Are gamestop and EB hoarding Wii?

Customers want to hear exact dates. I understand it, but I wish they understood our position as gaming retail associates.

People give me the evil eye or repeat themselves when they talk to me. Sort of as a reminder that I shouldn't be "lying" or that I didn't hear them the first time. Also it's annoying when people think just because a place like EB Games gave them a date for another shipment, then we obviously have the same shipment.

It's starting to get even nastier now where I work and it's annoying/depressing. People are starting to call in asking for me directly. Sort of hard not to miss the only asian guy working in an entire toy store. But they will call and tell my managers that I "promised" them that I would call them when we get in more _____. With what number? I've turned down so many people who are pathetic enough to offer me a whole lot of money just to hold them a system. I'm glad my managers have worked with me long enough and know me better than to tell a customer that. Lie all you want, but don't use my name.

Our Wii shipments (at TRU) have come on significant days, which I hope people open their eyes and notice.

1) Launch day
2) Day after Thanksgiving
3) This past Sunday (where it was pictured in an Ad/specific deal)

I realize I knew what I would be getting into years ago when I got into this job. What I wish for (which will never happen) is that customers give us the respect we give them. If I knew when stuff was coming in, I would tell you. If I don't, well I don't. I have nothing to gain from lying about when shipments come in.

The truth of the matter is that if we are "hoarding" systems, we don't get further shipments. If we do not sell the ones on hand, we do not get further shipments because our inventory shows full. Believe it or not we run a business.

Just pay attention to weekly ads. You'd be surprised that 99% of the people who have been asking me about Wii's this week, did not know that EVERY retailer had it pictured in their ad. Put some extra effort into searching for one. If you have to call in, you are already too late.
 
the reason the employees play stupid is because you assholes call the store 100 times a day. they are getting weekly shipments of both consoles. they are going to sell the units regardless, so thats why they tell you that they have no clue. i would do the same thing. all you muthafuckas do is bitch about gamestop
 
[quote name='Erillian']My local regional manager created an email waiting list for the Wii. I put my name on it and I received a call about 2 weeks later that my Wii was ready for pick up. Now this list was about 100 long last time I checked somehow I was toward the front of it. If they are doing similar things in your area this may explain why it seems they are "hoarding" Wiis. I used to look down on Gamestop as a company but after this effort they made for me I have changed my opinion. What they did was secure a costumer base sure but they also allowed me to sit on my ass and not wait in lines and be a minute to late for the next few weeks. Getting the Wii was painless and I thank them for that.[/quote]

I wish my local stores had done something similiar. I know they didn't want a repeat of the 360 situation, but all they've really done is cover themselves and tell everyone it's not their fault or problem. That's not customer service -- it's the abandonment of customer service. And it's made getting the Wii at EB/GS something like winning the lottery.

I realize that much of it is beyond their control. They do not control shipments or quantaties, and since there's not enough to meet demand, it's going to be a little crazy. But I think that in trying to avoid last year's problems, they've gone too far in the other direction.

Honestly, I can't imagine that people calling for Wiis every five minutes and having anywhere from 5 to 20 people hanging around your store for hours every day is good for business. I haven't seen anyone trade anything in, and despite being in an EB for hours more than I ever have, I've only seen two people buy games. Two.

Were it not that I have enough store credit to pay off a Wii, I would have been at Wal-Mart or Target or, well, anywhere else. That also can't be good for business. I noticed this week that several people who were waiting last week are no longer around; they got their Wiis elsewhere.

See? If I were a true GS/EB hater, this would make me happy. Just think of all the business they're losing. But all it really does is make me tired. And I feel really sorry for the employees.
 
I have within 1/4 of a mile of me 2 GS and 1 EB. If I expand that radius to 2 miles, I have two more GS available.

At each of these 5 stores, I routinely exploit trade in deals and B2G1's. I also clear out their cheap games when BlockBuster has trade in deals.

In many ways, I am a horrid customer for them. In other ways, I am a great customer.

Either way, every time lately I've gone there, I have been met with overwhelming customer service. They have answered questions about DVD's, VG's, accessories, and systems. Sure, they ALWAYS ask if I want to preorder, but sometimes I actually do. I usually look at their lists.

Although I started going to those stores to "make money" a year and a half ago, through their patience and service, (and this website), I've actually become a fan of video games and gaming myself and have spent probably over a grand (much to my chagrin) on personal gaming needs there - and
 
As for "hoarding for their friends," think of how hard it would be if you were being asked fifty times a day when they were coming in. Think about what if several of those times were by friends or family members. I can imagine it would be hard to say no.

Who of us here wouldn't use our positions to help our friends and families if we could? Very few I would expect.
 
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