According to a leaked internal memo GAME purchased 3DS units from Tesco to sell them on as pre-owned.

In a leaked internal memo, uncovered by Eurogamer, GAME suggested its staff purchase 3DS units from Tesco and then use them as pre-owned stock in store when new units run out.

Tesco offered a 3DS for �175 when purchased with any game valued at �34.90, meaning it cost customers �209.90 to purchase the bundle. GAME are selling the console at �219.99 and according to the memo staff were advised to purchase the bundle and then trade it in for cash for the same price as they paid.

Stores were authorised to take �1049.50, equal to five bundles, and were allowed to do this multiple times. However, they were told not to sell the pre-owned units, valued at �5-10 lower than the new units, until the initial stock supply had run out.

A GAME spokesperson spoke to Eurogamer: "Some of our stores wanted to move quickly last weekend to build their pre-owned stocks of 3DS at the same time as their local competitors, so we gave them a process to do that. It was not mandatory, and happened in small volumes."