GameStop: iOS Trade-ins Have "Exceeded Expectations"
GameStop launched its iOS device trade-in program back in September and has since seen strong consumer enthusiasm.
According to Flurry Analytics, a total of 6.8 million iOS and Android devices were activated worldwide on Christmas Day -- that's a 353-percent increase from Christmas Day 2010. Google's Andy Rubin claims that 3.7 million Android devices were activated on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Based on those two numbers, its speculated that the total number of iOS activations on December 25 was at least 4.2 million. Needless to say, Apple saw a very lucrative holiday season.
To some degree, GameStop's holiday season in regards to iOS devices was just as lucrative. According to the retailer, the current trade-in program -- which provides up to $180 for an iPod Touch, up to $300 for an iPhone and up to $400 for an iPad -- has exceeded the company's expectations. However the drawback to this program is that iOS owners can't get cash for their used device -- they receive in-store credit instead.
"We expect to see strong post-holiday traffic as customers trade in older models that were replaced by gifts," stated GameStop president Tony Bartel without providing actual pre-Christmas trade-in unit numbers. The company expects to continue to expand the availability of GameStop refurbished devices for sale in select stores and online.
GameStop's iOS trade-in program began back in September and has since seen "strong consumer enthusiasm for the program." Naturally consumers can also purchase pre-owned iOS products like the 8 GB iPhone 3G or $149.99, the 16 GB iPhone 4 for $369.99, an original 32 GB iPad Wi-Fi only bundle for $424.99 and a 32 GB iPod Touch Gen 3 for $189.99. The 1 GB iPod Shuffle Gen 2 costs a mere $19.99.
GameStop also provides a load of Android-based tablets too like the 7-inch Acer Iconia, the Asus Eee Pad Transformer and Transformer Prime and the Samsung Galaxy Tab. As of this writing, the sub-$400 tablets are all sold out.
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How can people fall for this trap? You trade something in and they give you store credit, which you can only use to buy the over priced stuff they have. I never buy at gamestop.
I am sure Apple's legal department is watching this with itchy fingers too :-)
I don't see why this is such big news. I'm sure people trade in a lot of things at stores to get prices off playstations etc...
How can people fall for this trap? You trade something in and they give you store credit, which you can only use to buy the over priced stuff they have. I never buy at gamestop.
Paying MSRP is over-priced?
I wasn't aware Wal-Mart was selling Playstation 3's for $99.99.
Problem is that Gamestop or EB games as it's called here don't sell at MSRP .. most games are 5$ to 10$ over prices at wall mart or Bestbuy. Used stuff is sometimes sold at near new price. Realy not worth it unless you trade in many games at the same time.
I've seen a vending machine where you can put in an iPod and it gives you cash.
Maybe I'm missing some fact but how does a total of 6.8 billion activations minus 3.7 billion android activations equal 4.2 million iOS activations? 6.8 - 3.7 = 3.1 not 4.2...?
Gamestop prices suck!
Screw GameStop. Sell them your game, they give you $5 even though its a recent game. Then they go around and sell that same used game back to you for $40. Also, they always open the game for you so you never know if they are mixing used and new games because its already open!
59.99 and you find that standard? I go to superstore and all their games are 49.99, you people sure must love spending money.
tuch92. It's million, not billion. But you're right it's 3.2, not 4.2. The author can't do math.
iFanboys are clearly flamed......
It's TREASON to give up your iToy........ it's punishable by death and a $5,000 fine.....
Maybe I'm missing some fact but how does a total of 6.8 billion activations minus 3.7 billion android activations equal 4.2 million iOS activations? 6.8 - 3.7 = 3.1 not 4.2...?
Its called hiding a detail in the "facts". Read again carefully.
" a total of 6.8 million iOS and Android devices were activated worldwide on Christmas Day -- that's a 353-percent increase from Christmas Day 2010. Google's Andy Rubin claims that 3.7 million Android devices were activated on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Based on those two numbers, its speculated that the total number of iOS activations on December 25 was at least 4.2 million. "
6.8 million on christmas day(ONE day). 3.7 million android devices on christmas eve and christmas day(TWO days) The conclusion gathered in the article is based on fuzzy math, and almost completely useless as they're comparing two days to one day.
iFanboys are clearly flamed......It's TREASON to give up your iToy........ it's punishable by death and a $5,000 fine.....
Troll-bating comments are cute, troll-bating.
This article is incorrect. I work for GameStop and can verify that we do in fact give cash for iOS trades. I personally traded in a 3GS no more than two weeks ago, and received 96 dollars for it. Not the best price to be sure, but I turned around and bought an iPhone 4 new on contract for 100 smacks so I don't think the system is all that bad.
This article is incorrect. I work for GameStop and can verify that we do in fact give cash for iOS trades. I personally traded in a 3GS no more than two weeks ago, and received 96 dollars for it. Not the best price to be sure, but I turned around and bought an iPhone 4 new on contract for 100 smacks so I don't think the system is all that bad.
Probably because you work there. A non-employee-slave would most probably not be treated as you were.
They want almost new prices for their used crap.
$149 for a 8GB iPhone 3G? No thanks...
What is the deal with the math? And store-credit steal is just that, they are the ones stealing your greenbacks.
GameStop is called EB here and last time I window-shop there (1 yr ago) they don't deal in RF products, but nevertheless, store-credit is quite a thievery on their part, but you could say all kinds of business is following bankers' example on this.
They offer cash for your idevices as well. Just sold them one
$200
Probably because you work there. A non-employee-slave would most probably not be treated as you were.
I worked for EB Games back in 2005 and 2006 (back when we "merged" - aka were bought - by Gamestop) and at that time you didn't get any special treatment when trading stuff in. I'm 99% sure that's actually still the same, as I know the employees at most of my local Gamestops still.
Disagree with their practices, but you can always go to a mom and pop store to get more cash for your trades or buy a used game for cheaper - if you can find them. The selling point of Gamestop is they're probably going to have a lot more copies of Gears of War 3 used than your mom and pop shop, and while a new copy is $60 USD a used copy at $50.49 (after the Edge card discount) isn't *that* bad, online content aside.
Luckily here in America we have the freedom of choice. Don't let something? Don't shop there, or read articles about them...