Heads Up on EBGames Policy
Tuesday June 13, 2006
So I went into my local EBGames today, to find out if they had any used PSPs with older firmware. I've been wanting to try some of the homebrew that only runs on version 1.5, and EBGames seemed ike a good place to start looking for a machine.
I asked the guy at the counter if they had any, and he said something like, "I actually don't know what versions they are, and we're not allowed to tell you." I thought that was odd and said so, and he replied that is was because most people want them for pirating games. I felt almost like he'd accused me. It may be true that a lot -- maybe even most -- people who buy PSPs with older firmware intend to pirate games, but I don't want one for that purpose (I am, I should point out, firmly anti-pirating).
It's off to eBay, I guess, unless for some reason the other EBGames in town doesn't have the same policy. If you've had the same experience at a game store near you, or if you've had an entirely different experience, feel free to leave a comment.
Update: (June 14) I went to another EBGames today, but they had just sold their last used PSP, meaning I was unable to find out if they have the same policy as the other store of not being allowed to tell the customer what firmware versions the used machines have installed. It might be a policy specific to one store, it might be Canada-only, or it might be chain-wide.
I asked the guy at the counter if they had any, and he said something like, "I actually don't know what versions they are, and we're not allowed to tell you." I thought that was odd and said so, and he replied that is was because most people want them for pirating games. I felt almost like he'd accused me. It may be true that a lot -- maybe even most -- people who buy PSPs with older firmware intend to pirate games, but I don't want one for that purpose (I am, I should point out, firmly anti-pirating).
It's off to eBay, I guess, unless for some reason the other EBGames in town doesn't have the same policy. If you've had the same experience at a game store near you, or if you've had an entirely different experience, feel free to leave a comment.
Update: (June 14) I went to another EBGames today, but they had just sold their last used PSP, meaning I was unable to find out if they have the same policy as the other store of not being allowed to tell the customer what firmware versions the used machines have installed. It might be a policy specific to one store, it might be Canada-only, or it might be chain-wide.
Comments
I dont know really about the policy, but if it was after Gamestop took over then that is probably what the issue really is. So far gamestop has done a horrible job of taking over what was once a great store. They fired all the EB game managers and employees here in SAn Antonio. I wonder if there is an underlying reason. Maybe policies will be getting rockier. EB managers made more than gamestop managers too, so maybe they didnt want to pay that either. but instead they found lots of bogus reasons to write people up so they can fire them. My solution? BOYCOTT ALL GAMESTOP STORES!!! Get all your preorders off, and get your money back. Sell your games in yard sells, you can make more. And find all those small ones that buy and sell used games that dont have lots of business. You can get your new stuff at the same price from Best Buy, WalMart, etc. Pass it along.