Do you buy second hand games/consoles?

bluenoseam

I've only ever bought one pre-owned console (apt given the timing, it was a PS2 on the day GTA: San Andreas was released), however the caveat to that is that it was from the place I worked at the time! (Thus I knew it was tested, complete & there'd be no issue if it broke down within the warranty)

As for games, I've no problems buying pre-owned so long as I get to check the disc - which isn't usually a problem with the chains & my local indie is usually happy to oblige. PS3 discs are no problem, those things take a pounding, but it's not the first time I've been shown the Xbox disc only to find it absolutely useless. Having worked with them for many years though I know what the standards SHOULD be like & failing that I am capable enough to spot any dodgy ones & reject them.

Pre-owned's a god send, particularly if you look in the right places - wouldn't be the first time I've picked up games really cheaply in the most unlikely of places!

donnajunkie

buy second hand games occasionally. would never buy a second hand console. you dont know how old it is or how its been treated. it could go kerput within weeks.

Gordon_Hose

Had a pre-owned console for years. If you buy it from a reputable shop they'll replace it if anything goes wrong, just as if it was brand new.

frugal_mike

The only problem I have ever had with pre-owned was a DS game I bought my girlfriend from CEX. It consistently crashed at a specific point midway through the game. Didn't have the receipt anymore, so decided to sell it back to CEX. They refused to take it because it was an American copy (even though they sold it to me in the first place).

AlecEiffel

Never bought second hand console and prob never would unless it was from a friend who I knew looked after it.

As for games, I stopped when I realised that the people who traded their games in (and hence were the source of the pre-owned games I bought) were the same people who cared not a jot about their possessions.

Ripped manuals, pages folded every which way, box inlay creased to hell, discs that looked like they were used to teach the dog how to catch. And all for a quid less than a new copy.

Bought some games from eBay but stopped when some peoples definition of 'like new' started to include coffee mug rings on the manuals.

Now I buy new, usually after a game has dropped in price.

TerryMI5

I've never bought used games, something about them just doesn't appeal to me!
Most of the time a new version of the game only costs a small fraction higher so its best getting a new one to be honest!

JohnStuart_2

ITonyI wrote: »

I'd really like to know. Personally, I stopped doing so after I received a couple of dodgy discs, but that was about 8 years or so ago. Have the standards generally improved, or is it still a bit of a lottery?

I know you can save money buying (and selling) second hand games, but do they start to fail after a little while? I know I could probably find out for myself with a small investment, but I'd like to know your collective experiences, good and bad. Thanks!

No its fine. i have few discs and still working fine.

Trixie102

I have a 9 year old son so yes we buy second hand! He bought a refurbished wii from Grainger games for about £50 and still working fine. It was his money so either get that one or nothing. We also tend to buy his games second hand on regular basis as he trades his older ones in.

Saying that I do prefer to buy consoles new and no way hubby would have waited for gta v at a decent second hand price!

Trixie102

I have a 9 year old son so yes we buy second hand! He bought a refurbished wii from Grainger games for about £50 and still working fine. It was his money so either get that one or nothing. We also tend to buy his games second hand on regular basis as he trades his older ones in.

Saying that I do prefer to buy consoles new and no way hubby would have waited for gta v at a decent second hand price!:rotfl:

AlecEiffel

Was in shop the other day buying red dead redemption goty edition for £15 and a random guy next to me in the store started trying to flog to me his own used copy for a tenner. I just went with the sealed copy I could see and buy there and then.