Wal-Mart Begins Selling Pre-owned Video Games

[PS3 News]

Today Wal-Mart has started selling pre-owned video games in many of its US retail locations.

Apparently the chain promises that each pre-owned game is polished, tested and inspected prior to its re-sale.

To quote: "US supermarket giant Wal-Mart has begun selling pre-owned games for the first time.

The ASDA parent has previously installed trade-in kiosks in its stores - a move which has been followed by the likes of Best Buy and the UK's very own GAME.

Now, however, Wal-Mart has also launched a standalone in-store pre-owned section - suggesting its kiosk experiment has been a success.

According to the firm's http://www.walmart.com/catalog/catalog.gsp?cat=1056244, each pre-owned game the grocer handles will be 'polished, tested and inspected prior to shipping'."


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[adrianc1982]

Just wanted to know what do you people think, on the publishers side they claim this is very bad business for them, only the retail store wins. On the other side you get to buy games 5-10$ cheaper (thats what ive seen correct me if im wrong). So heres the question is it really worth it? Because to me retailers come and go but publishers my friends are the people that entertain us.

Buying a used copy, probably semi scratched, and with cases somewhat used is not my idea of investment. I collect my games and they are my precious gems that I can come back and play again or just look at my collection and say man what a great game this is and they are brand new.

[kakarotoks]

hehe, I totally agree with adrianc1982, I also like to 'collect' my games, I always buy them new.. not only does it help the developers, but also, I simply cannot trust where that disc came from (who knows if the previous owner's dog peed on it or not), even if they work fine, I prefer the reliability of 'new'.

If a used game was *at least* 50% cheaper, then I might go for a used game, but for 5$, to me, paying 55$ or 60$ is pretty much the same!

[ucantcme4one2]

i love wal mart lol, i'm going tomorrow and buying some used games!

[iUnknown]

The issue with the used game market is tied with the general opinion that game prices are too high.

All this could be fixed with a few gradual evolutions to the game market, but so long as people keep buying games in growing numbers (the VG industry has continually grown year over year), publishers won't feel motivated enough to change anything.

An easy incentive would be for publishers to open their own used games sections (limited to their library). If someone like EA opened up a used VG section (accepting only EA games), they could give you credit towards other games. By the same token, they would profit off of reselling the same game, TWICE. Add in the benefit that you're encouraging your previous customers to remain loyal to your products and it seems like a no-brainer.

Ultimately, however, publishers want to eliminate any 'used' product because they'd rather sell everything new so I don't think you'll see any such thing ever happen, especially once things start to shift into the Digital Distribution realm. (Not that DD will ever take over entirely, but it will reduce the used game market)

[Mexicodude908]

This is garbage the biggest rip-off in HISTORY.. SCREW WALMART AND EVERYONE THAT BUYS USED GAMES THERE... it is stupid a pre-owned warhawk costs $20 wtf you don't save anything.

[kenshin33]

yes indeed it's a rip off. otherwise they wouldn't have joined would they? the nice thing about used games is that you can trade with other people, win win situation.

WALMART, ebgames, game stop ... to name few are screwing the customers and the publishers .... as most of the time they take the games at half the price and sell them 5-10 buck under the retail price. which results in sells loss to brand new games.

[krunchh11n]

This great that walmart has preowned games now.. both awesome and convenient too!!! =)

[mikewwfman316]

great now walmart is doing this well i hope that makes it better competition and makes places like gamestop lower there prices. I mean i looked at the site nothing that a great deal i wonder where they getting the games from?

[TMSI]

What is not available at Wal-Mart?

Rx, Some have Doctors, Food, Clothes, New and Used Games,Computers, TV's, Stereos, Camping Equipment, Soccer stuff, Auto stuff, Change you're oil and tires, Garden stuff, Seasonal Stuff, Fishing Stuff, Toy's, Office Supplies, Cosemtics, Bath Stuff, Vitaims, Weight loss, did I leave anything out?

It appears one day EVERYTHING will be available at Wal-Mart. I am just waiting for the slot machines and black jack tables to be installed.