GameStop Apologizes For Competitor Coupon Fiasco
GRAPEVINE (CBS) - Take note retailers: the video game community is passionate about their hobby and won't tolerate being messed with.
Grapevine-based video game retail chain GameStop has issued an apology to their customers for yanking a pre-packaged coupon from PC editions of "Deus Ex: Human Revolution" by giving away $50 gift cards to those affected.
The blog SlashGear reported that GameStop sent an email offering to make amends for their poor decision last week.
Sent to members of the Power Up Rewards program and those who pre-ordered the game, the email from GameStop chief executive officer Paul Raines stated, "Earlier this week, GameStop removed a competitor's coupon from standard edition PC versions of 'Deus Ex: Human Revolution,' a recent release by SquareEnix. We were not aware that the product box would contain this competitor's offer. We regret the events surrounding this title release and that our customers were put in the middle of this issue between GameStop and SquareEnix, the publisher of this game. And for this, we are truly sorry."
"For your inconvenience, we would like to offer you a free $50 GameStop gift card and a 'Buy 2 Get 1 Free' pre-owned purchase. We want to earn back your trust and confidence in the GameStop experience. Please bring in this email and your store receipt or order confirmation from GameStop.com and present it to a Game Advisor."
According to PC Magazine, GameStop has not made an official statement regarding walk-in customers who purchased a copy of "Deus Ex: Human Revolution."
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Last Wednesday, it was reported that GameStop employees were asked to open copies of "Deus Ex: Human Revolution" and throw away OnLive coupons.
GameStop posted the following response on their Facebook wall. "Regarding the 'Deus Ex' OnLive Codes: GameStop's policy is that we do not promote competitive services without a formal partnership. SquareEnix packed a competitor's coupon within the PC version of 'Deus Ex: Human Revolution' without our prior knowledge and we did pull these coupons. While the new products may be opened, we fully guarantee the condition of the discs to be new. If you find this to not be the case, please contact the store where the game was purchased and they will further assist."
The video game community was unforgiving in their reaction to GameStop's decision, which ultimately lead to the decision to offer reparations.
"Deus Ex: Human Revolution" is an action role-playing video game that was released on August 23.
