Preordering (at gamestop) seems kinda pointless

[Hazerd]

i cant remember the last time a "popular" game wasnt readily available at a retail store the same day, only reason to use GameStop is for midnight release, but even Wal-Mart has that.

[FerretGamer]

It has been years since I have pre-ordered a game or console at Gamestop.

[noiseredux]

a little OT, but how come Gamestop is always playing episodes of The Big Bang Theory? It's not like they sell DVD's there. I keep meaning to ask mod_man about this.

[Jmustang1968]

I am sure the network pays gs to advertise the show. Of course geeks go in gs, hear a funny line and rush home to watch!

[Nintendork666]

If the Big Bang Theory is that godawful laugh-track racket that's always assaulting me while I browse - then damn it to hell.
Makes FRIENDS look brilliant by comparison.

But yeah they're probably paid off by whatever network the show runs on.

[BurningDoom]

Originally, the whole pre-order crap started because of the shortages we had at the beginning of the last-generation. People got paranoid and starting pre-ordering stuff so they wouldn't miss out.

Nowadays, that's not an issue. So it kind of is pointless. It's just another way for them to ensure more full release-price sales. Smart on their end.

I know, people are gonna say "what about the free dinosaur costume you get on the latest FPS when you pre-order it?" I say to that "So what." It's still the same game, right? Unless I'm getting more playable game content, I really could care less about about new costume, new avatar pic, or a poster. 90% of the time the pre-order exclusive content doesn't interest me a bit.

[SwooshBear]

Originally, the whole pre-order crap started because of the shortages we had at the beginning of the last-generation. People got paranoid and starting pre-ordering stuff so they wouldn't miss out.

Nowadays, that's not an issue. So it kind of is pointless. It's just another way for them to ensure more full release-price sales. Smart on their end.

I know, people are gonna say "what about the free dinosaur costume you get on the latest FPS when you pre-order it?" I say to that "So what." It's still the same game, right? Unless I'm getting more playable game content, I really could care less about about new costume, new avatar pic, or a poster. 90% of the time the pre-order exclusive content doesn't interest me a bit.

But it's a dinosaur costume man!

I agree, I've only preordered a game one time because there's some game series that Im really excited for. (In my case, MW3) Also my mom said she would buy this game for me when it comes out if a preordered it. So I doubt I'll preorder ever again, it really is pointless.

[JC48573]

Gamestop is not evil, but I do consider them a greedy and highly unorganized. The power reward program isn't really great because it takes a while for you to build up the points. How often do you really find yourself 3 games you really like at gamestop in order to take advantage of the buy 2 get 1 free? If you want to preorder for reals, then just do it at Amazon. Most of the time Amazon has the same bonus stuff as gamestop. Even the other retail stores like Kmart and Walmart are beginning to carry collector's items with over 20 dollars worth of coupons at the end of transaction. How about that for a deal, gamestop? You know what's the best part about this? You save gas money.

[Opa Opa]

Don't pre-orders give companies a good estimate on how many copies they should produce? I don't think they're entirely useless.

[isiolia]

Don't pre-orders give companies a good estimate on how many copies they should produce? I don't think they're entirely useless.

True, but there are more companies around than Gamestop that'll do a preorder - and as mentioned, a lot of the time they'll do more for you when you do. I think the last couple preorders I did on Amazon I got a $10 credit when the game shipped.