Why remove seal from new game?

woofercooker · 23 Dec 2013 at 19:40

TriedandTested said:
Hmm...is it Games Hamster? Seems to be on all their listings: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/The-Legen...ds-3DS-OUT-NOW-FREE-UK-DELIVERY-/261354439548

Yeah its them, instead of the original shrink rap they stuck a huge round sticker with their name on it that says trade in your games at games hamster. im hoping their sticker isn't hard to get off and makes a mess. Will have to wait until crimbo now to check if there are any codes missing, Tbh considering it says in the description the original seal has been removed and i didn't read it i won't be complaining about it but if however the codes inside are missing i certainly will be.

I just expected a 3ds game listed as new to come sealed, seems like a lot of time wasted to open up every brand new game in the shop to check the contents then stick a big games hamster sticker back on it, it may well be legitimate but the skeptical side of me thinks its a good way to sell used games as new for a higher price. just seemed a bit odd to me as ive never know any company to do this.

EDIT looking through all their other listings i think they are legit because even ps4 pre order games like tomb raider say the same thing. pretty odd if you ask me i can't see many people claiming to have games missing so much that you would think its worthwhile to open every single game. but hey fair enough, id rather a sealed game my self.

Moothead2 · 23 Dec 2013 at 19:48

They're pretty much going against eBay's rules then, if it's opened, it isn't new.

I'd recommend ShopTo for future 3DS purchases, they seem to be the best price wise and always deliver quickly.

Khrest · 23 Dec 2013 at 22:18

Bear in mind Game and CEX wont take shrink wrapped games as trade ins, but in the past they've insisted I remove the seals in the shop first. Dont know if it's anything to do with that; probably not but I thought i'd mention it.

neoglow · 23 Dec 2013 at 22:37

Depending on the item, I'd leave neutral or even negative feedback if I bought something advertised as new and sealed but discovered it wasn't upon delivery.

JBeck · 23 Dec 2013 at 22:50

At the end of the day if it isn't sealed it isn't new, simples.

What you do with that is up to you.

Coolasmoo · 23 Dec 2013 at 22:52

From their advert

Condition

New

An item that is still in its original shrink wrap from the manufacturer and the original manufacturer’s seal (if applicable) has not been removed. See the seller's listing for full details.

Like new

An item that looks like it has just been taken out of its shrink wrap. No visible wear, and the item is flawless and intact. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections.

Jase · 24 Dec 2013 at 16:53

TBH if I'd seen the seal had been removed on their advert I wouldn't have purchased it.

If they advertised it as having the seal removed to check contents and you still purchased it then that's your fault.

If you go into game, take a box off the shelf often they will take the contents out of a drawer and put it in the box.. it's at that point I'd say no thanks if you don't have a sealed one I don't want it.. I wouldn't stand there arguing that it's not new though.

JBeck · 24 Dec 2013 at 17:02

Jase said:
If they advertised it as having the seal removed to check contents and you still purchased it then that's your fault.

If sellers are removing seals to check contents then they can't list it as new.

Looking at the listing it states 'The item is new but the original shrink wrap has been removed to ensure the contents are correct before sending the item.'

Why would the contents be in doubt if it's a factory sealed game? Their reason for removing the seal is false, there is another reason or the game isn't even sealed to begin with.

Malevolence · 24 Dec 2013 at 19:07

Could it be a scam to get around refunding people? In their returns policy it states this -

(a) in the case of computer games or computer software the Products have not been unsealed, nor has any security seal been removed;

woofercooker · 24 Dec 2013 at 19:25

Certainly seems odd, is there any other company's that do this? The % of factory sealed games with the incorrect contents is so tiny it makes no sense to check every single game. I really don't know what to think but its a good way to steal codes and sell used games off as new.

sniperone · 24 Dec 2013 at 19:57

I purchased battlefield bad company 2 from gamestation a few years back and it had no disc at all inside . The shop staff tried to tell me i was a thief and its not there problem and to contact E.A . I stood my ground started an argument at which point my wife stepped in told them she was a wpc in the london met and they soon changed there tune .

AtreuS · 24 Dec 2013 at 23:12

I work in an indi games shop and we have this trouble too.

We usually have to unwrap a couple of games to put them on the shelf... while keeping the sealed ones under the counter.

Some people will refuse to buy them unless the seal is on.... most people just inspect the disc and don't care.

We have had cases where a shrink wrapped game has had no disc in, but it is a very rare thing to find.

Some people simply do not understand the fact that we have no option but to open new games and put the boxes on the shelves so we at least have some stock on the shelf and unwrapped but still new.

"no shrink wrap means 2nd hand mate!" "erm..... no"

JBeck · 25 Dec 2013 at 09:57

AtreuS said:
I work in an indi games shop and we have this trouble too.

We usually have to unwrap a couple of games to put them on the shelf... while keeping the sealed ones under the counter.

Some people will refuse to buy them unless the seal is on.... most people just inspect the disc and don't care.

We have had cases where a shrink wrapped game has had no disc in, but it is a very rare thing to find.

Some people simply do not understand the fact that we have no option but to open new games and put the boxes on the shelves so we at least have some stock on the shelf and unwrapped but still new.

"no shrink wrap means 2nd hand mate!" "erm..... no"

That's not what we're debating here, we understand that display items are empty and have to be opened, however online sellers don't have to do this.

joedeath332 · 25 Dec 2013 at 09:59

Call me suspicious but i would guess that it could be a way for a company to sell everything as new.
Example someone trades in 10 games , of them 10 games 5 are in very good condition 1 is poor and the other 4 are in excellent condition.
the 4 that are in excellent condition could be sold as new games ?? or is that just me being suspicious

AtreuS · 25 Dec 2013 at 12:11

justbeats said:
That's not what we're debating here, we understand that display items are empty and have to be opened, however online sellers don't have to do this.

Oh I know I was just saying that some customers don't like that either.... plus it is something that happens how and again, a new sealed game with no disc inside.