Comparing Amazon's Used Game Trade-in Value to GameStop's

March 6, 2009

Amazon's new used game plan offers gamers a clear jump in trade value, reports What They Play.

The site analyzed a variety of games across multiple systems and concluded that gamers can get more in trades with Amazon than they do currently with GameStop.

Here's are some examples:

Nintendo Wii
GameStop
Amazon
   
Super Smash Bros. Brawl $20.00$22.00
Animal Crossing City Folk$23.00$25.50
Lego Indiana Jones  $18.00$20.00

 

Also of note, Amazon credits can be used for any product offered by the huge online retailer. GameStop credits limit traders to video games and associated merchandise.

Despite what would appear to be a competitive advantage for Amazon, GameStop CEO Dan DeMatteo told Edge Online he was unconcerned about his company's new competitor:

I give the probability of this working at zero... [We tried it...] Electronics Boutique also tried it and failed. There's no consumer acceptance. With consumers, there is an immediacy for currency when they want to buy a new game.

It didn't work for us, and I can't see it working for them.

Investors weren't so sure. News of Amazon's entry into the used game business caused GameStop stock to take a beating on Wall Street yesterday, dropping 14%.

Comments

Re: Comparing Amazon's Used Game Trade-in Value to GameStop's

Submitted by scokeny on Fri, 03/13/2009 - 05:00.

Nothing new here really.  There are already a slew of competive videogame buyers in the market that buy your games in  bulk online. Ive been selling my used games to mx123.com for years.  

In fact Amazon has been in the used game business for many years through 3rd party sellers that sell through the Amazon marketplace site.  This will effectively canibalize the commissions they collect from the third party sellers.  

Its nice to see another hat in the ring to bid up the buying prices. 

scokeny

Re: Comparing Amazon's Used Game Trade-in Value to GameStop's

Submitted by Mouspotato on Sun, 03/08/2009 - 08:16.

I like the idea of being able to buy any product with the Amazom credit. That's the only draw for me. The price difference is nothing of a factor.

I just hope this doesn't lead to the game indsutry creating those "Not for sale or Trade" retail copies. I'm no tree hugger,but it would be very wasteful and irresponsible of the game industry to create a hard copy  that effectively can only be used once,then get tossed in a corner to collect dust or get chucked in the garbage.

Re: Comparing Amazon's Used Game Trade-in Value to ...

Submitted by Shadow D. Darkman on Fri, 03/06/2009 - 22:28.

OK, with those numbers, I'm glad we got SSBB at GameStop. We saved $2.00 that got to be used other than to buy a kickass video game.

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"A Chrono Trigger is anything that unleashes its will or desire to change history!" -Gaspar

Re: Comparing Amazon's Used Game Trade-in Value to ...

Submitted by Wolvenmoon on Fri, 03/06/2009 - 18:33.

Unfortunately you can't guarentee that the game will work with amazon, unless they advertise a testing service for the games. I'd be worried about getting a disk that looked like it had been in a fight with an angry cat.

Re: Comparing Amazon's Used Game Trade-in Value to GameStop's

Submitted by Sai on Fri, 03/06/2009 - 15:29.

The fact you can use the credit toward anything on Amazon has now piqued my interest.

Re: Comparing Amazon's Used Game Trade-in Value to ...

Submitted by gamadaya on Fri, 03/06/2009 - 13:50.

I love Amazon and shop there all the time, whereas I hate Gamestop to the point that I don't even want to enter the store with my friends (who have also stopped shopping there now). I really hope Amazon's trade in business succeeds.

---------------------------------

Internet troll > internet paladin

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Re: Comparing Amazon's Used Game Trade-in Value to GameStop's

Submitted by Stealthguy on Fri, 03/06/2009 - 13:21.

Meh, I wouldn't get too greedy. You don't see gas stations undercutting each other by ten dollars do you? I'd rather see a progresive progress than no progress at all.


Re: Comparing Amazon's Used Game Trade-in Value to ...

Submitted by gamegod25 on Fri, 03/06/2009 - 11:23.

Nice poker face Gamestop but you're not fooling anybody. Time to cash in your chips, you're done.

Re: Comparing Amazon's Used Game Trade-in Value to GameStop's

Submitted by killatia on Fri, 03/06/2009 - 11:18.

If Amazon wants to seriously get into the used game biz then make the value worth more then a few dollars over Gamestop.

 

http://www.magicinkgaming.com/

http://www.magicinkgaming.com/

Re: Comparing Amazon's Used Game Trade-in Value to GameStop's

Submitted by the1jeffy on Fri, 03/06/2009 - 10:51.

To be fair, the market got hosed across the board yesterday.

~~All Knowledge is Worth Having~~

~~All Knowledge is Worth Having~~

Re: Comparing Amazon's Used Game Trade-in Value to GameStop's

Submitted by E. Zachary Knight on Fri, 03/06/2009 - 11:16.

That is the proof we need. Used game sales are destroying the economy. ;)

E. Zachary Knight
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
http://www.theeca.com/chapters_oklahoma

E. Zachary Knight
Divine Knight Gaming
OK Game Devs
Random Tower

Re: Comparing Amazon's Used Game Trade-in Value to GameStop's

Submitted by the1jeffy on Fri, 03/06/2009 - 15:58.

No, the idea that government spending can end a recession is destroying our economy.

~~All Knowledge is Worth Having~~

~~All Knowledge is Worth Having~~

Re: Comparing Amazon's Used Game Trade-in Value to ...

Submitted by Vake Xeacons on Fri, 03/06/2009 - 10:14.
Gamestop can kiss my used-game buying butt! Yes, they can be incedibly tight-assed about their used games, and that's the only reason I shop there! Now everyone else (TRU, Best Buy, etc) is getting into used games, I've got no reason to. But those numbers are way off. The most I've ever got at GS for a trade-in is $5...IN STORE CREDIT...FOR BRAND NEW!

Re: Comparing Amazon's Used Game Trade-in Value to ...

Submitted by Geoff on Fri, 03/06/2009 - 08:42.

Since Amazon is now competition, GameStop's comments are to be expected.  I wouldn't write off Amazon's trade-in policy so quickly though.

I'm not sure when EB or Gamestop tried mail trade-ins (my Google skills are lacking this morning) but depending on how long ago it may be that they were trying a model that just wasn't ready to be let loose yet.  Seeing as internet usage has done nothing but grow over the years the consumer base could be much more receptive to this kind of plan.  Also since Gamestop is now viewed as the Devil incarnate for some gamers I'd say any alternative for game trade-ins has a decent chance of success if for no other reason that it will attract these customers.

 

Tea and cake or death! Tea and cake or death! Little Red Cook-book! Little Red Cook-book!

Tea and cake or death! Tea and cake or death! Little Red Cook-book! Little Red Cook-book!

Re: Comparing Amazon's Used Game Trade-in Value to ...

Submitted by E. Zachary Knight on Fri, 03/06/2009 - 09:01.

Exactly. The market was not primed for this kind of deal back when they tried it. People were not used to buying and selling online back then as they are now.

People now are used to the idea of making a purchase today and waiting a few days to a week to get it. They will easily apply that to trading in used games.

Also, if any company can do it it would be Amazon. Back then people most likely asked themselves, "Should I mail this game to Gamestop or should I drive 15 minute sand hand it over to the store directly?" They don't have to ask that question with Amazon as they know that everything is done online and through mail order with Amazon.

E. Zachary Knight
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
http://www.theeca.com/chapters_oklahoma

E. Zachary Knight
Divine Knight Gaming
OK Game Devs
Random Tower

Re: Comparing Amazon's Used Game Trade-in Value to ...

Submitted by PHOENIXZERO on Fri, 03/06/2009 - 14:56.

Are they offering free shipping? Because that price difference is pretty much nil if you have to pay for packaging and postage to send it to them... Rather pointless, they'd have to really undercut Gamestop to even make it remotely worth it.

Re: Comparing Amazon's Used Game Trade-in Value to ...

Submitted by E. Zachary Knight on Fri, 03/06/2009 - 16:11.

Yes, Amazon offers free shipping. You have to provide your own packaging, but after filling out the online form, they give you a postage label to print out and attach to the package.

E. Zachary Knight
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
http://www.theeca.com/chapters_oklahoma

E. Zachary Knight
Divine Knight Gaming
OK Game Devs
Random Tower

Re: Comparing Amazon's Used Game Trade-in Value to ...

Submitted by Loudspeaker on Fri, 03/06/2009 - 15:22.

Is Gamestop offering free gas to drive to their store and back?

"Volume helps to get a point across but sharp teeth are better."

"Volume helps to get a point across but sharp teeth are better."
 
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