Best Buy Considers Entering The Used Game Market

If you want to trade in your games now, your options are fairly limited. But Best Buy wants to change all that.

In addition to the corporate rumors that Best Buy may be interested in purchasing GameStop, another interesting tidbit has arisen out of this discussion. According to The Wall Street Journal, Best Buy CFO Ryan Robinson stated that his company hasn't tapped into the used game market, and this is definitely holding them back. Robinson calls used games a "very margin-rich portion" of the market and said there's "opportunity in that business." They may embark on this endeavor rather than attempting to acquire GameStop because as BloggingStocks.com points out, Best Buy would need $4.2 billion to make the purchase and they quite simply don't have that kind of cash. They also wouldn't see a return on that investment "any time soon," so perhaps Best Buy is better off simply taking a cue from the competition. There's no secret that GameStop has profited greatly from used game sales, although publishers aren't too happy about the practice. Sell it once, everyone gets the rewards; sell it more than once, only GameStop benefits.

But that's why Best Buy wants in, of course. So don't be surprised if you suddenly see a trade-in policy for video games at your local store.

9/22/2009 10:41:12 AM Ben Dutka

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Comments (43 posts)

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Milo
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 @ 11:03:35 AM
Reply

Its true indeed that game stop prifits GREATLY, perhaps a little too much. But im seeing this as a good thing, if best buy do go into the used games business, gamestop will have some competition. Perhaps better deals will arise...Lets all cross our fingers @(^__^)@

Last edited by Milo on 9/22/2009 11:04:12 AM

10 up, 0 down

Zorigo
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 @ 11:06:41 AM
Reply

i opened this, then realised, why do i care. england frnakly sucks on good deals. its either over priced at game, or some good deals kinda late at play. :/
yeah, we've got it great. :S

1 up, 0 down

Nickjcal
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 @ 11:13:41 AM
Reply

I dont think i would like it if Best Buy bought out gamestop. I would like to see best buy use used game deals that would be a huge plus for best buy. Used games is great though. Usually at the end of september i trade in almost all my 2008 games which is about 8-9 games and gamestop usually has a add like trade in 4 games and get an extra 20.00 so with 8 games im getting like 200.00 in credit towards new games.

1 up, 0 down

Milo
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 @ 11:22:43 AM

if you are not going to play a game anymore you shouldn't wait so long to sell, the value decreases and you will be loosing money.

5 up, 0 down

Qwarktast1c
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 @ 11:21:44 AM
Reply

best buy usually has good selection, but sometimes their organizing scheme sucks

1 up, 0 down

BTNwarrior
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 @ 11:23:00 AM
Reply

if they want to compete with gamestop than they need to start having better pre-order incentives and more midnight launches

3 up, 0 down

Gabriel013
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 @ 11:30:47 AM
Reply

I think this is a good idea though I do believe they are a little late to the game.

I can see the 2nd hand market gradually shrink over the coming years due to both the availablilty of dlc and a growth in the download only market.

They should have made this move in the late 90's.

0 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 @ 11:49:06 AM
Reply

I don't see how this could be a bad idea, GameStop is pure evil in my opinion. Its frustrating to hear about others exchanging their expensive games in there for 20 dollars off a new game, ect. I frequent Ebay where the games flourish and the prices are consistently lower than any store.

7 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 @ 1:23:54 PM

Tell me about it. I traded Resistance and got $8 bucks for. I paid $30 a week before. Never again will I be suckered like that.

1 up, 0 down

Wage SLAVES
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 @ 2:08:12 PM

That (Ebay) is more acceptable to me...its individuals dealing with individuals. Not a Huge business that seems bent on destroying the industry.

Last edited by Wage SLAVES on 9/22/2009 2:08:30 PM

0 up, 0 down

kreate
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 @ 6:42:48 PM

gamestop may be evil. but nothing beats that buy 2 get 1 free (used games) + 10% off with the edge card at a single go.

jawknee got $8 dollar for resistance? man.. i only got $3 bucks =(

after i saw the receipt where it said the $3 dollar. i wanted it back.

Last edited by kreate on 9/22/2009 6:43:24 PM

1 up, 0 down

Alienange
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 @ 12:27:50 PM
Reply

Hey Best Buy! Just do it yourself and put those clowns out of business.

3 up, 0 down

G8GTdriver
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 @ 12:36:44 PM
Reply

Adding competition to the used game market can only be good for consumers, so bring it on for those who trade games. I don't buy/play enough games to warrant trading them in IMO. I buy a limited number of games and usually play them until they are next to worthless to trade in. I'd rather keep an old game on the chance of going back and playing through it someday than get a tiny portion of what I paid back.

1 up, 0 down

BigBoss4ever
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 @ 1:14:47 PM
Reply

the best way to cash out your games (if you want) is to sell privately, trade in does not earn you lots of credits. the buyer gets the benefit either way.

p.s. true gamers and collectors do not sell their games unless there is a upgrade, i.e. LBP to LBP game of the year, GOW1,2 to GOW collector bluray.. :D

2 up, 0 down

Metallisnake
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 @ 1:46:03 PM

I agree with u 100%

0 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 @ 1:52:22 PM

Even true gamers make the mistake of buying a piece of sh** from time to time, are you suggesting I keep that piece of sh** for eternity?

1 up, 0 down

johnld
Wednesday, September 23, 2009 @ 1:39:01 AM

@limited

hahaha, i held on to haze and people say its crap. I find it decent enough to hold on to. I do have a bunch of games i dont play anymore like assassin's creed or virtua fighter 5. Its not like im not trading them in because i like them, i just dont like the feeling of being screwed by gamestop. I remember asking them how much Marvel vs. Capcom 2 would get me just to check. Told me 30 bucks while a copy they're selling is 70 or so bucks. when you can see it like that in their store, i would feel like a dumbass if i traded in any games.

1 up, 0 down

Imagi
Wednesday, September 23, 2009 @ 9:20:51 AM

I still have lots of old games from my Atari and Amiga, all they do is eat into my storage space as they gather dust, true gamer or not, I should have sold them years ago. I predict they will continue to gather dust and remain unused until they end up in the bin when I die or some time before then.

1 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Wednesday, September 23, 2009 @ 9:22:53 AM

I hear you John, I've found Ebay to be a tremendous outlet when I find myself with a game I no longer want. I can still remember when I bought Rogue Galaxy and just couldn't get into the game. I ended up selling it on Ebay 3 months after buying it at full price at GameStop. Thanks to Ebay it only ended up costing me 8 dollars to play the game for 3 months. Had I returned the game to GameStop they surely would of given me a worse deal as they've attempted to do to me throughout the years.

1 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 @ 1:19:19 PM
Reply

I'd like to see some one give Gamestop and their ilk a reason to compete for our business. But Best Buy needs to sit down an figure out if they are going to price below Gamestop or just above. Best Buy is supposed to mean the best buy. They have a hush hush policy that states they will match or beat any competitors prices if you ask them to price match but everytime I ask customer service the managers throw a fit if they actually have to match it. Best Buy over prices many of their movies and cd's and they hate it when they actually have to price match.

Last edited by Jawknee on 9/22/2009 1:22:35 PM

1 up, 0 down

Metallisnake
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 @ 1:44:23 PM
Reply

Ooo no this crap again first is disney buying marvel for the same price of 4 billion and now best buy might wanna buy gamestop for a used game profits......idk they could pull it off.......of topic since disney bought marvel next kingdom hearts 3 worse battle ever hulk vs sephiroth lmao I know I'm gonna get like infinite thumbs down lmao

3 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 @ 1:53:13 PM

No thumbs down from me, I see the potential here for a massload of new content.

1 up, 1 down

Wage SLAVES
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 @ 2:04:53 PM
Reply

Damn, I see it like Best Buy and GameSTOP are two f*ckin huge killer whales and the Devs are the dead seal being tossed around between them. Everyone wins but the seal...

Last edited by Wage SLAVES on 9/22/2009 2:05:32 PM

1 up, 0 down

RustEDalex
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 @ 2:06:52 PM
Reply

last time I bought a new game from gamestop they told me they had a used one is stock wich was cheaper, so I got it. thats when when I realize they make more money from selling it used rather then new

4 up, 0 down

mexgeo86
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 @ 2:45:46 PM

just like the car dealers

1 up, 0 down

therabbitkinge
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 @ 2:58:21 PM
Reply

Just like the cash in my pocket these games come and go I trade and buy when a game is old and I want a new one, its not like its an investment in my future its a short piece of entertainment and I just trade up when a better game (not just a sequel) comes out. I know that devs are pissed at the traders out there but hey same way your titles need to meet a budget so do our wallets, sorry for the hit devs but we've all gotta make ends meet ^_^

0 up, 0 down

Deleted User
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 @ 3:25:36 PM
Reply

What I do when I buy USED in Gamestop.. I'll pick up let's say Guitar Hero 5 for $54.99 used. The receipt says you can return your used (pre owned) game in 7 days. To me, that's cheaper than renting. When my 7 days are up.. I return Guitar Hero 5 and am refunded every penny. Been doing this for awhile xD

The best buy thing.. if 54.99 used in Gamestop for a "latest" it'll be quite difficult to drop that. Maybe 51.99 for best buy. But how much will we get for trade ins????

1 up, 0 down

Sithis
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 @ 4:16:38 PM
Reply

Where I live... I trade my games for 500 rupees, meaning 6 or 7 USD. It all depends on the game's release date and rating... New games can be traded with new games, and oldies with old...

0 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 @ 6:28:33 PM

How's the weather in Hyrule? ;)

1 up, 0 down

Highlander
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 @ 7:00:11 PM
Reply

I think this is a poor idea. Best buy isn't a thrift store. Nor is it GameStop populated by GameJerks.

Used games distort the games market and cost developers, publishers and console manufacturers revenue that they can ill afford.

1 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 @ 9:45:44 PM

GameStop is my Auschwitz.

1 up, 0 down

Milo
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 @ 10:59:06 PM

yes it might cause them money, but at least consumers will be happy to some extend.

0 up, 0 down

Metal Head
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 @ 7:05:52 PM
Reply

Used games are rarely in one piece, so I wait for the price to drop and get it new. I only buy games that appeal to me and not because it gets good reviews.

0 up, 0 down

Sithis
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 @ 7:39:45 PM
Reply

How's the weather in Hyrule? ;)

?

0 up, 0 down

isaya85
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 @ 8:20:09 PM
Reply

If they have better bargains than gamestop then I'm all for it I'm tired of getting jipped

0 up, 0 down

frostface
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 @ 8:58:58 PM
Reply

Game wanted to give me 1euro for NFS:Pro Street, I went and looked on the shelf and they had another copy of it out for 19euro...thats a huge profit! No way was I trading in for that, rather keep it and let it collect dust then bend over for Game!

0 up, 0 down

fluffer nutter
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 @ 11:53:12 PM
Reply

Don't forget that Toys R Us now take used games nationally (in the U.S.).

0 up, 0 down

therabbitkinge
Wednesday, September 23, 2009 @ 1:25:29 AM
Reply

I've been hearing the same crap everywhere I go "why be so cheap and by used games anyway" and its getting on my damned nerves, look eventually devs are going to find a way to get in on used games and in the meantime don't rag on gamers who buy used! Its legit we like to save money! Who the fuck doesn't??? I just hate when people act like they have it all figured out and jump on a hate bandwagon, so put your fingers down and let me and my gaming recycling go!

0 up, 0 down

fluffer nutter
Wednesday, September 23, 2009 @ 2:27:43 AM

Tell us how you really feel. LOL

0 up, 0 down

___________
Wednesday, September 23, 2009 @ 3:08:31 AM
Reply

you think thats bad.
i bought fear 2 for 120 AUD EB has a policy return in 7 days for full refund.
so on the 6th day i rang eb and said look i have to work is it ok i bring it on sunday (the 8th day) and the guy said thats fine as long as its this store just mention you spoke to me.
so i did and they would not accept it, i could only trade it in and guess how much they gave me.
40 bucks.
40 friggin bucks and guess how much their charging for it used.
110.
absolute rip off, there making a 70 dollar profit.
this is exactly why i refuse to trade in games or buy them used.
i would rather hurt myself than feed those greedy bastards

1 up, 0 down

___________
Wednesday, September 23, 2009 @ 7:24:56 AM
Reply

check out this site http://www.psbeyond.com/features/Tokyo-Games-Show-2009.1199.html
according to them twisted metal will be at TGS this year.
i find that hard to believe since david said hes game wont be announced till E3 2010 at the earliest, but hey anything can happen.
real or typo?

0 up, 0 down

Imagi
Wednesday, September 23, 2009 @ 9:26:44 AM
Reply

The silver lining to this story is that it will piss bobby kotick off :)

0 up, 0 down

Highlander
Wednesday, September 23, 2009 @ 10:42:04 AM

Sony making a profit will do that.

0 up, 0 down

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