PS2 Returns

December 27, 2004 10:31 PM

Where/how can I return shrink-wrapped Playstation 2 games for store credit without a receipt? I've tried both EB Games and Toys R Us, and they both have strict receipt-only return policies.
posted by waxpancake to Shopping (12 answers total)

I would try Target or Wal-Mart. They're both pretty lax on the return policies.
posted by amandaudoff at 10:40 PM on December 27, 2004

If there are any Fry's Electronics in your area, they might be worth a shot. They're usually strict on software, but if the game's still shrink-wrapped you might have a fighting chance. It depends on the employee you get at the return counter, but nearly every Fry's employee I've dealt with is either lax or incompetent.

I know that when it comes to anything other than software, the place is practically a rental store.
posted by truex at 11:16 PM on December 27, 2004

I second Target, however, I'm told that they will put your name on a nationwide list, and if you habitually return merchandise without a receipt, they will cut you off, and you won't be able to return items even if you do have a receipt.
posted by crunchland at 11:30 PM on December 27, 2004

If there is a Nordstrom in your area, you can retrun there for store credit.

They will take anything, litterally anything back, even if they don't sell it. Best customer service I've ever experienced.
posted by efalk at 11:39 PM on December 27, 2004

Both EB Games and Toys-R-Us will accept unopened items for store credit if you don't have a receipt on the condition you purchased the items at their chain. I have been able to do so at both stores, but only EB Games recently. A word of warning, if you return an item for store credit at EB Games, no matter what happens with your next purchase, the sale is final.

During the holidays many retailers alter their return policy, but typically to make their return policy more lax, not more restrictive.

Target and Walmart both have lax return policies. GameStop will likely take your game back as well. BestBuy is a fairly safe bet with unopened items, but they have a limited return policy on video games and related equipment. Circuit City and CompUSA, on the other hand, have overly restrictive return policies and will charge you a fee to return items, though not on unopened items.

If you don't have any local alternatives, you can always try talking to different associates at the stores you've already tried or contact their online sales departments for an exchanged by mail.

Good luck. And don't abuse Nordstrom. It's partly urban legend that they will take anything back, though they do have superior customer service through and through.
posted by sequential at 12:33 AM on December 28, 2004

Wal-mart is best for this. However, they take your driver's license info and you get 3 such returns a year.
posted by hindmost at 1:18 AM on December 28, 2004

BestBuy will take stuff back if you just keep hounding them, but maybe only for store credit, depending on your hounding skillz.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 4:32 AM on December 28, 2004

I used to work at Game (which used to be owned by EB) in the UK, and my manager frequently returned unopened games at full price for store credit, reasoning that it doesn't cost the company anything, and it means that the customer will be buying something in store, so at least there's a chance of profit.

So, get friendly with the manager. Also, try smaller indie games stores.
posted by armoured-ant at 5:08 AM on December 28, 2004

If all else fails, sell them on Amazon?
posted by goethean at 8:33 AM on December 28, 2004

Best Buy will return anything without a receipt for the next 28 days or so. Tell them it was a gift and they will issue you store credit. Even better to go when it's very busy, they won't even ask questions, just try and move you through as quickly as possible. Post-Christmas all stores are instructed to be very lenient.

Two years ago at my former store someone returned a unidirectional parallel cable that we hadn't sold in at least 10 years. It scanned, and the system recognized the UPC, so it was returned.
posted by Coffeemate at 8:44 AM on December 28, 2004

Nordstrom: A friend of mine worked for them in Seattle, at a location that used to be Sears. A guy came in to return some tools that he had purchased at that location (from Sears) years ago. The return was accepted without comment.
posted by muddylemon at 12:08 PM on December 28, 2004

I returned a coat in horrible shape to Target without a receipt (the fact that it was in horrible shape was why I was returning it -- within three weeks, it had lost three buttons and developed a hole in the pocket) and they gave me store credit, so I'd support that one.
posted by dagnyscott at 7:04 AM on December 29, 2004