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

[Ack]

It's also quite possible that he is just really tired and lazy after a long career exploring haunted houses, hunting witches, pulling giant fear-based parasites off people, being the last man on Earth, checking in on his pal Usher, building a boy with scissors for fingers, and doing voiceover work for Michael Jackson music videos and Scooby-Doo programs.

[Luke]

Just to let you know employees are trained to ask questions like that when a customer wants to speak to a manager, whether or not they know your name. \

I'm well aware, and have a high tolerance for snark. I actually love snark.

I don't see anything wrong with any of Vincent's responses to you. Certainly nothing that constitutes "asshole" status.

His birth name isn't Vincent Price. That plus his 'tude equals asshole for me.

I'll make sure tomorrow when I meet him, but I say ten to one he wears a cloak and has pierced ears. Not that dudes with pierced ears are always dicks, but it does show they make dumb decisions.

[CRTGAMER]

I'll elaborate.

"Watch dogs on the xbox 360, with the original box and instructions. Even if it isn't an instruction booklet, I'd like to have the game complete as it was if it was brand new.

-We don't hold games.

"Do you have the game with the original box and inserts?

-I don't know.

I can see a newer employee not knowing the CIB acronym. Perhaps he thought that was part of the game title?

All the Gamestops I have telephoned will hold a game if I come in that same day. The "I don't know" if they have a game complete is pure laziness, the employee did not want to take the time to look. If they were busy with customers, the employee could simply ask for your phone number for a return call once they look later on.

The "What is the Basis" concerning the Manager question could have been a more tactful (and especially SINCERE) response such as "How can I help".

[Luke]

It's also quite possible that he is just really tired and lazy after a long career exploring haunted houses, hunting witches, pulling giant fear-based parasites off people, being the last man on Earth, checking in on his pal Usher, building a boy with scissors for fingers, and doing voiceover work for Michael Jackson music videos and Scooby-Doo programs.

The thing is I do what most people don't have the ballz to...meet the guy.

If he's all "I'm a super weird creepy Gamestop employee and I hate every customer" I'll! I'll! I'll give him a verbal dressing down.

If he's some sad sap that is the equivalent to an old mistreated dog who wants to be put out of their misery or some old impotent dude that has no love for life other than getting their jollies off by being a dick on the phone without the thought of consequences, fine. I walk away without mention.

Different story if this guy was following basic protocol. Different story if I demanded preferential treatment. Different story if the manager did not say "Vincent is a dick...and that's not his real name."

[Luke]

I can see a newer employee not knowing the CIB acronym. Perhaps he thought that was part of the game title?

All the Gamestops I have telephoned will hold a game if I come in that same day. The "I don't know" if they have a game complete is pure laziness, the employee did not want to take the time to look. If they were busy with customers, the employee could simply ask for your phone number for a return call once they look later on.

The "What is the Basis" concerning the Manager question could have been a more tactful (and especially SINCERE) response such as "How can I help".

I get not knowing CIB, or even answering "Is the game in good condition?". Although one question is clear as day and the other isn't, the response I received was full of "like I give a fuck, care, or even know". And if the dude answered with the same tone and said "Listen, I don't fucking know what CIB is, but we have the game and it is in the box... We also have some crappy DS games for one dollar" I'd be all "I'm there!".

But this guy is a dick. Bad day or not.

And if I went straight to "Can I speak to the manager?" sure... ask why. But if I've already asked the same question a couple of times you already know what and why I'm asking a question. This isn't a Q Prompt, it's being a jerk.

[Ack]

If he's some sad sap that is the equivalent to an old mistreated dog who wants to be put out of their misery or some old impotent dude that has no love for life other than getting their jollies off by being a dick on the phone without the thought of consequences, fine. I walk away without mention.

You mean Hobie?

[Forlorn Drifter]

Hate to be "that guy", but it does sound like you are getting preferential treatment. You have your own shelf for games you essentially reserve... at a company that doesn't reserve games, as a general rule.

[Gunstar Green]

I've never really been to a Gamestop that doesn't hold games for at least a few hours if it's not a brand new game, and it doesn't sound like that's a normal experience at Luke's either.

Unless I've gotten special treatment and am unaware.

Sounds to me like the kid was just doing what he was trained to do though. It's not a mom and pop store where everybody knows you. I wouldn't get that worked up over it.

[Forlorn Drifter]

Well, none of the ones I've ever been to will reserve anything. I asked a guy to hold a game while I went and got cash out of my truck once, and he ended up selling it to next guy in line. I asked him about it and he read a line (which may be specific to my area, I'm not sure) from some sort of guidebook about not holding or reserving games.

[Gunstar Green]

I haven't had them hold onto a game for me in years though so for all I know it's something new or it's just because my area is so small that no one cares.