Game Trade-ins at Gamestop ; worth bothering?

[Squirrelypaws]

Well, I've solved my 3DS vs. 2DS dilemma; my aunt was able to pick me up a 3DS XL on sale at Target.  But now I'm faced with another dilemma. I have no money left after getting the system, and you know, I gotta have at least one game that's actually meant for the 3DS!

I'm thinking my best bet is to sell off some of my current games, but I'm debating between selling them myself or using Gamestop's trade-in option.

I'm expecting to meet up with my aunt and get the system either on or the day after Christmas, and I'd like to have a game ready to go when I get the system. So time-wise, trading in at Gamestop seems to be the better option.

But then, the estimates I was getting from their site seemed like a bit of a rip-off to me. I mean, obviously, they need to make a profit and won't give you the same price they'd sell for, but still, $12 for Pokemon Diamond seems a bit low-ball to me. And that's if the actual store even offers that much.

Has anyone ever used Gamestop's trade-in option before? Did you feel they were giving you a fair price for your games? Do they give you the option to decline their offer?

[Bergamot]

They'll give you $12 for Pokémon Diamond? That's... surprisingly not bad. It's nearly an 8-year-old game, isn't it?

I've never sold back to Gamestop before, but that's mostly because we have a more local chain (Bull Moose) that is typically more generous with their trade-in offers... or at least, I let myself think that! (Store credit at Bull Moose is also cooler to me because they sell movies and whatnot.)

If you go it alone and sell items on eBay, keep in mind that both eBay -and- PayPal will take cuts of your profits. It might actually be more beneficial to work with Gamestop. It sure is easier, anyway!

[Shimmer Mist]

I don't ever trade in games to gamestop (because I keep what I buy since I'm not a big gamer) But I do know a tad bit about it. Generally, yeah, it is a rip off. Unless the game is like brand spanking new AND popular you're not going to get much for it, especially if it's not the most current generation of video gaming systems. Typically you can get more store credit if you trade in bulk and you do get a bit more credit if you have their member's card. pro-members get a bit more too. Pro membership seems like a bit of a rip-off, too. x-x Pay them a wad of money a year to get maybe 2-5 dollars knocked off of a used/new game. x-x  It's an okay "Gotta have it right now" if you're trading in a lot of stuff with a console but otherwise I'd steer clear of it. It IS a rip-off. It's also a decent option if you don't have the time or means to sell the games individually, either.

[TwistedRiver]

You will get more for a trade in than if you wanted cash. And its been years since I've done it but as far as I remember you can say thanks but no thanks if they give you an offer that you don't care for.
Think of it kind of like taking offers on a pony you're interested in selling (for lack of better example) people can offer anything but you are not required to accept the ones that you don't think are fair prices.
Really though, sadly, 12 $ is probably a great deal as far as Diamond goes, which is sad because it's the game that got me back into Pokemon after not playing since I finished Yellow way back in the day.
There are a lot of downloadable games for the 3DS too some of which are kinda independent titles that can be quite cheap and still a lot of fun.
So if you have a credit card or point card you can get something from the eshop for a lot cheaper than the "big name" games.

[kaoskat]

Hubby doesn't really like trading in because he says you don't really get even close to the value of the games.

[brittney_rochelle]

I work there lol. It honestly depends on what you are trading in. There is a trade in value thingy on our website. The stores HAVE TO give you the price you are quoted online, if your games are not damaged and you go within 24 hours of using the website.
You get more in-store credit than cash but if you are buying a used game it works out. Do any of your friends have a power up pro card (silver)? That will give you a bonus and discount.

It is not a "rip off" if you are a constant customer. GameStop doesn't really cater it's membership to casual gamers. We base our entire stock off what we call "the circle of life": buy, trade, used.

People complain about trade in value, but it's supply and demand...individual stores don't set prices, big wigs in Texas do. People also forget that we can't give what we sell for. Profit must be made to pay employees

If you choose not to trade things in, that's fine. Just don't go in and tell the worker that they are ripping you off or anything like that. It hurts MY feelings and I try to explain that I don't set prices. People come in very upset all the time that nba 2k14 is pretty much sales tax as far as trade in. I try to explain to rightly upset customers that the game tanked and no one wants it, thus our trade in value is $4ish. Pokemon however, is always higher. SoulSilver/HeartGold is $30 on a good day and we sell it for $50. I mean....people just generally don't want to listen.


Bottom line, if you are looking to buy a game in the store, trading in is best. Use the website to check prices.


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[Squirrelypaws]

Thanks, Brittney. ^_^ That helps a lot, hearing from a Gamestop employee. I hope I didn't come across like I was bashing the store, that certainly wasn't my intention!

It's good to hear that the site estimates are good for 24 hours and that the store meets the site estimate. That gives you the option to decide whether you want to bother with the game before even getting to the store, and also to compare whether you could do better selling it yourself.

It's also good to know that you can choose to take or leave the offer, if for some reason it doesn't match up with what you got on the site. Don't worry, I'd definitely not be rude in regards to passing on the trade-in offer; I hate people like that!

I did see that the website listed higher prices for trade-in vs. cash, but it mentioned something about the quoted price being for pro members or whatever... If I'm quoted a price on the website for a trade-in, and I'm not a member/can't use a friend's membership, would I still get the price I was quoted on the site?

[MilkyTaroMochi]

I would assume that you wouldn't be able to get the pro-member quote, unless you were one or was able to use a friend's account.

What you could do is compare the different price quotes for GameStop to how much the game is going for on eBay and decide for yourself. I do think that , like britney_rochelle said, if you plan on buying a game AT GameStop, then trade-ins aren't that bad, but if you wanted it in cash, you may be better off trying to sell them online.

I personally just sell my games online via eBay, although it has been a long time since I've done it.

[Aitsuki]

In my experience, not really.... I've been offered five cents for a game I saw being sold for $15 on the used rack next to the counter....

[brittney_rochelle]

Thanks, Brittney. ^_^ That helps a lot, hearing from a Gamestop employee. I hope I didn't come across like I was bashing the store, that certainly wasn't my intention!

It's good to hear that the site estimates are good for 24 hours and that the store meets the site estimate. That gives you the option to decide whether you want to bother with the game before even getting to the store, and also to compare whether you could do better selling it yourself.

It's also good to know that you can choose to take or leave the offer, if for some reason it doesn't match up with what you got on the site. Don't worry, I'd definitely not be rude in regards to passing on the trade-in offer; I hate people like that!

I did see that the website listed higher prices for trade-in vs. cash, but it mentioned something about the quoted price being for pro members or whatever... If I'm quoted a price on the website for a trade-in, and I'm not a member/can't use a friend's membership, would I still get the price I was quoted on the site?

Oh no not at all. It was more of a general statement. Some people are just not kind. Its that time of year where you see both sides of the spectrum. I have some people come in and not get what they were expecting, apologized for not taking the trade and left nicely. Then just a few hours later, I had an arsehat freak out on me and tried to say that I was underhanding him. All we do is scan the barcode into the trade page or type the title in.... :/   Sooooome people haha

As far as the quote, it shows both. I'll snag a photo.

visitors can't see pics , please register or login

If you aren't a pro member/have a friend that is, you would get the price on the BOTTOM. For this game in particular, you would get $17.60 cash, $22 in store credit.

Here's the link to the trade value page: https://www.gamestop.com/trade

[rosierjay]

pokemon is the only game with decent trade ins, but still if you can sell them online you'll get a much better price.
7$ for black and white vs 25 on either Craigs list or ebay.
sometime the selling at half price books is better on video games than gamestop.
i don't trade in my games unless i just want to get rid of them or they have the double credit days.

[Leave a Whisper]

game stop gives you great deals when ya wanna buy but when ya wanna sell? don't bother you'll get better cash on some website or even a garage sale. I've never traded so I dunno if that's worth it. maybe you could offer to trade some games with others on a gaming forum or something?

[melodys_angel]

I was going ot say, unless its something popular, its generally not worth it--but the above posts pretty much sum it up

I tend to keep my games but we used to be huge eb games/gamestop customers so its nice when the employees actually know you (not that they can do anything price wise, just makes the environment friendlier)

[Squirrelypaws]

Thanks so much for the input, everybody. ^_^

I probably won't be able to get to Gamestop for a few days, so in the meantime, I listed the games I want to part with in my Arena sales thread. If there's no bites here by the time I can get to Gamestop, I'll probably go ahead and do a trade-in.