Preorder Bonus Problem @ Gamestop: Need Advice

[slip81]

Wehn I went into my local Gamestop today to pick up my preordered copy of Suikoden IV I was saddened to learn that they did not have the art book to go with it. When I asked the clerk what I should do he said to call customer service and that they could mail me one.

So I go home, call customer service and they tell me that I need to deal with the store because they sent them out to the stores and they should have them, and that they cannot just mail me one. They said the only thing I could do was register a complaint about the store and say that I didn't get the item like I was suppsed to. I didn't want to make a fuss for the Manager's at Gamestop so I declined.

So I'm wondering if anyone whose had a similar experience, or someone who works at a GS could give me any advice. Should I register a complaint? Is it possible that the art books missed the shipment and will be there in a day or two, or should I just kiss the thing goodbye?

[howdoin]

Happens all the time (both at EB and GS).. and that's only when they deliver the game because I also sometimes has to wait a couple weeks after release to get a pre-ordered copy available at the store.

I did send a complaint online (to EB) and they quickly replied to me basically saying "too bad".

Nowadays I do not pre-order anything from either one and have always found what I was looking for at CompUSA, TRU on release (minus the "bonus" which are usually not that great anyway).

[joshnickerson]

You should have repeated the now famous Seinfeld shpeal about taking reservations.

[joshnickerson]

Double post. Sorry.

[Oobgarm]

I would guess that the art books will arrive a day or two afterward. I know our store hadn't gotten them in yet either.

[Mayhem]

A whole load of Gamestops didn't seem to be handing out RE soundtracks either when people were buying the limited edition tin yesterday either. QoF didn't get any at either place for hers and my copy, and a number of other people I know in the US off these boards didn't get one either. They were told they'd get it when they picked up the game (even though the Gamestop website says they should have gotten it when pre-ordering, instead people got the demo disc) and in general it didn't materialise in a lot of places.

I know people that did get it... but more that did not.

[Iron Draggon]

It seems the only way to get everything that you're supposed to get with a preorder from Gamestop or EB is to place your preorder directly from their website. Otherwise, it's anyone's guess as to whether or not you'll ever get all your goodies, and most likely you probably won't. Personally, I think there needs to be a class action lawsuit against both chains for false advertising, maybe then they'll learn how to get their acts together on this kinda stuff. I'd also write to the publisher of the game and complain about not getting my preorder goodies. I dunno if it would do any good or not, but if enough people started doing that then hopefully it would get the publishers to start cracking down on Gamestop & EB for this kinda crap. Because the saddest part of all of it is the fact that Gamestop & EB are the ones who put the pressure on the publishers for their exclusive preorder goodies. The whole idea behind it is to get people into their stores to buy the games from them instead of someone else. So if they are reaping the rewards of their preorder programs without delivering the goods to their customers, then they need to be taken to court over it or something. I'd file a complaint with the BBB too. Screw Gamestop & EB, I won't even buy anything from them anymore, unless I do order it online. I went through the same thing over my RCT3 preorder, and I will never make that mistake with either chain again, unless I do order it directly from their website, and then I still dunno if you actually get everything that you're supposed to that way, because I haven't tried it yet. But at least if you don't, then you're dealing with the distribution center and their website. BTW, I'd save a copy of the page that claims you'll get whatever it is you're supposed to get for evidence too, because as soon as the game ships, all those pages come down and then you have no proof of their false advertising. I think it's all become a big scam with them, myself.

[calthaer]

I would have made the stink, documented everything, and then posted it all online.

[Ed Oscuro]

Just as an aside, I could see any kid working at one of these stores doing everything in their power to take home all the preorder goodies they could =P

That sucks, though. Here's why I don't preorder. Whee.

[Brisco]

Sometimes that happens with preorder stuff. So what. The artbooks will be in stores in the next day or two, so show up with your receipt, and preorder receipt if you still have it and the Manager will give you one. I had a few people get their games today, and told them to stop back on Friday and I'd have there artbook set aside for them. Sometimes these things come in early, like the Punisher T-shirts, sometimes the arrive after the game, such as in this occasion.



Just as an aside, I could see any kid working at one of these stores doing everything in their power to take home all the preorder goodies they could


Realize that most stores do not hire collector's for such reasons as this, and want people who can sell there products, not dumpster dive and take freebies. Employee's can only take stuff home if they preorder it, at least in my district, and these companies are not out to "get you", stop acting paranoid. @_@

[Ed Oscuro]

Realize that most stores do not hire collector's for such reasons as this, and want people who can sell there products, not dumpster dive and take freebies. Employee's can only take stuff home if they preorder it, at least in my district, and these companies are not out to "get you", stop acting paranoid. @_@
I'm not paranoid, because what goes on with the preorders doesn't affect me one way or another ;D Of course stores wouldn't hire known collectors for that reason. All the same...where are the discs going? Well, on the one hand there's incompetence on the part of the register people if they're just giving them out to whomever asks for them, that or they're being taken home. Simple.

[-hellvin-]

This is why I never preorder. Too much of a chance I'll miss out on the bonus cause the store doesn't give a shit then I've put 5 bucks down already and gotta buy it there when I could get it at my own store with discount.

[Brisco]

What discs? I thought we were talking about artbooks? Those have not arrived yet. And are usually allocated to however many reserves stores take on them so they will be there for the preorders. If they dont have it when you come to get yours, then complain. But if they aren't even there yet, hold the anger for another time.

[Promophile]

ya know if they don't get the preorder item you can just cancel...

[Brisco]

So true...

[AB Positive]

*raises hand*

I worked at gamestop and the preorder freebies being taken by employees is all too plausible if the manager himself is a collector. And there's no way for whoevers hiring to truly know whether an employee is a collector or not. My first thought was actually "Collector manager".


It happens.

-AG

[slip81]

Well tomorrow after I get paid I'm planning on going back to pick up a strategy guide and ask about the artbook. I don't still have my preorder slip because the clerk took it and didn't give it back, but I do still have the game reciept that has the preorder amount on it, so if they are in I shouldn't have any trouble getting them.

Plus I think I'm the only person who preordered that game there anyway (they got in a total of 5 Suikodens, and they only had 4 lefet after I got mine), so hopefully I'll get it. Also it's the same guy working there duing the day during the week and he's already seen me twice asking about the art book, so he'll probably remember and give it to me without a problem if they have it.

This is going to be a lesson learned though. I am no longer preordering from a store, unless the goodies come selaed in the actual game like Halo 2 LE or RE4 CE.

[Eternal Tune]

I used to have a ton of issues with EB and their pre-order items, before I worked at Gamestop. Bottom line, be persistent. Ask the store to give you an ETA of the date they will expect it in. Keep calling, but don't be rude. Ask them to send an email to Corporate or the DM in the area. In most cases they aren't out to get you.

In Brisco's store, he puts aside a pre-order item/bonus disc/t-shirt/whatever for each reserve. If there are extras, then he lets the employees who didn't reserve them take one home. Like Getaway 2 bonus discs....no one wants those....

Eepo!

[Sylentwulf]

Ya know, it DOES say all over the place "while supplies last, check your local store to see if they have it in stock" etc... etc....

[Brisco]

Actually it is pretty easy to figure out if a potential employee is a collector, a gamer, or someone with some knowledge if you know which questions to ask in an interview. I'm not anti collector obviously, just the companies as a whole. If I was would I have 2 of our very own working at my store?

[joshnickerson]

The Software Etc. where i lived in Virginia always had pre-order goodies spread on the counter, with a note that said "FREE TAKE ONE"

Good times.... LOL

But I haven't had a problem with Gamestop regarding pre-order goods. I've always gotten mine.

[spider-man]

The gamestop where I work always get a VERY limited amount of preorder bonuses :/ . We could have 100 preorders, but only receive 20 preorder bonuses. My advice is to check on the status of the bonus's every week to make sure you get your item. For the issue of workers taking home items, we have to preorder the specified game before we can take anything home, unless were going to throw it away (if its months after the game's release and we have some left over).

[SoulBlazer]

I had no problems getting my artbook with my pre-ordered copy of Suikoden 4 today. Maybe cause the store did'nt get in their shipment of the game and the artbook until today?

[drewbrim]

This is one of the many reasons I try to stay away from these communist chains. Other reasons being poor condition (for older stuff) and their prices being much much higher than the local places I frequent. But then again I am pretty lucky to have at least 10-15 shops within a 20 min drive of me which enables me to avoid such places.

But really to answer your question I would just return it and go buy the game somewhere else since you didn't get the bonus item anyway. No reason they should get your book and your money.

[FantasiaWHT]

Wow there's so many jaded people here, it's really funny to hear them all bluster.

A few comments.

1) All these things say "While supplies last" there is no guarantee that any store will get enough bonuses to cover their presells. Often presell bonus items are sent out early, meaning that preorders maybe a week before the release won't be counted. So maybe there's 8 preorders by Tuesday... so on Wednesday they ship 8 bonuses out. Between Tuesday and next Tuesday there's 8 more preorders that won't get bonuses. Our bonus items go to those who pick up their games first, NOT those who preorder first. This is to prevent people from preordering early and not picking something up.

2) Usually these things are horribly organized... the presells we have currently are buried in a really confusing document that is difficult to find, updated very infrequently, and not very sensical. Half the time we don't know if the item is something we're supposed to give with preorder or with pickup.

3) I don't think collector employees are so much of a problem, not at these big chain stores. Policies are EXTREMELY strict in this regard and most DM's I know are extremely rigorous in patrolling for that kind of action. MAYBE if a manager is a collector then he can let things slide... but honestly EB and Gamestop aren't hiring gamers as managers... they're hiring salesmen and HR people.

4) Generally these items aren't inventoried, so they are difficult to track.

5) The final word is, if it's "while supplies last" and supplies didn't last... tough shit folks. Don't blame it on us that you didn't get there soon enough. But I also think it's happening way less than you anti-chain store folks would like to believe. Sure "everybody" has a story... right... missing a preorder bonus wouldn't be enough to set you off if you weren't already looking for a reason to hate us. Get over yourselves.

[FantasiaWHT]

And to give some advice to the original poster, like so many of you seem loathe to do...

1) Feel free to lodge that complaint, it's totally fair. The corporate offices are probably the biggest reason for these mess ups, and they need to know it happens.

2) It may just have not arrived, call back

3) They may have run out. That happens. See if another store in the area has extras.

4) If after everything you still don't get one, shrug it off. Honestly, have you really lost anything? No. You didn't pay anything extra for it. We're sorry you didn't get it, but it's not unreasonable that circumstances might cause some preorders not getting it.

[Promophile]

Like I said before, and no one seems to have listened, just cancel the damn preorder if you don't get your bonus. I haven't been to a EBgames or Gamestop yet who has refused to refund a preorder.

[retroman]

i dont reserve anything either....i always found that i can get the same day from another store...

[slip81]

Well problem solved. I went back to GS today to pick up the Suiko guide (cause they weren't in on Wed) and they had the art books and I got one without a hassle. The clerk even gave me 20% off the guide.

The book is sweet, I'm enjoying it :)

[Brisco]

See, we're not all bad. :D