Poll: Are used video game stores a failing business?

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  1. #1
    Titan Al Gorefiend's Avatar
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    Used video game stores - a fast dying business?

    I'd like to hear how used video game stores in or around your area are doing in terms of demand and customers. In my hometown, theres a single used video game store called the Play and Trade that sells some pretty bad, below quality games (an entire shelf of NBA games and TV show/movie license games) it never has any other customers when I get bored and browse the shop - sometimes hopeful they'll have a new game on their shelf, but they won't... ever.

    So you can't judge an entire business over a single shop, which is why before making this thread I visited a few other used video games stores around my area. Aesthetically and quality-wise, they're all identical sans a larger one I visited in the largest city around my area. This particular building had a lot of good used games for sale (Hits like San Andreas, Shadow of the Colossus, Super Mario Sunshine) but they also sold DvDs and trading cards on top of the games.

    According to other gamers whom I questioned regarding this subject, their answers are that used video game stores suffer whenever a new system is released because interest is lost in old gens, which makes sense. Others say a store a gamer has to physically go to and browse through games could never compete with sites like Amazon.com and Steam - which makes even more sense.

    What do you guys think? A dying business model? An off-season for used games? Super low demand?

  2. #2
    Master Scrub Club Demindar's Avatar
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    Game Stop is doing really strong still.

    However, that will probably die down quickly after Sony releases PS4 Gaikai service and as soon as Microsoft resorts back to its original plans to not allow the use of used games, or for a fee (Recently, Xbone has updated their ToS so people can not sue for any changes the make to the system, Xbox Live, or Hardware/ Software changes.)


    For those wondering about the Microsoft ToU:

    10. BINDING ARBITRATION AND CLASS ACTION WAIVER IF YOU LIVE IN THE UNITED STATES

    This section applies to any dispute EXCEPT IT DOESN'T INCLUDE A DISPUTE RELATING TO THE ENFORCEMENT OR VALIDITY OF YOUR, MICROSOFT’S, OR EITHER OF OUR LICENSORS’ INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS. The term “dispute” means any dispute, action, or other controversy between you and Microsoft concerning the services (including their price) or this agreement, whether in contract, warranty, tort, statute, regulation, ordinance, or any other legal or equitable basis. “Dispute” will be given the broadest possible meaning allowable under law.
    Source: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...ices-agreement

    The above makes it nearly impossible to sue microsoft for ANY changes. On any of their products. Including the Xbox One. And we know how happy MS was to not allowed used games on their console. The only reason they did it is because the realized how bad PS4 was beating them in the race and they needed to change it.

    Honestly wouldnt be surprised if they wait 2-3 years when everyone has one, and hte slams them all with the original design plans.
    Last edited by Demindar; 2014-01-27 at 03:39 PM.

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    I guess demand is lower atm because of the xbox one and ps4

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    Titan Al Gorefiend's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Demindar View Post
    Game Stop is doing really strong still.

    However, that will probably die down quickly after Sony releases PS4 Gaikai service and as soon as Microsoft resorts back to its original plans to not allow the use of used games, or for a fee (Recently, Xbone has updated their ToS so people can not sue for any changes the make to the system, Xbox Live, or Hardware/ Software changes.)
    Does Game Stop really qualify for a used video game store? I had thought it was Game Stop that sold the newest titles the day they release. I know they have used games there, but it'd be hard to determine how many used games they actually sell Vs. New games. The majority customer base is probably for new games, which is why I didn't include it in my search across my area for used video game stores.

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    Master Scrub Club Demindar's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Humbugged View Post
    Does Game Stop really qualify for a used video game store? I had thought it was Game Stop that sold the newest titles the day they release. I know they have used games there, but it'd be hard to determine how many used games they actually sell Vs. New games. The majority customer base is probably for new games, which is why I didn't include it in my search across my area for used video game stores.

    I formally worked at Game Stop for 4 years. Its classified as a used Game Store. And you would be surprised. Used Games make more money then the new games do. New games have a high profit margin at release, but about 2-3 months after that, people start buying used more then new, assuming we have it used.

  6. #6
    Quote Originally Posted by Demindar View Post
    Game Stop is doing really strong still.
    The two Gamestops near me have completely phased out their used PC games and have a much smaller selection of used console games than several years ago. They do however have a large selection of used movie DVDs.

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    Herald of the Titans Achaman's Avatar
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    no..

    store called gameover in my city still has old atari systems etc

    we bought a "new" snes just to play dkc 1,2,3 but after trying it she couldnt get into it anymore and so the snes just sits there collecting dust next to my 360

    plus we originally got it because the games would wipe all save data after pressing reset too often when it refused to work which we now know its the games that are broke and not the system..

  8. #8
    There's a place called eStarland near me that's still doing fantastic. They also have imported consoles / games and arcade cabinets for sale though. Also lots of collectibles from overseas.

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  9. #9
    Quote Originally Posted by Demindar View Post
    I formally worked at Game Stop for 4 years. Its classified as a used Game Store. And you would be surprised. Used Games make more money then the new games do.
    I'm not surprised by this. Take them a used game and see how much they give you for it versus what they sell it for on the shelf. Last time I was there they were offering me on average about 10% of what they resold the games for. That's an incredible margin.

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    Master Scrub Club Demindar's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Once View Post
    The two Gamestops near me have completely phased out their used PC games and have a much smaller selection of used console games than several years ago. They do however have a large selection of used movie DVDs.
    Your Game Stop might be a special case (or hell, maybe mine is). But very few Gamestop stores will buy DVDs now. And yes, is true. A lot of Gamestops dont sell PC games anymore, and if they do its very few. But you can't blame them, theres no market for it. PC uses Serial Codes that can only be registered once. So you really cant have a used PC game for sale.

  11. #11
    I am Murloc!
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    The used video games is still a very profitable business at the moment and the foreseeable future, the next gen is here, and both allow for used game be played on them.

    That being said, i wouldn't invest in that business just yet, because i can see it dying within the decade. we are moving toward digital distribution and connected game. It almost happened in this generation that one console wouldn't allow used game, the probability next gen would block used game is high too.

    Meanwhile, developer will find novel way to keep you from reselling your game. DLC, online requirements, ...
    Assuming SteamBoxes wouldn't change the way we view living room gaming forever. I don't know if those steam boxes can succeed or not, but they do have potential to change console gaming dramatically, or it would be a gigantic waste of time and money.

  12. #12
    Thank luck i live in Europe and no such binding law exists. Our psychology here is that a game is no other different than a table, or a chair. You buy it, you own it, you can do whatever the hell with it (within reasons, of course), sell it if you wish to.
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  13. #13
    It's a very specific branch. Here, they seem to do ok, we have 3 in a rather small town, though 1 closed recently. The other two ALSO sell new games though, but they focus on selling old games also. Shops mostly focused on selling new dvds and stuff often also buy used and sell used. Often, they also sell trading cards and tabletops.

    Also, in Japan there were SO many of those stores with SO many games, in Tokyo anyway, it was amazing, I spent an entire day just browsing old stuff and buying SNES games.

  14. #14
    Master Scrub Club Demindar's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Vankrys View Post
    The used video games is still a very profitable business at the moment and the foreseeable future, the next gen is here, and both allow for used game be played on them.

    PS4 allows used games, but its Gaikai service will greatly affect used game stores.

    Xbone allows used games....for now. As I stated above, they change their TOU allowing them to revert back to their original intentions and design plans without you being able to sue or do anything about it.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Deepsidedj View Post
    Thank luck i live in Europe and no such binding law exists. Our psychology here is that a game is no other different than a table, or a chair. You buy it, you own it, you can do whatever the hell with it (within reasons, of course), sell it if you wish to.
    not sure about it. obviously, we can sell used console games, just like in the US, but i am unaware being able to sell used licences (such as steam or origin) or game account (such as battle.net). european law does not seems so different than us law on that matter. But i am no specialist.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by Demindar View Post
    PS4 allows used games, but its Gaikai service will greatly affect used game stores.

    Xbone allows used games....for now. As I stated above, they change their TOU allowing them to revert back to their original intentions and design plans without you being able to sue or do anything about it.
    you are right, that's why i wouldn't invest a cent on used game store right now.

  16. #16
    Used PC games store I would take as in process of extinction.
    Used console games store? Nah, there are a bunch of ways to reinvent themselves, yet.

  17. #17
    Last time I went into gamestop (more than a year ago, mind you) the used games were outrageously expensive. The cheapest used game I saw was roughly 50% of the price of a new game, but most were 75% or more. If I'm going to drop $30-$50 on a game, why not just get a new one that I know is functional, is brand new with no scratches, and has some kind of protection via refund from the store if it stops working. I feel like 'used game' stores will soon turn into video game antique stores that sells old games for Atari, NES, SNES, Dreamcast, N64, PS, ect... without keeping stock of any kind of new games.

    And I get that maybe someone might have $40 to spend on themselves, but not quite have access to the $60 for a new game, but that doesn't seem to be the case a lot of the time. I don't think there are enough people like that to keep used game stores alive.

  18. #18
    Epic! Bristae's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Achaman View Post
    no..

    store called gameover in my city still has old atari systems etc

    we bought a "new" snes just to play dkc 1,2,3 but after trying it she couldnt get into it anymore and so the snes just sits there collecting dust next to my 360

    plus we originally got it because the games would wipe all save data after pressing reset too often when it refused to work which we now know its the games that are broke and not the system..
    Open the cartridge and change the battery... NES and SNES carts had watch batteries that saved game info in a RAM chip because flash memory wasn't around yet

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by Demindar View Post
    PS4 allows used games, but its Gaikai service will greatly affect used game stores.

    Xbone allows used games....for now. As I stated above, they change their TOU allowing them to revert back to their original intentions and design plans without you being able to sue or do anything about it.
    I think your tinfoil hat is on too tight.... Microsoft has already tested their own version of "Gaikai" that uses Azure Server technology. Back in November they were able to stream Halo 4 to both PCs, tablets, and Windows Phones. Xbox One will have the same stuff by the end of the year too.

    And if you think Sony is not capable of making changes or taking away features then "OtherOS" says Hi!
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  19. #19
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    I buy almost all 2nd hand games from ebay for pennies so my shops not going anywhere..

    Tho most of these places deserve to go bust with the overcharging they do with 2nd hand games and new releases. £10-£15 more for a new game in a dedicated gaming shop compared to Asda or Tesco? BS.

  20. #20
    Quote Originally Posted by Humbugged View Post
    Does Game Stop really qualify for a used video game store? I had thought it was Game Stop that sold the newest titles the day they release. I know they have used games there, but it'd be hard to determine how many used games they actually sell Vs. New games. The majority customer base is probably for new games, which is why I didn't include it in my search across my area for used video game stores.
    Game Stop is special but they are a used game store. Special thing they do is trade-in. Buy one game for like 60$, play it and a week later or two when you finished the game trade it in and get a new game for an additional 10$ or a used game for an additional 5$. This way they have lots and lots of used new games that are sometimes only a day old and sell it for a discounted price like 55$.

    That way you can play a lot of games without having lots of money if you plan to play every game only for a couple of days.

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