Why does anyone support Gamestop these days?

[Hardware]

I find it absolutely ridiculous that they sell you a used game at full price. Is that even legal? And on top of it a used game that has been released recently is $5 less than a new title costs. Do you people realize how much money they are making on those used games? That's all their profit right there. Highway Robbery! I seriously don't understand why people even support this store. Personally if you do an you are happy that's great. I'm not upset with them by any means. I buy my games from stores that treat me right. I'm simply posting this cause I'd love to hear some answers on why people even shop there? They should be out of business these days. Is it just me or does anyone realize how terrible this store is?

[DAWG26]

I would rather trade my games here or sell them online, but some times you just need it fast and easy.

[ZForce]

Because unless you're lucky enough to have a good mom and pop store near you (which I do not) your choice is basically to either support Gamestop, or support some other evil, bloated conglomerate (Best Buy, Wal Mart, etc)

[Ryukahn]

With coupons you can get some great deals on used games or trade-ins. Not to mention it can be difficult to find people online that want to buy your stuff. IMO eBay is worse than Gamestop anyway, which is why I don't sell there anymore, making my selling options limited.

[Badgun]

I find it absolutely ridiculous that they sell you a used game at full price. Is that even legal? And on top of it a used game that has been released recently is $5 less than a new title costs. Do you people realize how much money they are making on those used games? That's all their profit right there. Highway Robbery! I seriously don't understand why people even support this store. Personally if you do an you are happy that's great. I'm not upset with them by any means. I buy my games from stores that treat me right. I'm simply posting this cause I'd love to hear some answers on why people even shop there? They should be out of business these days. Is it just me or does anyone realize how terrible this store is?

Dude, I'm sorry someone at your Gamestop pissed in your cornflakes. Gamestop's business model is apparently a sound one as they continue to show record profits. I take it you don't have a clue about profit and loss, do you? Gamestop's appearance of a wide profit margin would seem like highway robbery if they picked and chose what games they took, but they don't. How would you feel if you walked in Gamestop and they only took your best games and left out the awful ones because no one would buy them? Guess what? They don't. They buy every piece of crap game that you could possibly come up with, knowing that most of them will never sell.

So you're sad that your shiny new copy of Madden 10 trades in for $25 and they sell it for $54.99? Well how about all those copies of Dark Sector that they paid $15 for a year ago and are now selling for $8.99 used. They're probably losing money on over half of the used games in their store because they never say "no".

Before you go spouting off about Gamestop being the anti-christ maybe you should get a grasp on how their business model works. I don't trade games in there often because to me their trade prices are too low most of the time, but at least I understand what they are doing.

[Anthem85]

If you really wait and look you can really get some great deals. They do hurt the devs by selling like they do so heres what the industry needs to come up with.

A Contract between companies and store. Kind of like what they do with DVD's and redbox and blockbuster. Come up with a plan and say when new games are released there is a window to where they cant be traded in or sold used. like 2-3 months time. After so it is free from this and then they can be traded. This way the first wave is over and the devs can make the most off launch.

I can tell you I dont buy a new game or used at launch. I very rarely do. I wish I could but I cant spend that kind of cash. Like I said in another post I will wait until it drops below $30 to make a game purchase. So I like used games. I just dont like the model they have in place right now that hurts the people making the games.

[Malik112099]

You're mad that you can get a brand new game for $5 the day after it comes out with a "return it within 7 days for a full refund no questions asked" warranty?

[itachiitachi]

basically people are either ignorant that they are being ripped off or too lazy to care

[Gentlegamer]

I like to hit up GameStop during the buy 2 get 1 free deals and pick up some older, cheaper, titles. It's a pretty good deal.

[Malik112099]

A Contract between companies and store. Kind of like what they do with DVD's and redbox and blockbuster. Come up with a plan and say when new games are released there is a window to where they cant be traded in or sold used. like 2-3 months time. After so it is free from this and then they can be traded. This way the first wave is over and the devs can make the most off launch.

Link to this info about redbox/blockbuster please..i think you are making shit up....as for having a window of not being able to trade new games - people will just get rid of them in other ways..plus good luck trying to tell people who they can/cant trade/sell their games too.

[xycury]

basically people are either ignorant that they are being ripped off or too lazy to care

Indeed!

real people (cags too) would wait for good coupons, never pay for a newsed game, and only use the trade ins on power trades, or desparation.

I've never bought a new game besides ones that drop in price because of a sale, I always abuse their coupons.

frankly the OP should be yelling at the people in the post that I quoted... they are the ones making Gamestop survivable.

[Anthem85]

I like to hit up GameStop during the buy 2 get 1 free deals and pick up some older, cheaper, titles. It's a pretty good deal.

Oh man I love those deals

Link to this info about redbox/blockbuster please..i think you are making shit up....as for having a window of not being able to trade new games - people will just get rid of them in other ways..plus good luck trying to tell people who they can/cant trade/sell their games too.

This is a link stating the deal between Redbox and sony and lionsgate.

Also noone is saying who you can trade and sell to. Just a window with a retail store. If the option isnt there then you wouldnt have anything to complain about. You would wait your 1 or 2 months and say meh ok ill now go trade it in. Of course there would have to be other changes in the operation to make this work but its a small thought without trying to work out everything in a small post. It would take many hours to work out numbers and plans and policies.

http://www.progressivegrocer.com/progressivegrocer/content_display/features/e3if5c6c7ae5292695ff3e3e92e13c84229

"In exchange for its product agreements with Lionsgate and Sony, Redbox agreed not to resell old DVDs on the used-disc market -- a practice that has riled studio execs even more than the company’s ultra-low rental price. Studio home entertainment execs complain that dollar rentals are starting to reduce consumers’ enthusiasm for purchasing DVDs."

"Sony stands to collect approximately $460 million over the term of the five-year agreement, which extends through September 2014, according to regulatory filings. The deal is the first publicly disclosed arrangement with a major studio, underscoring how valuable the movie-rental vending machines have become."

[BigBizzee]

Gamestop is NO different than every store in the world EVER. They have good deals, and bad deals - and in no way am I going to "support" somebody just because I like or dislike their business model. I'm going for the best deals - I'm only out to support myself. The store could be called "WE POOP IN YOUR MOM'S BREAKFAST", and if they have a good deal on a game then I"m buying from them.

I never understood brand loyalty, especially with game stores.

This is cheapassgamer, shop where the stuff has the best deals. Shopping based off of principles is a bad idea IMO.

[lokizz]

if you have a problem with gs complain and they will sort it out. ive never bought a new game there that wasnt sealed whether its in store or online and when it comes to used games if they dont work send it back and you will get a working copy. whether some of the stuff they do is intentional or not many stores dont expect consumers to complain and many wont because they are uncomfratable doing so or they just figures its too much of a hassle or a waste of time. the minute stores doe something you dont like complain and in the end you will get the result you desire as long as your complaint is valid.

[Puffa469]

Gamestop has deals if your a savy consumer. Which you should be if your on this site. As others have said there are B2G1 sales and Edge and coupons, etc.

I'f your speakling in purely ethical terms, I'd rather buy games from Gamestop than Walmart for example. Gamestop screws gamers, Walmart screws everybody.

Gamestop's 'crimes' are well known and documented by the core gaming community. Most people who don't know by now probably don't care.

[manthing]

I like exploiting gamestop.

[Malik112099]

Oh man I love those deals



This is a link stating the deal between Redbox and sony and lionsgate.

Also noone is saying who you can trade and sell to. Just a window with a retail store. If the option isnt there then you wouldnt have anything to complain about. You would wait your 1 or 2 months and say meh ok ill now go trade it in. Of course there would have to be other changes in the operation to make this work but its a small thought without trying to work out everything in a small post. It would take many hours to work out numbers and plans and policies.

http://www.progressivegrocer.com/progressivegrocer/content_display/features/e3if5c6c7ae5292695ff3e3e92e13c84229

"In exchange for its product agreements with Lionsgate and Sony, Redbox agreed not to resell old DVDs on the used-disc market -- a practice that has riled studio execs even more than the company’s ultra-low rental price. Studio home entertainment execs complain that dollar rentals are starting to reduce consumers’ enthusiasm for purchasing DVDs."

"Sony stands to collect approximately $460 million over the term of the five-year agreement, which extends through September 2014, according to regulatory filings. The deal is the first publicly disclosed arrangement with a major studio, underscoring how valuable the movie-rental vending machines have become."


That deal says that Redbox will now receive dvds directly from Lionsgate and Sony instead of going through their wholesalers which are the same wholesalers that Redbox sells the useds dvds back to (which they wont do anymore). Fox ordered its wholesalers to stop giving redbox dvds within 30 days of release and redbox is now suing.

Your example of what should be done with gamestop is a clouded up clusterfuck.


Also, trade in value for a game 2 days after release can be MUCH different than 30 days after. People will go elsewhere and Gamestop will suffer.

[BillyBob29]

My only real problem with Gamestop is them selling "new" games that have been gutted. I rarely buy games from GS but it seems like everytime I do I end up getting a gutted title.

But then again, having their employees pester me with a slew of questions the second I enter the door and then again as I'm trying to make a purchase is pretty annoying.
"Would like to pre-order....insert list of upcoming games....today?"
"Would like to sign up for Edge or a magazine subscription?"
"Do you have any games to trade in today?"
"Would you like to buy an extended warranty on your game? No? How about buying a gamedoctor?"

[dmaul1114]

Haven't set foot in any game store in over 5 years. Just not worth it.

-Prices suck
-Sell gutted games as new
-Hocking pre-orders and magazine
-Employees suck
-Clientele sucks (nerds and kids)
-etc.

I felt like I lost IQ points everytime I step in the places, so I quit. Since then games have been ordered online or bought at Target or Best Buy for the most part. Up until joining Goozex last year anyway, now I just get most of my games off there.

[meta460085]

I occasionally go to browse but if/when I find something i want take it to the counter. If they try and push something else down my throat 3 times I say fuck it and leave the item I WAS gonna purchase on the counter and walk out. I dont play that shit. lol

[davkeats]

Haven't set foot in any game store in over 5 years. Just not worth it.

-Prices suck
-Sell gutted games as new
-Hocking pre-orders and magazine
-Employees suck
-Clientele sucks (nerds and kids)
-etc.

I felt like I lost IQ points everytime I step in the places, so I quit. Since then games have been ordered online or bought at Target or Best Buy for the most part. Up until joining Goozex last year anyway, now I just get most of my games off there.

-thier used game prices are comparable to any used gameing store, plus you can return them within 7 days if you dont like it, no questions asked.
-i dont buy new games often from them, but when i did, they took a new shrink wrapped game fron behind the counter.
-be a man and dont get intimidated by thier sales pitches, just say no thanks...and its over
-the employees are no worse if not better than best buy or any other big chain store where they dont even pretend to know about the product. (that being said, i have seen some shitty GS employees, but mostly they were civil if i was)
-thats a ridiculous reason for not shopping there. where is the adult/non-nerd game store?
-you got me on the etc...

i cant walk into best buy or target and get Tomb Raider Anniversery, but accross the street Gs has it for 12.99, no shipping added (since im there) and i can return it for no reason in 7 days. damn them.

GS has its problems, but they have a backlog of used games which in mu opinion makes it worth it to shop there. dont take them personal, just get your product and leave. and try not to let the kids and nerds intimidate you.

[Hoffgod]

Do you people realize how much money they are making on those used games? That's all their profit right there. Highway Robbery!No, that's a completely legitimate business model. If you don't like it, don't buy it. Me? I'm okay with it, because it means I get a product that I want for a cheaper price (especially after Edge card and whatever sale they're usually running) plus the guarantee that if I don't like it, I can return it within 7 days for a full refund. That's not evil, that's a better deal for the consumer.

Besides, if you think that any other company is any more benevolent than GameStop, you're horribly mistaken. They all want one thing first and foremost: your money. It's called capitalism and it drives our economy. Get used to it.

[DrunkTigerWoods]

I dont give gamestop my business anymore. Last time I shopped there, the clerks were condescending assholes and questioned my purchase. I was like im spending money in your fucking store, how dare you criticize my purchase. Never again.

[HaLLuZiNaTiOnZ]

Only time GS pissed me off is when I visited the store like every 3/4 days to see if they had a pre-order gift for a game I wanted, but when the game finally arrived they said they sold out/didn't get them(can't remember). I said "Well, then I'll cancel my order". BS they didn't get them. The only reason I buy from them/trade with them is.

B2G1
Trade in for 40%+
GS Exclusive Pre-order gifts. (Hard to get later on, IMO)
I want the game NOW. (Only about 2 or 3 series apply to this, and only like 1 of them has a release soon)(Beatles rock band)

[tankass]

I really dont know why anyone starts threads like this. Not because I love GS or anything, but talking about how "evil" and "poor" their business is, is like when people say they love their small local stores but shop at walmart cause its cheaper. The fact of the matter is they are a business and every business has their strengths and weaknesses and you just have to use that to your advantage. I mean I hate thier new "gutted" copies of games, but that just means that if im going to buy it new, and thats all they have I just say "sorry Ill get it somewhere else", its not like they are forcing you to buy it. And everyone complaining about used games, if you dont like it then dont buy it, and if everyone hates it that much then they would lose business which obviously isnt happening. I hate people that complain about companies when they arent helping the situation by being stupid consumers.

And really? People complaining about their clientele? Are you that one rare person that actually talks to every person in every store you shop in? If they clientele sucks then dont talk to them.

[xdl]

GS only sucks if you suck at shopping there. You hold the power as the consumer. I buy new releases that just got traded in all the time. It comes to $38 after coupon or $33 after B2G1 free sale. Thats almost half off, usually for games that are less than a month or two old, and half the time you can trade them in for almost as much or more if you use their trade in promotions correctly. Most people are just too lazy to bother doing these things.

[DPsx7]

Exactly like they said - abuse the coupons. I always print 2 or 3 and visit all my local stores, so even if the price is only a couple dollars less, it's much better for me to knock 35% off their profits. I collect games and sometimes they're the only ones with the uncommon stuff. Plus with the amount of games I haven't played yet I set a limit to not spend more than $35 on any one game unless it's a REAL must have. So if stores don't drop the price on new games fast enough, then GS gets a little of my money thanks to their coupons. I don't go there for anything else.

[Ronin317]

If you really wait and look you can really get some great deals. They do hurt the devs by selling like they do so heres what the industry needs to come up with.

A Contract between companies and store. Kind of like what they do with DVD's and redbox and blockbuster. Come up with a plan and say when new games are released there is a window to where they cant be traded in or sold used. like 2-3 months time. After so it is free from this and then they can be traded. This way the first wave is over and the devs can make the most off launch.

I can tell you I dont buy a new game or used at launch. I very rarely do. I wish I could but I cant spend that kind of cash. Like I said in another post I will wait until it drops below $30 to make a game purchase. So I like used games. I just dont like the model they have in place right now that hurts the people making the games.
Capitalism is a bitch, isn't it?:roll:

[Puffa469]

I dont give gamestop my business anymore. Last time I shopped there, the clerks were condescending assholes and questioned my purchase. I was like im spending money in your fucking store, how dare you criticize my purchase. Never again.

You sure they weren't all like 'OMG Is that Tiger Woods!? I think he's DRUNK!' ;)

[lokizz]

My only real problem with Gamestop is them selling "new" games that have been gutted. I rarely buy games from GS but it seems like everytime I do I end up getting a gutted title.

But then again, having their employees pester me with a slew of questions the second I enter the door and then again as I'm trying to make a purchase is pretty annoying.
"Would like to pre-order....insert list of upcoming games....today?"
"Would like to sign up for Edge or a magazine subscription?"
"Do you have any games to trade in today?"
"Would you like to buy an extended warranty on your game? No? How about buying a gamedoctor?"

yeah the pestering is the thing that is always annoying as if you dont know anything about games or gaming its kind of insulting and i dont know why they think that kiind of stuff helps anyone.

[dmaul1114]

-thier used game prices are comparable to any used gameing store, plus you can return them within 7 days if you dont like it, no questions asked.


Goozex and other trading sites make all used game stores obsolete for those of us who don't care about waiting to play things a few months. I don't care about the return policy. I know what I like and only play a handful of AAA games a year.


-i dont buy new games often from them, but when i did, they took a new shrink wrapped game fron behind the counter.


Some times all they have are copies they opened to put the case on display (and let employees borrow the game) and those get sold as new.


-be a man and dont get intimidated by thier sales pitches, just say no thanks...and its over


I don't get intimidated. I just choose not to shop at places where you have to spend more time at the checkout repeatedly saying no to multiple offers.


-the employees are no worse if not better than best buy or any other big chain store where they dont even pretend to know about the product. (that being said, i have seen some shitty GS employees, but mostly they were civil if i was)


Some are fine, some are worse. Too many uber-nerds spouting off fanboy non-sense which as a VERY casual gamer these days I have no interest in listening to. Not to mention the sometimes condescending comments you'll get about buying some mainstream game over whatever nerdy Japanese game the zit faced clerk loves etc. But to be fair it varied a lot from store to store and a lot of clerks just shut the fuck up and take your money--which is what a cashier should be doing when I'm ready to check out.


-thats a ridiculous reason for not shopping there. where is the adult/non-nerd game store?


I get most every game on Goozex, if not I'll grab it at Target while buying other stuff I need or at Best Buy when I go to pick up a movie or CD. No need to put up with the crowd of people I don't like being around in gaming stores.


i cant walk into best buy or target and get Tomb Raider Anniversery, but accross the street Gs has it for 12.99, no shipping added (since im there) and i can return it for no reason in 7 days. damn them.

I can get most anything on Goozex, and I have very mainstream interests. I only pick up a handful of games a year and it's always just major AAA stuff like Fallout, Call of Duty, Gears of War, Rock Band etc. as I only game maybe 5 hours a month these days so I choose to only spend my limited gaming time on the cream of the crop in genre's I still enjoy.

And again, I don't care about return policy. If I happen to not like something, I flip back on Goozex (which I'd do after beating it anyway).


GS has its problems, but they have a backlog of used games which in mu opinion makes it worth it to shop there. dont take them personal, just get your product and leave. and try not to let the kids and nerds intimidate you.

That's all fine and dandy. Goozex just works better for me being a very casual/mainstream gamer, with Amazon.com and Target getting my 1 or 2 new game purchases a year.

But for the most part, food/toiletries aside I try to do the majority of my shopping online. Just hassle free. Don't have to deal with dumbass employees, asshole customers, or finding time to get to the store on my busy schedule.

[blissskr]

Dude, I'm sorry someone at your Gamestop pissed in your cornflakes. Gamestop's business model is apparently a sound one as they continue to show record profits. I take it you don't have a clue about profit and loss, do you? Gamestop's appearance of a wide profit margin would seem like highway robbery if they picked and chose what games they took, but they don't. How would you feel if you walked in Gamestop and they only took your best games and left out the awful ones because no one would buy them? Guess what? They don't. They buy every piece of crap game that you could possibly come up with, knowing that most of them will never sell.

So you're sad that your shiny new copy of Madden 10 trades in for $25 and they sell it for $54.99? Well how about all those copies of Dark Sector that they paid $15 for a year ago and are now selling for $8.99 used. They're probably losing money on over half of the used games in their store because they never say "no".

Before you go spouting off about Gamestop being the anti-christ maybe you should get a grasp on how their business model works. I don't trade games in there often because to me their trade prices are too low most of the time, but at least I understand what they are doing.

Very well said sir.

[CoffeeEdge]

Support? What?

I don't know what you mean by that. I don't think there is like, The Gamestop Advocates of America Association or anything. Buying something from a store is not really what I would call "support."

I mean, I buy gas every week, but I don't exactly "support" fucking Exxon Mobil.

[dmaul1114]

Support? What?

I don't know what you mean by that. I don't think there is like, The Gamestop Advocates of America Association or anything. Buying something from a store is not really what I would call "support."

I mean, I buy gas every week, but I don't exactly "support" fucking Exxon Mobil.

Well, by giving a business your patronage, you are supporting them in a sense as they are dependent on patronage to stay in business.

Nothing wrong with being an informed consumer and doing your best to not shop at stores you get poor service, or at business who's business practices you disagree with etc. etc.

For instance, I've long avoided exxon mobile since the Exxon Valdez disaster and some other crap I read years ago that put me off of them--not that the others are any better.

Gamestop I don't like the practice of selling gutted games as new, forcing employees to hock all the pre-orders, magazines, warranties etc. (on top of just generally being annoyed by the employees and clientele in there) so I stopped shopping there and supporting them with my patronage.

[S0DA POPINSKI]

Normally I hate buying things from GS inless its a good deal. I will sometimes buy full priced games when they first come out because there is a gamestop less then 2 mins from my house and gamecrazy is like 20 mins away.

[BondJamesBond]

I havent been in a gamestop in years.

[CoffeeEdge]

I don't support any of the big retailers I buy games at. Fuck Best Buy, fuck Amazon, fuck Target. Fuck every store.

[dmaul1114]

I don't support any of the big retailers I buy games at. Fuck Best Buy, fuck Amazon, fuck Target. Fuck every store.

You can play the semantics game if you like, but you are supporting them by giving them your money and thus helping them stay in business.

Personally, I try to only shop at stores (both the whole chain and the individual franchise) that I want to see stay in business. Stores I can't stand like Gamestop and Wal-mart don't get my business. I'll shop elsewhere even if it means spending more money. That's what not supporting a store means.

[Cage017]

Where are all these Gamestop employees from Hell? There was one store where a guy was pushing me to buy a game that didn't have a cover or instructions, but everywhere else I've been to I've always encountered nice and accommodating employees at Gamestop. I can see where it could be annoying to hear them ask if you wanted to reserve a game, but not enough to hate them.

As far as the store goes, I don't like the cheap trade-in credit they offer (recently I started gathering games and other goodies to trade with fellow CAGers). I also wish they wouldn't sell games that are in generic cases with no art on it. The stickers can be annoying to peel off as well. And seeing as how they sell used products, I always buy new consoles at a department store. As a matter of fact, I plan to purchase a PS3 at Target this November.

The specials they have on used games, however, are great. That B2G1 offer gave me the chance to catch up on the PS2 library and it saved me lots of money from retail. They offer a subscription to Game Informer (which has become my favorite gaming magazine since OPM left) and that Edge card for less than if you bought the subscription on its own. Not only do they carry games that are hard to find, but you can try them for 7 days and return it with a refund if you don't like it. Try doing that with a new game at Best Buy or Target.

I heard a lot of negative things about Gamestop.com and it's probably true that they're worse. I bought a used SNES from them years ago and the system usually takes 4 tries before it reads the game correctly. Having no way of knowing if the used game you're getting has directions or cover art is terrible.

Holy Shaq, this is the longest post I've made at CAG so to summarize:

Game selection: Good
Trade-in credit: Awful
Special discounts: Good
Gamestop.com: Probably bad.

[CoffeeEdge]

You can play the semantics game if you like, but you are supporting them by giving them your money and thus helping them stay in business.
If you want to play the semantics game, then the word your looking for is "patronize." I buy a game wherever I can find the best deal. Talking about "support" implies some sort of loyalty, if you ask me.

Personally, I try to only shop at stores (both the whole chain and the individual franchise) that I want to see stay in business. Stores I can't stand like Gamestop and Wal-mart don't get my business. I'll shop elsewhere even if it means spending more money. That's what not supporting a store means.
Every store sucks and has shitty things about them. Who cares?

[dmaul1114]

Some stores/companies suck more than others and I choose not to support (or patronize if you prefer) as there are plenty of other stores out there willing to take my money. And for some stores I'll bypass deals and pay more elsewhere to avoid them.

[blissskr]

Some stores/companies suck more than others and I choose not to support (or patronize if you prefer) as there are plenty of other stores out there willing to take my money. And for some stores I'll bypass deals and pay more elsewhere to avoid them.
That makes you an idiot not some kind of noble champion dude.

[CoffeeEdge]

That makes you an idiot not some kind of noble champion dude.

LOL.

That's my thing. People who think this makes them, as you put it, some sort of noble champion are silly.

[gettinmoney662]

I don't support any of the big retailers I buy games at. Fuck Best Buy, fuck Amazon, fuck Target. Fuck every store.

You're a moron.

Those companies don't care if you personally like them. As long as you're buying things from them, you're supporting them in the only way they care about.

Also, why is everyone so upset about the clerks trying to sell you warranties and shit? Just say no, it's not that difficult.

Anyways, I don't buy anything from Gamestop because I don't buy used games and I want my new games to be new.

[CoffeeEdge]

You're a moron.
No, you are.

Those companies don't care if you personally like them. As long as you're buying things from them, you're supporting them in the only way they care about.
O rly?!?!?

As long as they're selling me stuff that I'm satisfied with, they're serving me in the only way I care about.

[gettinmoney662]

No, you are.


O rly?!?!?

As long as they're selling me stuff that I'm satisfied with, they're serving me in the only way I care about.

No one's arguing that, dumbass. To say that you don't support these companies, yet you buy products from them is ridiculous.

[pochaccoheaven]

it doesn't matter that gamestop sells games that are $5 less then the cost of the new game. the reason why is because gamestop takes a risk by buying back a game from a consumer that no longer wants it. the risk is that people may not buy the game so they have to sell it at that price point.

[InvaderZim]

I love Gamestop.

[Jesus_S_Preston]

Because they aren't childish enough to flip shit over the box to their game being opened?

[intoxicated662]

Don't forget, 10% off a used game with edge card so if it's a "new" game that came out recently and it's $54.99 you get 10% off that plus there's a coupon for gamestop subscribers who use their email who get another 10% off used items which can be found here on cag too. so that's 20% off if you have the edge card+coupon which isn't a bad deal. Gamestop isn't as bad as people make it seem. Just because you have had a problem with them before doesn't make them the worst or a bad store. Every company is the same way or worst.

[dmaul1114]

That makes you an idiot not some kind of noble champion dude.

I'm not trying to be some noble champion. I just see no point in giving my business to stores that annoy me. I don't do it to make any social point etc.

I don't care if others do, they can do with their money what they like. I'd rather spend a more and shop at Target rather than deal with the riff raff working in and shopping in Wal-mart for instance, even though stuff tends to be a bit more expensive at Target.

Games, movies etc. I shop around for the best deals online or in stores besides Gamestop and Wal-mart as those are non-essentials. But I'll pay a bit more for toiletries etc. at Target to avoid the frustration.

But I'm not much of a cheapass as I make ok money and don't have a lot of debt etc., so I don't have to pinch every penny, so I guess I have that liberty where some don't.

[gettinmoney662]

Because they aren't childish enough to flip shit over the box to their game being opened?

It's well known that Gamestop employees borrow new games and they still sell them as new games. Where do you think they are getting these games? From the copies that they gut. If you have no problem paying a new price for a used game, then by all means, go ahead.

[blissskr]

I'm not trying to be some noble champion. I just see no point in giving my business to stores that annoy me. I don't do it to make any social point etc.

I don't care if others do, they can do with their money what they like. I'd rather spend a more and shop at Target rather than deal with the riff raff working in and shopping in Wal-mart for instance, even though stuff tends to be a bit more expensive at Target.

Games, movies etc. I shop around for the best deals online or in stores besides Gamestop and Wal-mart as those are non-essentials. But I'll pay a bit more for toiletries etc. at Target to avoid the frustration.

But I'm not much of a cheapass as I make ok money and don't have a lot of debt etc., so I don't have to pinch every penny, so I guess I have that liberty where some don't.
Ok so you don't do it to make any social point? Then you go and make a comment about walmarts customers as if there beneath you, and that you don't have to pinch every penny but adding a snide comment about that you guess some people do? Dude have looked at the name of the site your on its what were all about saving money. I take back my comment about you not being some noble champion but an idiot, you my friend are just a douche plain and simple.

[gettinmoney662]

Ok so you don't do it to make any social point? Then you go and make a comment about walmarts customers as if there beneath you, and that you don't have to pinch every penny but adding a snide comment about that you guess some people do? Dude have looked at the name of the site your on its what were all about saving money. I take back my comment about you not being some noble champion but an idiot, you my friend are just a douche plain and simple.

All he did was tell people that he doesn't mind spending a little more money to avoid shopping at places he doesn't like, and then he was attacked.

People who bitch out customer service agents to save a dollar or two are far, far worse people than this guy is.

Who are you to judge how he does his shopping? The only one looking like a douche in this exchange is you.

[lolwut?]

I haven't bought something at Gamestop in God knows how long. Their prices almost always suck balls, even with coupons. I can usually find a similar deal online, at another store, or on the forums. Besides the prices being shit, nearly every Gamestop I've been to has had annoying and/or uninformed employees, and some of the strangest customers.

I go in there every once in awhile when I pass by one at the mall or while driving to another store, hoping to be surprised by a good deal or a good atmosphere; still hasn't happened yet.

[OldSchool77]

The Gamestop near me is pretty good, the customer service can be slow but if I ask for a sealed game they will go out of their way to look for one for me. During their Summer sale they had great deals so I bought several new games from them: SF IV, Tomb Raider Underworld, and FEAR 2 all for $19.99 each. I have sold to Gamestop in the past but I don't anymore now that the Internet is full of sites to sell/trade on.

If people feel that they are being ripped off when they sell their used games to Gamestop just don't sell there, this isn't the 80s list your stuff online Ebay/Craigslist/Amazon/Goozex or on here. I hate to rant but the youth of today seem to resort to whining if deals aren't favorable to them or they don't get instant gratification. Put some effort into selling your used stuff and don't expect to get what you paid for the item when it was brand new.

[dmaul1114]

Dude have looked at the name of the site your on its what were all about saving money.

Wanting to save money on games doesn't mean one has to be a cheap ass in every facet of life.

I don't want to spend much on games as I don't play them that much or really have that much interest in them. Movies I have more interest but like to get deals since I can always just get a movie from Netflix so I need a good deal to justify buying one.

But beyond stuff like that, I'm not a cheap ass at all and would rather spend a bit more to shop at stores that give me generally pleasant shopping experiences rather than be one of the idiots that goes where ever is cheapest and then endlessly bitch about how much they hate the store.

I work a ton, don't have all that much free time (sitting in the office working on a Sunday currently) so I'm all about maximizing convenience and minimizing frustrations, so sure I'll pay a bit more a Target vs. dealing with the crappy Wal-marts around here, and get all my games from Goozex, Amazon etc. to avoid the game stores as I'd rather avoid the frustration than save a few bucks.

And I wasn't being snide by saying I don't have to pinch pennies. I was just saying I respect that some have no choice but to put up with stores they can't stand if they have the cheapest prices as they can't afford to pay more to avoid the frustration. I'm fortunate to have that luxury, and was just saying that I understand that others have tighter budgets and have no choice but to shop where the prices are best regardless of how much they dislike the store.

[elessar123]

I bought Prototype for $33 and traded it back for $34 after I beat it. I don't see why that's bad for the consumer. As for gutted, if you don't like it, don't buy it. I don't, unless it's super cheap, or I'm buying to flip to Amazon or something.

I'm still pissed about their gutting my pre-order an hour after it got to the store, and also when I preordered 7-8 months in advance and didn't receive the pre-order item (Harvest Moon on Wii, gf has like every HM), because they said they ran out of the 10 they got in, when I went in an hour after they got their shipment. I went to another store a mile away and they had the pre-order cows and also previous pre-order Harvest Moon plushes left, and they asked if I wanted those. I only took the cow cause I felt guilty, but in hindsight, I should have gotten the other pre-orders too.

Not every GS employee is evil. There's 1 friendly one that rivals my experiences at HWV from the $5 sale, so it's not all bad.

tl;dr: If it's not a good deal, then move on.

[Thekrakrabbit]

I think everyone here knows that Gamestop is a very bad business for CAGs. If you buy a new game for $60.00, walk out the door and then walk back in to trade the game in, you will get I believe $40.00. They just made $20.00!

[bleak]

Gamestop really isn't that bad. It's not the only place I shop, but when they throw out a 50% trade-in credit or a B2G1, I'm usually giving them my business. Their everyday prices buying/trading-in are crap, but I mean give me a break. They've actually gotten a lot better lately. They've had some good new sales and some good used sales lately. They've started guaranteeing original cases/manuals in certain instances, they had the Fight Nigth R4 trade-in deal, they had the Street Fighter IV new for $20 deal... what more do you want? They've obviously been trying to respond to their customers. Amazon + Target + Gamestop + Best Buy + Toys R Us, if you shop around will give you a pretty good deal on whatever you want.

[Energy Penguin]

It's the closest game-store to my house. I order online sometimes, but I usually want the game I want right away. i don't want to wait for delivery. Otherwise, i would go to Best Buy, which isn't really any better. I never buy used games though, unless it's an old title and they don't have new copies. I just politely deny all their "offers". I trade my games in sometimes. If I can trade a game or two that I won't play to get $15-$25 off a new game, it's worth it for me.

[eastshore4]

I think everyone here knows that Gamestop is a very bad business for CAGs. If you buy a new game for $60.00, walk out the door and then walk back in to trade the game in, you will get I believe $40.00. They just made $20.00!

Very insightful. I'll have to remember that if I want to trade in a game MOMENTS after I buy it, then I shouldn't trade it to gamestop since they'll apparently resell it for MSRP, and then proceed to make a twenty dollar profit off of it since they don't have to pay their employees, or the lease on the bulding or anything like that

[jh6269]

I used to buy at gamestop all the time before becoming a CAG. Almost always Amazon, or some other website, has the game for less and you don't pay taxes (and no shipping most times). If I want to buy a used game, I'll get it from Gamestop, but those are usually impulse buys.

I just hate going in the gamestop store these days... somehow they always smell and I always end up behind some a-hole selling his whole 100 game collection that's scratched beyond recognition.

[ElwoodCuse]

maybe the real problem is that the profit margin on video games and consoles is so thin that it's impossible to sell them and remain in business unless you (a) sell other things (big box stores) or (b) sell used games

[neckfurters]

Whenever I trade in at GS I never give them the original case or manual. I keep them in case I want to get the game later when it's dirt cheap and I can get it even lower if I just buy the disc/cart. Also, I think that more consumers would want a complete game and hopefully just having the disc will deter them from buying it used since I don't want to support used game sales. I know it's contradicting, but I feel that it's better than nothing.

I had a GS manager get all pissy and asking me what do you people do w/ the cases and stuff and I just wanted to tell him right then that GS gives jack shit for credit (unless there is a good trade-in deal, which there was at the time) and then turns around and sells them for a shit-ton of money so that's why I only give them the disk.

[Chibi_Kaji]

Honestly I've never had any problems with my local gamestop. So I don't see any reason to stop going there.

[b3b0p]

I would rather trade my games here or sell them online, but some times you just need it fast and easy.
If people selling their games on here said they would take the same amount Gamestop was offering I would bet you could sell it even faster.

[Irukandji]

I like exploiting gamestop.

This.

[Trusty Mutsi]

I recently got to the point where I cut my gamestop edge card in half (after I used up all my trade credit). I'ts easier to just trade stuff in there, but if I have patience, Goozex and eBay work out much better. GS would've given me $30 for my DS Lite. I got $70 on eBay.

[Hardware]

Thanks for the replies. Some people are taking this to the next level. If you like Gamestop I don't have a problem with you. Here is what I have a problem with. Every single Gamestop I have been in for the past few years sells new games opened for full price. What's to say that's not a used game that someone bought (from anywhere) simply booted up, didn't like and sold to Gamestop. You would not know the difference. So they give the person $25 for the game and sell it for $60? It's a scam in my opinion. The bottom line, it's not NEW if it's opened. I have a problem with this and I will never buy a NEW game from them if it doesn't have a seal on it. Too bad for them.

[jh6269]

Thanks for the replies. Some people are taking this to the next level. If you like Gamestop I don't have a problem with you. Here is what I have a problem with. Every single Gamestop I have been in for the past few years sells new games opened for full price. What's to say that's not a used game that someone bought (from anywhere) simply booted up, didn't like and sold to Gamestop. You would not know the difference. So they give the person $25 for the game and sell it for $60? It's a scam in my opinion. The bottom line, it's not NEW if it's opened. I have a problem with this and I will never buy a NEW game from them if it doesn't have a seal on it. Too bad for them.

So have you been confronted with a GS employee trying to sell a "NEW" copy that they opened, and you tell them that you don't want it, you want an unopened copy?

I'm just curious if they get all snippy with you and try to make you feel bad.
They've done this to me a few times and I'm thinking about telling them to put that copy away and give me a new one, but I want to be prepared first. I agree, the game opened should be sold for used prices or at least a lower price. Just like if you go to best buy, they have that table with opened crap for cheap.

I guess if it makes you mad enough, you could contact your attorney general and complain.

[Xevious]

I just hate going in the gamestop store these days... somehow they always smell and I always end up behind some a-hole selling his whole 100 game collection that's scratched beyond recognition.


You know...that's something that's never been discussed here on CAG but I was always acutely aware of it. There is always a strange faint smell in a lot of Gamestop stores.

I always thought I was the only one who felt that.

[volt1up]

B2G1 Deal is not a deal. That "deal" sucks. You can buy all three of those used games for the same price, but usually lower, and complete on ebay and such (or cag or gametz). When I see people say " Im a true CAG I used store credit!:lol:" It's like great, you got screwed TWICE.

But it's not hard to understand why people in general use GS, It's EASY. Plain and simple.

What I dont always get is why CAGs do it, they are more informed consumers. But I guess the fact that it's easy and immediate is a huge lure.

[Danil ACE]

I don't like Gamestop's business practices and customer treatment, so I don't give them my business. Simple as that.

[Richard Kain]

I don't like the generally low service standards of GameStop. I don't like their corporate environment. I don't like the stores themselves. (the standards of the physical space have also fallen) I don't like their game selection. (refusing to carry games for older systems) And I damn sure don't like their prices.

I swore off GameStop years ago. I generally wait for deals on new games from big-box stores, or hit up the clearance section at Target. It's sad when I can get way better deals on brand-new copies of games just by checking Target every other week. Makes me wonder why anyone still shops at GameStop. I was also lucky enough to have a Play-N-Trade open up nearby. They carry the REALLY old games, and I check their selection out regularly. Picked up a copy of DuckTales for the NES last week.

[Tsukento]

As for gutted, if you don't like it, don't buy it. I don't, unless it's super cheap, or I'm buying to flip to Amazon or something.

I'm still pissed about their gutting my pre-order an hour after it got to the store, and also when I preordered 7-8 months in advance and didn't receive the pre-order item (Harvest Moon on Wii, gf has like every HM), because they said they ran out of the 10 they got in, when I went in an hour after they got their shipment. I went to another store a mile away and they had the pre-order cows and also previous pre-order Harvest Moon plushes left, and they asked if I wanted those. I only took the cow cause I felt guilty, but in hindsight, I should have gotten the other pre-orders too.
Your second paragraph in this quote explains the very reason why selling gutted copies pisses people off.

Also, other stores normally give customers a discount on opened merchandise. Those "new" games that GameStop sells gutted should be counted as "opened" and discounted. Otherwise, it's no longer new.

For a company that makes a helluva profit, they're extraordinarily cheap when it comes to ordering DVD cases to use for promotional boxes.


To answer the main question: It's because they've become the only major gaming retailer (yeah yeah, there's Game Crazy and Play n Trade, but they're not exactly everywhere in the US). They've bought out most of the competition and planted themselves in every location as if they were McDonald's or Starbucks. Not only that, but they've thoroughly convinced unknowing people that they're supposedly the only place to get games from and that if they don't pre-order certain games, they'll never find them for months. So they basically pop up everywhere like roaches to make traveling easier and quicker, while using scare tactics to get people to throw down money on unnecessary pre-orders.

[Hardware]

So have you been confronted with a GS employee trying to sell a "NEW" copy that they opened, and you tell them that you don't want it, you want an unopened copy?

I'm just curious if they get all snippy with you and try to make you feel bad.
They've done this to me a few times and I'm thinking about telling them to put that copy away and give me a new one, but I want to be prepared first. I agree, the game opened should be sold for used prices or at least a lower price. Just like if you go to best buy, they have that table with opened crap for cheap.

I guess if it makes you mad enough, you could contact your attorney general and complain.

Flatout told me that all of the games they get into the store are opened to check for damage before they are sold . This is complete BS! Back in the day they used to buy fake display cases for games to put on the shelves. Instead of blowing money on Fake Display game cases they are borrowing yours until you buy it. I really don't care to the point of talking to an attorney, I'm simply not going to be one to let them profit from it. If anything I'll buy only things I know they aren't making money on. haha!

[theloserboy]

I just hate going in the gamestop store these days... somehow they always smell and I always end up behind some a-hole selling his whole 100 game collection that's scratched beyond recognition.

This. Whenever I end up going into a gamestop, even though there's only two other customers in the store, it still takes me 15 minutes to actually get to the counter because some douche decided to pre-order every single game in existence one at a time, or because someone has to ask if a game is "good". That being said, I usually just use gamestop to see if i can find any last-gen games that I would be interested in playing. Current gen for me consists mostly of ebay and amazon purchases. (ECA, Goldbox, Bing cashback, ebay bucks).

[jh6269]

You know...that's something that's never been discussed here on CAG but I was always acutely aware of it. There is always a strange faint smell in a lot of Gamestop stores.

I always thought I was the only one who felt that.

Maybe it's the smell of dirty money...

[jh6269]

Flatout told me that all of the games they get into the store are opened to check for damage before they are sold . This is complete BS! Back in the day they used to buy fake display cases for games to put on the shelves. Instead of blowing money on Fake Display game cases they are borrowing yours until you buy it. I really don't care to the point of talking to an attorney, I'm simply not going to be one to let them profit from it. If anything I'll buy only things I know they aren't making money on. haha!

No no no, not an attorney, your State's Attorney General. Call his/her office and tell them that you think you've been ripped off, and they're ripping others off. Because really, other than taking the guy's word for it, you have no way of knowing if that game was really new--it could have been a mint condition used game (I know in your last example with a pre-order, it's highly unlikely).

I would have called the guy out on asking him to show you that all the games were opened. If he wasn't lying, every game in the store would be opened. I would also like to know how you're supposed to return the item for a full refund unopened if the jerk already opened the case.

What they're doing may not be illegal, but it sure is unethical to say the least.

[dmaul1114]

Maybe it's the smell of dirty money...

Nah, just the smell of.....


http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/0/2465/822999-ogre01_super.jpg

[bigdaddybruce44]

I "support" GS, because there is one about five blocks from my house. So, unless another store has a deal that really knocks my socks off, I get all my new games there. Then, I will trade in old crap or flip a few things when a decent trade promo pops up. And I buy plenty of used games when a good coupon or a B2G1 comes along.

All of the things that seem to bother others about GS don't bother me one bit, because they don't affect me at all. I don't care that GS sells open, display copies for full price, because I don't buy them. I don't care that they give crappy trade values on most games, especially before promos, because I'm not stupid enough to get ripped off by them. I don't care that they sell copies of most newer games for $5 less then retail, because, again, I don't buy them.

[Hardware]

I "support" GS, I get all my new games there.

I don't care that GS sells open, display copies for full price, because I don't buy them.

So what's the truth here? Do you only buy new games that are unopened from GS, or don't you buy New games there?

[Stryffe2004]

I am just the opposite. I only buy used games from GS and generally only when there are deals. 25% off with coupons plus 10% off with edge makes new releases in the mid $30 range. I get a good deal so why do I care if GS is making a profit?

[Serpentor]

Eh, i don't like GS, but hey, better having them around than not right? I don't buy much from them, but they're nice to have around.

[Tsukento]

Eh, i don't like GS, but hey, better having them around than not right?
No. Because if they weren't, EB Games, Funcoland, Software Etc. and Rhino Video Games would still be their own entities.

And we wouldn't have to constantly see that damned rabbit pop up in commercials. Would also see more commercials about games, rather than pre-order bonuses for games if we reserved at GameStop.

[bigdaddybruce44]

If GS never was, one of those other companies likely would have become a company on par with GS, and then they would have bought out the others. Or, a number of them would have failed on their own, and whoever was left could have usurped their market share, once again growing to GS-like proportions. Anyway you wanna look it at it, removing GS from the picture doesn't necessarily save any of those stores.

[Richard Kain]

It doesn't necessarily save them, but it does make it that much more likely that they would hang on.

Sooner or later, GameStop is either going to fall before a plucky competitor, or its going to run head-first into the U.S.'s anti-trust laws.

GameCrazy is unlikely to hang on, as they are saddled to Hollywood Video, and the video rental industry has been suffering as of late. (a trend that will likely continue) Play-N-Trade might be able to make substantial in-roads. Their corporate structure is more flexible than most other franchises, which should allow them to better adapt to different areas. (their prices are also more competitive)

[dmaul1114]

I personally don't really see the need for game stores period.

Easier to grab mainstream games at Best Buy, Target, Wal-mart etc. when you're picking up other things. Any niche games can just be ordered online. Games can be traded or sold online for much better value.

At least that's how I look at it being a pretty casual gamer. Guess they're more handy for the hardcore gamers who have to have whatever niche game they want right that second or something.

[Chairman_LMAO]

Casual gamer or not, you're still a CAG, and therefore know the ins and outs of stretching your gaming dollar. Yes, game stores are for the gotta-have-it-now types (like me), but they're mostly for Joe Blow who doesn't know any better. People who don't know that you can find games for much, much cheaper on the internet, and frankly, they don't wanna spend the time searching.

[dmaul1114]

Yeah, I get that. I should have been more clear.

I meant more why I don't see why anyone posting on a site like this has the need for game stores period. Other than the gotta have it now types who will put up with the hassles, take poor trade in values to get a game right then etc.

[Puffa469]

I meant more why I don't see why anyone posting on a site like this has the need for game stores period. Other than the gotta have it now types who will put up with the hassles, take poor trade in values to get a game right then etc.

If I'm buying used games, I like to be able to check the condition and make sure they're complete.

I tend to buy most used games from Gamefly, but I will take advantage of GStop promotions like B2G1 free and all that.

Gamestop can be taken advantage of if your a savy consumer like we all are. As for moms and casuals who Gamestop bends over... well they probably dont even care.

[dmaul1114]

I can see that. I don't collect games so I don't care. I just get them from Goozex and long as they play I don't care what condition they're in since it's going right back out on Goozex as soon as I'm done playing it. If it won't play it's negative feedback and I get my points back (which hasn't happened yet).

But that's a fair point for the collector types out there.