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Returning a Gameshark

tejinitejini Registered User regular
edited September 2009 in Help / Advice Forum
Two days ago, I purchased a gameshark because I wanted to spice up some of my old ps2 games. Now stupid me didn't read the product reviews because if I had I would have realized that it was a piece of shit.

It turns out that the codes on the site and on the gameshark disk itself only work for the original versions of the games. For example while they do have cheats for FFX, those cheats do not work with the greatest hits version, this is due to subtle engine changes that render the codes useless. Another example is the cheats for Persona 3, they work for the regular version but not for the recent FES release.

Now I went to a gamestop near my work today in order to do an exchange, I did not expect to get my money back as I used to be a senior game advisor at GS a few years ago and knew to expect to get credit at least. Instead I was met with a clear denial despite the fact that the gameshark does not work as advertised and that madcats shows no desire to update their existing library in order to fix these problems.

In short, the device is useless to me and I would like to simply return the thing for store credit and use it buy something else from the store.

Maybe I should say that I want to put the credit towards a reserve? I do want to pick up AION when it comes out. I also realize that I would need to do this at another store.

steam.php?id=tejini&pngimg=TVsrh&tborder=0

3ds Friend Code: 1375-7311-7639
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Posts

  • EshEsh Tending bar. FFXIV. Motorcycles. Portland, ORRegistered User regular
    edited September 2009
    "Used (pre-owned) merchandise and opened new accessories may be returned for a refund within 7 days
    of purchase or exchanged for the identical item within 30 days of purchase."

    What was their reasoning for not letting you get credit?

    EDIT: What category exactly does the Gameshark fall under?

    Esh on
  • YodaTunaYodaTuna Registered User regular
    edited September 2009
    I would give everyone a fair warning when buying these things that they suck and we could only exchange for same item only. But that was awhile ago. Check your receipt, I think you should be able to return opened accessories within 7 days of purchase for a full refund. If they give you any shit just point at the receipt. If they don't help you, ask for their DM's number.

    If you don't have your receipt/original packaging, you probably aren't going to get anywhere.

    YodaTuna on
  • tejinitejini Registered User regular
    edited September 2009
    That the device was not defective, despite the fact that I was dissatisfied with the device itself.

    It's not like I wanted my money back, store credit is all I desired
    YodaTuna wrote: »
    I would give everyone a fair warning when buying these things that they suck and we could only exchange for same item only. But that was awhile ago. Check your receipt, I think you should be able to return opened accessories within 7 days of purchase for a full refund. If they give you any shit just point at the receipt. If they don't help you, ask for their DM's number.

    If you don't have your receipt/original packaging, you probably aren't going to get anywhere.

    I do have both, hell I still have the bag. I did not have time to argue with the guy as I was on my lunch break and had no time to raise hell.

    tejini on
    steam.php?id=tejini&pngimg=TVsrh&tborder=0

    3ds Friend Code: 1375-7311-7639
  • Bendery It Like BeckhamBendery It Like Beckham Hopeless Registered User regular
    edited September 2009
    tejini wrote: »
    That the device was not defective, despite the fact that I was dissatisfied with the device itself.

    It's not like I wanted my money back, store credit is all I desired
    YodaTuna wrote: »
    I would give everyone a fair warning when buying these things that they suck and we could only exchange for same item only. But that was awhile ago. Check your receipt, I think you should be able to return opened accessories within 7 days of purchase for a full refund. If they give you any shit just point at the receipt. If they don't help you, ask for their DM's number.

    If you don't have your receipt/original packaging, you probably aren't going to get anywhere.

    I do have both, hell I still have the bag. I did not have time to argue with the guy as I was on my lunch break and had no time to raise hell.

    Go back, simply inform the guy it is his companies policy and no money out of his paycheck. If he still refuses tell him to stop acting like a child or you'll be speaking with his GM about how unprofessional he is being.

    Bendery It Like Beckham on
  • tejinitejini Registered User regular
    edited September 2009
    tejini wrote: »
    That the device was not defective, despite the fact that I was dissatisfied with the device itself.

    It's not like I wanted my money back, store credit is all I desired
    YodaTuna wrote: »
    I would give everyone a fair warning when buying these things that they suck and we could only exchange for same item only. But that was awhile ago. Check your receipt, I think you should be able to return opened accessories within 7 days of purchase for a full refund. If they give you any shit just point at the receipt. If they don't help you, ask for their DM's number.

    If you don't have your receipt/original packaging, you probably aren't going to get anywhere.

    I do have both, hell I still have the bag. I did not have time to argue with the guy as I was on my lunch break and had no time to raise hell.

    Go back, simply inform the guy it is his companies policy and no money out of his paycheck. If he still refuses tell him to stop acting like a child or you'll be speaking with his GM about how unprofessional he is being.

    Chances are I'll do this at one of my two local gamestops, I know both managers and most of the employees having worked with/trained them.

    tejini on
    steam.php?id=tejini&pngimg=TVsrh&tborder=0

    3ds Friend Code: 1375-7311-7639
  • Captain VashCaptain Vash Registered User regular
    edited September 2009
    Was it new when you bought it? because I don't remember carrying used gamesharks when I managed a gamestop (thought it was over a year ago now), and if thats the case New-Opened merchandise has always been NO RETURNS, EXCHANGE FOR SAME ITEM ONLY since the dawn of time.

    Being "dissatisfied with the device" is no different than thinking that new game you bought was too hard, or not fun enough, and it does not qualify you for a refund of any kind.

    Sorry if I come off as a dick, I totally understand your position as a consumer, but as the guy behind the counter, it's extremely annoying to hear people complain about a long standing corporate policy.. and your threat to "talk to the store manager" is useless, usually they're damn good friends with the store employees, and talking to the district manager with regards to your dissatisfaction with an employee enforcing corporate policy isn't going to get you any sympathy either, there is no greater corporate sell out than the gamestop district manager.

    http://www.gamestop.com/gs/help/Returns.aspx

    second sentence:

    "We reserve the right to limit returns to unopened or defective products"

    Captain Vash on
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  • Sir CarcassSir Carcass I have been shown the end of my world Round Rock, TXRegistered User regular
    edited September 2009
    I promise you there are codes for those games out there. If you can't find specific Gameshark codes, look for Codebreaker or Pro Action Replay codes and find an online code converter.

    Sir Carcass on
  • ShadowfireShadowfire Vermont, in the middle of nowhereRegistered User regular
    edited September 2009
    Was it new when you bought it? because I don't remember carrying used gamesharks when I managed a gamestop (thought it was over a year ago now), and if thats the case New-Opened merchandise has always been NO RETURNS, EXCHANGE FOR SAME ITEM ONLY since the dawn of time.

    Being "dissatisfied with the device" is no different than thinking that new game you bought was too hard, or not fun enough, and it does not qualify you for a refund of any kind.

    Sorry if I come off as a dick, I totally understand your position as a consumer, but as the guy behind the counter, it's extremely annoying to hear people complain about a long standing corporate policy.. and your threat to "talk to the store manager" is useless, usually they're damn good friends with the store employees, and talking to the district manager with regards to your dissatisfaction with an employee enforcing corporate policy isn't going to get you any sympathy either, there is no greater corporate sell out than the gamestop district manager.

    http://www.gamestop.com/gs/help/Returns.aspx

    second sentence:

    "We reserve the right to limit returns to unopened or defective products"

    No.

    Gamestop's policy with accessories has always been "returned open or sealed, receipt required." That final line about reserving the right to limit returns? That is only there for extreme cases of return abuse.

    To the OP: Go back and talk to someone else about this. The SGA is being an unreasonable cock. If management doesn't allow the return, escalate to corporate. District managers hate nothing more than to be bothered with a customer complaint about a $20 return that should have been handled in store... they'll make sure you're taken care of.

    Shadowfire on
  • Captain VashCaptain Vash Registered User regular
    edited September 2009
    Shadowfire wrote: »
    Was it new when you bought it? because I don't remember carrying used gamesharks when I managed a gamestop (thought it was over a year ago now), and if thats the case New-Opened merchandise has always been NO RETURNS, EXCHANGE FOR SAME ITEM ONLY since the dawn of time.

    Being "dissatisfied with the device" is no different than thinking that new game you bought was too hard, or not fun enough, and it does not qualify you for a refund of any kind.

    Sorry if I come off as a dick, I totally understand your position as a consumer, but as the guy behind the counter, it's extremely annoying to hear people complain about a long standing corporate policy.. and your threat to "talk to the store manager" is useless, usually they're damn good friends with the store employees, and talking to the district manager with regards to your dissatisfaction with an employee enforcing corporate policy isn't going to get you any sympathy either, there is no greater corporate sell out than the gamestop district manager.

    http://www.gamestop.com/gs/help/Returns.aspx

    second sentence:

    "We reserve the right to limit returns to unopened or defective products"

    No.

    Gamestop's policy with accessories has always been "returned open or sealed, receipt required." That final line about reserving the right to limit returns? That is only there for extreme cases of return abuse.

    To the OP: Go back and talk to someone else about this. The SGA is being an unreasonable cock. If management doesn't allow the return, escalate to corporate. District managers hate nothing more than to be bothered with a customer complaint about a $20 return that should have been handled in store... they'll make sure you're taken care of.

    Umm.

    sure.

    Captain Vash on
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  • stawkstawk Registered User regular
    edited September 2009
    did you actually buy it at a gamestop?

    stawk on

    stawk.jpg
  • EshEsh Tending bar. FFXIV. Motorcycles. Portland, ORRegistered User regular
    edited September 2009
    stawk wrote: »
    did you actually buy it at a gamestop?

    Of course he did.

    Esh on
  • mooshoeporkmooshoepork Registered User regular
    edited September 2009
    Here in Australia there is a 7 day return policy regardless of reason. Full refund. I once returned a game because I just...didn't like it.

    mooshoepork on
  • RaneadosRaneados police apologist you shouldn't have been there, obviouslyRegistered User regular
    edited September 2009
    i bought the deadliest catch game and returned it because

    well

    because it was the deadliest catch game

    there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to return the gameshark

    Raneados on
  • Captain VashCaptain Vash Registered User regular
    edited September 2009
    Here in at least Washington state where I worked in a gamestop for 3 years, manager for 1 of those years, I can at the very least provide you with my own anecdotal evidence that returns on Gamesharks were ONLY EVER accepted for defective units, and this was not my personal policy it was policy throughout at the very least my district (and it persisted through multiple district managers) draw your own conclusions on how Gamestop corporate views the return of Gamesharks.

    and allow me to re-iterate, the threat of speaking to the store manager is a non threat to the minimum wager cleaning the shelves on any given day, even less of a threat to his boss the part time manager, and while the store's manager may give you the return (just to get you out of his hair), you stand about 50/50 chance of being told "so sad too bad" here too.

    If you actually do get ahold of the District Manager, again I'd say you have about 50% chance of being taken care of, if he's the corporate jerk most of them are he'll shoot you down as well, if he's a decent guy, he'll let you down easy but still refuse the return, if he's lazy and doesn't like the people you were dealing with he may process the return for you.

    I posted the official return policy from the gamestop website, which is more up-to-date then those little paper cards they've had on display for 100 years on the counter in the store, and everything else I'm telling is based on my experience being a member of the horrid retail team that is gamestop for no less than 3 years of my life.

    All that said, it has been my life experience that returning new, opened, software is always a bitch, and always exchange for same item only. "dissatisfaction" is not a qualifier in that arena, in a world where it's 10 kinds of easy for people to mod their system to record the entire disk to HDD and then return the retail copy, it's just not possible, in business terms, to offer returns on non-quanatative terms.

    so, you can tell me I'm wrong, I'll just tell you again, this has been my experience, and there is plenty of it

    Captain Vash on
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  • ShadowfireShadowfire Vermont, in the middle of nowhereRegistered User regular
    edited September 2009
    I'm not trying to be a dick... but the return policy linked on Gamestop's website mentions that "Opened new merchandise may be exchanged for the identical item within 30 days of purchase but, with the exception of opened new accessories, cannot be returned for a refund." This has been the policy at Gamestop for years, ever since it changed from opened software being able to be returned in 2001. As I said, if the manager doesn't allow the return, he's just being a dick, and he's violating their own policy.
    I speak as someone who was with Gamestop for 11 years, 8 of that in store management.

    Shadowfire on
  • Captain VashCaptain Vash Registered User regular
    edited September 2009
    Shadowfire wrote: »
    I'm not trying to be a dick... but the return policy linked on Gamestop's website mentions that "Opened new merchandise may be exchanged for the identical item within 30 days of purchase but, with the exception of opened new accessories, cannot be returned for a refund." This has been the policy at Gamestop for years, ever since it changed from opened software being able to be returned in 2001. As I said, if the manager doesn't allow the return, he's just being a dick, and he's violating their own policy.
    I speak as someone who was with Gamestop for 11 years, 8 of that in store management.

    In every store I've operated in Gamesharks were treated as games because they could, theoretically, be copied and returned by unscrupulous individuals.
    I'm not disputing your experience, but it's quite clearly not been the same as mine.

    to the OP: I guess the only real truth here is that the policies are going to be subjective based on who you speak with and what they've been taught by the people above or before them, best of luck.

    Captain Vash on
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