Gamestop employee told me: "All of the used PS3 stuff we have is stolen"

[baccusboy]

I was shopping in my local GameStop. I was in the market for a PS3 remote, and noticed that they had a "used" one for $5 cheaper which looked like new.

I asked the guy what was wrong with it, and he said, "Probably nothing. All of the used PS3 stuff we have is stolen, anyway."

I was a little surprised by this, and thought he was teasing. I had been wondering how much used PS3 merchandise on E-bay is stolen, so I discussed it further with him.

He said, "If you look at the controllers and the remote, they have no wear whatsoever. I've had my controller and remote for a short time, and the ENTER button is already wearing. This stuff was probably stolen from Wal-mart, or from somebody's house."

Interesting comments.

[matthewrounds]

I went into a GameStop a few months ago and a guy came into the store selling two Wii games, Paper Mario, and Zelda, both new in plastic. He gave some lame excuse about them being gifts and he didn't have the receipt. I thought about buying paper mario, but one of the employees paid him cash faster than I could whip out my wallet. I guess this happens a lot and the employees know it, so they are well prepared with cash just over what the trade in value would be...

[surfdude12]

great theory, pure speculation...bottom line is there is no proof any of it was stolen, all hunch. trust me, i'm former law enforcement, so used to be in the business of having to proove this stuff, so thats my perception...

[TBoneCapone]

That would explain why you are former law enforcement. This is a fact and I have personally seen this happen as well.

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by TBoneCapone

That would explain why you are former law enforcement. This is a fact and I have personally seen this happen as well.

ok Tbone, lets review the FIRST POST that I responded to. Employee said "this is stolen...because its worn" THATS IT. All i said is based on that, you cant conclude its stolen.

So you then say "I've seen it happen" and in a later post "to think it doesn't happen at all"...I NEVER SAID IT DOESNT HAPPEN, I'm just saying YOU CANT SAY A CONTROLLER IS STOLEN BECAUSE IT LOOKS NEW. If so, let me know next time you're going to gamestop and I'll watch you make citizens arrest on everyone trading in new stuff...

[baccusboy]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

ok Tbone, lets review the FIRST POST that I responded to. Employee said "this is stolen...because its worn" THATS IT. All i said is based on that, you cant conclude its stolen.

So you then say "I've seen it happen" and in a later post "to think it doesn't happen at all"...I NEVER SAID IT DOESNT HAPPEN, I'm just saying YOU CANT SAY A CONTROLLER IS STOLEN BECAUSE IT LOOKS NEW. If so, let me know next time you're going to gamestop and I'll watch you make citizens arrest on everyone trading in new stuff...

Actually, my point was that it was stolen because it wasn't worn, but turned in as used.

[Aaron]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

ok Tbone, lets review the FIRST POST that I responded to. Employee said "this is stolen...because its worn" THATS IT. All i said is based on that, you cant conclude its stolen.

So you then say "I've seen it happen" and in a later post "to think it doesn't happen at all"...I NEVER SAID IT DOESNT HAPPEN, I'm just saying YOU CANT SAY A CONTROLLER IS STOLEN BECAUSE IT LOOKS NEW. If so, let me know next time you're going to gamestop and I'll watch you make citizens arrest on everyone trading in new stuff...

Calm down, sit the next few plays out Champ.

[jermwhl]

Recieving stolen merchandise is illegal. But it is hard to prove it's stolen. Very hard!

[dhwang80]

well at my gamestop i've seen several display cases that were the hollywood video display game cases....
hmm...

[jrchisholm]

People bring stacks of the same item into Gamestops and they will only take one copy. Why would someone have a stack of the same item if they are not stolen. Of course the person just goes to the next gamestop to unload their stuff.

[Avalanche™]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

great theory, pure speculation...bottom line is there is no proof any of it was stolen, all hunch. trust me, i'm former law enforcement, so used to be in the business of having to proove this stuff, so thats my perception...

i actually work at a Gamestop and we get most PS3 stuff stolen, how do i know its stolen you may Ask?

"Hello Sir how are you doing today"

"Im ok i just wana trade in these things"

"Oh wow, ps3 controllers and PSP memory sticks"

"Ya i dont need them anymore"

"well i guess take a look around pick out what you want"

"Actually i want Cash"

"But you know you lose 20% right?"

"Hmmmmmmm.... ok i still want cash"

so yea we get many things stolen from Ps3 Controllers to PSP Memory sticks, and it doesnt help when they say "Yea im trading them in because my son was caught drinking stolen wine from the Church in school"

the guy was about 21 yrs old

[helli3yte]

Originally Posted by Destiny Is near

i actually work at a Gamestop and we get most PS3 stuff stolen, how do i know its stolen you may Ask?

"Hello Sir how are you doing today"

"Im ok i just wana trade in these things"

"Oh wow, ps3 controllers and PSP memory sticks"

"Ya i dont need them anymore"

"well i guess take a look around pick out what you want"

"Actually i want Cash"

"But you know you lose 20% right?"

"Hmmmmmmm.... ok i still want cash"

so yea we get many things stolen from Ps3 Controllers to PSP Memory sticks, and it doesnt help when they say "Yea im trading them in because my son was caught drinking stolen wine from the Church in school"

the guy was about 21 yrs old

but you have to remember the ultimate rule. "the customer IS ALWAYS RIGHT" u can swear up and down all day that its stolen but you have no authority to decide if it is or isn't, unless someone etched their name on the top in huge letters. but for the most part u have to take it and bite the bullet.

[baccusboy]

Originally Posted by Destiny Is near

i actually work at a Gamestop and we get most PS3 stuff stolen, how do i know its stolen you may Ask?

"Hello Sir how are you doing today"

"Im ok i just wana trade in these things"

"Oh wow, ps3 controllers and PSP memory sticks"

"Ya i dont need them anymore"

"well i guess take a look around pick out what you want"

"Actually i want Cash"

"But you know you lose 20% right?"

"Hmmmmmmm.... ok i still want cash"

so yea we get many things stolen from Ps3 Controllers to PSP Memory sticks, and it doesnt help when they say "Yea im trading them in because my son was caught drinking stolen wine from the Church in school"

the guy was about 21 yrs old

I don't know what it's like in all of your areas around the world, but around here, Pawn shops are watched very closely for stolen merchandise. In fact, they have to keep strict records on where they got the things, etc.

I'm beginning to wonder if this shouldn't be required of GameStop-type resale outlets as well.

[shido]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

great theory, pure speculation...bottom line is there is no proof any of it was stolen, all hunch. trust me, i'm former law enforcement, so used to be in the business of having to proove this stuff, so thats my perception...

Well, I used to work at a Kmart that happened to be right next door to a newly opened Gamestop. Apparently, one of Kmart's loss protection agents (the irony) was stealing games from the store and selling them at Gamestop. The guys at Gamestop got suspicious cause the lady was always bringing in brand new stuff, so they told our management to check up on it, and sure enough she was caught red handed. She'd take games and go in the warehouse and stuff them in a trashbag. Nobody suspected her, cause she was part of security. So yea, I'd bet this happens a lot.

[reiella]

Originally Posted by shido

Well, I used to work at a Kmart that happened to be right next door to a newly opened Gamestop. Apparently, one of Kmart's loss protection agents (the irony) was stealing games from the store and selling them at Gamestop. The guys at Gamestop got suspicious cause the lady was always bringing in brand new stuff, so they told our management to check up on it, and sure enough she was caught red handed. She'd take games and go in the warehouse and stuff them in a trashbag. Nobody suspected her, cause she was part of security. So yea, I'd bet this happens a lot.

Strange that no-one suspected them. I know in most retail, whenever there's a massive theft issue, the first group that gets investigated is inventory control.

It's stupid to steal from the company you work for though. It's really stupid, you'll get caught, you'll lose your job, and it's something that the employer can disclose for reason of termination when other employers call asking...

[shido]

Originally Posted by reiella

Strange that no-one suspected them. I know in most retail, whenever there's a massive theft issue, the first group that gets investigated is inventory control.

It's stupid to steal from the company you work for though. It's really stupid, you'll get caught, you'll lose your job, and it's something that the employer can disclose for reason of termination when other employers call asking...

I'm not sure how many games she actually stole, but I don't think it was massive enough to catch anybody's attention at Kmart. But then again, did I mention that the management team was kind of incompetent lol.

Originally Posted by Shu76

you have to learn to pace yourself

The lady probably was a drug addict and couldn't control herself. I don't know for sure, but she sure as hell looked like one to me. I'd never have hired her if I was in HR. Anyway, my friend now works at Gamestop, and he said the store has a policy of not giving cash for DVD trade-ins, because that's how a lot of crackheads get their money for drugs lol. The DVDs they trade in are also stolen, of course.

[Shu76]

Originally Posted by shido

Well, I used to work at a Kmart that happened to be right next door to a newly opened Gamestop. Apparently, one of Kmart's loss protection agents (the irony) was stealing games from the store and selling them at Gamestop. The guys at Gamestop got suspicious cause the lady was always bringing in brand new stuff, so they told our management to check up on it, and sure enough she was caught red handed. She'd take games and go in the warehouse and stuff them in a trashbag. Nobody suspected her, cause she was part of security. So yea, I'd bet this happens a lot.

you have to learn to pace yourself.

[haichuu]

Originally Posted by matthewrounds

I went into a GameStop a few months ago and a guy came into the store selling two Wii games, Paper Mario, and Zelda, both new in plastic. He gave some lame excuse about them being gifts and he didn't have the receipt. I thought about buying paper mario, but one of the employees paid him cash faster than I could whip out my wallet. I guess this happens a lot and the employees know it, so they are well prepared with cash just over what the trade in value would be...

That would actually be against store policy... well actually I guess it's a company wide policy as well as no selling of any game related materials online or identifying yourself as an employee of GS. These are all things you can be fired for (I have a good friend who works for the company)

[WickyWoo]

Anyone notice the used DVDs drying up at GS the second they stopped giving cash?

That's because virtually all of those were stolen. There was a Coconuts next to a GS in an urban area, the people would steal from there and trade it to GS for cash. They had the most unbelieveable stock of TV box sets there. All the Star Treks etc.

Most people aren't ready to part with their PS3 stuff, that's why most of it is stolen

[debo]

Originally Posted by haichuu

That would actually be against store policy... well actually I guess it's a company wide policy as well as no selling of any game related materials online or identifying yourself as an employee of GS. These are all things you can be fired for (I have a good friend who works for the company)

you think just because its against company policy it doesnt happen? i gaurantee about 90 percent of the population would go against most of their companies policies to better them selves if the right situation came up.