Street-date breaking questions and general discussion (legal only!)

[Overtaken]

So, I am an employee of a 'major retailer', and I am considering breaking street date if possible, but there are a number of questions on my mind. Important note: this thread is not for promoting theft of any sort. I have no intentions to not pay, in full, the price of the game. I only intend on doing this if I determine it would be possible to do without breaking actual federal, state or local laws. Store policy is another matter, though I certainly would like to minimize or eliminate the possibility getting caught or losing my job, naturally.

Now, as an employee with allowed/open access to our back-stock of video games that come in, I can think of a couple ways of going about this. We have a self-check out, which helps tremendously.

I'll have to figure this out for sure when I next go into work, but there is a good chance the registers are programmed to lock out sales of a scanned item before its street-date. This is where the legality comes into question. I would have to ticket switch (for an item of identical price!), and I'm only reading mixed claims about whether it constitutes a type of theft. I'd like a source of some sort that has a clear answer. Obviously, we are talking about same-priced items, subject to the same tax and such, and has nothing to do with bypassing other laws like age-restriction. I've also heard about the 'fining' system with businesses that break street date, but this is purely a private system and only really occurs when done on a large scale (i.e. a business consistently puts products out for public sale, as opposed to the occasional individual employee scanning an item out) But basically, if I ticket switch a same-priced item, and no laws or restrictions are otherwise violated, is this legal theft?

Other than the legal questions, do you guys have any plans or strategies or helpful information? Breaking street date general.

 

[nyttyn]

It's a really, really bad idea?

It more than likely goes against your company's rules, and if you get caught you will be, at the very LEAST, fired. Beyond that, you are also likely to be subjected to a lawsuit, depending on the terms of your contract.

Just don't do it, getting fired and a potential lawsuit are not worth getting a game literally only six days early.

 

[ミスティック Speed]

Ooooohhh....

 

[Ehn Jolly]

It's a really, really bad idea?

It more than likely goes against your company's rules, and if you get caught you will be, at the very LEAST, fired. Beyond that, you are also likely to be subjected to a lawsuit, depending on the terms of your contract.

Just don't do it, getting fired and a potential lawsuit are not worth getting a game literally only six days early.

Ooooohhh....

The two sides of smashboards...

 

[ミスティック Speed]

The two sides of smashboards...

 

[UltimateXsniper]

It is a bad thing to do really. You could get fired for it since it is against company rules. There can be more trouble. Sure, it can make someone happy to get the game early at their local store, chances are, more people will complain how they get the game early while other stores still follow the date. Overall it's not worth it.

I've bought a popular game that was out in a store before it officially releases, but then again, I've never seen the person who sold it to me again.

 

[Overtaken]

It's a really, really bad idea?

It more than likely goes against your company's rules, and if you get caught you will be, at the very LEAST, fired. Beyond that, you are also likely to be subjected to a lawsuit, depending on the terms of your contract.

Like I said, only doing this if I'm certain I wouldn't get caught, and I'd have a line of cards to play in the very unlikely event (for instance, I could play stupid). I'm going to see who is going to be working that department the morning of and would be stocking it, possibly talk to them. Still weighing the options.

Just don't do it, getting fired and a potential lawsuit are

They'll be bringing no lawsuits against me, I promise.

not worth getting a game literally only six days early.

Blasphemy!

 

[mochiasta]

hey, mr.game & watch, I don't think it would be worth it. Until release day, the servers are only up in japan therefore making any online related gameplay probably go slow. Waste of time and too much of a risk. We can all be happy together when we all play together

 

[hotdogturtle]

Like I said, only doing this if I'm certain I wouldn't get caught

Then it's a good thing that you posted this on a public forum with thousands of viewers.

 

[Ridleyisforever]

Does this store have lot's of cameras? If someone else that work's there notices you on camera you could be fired. If this is just some lousy job that you want to quit soon go ahead and do it. Is this more of a intern job or full-time job?

Have you tried asking anyone that works there if it would be okay to get a copy early? I know someone that works at my GameStop who got Dark Souls 2 a week early because his boss told him it would be alright.

 

[Overtaken]

Then it's a good thing that you posted this on a public forum with thousands of viewers.

Yeah, I done goofed. They'll back-trace my a**

 

[Overtaken]

Does this store have lot's of cameras? If someone else that work's there notices you on camera you could be fired. If this is just some lousy job that you want to quit soon go ahead and do it. Is this more of a intern job or full-time job?

They do but they have literally zero intent and initiative on camera-hunting for actual thefts much less ticket swaps.

Have you tried asking anyone that works there if it would be okay to get a copy early? I know someone that works at my GameStop who got Dark Souls 2 a week early because his boss told him it would be alright.

I'm considering it depending on who is working that morning. It also depends on if the registers lock it out. But it's risky, because if I start asking people I'll draw attention to myself and I don't want to ask the wrong person and blow my chances outright.

 

[Captain Norris]

Like I said, only doing this if I'm certain I wouldn't get caught, and I'd have a line of cards to play in the very unlikely event (for instance, I could play stupid). I'm going to see who is going to be working that department the morning of and would be stocking it, possibly talk to them. Still weighing the options.



They'll be bringing no lawsuits against me, I promise.



Blasphemy!

You know, now that you have said all of this, everything on this thread would be against you playing stupid, since this would all be direct proof of you breaking the street date.

 

[ミスティック Speed]

They do but they have literally zero intent and initiative on camera-hunting for actual thefts much less ticket swaps.



I'm considering it depending on who is working that morning. It also depends on if the registers lock it out. But it's risky, because if I start asking people I'll draw attention to myself and I don't want to ask the wrong person and blow my chances outright.

I'll pay you an extra $10 if you mail it to me. You break the rules, I get the game....it works!
Also, you make some profit! :3

 

[Cactusblah]

Do you already have the game in stock? I could probably get my hands on a copy if retailers already have them.

 

[Overtaken]

You know, now that you have said all of this, everything on this thread would be against you playing stupid, since this would all be direct proof of you breaking the street date.

Who am I?

Do you already have the game in stock? I could probably get my hands on a copy if retailers already have them.

I don't believe so, I took a gander earlier and didn't see it. Will probably in within the next few days.

 

[ミスティック Speed]

Plz sell me itttt.....

Edit: You know what? On second though...the shipping will probably take longer then the actual release date.
...nvm.

 

[TearsforFears]

That messes up inventory! When your computer shows you have one Smash Bros. left and you don't that's going to be really annoying if someone is trying to find it for a customer.

 

[Overtaken]

That messes up inventory! When your computer shows you have one Smash Bros. left and you don't that's going to be really annoying if someone is trying to find it for a customer.

It'll be caught and fixed in an inventory check/audit long before it gets to that point.

 

[Overtaken]

Double post? All I did was edit my last post and it posted it as a new post.

 

[Captain Norris]

Who am I?



I don't believe so, I took a gander earlier and didn't see it. Will probably in within the next few days.

I never said that I knew you. But if someone else on here knows you in real life, or if one at the store somehow knew you were plotting this on here, you would be in a load of mess.
I do not understand how the positives of breaking the street date could out weigh the negatives.

 

[TearsforFears]

Really? I figure Smash Bros. will be a fairly popular game. If it doesn't sell out right away sure it will be caught in the audit but then your store get's audited for the game!! The fact that it's missing reflects poorly on your store. At the end of the day it is just "one" game but still the fact that you have to be so sketchy about means it's probably not a good idea.

 

[Eternal phoenix Fire]

Y'all some narcs.

If you feel like you are capable of doing it , then by all means, go for it. I mean the game was leaked all over the net before it was released and the information embargo is over, so an early release really won't affect anything.

I got Marvel vs Capcom 3 a week before it was released, and some did earlier. I got Super Smash Bros Brawl a week and a half earlier, and Super Street Fighter 4 was being sold a week early at Walmart--Walmart! One of the biggest conglomerates in the United States without even seeing any sort if law suit.

If you feel like you can net additional revenue off of the game by selling it early then I honestly see no problem as long as your books check out and anyone who has requested a preorder can receive their copy.

 

[Overtaken]

Really? I figure Smash Bros. will be a fairly popular game. If it doesn't sell out right away sure it will be caught in the audit but then your store get's audited for the game!! The fact that it's missing reflects poorly on your store. At the end of the day it is just "one" game but still the fact that you have to be so sketchy about means it's probably not a good idea.

They'd also see that they were +1 on some other item of the same price. As long as it all balances out in the end and no large-scale street-date/ticket swapping scandal is going on, they will not care in the slightest. Remember, 'major retailer'.

I never said that I knew you. But if someone else on here knows you in real life, or if one at the store somehow knew you were plotting this on here, you would be in a load of mess.
I do not understand how the positives of breaking the street date could out weigh the negatives.

There is like two people I know in real life who faintly are aware that I post here, neither of them are users, neither are in any connection or communication with my employer, and neither of them would sell me out even if both of those were true of them. Unless they find out someone ticket swapped or scanned an item before street date and had some FBI scale man-hunt for the culprit, they are not going to connect me to the non-crime.

 

[nyttyn]

Like I said, only doing this if I'm certain I wouldn't get caught, and I'd have a line of cards to play in the very unlikely event (for instance, I could play stupid).

Take a moment to analyse the risk:reward benefit man.

Risk: If you get caught (and don't say it won't happen, famous last words of legends and not-so-legends alike), you have a very high chance of losing your job (and don't assume you can get bailed out either, because if you aren't, you're up **** creek without a paddle). This will have lasting ramifications both on your short-term (loss of job), as well as long-term consequences (would you give a good recommendation for the man who cost your company a lot of money by breaking street date?)

Reward: You get a video game, at the very least (since you mentioned that it has yet to arrive) four days early (no post on sundays).

Seriously, it's not worth it. Regardless of how unlikely or likely the worst case scenario is, if it happens, you are screwed.

 

[Rich Homie Quan]

Not worth it in all honesty. Besides the general paranoia that you probably don't want to suffer through, your employer might take you up Ina civil suit. At minimum they'd probably fire you if you got caught.

As a smash, it would be dope if the date was broken. But as a person, I'd feel so ****ty if we influenced you to do so and something bad happened.

So nah, bro. Nah.

 

[Eternal phoenix Fire]

I don't see why anyone would want to snitch either. You are smugglin' drugs, you're selling a game a bit earlier than normal. I would consider anyone who is willing to do that to be a real homie.

I dunno man, I'm used to this **** though. My mom and pop store does this all the time and never get in trouble for it. I wonder why...

 

[Rich Homie Quan]

Y'all some narcs.

If you feel like you are capable of doing it , then by all means, go for it. I mean the game was leaked all over the net before it was released and the information embargo is over, so an early release really won't affect anything.

I got Marvel vs Capcom 3 a week before it was released, and some did earlier. I got Super Smash Bros Brawl a week and a half earlier, and Super Street Fighter 4 was being sold a week early at Walmart--Walmart! One of the biggest conglomerates in the United States without even seeing any sort if law suit.

If you feel like you can net additional revenue off of the game by selling it early then I honestly see no problem as long as your books check out and anyone who has requested a preorder can receive their copy.

My bro, you gotta lowkey hook me up with these 1-week-before-release exclusives. I'd have gone nuts if I got brawl a week and a half ahead of time.

 

[GammaBoltz]

Wouldn't it be possible to 'pre-order' it? Drop the 40 bucks and get your copy early.

 

[Eternal phoenix Fire]

My bro, you gotta lowkey hook me up with these 1-week-before-release exclusives. I'd have gone nuts if I got brawl a week and a half ahead of time.

Yo I got you, I just keep my investments on the dl but I'll keep you posted.

 

[Overtaken]

Take a moment to analyse the risk:reward benefit man.

Risk: If you get caught (and don't say it won't happen, famous last words of legends and not-so-legends alike), you have a very high chance of losing your job (and don't assume you can get bailed out either, because if you aren't, you're up **** creek without a paddle). This will have lasting ramifications both on your short-term (loss of job), as well as long-term consequences (would you give a good recommendation for the man who cost your company a lot of money by breaking street date?)

Reward: You get a video game, at the very least (since you mentioned that it has yet to arrive) four days early (no post on sundays).

Seriously, it's not worth it. Regardless of how unlikely or likely the worst case scenario is, if it happens, you are screwed.

Not worth it in all honesty. Besides the general paranoia that you probably don't want to suffer through, your employer might take you up Ina civil suit. At minimum they'd probably fire you if you got caught.

As a smash, it would be dope if the date was broken. But as a person, I'd feel so ****ty if we influenced you to do so and something bad happened.

So nah, bro. Nah.

It's not that I don't appreciate it, because I earnestly do, but I absolutely promise I'm only doing it if I'm confident it won't come back onto me. I'm going to be doing a lot of poking around and sniffing once I see that box come in.

Here, if you really want to scare me, got any news clippings or blogs or accounts of employees of big retailers getting caught doing this and it ruining their lives and all?

 

[Ehn Jolly]

I deeply question why you came here for your moral guidance.

 

[Overtaken]

Plz sell me itttt.....

Edit: You know what? On second though...the shipping will probably take longer then the actual release date.
...nvm.

Yeah I was just going to say, by the time I would get it and ship it to you...

 

[Eternal phoenix Fire]

It's not that I don't appreciate it, because I earnestly do, but I absolutely promise I'm only doing it if I'm confident it won't come back onto me. I'm going to be doing a lot of poking around and sniffing once I see that box come in.

Here, if you really want to scare me, got any news clippings or blogs or accounts of employees of big retailers getting caught doing this and it ruining their lives and all?

Only thing I can think of is when some dude leaked Pokemon X/Y early, but that game was slated for a simultaneous world wife release, and the fact that he put it on the net wasn't smart, so the guy got his copy confiscated and that's it I think. But that isn't the case for this game. The info is everywhere, there are already adds for it, a demo of the game is available to everyone so there aren't any real secrets to hide.

Personally, my regular store I go to has had no issues with this. Same employees working there and no trouble.

 

[Overtaken]

I deeply question why you came here for your moral guidance.

I was mostly interested in the legal question and if anyone had tips, experience, etc. lol

I'm certainly not morally concerned about messing up the inventory numbers of a couple games. It'd be a drop of water in the ocean. and it wouldn't be contributing to any actual shrink either, since I'm not going to undercut the price/ticket or steal it or anything.

 

[PikaSamus]

I was mostly interested in the legal question and if anyone had tips, experience, etc. lol

I'm certainly not morally concerned about messing up the inventory numbers of a couple games. It'd be a drop of water in the ocean. and it wouldn't be contributing to any actual shrink either, since I'm not going to undercut the price/ticket or steal it or anything.

What if someone buys Super Mario 64 DS, doesn't like it, and returns it, but the receipt says he bought Smash 3DS?
I'm not entirely sure how this ticket swapping works, so it might not work like that.

I wouldn't do it. It's not worth it.

 

[Rich Homie Quan]

It's not that I don't appreciate it, because I earnestly do, but I absolutely promise I'm only doing it if I'm confident it won't come back onto me. I'm going to be doing a lot of poking around and sniffing once I see that box come in.

Here, if you really want to scare me, got any news clippings or blogs or accounts of employees of big retailers getting caught doing this and it ruining their lives and all?

Well, I guess I'm not really trying to scare you as much as I'm askin you to consider the magnitude of the consequences. If you think it's highly unlikely that you'll get caught, then do what you do mayne.

 

[Overtaken]

What if someone buys Super Mario 64 DS, doesn't like it, and returns it, but the receipt says he bought Smash 3DS?
I'm not entirely sure how this ticket swapping works

In this case, especially with self-checkout, I would scan the non-smash game, let's say SM64, put it back on the shelf/ leave it at the register, and walk out with Smash. Whoever buys the SM64 is still going to have the right game on their receipt.

 

[SmashAdr]

im buying it few days early

 

[Overtaken]

im buying it few days early

How you gunna do it?