So the machine has something stuck in the slot and scratches your disk. Then it rejects it for damage and give it back to you broken. Then we have to try to explain to a machine that it damaged it... no thanks.
Wait until all your games are download only, then the debate about whether you're getting your money's worth or not will be moot. Everyone wants to complain about getting some worth back, well, soon your problems will be solved and you'll get nothing. ;)
@WhitePoop: Newsflash: As shocking as it may sound, there are parts of the world where Walmarts actually CLOSE.
...I wish I were kidding, but when I was shopping in Gatineau and heard around 4:30 that the Walmart was closing, I certainly was stunned. No 2:00 am hungover fun times at that store to say the least.
@konexile: And if you're lucky, you'll save enough money to pay for a vacation cruise on the S.S. Walmart Princess! ;)
I actually like Walmart. I buy groceries there. It's insane how much cheaper they are. I bet I save $50 a week on groceries by shopping there, which is enough to buy a new game every week!
@subnet6: Yeah, Wal-Mart gets too much unwarranted flack from Whole Foods yuppies and those expecting nothing short of absolute perfection within this singular corporate structure. I actually went grocery shopping at a Rouse's on a whim the other day and found myself spending about 50 cents to a dollar more on basic stuff like bread and meat. Tthree pounds of turkey for $21!? I could have got that plus some cheese and Cookie Crisp from Wal-Mart for about that much.
@Kobun: Unless they're planning on doing an MD5 hash check on the data on the disk itself (which even that is easily circumvented), I don't see that being a good enough security measure.
My guess at this point is that they'll have employees (or kiosk owners) daily clean out the stock in the machine and verify the integrity of the games before issuing credit.
I think I'll be sticking to gamestop. Sure most of the time you get ripped off, but they have some occasionally have some good trade-in deals toward other games.
@Rompehamster: ! got 15 +10% +10 dollars for trading in 3 games. The keys to trading in are A) get a membership, B)Print out email coupons, C)wait for special deals, D) Timing is everything.
@Ryan_Long: Thats why they will only pay you via reimbursing your credit card. If they have your credit card information and you screw them, they can get the money back pretty easily.
@Rompehamster: Considering I picked up Warhawk for $19.99 new, that's a pretty good deal. People forget that if you sell them a game that doesn't work, they have to eat the cost, meaning they're out $5 plain and simple. A new game, they can return to the manufacturer. So, GameStop has to cover their costs plus losses from defective games, then still make a profit -- then they actually have to sell the game. Ever seen how many copies of Warhawk they have stacked up on their shelves?
I wish people would try to comprehend how the business actually works ... $5 for an online only game that is in the greatest hits category isn't bad. As well, as another post mentioned, you can stack it with multiple trade in deals ...
@jayntampa: "I wish people would try to comprehend how the business actually works"
Nope, this is the internet. Understanding anything is not allowed, only bitching, whining and griefing are allowed, haven't you heard?
But seriously, my questions about this kiosk is, what's in it for Wal-Mart? If it's not store credit and the credit isn't issued immediately, what does walmart stand to gain? They MUST have something to gain or they wouldn't do it. (Not that that is a bad thing)
@styl3s: Umm ... no, I'm a property manager, I worked several Christmas' at stores, once for the discount and extra money, and another to help out a manager friend that had cancer. I haven't worked for them in years, but I do know a lot of people that do.
I also happen to have a little knowledge (graduate level, thank you) about how business and commerce works ... and I tend to think about problems rather than responding with an emotional, petulant outburst.
@subnet6: Easy, it's called customer traffic. If you add yet another feature to your store that reduces the number of different stops you need to make (in this case, game exchange), you have the ability to have sales for other items.
Hell, they've already got RedBox kiosks, this wouldn't be any different really.
I'd like to see how this actually works. How well does it check for damage? Where does it go to be sold without a case or booklet...and how does it know what game it is, scanning the top or the little barcode on the inner circle? If that is the case, how long before people start trying to print out disc art and slapping it on top of a blank CD-R?
@ReidP: I'm wondering how it can even tell if the game disc is in the box. Unless I'm missing something it seems like you could just scan a game box and drop it in empty.
@ogt462: I've left ebay behind for the fee-less and stranger meeting fun that is Craigslist. I got Fallout3 and Guide for $40. I guess I should quit while I'm ahead; I'll be the videogame l33t slaying before long.
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The field model will have a curtained-off robot-dildo stall, so Hellmart can physically as well as metaphorically fuck you in the ass.
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Yes! Promote liver disease everywhere there are vending machines!
05/18/09
Also there will be a line of idiots scanning games and inserting them slowly that will back up worse than the dvd rental kiosks at supermarkets.
bad idea.
05/18/09
05/18/09
...I wish I were kidding, but when I was shopping in Gatineau and heard around 4:30 that the Walmart was closing, I certainly was stunned. No 2:00 am hungover fun times at that store to say the least.
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I actually like Walmart. I buy groceries there. It's insane how much cheaper they are. I bet I save $50 a week on groceries by shopping there, which is enough to buy a new game every week!
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My guess at this point is that they'll have employees (or kiosk owners) daily clean out the stock in the machine and verify the integrity of the games before issuing credit.
05/18/09
05/18/09
FUCK DAT.
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05/18/09
how about just scanning the box for, like, RE5 collector's edition but then sticking in Madden '02 disc? or even a blank CD-R?
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05/18/09
I wish people would try to comprehend how the business actually works ... $5 for an online only game that is in the greatest hits category isn't bad. As well, as another post mentioned, you can stack it with multiple trade in deals ...
05/18/09
Nope, this is the internet. Understanding anything is not allowed, only bitching, whining and griefing are allowed, haven't you heard?
But seriously, my questions about this kiosk is, what's in it for Wal-Mart? If it's not store credit and the credit isn't issued immediately, what does walmart stand to gain? They MUST have something to gain or they wouldn't do it. (Not that that is a bad thing)
05/18/09
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I also happen to have a little knowledge (graduate level, thank you) about how business and commerce works ... and I tend to think about problems rather than responding with an emotional, petulant outburst.
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05/18/09
Hell, they've already got RedBox kiosks, this wouldn't be any different really.
05/19/09
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[Yeah, I'm not just the President, I'm a client too.]