Game Crazy's going out of business sooner than later

[intvsama]

Parent company Movie Gallery has until August 27th to pay off a $900 million restructuring loan before they default on the loan and risk foreclosure on the company, at which point the bank will sell off all assets of the company to recoup the loan.

Some anticipate the end of the company at the end of the summer. Google News has a pile of articles about it. http://news.google.com/news?q=movie+gallery

Game Crazy has been a reliable source of "classic plastic" for a number of years, the last major chain to stop carrying pre-PS2 games. I even used to work for the company. I'm sad to see it end. This will leave GameStop unchecked by other corporately owned specialty game dealers (not including BB, WalMart, FYE, etc... in this as they are not specialty). Expect trade prices to plummet.

[Icarus Moonsight]

A few years ago I had nothing but praise for GameCrazy for the very reasons you've cited. Now they can go to hell for all I care. Since they screwed me out of my Castlevania Anniversary preorder bonus for Portrait of Ruin back at the end of last year I haven't been back but once or twice. Phasing out the classic plastic was just the last straw. Gamestop at least gets my preorders done right AND they actually call me to let me know when it's ready for pick up. A Gamestop monopoly doesn't sound good but, I would feel a little bit of karmic payback if GC was to go under in a awesomely bad sort of way. :evil:

[intvsama]

Guess I wasn't the only one screwed out of their Castlevania PoR preorder bonus. I got mine tho'. I got the district manager's house phone number from an employee (this is after I left the company, different DM) and called him every day until I got mine. Took about a week's worth of calls, but I got it.

My shopping at Game Crazy has dwindled to the occasional stopping in to check what NES and SNES titles have mysteriously appeared. The other day I picked up Mickey Mousecapades and Karate Champ for $2.50 each. I buy all my new and used current gen stuff at the indy shop down the street. Since they're not contractually bound by street dates I can get my stuff a few days earlier too. Hoping to have Metroid Prime 3 this coming Thursday or Friday. Supposed to be getting GH3 a couple days early as well, we'll see how that works out. 8*)

They bought Hollywood Video while that company was millions in debt, and they can't afford to pay their debt as well as Hollywood's. Generally not a smart business move to buy out smaller companies when not only you're not doing well, but the industry in general (rentals) is doing poorly.

[GarrettCRW]

They bought Hollywood Video while that company was millions in debt, and they can't afford to pay their debt as well as Hollywood's. Generally not a smart business move to buy out smaller companies when not only you're not doing well, but the industry in general (rentals) is doing poorly.

This is the key issue, as Hollywood and Blockbuster are both getting owned by Netflix and other online video services. Personally, the loss of Gamecrazy might be a blessing in disguise, as it'll give independent game stores an even bigger chance to grow, particularly if/when GameStop starts trying to act like a monopoly.

[FoxyGamer]

lol first i've heard of this, and i'm a game crazy employee. Between you, me, and the rafters, however- GC is changing the way they do business drastically, and now I understand why. As of about 3 or 4 weeks ago, we were told to push all the extras on every customer, even if they just come in for a gift card- it's ludicrous.

People come in to Game Crazy because of the less corporate atmosphere, and because the employees know what they are talking about, as opposed to the game stops (in my area at least), which are manned by a bunch of kids who could give a shit less who is paying them their 7.50/hour.

But this is interesting news. Guess I'm glad I have a salaried full time job that isn't game crazy, huh?

Drexel, you hiring? :D

[rustblackend]

There aren't any game crazys around here but all the movie gallerys have been going under here for the past 3 years so it's not really surprising.

[Oobgarm]

And good riddance, I say, if this comes to pass.

Everything about them just seems half-assed. Their reservation program, their selection and pricing, their 'MVP card' program, their merchandising, their employees in general, even their employee hiring protocols seem like they're doing just the bare minimum to get by, nothing more.

Countless times we've reserved games from them with pre-order bonuses, and never got the bonus for one reason or another. It has always seemed that they offer goodies as an incentive to get you you to reserve with them, but then later say that the offer was discontinued or that 'their store didn't get any'. Hell, we have never even gotten a phone call letting us know to pick up a reservation there, despite having reserved a few games with them. Even when we had a 360 reserved during the launch madness, they never bothered to call us when ours came in-we had to call them. Plus, when games release, only some stores might get product first day. Some stores with preorders get nothing, while stores with no preorders get plenty of stock. Very, very poor management of product.

Their selection is poor. They don't get many games in that others do; as they only stick with mostly mainstream stuff. And that my be fine and dandy for most, but it bites for those of us who may be on the hunt for a game that GameStop has sold out of. There are time I've seen new games available for rent at Hollywood Video that Game Crazy doesn't even carry. Their used selection is not much better, mostly due to the fact that their games are trashed and caseless former Hollywood rentals, and their trade-in values are low. They say that they offer more in trade than anyone else, but it's only pennies of difference. Who gives $7.13 trade for a game? Might as well trade it in where there's a better selection.

Pricing is a joke, especially on used games. I spotted a copy of Battalion Was for GameCube with a price of $50, $45 used. THE EXACT SAME TITLE IS AT GAMESTOP USED FOR $6.99. Maybe it was just overlooked when it dropped in price, maybe not. It always seems that they're late to the party on price drops. Lots of the used games are mis-priced as well, showing that no effort was made to ensure correct pricing. There have been a few occasions where I've gotten things cheaper than what the were stickered at. No complaints about that, but having things priced too high deters purchases.

The MVP card is obviously an effort to mirror the success of the FuncoLand sub card, as the initial creators of Game Crazy included former Funco execs. While emulating the success fo the program seemed simple, the higher price was off-putting, the 'members-only tournaments and events' part was a sham, and the magazine that came with the card was through a different company entirely-meaning that there was a chance you'd not get your magazine(happened to us the two times we signed up). Plus, it's only good at the location you sign up at. We've had no success at other stores with the card.

Game Crazy's merchandising is atrocious. There's not enough space to begin with. Everything in their store, for lack of a better word, seems like a giant clusterfuck. Games are double-stacked into 3-tier shelving, making it a chore to find the case to a game you're looking for. There appears to be no rhyme or reason to organization, either. Bins on the floor literally have games dumped in them, making browsing quite a task. Only the HOT NEW games are visible behind the counter without straining the eyes. It's not easy browsing through stacks of spined games when you're standing 3 feet away from them. Before the massive reduction sale on the 'classic plastic', it was obvious the chain didn't care about the games, as most of their inventory wasn't displayed-you had to ask for an employee to get them out of the back room. And even then, it was just games thrown into a giant storage tote. I still see that happening with piles of sleeved Dreamcast and PSX games on the bottom shelf behind the counter. No effort to merchandise the product means little to no sales.

As a former GameStop employee, I understand that chains are going to have their good and bad employees. I've only come across a couple of good ones at the numerous Game Crazy stores I've been to. Everyone else is either a Hollywood Video employee who knows nothing about games who is there to sell and meet quota, some easily excited "jock gamer" who loves Madden and Halo, or a girl who is obviously not into games but is there to act as a pretty face (and meet quota). I've listened to employees try and field simple questions for customers and fail miserably. We've called and asked for games and been told that they have no idea what we're talking about(like Persona 3, yesterday). Asking them to assist you in locating a non-new release game is usually met with a sigh or obvious discontentment. They just want to get back to chatting with their friends who are on the phone or hanging out in the store.

Story Time: Once, upon purchasing a new copy of Kingdom Hearts II, I noticed the game had a scuff on it once I opened it. I took it back up to the store, and asked for a replacement. The employee there, apparently the manager, told me that they didn't offer a replacement right away, and that he'd have to run the disc through their resurfacer and have me take it home and re-test it before an exchange could be made. We got into an arguement about it, and I ended up contacting a guy I knew at another store. Apparently, exchanges are part of policy, and that the guy was just being an asshole. My contact made sure I got a new copy.

Trying to get a job there was ridiculous. I got the run-around from three different people, and then was interviewed by some jackass(the aforementioned asshole manager who didn't recognize me from the fiasco mentioned above) who'd obviously never interviewed a person in his life, with his shaky voice, constant repeating of 'oh, awesome' as a reponse to my awnsers, and inability to deviate from a printed interview script. I'd like have thought that I could assist in turing a store around, but they'd have nothing of it. Worked out for me in the end, anyway. The store I would have worked at closed down a month later, due to lack of business-which is surprising, since it's in a high traffic and high income area.

I know that my personal experiences may not reflect everyone else's, but if this is any indication of how their chain operates, it's amazing they've lasted as long as they have.

[neogamer]

First, allow me to start off by saying that I DO NOT work for any Game Crazy stsor or any of its affiliates. I DO NOT own stock in the company (Thank GOD-LOL) or have any other vested interest! I don't even have any store credit with them!

With that being said I will say this: unlike Game Stop and EB Games, who I was an assistant manager for back in 1995, Game Crazy always treats me with respect. I can inspect the game I am going to buy, without having to explain to a Game Stop employee that just because I want to see the game I am going to buy, does not mean I am going to steal it! Let's be honest, Game Stop and EB Games, sell more REWRAPPED games than anyone else. How many times do I buy a "new" game and see that it has been REWRAPPED by an employee that doesn't even know how to use a shrinkwrap machine! Why should I pay top dollar for a supposed "BRAND NEW" game that is really just plain old used! Think about that!

I never will shop at an EB Games or Game Stop store! It has gotten to the point, where I am actually already talking about opening up a well known video game franchise!

I hope Game Crazy succeeds! I will gladly help them in any way shape or form. I made a lot of money off them when they had their "classic plastic" sale, and for that, I feel as though I owe them. I know I am new to these forums, but if you guys got to know me, you would understand that with CD based games, I barely rarely buy used. I collect only the MINTEST (if that is even a word) games I can find! Game Crazy, unlike EB and Game Stop have helped me greatly! Here are some examples:

I got Panzer Dragoon Orta-BRAND NEW for the Xbox for $14.99. House of the Dead III - BRAND NEW for the XBOX for $19.99! Fatal Frame 2 and 3 for the Playstation 2, $7.99 each-NEW and UNOPENED, and yes, they were cello-wrapped from the manufacturer! Why on Earth would anyone want to see this company go!

I still get the Tekken 5 joystick bundles for $29.99 each BRAND NEW-these sell for $50+ on eBay! So please, why is everyone bashing a company like this???

:frustrated:

[walrusmonger]

The gamecrazy I used to work at was awesome... until my manager became the DM and the store got new managers. We got all of the atlus releases, but not every release.

The company started to turn around holiday season of last year, the employees all knew the company would go out of business, but we didn't think that quickly!

It sucks, because I have a bunch of friends who work at GC and at Hollywood Video too. I don't shop at GC anymore anyway though, the store isn't run in the same professional way that gamestops usually are.


And to everyone posting about deals or classic plastic as reasons why they should stay in business-

gamecrazy pricing sucks. they take a long time to drop the price, and by then it's too late since the stuff usually gets sent back to headquarters and relocated. classic plastic is a joke, they stopped taking classic games, and while they USED to give real values, about a year ago everything got wiped to $.01 value.

So when you find some rare snes game at gamecrazy, remember that some stupid kid traded it there for a penny.

[Griking]

Personally, the loss of Gamecrazy might be a blessing in disguise, as it'll give independent game stores an even bigger chance to grow, particularly if/when GameStop starts trying to act like a monopoly.

I can't see how this can be a good thing. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Gamestop raises their prices again once Game Crazy was gone and there's less competition.

[gamegirl79]

I used to love Gamecrazy and have found some good stuff there in the past. Their business practices are quite shady though and I'm sick of it. Two examples:

Last year during the Wii preorder craziness, I had an employee lie right to my face and gurantee me a Wii on launch day. So I put $50 down on a reservation. I show up on launch day, and "oops!" the district manager says, "you placed your reservation too late (three weeks before launch) and you'll have to wait until we get another shipment in."

Me: "I realize it was a late reservation, but one of your employees guranteed me a system TODAY. That's the only reason I reserved it. So you can't honor it?"

DM: "No. But here's 12 free rentals and we'll call you when we get another shipment in."

I got my money back and left. I've only been back a couple times since.

Before that whole mess, I went to Gamecrazy to buy Guitar Hero II the day it came out. I did not have a preorder although plenty of copies were available at the store. I asked if I could buy it, and the employee says "you know it's $20 more if you don't have an MVP card". I said "I have one" and he says "oh okay".

How the hell can they raise prices on NEW games if one doesn't have an MVP card? Gimme a break!

[s1lence]

Well in My opinion this sucks. The Gamestops in my area suck ass, which is sad considering they were all funcolands at one point. The gamecrazy I visit anyways has a good selection and treats me well, were the EB/GS stores are disorganized garbage. I guess the indie stores will be getting more and more of my business.

[Oobgarm]

How the hell can they raise prices on NEW games if one doesn't have an MVP card? Gimme a break!

Because he's tacking an MVP sign-up onto the cost of the game.

[PentiumMMX]

Personally, the loss of Gamecrazy might be a blessing in disguise, as it'll give independent game stores an even bigger chance to grow, particularly if/when GameStop starts trying to act like a monopoly.

Yeah...Maybe a Game-X-Change will open in my area (All there is where I live is a Gamestop).

Anyway, if Game Crazy closes, then doesn't that mean Movie Gallery goes as well? If so, I'll be keeping an eye out at the local MG for when any good games get put on sale and marked down.

[gamegirl79]

Because he's tacking an MVP sign-up onto the cost of the game.

It should not be forced on people though. What BS. I'd love to see the entire company go under. :evil:

[Imstarryeyed]

I have not heard about this but I am not too surprised. I hear horror stories of Game Crazy here in Texas. I have to say that the dwindling of games and classic support was one of the chief reasons I built my game store here in Corpus Christi.

I use Ebay to price and buy back games by searching Ebay's closed auction to get kind of a base price. It wasnt too long before a lot of people here in Corpus found out that I am the only shop in town that can repair consoles (atari - modern) and that I pay more for games.

My suggestion is for any small store owner to get to know the others competition and have them refer people to you. I get an awful lot of biz from GameStop/Ebgames referrals. I invited the upper management local to my store and had a chat with them, once they saw me as a classic place they had no reason not to tell their employees to refer people to my shop.

I am not sure if GameCrazy will go under, but on average employees stay there for only 2 weeks tops locally here, at least that is what I am hearing?

Marco
Play Again Classic Video Games

myspace.com/playagaincvg

[Richter Belmount]

NOOOOOOOOOO~~~~~~~~~~~!!!!!!!!!!
Let it not be true , I dont want to be left alone with that bastard gamestop or ebgames!

[zemmix]

I prefer my local Game Crazy to the local Gamestops thats for sure. Sure the 5 used games stacked in one wall bin make it hard to find stuff you are looking for but they always had a better selection at lower prices than my local gamestop. I have their membership card too. It's been a while since I've gone though since we have Netflix now and never go to Hollywood video anymore.

[diskoboy]

Well shit.

There goes one of the last stores that sells Dreamcast games and accessories.

[MarioMania]

That's sad, I would only go in Gamecrazy for there old stuff..The only time I go in GS/EB if a Game is like $4.99 on the Xbox

[boatofcar]

Well shit.

There goes one of the last stores that sells Dreamcast games and accessories.

Do they still carry Dreamcast games at your GC? They phased out all of that stuff at my GC with the last sale.

[hbkprm]

i guess that gamestop/eb games has no compotition

[MarioMania]

I'll bet in a couple weeks they have close out sale

[Eternal Tune]

The only story I have to share is more about females working in game stores. This one just happens to work at Gamecrazy.

I reserved Persona 3 from Gamecrazy, because Gamestop told me they weren't taking pre-orders on it. This was months before its release....so don't ask me. I think the employee couldn't spell it or find it in the system. So anyways, I reserved it at Gamecrazy. I wanted to pick it up yesterday and I called. No one ever called me and it came out on Wednesday. Some girl named Becky answered and I told her I was looking to see if they had Persona 3. She puts me on hold for a few minutes then comes back and asks what system it is for. I say PS2 and she says "no, we don't carry that." A few hours later I have Oobgarm call the same store. Same girl answers and says they got them in but sold out. He informs her we reserved it. She quickly says something along the lines of oh I mean we didn't get it in.

Soooo...we head over to another Gamecrazy store after work. Hoping I can transfer my reserve credit. The guy working calls the store and no one answers. He tries several times after. Nothing. I went ahead and bought it without my transferred credit, figuring I would eventually buy something at the original store I reserved it from. Still I wanted to choke that girl.

Keep in mind I'm female and worked at Gamestop for many years. Girls who play games make excellent employees. Hiring chicks based on their looks, who have zero interest in what they are selling pisses me off to no end.

[Oobgarm]

I'll bet in a couple weeks they have close out sale

No way. Someone will buy the assets. Maybe even GameStop-and just absorb the inventory.

[heybtbm]

Gamecrazy is (was) great for having hard to find items months (and sometimes years) after they stopped being available everywhere else. Hori controllers, Messiah items, new Dreamcast accessories, etc.

Unfortunately, my local Gamecrazy stopped getting in new titles about two months ago. They're now just essentially selling what stock they have left. It's too bad and a net negative for gamers.

[cyberfluxor]

Well this somewhat stinks. I discovered a few of their locations last year and made a few good N64, GBC and NES purchases from them. I wouldn't be suprised if Game Stop did buy them out and put it into their inventory, especially with their new Movie Stop locations.

[diskoboy]

Do they still carry Dreamcast games at your GC? They phased out all of that stuff at my GC with the last sale.

Yeah. But you have to ask them. They never have the DC games on the shelves, for some strange reason.

[Aussie2B]

Well, it's a shame, but I can't say I'll miss them much. For years I didn't even have a nearby location, so seeing people talk about Game Crazy was kind of a mystery to me. But then I found one, and I've visited once or twice a year for the last two or three years. Their selection for both old and new has never been impressive, but I've bought maybe 10 or so games there over the years. This summer they really helped me out because I bought a Super Scope (elsewhere) but had no games for it. Their SNES selection is completely picked over (like everything else at this point), but, because they required a special accessory that most people don't have, the Super Scope games remained sitting among the sports titles. There's absolutely nothing left that I would want at this point, unless they got something decent for a relatively modern system. I have made a couple decent PS2 purchases in the past, but when I looked through everything this summer, I couldn't find a single thing worth getting. I'm also trying to repair one of the first games I ever bought there. Thanks to GameCrazy I've ended up with my very first dead battery in a cart (I assume it was dead all along because I never played the game enough previously to know one way or another).

So all in all, my experience with them wasn't necessarily bad, but it sure wasn't remarkable. The employees have always been pretty friendly, though, and they seem relatively knowledgeable.

[GarrettCRW]

Hiring chicks based on their looks, who have zero interest in what they are selling pisses me off to no end.

If the rationale for hiring these girls is what I think it is, then you probably have a good reason to be pissed.

[Steven]

Well, it's a shame, but I can't say I'll miss them much. Their SNES selection is completely picked over (like everything else at this point)


QFT. I raided a bunch of Game Crazy's in the earlier part of 2006. Got some great deals, Mega Man X2 $10, Kirby SuperStar $5 etc. Then suddenly, summer '06 it got completely drained. All that was left were crappy old sport games. Before you could walk in and find Equinox, ActRaiser, Combatribes, Clay Fighter, etc. So, this bit of news really doesn't affect me. I've long stop visiting them.

[Vinnysdad]

I like shopping at my local Game Crazy and hope they dont go under. Its the only game store with employees who know what theyre talking about. What is funny is the people in this thread bitching about not getting the freebies.LOL Especially the one guy who harrased the manager at home. Its a FREEBIE!

[Trebuken]

They deserve this for throwing away all those game boxes and ps1 cases....payback...finally.

[DigitalSpace]

(Excuse the Anthony1 sized post here, but I have a lot to say, so...)

As I've said before, GameCrazy is the lesser of two evils. They always came off as just a little better than GameStop/EB, but not quite.

I haven't had any major problems at the stores I've visited. Then again, I've never preordered a thing at GameCrazy. Most of the employees I've encountered are knowledgeable and helpful. One time, I was telling an employee about how GameStop refused to let my friend renew her discount card because the computer said her card hadn't expired yet (it had). The employee said that she used to work at a GameStop herself. This was followed by "let's just say there's a reason I'm here instead of there." Also, I have yet to see a female employee at any of the local GameCrazies that didn't come off as a gamer. The girl I just mentioned wound up talking with me about her Super Nintendo collection. One time I went to another store on a pretty dead evening, and the girl working there was playing an RPG on a Super NES. I've never had anyone try anything shady to get me to buy an MVP card or preorder something.

Then again, the Hollywood video headquarters in Wilsonville is right in the Portland area, so that could be why the stores here are so good. In fact, several GameCrazy stores in the Portland area (including the one near my house) were originally test stores. In fact, most of the local stores kept the boxes and instructions to whatever classic plastic/GBA carts they got in.

The MVP card was mostly a joke. I had it for one year (between mid-2004 and mid-2005), and at that time, they did have a few monthly "MVP only" sales. Nothing too big though. The last one I remember was a B2G1 on used sports games. Lame. I don't remember any MVP exclusive tournaments and they didn't even offer magazine subs with the MVP card until right before my card expired.

In fact, the only reason I got the card was because I had decided to look around the Gresham store, and it turned out that Mark Wattles (who owned Hollywood Video before they were sold to Movie Gallery) and a few other people from corporate were in there. Mark introduced himself to me and asked me a few questions about the store, and then offered me a free MVP card. I couldn't turn it down. It was great but during that year I didn't see a thing that offered me any incentive to renew it. Instead, I went with the $5 EB Edge card (man, I miss that card).

Also, GameCrazy did sell opened games as new, but at my stores, it was limited to those "sale" games you see on a rack in the middle of the store (some were sealed, though).

The classic plastic was a great thing. It's a shame that they decided to stop carrying them and taking them in. For those who hadn't heard, any store with classic plastic left should be running a 2 for $5 sale to get rid of them. A couple months ago I hit up several of the local stores, buying the best of whatever they had left.

It's really too bad that GameCrazy started adopting GameStop's policies in an attempt to keep going, because their best benefit was that they weren't GameStop. I hope Play N' Trade gets big in the next few years. I'm glad that there are other options in the Portland area, though.

[Nirvana]

Dammit. Game Crazy is an amazing store. I've gotten a good portion of my game collection from there.

We need another place to rise up!

[intvsama]

I like shopping at my local Game Crazy and hope they dont go under. Its the only game store with employees who know what theyre talking about. What is funny is the people in this thread bitching about not getting the freebies.LOL Especially the one guy who harrased the manager at home. Its a FREEBIE!

It absolutely was not a freebie. I paid them $35 for my copy of PoR with the bonus pack. I could have just as easily (and much more happily) given my local indie shop the $35, but I was promised the bonus because I was buying the game there.

[Niku-Sama]

crap in a hat!

one store opens and another closes, evewry god damn time in this forsaken town!
Game Crazy here is decent, they dont have much in the way of old stuff but when they get it i know about it, i have also got many a games there because there more a local company than EB or Software Ect. is (yes its still software Ect. and both EB and Software are in the same mall, go fig) Play n' Trade is opening up soon but theres no guraentes theyre gonna have classic stuff and game crazys old stuff was growing. i have got some major deals there with NES and SNES games. our store was doing 2 for $ classic plastic and i managed Doom and Secret of Mana on SNES both for $5.

whatta pain in the ass, i hope they just sell everything off if this does happen.

[Trumpman]

There are no GameCrazies in my area. Luckily I have the DigitalPress store relatively close by. I need to pay that a visit soon!

[Push Upstairs]

Game Crazy will forever leave me two memories in my life:

1. Buying my complete Saturn there for $9 (after my $10 store credit).

2. Being the place where that "knowledgeable" father went on about wanting to play Halo on his son's GC and declaring that all game systems run on DOS after being told why it wouldn't work.

Generally the employee's there have been decent and in many cases knowledgeable beyond the typical new game releases.

[RCM]

I wouldn't be so quick to jump and say that all GCs are going under. It's no secret that they along with MG and HV have problems, but it's too quick to say they're all going to close. I wouldn't be shocked if GC survived.

[The Batman]

thats crazy, the store was cool, until i bought my gamecube b/c of that zelda collectors edition bonus game, i was told i would recieve my copy.....they lied. im still mad.

[neogamer]

Again, I have never had a problem. The manager at my Reading store always holds stuff for me and even allows me to forgo the fee for special ordering hard to find games from other stores! Since I don't really preorder anything, I can't comment on that end. What I can tell you is this: If you spend enough money at any game store, and they don't give you any "free gifts" or even "freebies" as some would call it, then it is time to move on. I happen to spend a lot more than most gamers in a year, that's probably why I have a more positive attitude towards them.

My local store is located in Reading, PA. and they have literally held thousands of dollars of "classic Plastic", just for me! Because of that, I always thought that I owe them! Does anyone else here feel the same way about a particular game store?

I have even gotten the large displays for free! Look at what they go for on eBay! The truth of the matter is, money talks! If you don't spend a lot at a particular store, chances are you may fall off the "radar". I know that sounds cruel, but in business you get 80% of your business from 20% of your customers. Any thoughts on this? I know Game Stop treats me like "crap", but I don't buy a lot from them.

[KingCobra]

Well, after reading this thread and the responses?

I for one would love to see all these big gaming Franchise peckerheads fall to the wayside! Hale to the Mom&Pop gaming stores! Rise from the ashes!

Let the mainstream buy the mainstrean crap from Wal-Mart/Target, in this day and age? with the internet and all? Pfffttttt... I'll by my soo-called niche Hori arcade sticks/Logitec Wheels/L.E Games and the likes off the web, it's not like they sell at EB's/Gamestop ect... anyways? Theres a reason why they blew out Hori Tekken/DoA sticks in the first place, cause the mainstream won't buy that stuff. Hell, only till this generation of consoles it was bitch to buy official "Componet Cable" for the love of god!?


That's my two cents.

[josekortez]

I hope Gamecrazy goes under. I had a situation with an employee who gave me terrible customer service there once and called his district manager who never got back to me. That and the fact that they destroy all the Genesis boxes they get put me in the "Down with Gamecrazy" camp.

[Bassgrabber]

I've got gripes, and have good experiences with both Game Crazy and GameStop franchises.

After a major and complete personnel change around seven months ago my local GameCrazy went from the usual friendly and helpful staffers one week to the unhelpful and derelict (in their jobs, not lifestyle or appearance) restaffers the next.

First came their refusal to update the classic plastic list book. This went on for five straight months and included management.

Next, I was looking "in the wild" for a NOS PSP with 1.50 firmware, and found a value pack with a "good" serial number at that same store. Having asked if it was new and being told "Yes", I paid for it. I looked at the box and saw that the tape seal didn't look right; it had been tampered with. Looking up at the employee I said, "I want you to watch me open this, the seal on this is messed up". His eyes and brows said, "Oh shit!" although he just tightened his lips and kept his mouth shut. Uh huh... seems I had called it correctly although I had hoped to be wrong.

The first noticable thing wrong was that the PSP, which had been inside the protective foam sleeve, had fingerprints and smudges on it. Then the serial number didn't match the box.

The employee got the manager, who had to call district, who had to call regional, who had to call the store back.

I got my refund, and they were pissed. The employee who sold to and refunded me pocketed my original cash receipt when he thought I wasn't paying attention and just gave me my refund receipt.

A week later the store was closed. Gee, I wonder why? When asking at the movie counter I was told that GameCrazy had been kicked out due to too many inventory problems, and that Hollywood video was taking over. With recent goings-on I thought that might be a good thing. I was very wrong.

The store stayed closed for a month when it was supposed to be closed for two weeks. They kept changing the date on the sign taped to the doors.

Upon Hollywood Games opening the first noticable difference was the absence of classic plastic. The other was the removal of the Game Crazy logo, and Hollywood Video stickers on the games. They kept the same chain link fencing and green/black non-logo trim and fittings.

I haven't enjoyed going in there as I used to before the first major personnel change. I have only encountered one gaming staffer there who seems disinterested and unknowledgable. In turn, I don't go there as often, and have pretty much walked out empty handed.

There are two other GameCrazy's in my area, and they are staffed with friendly and avid GAMERS of both new and old school systems. Both of those stores have been a pleasure to visit any time I've been to them. The closest shop used to run a fresh classic plastic printout for me pretty much when I walked in the door LOL Unfortunately they were one of the shops that no longer handles CP. I think the other now has ALL the classic plastic for the district. It might be worth the hour drive to get there on my own, as I used to frequent both during working hours while in transit for a nice break time spent how I wanted it!

On the other side of the coin, there are two GameStops within ten minutes of my dwelling, and they are within FIVE minutes of each other. There are several more in the area. My first impression of one of the shops was negative; the employees were rude and too busy chatting amongst themselves to help me when I asked for something. I ended up walking out and didn't go back until just recently to pick up some free posters for another gamer.

I had stopped at the "other" GameStop first but they didn't receive any posters. I did browse, grabbed a new GC controller, and then looked on the used racks. Unbelievably, a complete and mint GameBoyPlayer was on the used rack for $19.99 MINE!! I went to pay for my stuff and found that they had called ahead to the "negative store" and had them hold two sets of posters for me.

Different store, but same story here... the helpful and game-knowledgable personnel at the previously rude store made a world of difference this time around. I went in to pick up the posters but also walked out with a reasonably priced used game I had been thinking of getting as well as a USED Gamecube controller for 7.99 I paid using the credit from returning the new controller from the first store.

I think the competition is good for keeping prices in check, as well as variety. Obviously the staff's experience and manner makes a difference to me, but so does the cost of the stuff I'm looking for. I still miss my OLD GameCrazy and was sorry to see them go (downhill) seven months ago. I can only wonder how long they'll last if the rest of the stores are being as grossly mismanaged as this one was.

There aren't any Mom and Pop stores near me that I'm aware of. I have heard of two new franchise stores that aren't too far away and need to refind the post and get my ass over to them, soon!

[Nick]

This is bs. Game Crazy is the one and only game store I go to. I fucking hate Gamestop and all the pos's that work there. :D We have about five within 10 miles here. PLEASE DONT DIE ON ME GC!!

[BHvrd]

Movie Gallery = employee's from hell.

I'm glad to see Movie Gallery going under personally. Their employee's were always a bunch of underhanded shady con artists and bullies.

I was more than qualified for a position years ago, but I never passed their "morality application".

I'm serious, and I wish I had saved it. These morons actually made you take like a 20 page morality test, it was questions like "would you steal...even a little".

I'm sorry for the good Movie Gallery employee's out there, but I would assume just never see another one again.

Nothing worse than when a company thinks they have everything figured out and how to control ever single person in the world, it's ugly and it seems to happen more and more every day. The only good business is a business that gives a shit about its customers, period.

[sirhansirhan]

Game Crazies do suck pretty bad, but they are much better than GameStop/EB. I'm a big fan of the fact that (the ones in my town, at least) don't make floor copies of new games. Plus, I've gotten really good deals on sealed games there before, on occasion (like Culdcept for $10 last year).

Still, I've run into problems with them not having a game the day it comes out because no one pre-ordered it. One time an employee even said something like, "I don't feel sorry for people who can't find the game the day it comes out. If you want it, pre-order it." That's such bullshit, and a weird industry standard that you'll only find with video games. Anyway, I went to a GameStop and bought it instead.

Also, one time I special ordered Great Greed for Gameboy, and they said it would be in in about a week or two, or else they'd refund my special order deposit. After not hearing anything from them for a month or more, I went to reclaim my deposit, and it turned out that they had had it all along, but had failed to call me.

Luckily, I like in St. Louis, and there are kind of a lot of good independent video game stores here, so I have lots of options.

[MegaDrive20XX]

No way. Someone will buy the assets. Maybe even GameStop-and just absorb the inventory.

You know GameStop will. They are piranha that caught the scent of blood in the water.

[neogamer]

I just can't handle Game Stop and EB Games taking over! I have been burnt too many times! I hate rewraps! I hate employees who deny that games are rewraps! I hate not being able to touch and see the game I am buying! At least with Game Crazy, I can avoid most of these problems. If GC goes under, I'll be buying games at Target or Wal*Mart! Toys R Us is pretty good as well! Just got Jade Empire Limited Edition for Xbox for $5.00!

[Trebuken]

Amazon.com might be my new, favorite game-store. A number of people have stated Gamestop is taking over and that there is no competition, but I myself have been looking to the web incresingly and there are plenty of options.

I believe before Gamestop and EB merged Walmart was actually the No. 1 game seller, and there is a good chance they will be again at the rate they are building stores.

[Barbarianoutkast85]

I also could really care less about Game Crazy anymore, for a year to a year and a half or so I picked up a lot of Genesis games there. Then they started the "2 for $5, Classic Plastic" sale and sold off there stock now they are just like EB, Gamestop I mean I just dont mind anymore. If they still sold retro games I might shed a tear.

[roushimsx]

I really want to feel bad for GC, but god damn if every GC I walk into isn't a complete mess. The condition of their used games is generally somehow worse than that of Gamestop/EB's, and that's saying something. Like any shit-hole-big-chain game store there's occasionally some gold buried if you look for it, but even when you do stumble on a good game, chances are it's beat all to hell.

Their classic plastic was cool for snagging cheap carts (assuming some local asshat didn't completely wipe out every fucking GC in the area of N64 carts. Asshat), but man...if you were looking for PS1/Saturn/DC games, you were setting yourself up for disappointment. There were plenty of times where even if I asked them to buff a game out (and even after going to work with some brasso and elbow grease), I couldn't get games in a condition to properly play (or rip to an image).

...which all reminds me of one very important thing: I really need to pick up another copy of Rayman for PS1 sometime.

[Ed Oscuro]

After reading the first page, suddenly I'm feeling less critical of online distribution (with shipped goodies for those who care about those things)... :o

[swlovinist]

This sucks, as the Game Crazy near me has some of the coolest people and gamers working there. Should I warn them of possible troubled times ahead?

[neogamer]

I really want to feel bad for GC, but god damn if every GC I walk into isn't a complete mess. The condition of their used games is generally somehow worse than that of Gamestop/EB's, and that's saying something. Like any shit-hole-big-chain game store there's occasionally some gold buried if you look for it, but even when you do stumble on a good game, chances are it's beat all to hell.

Their classic plastic was cool for snagging cheap carts (assuming some local asshat didn't completely wipe out every fucking GC in the area of N64 carts. Asshat), but man...if you were looking for PS1/Saturn/DC games, you were setting yourself up for disappointment. There were plenty of times where even if I asked them to buff a game out (and even after going to work with some brasso and elbow grease), I couldn't get games in a condition to properly play (or rip to an image).

...which all reminds me of one very important thing: I really need to pick up another copy of Rayman for PS1 sometime.


You are aware at the time of the classic plastic sale, you had the ability to "wish list" any game you wanted and they would hold it for you! I get so mad when people tell me that it was "my fault" because they could not get a copy of Super Mario 64! My response, and the evn the store's response, is the same: WISH LIST the game! Then when they get it in, your the first person they call!

[walrusmonger]

You are aware at the time of the classic plastic sale, you had the ability to "wish list" any game you wanted and they would hold it for you! I get so mad when people tell me that it was "my fault" because they could not get a copy of Super Mario 64! My response, and the evn the store's response, is the same: WISH LIST the game! Then when they get it in, your the first person they call!

If you wish listed a rare game, chances are the employee would snatch it up before it got into the system OR buy it after it got in. And if they didn't do that, special orders would call the next day asking for it to be shipped to another store. The wish list only worked well on popular titles that seemed to be out of stock.

If you had better luck, I guess you were lucky, but in my old district, thats how it rolled ;)

[roushimsx]

You are aware at the time of the classic plastic sale, you had the ability to "wish list" any game you wanted and they would hold it for you!

I tried that "wish list" thing and never got anything out of it. To be fair, after 6 months I wound up just canceling everything off the list because I felt it was pretty obvious that I was going to have to look elsewhere for my stuff. Maybe I should have wishlisted every single N64 game...that would have been interesting.

[neogamer]

I tried that "wish list" thing and never got anything out of it. To be fair, after 6 months I wound up just canceling everything off the list because I felt it was pretty obvious that I was going to have to look elsewhere for my stuff. Maybe I should have wishlisted every single N64 game...that would have been interesting.


Thats exactly what a lot of us did and we ended up very lucky! Patience and a positive attitude pays off. It also doesn't help to be friendly to the people who work there. I know "customers" who are a complete hassle to the employees, then they expect them to do them a favor.

Once again, I never ever had a problem. I even got to wish list multiple copies of Ogre Battle 64! They got me three! I will hate to see Game Crazy go!

Right now, I just picked up another BRAND NEW copy of Panzer Dragoon Orta for only $14.99! How are you going to beat that? Game Stop tried to sell me an open one for $29.99!

[Oobgarm]

I stopped in this past weekend to offload some trade, basically stuff that GameStop was giving very little for, and got more than double that at GC. Not bad, as I figured their lack of price changes would make for slightly better trade values on the stuff I had. (I suppose there is a silver lining to that particular cloud)

I was content and found a used copy of Forza 2 that was in near-perfect shape. The girl convinced me to renew the MVP card, since it was basically 'free', though I knew it was still costing me the $15, and 'free' meant it wasn't going to cost me any more than the price of the game I had in my hand.

The best part, though, came when she pushed the 'play guard' BS on me. "For $4 we'll cover your game against damage" was the pitch. I told her that I take good enough care of my stuff that it won't be necessary. I was treated to the snide remark "Well I hope your Xbox 360 doesn't eat your game then". Kinda made me regret renewing that MVP, though I figured getting a subscription for Official Xbox Magazine was kinda worth it.

You better believe they'll hear about it if I don't get my mags in the mail.

(Amazingly, the GameStops I went to this weekend were excellent, which was slightly out of character)

[s1lence]

I'm to much of a regular at my GC, they never ask me if I want that game guard crap. I was talking to my store about the news and they said that it may not effect all the stores but a good number of them. I've always been happy with my GC, but maybe its a diamond in the rough.

[MonoTekETeA]

The GC near me has one of the worst managers known to man...so I just get away from it. However, the other one near me that is an inconvenience to drive to is a wonderful place.

The bad one: Let me talk about hold draws/shelfs (mainly the managers) that won't shut, or has games falling out of the shelfs, all rare games, gems that people would love to get their hands on. However this guy is so insanely greedy, he just hold on to them, hoping something happens that is better the the classic plastic sale currently going on...gimme a break!

Farther away one: They just have a cool staff...and that just makes the difference.

Check it out: Can you believe that one manager can make such a difference? Some of the workers at the one that is close to me are cool people, but I don't bother to stop in there, because I won't find good deals, nor would I stand the atmosphere if that manager was working.

GS/EB: I hear one store around me is different. I can't say much because I work for that store.

My solution that I know many don't have is Drexel's store, who is also the one who introduced me to this site back when. I have learned a-lot since then, I never knew that so many systems had such simple fixes for them, and now I am wading knee high in it, and just keep pushing out further.

GC I am not sorry to see them go, in the eyes that I never got a deal, I am sorry about seeing them go though, when I puts friends out of jobs, like FoxyGamer, who did try to do what she could to hook me up with a 360 Arcade Stick. So heres to hoping you keep your job, or find another one before that one falls out that you enjoy just as much.

[Push Upstairs]

The best part, though, came when she pushed the 'play guard' BS on me. "For $4 we'll cover your game against damage" was the pitch. I told her that I take good enough care of my stuff that it won't be necessary.

I loved getting this line at Circuit City for like a $10 clearance game.

I believe my response was "I have my own protection plan: it's called taking good care of my stuff."

Seems a bit asinine to offer a protection plan for a game they won't carry in 6 months time.

[neogamer]

I loved getting this line at Circuit City for like a $10 clearance game.

I believe my response was "I have my own protection plan: it's called taking good care of my stuff."

Seems a bit asinine to offer a protection plan for a game they won't carry in 6 months time.

That is a good point! What do they do then? You can't "buff" a PSP game. What do they do, try to give you another used one. What's the point in that?

I personally never had to take game guard as I am more of a collector. The stuff I buy is always in MINT condition (see my other posts and threads) and stays that way. Most of the time, if your local game store knows your buying habits, they won't even ask about that stupid Game Guard or any other protection plan for that matter.

While we are on the subject, I also hate extended warranties as well!

[iamchris]

A few years ago I had nothing but praise for GameCrazy for the very reasons you've cited. Now they can go to hell for all I care. Since they screwed me out of my Castlevania Anniversary preorder bonus for Portrait of Ruin back at the end of last year I haven't been back but once or twice. Phasing out the classic plastic was just the last straw. Gamestop at least gets my preorders done right AND they actually call me to let me know when it's ready for pick up. A Gamestop monopoly doesn't sound good but, I would feel a little bit of karmic payback if GC was to go under in a awesomely bad sort of way. :evil:


Yep. A thousand people losing their job because you were slightly inconvenienced sounds like a fair trade off. I however will miss Gamecrazy. They had more than fair trade prices and used prices.

[bangtango]

Movie Gallery = employee's from hell.

I'm glad to see Movie Gallery going under personally. Their employee's were always a bunch of underhanded shady con artists and bullies.

I was more than qualified for a position years ago, but I never passed their "morality application".

I'm serious, and I wish I had saved it. These morons actually made you take like a 20 page morality test, it was questions like "would you steal...even a little".

I'm sorry for the good Movie Gallery employee's out there, but I would assume just never see another one again.

Nothing worse than when a company thinks they have everything figured out and how to control ever single person in the world, it's ugly and it seems to happen more and more every day. The only good business is a business that gives a shit about its customers, period.

My stores aren't called Game Crazy or Hollywood Video (even though some of the used games are shipped from there), it is simply Movie Gallery.

I guess I don't frequent some of the same Movie Gallery locations as the rest of you but I've never had a problem at any of the 4-5 Movie Gallery stores I frequent or several other MG locations I have made one-off visits to. I've probably visited 14 or 15 Movie Gallery stores in my lifetime, locally or while travelling. Never a bad enough experience to make me run to a message board or even argue with a clerk. You'd be surprised how many new games, used games, movies and accessories I get there, just because I don't like going into Walmart and more popular stores like Best Buy, Circuit City, Gamestop, etc. are all a solid 40 minutes away from me.

My worst Movie Gallery experience? I've had a lazy Movie Gallery employee who didn't even give me a receipt for a $4 used game before, that is about it. That sort of thing could happen anywhere. My used Playstation 2 system came from a Movie Gallery store back in February. They took the time to confirm it was working, which is more than some places do, and a couple of the MG employees gave me a quick history of the system. According to them, it was never rented out but it was one of 2-3 such systems simply kept in the store (kiosk style) to let customer's demo games. Who knows? Maybe they weren't telling the truth about that system but I don't go around assuming every employee lies to me either. If I did that, I'd be no better than an employee who assumes every customer is bullshitting them. I took their word for it. Whatever the case, I have had that system for about 6-7 months now and have yet to experience a single problem. It works great.

Movie Gallery employees I run into always let me check every disc game I buy before paying. I've taken 8-10 games up to their counter at once, during a busy rush, and they've never bitched about looking at them for me before I even purchase anything. Some of the ones who regularly ring me up give me their own opinion as to whether or not the disc would work, based on what type of scratches are on the disc and where they are. That is a damn sight more than most places who sell used games will do.

So I am chiming in to partially defend chain stores. My worst customer service experiences consistently come from indie stores or mom-and-pop stores who can be rude to customers, ridicule their choice of games/movies/music to their face at the register or just plain ignore them because they don't have a store manager or a district manager to answer to. Most of the time they are in charge of everything.

Employees at independent stores may be slightly more educated about what they are selling, particularly if they own the store or manage it, but they also tend to insult their customers far more often than I see it done in a chain store. Aside from a little extra product knowledge, there aren't many advantages an indie store or mom-and-pop store employee has over anybody working retail. Just going by my last 15-20 years as a consumer. An employee's product knowledge means shit to me, most of the time, because I know what I am buying before I go in. I don't expect employees to do research that I am accustomed to doing myself and prefer to do myself.

Just my opinion, all of the above. Feel free to disagree. I may be in the minority but I'd be pissed if the Movie Gallery chain disappeared or my nearby stores started closing up.

[diskoboy]

All I know is they better not close soon. There's alot of shit coming out soon, and I've still got $110 credit, there.

[Kitsune Sniper]

Huh. If your indy stores are like my local ones, I hope for your sakes that they don't close.

PS1 Greatest Hits games for $30. First-gen PS1 games for $50. PS2 games from last year for $70.

My god, I hate Calexico stores.

[neogamer]

Huh. If your indy stores are like my local ones, I hope for your sakes that they don't close.

PS1 Greatest Hits games for $30. First-gen PS1 games for $50. PS2 games from last year for $70.

My god, I hate Calexico stores.

You should see some of the prices at my local Microplay store! Sometimes I think they are smoking crack....

Case in point: They wanted $89.99 for Vampire Night (NEW) with the Guncon! Game Crazy got it for me BRAND NEW for $29.99! They (meaning Microplay) wants $54.99 for Fatal Frame II! I got it at Game Crazy NEW for $7.99 on clearance (I am still in amazement over this incredible find)!

Some of the mom and pop game stores have to charge outrageous fees on old stuff, just to stay in business. Its sad but true! That is one of my pet peaves as I look to open up a video game store franchise. One thing I am often told is that you can "make a killing on the old stuff." My reply has always been: "If I have too rip off the custiomer, then your business model is not for me".

I can get Zelda Ocarina of Time for the Nintendo 64 on eBay for anywhere from $10-$15. My local mom and pop shop wants $29.95 for it! Please! Thats way too much!

[bangtango]

Some of the mom and pop game stores have to charge outrageous fees on old stuff, just to stay in business. Its sad but true! That is one of my pet peaves as I look to open up a video game store franchise. One thing I am often told is that you can "make a killing on the old stuff." My reply has always been: "If I have too rip off the custiomer, then your business model is not for me".

I can get Zelda Ocarina of Time for the Nintendo 64 on eBay for anywhere from $10-$15. My local mom and pop shop wants $29.95 for it! Please! Thats way too much!

Sounds like you'll have a "good" business model then. Best of luck to you. I am fortunate in that I personally know the owners of the two local mom-and-pop shops who sell games around here. So I always get pretty nice deals on "classic" stuff but the prices on newer stuff (N64 and up) isn't always that hot. I still do better at chain stores most of the time.

I just don't like mom-and-pop stores in general, it doesn't matter what they are selling. Whether you agree with it or not, at least you have a general idea of the return policy (or lack thereof), or any other company policy, at a Game Crazy, Walmart, Game Stop, Best Buy, Movie Gallery, etc. Try walking into a place off the street, a shop that sells cd's or games, some little hole in the wall you've never heard of. Most of the time, you have no idea what their various store policies are or you come to find out quickly that "All Sales Are Final". I've had preorders, special orders, price breaks and free gifts and the like screwed up at mom-and-pop stores and those places have failed to call me back, same as a chain store does to some of you.

When you do a preorder, at least a major chain store puts it into a friggin' computer most of the time. Walk into an indie store and they might put your preorder on a post-it note or write it on notebook paper, maybe even a damn pizza box.

[intvsama]

You should see some of the prices at my local Microplay store! Sometimes I think they are smoking crack....

Case in point: They wanted $89.99 for Vampire Night (NEW) with the Guncon! Game Crazy got it for me BRAND NEW for $29.99! They (meaning Microplay) wants $54.99 for Fatal Frame II! I got it at Game Crazy NEW for $7.99 on clearance (I am still in amazement over this incredible find)!

Some of the mom and pop game stores have to charge outrageous fees on old stuff, just to stay in business. Its sad but true! That is one of my pet peaves as I look to open up a video game store franchise. One thing I am often told is that you can "make a killing on the old stuff." My reply has always been: "If I have too rip off the custiomer, then your business model is not for me".

I can get Zelda Ocarina of Time for the Nintendo 64 on eBay for anywhere from $10-$15. My local mom and pop shop wants $29.95 for it! Please! Thats way too much!

Here's the thing tho', Microplay generally doesn't cater to collectors. They cater to people who buy one or two games a month. They sell stuff for what it's worth tho'. Selling Fatal Frame II for $8 isn't a smart business move, it's a stupid one considering what their cost to bring the game into inventory was. This is one of the reasons Microplay's business is flourishing and Game Crazy as a whole is on the drop.

[neogamer]

Here's the thing tho', Microplay generally doesn't cater to collectors. They cater to people who buy one or two games a month. They sell stuff for what it's worth tho'. Selling Fatal Frame II for $8 isn't a smart business move, it's a stupid one considering what their cost to bring the game into inventory was. This is one of the reasons Microplay's business is flourishing and Game Crazy as a whole is on the drop.+

That really isn't true! Microplay DOES cater to collectors, as the manager himeself, Rick (or Rich?) is a collector himself and would verify this claim! Just not that many collectors shop there(we are an interesting breed).I deal with him EXCLUSIVELY when I buy at Microplay, because the other employees (I hate to say this) give me the creeps!

The Game Crazy store you are referring to, does 1.4 million a year in sales, which is probably more than Microplay does, but again, I am unsure! Microplay makes there money selling hard to find games to collectors and people looking for older stuff. I bought a TON of Dreamcast stuff from them (NEW of course!) and sold some of it on eBay at a nice profit, so again, I have no complaints in that respect!

Lets face it though, Microplay can't compete with Best Buy or any other chain store in price-thats for sure! You are CORRECT to point out that Game Crazy is STUPID to sell a game like Fatal Frame for $8.00 new, but they go by whats sells, and having it sit idle on their shelves for too long (like Microplay does) doesn't make them any money either! Case in point Viryual On Marz sells for $9.99 new at Game Crazy, Microplay wants $39.99 for it! Where would you buy it from? Both stores have it in stock right at this moment!

As stated before, I shop at BOTH places, however I have to go with Game Crazy when it comes to price, and Microplay, when it comes to selection. Most people who shop at Microplay are not collectors as you stated, but Microplay does have a speciality in dealing with a lot of the older stuff. Game Crazy does not deal that much with collectors as well. We are an uncommon bunch, as I am learning! I just can't see specding $50 for a game, then trading it in for $30? Thats why I am a collector. I go after the cheap RARE stuff thats likely to appreciate. I'm even writing a book on the subject! When and if it ever gets done, I will announce the final details here! While pursuing a Masters Degree and working, t is quite hard to find time to write, but it is coming along very well!

[intvsama]

+

That really isn't true! Microplay DOES cater to collectors, as the manager himeself, Rick (or Rich?) is a collector himself and would verify this claim! Just not that many collectors shop there(we are an interesting breed).I deal with him EXCLUSIVELY when I buy at Microplay, because the other employees (I hate to say this) give me the creeps!

I should have been more clear with what I said. 8*) I meant they don't cater in the sense that they don't do 3/$10 and 2/$5 classic game sales. They know what games are worth and won't mark down merchandise less than what it's worth just to clear out inventory. As a result, on the opposite end of the spectrum, as you said, sometimes things are priced higher than what they retail for or what they're worth. Those high ticket items ALWAYS sell though. I've never seen them sit long on rarities. Am I willing to pay $30 for Raiden for PS2 tho' since it retails for $20? No, you're right that you should still shop where it makes the most fiscal sense.


The Game Crazy store you are referring to, does 1.4 million a year in sales, which is probably more than Microplay does, but again, I am unsure! Microplay makes there money selling hard to find games to collectors and people looking for older stuff. I bought a TON of Dreamcast stuff from them (NEW of course!) and sold some of it on eBay at a nice profit, so again, I have no complaints in that respect!

I can 110% assure you that: a: Game Crazy on 5th St doesn't see near that in sales (I worked there, remember?) and b: Microplay does many times the sales that Game Crazy could hope to achieve. For $1.4mil/yr they'd have to do over $3800 a day. Never happen. There were some days when I worked there we didn't break the triple digit mark (> $100 in sales). Now, they are absolutely doing more business now than when I worked there, but not that massive a difference.

I do shop at both places, but less and less at Game Crazy as they're carrying less and less I'm interested in. As a collector I'm looking for the best deal as well as the best product. I go to yard sales and conventions for deals, and Microplay for selection.

[Trumpman]

Huh. I never knew about these chains, such as GameCrazy, Movie Gallery, and Microplay, until I went to this website. All we have in Northern NJ are lots, and I mean LOTS of GameStops. There are four within 10 miles of me, and two EB's in the same mall. I don't understand why that is. Occasionally you can find a good deal at the GameStops; e.g. I found three DK bongos for $5 each new, I buy games wherever they are cheapest, and that is often at GameStop.

[intvsama]

Huh. I never knew about these chains, such as GameCrazy, Movie Gallery, and Microplay, until I went to this website. All we have in Northern NJ are lots, and I mean LOTS of GameStops. There are four within 10 miles of me, and two EB's in the same mall. I don't understand why that is. Occasionally you can find a good deal at the GameStops; e.g. I found three DK bongos for $5 each new, I buy games wherever they are cheapest, and that is often at GameStop.

Heh, I picked up a pile of the DK Bongos and traded them into Game Crazy. $5 to buy 'em at GS, $12 trade at GC. 8*) Picked up some Wii games with that transaction.