[quote name='putney']I've had the Gamestop employee stooge problem just this past week...a nearby Gamestop got in a copy of Suikoden II, so I went in, scowered the crap PS1 bin and found nothing, so I asked. Guy went into the back, confirmed that there was a complete copy that was already bought by an employee. But oddly enough, that copy stayed on the online tracking site for a few more days. Finally, I guess they actually paid for it.
I've heard the "the computer isn't right" story a million times, and I really don't think it's true. Every time I've grabbed a single used copy of a game, it's removed from the site by the next morning.
It seems to be dependent on the employees though, at the same store a while back I bought a used Lunar 2, and the employee working made sure of the two copies they had, I got the most complete one in the best shape, and the GS I frequent is always friendly and helpful.[/quote]
I have found that if you are firm - not a jerk, but firm - and you tell them that you want to see the "hold" drawer and are confident that they have the game, approximately 80% of the time they will cave and look in the drawer (or back room, or wherever they hide the games). Of the times they look, approximately 75% of the time they have the game and most times they will sell it to you.
I found a Suikoden II game at one store and told them (truthfully) that I had just spoken with their Territory Manager and she said they are not allowed to hold games. All of a sudden they miraculously find the game in the "hold" drawer, along with Tactics Ogre and Intelligent Qube.
Don't be a jerk, but don't take their crap either and the majority of the time the game is there. Then it turns into whether you feel justified in taking the game away from the employee who wants to buy it or not.