The Last Days of the Hastings / GoHastings Universe - Check the latest posts!

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BEFORE YOU ASK A QUESTION IN THIS THREAD, READ THE FAQ BELOW!

GoHastings.Com Promotional Deals and Codes

AMARILLO, Texas - Texas-based Hastings Entertainment Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Company officials say the reorganization filing includes its parent company, Draw Another Circle, and sister brands Movie Stop and SPImages.

A statement posted Monday on the Hastings website says the Chapter 11 process will help prepare the business for an intended sale, while providing protections and financing to continue operations. Further financial details weren’t released.

Hastings will no longer accept or honor deposits for movie purchases and will no longer rent games. Hastings gift cards expire July 13, 2016. The company’s buyback program has been suspended.
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Full List Of Online Coupon Codes

In-Store Sales / Discounts / Liquidation will vary from Online Sale / Coupon offerings

Check latest posts in thread for more specific updates

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Please read me before posting a question!

Click the "Show Spoiler" button below to see the FAQ
General
Question: What is Hastings / GoHastings.Com?
Answer:
Founded in 1968, Hastings Entertainment, Inc. is a leading multimedia entertainment retailer that combines the sale of new and used books, videos, video games and CDs, and trends and consumer electronics merchandise, with the rental of videos and video games in a superstore format. Currently there are 146 superstores. Hastings also operates www.goHastings.com, an e-commerce Internet Web site that makes available to customers new and used entertainment products and unique, contemporary gifts and toys.

Question: Gee, this is a really long FAQ. Doesn't Hasting have their own FAQ for customers?
Answer:
Hastings does have their own FAQ. You can read Hastings' official FAQ by clicking here. However, this FAQ goes into many details that Hastings' own FAQ does not. So be sure to read through all of this before asking a question!

NEW!
Question: How can I filter and sort Used Video Games to remove the out of stock items?
Answer:
Find the "Stock" dropdown menu option when browsing the used game selection and choose "In Stock." Games that have been purchased in the past day and are now out of stock may still appear.

NEW!
Question: Where can I find clearance video games and other clearance items?
Answer:
Clearance Video Games are in New condition; Plus $2.28 shipping per game
Click Here For Overall Video Game Clearance Items > Sort by Platform on the drop down menu
Click Here For Overall Clearance Items

Game / Item Condition
Question: What is the difference between "used" and "previously viewed" items on GoHastings.Com?
Answer:
"Used" games and movies are items that have been traded in to a Hastings retail location by a customer. "Previously viewed" games and movies are items that Hastings has rented out to customers at their retail locations but are now selling to the public.

When it comes to video games, most CAGs report no real difference between the two other than some ancillary stickers, but both "used" and "previously viewed" games are subject to being scratched, abused, or incomplete depending how well it was previously taken care of.

When it comes to movies, the "Previously Viewed" rental versions often lack features from the full retail versions and may come in different boxes, have different UPCs, have white barcode stickers around the center ring of the disc, etc.

You may encounter a situation where a customer has purchased a "previously used" item from Hastings, then traded it back into Hastings, thus making it a "used" item. This practiced is frowned upon by most customers, but Hastings has shown next to no incentive to change it. It mostly happens with movies.

Question: Do used and previously viewed video games come complete with the original case and manual?
Answer:
GoHastings.Com states as follows:

Due to the nature of used products; booklet inserts, digital movie downloads and manuals are not guaranteed in our used video games, movies and CDs.
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However, the vast majority of CAGs have reported that a large majority of their games do arrive complete. Incomplete games are more of an exception rather than the rule.

Question: Are used collector's editions and limited editions of games guaranteed to come with extras like bonus discs, statutes, and other items?
Answer:
No. Hopefully the used CE and LE games would at least come with all of the discs, but this is not guaranteed. And there is absolutely no guarantee other physical items or "swag" will be included for these used copies. However, CAGs have reported that they have purchased used CE and LE games and received all of the extras. If you order a used CE or LE and it does not come with the extras, just contact customer service and ask about a return/refund.

Question: What condition do "used" and "previously viewed" discs come in?
Answer:
Mosts CAGs seem to get games in good, playable condition if not better. However, there have been cases of receiving a game so scratched up that it would not load/play. These games can be returned to GoHastings.Com at no cost to the customer for a full refund.

NEW!
Question: Are New condition games factory sealed or gutted and re-sealed?
Answer:
As of mid-2013, Hastings retail stores have adopted a policy of gutting games then storing the game discs, manuals and DLC papers separately. This is so they do not have to lock up games or put security cases on games yet still allow the customer to physically handle the boxes in-store. When a new game is sold, Hasting will either re-seal the game or they will place the game in a bag that cannot be opened if you want to return the game as new.

Shipping
Question: Why are my items shipping individually? Why does GoHastings.Com include a shipping charge for each individual item ordered?
Answer:
Hastings does not have warehouses for fulfilling internet orders. All items are shipped from individual brick and mortar retail stores. If your order contains multiple items, your order may ship from multiple locations at different times if one location does not have all of the items you ordered. Because items could ship from more than one location, GoHastings.Com charges a per item shipping fee. Yes this can be frustrating, so its best to either get over it if you intend to shop at GoHastings.Com, or if you can't get over it, shop elsewhere. Like all "deals," include the shipping price per item into consideration for the total cost of the game being purchased.

UPDATED!
Question: How much is shipping per item?
Answer:
Video Games and PC software ship for $2.28 per item.

CDs, DVDs and Blu-rays ship for $1.29 per item.

Books have a per-order charge of $3.00 plus $0.99 shipping per book ordered.

Game Hardware, Electronics and Trends have a per-order charge of $1.99 plus $0.10 shipping per ounce for each item ordered.

Full shipping information, including expedited shipping prices, can be found HERE.

Occasionally, GoHastings.Com offers free or reduced shipping promotions.

Please note, books used to ship for $0.96 per order with no per item charge but Hastings discontinued that pricing scheme as of January 10, 2014. CDs, DVDs and Blu-rays used to ship for $0.96 per item, but Hastings raised that price to the current cost as of approximately May 25, 2014.

Question: How long does it take GoHastings.Com to ship my order?
Answer:
Standard Shipping:
Order processed within 48 Hours
Shipping time is 3-10 Days

Priority / Expedited Mail:
Order processed within 48 Hours
Shipping time is 2 - 3 Days

Question: What service does GoHastings.Com use to ship items?
Answer:
GoHastings.Com primarily ships items using the United States Postal Service (USPS). Video games ship via USPS First Class Mail. Books, movies and music ship via USPS Media Mail. Larger orders may ship via UPS.

Question: Will GoHastings.Com give me a tracking number for each shipment?
Answer:
Every shipment usually has a tracking number associated with it. If you did not see a tracking number in the shipping confirmation email, check your order history on GoHastings.Com.

Question: What will GoHastings.Com ship my items in?
Answer:
It will vary. Hastings might use a yellow paper mailer with bubble padding on the inside. They might use a white plastic envelope with bubble padding on the inside. They might use a stiffer paper/lighter cardboard envelope with no padding. Hastings will try to jam as many items into any of the above envelope options as possible, resulting in frequently damaged books, broken game/movie/CD cases, etc. On rare occasions, someone at Hastings will have the common sense to put larger or heavier items into a box for safer shipping, but even then they will neglect to use padding. Hastings used to ship items in a white plastic poly-bag with absolutely no padding or protection, but after numerous complaints, the company claims these are supposed to be phased out and no longer in use. They still pop up from time to time.

Order Cancellations / Out Of Stock Items
Question: Why was an item cancelled out of my order? Why is that item back in stock right now?
Answer:
GoHastings.Com fills their stock from their Hastings brick and mortar retail locations. Additionally, GoHastings.Com sells items on Amazon and eBay. Their online inventory system is antiquated and does not update stock instantaneously across physical store locations, GoHastings.Com, Amazon, and eBay. Therefore if someone bought the same item first in store/on Amazon/on eBay, their order will be fulfilled first and your item will be cancelled if there is not enough inventory to go around, even though you thought the item was in stock. Yes this sucks, but now you know about it so you can simply choose not to shop at GoHastings in the future if you can't deal with it. No need to endlessly complain about it in posts. Consider writing a letter to the president of Hastings, whose contact info can be found below this FAQ.

Because Hastings' physical store locations accept trade-ins for the used items that they sell, an item that was out of stock may quickly come back into stock if someone trades in the same item, or if someone returns the same item. However, as stated above, GoHastings.Com has an antiquated online system, and they will not be able to fulfill any items on your order once they have been canceled. You will have to re-order the item, at which time the promotion you initially ordered under may have expired. You can try to contact customer service to see if they will create a new order for you with the price point your originally ordered under.

Question: I just ordered something and now it shows as out of stock, either on my order history page or on the item's page. Will my order be canceled?
Answer:
Probably not, but it is still possible. GoHastings.Com updates its inventory count immediately when sales from the website are made. Therefore if they had one item, and you ordered it, it will now show up as out of stock on GoHastings.Com. However, if someone ordered it off Hastings' eBay or Amazon Marketplace listings first, they may fulfill that order first and cancel your order. Also, if someone walks into the store and purchases the item before it is pulled to ship to you, your order will be canceled. Additionally, store employees may not be able to locate the item and thus cancel your order for that reason. Hastings also has a problem on their website where items in your order history show as out of stock, sometimes regardless of the actual stock. Your best bet is to take a deep breath and not worry about it.

Sale Pricing
NEW!
Question: How can I tell if one promotion or discount is better than a different commonly offered promotion or discount?
Answer:
The following guides are only for video games since they take into consideration the $2.28 per game shipping price. You will have to do your own math for music/movies, books, trends/electronics and other shipping sales.

Remember, stock and prices fluctuate constantly and may not be the same by the next sale.

The math in the Buy 2 Get 1 For $1 deal assumes you choose three equally priced games to maximize your potential savings.

Free Shipping:
Vs. 96¢ Per Item Shipping: Use free shipping, obviously
Vs. 20% Off: Use free shipping with items $11.40 and less
Vs. 25% Off: Use free shipping with items $9.12 and less
Vs. Buy 2 Used Games, Get 1 For $1: Use free shipping with items $7.84 and less
Vs. 30% Off: Use free shipping with items $7.60 and less
Vs. 33% Off: Use free shipping with items $6.91 and less
Vs. 40% Off: Use free shipping with items $5.70 and less

96 Cent Shipping:
Vs. Free Shipping: Wait for Free Shipping, obviously
Vs. 20% Off: Use 96¢ shipping with items $6.60 and less
Vs. 25% Off: Use 96¢ shipping with items $5.28 and less
Vs. Buy 2 Used Games, Get 1 For $1: Use 96¢ shipping with items $4.96 and less
Vs. 30% Off: Use 96¢ shipping with items $4.40 and less
Vs. 33% Off: Use 96¢ shipping with items $4.00 and less
Vs. 40% Off: Use 96¢ shipping with items $3.30 and less

20% Off:
Vs. Free Shipping: For items over $11.40, use 20% Off
Vs. 96 Cent Shipping: For items over $6.60, use 20% Off
Vs. Buy 2 Used Games, Get 1 For $1: For items under $2.50, use 20% Off

25% Off:
Vs. Free Shipping: For items over $9.12, use 25% Off
Vs. 96 Cent Shipping: For items over $5.28, use 20% Off
Vs. Buy 2 Used Games, Get 1 For $1: For items under $4.00, use 25% Off

30% Off:
Vs. Free Shipping: For items over $7.60, use 30% Off
Vs. 96 Cent Shipping: For items over $4.40, use 30% Off
Vs. Buy 2 Used Games, Get 1 For $1: For items under $10, use 30% Off

Buy 2 Get 1 For $1:
Vs. Free Shipping: Use free shipping with items $7.84 and less
Vs. $0.96 Shipping: Use 96¢ shipping with items $4.96 and less

33% Off:
Vs. Free Shipping: For items over $6.91, use 33% Off
Vs. 96 Cent Shipping: For items over $4.00, use 33% Off

40% Off:
Vs. Free Shipping: For items over $5.70, use 40% Off
Vs. 96 Cent Shipping: For items over $3.30, use 40% Off

Question: GoHastings.Com totally raised their prices prior to the sale! OMGWTFBBQSauce! Should I call the police / attorney general / president of the United States?
Answer:
GoHastings.Com claims to not raise their prices prior to sales. Their pricing is based on algorithms that consider things like supply, demand, competitor pricing, market rates, etc. If a game was $10 before the sale and $15 24 hours into the sale, chances are there were only a couple of copies of the game and someone bought one when the sale started, thus affecting the supply and demand. You are not the only one monitoring a Wish List on GoHastings.Com. However, there have been some clearly documented instances of raising prices right before a sale, especially with books rather than games.

Promotional Deal Codes
Question: Why is the promotional code not applying to my order?
Answer:
Certain M-rated games carry the disclaimer that "This item is only available for purchase by customers age 17 and older." If you have such a game in your cart, be sure to check the box by the "Check Out" button that says "I am at least 17 years of age" before clicking the "Apply Promotion Code" button to apply the promotional code.

Additionally, some promotional codes only apply to select qualifying titles. Be sure that your order only contains such titles. Occasionally the GoHastings.Com programmers miss something and games that are supposed to qualify do not work with the promotional code. If this is the case, please contact GoHastings.Com. Contact information can be found below this FAQ.

Question: Can I use more than one promotional code at the same time? Can I stack promotional codes?
Answer:
No, you can only apply one promotional code per order. This prevents code stacking. If there are two promotional codes valid at the same time that you would like to use, you must place two or more separate orders.

Question: What time do promotions normally begin / end?
Answer:
GoHastings.Com operates based on the Central Time Zone. Weekly promotions usually start on Sunday and usually last the whole week. Various other promotions may have different start times and durations. Promotions usually begin at midnight Central time. However, sometimes the new promotions take a while to go "live" on the website, so always double check your order that the correct discounted price is shown.

Order Problems and Contacting Customer Service
(Including Returns/Replacements for Wrong Item or Damaged/Defective Item)
Question: I am trying to place an order and have entered my correct shipping address, billing address and credit card info. The check out page says there is a problem with my information and I need to correct it, but nothing is incorrect. What is going on?!
Answer:
This is a random error that seems to affect some people and not others. There is no known cause for it. People have reported it occurring with different credit card companies (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, etc.). Some people think it has to do with what web browser you use, so perhaps try a different one. Some people have reported they can't place orders from computers or IP numbers located out of the state where their billing or shipping address is located. The bottom line is there is no fix for this problem from the customer's end. Your only attempt to get it resolved will be to CALL Customer Service. Contact details for Customer Service can be found below this FAQ.

Question: GoHastings.Com sent me a defective game or the wrong game. How do I return it? Can they send me a replacement/correct item?
Answer:
Contact customer service to initiate the return process. Customer service contact information is located in this post, below the FAQ. GoHastings.Com will not charge you to ship the game back, and they will give you a full refund, including what you paid initially for shipping. In some instances, they will simply refund the cost of the item and let you keep the defective or wrong item for free. GoHastings.Com will not normally send you a replacement item if you received a defective or incorrect item. They will usually tell you that you must place a new order, at which time the promotion you initially ordered under may have expired. You can try to contact customer service to see if they will create a new order for you with the price point you originally ordered under.

Question: Something went wrong with my order. How do I contact customer service?
Answer:
Customer service contact information is located in this post, below the FAQ.

Question: Should I call or email customer service?
Answer:
CAGs have reported mixed experiences with both calling and emailing Hastings Customer Service. It is up to your preference. If you are contacting them regarding credit card issues, it may be best to call rather than put highly sensitive information in an email. If you call during business hours, your issue may be resolved right then over the phone. You might also have to wait on hold for a long period of time during peak hours. If you email, you may have to wait up to 48 hours to get a response, especially if you email over the weekend. Often the email replies fail to understand your entire issue with your order. Customer Service contact information is located in this post, below the FAQ.

Question: What is GoHastings.Com return policy?
Answer:
The GoHastings.Com website states their return policy is as follows:

All items purchased through gohastings.com may be returned for a full refund of the purchase price, if they meet the following criteria:

  • All new items are in original unopened packaging.
  • Return of product is within 30 days of shipping date.
  • Returned product(s) must be in the original packaging and include any manuals, cabling and accessories in saleable condition.
  • Video Game Systems that are found defective within the 30 day window must make a return using the manufacturer's warranty.
Shipping and handling charges are not refundable.
Note: Products purchased through goHastings.com may not be returned to a physical store location for refund.
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However, this can be confusing considering used items, such as games, come in opened packaging. Normally GoHastings has no problem with returns for defective or incorrect used game shipments that are promptly requested. At the very least, if a game item was found to be defective within 30 days of the shipping date, you would have a good argument toward customer service that you should be able to return the game item. Abusing the return policy to replace your own broken items with items from GoHastings inventory wouldn't be a good idea.

Miscellaneous
Question: Does GoHastings.Com collect sales tax?
Answer:
According to GoHastings.Com:

Currently goHastings.com only charges sales tax in states where we have a physical presence. Sales taxes are calculated during the ordering process and will show tax charged for the delivery destination, based on current tax rates. Shipping charges may also be subject to tax in certain states.
Currently sales tax is automatically applied in the following states:

  • Alabama
  • Arkansas
  • Arizona
  • Colorado
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Idaho
  • Indiana
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Mexico
  • Oklahoma
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Washington
  • Wyoming
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Question: Where are Hastings brick and mortar retail stores located?
Answer:
Click here to find the location nearest you.

Question: Are the online prices the same in store? Are the online specials valid in store?
Answer:
Generally speaking, no. For used items and for some new items, GoHastings.Com uses algorithms where prices can change multiple times in one day. Hastings retail locations have their own set prices. See your local store for more information. Additionally, online special sales and promotions are not valid in store. Sometimes Hastings runs the same pricing online and in store for certain items.

Question: Are the brick and mortar retail location advertisements valid online?
Answer:
Generally the prices in the retail location advertisements are not valid on GoHastings.Com. Sometimes Hastings runs the same pricing online and in store for certain items.



Customer Service Contact Information
Customer Service Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday 9 am through 9 pm CST
Toll Free Phone Number: (877)-HASTINGS (427-8464)
Fax: (806) 467-8330

Email: service[at]gohastings.com
PM the GoHastings Representative on CAG: gohastings (John) [Not active since October 2013]

Regular Mail:
Hastings Internet, Inc.
3601 Plains Blvd.
Amarillo, TX 79102

Comments to the President:
John Marmaduke, President & CEO RIP In Peace

Alan Van Ongevalle, President & COO
Hastings Entertainment, Inc.
PO Box 35350
Amarillo, TX 79120-5350



GoHastings.Com / Hastings Entertainment Online Information
Website: http://www.gohastings.com
Retail Store Weekly Ad: http://www.gohastings.com/custserv/custserv.jsp?pageName=StoreAd
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/gohastings?sk=wall
Twitter: @gohastings
Google+: https://plus.google.com/107834874893127887270/posts
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/gohastings/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/gohastings
Is the GoHastings.Com server down for everyone or just me?: Click here to check

 
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Upvote 0 Downvote
redreflect said:
Not sure if anyone noticed but some of the $5 games (plus $2.28/each shipping) aren't that bad.

http://www.gohastings.com/browse/GAME/Ns/p_rank/Ne/2455/N/2459+3631+4294932610+3620/departmentName/GAME.uts?from=gameonPODunder5&utm_nooverride=1

EDIT: Just noticed they're not all new, thought they were clearancing out a bunch of older, sealed games. A lot are previoulsy viewed.
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http://www.gohastings.com/browse/GAME/Ns/p_rank/Ne/2455/N/2459+3631+4294932610+3620+2470/departmentName/GAME.uts

should only show new.

Only thing I saw that was decent was Crysis 2 (ps3) for 4.99 new but was Out of Stock

 
Unless I'm missing something, it looks like there are literally no weekly promotions of any kind for anything.

My guess would be they'll run a two-day sale Friday and Saturday for the 4th of July, but who knows what it'll include/exclude.

 
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Came here to take a look and see if there were any codes, but apparently GH kinda sucks now. (last order was March)

It's only a $5 game, so i think i'll just buy it anyways =] 

 
Edit: My mistake, my orders were from DeepDiscount. Don't know why I thought it was Hastings.

 
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cranguy said:
This may have been answered already in this thread (if so, sorry) but does anyone know if the company Hastings is merging with is connected to DeepDiscount? I found their press release but it only names LLCs/Holdings that I don't recognize.

I just made several orders from Hastings' ebay account in the past week and all the orders were fulfilled by DeepDiscount.
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Oh dear god I hope not. DeepDiscount turned to shit since they gained "new management".

 
No deal for games, just 25% off on used Books, CDs & Movies:

POD_Banner_Used_4thJuly.jpg


 
Found a few trade/hardcovers, though I had to restrain myself a bit since I made a bigger purchase this week.

(Prices before tax and shipping)
House of M TP - $9.84
Kingdom Come TP- $5.79
Daredevil: End of Days TP - $11.25
The Immortal Iron Fist Vol 1 TP - $3.52
Invincible Iron Man Omnibus Vol 1 (Matt Fraction, OOP) - $26.25
 
I gotta ask:  Has anybody ever ordered anything from GH that was even halfway a good deal and actually had it shipped?  I don't think I've ever placed an order with them that they haven't cancelled.

I swear they are worse than Newegg..... which is really saying something.

 
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I don't normally buy video games from them, but I have had 95% of my DVD/Blu-ray orders from them go through. I have had a couple returns, but it's still in the minority given how much I buy from them.

 
They sent me a few things in their glitched $10 sale. The hardcover Sandman boxed set, for example... And Darkstalkers Ultimate.

 
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Every now and then something I ordered gets cancelled. More often than not they send me something damaged due to their laziness. Usually its at least one item per order if not more. Damage that could have easily been avoided. I frequently have to get returns from them then bother customer service to finally refund me.

For example, I bought a $4 book that arrived bent in half due to their incompentent packing methods. The book was so badly bent you couldn't even open it to try and read the pages. I informed customer service of this - including pictures - and they still forced me to send it back. They spent probably $3 shipping it to me, and they're going to foot the bill for $3 return shipping on a book they can't sell again in good conscious because it is ruined. They'd rather lose an additional $2 plus whatever credit they gave to the person who traded in the book than just give me a simple refund (which I pointed out to them). That's the kind of logic this company has. That was a week and a half ago, and still no refund, so I'll probably bother them again tonight since I also received another book with a broken spine I need returned.

I finally got a refund for three books that they shoved into a paper envelope that then burst out of the envelope and got lost in the USPS somewhere, yet the empty envelope arrived on my doorstep with stickers from USPS saying it arrived at my post office empty. A totally preventable situation but Hastings is cheap and lazy with their packing methods and I really can't expect their minimum wage employees to give a shit since they're just following Hastings' flawed instructions. But to even get my refund I had to threaten to do a charge back twice even though I again sent them pictures of the empty envelope and USPS stickers.

If the company went out of business I'd just shrug my shoulders and move on. It's been nice using them over the years to get rare expensive books during the 5/$35 and 3/$21 sales, but at this point they're often more trouble than they're worth. I'm placing far fewer orders and pulling the trigger far less often because I'd rather support other business who are less awful than they are, even if it means paying more.

John Marmaduke made out like a bandit in the company sale and I think NECA is going to regret buying the chain because it's inevitably going to go under. The small markets Hastings is struggling to survive in aren't going to help NECA peddle it's licensed products to a signficantly greater audience. And the regions Hastings stores are in are probably less affluent than larger markets. The only thing I can think of is that NECA intend on changing Hastings' online store model to make it profitable to sell their licensed crap online, because right now the prices and shipping costs for buying non-media items from Hastings aren't worth it.

 
Last "deal" of the day for this week, but I'm compelled to share in case any CAGs find this more ueful than buying from Amazon or GameStop.

 
So in honor of noticing this thread on the front page and remembering that Hastings was a thing, I went through my account and saw that the last time I bought anything from them was back on the very last day of the year (12/31/13), and I'd made 39 different purchases in '13, with each one ranging roughly anywhere from $10-50 (you'll have to forgive me if I don't want to slowly click through every order and add up the actual total).

I'm sure that doesn't come close to some of the bigshots like Kodave, but it's funny to see how much the changes to their business model have driven me away. For most of the items I want now (trades, manga, etc.) it's practically the same price to buy the cheapest one from Amazon (even with the $4 shipping charges if they're not Prime eligible) unless I'm buying a bulk order, which will never happen because Hastings never has everything I want in stock at the same time. I'm usually a little more confident in condition when I buy off Amazon, as well, as I've received a few really bad books here and there from Hastings (one that reeked of smoke, one with water damage and bent up pages, etc.). Their prices don't seem to be as competitive as they used to be, either, but I could just be looking at bad examples - a lot of the items on my wish list don't match up with the lowest priced Very Good condition Amazon item now, which is what seemed to be the norm back then. That, and a lot of them have their prices jacked up two or three bucks on the site when compared to their Amazon listings.

I'm aware I'm beating a dead horse and no one particularly wants to hear me reminisce, but I used to love Hastings, especially those late nights searching for decent trades whenever they restocked around 2:30AM and had a good promo going. Now it's just crap whenever I take a peek at the site.

 

 
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I like hearing it. I've completely forgotten Hastings even existed until I see this thread every once in a while. I wonder what their last quarterly numbers were.
 
JaylisJayP said:
I like hearing it. I've completely forgotten Hastings even existed until I see this thread every once in a while. I wonder what their last quarterly numbers were.
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They've had 3 straight years of losses, which probably isn't a good thing... because that means fewer sales. It seems like they were having sales when they were doing well as a business. Same thing with GS whose fiscal performance is also falling. This past year or so, they've had fewer sales and their prices have skyrocketed.

 
Based on what some other CAGs have said here, in terms of purchasing, I'm not even close to a Hastings "big shot." But despite my semi-frequent-but-ever-decreasing book purchases and free advertising I do for them via this post on CAG that very few others would bother with otherwise, Hastings doesn't treat me like a big shot. It's not like I've ever been invited to their conference calls like other CAGs. I can barely get Customer Service to process my returns/refunds in a reasonable manner. I'll be out of the Hastings game by the end of the year is my guess.

 
Managed to get Attack on Titan LE, Date a Live LE, and Future Diary LE. Was tempted to.get CLAMP School Detectives, but I found it on eBay for $30.
 
Who here would have purchased more if they knew the good days would come to an end? I've probably bought over a hundred games and DVDs from Hastings over the years and there were days I'd beat myself up over spending so much, but now I know I would have bought even more if I knew the golden era was going to end. The shipping rate was the craziest thing I've ever seen: .99 per order for everything but games. To me, that beats Amazon's lauded policy of free shipping with $25 order.
 
whitereflection said:
Who here would have purchased more if they knew the good days would come to an end? I've probably bought over a hundred games and DVDs from Hastings over the years and there were days I'd beat myself up over spending so much, but now I know I would have bought even more if I knew the golden era was going to end. The shipping rate was the craziest thing I've ever seen: .99 per order for everything but games. To me, that beats Amazon's lauded policy of free shipping with $25 order.
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yeah, I was super late to the party, but still was able to get in a few decent sales. Now its GOingdownHastings

 
It was definitely a good ride while it lasted.

Quality of items was hit or miss but worth the gamble because of the great % off deals and stellar customer service (never had a problem returning anything and they even refunded some orders without having to ship back).

I know some had issues with cs but at the end of the day I never had an issue getting a return mailer or refund no matter how many times I contact support.

The cheap shipping on books was great and I loved the fact that rare items would sometimes pop up in the inventory occasionally. Wishlist system was superb for getting hard to find stuff.

Things changed over the years as management shifted, but those first few years were fantastic.
 
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