more news of gamestop messing with customers

[the_ultimate_evil]

We’re through, GameStop.

I turned a blind eye when you offered me peanuts for a game that you were still slinging used for bucks shy of full retail. I shrugged it off when your employees endlessly pressured me to pre-order games that I didn’t want every time I set foot in the store. I laughed when I was turned away for trying to buy a new release on launch day sans preorder, only to have a copy miraculously appear as I went to leave. These were all prices I was willing to pay, I figured, to support one of the last remaining brick and mortar game stores.

But breaking the seal on brand new copies of games to take out (valuable!) things you don’t like, then selling the game as new? Yeah, I quit you.

Here’s the deal:

Yesterday morning, a long awaited title called Deus Ex: Human Revolution was finally released to an eager audience. Tucked inside the box was a little surprise: a coupon for a free copy of the same game through the still relatively new game streaming service, OnLive — something which, if purchased directly through OnLive, would cost $49.99. At least, there was supposed to be a coupon…

The reports started trickling in fairly quickly: for some reason, the coupon seemed to be absent from nearly all copies sold through GameStop.

What had happened? Had the folks at the factory forgotten to pack some of the coupons? Nope. Had GameStop worked out a distribution deal to keep the coupons from ever finding their way into their copies? Nope.

GameStop employees had opened the boxes, removed the coupon, and put the product back on the shelf… after orders from above to do so.

The first evidence came from an e-mail acquired by GameSpy, allegedly sent by a GameStop Field Operations Manager. The key bit is bullet point #1:

“Please immediately remove and discard the OnLive coupon from all Regular PC versions of Deus Ex: Human Revolution,” it read. Surely, this couldn’t be real! A corporate command to open a sealed product, throw out something tradable for a $50 product, and act like nothing happened?

But sure enough, GameStop followed up with confirmation on Facebook after word got out:

Regarding the Deus Ex OnLive Codes: GameStop’s policy is that we do not promote competitive services without a formal partnership.
Square Enix 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.

Note the wording. “May be” opened? Try “are” opened. And what a guarantee! If your disc doesn’t work for some reason, they’ll give you a new ( presumably equally stripped down) copy. But if you’re just pissed that you’ve been shorted a coupon worth $50? La la la la, we can’t hear you.

The GameStop-owned service with which OnLive is a “competing service” is called Impulse, which GameStop launched back in July after acquiring Spawn Labs.

Look, GameStop: if you want to work out a deal with the distributor to get special copies without the coupons, that’s reasonable. People will still be annoyed they got shortchanged, but it’s at least not incredibly shady. But opening a sealed box, removing a coupon exchangeable for a $50 product, and then sticking it back on the shelf? Terrible. Could a customer have walked in, purchased the game, removed the coupon, and returned the box for a full refund? No? Then this is not okay.

Alas, they went with the shady route — and now they’ve gone and given OnLive far more marketing than that silly coupon ever would have.


http://techcrunch.com/2011/08/24/screw-you-gamestop/?icid=maing-grid7|main5|dl23|sec1_lnk3|89472


gamestop isn't as big a deal here in the uk, but thats just messed up

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

Isn't every copy of Dues Ex: Human Revolution intigrated with steam? That's a competitor and way, way larger than Onlive. It's also growing signifcantly faster with about 5+ million users year to year. The message they seem to be putting out is that they are willing to lower customer value for there own personal gain. Probably what most of the gaming industry is doing. those

[the_ultimate_evil]

Opening a sealed game, removing contents, then reselling it as new is fraud or at the very least misrepresentation

[ProjectPat2280]

Opening a sealed game, removing contents, then reselling it as new is fraud or at the very least misrepresentation

Its shady, but gutting a game isn't uncommon. Gamestop guts many games and sells them as new, because they need a case to be represented on the wall for the customers to see. The wall cases don't get sold until all the sealed ones are sold, but it happens. I don't have a problem with GS opening games and selling them as new, however i do have a problem with them taking things(anything) out of a case. Im lucky my boss didn't instruct me to do this because i would of refused and on top of that, i would of informed the customer of what we did(which undoubtably would of led to my termination)

[GhostPoet]

ugh...why do people still use gamestop? They are freaking over-priced. I guess people like taking it from behind.

[RED_Rider]

They've recalled all Deus Ex HR copies from their shops and sent them to publishers. Seems that even now they chose to completely boycott the game instead of apologizing about their disgusting move.

[ProjectPat2280]

ugh...why do people still use gamestop? They are freaking over-priced. I guess people like taking it from behind.

No they're not. Games there are the same price that Walmart, Target, Best Buy and others offer.

[ProjectPat2280]

They've recalled all Deus Ex HR copies from their shops and sent them to publishers. Seems that even now they chose to completely boycott the game instead of apologizing about their disgusting move.


Thats just the PC version, not the others.

Also, here is their apology:

Hoping to assuage customers angry over having their games opened and rifled through prior to purchase, GameStop is offering everyone that purchased the regular edition of Deus Ex: Human Revolution for the PC a $50 gift card and a Buy Two, Get One Free used game purchase, according to a leaked memo. All better now?

[RED_Rider]

I know it's the PC version but the whole thing is just wrong. Also, their apology is pointless since they didn't give back the OnLive coupons.

[Teelie]

This is the nail in the coffin for me and Gamestop. I'd previously been on the fence buying games from them. Especially since their tactic of selling used games over new copies took precedent and they always seem to have just "a couple of copies" of a game left whenever I inquire and urge me to buy one before it sells out.

The last time I bought a game from them was when I had a $30 giftcard and the new AVP game had just come out. The employee there told me there was only one copy left and gave it to me. I seriously doubted that line even then.

Now with them opening new game packages to remove competition and neglect to even comp the customers until they are called on it? If their plan was to screw over gamers they should have been pre-emptively offering this kind of compensation.

[ProjectPat2280]

I know it's the PC version but the whole thing is just wrong. Also, their apology is pointless since they didn't give back the OnLive coupons.

Yea i agree, but their deal is better than the OnLive coupon. You get 50 bux to use in the store on anything you want. Much better than having 2 copies of the exact same game.

[ProjectPat2280]

This is the nail in the coffin for me and Gamestop. I'd previously been on the fence buying games from them. Especially since their tactic of selling used games over new copies took precedent and they always seem to have just "a couple of copies" of a game left whenever I inquire and urge me to buy one before it sells out.


I know how crappy GS can be, but what you listed as complaints are just good business practices. Why do you think Best Buy and Walmart are trying to get into the used game market? Because it makes a lot of money. If you buy used, they pocket everything, if you buy new, they pocket a fraction of the total cost. Also, creating demand by saying they only have a few left is another good practice. It generates interest. Companies do it all the time. Check ur local paper, i guarantee you'll see an ad showcasing a product at a reduced price with the tagline "hurry while supplies last", guess what, those supplies aren't going any where, but they want you to hurry to the store to purchase what ever it may be.

Honestly, most gamers haven't a clue as to how bad gamestop really is. They just harp on them because its the cool thing to do. They're the biggest chain, therefor the easiest target. They don't do anything different than Best Buy or target etc. Now, on the other side of the counter? Whole 'nother ballgame

[Havok83]

No they're not. Games there are the same price that Walmart, Target, Best Buy and others offer.
Not when it comes to new releases they are. Many other places now offer gift cards like ($10-20) if you buy a game when it comes out. I never see that with GS. Other places tend to do sales on new games alot quicker than GS

Its shady, but gutting a game isn't uncommon. Gamestop guts many games and sells them as new, because they need a case to be represented on the wall for the customers to see. The wall cases don't get sold until all the sealed ones are sold, but it happens. I don't have a problem with GS opening games and selling them as new, however i do have a problem with them taking things(anything) out of a case. Im lucky my boss didn't instruct me to do this because i would of refused and on top of that, i would of informed the customer of what we did(which undoubtably would of led to my termination)Uncommon or not, it shouldnt be done. I was shocked when a GS tried to do that with me a few eyars ago when I got LBP. He went and got an opened case and the game disc from the draw and tried to sell me that as new. I gave him a look like "are you effing kidding me?" and refused to buy it. He then went and got me an actual new sealed copy from the preorder list to sell. If they open something up, then it should automatically be sold as used.

[RED_Rider]

Yea i agree, but their deal is better than the OnLive coupon. You get 50 bux to use in the store on anything you want. Much better than having 2 copies of the exact same game.
Good point. I hadn't give much thought to their deal but it is indeed better than coupon of the same.

[ProjectPat2280]

Not when it comes to new releases they are. Many other places now offer gift cards like ($10-20) if you buy a game when it comes out. I never see that with GS. Other places tend to do sales on new games alot quicker than GS

Thats never a given. A game is 59.99, rather you buy it at target or best buy or gamestop. Every now and then those stores will try to give you something to entice you to buy from them(i.e. a gift card) but you are still paying the same price that you would if you went to GS. I do agree that other outlets tend to offer more sales on newer titles tho.


Uncommon or not, it shouldnt be done. I was shocked when a GS tried to do that with me a few eyars ago when I got LBP. He went and got an opened case and the game disc from the draw and tried to sell me that as new. I gave him a look like "are you effing kidding me?" and refused to buy it. He then went and got me an actual new sealed copy from the preorder list to sell. If they open something up, then it should automatically be sold as used.


No, thats ridiculous. The game isn't used unless it's been, you know, USED.

[Teelie]

I know how crappy GS can be, but what you listed as complaints are just good business practices. Why do you think Best Buy and Walmart are trying to get into the used game market? Because it makes a lot of money. If you buy used, they pocket everything, if you buy new, they pocket a fraction of the total cost. Also, creating demand by saying they only have a few left is another good practice. It generates interest. Companies do it all the time. Check ur local paper, i guarantee you'll see an ad showcasing a product at a reduced price with the tagline "hurry while supplies last", guess what, those supplies aren't going any where, but they want you to hurry to the store to purchase what ever it may be.

Honestly, most gamers haven't a clue as to how bad gamestop really is. They just harp on them because its the cool thing to do. They're the biggest chain, therefor the easiest target. They don't do anything different than Best Buy or target etc. Now, on the other side of the counter? Whole 'nother ballgame
So what happens when there are no reliable places to buy new games? Gamestop has pushed or bought out almost everyone who was a only a game store. Now all we have are Wal Marts, Best Buys and Targets. No more Babbages, no old Gamestop, no smaller game stores because Gamestop pushed them out. How is that good business? No competition and all the games are used does not sound "good" to me in any way. No, it's not "the biggest" chain, it's the only chain left.

While supplies last is old but I've never once been anywhere that proclaimed to have just one of any product left like that and certainly never with pushy employees trying to get me to buy it.

[Havok83]

Thats never a given. A game is 59.99, rather you buy it at target or best buy or gamestop. Every now and then those stores will try to give you something to entice you to buy from them(i.e. a gift card) but you are still paying the same price that you would if you went to GS.It happens more often then not. GS tends to put their new games on sale less than the others. GS doesnt even pricematch to at least remain competitve if there are others which offer products for a lower price.


No, thats ridiculous. The game isn't used unless it's been, you know, USED.
How am I as a consumer guaranteed of that? I know that its a practice among many GS employees to use the store as their own free rental service, and play opened copies. Heck some people on this board that have worked there have admitted to doing just that. The only way to know for sure that this isnt the case when you purchase a game is if its sealed.

Let me flip it back on ya. If I were to buy a game new, open it up and immediately decide I dont want it, without playing it, am I going to be able to get a full refund? Of course not, they will give me the trade in value for a used game even though the game has not been used and their only basis for that is that the game has been opened.

So what happens when there are no reliable places to buy new games? Gamestop has pushed or bought out almost everyone who was a mainly game store. Now all we have are Wal Marts, Best Buys and Targets. No more Babbages, no old Gamestop, no smaller game stores because Gamestop pushed them out. How is that good business? No competition and all the games are used does not sound "good" to me in any way.

No, it's not "the biggest" chain, it's the only chain left.
There's always online outlets, which I use. Amazon tends to be better than all of them. Amazon almost always pricematches what a B&M chain is offering and depending on your state, there's no tax (which automatically makes most games at least $5 cheaper)

[ProjectPat2280]

So what happens when there are no reliable places to buy new games? Gamestop has pushed or bought out almost everyone who was a only a game store. Now all we have are Wal Marts, Best Buys and Targets. No more Babbages, no old Gamestop, no smaller game stores because Gamestop pushed them out. How is that good business? No competition and all the games are used does not sound "good" to me in any way. No, it's not "the biggest" chain, it's the only chain left.


How is that not good business? You don't have any other stand alone game stores to compete with you. You are sure to make more profit that way. I mean thats simple business economics man.


While supplies last is old but I've never once been anywhere that proclaimed to have just one of any product left like that and certainly never with pushy employees trying to get me to buy it.

Then you don't get out much. That isn't, in any way, unique to Gamestop. You can find that "pushy GS employee" at ANY retail outlet.

However, with that said, GS does promote a attitude of being pushy. They just implemented a system for all employees that state if we(the employee) don't meet our goals for Reservations and those Power Up cards per week, we get written up. We then get 2 weeks to get our numbers up, fail to do so and you get written up again, fail again to get your numbers up a 3rd time and its immediate termination.

[ProjectPat2280]

It happens more often then not. GS tends to put their new games on sale less than the others. GS doesnt even pricematch to at least remain competitve if there are others which offer products for a lower price.


They don't have to. They have the largest share of the market.


How am I as a consumer guaranteed of that? I know that its a practice among many GS employees to use the store as their own free rental service, and play opened copies. Heck some people on this board that have worked there have admitted to doing just that. The only way to know for sure that this isnt the case when you purchase a game is if its sealed.

Oh i agree. Iv seen it done in the store i work at. However, the majority of opened 'new' items haven't been played. The majority of opened 'new' items just sit in a drawer while the case is put on the wall. But yes, some of those copies DO get played before they are sold as new. That i don't agree with.



There's always online outlets, which I use. Amazon tends to be better than all of them. Amazon almost always pricematches what a B&M chain is offering and depending on your state, there's no tax (which automatically makes most games at least $5 cheaper)


Oh i agree 100%. Online always has the best prices, the only downside is you can't get the game at the moment you want it.

[Teelie]

You say that but you're missing the point again. Competition forces you to do better. If you don't have incentive to do better, you get lax and people start looking for other alternatives. It's exactly like what is happening to the music industry. Instead of people going and buying music from cd's, they get it digitally and often illegally.

A monopoly is only a good business practice if you are under constant threat of losing it and forced to keep innovating before someone does become a threat. Microsoft was at one point a monopoly and got complacent and made some really poor software. And I don't mean that in the Mac or Linux fanboy "M$ sucks!" way but genuinely bad software. Then Linux and Mac became threats again and Microsoft had to pick up its game.

Gamestop has become so dominant it's only a matter of time before it starts to see profits erode and customers go elsewhere. Parroting the company party line doesn't help your case either. Their business practice of firing employees who aren't pushy enough also should be a warning sign. I get out plenty, and I've had employees at other retailers ask politely or try to upsell me but never to the degree of a Gamestop employee. Saying you find that at any retail outlet is like saying you'll find something for sale at any retail outlet. It's a given. What is not is how hard they try to do it aggressively. When I say "no thanks," I expect them to leave me alone and normally they do. At Gamestop they don't stop.

No matter how you cut it, Gamestop is not good for the video game industry and their practices are only short-term and short-sighted.

[ProjectPat2280]

You say that but you're missing the point again. Competition forces you to do better. If you don't have incentive to do better, you get lax and people start looking for other alternatives. It's exactly like what is happening to the music industry. Instead of people going and buying music from cd's, they get it digitally and often illegally.


They do have competition though. BB, Target, Walmart are all major competitors. GS recognizes them as such, however GS's benefits are the fact they are specialized in an area the others are not.


Gamestop has become so dominant it's only a matter of time before it starts to see profits erode and customers go elsewhere. Parroting the company party line doesn't help your case either. Their business practice of firing employees who aren't pushy enough also should be a warning sign.

I'm just stating what they do, on the customers side isn't much different than what other companies do. They don't treat their customers any worse than any other major retailer. Their employees on the other hand, eh thats a diff story.

No matter how you cut it, Gamestop is not good for the video game industry and their practices are only short-term and short-sighted.

No, thats incorrect. GS does more for the publishers than any other retail outlet. Places like GS are a big reason as to why the industry has grown to the size it is.

Why do you think SE was so passive when they found out GS was pulling coupons from their games?

[Teelie]

There are no direct competitors. BB, Target, Wal Mart, etc are hardly serious competition. Their selection is far more limited by choice and it's competition in that they're competition with Books-A-Million for books or competition for a comics shop. It's a joke.

I'm not going to argue over their business practices. I don't like them and you can dismiss me all you want but me and everyone else who you think are "hip" to disparage them do so for a reason. We don't like how they're operating so they will lose our business. Trying to sugar coat their poor business practices won't change opinions.

[Troy_Parker]

Wait, was the coupon for a digital copy of the game?

The box came with the game disc, and a coupon which would let you download a digital copy? :S

[Benstamania]

I'm a former GameStop employee... and I hate the company... So... I like to rag on them.

Gutted copies of games ARE used. I don't know if Pat's store is a special store where gutted copies of games are indeed untouched... and if so, good on your store... but EVERY GameStop in my area (and I mean within our district) will use the gutted games as the "take home" game. What's a "take home" game you ask? Why, it's the game the employees get to take home and try out for a few days to see if they like it or not.

Very, very rarely is a gutted game "never played", again... at least in the GameStop's I know, they are ALL used by employees. The only ones that aren't are the games that no one really cares about (movie based games, ect).

GameStop really, reeeeally fears competition. When our Best Buy started doing trades our District Manager wrote us all a long, paranoid email about how we need to "put BB into the ground" and "show them that we're the best trade store... EVER!" He wouldn't budge on trade prices though, and from everything I heard Best Buy offered more for trades, our local Toys R Us offers more for trades as well... and Amazon by FAR offers more for trades than GameStop could ever hope to.

Keep in mind thought that when you're in a GameStop it's not often the Employee's fault... they're simply going by a strict code that they have to follow. Pre-orders getting pushed on you? Annoying, I know... but most GameStop employee's have to get a set amount by the end of the month or they get fired now.

Someone shoving the Edge Card down your throat? Again... annoying, but go back to the pre-order thing... Employees have to have a set amount at the end of the month or they get fired.

Don't EVER let a GameStop employee tell you a gutted game is new. While there is a slight chance that it's never been played it stands a greater chance that it has been. I also always hate when they put those stupid clear stickers that leaves an irremovable residue on your game... I mean, often they won't budge and just stand there looking at you like "buy it or else" and if they do that... Simply go elsewhere. I know my former store doucher... Er.. Manager would almost get in arguments with the customer and tell them to go ahead and not buy it in our store but we were the only ones to get that game.. people would leave, come back and shove it in her face that she is an idiot and that Wal-Mart had like 30 billion copies.

All said and done though, the reason GameStop is the way they are is thecustomers fault. GameStop continues to crap all over the customer and the customer simply smiles and asks for more. Oh they may not like it... but where else can they get what they need?

The ONLY way they'll ever change is if the customer wakes up and sees what kind of company GameStop really is. Toys R Us often has buy two new get one free going, or a gift card. Amazon often sells brand new games for five bucks less, plus a 10 dollar Amazon gift card to use on your next purchase AND the same form of promotion that EB/GameStop offers (example: Skyrim, Arkham City) .

The only thing GameStop has going for them is the used market.... you really can't find used games anywhere else (outside of Amazon or Ebay) for less. Granted, they're not that cheap (new games are sold used for like 55 bucks...) but still. Developers HATE them for that... Hence the online codes.

I hate them for their shady business tactics and how they treat their employees. Again, maybe Pat's GameStop is a good store... it seems totally unlike any GameStop I've ever been in. I almost wonder if it's a privately owned GameStop?

It's kind of sad, because when GameStop and EB were separate companies it was an AWESOME time for gamers. You could go to one store, get a trade value you... go to the other get that stores trade value and take it back to the original and they would beat the others price. EB always had more of a selection, they had games from Atari up and it just seemed like a game Museum from old school to modern.

GameStop was the place to go to trade your DVD's because they gave you GOOD value for them. You could then use that trade on games.

Then they merged and from there on it went to hell. I've seen managers come and go, some great... some not so great, most pretty darn bad.

Actually... for some reason they keep the jerky and idiot managers around. Bottom line is GameStop will only ever change if people start talking with their wallet by going elsewhere.

Again, no offense Pat... your store seems cool. But I was jerked around TO much by that stinking company. Whatever bad press they get, they deserve.

[Benstamania]

Wait, was the coupon for a digital copy of the game?

The box came with the game disc, and a coupon which would let you download a digital copy? :S

Kind of like Portal 2 did with a free Steam copy. Pretty cool IMHO. That way if you ever trade the console version in you always have a PC copy to go back to.

[Havok83]

I loved Electronic Boutiques, Babbages, EBX, Software ETC.... back in the day. IA that it all went downhill when they were bought up by GS

[Benstamania]

Ah yes, back when EB straight up went by Electronics Boutique... no stupid abbreviations. Yup, they were great, I miss that kind of store.

[Franklin Richards]

I tried to shop at Gamestop when Starcraft II came out. It was one of the first "must have on launch" titles that I've gone shopping for in a long time. I figure I'll go to Gamestop to help them out. I figured they were like LCS's and needed the money. The one in San Marcos is right next to a Wal Mart so I pull in to Gamestop feeling good about my choice.


"Did you preorder?"
"No."
"I can't sell you one then."
"What? It's release day. You're telling me you're out of copies?"
"Well no..."
"Later."


I walked to Wal Mart and picked up one of the many copies they had AND I got a discount.


Now I use Steam for everything.


:ST: :ST: :ST:

[Havok83]

To be fair, preorders get and should have higher priority than someone coming in to buy off the street. If someone is going to put down at least $5 (or in some cases) pay off the entire price for a game, then they should have a guarantee that its in the store on release day and not sold. Id be pissed if I paid ahead of time and they didnt have it bc they sold my copy to someone else

[Franklin Richards]

Was it an extra 5 dollars? Or was it a down payment?


Also I was the only one in the store. It was like 11 in the morning. You're telling me they didn't buy any non pre-order copies?


:ff: :ff: :ff:

[ProjectPat2280]

I

I hate them for their shady business tactics and how they treat their employees. Again, maybe Pat's GameStop is a good store... it seems totally unlike any GameStop I've ever been in. I almost wonder if it's a privately owned GameStop?

Iv worked in 2 different GS stores, they were night and day. It all comes down to management man. My first manager was a dick, my second manager was cooler than cool and my current manager is just a YES man.



Again, no offense Pat... your store seems cool. But I was jerked around TO much by that stinking company. Whatever bad press they get, they deserve.


Haha none taken, when i started working, our store was staffed with some of the coolest people iv ever met, then the manager that hired me left. My first manager was a kick ass dude. He called it like he saw it, and treated everyone with respect and really couldn't care about corporate. He wasn't a yes man by ANY means, but he got his numbers so they kind of let him be. He has since left as have a few others and its not nearly as fun to work at any more. Myself and 2 other people are the only remaining employees from back when i started working. Overall though, we have some of the better employees iv met, outside of my new manager and our SGA, none of us feel like bugging the customer about damn reserves or power up cards. If they want it sure, but we aren't forcing anything on them.

EVERYTHING you said tho, i agree with. Im seeing it right now. Some of our employees DO use the gutted copies as rentals(most wait until its used) and we have one employee who is as pushy a salesman as you'll ever meet. We also got the SAME email about Best Buy. I mean literally, the same email about "putting BB into the ground". Im not defending GS as a company, out of the major retail chains iv worked for, they treat their employees the worst. But the shopping experience there isn't much different than any where else. Best Buy can be just as bad, as can Target. Iv had just as many poor experiences there as i have at GS.

[ProjectPat2280]

Ah yes, back when EB straight up went by Electronics Boutique... no stupid abbreviations. Yup, they were great, I miss that kind of store.


EB also gave their employees a cut of every edge card/warranty they sold. Now they just tell us to sell em or be fired. No other incentive than that.

[Benstamania]

SOMETIMES GameStop will only get a set amount to match preorders for day of launch sales. It happens a LOT with PC games like Starcraft... not so much with console games.

The most recent console game that we had a legit shortage of and could only sell the pre-ordered copies to those that put 5 bucks down on them was The Super Mario Collection for the Wii.

GameStop often gets a lot of shipments for games like Halo and Call of Duty because they know they'll be big sales. Not always.. But often. (large shipments that is.)

[ProjectPat2280]

Was it an extra 5 dollars? Or was it a down payment?


Also I was the only one in the store. It was like 11 in the morning. You're telling me they didn't buy any non pre-order copies?


:ff: :ff: :ff:

I can absolutely confirm that with some games, mainly PC games, all a store will get are preorders. Deus Ex, all we got were preorders. They didn't send us ONE single extra copy. And no, my store did NOT gut the game and take out the coupons. My manger thought that was over the line.

[Havok83]

Was it an extra 5 dollars? Or was it a down payment?


Also I was the only one in the store. It was like 11 in the morning. You're telling me they didn't buy any non pre-order copies?


:ff: :ff: :ff:
Maybe there was a midnight release? PC games dont generally sell as well anymore so I wouldnt be surprised if they simply didnt have alot shipped to them. I dont know what the inventory was at your store or how they were supplied but trust me, they are in the business of making money. They WANT your money. If they could sell it to you, they would.

[Franklin Richards]

Is the pre-order only strategy profitable with all the walk outs they get? I can't see it being a good thing.


:ff: :ff: :ff:

[Franklin Richards]

Maybe there was a midnight release? PC games dont generally sell as well anymore so I wouldnt be surprised if they simply didnt have alot shipped to them. I dont know what the inventory was at your store or how they were supplied but trust me, they are in the business of making money. They WANT your money. If they could sell it to you, they would.

I'm not sure but I don't think so. Just seems like a bad policy when you're located right next to Wal Mart.


:ff: :ff: :ff:

[Benstamania]

Im not defending GS as a company, out of the major retail chains iv worked for, they treat their employees the worst. But the shopping experience there isn't much different than any where else. Best Buy can be just as bad, as can Target. Iv had just as many poor experiences there as i have at GS.

My major problem with Best Buy is... and I'm going to try to be nice here, that they seem to LOVE to hire morons. I mean that in the nicest way possible.

I went into my local Best Buy ONE time in early 2011 and it was seriously filled with high school kids that didn't give a crap and former Circuit City rejects.. I mean, the same rejects I worked with at Circuit that got fired with two weeks to go in Liquidation due to busting up a 3,000 dollar Bose Sound Display system.

I don't shop there at all but many of my friends do and still tell the same kind of horror story.

I don't have problems with Target... They kind of let me alone when I'm in there... but I think that's because they know me from when I worked at Circuit and I don't really need "help."

GameStop is just super shady... I mean... they'll tell you they have the secret to Immortality and then when they have you in their grasp say "Well... Not really, but now that you're here as long as you keep shopping with us we'll find a way."

Yes. GameStop Corp is Darth Sidious, disgustingly evil and power hungry..but a genius at the same time...

[Benstamania]

I'm not sure but I don't think so. Just seems like a bad policy when you're located right next to Wal Mart.


:ff: :ff: :ff:

Honestly? GameStop's attitude is "Go to Wal-Mart, we don't care... some other drone will be in to buy 30 used games..."

Seriously, I'm not joking... that's how GameStop corporate thinks. They also don't give a crap about ANYTHING PC related outside of Warcraft... they may care a little bit about The Old Republic... but mostly because that's Star Wars and not PC related.


Star Wars = $$$$$

[Franklin Richards]

Well I hope they die while we foul PC users are still downloading stuff off of Steam.


:ff: :ff: :ff:

[Benstamania]

Is the pre-order only strategy profitable with all the walk outs they get? I can't see it being a good thing.


:ff: :ff: :ff:

I'm going to seem like I'm defending them here... but believe me, I'm not. GameStop doesn't care about the Walkouts... More so on big pre-order titles like Starcraft, Halo, Gears, Warcraft, Call of Duty, Brothers in Arms, anything Zombie related...

They don't... because they already GOT the sale of the person that slapped 5 or more bucks down on their reservation.. They really don't care if they don't get your money. They have someone else's.

Is it stupid? Yeah... turning away a customer is always stupid... But, that's GameStop.

Edit: More so if you're a PC gamer. GameStop will treat you less than dirt because your games can't be traded in. "Look Jimmy! That guy plays a PC! His games can't be traded here! EEEEWWWW!"

[ProjectPat2280]

I'm not sure but I don't think so. Just seems like a bad policy when you're located right next to Wal Mart.


:ff: :ff: :ff:

What bad policy? To not sell you a game they don't have?

Im assuming they didn't sell you a copy of the game because all they had were preorder copies and you aren't supposed to sell someones preorder copy before the 48 hours hold.

[Benstamania]

My stupid manager would hold a preorder for a friggin' week... but if she got the chance to sell one of ours before we came to pick it up she would.

Man I can't stand that thing.

[Franklin Richards]

What bad policy? To not sell you a game they don't have?Im assuming they didn't sell you a copy of the game because all they had were preorder copies and you aren't supposed to sell someones preorder copy before the 48 hours hold.

No. Not to purchase copies for retail.


:ff: :ff: :ff:

[ProjectPat2280]

Yes. GameStop Corp is Darth Sidious, disgustingly evil and power hungry..but a genius at the same time...


Honestly dude and again, I'm with ya on how bad the corporation for GS is, but you can't find too many large corporations that don't fit that description. When the bottom line is the bottom line, you'll do things to ensure that. I mean I'm no damn commie, but thats a huge negative on capitalism. It breeds greed.

[ProjectPat2280]

No. Not to purchase copies for retail.


:ff: :ff: :ff:

Well its still not a bad policy. You don't purchase what you don't sell. Maybe the location you went to was like mine and didn't carry many PC games because they dont sell. But Benstamania is right in saying GS doesn't really care about that market.

[Franklin Richards]

Then they need to do a catalogue business and stop paying rent.


:ff: :ff: :ff:

[ProjectPat2280]

My stupid manager would hold a preorder for a friggin' week... but if she got the chance to sell one of ours before we came to pick it up she would.

Man I can't stand that thing.

Haha damn that sucks.

We hold on to reserves for 48 hours, thats it, after that they're up for grabs.

[marvelman2006]

Never cared for gamestop, one time my wife needed a Wii gamefor her sister for a birthday gift so we found one there, the new mario game at the time. Well they go to hand her a copy and shocker it was open and the manual inside looked like a dog got a hold of it and bent it in the process. The associate tried to pass it off as new and tried to charge her $50 for it. I demanded to speak to a manager and he told me they can open games to use the case for display purposes if they only have one copy. I said then fine sell it new to me used for $20 and they said no its new so I said goodbye. Shady tactics like this eventually lead to the out of business line and I will be there the day them and blockbuster close up shop. Blockbuster is even worse selling used blurays for $16 when there brand new on amazon for $10.

[ProjectPat2280]

Never cared for gamestop, one time my wife needed a Wii gamefor her sister for a birthday gift so we found one there, the new mario game at the time. Well they go to hand her a copy and shocker it was open and the manual inside looked like a dog got a hold of it and bent it in the process. The associate tried to pass it off as new and tried to charge her $50 for it. I demanded to speak to a manager and he told me they can open games to use the case for display purposes if they only have one copy. I said then fine sell it new to me used for $20 and they said no its new so I said goodbye. Shady tactics like this eventually lead to the out of business line and I will be there the day them and blockbuster close up shop. Blockbuster is even worse selling used blurays for $16 when there brand new on amazon for $10.


Unfortunately, for every one person like you that walks out, 2 or 3 more walk in and purchase something. Gamestop will be around until digital distribution becomes accessible to all and extremely efficient, but only then will they actually fall and thats still a big IF due to the used game market.

[Benstamania]

When I worked there we talked about seeing GS one day eventually being a used game only store based on two things.

1.) How much more they prefer used sales.

2.) How much devs hate the used game market.

May not happen for a while... May not happen ever... But I can see devs pulling their games out of GS if they continue to take stands against it. Only takes one dev (EA...) To get the ball rolling.

Not that far fetched, IMHO.

[GhostPoet]

No they're not. Games there are the same price that Walmart, Target, Best Buy and others offer.

For used games they are.
I get games off Amazon for $20 less than the typical retail price. Sometimes more.

[GhostPoet]

Well I hope they die while we foul PC users are still downloading stuff off of Steam.


:ff: :ff: :ff:

I heart you Steam....

[Havok83]

When I worked there we talked about seeing GS one day eventually being a used game only store based on two things.

1.) How much more they prefer used sales.

2.) How much devs hate the used game market.

May not happen for a while... May not happen ever... But I can see devs pulling their games out of GS if they continue to take stands against it. Only takes one dev (EA...) To get the ball rolling.

Not that far fetched, IMHO.
I dont think GS will ever be used only bc I would say many if not most of their used games come from people trading old games in for new ones. Without the new ones there, GS loses the primary incentive to get the used ones in the store to sell

[Benstamania]

Eh, from first hand experience it was often in my case "used for used." More so when we had the "extra 50% on trades" and "buy 2 used get one free" going on.

You're probably right though, I, in a way don't really think they would ever go "used only" but they already showcase their used more than the new. New titles get a tiny wall space and used are spread over the biggest parts of the store.

[ProjectPat2280]

May not happen for a while... May not happen ever... But I can see devs pulling their games out of GS if they continue to take stands against it. Only takes one dev (EA...) To get the ball rolling.

Not that far fetched, IMHO.

But it is. The publishers may hate the used game market, but would much rather deal with Gamestop due to the fact that store is the best place for the publisher to have their marketing. If you were to go to a publisher and tell them they had to choose ONE outlet for their games to be in, they would choose Gamestop EVERY time. Walmart, Target, Best Buy would all be secondary due to their big box nature. Publishers know they have a better chance of selling their product at GS than any where else.

The ONLY thing that will stop Gamestop is digital distribution. Once DD gets to the point where almost everyone can do it, then, and only then will GS evaporate. EVERY publisher would love to go directly to DD, it would cut down on a lot of cost for them, but the market is too small at this point.

[ProjectPat2280]

Eh, from first hand experience it was often in my case "used for used." More so when we had the "extra 50% on trades" and "buy 2 used get one free" going on.

You're probably right though, I, in a way don't really think they would ever go "used only" but they already showcase their used more than the new. New titles get a tiny wall space and used are spread over the biggest parts of the store.

It makes perfect sense though. A used game sale is a 100% profit for GS. They make like a buck and some change off a new game sale.

[ProjectPat2280]

For used games they are.
I get games off Amazon for $20 less than the typical retail price. Sometimes more.

The trade off with Amazon vs Brick & Mortar is speed. If you want a new game RIGHT now, an online retailer is not an option. Now to some a 10-20 dollar difference is no reason to not wait, but for others, they want the game when they want it, or they just don't trust online shopping. If that wasn't the case, GS(as well as a TON of others) couldn't compete with Amazon, their prices are just too damn good.

[Benstamania]

But it is. The publishers may hate the used game market, but would much rather deal with Gamestop due to the fact that store is the best place for the publisher to have their marketing. If you were to go to a publisher and tell them they had to choose ONE outlet for their games to be in, they would choose Gamestop EVERY time. Walmart, Target, Best Buy would all be secondary due to their big box nature. Publishers know they have a better chance of selling their product at GS than any where else.

The ONLY thing that will stop Gamestop is digital distribution. Once DD gets to the point where almost everyone can do it, then, and only then will GS evaporate. EVERY publisher would love to go directly to DD, it would cut down on a lot of cost for them, but the market is too small at this point.

I honestly think if Wal-Mart got into the used game market and did it WELL... They could hurt GameStop. If they decided to adopt the tactic EB and GS used to use against each other... Say, go to GS get a trade in price and Wal-Mart will give you a few bucks more.

It's no lie that other companies want to do it. They just seem afraid to really jump into it.

[ProjectPat2280]

I honestly think if Wal-Mart got into the used game market and did it WELL... They could hurt GameStop. If they decided to adopt the tactic EB and GS used to use against each other... Say, go to GS get a trade in price and Wal-Mart will give you a few bucks more.

It's no lie that other companies want to do it. They just seem afraid to really jump into it.


When it comes to trades, theres a fine line, GameCrazy didn't know that line and it helped put them out of business. I called it LONG before it happened because when id go in there to trade games in and id get FAR more than i would at GS, which from a customers view is great, but being that I'm a business major, i understood there was no way that was going to work long term. I was right.

I do agree with you though. I think Wal-Mart, out all of them could afford to top GS's trade business. They can afford to take a much larger hit than a Game Crazy or even Best Buy.

[Benstamania]

Yeah, Wal-Mart can afford it... and maybe they would make GameStop a better place in the procsess.

GameStop could help themselves by getting rid of the corporate dbags (like my manager was. She'd throw you under a buss at the drop of a hat) and treat the customer more like a customer and less like a dinner. Then again, you have to get rid of corporate that LOVES to be ass kissed before that...

[Havok83]

Game Crazy was never a huge chain anyway. Ive only ever seen one in my life and it was pretty far out of my way

[Alchemyst]

I kinda miss Game Crazy, I liked the fact that they would at least let you try the game out before you purchased it. Nowadays, I rely solely on the reviews, I only take a gamble on the game if I feel that IGN or any other gaming website is being just a bit too harsh, hence the purchase of Captain America: Supersoldier

[Benstamania]

Cap is like 30 bucks on Amazon... That's really tempting.

[Alchemyst]

Cap is like 30 bucks on Amazon... That's really tempting.

It's pretty fun, not quite as long as Arkham Asylum IMO, but still pretty enjoyable. If anything, it'll hold you over until Arkham City releases

[ProjectPat2280]

I kinda miss Game Crazy, I liked the fact that they would at least let you try the game out before you purchased it. Nowadays, I rely solely on the reviews, I only take a gamble on the game if I feel that IGN or any other gaming website is being just a bit too harsh, hence the purchase of Captain America: Supersoldier


Game Crazy was doomed from the start. Gamestops upper management are just complete douche bags, but Game Crazy's mgmt were just incompetent.



GameStop could help themselves by getting rid of the corporate dbags (like my manager was. She'd throw you under a buss at the drop of a hat) and treat the customer more like a customer and less like a dinner. Then again, you have to get rid of corporate that LOVES to be ass kissed before that...

IMO thats their biggest problem. Somehow and i have yet to figure out how, Gamestop has come to the conclusion that high turnover doesn't create enough of a dip in profits to actually hire good store managers/district managers and pay them well. One of the biggest problems any company can have is high turnover, yet Gamestop seems to either not care, or are just completely unaware of it. Turnover tends to be high in retail as it is, but I'm willing to go to bat and say that Gamestops turnover is abnormally high. Gamestop doesn't put a lot of stock in its employees. They view them ALL as expendable which should of killed that store by now(which leads be to believe their profits are through the roof). I think most managers at Gamestop make around 30K per year. You can't get good, qualified personal on that kind of salary. Thats laughable to an individual with a good degree.

[Alchemyst]

Aww come on Pat, Gamecrazy's management wasn't incompetent, they just took simple things and approached them as if they had a steep learning curve, at least that's what my manager did when I use to work there back in the day. She was beyond an idiot

[Parker Wayne]

Amazon > Gamestop

I haven't bought a game from gamestop in almost 2 years because of Amazon.

[ProjectPat2280]

Amazon > Gamestop

I haven't bought a game from gamestop in almost 2 years because of Amazon.

Amazon > just about anywhere.

But still, it's an online only outlet. That's not a). viable for some and b). you sacrifice speed of service.

I love amazon though, I was able to get the complete Seinfeld collection for 80 bux from there. That's a deal that u can find anywhere else. But I'm one of those uber impatient bastards and when I want a game, I want it now. Not in a few days.

[Parker Wayne]

Amazon > just about anywhere.

But still, it's an online only outlet. That's not a). viable for some and b). you sacrifice speed of service.

I love amazon though, I was able to get the complete Seinfeld collection for 80 bux from there. That's a deal that u can find anywhere else. But I'm one of those uber impatient bastards and when I want a game, I want it now. Not in a few days.

Not when you have free Amazon Prime.

Free release day shipping ftw!

[ProjectPat2280]

Not when you have free Amazon Prime.

Free release day shipping ftw!


True, but even then, I can run out to the store and get the game faster than you if you ordered it from Amazon, even with release day shipping. If i could get games cheaper, id use Amazon a lot more. However with my discount, i tend to fare better going with Gamestop. Once i leave though, Amazon and Best Buy will be my primary sources for games.

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

Well I hope they die while we foul PC users are still downloading stuff off of Steam.


:ff: :ff: :ff:

Gamestop bought impulse so between this and Origin, expect dickery in the digtal space.

http://www.impulsedriven.com/

Looking at Origin and impulse now, the prices are the same price as console games (Pc games are £10 cheaper here) and that's taking into account it's actually cheaper than physical with more money being taken in per a unit sold.

[amazingfantasy15]

IMO thats their biggest problem. Somehow and i have yet to figure out how, Gamestop has come to the conclusion that high turnover doesn't create enough of a dip in profits to actually hire good store managers/district managers and pay them well. One of the biggest problems any company can have is high turnover, yet Gamestop seems to either not care, or are just completely unaware of it. Turnover tends to be high in retail as it is, but I'm willing to go to bat and say that Gamestops turnover is abnormally high. Gamestop doesn't put a lot of stock in its employees. They view them ALL as expendable which should of killed that store by now(which leads be to believe their profits are through the roof). I think most managers at Gamestop make around 30K per year. You can't get good, qualified personal on that kind of salary. Thats laughable to an individual with a good degree.

Well retail stores don't care about high turnover because there's no training involved. Almost every other job requires training, retail doesn't. Plus you can pay the new employee the base salary instead of tacking on the raises the long term employee should've been getting. Do you really think any Gamestop manager has a college degree? Why would they work retail with a degree, you go to college to get out of those crappy retail jobs.

As for my opinion, I almost never go to Gamestop, they usually have a pretty good sale in the early summer and I'll get something then, but otherwise I shop completely at Best Buy. I've got the rewards card there so I have an incentive to purchase there, plus if I want any other electronics at the time, I can get those too. I don't know why people complain so much about Gamestop, there's plenty of other places that will sell you games, go there instead.

I liked the company when it was Babbages and Funcoland, Funcoland was great actually, gave pretty good prices when you sold a game and the used prices were good too, none of this only $5 off crap. Also having more than the current gen systems helped. Once they changed to Gamestop though, I did notice the change in prices on both ends of the spectrum and starting selling games on eBay.

[the_ultimate_evil]

Do you really think any Gamestop manager has a college degree? Why would they work retail with a degree, you go to college to get out of those crappy retail jobs.
.

nice way to stereotype everyone who works in retail

[amazingfantasy15]

nice way to stereotype everyone who works in retail

Why would you pay college tuition for 4-5 years to work in retail. I'm sure with times being tough these days people with college degrees are working retail to make ends meet. However, I highly doubt it was their first choice of a job.

[Teelie]

A lot of people with college degrees who are in retail are in there exactly for the reason amazingfantasy15 said: They can't get a job anywhere else in this economy.

[the_ultimate_evil]

A lot of people with college degrees who are in retail are in there exactly for the reason amazingfantasy15 said: They can't get a job anywhere else in this economy.

exactly i have an hnd and a degree but work in retail, to put it bluntly there is **** all out there on the steady job front

and as much as i like it freelance doesn't pay the bills

[ProjectPat2280]

Do you really think any Gamestop manager has a college degree? Why would they work retail with a degree, you go to college to get out of those crappy retail jobs.

You are grossly misinformed. There are plenty of retail jobs that pay extremely well and thats not including the higher ups in corporate.

[ProjectPat2280]

A lot of people with college degrees who are in retail are in there exactly for the reason amazingfantasy15 said: They can't get a job anywhere else in this economy.

On the lower level yes, upper level, no.

[Teelie]

Upper level usually start upper level if they have a degree already. Very few people get a college degree only to start at the lowest step in the corporate ladder. Usually you get a step up to at least a management position.

[ProjectPat2280]

Upper level usually start upper level if they have a degree already. Very few people get a college degree only to start at the lowest step in the corporate ladder. Usually you get a step up to at least a management position.


Thats not very accurate. Most college grads do not step into management positions(Not saying it doesn't happen though). It also depends on the retailer. For instance Publix(grocery store) managers RARELY start as managers. Most are promoted from within.

[Teelie]

Most people with a college degree also don't start with bagging groceries or running registers either.

[ProjectPat2280]

Most people with a college degree also don't start with bagging groceries or running registers either.


I never stated they did. Just stated you weren't very accurate in your earlier assumption.

[Teelie]

...

[marvelman2006]

Gamestop blows end of story, dont hastle me about preordering uncharted 3 in jan 2011 when you dont even know when its coming out or dont even have a trailer yet. I just hate as soon as I walk in I get hounded about exclusives and preorders. The same with FYE, the weekend transformers 3 came out me and my brother walked in there looking around and I expected them to ask me "hey do you want to preorder dark of the moon on bluray?"
Does anyone know if there trying to get preorders for the WiiU yet? lol


You can defend them all you want but they can take there power points program and shove it up there preordering #$$#$. I feel bad for anyone working there and I know how crappy retail can be, I worked the movies and old navy before.

[ProjectPat2280]

I feel bad for anyone working there and I know how crappy retail can be, I worked the movies and old navy before.


Its not that bad, depending on the personnel you are working with and as long as you are a part timer(I feel bad for the ASM's and SM's). I happen to be one of the few lucky ones. I work with some pretty cool people and considering this isn't a career nor a job i really need, i can dip out at any time. I also can get a lot of my games cheaper than you and others, so dont feel bad for me.

[TheDreamMaster]

All the Gamestops around me quit selling PC games, so I'm pretty pissed about that.

[The Squirrel]

All the Gamestops around me quit selling PC games, so I'm pretty pissed about that.

To Steam! :awesome:

[socool]

Maybe it's just me, but doesn't this work AGAINST Gamestop?

I mean think about it, everyone who buys Deus Ex on PC gets a free game from Gamestop. Had they left the flyer in there, they wouldn't be losing money. Plus, the whole reason for this was because Gamestop doesn't advertise competitors, well, by making a big deal of this, more and more people are going to become interested in this "Onlive thing". Plus, the group of angry Gamestop haters are probably permanently switching to either Steam or Onlive.

Gamestop just futt bucked themselves.

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

I doubt alot of gamers even follow the news.

[Benstamania]

I still think the "OnLive is a competitor" thing is a lame excuse. Portal 2 had a voucher for Portal 2 on Steam.

Steam is probably more of a competitor than OnLive is... so... Why not take that voucher out too?

[Havok83]

I still think the "OnLive is a competitor" thing is a lame excuse. Portal 2 had a voucher for Portal 2 on Steam.

Steam is probably more of a competitor than OnLive is... so... Why not take that voucher out too?
Maybe they didnt want to piss off Valve, who really doesnt need GS the way other publishers do

[Benstamania]

I suppose... But still.

[Whiskey Tango]

Looks like business as usual for the perpetually shady Gamestop to me. These tools were going to give my idiot friend Mike $15 for his almost brand new Wii. I lol'ed after he hung up the phone, offered him $50 and went home with a new console.

[ProjectPat2280]

Looks like business as usual for the perpetually shady Gamestop to me. These tools were going to give my idiot friend Mike $15 for his almost brand new Wii. I lol'ed after he hung up the phone, offered him $50 and went home with a new console.



LOL. Someone wanted to trade in a Wii today while i was working, told him id give him 25 for it, he then asked me how much id sell it for and my honest answer? "A whole helluva lot more than what I'm about to give you". He laughed and said he'd take it to Craigs list. Told him that was a good idea.

I hate doing system trade ins. I mean i gotta plug it up to the tv, put in a disc, see if it works. I much rather just sit around all day, and collect my pay check.

[ProjectPat2280]

Maybe they didnt want to piss off Valve, who really doesnt need GS the way other publishers do

I highly doubt thats the case. They wouldn't sweat it if Valve dropped them.