I don't ♥ Gamestop

Gamestop is a name that has become house hold in the world of gaming. They are everywhere and they have almost monopolized the video game market. I know that I shop at Gamestop or used to as of last week. It is impossible to not shop there especially if you are in the market for used merchandise, or what they refer to as “pre-owned.” I have finally been pushed over the top though with their unappreciative attitudes, over priced “used merchandise”, and under purchased trade-ins. Their sales tactics are more annoying then helpful and if you have a question about anything, don’t expect an answer given by a majority of the employees to be helpful.

My dislike for Gamestop has become so much that it has finally driven me to shop elsewhere unless it is unavoidable. By now as a gamer I am sure that you are aware of the fact that you can pre-purchase or reserve a title long before it is released. So then why is it then when I am in the process of reserving a game do I always get asked if I would like to reserve any other game? Obviously at this point I am well aware of their reservation process and if I had wanted to reserve any other games I would have done so from the start. So please don’t ask me. Then there is the pricing on the video games and I am not talking about new games, but their used crap. How is it that you are going to sell me a game for $5 less than if I were to purchase it new, but if I were to trade that same game in, for store credit mind you, you will only give me a fraction of that price. Here is a hypothetical situation just in case you are unfamiliar with their ridiculous rip-off policies. Brand new a game costs $59.99, used it is $54.99 but if I bought it new or used and went to trade it in for store credit; I would get $20 or $30 max. That is in some cases more than 100% profit and possibly even more if you consider the fact that I have to use that $20 or $30 in the store to purchase more stuff. It is not like it is cash in my pocket. What a fucking rip. These plus other little things here and there have become too much, but it wasn’t any of this that finally drove me over the top.

This type of shit I have dealt with for years now and tolerated. It wasn’t until recently that I was driven over the edge to the point where I said enough is enough. Long story short, I called Gamestop to see if Assassins Creed qualified for a promotion that was taking place. They said it did so I went to trade it in. When I got there I was told that it did not qualify and that I would get $5 for the trade in. After some back in forth arguing I was finally asked who I talked to. Luckily I got his name and bingo I got $20 for Assassins Creed (mind you I only paid $17.99 for it used from Gamestop, so essential now I got paid $3 to own and play the game for almost a year). After that the assistant manager that was ringing me up just completely lost his shit. He start banging the crap out of the keyboard on his computer, throwing the game I was trading in around plus the game that I was buying, followed by a long string of god damn its and Jesus Christ’s. Then it escalates to the point of the assistant manager reprimanding and belittling the employee in front of Brian T., two mothers and their kids, and myself. Now between you and me I didn’t give a shit about how he was reacting and if anything I was getting a good laugh from getting one over on them; but with my hate for Gamestop I saw yet another opportunity to get more out of them by complaining about this negative experience to their corporate office.

The next day I filed the complaint with their corporate headquarters. After sitting on hold for about 10 minutes I finally got through to someone and explained the whole story. Once again I was put on hold only to hear after about another 5 minutes of silence that my complaint will be filed to the district manager. So I wait, and after about a week with no response he finally calls me. Once again I explain my situation to him. He goes on to inform me that both employees were assistant managers who are in line to get their own stores in the next year and that their behavior was unacceptable. Thanks, I know or I wouldn’t have called. Then he continues to tell me that this situation was a great training experience for his employees. He finally goes on to end the conversation with and I quote, “Thank you for bringing this situation to my attention. We are handling this internally and using this information to better help employees learn how to better handle themselves. We appreciate having you as a Gamestop customer and look forward to your future business with us. Goodbye.” What the fuck is that bullshit? If I were to go out and ream a server in front of a table about a mistake I made, A. I would no longer have a customer and B. if I wanted to keep them as a customer I would need to basically give them the store with gift certificates and what have you. But what did I get; nothing more than a thanks have a nice day, and come buy more overpriced crap from us. Well thanks for letting me know that I am nothing more than a number to you and that you have zero care in your customers. Why would you when you are arrogant enough to think that if he doesn’t come back I will have 3 more behind him. Well I used to think like that and now with the dwindling economy and the increase in competition, I am wishing that I treated every customer like family instead of a paycheck.

Today there are more and more options when it comes to video game sales. There are the big box stores like Wal-Mart and Target, online stores such as eBay, Gamefly, and Amazon, and even new retailers similar to Gamestop, like Play-N-Trade and Gorilla Games. Amazon, Gamefly, and the new video game retailers all take in trades either for cash or credit like Gamestop, and now you can also purchase used games from Wal-Mart. Plus the extra benefit to Play-N-Trade and Amazon is that you are not limited to purchasing games and accessories for 3 systems (360, PS3, and Wii). You have access to everything video game related, anything from a NES game to a Sega Dreamcast VMU. Having those options makes shopping there that much more appealing. I should mention also that every where else’s deals, trade-in offers, and prices on just about everything are lower than anything that you can buy at Gamestop. With all this said it leaves me to say that I am done with Gamestop. The only way I would be compelled to step foot in that store again is if I were given a gift card. It is your choice if you want to continue to support Gamestop and their bullshit antics; but I would highly recommend that everyone start taking the time to shop elsewhere instead of trying to fill that instant gratification with Gamestop. Comment back and let me know what you think about Gamestop and if you too have had enough.

-Brian R.

Gamestop, Pawnshop

Nobody likes Gamestop. We all have our reasons, but at one point or another we all end up hating Gamestop. It could be the constant sales pitch from the moment you walk into the store until the moment your transaction ends. It could be the fact that 25% of floor and wall space in the store is not filled with games, but advertising and empty boxes for games that aren't out yet. It could be the dishonest or incompetent employees and managers out to get higher MSTs, Subs, and Reservs that don't know half as much as most of their shoppers. But we deal with it because we're lazy. And that is why Gamestop, the biggest video game pawn shop in the country, has achieved such a high level of success. I've begun to ween myself off of Gamestop, and I recommend you do the same.

Let's start with brick and mortar retail store alternatives. The majority of us don't have independent video game stores, but new franchise chains like Play and Trade and Gorilla Games are beginning to pop up. Brian R has actually looked into franchising a Play and Trade and received an e-mail detailing plans for expansion. What they have planned for the Chicagoland area is huge and gives the strong impression that they intend to be major competitors to Gamestop. Play and Trades are hit and miss though. Owners have full control over inventory, pricing, and trade-in value so your shopping experience can be different from store to store. One store may carry games as far back as Atari 2600 as well as imports, while another store may just have a similar inventory to the Gamestop down the street.

Of course there are major chains like Target, Walmart, Best Buy, etc. that are always options. As the electronics manager at a Target, as well as a former Gamestop employee, I can definitely say that if you are looking for a new release, you'll have an easier time getting it at Target. Gamestop always tries the hard pitch about reserving games to ensure you get a copy, but on average, Target will get 3 or 4 times as many copies of a game and bigger titles are replenished faster. You'd be surprised at some of the more obscure titles that arrive at the stores as well. RPGs and fighters get pushed out of the system fast and are often marked clearance before their first price drop so make sure you check the clearance endcaps.

This still leaves you with few other options than Gamestop to sell games through. There are a few Best Buy locations that used to give huge amounts of store credit for used games, but over the years, their trade-in values have evened out with Gamestop's. If you have a Disc Replay nearby, they tend to give you as much cash as Gamestop gives store credit for games. Other than that, when you do trade-in at Gamestop, be sure to check their promotions to make sure you get the most you can get. Oftentimes employees will not give you promotions because they either don't know about them, or don't know how to use them properly.

I tend to do a lot of my game shopping online. Besides having an unbeatable, endless selection, the best prices and trade-in values will be found online. I've been a member at Cheap Ass Gamer for the past 6 years and it's definitely the place to go for a comprehensive list of all the best video game deals online and in-store. eBay is usually the first stop for most games over a year or two old. Amazon and Gamefly are two excellent online retailers as well. Amazon gives bonuses for reserving games, so Gamestop isn't the only way to get your preorder bonuses. You don't have to be a Gamefly member to take advantage of their great sales either.

As for selling games, Amazon.com seems to give the most credit/cash. Prince of Persia for PS3 was worth $5 store credit at Gamestop, while Amazon gives $10 cash (via various convenient payment options). Selling games to Amazon and other online retailers is extremely easy. You type the game/dvd/cd you want to sell, they give you a value, you add it to your cart, they send you a shipping label, and then they send you the money upon receiving the package. And then of course, if you actually want to make the most money you can, you could stop being lazy and start using eBay.

Unfortunately, as many analysts and game journalists have predicted, video game retailers may eventually become obsolete as developers continue to push online distribution as a cheaper, easier alternative to retail. Eventually all of our games will come directly from the Playstation Store, the Xbox Live Marketplace, Steam, etc. and just go directly onto the massive hard drives future consoles will have. We'll also have hoverboards and be able to teleport and all of our guns will be lasers...you know, eventually. In the mean time, Gamestop remains the most popular video game retailer. I just figured I'd let you know there are a ton of other options.

-Brian T.