Used Game System rip-offs

Kilarney

Can someone explain something to me? I'm tempted to get a DS Lite system. I went to EBGames.com to check out prices, games etc. A new system is $129. A used, refurbished system is $119. Huh???? Why would anyone purchase the refurb for only $10 less???? Does that make any sense??!!?! To make matters worse, the refurb system may not include a box and instruction manual.

Does anyone know how much EBGames would have paid for that used system? Seems to me like it's a total scam.

Apreche

It is a scam. EB/Gamestop makes most of their money in the used game business. Kids, teens and poor people who don't have a lot of money sell back used games and systems to the store in order to get new games and systems. This allows them to keep up with the latest games despite low incomes. In turn, the store sells those used systems back to people like me for less than the cost of the same thing new, but much more than they paid for it.

It's pretty typical for the store to buy a used game for $5 and sell it for $20. New games have such low margins for retailers that over-ordering just a few too many copies for the shelf can eliminate profit. Without used games, you can't profit with a store that deals only in games. Notice how other game-selling places like Best Buy don't do the used games thing.

The worst part is that the store knows which games are rare, and which ones are not. If someone sells them a copy of say, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, they will try to get it as cheaply as possible from the person because they can sell it on the shelf for $50+ used. The same goes for games like Phoenix Wright. If you sell your games on eBay, you won't get ripped because you didn't know your game was rare.

My advice is this: If you have extra video games that you want to turn into cash, eBay is your friend. You will usually get more than the game store will give you, even after the eBay fee. You just have to put forth a little more effort. If you are looking to buy games, the used prices are pretty much the same everywhere. Most used GameCube games average $15-$20 on eBay and in the store. New games are $40 or $50, so buy used whenever possible and from wherever the price is lowest.

Rym

The best way to save money is simply to trade/share games within your social circles. Scott and I never both buy a non-multicart game: we play and swap. It would be silly for both of us to have bought Phoenix Wright or Kirby, and we end up spending half as much on games as we otherwise would.