Gamestop removing Onlive Deus Ex coupon code from retail PC version, sells as "new"

[Imp]

CNN saying that Gamestop just won't sell the physical copy at all now. I haven't been inside an EB in years, now I never will again. Quite simple. Idiots.

 

[dawp]

CNN saying that Gamestop just won't sell the physical copy at all now. I haven't been inside an EB in years, now I never will again. Quite simple. Idiots.

what they said is that they wont sell the game until they get copies without the coupon included.

Now, GameStop says it will not sell the opened DXHR packages -- in fact, it won't sell any physical copies of the game at all until Square Enix ships GameStop a version without the OnLive coupon. GameSpot will continue to sell its own digital version of the game in its stores and online.

http://money.cnn.com/2011/08/24/technology/gamestop_coupons/index.htm?hpt=te_bn8

I've heard that GS is a lousy place to work, that they have been selling used games as new for years.

 

[paperfist]

"tortious interference" lol

 

[ibex333]

Haven't set foot in a GameStop for years; now I'm going to go out of my way not to. :thumbsdown:

Same here.

 

[dmcowen674]

Gamestop removing Onlive Deus Ex coupon code from retail PC version, sells as "new"

Are Americans OK and happy with this new America of Corporate control?

 

[shortylickens]

Are Americans OK and happy with this new America of Corporate control?

Take it to P&N buddy.
Or did they run you out of there again?

 

[gothamhunter]

http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/24/gamestop-pulls-deus-ex-human-revolution-pc-versions-from-shelve/

GameStop has apparently sent another message out to its retail locations, this time asking all of its stores to pull any PC copies of Deus Ex: Human Revolution off of its shelves, and place them in the backroom, eventually to be returned to publisher Square Enix. The email was sent after this morning's news that GameStop had directed its employees to pull coupons out of the boxes that offered free access to the OnLive cloud gaming service.

The latest email confirms that GameStop is indeed working on a competing service with its acquisition of Spawn Labs, and that because of an "agreement" with Square Enix, all of the game's copies will be recalled back to the publisher. The one exception is reserved copies, which will still be available for purchase, according to the memo.

GameStop has also pulled the PC version of the game from its website, though the console versions are still for sale. Joystiq has confirmed with local stores that the memo was received and copies were being pulled. We're also contacting GameStop corporate for an official statement on the matter.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I tried to trade in my still-unopened Wii console. (White, with Wii Sports bundled.)

They apparently sell for $100 new. They offered me a grand total of, get this - $12.

Damn crooks.

 

[Beev]

They shouldn't have offered you anything at all because they aren't supposed to take in unopened items. Sounds like the crappy employee wanted it for himself.

 

[gothamhunter]

They shouldn't have offered you anything at all because they aren't supposed to take in unopened items. Sounds like the crappy employee wanted it for himself.

They are if it came from Gamestop originally.

 

[bobdole369]

I really wish someone would sue the shit out of Gamestop. Opening games, stealing the cd-keys (and selling them either online or trading with high school friends) and putting them in your hands is not "New". It's precisely why I refuse to buy anything but old crappy games for $5 from them. Opening the box makes it used in my eyes. I like to open shrinkwrap and they are robbing me of that experience so I have to go to another store to buy my games.

 

[Beev]

They are if it came from Gamestop originally.

How do you prove that? With a receipt? That would mean the system was purchased quite a while ago and just never opened. I mean, yeah they would probably take it, but who buys a system then doesn't use it for three+ months? I guess a gift?

 

[ramj70]

I really wish someone would sue the shit out of Gamestop. Opening games, stealing the cd-keys (and selling them either online or trading with high school friends) and putting them in your hands is not "New". It's precisely why I refuse to buy anything but old crappy games for $5 from them. Opening the box makes it used in my eyes. I like to open shrinkwrap and they are robbing me of that experience so I have to go to another store to buy my games.

Same with me, I never buy anything fro them anymore. I ordered the collectors edition Mass Effect 2 and when I wen to pick it up they claimed to have given out the PC DLC code card by mistake to the Xbox customers. I asked them to give me an Xbox code card then since the code should still work on the PC version, they refused to do that. I contacted gamestop to complain but they didn't care. They no longer have my business.

 

[gothamhunter]

How do you prove that? With a receipt? That would mean the system was purchased quite a while ago and just never opened. I mean, yeah they would probably take it, but who buys a system then doesn't use it for three+ months? I guess a gift?

Yes, with a receipt. He never mentioned how long he had it; I assumed it could have been any period of time.

 

[mizzou]

I do basically all of my shopping of games and new consoles via gamestop. Games that have been sitting in a closet for years i made some $ on. And if you time it roght you can do a trade in bonus for more $. Yeah its not alot but i walked in with enough credits to grab a new ps3.

With coupons from their rewards program, trade in values arent too shabby especially if you are like me and way too lazy to bother hastling with people on social sites for higher $ bartering.

Since im so behind on gaming, everyhing i play is used and costs around $5-$10

No other retailer im aware of has gotten me better deals for games then gamestop.

With that said, im disgusted with how they handle new games, its completely illogical

 

[austin316]

I tried to trade in my still-unopened Wii console. (White, with Wii Sports bundled.)

They apparently sell for $100 new. They offered me a grand total of, get this - $12.

Damn crooks.

These posts piss me off to no end. How in the world are they crooks? They're in the business to make money and you have NO OBLIGATION to sell to them. Is that a HUGE markup, yes! But if you don't like it and think you can get more for it on eBay or craigslist, go ahead and do that. Gamestop isn't stopping you. The reason they offer so much less is because where else can you go that will buy that unit from you right then and there? Almost no where else.

Now, back to the OP, this is some of the shadiest business practice I have ever seen! Now, I understand the issue. It would be like Blockbuster selling copies of Lord of the Rings on DVD 8 years ago and including a coupon to be able to stream the move for free from Netflix in the package. So I understand Gamestop telling Eidos/Square, that if you include that coupon, we won't purchase 500,000 copies of your game. Trust me, for that kind of money, Eidos/Square would take out the coupon. But to open the package and remove some items from the package, that is asinine.

 

[maniacalpha1-1]

Gamestop needs to be boycotted and bankrupted, that's the proper reward for tampering with packages for the purpose of removing something a buyer is entitled to receive.

 

[Dankk]

Gamestop needs to be boycotted and bankrupted, that's the proper reward for tampering with packages for the purpose of removing something a buyer is entitled to receive.

Pitchforks here! Get your torches and pitchforks here!

 

[0roo0roo]

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6wnow_zero-originality-episode-1_videogames
The original disgruntled gamestop employee take down of gamestop...done zero punctuation style.

Old but good, he lays out their sleazy business practices, and he does mention the whole open box/selling as new thing, it has been policy for a long long time apparently.

 

[Beev]

Checking out gutted games was a policy back when I worked at EB Games 7 years ago, but it was a bit better. Management had to check discs to make sure they were still mint when we brought them back, and if they weren't then said game was now ours and we had to pay for it. That doesn't justify the whole practice, but it's better than how Gamestop handles it now.

Hell, everything about EB Games was better than Gamestop. Fuck Gamestop.

 

[gothamhunter]

http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/gamestop-deus-ex-apology/

Gamestop has pulled a few things over the past few days, including the coupons from PC boxes of Deus Ex: Human Revolution and eventually the entire game itself, but now we hope it's not pulling our leg, too.

Gamestop CEO Paul Raines is emailing customers with an apology, and offers of a $50 gift card and a "buy two, get one free" deal on pre-owned purchases. Anyone who ordered Human Revolution through Gamestop simply needs to bring in the email and their store receipt or order confirmation for their consolation prizes.

Gamestop email:

"Dear GameStop customer,


Earlier this week, GameStop removed a competitor's coupon from standard edition PC versions of Deus Ex: Human Revolution, a recent release by Square Enix. We were not aware that the product box would contain this competitor's offer. We regret the events surrounding this title release and that our customers were put in the middle of this issue between GameStop and Square Enix, the publisher of this game. And for this, we are truly sorry.

For your inconvenience, we would like to offer you a free $50 GameStop gift card and a Buy 2 Get 1 Free pre-owned purchase. We want to earn back your trust and confidence in the GameStop experience. Please bring in this email and your store receipt or order confirmation from GameStop.com and present it to a Game Advisor.

Sincerely,
Paul Raines
CEO, GameStop"

 

[blackened23]

I'm somewhat confused by the outrage over this. Their reasoning seems sound - a competitors product being sold in the box? What gives? And lets face it, a lot of enthusiasts don't go to B+M stores like gamestop anyway. I'd rather get a game off of steam/amazon downloads just for the simple fact that I despise DRM that most boxed copies of PC games have.

 

[maniacalpha1-1]

I'm somewhat confused by the outrage over this. Their reasoning seems sound - a competitors product being sold in the box? What gives? And lets face it, a lot of enthusiasts don't go to B+M stores like gamestop anyway. I'd rather get a game off of steam/amazon downloads just for the simple fact that I despise DRM that most boxed copies of PC games have.

Exactly what does Gamestop have that competes with the onlive token?

Also, it doesn't matter. If they had a problem with Square Enix putting that in the box they should have resolved it with Square. Does this mean Square was putting those tokens in EVERY box sold anywhere? If so, then Gamestop is just plain wrong to take them out. By purchasing at Gamestop instead of somewhere else, you get a lesser product than everyone else who purchased elsewhere.

This logic of Gamestop's could be used to justify breaking open packages to take out just about anything. Take out the manual so you have to buy the Strategy Guide at Gamestop, etc.

 

[Beev]

Exactly what does Gamestop have that competes with the onlive token?

Gamestop owns Impulse now. Of course, it's laughable to say it competes with anything.

 

[maniacalpha1-1]

Gamestop owns Impulse now. Of course, it's laughable to say it competes with anything.

Yea. I already use steam, and am forced to use Origin, I'm sure as hell not going to add any more unless it's DAMN worth it. I don't want to have to have my games spread out across a billion digital services.