PSA:EB Stores and their policies. Watch yourselves.

[fcw3]

This may have been talked about before, but I figure a public service announcement may be in order.

I bought some games this weekend from a local EB store. Found out that one wasn't that good and the other was missing the instruction book. Took them back yesterday and they would not take them back. They would allow me to trade them in, but they would not take them back. This is after I was told by an employee that they had a 14 day "no questions asked" return policy.

Second warning. EB is currently offering 30% off when you buy 5 or more used games if you are a club member. Twenty percent off if you are not. Turns out (and check your receipt) that you get 20% off the games and then 10% off of the adjusted price. That comes out to 28% even though the sign says 30%.

I see another lawsuit in their future...

FRED

[Scoots]

EB Games SUCKS. Waaaay overpriced (friggin $35 for a loose Final Fantasy cart?! Get real).

The one near me had to make room for a bunch of used Xbox games so they took all their Genesis carts and just piled them on top of all the NES carts--GAY! And I have to laugh at the little cardboard header on their used stuff that says "all games have been cleaned and tested". What a fucking blatant lie.

[Ed Oscuro]

I don't use EB -- problem solved.

[Daltone]

Picture the scene: a chirpy young lad skips merriy into his local EB store with a carrier bag of about 5 or 6 Dreamcast and PS1 games. (at the Dreamcast's 'hight') All bar one (which is missing the manual) are in perfect condition. He walks up to the counter...

BOY: (nervously) You do trade ins, right?
ASSISTANT: *grunts* Yeah


The ASSISTANT looks at the games spead on the counter infront of him, proceeds to check each one, pausing only to say "this is missing the manual"

ASSISTANT: If you trade these in, you can get a new game for..

There is a pause

ASSISTANT: ...a tenner.


The boy smiles, picks up his games, and leaves.

The moral of the story. Never trade anything at EB. Ever. But, everyone already knows that. Luckily, there are no more EB stores around here - they've all been turned into 'Game's

Luckily for me, there's this lovely shop in called Gamezone 2, run by a ..er.. dodgy scouse bloke, offering nice high prices for old games. Admittedly, he then sells them as 'new' (but slightly cheaper than Game), but no one minds really.

I've never had a problem with the 10 day return things. They never even check that the games don't work. Possibly the staff are just lazy though...

[Sylentwulf]

<shrug> Their return policy IS 14 days, no questions asked. As long as you DON'T OPEN THE GAME.

28% instead of 30% - Ohhhhh.

EB is the only reasonable game store within 30 miles of my house.

[scooterb23]

I'll stand by EB...they've always been good for me.

[fcw3]

<shrug> Their return policy IS 14 days, no questions asked. As long as you DON'T OPEN THE GAME.

28% instead of 30% - Ohhhhh.

EB is the only reasonable game store within 30 miles of my house.

Ah, but there is the problem. The "new" game that I bought was the last one and was previously opened by them.

Two percent isn't the point (except when you spend a couple hundred dollars on games). The point is they say one thing and deliver something less. Lawsuits have been filed and won over lesser things.

I called their corporate offices yesterday. All I could get out of them is that certain things are at the discretion of the store managers. For both situations I described that was the answer I got. I'm not sure how the checkout software that calculates the price and discount is at the store manager's discretion, but that was the answer I was given.

Glad to hear your EB is still decent.

FRED

[Starcade]

I have never visited EB, though I have Gamestop, and I am good friends with all the people who work there. Isn't Gamestop connected to Ebgames?

[Perkar]

nah, they're definately two different companies. and speaking of that, what do the two chains contain?


gamestop, funcoland & babbages(i think) [add more]

then EB, EBX [add more]

[Achika]

nah, they're definately two different companies. and speaking of that, what do the two chains contain?


gamestop, funcoland & babbages(i think) [add more]

then EB, EBX [add more]

Software Etc is part of the Gamestop family too. BTW: We just changed our return policy about a week ago: New, opened games get exchanged for the same thing. So, no returns on open new games that you just don't like.

How many times have people whined & moaned about these stores taking back new, open games for returns (that someone has played & not liked) and reshrinked & resold as new? And now we are whining & moaning because they are not taking them back anymore?.... x_x

[kainemaxwell]

There's also EBKids in EB's family (if they're still aorund).

But yeah that new policy is just dumb. What if you wan tto trade the game in if it doesn't work or it's a gift and he doesn't like it? They're not gonna take it back?! talk about crappy customer services...

[FlashStash]

There's also EBKids in EB's family (if they're still aorund).

But yeah that new policy is just dumb. What if you wan tto trade the game in if it doesn't work or it's a gift and he doesn't like it? They're not gonna take it back?! talk about crappy customer services...

As long as it's sealed you can return it...if not, you should have visited www.gamerankings.com first! If it's broke they will exchange it for a new copy of the same game.

As for a game opened by them and the last copy, they usually put a seal on the game (yellow sticker)...did they and did you break it?

However the 28% off is BS...I'd be all over that!

FS

[kainemaxwell]

Usually it's that round white sticker they put over the cd opening in my area..only yellow ones I've seen where the upc code stickers.

[Oobgarm]

How many times have people whined & moaned about these stores taking back new, open games for returns (that someone has played & not liked) and reshrinked & resold as new? And now we are whining & moaning because they are not taking them back anymore?....

Yes. I think quite a few folks expect game stores to "understand" that they don't like the NEW GAME THEY OPENED AND PLAYED, and will allow them to return it and get something else or a refund. But you know what? No other store does that. Not EB, Gamestop, Best Buy, Target, etc. It's just like CDs and DVDs. You don't buy a DVD, watch it, and return it to where you bought it just because it doesn't meet your standards. That's why places like Blockbuster and Hollywood Video are in business. If you're unsure, go rent it. If it's a gift and you have no idea what it is, do a bit of research on it before you decide to open it.

But I will say this: The guy at EB who didn't take the return on the game THEY opened is a douchebag. Shitty employees like that make all of us look like assholes. If a customer gets the last (opened) copy of one of our games, it's noted on the receipt, so we don't run into that problem.

[Griking]

How many times have people whined & moaned about these stores taking back new, open games for returns (that someone has played & not liked) and reshrinked & resold as new? And now we are whining & moaning because they are not taking them back anymore?.... x_x

Well the answer to that problem would be for them to not re-shrinkwrap the used games and try sell them as new. If they accept an open game back then its obviously used and shouldn't be advertised as something other than used.

[Achika]

How many times have people whined & moaned about these stores taking back new, open games for returns (that someone has played & not liked) and reshrinked & resold as new? And now we are whining & moaning because they are not taking them back anymore?.... x_x

Well the answer to that problem would be for them to not re-shrinkwrap the used games and try sell them as new. If they accept an open game back then its obviously used and shouldn't be advertised as something other than used.

Yea, what don't you understand though? I just said we aren't accepting those types of returns anymore, but now people are bitching that they can't return games they don't like anymore.

[Raedon]

The only thing I go to game stores to get are PC games and I go to a game stop. Most of the time I hit up the Flee Markets for all my console needs.

They know me by name at the gamestop though.

[RubbarDucklin]

I have oine of those GameCrazy stores around my house that sells the ENS and SNES and Sega games so I don't need your silly EB. Plus the guy there is cool and sells me games that are stretigically placed behind the counter so young children dont get their grubby hands on them :o

[Hep038]

I just got burned at EB too. Bought Nascar 2003 for PS2 as a gift for my dad for fathers day. Went to remove the price tag, Its under the shrink wrap! and then I noticed that the seal has been cut under the shrink wrap.Oh well Guess pops wont have anyhting to play on fathers day, I was going to ship it today so he would have it by sunday. THANKS EB!

[rolenta]

I will not shop at EBGames again.

They're opening a store near me so I went over for the assist. Manager position. I used to work retail and I figured with my gaming knowledge I couldn't miss. I went for an interview with a manager at a different store and brought along a copy of my book, as well as a copy of the Atari episode of G4's Icons, on which I appear throughout the entire show. Finally, one of my references was Ralph Baer.

The manager said he had to forward the info to his district supervisor and I should call back a few days later. When I called back he said he hadn't heard from her and I should try again a few days later. A few days later he told me that his district manager wanted someone with more retail knowledge. They had no interest in someone with videogame knowledge. All they care about are sales, no matter what it takes, even if it means lying to the customer.

I sent their corporate HR department a nasty letter saying I was going to boycott them. They never responded.

Besides, I have 4 Gamestops within 4 miles of my house (along with a Target , Walmart, Best Buy, and Circuit City).

[Lifebringeroftorv]

software etc, gamestop, funcoland & babbages are all owned by barnes and noble.

[kainemaxwell]

All they care about are sales, no matter what it takes, even if it means lying to the customer.

That right there should be shown off to show how well EB values their customers...

The magazine's ridiculous too.

[Gamereviewgod]

O_O Scary though that wouldn't hire one of the most knowledgable people in our industry.... x_x :hmm:

[zmeston]

One word, Leonard: overqualified. I mean, geez, the Father of Videogames on your list of references? You don't think that was slightly over the top, do you? Heh. With your knowledge, you're gonna make Mr. Manager look stupid about 300 times a day, and it takes a VEEEEERY self-confident leader to surround himself with people that are smarter than he is. (George W. Bush is an exception to this rule, since inanimate objects are smarter than he is, but I digress.)

-- Z.

[zmeston]

All they care about are sales, no matter what it takes, even if it means lying to the customer.

That right there should be shown off to show how well EB values their customers...

The magazine's ridiculous too.

EB has an in-house magazine? Game Informer is the in-house rag of the B&N chains, but I didn't know EB had one. (We don't have an EB in the vicinity of Cottonwood, you see.)

-- Z.

[kevincure]

Zach, it's that GMR magazine that ZD is putting out. I don't really like it too much, as it has basically no non-preview or review articles, and it's run by a staff that seems to think we care about the "characters" of the people that work there, Gamefan style.

And Rolenta, that's freakin' incredible! How could you not get hired?

[zmeston]

Zach, it's that GMR magazine that ZD is putting out. I don't really like it too much, as it has basically no non-preview or review articles, and it's run by a staff that seems to think we care about the "characters" of the people that work there, Gamefan style.

And Rolenta, that's freakin' incredible! How could you not get hired?

I'd heard that GMR was affiliated with EB in some way, but I didn't know it was the official EB mag. Thanks for clarifying!

-- Z.

[kainemaxwell]

Heck I was flipping through the new EB magazine yesterday mainly for the MGS3 article, the whole time the guy at the counter is trying to pawn the discount card and magazine off on me too...

[Tritoch]

(George W. Bush is an exception to this rule, since inanimate objects are smarter than he is, but I digress.)

Do you insert political commentary (well, more like idiocy) into everything you talk about? Talking to friends you meet, trying to get rid of telemarketers ("I said no, so leave me alone! BTW, George Bush is an idiot!"), talking about video games, etc.?

That statement alone makes no sense whatsoever, since even the dumbest of human beings are smarter than inanimate objects (much less the guy who managed to win the head position in the most powerful nation in the free world). I mean, c'mon, can't we all just stop with the pointless politician bashing because you happen to disagree with their views?

And yes, I'd find it just as sad if you replaced GWB with Bill Clinton.

[Kid Fenris]

I like GMR. I initially thought it'd be a bare-bones promotional rag, but it's actually a solid publication. They've promoted geek-friendly games on the covers, the writing is decent, the news bits offer oddball Japanese blurbs as well as conventional stuff, and their features are enjoyable. Heck, they even did a nice piece on old-school shooters.

And I even like their reviews, short as they are. James Mielke and former GIA contributor Nich Maragos are always worth reading. I would probably have subscribed to the mag even without the discount card, which I think I've used about three times in the last six months

[zmeston]

(George W. Bush is an exception to this rule, since inanimate objects are smarter than he is, but I digress.)

Do you insert political commentary (well, more like idiocy) into everything you talk about? Talking to friends you meet, trying to get rid of telemarketers ("I said no, so leave me alone! BTW, George Bush is an idiot!"), talking about video games, etc.?

That statement alone makes no sense whatsoever, since even the dumbest of human beings are smarter than inanimate objects (much less the guy who managed to win the head position in the most powerful nation in the free world). I mean, c'mon, can't we all just stop with the pointless politician bashing because you happen to disagree with their views?

And yes, I'd find it just as sad if you replaced GWB with Bill Clinton.

Whoa... and I thought I pissed people off when I slagged the Jaguar. I'll respect your wishes and cease the Dubya-bashing, although I'm compelled to point out that he didn't win the "head position" -- the Presidency was handed to him by the conservatives of the Supreme Court in the most disgusting abuse of judicial power in the history of the United States.

-- Z.

[Tritoch]

Whoa... and I thought I pissed people off when I slagged the Jaguar. I'll respect your wishes and cease the Dubya-bashing, although I'm compelled to point out that he didn't win the "head position" -- the Presidency was handed to him by the conservatives of the Supreme Court in the most disgusting abuse of judicial power in the history of the United States.

-- Z.

He won the original election and three recounts, which in my book is enough. If Gore would've won the fourth recount (doubtful considering the trending), would that suddenly negate Bush's three victories? Or would they do a best of 7 run-off? See how ridiculous that could get?

IMO the Supreme Court made the smart move in stopping it before we recounted ad infinitum, although I'll agree that there's room for suspicion regarding their motivation.

[zmeston]

Whoa... and I thought I pissed people off when I slagged the Jaguar. I'll respect your wishes and cease the Dubya-bashing, although I'm compelled to point out that he didn't win the "head position" -- the Presidency was handed to him by the conservatives of the Supreme Court in the most disgusting abuse of judicial power in the history of the United States.

-- Z.

He won the original election and three recounts, which in my book is enough. If Gore would've won the fourth recount (doubtful considering the trending), would that suddenly negate Bush's three victories? Or would they do a best of 7 run-off? See how ridiculous that could get?

I see nothing ridiculous about taking as much time as needed to get an accurate count of the vote for the most important political position on the planet. And as I recall, the recounts were favoring Gore, who gained more votes in each. Asking for an accurate count in a state run by Dubya's brother was always wishing thinking, though. There was even talk that Dubya's bro would send Republic electors to the Electoral College even if the recounts showed Gore winning, since electors aren't legally bound to follow the popular vote. If, in fact, the election had been decided by popular vote instead of electoral vote, Gore would have won.


IMO the Supreme Court made the smart move in stopping it before we recounted ad infinitum, although I'll agree that there's room for suspicion regarding their motivation.

Room for suspicion?! The five Justices who voted to cease the recounts were all '80s Republican appointees, and the four Justices who voted to let them continue were Clinton appointees or Republic appointees who've demonstrated a moderate/liberal bent since joining the Court. It was entirely political, and it made a mockery of the "nonpartisan" American judicial system.

-- Z.

[portnoyd]

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[Tritoch]

I see nothing ridiculous about taking as much time as needed to get an accurate count of the vote for the most important political position on the planet. And as I recall, the recounts were favoring Gore, who gained more votes in each.

With each new recount, the % of votes Gore gained decreased significantly. If memory serves me right (hard to believe it's been over two years already), the trending suggested that Gore would never surpass Bush's total.

Like I said before though, what do you do if Gore finally wins a recount? The Republicans would take their turn at the sore losing, and demand their own recount (and throw up the fact that they had already won x number of recounts). You couldn't just stop the process once a recount finally turned up that favored the Democrats.


Asking for an accurate count in a state run by Dubya's brother was always wishing thinking, though. There was even talk that Dubya's bro would send Republic electors to the Electoral College even if the recounts showed Gore winning, since electors aren't legally bound to follow the popular vote. If, in fact, the election had been decided by popular vote instead of electoral vote, Gore would have won.

That's an entirely different debate on our current system as a whole...and I've always thought a straight popular vote would be the best method to use. We have what we have though.


Room for suspicion?! The five Justices who voted to cease the recounts were all '80s Republican appointees, and the four Justices who votes to let them continue were Clinton appointees or Republic appointees who've demonstrated a moderate/liberal bent since joining the Court. It was entirely political, and it made a mockery of the "nonpartisan" American judicial system.

Regardless of the motivation, I think the right decision was made. After all, America was running out of time period.

Then all 9 judges' votes should be cast into suspicion, not just the ones that voted for Bush. Both parties acted pretty terribly throughout the entire process as well.

Much like Bill Buckner's passed ball in Game 7 of the '86 World Series, people will always forget that that defining moment in history isn't what cost the Red Sox (aka Al Gore) the series. They still had to play a Game 7 (aka Gore would've still had to win another recount, which looked less and less likely).

[zmeston]

I see nothing ridiculous about taking as much time as needed to get an accurate count of the vote for the most important political position on the planet. And as I recall, the recounts were favoring Gore, who gained more votes in each.

With each new recount, the % of votes Gore gained decreased significantly. If memory serves me right (hard to believe it's been over two years already), the trending suggested that Gore would never surpass Bush's total.

Like I said before though, what do you do if Gore finally wins a recount? The Republicans would take their turn at the sore losing, and demand their own recount (and throw up the fact that they had already won x number of recounts). You couldn't just stop the process once a recount finally turned up that favored the Democrats.

Of course you don't stop. You keep counting 'til it's right, not 'til a biased Supreme Court says "The Republicans win!"



Asking for an accurate count in a state run by Dubya's brother was always wishing thinking, though. There was even talk that Dubya's bro would send Republic electors to the Electoral College even if the recounts showed Gore winning, since electors aren't legally bound to follow the popular vote. If, in fact, the election had been decided by popular vote instead of electoral vote, Gore would have won.

That's an entirely different debate on our current system as a whole...and I've always thought a straight popular vote would be the best method to use. We have what we have though.

I understand the reasons for the Electoral College, and I acknowledge that Dubya had a greater hunk of the popular vote than Clinton in '92, when booby-hatch escapee Ross Perot made me think that perhaps not every American over 35 should have a shot at the Presidency.




IMO the Supreme Court made the smart move in stopping it before we recounted ad infinitum, although I'll agree that there's room for suspicion regarding their motivation.

Room for suspicion?! The five Justices who voted to cease the recounts were all '80s Republican appointees, and the four Justices who votes to let them continue were Clinton appointees or Republic appointees who've demonstrated a moderate/liberal bent since joining the Court. It was entirely political, and it made a mockery of the "nonpartisan" American judicial system.

Regardless of the motivation, I think the right decision was made. After all, America was running out of time period.

Running out of time for a President to be legitimately elected? I don't understand what you mean.


Then all 9 judges' votes should be cast into suspicion, not just the ones that voted for Bush.

Absolutely. ALL the votes were partisan. The entire Supreme Court was at fault. An organization meant to rise above political partisanship instead warmly embraced it.


Much like Bill Buckner's passed ball in Game 7 of the '86 World Series, people will always forget that that defining moment in history isn't what cost the Red Sox (aka Al Gore) the series. They still had to play a Game 7 (aka Gore would've still had to win another recount, which looked less and less likely).

Gore surely didn't help himself with his wooden campaigning, nor his inability to embrace Nader voters (who inarguably cost Gore the election, since their votes would have given him a clear victory in Florida), but I don't like your comparison of spectator sports to a Presidential election. The economy doesn't go into the toilet, middle-class and lower-class citizens across America don't suffer, and American soldiers don't lose their lives searching for nonexistent WMDs, when an overpaid athlete fails to handle a grounder.

So when does this thread get bumped to the Off-Topic forum? Heh.

-- Z.

[portnoyd]

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[FrankLee]

Eb is to expensive and i havent really bought any new games in a while so i have no need for them...Since the eb closest to me doesnt sell any games over then N64 (and they dont have DC either) GRRRR @ EB

[fcw3]

I just wanted to update things.

Even though the store I bought it at wouldn't do anything and a call to corporate didn't make a difference, the manager and another EB squared me away on the game and fixed the "not 30% off" problem.

There are still good ones out there.

FRED

[kainemaxwell]

Can we PLEASE get back on topic here?!

Anyhow, I'm starting to loose intrest working at a EB now with this...

[Bratwurst]

Reshrinking used / opened games is a bad thing.