EB Games 2nd Hand Rip Off

The opportunity to buy games second hand is often a good way to pick up a title without paying the premium of the purchase price at release. However, I think the prices of second hand games at EB are definitely out of control. As an example, Saints Row on Xbox 360 EB have listed 2nd hand for $109. This is only $10 off the RRP for the game. Oblivion on Xbox 360 they had for $44 which was only $5 off what they had the game in new condition for.

Who in their right mind pays these prices for 2nd hand games? That is just about retail extortion. Considering EB would probably give a consumer a $30 trade in on a game such as Saints Row they will then put a further 250% mark up on the second hand item. Saints Row has been on the shelves for nearly six months. How can they justify that kind of price on a 2nd hand game. The markup on the item is more than they would make on a brand new release (of which the margin is approx. 25%).

No wonder the video game industry is a little bit pissed off at the second hand games market. But I don't think they should be as pissed off as consumers who would be forced to pay that price for someone elses 2nd hand goods. Of course, EB promote the 2nd hand culture with their 7 day money back guarantee.

The only time to buy games at EB is when they have a sale on. I managed to purchase Saints Row at EB for less than half price when they had their post Christmas sale on. I was completely surprised to see that after the sale the price of the game had gone back up. I did ask the sales member why the price was so high? He said that demand had created the high price in 2nd hand games. I think he should have said, "Da man" made the high price on 2nd hand games. So that he can line his pockets.