Amazon enters second-hand computer games market

LONDON - Amazon has expanded its US offering to include the sale of pre-owned video games, which it will buy from people in return for on-site credit.

The US version of the website is asking users to send in their old games in return for gift cards charged with a pre-arranged amount.

People can already sell second hand products on the site but this is the first time Amazon has become directly involved in the transactions.

Initially around 1,500 titles will be included in the offer, and once users have picked out games they own and offered them to Amazon, they will be presented with a pre-paid postage label. Only when Amazon has received and approved the items will the user's online account be credited.

As an introductory offer people who send in their games will be given a 10% discount on any further games they wish to buy from the site.

It will be entering territory previously dominated by specialist games stores, and the presence of the online giant is expected to grate with smaller retailers.