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
mitch079 said:
Bull Moose was the company that was interested in buying them but was looking for funding and couldn't put a non-refundable bid down in time to extend the deadline. They're a small chain up in New Hampshire and Maine and have an online store, bullmoose.com
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ah bullmoose would've been awesome for a lot of people. for anyone who has never seen one, they're like a cross between newbury comics and a really good independent music store.

 
DNukem170 said:
I don't think Best Buy's anywhere near in enough trouble to go the route of Hastings just yet.
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My wife and I would talk about how Hastings business model didn't make any sense. We traded in so many games it was insane. Every single day was like a 100% trade in bonus at GameStop. Then every week was pretty much a 40-50% sale on their website... You could trade a game in for $40, then buy it back for $12 the same week. It didn't make any sense and they let it go on for way too long.

I'm sad to see them go because they were a very niche store... That was huge. If you have never been into a Hastings store it truly is an experience. But it is in no way surprising that they collapsed. In business, if the math doesn't make sense, the business doesn't make sense. And the math never ever made sense.
 
I'd put Gamestop as more likely to be around 10 years from now than Best Buy.  

Sad to see Hastings go, the 2nd huge loss for me of 2016 after Cowboom.  I'd estimate at least 30% of my BD/DVD collection has been from their used sales.  

 
It'll be Sears first, then Gamestop, Best Buy after, if at all.

Sears is straight up losing money; it has ~14 times more debt than cash in the bank.

Gamestop is in the black but is sliding fast in profits; its debt/cash is pretty stable.

The only negative for BBY is that it did 1.3% less in sales than at the same time last year and it has 3 times more cash on hand than debt.

This is all simplified, but anyone can check their growth and earnings on yahoo or google. 

 
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Some other options online people might not always think about:

Daedalus Books - DVDs, CDs, books

Family Video - mostly movies now, it looks like they're done selling used games online

Deep Discount - every now and again they come through with a sale

Oldies.com - movies and cds, kind of pricy

Second Spin - they usually have weekly codes

CD Universe 

Inetvideo.com

Also, they just posted this on Facebook and their webpage.  Anything on the online store redirects to the going out of business page.  

Web_upto30.png


 
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I was in Atlanta this weekend and forgot to check out any Moviestops.  On the way out of town we had to stop by Target by the Mall of Georgia (Buford).  I drove by the Moviestop next door and they were at 70-90% off.  There was a stand with about 50 copies of the BD/DVD Star Wars Force Awakens at 70% off ($9).  Sadly, they weren't open at 11pm...

 
Stopped in my local store today and it looked like Black Friday. Easily the busiest I've ever seen it.

Some sales I recall:

30% off used games

10% off new games

5% off video game hardware and accessories

30% off used movies

10% off new movies

20% off action figures, children's toys, t-shirts, board games

They've haulted all rentals and are selling most for $19.99 (blu) and $14.99 (DVD) respectively. No additional discounts apply to rentals.

 
notaxation said:
I'd put Gamestop as more likely to be around 10 years from now than Best Buy.

Sad to see Hastings go, the 2nd huge loss for me of 2016 after Cowboom. I'd estimate at least 30% of my BD/DVD collection has been from their used sales.
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Gamestop won't survive the transition to all digital, which will happen before 10 years from now. Best Buy has a lot more diversity in their products and in general leads market trends.
 
Stickboy46 said:
Gamestop won't survive the transition to all digital, which will happen before 10 years from now. Best Buy has a lot more diversity in their products and in general leads market trends.
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Maybe although my local Best Buy isn't the best example of market trends. Their CS is nearly as bad as GS. And the people who do their trade-ins don't get me started on that
 
kube00 said:
Maybe although my local Best Buy isn't the best example of market trends. Their CS is nearly as bad as GS. And the people who do their trade-ins don't get me started on that
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Yea..any store varies by location. Just saying that Best Buy won't go under if next gen is all digital. Gamestop will. Best Buy has lots of other categories to deal in and they stay on top of market trends in those other areas.
 
Carlanga said:
soccer moms don't buy games weekly. They might go once a month at the most.
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Can you give us a breakdown of how much they spend per visit versus other customers? I'd like it broken down by age, race, and annual income showing how many visits per month and the average amount spent. Also, please show how many customers are in each category.

 
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Phrozenspite said:
ah bullmoose would've been awesome for a lot of people. for anyone who has never seen one, they're like a cross between newbury comics and a really good independent music store.
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Bull Moose is great, but I'm glad they didn't take over Hastings. They're a great small chain and would have to reformat everything just to accommodate Hastings' archaic infrastructure. I'd expect prices to rise and trade-in values to drop to balance out the cost of buying a larger chain store, getting it out of debt, and getting warehouses to store products in. I don't think it would have given them any advantages until at least 2020.

 
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Kaiser499 said:
Looks like you can't buy anything from their website anymore, RIP Hastings 2016.
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Damn. I don't have a store near me, so their online store was how I bought everything. I was hoping to make one last big purchase during a going out of business sale. Well, that's it for me then. So long, Hastings.

 
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Holy F! I had no idea any of this was happening. I am SO glad I took advantage of a b1g1 half off toys sale a couple weeks ago. I now regret not buying more.

There's a B&M about 40 mins away from me. Might have to take a ride up there.

RIP Hastings
 
no658ea3 said:
Gamestop won't go under, it will be all collectibles, Cricket, and maybe some game hardware in a few years, lol.
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I don't think that chain could survive on collectibles alone. They would have to close a ton of stores. Every Gamestop seems to have their collectibles on clearance as they don't seem to do much sales in that market - at least from what I've observed.

 
Please stop with the nonsense about GameStop going out of business in the future. The company is still closely aligned with major players in the industry. In other words, Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft need GameStop (and vice versa). Nobody is going digital only any time soon, so that is good news for GameStop. Also, the used business is the big money maker for the company and that is not changing either due to convenience.

Foot traffic always seems good at my local stores. And with VR hitting the market, GameStop will probably be the destination for people to embrace this technology as Sony and others will make a push to sell their VR to the masses.
 

And then there is Pokemon... which leads to more cash to GameStop: http://www.cnbc.com/2016/07/18/sales-in-some-stores-up-100-percent-on-pokemon-gamestop-ceo-says.html

http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/news/2016/07/20/how-a-mobile-app-is-helping-gamestop-grow-virtual.html

Disclaimer: I used to work for GameStop, so yes, I am somewhat biased towards the company.

 
Blade said:
Bull Moose is great, but I'm glad they didn't take over Hastings. They're a great small chain and would have to reformat everything just to accommodate Hastings' archaic infrastructure. I'd expect prices to rise and trade-in values to drop to balance out the cost of buying a larger chain store, getting it out of debt, and getting warehouses to store products in. I don't think it would have given them any advantages until at least 2020.
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I'd rather wait 4 years for a benefit than to see the only worthwhile store in the boring town I live in most of the year die
 
mitch079 said:
Can you give us a breakdown of how much they spend per visit versus other customers? I'd like it broken down by age, race, and annual income showing how many visits per month and the average amount spent. Also, please show how many customers are in each category.
Click to expand...
sorry, you have to do your own research this time Melania.

 
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mexicanfan said:
Please stop with the nonsense about GameStop going out of business in the future. The company is still closely aligned with major players in the industry. In other words, Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft need GameStop (and vice versa). Nobody is going digital only any time soon, so that is good news for GameStop. Also, the used business is the big money maker for the company and that is not changing either due to convenience.

Foot traffic always seems good at my local stores. And with VR hitting the market, GameStop will probably be the destination for people to embrace this technology as Sony and others will make a push to sell their VR to the masses.

And then there is Pokemon... which leads to more cash to GameStop: http://www.cnbc.com/2016/07/18/sales-in-some-stores-up-100-percent-on-pokemon-gamestop-ceo-says.html

http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/news/2016/07/20/how-a-mobile-app-is-helping-gamestop-grow-virtual.html

Disclaimer: I used to work for GameStop, so yes, I am somewhat biased towards the company.
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This has a lot of incorrect assumptions. They are already making the move to digital. Microsoft is really pushing that (digital copies in collectors editions, console pack ins, and bonuses like cross buy) and Sony is sure to follow.

VR probably won't be a huge market driver but if it is, it appears that BB is the preferred partner. Most of the "demo times" have been set up at Best Buy locations and not at GameStop. I do believe that GameStop has a good partnership with Nintendo, but not the other 2 main players. Microsoft and Sony have dedicated floor space in Best Buy stores with employees that are dedicated to those two companies. Microsoft and Sony even pay the salaries of those dedicated employees.

In short, GameStop is not in a good position long term. All Digital would really hurt them as they have very little diversity in their inventory. Can only survive so long on last generation used games and Pokemon.
 
Rick4Life said:
My wife and I would talk about how Hastings business model didn't make any sense. We traded in so many games it was insane. Every single day was like a 100% trade in bonus at GameStop. Then every week was pretty much a 40-50% sale on their website... You could trade a game in for $40, then buy it back for $12 the same week. It didn't make any sense and they let it go on for way too long.

I'm sad to see them go because they were a very niche store... That was huge. If you have never been into a Hastings store it truly is an experience. But it is in no way surprising that they collapsed. In business, if the math doesn't make sense, the business doesn't make sense. And the math never ever made sense.
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Yeah. I had no store near me so no trades, but the prices online last year were pretty insane. IT's almost like they were already liquidating.

 
lilwiggum said:
Don't sleep on betterworldbooks. They have pretty good sales from time to time.
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Yeah, they're good and so is ThriftBooks. There are plenty of good options for used books online.

Stickboy46 said:
They are already making the move to digital. Microsoft is really pushing that (digital copies in collectors editions, console pack ins, and bonuses like cross buy) and Sony is sure to follow.
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The backlash against the $250 Halo 5 LCE not including a physical copy of the game was severe enough Microsoft was forced to offer the option of the disc for people who didn't want the digital codes.

Offering the option to the small percentage of your userbase who will pay a premium for digital purchases =/= shifting to an all-digital platform. After the extremely negative long-term effects caused by the Xbox One DRM/digital debacle in 2013 Microsoft or anyone else will not be trying it again anytime soon.

The vast majority of console software sales are physical. That hasn't changed. And despite all of us here preferring Best Buy or Amazon for the 20% off and other perks, Gamestop still sells more new games than anyone except maybe Walmart.

Couldn't find 2015 data, but according to Gamestop in 2014 full-game AAA downloads were 12% compared to 88% physical, and because the majority of those were free with bundles, digital purchases of AAA titles accounted for 2% of their revenue.

 
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They shut down a store in Alma MI last year; they're about to close one in Nogales AZ. K-Marts have been dropping like flies over the last decade... when the company ultimately closes, it'll be less a matter of "it was only a matter of time" and more "what took them so long?"
 
Yea, because the news never skews facts towards an agenda.

Stickboy46 said:
Unless you are planning on the world ending in the next 10 or so years... That would be incorrect.
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PC games will be the only platform to go digital only. Consoles will still sell physical media, or do you think the hubub over the XBox One going all digital or the fears over the NX going digital only are one-time things? Or hell, the failure of literally every single digital-only gaming machine?

And if you seriously think an all digital world would mean every game will be under $30 consistently you are delusional.

Then again, I likely WILL be dead in less than 10 years, so what the fuck do I care?
 
DNukem170 said:
Yea, because the news never skews facts towards an agenda.


PC games will be the only platform to go digital only. Consoles will still sell physical media, or do you think the hubub over the XBox One going all digital or the fears over the NX going digital only are one-time things? Or hell, the failure of literally every single digital-only gaming machine?

And if you seriously think an all digital world would mean every game will be under $30 consistently you are delusional.

Then again, I likely WILL be dead in less than 10 years, so what the fuck do I care?
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For how much push back there was on an always connected console, some of the biggest games this gen require an always on connection to play. Consumers are accepting it more and more. Or the market is moving this way.

And i agree, it won't move games to be cheaper. Digital is cheaper for the manufacturer, so the move is to increase corporate profits. The same reason music and books are headed that way too.
 
Yea, but there's still hundreds of games out there that don't require an Internet connection to play. Unless every single video game is entirely online multiplayer a la Overwatch, there will always be a huge blowback to always being online.

If that actually does happen, I'll have an excuse to limit my gaming since I don't give a flying fuck about online multiplayer. It's one of the biggest (but far from only) reasons why I don't care about Overwatch at all.

Then again, gaming seems to have passed me by. I can count on one hand the number of games I'm looking forward to by the end of the year. I'm more excited for Sonic 2017 than I am for literally everything shown at the Microsoft and Sony E3 press conference. Over half of my digital game library are old games and most of them I still have the physical versions of. Of games that were released physically and digitally at the same time, I own less than double digits, and several of those were free.

As for music and books, I can see why the digital versions have taken over, especially music, but even then, physical books are still going to be made a decade from now.

Though it will be interesting to see what happens to the digital world when Amazon and Wikipedia go under.
 
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lilwiggum said:
Don't sleep on betterworldbooks. They have pretty good sales from time to time.
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I think I've seen them on Amazon Marketplace or eBay, or maybe abebooks or alibris.

Is their main website any different than any of the above?

If they're just one of those mass resellers that makes money off sheer volume who shoves shit in a barely padded envelope like Hastings, I'm probably not too interested.

I like eBay when I can buy from regular people who I can remind to package something securely and if it doesn't come as described, eBay is of course buyer friendly. The big resellers don't give a shit about packaging though. And I mainly use the Prime shipping on Amazon Marketplace to get books for under $5 or whatever.

Hastings was only worth the gamble despite their poor shipping practices because they had some insane sales/deals/mistakes/glitches and generally you could return something easily enough if it arrived in really bad shape, or just re-sell it and break even because of the low acquisition cost in the first place.

 
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