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

[Luke]

I'm confused. Why did you need to exchange a brand new, still in box 360 controller for another 360 controller?

Ah! I didn't mention I opened the packaging and the controller was unresponsive. I had the controller, box, batteries, and everything besides the receipt.

[BoneSnapDeez]

Oh man...... Gamestop.......

So my parents and I did an early Christmas today. I got a $50 Gamestop gift card. They know I like video games and Gamestop is the place to buy video games, right?

Since I loathe entering GS I hop online to scope things out. Everything I was looking for (mostly PSP, DS, and Wii games) is unavailable online. So I drive to the store.

I immediately check out the used Wii games. The selection is pretty crappy unfortunately. Though something does stick out - the Nintendo Selects version of Super Mario Galaxy. Upon closer inspection of the packaging I realize that it is in fact not used but "Gamestop New" - there's no shrinkwrap and a big ass white sticker is affixed right to the plastic of the game case, the case and booklet have likely been pawed by 1000 different people, but (presumably) no one has touched the disc. The price is $19.99, which seems standard. I've been meaning to play the game for some time and I figure now is as good a time as any to buy it.

I grab some other games and head to the counter. This is where the fun begins. The clerk takes the Mario case and stoops down to find the game in its envelope. I notice that he switches the game case for another one - one without a sticker. Score. He then places the enveloped game and empty case on the counter. He removes the game from the case, looks at it, furrows his brow and scowls. Presumably this "new" game is covered with dust and fingerprints and god knows what else, so the clerk starts rubbing the smudges out with his shirt. Then when he opens the case I notice that there is no booklet inside. At this point I have to stop him to say "I need a complete copy." He sighs, rolls his eyes, and says "Okay.... I'm sure I have one somewhere...." After digging around for a few minutes he produces an original (not Nintendo Selects) version of the game. He shows me the disc and booklet. Fantastic. I buy it. When I get to the car I decide to examine everything - I flip the game over and that's when I see the sticker on the back. Pre-owned. It's almost comical at this point.

There is a bit of a silver lining to all this though - among the three other games I purchased there was a $20 "Gamestop New" copy of Z.H.P. Unlosing Ranger VS Darkdeath Evilman. As I understand it, the game is somewhat rare and worth much more than that. I was also pleased to find (used) copies of Metal Slug XX and Atari Classics Evolved.

On a related note, I did some more shopping at a music/movie/game store called Bull Moose Music - one plaza over from Gamestop. This place is a amazing - professional and courteous staff, a huge selections of retro and modern games, fantastic prices, and a "rewards program" that's free and actually worth enrolling in. How Gamestop stays in business with so many better alternatives remains a complete mystery.

[oxymoron]

How Gamestop stays in business with so many better alternatives remains a complete mystery.

Some places simply don't have an alternative. Some cities within the Los Angeles and San Bernardino (greater Los Angeles) counties have been completely taken over by GS.

[wclem]

Strangely I feel the need to add this:

Bought a 60 gb fully backwards compatible PS3 from Gamestop online for 129 shipped to my home. I would have bought it at my local store but their inventory was at zero. I want a backup though so I grabbed it sight unseen. Well it showed up in beautiful condition. I mean like new, seriously, plastic overlay in place and all. I think the damn thing was new.

It came with a 30 day warranty, so I figured I would beat on it for a few days to see if it is gonna take a dump. I walked into my local Gamestop today and the manager saw I ordered it on my "paid for" power rewards card. She told me if I brought it back with the invoice that she would extend my warranty for a year for me. Well I frowned as do not want to travel back here just for this. So, she just said to call and she would take care of it over the phone.

then I bought some games and had to bitch at the clerk who rang me up for trading out a regular game for a greatest hits. Had to explain I was collector and not just an asshole LOL.

I used to really hate Gamestop as I thought they were all about making money and nothing else. I have since changed my view and realized that like any store, you need to build a good relationship with them. The smaller local franchise I go to is incredible also. I consider these guys friends though I never see them outside the store. The Gamestop will never be like this but they have made incredible strides in my view. They also save advertising for me and encourage my dumpster diving. I have made thousand of club nintendo points because they throw out things LOL. It sucks they throw it out, but I have tons of great stuff. Anyone need DS cases? I have hundreds LOL. (no I am not sending out DS cases, LOL) Thanks to their waste but good tolerance I have a pallet of various empty but good replacement cases. I have completed many loose games into complete because of them.

I guess you can see the bad but make good out of it. Thanks for bumping this by the way, I meant to post a good note for them.

[CRTGAMER]

Oh go ahead and get the second cup of joe and read the story
Due to reading about how a certain Wii game has gone up in price the last few months on EBay and Amazon, I decided to buy it at Gamestop which still has it inexpensively for under five bucks. Wii games though now in abundance will start dropping in shelf space. A few of my stores have regulated a lot of their older game inventory to the back storeroom and leaving just a list in a book at the counter. The games in that back room may be lost to just their online request site. Take a guess what will happen to the manuals and cases.

I have held off buying this game in the past when I have seen the back cover only showing the Wiimote and Nunchuck icon, no indication of a Classic Controller. A nice surprise finding out this Arcade Collection also supports both Classic and Gamecube Controllers which opens the path for various Arcade Sticks thru a Mayflash PSX adapter. Just like Wii Metal Slug, a hidden controller option. In addition, I am not a fan of earlier brawlers in this set with their limited punch and kick movements on a stiff body. However, one game in the Arcade Collection which has previously been released on only older consoles really tempted me, the game Magical Drop. Really don't know why this game slipped by the PS2, Xbox and Gamecube generation, an addicting action puzzler.



I already knew no Gamestop locally had the Wii Arcade Collection in stock, so once again went to my local Gamestop source. Handy way to get the game transfered in from a far away location by going in on a Wednesday morning. The Manager doing the phone call has more pull and more importantly, can get a visual verify CIB versus ordering from the Gamestop site. While there I spotted a couple of other games.

THE GOOD
I spotted a CIB 360 Perfect Dark Zero Limited Edition game sitting on the shelf for under two bucks. Its no Metroid Trilogy, but has the same pretty tin case packaging. The Store Manager pulled another copy from behind the shelf which had all the nice extras including a pristine Hologram Card. Next hunt later on is to pick up the guide book.



I also saw the game Qubed for the 360 on the shelf and at a decent price, but it was missing the manual. Not a big deal, decided to buy it and just hit another Gamestop later to swap and make it CIB. Meanwhile the Manager found a store in that other city for the Wii game, took down my name and phone number and told me might take a week or two. He also printed me out a list of local stores for the Qubed game so I can begin my CIB search.

THE BAD
I visited a couple more Gamestops only to find either a Hollywood Rental cased Qubed game or the same situation where the manual was missing. Eventually I found a complete game so finally bought it. However, this was on a different day so I had left the other incomplete copy back home. Ah well, I could always refund it later within the seven day window, but for such an inexpensive good game the OCD collector in me wanted a CIB backup. As much as Gamestops pop up like Starbucks, bound to spot another in my travels.

I went back to the first Gamestop a couple weeks later and inquired about the Wii game which still has not arrived. Again Wednesday morning so the same Manager was in. He recognized me, mentioned Wii Arcade Classics and looked thru the Reserve Log. Called the other Gamestop again and found out the game was behind the desk, forgotten to be shipped out! The manager at the other store conveyed his apologies and promised an immediate ship out. A stroke of luck that game did get forgotten in the drawer, I guess it could have been sold.

THE UGLY
While running around doing other errands, popped in yet another Gamestop. By now my incomplete game bought a few weeks back could not be refunded, but I can still do the "exchange" if I ever find another CIB copy. I brought my tattered printout of the 360 Qubed game from the first Gamestop, the employee pulled the SKU on the computer and commented:

Employee: "Oh wait, that game is under five dollars, we do not keep the case and manual."
CRTGAMER: "Don't you mean just the PS2 games?"
Employee: "No, any game under five dollars."

I have seen the PS2, DS and now even Wii games starting to appear in that ugly yellow envelope only. However, this was quick, so soon after a next gen release of a system. Maybe the 360 case toss out is unique to this location, but I wouldn't hold my breath. I know new consoles need the space, but certainly not an entire shelf dedicated to advertising just one game.

THE GOOD Part 2
Finally found another complete Qubed game, bought it and refunded the incomplete version. Now owner of two CIB copies, hey it does have disc version of HD REZ on it. Given a few years, certainly will be a collectable since a majority of 360 REZ games are the download locked to console version. As a disc version I will always have it available to run on any 360 console.



The Wii game that was phone requested from another city finally arrived. After the second phone call it only took two days later. A disappointing mixup the first go around, but that two day turn around after the second phone call is definitely faster then Amazon or Ebay, no shipping charge and a lot cheaper!

Getting Gamestop to ship in games
This works when you have built up a rapport with the local Gamestop Manager. Past purchases, sharing information and good personal comments in the survey back to Corporate at the Gamestop site. Take care of the employee and they will take care of you and go the extra step.

I searched early in the morning at the Gamestop site before the stores opened for a list of hard to find games. I keyed in random Zip Codes to find the games and then copy pasted the Zip Codes and Phone Numbers for a printout. Any games that I could find three stores, I listed all in case one store was not in stock. I brought the list that same Wednesday morning right when Gamestop opened. Why Wednesday morning? That is when price changes happen and all the Gamestops have a Manager or Senior Employee on the floor who have better pull. The morning calls are crucial especially when calling a Gamestop store back east which are ahead three hours. The earlier the better, before the stores get busy. Some games on my printout could only be found all the way across the country.

My earlier mention of missing game icons on the back cover, my copy of Data East Arcade Classics does show Gamecube and Classic Controller! I could have sworn seeing this before with just Wiimote and Nunchuck icons on the back. That Qubed and Perfect Dark definitely also a great price, posted in the Video Game Finds Thread.

[BoneSnapDeez]

I've been looking for that game myself for a couple of months now. None are available in Maine according to the GS website. Hoping to stumble upon it at a record store or something.

[BurningDoom]

I've been looking for that game myself for a couple of months now. None are available in Maine according to the GS website. Hoping to stumble upon it at a record store or something.

Same here. I freaking love collections, and this one I've been wanting for a long time. This one and Intellivision Lives (but I want DE Arcade Classics, more). Unfortunately, all I ever come across is the GameCube version of Intellivision Lives, which is missing a few games on it compared to the other versions, and I NEVER come across DE Arcade Classics.

[mas]

I see these all the time in my area. If i buy a couple copies will you guys refund me? If so then just refund me and pay for the shipping. I'll hook you guys up

[BurningDoom]

I see these all the time in my area. If i buy a couple copies will you guys refund me? If so then just refund me and pay for the shipping. I'll hook you guys up

Not at the moment. Maybe if I remember down the road, I might ask if you still want to.

[BurningDoom]

Just wanted to mention that I saw Bionic Commando for Xbox 360 in one of those clearance paper-sleeve racks for under $3 at GameStop.

This game is one of the best games I've played this generation (is it still current-gen, or last gen officially now?). So worth $3. Go get it if you haven't experienced this game yet.