If you live in Dallas or Austin, Texas and want a new place to deposit your used games, Best Buy will soon be an option. The retailer has announced plans to dip their toes into the used games business again by removing humans from the equation. You simply deposit the game into the Best Buy kiosks, which scans the disc to ensure it's operational before it spits out a gift card that can be used at the store immediately.
"We’re excited about this test, especially because we know how deeply passionate our customers and our employees are about gaming, movies and entertainment overall," said Best Buy chief marketing office Barry Judge on his blog. "And the trade-in and used value propositions will give those passionate customers even more choice and value at Best Buy."
In addition to providing customers with a new outlet to get rid of their used games, Best Buy will also be selling used games at these stores, as well. Some kiosks may even have the ability to rent movies or games to customers, but Judge didn't specify how widespread this option would be, even in the small area being selected for the test.
The nearest GameStop to my apartment is about as close as the nearest Best Buy, so the real incentive for me would be better deals in trade-in prices. Whether that happens, especially since I'm nowhere near Texas, is going to take some time. Any TheFeed readers near these locations?
Comments
Displaying 1–19 of 19
duhreetoh
I live in Dallas! Oh boy!!!
djowalsen
I live in Austin and I've got some PS3 games I could part with...
Infamous_Bizarro
better than gamestop! we know! but i live next to dallas, live in Fort Worth
tailsjacks
wounder if they buy older xbox games
Infamous_Bizarro
Yeah Texas Rules! but too damn hot in Texas.
longhornmoreau
Good news for Austin. The whole green city thing gets expensive...
Tjoeb123
Aw, what about Georgia?
h4x121
I really hope this spreads, it would gamestop some competition in the used game market. And hopefully either lower prices of used games or increase trade in value.
StrongestSaiyan
I'm hopeful for this. Best Buy is big enough that they could potentially wrangle with Gamestop and get Gamestop to offer better trade in value. Currently, the big thing that prevents me from buying at Best Buy is that I have to buy new and can't trade. Fortunately, I have 3 game stores in my area, one being Gamestop and 2 are small local stores. The really big appeal of trading in at Best Buy would probably be that you don't have to use your trades for games or movies, you can use them on other products too.
StrongestSaiyan
The one real negative point is that it is currently only for in store credit. It's true that every store offers a bit more for credit than cash since they know you'll buy from them, but not having the option could hurt.
IcemanMX
How is the Dallas/Austin area a suitable test market for this? Don't get me wrong; I love Texas just as much as the next red-necked, oversized-belt-buckled American, but what happens if this concept simply fails in that area? Why doesn't Best Buy roll out with a multiple (but limited) marketing test area for this in five major metropolitan cities like, say... oh, I don't know... L.A., New York, Chicago, Miami... and Dallas?
-M
Smartguy81
@iceman
I'm sure the area was picked over those other areas since it isn't as crowded. The larger populations will give you an over representation of the services popularity.
Fiddytree
If best buy offers even decent trade in value, I'd much rather drive the extra mile or two rather than go to gamestop and trade in 5 games for 6 bucks
Korzo
I'm surprised seeing as how we're expecting a digital revolution within the next couple of years. I really can't see this going over to well anyways, Gamestop is renown as the used game store and I don't think anyone is going to successfully take that title away from them
Smartguy81
@korzo
the fact that bestbuy store credit allows you to purchase items besides video game related items is a big thing. it can go towards ram, laptop bag, bluray box set, etc. it pretty much guarantees bestbuy a sale if you trade something in. i doubt they seriously ever sell used games though. i bet they will turn around and sell their used games to places like gamestop and amazon
1mikeg
Looking forward to spoofing the kiosk! Now I just have to think of way not to look conspicuous carrying in a huge sack of burned games.
ProjektX13
i live in san antonio
LeDeadite
Have You Checked Out Goozex.com? I Hated Getting Squat For My Trade-Ins At Gamestop So I Started Traded/Selling On Craigslist Then I Came Upon Goozex.com. Great Trade In Value And Quick Shipping.
robertfuqua
According to an e-mail from Best Buy, there are three in Fort Worth near me that are going to have the game-trading kiosks. Here I was worried Dallas and Austin were going to have all the fun.
(Hulen, Ridgmar, and Quebec if anyone from Ft Worth cares.)
Displaying 1–19 of 19
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