Ever feel bad for folks shopping for gamers during holidays?

[maxlords]

I was shopping for a gift for my wife today at the local dept store, and I was in the electronics section. I overhear this couple next to me looking at these two 3rd party XBox controllers labeled "XBox Starter Kit" by Interact. I feel obligated to mention to them that 3rd party controllers aren't as good as the official ones, even if they are cheaper. They say, well, we're looking for an Xbox Live Starter Kit, is this it? I just cringed, looking at those 3rd party controllers and thinking of the kid who asked for that Live starter kit and was about to get those bought for him instead. So I explained to them what XBox Live was. I swear that Interact did that on purpose (the name of the controller pack) so that uneducated parents would buy em.

Flash forward to Wal-mart....again in the electronics section. Lady next to me is talking on the cell phone. "He wants Final Fantasy X? No? Final Fantasy X-2? Ok, all I see is Final Fantasy X" She keeps talking to whoever it is about the games and obviously has no clue. "Well, Final Fantasy X is only 29.99, he'll like that one right? They don't have the other one." and so on. I didn't help her out.....she didn't say anything to me, but I felt like I SHOULD help her out!

Does anyone else feel bad for people at Xmas time that are trying to buy for gamers and have no clue what they're doing? I can't help but help these poor people out cause I know what it'd be like ot get screwed like that when I got a gift. "Oh gee thanks, 3rd party XBox controllers instead of XBox Live!". UGH! *shiver* This must be a really common occurence. How many of you help out the uneducated?

[maxlords]

I was shopping for a gift for my wife today at the local dept store, and I was in the electronics section. I overhear this couple next to me looking at these two 3rd party XBox controllers labeled "XBox Starter Kit" by Interact. I feel obligated to mention to them that 3rd party controllers aren't as good as the official ones, even if they are cheaper. They say, well, we're looking for an Xbox Live Starter Kit, is this it? I just cringed, looking at those 3rd party controllers and thinking of the kid who asked for that Live starter kit and was about to get those bought for him instead. So I explained to them what XBox Live was. I swear that Interact did that on purpose (the name of the controller pack) so that uneducated parents would buy em.

Flash forward to Wal-mart....again in the electronics section. Lady next to me is talking on the cell phone. "He wants Final Fantasy X? No? Final Fantasy X-2? Ok, all I see is Final Fantasy X" She keeps talking to whoever it is about the games and obviously has no clue. "Well, Final Fantasy X is only 29.99, he'll like that one right? They don't have the other one." and so on. I didn't help her out.....she didn't say anything to me, but I felt like I SHOULD help her out!

Does anyone else feel bad for people at Xmas time that are trying to buy for gamers and have no clue what they're doing? I can't help but help these poor people out cause I know what it'd be like ot get screwed like that when I got a gift. "Oh gee thanks, 3rd party XBox controllers instead of XBox Live!". UGH! *shiver* This must be a really common occurence. How many of you help out the uneducated?

[evilmess]

2 words, Return and Exchange

Returning or exchanging the item for what you want and maybe paying a little extra isn't so bad really unless you're a kid but then again this kids loss might be your gain when he plays it a little and trades in some game he got but didn't want for some other game.

But I hear what you're saying and if I was in your situation, I'd probably say something to that uneducated buyer before they purchase the wrong item.

[evilmess]

2 words, Return and Exchange

Returning or exchanging the item for what you want and maybe paying a little extra isn't so bad really unless you're a kid but then again this kids loss might be your gain when he plays it a little and trades in some game he got but didn't want for some other game.

But I hear what you're saying and if I was in your situation, I'd probably say something to that uneducated buyer before they purchase the wrong item.

[BrAInDeD]

Well one lady was returning a game which was super mario 64 and she was talking about how she bought it and it wasnt for the right console and shit she had NES not N64 so she got confused and yes i pitty them try to surprise your kids but not too much by handing them the wrong thing

[BrAInDeD]

Well one lady was returning a game which was super mario 64 and she was talking about how she bought it and it wasnt for the right console and shit she had NES not N64 so she got confused and yes i pitty them try to surprise your kids but not too much by handing them the wrong thing

[josekortez]

I've done it even when it wasn't a holiday. Last March, I was in a Toys R Us, and an older woman was looking for Resident Evil: Code Veronica PS2 for her grandson's birthday. The idiot in the R-Zone section didn't even read the covers. He just handed her Tekken 4 and proceeded to ring her up. I stopped him and showed the lady where RE:CV was. The guy leered at me like he could've put a knife into my neck. I'm thinking, "hey, idiot, I just helped you to do your job!" On a related note, why do they continue to put fools like this in charge of the game section? He could've been working the Barbie aisle!

I've worked in game stores before, so I have to continue to share my video-game knowledge whenever there's trouble...

With great power comes great responsibility!

[josekortez]

I've done it even when it wasn't a holiday. Last March, I was in a Toys R Us, and an older woman was looking for Resident Evil: Code Veronica PS2 for her grandson's birthday. The idiot in the R-Zone section didn't even read the covers. He just handed her Tekken 4 and proceeded to ring her up. I stopped him and showed the lady where RE:CV was. The guy leered at me like he could've put a knife into my neck. I'm thinking, "hey, idiot, I just helped you to do your job!" On a related note, why do they continue to put fools like this in charge of the game section? He could've been working the Barbie aisle!

I've worked in game stores before, so I have to continue to share my video-game knowledge whenever there's trouble...

With great power comes great responsibility!

[davidbrit2]

Speaking of Barbie, I'm sure it's no easier to shop for that sort of thing. And god have mercy on anybody shopping for a Pokemon or Yugioh freak.

[davidbrit2]

Speaking of Barbie, I'm sure it's no easier to shop for that sort of thing. And god have mercy on anybody shopping for a Pokemon or Yugioh freak.

[MarioAllStar2600]

I help older people out all the time at stores. I know what it's like to gets something that isnt right at all. It happens to me alot. I just reserve games all year long give my rents the slips and they get them for me for christmas. I never get the wrong game.

[MarioAllStar2600]

I help older people out all the time at stores. I know what it's like to gets something that isnt right at all. It happens to me alot. I just reserve games all year long give my rents the slips and they get them for me for christmas. I never get the wrong game.

[SoulBlazer]

Great catch on the controllers -- I probaly would have done the same thing. (Actually, I HAVE done the same thing. LOL ) Interact is no longer making that stuff, just so you know. :)

I would have said something about how Final Fantasy X-2 is'nt due out till Wed, though, and that it will be $50. :D Hope the kid does'nt have FFX or played it allready.....

[SoulBlazer]

Great catch on the controllers -- I probaly would have done the same thing. (Actually, I HAVE done the same thing. LOL ) Interact is no longer making that stuff, just so you know. :)

I would have said something about how Final Fantasy X-2 is'nt due out till Wed, though, and that it will be $50. :D Hope the kid does'nt have FFX or played it allready.....

[Rev. Link]

My dad bought me some 3rd party GC controllers last year. I think he said they were out of 1st party controllers, but he still should have known better.

Fortunately, the controllers both broke after only a couple days playing with them, so I was able to take them back and trade them in for 1st party controllers. And I kept the extension cords the 3rd parties came with, so it worked out good in the end.

[Rev. Link]

My dad bought me some 3rd party GC controllers last year. I think he said they were out of 1st party controllers, but he still should have known better.

Fortunately, the controllers both broke after only a couple days playing with them, so I was able to take them back and trade them in for 1st party controllers. And I kept the extension cords the 3rd parties came with, so it worked out good in the end.

[kainemaxwell]

I tried helping a lady last year when I worked at TRU (not the R-Zong section, I just happened to be in there getting sodas from the back room) when a lady asked me about GC controllers. I helped her best I could and pointed her to the offical GC controllers. Two other times she asked me again on them and other employees...and went and bought a 3rd-party controller.

[kainemaxwell]

I tried helping a lady last year when I worked at TRU (not the R-Zong section, I just happened to be in there getting sodas from the back room) when a lady asked me about GC controllers. I helped her best I could and pointed her to the offical GC controllers. Two other times she asked me again on them and other employees...and went and bought a 3rd-party controller.

[Solid Snake]

I do this frequently at EB Games and Futureshop (because the Futureshop fucks don't have a clue what games are which). Usually someone will pick up a game (or see one playing on a TV) and will look at similar looking games (ex. last month at Best Buy there was a Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando demo on display, and the TV was right near the XBOX games, and some moron thought that the game was Blinx).

However, I do this sort of thing a lot more at music stores (on one occasion, at CD Warehouse, I helped out several customers and was mistaken for an employee when one of the guys behind the counter asked me to take the discs out of the listening stations).

Back to games, a local video store has hundreds of Dreamcast, PS1, PS2 and N64 games locked away behind a glass cabinet, priced the same as when they were first released. That's because they haven't sold since their release, because the games are in a part of the store that people rarely see. And if they do, not many employees have the key to unlock the cabinet. Resting on top of the cabinet are brand new, sealed consoles. I'm talking Playstations, N64s, Dreamcasts, etc. all priced at 300 bucks each, the same price they were given upon their release. So, instead of giving the customers a helping hand, I'm gonna give the store a helping hand, by volunteering (without being paid) to clean up the cabinet, update the prices (the DC will be mine though :-D), create an eye-catching display, and ensure that they will actually make some money out of the heaps of games they have back there.

I guess it's my lot in life to help people out, although stupid people make me go crazy and wanna :2gunfire: them.

[Solid Snake]

I do this frequently at EB Games and Futureshop (because the Futureshop fucks don't have a clue what games are which). Usually someone will pick up a game (or see one playing on a TV) and will look at similar looking games (ex. last month at Best Buy there was a Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando demo on display, and the TV was right near the XBOX games, and some moron thought that the game was Blinx).

However, I do this sort of thing a lot more at music stores (on one occasion, at CD Warehouse, I helped out several customers and was mistaken for an employee when one of the guys behind the counter asked me to take the discs out of the listening stations).

Back to games, a local video store has hundreds of Dreamcast, PS1, PS2 and N64 games locked away behind a glass cabinet, priced the same as when they were first released. That's because they haven't sold since their release, because the games are in a part of the store that people rarely see. And if they do, not many employees have the key to unlock the cabinet. Resting on top of the cabinet are brand new, sealed consoles. I'm talking Playstations, N64s, Dreamcasts, etc. all priced at 300 bucks each, the same price they were given upon their release. So, instead of giving the customers a helping hand, I'm gonna give the store a helping hand, by volunteering (without being paid) to clean up the cabinet, update the prices (the DC will be mine though :-D), create an eye-catching display, and ensure that they will actually make some money out of the heaps of games they have back there.

I guess it's my lot in life to help people out, although stupid people make me go crazy and wanna :2gunfire: them.

[Ed Oscuro]

Speaking of Barbie, I'm sure it's no easier to shop for that sort of thing. And god have mercy on anybody shopping for a Pokemon or Yugioh freak.

Pokemon's still cute. Yu-gi-oh??? Everything about it sends a screaming message to some part of my brain.

especially.
the fact that there is

a

Yu-Gi-Oh

HENTAI

[Ed Oscuro]

Speaking of Barbie, I'm sure it's no easier to shop for that sort of thing. And god have mercy on anybody shopping for a Pokemon or Yugioh freak.

Pokemon's still cute. Yu-gi-oh??? Everything about it sends a screaming message to some part of my brain.

especially.
the fact that there is

a

Yu-Gi-Oh

HENTAI

[Sotenga]

there is

a

Yu-Gi-Oh

HENTAI

X_x

PM me.

...

LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL

Nah. I REALLY don't need to add any more disturbing images to my brain. Ed, go on over to Kurt's house and slap him for introducing me to Castlevania Hentai. DAMN! I am damaged for life! x_x

I do sort of know what Max is talking about, though. Let's just say that I don't have Contra: Shattered Soldier, and I put it on my Christmas list. I could imagine my mom, trying to remember the name of that one Contra game... oh, it's this one. Cut to Christmas mourn, under the tree, there's the thing that should not be... Contra: Legacy of War. :eek 2:

That would be the worst-case scenario, in which my parents confuse the name of a really good game with that of a really sucky one. If only I could be there with their shopping, so that I can pick out exactly what I want... but then again, it wouldn't be a surprise, so I can't do anything. :(

[Sotenga]

there is

a

Yu-Gi-Oh

HENTAI

X_x

PM me.

...

LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL

Nah. I REALLY don't need to add any more disturbing images to my brain. Ed, go on over to Kurt's house and slap him for introducing me to Castlevania Hentai. DAMN! I am damaged for life! x_x

I do sort of know what Max is talking about, though. Let's just say that I don't have Contra: Shattered Soldier, and I put it on my Christmas list. I could imagine my mom, trying to remember the name of that one Contra game... oh, it's this one. Cut to Christmas mourn, under the tree, there's the thing that should not be... Contra: Legacy of War. :eek 2:

That would be the worst-case scenario, in which my parents confuse the name of a really good game with that of a really sucky one. If only I could be there with their shopping, so that I can pick out exactly what I want... but then again, it wouldn't be a surprise, so I can't do anything. :(

[davidbrit2]

Pokemon's still cute. Yu-gi-oh??? Everything about it sends a screaming message to some part of my brain.

especially.
the fact that there is

a

Yu-Gi-Oh

HENTAI

Dude! You ain't seen the good Pokemon web sites! :-D

[davidbrit2]

Pokemon's still cute. Yu-gi-oh??? Everything about it sends a screaming message to some part of my brain.

especially.
the fact that there is

a

Yu-Gi-Oh

HENTAI

Dude! You ain't seen the good Pokemon web sites! :-D

[Ed Oscuro]

Just when I was thinking that I didn't really have that many games that I would never allow in my house, you go and remind me of Legacy of War. :D

Can't say it's a bad thing to remember to stay away from it, though.

Now the N64 Contra Spirits...hey, I think I need to PM somebody about that one (unreleased, but announced "in development" on IGN)

[Ed Oscuro]

Just when I was thinking that I didn't really have that many games that I would never allow in my house, you go and remind me of Legacy of War. :D

Can't say it's a bad thing to remember to stay away from it, though.

Now the N64 Contra Spirits...hey, I think I need to PM somebody about that one (unreleased, but announced "in development" on IGN)

[Half Japanese]

It's harder to work in electronics retail than it is to be a passerby though. But I did some good deeds today. I prevented the purchase of Smashing Drive for GCN! I also told the lady who had a regular GCN in her hand about the Zelda pack, which she got instead! You can't win 'em all though. I had one lady insist on getting a "starter kit" by some company called "Liquid Video." But the same folks bought MONSTER S-VIDEO CABLES?!? The main thing to remember is that no matter how terrible something is, SOMEONE gets some enjoyment out of it. It could be a Zimbabwean crab-scratching simulator and someone would play it and find enjoyment in it. To anyone who may be reading this who works at Acclaim that thought the phrase "Zimbabwean crab-scratching simulator" sounded like an interesting concept: NO.

[Half Japanese]

It's harder to work in electronics retail than it is to be a passerby though. But I did some good deeds today. I prevented the purchase of Smashing Drive for GCN! I also told the lady who had a regular GCN in her hand about the Zelda pack, which she got instead! You can't win 'em all though. I had one lady insist on getting a "starter kit" by some company called "Liquid Video." But the same folks bought MONSTER S-VIDEO CABLES?!? The main thing to remember is that no matter how terrible something is, SOMEONE gets some enjoyment out of it. It could be a Zimbabwean crab-scratching simulator and someone would play it and find enjoyment in it. To anyone who may be reading this who works at Acclaim that thought the phrase "Zimbabwean crab-scratching simulator" sounded like an interesting concept: NO.

[Ed Oscuro]

To anyone who may be reading this who works at Acclaim that thought the phrase "Zimbabwean crab-scratching simulator" sounded like an interesting concept: NO.

(**Scratches something in a notebook, something with CLAWS**)

[Ed Oscuro]

To anyone who may be reading this who works at Acclaim that thought the phrase "Zimbabwean crab-scratching simulator" sounded like an interesting concept: NO.

(**Scratches something in a notebook, something with CLAWS**)

[hydr0x]

well, it's actually my job to prevent people from bying the stuff they don't want (helping our service department a lot) (<<working @ Media Markt), and it's sometimes a pain in the ass LOL

yesterday i had customers (a about couple, about 30 years old, kinda rich, never played before) who wanted to buy a console for themselves but didn't know a shit about them, the guy had a friend who told him to buy an X-Box, we offer X-Box incl. Halo and Midtown Madness 3 for 195.00 (all prices euro) which is a good offer here in germany, but we have gamecubes without games for 85.00 (you can't get them cheaper here), i showed them what new games there are for each, which hits each console has and so on, the lady wanted a gamecube, he wanted an xbox because:

my friend says there is a tekken for xbox and i want that one. of course i told him there is no tekken for xbox, only DoA, MK and SC2, i told him sony wouldn't produce an xbox game and so on, he wasn't able to believe me at all x_x so they bought an xbox. i'm really looking forward to see them come back and ask for tekken again :evil:

[hydr0x]

well, it's actually my job to prevent people from bying the stuff they don't want (helping our service department a lot) (<<working @ Media Markt), and it's sometimes a pain in the ass LOL

yesterday i had customers (a about couple, about 30 years old, kinda rich, never played before) who wanted to buy a console for themselves but didn't know a shit about them, the guy had a friend who told him to buy an X-Box, we offer X-Box incl. Halo and Midtown Madness 3 for 195.00 (all prices euro) which is a good offer here in germany, but we have gamecubes without games for 85.00 (you can't get them cheaper here), i showed them what new games there are for each, which hits each console has and so on, the lady wanted a gamecube, he wanted an xbox because:

my friend says there is a tekken for xbox and i want that one. of course i told him there is no tekken for xbox, only DoA, MK and SC2, i told him sony wouldn't produce an xbox game and so on, he wasn't able to believe me at all x_x so they bought an xbox. i'm really looking forward to see them come back and ask for tekken again :evil:

[scooterb23]

Yesterday, I apparently saved a child from getting ATV Mania (PSX) and Freestyle MetalX (PS2) for his Gamecube for Christmas...instead he is getting $50 in gift cards from Best Buy :D

That's my mantra...if in doubt...get a gift card. :)

[scooterb23]

Yesterday, I apparently saved a child from getting ATV Mania (PSX) and Freestyle MetalX (PS2) for his Gamecube for Christmas...instead he is getting $50 in gift cards from Best Buy :D

That's my mantra...if in doubt...get a gift card. :)

[nesuser2]

gift cards suck......then you have to go after christmas shopping and in no way compares to unwrapping a game that rocks on xmas day! you have all day to play it! and......more related, people don't buy for me anymore because they say i have everything i need......how wrong they are :(

[nesuser2]

gift cards suck......then you have to go after christmas shopping and in no way compares to unwrapping a game that rocks on xmas day! you have all day to play it! and......more related, people don't buy for me anymore because they say i have everything i need......how wrong they are :(

[Oobgarm]

Do I feel bad for parents? No.

If a parent is out shopping for their offspring/what-have-you, they should have a list of what is desired. Most kids are direct and to the point as to what they want. I always see lists that have every last detail written on them. If the parent is not sure that the item they have in their hand is what they need, they should ask when they get to the counter, or flag someone down.

If they buy a "surprise" for their kids and the kids don't like it, that's why most places extend their return policy around the holidays.

[Oobgarm]

Do I feel bad for parents? No.

If a parent is out shopping for their offspring/what-have-you, they should have a list of what is desired. Most kids are direct and to the point as to what they want. I always see lists that have every last detail written on them. If the parent is not sure that the item they have in their hand is what they need, they should ask when they get to the counter, or flag someone down.

If they buy a "surprise" for their kids and the kids don't like it, that's why most places extend their return policy around the holidays.

[maxlords]

Do I feel bad for parents? No.

If a parent is out shopping for their offspring/what-have-you, they should have a list of what is desired. Most kids are direct and to the point as to what they want. I always see lists that have every last detail written on them. If the parent is not sure that the item they have in their hand is what they need, they should ask when they get to the counter, or flag someone down.

If they buy a "surprise" for their kids and the kids don't like it, that's why most places extend their return policy around the holidays.

The problem is that even when they HAVE a list, there are problems such as that XBox starter kit. People without knowledge won't know the diffeerence between Gladiator from Acclaim and Gladius from Lucasarts, I guarantee it. Or Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy X-2. They just don't see the differences cause they don't know. So I feel bad for em.

As for gift cards, I'd rather get a gift card than get a shitty gift! Who cares about unwrapping? It's the gift itself that counts!

[maxlords]

Do I feel bad for parents? No.

If a parent is out shopping for their offspring/what-have-you, they should have a list of what is desired. Most kids are direct and to the point as to what they want. I always see lists that have every last detail written on them. If the parent is not sure that the item they have in their hand is what they need, they should ask when they get to the counter, or flag someone down.

If they buy a "surprise" for their kids and the kids don't like it, that's why most places extend their return policy around the holidays.

The problem is that even when they HAVE a list, there are problems such as that XBox starter kit. People without knowledge won't know the diffeerence between Gladiator from Acclaim and Gladius from Lucasarts, I guarantee it. Or Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy X-2. They just don't see the differences cause they don't know. So I feel bad for em.

As for gift cards, I'd rather get a gift card than get a shitty gift! Who cares about unwrapping? It's the gift itself that counts!

[hydr0x]

The problem is that even when they HAVE a list, there are problems such as that XBox starter kit. People without knowledge won't know the diffeerence between Gladiator from Acclaim and Gladius from Lucasarts, I guarantee it. Or Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy X-2. They just don't see the differences cause they don't know. So I feel bad for em.



Gladiator and Gladius? IF there is a detailed list then the list says Gladiator or it says Gladius, every person with an IQ over 75 should be able to see the difference, if parents don't care enough about their kids to check if they really really have what's on the list, there is no way to help them, they are just fuckin assholes then

[hydr0x]

The problem is that even when they HAVE a list, there are problems such as that XBox starter kit. People without knowledge won't know the diffeerence between Gladiator from Acclaim and Gladius from Lucasarts, I guarantee it. Or Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy X-2. They just don't see the differences cause they don't know. So I feel bad for em.



Gladiator and Gladius? IF there is a detailed list then the list says Gladiator or it says Gladius, every person with an IQ over 75 should be able to see the difference, if parents don't care enough about their kids to check if they really really have what's on the list, there is no way to help them, they are just fuckin assholes then

[hamburgler]

I feel bad for the people who buy Super crappy games like Aquaman for their kids.

[aremid23]

I do feel bad for illinformed parents, grandparents, siblings, gift buyers in general. I once worked at Best Buy in the media section and I always prided myself on helping as many people as I could with their game and/or console purchases, as well as music, movies, and software. Even if I had a personal favorite, I could be objective to what they were looking for and be fair to all tastes.

It was actually pretty enjoyable knowing that I not only helped a parent to better understand what it was they were buying, but made sure the kid didn't get jipped for Christmas.

I've done the same thing while shopping in a Funcoland - something I will NEVER do again. There was a lady and her son there looking at the used games near me. I remember the saleman was pushing the Dreamcast on her hard, saying it was the best selling system ever. Yet, this was only 1-2 years ago. Right in the middle of a new batch of consoles, and Dreamcast had been long gone. The guy also tried to tell her that House of the Dead 2 would be good for her son - who looked 7 at the most! When he walked away, I had to say something. Then proceeded to help her pick out a more suitable game for him.

[lostsage]

sucks when that little conscience buzzes around like a fly and smacks you right in the middle of the face...

but i know what you mean. i got five black fridays under my belt (this is the first time since i started working full time that i don't have a retail job during x-max). i too prided myself about being unbiased in my video game knowledge....

but if the guest was a complete prick, i would give service with a smile, and proceed to service the account... by suggesting the worst of the worst, and often suceeding. DDR Max?..., no but we got Britney's Dance Beat....

[orangemage]

man i stopped asking for games a long time ago, no one i know seems to know how to shop for anything other then crap. WOW thanks for the SEGA bass fishing ma! yikes, so now i ask for cash , to bad no one will just ge me money so i get crappy gift cards for places that don't even sell game :angry:

WTF

[hydr0x]

i can't imagine how anyone could buy Sega Bass per accident, sorry, but either your list must have been really really bad or you didn't make clear you only want things on the list...