Did this guy at EBGAMES screw up?

Karma implies you are doing wrong to someone.

Who is the victim here? Well, I mean, besides you, of course, ukhoops. You sound jealous that you spent all those hours prattling on about GP-whatzits and now you're upset that someone's gotten ahead by a shady means.

EDIT:

Ming; I try ;-)
 
[quote name='ukhoops']You seem to be missing the point. Ethics is ethics. You sell what the customer brings you, not what you need to sell to stay out of trouble. If you have to sell these items that way to stay out of trouble, you probably need more help than just cheating to get ahead.

Just always remember, Karma is a bitch!![/QUOTE]

And so is talking about things which one does not know. The first thing they teach you about business ethics? It's an oxymoron. Doesn't exist in the realm of successful business outside of a few models (Chick-fil-A, etc).

You obviously have never been in business, or learned about business when you say 'You sell what the customer brings you, not what you need to sell to stay out of trouble.' Bullshit, game over, thanks for playing. That's not brick and mortar business. That's automated service (and even that busts your ass for add-ons). You think businesses are successful by just selling what the consumer wants? That's riotous. Best I've heard all week (aside from walking in on a co-worker telling my boss '...If it's as big as you say it is.' But, that's another story). Retail establishments don't exist without trying to sell the consumer something they outright don't need or didn't think about.

While I won't question EB's lack of 'ethics' or an employee's lack of morals, what the employee did for this particular customer is nowhere near questionable when it comes to how the customer is treated. Yes, the magazines don't cost EB a penny. But did you know that before you read the thread? I sure didn't. When I worked at Cockbuster, they cost money, but it was written off at the end of the year. So it 'technically' didn't cost BB any money. But was I allowed to give them away? Hell no. EB lets it's employees know that they don't have to charge for them if it's a good customer. Was the employee just going to hand the customer the magazine and say 'it's on me.' Hell no.

I don't know what EB charges for an OXM, but I do know newstand price with demo is $9.99. This guy saved $4.99 + difference in tax, plus gets a 10% off card for 12 months of enjoyment (I know I've saved well over $200 in 7 months). You're telling me it was wrong for this guy to save that money? It was wrong for the employee to save the customer not only $5 at time of purchase, but the possibility of triple-digit savings over the course of a year? It's wrong for an employee to offer an extended warranty to a customer, even if they don't need it? And if they aren't sure, for the employee to give it to them for a discounted price than to charge a higher amount for a magazine that will be worthless after a good 'office' session?

Furthermore, it's wrong of me (as in...me) to let a customer know that, 'Hey, while you're getting brand new Jordans, we have our socks on sale BOGO 1/2 off?' Or, God forbid, I sell them a $6 pair of socks and give them the $14 hat they wanted for free (if I was allowed to do so). This is wrong? This is unethical?

No, Short Round, this is good business practice. Not only am I boosting my sales, I've made the customer believe they've gotten the deal of the century. And, we all know (that is, if you actually have any business education), the bargain is not important: it is the impression of a bargain that is.

Let me break it down one time for, just myself let's say:
-Guy wants $10 magazine (asssume 7% tax) - $10.70
-Guy does not have an EDGE card - is losing out on 10% each time on a used item
-Guy, instead of paying $10.70 for an 80-pg mag, pays $5.35 for said mag and a year's enrollment in a 10% off program

$10.70>$5.35 (unless my math is horribly wrong)
+ whatever savings dude wishes to partake in

If you're still screaming about ethical practices, then you need to hand in whatever credentials you claim to have and start wearing a tin hat. 'Cause I hate to break it to ya, but you ain't gonna make it out here.

[/I hate morons rant]
 
[quote name='CocheseUGA']And so is talking about things which one does not know. The first thing they teach you about business ethics? It's an oxymoron. Doesn't exist in the realm of successful business outside of a few models (Chick-fil-A, etc).

You obviously have never been in business, or learned about business when you say 'You sell what the customer brings you, not what you need to sell to stay out of trouble.' Bullshit, game over, thanks for playing. That's not brick and mortar business. That's automated service (and even that busts your ass for add-ons). You think businesses are successful by just selling what the consumer wants? That's riotous. Best I've heard all week (aside from walking in on a co-worker telling my boss '...If it's as big as you say it is.' But, that's another story). Retail establishments don't exist without trying to sell the consumer something they outright don't need or didn't think about.

While I won't question EB's lack of 'ethics' or an employee's lack of morals, what the employee did for this particular customer is nowhere near questionable when it comes to how the customer is treated. Yes, the magazines don't cost EB a penny. But did you know that before you read the thread? I sure didn't. When I worked at Cockbuster, they cost money, but it was written off at the end of the year. So it 'technically' didn't cost BB any money. But was I allowed to give them away? Hell no. EB lets it's employees know that they don't have to charge for them if it's a good customer. Was the employee just going to hand the customer the magazine and say 'it's on me.' Hell no.

I don't know what EB charges for an OXM, but I do know newstand price with demo is $9.99. This guy saved $4.99 + difference in tax, plus gets a 10% off card for 12 months of enjoyment (I know I've saved well over $200 in 7 months). You're telling me it was wrong for this guy to save that money? It was wrong for the employee to save the customer not only $5 at time of purchase, but the possibility of triple-digit savings over the course of a year? It's wrong for an employee to offer an extended warranty to a customer, even if they don't need it? And if they aren't sure, for the employee to give it to them for a discounted price than to charge a higher amount for a magazine that will be worthless after a good 'office' session?

Furthermore, it's wrong of me (as in...me) to let a customer know that, 'Hey, while you're getting brand new Jordans, we have our socks on sale BOGO 1/2 off?' Or, God forbid, I sell them a $6 pair of socks and give them the $14 hat they wanted for free (if I was allowed to do so). This is wrong? This is unethical?

No, Short Round, this is good business practice. Not only am I boosting my sales, I've made the customer believe they've gotten the deal of the century. And, we all know (that is, if you actually have any business education), the bargain is not important: it is the impression of a bargain that is.

Let me break it down one time for, just myself let's say:
-Guy wants $10 magazine (asssume 7% tax) - $10.70
-Guy does not have an EDGE card - is losing out on 10% each time on a used item
-Guy, instead of paying $10.70 for an 80-pg mag, pays $5.35 for said mag and a year's enrollment in a 10% off program

$10.70>$5.35 (unless my math is horribly wrong)
+ whatever savings dude wishes to partake in

If you're still screaming about ethical practices, then you need to hand in whatever credentials you claim to have and start wearing a tin hat. 'Cause I hate to break it to ya, but you ain't gonna make it out here.

[/I hate morons rant][/QUOTE] :applause:
My friend has an incredibly inflated ego because he's a 19-year-old Electronics Dept. Manager at Target. When I returned from college for the semester, I noticed our local EB was under new management, the shelves were rearranged (both in the store and behind the counter), and everything look uninvitingly sterile. I made my complaint, and he rebutted me claiming that the customer would prefer to be in and out, easily finding what they need. While that may be true, the lack of giant preorder boxes, standees, and hanging doo-hickeys reduced casual gamers' curiousity in upcoming and recently-released games, which sure doesn't help sales any. Good thing he's going into accounting instead of general business or marketing.
 
[quote name='ukhoops']Good to know that people still dont care about their jobs or integrity. If you think the goals are unrealistic, move on to another job. You sound like you have no love loss for retail anyways, so get the hell out.
While your at it, take your crappy ass attitude towards goals, what you "think" people want, and dont let the gate hit you in the ass on your way out.
I see it all the time, some people dont want to buy any extra stuff , but lots of them do. Lots of people dont know what they need to play a system , so without the retail employee telling them, they would never know. You can add things on to anything, but you have to actually TRY to and have a good ATTITUDE about it.
You, however, have neither.[/QUOTE]

I don't care about my job. After this week, my manager is letting me stay on and work about once every couple weeks or so so I can keep my employee discount (I handed in my notice last week). I hate retail, that's why I'm in college and working so I can get into medical school. Anyway, enough about me. I doubt that the guys at the top of EB Games gives a damn about you so why do you care so much about them? There are better things to get worked over than this so just calm down...
 
[quote name='ukhoops']Good to know that people still dont care about their jobs or integrity. If you think the goals are unrealistic, move on to another job. You sound like you have no love loss for retail anyways, so get the hell out.
While your at it, take your crappy ass attitude towards goals, what you "think" people want, and dont let the gate hit you in the ass on your way out.
I see it all the time, some people dont want to buy any extra stuff , but lots of them do. Lots of people dont know what they need to play a system , so without the retail employee telling them, they would never know. You can add things on to anything, but you have to actually TRY to and have a good ATTITUDE about it.
You, however, have neither.[/QUOTE]

You got one thing right... I have no love for retail. None whatsoever. In fact, I outright despise retail and consider it the bottom rung of the ladder... just slightly above food service.

However, you got everything else wrong. My attitude is far from crappy. In fact, on numerous occasions, people have disclosed to us that in our mall they prefer EB over GameStop because (aside from giving them the hookup when possible) we're all really friendly people. You'll be hard pressed to find any of us with a grimace on our face. Quite the contrary in fact, we're always smiles at work. It's not fake either, we just have generally good outlooks and get through the day by making jokes about our misfortune.

As for what I think people want... well, I'll be frank. I haven't met a single customer who asked if they could pay more for something I've offered them. For some reason, they're all looking for a deal! So, when I can, I give them that deal, at no expense to them, myself, or the company. Also, speaking on behalf of my fellow customers (believe it or not, I sometimes also patronize retail locations) I enjoy a speedy, efficient shopping experience. That is, I want to understand what I'm getting, buy it and anything that I would definately need or want with it, and get out. NO, I don't need batteries. For fuck'S SAKE I don't need the strategy guide. I have the internet thanks. However, if I'm gonna save 20% if I buy it with the game... hey, even I'd consider it.

As for why I don't leave... It's not the enormous paycheck that keeps me coming back. Or the splendid customer base that I couldn't bear to part with. No, it's actually the fact that it's the summer, and I need to feed myself. The curse of being a college student I guess you would call it. I've worked here for two years, so no need to muss things up for myself when I've got a job already. Oh, and the discount. The whopping 15% discount. That helps.

I don't think I quite get the last part though... I have neither of what? A good attitude, and...? Oh well. Visit EB store 325 sometime, you'd be suprised how friendly people can be when they think their job is worthless.

~stew
 
great thread, i love hearing different opinions on this. let's just say working at the highest-volume EB in your district and having morals is rough, but i still love my job...i'll probably have some further commentary in a bit
 
on the subjects of business ethics...

as I've mentioned before on occasion, i started at EBgames two years ago. for the first year of my employment I was forced to push preplayed (as always) using the hook that the customer gets a lifetime warranty on the game so long as they keep their reciept. well about a year ago, we switched over to the gpg system. retroactive of course, meaning anyone who bought a preplayed with the understanding that they had a lifetime warranty was now SOL. explaining that to returning customers has been a real pain. kind of sketchy to switch that out on people just to make money on something that should be free in the first place.

~stew
 
[quote name='varsitygamer']on the subjects of business ethics...

as I've mentioned before on occasion, i started at EBgames two years ago. for the first year of my employment I was forced to push preplayed (as always) using the hook that the customer gets a lifetime warranty on the game so long as they keep their reciept. well about a year ago, we switched over to the gpg system. retroactive of course, meaning anyone who bought a preplayed with the understanding that they had a lifetime warranty was now SOL. explaining that to returning customers has been a real pain. kind of sketchy to switch that out on people just to make money on something that should be free in the first place.

~stew[/QUOTE]

AFAIK, EB claimed that they would still honor the "lifetime" warranty on all preplayed games purchased before the GPG program.
 
The "lifetime" warranty thing was not an EB corporate thing. Nowhere down in the SouthEast did the lifetime guarantee thing ever. That is something someone in other areas of the country did to help increase pre-played sales. It was never a EB mandate to offer those on anything much less pre-played games.
 
:applause: for all of the fellow gamestore retail employees here.

I personally work at a Gamestop (don't kill me EB employees! :D ) and if needed, I will do things considered "not ethical" to get a sub or reservation. During the current deal with the 50% more coupon, if someone traded only 2 games, but if they equaled over $30 in credit, I'd still offer a GS card. Technially they need 4 items, but hey, I can get them a free GS card and subscription as long as their trade in total is $30 or over.

Sometime customers will come in and forget their GS card, but if they are a customer I see around a lot, I'll hook them up with the 10% off. Why? Because they will come back to MY store and not go to another.

Heck, I've gotten handshakes from people thanking me for not giving them lines of bullshit. If someone asks me my opinion on something, I give it do them. I've told one guy that a game sucked and he looked at me and said "Really? Ok, I'll try this other one. Never had a guy tell me a game sucked before, you don't mess around."

But am I unethical because I'll bend the rules a bit to keep customers? I say not, it's business and it doesn't hurt anyone.
 
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