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ARSTechnica: Nintendo undercutting Gamestop on refurbished portable hardware

Vanillalite

Ask me about the GAF Notebook
ARS Article!

Nintendo undercutting Gamestop on refurbished portable hardware
Factory-refreshed products come with one-year warranty from Nintendo.
by Kyle Orland - Apr 28 2013, 3:00pm EDT

In the market for a used portable game system? Nintendo is now willing to help you out directly, offering factory-refurbished portables through its website. The systems even come complete with the same one year warranty the company offers on new systems.

A refurbished Nintendo 3DS in Aqua Blue or Midnight Purple will run you $129.99 without a game, $40 less than the $169.99 MSRP for a new system. Nintendo is also offering the older DSi XL in either Metallic Rose or Midnight Blue for $99, $30 less than the new MSRP.

Buying direct from the console maker is a pretty good deal here. A refurbished used 3DS from Gamestop runs for $159.99, $30 more than buying direct from Nintendo. A refurbished DSi XL costs $10 less when buying from Nintendo than from Gamestop. You can find "refurbished" 3DS and DSi XL systems listed for less on sites like eBay, but the actual quality of those used products is anyone's guess. And neither of those options comes with Nintendo's standard year-long warranty.
 

Thoraxes

Member
I just noticed this the other day when there was that thread about the redesigned store.

They had some bundles there too.
 

Oppo

Member
Wow. I can't afford not to buy one!

Interesting tactic. I think Apple quietly does this too, even through eBay.
 

alr1ght

bish gets all the credit :)
A refurb 3DS is only $10 less than brand new at GS? I could see a reason to save some money on software, but saving so little on something that someone's had their grubby little hands on seems like a terrible deal.
 

b3b0p

Member
Nintendo, can you please also sell refurbished SNES, NES, Game Boy, and Nintendo 64 systems? That would help those of us who still have the carts and would like to play them on the original systems.
 

Ridley327

Member
Nintendo, can you please also sell refurbished SNES, NES, Game Boy, and Nintendo 64 systems? That would help those of us who still have the carts and would like to play them on the original systems.

I'm pretty sure Nintendo doesn't operate any facilities capable of producing parts for those anymore.
 

-MB-

Member
They should do Trade-ins, ie. Buy off your old 3DS and get a big discount on an XL and then do a system transfer for you too.
 
Why would anyone buy a refurbished system for only a $10 savings...

That's $10 freaking dollars, dude! Sure, the system's buttons could be pieces of garbage that GS didn't even both trying to fix, the screen could be scratched to hell, and there could be porn stored on it, but $10 entire dollars! You can buy Pushmo with that money!
 

Oersted

Member
That's $10 freaking dollars, dude! Sure, the system's buttons could be pieces of garbage that GS didn't even both trying to fix, the screen could be scratched to hell, and there could be porn stored on it, but $10 entire dollars! You can buy Pushmo with that money!

Âre we talking about 3D porn?
 

MisterHero

Super Member
I'm interested in knowing how Gamestop feels about this. It's not like they're in a position to complain about anyone.
 
GS refurbs are $159 because people buy it. No other reason. Competition may drive their prices lower. GameStop always has good and bad deals going on, that's how the used market works. Just be a savvy customer and take advantage of the good deals. For example, I traded in Persona 4 Golden for $30 and GTA4: CE for $21 the other day.
 

Vanillalite

Ask me about the GAF Notebook
I wonder what Nintendo's refurb quality is like

Well considering you get a full year warranty it would be worth the chance IMO. I mean you'd get a whole year in case something doesn't go your way. It's the full year warranty that makes this deal IMO.

Almost no excuse to not own a 3DS now with a deal like this.
 

Risette

A Good Citizen
Well considering you get a full year warranty it would be worth the chance IMO. I mean you'd get a whole year in case something doesn't go your way. It's the full year warranty that makes this deal IMO.

Almost no excuse to not own a 3DS now with a deal like this.
I want a DSi XL
 

jooey

The Motorcycle That Wouldn't Slow Down
Nintendo, can you please also sell refurbished SNES, NES, Game Boy, and Nintendo 64 systems? That would help those of us who still have the carts and would like to play them on the original systems.

Don't be greedy!
 
J

Jotamide

Unconfirmed Member
I saw this at the Nintendo store a while ago, didn't know the difference in price was so significant with Gamestop. Good for Ninty.
 

entremet

Member
Wow. I can't afford not to buy one!

Interesting tactic. I think Apple quietly does this too, even through eBay.

Apple's had their own refurb section in their online for years and years. Their refurb quality is excellent too and you get a warranty as well. Surprised more hardware manufacturers don't do this.
 
Really good for the consumer. Since Nintendo was losing money to used sales anyway, might as well start doing it themselves. Maybe this will make GameStop lower their used prices? Even better for the consumer.
 
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