How NOT to run a game store

[Ack]

There are two Gamestops here, one worth going to in the mall, one not worth going to in a strip mall across the street from the mall. The reason the one in the mall is worth going to is, even if the clerks at the counter don't know that much about older games(or games in general), the manager there is a genuinely good guy. He replaced a really horrible manager that was there about a couple years ago from what I can tell. Also, the other one just opened, so this one had to whether things like HALO launches in a college town by themselves. The employees have learned patience and keep a great attitude, and beyond annoying Gamestop policies, I have never had an unpleasant time while there. In the other one, the manager's a bitch, nobody understands what's going on, and they will downtalk the games you buy.

As for the two Replays...honestly, I'd have much less of a problem going there if they would just CLEAN THEIR SHIT. I practically have to soak games in alcohol after buying it from there. I've also seen them sell carts that were practically snapped in half. And the majority of the employees simply do not give a damn. They're there to collect a paycheck and that's it.

As for where I'm from, the Rhino we had before Gamestop bought it was awesome. Now, just about all the Rhino employees are gone, so the store has gone significantly downhill. I remember asking them about their open of having to work for Gamestop when they were first bought out, and the amount of swearing that followed was hilarious. But, if nothing else, there is one great employee at one of the three locations I consider worth talking to. He's covered in Silent Hill tattoos and loves horror games, so anytime I walk in I can start a conversation with him about the classics of survival horror and it makes for an interesting time.

[Snickerd00dle]

i too have had experiences like this, but i too am one of those kids behind the counter, our store is a little different in that you can see everything we have on the floor.

im generally not a grumpy person, but sometimes, it only takes one customer that is rude to you, to mess up the rest of your work day, so in some instances i can sympathize with a grumpy employee, but if they are always rude and not interested in their customer, then dont go back...obviously

[ThunderPrince]

I freaking hate the arrogant clerks who talk shit about your purchases. I mean shit dude. I just want to buy this game because I know I can ebay it for 4 times what you are selling it for. Don't freaking judge me.

QFT.
I remember I was at walmart one time buying Zack and Wiki and Rescuers Down Under (for the win!) and the cashier at the electronics section gives me that "really? are you serious?" face, then went and told me how the wii sucks or something. I wanted to punch him in the throat.
the fucking nerve.

granted, I did the same thing when I was a cashier. every so often I would get a grandma or a mom who didn't know what wii game to get for thier child/grandchild. I would give them the 411 on what the best games were, or rather, games that were worth the money in the long run. I helped a few people, but most of them take their Carnival Games and their Bratz and ignore my advice. oh well, enjoy the game for a few minutes before becoming overwhelmed with remorse

[zarathstra]

I've worked retail before, and while I tried to care and nice, sometimes you just have a bad day.

Of course, I prefer that employees leave me alone unless I ask a question, at least at chain stores. I don't care about your day, you don't care about mine, I just want to buy this jar of peanut butter and leave.

Now, if you're talking a specialty shop like an independent bookstore, retro game shop, etc where the main draw is knowledgeable employees and cool people to hang out with...then I care.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

Play N Trade has gone to shit. However I will say the only company ive been helped, greeted, and had a good experience in is the Apple store. Im serious, weather you like apple or not the customer service is amazing.

[Jrecee]

I've worked retail before, and while I tried to care and nice, sometimes you just have a bad day.

Of course, I prefer that employees leave me alone unless I ask a question, at least at chain stores. I don't care about your day, you don't care about mine, I just want to buy this jar of peanut butter and leave.

Now, if you're talking a specialty shop like an independent bookstore, retro game shop, etc where the main draw is knowledgeable employees and cool people to hang out with...then I care.

Hmm, that's too bad, if you had made small talk they would have let you know that jar of peanutbutter you're buying is toxic.

Nah I actually hate it when I go into bestbuy or even worse, a car dealership, and nearly get raped by their helpfullness. It's not because the guys at bestbuy want to, it's because they get ragged on about it all day long by the managers. I was standing in bestbuy looking at some movies and the manager had called some sort of meeting and employees were gathered all around him and he was saying he'd seen too many people not acknowledge customers and ask them what they needed, I turned and said "actually, I can't stand it when I get hounded by every employee I walk past". . . I don't think he appreciated that.

[the7k]

When it comes to customer service, I think it all comes down to commission. If a store gives their employees a commission, then they'll actually give a shit.

Case in point, Circuit City. I have a friend that worked there back when employees got a commission, and said getting rid of it for a flat rate for everybody was the worst thing they could have done. When a crappy employee gets the same pay as an excellent one, the excellent ones stop caring and the crappy ones... well, they were crappy to begin with.

He said his CC used to pay minimum wage and that a large amount of their actual income would be commission; then everybody started getting about $2 more per hour than minimum wage and no commission. In effect, this gave all the bad employees a raise and all the good employees a demotion.

Way to motivate the workforce. It's like how when I worked at a restaurant, I'd break my back to please the customers for tips. The job was so far away that tips were the only money I made; the wages went directly into my gas tank. As soon as they decided that tips would be shared, suddenly I was the only one breaking my back, and that tip money would get split four ways; everybody else didn't give a shit, because they'd still get a fourth of my money when they didn't earn any themselves. Needless to say, I quit that job.

[Scooter]

So hell yeah Scooter, walk the fuck out.

I hope you never go back there.

You should of said something... though the last time I did I almost beat the crap out of the guy.

Sorry I don't want some non-english speaking fucker telling me, "Welcome ta Uhmarica, ooh no like that, den goes home ooh cock sucker" because I said I'm going elsewhere because 2 hours for an oil change is ridiculous... when I'm first in line.

Man you should of seen everyone at that station. The entire lot literally stopped, crickets were chirping, and all you saw was one bald angry guy with my hand wrapped around some foreign pricks neck and screaming:

"Mother fucker, if you open my car door one more time to tell me I'm a fucking waste of space I'm going to shove my foot down your throat so far you're going to be shitting leather until the cows come home."

The lady parked behind me blocking me in got in her car fast as can be and blew off down the road at like 50 terrified.

YEY FOR LA!

Believe me, I did tell someone and I'll tell anyone I know not to go there. The home office got a nicely written note about how their good name is being sullied by this store. I really didn't think talking to anyone in the store would do any good and the manager/owner obviously doesn't know or care how the store is being run.

I know it's a franchise, but when the home office gets complaints they will listen, or go out of business. Either one is okay with me.....I'm betting on the going out of business.

[toredauei]

When it comes to customer service, I think it all comes down to commission. If a store gives their employees a commission, then they'll actually give a shit.

well actually I work at my local play n trade for a measly 6.55 an hour (minimum wage for those of you who don't already know) with no incentive or anything like a commision and I get compliments all the time for my helpfulness. My only incentive is to keep my job which, even though I make shit money, I genuinely enjoy. A few of you have said that it only takes one bad customer to ruin your day and to this I say fuck it. No one person has controll over my entire day. I'm just happy to see people leave the store with a smile on their face because I understand the feeling and I enjoy knowing that maby I helped them get there.

[the7k]

Oh sure, if you enjoy your job, you'll be a lot more happy that most.

That's just the thing though; most don't work jobs they enjoy. How do you motivate a dog to jump through hoops? With food. How do you motivate a man to jump through hoops? With money.