Rumor: GameStop increasing pre-order to $10, changing image [Joystiq]

[Oobgarm]

http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/27/rumor-gamestop-increasing-pre-order-to-10-changing-image

Not surprising, though I have no idea how they're going to 'change their image', seeing how disliked they are amongst the general gaming populace. Maybe they'll go more for the casual folks.

$10 preorders pretty much guarantees that I won't be dropping money there on a preorder. I'll find mine elsewhere.

[heybtbm]

I've never understood the "put $5 down" mentality. If you're making the effort to pre-order a game, why not just pay for the whole thing at the same time? I can understand if you're a kid with just a few bucks, but adults with jobs? Just pay for the whole damn thing already.

[sisko]

I've never understood the "put $5 down" mentality. If you're making the effort to pre-order a game, why not just pay for the whole thing at the same time? I can understand if you're a kid with just a few bucks, but adults with jobs? Just pay for the whole damn thing already.

More people are apt to forget/not care about their $5 deposit than the are about to for a $60 deposit.

I'm sure that isn't what the company admits to publically to their stores, but I'd wager there would be some thought along those lines in the dark offices of the corporate bigwigs.

[klausien]

Actually, it used to be $10 for preorders at EB & GameStop in the old days, so this is nothing new.

[hbkprm]

it whoud be easier to pay in full for a preorder and when you get the game only pay the tax

[The_4th_Survivor]

More people are apt to forget/not care about their $5 deposit than the are about to for a $60 deposit.

I'm sure that isn't what the company admits to publically to their stores, but I'd wager there would be some thought along those lines in the dark offices of the corporate bigwigs.

I'm also guessing that they're hoping some of the people who put down the higher $10 amount will forget about it, especially if they put down a reserve months or maybe even a year in advance.

I've forgotten about a couple of $5 deposits on games in the past few years, but my cases were probably isolated, considering I pre-ordered 1 game which was never even released and the other had it's release date pushed back by about a year or so. Even then, I was lucky, because I was renewing my Edge Card/subscription and the helpful associate told me I had a couple of reserves in their system.

For me, it also has to do with the fact that there are now about 15 GameStop stores within 20 miles from my house, so I've been to all of them and lost track at what particular store I put the pre-order down at, if I even remember the game.

[heybtbm]

it whoud be easier to pay in full for a preorder and when you get the game only pay the tax

It's easier to pay in full when you pre-order. The day it comes out you just walk in, pick it up and leave.

Anyway, I think Gamestop knows exactly how much they make from forgotten pre-order deposits every quarter and wants to double it.

[8-bitNesMan]

I so detest that company. I know I have an unclaimed preorder for Halo 2 from back in the day. I went in that particular store a couple weeks ago. It's a long way from my house so I don't go there very often. I was going to buy RE4 for the Wii, so I figured I would take a chance on getting my five bucks back that they've been drawing interest on for the past three years. I told the clerk about it and he asked me if I had a sub card on me. I did have an old one in my wallet so I produced it and handed it to him. He told me that he couldn't get the info he needed from that card because it didn't have the magnetic strip that the newer card does. I'm like okay fine, can't you look it up manually in your system based on my customer number that's right there on the card? No sir we can't do that because your balance is not tied to that number. SO WHAT'S THE POINT OF THE DAMN STRIP??? So I go to leave in disgust, not because 5 bux is going to break me but because I'm severely annoyed at the sheer jackassery of the company. I walk outside and then think twice of it because I really want the game. I go back in and tell the guy to give me the game. They have an empty box on display with "NEW" right there in black and white on the front of it. Asshat proceeds to search for the game and as it happens, the display copy is the only one they have left. Guess what? Once again, they want to sell me a used game for new money. In a word, NO! So I went to the Wally World down the street and bought a minty fresh copy for the same money. May Gameslop go belly up ASAP!

[sisko]

I so detest that company. I know I have an unclaimed preorder for Halo 2 from back in the day. I went in that particular store a couple weeks ago. It's a long way from my house so I don't go there very often. I was going to buy RE4 for the Wii, so I figured I would take a chance on getting my five bucks back that they've been drawing interest on for the past three years. I told the clerk about it and he asked me if I had a sub card on me. I did have an old one in my wallet so I produced it and handed it to him. He told me that he couldn't get the info he needed from that card because it didn't have the magnetic strip that the newer card does. I'm like okay fine, can't you look it up manually in your system based on my customer number that's right there on the card? No sir we can't do that because your balance is not tied to that number. SO WHAT'S THE POINT OF THE DAMN STRIP??? So I go to leave in disgust, not because 5 bux is going to break me but because I'm severely annoyed at the sheer jackassery of the company. I walk outside and then think twice of it because I really want the game. I go back in and tell the guy to give me the game. They have an empty box on display with "NEW" right there in black and white on the front of it. Asshat proceeds to search for the game and as it happens, the display copy is the only one they have left. Guess what? Once again, they want to sell me a used game for new money. In a word, NO! So I went to the Wally World down the street and bought a minty fresh copy for the same money. May Gameslop go belly up ASAP!


Say what? Reservations are in no way tied to subscription cards.....at all. Sounds like he didn't want to take the hit on his quota.

[8-bitNesMan]

Say what? Reservations are in no way tied to subscription cards.....at all. Sounds like he didn't want to take the hit on his quota.

That's what I was thinking. Just one more reason to take my money somewhere else!

[Oobgarm]

I so detest that company. I know I have an unclaimed preorder for Halo 2 from back in the day. I went in that particular store a couple weeks ago. It's a long way from my house so I don't go there very often. I was going to buy RE4 for the Wii, so I figured I would take a chance on getting my five bucks back that they've been drawing interest on for the past three years. I told the clerk about it and he asked me if I had a sub card on me. I did have an old one in my wallet so I produced it and handed it to him. He told me that he couldn't get the info he needed from that card because it didn't have the magnetic strip that the newer card does. I'm like okay fine, can't you look it up manually in your system based on my customer number that's right there on the card? No sir we can't do that because your balance is not tied to that number. SO WHAT'S THE POINT OF THE DAMN STRIP???

It might not be a known procedure, but unclaimed credits are sent back to corporate after so long, as they're considered 'abandoned'. Happens a lot with invalid or changed phone numbers, things like that.

I can't believe you expected them to have your three-year-old credit on file for you.

The strip on the card should bring up your customer info, and I figure it has to do with credits on the 'account', too. Though, only credits applied after they started the EDGE card program. Someone more knowledgeable may correct me if I'm wrong, as I've been out of the GS loop for a few years now.

[Snapple]

Don't blame Gamestop. They're not cheating anyone out of any money. It shouldn't even matter how much of the price is up front and how much is paid at the time of pick up. You're paying the full price either way, as long as you actually remember to get it, and if anyone forgets to pick up their game, that is 100% their own fault.

And a refund on a three-year old five dollar deposit? C'mon.

[Promophile]

I've never understood the "put $5 down" mentality. If you're making the effort to pre-order a game, why not just pay for the whole thing at the same time?

How about because I'd rather make intrest on the 55 dollars instead of letting Gamestop? It's the same reasoning behind being able to delaying capital tax until you sell the asset.

[Trebuken]

I think it would be unwise to pay it all up front. They only ask me for my phone number when taking preorders, anyone could give them that. I've been placing a number of preorders (10 so far) this gaming season and actually four of them i simply transferred from games I had not picked up last year or early this year. When I went to preorder Metroid 3 the other day I had to put $10 down and when I asked the clerk "Why $10 now?" he said it was Nintendo's idea.

[Oobgarm]

Don't blame Gamestop. They're not cheating anyone out of any money. It shouldn't even matter how much of the price is up front and how much is paid at the time of pick up. You're paying the full price either way, as long as you actually remember to get it, and if anyone forgets to pick up their game, that is 100% their own fault.

The only aggravating thing is that GameStop is known to overbook preorders. I understand what you're saying, but if they're asking for more money up front, and can't always guarantee a copy at launch, that's not right.

Maybe they're trying to reduce the number of reserve-and-forget people?

One thing's for sure, though-almost every place that does preorders will follow suit if this does come to pass.

[sisko]

It might not be a known procedure, but unclaimed credits are sent back to corporate after so long, as they're considered 'abandoned'. Happens a lot with invalid or changed phone numbers, things like that.

I can't believe you expected them to have your three-year-old credit on file for you.

The strip on the card should bring up your customer info, and I figure it has to do with credits on the 'account', too. Though, only credits applied after they started the EDGE card program. Someone more knowledgeable may correct me if I'm wrong, as I've been out of the GS loop for a few years now.

The strip on the card holds no personal information whatsoever, at least, none that can be retrieved by the store. It has the card number, and the amount of store credit on it. Nothing else.

Most stores do keep old credits on file, but three years old is a pretty long time, especially for those stores that underwent the OS conversion. If they don't have it on file, you can always talk to the corporate office....but it would probably be more trouble than it is worth.

[8-bitNesMan]

Like I said folks, I realize three years is a long time to hold a credit. If the store had been closer to my house, I would have went back for the credit a LOT sooner. The five dollars doesn't bother me. As I already stated, it's not going to make or break me. What PISSES me off is their I'm better than you mentality. I also realize that not everyone who works there is an assclown. It just seems to be my luck that a majority of the clerks and managers in my area are. I also hate their shady business practices. Forcing preorders down my throat. Asking me if I have any used games I want to trade in (read butt rape me without grease OR a reacharound). Selling used games as new. Throwing away hard to find boxes and manuals that I as a collector want and need. To me they are a major part of the problem with the game industry today. And I don't fault the minimum wage register jockeys for doing what they are told to do. I just wish they would go bankrupt and get their greedy asses the hell out of my hobby!

[64Bits]

More people are apt to forget/not care about their $5 deposit than the are about to for a $60 deposit.

I'm sure that isn't what the company admits to publically to their stores, but I'd wager there would be some thought along those lines in the dark offices of the corporate bigwigs.

How dumb can you be? You DO understand that if you don't pick up your pre-order, you don't lose your money, right? It will just sit on the game until you come pick it up/get a refund. The occasional idiocy and ignorance that sometimes leaks into this forum scares me.

[64Bits]

Like I said folks, I realize three years is a long time to hold a credit. If the store had been closer to my house, I would have went back for the credit a LOT sooner. The five dollars doesn't bother me. As I already stated, it's not going to make or break me. What PISSES me off is their I'm better than you mentality. I also realize that not everyone who works there is an assclown. It just seems to be my luck that a majority of the clerks and managers in my area are. I also hate their shady business practices. Forcing preorders down my throat. Asking me if I have any used games I want to trade in (read butt rape me without grease OR a reacharound). Selling used games as new. Throwing away hard to find boxes and manuals that I as a collector want and need. To me they are a major part of the problem with the game industry today. And I don't fault the minimum wage register jockeys for doing what they are told to do. I just wish they would go bankrupt and get their greedy asses the hell out of my hobby!

Sorry for the 2 posts, but this gentleman is EXACTLY what I was talking. Go sit on a steak knife you moron. Nothing that you mentioned is by any means shady. I'm tired of the senseless bashing of this company by nearly everyone on this board. Grow up, get over it, and don't shop there. Maybe you're right, Gamestop hates everyone, but LOVE scamming you. Seriously, maybe we should instead focus b.s. rants on cigarette company practices?

[ZiLL]

Here's an interesting tid bit of information about the money you put down on a Pre-Order...

What do you think EB/GS does with that money? Uses it to buy the product you pre-ordered? No. You may think they push the pre-orders so hard in order to secure a sale for a product that has yet to be released. This is not why they do it.

They take your pre-order money, and they put it in a high yield account. So not only does GS/EB pretty much garuntee the sale, they also make interest off the money you put down on the game. THAT is where they make the money on the pre-order, THAT is why they push them so hard.

Shh, don't tell anyone I told you.

[64Bits]

Zill, I do know that, it's common sense after you sit and think about it for a minute, and Joystiq posted that just a few days ago on their site, but in reality, is it such a bad thing?

I understand, reserving Halo 3 regular edition or Madden 08 might be dumb, but reserving games like AR Tonelico or Persona 3, why the hell not? Look at the value of the original 2 Persona's on ebay. If you want the game, especially when it comes out, and don't want to spend 6 months finding it, why not just reservie it?

[8-bitNesMan]

Sorry for the 2 posts, but this gentleman is EXACTLY what I was talking. Go sit on a steak knife you moron. Nothing that you mentioned is by any means shady. I'm tired of the senseless bashing of this company by nearly everyone on this board. Grow up, get over it, and don't shop there. Maybe you're right, Gamestop hates everyone, but LOVE scamming you. Seriously, maybe we should instead focus b.s. rants on cigarette company practices?

There is no need to resort to insults and name calling. I have every right to post my opinion and there is not a damn thing you can do about it. I think they DO have shady business practices, hence why I DON'T shop there. If you don't like the "senseless bashing" by nearly everyone on this board (nice generalization) then maybe you should grow up, get over it, and get the hell out of here. If they were without fault, they wouldn't be so despised in the gaming community. BTW, I'm not a moron and you can take your steak knife and shove it right up your ass.

[ZiLL]

Didn't see the Joystiq posting, but I am glad the word is getting out after so long...I don't think a lot of people realize this.

Is it such a bad thing? For the company, no...for the consumer? Yes. Why not pass some of that added revenue to the customer? Amazon usually has a $5 discount on games you can pre-order. Why not do something like that? Heck, even if it's a 10% off your next used game purchase would be nice. Anything to say Thank You to our customers.

I understand the employees are hounded by corporate to upsell every chance they get. I would never take out my anger on a regular GS/EB employee, they are just doing their job.

The only thing I can do is speak with my wallet. I buy all my used games off Amazon or from a local game store. All my preorders are also done the same way.

[64Bits]

Didn't see the Joystiq posting, but I am glad the word is getting out after so long...I don't think a lot of people realize this.

Is it such a bad thing? For the company, no...for the consumer? Yes. Why not pass some of that added revenue to the customer? Amazon usually has a $5 discount on games you can pre-order. Why not do something like that? Heck, even if it's a 10% off your next used game purchase would be nice. Anything to say Thank You to our customers.

I understand the employees are hounded by corporate to upsell every chance they get. I would never take out my anger on a regular GS/EB employee, they are just doing their job.

The only thing I can do is speak with my wallet. I buy all my used games off Amazon or from a local game store. All my preorders are also done the same way.

Good points Zill, and I 100% agree with ya.

8-bitnesman: Nice try. I was just posting my opinion, and so what is wrong with that? Oh that's right....I'm the one that's not bashing the company, thus I am the one in the wrong. I understand that 80% of this board consists of 30+ year old losers, who's opinion in real matters does not matter, and thus they resort to coming here. There are good people here, that I know. I've dealt with them. I've also dealt with the losers and morons here as well. There's a reason I am rarely on this board anymore, and that's because it is far less appealing than it was when I originally registered, over a year ago.

I'm not sure if I'll get around to replying to this topic, or anyone else's response. Say what you want. Everyone IS entitled to their own opinion, I know that.

[8-bitNesMan]

8-bitnesman: Nice try. I was just posting my opinion, and so what is wrong with that? Oh that's right....I'm the one that's not bashing the company, thus I am the one in the wrong. I understand that 80% of this board consists of 30+ year old losers, who's opinion in real matters does not matter, and thus they resort to coming here. There are good people here, that I know. I've dealt with them. I've also dealt with the losers and morons here as well. There's a reason I am rarely on this board anymore, and that's because it is far less appealing than it was when I originally registered, over a year ago.

I'm not sure if I'll get around to replying to this topic, or anyone else's response. Say what you want. Everyone IS entitled to their own opinion, I know that.

Dude, you got it all f*cked up. I posted my opinion, not bashing anyone except a company that myself and a lot of other people don't like. You come on here and call me a moron and tell me to sit on a steak knife and now you want to play the holier than thou card? What's the problem? Are you trying to kiss Gamestop's ass so they'll let you sell magazines for them? And where do you get your stats enlightened one? You've been here for a year and you know that 80% of the members are thirtysomething losers? I don't have anything against you or anyone else on this board, but I do think that YOU are the one that comes off sounding like a moron & a loser. You say you know everyone is entitled to their opinion while flaming people for posting theirs. So come into the thread with flames and insults, and then bow out saying "I'm not going to respond, Say what you want" Gimme a f*cking break little kid. I think it's high time your mommy & daddy cut back on your internet time.

[heybtbm]

I understand that 80% of this board consists of 30+ year old losers, who's opinion in real matters does not matter, and thus they resort to coming here.


http://www.w-mac.com/ebay/palpatine.jpg

Good. I can feel your anger. Strike me down with all your hatred, and your journey towards the dark side will be complete.


...dorky enough for you?

[Kid Ice]

I understand that 80% of this board consists of 30+ year old losers, who's opinion in real matters does not matter, and thus they resort to coming here.


I suggest you tone it down before the board becomes 0% 19 year old sales clerks.

[icbrkr]

I understand that 80% of this board consists of 30+ year old losers, who's opinion in real matters does not matter, and thus they resort to coming here.

Wow, just wow. Ever thought of who runs the joint?

[XYXZYZ]

:popcorn:

[Vinnysdad]

I suggest you tone it down before the board becomes 0% 19 year old sales clerks.

Sounds good to me. Im not 30+ yet so maybe he wasnt talking about me but I am sure he pissed of a couple of people with that stupid comment. Looks like the 8-Bit vs 64-Bit battle is heating up.

[8-bitNesMan]

Sounds good to me. Im not 30+ yet so maybe he wasnt talking about me but I am sure he pissed of a couple of people with that stupid comment. Looks like the 8-Bit vs 64-Bit battle is heating up.

8-bit old timers FTW!

[Daria]

I'm tired of the senseless bashing of this company by nearly everyone on this board.

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/2471/mypictureyk1.jpg

[Cranky Kong]

Sit on a knife?

[Dayan X]

Say goodbye to your commissions, youngster. There's a reckoning a-coming.:rockets:

[RPG_Fanatic]

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/2471/mypictureyk1.jpg

Cool shirt :hail: I want one!!!!!!!!

[geneshifter]

Yeah, I'd say he's a goner. Sit on a knife? You need help dude.

[MrRoboto19XX]

I hate Gamestop.

I shop at Electronics Boutique.

[Cinder6]

I've never understood the "put $5 down" mentality. If you're making the effort to pre-order a game, why not just pay for the whole thing at the same time? I can understand if you're a kid with just a few bucks, but adults with jobs? Just pay for the whole damn thing already.

I just put $5 down today, actually. I didn't happen to have $60 in cash at the time, so I put down $5. I needed to be quick, and didn't feel like going through the hassle of using a credit card. Also, what if something goes wrong and they don't get their shipment of the game? I know it's not that likely, but if I'm pre-ordering a game, it's likely I'll stop at nothing to get it on the first day. If they don't have it for some reason, I'm going to get it somewhere else, and eat the added $5 cost. If I'd paid for it in full, I'd have to wait.

[bangtango]

The occasional idiocy and ignorance that sometimes leaks into this forum scares me.

I know it. Some of us around here are so helpless we can barely get our pants on in the morning. We're just lucky that a guy like you is around to provide intelligent conversation and add thought provoking posts by telling other posts to "go sit on a steak knife." You're here to save this forum but for now, I am off to figure out how to get these pants on.

[camarotuner]

Gamestop owns damned near every videogame only type store that exists. They've eaten up EB, Funcoland, Babbages, Rhinoland and probably others that I'm not even aware of. They get exclusive games for them, exclusive versions (mostly CE editions) of others. Made the fortune 500, made the top 50 "speciality retailers" list. They also stand as number 1 in video game sales as a company.

So regardless of what anyone thinks of their business practices, they're doing rather well for themselves. They aren't going anywhere and as far as "getting the hell out of my hobby", that just isn't going to happen.

But as has been pointed out, if you don't like em, don't shop there.

[otaku]

I love my local shop (mom and pop shop!) they not only do preorders for five bucks which goes toward the game but they can also do layaways so I can lock in a collection of rare games or get a ps3 and pay it off over time

[PapaStu]

Sorry for the 2 posts, but this gentleman is EXACTLY what I was talking. Go sit on a steak knife you moron. Nothing that you mentioned is by any means shady. I'm tired of the senseless bashing of this company by nearly everyone on this board. Grow up, get over it, and don't shop there. Maybe you're right, Gamestop hates everyone, but LOVE scamming you. Seriously, maybe we should instead focus b.s. rants on cigarette company practices?

Now this whole thing would have been fine minus the Steak knives comment. Was it really needed to get your point across? No, infact it thats where it turns you off from those who'd agree with you. Stupid threats FTL.

I'm not 30 yet (27), nor am I at such a loss that I can't do anything but sit in my parents nonexistant basement and bitch and moan about something corporate America does/is doing/has done because I do have a life, a wife and better things to do with my time.

Does GameStop get my money? Why yes they get alot of my current game spending money, because they have what I want and have it when I want it. I don't do the instore pre-orders unless its something I really deem worthy as such, Otherwise I just do an online pre-order, not spend any out of pocket money and wait the horribly long 3 days that it takes for my games to show up when I use the 2.99 saver shipping. If you read the problem he had getting his money back, you'd realise that though its not shady, its not always all that easy to get back that money and that was his point.

However since you've gone and derailed this thread, take this as your warning. No need for threats against someone to get your point across.

[64Bits]

Dude, you got it all f*cked up. I posted my opinion, not bashing anyone except a company that myself and a lot of other people don't like. You come on here and call me a moron and tell me to sit on a steak knife and now you want to play the holier than thou card? What's the problem? Are you trying to kiss Gamestop's ass so they'll let you sell magazines for them? And where do you get your stats enlightened one? You've been here for a year and you know that 80% of the members are thirtysomething losers? I don't have anything against you or anyone else on this board, but I do think that YOU are the one that comes off sounding like a moron & a loser. You say you know everyone is entitled to their opinion while flaming people for posting theirs. So come into the thread with flames and insults, and then bow out saying "I'm not going to respond, Say what you want" Gimme a f*cking break little kid. I think it's high time your mommy & daddy cut back on your internet time.

Actually, my mother and father don't live in my apartment, sorry. You have the right to flame me, and I have the right to flame you. You wanna know why? Because it's all based on an opinion. Now that's getting a bit off topic, and I didn't read any posts beyond this one, so oh well. Like I said, I've dealt with people here, and from my dealings, yes, the majority of people here are losers. Oh, and holier than thou? Okay bud.....

[64Bits]

Sounds good to me. Im not 30+ yet so maybe he wasnt talking about me but I am sure he pissed of a couple of people with that stupid comment. Looks like the 8-Bit vs 64-Bit battle is heating up.

Why would I talk about you? You have an intimidating African-American as your avatar.

PapaStu: I suppose I'll apologize for the steak knife comment, it wasn't needed. I do, however, love how everyone freaked out about it......

[64Bits]

Wow, just wow. Ever thought of who runs the joint?

And now, for my last comment of the thread. Do you think I really care? I've posted about 10 times in the last 5 months. I could honestly care less about getting banned from these boards? Do I think the last sentence I just typed is going to get me banned? Yes.

Over the last couple of months, I've refrained from replying in any Gamestop/EB games threads, for this very reason. I've got a couple of friends that work about an hour away at a Gamestop, and they're good guys. I know the guys that work at my local EB games, and they too are good guys. If you have assholes working in the stores near you, just know, that not all are like that. I do believe that this is the case with some people here, and thus they pretend to despise the company as a whole. It's pathetic.

[ubersaurus]

Why would I talk about you? You have an intimidating African-American as your avatar.

PapaStu: I suppose I'll apologize for the steak knife comment, it wasn't needed. I do, however, love how everyone freaked out about it......


Konnan, aside from being a pro wrestler portraying the gimmick of a thug, is also latino, not black ;p

[Vinnysdad]

Why would I talk about you? You have an intimidating African-American as your avatar.

PapaStu: I suppose I'll apologize for the steak knife comment, it wasn't needed. I do, however, love how everyone freaked out about it......

LOL. Konnan is not African American hes Latino and I had no idea someone could be intimidated by a picture.LOLYou are a joke guy so try taking your foot out of your mouth and the Gamestop sign out of your ass.

[philosophyst]

I'm sure it's been brought up numerous times both here in this thread and of course, countless other GameStop threads which I haven't seen but while I have had a run in with some of the employees, my major complaint and the last straw a lot of the time is the company trying to sell me the "floor copy" as brand-new. I know that I'm not the only one that thinks this is absurd. It boils my blood when they try to pull that. If a game is opened, it is no longer new even though they have been well-trained with the "but it's never been played" comeback when I question it. I don't even go there much but there have been some DS GameStop Exclusives that I wanted to get so what else is their to do. I got the Megaman StarForce Dragon and The Settlers from a GameStop and like I said, the battle isn't worth it so I took the Megaman that they had for me factory sealed and then reluctantly bought The Settlers which was their last one and was opened. I must give credit where credit is due, The Settlers was in excellent condition and was like-new.

Anyway, my major gripe with the GameStop/EB Games is being asked to pay full price for an opened game when it is the last one. Couldn't they come up with another system for new games where they can somehow be displayed but still keep all of the sealed copies locked up behind the counter. I don't know the answer but it is the one thing that pisses me off and I'm sure there is an answer.

I order many games from either ebay to try to score a deal or even more so from Amazon since they have free shipping on most items as long as your total is over $25.

One thing for sure is you can't completely avoid GameStop if there are Exclusives that you want to get unless you want to try the secondary market after the release (ePay).

[sisko]

How dumb can you be? You DO understand that if you don't pick up your pre-order, you don't lose your money, right? It will just sit on the game until you come pick it up/get a refund. The occasional idiocy and ignorance that sometimes leaks into this forum scares me.

How dumb can YOU be? I did work for EB/GameStop as an Assistant Manager for 3 years. I'm sure I have a much better understanding of the inner workings of the system than you do.

Yes, they can "purge" reservations from the system. Absolutely. They are supposed to. Most of them just don't bother. Even if they do, you can still get your money back, it just isn't easy.

If you would have read my statement 2 posts above yours, you would have realized that.

The occasional idiocy and ignorance that sometimes leaks into this forum scares me.

[Ed Oscuro]

Actually, my mother and father don't live in my apartment, sorry. You have the right to flame me, and I have the right to flame you.
Some of us like our peace and quiet...you mind?

Back to the topic...

Preorder bonuses are the only reason I'd throw down some money ahead of time. Preorders need to be either given out at the time of the preordering or they need to be guaranteed. None of this halfassed "woops we stole them already" garbage.

Also, I would definitely look up that three-year-old credit file...how (or why) would you "abandon" your own money?! It's like saying you left money in the bank for three years and so the bank decides not to keep it on file anymore and hope you've "abandoned" it. That said, credit and gift cards are highway robbery, and I never trade stuff in for the reason that it's no longer real money.

[smork]

Who is this 64Bits chap and why is he threadcrapping again? Must have won the internet or something.

Sigh! I think this is one of the few game forums on the net not polluted by stupid teenage 1337 flame wars. I think I'm not so alone when I say I like it that way?

Oh, and cool shirt, Daria!

[Oobgarm]

I am glad I have posted this thread, as it seems to have given a good number of us a bit of enjoyment.

And sisko, thanks for the heads up on the edge cards.

[DigitalSpace]

Daria's response FTW.

Anyways, as part of GameStop's "image change," I'd like to see them get rid of those stupid looking cartoon characters on the inserts they use for games that don't have their original insert.

[Gabriel]

Some time back I wandered into a Gamestop in a futile attempt to see if they had a new game which no one else had yet. While I was at it, I browsed the used games and found something I wanted for $3 or somesuch.

Anyway, I go up to the counter and I ask if they have the new game in question. The clerk checks and finds they do not have it. He then says that it comes out tomorrow and he'll just helpfully add $5 to my total for a pre-order.

Wait. No!

I tell him I don't want to pre-order, and the rest of the exchange goes something like this:

Him: "If you pre-order, it guarantees you a copy of the game."

Me: "I don't come here very often, just ring me up for this used game."

Him: "OK, I'll add $5 and you'll be back tomorrow to pick up the other one."

Me: "No. Just ring me up for the used game. I don't want to pre-order anything."

Him: "Sir, if you don't pre-order this new game you might not be able to pick it up tomorrow."

Me: "That's OK. I'll be shopping for it somewhere else anyway. I'm sure another store will have it."

Him: "Well sir, games like this get very limited releases, and other stores rarely stock them, so you had better pre-order now to guarantee you can pick up a copy tomorrow. We only order enough copies to fill pre-orders."

Me: "You only order enough copies to fill pre-orders?"

Him: "Yes sir."

Me: "And the game comes into the store tomorrow?"

Him: "Yes sir."

Me: "In other words, you've already placed the orders for this game based on existing pre-orders, and my only hope for actually getting a copy from your store tomorrow would be if someone else didn't pick theirs up."

Him: "Oh, but we order extras."

Me: "So, you're lying to my face."

Him: "Do you want me to add the $5 for the pre-order to the total?"

Me: "I think I've made it clear my answer is no. Now, you can ring me up for this dinky $3 game, and I'm going to pay you all in change because you've pissed me off. Or I can just leave. Either way, I'm not coming back."

I don't recall which game it was, but I do know I picked it up a couple of weeks later at Best Buy. I think it was Star Trek Legacies.

[Hwj_Chim]

I only go to one EB in town here and they don't do that kind of shit. :above me:
any place that does that to me I never go to again and I tell them that in a very loud and rude manner so the other customers can here me. I rarely go to stores though as I get most of my games from amazon.com. no money down up front and there is no effort in having to pick it up.:rocker:

[Kitsune Sniper]

I think everyone can agree on this:

GameStop's corporate practices are shady as hell and they suck balls;
GameStop employees have to follow the company's orders to push pre-orders and whatnot on you;
GameStop stores often (but not ALWAYS) hire employees that are dicks, or ignorant.

My local stores aren't that bad, though I do encounter a bit of stupidity from time to time. I like to talk to the manager of the Imperial Valley Mall store, he's really cool and it's because of him that I became a regular at the store. He's often busy but doesn't mind saying hi or chatting a bit whenever a regular customer or a new kid comes around.

Oh, philosophyst... I've had employees offer to reshrink the game for me when I've complained about them trying to sell me opened games as new. I walk out when they do that. I only go to GameStop for used DVDs and games, nothing more (unless I preordered something).

[heybtbm]

GameStop's corporate practices are shady as hell and they suck balls;
GameStop employees have to follow the company's orders to push pre-orders and whatnot on you;
GameStop stores often (but not ALWAYS) hire employees that are dicks, or ignorant.

Agreed.

Overall, I think most Gamestop/EB managers are forced by corporate to push pre-orders. What they're not forced to do is be arrogant pricks...and it seems to be a universal trait among them.

[Ed Oscuro]

*snip*
You probably looked like you needed to be fucked with.

Seriously, why don't I ever get into these horrible situations? :P

[Oobgarm]

You probably looked like you needed to be fucked with.

Seriously, why don't I ever get into these horrible situations? :P

Probably because you don't look like you need to be fucked with.

[PentiumMMX]

The only problem I have with Gamestop is the fact they don't have anything for older systems anymore. Other then that, the local Gamestop is good.

[8-bitNesMan]

Him: "Well sir, games like this get very limited releases, and other stores rarely stock them, so you had better pre-order now to guarantee you can pick up a copy tomorrow. We only order enough copies to fill pre-orders."

Me: "You only order enough copies to fill pre-orders?"

Him: "Yes sir."

Me: "And the game comes into the store tomorrow?"

Him: "Yes sir."

Me: "In other words, you've already placed the orders for this game based on existing pre-orders, and my only hope for actually getting a copy from your store tomorrow would be if someone else didn't pick theirs up."

Him: "Oh, but we order extras."

Me: "So, you're lying to my face."

Him: "Do you want me to add the $5 for the pre-order to the total?"

I guess the winner of the internets was right after all. That wasn't shady at all! :roll:

[Kid Ice]

Do I think the last sentence I just typed is going to get me banned? Yes.

What? Ban the Ball N Chain Bandit? No way! Even for a troll you're strictly small time.

[neogamer]

My gripe with EB Games and Game Stop seems to be the same as everyone's.

They keep the item you want to purchase as far away from you as they can! Then they complain if you don't buy their "last copy", which happens to be already opened up and in most cases, in horrible condition!

I truly hate Game Stop with a passion!

I did enjoy reading this entire thread though, because I can tell you that this is the best forum on the internet to discuss video game collecting.

I guess, according to one of the posters in this thread, I am a loser. After all, I am thirty years old and going to school for a MASTER"S DEGREE! I also have an actual net worth (unlike most losers), but because I happen to collect video games,and live frugally I might add, I must be a loser, right? I mean I should be collecting comic books or coins (true professional collectibles-right?), not pursuing my true passion which started when my parents bought me my first video game system-an Atari 2600!

Seriously, I don't know who you are, or even want to remember your user name, but you have problems for even suggesting that any thirty year old plus gamer/collector is a loser! Its comments like that, that keep our hobby from being mainstream!

[8-bitNesMan]

@ Neo: Good points man. I guess when 64 bits reaches the ripe old age of 30, he will have to give away all his games and systems. God forbid some young punk on a message board think he's a loser, cause he's way too cool for that. ;)

[Ed Oscuro]

Probably because you don't look like you need to be fucked with.
You've got a point, there.


MASTER"S DEGREE!
!!!!

;)

[philosophyst]

as part of GameStop's "image change," I'd like to see them get rid of those stupid looking cartoon characters on the inserts they use for games that don't have their original insert.

LOL for sure, those inserts are pretty lame.



Oh, philosophyst... I've had employees offer to reshrink the game for me when I've complained about them trying to sell me opened games as new. I walk out when they do that.

Yeah, I've had them tell me that too. I feel like screaming at the jackass that that's not the point but, like you, I usually just walk out. On occasion, I will make an ass out of myself and create a little scene for the other customers but I've been trying to keep my cool.

[bangtango]

Anyways, as part of GameStop's "image change," I'd like to see them get rid of those stupid looking cartoon characters on the inserts they use for games that don't have their original insert.

What would they replace that with? A plain white background with text on one side telling you to make sure you preorder all of the upcoming games you want the next time you come into Gamestop and text on the other side reminding you to renew your Edge card right away so you don't interrupt your Game Informer subscription.

[Kitsune Sniper]

What would they replace that with? A plain white background with text on one side telling you to make sure you preorder all of the upcoming games you want the next time you come into Gamestop and text on the other side reminding you to renew your Edge card right away so you don't interrupt your Game Informer subscription.

You mean like the cases that don't have those stupid cartoons do? :P

[EricRyan34]

I can tell everyone exactly why they do the entire "preordering" system, for I used to be an assistant manager for Gamestop. Its simple:

preordering = sale of new game = trade ins!!!!

Thats where they make all their money! Terrible Co. to work for!

[bangtango]

You mean like the cases that don't have those stupid cartoons do? :P

Really? Man, I was just kidding when I said that :)

I got a big pile of XBox sports games awhile back from Gamestop.com, probably 20-25 games, with some promo code. Only about six or seven had the original cover, meaning the rest of them had that dumb cartoon insert. My dad was over to the house at the time and watched me open them up when the package arrived in the mail. He saw all of those games with that dumb insert. Here is what happened.

Dad: "What are those?"

Me: "Games for the XBox you got me last Christmas. Bought them on the internet for a dollar each."

Dad: "How come you bought so many copies of the same game?"

Me: "I didn't."

Dad: "Yes, you did."

Me: (slightly agitated) "They're not the same game, those are all different games."

Dad: (shrugs) "Well, what do they all got the same cover for then?"

Me: (I'll admit I was speechless by then)