Does anyone like Playntrade?

[someone3760]

Does anyone like Playntrade? I'm mixed. I was really really really wanting to get an original nes, and my local playntrade had it for 30 bucks. They sell out, and I ask if they could save the next one for me. They say yes because I am a pnt member. They dont save the next one and hike up the price to 50 bucks! COME ON! I ask him if they would be able to go down to 35 because they told me that they would save it for 30, and he says no. What is your experience?

[irixith]

A GameStop by any other name smells just as sweet.

[brunoafh]

I've only been to one once, in Albany. They had some imports at very reasonable prices, so I picked some stuff up and had a good experience. Next time I was in Albany I went to stop by, but it was a Gamestop.

[Hobie-wan]

When I first saw them around here, I was happy to have another option and they did have some retro stuff at decent prices. However as time goes on they have less retro stuff and the prices on it keep going up. I keep stopping at one location if I'm passing by with spare time, but I am never tempted. Honestly the dark decor does a lot to dissuade my desire to purchase too. There's one store in Austin I've stopped in twice and it was horribly dark and devoid of customers both times.

[Ziggy]

When I had a Play N Trade close to me, I went to it often. Granted, most prices on retro stuff was way too high (especially consoles!) but I did get a few cool things at decent prices. High prices are the owner's fault though. If I ran a Play N Trade, my retro stuff would be priced at fair market value. And not overcharging for a super common title just because it's a popular one.

Now the three Play N Trades that were out by me closed up (I think they were all the same owner). There's only 3 other Play N Trades in a 30 mile radius of my house, and they're all too far for me to go to. I loved it as an alternative to GameStop though. And it was great that they carried retro games. It was the only place around here that I could shop retro. I've actually been looking into what it takes to open a Play N Trade. It's not impossible, and it's something I'll be looking into more.

[fvgazi]

I have mixed feelings about PnT. If you're looking for popular games, they will most likely be overpriced or at least a bit cheaper to buy online. All the decent gamecube games I wanted were over $40 (although, that's not too inconsistent with auctions)!

That being said, I've scored a few gems. The staff seem to be the same as Gamestop. They are hit or miss and most likely younger than the games they are selling. I've had a few do searches for me when I wanted specific games and they were helpful.

[AppleQueso]

The stores are all franchised, and stuff like pricing is entirely up to the individual owner. One store can suck, others can be really nice.

The two we have here are owned by the same person, I'm sure. Prices are pretty reasonable on most retro stuff I'd say, mostly on par with what you'd expect to pay online, if not a tad less.

I stop by the one near my work pretty often, I'm happy with it. I only go there for retro stuff though, and more often than not the staff has at best a passing interest in it.

[WallCrusher]

Like Apple said, it really just depends on who is running the store. The couple I've been to don't seem all that bad and have a decent selection of retro games. They also seem to be competitively priced with online stores.

[mustardseed]

I love the Play'n Trade in my town. Prices are great and the staff is super friendly and helpful. I try to buy from them as much as possible to support the local owners. Just wish they had more NES games, but I've gotten quite a few good deals.

The Play'n Trade 13 miles down the road however... total jerks. Always ignored, or the staff is joking around crudely. I hate going in there and I only check it if my local one is out of something. Prices are ok, but the services kills it for me.

[Double Ugly]

I think its a good place to buy games that go for little on eBay but its not a good place to buy popular or high priced games. Usually the high priced games are priced equal to what they are on eBay but their condition is worse.