Upcoming Gamestop Sale: Buy 2 Get 1 Free

[Achika]

Marketing goes up for July 2nd and there's another Buy 2 Get 1 Free sale starting. Used only of course. I'm not sure what regions this covers, but I believe it will be most of them, since the marketing is pretty much the same from store to store, region to region. I know that Michigan is part of this region, since that's where I'm working at.

AFAIK, Used systems can count towards the sale, but cannot count as the free item.

Starts wednesday, just posting this now for those who care.

[dave2236]

cool, thanks for the heads up..I'll have to stop there Wednesday before I go on vacation.

[Starcade]

This is great news, seeing as my local gamestop just got a bunch of complete SNES games, now i can go get some cheap!

[AB Positive]

ooh, I've been jonesing for some N64 wrestling goodness, I can try to wrangle it to be free. This is the type of sale that even the employees get in on, so you know it's good.

-AG

[hezeuschrist]

Really... the nearest half dozen gamestops to me have been running this constantly since the last time it was done a month ago. I just though it never ended.

I've still got 6 more PS2 games on my list, maybe I'll finish it off! =P

[kainemaxwell]

Thanks for the heads up! One the guys I talk to at one my local stores told me there was another ale going on soon but didn't tell me when it was starting.

[Keir]

Geez... I didn't even realize the last one had ended! But then, that's probably because I only buy Genesis games at Gamestop.

[Achika]

Yes I know that some Gamestops have the sale on right now still, but this is for those that don't. :)

[Oobgarm]

Count the Cincinnati area stores in on the sale. :rocker:

[liquidmetal]

my gamestop always has this :)

[Reverend JagDiesel]

they just opened one about 10 minutes from the house (which in itself is amazing as I live in the "boonies" outside of Phoenix) and this place is loaded with goodies and I will have to load up on the way home tomorrow..
thanks for the intel!

[Anthony1]

You know, personally, I think that this so called "sale", does nothing but make their prices actually seem somewhat respectable and not in the stratosphere. I would never buy their games without this sale. They sell a number of old SNES games, and not the really high profile ones either, for like $9.99 a pop, with no instructions or case or anything. Sometimes they have kids names written on the cart in permanent ink too.

So you buy two games for $9.99, and the total is $19.98. Plus tax, where I live and it's $21.53.


You divide that by 3 and you get $7.18 per game after tax and everthing. Now $7.18 for a game like Axelay or U.N. Squadron on the Super Nintendo, isn't like you're getting away with highway robbery or anything. It's just a decent price. Not Outstanding, but not horrible either. Just a fair price.

Without the 2 for 1, it's like THEY are getting away with Highway Robbery!


Let's also take a look at getting some Genesis games. Alot of their Genesis games are $4.99 per game, which is kinda high, considering lots of Fleas will have Genny games for $1.99 or $2.49 or $2.99. So you buy 2 Genny games for $4.99 each. That totals to $10.75 with tax, where I live. You devide that by 3 for the extra game that you get, and it's $3.59 per game after tax and everything. Again, a decent fair price, but nothing to go crazy about.



Plus, the key to this whole thing, is to make sure that you are getting 3 games that you would have bought seperately anyways. If there is really only one game that you truly want, but you are buying an extra game that you only kinda want, just so you can get a third game that you sorta, kinda, maybe, oh well might as well get it, want. Then that is how they getcha!

[Keir]

I think I do pretty well at Gamestop. I just looked through some old "weekend finds" threads and found one of my best Gamestop hauls:


Genesis Aero the Acro-Bat
Genesis Asterix and the Great Rescue
Genesis Chiki Chiki Boys
Genesis Columns 3: Revenge of Columns
Genesis Cool Spot
Genesis Decap Attack
Genesis Dynamite Headdy
Genesis Herzog Zwei
Genesis James Pond 2: Codename Robocod
Genesis James Pond 3: Operation Starfish
Genesis Pac-Man 2: The New Adventures
Genesis Phantasy Star II
Genesis Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom
Genesis Prince of Persia
Genesis Shadow Blasters
Genesis Shove It! The Warehouse Game
Genesis Uncharted Waters
Genesis Warrior of Rome II
NES AD&D: Pool of Radiance

Total: $59.40
That's a mere $3 each... a steal for some of those games.

[WizDawg]

I would have to agree with Anthony1. The only used game store I purchase games are the CD/Game Exchanges. The rest are highway robbery. It makes me sick when I'm in the store and a out-of-the-loop kid is trading in all his good SNES games and getting nothing in return. How can a respectible classic gamer work at stores like this? Personally I wish they would all go out of business, but considering most of them now sell on EBay this ain't going to happen.

My .02 cents.
Mike

[Achika]

You know, Anthony1 you already stated in your other thread that you though $10 was too much for a game, when you can go download it. Then you retracted that by saying "you're just testing it"

As for the marker, no boxes, no instructions, if you're some "expert" on Gamestop, why don't you peak into each and every bag that some kid brings in to trade in games. How many of those cartridges have boxes & manuals? How many don't? Is it really fair to blame Gamestop for this?

Sure, in your eyes $10 for a SNES cart might be a rip, but when you buy the used PS2, Xbox, Gamecube games, 3 for $80 (meaning they would be 40 anyhow) You just saved a shit load of cash. Gamestop isn't making money on the classics, I'll be the first to admit it's nice that they are there, but I don't think Gamestop Inc would lose sleep or very many customers if they stopped carrying classics.

x_x

[Anthony1]

You know, Anthony1 you already stated in your other thread that you though $10 was too much for a game, when you can go download it. Then you retracted that by saying "you're just testing it"

As for the marker, no boxes, no instructions, if you're some "expert" on Gamestop, why don't you peak into each and every bag that some kid brings in to trade in games. How many of those cartridges have boxes & manuals? How many don't? Is it really fair to blame Gamestop for this?

Sure, in your eyes $10 for a SNES cart might be a rip, but when you buy the used PS2, Xbox, Gamecube games, 3 for $80 (meaning they would be 40 anyhow) You just saved a shit load of cash. Gamestop isn't making money on the classics, I'll be the first to admit it's nice that they are there, but I don't think Gamestop Inc would lose sleep or very many customers if they stopped carrying classics.

x_x

Personally, I don't think getting 3 used games for 80 bucks is saving a "shit load of cash". That's like 27 bucks per game. That's just a decent fair price. Nothing more, nothing less. There are much better deals at Blockbuster. At Blockbuster you can get 3 copies of Starfox Adventures for the GameCube for 40 bucks. Keep one, and give the other two to GameCube owners as gifts. It's also hard for me to believe that GameStop isn't making any money on the classics. They buy a old SNES game for 60 cents and then sell it for $7.99. Sounds like a helluva profit to me! I do agree however, that Gamestop isn't going to lose any sleep or very many customers if they stopped carrying any of the retro stuff. They are headed that way already. To me, a place like GameStop is for people that don't know any better. Or people that are very impatient, and don't like waiting for things to shipped to them from Ebay. The only time I would ever buy a game there is with the 3 for 2 deal. And only if they happened to actually have 3 games that I truly, truly wanted.

By the way, do you work for GameStop?

[Oobgarm]

Why do I always have to bite on threads like this? O_O

GameStop is not, and never will be, a store for collectors of classic games to regularly shop at.

Sure, you might dig up a gem every now and then, but the sad truth is that they(and other chain stores) are "phasing out" the classic games. Don't get me wrong, I love the classics, but it's just not good business sense to have a lot of stagnant inventory taking up precious floor space when the items that sell more (PS2, Xbox, etc.) are growing at an alarming rate.


It's also hard for me to believe that GameStop isn't making any money on the classics. They buy a old SNES game for 60 cents and then sell it for $7.99. Sounds like a helluva profit to me!

Does GameStop make money on the classics? If so, It's not all that much, since most of the games have been in the stores so long, a high trade price was given at one point, but the sell price has gone down over time. The only reason that TIC(trade in) prices are so low now is to deter people from trading that stuff in. If they are content with getting such a low $$ amount for their games, then so be it. If they don't like the price we're offering, no one is holding a gun to their head, forcing them to trade the games in.


They sell a number of old SNES games, and not the really high profile ones either, for like $9.99 a pop, with no instructions or case or anything. Sometimes they have kids names written on the cart in permanent ink too.

Non high-profile titles for $9.99? Sure, I won't contest that. But if you think that everyone keeps the box/intsructions/etc. with their games, then you are sorely mistaken. Some people do write on their games as well, to show proof of ownership.

It helps to keep in mind that not everyone in the gaming community is concerned about the cosmetic appearance of their games. Most folks are concerned about what they see on their TV when they play it. Not everyone is a completist or a collector.


Personally, I don't think getting 3 used games for 80 bucks is saving a "shit load of cash"...There are much better deals at Blockbuster. At Blockbuster you can get 3 copies of Starfox Adventures for the GameCube for 40 bucks.

It may not be a shitload of cash, but it certainly beats paying full price for them. And don't even get me started with Blockbuster. If you want to patronize a company that cares NOTHING about videogames, by all means, shop there instead. It's all rental revenue to them. You cound rent the game, render it completely useless by scratching the shit out of it or by taking a skinny dump on it, and they would put it back on the shelf to rent. I personally do NOT buy used games from them since they are usually in awful condition. At least GameStops can choose wether or not they sell merchandise that's in poor condition.


The only time I would ever buy a game there is with the 3 for 2 deal. And only if they happened to actually have 3 games that I truly, truly wanted.

Then why complain? I get so sick and tired of people saying "I hate Gamestop/EB/etc. because their prices are too high/they don't carry the game I want/etc."

The cold, hard, truth is that they are corporations, and they don't give two shits about what the average gamer or collector thinks. They'll keep on selling the popular stuff, and make lots of money doing so.


By the way, do you work for GameStop?

Yes. I've been there for close to 5 years now, since back in the Funcoland days. (even though that question wasn't directed at me :D )

*sighs*whew! -_-

[Achika]

Then why complain? I get so sick and tired of people saying "I hate Gamestop/EB/etc. because their prices are too high/they don't carry the game I want/etc."

You know they still shop there when they keep complaining about it week after week.



By the way, do you work for GameStop?

Yes. I've been there for close to 5 years now, since back in the Funcoland days. (even though that question wasn't directed at me :D )

*sighs*whew! -_-

And me for 3 years

[Anthony1]

See. Both of you guys work for the DEVIL!


So you have a built in bias, and you really can't objectively comment on this topic without letting your personal feelings get in the way!



Just Kidding.


Hey this is all just fun and games people. I agree that nobody is holding a gun to anybodies head, forcing them to trade in their old SNES and Genny games for a toothpick and a glass of water. It's just I think alot of these kids that trade these games in, aren't aware that they have any other options. Of course, them being unaware, isn't the EVIL GameStops fault.

Actually, I have nothing against GameStop. They are a business trying to make a profit. Can't blame them for that. In my own humble/personal opinion their wares are overpriced, but that is just my own humble/personal opinion.

They provide an option, albeit a more pricey one, for people who are either unaware of Ebay and Flea markets or don't want to wait for the shipping, to get games at a somewhat reduced price.

Sometimes I have thought about buying a Genesis game at Gamestop for $4.99, just so I can have it right away, rather than paying $1.99 at a flea market, or getting it for a buck or less in a lot on Ebay. It's a pure convience thing. It's that immediate gratification thing. I did get a Nintendo 64 system from them for $19.99, which I think is a decent price for a used system.

Of course, I found out later that I could have gotten a N64, with about 6 games, extra controllers, memory packs, extension cords, rumble packs, etc, for like 35 bucks plus shipping on Ebay. But I didn't know any better at the time.

It is amazing how cheap you can get a really good Nintendo 64 package on Ebay. For whatever reason, that system is going for super cheap on there.

[Captain Wrong]

Oobgarm hits the nail on the head. Let me quote his main point for those who may have missed it:

GameStop is not, and never will be, a store for collectors of classic games to regularly shop.

Shop there, or don't shop there, whatever, I don't care. But the constant "Gamestop sucks" sort of discussion is old.

Not directed at any one in particular, but we're all well aware of how Gamestop works. We all know you can get stuff complete and cheaper elsewhere. We all know they don't give jack for trade. What's the point of continuing to rant about it?

Sidenote: I have to wonder how many people with concern for these kids getting "ripped off" by GS for their trades would be willing to offer these kids "fair market value" (whatever the fuck that is) for their stuff if they knew the kid would be perfectly happy with the "toothpick and a glas of water".

[TRM]

Personally, I do not see why people complain about spending $5 to $10 on a used game. I know friends which HAVE to spend $5 per game for everything retro, because they do not have any flea markets in their area. I have friends from other countries which agree with me that $5 is a cheap (and fair) price for a used NES or Sega game. EB used to sell Atari games for $1 a piece. Hell, I didn't think it was that bad of a price even though you can buy them on ebay or where ever.

[Oobgarm]

Sidenote: I have to wonder how many people with concern for these kids getting "ripped off" by GS for their trades would be willing to offer these kids "fair market value" (whatever the fuck that is) for their stuff if they knew the kid would be perfectly happy with the "toothpick and a glas of water".

Indeed. Perceived value(and even market value) is a direct equivalent to one's desire for the item. If the individual deems that the item is worthless to them, any kind of return would satisfy them. Some are willing to give and take more than others.

i.e. I wouldn't trade in my copy of Metal Gear Solid 2 for $2, but some folks will. I just place a higher value on that specific title. Kinda like the old adage "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder". Or something like that. :)

[kainemaxwell]

Unfortenly the gamestops inmy area ar emy only source so i usually get only what I want and sometimes something to collect depending on the prices.

And I think I've only seen one complete NES game at my local babagges- Videomation for like $1. Bought it mostly for collecting purposes and heck, how often you did completes? The newer Gamestop by me only completes they got there are Space Invaders (2 copies) Super Star Wars and Tetris 2 for SNES. A few months ago they had a couple complete copies of the Genesis 6-pak, ended up getting mine free from the "Buy 2, get 1 free" deal.

[dave2236]

Personally, I do not see why people complain about spending $5 to $10 on a used game. I know friends which HAVE to spend $5 per game for everything retro, because they do not have any flea markets in their area. I have friends from other countries which agree with me that $5 is a cheap (and fair) price for a used NES or Sega game. EB used to sell Atari games for $1 a piece. Hell, I didn't think it was that bad of a price even though you can buy them on ebay or where ever.

Ihave to agree with TRM . Spending $5-10 on a good classic game is great. I would rather pay $15 for a SNES Zelda than spend $10 on a crappy PS2 game. Also I sell games at fleas and festivals and you should see peoples eyes light up when they walk into my booth.. I have everything from a couple hundred NES games to a good selection of PS2, GC, and X-box games. Almost everyone who looks at NES stuff ends up buying $20 with of NES games because you can't find them anymore.


I also want to address the paying low prices for classic games . IE the $.80 and sell for $10. Whatever, I was the manager of a used game store for over 2 years. you have no idea how long some of those games sit on the shelf. The stores that I managed were respectable when I worked there. I left because of a disagreement with the owner. but we used to do a pay $2 sell for $5 and it just didn't work. So we went to a pay $1 sell for $5 and still got the same amount of games in.





GameStop is not, and never will be, a store for collectors of classic games to regularly shop.


I totally agree with you guys. I never find anything that is a fantastic deal or anything to resell on ebay at the store, but I go in there to shoot-the-shit with the employees and find the scoop on policy changes and upcoming deals. I'd say what I buy at gamestop only counts for 2% of my total game purchases in a year.

[dave2236]

Oh, I did get 2 good deals from Gamestop last year. I got a Complete Miont with maps and charts SNES Breath of Fire for $10 and the same day a complete mint SNES Harvest Moon for $35

[hezeuschrist]

Everytime I go to a gamestop, I'll check out the SNES games but I don't ever consider buying them unless I find a hell of a stash.

Just recently with the Buy 2 get 1 I got Suikoden III, Breath of Fire V, and Xenosaga for a grand total of $58.08. If that isn't a good deal, then slap me stupid because I just saved myself at least $35 on that. At least. Shit, I could go there right now and get Baulder's Gate: Dark Alliance, Summoner 2, and Dark Cloud for $35. That's less than $12 a game, that's a good deal. I could go grab Kingdom Hearts, .hack pt.1, and Dark cloud 2 for $80. At this time, that's a good deal.

[kainemaxwell]

This sale still on by chance?

[hamburgler]

Yep,it sure is.

[Drexel923]

This sale still on by chance?

The interesting thing is I asked an employee when the sale ends and he said they usually run for a month or two. This time there was no end date on the sale given to them. Sounds good to me.

[ApolloBoy]

That sounds awesome! I'll have to run over to GameStop and buy every NES and Genesis game they have. :D

[Achika]

The assistant manager told me it ends the 22nd of this month. Not sure how true that is, since I haven't seen end dates in the emails.