Gamestop Defends Tampering with New Deus Ex PC Release Copies

[zerosum]

Via [1up] + [Gametrailers] GameStop's Removal of Deus Ex OnLive Codes Raising Fingers

GameStop has definitely incurred the rage of the masses with its latest stunt. It admittedly opened brand-new copies of the PC version of Deus Ex: Human Revolution in order to remove the OnLive codes that were placed within the packaging. Not only is the practice of selling previously opened items as 'brand new' unethical, the legality of doing so has been called into question. GameStop is now reportedly pulling PC copies from its shelves so that they can be recalled.

GameStop views the coupon as being in direct competition to Impulse, its own digital distribution service, and has been forcibly removing the bonus item from PC versions of the game per the instruction of corporate management as seen in the image of the memo below.

Gamestop has defended its actions by posting this on their Facebook Page:

Regarding the Deus Ex OnLive Codes: GameStop’s policy is that we do not promote competitive services without a formal partnership. Square Enix packed a competitor’s coupon within the PC version of Deus Ex: Human Revolution without our prior knowledge and we did pull these coupons. While the new products may be opened, we fully guarantee the condition of the discs to be new. If you find this to not be the case, please contact the store where the game was purchased and they will further assist.

Seems like somewhat of a grey-area type situation, Gamestop attempting to defend against its competitors, but in the process conducting a faux pas with its customers.

Pulled some of the more interesting quotes from the 1up Forums:

"As a former GS Manager this is nothing new. GS pulls a lot of this and they say its cause they didn't know about what was packaged in the box. How did they know about the coupon unless someone high up opened one and saw the piece of paper. 1) It's shady to have the employees open every copy and toss the coupon out, why not make the code invalid on SE side and 2) I am one of the few that didn't like to sell open copies of games, there is always another GS within 1 mile of each other and all it takes is a few minutes to call them and ask if they have any sealed copies left, not all GS employees are useless bags just the ones that think it's cool to work for a company that sells games but then realize its ACTUALLY work not just standing around and playing. And yes i do agree its a pain when I'm asked if I want to join there card club or asked to reserve something.. If I want to then I'll say I want to don't need to ask me 100 questions or try to sway me to spend more than I want. I realize its your job but it doesn't mean you have to hound me."
-SolidSoldier

"Go buy a brand new game, open the shrink wrap, and see if they will return it. NOPE! I worked at Gamestop for a year and they constantly open new games for box purposes. It doesn't matter if the disc was never touched, by law it's no longer considered new once it has been opened. Watch Target try to sell a package of underwear that an employee opened and they just taped it."
- 6StringSamurai

[nCogNeato]

GameStop is wrong.  It's not a grey area.  And I say this knowing how popular it is to attack GameStop.  I am not one of those people.  I love my local GameStop, it's my brick-&-mortal game retailer of choice.

Forget the merchandise tampering.  If you accept GameStop's argument that Square violated some sort of promotional agreement, then this is a matter between Square and GameStop.  Customers should not be affected (or even aware) of the situation ... if GameStop ran it's business professionally.

What they should have done is pulled all products that violated this agreement from their shelves and demanded recall or compensation from Square.  Instead, they decided to involve customers in the equation by physically altering the product because they didn't want to risk losing launch sales to Target and other retailers.

Instead of handling the matter professionally directly with Square, they tried to take a shortcut.  Whatever fallout comes from this, GameStop deserves.  GameStop f*cked up.


ps.  Great article finds, Zero.

[rarewhitetrash]

I agree whole-heartedly.  I worked at a small mom and pop chain in the Southeast during college (eventually bought out by GameStop).  Anything we opened we sold as used, even if it was a new game and was the display copy for the shelf.  Our policy was only to sell that item if it was the last one in the system, and to give the used price to the customer.  I see that GameStop didn't keep that policy.

Last thing I heard, they are giving GameStop credit to those who purchased the game.  They will also not be selling the game until Square-Enix removes the coupons.

[nCogNeato]

Last thing I heard, they are giving GameStop credit to those who purchased the game.  They will also not be selling the game until Square-Enix removes the coupons.

That's good.