51 Game Crazy Stores to be Closed [Archive]

GobopopRevisited

06-23-2005, 05:16 AM

Strange time to be doing so... especially when it's all relating to sales (...sales of videos)

If they are looking for sales boost, you'd think they'd be focused on Next-Gen preorders and the eventual consumer rush after release like GameStop already seems to be doing.

We have 2 GameCrazy stores in the area (that I know of...) Easilly the best game-retail chain, the employees actually know a thing or two about their product. It would suck to see one *or both* of them close, especially considering I have an application in the nearest.

Zadoc

06-23-2005, 05:30 AM

Considering that there's probably about 25 stores out here in Arizona, I wouldn't be surprised to see 1 or even 2 go.

Oh, I am counting on it! 8-)

Dangerboy

06-23-2005, 08:30 AM

Those are getting shut down, the Game Stop buy out of EB Games went through...

A heavy sigh just can not sum it up correctly.

shaggy

06-23-2005, 08:36 AM

Two words: That sucks!

InsaneDavid

06-23-2005, 08:50 AM

Let's look at it this way, Hollywood Entertainment (former head of Hollywood Video / GameCrazy) was hemorrhaging money which is why Movie Gallery aquired them in April. (it's kinda funny because last summer there was behind the scenes talk of Blockbuster Video buying out Hollywood Entertainment) Hollywood Entertainment was run horribly and screwed up left and right to drill themselves right into the ground. I'm sure that 5.5 million dollar class action lawsuit (really that was the settlement) Hollywood Entertainment lost against Hollywood Video / GameCrazy workers in California from 2000~2004 didn't help any either. (still waiting for MY freaking check)

The ten prototype GameCrazy stores in Oregon grew into the current GameCrazy model and were their last hope to turn things around, and they ARE doing well. The problem is that Hollywood Entertainment got into the habit of tossing a GameCrazy into any Hollywood Video location that could spare the floorspace. (you should see the non-existant backrooms of some of the instore GameCrazy's! - sardines in a can) This + the standalone locations simply put too much on their plate which lost them tons more money on something that was actually profitable.

This doesn't mean they're going out of business, it means that FINALLY the upper echelons are being run correctly. Things like the 3 for $15 sale to boost business and clear out the distribution center backlog were more signs of this. Sure, a store here or there may close but these are unprofitable locations. You have to slice off the weak branches for the stronger ones to continue to thrive and grow.

Griking

06-23-2005, 08:57 AM

Strange time to be doing so... especially when it's all relating to sales (...sales of videos)

If they are looking for sales boost, you'd think they'd be focused on Next-Gen preorders and the eventual consumer rush after release like GameStop already seems to be doing.

Do stores like EBWorld and Gamestop really make that much off of pre-orders and console sales? I though that the markup was pretty small and that they made the majority of their money reselling used games and consoles.

MegaDrive20XX

06-23-2005, 09:04 AM

Pre-orders and Subscriptions are their main focus (More so the Subscriptions or "MVP Cards").

I wish they would focus more on Pre-orders, because that is where the real money is. Alot of people get annoyed when you offer them a magazine it seems (Or so I Have noticed from time to time)

Yet the company (GameCrazy) wants MVP's more then pre-orders....because it pretty much is like commission to the employees...More you sell, the more hours you get...

They do focus on Used sales alot, especially every 3 hours of the day, since they keep a tally of the percentage of "Used"

googlefest1

06-23-2005, 09:36 AM

man i hope non of the stores around me close - they seemed to be profitable - i always see people in them when im there althogh a couple are dingy and i dont like to shop there - but i do step in especialy when they have great deals

esquire

06-23-2005, 09:43 AM

I hope none the Gamecrazy's around here close. I always look forward to their sales, especially that 3 for $15 deal a little while back.

BTW, just because a store nearby may be closing doen't mean there will be any deals. I would think most of the stock would be returned to the distribution center to be recycled though other stores.

Moon Patrol

06-23-2005, 09:49 AM

I have never seen a Game Crazy in real life, there aren't any for a couple hundred miles, I actually don't know of any GC's. It sucks, because I always hear of people getting some good deals from them.

legov8

06-23-2005, 10:04 AM

I hope none in my area close.

Flack

06-23-2005, 10:21 AM

I've never been to Game Crazy. I just looked on the web and it looks like there are three here in Oklahoma, none near me at all. Hrm. Sounds like a road trip to me!

-^Cro�Bow^-

06-23-2005, 10:37 AM

Not sure where number#3 is Flack. But the #1 and #2 are in Tulsa and in Broken Arrow. The Stores are located in the following places roughly.

The Tulsa Store is in a really crappy location. It is located on Admiral and not too far from the Wendy's near I think 73rd? Anyway, you go to that Wal-Mart super Center on Admiral and Memorial, and then head West on Admiral. About a block or so on the South side will be the Hollywood video and Game Crazy store.

The other is about the same size and is located in Broken Arrow. It's hiding off 81st and Elm. Or...is it 91st and Elm? Either way, it is considerably farther out, and also not the best location as it is sorta hidden and tucked away.

Where was store#3 located?

Flack

06-23-2005, 10:42 AM

There must be four then! The Game Crazy website lists the following two locations for Oklahoma City.

9101 S Pennnsylvania Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73159-6934 (405) 691-5974

7450 E Reno Ave
Midwest City, OK 73110-4316 (405) 737-2560

The first one must be off of 91st and Penn. The major cross streets are 74th and 104th, so it's somewhere in between them. It's about 10 minutes from where I work, I think I'll drop over there during lunch.

The second one is in MWC, to far for a lunch trip but maybe after work or this weekend. By the looks of the address it appears to be a block or two away from Tinker Air Force Base.

Neil Koch

06-23-2005, 11:52 AM

The one by me is closing, but it was pretty cool, they sent me a $20 gift certificate and extended my membership for another year.

Just a heads-up though, the gift certificate can't be used at any store that's closing (found that out the hard way yesterday).

BTW, in the Minneapolis area, all of the GameCrazys except for 1 in Roseville and 1 in Golden Valley are closing...

Crush Crawfish

06-23-2005, 12:28 PM

There are two gamecrazy's around here, and I'd be pretty sad to see them go. I usually find good stuff there, and it's the only place left to find older stuff other than garage sales & thrifts, at least in my area. Though I think one of them might close...everytime I've been in there, I'm the only customer there! :eek 2:

Geondp

06-23-2005, 01:35 PM

Damn this is GREAT news for me, the indy store I work at has a gamecrazy in the same lot as us(we have been there for 9 years they have been there 5). If that store is 1 of the stores it will help us out soo much! I know this sucks for most of you but its the best news I have got all day !

Lord Contaminous

06-23-2005, 02:06 PM

I didn't know Game Crazy was linked to Movie Gallery. Well that's because there's no game Crazy in my area.

Now that I know that fact, half a decade ago long when Movie Gallery was called "Video World" there was a game dealer within the store called "Game Trader" that did the same thing.

mills

06-23-2005, 02:07 PM

Ah man, when I started buying old games again, I found most of my SNES and NES titles from game crazy stores...I hope the few around here stay open!!!!!

GizmoGC

06-23-2005, 02:13 PM

So all GC stores should know then if there closing right? I was a Store Manager for 2 years and it looks like my old store is going to stay...phew!

Push Upstairs

06-23-2005, 02:42 PM

I hope the store here stays open...i rather like the place.

xaer0knight

06-23-2005, 05:01 PM

all i can say is WHOA!!! :bawling: i have one in my area... Ya, this was bound to happen after the EB Games and Gamestop Merger. Hopefully, Game Crazy will recover and its my favorite gamestorel

scooterb23

06-23-2005, 05:04 PM

Is there a list of stores that are closing? I really don't feel like driving to all 6 in the Columbus area to find out which ones are going...

aftertheflesh

06-23-2005, 07:25 PM

shit. I've only access to one...and it will probably get the axe :bad-words: *crossing my fingers*

Mattiekrome

06-23-2005, 08:33 PM

Ahhhh damn! I can already hear my local GameCrazy shutting down. Just not enough demand in this area for this kind of place. Oh well, everything in there cost to damn much anyways. Sad to see the deals (ex. 3 for 15$) leave town as well ... :(

Famidrive-16

06-23-2005, 08:46 PM

There are only three nearby.... half an hour aways, that is.

They've been keeping the HVs here alive, hope they don't all close.

Slate

06-23-2005, 08:47 PM

It's sad to hear that all of those GCs are going, But it isn't going to give me any problems. I mainly rely on Yard sales, trifts and flea markets, And there aren't any GCs that i know of within 45 miles of my location.

vision89

06-23-2005, 08:53 PM

Pft! Won't bother me a bit. I've bought three items there that ended up not working and one was (supposedly) new. They wouldn't refund my money either, store credit only. :angry:

Damaramu

06-23-2005, 09:37 PM

There's one nearby me, less than 5 minutes away. I found out Wednesday that it's closing. Needless to say, I was a bit disappointed to learn this, as they usually have a good supply of SNES games.

No worries though, as there are at least 5 more 6-10 minutes away from me too. 8-)

InsaneDavid

06-24-2005, 12:34 AM

Ya, this was bound to happen after the EB Games and Gamestop Merger.

This had NOTHING to do with the Gamestop buyout of EB Games, all the Hollywood Entertainment companies needed a kick in the ass for some time and now they're finally getting it.

I mainly rely on Yard sales, trifts and flea markets, And there aren't any GCs that i know of within 45 miles of my location.

You may be getting one closer eventually, part of this is to reduce the number of stores saturating an area and spread them out more, it makes no sense to have three or four GameCrazy's within 15 miles of one another.

There's one nearby me, less than 5 minutes away. I found out Wednesday that it's closing. Needless to say, I was a bit disappointed to learn this, as they usually have a good supply of SNES games.

No worries though, as there are at least 5 more 6-10 minutes away from me too. 8-)

There you go, there are too many stores in one area so they are being thinned out to broaden their sales network in addition to killing off unproftable stores.

MegaDrive20XX

06-24-2005, 12:38 AM

So all GC stores should know then if there closing right? I was a Store Manager for 2 years and it looks like my old store is going to stay...phew!

Well judging how the paper work is recieved...everyone will get either a notice on Sunday or Monday...I hope to god it's not my store...

MegaDrive20XX

06-24-2005, 12:46 AM

I mainly rely on Yard sales, trifts and flea markets, And there aren't any GCs that i know of within 45 miles of my location.

You may be getting one closer eventually, part of this is to reduce the number of stores saturating an area and spread them out more, it makes no sense to have three or four GameCrazy's within 15 miles of one another.

Funny you mention that, when I was living in Arlington, TX 2001-2004, there were 5 GameStops, each were 5 minutes apart each...on the same damn road...Green Oaks Blvd...Yet they are still standing there...

Yet I'm not disagreeing with everything you have said since it all makes perfect sense.

Just that, GameStop had the same pattern, but what makes GameStop smarter about their situation compared to GameCrazy?

stressboy

06-24-2005, 01:29 AM

The ten prototype GameCrazy stores in Oregon grew into the current GameCrazy model and were their last hope to turn things around, and they ARE doing well. The problem is that Hollywood Entertainment got into the habit of tossing a GameCrazy into any Hollywood Video location that could spare the floorspace. (you should see the non-existant backrooms of some of the instore GameCrazy's! - sardines in a can) This + the standalone locations simply put too much on their plate which lost them tons more money on something that was actually profitable.

I live in Salem and there are 2 Game Crazy's in town that I know of, and they are not attached to Hollywood Video stores. They have been there for years. One of them across town just sucks. Never have anything decent, the store is almost empty, and the place seems filthy. The other one closer to me is very nice, and I always see the same older couple in there working. I used to shop there before I left Salem in 1999, and when I moved back last year I resumed shopping there. They still only had my old Salem info so I am guessing they are one of those prototype stores? The newer ones have my Vancouver address.

I buy a lot of my older games in there and hope they don't go out of business anytime soon. I prefer them to the EB and Gamestop in the mall.

Haoie

06-24-2005, 01:39 AM

Oh we don't have them in this country. The only games store from the US here in NZ is EB, they arrived on the scene a few years back.

tynstar

06-24-2005, 01:41 AM

I dont really care. All the carry for older stuff is loose shit. Plus the stuff is usually beat to hell.

DigitalSpace

06-24-2005, 11:36 AM

They still only had my old Salem info so I am guessing they are one of those prototype stores? The newer ones have my Vancouver address.

I buy a lot of my older games in there and hope they don't go out of business anytime soon. I prefer them to the EB and Gamestop in the mall.

I know the prototype stores were in the Portland and Salem area (I think there might have been one in Vancouver too), so at least one of those stores had to be a prototype store.

If one of yours was to close, they probably would have sent you something in the mail about it, possibly with a coupon (that could only be redeemed at a non-closing store) or an extension to your MVP membership.

Flack

06-24-2005, 01:31 PM

Well I just got back from the store off of S. Penn in OKC. If it's closing, nobody told them.

When I walked in I noticed everything is surrounded with chain link fence. I couldn't tell if that is their motif or if it's simply in a bad part of town.

I thought prices there looked pretty good. I saw some NES games for .25 (Marble Madness and some football game) and lots for $1.99. N64 stuff looked reasonable, Genesis stuff looked high (Barney for $7.99 and a ton of $9.99 Ms. Pac-Man carts). I thought the current gen stuff looked very reasonable. Lots of old-new titles like Starsky and Hutch and games like that for $7.99. Lots and lots of used games for under $15. Old used controllers seemed hit or miss, they all seemed to be priced betwen $6.99 and $7.99 which is a good deal I guess for Dreamcast and PSX pads but not so great for SNES pads (I went down the streeet to the thrift store and picked up 2 NES pads for .99 each).

Crossbow, were these guys at OVGE? I looked back at my pix and didn't see them there. They would have fit right in with Vintage Stock, GameStop and the like.

WanganRunner

06-24-2005, 01:59 PM

I have a Gamecrazy in walking distance 8-)

I hope that one doesn't close. It's the biggest Gamecrazy I've ever seen at that. Last time I was there they had like 5 CIB Steel Battalion's lying around.

Gamecrazy is seriously the last hope in retail retrogaming.

Fuyukaze

06-24-2005, 04:40 PM

I'm in the minority when I say this but I'm actualy finding this news to be good. When they ran the 3 for 15 deal a few months ago, I went to all the local stores in the area in the hopes I would find some games I wanted. What I found was that most of the stores had been picked clean not by other customers but by the emps. Most admited they were only picking them up to sell on e-bay. After the sale, what few decent titles remained had a drastic price increase. Games that were once 4-7 a peice were now 15-20 each. So far I've only had one of their stores give good service in the Houston area. I hate the idea of a game store chain leaving my area, but frankly I've had better deals here then I have ever had at any gamestop. The best deal I have ever got at a gamestop was where I picked up Romance of the 3 Kingdoms 9 for 15$. It doesnt help that each and every single one decided to destroy every single periphial device for any systems older then the PS1 excluding the N64. One store alone destroyed 25 SNES game genies. I know how cramped the places are, and I do understand that with space being such a valued resource the need to free up shelves and display cabnets. Thing is, I know atleast 2 who freed up space only to keep them empty. What good is an empty display cabnet without anything in it? Wouldnt it be better to have stock in it? Something?

josekortez

06-25-2005, 11:05 AM

tynstar

06-25-2005, 12:05 PM

Gamecrazy is seriously the last hope in retail retrogaming.

@_@ @_@ @_@ @_@

Slate

06-25-2005, 09:56 PM

DigitalSpace

06-25-2005, 11:58 PM

I say thank God! The local Gamecrazy here throws the backs out of PS1 titles because the idiot manager claims that they "take up too much room!" Do I really want to buy a copy of Echo Night for $32.99 without a back in the jewel case? NO SIR!

Yeah, that irks me too. If anybody can show me proof that removing manuals and back inserts from jewel cases actually makes more room, I'll eat my shirt. At least most of my local Gamecrazy stores save whatever they get.