Gamestop may not survive?

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Indiana

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I was just watching CNBC market watch and some analysts were talking about Game Stop and stating that they will not survive. Another analyst said they would survive by doing online downloads and selling off stores.

I admit that Game Stop is not my favorite gaming store but it seems like as more stores close the odds of finding gaming deals will decrease.
 
I agree... this is not good for the gaming industry. While I dislike Gamestop as much as the next person I have to think they had a part in mainstreaming gaming.

I'm a firm believe that less retailers = less competition = fewer deals.


I also fear the day that everything goes digital
 
A lot of people hate on Gamestop but I'm a supporter. I can preorder any game from them and show up after work and have it the day it comes out. UPS delivers late to my house so Amazon is typically only used with big sales. The employees might be a pain in the ass sometimes, but the service I receive from having access to every game the day it releases it great.
 
If the future in console gaming is download only content, then they are right that Gamestop as they exist will be no more. That being said, I'm not entirely convinced that it is going to work that way for the game makers unless they adjust their price point for digital content.
 
I see no problems with this. There are far too many gamestops as is and they likely need to trim some of the fat to survive. There are literally 8 gamestops within a 15 mile radius of me.
 
I was in GS a few days ago and they were pushing that gold card membership on me like thier life depended on it. They were so pushy that it was leaning on the side of desperation. They must need money bad.
 
[quote name='Rodimus']I was in GS a few days ago and they were pushing that gold card membership on me like thier life depended on it. They were so pushy that it was leaning on the side of desperation. They must need money bad.[/QUOTE]


GNC has a gold card... Gamestop not so much
 
[quote name='mtxbass1']I see no problems with this. There are far too many gamestops as is and they likely need to trim some of the fat to survive. There are literally 8 gamestops within a 15 mile radius of me.[/QUOTE]

I think I got 9 or 10 within 30 mins of me, 3 that are 10 mins or less.

However, I do buy stuff there, not a lot, but I do like to go in and browse. Sometimes I find a deal. I find most of the employees are nice. At the one closest to my house the manager actually helped me dig through their disc only PS2 games for 3 titles I wanted.

Game makers need to give more value for their price point, if they want to go digital only. I want NSMB 2 on the 3DS, but I'll buy a retail copy since they're both $40. Make it $25 and I download it.

Not being able to buy used games would make me stick harder to my PS2, Wii, and 3DS, mainly because I buy a lot of stuff second hand. Maybe not from Gamestop, but from a friend or whatever. I do buy 4-6 games per year for retail price, others, used. Odds are in the case of no used games, I'd just bu a nice gaming PC or go back to playing DDO or some other MMO game.

I don't want them to go out of business.
 
I really think Gamestop needs more competitive prices, especially considering how much money they make by shafting people who trade in games for credit. However, despite having no love for Gamestop, I don't want them to go out of business. It would suck for all the people that the company currently employs, especially in this economy.
 
[quote name='Rodimus']I was in GS a few days ago and they were pushing that gold card membership on me like thier life depended on it. They were so pushy that it was leaning on the side of desperation. They must need money bad.[/QUOTE]

More like the minimum wage employee is desperate to sell the memberships to keep their numbers up so they won't lose their job. Gamestop is despicable to its employees. I enjoyed working there in high school, but only because I didn't care about that shit because I was, well, a high school student who didn't need the job. Unfortunately most of the people working at Gamestop have their and probably others' mouths to feed, which is why they push that shit so they don't lose their job.

I don't see Gamestop going away anytime soon. It'll be at least a couple generations, if not more.
 
they better survive...i love my job and don't want to lose it :cry: Making numbers can be a pain sometimes but i love the customers and the environment :D
 
I thought Gamestop was thriving a few years ago? Things change fast. There are over 15 stores within 15 miles from my house; three of those stores are on different corners of one intersection. Not sure who thought that was a good idea for the long term success of each of those individual stores.

I'd guess my biggest reason for not shopping Gamestop is that they just don't try to offer any major deals for purchasing a new game beyond the added DLC that everyone else offers too. There is no chance I'd purchase a new game at Gamestop when I can get it for the same price at Amazon with an additional credit. Couple the lack of offers with their often shady business tactics, and it's just not a place I frequent anymore.
 
Speaking of surviving, here's hoping this thread can go long enough before it turns into every other Gamestop thread.

I feel there's a crucial detail missing in all of this: what exactly won't they survive? Next gen? The next ten years? Online Passes? What exactly did they say on CNBC was ruining Gamestop? Anything's possible but personally, I find it hard to believe... sure I wouldn't be surprised if more than a few Gamestops are closed eventually, like others on this thread I have about 7 of them in a ten mile radius and it tends to be rare that a company can grow like that and keep all of their stores afloat (not everyone's a Starbucks), but I would see that more as the nature of the "circle of retail", not some gigantic implosion.

If next gen went all digital then Gamestop would be in some significant trouble, but that's just an "if" at the present time.
 
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The problem with Gamestop is they still rely on used game sales for a majority of their profits.

Once/If/When games go digital only Gamestop will be in trouble.
 
I think the end of Gamestop (or a transition to a new model which doesn't emphasize used games anywhere near as much) would actually be better for the industry as a whole.

As we all know, the used game market is a huge thorn in the side of publishers/developers, who see it as enough of a fiscal threat that they've introduced annoyances such as the dreaded "online pass" in recent years. While Gamestop isn't the only used game retailer, it's certainly the largest. If Gamestop were to disappear, used game sales would fall, and most of us would predict that new game sales would rise (though Gamestop apologetics try to argue that used game trade-ins feed a very significant amount of revenue into new game sales-- enough to compensate for the losses-- I don't buy that argument. There's sure to be some benefit there, but I have a hard time believing publishers' profits actually go up as a result of the existence of Gamestop's used game sales).
 
If Gamestop doesn't survive, it's more likely it will be because of Walmart than Steam IMHO.

Brick and Mortar stores will always have a place unless Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo all decide to go download-only next generation (I'm not ruling it out, but I don't think it would be the wisest move).

Adults may prefer digital marketplaces, but plenty of parents still bring their kids to the game aisle as a treat when shopping, and plenty of kids still go to Gamestop after school with their friends. Gamestop's biggest problem is Walmart is often just across the parking lot and offers way more than just games.
 
[quote name='blehman']I thought Gamestop was thriving a few years ago? Things change fast. There are over 15 stores within 15 miles from my house; three of those stores are on different corners of one intersection. Not sure who thought that was a good idea for the long term success of each of those individual stores.[/QUOTE]
It's the exact same way here. In the one area, there were THREE GS stores a few years ago all within about a mile or so of each other. Of those, one was a former Funcoland and the other two were former EB Games stores.

That's one thing that people forget when remarking about how many GS stores they have in their area, is how many of those were once locations of other chains that GS took over or whatever.

The former Funco store closed about a year or so ago, but the two former EB stores remain in that same area. After those two stores, there's another GS store(former Software Etc) in the mall in our downtown, another one that's one of only two true GS stores to open in the area that weren't originally some other chain and then two more within a mile or two of each other about 10 miles from there.

So our area isn't really THAT saturated with their stores, but it's bad enough really.

As for my feelings on whether or not I'd dance all over the corpse of Gamestop, I might do a lil jig at first. But I got to know some of the employees at some of those stores pretty well when I was trading in stuff to them, so I would feel bad for them somewhat.

But if gaming were to attempt going all digital download, the prices for the games better be cut in half and have FREQUENT sales or Sony, MS and Nintendo could suck it cuz I would stick to my older gen stuff if it means I'm stuck paying MSRP every time.
 
[quote name='Josh1billion']I think the end of Gamestop (or a transition to a new model which doesn't emphasize used games anywhere near as much) would actually be better for the industry as a whole.

As we all know, the used game market is a huge thorn in the side of publishers/developers, who see it as enough of a fiscal threat that they've introduced annoyances such as the dreaded "online pass" in recent years. While Gamestop isn't the only used game retailer, it's certainly the largest. If Gamestop were to disappear, used game sales would fall, and most of us would predict that new game sales would rise (though Gamestop apologetics try to argue that used game trade-ins feed a very significant amount of revenue into new game sales-- enough to compensate for the losses-- I don't buy that argument. There's sure to be some benefit there, but I have a hard time believing publishers' profits actually go up as a result of the existence of Gamestop's used game sales).[/QUOTE]

as a current employee of GameStop, you would be suprised as to how many people trade in their old games to buy brand new games. Many customers say it is the only way they can afford the huge $60 price tag. When they do this, we almost always have a promotion too, giving them more money.

Also there is a used car industry, used movies, used books....why can't there be used games?

Now don't think I am trying to totally defend GameStop, the company does do some shaddy stuff. I also don't like how we price used games because usually you can get it for NEW on amazon at the same price. My point is that we as consumers should be able to do what we want with our games. I don't want to lose rights over the physical game I own. I want the ability to sell it, or even trade it to GameStop. (even if i'm getting ripped off in the process) :lol:
 
Do people still really believe consoles are going DD only? Never going to happen folks. The biggest reason why? Sony or M$ would have to take the first step and that would only give a clear advantage to the other.

Again, will not happen.
 
[quote name='Xaliqen']If Gamestop doesn't survive, it's more likely it will be because of Walmart than Steam IMHO.

Brick and Mortar stores will always have a place unless Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo all decide to go download-only next generation (I'm not ruling it out, but I don't think it would be the wisest move).

Adults may prefer digital marketplaces, but plenty of parents still bring their kids to the game aisle as a treat when shopping, and plenty of kids still go to Gamestop after school with their friends. Gamestop's biggest problem is Walmart is often just across the parking lot and offers way more than just games.[/QUOTE]

Every new GS built is next to a Walmart, that's in their design.

And just to give you guys some numbers, a SLOW GS will do $500-$750k in sales volume a year, average store $1M-$1.5M, top stores in a district do $2-$2.5M, and the top 100 do $4-$6M in sales volume each year. The store I shop at is the 2nd busiest in St. Louis (that $2M number) and routinely sells $25k per week.
 
[quote name='Xaliqen']If Gamestop doesn't survive, it's more likely it will be because of Walmart than Steam IMHO.[/QUOTE]

Not from the Walmarts I've been in. Their game section is a size of a postage stamp. Target has better game department than Walmart.

No, the only true enemy to Gamestop (and retail game sales in general) is online distribution. The console makers would love to be Apple and fully control the supply chain of games to their console. Will it happen? I think it will at some point. The economic advantage is too great to not have it happen at some point. But, to be successful, the economic model needs to change. I doubt people will be as willing to pay $60 for a game they get digitially, particularly when they can't get any other value out of it.
 
idk online distribution probably will depend if they let steam and other vendors on there or not. honestly though as a 70% pc gamer the #1 thing i hate about my xbox is having to get up and change the disk and the damn game is even installed on my HD!. even if it cost slightly more i'd take the dd solution to get around that or just buy it for my pc :)
 
[quote name='Kevfactor']idk online distribution probably will depend if they let steam and other vendors on there or not. honestly though as a 70% pc gamer the #1 thing i hate about my xbox is having to get up and change the disk and the damn game is even installed on my HD!. even if it cost slightly more i'd take the dd solution to get around that or just buy it for my pc :)[/QUOTE]
:lol:You may certainly be willing to pay a premium, but I enjoy the half second of cardio workout I get by getting up to grab the game I wanna play off the shelf to my left and then leaning forward to put it into my PS3.;)
 
[quote name='Jodou']Do people still really believe consoles are going DD only? Never going to happen folks. The biggest reason why? Sony or M$ would have to take the first step and that would only give a clear advantage to the other.

Again, will not happen.[/QUOTE]

I can think of a few reasons why it could be beneficial for gaming, but I can easily see why it wouldn't happen. The big issue I think when people talk about the future of a direct download only console, is regarding the bandwidth required to make it happen. I know there are plenty of ISPs that are that are capping data limits due to the huge spike in streaming; I'm sure they would respond in someway if the vast majority of game purchases were digital downloads. I'm not certain what type of strain a new DD-only Call of Duty title would place on an ISPs network. I'd imagine millions of people all starting to download a 10-20 gigabyte game at the exact same time would be hell on networks and hosting servers. Is the infrastructure in place for something like that yet?
 
Gamestop took too long to get into digital distribution so I think it's an uphill battle for them. The market seems saturated now with Steam, GOG, Origin, GamersGate and Green Man Gaming. Even Gamefly is getting into it, right?

I don't think the new consoles are going DD-only and they will probably have blu-ray drives, but if they do shift significantly toward digital distribution and compete on price (with sales comparable to Steam), I think brick and mortar Gamestops are done for. People still primarily buy boxed copies of games for PS3 and Xbox 360 and their games on demand programs are a joke.

On the other hand, if ISPs start capping connections en masse, that shit will be halted in its tracks. Downloading the 30-40 GB games of the future (who knows) can't compete with bandwidth caps. Then families will be fighting over bandwidth for Netflix stream, games and porn.
 
[quote name='highoffcoffee496']as a current employee of GameStop, you would be suprised as to how many people trade in their old games to buy brand new games. Many customers say it is the only way they can afford the huge $60 price tag. When they do this, we almost always have a promotion too, giving them more money.

Also there is a used car industry, used movies, used books....why can't there be used games?

Now don't think I am trying to totally defend GameStop, the company does do some shaddy stuff. I also don't like how we price used games because usually you can get it for NEW on amazon at the same price. My point is that we as consumers should be able to do what we want with our games. I don't want to lose rights over the physical game I own. I want the ability to sell it, or even trade it to GameStop. (even if i'm getting ripped off in the process) :lol:[/QUOTE]

I had a friend who almost always traded 2 or 3 things for a new release, that was about the only way he'd get something new, and his reasoning--no money, but 3 games he had finished would do the trick.

I think GS just has a lot of stores, there are 2 malls within a half hour of me, and each one has 2 stores. They used to be Software Etc., EB, or Babbage's or whatever, but there are still too many of them. It's handy if I am looking for something used, one store may have it but the other doesn't, so it's a 2 minute walk to get it, instead of driving. Also, it seems like those double store locations have put all their PS2 games in one store. :D

Also, someone mentioned Walmart, has anyone else noticed that when a new Walmart is built, there is a strip mall with a Gamestop on the other side of the parking lot?
 
[quote name='highoffcoffee496']as a current employee of GameStop, you would be suprised as to how many people trade in their old games to buy brand new games. Many customers say it is the only way they can afford the huge $60 price tag. [/quote]They could just wait for the price to go down. Time is currency. Poor people have a lot of it.

Also there is a used car industry, used movies, used books....why can't there be used games?
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There can be and there should be. But it's also not a good idea to trade them into Gamestop because you will be ripped off.

And don't expect game companies to not try to circumvent used games sales as they are already doing. Whether they are successful or not depends on the self-control of gamers, so yes, they will be successful.
 
[quote name='Spokker']Gamestop took too long to get into digital distribution so I think it's an uphill battle for them. The market seems saturated now with Steam, GOG, Origin, GamersGate and Green Man Gaming. Even Gamefly is getting into it, right?[/QUOTE]

Both Gamestop and Gamefly bought existing storefronts (Impulse and Direct2Drive respectively), so it isn't like they started from scratch.
 
[quote name='TheLongshot']Not from the Walmarts I've been in. Their game section is a size of a postage stamp. Target has better game department than Walmart.[/QUOTE]

I guess this varies quite a bit, in that case. The average Walmart in my area has a gaming section about 3 times larger than the average Gamestop (in terms of floor space).

Of course, if I want hardware for my retro consoles, I'd probably stop at Gamestop (though Gamestop should probably worry about Amazon, since they're even better for that sort of thing).

The market for brick & mortar game stores in my area may be abnormal, I guess. Though, a lot of the larger chains, like Fry's, are now all over the country (if I were Gamestop, I'd be worried about Fry's as well).
 
I love used games stores, and game specialty stores.

But I can't stand GameStop.

I have developed an acid-test for specialty game retailers. If I go into the store, and can't find a game from two console generations prior, I know I am in the wrong place. If I don't see games from cartridge-based systems that aren't handheld, I am not happy. I like game stores that cater to game collectors. GameStop has become a wasteland for such content.

GameStop's business model has been refined over the years into a very profitable grind. Unfortunately, this approach to game sales has also made them a parasite on the game development industry, while simultaneously lowering the quality of service in the overall used game market.

If GameStop collapsed, there would be plenty of people willing to pick up their slack. The used game market could do with a much greater influx of competition.
 
[quote name='mtxbass1']I see no problems with this. There are far too many gamestops as is and they likely need to trim some of the fat to survive. There are literally 8 gamestops within a 15 mile radius of me.[/QUOTE]

The mall near my house has two Gamstops in it. Then the plaza next to the mall has one. Five minutes NE is another. 10 minutes SE is yet another. 20 minutes NE... yep Gamestop.
 
[quote name='Richard Kain']I have developed an acid-test for specialty game retailers. If I go into the store, and can't find a game from two console generations prior, I know I am in the wrong place. If I don't see games from cartridge-based systems that aren't handheld, I am not happy. I like game stores that cater to game collectors. GameStop has become a wasteland for such content.[/QUOTE]
I feel exactly the same way. When my local Gamestop first opened in 2003, I loved it because they had a huge variety of previous-generation games. It's hard to believe it now, but that's the same exact store where I bought classics like Metal Gear for NES and Tomba 1 for PS1.

edit: oops, I meant Tomba 2.
 
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I still get excited for midnight launches and I don't mind shelling out full price for games I really want on day one.
 
[quote name='Spokker']
There can be and there should be. But it's also not a good idea to trade them into Gamestop because you will be ripped off.

[/QUOTE]

You ever trade a used car into the dealer to help pay for a new one? You get ripped off there too. Selling items to a business that they turn around and resell is always a rip off in the sense that they will turn around and sell it for more than they paid you, but it's a business not a charity. You are paying for the convenience of not having to sell something yourself.

As far as GS going out of business, unless physical media goes away I don't see it happening.
 
[quote name='Josh1billion']I feel exactly the same way. When my local Gamestop first opened in 2003, I loved it because they had a huge variety of previous-generation games. It's hard to believe it now, but that's the same exact store where I bought classics like Metal Gear for NES and Tomba 1 for PS1.[/QUOTE]

It's true, they used to have a pretty good selection of old cartridge games and consoles.

I think most of that old stuff went away after their merger with Electronics Boutique in 2005 (I don't know if that was the reason, but it all happened around the same time).
 
[quote name='blehman']I can think of a few reasons why it could be beneficial for gaming, but I can easily see why it wouldn't happen. The big issue I think when people talk about the future of a direct download only console, is regarding the bandwidth required to make it happen. I know there are plenty of ISPs that are that are capping data limits due to the huge spike in streaming; I'm sure they would respond in someway if the vast majority of game purchases were digital downloads. I'm not certain what type of strain a new DD-only Call of Duty title would place on an ISPs network. I'd imagine millions of people all starting to download a 10-20 gigabyte game at the exact same time would be hell on networks and hosting servers. Is the infrastructure in place for something like that yet?[/QUOTE]

Not really, but they could easily do something similar to what a large number of physical Steam releases do. Each game case includes both a code and a disc. Should the user want, they can redeem the code on Steam, download everything and install. Alternatively, they could throw the disc in their computer and install off that. No downloading, requires a couple kilobytes of data to be sent to authenticate, no network strain, no worrying about caps. Disc is worthless without the code and everything still goes through Steam.

Blizzard does similar stuff with their games, as does EA and Origin. No reason it couldn't be applied to consoles next generation. Only additional barrier is an internet connection, but, well, it seems a lot of people are ready and willing to lose the internet-less as customers.
 
[quote name='Jodou']Do people still really believe consoles are going DD only? Never going to happen folks. The biggest reason why? Sony or M$ would have to take the first step and that would only give a clear advantage to the other.

Again, will not happen.[/QUOTE]

I don't believe that DD will be the only mode. But you're ignoring that the big names still have large general/electronics retailers to fall back on, GameStop is a drop in the bucket next to the volumes that Sony and MS move through Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Frys, etc.

And even BB is having a tough time -- why shouldn't GS? I'll be happy to see GameStop go because I think their business model is 20 years past expiration and their in-store sales tactics are odious.

How many record stores are out there right now? How many movie rental places are around? Granted, they're all still around, but they're boutique places now. Gaming-only stores will be the same.

The only way GS sticks around is if they SERIOUSLY modify their model. Trim way back on stores, get online with a website and process that is as simple as Amazon with competitive pricing. And maybe meaningful incentives. They won't do it. They'll piss and moan about used games and how the industry "needs" them until they're left to a few shitty stores in forgotten strip malls.
 
[quote name='dothog']The only way GS sticks around is if they SERIOUSLY modify their model. Trim way back on stores, get online with a website and process that is as simple as Amazon with competitive pricing. And maybe meaningful incentives. They won't do it. They'll piss and moan about used games and how the industry "needs" them until they're left to a few shitty stores in forgotten strip malls.[/QUOTE]

Actually, the only way they do compete now is with their current model.

And while people say "they rip you off" with trades, what they do is that they make it easy. All you need to do is walk in with games and you can come out with other games. Other ways of maximizing your value requires more effort and may not reward you for that effort. So, it is a tradeoff.

It is pretty much the same with any company that deals in used merch. They want to make a profit, so certainly they are going to give you less so that they can sell it for more. In trade, you don't have to deal with the inconvienence of trying to sell it yourself.
 
When I called their tactics odious I was referring to unboxing new games, forcing preorders on me, etc. I'm familiar with how used game trades and P/L work.

Their profits will dwindle as the industry places further restrictions on games. It's taking the industry long enough, and though it's moving slowly, that's where it's going and GS has no say in that. As a result, they'll continue to die unless they change.

The music industry is such an obvious analogue, I can't believe people don't point to it. Manufacturers don't have to restrict used games as digital delivery becomes more common. The music industry could've bitched to high hell about used CD sales, but what's the point with iTunes around? Throw some DRM in there and you're good -- even with the DRM gone, they have ways of controlling a big enough share of consumers that the outliers don't matter.

So maybe a DD system for games to rival that of music is 10-20 years down the road, but whatever the timeline, it's silly to pretend that GS is a healthy operation with bright prospects if they stick to their current model.
 
[quote name='TheLongshot']
And while people say "they rip you off" with trades, what they do is that they make it easy. All you need to do is walk in with games and you can come out with other games. Other ways of maximizing your value requires more effort and may not reward you for that effort. So, it is a tradeoff.[/QUOTE]

The practice of buying and then reselling games is not what I object to. That's well and good. What I object to is that GameStop has tailored their corporate policies to essentially run a much more expensive game rental service.

Functionally, GameStop operates very similar to a rental service. Games go out, then those same games come back and other games go out. It is up to the consumer whether or not to treat GameStop in this way, but GameStop themselves do everything they can to actively encourage this behavior. The end result is that they are essentially running a game rental service that is much more expensive, and has far poorer facilities and services. And they use their marketing muscle to perpetuate this vicious cycle.

On a per-game basis, rental services like GameFly are much, much more affordable and convenient.

If GameStop is going to be eliminated, it isn't going to be from digital distribution. It's going to be taken down by RedBox. Easy, convenient game rentals replaces everything that GameStop currently provides. If RedBox steps up the game offerings in their kiosks, that could significantly threaten GameStop.
 
[quote name='pseudonem']Just want to say. It's been a long time coming. I can't wait for the day that their retail store is no more.[/QUOTE]

And why is that? Has GS wronged you that bad?
 
[quote name='Rodimus']And why is that? Has GS wronged you that bad?[/QUOTE]

They haven't spat upon me personally, but I can point out several things they've done that I find objectionable.

1. Put all the other game stores out of business. There used to be a much wider variety of game stores, and they used to carry a much wider variety of games. GameStop either bought them up and converted them, or drove them out of business. I liked having numerous different stores compared to just one giant conglomerate. Now I have to drive really far out of the way to visit some of the very few surviving game stores.

2. Reduced the variety of used games available. GameStop's policy of doubling down on the most profitable titles possible has drastically reduced the variety of games available. More obscure titles are often not sold new, and very hard to find used. And of course, there is their policy of only accepting games from recent console cycles. I miss shopping for cartridges.

3. Fixed and raised the prices on used games. Once GameStop had their tidy little monopoly sewn up, they raised and fixed the prices of used games. Once upon a time a $10 reduction from the current retail price for a used game was common. Seeing games that were $20 less or 50% off of the retail price was no big deal. You could get some really great deals on used games just from casual browsing. Then came GameStop. You walk into one of their stores, and you are going to be paying $3 less than the current retail. And that is for every game, across the board. No bargains, no surprises, and no negotiating the prices either. A small used game store that I frequent will wheel-and-deal with me if I'm interested, and clearly intend to spend.

4. Drastically reduced the quality of in-store services and facilities. Back when all my favorite game stores weren't GameStops, most of them tended to be clean and well maintained. The stores themselves smelled nice, the inventory was well-organized and regularly maintained, and the employees were experienced and amiable. Now all of that has gone right out the window. With GameStop, most of their stores are smelly, overcrowded, claustrophobic, and the employees tend to be overworked and undertrained.
 
[quote name='Richard Kain']They haven't spat upon me personally, but I can point out several things they've done that I find objectionable.

1. Put all the other game stores out of business. There used to be a much wider variety of game stores, and they used to carry a much wider variety of games. GameStop either bought them up and converted them, or drove them out of business. I liked having numerous different stores compared to just one giant conglomerate. Now I have to drive really far out of the way to visit some of the very few surviving game stores.

2. Reduced the variety of used games available. GameStop's policy of doubling down on the most profitable titles possible has drastically reduced the variety of games available. More obscure titles are often not sold new, and very hard to find used. And of course, there is their policy of only accepting games from recent console cycles. I miss shopping for cartridges.

3. Fixed and raised the prices on used games. Once GameStop had their tidy little monopoly sewn up, they raised and fixed the prices of used games. Once upon a time a $10 reduction from the current retail price for a used game was common. Seeing games that were $20 less or 50% off of the retail price was no big deal. You could get some really great deals on used games just from casual browsing. Then came GameStop. You walk into one of their stores, and you are going to be paying $3 less than the current retail. And that is for every game, across the board. No bargains, no surprises, and no negotiating the prices either. A small used game store that I frequent will wheel-and-deal with me if I'm interested, and clearly intend to spend.

4. Drastically reduced the quality of in-store services and facilities. Back when all my favorite game stores weren't GameStops, most of them tended to be clean and well maintained. The stores themselves smelled nice, the inventory was well-organized and regularly maintained, and the employees were experienced and amiable. Now all of that has gone right out the window. With GameStop, most of their stores are smelly, overcrowded, claustrophobic, and the employees tend to be overworked and undertrained.[/QUOTE]

All these, except maybe 2.

Also, gutting games. Open is not new. I don't care that you didn't scratch it. Have you ever tried to exchange a game that they opened before you bought it? You can't, but they will buy it from you. :roll:

They try to create a false sense of low supply and high demand for new releases. Perfect example was when Halo 3 came out. I was told by two GS goons that I should have done the right thing and pre-ordered the game from GS. I could wait a couple weeks if I would just go ahead and reserve one of the second shipment. Luckily walmart had hundreds of copies on hand.

I understand their need to profit, but damn. They need to teach their lower management some manners. Almost every store that I've entered has had shitty customer service. Employees should never lecture customers. These cocky assholes seem to flock to, and thrive at, GS stores.

I was sold a "new" xbox 360 that died within two hours of getting it home. I know that this could possibly be Microsoft's fault, but the way the GS employees treated me when I tried to exchange my 4 hour old $400 purchase really pissed me off.
 
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[quote name='pseudonem']All these, except maybe 2.

Also, gutting games. Open is not new. I don't care that you didn't scratch it. Have you ever tried to exchange a game that they opened before you bought it? You can't, but they will buy it from you. :roll:

They try to create a false sense of low supply and high demand for new releases. Perfect example was when Halo 3 came out. I was told by two GS goons that I should have done the right thing and pre-ordered the game from GS. I could wait a couple weeks if I would just go ahead and reserve one of the second shipment. Luckily walmart had hundreds of copies on hand.

I understand their need to profit, but damn. They need to teach their lower management some manners. Almost every store that I've entered has had shitty customer service. Employees should never lecture customers. These cocky assholes seem to flock to, and thrive at, GS stores.

I was sold a "new" xbox 360 that died within two hours of getting it home. I know that this could possibly be Microsoft's fault, but the way the GS employees treated me when I tried to exchange my 4 hour old $400 purchase really pissed me off.[/QUOTE]

This is what happens when a company perceives they have a monopoly.

And, what happens when they don't actually have a monopoly, is people take their business elsewhere.

Gamestop's troubles are largely of their own making.
 
[quote name='Richard Kain']

3. Fixed and raised the prices on used games. Once GameStop had their tidy little monopoly sewn up, they raised and fixed the prices of used games. Once upon a time a $10 reduction from the current retail price for a used game was common. Seeing games that were $20 less or 50% off of the retail price was no big deal. You could get some really great deals on used games just from casual browsing. Then came GameStop. You walk into one of their stores, and you are going to be paying $3 less than the current retail. And that is for every game, across the board. No bargains, no surprises, and no negotiating the prices either. A small used game store that I frequent will wheel-and-deal with me if I'm interested, and clearly intend to spend.[/QUOTE]

Um, nice story, except that it is wrong. Higher-priced (ie, $50 and $60 games) are almost always $5 less used. Sure, maybe that isn't much, but then any CAG worth their salt has a PUR membership which means another 10% off - so that means GS used prices generally start at around 20% off from the new price. Then they also have frequent B2G1 sales where you can essentially get those games for about $33 each - that's nearly half off the full retail price. On lower-priced games ($20 new), used prices may only be $3 less (or even just $2 as they are typically $17.99). But then you said " across the board. No bargains, no surprises..." and that is definitely not true on the higher end. And in addition, there are plenty of occasional "bargains" on top of the B2G1. One recent example being Lego Harry Potter Years 5-7 for $9.99 new ($8.99 used). There are lots of others in their current summer promo.

Toss in the fact that you can use trade credit instead of having to shell out cash or use a credit card to get those same games makes it even cheaper. Right now (July 25-26 only) they have an extra $5 for any 360/PS3 trade-ins worth $3 or more. You can trade in some fairly old and otherwise worthless (on eBay or elsewhere) games and get a pretty decent return. (And going back to that PUR membership, just a few trade-ins/used game purchases plus the B2G1 coupon you get for signing up more than make up for the $15 yearly price).

And the cleanliness and/or crowdedness of their stores is entirely YMMV and no different than any other game store that's ever existed. Gamecrazy stores, for one, were usually worse. In my area some of the GS stores are a mess and others are great - just depends.

But I'll agree with the rest of you on how annoying it is that they push preorders on you. And gutting new games is pretty sucky too but I understand why they do it (to have cases out to see without having stuff stolen).

But of course none of this has any bearing on whether or not they will survive as we move more towards digital distribution. But I, for one, will not buy nearly as many games when that happens. I just had to respond to all those who think GS will (or should) fail based on how they currently buy and sell games.
 
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