Why does anyone support Gamestop these days?

Don't forget, 10% off a used game with edge card so if it's a "new" game that came out recently and it's $54.99 you get 10% off that plus there's a coupon for gamestop subscribers who use their email who get another 10% off used items which can be found here on cag too. so that's 20% off if you have the edge card+coupon which isn't a bad deal. Gamestop isn't as bad as people make it seem. Just because you have had a problem with them before doesn't make them the worst or a bad store. Every company is the same way or worst.
 
[quote name='blissskr']That makes you an idiot not some kind of noble champion dude.[/QUOTE]

I'm not trying to be some noble champion. I just see no point in giving my business to stores that annoy me. I don't do it to make any social point etc.

I don't care if others do, they can do with their money what they like. I'd rather spend a more and shop at Target rather than deal with the riff raff working in and shopping in Wal-mart for instance, even though stuff tends to be a bit more expensive at Target.

Games, movies etc. I shop around for the best deals online or in stores besides Gamestop and Wal-mart as those are non-essentials. But I'll pay a bit more for toiletries etc. at Target to avoid the frustration.

But I'm not much of a cheapass as I make ok money and don't have a lot of debt etc., so I don't have to pinch every penny, so I guess I have that liberty where some don't.
 
[quote name='Jesus_S_Preston']Because they aren't childish enough to flip shit over the box to their game being opened?[/QUOTE]

It's well known that Gamestop employees borrow new games and they still sell them as new games. Where do you think they are getting these games? From the copies that they gut. If you have no problem paying a new price for a used game, then by all means, go ahead.
 
[quote name='dmaul1114']I'm not trying to be some noble champion. I just see no point in giving my business to stores that annoy me. I don't do it to make any social point etc.

I don't care if others do, they can do with their money what they like. I'd rather spend a more and shop at Target rather than deal with the riff raff working in and shopping in Wal-mart for instance, even though stuff tends to be a bit more expensive at Target.

Games, movies etc. I shop around for the best deals online or in stores besides Gamestop and Wal-mart as those are non-essentials. But I'll pay a bit more for toiletries etc. at Target to avoid the frustration.

But I'm not much of a cheapass as I make ok money and don't have a lot of debt etc., so I don't have to pinch every penny, so I guess I have that liberty where some don't.[/QUOTE]
Ok so you don't do it to make any social point? Then you go and make a comment about walmarts customers as if there beneath you, and that you don't have to pinch every penny but adding a snide comment about that you guess some people do? Dude have looked at the name of the site your on its what were all about saving money. I take back my comment about you not being some noble champion but an idiot, you my friend are just a douche plain and simple.
 
[quote name='blissskr']Ok so you don't do it to make any social point? Then you go and make a comment about walmarts customers as if there beneath you, and that you don't have to pinch every penny but adding a snide comment about that you guess some people do? Dude have looked at the name of the site your on its what were all about saving money. I take back my comment about you not being some noble champion but an idiot, you my friend are just a douche plain and simple.[/QUOTE]

All he did was tell people that he doesn't mind spending a little more money to avoid shopping at places he doesn't like, and then he was attacked.

People who bitch out customer service agents to save a dollar or two are far, far worse people than this guy is.

Who are you to judge how he does his shopping? The only one looking like a douche in this exchange is you.
 
I haven't bought something at Gamestop in God knows how long. Their prices almost always suck balls, even with coupons. I can usually find a similar deal online, at another store, or on the forums. Besides the prices being shit, nearly every Gamestop I've been to has had annoying and/or uninformed employees, and some of the strangest customers.

I go in there every once in awhile when I pass by one at the mall or while driving to another store, hoping to be surprised by a good deal or a good atmosphere; still hasn't happened yet.
 
The Gamestop near me is pretty good, the customer service can be slow but if I ask for a sealed game they will go out of their way to look for one for me. During their Summer sale they had great deals so I bought several new games from them: SF IV, Tomb Raider Underworld, and FEAR 2 all for $19.99 each. I have sold to Gamestop in the past but I don't anymore now that the Internet is full of sites to sell/trade on.

If people feel that they are being ripped off when they sell their used games to Gamestop just don't sell there, this isn't the 80s list your stuff online Ebay/Craigslist/Amazon/Goozex or on here. I hate to rant but the youth of today seem to resort to whining if deals aren't favorable to them or they don't get instant gratification. Put some effort into selling your used stuff and don't expect to get what you paid for the item when it was brand new.
 
[quote name='blissskr']Dude have looked at the name of the site your on its what were all about saving money.[/QUOTE]

Wanting to save money on games doesn't mean one has to be a cheap ass in every facet of life.

I don't want to spend much on games as I don't play them that much or really have that much interest in them. Movies I have more interest but like to get deals since I can always just get a movie from Netflix so I need a good deal to justify buying one.

But beyond stuff like that, I'm not a cheap ass at all and would rather spend a bit more to shop at stores that give me generally pleasant shopping experiences rather than be one of the idiots that goes where ever is cheapest and then endlessly bitch about how much they hate the store.

I work a ton, don't have all that much free time (sitting in the office working on a Sunday currently) so I'm all about maximizing convenience and minimizing frustrations, so sure I'll pay a bit more a Target vs. dealing with the crappy Wal-marts around here, and get all my games from Goozex, Amazon etc. to avoid the game stores as I'd rather avoid the frustration than save a few bucks.

And I wasn't being snide by saying I don't have to pinch pennies. I was just saying I respect that some have no choice but to put up with stores they can't stand if they have the cheapest prices as they can't afford to pay more to avoid the frustration. I'm fortunate to have that luxury, and was just saying that I understand that others have tighter budgets and have no choice but to shop where the prices are best regardless of how much they dislike the store.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I bought Prototype for $33 and traded it back for $34 after I beat it. I don't see why that's bad for the consumer. As for gutted, if you don't like it, don't buy it. I don't, unless it's super cheap, or I'm buying to flip to Amazon or something.

I'm still pissed about their gutting my pre-order an hour after it got to the store, and also when I preordered 7-8 months in advance and didn't receive the pre-order item (Harvest Moon on Wii, gf has like every HM), because they said they ran out of the 10 they got in, when I went in an hour after they got their shipment. I went to another store a mile away and they had the pre-order cows and also previous pre-order Harvest Moon plushes left, and they asked if I wanted those. I only took the cow cause I felt guilty, but in hindsight, I should have gotten the other pre-orders too.

Not every GS employee is evil. There's 1 friendly one that rivals my experiences at HWV from the $5 sale, so it's not all bad.

tl;dr: If it's not a good deal, then move on.
 
I think everyone here knows that Gamestop is a very bad business for CAGs. If you buy a new game for $60.00, walk out the door and then walk back in to trade the game in, you will get I believe $40.00. They just made $20.00!
 
Gamestop really isn't that bad. It's not the only place I shop, but when they throw out a 50% trade-in credit or a B2G1, I'm usually giving them my business. Their everyday prices buying/trading-in are crap, but I mean give me a break. They've actually gotten a lot better lately. They've had some good new sales and some good used sales lately. They've started guaranteeing original cases/manuals in certain instances, they had the Fight Nigth R4 trade-in deal, they had the Street Fighter IV new for $20 deal... what more do you want? They've obviously been trying to respond to their customers. Amazon + Target + Gamestop + Best Buy + Toys R Us, if you shop around will give you a pretty good deal on whatever you want.
 
It's the closest game-store to my house. I order online sometimes, but I usually want the game I want right away. i don't want to wait for delivery. Otherwise, i would go to Best Buy, which isn't really any better. I never buy used games though, unless it's an old title and they don't have new copies. I just politely deny all their "offers". I trade my games in sometimes. If I can trade a game or two that I won't play to get $15-$25 off a new game, it's worth it for me.
 
[quote name='Thekrakrabbit']I think everyone here knows that Gamestop is a very bad business for CAGs. If you buy a new game for $60.00, walk out the door and then walk back in to trade the game in, you will get I believe $40.00. They just made $20.00![/QUOTE]

Very insightful. I'll have to remember that if I want to trade in a game MOMENTS after I buy it, then I shouldn't trade it to gamestop since they'll apparently resell it for MSRP, and then proceed to make a twenty dollar profit off of it since they don't have to pay their employees, or the lease on the bulding or anything like that
 
I used to buy at gamestop all the time before becoming a CAG. Almost always Amazon, or some other website, has the game for less and you don't pay taxes (and no shipping most times). If I want to buy a used game, I'll get it from Gamestop, but those are usually impulse buys.

I just hate going in the gamestop store these days... somehow they always smell and I always end up behind some a-hole selling his whole 100 game collection that's scratched beyond recognition.
 
maybe the real problem is that the profit margin on video games and consoles is so thin that it's impossible to sell them and remain in business unless you (a) sell other things (big box stores) or (b) sell used games
 
Whenever I trade in at GS I never give them the original case or manual. I keep them in case I want to get the game later when it's dirt cheap and I can get it even lower if I just buy the disc/cart. Also, I think that more consumers would want a complete game and hopefully just having the disc will deter them from buying it used since I don't want to support used game sales. I know it's contradicting, but I feel that it's better than nothing.

I had a GS manager get all pissy and asking me what do you people do w/ the cases and stuff and I just wanted to tell him right then that GS gives jack shit for credit (unless there is a good trade-in deal, which there was at the time) and then turns around and sells them for a shit-ton of money so that's why I only give them the disk.
 
[quote name='DAWG26']I would rather trade my games here or sell them online, but some times you just need it fast and easy.[/QUOTE]
If people selling their games on here said they would take the same amount Gamestop was offering I would bet you could sell it even faster.
 
I recently got to the point where I cut my gamestop edge card in half (after I used up all my trade credit). I'ts easier to just trade stuff in there, but if I have patience, Goozex and eBay work out much better. GS would've given me $30 for my DS Lite. I got $70 on eBay.
 
Thanks for the replies. Some people are taking this to the next level. If you like Gamestop I don't have a problem with you. Here is what I have a problem with. Every single Gamestop I have been in for the past few years sells new games opened for full price. What's to say that's not a used game that someone bought (from anywhere) simply booted up, didn't like and sold to Gamestop. You would not know the difference. So they give the person $25 for the game and sell it for $60? It's a scam in my opinion. The bottom line, it's not NEW if it's opened. I have a problem with this and I will never buy a NEW game from them if it doesn't have a seal on it. Too bad for them.
 
[quote name='Hardware']Thanks for the replies. Some people are taking this to the next level. If you like Gamestop I don't have a problem with you. Here is what I have a problem with. Every single Gamestop I have been in for the past few years sells new games opened for full price. What's to say that's not a used game that someone bought (from anywhere) simply booted up, didn't like and sold to Gamestop. You would not know the difference. So they give the person $25 for the game and sell it for $60? It's a scam in my opinion. The bottom line, it's not NEW if it's opened. I have a problem with this and I will never buy a NEW game from them if it doesn't have a seal on it. Too bad for them.[/QUOTE]

So have you been confronted with a GS employee trying to sell a "NEW" copy that they opened, and you tell them that you don't want it, you want an unopened copy?

I'm just curious if they get all snippy with you and try to make you feel bad.
They've done this to me a few times and I'm thinking about telling them to put that copy away and give me a new one, but I want to be prepared first. I agree, the game opened should be sold for used prices or at least a lower price. Just like if you go to best buy, they have that table with opened crap for cheap.

I guess if it makes you mad enough, you could contact your attorney general and complain.
 
[quote name='jh6269']
I just hate going in the gamestop store these days... somehow they always smell and I always end up behind some a-hole selling his whole 100 game collection that's scratched beyond recognition.[/QUOTE]


You know...that's something that's never been discussed here on CAG but I was always acutely aware of it. There is always a strange faint smell in a lot of Gamestop stores.

I always thought I was the only one who felt that.
 
B2G1 Deal is not a deal. That "deal" sucks. You can buy all three of those used games for the same price, but usually lower, and complete on ebay and such (or cag or gametz). When I see people say " Im a true CAG I used store credit!:lol:" It's like great, you got screwed TWICE.

But it's not hard to understand why people in general use GS, It's EASY. Plain and simple.

What I dont always get is why CAGs do it, they are more informed consumers. But I guess the fact that it's easy and immediate is a huge lure.
 
I don't like the generally low service standards of GameStop. I don't like their corporate environment. I don't like the stores themselves. (the standards of the physical space have also fallen) I don't like their game selection. (refusing to carry games for older systems) And I damn sure don't like their prices.

I swore off GameStop years ago. I generally wait for deals on new games from big-box stores, or hit up the clearance section at Target. It's sad when I can get way better deals on brand-new copies of games just by checking Target every other week. Makes me wonder why anyone still shops at GameStop. I was also lucky enough to have a Play-N-Trade open up nearby. They carry the REALLY old games, and I check their selection out regularly. Picked up a copy of DuckTales for the NES last week.
 
[quote name='elessar123']As for gutted, if you don't like it, don't buy it. I don't, unless it's super cheap, or I'm buying to flip to Amazon or something.

I'm still pissed about their gutting my pre-order an hour after it got to the store, and also when I preordered 7-8 months in advance and didn't receive the pre-order item (Harvest Moon on Wii, gf has like every HM), because they said they ran out of the 10 they got in, when I went in an hour after they got their shipment. I went to another store a mile away and they had the pre-order cows and also previous pre-order Harvest Moon plushes left, and they asked if I wanted those. I only took the cow cause I felt guilty, but in hindsight, I should have gotten the other pre-orders too.[/QUOTE]
Your second paragraph in this quote explains the very reason why selling gutted copies pisses people off.

Also, other stores normally give customers a discount on opened merchandise. Those "new" games that GameStop sells gutted should be counted as "opened" and discounted. Otherwise, it's no longer new.

For a company that makes a helluva profit, they're extraordinarily cheap when it comes to ordering DVD cases to use for promotional boxes.


To answer the main question: It's because they've become the only major gaming retailer (yeah yeah, there's Game Crazy and Play n Trade, but they're not exactly everywhere in the US). They've bought out most of the competition and planted themselves in every location as if they were McDonald's or Starbucks. Not only that, but they've thoroughly convinced unknowing people that they're supposedly the only place to get games from and that if they don't pre-order certain games, they'll never find them for months. So they basically pop up everywhere like roaches to make traveling easier and quicker, while using scare tactics to get people to throw down money on unnecessary pre-orders.
 
[quote name='jh6269']So have you been confronted with a GS employee trying to sell a "NEW" copy that they opened, and you tell them that you don't want it, you want an unopened copy?

I'm just curious if they get all snippy with you and try to make you feel bad.
They've done this to me a few times and I'm thinking about telling them to put that copy away and give me a new one, but I want to be prepared first. I agree, the game opened should be sold for used prices or at least a lower price. Just like if you go to best buy, they have that table with opened crap for cheap.

I guess if it makes you mad enough, you could contact your attorney general and complain.[/QUOTE]

Flatout told me that all of the games they get into the store are opened to check for damage before they are sold . This is complete BS! Back in the day they used to buy fake display cases for games to put on the shelves. Instead of blowing money on Fake Display game cases they are borrowing yours until you buy it. I really don't care to the point of talking to an attorney, I'm simply not going to be one to let them profit from it. If anything I'll buy only things I know they aren't making money on. haha!
 
[quote name='jh6269']
I just hate going in the gamestop store these days... somehow they always smell and I always end up behind some a-hole selling his whole 100 game collection that's scratched beyond recognition.[/QUOTE]

This. Whenever I end up going into a gamestop, even though there's only two other customers in the store, it still takes me 15 minutes to actually get to the counter because some douche decided to pre-order every single game in existence one at a time, or because someone has to ask if a game is "good". That being said, I usually just use gamestop to see if i can find any last-gen games that I would be interested in playing. Current gen for me consists mostly of ebay and amazon purchases. (ECA, Goldbox, Bing cashback, ebay bucks).
 
[quote name='Xevious']You know...that's something that's never been discussed here on CAG but I was always acutely aware of it. There is always a strange faint smell in a lot of Gamestop stores.

I always thought I was the only one who felt that.[/QUOTE]

Maybe it's the smell of dirty money...
 
[quote name='Hardware']Flatout told me that all of the games they get into the store are opened to check for damage before they are sold . This is complete BS! Back in the day they used to buy fake display cases for games to put on the shelves. Instead of blowing money on Fake Display game cases they are borrowing yours until you buy it. I really don't care to the point of talking to an attorney, I'm simply not going to be one to let them profit from it. If anything I'll buy only things I know they aren't making money on. haha![/QUOTE]

No no no, not an attorney, your State's Attorney General. Call his/her office and tell them that you think you've been ripped off, and they're ripping others off. Because really, other than taking the guy's word for it, you have no way of knowing if that game was really new--it could have been a mint condition used game (I know in your last example with a pre-order, it's highly unlikely).

I would have called the guy out on asking him to show you that all the games were opened. If he wasn't lying, every game in the store would be opened. I would also like to know how you're supposed to return the item for a full refund unopened if the jerk already opened the case.

What they're doing may not be illegal, but it sure is unethical to say the least.
 
[quote name='jh6269']Maybe it's the smell of dirty money...[/QUOTE]

Nah, just the smell of.....


822999-ogre01_super.jpg
 
I "support" GS, because there is one about five blocks from my house. So, unless another store has a deal that really knocks my socks off, I get all my new games there. Then, I will trade in old crap or flip a few things when a decent trade promo pops up. And I buy plenty of used games when a good coupon or a B2G1 comes along.

All of the things that seem to bother others about GS don't bother me one bit, because they don't affect me at all. I don't care that GS sells open, display copies for full price, because I don't buy them. I don't care that they give crappy trade values on most games, especially before promos, because I'm not stupid enough to get ripped off by them. I don't care that they sell copies of most newer games for $5 less then retail, because, again, I don't buy them.
 
[quote name='bigdaddybruce44']I "support" GS, I get all my new games there.

I don't care that GS sells open, display copies for full price, because I don't buy them. [/QUOTE]

So what's the truth here? Do you only buy new games that are unopened from GS, or don't you buy New games there?
 
I am just the opposite. I only buy used games from GS and generally only when there are deals. 25% off with coupons plus 10% off with edge makes new releases in the mid $30 range. I get a good deal so why do I care if GS is making a profit?
 
[quote name='Hardware']So what's the truth here? Do you only buy new games that are unopened from GS, or don't you buy New games there?[/QUOTE]

Be more funny.
 
Eh, i don't like GS, but hey, better having them around than not right? I don't buy much from them, but they're nice to have around.
 
[quote name='Serpentor']Eh, i don't like GS, but hey, better having them around than not right?[/QUOTE]
No. Because if they weren't, EB Games, Funcoland, Software Etc. and Rhino Video Games would still be their own entities.

And we wouldn't have to constantly see that damned rabbit pop up in commercials. Would also see more commercials about games, rather than pre-order bonuses for games if we reserved at GameStop.
 
If GS never was, one of those other companies likely would have become a company on par with GS, and then they would have bought out the others. Or, a number of them would have failed on their own, and whoever was left could have usurped their market share, once again growing to GS-like proportions. Anyway you wanna look it at it, removing GS from the picture doesn't necessarily save any of those stores.
 
It doesn't necessarily save them, but it does make it that much more likely that they would hang on.

Sooner or later, GameStop is either going to fall before a plucky competitor, or its going to run head-first into the U.S.'s anti-trust laws.

GameCrazy is unlikely to hang on, as they are saddled to Hollywood Video, and the video rental industry has been suffering as of late. (a trend that will likely continue) Play-N-Trade might be able to make substantial in-roads. Their corporate structure is more flexible than most other franchises, which should allow them to better adapt to different areas. (their prices are also more competitive)
 
I personally don't really see the need for game stores period.

Easier to grab mainstream games at Best Buy, Target, Wal-mart etc. when you're picking up other things. Any niche games can just be ordered online. Games can be traded or sold online for much better value.

At least that's how I look at it being a pretty casual gamer. Guess they're more handy for the hardcore gamers who have to have whatever niche game they want right that second or something.
 
Casual gamer or not, you're still a CAG, and therefore know the ins and outs of stretching your gaming dollar. Yes, game stores are for the gotta-have-it-now types (like me), but they're mostly for Joe Blow who doesn't know any better. People who don't know that you can find games for much, much cheaper on the internet, and frankly, they don't wanna spend the time searching.
 
Yeah, I get that. I should have been more clear.

I meant more why I don't see why anyone posting on a site like this has the need for game stores period. Other than the gotta have it now types who will put up with the hassles, take poor trade in values to get a game right then etc.
 
[quote name='dmaul1114']I meant more why I don't see why anyone posting on a site like this has the need for game stores period. Other than the gotta have it now types who will put up with the hassles, take poor trade in values to get a game right then etc.[/QUOTE]

If I'm buying used games, I like to be able to check the condition and make sure they're complete.

I tend to buy most used games from Gamefly, but I will take advantage of GStop promotions like B2G1 free and all that.

Gamestop can be taken advantage of if your a savy consumer like we all are. As for moms and casuals who Gamestop bends over... well they probably dont even care.
 
I can see that. I don't collect games so I don't care. I just get them from Goozex and long as they play I don't care what condition they're in since it's going right back out on Goozex as soon as I'm done playing it. If it won't play it's negative feedback and I get my points back (which hasn't happened yet).

But that's a fair point for the collector types out there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
bread's done
Back
Top