How NOT to run a game store

[General Chaos]

Retail work can be pretty horrible, but having worked at an EB as a teen (back when I still had respect for EB and they were still selling Saturn imports) I can say that retail can be a lot of fun as well. I enjoyed working in the mall where there never seemed to be a dull moment. There were dozens of interesting characters who worked at various stores. They'd come in and joke around, play a few games and eat a free pretzel from Mr. Pretzel across the way. When knowledgeable customers would come in we'd enjoy a chat about a hobby we both loved and generally speaking I have extremely fond memories of that job.

Based on this experience I would assume that either retail work has changed a lot since then or the nature of game shops and who they hire has changed. I just don't understand why you would work at a game shop if you don't like games, though.

On a side note, A&C Games in Toronto is a great retro gaming store (if a little pricy). My wife and I went in and the two workers treated us like gold. They chatted with me about games, joked with my wife about my hobby (and theirs) and told me to call any time I was looking for a hard to find game. Of course, it's also privately owned--the owner was there with his kid and regulars were coming in and out, chatting, playing and talking about games. Unfortunately I have never found that atmosphere in Gamestop, though as I said, in my opinion EB used to be great.

[Scooter]

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.

Perhpas you can come work at my local PNT, would improve them 110%. Actually, you'd probably fit in better at the smaller chain called Gamers. In fact, you'd fit right in there!

[corn619]

I never really had a good experience with Play N Trade. All the stuff they had was beat to shit and overpriced big time. They wanted $35.00 for a beat up Game Gear with scratches all over it and a missing batt cover. Boo, they fail.

[the7k]

Yeah, I only have been to one Play N Trade. Was looking for a new Saturn, and they were charging $80 for a Saturn w/ the 3D Controller and Battle Monsters. Wow. Their NES cards were hugely overpriced too. The only thing of note was that they had Mario RPG. The price was high as hell, but for all I know, it may have been the proper resale value.

[toredauei]

Yeah, I only have been to one Play N Trade. Was looking for a new Saturn, and they were charging $80 for a Saturn w/ the 3D Controller and Battle Monsters. Wow. Their NES cards were hugely overpriced too. The only thing of note was that they had Mario RPG. The price was high as hell, but for all I know, it may have been the proper resale value.

I know this post is old as hell buuuuut, every play n trade is individually owned and operated and thus the manager of each store (and sometimes the employees) can price things however they want. Sure there is a corporate "suggestion" list but the damn thing is crap. Therefor, every play n trade you go in is likely to have different prices for different things. We had a saturn a while ago that went for $40 with all the hookups and a controller which is a pretty good deal if you ask me.

[superlarz]

I can never remember GameStops being a great place to go to, in general. Every once in a while they will surprise you, but that is the exception. I used to love shopping at EB and Funco Land, but GameStop ran them both out of business. Funco Land didnt always have the best workers but they would let you try whatever you wanted and had just about everything you could think of used, and published the prices in a newspaper like sheet. I loved just reading the sheet to see how much things cost and pick out what I want. I miss Funco Land

[Ack]

Rhino used to be my favorite place to go for games. While it didn't venture beyond NES games, and I never remember anything for the SMS, I quite enjoyed their collection of SNES games, and bought many of the titles I currently own there. They were great about not putting stickers on labels when it came to their carts, none of the casings were ever cracked or broken, though you would sometimes find cases with marker or ripped labels, and games were generally clean. Having seen a lot worse since then, I really miss Rhino a lot. I also wish I had picked up Lufia 2 from them when I had the chance.

[corn619]

Rhino used to be my favorite place to go for games. While it didn't venture beyond NES games, and I never remember anything for the SMS, I quite enjoyed their collection of SNES games, and bought many of the titles I currently own there. They were great about not putting stickers on labels when it came to their carts, none of the casings were ever cracked or broken, though you would sometimes find cases with marker or ripped labels, and games were generally clean. Having seen a lot worse since then, I really miss Rhino a lot. I also wish I had picked up Lufia 2 from them when I had the chance.

I hate when I have the chance to buy a rare game for a great price and hold out. I still regret rare games I should have bought but didn"t due to being frugal.

[gradualmeltdown]

I avoid Gamespot at all cost unless they have unique pre-order swag. I'd usually rather buy new copies to support the publishers I like at legit stores. Fred Meyer (NW USA chain) hooks me up on almost every mainstream title.

All of the local game shops are owned by collectors. Some snarky some cool. Here in Portland we are lucky and have a growing underground retro scene. We only have maybe 3 specific retro shops and they don't usually have most interesting stuff. Anyone from New York collect alot there? Is it fun or just overpriced and crap? Kind of interested in dropping in.

[DuManchu]

I remember a time when I was looking for Forza 2 right after it was released and I went in to the closest GameStop. I walked in, looked around on the shelves and couldn't find it. I then saw it in the case behind the counter.

Once I got the clerk to tear himself away from his GBA he looked up at me, saw my Apple T-shirt, and immediately started berating me for liking Apple. He launched into a rant about all the ills they have caused in the computer world and about how the iPod has ruined music as we know it. He then outright REFUSED to help me and continued yelling at me.

I was so stunned I just stood there silent... quietly turned and walked out. As I was walking out I turned and looked back to see this "oh shit, what did I just do" look on his face. I reported him and never saw him again at that particular GS.

Now, on the other hand, there's another GameStop that I frequent that actually has nice people working there, and they will give you great advice and actually help. They are also much less pushy about pre-orders than the other GS's I've gone to.