Well actually they're still making money or breaking even, you have to preorder the game, that money is in the system they gain interest on it while it sits there, the game comes out it sucks you return it and they let you buy a better game (probably going to be used which they usually buy for 25% to 50% of the price you see on the box) and they still make money.

Hey thats what I do with all my games I buy one return within 7 days at EB games exchange for next game. Repeat process. You get to play alot of games providing the staff do not seem to mind ,lol. Free rental in a sense.

Gamestop lets you trade back in used games after a week for the full price, but they don't let you trade in new games to do the same. But this is only a pre-order offer, not if you go and buy the game.

So if you pre-order it, you can take it back, but not if you just buy it. And it's only Gamestop. I'm sure they'll be selling Haze at your local Best Buy/Kmart/Walmart/Circuit City/etc.

I think it's Gamestops way of trying to get people to buy more at their store, since their used game business is what makes them most of their $.

EB game stores in Australia have a 7 day game trial period and you have up to 7 days to return game, either exchange for another game or get refund.

Gamestop is only doing this to line their own pockets, since first, they make money off of your "reserve", when your money is sitting in the bank, and most of their profit comes from selling used games.

This is a despicable practice, and makes Gamestop look that much worse in my eyes.

Doesn't it still count as a sale?

Giving back store credit means that it's still sold in the eyes of the manufacturer who get their money from the retailer. It's just a loss of the retailers side.

It's not really a loss for the retailer. Since they are giving away store credit they still made the money.

 EX.

You buy Haze, then return it in 7 days. You get $60 store credit. You buy another game. They put Haze for sale used for $55. No loss for them. 

Most retail return policies are generous, because they are good customer service. They most basically secure consumer confidence and retention. That said most exploitable return policies are exploited by a small minority of consumers. The majority of consumers do not abuse the system. Basically it makes consumers more comfortable with the decision to preorder this title since they will have a safety line. This might be in response to a very week preorder presence on this particular title.

To round it out no they will not lose money on this since the majority of consumers will not abuse it or forget they even have the option. They will have good public relations from it, and they encourage consumers to preorder through them.

By the way most retailers have a protection policy in place for consumers that are exploiting return policies. The fine print gives them the right to refuse service to any consumer that is manipulating their systems. For instance if you use their store as a short term rental service at their expense then eventually a cunning manager will close the door down on you. Will refuse preorders and refuse sales. That is within their rights.

I have actually seen many stores do this I have even seen them pull out the camera for the snap shot, and xerox out the picture that says do not sell to this person. So it really isn't in your interest to abuse excessively.

EB games stores have crap staff who know nothing about games.

 If I ran a video games store I would only employ staff who knew about the games and could give people informed decisions about consoles/  recommended games to suit customers needs. Customer satisfaction is the most important thing in running a successful store and you can ensure your sales will increase and more people will come to your store.