50 replies to this topic

[godslabrat]

In another current thread (link), someone brought up GameStop and their ilk, and the comment was made that they were just plain bad for the industry. That's a popular opinion around here, and one I'm very inclined to agree with. In the past year, I've grown to seriously dislike GameStop, even though I loved the FuncoLand stores they aquired several years ago. The various reasons GameStop sucks have been listed, but what I really want to ask is... in what way are they bad for the industry? GameStop does generate a lot of revenue for the gaming companies... perhaps not in the same volume as Wal-Mart or Best Buy, but certainly respectable figures. By having lots of stores in malls and strip malls, high-traffic shopping areas, they do further the idea that video games are a respectable form of entertainment for people of all ages.

That said, I really don't like going in there. Normally, specialty shops are awesome, because you can get all sorts of stuff that's hard to find in mainstream stores and the people that work there generally know what they're talking about. At the GameStops I've seen, the selection is only marginally better than what I'd find at Wal-Mart, and if you factor out the used games, possibly not better at all. The prices are bad, and the clerks may or may not know anything... but I don't feel like finding out.

So really, despite our personal feelings, how are these places damaging the industry?

[SINGLE TOOTH]

Personally, I cannot under stand how someone can go into a Lamestop, look at the same game both new and used, and buy the used game.
The used game is less than 5 dollars cheaper than the brand new. For that price, I would rather buy the brand new game.

Also the bullshit trick they do where they try and give you an opened unsealed game as brand new is enraging. I don't care if the store opened it. IT IS NOT BRAND NEW / SEALED. Don't sell it as one. I would never take that.

I also hate they give you "in store credit" instead of cash. Funcoland was awesome. I remember when they would give you cash. They had games for every system just about.

When gamestop just got rid of all the Dreamcast stuff, I asked the clerk why. The clerk said it was an obsolete system and they won't carry it anymore. I then showed him the N64 and PSX sections of the store, and he had nothing to say.

And when you pre-order a game, you're not garenteed (sp) to get it??? That's bullshit. If you pre-order the game, the store better fuckin have it for you.

And when a new release does come out, how come Gamestops are the last ones to have it? They never even have it the day it comes out! I can go to walmart and it will be waiting for me there. If you are a games-only store, I can't understand why you are not on the ball.

I remember I almost got into a fist fight with the clerks at one Gamestop. I looked at the used prices of the games, and I told them I could walk next door to the extremely overpriced Sam Goody and get the game brand new for less than a used game! The clerk became very angry starting getting rowdy. He asked if I wanted to step outside. I obliged, but then he wound up wussing out and staying in the store. The sad part is he works there, but it was his day off, and he was just hanging out there.

Any way, I see people bring stuff into gamestop and get offered little to nothing for the games, and the people get depressed, but sell it anyway. IF YOU DON'T WANNA SELL THE STUFF FOR PENNIES, DON'T! You have no obligation to sell the stuff to them once they give you the humiliating price.

I try and make offers with people that bring stuff in there, and offer them a little more. And Cash.

[SRGilbert]

SINGLE TOOTH, on Fri Jan 11, 2008 10:19 PM, said:

Any way, I see people bring stuff into gamestop and get offered little to nothing for the games, and the people get depressed, but sell it anyway. IF YOU DON'T WANNA SELL THE STUFF FOR PENNIES, DON'T! You have no obligation to sell the stuff to them once they give you the humiliating price.

Yeah, I laugh when I hear about how used games stores "rip you off" when you try to trade in stuff. Take it or leave it, or maybe, just MAYBE keep your "old and used" games, and be greatful you have them. I've never understood the trade in mentality anyway. My brother-in-law is about 21 and had at one time or another every game system from the last 18 years. How many does he still have? One: an X-box 360 because every time a new system came out that he wanted, they'd trade in whatever he was bored with and get the new one.

Edited by SRGilbert, Fri Jan 11, 2008 9:46 PM.

[nathanallan]

I talked to a manager of one of the gamestops in town and he told me he was really frustrated on how he was told to run it. He said that if he had his way, they would carry at least some classic systems and not as much Warhammer stuff-- which doesn't sell very well around here for how much they have. From this conversation, I gather that they are told strictly how to run the store, and they have little leeway for their own ideas.

Tooth, I think they guy you talked to was a mind-slave of the industry, just like my manager at Domino's. They obey the rules and don't waver at all for fear of reprisal of their bosses. The mind slaves I feel no good feelings toward. The guys that are frustrated, those guys I like and they deal with me well.

I think it's the top-down management styles that is hurting the game industry. The corporates who like money don't necessarily know about video games. *They* will hurt the industry.

Nathan

[wccw mark]

yes,gamestop/gamecrazy chains of stores are pretty much killing off the mom and pop/little guys of thie video game retail business,the retail side of video gaming,kinda like how walmart/target are killing off(pretty much has)killed off the dime store/varity stores i have fond memories of as a kid.these chain stores kill the unique stores of old.plus i hate the nazi type stance of trying to force the consumer into preording product,the overhype and bullshit most of these stores and employees provide and create.every new game is the next big thing,get that preorder,play your new game for a week,its old/out of style now,trade it in right away for the next big thing,its how they make the money,pretty much whoring out the art of gaming.every customer is just a preorder/mvp/mag subscription,game guard ratio/sales number,not a fellow person who enjoys games.

[MCHufnagel]

Overall, Gamestop is bad for the consumer. But if you follow some guidlines, you can do really well shopping there.

1st off, don't EVER trade in anything, unless you're doing a deal like buying it new someplace else and the trade in value is higher (especially when they are running a +30% trade in deal) than the price you paid. Cheapass Gamer has all kinds of threads where you can find deals like that dealing with Gamestop or other stores. Otherwise just keep the game. On Cheapass Gamer people have bought PS3 systems for 1/3 - 1/2 the list price on the credit they've made on these kinds of deals.

2nd, don't buy anything new there. Other stores will sell you new games that are sealed. I've been to Gamestops where even the new games behind the counter are opened and the discs are put into seperate envelopes next to the case! And Gamestop rarely has deals on "in-demand" new games.

3rd, only buy used when they are running a promotion. I get coupon's emailed to me weekly. This week is buy one used original Xbox game, get another free. A pretty good deal if you are looking for Xbox games. Or wait for the B2G1 free deal. And always look to see if the game has the booklet and look at the condition of the disc.

Use their system to your advantage!

[SINGLE TOOTH]

nathanallan, on Fri Jan 11, 2008 11:21 PM, said:

Tooth, I think they guy you talked to was a mind-slave of the industry, just like my manager at Domino's. They obey the rules and don't waver at all for fear of reprisal of their bosses. The mind slaves I feel no good feelings toward. The guys that are frustrated, those guys I like and they deal with me well.

The funny thing was, he was a younger kid. I don't understand why he took it so personal. He was a mind-slave.

I used to work at dominos, heh. One of the best jobs I ever had. My managers were cool, and weren't a slaves to the man at all. Except when the owner would come in and work. The owner was a total asshead.

It was funny, every morning the manager would be passed out on his desk in the back.

If the gas prices weren't so high, maybe I would deliver there again.

[Lord Helmet]

MCHufnagel, on Sat Jan 12, 2008 9:21 AM, said:

Overall, Gamestop is bad for the consumer. But if you follow some guidlines, you can do really well shopping there.

1st off, don't EVER trade in anything, unless you're doing a deal like buying it new someplace else and the trade in value is higher (especially when they are running a +30% trade in deal) than the price you paid. Cheapass Gamer has all kinds of threads where you can find deals like that dealing with Gamestop or other stores. Otherwise just keep the game. On Cheapass Gamer people have bought PS3 systems for 1/3 - 1/2 the list price on the credit they've made on these kinds of deals.

2nd, don't buy anything new there. Other stores will sell you new games that are sealed. I've been to Gamestops where even the new games behind the counter are opened and the discs are put into seperate envelopes next to the case! And Gamestop rarely has deals on "in-demand" new games.

3rd, only buy used when they are running a promotion. I get coupon's emailed to me weekly. This week is buy one used original Xbox game, get another free. A pretty good deal if you are looking for Xbox games. Or wait for the B2G1 free deal. And always look to see if the game has the booklet and look at the condition of the disc.

Use their system to your advantage!

Great advice. This is basically how I treat Gamestop.

I also have to add that while most Gamestops are crappy to deal with, the one I go to has a couple of really cool managers that are great to deal with.

[shadow460]

Lord Helmet, on Sat Jan 12, 2008 9:57 AM, said:

I also have to add that while most Gamestops are crappy to deal with, the one I go to has a couple of really cool managers that are great to deal with.

That's not the one outside Penn Square Mall, is it? I've been in there a few times, and I was able to grab perhaps 20 to 30 N64 titles when they were closing those out. The guys who worked there at the time seemed pretty cool. They're OK in that store now, I suppose. I got GT4 at that GameStop, and they didn't even try the opened but new game trick. I asked for a sealed copy and that's what I got with no hassle at all.
The other GameStop I visit is at I-40 and MacArthur, not far from Wal*Mart. I can't stand that place. For the record, I can't stand that Wal*Mart, either.

That said, Game X Change is where it's at.

[HammR25]

I've never bought a new game at Gamestop that wasn't sealed in two different states. That sounds more like the local manager is deciding to pull that garbage.

[murfj]

SINGLE TOOTH, on Fri Jan 11, 2008 9:19 PM, said:

Personally, I cannot under stand how someone can go into a Lamestop, look at the same game both new and used, and buy the used game.
The used game is less than 5 dollars cheaper than the brand new. For that price, I would rather buy the brand new game.

Also the bullshit trick they do where they try and give you an opened unsealed game as brand new is enraging. I don't care if the store opened it. IT IS NOT BRAND NEW / SEALED. Don't sell it as one. I would never take that.

I also hate they give you "in store credit" instead of cash. Funcoland was awesome. I remember when they would give you cash. They had games for every system just about.

When gamestop just got rid of all the Dreamcast stuff, I asked the clerk why. The clerk said it was an obsolete system and they won't carry it anymore. I then showed him the N64 and PSX sections of the store, and he had nothing to say.

And when you pre-order a game, you're not garenteed (sp) to get it??? That's bullshit. If you pre-order the game, the store better fuckin have it for you.

And when a new release does come out, how come Gamestops are the last ones to have it? They never even have it the day it comes out! I can go to walmart and it will be waiting for me there. If you are a games-only store, I can't understand why you are not on the ball.

I remember I almost got into a fist fight with the clerks at one Gamestop. I looked at the used prices of the games, and I told them I could walk next door to the extremely overpriced Sam Goody and get the game brand new for less than a used game! The clerk became very angry starting getting rowdy. He asked if I wanted to step outside. I obliged, but then he wound up wussing out and staying in the store. The sad part is he works there, but it was his day off, and he was just hanging out there.

Any way, I see people bring stuff into gamestop and get offered little to nothing for the games, and the people get depressed, but sell it anyway. IF YOU DON'T WANNA SELL THE STUFF FOR PENNIES, DON'T! You have no obligation to sell the stuff to them once they give you the humiliating price.

I try and make offers with people that bring stuff in there, and offer them a little more. And Cash.

I agree on the newer used games being over priced.... however it needs to be mentioned they are GREAT for older used games. Where else could I go in and pick up sports games that are a couple years old for practically pocket change? Not all of us are in there looking for games that just came out.

[RickHarrisMaine]

I pretty much run at least one or two years behind the times on purpose, and as a result, I do quite well at Gamestop. I've never tried to trade in anything at GS, but I would do so on their stuff with higher value like you could get at K-Mart on clearance or whatever. I've only paid over $30 once for a game at Gamestop, and with a coupon, and my 10% Edge discount, I didn't even pay that. My Edge card has paid for itself many times over. The one thing to remember is that if you find one with decent people, just shop there. Most of them are filled with jerks, but some of them aren't, and those will always get my business.

[zach1845]

I think its bad for the Consumer because they take any game thats popular (which of course they call Rare) and Price it anywhere from 35.00 to 50.00

One day just to see how mucht they rip of on trade values i took marvel vs capcom 2 there for ps2 which they sell for 59.99
when i brought it to see how much credit they said 14.00 credit that is less than 25% credit to what they sell for cash.

Gamecrazy on the other hand is more fair in a way that they sell there games and mark at prices do to age and not rarity.
Take for examplete fatal frame for ps2 is 8.99 at gamecrazy and 44.99 at gamestop. now it may be harder to get the rare games because they sell quicker. its good to know u can find great games for cheap while gamestop marks everything higher than ebay pricing.

[chrisbid]

you cant dismiss the entire chain. sure, the corporate policies are annoying, and a good number of sales reps are terrible, but if you find a few good reps, then why blame them for the negatives? if you dig around GSs, there are good deals to be found, it just takes some patience. and i would say that their strict sales model helps mom n pop stores that are willing to sell for cash and deal in classic games.

[zach1845]

murfj, on Sun Jan 13, 2008 2:37 AM, said:

SINGLE TOOTH, on Fri Jan 11, 2008 9:19 PM, said:

Personally, I cannot under stand how someone can go into a Lamestop, look at the same game both new and used, and buy the used game.
The used game is less than 5 dollars cheaper than the brand new. For that price, I would rather buy the brand new game.

Also the bullshit trick they do where they try and give you an opened unsealed game as brand new is enraging. I don't care if the store opened it. IT IS NOT BRAND NEW / SEALED. Don't sell it as one. I would never take that.

I also hate they give you "in store credit" instead of cash. Funcoland was awesome. I remember when they would give you cash. They had games for every system just about.

When gamestop just got rid of all the Dreamcast stuff, I asked the clerk why. The clerk said it was an obsolete system and they won't carry it anymore. I then showed him the N64 and PSX sections of the store, and he had nothing to say.

And when you pre-order a game, you're not garenteed (sp) to get it??? That's bullshit. If you pre-order the game, the store better fuckin have it for you.

And when a new release does come out, how come Gamestops are the last ones to have it? They never even have it the day it comes out! I can go to walmart and it will be waiting for me there. If you are a games-only store, I can't understand why you are not on the ball.

I remember I almost got into a fist fight with the clerks at one Gamestop. I looked at the used prices of the games, and I told them I could walk next door to the extremely overpriced Sam Goody and get the game brand new for less than a used game! The clerk became very angry starting getting rowdy. He asked if I wanted to step outside. I obliged, but then he wound up wussing out and staying in the store. The sad part is he works there, but it was his day off, and he was just hanging out there.

Any way, I see people bring stuff into gamestop and get offered little to nothing for the games, and the people get depressed, but sell it anyway. IF YOU DON'T WANNA SELL THE STUFF FOR PENNIES, DON'T! You have no obligation to sell the stuff to them once they give you the humiliating price.

I try and make offers with people that bring stuff in there, and offer them a little more. And Cash.

I agree on the newer used games being over priced.... however it needs to be mentioned they are GREAT for older used games. Where else could I go in and pick up sports games that are a couple years old for practically pocket change? Not all of us are in there looking for games that just came out.

[zach1845]

Well for one Ebay is way cheaper on used games. and if you look at there 9.99 and under game titles you will realize that these games could be had on ebay for probally 1 cent and 3 shipping.

[Bruce Tomlin]

I've seen them price Halo 1 for Xbox at $30 used... when you could get it for $20 new (and apparently now $10) at Target.

[zach1845]

They sell pokemon saffire and ruby and EMeral for 34.99 USED
the walmart next door they are 29.99 brand new its really sad.

[Mord]

HammR25, on Sun Jan 13, 2008 12:50 AM, said:

I've never bought a new game at Gamestop that wasn't sealed in two different states. That sounds more like the local manager is deciding to pull that garbage.

If it's done the same way ebgames does it up here in Canada (And from what I've read the two stores operate pretty much identically) the times when they'll try to pull that stunt is when their computer tells them they don't have any sealed copies in the back. So rather than lose a sale, they'll take the display case and put the game back in. I've gotten annoyed with this kind of behaviour as well over the years so I've taken to asking the clerk, upon telling me it's available new, "Is it sealed?". And if they tell me it's not I tell them I'll go find a copy somewhere else.

[Mord]

chrisbid, on Sun Jan 13, 2008 12:05 PM, said:

you cant dismiss the entire chain. sure, the corporate policies are annoying, and a good number of sales reps are terrible, but if you find a few good reps, then why blame them for the negatives?

Welcome to the world of franchises. When a lot of stores are using the same name and following the same rules, sharing in the reputation also happens. And for customers, it's also a self defense mechanism! "Oh I knew their reputation for lousy service, but the store near where I live is so nice! Surely this other store in the chain is just as nice!" (If you find yourself saying that, and then blaming the store for lousy service afterwards, you lack that self defense mechanism. )

[Lord Helmet]

shadow460, on Sat Jan 12, 2008 10:39 PM, said:

Lord Helmet, on Sat Jan 12, 2008 9:57 AM, said:

I also have to add that while most Gamestops are crappy to deal with, the one I go to has a couple of really cool managers that are great to deal with.

That's not the one outside Penn Square Mall, is it?

Nah. The one I go to is in northwest Edmond, close to where I live.

I have been to that one over near Penn Square.

[murfj]

zach1845, on Sun Jan 13, 2008 10:06 AM, said:

Well for one Ebay is way cheaper on used games. and if you look at there 9.99 and under game titles you will realize that these games could be had on ebay for probally 1 cent and 3 shipping.

That's not always true. I've checked ebay on many of the games I've bought at GameStop. I picked up some older EA Sports titles for the PS2 there for around $2.99 to $3.99, and they were roughly the same price- I think one was cheaper- on ebay, but with shipping it would have been a lot more than I paid here at Gamestop.
As others have said I'd never buy new stuff there, and would never trade anything there as it is really a rip off. But for used games- especially games that are at least a couple years old- they are great. They are also cheaper on used games than the other game stores we have here in town (there isn't much competition, though- we just have a chain called "Gamers" and a local place called "Play N Trade", but both of those are more expensive on all used games than Gamestop is).

[Mendon]

Interesting editorial from Next Gen magazine on GameStop can be found HERE

Parasitic? Guess that's a pretty accurate description.




Mendon

Edited by Mendon, Tue Jan 15, 2008 10:46 AM.

[Gabriel]

Mendon, on Tue Jan 15, 2008 10:45 AM, said:

Interesting editorial from Next Gen magazine on GameStop can be found HERE

Parasitic? Guess that's a pretty accurate description.

I was wondering when there would be something like this in a videogame publication. Let the education on the evils of property ownership and free enterprise begin!

Let me summarize the editorial for you, "Damn Gamestop! They sell used games, and when people buy used games, the terrorists win! It's all because of our silly attitude about owning and being able to do what we want with what we buy. If only we would embrace new games and make used games either illegal or impossible, then things would be so much better. Please think of the poor programmers!"

The complaint about Gamestop in this article has nothing to do with their practices. It's solely about how they sell used games, and that's somehow evil. Yet, Sony's rumored plan from not too long back to sell games as console locked licenses is presented as a good thing.

I also like how he adds in a little bit implying how video games would be cheaper if it weren't for all those evil used games floating around. Where have we heard that one before?

Sorry, the mere act of Gamestop selling used games is not causing the industry to collapse. I really hope this editorial was a joke, because it's so transparent, even clear plastic wrap looks opaque in comparison.

The "parasitic" characterization is accurate, but for absolutely none of the reasons in the article.

[MCHufnagel]

I just finished reading this article and the only thing I can say is that Gamestop must not buy any ads from them.

As far as I'm concerned when someone buys something they own it and can dispose of it any way they want. The model used by Steam is very anti-consumer. Does anyone really want that kind of model with console gaming? The DRM's for XBLA and VC games are horrible and I don't want that to happen to all games.

As far as used game sales keeping new game prices up, well that's complete BS. OXM had a pie chart explaining the costs involved in making games. There wasn't much room to cut prices (according to them).

If anything if there wasn't any competition from used sales, new prices would go up!

This is what kills me about this whole situation. It's as if developers are special. And that the laws of economics don't or shouldn't apply to them. "Selling a used car is different from selling a used game." No it isn't they're both used products with prices based on supply and demand.