Is Gamestop Evil? The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

[gtmtnbiker]

I'll be honest, I never knew there was such hate against GameStop. There is one 2 miles away from me and they are awesome. Their selection is great and they carry a great selection of games from almost every console as far back as the NES. Their guarantee system is great and so is their return system. The only thing I wish they would change is they don't carry systems older than last-gen.

What .... What ....... Is this a mistype? If this is true, WHERE!

I think he confused them with GameCrazy.

[Wombatula]

Ok I stand corrected. The name of the store is GameStart. I called the store and asked if they were affiliated with GameStop in any way because their signs are very similar. The guy at the store said they weren't, that they were an independent store. Funny thing is he told me they're about to change the name and signage after getting a very threatening letter from GameStop's legal dept. He said the owner freely admits he used GameStop's name and sign likeness as a way to get customers in the store.

It worked because that place is always full. Of course it doesn't hurt that he accepts returns on new games within 7 days, even if opened, for any reason. You can tell him the game sucked, or even that you beat it and just want to return it as long as it's within 7 days and you have your receipt. After reading this thread, I don't think I'd do that. Seems like I'm lucky to have this store close to me and I'm going to do all I can to support it.

[noiseredux]

GameSTART, GameSTOP.... is that really so similar?

[Wombatula]

GameSTART, GameSTOP.... is that really so similar?

It is when you've only been in there maybe three times, and when you hadn't bought a video game, much less stepped into a game store, in over 12 years. And the sign is a dead rip-off. Large black, rectangular sign with Game in white letters and Start in red. So yeah, my bad for missing it, but it was an honest mistake.

[Mendoza]

AppleQueso: You have two, thats pretty impressive. Are they chains or individually owned?

The problem with them is that most shops don't make money on comics themselves. There lucky to break even on the floppies as they call them. TPB and Hardcovers are the real sellers. Those and game merchandise. Things like magic the gathering, pokemon, yughio and the various table top games.

Then things like busts and toys.

The start up costs are huge and their core audience is difficult to please. Plus for trades and hardcovers you have to compete with mail order places and amazon.

Whenever i find a local shop that is run well i like to drop at least a little there. They need it.

[CRTGAMER]

GameSTART, GameSTOP.... is that really so similar?

It is when you've only been in there maybe three times, and when you hadn't bought a video game, much less stepped into a game store, in over 12 years. And the sign is a dead rip-off. Large black, rectangular sign with Game in white letters and Start in red. So yeah, my bad for missing it, but it was an honest mistake.

Oh you have got to post a clear straight pic of the store sign. I can think of using a cropped pic of that logo in a few places.

[noiseredux]

GameSTART, GameSTOP.... is that really so similar?

It is when you've only been in there maybe three times, and when you hadn't bought a video game, much less stepped into a game store, in over 12 years. And the sign is a dead rip-off. Large black, rectangular sign with Game in white letters and Start in red. So yeah, my bad for missing it, but it was an honest mistake.

no, no... I was saying I can see why GameStop would want them to change their name! Haha.

[AppleQueso]

AppleQueso: You have two, thats pretty impressive. Are they chains or individually owned?

They're both individually owned.

[Mendoza]

AppleQueso: You have two, thats pretty impressive. Are they chains or individually owned?

They're both individually owned.

Nice.

We used to have one here, but the owner ignored paying his taxes for a few years, and wel, you can imagine how that turned out.

The hastings here now carries them though, but i stopped buying singles almost entirely a few years ago.

Went to cancel my Gears of war 3 pre order at gamestop yesterday because the website said i needed to do it in store since i picked the in store pick up option. Well of course the store guy says i need to do it online.

I couldnt find a way to do it on the website so i had to send in a email to customer support.

I did pick up Onimusha 3 while i was there though. CIB, but the stickers on the outside are going to need some go be gone for sure.

[CRTGAMER]

A bump to point out the more neutral new title.

Love it or hate it, Gamestop is the biggest game Supplier. This thread is too important to just be a flaming venting post. So any stories and ideas, The GOOD, The BAD and even The UGLY please post. Especially any useful information such as when a particular system will no longer be sold at Gamestop.

The title is quoted right from Gamestop's own magazine, also some obscure movie.