Do you buy second hand games/consoles?

A question about : Do you buy second hand games/consoles?

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!

Best answers:

• My PS3 console is 2nd hand.
  I often buy pre-owned games also. If they have a new realease game alongside the same game, but pre-owned, I'll almost always opt of the pre-owned version. Even to save a paultry Ј2!
  I've never had a pre-owned game "fail" on me before though.
• I don't have a Blockbuster near me, I usually shop in Game for pre-owned. They check all their discs, and even offer a disc cleaning/polishing service.
• I wouldn't personally buy second hand consoles but I have brought secondhand games, mainly older or rare games I didn't get when they came out, I only buy mint or near mint condition games when I can, boxed with all paperwork as I'm a collector. I get a few of them from GAME, mostly from Amazon or eBay and have had quite a few bargains on very rare or older games.
  Only ever had a problem once, I brought a hard to find (not released in Europe) DS game from eBay from an English seller with good feedback, it was supposed to be new and sealed but unfortunately when it arrived it was a fake copy. A good copy, even had a (fake) printed booklet and a DS box (albeit the wrong type of DS box for that game) and it was plastic wrapped (not in official Nintendo sealed wrap though), but had all the telltale signs of being a fake on the cartridge. Unfortunately DS games are very easy to make copies of but can easily be spotted if you know what to look out for. Still I got a full refund and managed to buy a genuine new and sealed copy from Amazon, amazingly for near enough the same price.
• Yes I always buy second hand games, apart from the odd new release that I just cant wait for, like GTA5, the assassins creed games, and games i get for xmas and birthdays.
  Never had an issue with any game I have bought second hand, from shops and ebay, and I always sell/trade games I have not played for a while apart from those I can see have longevity like skyrim, Fable and similar.
• Yep I get second hand games - usually from CEX. If it doesn't work I take it back and they sort it Only happened once (ages ago with a PS2 game) and had no problems since.
• I don't like CEX, they always smell funny.
• No, I don't.
• I've never bought a second hand console, but that's mostly due to having found a better deal new. I considered buying a second hand xbox 360 and would have done so had it not been for the RROD. I'd be happy to buy a used console though.
  I buy almost all my games used and never had any problems, plus I've found some amazingly good bargains. Not all used games are going to be perfect, but if it's from a shop you can always take it back or online you can send it back if it doesn't work. I've bought used games that look in better condition than some new games I've bought.
• I'm not against it but I normally don't. With most games I wait until the new price has gone down to Ј20 or so before I buy it and only buy the odd game at full price on release. Usually if I buy a pre-owned game it's because I couldn't find a new copy anywhere.
• I've never bought a second-hand console but have bought plenty of second-hand games. If I do buy second-hand it's from shops so I can return it if need be.
  I did just pick up the Devil May Cry HD editions for Ј12 to keep me busy while OH is on Total War II...
  ...and I'm trying to resist downloading FFVII, FFVIII, Alundra and SH1 to play after I finish DMC...
  HBS x
• I never buy second hand consoles but I used to buy second hand games until (similar to OP) I received a couple of unplayable discs and the shop refused to swop them. Now I stick to new games only
• I have had a pre-owned console, but it was bought for me. If I had my choice it'd always be new. With games I almost always buy new, unless it is one that I can only find second-hand.
• To date I havent bought a second hand console, id rather buy new so I can be sure it is new and not been tampered with etc. Second hand games on the other hand are a different kettle of fish and haven't had an issue with any game ive bought SH from Game. You can get some decent bargains buying SH. I did use to buy alot of games brand new as soon as released or soon after and I ended up with alot of games I hadn't touched so I sold them and now will only buy maybe 1 or 2 brand new games a year and if I see 1 thats got good reviews then ill get it second hand.
• When I used to regularly buy games, I'd generally either get a great 'supermarket price war day of release deal - sadly almost non-existant' or wait for prices to come down. I've never had a problem buying second hand though - especially from ebay and high street stores. I find high street stores sometimes have an advantage as you can check the disc at the till and get them to repair if necessary.
  I'd never consider a second hand console however.
• My original 360 was bought new I guess about 6 or 7 years ago. It died after about 3 years (rrod), so I replaced it with a second hand console that is still working perfectly. As for games, I buy whatever is cheapest. Sometimes that means second hand, but often new games are cheaper if the prices of the new games drop. Also Amazon usually offer free postage on new games which sometimes makes them cheaper than second hand games that do charge for postage.