Best Buy and Target announce video game trade-in programs, clearly don't read webcomics

For some reason the used-video-games-as-controversy stars have aligned, and Best Buy and Target picked now of all times to announce new used game trade-in programs. Target is going to offer in store credit for all sorts of electronics trade-ins, including games and DVDs, with just a few stores for now, but expanding to 850 stores by the end of the year. Target isn't making any mention of reselling that stuff just yet, but Best Buy plans to start selling used games "soon," on top of the 600 stores it's launching it own trade-in program in this week. What's so special about all this? Well, THQ CEO Cory Ledesma just made headlines for a bit of a rant about the topic ("We hope people understand that when the game's bought used we get cheated"), and then Penny Arcade weighed in with a comic, as is their wont, which kicked off a bit of a gamer vs. publisher vs. retailer internet battle of the words. Which is our favorite kind. With online distribution, one time unlock codes, and DLC all warring to make used games obsolete, this debate might be moot in a few years time, but for now there's no shortage of opinions on the subject, and we'd love to hear yours in the comments!

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Best Buy® Now Ready to Take Your Old Video Games

Trade-In Program Now Live in Stores Nationwide

Receive an Additional $20 Best Buy Gift Card on Select Titles

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Gaming enthusiasts nationwide now have more reasons to shop Best Buy (NYSE:BBY) as their gaming destination. Launching in close to 600 Best Buy stores this week, with additional stores to soon follow, the new Best Buy Trade-In program offers customers an opportunity to sell pre-owned video games. To celebrate the new offering, customers who trade in their games beginning this Sunday, August 29, will receive an additional $20 Best Buy Gift Card on top of the trade-in value on more than 100 popular titles.

"The expansion of our trade-in program reaffirms our commitment to consistently pursue new ways to bring a better gaming experience to consumers," said Chris Homeister, senior vice president and general manager for the home entertainment group at Best Buy. "Fall marks the launch of several highly-anticipated gaming titles and new technology, and we're thrilled to provide gamers with innovative ways to connect with the games they love."

Consumers can now bring their previously played video games into Best Buy and trade them for an instant Best Buy gift card to use for purchasing anything in the store, including any game or gaming accessory. Soon, they will be able to purchase a pre-owned game as well.

Those who take advantage of the new Trade-In program in store can visit the Customer Service desk, or in select locations a dedicated Trade-In desk within the gaming department, to turn in their games. Best Buy will continue to offer a similar program online at BestBuy.com that enables customers to get estimates for their games, mail them in for free and receive a Best Buy gift card 7-14 days later. Trade-In prices in-store will match the prices shown online.

For more information on Trade-In at Best Buy and to locate a store currently participating in the program, visit www.bestbuy.com/gametradein. Stay connected to Best Buy Gaming via Twitter and Facebook at Twitter.com/RZGamersClub and Facebook.com/BestBuyGaming.

About Best Buy Co., Inc.

With operations in the United States, Canada, Europe, China, Mexico and Turkey, Best Buy is a multinational retailer of technology and entertainment products and services with a commitment to growth and innovation. The Best Buy family of brands and partnerships collectively generates more than $49 billion in annual revenue and includes brands such as Best Buy; Best Buy Mobile; Audiovisions; The Carphone Warehouse; Future Shop; Geek Squad, Jiangsu Five Star; Magnolia Audio Video; Napster; Pacific Sales; and The Phone House. Approximately 180,000 employees apply their talents to help bring the benefits of these brands to life for customers through retail locations, multiple call centers and Web sites, in-home solutions, product delivery and activities in our communities. Community partnership is central to the way we do business at Best Buy. In fiscal 2010, we donated a combined $25.2 million to improve the vitality of the communities where our employees and customers live and work.

For more information about Best Buy, visit www.bby.com

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Target Launches New Electronics Services That Offer Exceptional Tech and Mobile Experience
1-877-myTGTtech, Target Mobile and Target Electronics Trade-In Provide Guests Additional Value

MINNEAPOLIS (August 25, 2010) – Today Target® announced three new consumer electronics services that will provide guests with an enhanced shopping experience both in-store and at home – 1-877-myTGTtech, Target Mobile and Target Electronics Trade-In. 1-877- myTGTtech is a free product support hotline for all Target electronics purchases. Target Mobile offers a convenient in-store and online cellular shopping experience. Target Electronics Trade-In will allow guests to receive credit towards any Target purchase by turning in their new or used video games, mobile phones and iPods.

"Our goal is to create the best and easiest shopping experience for our guests. As we continue to grow and enhance our consumer electronics business, we designed 1-877-myTGTtech to assist guests with any questions and technical support on their electronics purchases," said Mark Schindele, senior vice president, Target. "Target Electronics Trade-In offers our guests an opportunity to upgrade their consumer electronics items for less and Target Mobile ensures a convenient cell phone shopping experience."

These new services complement and add to Target's nationwide TV delivery and installation service introduced in January and the recently completed electronics and video game department reinvention. By providing guests with additional value at the time of purchase as well as after their purchases are taken home, demonstrates Target's commitment to offering a best-in-class electronics shopping experience. 1-877-myTGTtech is available to guests nationwide and Target Mobile and Target Electronics Trade-In will roll out in select markets this month. By December 2010 Target Mobile and Target Electronics Trade-in will be available in approximately 850 stores and will become available nationwide through 2011.

1-877-myTGTtech
To offer guests a superior consumer electronics shopping experience and peace of mind, Target has rolled out 1-877-myTGTtech, a no-charge technical support hotline for all Target store consumer electronic purchases as well as pre-purchase questions. The service will assist consumers with questions they have about their consumer electronics purchases from televisions and video game consoles to cameras, camcorders, iPods and MP3 players. Target guests can speak to a LIVE customer service representative for troubleshooting and technical support at 1-877-myTGTtech (1-877-698-4883). Guests can also use 1-877-myTGTtech for assistance in obtaining manufactures warranty information, product compatibility specifications and other technical functionality questions for current or past Target electronics purchases.

Target Mobile
Target Mobile helps guests make the most of their dollars and time, with a convenient and simplified cell phone shopping experience both in-store and online. This summer Target is expanding the number of stores offering full-service mobile phone centers as an added convenience to guests. The Target Mobile centers, a partnership with RadioShack, are in-store wireless shopping stations that enable Target guests to purchase mobile phones and activate contracts from the nation's top carriers. The centers will be available in approximately 850 stores by the end of the year and in the majority of Target stores nationwide by mid-2011.

Drawing on the combined expertise of Target and RadioShack, the centers will offer a selection of the best mobile handsets and accessories including headsets, cases, and chargers, as well as service plans from the nation's top carriers - all at competitive prices. In-store activation will ensure that guests walk away with everything they need from their new mobile devices.

Guests nationwide can also take advantage of Target Mobile via the online site, (http://www.targetmobilestore.com), from the comfort of their home. The online cell phone shopping solution provides a convenient and affordable cell-phone purchasing option at competitive prices. With just a few mouse clicks, guests can shop for the latest devices including popular Android-powered smartphones from top manufacturers such as Motorola, Samsung, Nokia, LG and choose wireless plans from every major U.S. service provider. Guests will even have access to special online-only wireless promotions. Target.com has enlisted Simplexity, the leader in online cell phone activations, to build and manage the Target-branded site. Utilizing Simplexity's fully integrated ecommerce platform, Target's online mobile store offers a greater selection of cell phones, free FedEx shipping on every wireless purchase, easy at home activations and great values on wireless accessories.

Target Electronics Trade-In
Target Electronics Trade-In encourages guests to be eco-friendly by trading in old electronics devices and in return guests will receive credit towards any Target purchase. Guests can bring their new or used iPhones, iPods, cell phones and video games into stores that feature Target Mobile centers and receive credit good for any purchase at Target. Guests can simply bring their item to the Target Mobile counter for appraisal, decide if they want to trade in the item and receive credit that can be used instantly at Target. Guests can receive amounts from a few dollars up to more than $200 per item depending on the product and its condition. The in-store program will launch in Northern California on August 24, will rollout to additional stores in September and will be available in approximately 850 stores by the end of the year.

In addition to the new in-store Target Electronics Trade-In program, guests can also trade in used electronics and DVDs at Target.com in exchange for a Target GiftCard. Target.com has partnered with NextWorth to offer guests a simple way to recycle their electronics from the comfort of their own home.

About Target
Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) serves guests at 1,743 stores in 49 states nationwide and at Target.com. Target is committed to providing a fun and convenient shopping experience with access to unique and highly differentiated products at affordable prices. Since 1946, the corporation has given 5 percent of its income through community grants and programs like Take Charge of Education. Today, that giving equals more than $3 million a week. For more information about Target's commitment to corporate responsibility, visit Target.com/hereforgood.

Note: Target welcomes the media to its stores. To contact your local store about shooting b-roll or photos, please visit "Find a Store" at www.Target.com and contact the Leader on Duty directly to request a visit or interview. You also may visit our online pressroom at www.Target.com/Pressroom to access product information, photos and more.