Great article about what Gamestop SHOULD do (but most likely won't) [Archive]

roushimsx

10-31-2007, 07:32 PM

Katamari Damacy didn't become a hit because people bought it in droves at Wal-Mart. It became a hit because GameStop followed the buzz and stocked enough copies.

Katamari Damacy didn't become a hit because Gamestop stocked enough copies. Gamestop totally missed the boat on Katamari Damacy; EB Games was the only store that bothered to stock it when it came out and it quickly became their number one selling game of the month. Gamestop (and everyone else) was late to the game on the Katamari bandwagon. My local gamestop wouldn't even let me fucking preorder the game (it was a $20 title and considered a "C" game or whatever, making it ineligible for preorder apparently) so I just preordered three copies on EBGames.com instead.

Still, I agree with bits and pieces here and there while other stuff is just the same crap that's been beaten to death over and over again. #2 in particular is damn near impossible to appease...the best they can do is make it easier to order the more obscure stuff, but even then they're limited by what they have in the system. Perhaps if you were able to order items from the system and have it shipped out from different B&M stores to your local store (doesn't GameCrazy do this?).

My biggest gripe is the condition of the games. They really ought to put more emphasis on selling quality condition product and discount the price if it's missing the manual and/or case. You should be able to order a used copy from them and have the option of selecting, "I want the box and manual" or "Box and Manual aren't necessary to me". If their line of thinking ("people don't really care if a game is complete or not") is true, then it shouldn't hurt to cater a little bit towards the slightly more hardcore audience because a majority of orders aren't going to have that box checked.

But yea, whatever. Bitch bitch, whine whine. Gamestop doesn't care what any of us think because they're making too god damn much money the way they're rolling right now. Just frequent the alternatives that still exist and the smaller local mom and pop shops... perhaps if enough people did so then it'd start to hurt 'em in the pocket book. (like that'll ever happen)

otaku

10-31-2007, 07:36 PM

Definetly some great points they need to consider implenting. Last time I bought a game from them was about a year ago I bought two games-sc3 for ps2 which had to be returned cause it was damaged (used wouldnt play) and another game shipped cause I ordered online which they shipped in a generic case without manual or art which I don't like either at least they tell you (I failed to notice this) but I don't think they should do that or offer rock bottom prices on them

FantasiaWHT

10-31-2007, 07:48 PM

Uh.... 1 and 2 are rather exclusive to each other. If people preordered them, GS WOULD carry more obscure titles.

#3 I agree with. Definitely a good idea.

#4 is a joke. I'm so sick of people whining about used prices. Three main points: A) $5 is 10% (a little less now with $60 games). With a discount card it's 20%. That's not a pittance. B) You can't just look at that $25 credit and $45 price, or the $2 credit and $10 price. Games sit around on shelves, and don't sell - sometimes that game GS paid $25 for sells for $10. C) Complain as much as you want, IT WORKS - that means customers LIKE IT. You may not like it, but demanding/asking a company change a sound business practice because it doesn't fit your buying style is childish.

#5 is a joke. A) It's still new (so long as it hasn't been PLAYED). B) The purpose of it is to allow people to handle the boxes and read the back and even read the manual. Customers PREFER that over having to ask a stockboy to open a locked case every time they want to look at a game. Not everyone knows exactly what they want

#6, totally agree. I think the biggest reason they stopped is a LOT of problems with stolen PC games being traded in on a regular basis. That and piracy depresses the used PC game market. But I still miss a ready source of dirt-cheap entertainment.

#7, I might dispute the premise (that GS employees are a step below the rest of retail employees), but the general sentiment is something any retail establishment can do.

The whole premise is faulty. They're ticking off the hardcore gamers. But their business decisions, by any measurement, have been phenomenally successful. If ticking off hardcore gamers by pandering to others is a sound business practice, GS's upper echelons actually have a DUTY to their stockholders to use them. That's what comes of being a publicly-held company.

Cloud121

10-31-2007, 08:02 PM

Here's one thing I've always disliked. I used to work for them, and trust me, I've always hated that corporation with a passion. I only worked there just because I was great friends with everyone there, and the employee discount is good on used systems.

Anyway, just recently, GameStop just discontinued all new GameCube sales, by transferring all new games to a used SKU. Hm.... Okay, you just screwed many of the developers and publishers out of some cash. Supposedly Xbox is coming up next.

Oh and, in some of the TV commercials, it says "Games. Gear. Knowledge. GameStop." I'm sorry, but "Knowledge" and "GameStop" should NOT be in the same sentence ever. I was the only person that worked at my store for the last year and half that knew anything, outside of my best friend Bill, the Assistant Manager. They were always coming to me asking for release dates and everything.

Here's another thought. As you know, they haven't been doing NES, Super Famicom, Dreamcast, etc. for years. Since about 2002 or so. Now, corporate said that there wasn't a market for those games. When I worked there, we'd get a few people every couple hours or so walking in looking for NES and Super Famicom. Now, since Iowa is a bit of rural state, just imagine how many people would walk into the Chicago, New York, Texas, Los Angeles, etc. stores asking for them. No market? Yeah right...

Trebuken

10-31-2007, 08:56 PM

Terrible article.

States they are losing hardcore gamers but has no proof of that; likely it's not true either.

1.) Gamestop is also being pressured by game publishers for preorders. They know how many to produce and can save money; otherwise games would be even more expensive. I preorder a ton of games at Gamestop and I have never not gotten what I asked for. You do not have to buy it if you preorder it...

2.) I bought the single copy of Red Star at my GS too. It received good reviews. They might have an opportunity to grow sales here, but likely it's not worth the risk or the publisher only produced limited supply initially.

3.) Is there a rumor that they weren't going to maitain Game Informer? Why's this on the list?

4.) There pricing makes complete sense from aretail perspective. Additionally you get 10% off with you edge card this means you save roughly 18% on newish games (depending on your sales tax).

5.) I can see how this matters to some, but seems like a trivial complaint to me...don't buy it then...

6.) Who has a bigger selection of PC Games? I used to go to Software Etc., Babbages, or Electronics Boutique and they had almost exclusively PC Games...I'd love to see the comeback. Timeshift (PC) is $10 cheaper than the other versions, it can look much better on a PC, and the money you ssave on the game and future games justifies the cost of PC hardware...

7.) All retail enviornments have this problem. They do not want to pay wages or benefits 'for competitive reasons'. Employee turnover is intentionally kept high to keep wages down. They sometimes maintain a 'manager' for a long while to compensate for the kids. I wish they were more knowledgeable. I often ask them questions they have no idea about, like 'Do you have the component cables for the new model PSP?'. None of them had a clue..in three stores.

Gamestop is actually a good gamestore as long as you know what to expect.

7th lutz

10-31-2007, 08:57 PM

1.) I understood their point. There employees pushed the pre-ordering games down my throat when a major title was going to be release.

2.) It is problem besides gamestop. Obsecure titles like taito Legends 2 were not carried at a target or any store then specializes in selling video game stuff.

3.) I agree with keeping Gameinformer. My only complain is they are more corporate know. Before they were bought by gamestop, they did alot of covers of games based on good to great scores unlike now. The put games on the cover for pre ordering purposes like hyping the game. Gameinformer had some bad to medicore games on the cover since Gamestop took over them.

4.) It is a market thing, not a gamestop thing. Gamestop is only selling the game by its worth and they are taking a risk by selling used games. Some genres based on used games don't sell well like sports.

5.) Have to disagree there unless there were scratchs or anything that proved the game was played prior.

6.) I have to agree. While I never been a pc gamer, I remembered stores having a lot of pc games in a video game store before gamestop took over.

7.) This is not exclusive to gamestop employees. I ran into stupid employees at a record store that sells video games at other stores that sell video games also. This is bussiness practice hiring issue. They don't want to spend the money on employees and this is what you get.

esquire

10-31-2007, 09:10 PM

Anyway, just recently, GameStop just discontinued all new GameCube sales, by transferring all new games to a used SKU. Hm.... Okay, you just screwed many of the developers and publishers out of some cash. Supposedly Xbox is coming up next.

First. How are they screwing developers and publishers out of cash by doing this? These items are already paid for by Gamestop corporate. The developers and publishers have already been paid!!

By moving over to used stock, they are writing them off as a loss, just they do with pennying out the strategy guides after sitting on the shelf for a while. Theey did the same thing with their PS1 and N64 stock as well. do you expect them to carry non-selling items forever?

Second, they already started doing this for XBOX within the last year, with respect to select titles. Likewise, they did it for PS1 games a while back.

Back to the article.....

2. Start carrying more copies of the obscure stuff. A few months back I went to a GameStop to buy a copy of The Red Star, a side-scrolling shooter for the PS2, a game in an obscure genre on a system that is becoming more obsolete by the day. The clerk had never heard of it (even though I was holding the box in my hand) and thought it was some kind of special controller. It was also the only copy of the game the store had.

...and if the item sells, and demand increases they'll stock more. So what the writer is saying is that Gamestop should buy a lot of stock of obscure releases, with no track record on sales, or for limited niche markets, in the hopes that they'll sell and make their money back? Sounds risky to me. Again, obviously no business sense here at all. It's all supply and demand. For every Katamari Damacy success, there are many commercial failures like Okami, or obscure releases that sit on shelves like Ar Tonelico, to name just a couple.

If an obscure release does well, demand will dictate an increase in supply - look at Disgaea, Phoenix Wright, Cubivore, Rez and Gitaroo Man. All had re-prints, re-releases or additional stock.

4. Lower prices on used games. This one should be something that common sense tells you is the right thing to do. But not, apparently, for the executives at GameStop. The markdown on a used game should be more than $5 off of the current retail price. A used game is just that, used, and with the fragility of disc-based media it's idiotic to expect a used game to be considered almost equal in price to a new game.

Obviously written by someone who has no understanding of the free market system business model where the mantra is "buy low and sell high". Any store that sells used games, whether Gamestop, Gamecrazy or Gamerush, is going to give you less for trading in than what you could sell it for yourself. This is where these stores make a good share of their profits. Let's see, they can buy a new game from the developer/publishers for $5 under retail and make a $5 profit ($5 is simply an example), or they can buy it for 1/2 or less of the retail price and sell for $5-$10 under retail, maximizing their profits. Makes sense to me. This is the business norm.

5. Stop selling the open display copy as "new." As many of you may have noticed in the past, GameStop opens one copy of every game they sell and puts the box out on display. When it comes time to sell this copy they pull the disc out of a pile of other display games and give it to you in the open box. The company does not even put its meager used game markdown on the game because they consider it "new." Well, even a two year old could understand that an open game that's been handled is not new. And it's even worse if a customer is buying the display copy as a gift.

Okay, I am confused. First the writer is complaining that they should not sell the display copies for full retail price, but then goes on to say that it's even worse if a customer is buying the display copy as a gift. Which begs the question - How is a markdown going to help the customer buying the item as a gift? Okay, I know the majority of us are collectors, and even a few of us collect sealed games, but for the overwhelming majority of consumers, games are purchased to be played, and most of the time are opened by the time the consumer gets into his car after leaving the store, so why does this really matter to anyone other than the sealed collector? Unless something is missing, the disc is scratched or the packaging damaged (which all can happen with sealed games as well - See Halo 3 Collector's Edition; Castlevania Portrait of Ruin Preorder Package), it should not matter. If you want a sealed game, no one is forcing you to buy that copy. Go to Best Buy, Circuit City or another store that has it sealed. I have walked away from a purchase for that very same reason. I guess the writers solution would be to either keep everything behind the counter (like that would work; imagine the lines just to look at a game box) or make the stores (which are pretty small and limited in space to begin with) keep an extra empty box for every game in stock (keeping in mind that it might be impossible for games with smaller print runs to even have a display case).

gepeto

10-31-2007, 09:38 PM

What they need to also do is stop the whole pay thru there debit card scam. How hard is it to pay someone by check?

Wolfrider31

10-31-2007, 09:41 PM

It's the opened games as new issue that really irks me and why I usually only shop at Wal-Mart or Best Buy or Futureshop for new stuff.

Bojay1997

10-31-2007, 09:48 PM

Bottom line for me is that there are lots of alternatives for even the most obscure games nowadays and I don't buy anything from EB or Gamestop in their stores and only buy online if the game is new and substantially cheaper than I can find anywhere else. My first preference for a new $60 game is always an independent game shop. There's simply no reason to buy from Gamestop or EB for those games as they don't give you any discount at all. If I can't get it at an indy game shop, I will go to Best Buy, Fry's or Target. Again, there is little or nothing that comes out nowadays that at least one of these stores don't carry. Failing these options, I will either go to Game Dude or buy on-line from Game Express or some of the other places I trust. So, why won't I shop at GS/EB?

1) The service is terrible and I don't care for their high pressure sales tactics. I don't need replacement plans and I don't need to preorder games since with a very few rare exceptions, every new game that comes out is readily available on launch day at multiple retailers, often cheaper than GS/EB. I also don't need some fanboy employee laughing at me because he thinks all I own is a last generation system. Guess what, like most of us here, I have every system from every generation and I don't need to be mocked because some dude making minimum wage thinks I am a lamer. I realize this sounds far fetched, but it has happened to me on at least three occasions at GS/EB.

2) I'm not going to pay full price for a used game. I'm sorry, but a game that has been opened and stripped into various parts is used. There is no debating that and if I'm not mistaken, several states have laws which would back me on this. I'm frankly surprised nobody has sued them for their practice of selling used merchandise as new, but I guess most of us just don't buy stuff from them, so it doesn't matter. I like to take off the shrinkwrap and unseal my games. That's my right if I am going to pay full retail. I don't care that they want to save money on paying for displays or prevent theft. Not my problem. Get plastic cases like Best Buy or Fry's. I'm not going to sacrifice the quality of my new games so you can profit.

That sums it up for me, so I could care less if GS/EB makes changes or not.

Ed Oscuro

10-31-2007, 09:52 PM

Anyway, just recently, GameStop just discontinued all new GameCube sales, by transferring all new games to a used SKU. Hm.... Okay, you just screwed many of the developers and publishers out of some cash. Supposedly Xbox is coming up next.
Does this mean that new GC games will be ripped open before you buy them with a palette knife? Hallelujah (if so)!

FantasiaWHT

10-31-2007, 10:39 PM

Two of my biggest gripes when I was working there I would've liked to have seen

STICKERS!!!!!! EFFING STICKERS!!!! This was actually more EB right before the merger, but aside from the price and sku stickers, there would be so many other stickers that literally 1/3 of the cover would be masked - 10% sticker, trade in sticker, strategy guide sticker. ARGH!

The other thing was the fact that, in tiny stores really cramped for good space to put good product, we have to waste prime space on absolute shit that will NEVER sell a single copy because a publisher of some garbage is paying for the space.

crazyjackcsa

10-31-2007, 10:51 PM

Brutal article and everybody else has said just about everything I already thought. In fact, by reading the posts I nearly avoided reading the article. There is no money pandering to the hardcore (god I hate that label) Sega learned the hard way. And you can't make all of the people happy all of the time.

I am glad however that some people pointed out that 5 dollars off a preown is still 10% which is a goodly amount. And that even the credit you get back on preowns is weak, the store in effect is taking on 100% of the risk there. They could give you 20 dollars for the game, it can sit for 6 months, and they could end up selling it for 10, it's a chance you take. And ordering in Niche games by the truck load because they might become hits? Good luck staying in business.

Maxx

10-31-2007, 11:48 PM

#5 is a joke. A) It's still new (so long as it hasn't been PLAYED). B) The purpose of it is to allow people to handle the boxes and read the back and even read the manual. Customers PREFER that over having to ask a stockboy to open a locked case every time they want to look at a game. Not everyone knows exactly what they want

BS! I totaly agree with #5. As a collector, I'm trying to collect games on an Extreme Mint/Complete condition. By this, I want the registration card, mint book that's not had 300 people thumb through it. That is, if it's there at all! I want the bonus material in it. You think a "New" copy of Yu-Gi-Oh The Dawn of Destiny is going to have the 3 limited edition cards in it? You think Shrek Super Party is going to have the watch in it? But an opened copy is not the complaint. It's the fact that they only have 1 of the game and this is what you have to buy at a new price.

ScourDX

11-01-2007, 12:07 AM

Two of my biggest gripes when I was working there I would've liked to have seen

STICKERS!!!!!! EFFING STICKERS!!!! This was actually more EB right before the merger, but aside from the price and sku stickers, there would be so many other stickers that literally 1/3 of the cover would be masked - 10% sticker, trade in sticker, strategy guide sticker. ARGH!

I hate that a lot. I think EB/GS start using different type of yellow sticker which has less adhesive than previous yellow sticker. I purchased couple of used game this past week and I am able to take of the sticker without any problem.

esquire

11-01-2007, 12:13 AM

esquire

11-01-2007, 12:16 AM

I hate that a lot. I think EB/GS start using different type of yellow sticker which has less adhesive than previous yellow sticker. I purchased couple of used game this past week and I am able to take of the sticker without any problem.

EB was actually the worst of the two. The damn yellow stickers they used proved hard to remove over time, and the yellow coloring would get on your hands. Worse yet, EB would put those round stickers on telling you to trade in your games, as well as the round stickers to seal display copies as well as used copies (before they allowed you to return used games) so they'd know if you opened them.

Bojay1997

11-01-2007, 01:39 AM

You don't have to buy anything. That is your choice as a consumer. Take your money elsewhere if you do not want to buy the last copy.

BTW, all the Gamestops near me remove the inserts before they put the display case out.

Unfortunately, it's not always your choice. I had to return a copy of Untold Legends I bought for the PS3 through the website for $20 which was purportedly new. It was unwrapped, had a price sticker on it that said "new" and had fingerprints and bends in the manual. The customer service guy was nice enough about it but told me that the warehouse had probably gotten some copies from the stores and that some stores now gut all their games for security. He assured me it was still new, but agreed to replace it with a new factory sealed one or replace it again if the replacement they sent me was in similar shape. Of course, I had to physically drive to the UPS place and repackage the game, etc... Seriously, there's no reason to ever shop at GS.

Oobgarm

11-01-2007, 08:08 AM

As much as I love to bag on GameStop now that I don't work for them, this article is a complete joke. It sounds to me like some whiny kid learned how to use a blog and started complaining without looking at the big picture.

GAMESTOP DOES NOT CARE ABOUT HARDCORE GAMERS. THIS HAS NOT AND WILL NOT EVER BE THE CASE.

1. Stop asking us to pre-order.

I can understand this to a certain extent. It is annoying to have some minimum-wage register jockey harass you about preordering games, simply based off of what you're buying.

But it's how they forecast sales. Some stuff might not be allocated correctly if no preorders were taken. If anything, they need to knock off the preorder hocking for the AAA titles and focus more on 'niche' titles.

2. Start carrying more copies of the obscure stuff.

See my above statement.

Why should a company sit on stuff that most likely no one will buy? It's not a sound business practice. The shelf space occupied by some anime-inspired second-person strategy racing RPG that maybe a handful of people would be interested in would be much better utilized by a large title that's practically guaranteed to sell out.

When it comes to employees actually being knowledgeable about any and every game there is, that's asking a bit much. Competent employees should have at least an idea of what's stocked in their store.

Oh, and Katamari? GameStop saw that it was selling well and that they had missed the boat. They didn't follow the 'buzz'. If they had done so, they would have had plenty of stock beforehand since this game was poised to be a sleeper.

3. Keep publishing Game Informer.

Duh.

4. Lower prices on used games.

As stated earlier: "demanding/asking a company change a sound business practice because it doesn't fit your buying style is childish."

5. Stop selling the open display copy as "new."

It makes sense to me why it's done. But honestly, I think that there should be some sort of discount on a title if it is the last new, gutted copy. I always hated having to sell the last one to a customer, since I personally wouldn't have wanted a game that had been opened.

Not to mention their employee check-out policy, meaning that game may have been taken home and played without the knowledge of the customer. (Not sure if this applies to new games, as it did when I worked there)

6. Gamers still play PC games.

In my region, GameStop didn't sell used PC. We barely sold any new PC. But the PC gaming spectrum is so broad, it's tough to please everyone.

I say let the big box stores handle PC game sales. They can buy in larger quantity, which would hopefully equate to a better sale price.

7. Stop hiring idiots.

No matter what, every place will have it's share of idiots.

GameStop just happens to have a bit larger share than most other places. And it's only obvious since said idiots actually have to deal with the public, while many places(foodservice especially) can keep the dim-witted folks away from public interaction.

The main reason is that for many, GamStop is a dream job. You get to work around and talk about games all day. There are a lot of folks out there who aren't well educated on the industry and don't keep track of new game releases, but still love games anyway. And then you have the people who know nothing about gaming in general, but can push sales very well.

Employee turnover is high. GameStop prefers to keep their wage expenditures low, so many employees are ousted before they can make any headway. There will be exceptions, sure, but most people looking to make a career out of working for GameStop by starting at the store level are destined to fail. Managers and above are, in most cases, immune to the wage ceiling, but even that is dependent solely on sales numbers. No amount of gaming knowledge is going to help you get a raise.

When I worked there, I was paid minimum wage, or a little above, for close to 5 years. I stuck it out since I liked the job. I think the most I ever made was $7.50 an hour, and that was full-time(40 hrs/wk) assistant manager pay. I made that starting out at Best Buy.

Basically, if you offer low-end pay, you're probably going to get low-end employees.

FantasiaWHT

11-01-2007, 08:23 AM

BS! I totaly agree with #5. As a collector, I'm trying to collect games on an Extreme Mint/Complete condition. By this, I want the registration card, mint book that's not had 300 people thumb through it. That is, if it's there at all! I want the bonus material in it. You think a "New" copy of Yu-Gi-Oh The Dawn of Destiny is going to have the 3 limited edition cards in it? You think Shrek Super Party is going to have the watch in it? But an opened copy is not the complaint. It's the fact that they only have 1 of the game and this is what you have to buy at a new price.

1 - Gutted new games SHOULD still have the bonuses available - they were usually kept with the disc behind the counter. If they disappeared, that's theft by an employee, and if they were left in the case, that's stupid.

2 - The chance of the game you want having only one copy left is fairly small (although I admit it increases as the scarcity of the game increases), and the number of people who will refuse to buy a game because it's not sealed is even smaller. GS thinks that loss is worth the increased sales to customers who like to browse (unlike us, who research games before they come out, the average customer comes in to browse, not knowing what specific game they want).

3 - I do think they should be sold for a lower price if the customer requests, however. EB had a discount called "shopworn" for damaged product, and employees could use it on occasion. Personally, I gave a 10% discount, but only if the customer asked for it.

heybtbm

11-01-2007, 09:08 AM

While it's not a perfect system, I find that pre-ordering "niche" titles helps me avoid the whole "opened game for full price" idiocy. I simply refuse to pay full price for a game that's been opened. The reality is, Gamestop is going to keep on doing this, so it's worthless to bitch about it. Now I pre-order (put $5 down) or just buy games somewhere else.

Oobgarm

11-01-2007, 09:44 AM

esquire

11-01-2007, 10:48 AM

Unfortunately, it's not always your choice. I had to return a copy of Untold Legends I bought for the PS3 through the website for $20 which was purportedly new. It was unwrapped, had a price sticker on it that said "new" and had fingerprints and bends in the manual.... Seriously, there's no reason to ever shop at GS.

Yes, knowing their policy, you did have a choice. You could have ordered the same game from Amazon, Best Buy or Circuit City, just to name a few of the larger online retailers, as well as from any of the smaller online stores.

Seriously, is their like a counter somewhere imbedded on DP that every so many posts, their has to be the obligatory "Why Gamestop Sucks" post? Hasn't this topic been discussed ad nauseum? Maybe a mod should just create a sticky thread.

zemmix

11-01-2007, 10:56 AM

#5 is one that does bother me. Those display cases go through hell in the hands of kids and idiots. Unfotunately it seems like the games I want are always the ones they only have one of. Now I'll just bring it up to the counter and ask if its the only copy and if it is I don't buy it.

And the $5 off is pretty lame. I'd rather just buy a new one at a different store than buy that beat up used one for only $5 less.

I like Game Informer, but I'm not a big fan of Game Stop.

smork

11-01-2007, 11:13 AM

I'm another one who is bothered by the "selling opened games as new". Especially since many have said these games get "borrowed" by employees. New = unopened, and you will never convince me otherwise.

I understand the argument that there needs to be a display copy. There's two solutions to this, both are quite reasonable:

1) Sensor tag and/or sensor box the games. It works for Best Buy, you telling me GS couldn;t make it work?

2) With the clout that GS now has with the industry by being a near-monopoly in the US game-specific retail environment, they could request that publishers furnish each store with a display case duplicate for people to read/admire/fondle. Publishers give them display cases for games that haven't come out yet ("coming soon" and "preorder now" type cases), why not for ones that have been released?

Basically it's a bullshit practice that other retailers couldn't get away with. BB/CC knock a small percentage off an open box item; so should GS.

Oobgarm

11-01-2007, 11:27 AM

1) Sensor tag and/or sensor box the games. It works for Best Buy, you telling me GS couldn;t make it work?

The only reason it works well for BB is that they're a large 'grab & go' type store. GameStops are part of a more 'intimate' shopping experience between customer and clerk, so I don't know how they could get that to work out for them.

And those lock cases? They're not THAT hard to remove. :)

unwinddesign

11-01-2007, 01:43 PM

It seems people are saying that the "display copy" thing isn't a big deal. All that I can say is, having gotten shafted with two of those in the past, I would not pay full price for those. The discs are scratched from the paper sleeve, the price tag on the case does not come off, and the manual is usually slightly bent up. I think Gamestop employees play those games, sometimes, too in the machines behind the counter. To pay $64 (including tax) for a "new" game is stupid, especially when you can walk up the street (generally) or across the mall and pick one that hasn't been messed around with for the same price.

Otherwise, I think the article is really stupid and that the guy has no grasp on economics or business in general. The display case thing is a personal pet peeve of mine. I'll admit the pre-order thing is a bit annoying, but every retailer has some form of this now -- i.e. "do you want to buy a warranty on that printer/router/piece of electronics" when you check out at Staples or Best Buy.

mailman187666

11-01-2007, 02:11 PM

I agree with a bunch of this to a certain extent. I'm not much of a PC gamer so it doesn't affect me. I can see where people would complain about the $5 for a used copy, but not every game is like that. The Darkness for PS3 is $60 new. A used copy also for PS3 costs 27.99. It depends on how hot that title is as to how much of a discount off the new price its going to be. You aren't going to see something like Halo 3 used there for anything more than $5 off for a while. If I remember correctly, gamestop still charges $70-80 for copies of Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 for PS2. Same as ebay pretty much.

I have gone to the store and sometimes I will not buy the gutted copy depending on the game. With Etrian Odysee I bought a gutted copy because I was having a hard time finding it. Other than that, I just go down a little ways to another store who does have a complete copy. Gamestop and EB aren't the only stores that do that FYI.

The preorder thing definately gets annoying if you buy games there frequently. I've even heard stories of customers snapping back at the employees because they won't leave them alone when they say "no preorders today". I've walked into gamestop buying hundreds of dollars worth of shit and yet they still insist on trying to get me to pay for more pre-orders after I tell them no a couple times.

I have actually been to a few gamestops in my area where some of the employees there are actually quite knowledgable with all platforms of gaming, even down to me asking what they thought of a specific game. Then I've gone a couple times where the guy behind the counter actually had to ask me how to put a DS game back in its case.....WOW.

with my experiences, I would still shop there because 9 times out of 10 my visit is not all that bad. I buy most of my new games there.

Promophile

11-01-2007, 02:59 PM

BS! I totaly agree with #5. As a collector, I'm trying to collect games on an Extreme Mint/Complete condition. By this, I want the registration card, mint book that's not had 300 people thumb through it. That is, if it's there at all! I want the bonus material in it. You think a "New" copy of Yu-Gi-Oh The Dawn of Destiny is going to have the 3 limited edition cards in it? You think Shrek Super Party is going to have the watch in it? But an opened copy is not the complaint. It's the fact that they only have 1 of the game and this is what you have to buy at a new price.

I totally agree with you. You have the same collecting mentality I do. If EVERY game only contained a manual and game DVD then I wouldn't mind the "open as new" policy. However, games often contain inserts or one type or another and no one seems to care about documenting which inserts come with each game. If you want a 100% complete game you HAVE to buy it sealed.

As a side note, I was at a GS around the time Bioshock was released. As I was waiting in line to pick it up, some guy walks up to the manager and asks to "borrow" the display copy of Bioshock. The manager hands him the game disk and away he goes! Stuff like that is why I don't trust GS policies.

FantasiaWHT

11-01-2007, 03:02 PM

Btw, is it official GS policy to not give a discount on opened items? I've gotten them before at GS, and I gave them out myself working at EB.

-^Cro�Bow^-

11-01-2007, 03:22 PM

On the issue of #5 I also agree that this is a shady practice they do. However, I have come to learn something interesting. Just because there is only copy of a game on the shelf, does NOT mean it is the only copy they have. Past few new game releases, I go to the counter and ask for a copy of said game. What happens is that they unlock the case behind them, or go through a box on the floor...or to the back room and give me a factory sealed never put out on display copy. And while technically an opened but never played copy could be construed as being new...what about the damn stickers still! The ones they hand me still shrinked don't have a sticker of any kind on them. It's great to open the shrink wrap and just be able to open a mint case for the first time. Even if an opened one hasn't been touched by anyone?! You still have the price sticker and sku stickers on the back plus any others they decided they needed to stick on that case. Maybe what they should do...is have spare blank good condition cases to swap these display ones with?

norkusa

11-01-2007, 04:12 PM

Bojay1997

11-01-2007, 04:19 PM

Yes, knowing their policy, you did have a choice. You could have ordered the same game from Amazon, Best Buy or Circuit City, just to name a few of the larger online retailers, as well as from any of the smaller online stores.

Seriously, is their like a counter somewhere imbedded on DP that every so many posts, their has to be the obligatory "Why Gamestop Sucks" post? Hasn't this topic been discussed ad nauseum? Maybe a mod should just create a sticky thread.

How do you figure? In as many years as GS/EB has been selling stuff on-line, I have never had them send me a gutted game when I ordered a new game from them. Admittedly, I don't do it very often but probably 5-6 times a year for really discounted stuff like Wartech and others. It doesn't make sense to me that they are using the stock from stores in their on-line operation, but nothing really makes sense about GS, so I guess I should have been aware that they would have no problem sending out a used game when I paid for a new one. So, going forward I now know that they are applying their poor business practices to the on-line side and I guess I will just have to look for other alternatives when they have a good price on something.

If you don't care about this topic, there's no reason for you to post here or keep responding to people. Seriously, it's not like anyone forced you to participate in this discussion.

Kitsune Sniper

11-01-2007, 04:24 PM

What they need to also do is stop the whole pay thru there debit card scam. How hard is it to pay someone by check?

What are you talking about? How is paying with a debit or credit card a scam? It's not like they're charging you a dollar or two for using it, unlike some stupid restaurants...

Bojay1997

11-01-2007, 04:25 PM

Btw, is it official GS policy to not give a discount on opened items? I've gotten them before at GS, and I gave them out myself working at EB.

Wait, didn't you argue earlier that the games were still new and so we shouldn't be complaining about this? Why would they give a discount on a brand new game? Wait, I know, because an open game is used and has probably been borrowed by the manager, taken home by employees or lent out to their friends. Seriously, I'm really sick of people defending GS/EB, especially former employees who know better. I'm sorry if you think people who attack EB/GS are whiners, but I am consistently infuriated by their practices and I hope they continue their campaign of overexpansion until they drive themselves into bankruptcy.

8-bitNesMan

11-01-2007, 04:32 PM

If I remember correctly, gamestop still charges $70-80 for copies of Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 for PS2. Same as ebay pretty much.

That's what gets me. They ignore the "hardcore crowd", but it seems they follow collecting trends when it suits them. Kinda like having the cake and eating it too...

FantasiaWHT

11-01-2007, 04:55 PM

Wait, didn't you argue earlier that the games were still new and so we shouldn't be complaining about this? Why would they give a discount on a brand new game? Wait, I know, because an open game is used and has probably been borrowed by the manager, taken home by employees or lent out to their friends. Seriously, I'm really sick of people defending GS/EB, especially former employees who know better. I'm sorry if you think people who attack EB/GS are whiners, but I am consistently infuriated by their practices and I hope they continue their campaign of overexpansion until they drive themselves into bankruptcy.

A - I have never accused anyone attacking EB/GS of being whiners.
B - My position is that they should continue gutting copies, but also think that someone who wants a discount for the item should be able to get a small one. Those two positions aren't exclusive to each other.

Porksta

11-01-2007, 05:34 PM

You guys must just visit shitty stores. I have been to over a dozen different GameStops all over the US, and have never had a problem with the employees. The only pre ordering I have had shoved down my throat is when they ask you on the phone when they answer. The only problem I have with the stores is their slow as balls computer system. All employees have been nice and knowledgeable.

Now the real problem comes with the corporation as a whole. Their selling practices suck and they are always understaffed. And yes, an opened game is used. I don't care what you say, a new item is one that is fresh and unused. I would not want to go to Wal-Mart, and buy a new TV, only to have to have the employee go to the back and put it in the box.

gum_drops

11-01-2007, 05:38 PM

The only reason it works well for BB is that they're a large 'grab & go' type store. GameStops are part of a more 'intimate' shopping experience between customer and clerk, so I don't know how they could get that to work out for them.

And those lock cases? They're not THAT hard to remove. :)

I recently noticed my local best buy doesnt even keep ps3 games in the security boxes anymore, they just have back/front cover scans in there. And the scans look like crap, the colors are distorted and the clear plastic didnt take to scanning very well.

8-bitNesMan

11-01-2007, 05:50 PM

And yes, an opened game is used. I don't care what you say, a new item is one that is fresh and unused. I would not want to go to Wal-Mart, and buy a new TV, only to have to have the employee go to the back and put it in the box.

If we're going to sticky something, can this be it? :D

sirhansirhan

11-02-2007, 05:35 PM

I quit shopping at EB/GS last year after being sold the display copy of a new game *FOUR* times in a row. A few months ago though, I had to go to EB because a friend wanted Civilization Chronicles for his birthday and EB/GS was the only place in town that had any copies. Sure enough, the copy they had was an opened display copy. I made them call the other stores in town and they eventually found a store with a sealed copy after 3 tries. :roll:

If I want to buy new games now, I just go to Amazon where shipping is free and I don't have to pay any sales tax.

You are my favorite person in this thread. My story is pretty much exactly the same (except that it was Harvest Moon: Magical Melody for me instead of Civilization Chronicles).

I came onto this thread a little late, and any points that I would make would be pretty redundant. However, one thing that hasn't been brought up: GameStop's return policy is such that you can get a refund on a new game within 30 days with the receipt if it is still sealed. Anyone here ever try to return a floor copy to them as new for a refund? They won't take it. BECAUSE IT ISN'T NEW.

roushimsx

11-02-2007, 05:56 PM

I came onto this thread a little late, and any points that I would make would be pretty redundant. However, one thing that hasn't been brought up: GameStop's return policy is such that you can get a refund on a new game within 30 days with the receipt if it is still sealed. Anyone here ever try to return a floor copy to them as new for a refund? They won't take it. BECAUSE IT ISN'T NEW.

They're supposed to put a little plastic sticker covering the side and keeping it closed so that you can return it as new/sealed, but there's always the chance that the employee won't bother (because some employees just don't care!). Then again, there's always those employees that know you and will hook you up when you go to return it by slapping the sticker on then.

It all ties in with the quality of employees at the store (how well trained they are, how customer-orientated they are, etc), which is one of those things that's completely hit or miss.

All the same, I'm not a huge fan of selling display copies as new and I strongly believe in going the Amazon route unless you're really in a hurry (or if the deal is just that sweet). Free shipping and the ability to preorder budget games? Score.

Griking

11-02-2007, 06:25 PM

...and if the item sells, and demand increases they'll stock more. So what the writer is saying is that Gamestop should buy a lot of stock of obscure releases, with no track record on sales, or for limited niche markets, in the hopes that they'll sell and make their money back? Sounds risky to me. Again, obviously no business sense here at all. It's all supply and demand. For every Katamari Damacy success, there are many commercial failures like Okami, or obscure releases that sit on shelves like Ar Tonelico, to name just a couple.

If an obscure release does well, demand will dictate an increase in supply - look at Disgaea, Phoenix Wright, Cubivore, Rez and Gitaroo Man. All had re-prints, re-releases or additional stock.

I think the author is asking that Gamestops carry SOME copies of obscure games, not a lot of copies. There are some games that my local Gamestop doesn't even get copies of unless they were pre-ordered. How is a game supposed to have the chance to become an unexpected success if people don't know about it because they'll never even see it on a store shelf?

And as for as opening a copy for display, I still don't understand why it would be so difficult for publishers to send Gamestop, one of the largest resellers of their games a few extra empty display boxes for each game that is sent to them. They send them tons of demo's and promotional copies, why is an empty box so hard?

roushimsx

11-02-2007, 06:39 PM

And as for as opening a copy for display, I still don't understand why it would be so difficult for publishers to send Gamestop, one of the largest resellers of their games a few extra empty display boxes for each game that is sent to them. They send them tons of demo's and promotional copies, why is an empty box so hard?

Hell, they could just send them an extra cover insert or something. The average Gamestop has tons of extra blank cases.

sirhansirhan

11-02-2007, 08:16 PM

They're supposed to put a little plastic sticker covering the side and keeping it closed so that you can return it as new/sealed, but there's always the chance that the employee won't bother (because some employees just don't care!). Then again, there's always those employees that know you and will hook you up when you go to return it by slapping the sticker on then.

It all ties in with the quality of employees at the store (how well trained they are, how customer-orientated they are, etc), which is one of those things that's completely hit or miss.

What you say is true--I know that they are supposed to put the baggie around them when they sell you the floor copy, but they don't always, or even most of the time, from my experience. I ran into a problem with this once when I tried to return a floor copy that wasn't properly baggied. But still, the bigger point is, floor copy or no, you can't return an open copy to them as new, but they can sell an open copy to you as new.

skylark

11-02-2007, 09:55 PM

I guess I want a sealed copy before an open copy, but I don't seem to care too much since most every new game I get seems to end up being the display copy. I expect it, and just carry the case to the counter myself to speed things up.

What I really don't like is selling incomplete used copies for the same amount as complete copies. That's why I have never ordered a used copy from their website and never will. On the other hand, the folks at the store I go to most often have let me pillage the manuals from the shelves if I needed one.

I have encountered a problem where they didn't put everything back in the case for a collector's edition, and when I called them, they refused to mail it to me even though the trip would be 80 miles for me. It was something they could have just thrown in an envelope, too. Never went back to that store, and I have no doubt that they feel the sting of my scorn every day of their lives.

digtempest

11-03-2007, 10:36 AM

It's simple if you are unhappy with a business, don't give them your money! I go in the GS/EB to see what is out, then buy it somewhere else. It's cheaper and new, unlike gamestop's idea of new. I remember I tried to buy a new copy of TIME CRISIS 3 w/o gun($49.99). at GS. The clerk told me it was new. But I went to counter, he took the game disc out the drawer. I complained and he then he said it was his last copy. I told him I should be charged a used price and then left w/out buying the game. I found the next day at Best Buy for $49.99 with gun! Remember, not happy with GS, go somewhere else!

roushimsx

11-03-2007, 10:52 AM

I remember I tried to buy a new copy of TIME CRISIS 3 w/o gun($49.99). at GS.

So I guess you missed out on when Gamestop was unloading Time Crisis 3 (legitimately new) w/ 2 guns for $20 per set? :(

blue lander

11-03-2007, 05:13 PM

FantasiaWHT

11-03-2007, 05:31 PM

I didn't really have a problem with Gamestop until recently. I bought a couple of new PS2 games from them a few weeks ago, and of course they were covered in stickers. No problem, I thought, I'd just remove them as usual.

Instead of putting the stickers on the plastic case, they actually removed the paper insert and put the sticker DIRECTLY ON IT!!

What could possibly possess them to do something like that!? After some very careful peeling I managed to get the sticker off, but I could have just as easily ripped the paper itself. In the process I managed to get quite a few creases on the insert, which you can still see after I put them back into the case. I'm not nearly as anal as some of you are about case condition, but that was the last straw. I'm never buying from Gamestop again.

Ok THAT'S bad. That GS has at least one seriously juvenile employee - I'm sure one did it just to tick off people like you (not meant perjoratively, sorry). Still, though, I wouldn't write off the chain from that experience, but even I would never shop at that individual store again. I'd go back one time to tell them off and tell them how they lost your business.

roushimsx

11-03-2007, 07:01 PM

Instead of putting the stickers on the plastic case, they actually removed the paper insert and put the sticker DIRECTLY ON IT!!

They've been doing this 'round these parts on a lot of games as well, though just on used games (that I've seen...I honestly don't spend much time in the new game section). They can at times be tricky to get off and every now and then I also wind up creasing up the insert with an improper amount of fingernail pressure :(

I think they do it so that the stickers don't peel off and whatnot while on the shelf (both from being slapped around by employees without a care in the world and by unscrupulous customers trying to get Marvel vs. Capcom 2 to ring up as Madden '03). Whatever their reason, I think it sucks pretty hard, too.

Thankfully it's not a very old policy and it doesn't seem to be enforced everywhere, so the stickers are relatively easy to come off. Imagine how shitty it'll be in a year or two once those stickers have had some time to really become attached.

VACRMH

11-03-2007, 07:56 PM

What they need to also do is stop the whole pay thru there debit card scam. How hard is it to pay someone by check?

Very easy to pay with, and very easy to rip them off with. I can completely understand not accepting checks.

FantasiaWHT

11-04-2007, 09:58 AM

Very easy to pay with, and very easy to rip them off with. I can completely understand not accepting checks.

Did GS stop taking checks? I know EB hadn't for a long time, but when the acquisition came about, they started up again.

Rob2600

01-04-2008, 04:27 PM

I didn't really have a problem with Gamestop until recently. I bought a couple of new PS2 games from them a few weeks ago, and of course they were covered in stickers. No problem, I thought, I'd just remove them as usual.

Instead of putting the stickers on the plastic case, they actually removed the paper insert and put the sticker DIRECTLY ON IT!!

What could possibly possess them to do something like that!? ... I'm never buying from Gamestop again.

Recently at GameStop, I bought a used copy of Prince of Persia: Sands of Time for GameCube for $12.99. The yellow price stickers and bar code stickers were applied directly to the paper cover instead of the outer plastic. I'm not a collector, but it still annoyed me a little.

Also, that seems like an inefficient way to price merchandise. Then again, we're talking about GameStop, the masters of inefficiency.

Neil Koch

01-04-2008, 04:35 PM

I've seen that at EB/Gamestop lately and it's baffling. Since they have a big computer system anyway, why not do away with the stickers entirely and just scan the UPC on the box?

It would save them time/money and make the customers happier. I'd assume most people (even those that aren't collectors/"hardcore" gamers) don't like big price stickers that are tough to get off, especially if they're giving the game as a gift.

But then again, seeing how shitty the boxes on some of the used games are, probably not...

The local EB must be in the bizarro world. The workers at my local one are actually pleasant, know their games, and will occasionally knock off a few bucks or give me swag. If it wasn't for that, I would have stopped a long time ago because of asshat polices like this.

Rob2600

01-04-2008, 04:39 PM

I have another recent annoying GameStop experience:

The Wii comes with an AV cable, but it's composite video. I want to upgrade to an S-video cable.

I bought a GameStop brand Wii S-video cable last night, but the plugs don't fit into my AV switch box because there's a ton of unnecessary hollow plastic around them. Monster Cables fit into my switch box and those plugs are pretty fat, but the plugs on the GameStop cable are even fatter. Why? What's the point of having plugs that fat?

Anyway, this afternoon I tried returning the GameStop brand Wii S-video cable at the same GameStop location I bought it (Broadway near W. 3rd St.) and the manager gave me a hassle...of course. As soon as I said I wanted to return something, he became very defensive and agitated. I had the complete packaging and the receipt, but he said GameStop doesn't give refunds for opened accessories. I pointed out to him that at the bottom of the receipt is written, "Opened accessories and all used items can be returned/exchanged within 7 days," at which point he started babbling about how opened accessories are considered used, which didn't make any sense.

Instead of arguing with him, I left and got a refund at a different GameStop (14th St. near Broadway). The service at that location wasn't perfect either, but at least the manager wasn't a useless nutcase.

In the end, I took my business elsewhere and bought a React Wii S-video cable from Best Buy for $20. It was a few dollars more than the GameStop one, but the plugs look like they'll fit into the jacks on my switch box.

It's just amazing to me that a professional store manager would go into conniptions and lose a customer forever because of a $13 cable.

kaedesdisciple

01-04-2008, 04:42 PM

Recently at GameStop, I bought a used copy of Prince of Persia: Sands of Time for GameCube for $12.99. The yellow price stickers and bar code stickers were applied directly to the paper cover instead of the outer plastic. I'm not a collector, but it still annoyed me a little.

Also, that seems like an inefficient way to price merchandise. Then again, we're talking about GameStop, the masters of inefficiency.

I think they do that to prevent people from easily switching the stickers on the cover from a lower priced game to a higher one. On a busy day a frantic clerk might not notice the switch...

Frankie_Says_Relax

01-04-2008, 05:05 PM

Rob, As a former Funcoland manager (and I've shared this in the past) ... the whole "frustration and agitation" thing over returns is a fairly typical reaction ... especially in game retail ... and especially especially in USED game retail ... and especially to the 10th power in a CORPORATE used game retail environment.

A.) While some returns are totally legit and for legit reasons, I'm sure that most game store managers can attest to a fair share of "dishonest" returns. This can be customers who "don't like" a game or hardware (new or used) and attempt to use some other "reason" for returning it. (Why can't they just be honest?) (And, to the consumers credit, sometimes being honest, while refreshing, doesn't work, especially in an "all sales final" environment).

B.) Corporate entities like Gamestop (Barnes & Nobles) are ALWAYS breathing down middle management's backs about "numbers" and "percentages". The sad fact is, that Gamestop employees are nothing but "sales and subscription generating" employee numbers in their eyes, and their emotional stability matters NONE to the corporate desk-dwelling higher-ups. This is not a slam on the free-market corporate fat-cat ... it's just a fact of how most corporations operate. Every "return" for the most part, is a loss that must be eaten in some way, shape, or form, and high percentages of "returned" merch equals less profits and more losses in the eyes of the higher ups.

Managers hear about their "percentages" on a near daily basis ... so, every interaction with a customer over a return is usually a frustrating one, as it sends ripples through one's psyche as a manager ... especially if it means that they're going to wind up with a higher that acceptable amount of "returns" which could have otherwise been avoided.

C.) Now ... in my personal experience ... all of these things did eat away at me psychologically for a number of years. And it wasn't until my final few years with the company that I took a more "zen" approach to things ... I let a hell of a lot more "slide" (not in an apathetic way mind you), and I didn't let the small stuff like returns bother me, and in turn, didn't take out any work-related frustrations I had on the customers. This made my work situation much more tolerable, and probably added back a few years to my life. It also allowed me to go home every night free of "work stress" ... and I'd bet any amount of money that managers who give you shit over an S-Video cable go home and beat up their pillow over work stresses.

Of course, it's pretty challenging to balance both that "zen" attitude and continue to run a customer-friendly / corporate-boss acceptable store ... but it's absolutely possible. With the massive amount of customers out there who are : 1.) shady, and looking to take advantage of the store 2.) completely ignorant of how a "used retail" environment works 3.) "clingy" regulars who don't provide anything more than frustration through daily calls and hours standing in front of the counter trying to make small talk...harmless, but annoying.

It is, like I said CHALLENGING ... but, not impossible.

BUT, I digress.

What was my point? Well, this kind of thing is prototypical of Gamestop/EB management ... and since the company is making billions, it's likely not going to change anytime soon. Corporate doesn't see a need to re-structure anything...especially not in terms of giving their managers any type of REAL customer service training. The money keeps rolling in ... and just like in your case, if you don't spend it at one Gamestop ... you'll likely just go to another.

In the short-term, you probably did the right thing to avoid dealing with that manager ... and rest assured, that manager who gave you hell, will likely self-destruct at some point if he's giving people shit over minimal stuff like that.

I hope for his sake that he eventually decides to "let it go and stop taking things personally". It'll add years to his life.

Rob2600

01-04-2008, 05:58 PM

Thanks for the reply Frankie. I was an assistant manager at a video game store in NJ several years ago and I know exactly where you and that psychotic GameStop store manager are coming from. I know all about the "numbers" and gross profit margin goals. However, I always treated my customers kindly and usually did so with a smile. There was no reason not to.

I could always tell the difference between a shady return and a legitimate return. When a customer would come into the store wanting to return a Sony PlayStation 2 console with no cables, no box, and no receipt, I'd refuse and explain that I might be able to accept it as a trade-in instead. Of course, I'd get yelled at by the customer for not giving him a cash refund, but I was doing the right thing.

On the other hand, when a customer would come into the store wanting to return something like an opened AV cable, I'd do it as long as he had the packaging and the receipt. I had both when I went to GameStop this afternoon and was still refused a refund at that particular location.

The store manager insisted I was misunderstanding the return policy regarding opened accessories, even though I know I wasn't. I even told him I wasn't trying to trick him or con his store out of money and that I honestly couldn't use the cable, but he was stubborn and kept raising his voice about the company's policy.

I realized I hate shopping at GameStop because every transaction is a trap.

I explained my story briefly to the cashier at Best Buy. He chuckled and assured me that if I needed to, I could get a refund for the opened cable as long as I save the receipt.

camarotuner

01-04-2008, 06:38 PM

Last time I checked, GS sold more video games than anyone else. They have 5000+ stores in a bunch of different countries. They get games with exclusive content and even get some exclusive games.

It's like Walmart, people like to complain about the way they run the business, but it sure doesn't stop the company from making money hand over fist. So why listen to any complaints?

FrakAttack

01-05-2008, 02:50 AM

Gamestop is to gaming

as

McDonald's is to nutrition.

FantasiaWHT

01-06-2008, 03:46 PM

Since they have a big computer system anyway, why not do away with the stickers entirely and just scan the UPC on the box?

Real quick answer for that question - there has to be some way to tell the difference between used and new copies of the same game. You need some kind of sticker at least to do that.

spoon

01-06-2008, 05:17 PM

Opened=Used. Simple as that. Not sealed, not new. I like how a sticker is applied to the side of a previously opened copy so that they will know if it is opened or not. I don't want to pay full price for a copy of a game that has been thumbed over by Greasy Fingers McGee or I Don't Wash My Hands Johnson. That deserves a discount.

The new practice of putting side stickers on the insert is revolting. A few stores around here put the sticker under without removing the backing which is nice. It still leaves a black print on the back side of the case cover.

I recently learned about this. This ruined a copy of Final Fantasy III DS and Dirt 360 which I recently bought. The inserts are white and now permanently discolored. Actually, all of the games I have bought with the sticker stuck to the insert are darker in that spot.

I used to work at GS also. We all know about the checking stuff out/Checking out new games/holding games to buy/holding games/systems for a price drop. My manager actually held a nomad for a few years in the back room waiting for it to drop/penny out if it would.

TonyTheTiger

01-06-2008, 07:14 PM

I'm in law school at the moment and I'm thinking about asking one of my professors about the legality of the whole "open game = new" fiasco. I read that old case that was settled regarding selling used merchandise as new but it doesn't go anywhere. Nothing of value is actually addressed. I would imagine the way to fix it would be for Gamestop to make the 10% discount for shelf copies mandatory (not just some secret power managers have) and to put a stop to the employees "checking out" games. I think that's a compromise most people can accept.

The whole stickers on the side of the insert does annoy the hell out of me but I understand why they do it. It's probably pretty common for people to try pulling a fast one and swapping inserts so they get a more expensive game for the price of Madden 02. Granted, an attentive clerk would quickly notice but there are laws in place that say that a store has to sell a product for what it's marked. Meaning, a store can't price something at $15 and when you bring it to the counter they say "Oh, no, it's really $40." So perhaps this is a situation of Gamestop protecting itself; both from people trying to pull a fast one and from it's own lazy employees who wouldn't care to pay attention.

It is getting better though. I'm noticing the new stickers that don't tear or leave residue are being used a lot more. Every now and then I get one of the old shit stickers but it's a treat when I can peel one off and it looks like the thing was never there.

esquire

01-06-2008, 09:27 PM

I'm in law school at the moment and I'm thinking about asking one of my professors about the legality of the whole "open game = new" fiasco. I read that old case that was settled regarding selling used merchandise as new but it doesn't go anywhere. Nothing of value is actually addressed. I would imagine the way to fix it would be for Gamestop to make the 10% discount for shelf copies mandatory (not just some secret power managers have) and to put a stop to the employees "checking out" games. I think that's a compromise most people can accept.

In Michigan, there is the Consumer Protection Act, MCL 445.901 through 445.922. Section 903, subsection 1, states that a seller shall not engage in unfair, unconscionable, or deceptive methods, acts, or practices in the conduct of trade or commerce that are unlawful and are defined as follows:

(f) Representing that goods are new if they are deteriorated, altered, reconditioned, used, or secondhand.

I think Gamestop's policy would violate that section as opened items are at least deteriorated, and possibly used if they are returned or taken home by employees.

Also, by failing to inform the purchaser that the item in question had been returned or taken home by an employee, they are violating the act by:

(s) Failing to reveal a material fact, the omission of which tends to mislead or deceive the consumer, and which fact could not reasonably be known by the consumer.

and...

(bb) Making a representation of fact or statement of fact material to the transaction such that a person reasonably believes the represented or suggested state of affairs to be other than it actually is.

(cc) Failing to reveal facts that are material to the transaction in light of representations of fact made in a positive manner.