneeddeal]

Not a good idea. I personally wouldn't care too much but most would see it as "He doesn't care enough to buy me a new one?" "Cheap bastard"

 

[JackBurton]

I wouldn't do it, but I wouldn't buy used games for myself either. It's new or nothing for me.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Depends on the friends and how picky they are.

You don't want to do it with a PC game that might have annoying DRM like online activation (Bioshock) or license keys that can end up tied to specific accounts (WoW, Steam).

For a console game with a clean case and manual it doesn't seem tacky to me if buying used is in your gift price range but $60 for new is not. Buying Lair used also makes sense because it's 50-50 whether or not your friend will like it.

Another idea would be giving them a couple of months of Gamefly so they can rent a bunch of different games.

 

[sniperruff]

i think it's better to buy new.

or, buy a gift card for $30 or something.

 

[frostedflakes]

Yeah I'd say it depends on the person, some probably wouldn't care, some might think it's tacky. As long as it's in alright condition I don't think I'd care, it's the thought that counts. Not to mention I think $60 is a very generous gift price for even a close friend, I wouldn't expect someone to spend that much on me. Of course for the older folks it's probably a bit different but if you and your buds are younger guys going through school then I think $20-30 for a gift is about right.

 

[SoundTheSurrender]

It makes you look like cheapass.

 

[pyonir]

IMO no, it's not.

 

[gamepad]

It would detract from the gift's intrinsic charm value.

 

[xSauronx]

i say it depends more on the recipient. my brothers wouldnt scoff at a used game, cd, or movie as long as it was in good condition.

my brother in law, however, would think i was cheap and probably sell it for cash, and use that to help buy a new copy of the item.

it wouldnt bother me. some thing i wouldnt want used (clothing, a tootbrush, cordless drill) some stuff wouldnt bother me at all.

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: Jugernot
Price is my main reason for buying used... I can get Lair for $22 shipped from Gamefly and it's pretty much still $60 new everywhere.

Every game I have recieved from Gamefly has been pristine with no scratches or smudges... unlike Gamestop.

so basically you're a cheap bastard? lol

i guess it depends on who you buy them for.

 

[Kelemvor]

I'd do it as long as the games looked relatively new. Meaning not in ripped boxes, missing parts, etc. Or just get them a gift card to a store that sells used games and tell them you couldn't decide which to get and they should go pick one out.

 

[TipsyMcStagger]

It depends on the friendship level... if its a good friend and you're giving them something they want, i don't think it makes it less of a gift just because you didn't pay full price for it.

 

[clamum]

Depends on the person. I personally wouldn't give a fsck if someone got me a used game. It's still the same game.

 

[Number1]

Originally posted by: gamepad
It would detract from the gift's intrinsic charm value.

LOL

As you name implies, you take your game seriously!

 

[Parasitic]

Must be acceptable since most of my sales on craigslist go through during the holidays. I've got people snatching up used ipods and cell phones as presents all the time.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: pontifex

Originally posted by: Jugernot
Price is my main reason for buying used... I can get Lair for $22 shipped from Gamefly and it's pretty much still $60 new everywhere.

Every game I have recieved from Gamefly has been pristine with no scratches or smudges... unlike Gamestop.

so basically you're a cheap bastard? lol

i guess it depends on who you buy them for.

Hey, I'm willing to sell you milk for $50 a gallon.

Does that make you a "cheap bastard" for buying milk at your local grocery store, when exactly the same product is available for much more expensive elsewhere?

No, it just makes you "not an idiot". If I buy a used copy of Lair in good condition, is Rhon's dragon going to fly any slower? No. Welcome to the software age.

 

[alkemyst]

If you are buying 'used' it only counts as the used value.

If you are working with a $100 budget and pick up 5 games instead of 1 for the guy that is great in my book if he is a gamer and it's not one of his main games that he likes to have in pristine condition.

Most gamers will flip the games anyway again in a few weeks/months.