(something that's not) Bait and Switch at Gamestop

dsullo

dsullo

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So I took advantage of the buy 2 get one free at GS yesterday. I picked out a few titles , checked the cases for manuals. I usually pay close attention when they ring up the games and put the discs in to be sure they are not all scratched up but I was distracted by some stuff they had on the counter and I did not notice the guy did not give me the cases that I picked out. So when i got home and pulled out my games they were all missing manuals.
Man I am so freakin pissed at GS for this. They should make a point to give the buyer the complete game or tell them at the time of purchase that the manual is not included. I know some of you will say take it back, which I may do. I am tempted to just take the manuals they shorted me from display games next time I visit a GS. ( I really won't do that )

In my opinion this is a bait and switch tactic.
 
I just check them while they ring them up and ask nicely if I can have the manuals...they always comply. The person could of been just too busy, or wasn't thinking of it..

Before you accuse...check your shit.

You don't check your to-go bag when you go to Taco Bell? I sure as hell do...
 
That's not bait & switch. They just didn't give you the display copies because they had extras behind the counter that already had the discs in them. It's your responsibility to make sure you get what you want before you pay for them and leave the store.
 
like I said I was distracted. It is my fault. A game consists of game/case and manual. You would think their practice would be to give the customer a complete game or tell them that the manual is missing. Who would want the game missing the manual? Especially when the store has the manual available? Bottom line is that they really could care less about the customer.
 
Last time I bought from a gamestop I also noticed that they didn't give me the same game cases that I picked out from the shelves. But my experience wasn't bad because they actually gave me game cases and manuals that were in better condition than the ones on the shelves.

I don't get why they do this though.
 
[quote name='jngx80']Last time I bought from a gamestop I also noticed that they didn't give me the same game cases that I picked out from the shelves. But my experience wasn't bad because they actually gave me game cases and manuals that were in better condition than the ones on the shelves.

I don't get why they do this though.[/QUOTE]

They do this because the display version on the shelf doesn't have a disc in it. That disc is in a cardboard sleeve behind the counter. If the employee sees that they have another copy of that game behind the counter they will just grab that one rather than having to take the disc out of the cardboard sleeve. Doing this would cause them to have to take the disc out of another case and put it into a cardboard sleeve so that they could then make that case the new display case. Then they also have to make sure that that case has the correct price on it before setting it out on the shelf as the used games behind the counter are not retagged when games change in price.
 
I guess from my perspective. I am bringing up to the register a game case with a manual and that is what I am looking to purchase. That is what I am expecting to be put in my bag. When I buy a hamburger I expect the meat to be between the buns... You see what I am saying
 
[quote name='dsullo']like I said I was distracted. It is my fault. A game consists of game/case and manual. You would think their practice would be to give the customer a complete game or tell them that the manual is missing. Who would want the game missing the manual? Especially when the store has the manual available? Bottom line is that they really could care less about the customer.[/QUOTE]

first off.. i never read any manuals to any game i have.. it doesn't mean that much to me.. but i do hate the practice of getting the last "new" copy and its already been open.. that irritates me

I would have checked immediately when i got in the car to make sure i had everything.. especially since its an hours drive to a GS or EB so i make sure everything is where it needs to be before i leave..
 
When I went in this weekend, the clerk did the same thing. He took cases from the back instead of using the one I brought up to the counter. However, he made sure to give me the manuals without even me asking. I guess it depends.
 
Seriously, OP, just take your games back with your receipt. Explain what happened and I'd be very surprised if they didn't just hand you the manuals. They weren't purposely trying to screw you over.
 
[quote name='Mookyjooky']

Before you accuse...check your shit.

You don't check your to-go bag when you go to Taco Bell? I sure as hell do...[/QUOTE]


LMAO...always check you bags in retail stores and fast food restaurants before you leave. Most of them don't exactly have college graduates working in them. Most of them aren't trying to bait and switch you, its just, well, they are TOO STUPID to know what they're doing.

(And Taco Bell gets my vote for worst restaurant ever when it comes to giving out a complete food order! )
 
It is odd, from my time working at EB, you use the case that the customer hands you, take the disc out of the paper sleeve and place it in the case. It's the customer's responsibility to find one with a manual in it if they care.
 
[quote name='Gojtron']It is odd, from my time working at EB, you use the case that the customer hands you, take the disc out of the paper sleeve and place it in the case. It's the customer's responsibility to find one with a manual in it if they care.[/QUOTE]

EB puts all the cases for all their used games out on the floor though. GameStop just puts one display case out. That's why GameStop employees just grab one that doesn't require them to make a new display case.
 
[quote name='Mookyjooky']
You don't check your to-go bag when you go to Taco Bell? I sure as hell do...[/QUOTE]

Thats officially the last place I would consider eating at...

I don't do fast food. :puke: Subway is good. Quiznos is better... Papa Murphy's is best. These places are ok because I can see them make the food. If its not a 'real' restaurant, I don't want anything to do with it... With the exception of KFC's buffet. =P~
 
[quote name='Gojtron']It is odd, from my time working at EB, you use the case that the customer hands you, take the disc out of the paper sleeve and place it in the case. It's the customer's responsibility to find one with a manual in it if they care.[/QUOTE]
GameStop only puts out one copy on the shelf, 1 new & 1 preown. All the rest are behind the counter with the case, manual & hopefully the CD ;)
 
[quote name='dsullo']A game consists of game/case and manual. [/QUOTE]

And here I always thought that a game consisted just of a game.
 
Crappy situation, but I doubt the clerk was trying to screw you out of the instructions. Probably just didn't think must of switching one case for another.

You could try going back and politely explaining what happened. Maybe they'll give you the manual.

And this isn't an example of bait and switch, even if they did purposefully swap it out for a game without a manual.
 
Heres what I do, and have for a good 4 years.

Tell clerk games I want.
He grabs them.
Ask if they have manuals, no? No sale. Yes? Okay!
Check discs before paying.
All look good? Pay.
Otherwise? No sale.

And if you don't have time to check everything during the transaction, check everything before you leave. More than once I have asked the clerk for another disc, or for a manual. And so long as you're nice, and patient about it, they've always made me a happy customer.

I know it takes longer to do all this at the store, but you HAVE to. There is NO reason that they should be required to provide manuals. This may offend some, but it's your responsibility as a consumer to check out any and all goods that are considered used, before purchase.
 
[quote name='Kayden']Thats officially the last place I would consider eating at...

I don't do fast food. :puke: Subway is good. Quiznos is better... Papa Murphy's is best. These places are ok because I can see them make the food. If its not a 'real' restaurant, I don't want anything to do with it... With the exception of KFC's buffet. =P~[/QUOTE]

Like KFC? Check out this!

http://www.petatv.com/tvpopup/Prefs.asp?video=pilgrims_web

kfc.jpg
 
[quote name='Aleryn']Heres what I do, and have for a good 4 years.

Tell clerk games I want.
He grabs them.
Ask if they have manuals, no? No sale. Yes? Okay!
Check discs before paying.
All look good? Pay.
Otherwise? No sale.

And if you don't have time to check everything during the transaction, check everything before you leave. More than once I have asked the clerk for another disc, or for a manual. And so long as you're nice, and patient about it, they've always made me a happy customer.

I know it takes longer to do all this at the store, but you HAVE to. There is NO reason that they should be required to provide manuals. This may offend some, but it's your responsibility as a consumer to check out any and all goods that are considered used, before purchase.[/QUOTE]

yeah its really that easy. we are more than happy to check for you to make sure you get a complete copy. if you have a problem with gamestop taking in incomplete games for trade perhaps you should write a letter to the corporate office instead of accuse employees of not caring about the customer.
 
[quote name='Aleryn']Heres what I do, and have for a good 4 years.

Tell clerk games I want.
He grabs them.
Ask if they have manuals, no? No sale. Yes? Okay!
Check discs before paying.
All look good? Pay.
Otherwise? No sale.

And if you don't have time to check everything during the transaction, check everything before you leave. More than once I have asked the clerk for another disc, or for a manual. And so long as you're nice, and patient about it, they've always made me a happy customer.

I know it takes longer to do all this at the store, but you HAVE to. There is NO reason that they should be required to provide manuals. This may offend some, but it's your responsibility as a consumer to check out any and all goods that are considered used, before purchase.[/QUOTE]

I am with you. I always check the disc and game condition before I purchase. The gamestops I frequent in my area always try to get me the best conditioned game available without me even asking basically because the employees know me.

I find that EB on the other hand I have to ask inorder to get a look at the game disc before purchase but that does not really bother me.

If I am not satisfied with the condition of the game or if it does not have a manual I will not buy it.

I do not think anyone was trying the old bait and switch on you.
 
People throw the 'bait and switch' line around too easily. This situation is nothing close.

Bait and Switch: "An illegal tactic in which a seller advertises a product with the intention of persuading customers to purchase a more expensive product."

IE: You see a TV advertised in a flyer for $100. You go to the store and they don't have any of that TV in stock, but then proceed to try to get you to buy something else, say a $500 TV. Baited you with the cheap item, switched to selling a more expensive item.

I don't think we've ever had a real bait and switch situation posted here, or at least in a very long time.
 
This is most definately NOT bait and switch, they aren't advertising some great deal and then when you get there say it's not available and try to sell you something different.

They simply suck at customer service and they suck at only taking complete games. Once you quickly learn this it becomes second nature to thoroughly inspect any and all used game purchases you make. Most of the employees couldn't care less if the game they sell you is scratched to hell and incomplete and that's why it's on you to inspect the games and decide if you want it.

Just go back and say you wanted the instructions, if they tell you no then just return the games and if you want re-buy them and demand the instructions from the display cases.
 
[quote name='danny90044']who the fuck reads manuals....seriously there pointless[/QUOTE]
*they're
And most of us like our games to be complete, so the manual needs to be there.
 
this has absolutely nothing to do with:
A) The bait and switch tactic.
B) The employee's intellegence.
C) The degree to which the employee's "cared" about you.

The only thing it does have to do with is
A) The company policy definition of a game as, well, the Game. Disc or cart.? That's the game.
B) The company policy on where to keep manuals. Would you rather a manual be out in the display box so that you can reference it when making decisions, or would you rather any manuals all be kept locked away with the disc so that you only have the box to judge by? There are GS's that do both, but it still doesn't guarentee a manual for each game (it doesn't matter to everyone, but casual shoppers appriciate manuals in display boxes, so I vote for the former).
C) Your inability to, in this case, proactively make sure you got what you wanted. Yes, I understand a burger comes with meat and a bun, but here's the thing: a game comes with a game, and some sort of case (meat & bun). Whether you want onions and pickels (a manual, a flawlessly 'used' disc, a LE/non-GH version) or not, it's really not so outrageous to expect that you need to specify that at time of order, is it?

edit: "most of us" is speaking from a collector/cag, while I like 'complete' games too, I'm not real anal about it, and 98% of the general population doesn't care if there's a manual or not, and if there is, 98% of the time I'm guessing it's never going to leave the left side of the case.
 
[quote name='danny90044']who the fuck reads manuals....seriously there pointless[/QUOTE]

I read them. For some games they are somewhat pointless but for others they can provide valuable help.
 
[quote name='megahit3']mega hit video games gives you the how you see it no tricks[/QUOTE]

lol...the only thing thats missing is, "/plug" ;)
 
well they do it because of overstock they have tons of copies of the same used games behind the counter so it makes it easier to sell then having to look for one single game through a drawer with cardboard sleeves plus saves time and space on the floor
 
I would just go back and ask for manuals (with your receipt in hand) chances are if they have them they will give them to you... my hubby did this sale and bought doom 3, ninja gaiden, and KOTOR II. Well he got home, realized doom 3 was only cooperative via lan and they actually took all three games back :O I was so surprised that they took them all back just because he didn't know something about a game.
 
Both my EBs and Gamestops generally get games from behind the counter. The display boxes are meant to be sold as a last resort. The display boxes are messed with by many customers and the discs for those games are in paper sleeves. While other copies are in there case (if available) away from the customers. Most employess will just grab the first copy they see. I always check my games as some copies don't have manuals or have bad discs.
 
Some people aren't as concerned with disc condition as others- most collectors want mint and pristine from the get-go. Some people just interested in playing are more willing to buy stratched-up discs and use some sort of disc repair at home. These people may also not care about complete-ness, while collectors do. GS isn't going to know which type you are, and assume if you're a collector, you'll be anal enough to check the game in-store :D

Of course, considering that, they probably don't care if you come back the next day and say 'hey, I didn't notice you swapped on me, I want manuals.' (It'll help keep em from getting jacked from the display box, after all.) So just ask, if you're quick about it, it'll probably be fine.

If not.... send a friend to steal from the display boxes! :twisted:
 
I ONCE had GS give me a game I bought, and it looked like the manual had been ripped in half, but somehow was still together... I couldnt believe how they would sell a game in that condition... I simply took it back and asked for another, when they couldnt find one, I got my money back
 
[quote name='GSJaia']It is the responsibility of the consumer to make sure the store didn't screw up? Nice...[/QUOTE]

It sucks, but it's true. At Gamestop, McDonald's, Taco Bell, or wherever you better check your bags.
 
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