Gamestop is ridiculous. RIDICULOUS.

[Loganm187]

I shop at gamestop maybe two times a freaking year and it's always just for some pre-order bonus I can't live without, but from now on I don't care what they are offering I'm never shopping there again.

I pre-ordered anarchy reigns for ps3 at gamestop to get the Bayonetta code and this morning I walk into the store to get my game and they tell me my pre-order copy has been gutted and it on the sales floor. WHAT THE HELL?

I'm pretty pissed so the manager calls the other store across town to see if they have any sealed copies, they do so I head over and pick it up. It kinda pissed me off but oh well, I got my game and went home... That's when I realize the MANAGER rung up the the 360 version and gave me 360 DLC codes, but handed me the PS3 copy. I'm not even going back to the store. I don't care about this DLC character anymore at this point and they can seriously just go off an die. I managed a Game Crazy for five years and for two different managers at stores to make mistakes such as these is absurd. I don't care if they give out life size solid snake statues with the next MGS. I am not supporting that place.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Yeah, there's always a possibility for them to screw up the pre-order download codes that are printed out.

I frequently run into those problems when pre-ordering something, and it's always a crapshoot as to whether the pre-order bonus is going to be on the receipt or on a card in the game box.

Since it DID matter to me about the Bayonetta code, I made sure that everything was in order before I left the store. Made sure it wasn't in the box, made sure that it was correctly printed on the receipt.

I'm sure if you call Gamestop's corporate help line 800-883-8895 they can get you the right code. I think they have access to the same POS system as the stores.

[Damaniel]

I stopped buying from Gamestop a long time ago - I think that Xenoblade Chronicles was the last game I got there, and I only bought it there because I had no choice. I know it's not the fault of the employees, but I've never been a big fan of the hard sell (like they do with preorders and their discount cards). What I hated the most though is the flak I constantly took for daring to ask for a copy of a new release without having a preorder. I've had this happen in more than one store - employees actually sounding offended that I would ask for a copy of a new game that I hadn't preordered, even when they had lots of copies available. They even did this with Xenoblade (which I hadn't even heard of until a few days before the game was released).

I just buy all of my console games from Amazon. They always charge less than Gamestop and they have release day delivery for most AAA titles. Between Amazon and Steam (for PC games), I have no reason (or desire) to step into a Gamestop ever again.

[Kitsune Sniper]

:bday: First Gamestop hate thread of the year! :bday:

I really hate retailer exclusive stuff and what happened to you is one of the worst possible scenarios. The worst one being them refusing to give you any codes because they kept them for themselves. Which has happened.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b328/FrankieViturello/image-3_zps067653c8.jpg

[Koa Zo]

Welcome to the club Loganm187!
I haven't set foot in a Gamestop since around 2007.

Every single visit was wrought with problems. They once refused to sell me a regular version of Resident Evil 4 for Gamecube, because they were trying to coerce me into buying a smashed collectors tin with no instructions, no game case, no hologram print, and just a loose disc.

When I purchased the Tekken 5 Hori joystick package, everything was gutted and they tried to say it didn't some with the game, even thought it clearly stated on the box that the game was included. ...much arguing and finally they retrieved a copy of the game. Then when I get home I discover the joystick is broken - then they won't allow me to return it because the package was opened. Well duh, they gutted and opened it.

My one preorder story: I had preordered Gradius V for PS2 so that I could get the limited DVD. The special DVD did not come in with the game so I was told to "check back" in a few days. I was literally moving out of town the next week and had limited time. When I back to get the disc the manager working said he had no record that it belonged to me. He said he would only give it to me if I put down $5 toward a new pre-order, wtf!, but I really wanted that limited DVD so I put $5 toward Out Run 2.
I moved the next day so I never went to that store again, and they basically stole $5 from me.

I have at least a half dozen more equally appalling personal stories about Gamestop, and I only really ever went there maybe 2-3 times a year. Yet every time there was some obnoxious issue with the service.

[Tupin]

Honestly, if it means Gamestop going under, I welcome digital distribution with open arms.

[skaar]

I can only imagine how a Gamestop employee keeps sane. Having to deal with obsessive gamers all day would drive me mental.

[joshnickerson]

Guess I'm one of the more lucky ones, nothing too horrific outside of opened "new" copies of games, and I rarely get hassled about pre-ordering.

Looks like all those magazine racks I knocked over paid off after all!

[Tanooki]

Ehh got a huge ongoing gamestop/ebay rant thread over at NA which is fun and disturbing to read.

I personally will walk into one but perhaps 1 in 50 or a 100x I'll buy something, and I don't regular and rarely wander in. I got angry at them years ago with their lies, I think the last time I was regular at one was when the Wii came out, and went in a few time after but when I caught them peddling bootleg DS titles as legit I stopped entirely. Even at that rate it was only on used goods.

Their awful policy of 1/3 value trade-in on a new release game is wrong, just as is their $5 off used vs a new game pricing(or that percentage on cheaper stuff.)

What got me totally out of NEW items, is they're committing in many areas depending on local laws a crime. Legally speaking if you open up a factory sealed item, sleeve the game disc/card, maybe sleeve the paperwork, and then put the box or box and paperwork out on the shelf, face it, IT IS USED. The seal is shot, and the stuff out on the shelf can have product codes or club nintendo points stolen, and I'm sure we've seen our range of clean to nauseatingly dirty people you can smell coming...and now they're touching that 'NEW' box you'll be getting. I've tried to call them on that crap multiple times and they'll usually get short, snotty and adamant that it's a new product, or I'll get one to agree admitting the policy is junk but nothing can be done. Sometimes those 'new' shelf games get employee 'rented' out too, which also is not new. I wish more people would wise up and stop going there.

[Tupin]

I can only imagine how a Gamestop employee keeps sane. Having to deal with obsessive gamers all day would drive me mental.
I'd imagine dealing with clueless grandmothers who don't get that Mario isn't on the PS3 would be worse.

[ScourDX]

I would try preordering online next time. Save you the hassle and they email you the code. If they made a mistake, you can email them asking for the correct code.

[hailon]

Like the above poster said, try to get digital copies or codes via email. Not only it's that faster, but it's faster too repair if it's something wrong with it and it saves you the hassle of going out :)

[mailman187666]

My brother worked at Gamestop for about a year. It was never really the customers that got to him, but the other employees, mostly the managers. Not sure if everyone knows this but it is required that at the end of your shift, after being clocked out, you have to be patted down to make sure you aren't stealing from the store. I found it funny how he'd get warnings for not getting enough pre-orders. Its like asking people if they want to super size thier value meal. If they don't wanna do it, they aren't going to do it. Its not like the employees are getting commision on selling these preorders and cards either. Their only incentive is they get to keep their jobs.

Like many people have said already, I only go into gamestop when I have no other choice (mostly for obscure game purchases.) I don't usually order online (unless it can only be ordered online) because I don't see leaving my house to be a hassle. I like to go to target to buy new games because a lot of the time they'll have a deal going where you can get a $5 gift card and such.

[bigbacon]

ever since they stopped carrying a wide range of PC games, I have never been in one.

[xelement5x]

:bday: First Gamestop hate thread of the year! :bday:

I really hate retailer exclusive stuff and what happened to you is one of the worst possible scenarios. The worst one being them refusing to give you any codes because they kept them for themselves. Which has happened.

Yeah, it's kind of crazy too because you know most of the people on ebay selling 10+ preorder bonuses from a game were working at GameStop and probably just took them all :(

[Trumpman]

Amazon. There's your solution. Almost always cheaper, and the games come right to your door. Haven't set for in a Gamestop in two years.

[RCM]

So they inconvenienced you and you're done with 'em? Complain to corporate and they'll more than likely make it right. I'm no fan of GameStop, but this shit is comedic. Everyone makes mistakes, including big retailers. If they have been good to you beyond this 'massive' inconvenience give 'em a second chance.

[Damaniel]

So they inconvenienced you and you're done with 'em? Complain to corporate and they'll more than likely make it right. I'm no fan of GameStop, but this shit is comedic. Everyone makes mistakes, including big retailers. If they have been good to you beyond this 'massive' inconvenience give 'em a second chance.

The problem is that some of the inconveniences are the result of official company policy (especially the preorder hard-sell tactics), so all the complaining in the world won't change a thing. It's easier to vote with my wallet and just avoid giving them the business in the first place.

[Bojay1997]

Amazon. There's your solution. Almost always cheaper, and the games come right to your door. Haven't set for in a Gamestop in two years.

Not if you buy collector's editions or anything that can get damaged in transit. After having as high as a 50% damage rate last year with Amazon, I switched all my preorders for collector's editions over to Gamestop. Haven't had a single problem since and maybe I just have a great local store, but they are super friendly and always have what I ordered ready for pickup in perfect shape. I think Gamestop is like any large chain, there are good locations and bad ones and if you find a good location, you will be happy.

[Kitsune Sniper]

My brother worked at Gamestop for about a year. It was never really the customers that got to him, but the other employees, mostly the managers. Not sure if everyone knows this but it is required that at the end of your shift, after being clocked out, you have to be patted down to make sure you aren't stealing from the store. I found it funny how he'd get warnings for not getting enough pre-orders. Its like asking people if they want to super size thier value meal. If they don't wanna do it, they aren't going to do it. Its not like the employees are getting commision on selling these preorders and cards either. Their only incentive is they get to keep their jobs.

Like many people have said already, I only go into gamestop when I have no other choice (mostly for obscure game purchases.) I don't usually order online (unless it can only be ordered online) because I don't see leaving my house to be a hassle. I like to go to target to buy new games because a lot of the time they'll have a deal going where you can get a $5 gift card and such.

I used to work at Toys'R'Us. The manager always gave me shit because I wouldn't sell batteries or the store's insurance scams. Oh I offered them. But I never pushed people to get them.

I think that was one of the reasons I was laid off sooner than most of the store despite working my ass off everywhere else.

And then the manager got busted for faking the books.

[BlastProcessing402]

What got me totally out of NEW items, is they're committing in many areas depending on local laws a crime.

Care to cite any actual laws making it so? Because people tend to just think things are illegal when they aren't (like a store accepting a return on an open game, sorry not illegal because of "copyright laws" just against store policy because they don't want people treating them like free rental services)

If it's illegal to put out a display copy, then I guess it's illegal for every store in existence to open up products and put them on the shelves for people to look at. Hey Best Buy, that row of TV's you have out for everyone to see? ILLEGAL!

If you don't want to buy an opened display copy of a game, don't buy it, that's the solution. Doesn't mean selling display copies for full price is illegal.

[Bojay1997]

Care to cite any actual laws making it so? Because people tend to just think things are illegal when they aren't (like a store accepting a return on an open game, sorry not illegal because of "copyright laws" just against store policy because they don't want people treating them like free rental services)

If it's illegal to put out a display copy, then I guess it's illegal for every store in existence to open up products and put them on the shelves for people to look at. Hey Best Buy, that row of TV's you have out for everyone to see? ILLEGAL!

If you don't want to buy an opened display copy of a game, don't buy it, that's the solution. Doesn't mean selling display copies for full price is illegal.

You're generally correct, however, Gamestop did settle a lawsuit a few years ago because in many states, if you open the packaging on an item, it's no longer "new" and you must disclose that fact to the consumer. In California I know Gamestop locations had to post signage for a couple of years explaining that "new games" might be opened or could be store returns or loan-out copies that the employees tested.

[Damaniel]

Care to cite any actual laws making it so? Because people tend to just think things are illegal when they aren't (like a store accepting a return on an open game, sorry not illegal because of "copyright laws" just against store policy because they don't want people treating them like free rental services)

If it's illegal to put out a display copy, then I guess it's illegal for every store in existence to open up products and put them on the shelves for people to look at. Hey Best Buy, that row of TV's you have out for everyone to see? ILLEGAL!

If you don't want to buy an opened display copy of a game, don't buy it, that's the solution. Doesn't mean selling display copies for full price is illegal.

In most places, opening a new product for display is probably not illegal. However, pretty much every other store that does so (like Best Buy) offers a discount to somebody who buys the display model. It might not be a huge discount (3-5%), but it acknowledges that the product, by having been opened and put on display, is no longer 'new'. Gamestop makes things even worse by allowing employees to borrow these games - once another person has taken the disc home and played the game on their console, then the game is no longer new, regardless of what Gamestop says.

Personally, an open box game for something I'm intending to play anyway isn't a big deal, but opening up games and allowing employees to play them definitely crosses the line into 'no longer new' for me, and the resulting game should be discounted accordingly.

[mailman187666]

In most places, opening a new product for display is probably not illegal. However, pretty much every other store that does so (like Best Buy) offers a discount to somebody who buys the display model. It might not be a huge discount (3-5%), but it acknowledges that the product, by having been opened and put on display, is no longer 'new'. Gamestop makes things even worse by allowing employees to borrow these games - once another person has taken the disc home and played the game on their console, then the game is no longer new, regardless of what Gamestop says.

Personally, an open box game for something I'm intending to play anyway isn't a big deal, but opening up games and allowing employees to play them definitely crosses the line into 'no longer new' for me, and the resulting game should be discounted accordingly.

I used to just say screw it and buy the opened new copies if I intended on playing it right away anyway until I found out that those copies of games were being rented out to employees. It got to the point where I went to the 2 Gamestops in the mall near me looking for Persona 4 Arena. Both places only had the display copies and I turned them both down. After I told them I was all set, they tried telling me that there was nothing wrong with them and tried talking me into buying it anyways. I called best buy to see if they had the game and just bought it from there. At first I didn't think Best Buy would have carried a Persona game like that, but turns out I should have gone there in the first place.

[DK1105]

I'd imagine dealing with clueless grandmothers who don't get that Mario isn't on the PS3 would be worse.

I worked at a gamespot for about a year and they are buy far the worse customers. I haven't been in a gamestop after I quit. Single worst company I have ever worked for. The management at my store had never owned or played a video game system.

[mailman187666]

Also, I'm sure most of us have read the articles. Do a google search on worst places to work in 2012. The CEO approval rating is at 32%.

http://money.msn.com/investing/the-11-worst-companies-to-work-for

they are at #10 of 11

[Collector_Gaming]

I worked at a gamespot for about a year and they are buy far the worse customers. I haven't been in a gamestop after I quit. Single worst company I have ever worked for. The management at my store had never owned or played a video game system.

thats the problem with corporations they just hire random people and boast them as experts in the field when really they couldn't tell in this case who mario to sonic to crash bandicoot is. Its kinda sad really.

Thats why I love mom and pop shops because they are more likely die hard gamers and know what the hell they are talking about.

One thing I always loved about gamestop (and EB did this too) is I would come in and they will stop whatever conversation they will have if your the only customer to walk in at that moment and immediately talking to each other like "yo you played the new halo game yet? Master Chief is pretty badass in it!" ....

[Guyra]

One thing I always loved about gamestop (and EB did this too) is I would come in and they will stop whatever conversation they will have if your the only customer to walk in at that moment and immediately talking to each other like "yo you played the new halo game yet? Master Chief is pretty badass in it!" ....

Ahahaha! Are you serious?! xD

[Collector_Gaming]

Ahahaha! Are you serious?! xD

I've actually caught employees doing this a few times.
Some of the older ones who you can easily tell don't play video games at all they will stop and it almost feels like they pull the first title they see on the wall in whatever direction they are looking at and be like "yea such a great game blah blah blah"

The only chain place i've actually gotten a employee to come straight with me about a product was believe it or not "Movie Gallery" (anyone remember them? Just like Block Buster)... I went to go rent Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon for the first time when it came out on DVD and I was so stoked to see awesome martial arts and ect ect and the employee was like "You might be disapointed" and i was like why's that? "it kinda takes awhile to really get into the full on action" which i went against his word but ya know appreciate the honesty

[Rickstilwell1]

Personally lately I would have to say Target has had better prices for new games when compared with gamestop, especially when they have a sale on a particular title. Some of their prices on basic items are even better than Walmart.

[Loganm187]

So I went back to gamestop today to get my ps3 code AFTER selling the xbox code I had received by mistake for 20 bucks. So I got the game for 10 bucks after 3 trips and an ebay sell. I'm satisfied now, but I am never walking in the store again. The manager there tried to get me to pre-order Ni No Kuni and I told him I had the limited wizards edition from Namco already ordered and he just flat out lied to me and said that their limited edition was the same. SERIOUSLY? Everyone knows that is a namco exclusive and pre-orders were finished in August. They must be desperate to keep their jobs...poor guys.

[Tokimemofan]

I remember when 1 Gamestop told me flat out that they gave away my pre-order bonus for Generation of Chaos, They did call up another location to fetch one, after I threatened to pull my preorder (Which was paid off in full a month in advance, I was also the first preorder at that location.) BTW that was at the one good location we had at the time. Any time I preorder anything I ask about the bonus (if any) long before release day and if they look like they are about to flake out I make a preorder with another store, that saved my ass on Tales of Vesperia (when they managed to f*** up 3 preorders in 1 week).

[Tanooki]

Blast, like bojay cited, I was thinking of the California ruling there since I was living there at the time. The state (and you want to dig the website, have fun) has laws on the books about deceptive business practices, everything from honoring posted sale prices having to be honored if left out despite being over to crap like misrepresentation of the product as it's called deceptive business practices (ie: lying to make a sale under false pretenses.) Gamestop got busted for selling 'new' at full price when it was opened and therefore used.

Display of a new product opened by a store is totally legit as Damaniel pointed out. But the thing is, you know it is, the store makes it clear and tends to give discounts, or puts it under the returns but ok "open box" policy which the store covers for a term + whatever the original items warranty is like that table they have at best buy. I'm fine with open box, but I want the sign there saying as such and a discount since it has hours of usage on it as it's not new. Gamestop doesn't do this, they lie, leave product out to get manhandled and potentially codes (dlc, club nintendo) to be stolen while employees check the game out to learn the product or enjoy it. That's just not new, they got sued for it and lost but as a state vs federal ruling they just got the forced placement of disclaimers in CA.

[Collector_Gaming]

I remember when 1 Gamestop told me flat out that they gave away my pre-order bonus for Generation of Chaos, They did call up another location to fetch one, after I threatened to pull my preorder (Which was paid off in full a month in advance, I was also the first preorder at that location.) BTW that was at the one good location we had at the time. Any time I preorder anything I ask about the bonus (if any) long before release day and if they look like they are about to flake out I make a preorder with another store, that saved my ass on Tales of Vesperia (when they managed to f*** up 3 preorders in 1 week).

Thats why i don't pre order because of this. Only thing i ever preordered was the psp and i felt like that was a mistake to this day

[kedawa]

The last time I was in a Gamestop, I wanted to bitch slap the manager. I had been talking to an employee a few days earlier who was interested in buying some of my older games, but before we could arrange something, he got swamped with school kids looking for something, and I didn't have time to stick around. The next day, I went back and the guy wasn't working, so I asked the manager if he could pass along my info. Instead of doing so like a normal human being, he starts yelling about how that's against store policy, and he wanted to know who I had talked to. I told him to calm down and forget about it, and explained that these were items that I had brought in to trade, but were too old for the store to take, but he was still a dick about it and wanted me to help him figure out who this rogue employee was who had the audacity to buy some old games from a customer that the store didn't want. I just laughed in his face and walked out. I haven't been back since. I don't know if it's company policy or what, but every GS manager I've ever dealt with has been a complete tool.

[skaar]

A good way to judge a person's character is to watch how they treat anyone they have no obligation to be kind to.

[Aussie2B]

I can't remember the last time I was in a GameStop. But I do remember that the last few trips involved bringing marked down "new" games up to the counter, asking if they still had any sealed copies, finding out they don't for most or all, and then abandoning the cases at the counter. Kind of an awkward situation and a waste of my time, so it's typically not worth the effort looking for some deals there. And if I wanted to buy games at their full MSRP near launch, I'd just buy on Amazon.

As for problems with them, I guess I've never had anything too bad. One thing that was annoying was that I was probably one of the few people on Earth to pre-order Chulip for PS2, haha, yet the store didn't get in any of the pre-order bonus keychains. To try to make up for it, they gave me a God of War 2 demo, which still sits on my shelf sealed because I couldn't possibly give less of a shit about the God of War series. Hell, just looking at me, I don't exactly look like someone who would be interested in God of War, and I don't think there are any two games in further apart demographics than Chulip and God of War, haha. Knowing my luck, I bet that Chulip keychain is probably pretty rare these days.

[Gameguy]

I haven't bothered going often since they stopped carrying GBA games and are now phasing out the previous generation, I suppose they still have DS games but they're usually too expensive for me to bother with.

I remember buying a new game and paying with cash, I changed my mind on it and it was still sealed unopened so I brought it back to the same store wanting a refund. I was told that they don't give refunds in cash and they wanted to give me store credit instead. I could see the store's return policy right in front of me by the cash register, it said unopened merchandise could be refunded and that refunds are to be given out in the same form as the original payment. I paid with cash so I should have got cash back, it was some cheap game under $10 total so they should have had enough cash available to do this. I ended up having to take it to another location and they gave me a full refund without any problems. That made me want to avoid buying too many things there as there would always be potential problems if I needed to return or exchange something.

They do have cheap games for some titles, I remember seeing some cheap PS2 games for $0.99 the last time I was there. I didn't bother buying them but they were priced well at least, I think one of them was Harvey Birdman. Every now and then I've seen cheap DS games too for under 5 dollars but those titles are always terrible so I don't bother with them anymore.

[xelement5x]

Not if you buy collector's editions or anything that can get damaged in transit. After having as high as a 50% damage rate last year with Amazon, I switched all my preorders for collector's editions over to Gamestop. Haven't had a single problem since and maybe I just have a great local store, but they are super friendly and always have what I ordered ready for pickup in perfect shape. I think Gamestop is like any large chain, there are good locations and bad ones and if you find a good location, you will be happy.

Just a question, do you have Amazon Prime or just use the super saver shipping? Because I realized recently that when I bought games using an account with Prime I almost always get it shipped using a box. Using super saver shipping things would come in bubble mailers and be crushed/damaged. Prime isn't that cheap at $80 year, but it's pretty sweet.

[duffmanth]

The only time I shop there is if they have exclusive rights to the Collector's Edition of a game I want.

[Bojay1997]

Just a question, do you have Amazon Prime or just use the super saver shipping? Because I realized recently that when I bought games using an account with Prime I almost always get it shipped using a box. Using super saver shipping things would come in bubble mailers and be crushed/damaged. Prime isn't that cheap at $80 year, but it's pretty sweet.

I had prime for several years and just let it lapse last month. It doesn't matter if you have Prime or FSSS. Amazon has an electronic system for assigning packaging and the person doing the packing can't override it. You may just be lucky as some warehouses seem to use boxes more than others. I also started to get stuff damaged before it was even packed with punctures through the cases, food residue and odd grease and other materials that had damaged the CE boxes. I'm done with Amazon for collector's editions. Too many problems. While I don't like Gamestop's practices, at least I know that if the CE is damaged, I will know immediately and can find another copy somewhere on release day rather than having to wait for an Amazon return or a second damaged copy to be sent out.

[Nz17]

Not sure if everyone knows this but it is required that at the end of your shift, after being clocked out, you have to be patted down to make sure you aren't stealing from the store.

This is why I worked for less than one day for GameStop. Not only is that search procedure humiliating, but if you can't trust me, why should I trust you? I don't know of any other major retailer which practices that style of treatment of employees. It is like they are in a prison looking for contraband.

The last time GameStop didn't fulfill a pre-order item for me - strike that, a reserve item :roll: - it was a Sonic hat that was a GameStop-exclusive bonus for a STH game released in recent years. When I went into the store, they didn't have a hat for me and didn't have any substitutes because no one else pre-ordered the game. I was pretty fed up, so I told them to cancel my preorder then. And that's when it happened... they actually fell silent, literally dumbstruck that I wouldn't want to pick up the game. I was asked if I was sure, and I indicated that indeed I was. I went across the way to Wal*Mart and bought a copy of the game there. After all, why support GameStop if they don't have an edge? If it had been cheaper by a few dollars, if the quality or service was obviously superior, or if the bonuses were available, then they'd have something.

But apparently, GameStop has nothing without striking a deal with the publishers for those bonus tchotchkes. :-/

It makes me wish we all had ma-and-pa game shops near us (or preferably some Digital Presses).

[Tokimemofan]

This is why I worked for less than one day for GameStop. Not only is that search procedure humiliating, but if you can't trust me, why should I trust you? I don't know of any other major retailer which practices that style of treatment of employees. It is like they are in a prison looking for contraband.

The last time GameStop didn't fulfill a pre-order item for me - strike that, a reserve item :roll: - it was a Sonic hat that was a GameStop-exclusive bonus for a STH game released in recent years. When I went into the store, they didn't have a hat for me and didn't have any substitutes because no one else pre-ordered the game. I was pretty fed up, so I told them to cancel my preorder then. And that's when it happened... they actually fell silent, literally dumbstruck that I wouldn't want to pick up the game. I was asked if I was sure, and I indicated that indeed I was. I went across the way to Wal*Mart and bought a copy of the game there. After all, why support GameStop if they don't have an edge? If it had been cheaper by a few dollars, if the quality or service was obviously superior, or if the bonuses were available, then they'd have something.

But apparently, GameStop has nothing without striking a deal with the publishers for those bonus tchotchkes. :-/

It makes me wish we all had ma-and-pa game shops near us (or preferably some Digital Presses).
You have made my day! Thank you for standing up to Gamestop on that preorder bonus. I always feel like this is just my crusade.

[Zthun]

Yeah, gamestop has only been good for used games, which is what they're known for, but their general store policies are absolute garbage. There's no real reason to buy a new game there. You're always better off at walmart, target, or any big retailer that actually keeps the new games behind glass. Amazon has proved to be the best, time and time again (I wish they didn't get forced to charge tax, but oh well). At least then you know your game is not gutted.

The problems with management are not exclusive with gamestop. Most places hire managers that are not in the major loop about what they are managing and they're only real responsibility is to report to the super upper management (District Manager, CEOs, VPs, etc). It's really frustrating when your manager doesn't understand what you do, yet demands tasks of you that are unreasonable or come with a cost that they don't expect to pay.

I have noticed that gamestop uses high pressure sales a lot, especially when pushing their membership. I'm good at saying no, so it doesn't work very well on me, but most people have a hard time saying no, which is why this tactic works for so many sales associates.

The only thing you can do is simply not shop there but the company won't truly be punished for its bull shit until everyone stops shopping there and it is in full bankrupcy. Eddie Murphy hits the target again: the best way to punish rich people is to take away all their money.

[Lanzo]

Yeah, Gamestop is garbage. Only thing I use them for is COD midnight releases. My favorite place is Best Buy because they sell you NEW (sealed) games except in the rare instances when they have a special edition and pull the security device around it too tight and pretend they are not trying to sell damaged product. Christ, even their used games are in better condition than gamestops so called new games.

[theclaw]

Lately I've mostly kept watch on Gamestop for OK random deals. Managed to get some of those 75% off Gamecube clearance games online.
Sure they'll be disc only if not scratched but oh well. I know what I'm getting into with the price point.

[PapaStu]

Ya know, GameStop is just fine. I spend many dollars there now and have spent far more than I care to acknowledge in years past. I get excellent conditioned used items, new items that are sealed, and on the rare occasion get that gut copy, check it over before I buy it, and if I'm happy with that condition, take it, all with out bitching about it's status or demanding a discount. If I don't like the condition of the used item I just don't buy it, whether it's missing the manual, the label on cart is bad, stickers on inserts that won't come off without damaging it or the disc is scratched. I don't have issues with missing pre-order items because I pre-order from them online if there is something I MUST have.

If I get asked if I want to pre-order something that I don't want? I simply tell them no. It's oh so hard. I know when saying "no thanks" that I've also insulted their family's honor, violated their sister or mother and run over their puppy in my car with my harsh reaction and they care so much that they've immediately moved on to the next part of the transaction and don't give it a second thought.

A few people at specific stores know I'm a dude with lots of games however most don't and I'm treated no different at any of the stores I swing into. I'm not treated rudely, nor am I ignored if I am looking to buy something or have a question. I treat those that work there with respect and they treat me with it in return.


Have I had bad GameStop experiences? You bet. Have I had bad retail experiences at pretty much any place I've shopped? Yup again. If my experience is bad enough to truly bother me, you know what I do? I call that number that's at the bottom of the receipt. I let customer service know, or fill out that survey they mention at the bottom of EVERYONES receipts (at GameStop, Best Buy, Taco Bell, wherever) and rate them as such. When those reviews are bad or there are issues, you hear back. I had a bad McDonald's drive through experience once. Franchise person called me to apologize and gave me all my monies back for the meal and extra monies for other items for my troubles. Left a comment about an Alcatraz/Angel Island experience that was a smidge less than stellar at one point. I was contacted and refunded half my money for the 'problematic' portion of the experience. I didn't ask for money, nor did I rave, rant or holler. I just wanted them to know of an experience that didn't have any effect other than to have us cut short our adventuring on one of the islands due to time constraints and that maybe they should give travelers a bit more time on each island to better enjoy it.

The same thing goes for those good experiences. If it's that good, I go and let the powers that be know. Best Taco Bell person I've EVER experienced (and probably one of the best fast food people ever as well) works at my local Taco Bell. Dude rocks. Last time I swung by, he had been promoted and was at least a shift lead. Did I make sure they knew he rocked? Damn right. Did my feedback alone do it? Doubt it, but it didn't hurt.


Maybe I'm just a bit older now (>30 / <35) but there are far more important things in life to get all twisted out of shape over. It's a fucking video game, it's not that important. The only life that ends is ours when we die in the game and restart at the last save point.

[Hep038]

About a year ago I bought a PlayStation code. Got home it did not work, took it back the next day they said they cannot take back bad codes and said I would have to call Sony to work it out. I was on the phone with Sony for 45 minutes trying to figure out why the code did not work, then had to send a picture of the code and receipt to Sony and a week later they sent me a new code. I called Gamestops corporate bitch line and left a message about how disappointed I was that Gamestop sold me something that was expired and I could not return. They asked where I bought it from and said someone would get back to me. two days later the manager of the store called me and apologized, we talked for a little bit and after a polite conversation about how as a adult I choose to spend my money were it is most convent for me she offered me $15 store credit. I know some people would rather throw a fit and make a scene to get nothing, I prefer a different route.

And to be honest even if she did not give me the gift card I still would have went back because she took the time to call me to find out what happened.

[M.Buster2184]

I haven't had experiences as bad as some of you, but I can empathize. Luckily there are a decent amount of local game shops here in the Seattle area, and they deal with old and brand new stuff.

[JSoup]

I've only really had two problems with GameStop, both came down to lazy employees. Doesn't strike me as something particularly worth stewing over, if you don't like them, don't shop there.

If you buy a lot of crap on Amazon, they're a great alternative. They often give Amazon cash kickbacks on pre-orders, which can be applied to more pre-orders in an endless cycle of decent delivery times and $50 games.

[retroguy]

Every time I see one of these threads, it baffles me. I shop at Gamestop fairly frequently and I've never had any problems. Not one. I usually just go in there to look at used games, but the one time I preordered a game from there (Pokemon Black), it sure seemed like I was getting a new, unopened copy. The clerk was even nice enough to show me how to use Nintendo's wi-fi system to download the Liberty Ticket, since I'd never used wi-fi before. And at a different Gamestop that had just opened, I went in to look at their Gamecube games and the clerk showed me a list of which ones were being sent in the next week so I'd know if I wanted to come back to snag any of them. Sure, customer service might be horrible at some stores, but that's no reason to paint the entire chain with the same brush.

[Koa Zo]

Every time I see a Gamestop apologist it baffles me.

[Bojay1997]

Every time I see a Gamestop apologist it baffles me.

Really? I feel the same way whenever anyone acts as though every individual store in a particular chain is exactly the same. I've had good and bad experiences with Gamestop over the years. I've also had good and bad experiences with Best Buy, Amazon, Circuit City, New Egg, Good Guys, Federated, and literally every other store I have ever shopped at for video games. Personally, I have a good local Gamestop store I use to order collector's editions and other items that I know Amazon and other vendors will damage. They always have my item waiting in perfect shape on the day it's supposed to be there. Would I ever buy used games from Gamestop or even something new I didn't preorder? Nope. That doesn't mean Gamestop is terrible, it just means that like other massive store chains, you have to understand their policies and practices and decide what, if any, of their products and services can be useful to you.

[Koa Zo]

Really? I feel the same way whenever anyone acts as though every individual store in a particular chain is exactly the same. I've had good and bad experiences with Gamestop over the years. I've also had good and bad experiences with Best Buy, Amazon, Circuit City, New Egg, Good Guys, Federated, and literally every other store I have ever shopped at for video games. Personally, I have a good local Gamestop store I use to order collector's editions and other items that I know Amazon and other vendors will damage. They always have my item waiting in perfect shape on the day it's supposed to be there. Would I ever buy used games from Gamestop or even something new I didn't preorder? Nope. That doesn't mean Gamestop is terrible, it just means that like other massive store chains, you have to understand their policies and practices and decide what, if any, of their products and services can be useful to you.
Oh here we have another apologist. We the customer, just have to "decide what, if any, of their products and services can be useful to us"
We have to decide if it is ok to have our preorder bonuses stolen or held for ransom in exchange for another pre-order. We have to decide if it is ok to bring a "new" game to the counter and have it switched for a used game without being told. We have to decide if it is ok to ask to buy a new game, but to be held hostage at the counter in a barrage of incentive to buy a used instead. We have to decide if it is ok to pay for new items only to be sold opened previously handled, often scratched, and most certainly stickered-up copies at full price. We have to decide if it is ok to buy a used game and have it given to us in a blank case with no instructions.... and on and on and on...

We the customer have to decide if we can be a good Gamestop consumer. It is our expectations that are at fault is what Bojay1997 is telling us. We have no right to expect to pay full price for a game and recieve all the materials it was packaged with. We have no right to expect to not be lied to by clerks and management. We have no right to expect to recieve preorder bonuses. Instead we must understand their policies and practices!
No. Gamestop is terrible. Sure there may be "good" locations, but the recurring theme is that those are the exceptions.
You don't see these threads about "Best Buy, Amazon, Circuit City, New Egg, Good Guys, Federated, and literally every other store I have ever shopped at" because those other stores do not have the endemic customer service problems which plaque Gamestop locations.

Sure there are good and bad experiences are any retail outlet, no one every implied the contrary.
The recurring fact is that people have been having severe issues with Gamestop stores consistently for over a decade.
Congratulations for being one of the people who haven't had multiple bad experiences there.

Today I had my first Gamestop experience in over 2 years.
First, let's recount my previous most recent Gamestop experience:
I wanted Yakuza 2. The Gamestop website listed one local store as having a New copy available for sale. I called that location to confirm. They said they did indeed have a "New" copy for sale. I say I'll be right over to buy it. Within 15 minutes I'm at the store. The clerk has no idea what I'm talking about when I ask for Yakuza 2. One other guy is working, he must have taken my call. So they are typing into the computer and show that they do have a copy. I guess my expectation that they would be prepared since I just called to confirm the existence of this new copy, and I told them I was on my way to buy it.. I guess those expectations are too much!
So they pull the case from the shelf, no surprise, all stickered-up and also scuffed to hell. These are the things we must understand and decide if "their products and services can be useful to you"! So then they can't find the disc and instructions. Again, why did I call to confirm that they had it in stock? They finally find it, yes it took two clerks. The guy pops the disc into the beat-to-hell case and closes it as he begins to ring it up. I asked to see the disc, and the clerk freezes as if being caught having stolen something. He sheepishly says "OK" opens the case and hands me the disc. I turn it over and see that it is scratched to shit. Like what happens when a disc is slid across a floor - not just a single hairline. ...I've been through this before with Gamestop (when buying a "new" Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne, that disc was also heavily scratched)
like I said I've been through this before, so I just put the Yakuza 2 disc on the counter without saying anything, turned my back to them and walked out.

So today, trying to track down a copy of Xenoblade Chronicles, the Gamestop site lists a store 30 miles away as having a copy. I call to confirm and have it held for me. 10+ minutes on the phone and they can't locate the copy their computer says they have in stock. The clerk says maybe it went to the other Gamestop in that same mall (yes, two in the same mall) I call that store and they do not have it. But that clerk offers to have it shipped from another store which shows it in stock. I had asked my local store to do that, but hey said it was not possible.
So this presents two issues - faulty infective inventory, and inconsistent customer service policies. They show items in stock but can't find them because items are gutted and misplaced. And then you have stores saying they can't order a game from another store, yet other stores an do that with no problem.

But it is me who is at fault because I don't "understand their policies and practices" and haven't "decide(d) what, if any, of their products and services can be useful to (me)" I am at fault for thinking I could purchase a game listed as in stock. I am at fault for expecting the same store transfer policies at each location. I am at fault for expecting that my money would purchase me fair and consistent service.


Have I ever had these problems at any other videogame retailer? Never!

[Bojay1997]

Oh here we have another apologist. We the customer, just have to "decide what, if any, of their products and services can be useful to us"
We have to decide if it is ok to have our preorder bonuses stolen or held for ransom in exchange for another pre-order. We have to decide if it is ok to bring a "new" game to the counter and have it switched for a used game without being told. We have to decide if it is ok to ask to buy a new game, but to be held hostage at the counter in a barrage of incentive to buy a used instead. We have to decide if it is ok to pay for new items only to be sold opened previously handled, often scratched, and most certainly stickered-up copies at full price. We have to decide if it is ok to buy a used game and have it given to us in a blank case with no instructions.... and on and on and on...

We the customer have to decide if we can be a good Gamestop consumer. It is our expectations that are at fault is what Bojay1997 is telling us. We have no right to expect to pay full price for a game and recieve all the materials it was packaged with. We have no right to expect to not be lied to by clerks and management. We have no right to expect to recieve preorder bonuses. Instead we must understand their policies and practices!
No. Gamestop is terrible. Sure there may be "good" locations, but the recurring theme is that those are the exceptions.
You don't see these threads about "Best Buy, Amazon, Circuit City, New Egg, Good Guys, Federated, and literally every other store I have ever shopped at" because those other stores do not have the endemic customer service problems which plaque Gamestop locations.

Sure there are good and bad experiences are any retail outlet, no one every implied the contrary.
The recurring fact is that people have been having severe issues with Gamestop stores consistently for over a decade.
Congratulations for being one of the people who haven't had multiple bad experiences there.

Today I had my first Gamestop experience in over 2 years.
First, let's recount my previous most recent Gamestop experience:
I wanted Yakuza 2. The Gamestop website listed one local store as having a New copy available for sale. I called that location to confirm. They said they did indeed have a "New" copy for sale. I say I'll be right over to buy it. Within 15 minutes I'm at the store. The clerk has no idea what I'm talking about when I ask for Yakuza 2. One other guy is working, he must have taken my call. So they are typing into the computer and show that they do have a copy. I guess my expectation that they would be prepared since I just called to confirm the existence of this new copy, and I told them I was on my way to buy it.. I guess those expectations are too much!
So they pull the case from the shelf, no surprise, all stickered-up and also scuffed to hell. These are the things we must understand and decide if "their products and services can be useful to you"! So then they can't find the disc and instructions. Again, why did I call to confirm that they had it in stock? They finally find it, yes it took two clerks. The guy pops the disc into the beat-to-hell case and closes it as he begins to ring it up. I asked to see the disc, and the clerk freezes as if being caught having stolen something. He sheepishly says "OK" opens the case and hands me the disc. I turn it over and see that it is scratched to shit. Like what happens when a disc is slid across a floor - not just a single hairline. ...I've been through this before with Gamestop (when buying a "new" Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne, that disc was also heavily scratched)
like I said I've been through this before, so I just put the Yakuza 2 disc on the counter without saying anything, turned my back to them and walked out.

So today, trying to track down a copy of Xenoblade Chronicles, the Gamestop site lists a store 30 miles away as having a copy. I call to confirm and have it held for me. 10+ minutes on the phone and they can't locate the copy their computer says they have in stock. The clerk says maybe it went to the other Gamestop in that same mall (yes, two in the same mall) I call that store and they do not have it. But that clerk offers to have it shipped from another store which shows it in stock. I had asked my local store to do that, but hey said it was not possible.
So this presents two issues - faulty infective inventory, and inconsistent customer service policies. They show items in stock but can't find them because items are gutted and misplaced. And then you have stores saying they can't order a game from another store, yet other stores an do that with no problem.

But it is me who is at fault because I don't "understand their policies and practices" and haven't "decide(d) what, if any, of their products and services can be useful to (me)" I am at fault for thinking I could purchase a game listed as in stock. I am at fault for expecting the same store transfer policies at each location. I am at fault for expecting that my money would purchase me fair and consistent service.


Have I ever had these problems at any other videogame retailer? Never!

So, to paraphrase your two overly wordy stories, one time you wanted an older PS2 game at Gamestop, you called up and they said they had one new one in stock. You went down there and it wasn't waiting for you and the game wasn't new, so you didn't buy it.

Your other story is that you called and asked for another game, they told you it was in stock, but when you got there they couldn't find it. One store told you they could ship stock and another couldn't.

Please let me know if I missed anything.

I'm sorry, if those are the worst experiences you have ever had with Gamestop, I can only imagine how fragile you are and how hard it must be for you to deal with the everyday trials and tribulations in life. I have had similar and worse experiences with every single retailer I have ever bought video games from.

Inventory systems at even major retailers like Fry's, Best Buy and Amazon can be off. Ask how happy all the people who ordered the Zelda LE Hyrule Historia are this morning after Amazon UK cancelled their orders. Ask some of the people who preordered Virtue's Last Reward a few months ago how happy they are about the fact that they were told they were guaranteed a watch if they preordered but Amazon failed to deliver. How about all the people who do store pickup and Best Buy can't find the items in store to give them, but never bothers to call them? Ever tried to do a preorder of an in-demand game at Target? Those little preorder cards aren't tied to their inventory system and they won't even hold what you reserved for you.

Every store chain has its issues. As I said, I don't buy used games or older new games from Gamestop because I am picky about condition and I want new games to be factory sealed. I know Gamestop doesn't agree with that position, so as a result I take my business for those items elsewhere. Real problems would be a store defrauding you or overcharging you or giving you defective merchandise and then refusing to replace it or refund your money. All your two stories involve are a little inconvenience and employees who didn't know policies. I hardly think that qualifies Gamestop as the terrible monolith you seem so eager to paint it as.

[TonyTheTiger]

I find it funny that there's apparently no middle ground. Either you've seen the light about the evils of GameStop or you're an apologist. I've read a lot of "GameStop sucks" ancedotes that run the gamut from "legit complaint" to "OCD nitpicking" but I've never read a single one that is categorically more offensive than a hypothetical bad experience at any other retail chain such as Radio Shack, Blockbuster, PC Richard, Home Depot, etc. If anything, some of those stores are worse.

I get that being a gaming site it makes sense that GameStop will take the brunt of it, but the sheer volume of complaints targeted at GameStop specifically without a "eh, that's retail for ya" qualifier makes it appear that the complainer has never set foot into any national chain besides GameStop once in their lives. Just an example, one popular complaint about GameStop clerks is that they ask about preorders and magazine subscriptions, which is apparently a berserk button for some people. I wonder how these same people would react to Radio Shack asking for their zip code or Micro Center sniffing for their email address. Or, hell, a PC Richard & Son where the floor salesmen make it blatantly obvious that they work on commission.

[Bojay1997]

I find it funny that there's apparently no middle ground. Either you've seen the light about the evils of GameStop or you're an apologist. I've read a lot of "GameStop sucks" ancedotes that run the gamut from "legit complaint" to "OCD nitpicking" but I've never read a single one that is categorically more offensive than a hypothetical bad experience at any other retail chain such as Radio Shack, Blockbuster, PC Richard, Home Depot, etc. If anything, some of those stores are worse.

I get that being a gaming site it makes sense that GameStop will take the brunt of it, but the sheer volume of complaints targeted at GameStop specifically without a "eh, that's retail for ya" qualifier makes it appear that the complainer has never set foot into any national chain besides GameStop once in their lives. Just an example, one popular complaint about GameStop clerks is that they ask about preorders and magazine subscriptions, which is apparently a berserk button for some people. I wonder how these same people would react to Radio Shack asking for their zip code or Micro Center sniffing for their email address. Or, hell, a PC Richard & Son where the floor salesmen make it blatantly obvious that they work on commission.

Agreed. Toys R Us consistently asks me if I want a protection plan on games and always asks if I want to apply for a credit card every single time I buy something there. Best Buy asks me about getting their credit card every other time I buy something. Fry's asks me about applying for a credit card with them on every visit. Yes, I don't particularly like Gamestop asking me about preordering stuff every time I go in there to pick something I have already preordered up, but it's no more or less irritating than the sales pitches I get for credit cards, protection plans and even cable or satellite service when I check out at other major retail chains.

The reality is that sales tactics like that work with a certain percentage of the population and so every major retailer uses them. They don't work with me, but I have learned to just ignore them in exchange for cheaper prices or the peace of mind of knowing collector's edition stuff will be in good shape when I pick it up at Gamestop. I got burned too many times by New Egg, Amazon and other retailers and so I learned my lesson. That doesn't mean I won't use those other retailers for other non-fragile items if the pricing or other benefits are good.

[Koa Zo]

I'm sorry, if those are the worst experiences you have ever had with Gamestop, I can only imagine how fragile you are and how hard it must be for you to deal with the everyday trials and tribulations in life.

There you go again, putting the blame on the customer. "Fragile and hard to deal with trials and tribulations of life"
Except that's not at all accurate nor do you have any basis for such a a claim. You are trying to diminish their poor service by degrading me.

I have detailed the 2 visits I've made to Gamestop in recent years and both were failures of customer service and a waste of my time.
Again I point out, I have never had these consistent customer service issues at any other retailer.


Real problems would be a store defrauding you or overcharging you or giving you defective merchandise and then refusing to replace it or refund your money.
All of which has happened.
Thanks for qualifying my issues with Gamestop. I wasn't aware that I was having imaginary or make believe problems with their service. I'll be sure to check with you next time to see if I am having a real problem.



one popular complaint about GameStop clerks is that they ask about preorders and magazine subscriptions, which is apparently a berserk button for some people. I wonder how these same people would react to Radio Shack asking for their zip code or Micro Center sniffing for their email address.
Like to exaggerate much?
Where in this thread has anyone exhibited berzerk reactions to preorder requests and magazine subs?
Where in this thread is the OCD nit-picking which you level as blame on the customer?

[Az]

makes it appear that the complainer has never set foot into any national chain besides GameStop once in their lives.

Am I the only person that remembers Buy-Rite?

[Bojay1997]

There you go again, putting the blame on the customer. "Fragile and hard to deal with trials and tribulations of life"
Except that's not at all accurate nor do you have any basis for such a a claim. You are trying to diminish their poor service by degrading me.

I have detailed the 2 visits I've made to Gamestop in recent years and both were failures of customer service and a waste of my time.
Again I point out, I have never had these consistent customer service issues at any other retailer.


All of which has happened.
Thanks for qualifying my issues with Gamestop. I wasn't aware that I was having imaginary or make believe problems with their service. I'll be sure to check with you next time to see if I am having a real problem.



Like to exaggerate much?
Where in this thread has anyone exhibited berzerk reactions to preorder requests and magazine subs?
Where in this thread is the OCD nit-picking which you level as blame on the customer?

I'm not putting the blame on anyone. I am simply pointing out that your experiences hardly rise to the level of outrageous conduct on the part of Gamestop or its employees. If anything, they are isolated examples of bad customer service and poor training. I have had many similar situations that I have dealt with not only at Gamestop, but at every retailer I have ever shopped at. It's the nature of retail where employees are paid minimum wage and often have a minimum of training. Sometimes you get a great employee and sometimes you don't. There is no sense in getting overly upset about it as it is completely out of your control. I'm also not advocating that you return to Gamestop or any other retailer. Your choices are your own, but to accuse everyone who hasn't had the same experiences as you have with Gamestop or who understands that retail is not perfect of being an "apologist" is inappropriate and insulting.

[Nz17]

Luckily there are a decent amount of local game shops here in the Seattle area, and they deal with old and brand new stuff.

One of the best GameStops I ever dealt with was located in King County (Bellevue, WA specifically). The manager there was super-cool, and had a box out for anyone to take old, unclaimed pre-order bonuses. I acquired a lot of bric a brac that way including soundtrack CDs. :D

[TonyTheTiger]

Like to exaggerate much?
Where in this thread has anyone exhibited berzerk reactions to preorder requests and magazine subs?
Where in this thread is the OCD nit-picking which you level as blame on the customer?

Where in that paragraph did I say it happened in this thread?

I also love the "you level" part. As if hypothetical OCD nitpicking is normal behavior that I'm personally unfairly leveling as "blame on the customer." I suppose if someone was asked to leave the store because they walked in covered in feces I'd "level as blame on the customer" that experience, too? What's especially amazing is that there's no "blaming" going on at all. All I said amounts to "hey, it's a retail chain."

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

I find it funny that there's apparently no middle ground. Either you've seen the light about the evils of GameStop or you're an apologist. I've read a lot of "GameStop sucks" ancedotes that run the gamut from "legit complaint" to "OCD nitpicking" but I've never read a single one that is categorically more offensive than a hypothetical bad experience at any other retail chain such as Radio Shack, Blockbuster, PC Richard, Home Depot, etc. If anything, some of those stores are worse.

I get that being a gaming site it makes sense that GameStop will take the brunt of it, but the sheer volume of complaints targeted at GameStop specifically without a "eh, that's retail for ya" qualifier makes it appear that the complainer has never set foot into any national chain besides GameStop once in their lives. Just an example, one popular complaint about GameStop clerks is that they ask about preorders and magazine subscriptions, which is apparently a berserk button for some people. I wonder how these same people would react to Radio Shack asking for their zip code or Micro Center sniffing for their email address. Or, hell, a PC Richard & Son where the floor salesmen make it blatantly obvious that they work on commission.

Word.

Seriously, it's 2013 and we should all know what to expect from GameStop.

They've pretty much been on cruise control in terms of the policies and practices that they've employed for the past decade:

- low trade in values
- gutting new products to line new release walls
- power up rewards/Game Informer subscription upsales
- warranty upsales
- pre-order upsales
- pre-order bonus content delivery issues
- varying quality of employee training (be it company-wide training techniques or on an individual/isolated store-to-store basis)

And as much as none of the above are "breaking news", we still get new threads every time somebody gets sold a gutted game or doesn't get their Scribblenauts Hat that was a promised pre-order bonus.

We've all been having the same conversations about the above issues for the past 15 years or so and I suspect we'll continue to do so each and every time a member of our community hits their personal "breaking point", even if we've run out of dead horses.

Personally, what I'd like to see is a contest thread where people post NEW customer service issues about GameStop that don't fall into any previously discussed/known categories.

[wingzrow]

I shop at gamestop maybe two times a freaking year and it's always just for some pre-order bonus I can't live without, but from now on I don't care what they are offering I'm never shopping there again.

I pre-ordered anarchy reigns for ps3 at gamestop to get the Bayonetta code and this morning I walk into the store to get my game and they tell me my pre-order copy has been gutted and it on the sales floor. WHAT THE HELL?

I'm pretty pissed so the manager calls the other store across town to see if they have any sealed copies, they do so I head over and pick it up. It kinda pissed me off but oh well, I got my game and went home... That's when I realize the MANAGER rung up the the 360 version and gave me 360 DLC codes, but handed me the PS3 copy. I'm not even going back to the store. I don't care about this DLC character anymore at this point and they can seriously just go off an die. I managed a Game Crazy for five years and for two different managers at stores to make mistakes such as these is absurd. I don't care if they give out life size solid snake statues with the next MGS. I am not supporting that place.

Doesn't help that the online community is almost dead like 3 weeks into the game. I'm so glad I imported and was able to play with the japanese for a solid 2 months. Also, the japanese and europeans got bayonetta free, so this is another example of people getting shafted by dlc bs in america.

[JSoup]

We've all been having the same conversations about the above issues for the past 15 years or so and I suspect we'll continue to do so each and every time a member of our community hits their personal "breaking point", even if we've run out of dead horses.

We could just do what NintendoAge did and force all these bitchy topics together. One topic to rule them all.

[Hep038]

Every time I see a Gamestop apologist it baffles me.

I am sure a lot if logical reactions to trivial problems baffle you.

[rlemmon]

I dont really go there anymore since i found a great mom and pop game shop and get 10 percent off at my job. My problem with them is that they sell opened games that there employees have played and most likely scaratched up as new. The one in town is good about giving you a actual new shrink wrapped new one but the other one 30 miles from here gets all pissy about it and argues that the gutted ones are new even when you point out the freddy kruger claw marks on them.

[IHatedSega]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1C2xRYUDbvI

[Leo_A]

Thankfully I've only preordered a single game and the bonus was handed out immediately (The Ocarina of Time disc for Wind Waker).

I made the mistake to not look a few years ago when I bought a few things. Asked if they had a new copy of Tron 2.0 for the Xbox and their computer showed that they did. Apparently I wasn't paying much attention while they were getting the disc out for my used purchases since when I got home and took out the used games I had bought along with Tron, I discovered that instead of the sealed copy from behind the counter that I had expected that it was just the disc in a generic case. They had lost the case or were too lazy to go grab it off the shelf and when I went back and complained, they insisted the game was new and refused to do anything about it even though the artwork wasn't even there. Even though I had been willing to take a gutted copy in the past since I understand the reason behind it, I always specify that I want a shrinkwrapped copy these days. I was willing to be flexible but not after that rip-off.

Also have other stories that still bug me to think about. The worst other than the Tron incident probably was when I bought a used copy of Quake IV for the 360 just to get Quake II (The reason why I was buying it). They only put the one disc in so I asked about it since it was the entire reason why I was making the purchase and the clerk next to her claimed it was on the disc. That didn't sound right so I got home and logged online and discovered it wasn't. I came back the next day and the girl wasn't going to give me it until I reminded her that I had specifically explained why I was buying it in the first place, that it was a standard part of the package, and that her coworker had lied about it or was speaking about something he actually was taking a guess on.

I also recall being refused to return some GBA cartridges that didn't save that upon investigation were bootlegs (I quickly learned to identify if a cartridge was legitimate or not). They were traded in at another time so I was at least able to partially recoup my loss. And I was about two dollars short once and counted out several quarter's and dime's to make up the difference. The clerk quickly grew tired of counting them about halfway through, looked visibly frusturated that he had to count perhaps a dozen coins, and decided that was good enough. The only thing was that I had change due...

I've had good luck more often than not. The local one has a good manager in recent years so I haven't had any issues for quite sometime during the handful of visits I'll make during the course of a year.


But I do remember that the last few trips involved bringing marked down "new" games up to the counter, asking if they still had any sealed copies, finding out they don't for most or all, and then abandoning the cases at the counter.

I just go straight to the counter when I arrive and inquire if they have a new sealed copy for whatever it is that I came in for. I'm in and out in the matter of a couple of minutes either way with the minimum of fuss.

Did this just the other day for a Classic Controller Pro (I never got around to buying one and wanted one since I noticed I wasn't seeing them at many places that stock Wii items these days since the Wii U came out). With it being a strip mall location, I doubt I was out of my car for more than two minutes. :)

That's pretty much what I use GameStop for these days. Occasionally there's something new that I want that I don't want to wait to be shipped here so I'll check their online inventory system for it and as long as it's shown as in stock I'll stop by and go right to the counter and ask for it (I don't bother if it says "low stock" since it often equates to 1 copy that has been gutted for display).

[8-bitNesMan]

I have been on an Xbox 360 controller buying spree here lately and a few days ago I noticed a white wired one behind the counter at my local GameStop. The price was in the low 20 dollar range so I asked the clerk if I could see it. He handed it to me and I knew immediately that it was one of those cheap Asian knockoffs. I asked the clerk if it was just to see what he would say and he told me that it was not a knockoff and the reason the price was so low was because Microsoft was not supporting the wired controllers anymore. I then asked him if that was the case then why was there no "X" on the guide button and no Microsoft label on the back of it. He then quietly conceded that it was a knockoff. GameStop does have some shady business practices and they definitely do things I don't like at times but there are plenty of times I've had positive experiences and done good business there. If they ever pull shady crap I don't agree with I just calmly walk away and do my business elsewhere. Vote with your wallet friends...

[Melf]

I have detailed the 2 visits I've made to Gamestop in recent years and both were failures of customer service and a waste of my time.
Again I point out, I have never had these consistent customer service issues at any other retailer.



Ah, so you consider your anecdotal evidence to be representative of everyone. Gotcha!

What are your feelings about Namco/Bandai's service? Those who pre-ordered the LE of Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch DIRECTLY FROM THE PUBLISHER got their orders canceled, received shipping emails followed by cancellation emails, or just got their entire order FUBARed because Namco took more preorders than they had merchandise in stock. Should those people never buy a Namco game again because they had a bad experience?

I'm sorry you had bad service, but you're generalizing about the extent of your experiences. I've been shopping at GS for years and have had numerous bad experiences, just like at every other retailer out there, but I've also had a lot of good ones. That's MY experience, and in no way do I expect it to be exactly the same at every GS worldwide.

And the whole PowerUp card thing doesn't bother me at all. It's no worse than TRU always asking me for my phone number or Radio Shack always pushing their damn batteries on me. It's just store policy. Say "no" and move on.

[Koa Zo]

Ah, so you consider your anecdotal evidence to be representative of everyone. Gotcha!

What are your feelings about Namco/Bandai's service? Those who pre-ordered the LE of Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch DIRECTLY FROM THE PUBLISHER got their orders canceled, received shipping emails followed by cancellation emails, or just got their entire order FUBARed because Namco took more preorders than they had merchandise in stock. Should those people never buy a Namco game again because they had a bad experience?

I'm sorry you had bad service, but you're generalizing about the extent of your experiences. I've been shopping at GS for years and have had numerous bad experiences, just like at every other retailer out there, but I've also had a lot of good ones. That's MY experience, and in no way do I expect it to be exactly the same at every GS worldwide.

And the whole PowerUp card thing doesn't bother me at all. It's no worse than TRU always asking me for my phone number or Radio Shack always pushing their damn batteries on me. It's just store policy. Say "no" and move on.

Bullshit.
No where did I indicate my experiences are representative of everyone.
Generalizing? I referenced specific instances of my experiences in Gamestop. That's not generalizing, smart guy.

But because I have regularly been put-off by my experiences at Gamestop (and I am clearly not alone considering the recurring nature of these Gamestop threads over the past 10+ years), I am then "Fragile and hard to deal with trials and tribulations of life" ...yeah, tell me about generalizing, buddy.

Do you think you are sharing some great revelation about saying "No" to phone numbers, or batteries, or PowerUp cards?
When I have had a problem at Gamestop with them persisting on about preorders it has been specifically because I had told them "No", repeatedly, and they continued trying to pressure me into preordering something. But you clearly wish to assume I do not know how to say no and move on. Is it you who is generalizing?

Your story about Namco?.. How does that compare to the litany of instances I referenced regarding Gamestop? It doesn't. Don't be stupid. One instance does not compare to the many instances gamers repeatedly reference regarding Gamestop over the past decade.

[Bojay1997]

Bullshit.
No where did I indicate my experiences are representative of everyone.
Generalizing? I referenced specific instances of my experiences in Gamestop. That's not generalizing, smart guy.

But because I have regularly been put-off by my experiences at Gamestop (and I am clearly not alone considering the recurring nature of these Gamestop threads over the past 10+ years), I am then "Fragile and hard to deal with trials and tribulations of life" ...yeah, tell me about generalizing, buddy.

Do you think you are sharing some great revelation about saying "No" to phone numbers, or batteries, or PowerUp cards?
When I have had a problem at Gamestop with them persisting on about preorders it has been specifically because I had told them "No", repeatedly, and they continued trying to pressure me into preordering something. But you clearly wish to assume I do not know how to say no and move on. Is it you who is generalizing?

Your story about Namco?.. How does that compare to the litany of instances I referenced regarding Gamestop? It doesn't. Don't be stupid. One instance does not compare to the many instances gamers repeatedly reference regarding Gamestop over the past decade.

Are you kidding me? You have posted several times in this very thread attacking people who shared positive stories about their Gamestop experiences as somehow being "apologists". If that isn't closed minded and generalizing, I don't know what is. How about acknowledging that people may actually have good local stores and good experiences?

In looking back at your posts in this thread, it also appears that you have been completely dishonest. You posted earlier that you hadn't set foot in GS since 2007 then a few pages later it was two years ago and then it was clearly recently as the game you were talking about has only been out for less than a year. So, which is it? Have you not set foot in a Gamestop since 2007 or was it two years ago or are you just a troll looking to stir stuff up by posting false stories of consistently bad customer service and fraud?

[wiggyx]

With all the stories I hear about that place, it's amazes me that any "gamer" shops there. I know I sure as hell don't.