Best Buy trying out used games again at Dallas and Austin locations

[Queasy]

The Feed - Best Buy tried selling used games at their stores before and pulled the plug on it. They are taking a different approach this time by going with kiosks where you drop a game off, the kiosk scans the disk, and gives you a Best Buy gift card if the disk is accepted.

A used game section will be added to stores as well.

What do you think the odds are that this will make it out of the test phase for Best Buy? GameStop is still pretty synonymous with used games. Taking humans out of the equation probably makes it more likely but there are fewer Best Buys than GameStops so convenience would probably be an issue.

 

[chuckywang]

Originally posted by: Queasy
The Feed - Best Buy tried selling used games at their stores before and pulled the plug on it. They are taking a different approach this time by going with kiosks where you drop a game off, the kiosk scans the disk, and gives you a Best Buy gift card if the disk is accepted.

A used game section will be added to stores as well.

What do you think the odds are that this will make it out of the test phase for Best Buy? GameStop is still pretty synonymous with used games. Taking humans out of the equation probably makes it more likely but there are fewer Best Buys than GameStops so convenience would probably be an issue.

More competition for the GameStop and GameCrazy's of the world is never a bad thing. That's why I liked it when Amazon and a few Walmart locations delved into the used game business. Hopefully the Best Buy's close to where I live start this up too.

 

[gorcorps]

I like the idea of competition for GS and all that, but I'm a little weary with the automated kiosk thing. I can see issues with it either being too touchy regarding analyzing the disc to see if it's playable, or maybe not touchy enough and accepting bad discs. Either way, it's not a bad idea if it works well.

 

[chuckywang]

Another thought just occured to me: It sounds like you can just trade in the disc by itself, without the case art or manual. I have a feeling this will drive down trade-in prices since the demand for games for just the disc itself is not as great as the full package. I know personally when I shop at Gamestop, I never buy a game without the manual or case.

 

[gorcorps]

Originally posted by: chuckywang
Another thought just occured to me: It sounds like you can just trade in the disc by itself, without the case art or manual. I have a feeling this will drive down trade-in prices since the demand for games for just the disc itself is not as great as the full package. I know personally when I shop at Gamestop, I never buy a game without the manual or case.

True which could be good or bad depending. It may no longer directly compete w/ GS, but it would probably be quite a bit cheaper if you don't care about the manual and box and whatnot. I usually have empty DVD cases around, and printing off a label is easy. I won't have the manual but I rarely use them anyway, and those can be found online too.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: gorcorps

Originally posted by: chuckywang
Another thought just occured to me: It sounds like you can just trade in the disc by itself, without the case art or manual. I have a feeling this will drive down trade-in prices since the demand for games for just the disc itself is not as great as the full package. I know personally when I shop at Gamestop, I never buy a game without the manual or case.

True which could be good or bad depending. It may no longer directly compete w/ GS, but it would probably be quite a bit cheaper if you don't care about the manual and box and whatnot. I usually have empty DVD cases around, and printing off a label is easy. I won't have the manual but I rarely use them anyway, and those can be found online too.

Just to kind of go off on this tanget....MS is supposed to offer downloadable manuals when they launch Games on Demand.

 

[BenSkywalker]

Depends on what they will give me for a game I guess.

If I can get an extra $5 for a used game from BB over GS and they have comparable prices? Why not?

 

[Hadsus]

Originally posted by: BenSkywalker
Depends on what they will give me for a game I guess.

If I can get an extra $5 for a used game from BB over GS and they have comparable prices? Why not?

GS needs competition. Their 'new' used games are priced at $55 which I think is too high for what they buy them back at. BTW, I've noticed some Blockbusters have a small collection of used console games (I guess overstocked rented games)....at least the market is moving in the right direction.

 

[Yreka]

Originally posted by: Hadsus

Originally posted by: BenSkywalker
Depends on what they will give me for a game I guess.

If I can get an extra $5 for a used game from BB over GS and they have comparable prices? Why not?

GS needs competition. Their 'new' used games are priced at $55 which I think is too high for what they buy them back at. BTW, I've noticed some Blockbusters have a small collection of used console games (I guess overstocked rented games)....at least the market is moving in the right direction.

Yep,

If they are going to succeed, they need to do it on price. GS is known for their used games, they are also known for offering/charging ridiculous prices for them.

 

[Queasy]

Joystiq gives the Best Buy kiosk a whirl.

 

[Saga]

Interesting, so if someone duplicated 80 copies of GoW and redeemed them for credit I could buy a few PS3's to ebay.

 

[imported_Shaq]

From above link.

"The machine instructs you to put the discs into a disc slot (which apparently checks the condition of the discs) under the screen(s), and the cases in a different slot on the right side of the machine. Though cases are required for your games, don't expect a case with a game you purchase from the kiosk. We were informed that purchased games come out in paper sleeves."