[dropcap size=small]I[/dropcap]f you have ever been to a GameStop before, it is likely you are one of the many consumers/gamers/parents who felt like they got screwed out of the value for their trade-ins. I’ve felt this way myself almost every time, always wondering why my 6-month-old games weren’t worth more than the price of a can of Pepsi. But with nowhere else to trade-in old games, we really don’t have a whole lot of choice. GameStop has received a lot of static in the past for offering value significantly lower than market price in order to maintain a high profit. Now, many users are buying games in digital downloads or renting them from GameFly among other means.
Well, according to sources close to Kotaku, GameStop is claiming that nearly 2/3 of its customers don’t understand what the term “trade-in” actually means. So, like any business looking to fix this, it is about ready to make a change for the better.
Starting August 18 of this year, GameStop is planning to innovate their trade-in program, and cut away a variety of in-store offers that have allegedly done nothing more than confuse customers. In addition to this, the sources are also claiming that GameStop will be offering a bit more than the norm, hoping to attract and appease new and returning customer demographics.
Kotaku reached out to GameStop for comment and received the following statement:
“GameStop made the decision to simplify the trade-in pricing structure that is part of our buy-sell-trade program based on positive feedback we have received from customers and store managers,” said Jason Cochran, senior vice president, pre-owned business. “We anticipate this change to be well-received by our customers as they experience the added value we are now offering them for their pre-owned video game and consumer electronic products.”
“Last year, GameStop issued over $1.2 billion of trade credits with more than 70% of that applied to the purchase of new products,” said Cochran. “We want to provide our customers the best value for their trade and we believe customers will be pleased with this new simplified pricing.”
One thing is for sure, it is about time GameStop made a change. For more information and details on the report, check out Kotaku or just ask the guy behind the counter offering you $4.07 and a backhanded compliment for Watch_Dogs at your local GameStop outlet.
