For all you EB/GS haters out there...

[FantasiaWHT]

http://www.gamefaqs.com/poll/index.html?poll=2594

Good to know that your blind rage against the machine doesn't amount to much.

Ahhhh I'll sleep better tonight

[slip81]

What is the point of this thread? To tell people that don't like a certain company for whatever reason to shove it and tell them that their opinion doesn't matter?

If I came out against the Xbox 360 would you try to prove to me that it was the best system by showing me some internet poll that holds no real statistical value?

[Neil Koch]

I'm neutral on the whole EB/Gamestop debate, but using a poll from GameFAQs as proof of anything is laughable.

[Half Japanese]

So what does this tell you, other than the most laughable 'internet community' on the internet today likes to overpay for their games? I'll still buy from them occasionally, but I don't feel the need to throw it in anyone's face when I shop somewhere else. Maybe next time I buy a game I should stop by EB afterwards, throw the Guitar Hero controller at the manager's head and yell "GUESS WHERE I JUST BOUGHT THIS GAME MUTHAFUKKA!!!!"

[kainemaxwell]

Using a GameFAQs poll as proof of something is as worthless as their forums.

[FantasiaWHT]

I loooooooooove it hehehe. Just what I thought

[MegaDrive20XX]

Doesn't surprise me, since GAMEFAQS is overruned by underaged kids, who worship Final Fantasy 7. So going to EBGames or GameStop is easier for them, because their mommy's and daddy's don't wanna drive all the way to GameCrazy or a decent store with lower prices.

GameStop/EBGames? The Wal-mart of the VG Industry pretty much, they are everywhere and always in the way of another good retail business.

[n.ooka]

I can't believe you just linked a GameFAQ poll.

It's like...Fox News.

[Wolfrider31]

I don't have any moral objection to EB/Games (are they chains or franchises?) with the exception of the ignorance of some(all) the employees I've ever encountered. I prefer to have an actual conversation with someone who knows what he/she is talking about as opposed to someone who likes to pretend. I remember quite a few times where I've had to correct an EB Games employee who, perhaps intentionally, was misinforming a customer. The best example was 2-3 years ago when an EB Games employee told a woman who was looking for a GameCube that Nintendo would stop making them in 6 months or so and to instead by a (more expensive) Xbox.

Oi.

[Push Upstairs]

I don't have a problem with EB/Gamestop....

but linking to a GameFAQS poll makes baby jesus cry.

[slip81]

I loooooooooove it hehehe. Just what I thought

yeah you had me. I realized slightly after that you probably weren't being serious.

I gotta stop posting responses right after I wake up.

[mills]

Sweet lord are you kidding, gamefaqs forum trolls are probably the most immature bunch of goons on the internet!

[mailman187666]

I make a lot of my purchases for new games at EB/Gamestop. I normally have no problems with them, but every once in a while you'll see people hired there that know nothing of games (one guy asked me how to insert a DS game into the case). Every now and again I'll buy used games there that are beyond repair also. Every now and again I'll even get the wrong game inside the case of a used game as well. The worst is when they lie to you, thinking you've done no research on your purchase or videogames in general, and try to get more money out of you. Other then that, those stores are not that bad.

[AlphaNerd01]

I work at GameStop, and my only complaint about the store is that they'll hire anyone. I know a lot about games, and I make the same amount (now that I'm only part-time) as the kids who "aren't buying the W-I-I console because it's goofy-*ss system." (That's a direct quote from a fellow employee.... *sigh*)

The reason I don't agree with the, "They're the Wal-Mart of the game retail market," is because they over-charge for a lot of games. Wal-Mart has the cheapest prices on a lot of their stuff. My opinion is that it's better to pay the extra 3 dollars (if there is no GameCrazy nearby) in order to support a retailer that is heavily involved in the selling of all games, both new and old. I make the same argument about smaller hardware stores.

No, but seriously, GS/EBG sucks, but it's the lesser of two evils. If you have a GameCrazy nearby (I don't), try shopping there. But I think getting your games at GS/EBG will have a bigger effect on the industry (because they're more involved) than getting your games at a Target or Wal-Mart, or even a Circuit City or Best Buy. What do you guys think?

[Richter Belmount]

Everyone knows you just go to gamefaqs.com to troll on there , its the 2nd best thing to owning children at halo 2 on live.

[-SuperYoshi-]

Enjoy your opened games being sold as new.

[Wolfrider31]

Everyone knows you just go to gamefaqs.com to troll on there , its the 2nd best thing to owning children at halo 2 on live.

LoL. I so didn't notice anything after "owning children". Are they imported?

[sabre2922]

Gamefaqs boards - the HORROR the HORROR

forums like Gamefaqs are populated by nongamers,kids, casuals-for lack of a better word and basically ppl that have next to NO knowledge of videogames AT ALL.

Gamefaqs= the ANTI-DIGITALPRESS

[Jimmy Yakapucci]

I remember back in the pre-merger days, our local Babbage's had a really knowledgeable manager. My step-son would usually buy a game a week and would talk to the manager about what was good/bad. The manager would even let him take a game home to try it out since he worked right across the street. Another time while making a purchase, the manager asked him if he had the current issue of a certain game mag. When he replied that he didn't, the manager threw one in the bag. Obviously, this manager was quickly replaced with a know-nothing. My step-son made the grave mistake of looking in a magazine (not bagged) without buying it and got yelled at by the new guy. He only wanted to check out a review to see if he should buy the new game. He has never bought anything there since. What a way to loose a very loyal customer.

[Ed Oscuro]

I loooooooooove it hehehe. Just what I thought
Quit trolling, please

[Xizer]

GameStop overcharges? What are you talking about?

They have 500 Xbox games, for example, priced under $10.
http://www.gamestop.com/search.asp?N=137+80&SHOWUB=true&Ns=Price%7C0

Max Payne 2 for $1.50? Looks good to me.
Sega GT 2002 / JSRF for $2? Count me in.

http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=B220494A

Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, NEW, for $15, with TWO SETS OF BONGOS? Hell yeah.

Quite frankly, the only time I've seen GameStop overcharging is with DS games, they sometimes price them at $35 instead of $30.

Please tell me where I can get most games cheaper than EB/GameStop. I would really like to know. eBay, Amazon and Wal-Mart certainly don't seem to be the place.

[Leo_A]

Its a real joke that the moderators haven't banned this guy already. Others have been here for far less. Even GameFaqs banned him I believe, and they don't ban anyone.

[Kid Ice]

Its a real joke that the moderators haven't banned this guy already. Others have been here for far less.

I don't see why in this instance. If you ask me this is the best post Xizer's ever made. Say what you will about GS but they sure don't overcharge.

There is a lot of crying foul because it's a gamefaqs poll but I believe if the same poll were done here, the results would be similiar. I don't especially like Gamestop and I'd like every one of my gaming dollars to go to my friends that own stores, but Gamestop is cheap, easy, all over the place, and they have everything (well at least everything current).

[Leo_A]

I guess I took offense to him calling other people idiots, before he went back and edited his post after I said what I did.

[Kitsune Sniper]

I work at GameStop, and my only complaint about the store is that they'll hire anyone. I know a lot about games, and I make the same amount (now that I'm only part-time) as the kids who "aren't buying the W-I-I console because it's goofy-*ss system." (That's a direct quote from a fellow employee.... *sigh*)

The reason I don't agree with the, "They're the Wal-Mart of the game retail market," is because they over-charge for a lot of games. Wal-Mart has the cheapest prices on a lot of their stuff. My opinion is that it's better to pay the extra 3 dollars (if there is no GameCrazy nearby) in order to support a retailer that is heavily involved in the selling of all games, both new and old. I make the same argument about smaller hardware stores.

No, but seriously, GS/EBG sucks, but it's the lesser of two evils. If you have a GameCrazy nearby (I don't), try shopping there. But I think getting your games at GS/EBG will have a bigger effect on the industry (because they're more involved) than getting your games at a Target or Wal-Mart, or even a Circuit City or Best Buy. What do you guys think?

They wouldn't hire -me-. Instead I get idiots that really have no clue what they're talking about... then again the manager screwed me with credit when I traded in a few DVDs. (He told me a Gundam DVD I had was worth 2.50 in credit, then changed the value on me to their crapass trade-in price!)

Nowadays I only buy used DVDs there. THAT'S IT. Fuck 'em for games. That's what eBay and Amazon is for. :\

[Xizer]

Nowadays I only buy used DVDs there. THAT'S IT. Fuck 'em for games. That's what eBay and Amazon is for. :\


But...eBay and Amazon have used DVDs too? And in their games divisions they're usually more expensive than EB/GS?

I'm so confused.

[Ed Oscuro]

Its a real joke that the moderators haven't banned this guy already.
FantasiaWHT? :D

[evil_genius]

You are a complete fucking idiiot

[Slate]

Nowadays I only buy used DVDs there. THAT'S IT. Fuck 'em for games. That's what eBay and Amazon is for. :\

Ugghhhhh, F'k'm On everything unless I trade stuff in for a profit, Or the employees don't know me.

Listen to this, Since 2003 I was a good customer there. I bought games there a lot, Systems too, And once a dry spell started, (Q4 2005, So I could buy a PSP and some games for it there) Cha ching, The manager stopped giving me displays, She stopped being nice to me, She didn't even say "hello" When I walked into the store.

And listen to this one, I took a painted Super NES there to show them, And she didn't even look at it! When I said to her "Hey, cheri, Look at the great paintjob I did on this super NES!" She just took ONE look, ONE look at it, Said "Ya kool" And that was it. I would have expected her to have said "Wow! What a cool paintjob, Great job on it!" But NO, She's only your freind if you are buying stuff there.

That time brought my blood to a boil. I felt so mad that I may have went and smashed the SNES I painted in the parking lot, If it were not for someone seeing the great paintjob I did and complimenting on it, Wich really made my day then.


GameStop overcharges? What are you talking about?

They have 500 Xbox games, for example, priced under $10.
http://www.gamestop.com/search.asp?N=137+80&SHOWUB=true&Ns=Price%7C0

Max Payne 2 for $1.50? Looks good to me.
Sega GT 2002 / JSRF for $2? Count me in.

http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=B220494A

Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, NEW, for $15, with TWO SETS OF BONGOS? Hell yeah.

Quite frankly, the only time I've seen GameStop overcharging is with DS games, they sometimes price them at $35 instead of $30.

Please tell me where I can get most games cheaper than EB/GameStop. I would really like to know. eBay, Amazon and Wal-Mart certainly don't seem to be the place.

Check toys r us! Their clearance sales are unbleivable! The Sims: urbz (Xbox) for $3.50? Stubbs the zombie for $10, Psychonauts for $10, And when they have their red tag (Green tag?) Sales, Games are so cheap that you can trade them in to EB for a profit. I'm not lying.

Oh, And EB does overcharge. One day they had Flatout for $25 used and I checked in walmart, $20 New!

And why the games you listed (Max payne 2 and the sega combo disc) Are so cheap is because they are not in demand. Plus they're rather old for games.

[rurouni318]

I actually work at a GameCrazy so I, of course, buy most of my games from where I work or I get them from the DP store. But I have had some bad experiences from Gamestop and Eb wayyy before I started working at GameCrazy.

[Xizer]

You are a complete fucking idiiot

What's an idiiot?

Are you referring to the word "idiot?"

Also, who are you calling an idiot if this is the case? There are now 30 replies to this thread. Thanks for the worthless post, gaming pal!



Check toys r us! Their clearance sales are unbleivable! The Sims: urbz (Xbox) for $3.50? Stubbs the zombie for $10, Psychonauts for $10, And when they have their red tag (Green tag?) Sales, Games are so cheap that you can trade them in to EB for a profit. I'm not lying.


Which brings up another point; some of us don't have a Toys R Us.

My town has an EB Games and a GameStop. There is no Game Crazy. There is no Best Buy or Circuit City.

On the plus side, we do have a Hastings!

Obviously GameStop/EB Games are going to have some games priced higher than the competition; it's impossible to always have prices identical or less than the competition. But the fact is, the majority of their products are priced the same or less than the competition.

[staxx]

The things that I hate about EB Games/Gamestop are the following:

1. When you preorder something and there is a preorder exclusive item, sometimes they screw you over and say oh they didn't get enough shipment of the bonus item. It has happened to me a few times.

2. You buy the last copy of a game, you find out that it is defective, instructions is messed up or some other crap and when you return it, you can't get your money back . ?_? WTF !!!!!

3. Want to preorder Madden 2008? Want to preorder NHL 2007? Want to preorder a game that we know we will get a gazzilion off? (Sounds familiar?)

4. Want to buy a replacement plan for your Madden 2008?

Things I like about Gamestop / EB Games:

1. They are a video game store.

2. They do have quite a large selection.

Prices:

Their prices are higher when compared to Frys Electonic. (www.outpost.com)

Needless to say I buy 90% of my games at Frys.

[Melf]

My problem with GS/EB is that I can find a lot of what they sell used cheaper new at TRU or Wal-Mart, or even Sears. I also hate that they sell gutted games, but that's a can of worms that's been opened waaaay too many times here already.

[Xizer]

The things that I hate about EB Games/Gamestop are the following:

1. When you preorder something and there is a preorder exclusive item, sometimes they screw you over and say oh they didn't get enough shipment of the bonus item. It has happened to me a few times.

2. You buy the last copy of a game, you find out that it is defective, instructions is messed up or some other crap and when you return it, you can't get your money back . ?_? WTF !!!!!

3. Want to preorder Madden 2008? Want to preorder NHL 2007? Want to preorder a game that we know we will get a gazzilion off? (Sounds familiar?)

4. Want to buy a replacement plan for your Madden 2008?


I have never encountered numbers 2, 3, or 4. But even so, you clearly do not visit the store often enough. It only takes a few visits before the clerks know you and become aware you're not interested in that shit.

In fact, when I want a gameplay guarantee, I have to ask for it. As for #2, why don't you watch what the hell you're buying? If it's not factory sealed and you want it that way, don't buy it. I once tried to buy the last copy of a new game - try asking for a discount since it's been opened. Also, I doubt they'd have a problem with you taking it back if there was a problem.

As for Fry's, well, Fry's doesn't exactly have a ton of stores, now does it? If you want to be a competitor, you've got to actually be, you know, somewhere remotely close to the competition. EB/GS have thousands of stores around dozens of countries, Fry's only has some dotted along the west coast.

[djbeatmongrel]

Well as an employee of Gamestop I will share my experience and how I combat these issues most of you people have with the company.

I never really liked the Gamestops in my area much but there was one i frequented managed by a fellow DP member. The only reason i always went to this one is becuase i never felt pressured and the staff there actually knew about videogames. So eventually after a few years and a applications later (getting hired at a gamestop is rough due to the number of teens already in line) but eventually i was hired at the very gamestop i've frequented.

After being on the inside for over a year I have come to notice a number of things. When it comes to employee knowledge a lot of managers tend to hire who they can and the never seem to hire atleast well read employees. Only a few locations i've seen seem to screen out the gaming challenged and the elitist types, my store included.

When it comes to the quality of the used games, its really on a store to store basis. Heavily scratched stuff needs to be sent out for resurfacing but many stores are too leaniant on this issue. You should see the crap we get transferred from other stores.

For games that are opened but sold as new. As a company games cant be live on the floor, its a theft preventitive. I beleive since theres usually only usally 2-3 people staffed at a time on avg for most stores, theres not enough eyes to watch the costumers even with security camera assistance. At our store we normally warn the person of why the copy has been opened and if there is any issue of damage we discount it if its reasonable ie: stolen manual from a new game. We also go through the measure of shrink wrapping the game for less issues with returns.

As of recent, preorder items have been coming in lower numbers than our reserve amounts. It probably isn't that the employee took the preorder item for themself, it really has gotten to the point of short supply with most preorder extras in comparison to the amount of preorders.

last but not least, bombardment of reserve/subscription questions. Outside of our used sales numbers, each store thrives on reserve and subscription numbers to stay on top, get hours, or whatever innane thing the higher ups are requiring of us.

Personally i still like gamestop/eb's for used hunts on current gen stuff but there are aspects that could use some adressing. If you guys are passionate about the gamestop/eb hate issue, address it to the district managers, regional managers, coporate, etc. I think theres a way to make things to make things better for the consumer outside of just ranting online, rant to the proper channels :^D

[staxx]

To XIZER, well YOU never experienced those problems, I HAVE. Plus how the hell you generalize that I don't go to EB or Gamestop is just silly. The Gamestop or EB Games have a pretty high employee turn over rate, so new employees will follow the rules as to sell you a preorder since it is their job. Plus I never said I wanted my stuff sealed. I don't mind it being a last openned copy (they won't sell that as used, I HAVE tried that) but what I do not like was they wasn't very cooperative to take the return. I had to either keep it and wait till they get another one in (only within 2 weeks else I will have to keep it) OR go to another store. THAT ISN'T GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE. Hey if you like EB Games or Gamestop good for ya, live there for all I care. I am just stating my opinion of the place. You don't agree then state something meaningful rather than GENERALIZE me.

[AlphaNerd01]

Yeah, GS/EBG isn't as bad as people say it is- usually the ones bashing it are ones who bought a def. game (you have 7 days to return a used game for ANY reason, and 30 day defective warranty... if you save the receipt).. the last time I bought a defective game from a GS was in 2001, and it was a defective copy of Sega Smash Pack for DC, and they just swapped it out. However, I know if they didn't have another copy, they'd give you a refund as long as you were in the 30 day period.

I've been working for the company since 2004, and honestly they really try hard to be fair to everyone. YES, you're right pre-order bonuses need to be regulated better. At my store we put numbered tags on the pre-order bonuses, and give them out 1-x, first come, first serve. We tell customers if they want the pre-order bonus to get there ASAP, and they usually do. However, not all stores do that. Some stores pass out the pre-order bonuses to employees, and what's left gets passed out randomly. Like said above, it differs store to store.

Seeing as how my current GS has a staff that knows at least somethings about games, I think our customers get a great shopping experience. Then again, I've been to GameStops were the employees would go back and forth asking, "What's the game where you play as Sega people and play soccer?" (Sega Soccer Slam) Honestly, if you feel like the staff at your local GS/EBG doesn't know too much about games, leave, because they probably aren't good employees. However, if you go into a store like mine and we are having intelligent discussions about games, or asking customers to describe the game so we can figure out what it is, then make friends with the staff. Honestly, most of the gaming enlightened staffers do their best to be helpful. So if you're nice to them, they'll be nice to you.

As for the overcharging argument, I was referring to the DS/GBA games being marked up by 5 bucks. I haven't seen any console have a mark up on games besides DS or GBA in a loooong while. However, that's still proof that the company is willing to mark up prices. Oh, just remembered, for a while they charged 24.99 for Xbox Live Points cards instead of 19.99.. I think they corrected that though.

Haha, we can go on and on with this argument, but I still think that shopping at a GS/EBG is overall a good thing. Yes, they gut games, and I HATE THAT. Yes, they mark some things up. Yes, some staffers are complete dunces. But are you honestly going to tell me that the Best Buy staff knows their stuff? Or the vests at Wal-Mart are going to be able to help you find the right game? You have a better chance of running into a game-guru at a GS/EBG than at any of those chain stores. (Notice I didn't mention Game Crazy... I said it in my other post, and I'll say it again. If you have a local Game Crazy, shop there.) Case and point: GS/EBG is the lesser of the two evils.

[Jimmy Yakapucci]

The other gripe I have about places like this, and I guess all stores do it to some extent, is the poor trade in value when you compare it to what they are going to re-sell it for. I was in a local GS one time when a young kid traded in some GBA games complete with boxes and manuals. The kid traded in about a half dozen games and got something like $20 in credit for them. As he was walking out with his recipt, I heard the employee commenting about the fact that they were so complete. Before the kid was out the door, the employee already had price stickers on the boxes and his $20 worth of games was now going for close to $120. I realize stores are there to make a profit, but come on. That is why I will buyand sell used games through co-workers, classified ads, DP forums before they get my money again.

The other bad thing is their treatment of manuals/boxes. I was actually looking at a copy of Riviera for the GBA. When I asked the employee what they were selling it for, she repled "Holy crap!. We have a copy of that here?" She gave me the price, $5 less than new and when I asked about a manual for it she replied, "We don't keep the manuals." Now I can understand not really needing a manual for a game that is a 'shoot everything that moves' game, but for an RPG it is really needed.

[FantasiaWHT]

Sorry, I was in a really strange and contrary mood when I posted this. Wanted to see what would happen ;)

There's lots of good and lots of bad things you can say about EB/GS.

One real point I want to chime in is that it's pointless to toss out a handful of examples and claim by those exampels that either a) EB/GS does overcharge, or EB/GS doesn't overcharge. The point is, there are some games that EB/GS sells for less than everybody else, and there are some games that EB/GS sells for more than everybody else.

[Captain Wrong]

I just love it when people get all worked up because people who work retail don't share their passion for whatever the store sells. If it was a mom & pop store, maybe I could understand, but it's a chain mall store we're talking about here, fer christsake! Maybe for that $5.25 an hour, you'd be the superemployee, but for most, it's just a crappy $5.25 job.

It's like going to McDonalds and getting frustrated that the people behind the counter don't have the passion for French food that I do. Duh!

And of course they hire anyone. That's the law. LOL

[sirhansirhan]

I just love it when people get all worked up because people who work retail don't share their passion for whatever the store sells. If it was a mom & pop store, maybe I could understand, but it's a chain mall store we're talking about here, fer christsake! Maybe for that $5.25 an hour, you'd be the superemployee, but for most, it's just a crappy $5.25 job.

It's like going to McDonalds and getting frustrated that the people behind the counter don't have the passion for French food that I do. Duh!

The point that you're missing is that with a place like GS/EB, there are tons of intelligent people who want to work there specifically, and would be good at it and know a lot about the product, who are being passed over for stupid people who don't know anything about what they're selling and don't care. Places like Wal-Mart you kind of have to assume that the salespeople don't care, but with stores like GS/EB, or any other specialty retailer at all, really, it doesn't have to be that way.

[Push Upstairs]

Or the vests at Wal-Mart are going to be able to help you find the right game?

Wal-Mart? Oh boy. Assuming you can even find someone who works in/knows there is an electronics department, you are just plain better off knowing what you want before you walk into the place (which is a good rule for anywhere).

I don't really hate EB, but i have found their prices to sometimes be a bit high. Which is why i generally only buy DVD's there.

[AlphaNerd01]

Wal-Mart? Oh boy. Assuming you can even find someone who works in/knows there is an electronics department, you are just plain better off knowing what you want before you walk into the place (which is a good rule for anywhere).

I don't really hate EB, but i have found their prices to sometimes be a bit high. Which is why i generally only buy DVD's there.

Well, you just brought up an excellent point. I think if you walk into a GS/EBG without knowing what you want, the staff (depending on the store) would be able to make suggestions, whereas the people at the bigger chain stores would just be like "Uh, there's a new release section..."

I dunno if you brought that up on purpose or not, but just a thought.

[-hellvin-]

Wait a minute...something's not right here...how does a retailer that sells 100% nothing but games beat out all other retailers for selling the most games? Sounds fishy. This poll has defenitely brought new info to the table.

[TurboGenesis]

I don't like or hate GS/EB. Its a game store and out of the 4 stores around the corner from my home 1 has some good folks who know the games I like and have good rapport. I had reserved Xenosaga III and they "ran out" of the art book but the manager (whom I am cool with) got me one from another store - no prob.

Here is my gripe for all the hardcore GS/EBer's. Go to your favorite store and reserve Red Star for PS2. Then tell me what happens. (don't worry you won't have to be stuck with this game - its a "c" title and cannot be reserved - so whats the point of reservations?)

[theshizzle3000]

I can't believe you just linked a GameFAQ poll.

It's like...Fox News.


Nice I could just picture Bill O' Reiley talking about how EB is gods gift to the Republicans and that ma and pop gamestores are meant for crazy liberals. Anyways the reason so many people answered that Eb was there main place to purchase video games is simple. For many people its the only place to buy games besides Wal-Mart.

[Push Upstairs]

Well, you just brought up an excellent point. I think if you walk into a GS/EBG without knowing what you want, the staff (depending on the store) would be able to make suggestions, whereas the people at the bigger chain stores would just be like "Uh, there's a new release section..."

I dunno if you brought that up on purpose or not, but just a thought.

I just brought it up because, while on a quest to find "Outrun: Coast 2 Coast", the guy at the closest Wal-Mart store was rather inept (or didn't care) and provided some unacceptable customer service.

I'm not mad that the store didn't have the game (even if WalMart.com did) but he didn't even say something like "let me ask someone" or "let me see if we will be getting any in" or some other comment that resembles customer service. Even a simple "i'm not from this department" would have been much better than a shrug and a dopey look.

But that's not so much about video games as it is about the quality of the workers at Wal-Mart.




Wait a minute...something's not right here...how does a retailer that sells 100% nothing but games beat out all other retailers for selling the most games? Sounds fishy. This poll has defenitely brought new info to the table.

You read too much into a GameFAQS poll. Nobody really considers it a "reputable" gaming site and I doubt their poll is truly indicative of overall game buying.

[PentiumMMX]

Doesn't surprise me, since GAMEFAQS is overruned by underaged kids, who worship Final Fantasy 7. So going to EBGames or GameStop is easier for them, because their mommy's and daddy's don't wanna drive all the way to GameCrazy or a decent store with lower prices.

Just as a note, I AM a member of GameFAQs (I signed up earlier this year, and I'm one of very few mature users there).

Back on topic, I only go to Gamestop because it's the only game store in my town. I very rarly get to go to Game-X-Change, since it's out of town. Also, the people working at my Gamestop know what they are talking about (While at Wal-Mart, they thought Mario Kart: Double Dash was a PlayStation 2 game).

[DigitalSpace]

Two words: Big whoop.

[Nate Nanjo]

Wow, I guess I'm pretty lucky that 3 of the 4 stores have managers that know a good bit. I work at one.

[Ed Oscuro]

The point that you're missing is that with a place like GS/EB, there are tons of intelligent people who want to work there specifically, and would be good at it and know a lot about the product, who are being passed over for stupid people who don't know anything about what they're selling and don't care. Places like Wal-Mart you kind of have to assume that the salespeople don't care, but with stores like GS/EB, or any other specialty retailer at all, really, it doesn't have to be that way.
I see what you're saying, but the problem is that for a store of that size to survive they must do things in a bottom-dollar fashion. Every manager will have their own opinion about whom will be the best hirees, but at the end of the day they figure that the employees will learn the minimum and customers will come in knowing what they need to. Putting out the word that you want gamer employees would cost money for the entire establishment to do.

It also seems - maybe it's a false choice - that finding attributes in employees other than "loves video games" would be important. Theft would always be a problem, but the point here is that you probably need to discount "loves games" in hiring compared to other factors.

[n.ooka]

Wow, I guess I'm pretty lucky that 3 of the 4 stores have managers that know a good bit. I work at one.

Oh...kill him!

LOL

[cyberfluxor]

There's only 1 GameStop I decently like and the rest are shameful. I walked into one the other day and the lady behind the counter asked me if I had trade-ins and I responded with a no. Her follow up was "Would you like to purchase an Xbox360, we have those in stock!" and told her I'd rather spend my money on a NeoGeo AES. She was currious and asked "Oh, when does that system get released?"... It went downhill from there especially when she joked the Saturn. I think I ripped her a new one before I left.

I buy more games from Circuit City and Best Buy than I do from GameStop, and that's not much of where I get my goods. I use to buy all the time from them a few years ago but once I discovered all the cheaper stores with nice selections of older games without the lame stickers and horrible quality game discs I was hooked elsewhere.

[googlefest1]

its hit or mis with GS and EB - in CT the prices vary from store to store - back when gas was cheap i would drive around to all of them and notice the price diferences. When i asked about it the manager said the priceing is based on the area the store is in. SO some people complaining about prices could actualy live near a shop that inflates thier prices.

same with the employees - sometimes there is a knowlegeable employee - most of the time the employees repeat what a magazine review said ( with out playing the game) - and sometimes the employees don't care about gameing.

the staff seems to change often

so -- hit or mis

[Kitsune Sniper]

its hit or mis with GS and EB - in CT the prices vary from store to store - back when gas was cheap i would drive around to all of them and notice the price diferences. When i asked about it the manager said the priceing is based on the area the store is in. SO some people complaining about prices could actualy live near a shop that inflates thier prices.

same with the employees - sometimes there is a knowlegeable employee - most of the time the employees repeat what a magazine review said ( with out playing the game) - and sometimes the employees don't care about gameing.

the staff seems to change often

so -- hit or mis

... that actually makes sense. It could explain why the local store seems to have higher prices. (It's near the border, and many stores raise their prices just because of that.)