I actually had a run in with him as well, when I worked at the Funcoland in Florence, on Mall rd. That is too funnyI knew the manager as he worked with me at Funcoland and also worked with me when GS first opened up. We had this regular customer who came into both our stores that they dubbed "Stinky Pete".
I've had a few experiences with GameStop. The one that always comes to mind is when I went to purchase a copy of Outrun2006 for XBOX and the guy there told me that the game was only released for the PS2. I told him that it was available for the XBOX as well, and that I've seen it too many times, and that I have friends who own the game. The guy argued me down. I'm thinking, dude, just go online, right now, and look for yourself, but I grew tired of it and just went elsewhere and eventually found a copy. I'm pretty sure I got the "our database has every game ever made" line at some point, too.
By the time I returned to that GS again, I don't think that the guy worked there anymore. I don't think it had anything to do with his competency or anything, they just have a high turn over rate.
My wife had a few issues with GameStop as well. Whenever she gets me anything game related she's extremely anal about the condition, and when she went to buy me a "new" DS lite system and they started putting the shit together she was like, "oh, hell no". They didn't seem to understand why she had an issue with a "new" system not being "new". Why a box being damaged from the seal sticker being ripped off wasn't acceptable when she's paying for a 'brand new' product; one that's actually "new" across the street at Best Buy.
She's passed on several "new" items from GameStop when they weren't actually new and sealed, and every time they're bewildered, and I just know that they call her every name in the book when she leaves.
One of the only positive things I can say about GS is the PowerUp Rewards Program. Reading this thread reminded me that I have that. I just checked my account and have about 20,000 points after all of my Christmas shopping.
I'm one of the lucky few (it seems) that has a GS nearby that has somewhat competent and friendly employees. I've never really had too much of a problem with them. I typically only do pre-orders through them which ensures that everything I get is sealed and actually new.
" But it really is a shit job and while most of the time it isn't a bad experience if you keep going there you'll eventually get one."
Welcome to life. Today might be a good day, but if you keep waking up every morning sooner or later you will have a shitty day...
Urgh! Another reason to hate GameStop. I just realized that I have one of those reward cards;I've never used it yet. They didn't bother asking me if I had or wanted one yesterday when I bought a game. I hate when I do that, but it's really bad form for the cashier to not ask you if you have one. The whole point of the program is to motivate you to come back after all.Originally Posted by Darko
I've never had a problem with GameStop besides the usual warranty and reward card spiel. I never purchase them but they'll ask anyway.
Gamestop is the reason I stopped doing pre-orders at stores. A while back I desperately wanted the Xbox Music Mixer for some reason, and I finally decided to take Gamestop up on their pre-order program for it. I resisted doing pre-orders for years before that moment, but I wanted to be guaranteed to have the game when it came out. On release day, I was unable to make it there because I had to work, and had limited access to transportation at the time, so I decided to come the next day since I had it reserved. Well, it turned out that they were sold out, and didn't hold my reservation. I took my deposit back, and went to another store.
I have also bought a "new" game at Gamestop, and they slipped the disc into the case as I was watching. I was in a mild state of shock, but somehow they convinced me that it's how it's done, and I'm not the type of person to make returns or cause a scene.
I don't mind so much the "selling opened games as new" policy as long as everything is pristine. Last time I bought a "new" game at EBGames, it was Green Day Rock Band. They had only one copy. When I looked at it on my way out after paying, I noticed that the manual was dogeared. To me, dogeared = used, not new and open. I went back in, complained about it. Since they wouldn't give me a discount for this, I accepted a full refund... and found the game at exactly the same price (but definitely sealed) at The Source (former Canadian Radio Shack).
Once in a while I will find something there, but more often than not, I'm luckier at The Source and Future Shop/Best Buy.
Gamestop is usually the last place I go for my games, except for when they have exclusive collector's editions like GT5. I just don't like the way they do business. The Gamestops that I've gone into over the years, the employees are usually pretty cool people, it's just the way the company operates as a whole that prevents me from shopping there. I bought a "new" display copy of MGS2: Substance at one of their stores maybe 7 or 8 years ago, and the disc looked like a skating rink! They simply don't take care of the new display copies of games as I've had friends with similar experiences. The other thing that drives me crazy is the gummy price stickers they use. They put them right on the display case without even shrink wrapping it first, they also do this with the glossy cardboard cases that collector's editions come in!
Where Gamestop really pisses me off is the way they handle their used games/trade in's. First their trade in values suck ass, their used prices are way too high especially on current titles ($5 less than new), the condition of a large portion of their used games is disgusting, missing and damaged manuals, scratched discs, sticky DVD cases, etc.
Last edited by duffmanth; 12-30-2010 at 08:50 AM.
I rarely ever get games from Gamestop, mainly because I mostly by new games. But recently I bought the legendary edition of Halo Reach there because it was both still new(and sealed) and on sale.
But I still can't put up with their "new" games that are out of their cases. Thats not new to me, it's opened and thus used, rather it got played or not.
ALL HAIL THE 1 2 P
Seriously, why can't Gamestop just put games in those plastic security cases like every other game store? Alternatively, just use generic cases for display and keep the sealed ones behind the counter.
Sad that buying a game from a store that DOESN'T specialize in games is better than buying in one that does. It's like finding better art and more experienced/interested people at Pier 1 rather than at an art gallery.
Same thing here. Gamestop's business model serves absolutely no purpose for me. They'll be gone or morphed into something completely different in 10 years. Their recent "we'll sell you DLC cards at our store" WTF moment is proof. They're more irrelevant every passing day.
Amazon = free shipping to my front door, no tax (for now), discounts, free game credits, and any game I could possibly want on release date with no special trips to "pre-order".
"One of the ways I gauge a DS game is by recharges. "...Tycho (Penny Arcade)
You can get your "points" back by logging to the site, registering your card for an account, and call the rep with your receipt to add the points.
I've had mostly good experiences in GameStop...yet there have been some pretty nasty ones as well.
Before the EB buyout, I recall asking an employee at EB for a CDRW drive. The manager, which had a very bad attittude, told me "No sir, we don't do piracy". I was like "What the hell?", but I left the manager to her own self misery. I continued searching around when I spotted a drive, took it and placed it in front of the arrogant manager. "Here ma'am, you DO carry CDRW drives, so by your own theory, EB deals with PIRACY", I stated in a very sarcastic tone. I spotted her name, memorized it, and left the store. Later that day, I contacted the main offices in Nevada and I was informed that they will be "investigating" the matter. A few weeks later I went back to the store and noticed a new manager. Hmm...
In the GameStop where I work, two years ago GameStop had a special in which they offered an Xbox console for $40 (refurb/used) as a "Black Friday" special. I asked for one and one of the new seasonal employees was talking to another customer while attending me when he said "See sir? This guy is purchasing an Xbox console with the sole intent to download games instead of buying them". I was in shock, but I kept calm as much as possible until I went to the manager (I knew him and he was a very cool guy). I told him everything that happened and...well, let's just say that a few days later the same employee saw me, put a disgusted face and asked someone else to attend me. And after the holiday season, he was no where to be seen.
Those are the two, most serious encounters. Others have been mild, like when they try to do the "switch" stated in other posts. But since I go to the one near where I work (and most employees know me very well and are very friendly), they give me the best condition box.
But yes, depending on the store, they have some serious issues with customer service. Not even on my worst day do I treat customers like that.
Oh yes! I almost forgot about an ONLINE issue!
My brother wanted Asterix for PS2 and it was being sold as "NEW" online. So I made an order and when it arrived, it arrived OPENED. A sticker had been removed from the top right of the front of the case, mainly the price sticker. So therefore, I contacted GameStop online website and I was told to keep the game and that they would send another "new" copy. So I waited for a little over a week and the package arrived...only to see that it was yet ANOTHER opened copy. But this time, the sticker was left that said the price and "NEW" under the price! And the CD was placed inside one of those cardboard sleeve of theirs!
So even online, the assholes think that opened is still "new". Damn retarded company!
Last edited by megasdkirby; 12-29-2010 at 08:31 PM.
Proud owner of a Neo 25 Neo Geo Candy Cab!
I had the switcherooni played on me a few times while I was collecting for the Gamecube. Every time I was paying attention because I'd deliberately brought the most best condition, complete (used) case up front to have the (inspected before inserting inside) disc retrieved from the drawer to make it whole. And every time I'd ask for the case I'd brought up instead of the one that they were going to use. Thankfully no one made a fuss and I got a 100% success rate there.
And for the cruddy cases (but good inlays and manuals) I had the replacements direct the Nintendo store...
A while back, my local store had a new copy of Metal Slug Anthology for cheap. So I went to buy it. I was told that the game was "missing"... eventually the cashier told me that another employee had taken the disc home for "testing".
Uh huh. Right.
I bought the game from Amazon. The manager is a total asshole too.
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EB used to be worse. Once I bought a new GBA game, and they gave me a shrinkwrapped cartridge and manual. I asked where the box was. It was the last copy, they said, so the box was the one being used for display. I tried to grab the display box on the way out and they wouldn't let me take it. They said they needed it for their display. Display for what, when they don't have any for sale? So they sold me a "new" game without the box, without giving me a discount or even telling me ahead of time that it would be without box.
Um...you returned it immediately, right?
Wow, I've actually wondered if there was a store who had the nerve to sell a shrinkwrapped cartridge and manual as a new game, but I assumed it wouldn't be Gamestop/EB Games.
Then again, knowing them...
Gamestop: The multinational, multimillion dollar company that cannot afford security cases.
Last edited by Tupin; 12-30-2010 at 12:35 AM.
I actually broke my resistance with Game Stop to purchase my younger brother some DS games there. (If interested my problems with GS date back to an issue with the DS Power Supply and the righteous phrase "I played Contra when I was your age").
I purchased Starfox, Sonic Rush, and Ben 10 for my brother (he is 7) all for under $25 with tax. (Pretty good for a last min holiday gift). I found the workers to be average at best nothing spectacular but hey I work retail too so I know how things are. The assistant manager Sheldon was pretty clueless about games. I heard a good earful of misleading crap about games and he tried to flex his knowledge of gaming (more laughable then anything). Saw Sheldon come into my store a three days ago to purchase an item and we got to talking. Bottom line I got onto video games and he pulls the "I'll have you know I'm an ASM at Game Stop!" card. Well I gave him a couple of shots about his video game knowledge and he was none too happy. Tried to fight back but he left red faced and I heard from one of his GSR's that he was mad all da'y about something.
If you ask me the days of the cool retail sales people in game stores are dead. Most people left in the retail game industry are bound by strict policies/managers or do not care for games as much as others.
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Of course.
From what I gather (I've never worked there myself), Gamestop just does not provide the kind of work environment that is in any way conducive to keeping employees who are knowledgeable and passionate about games. Between their shitty policies and dickhead management, most decent employees are gone quickly.
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