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Legalities of Rewrapped Games?

Posted by Cliff on from the shady-store-behavior dept.

TheQuantumShift asks: "I'm part of a small video game retail franchise, and as such deal with corporate competition on a daily basis. Usually this is not a problem as we undersell the big corporate chains most of the time. One thing that really bothers us is the fact that these stores take opened, clearly used games, re-shrinkwrap them and sell them as new. One customer opened a shrink wrapped 'new' GBA game, only to find the previous owners receipt. Ex-Employees have confirmed the practice. This seems a little more than dishonest, and we would like to get them called on it. The trouble is, we have no idea where or who to start with. And exactly what proof we should have ready. We've been toying with the idea of contacting Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, etc... directly, but I believe this isn't the way to go. As long as these big corps order tens of thousands of systems and titles, is Sony really going to care? Any insights would be much appreciated." Caveat, Consumer.

1 of 59 comments (clear)

  1. All that, and more... by ThePurpleBuffalo · · Score: 5, Informative
    I worked for 1.5 years as a till-monkey at a big chain. We were allowed to buy the games, play them for a night or two, and return them for full refund. We were asked not to scratch anything, and to make sure that everything was included.

    I once sold a joystick box to a customer... no joystick... it had been "forgotten". And yes, the box had been shrinkwrapped. Customer came back the next day for an exchange.

    While working there, I was taught techniques to removing the adhesive "seal" that the manufacturers put on computer games and DVDs so that it could be re-applied. "Good as new."

    I'd wager a guess that this is fairly common. Where exactly does it say that you're buying new merchandise? It doesn't. Learn to tell the difference between a commercial shrinkwrap job, and a $6/hour-I-hate-my-life shrinkwrap job.

    Commercial plastic wrap tends to crinkle. It often has crisp folds. There is often a thicker piece of plastic - a tab - to help you unwrap the rest of the plastic.

    Back room (underhanded) shrinkwrap is soft to the touch. There are no folds (they shrink when heat is applied). There will be seems along at least two sides.

    Next time you go to a DVD store, have a look at the different plastic wrappings. You'll see what I mean.

    Beware TPB