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[Boss Doggie]

I was gonna ask the FilipinoGAF general but I feel like that thread barely has visitors and I do know locals here visiting the Gaming thread in general, so I hope you don't mind if I ask something that's mostly localized.

I'm planning to get a Switch soon, but lately I've been hearing murmurs towards Datablitz. Now both Datablitz and iTech (which also sometimes goes by GameOneGadget in other malls, but are essentially the same) are video game stores that sell authentic items like gaming consoles, software, accessories, and related items without the inflated price non-video game-centric stores tend to have (like say, the toy store of a mall). I've been buying most of my stuff from Datablitz, but lately I've been hearing people suggesting to buy in iTech/GOG instead.

In particular, the main contention is customer service. Me and my brother did experience some really shoddy customer service in Datablitz - for me it was when replacing my Jeanne d'Arc PSP game (somehow it stopped reading the game upon purchase even though we tested it in the store) and my brother had a dead pixel on the 3DSXL Pikachu. They are open for product return, they will take their damn sweet time in "confirming" the damage with their "tech team", usually lasting a week up to a month. And sometimes they wouldn't have "replacement stock" that you'd end up getting a refund - and it wouldn't be so bad if it didn't take you that long for a wait. I heard iTech/GOG has better customer service, with usually immediately replacing the product after a thorough physical inspection, and I do remember them actually replacing the hinge of my 3DS for a repair.

I've actually bought my DS and PS3 in GameOneGadget. My 3DS was from Datablitz but I never had problems with mine there. However the dreaded dead pixel possibility still bothers me, so I do wonder if I should instead switch to GOG/iTech. The problem though is that their Switch price is just a thousand-pesos more expensive.

 

[GamingPheasant]

I buy at Datablitz for the discount games. I buy hardware at GameOne/Gadget.

I do recommend Game One for support from my experience. Sometimes they get games earlier at a higher purchase price.

 

[Boss Doggie]

I do keep hearing that Datablitz also has parallel import problems. I think GOG doesn't have that issue?

 

[GamingPheasant]

^ Sorry. Haven't heard anything about that. I only noticed when they got MGSV and Nioh earlier than Datablitz.

 

[Raysoul]

We have a Facebook page named Pinoy Nintendo Switch, you can ask there for suggestion.

Datablitz has a history of subpar aftersales.

 

[Boss Doggie]

^ Sorry. Haven't heard anything about that. I only noticed when they got MGSV and Nioh earlier than Datablitz.

I actually haven't bought games and accessories in GOG, though I do hear they charge more for earlier release.

We have a Facebook page named Pinoy Nintendo Switch, you can ask there for suggestion.

Datablitz has a history of subpar aftersales.

I do seen plenty of Pinoy<gaming three> groupies, like PinoyXBox and PinoyPS among other things, though I find it weird PinoyNintendo is separated into smaller groups.

I don't do facebook sadly, is there a forum or such? I remember PinoyPS having one.

 

[chogidogs]

PinoyPS died when they reverted the site. All discussion and even the store part were wiped, which is a shame cause iTech people used to post there for their updates in stock.

Anyway, got my Switch at gamextreme cause they were the first to offer preorder. If I had to pick I'd buy from iTech.

 

[malikhaing_bayag]

I like GOG and itech more than datablitz. Heard bad things about Datablitz cs and returns. I think Itech is better for that.

 

[AALLx]

DataBlitz is cheaper (usually by $2 on titles, probably more on consoles), while iTech has more 3rd party accessories and usually more stock due to their lesser popularity. DataBlitz probably has higher allocation for pre-orders, but that's just conjecture on my part. I buy 99% DataBlitz and 1% wherever else. Can't speak for their customer service as I've never had any after-purchase issues. Oh, and DataBlitz' Facebook page is always up-to-date with their pre-orders/releases.

 

[Boss Doggie]

I guess it's fine to buy games from DB, I actually haven't seen the kinds of accessories iTech has

PinoyPS died when they reverted the site. All discussion and even the store part were wiped, which is a shame cause iTech people used to post there for their updates in stock.

Anyway, got my Switch at gamextreme cause they were the first to offer preorder. If I had to pick I'd buy from iTech.

that explains why they suddenly vanished

 

[Raysoul]

I do seen plenty of Pinoy<gaming three> groupies, like PinoyXBox and PinoyPS among other things, though I find it weird PinoyNintendo is separated into smaller groups.

I don't do facebook sadly, is there a forum or such? I remember PinoyPS having one.

Not sure if there is one. The Nintendo community here is heavily divided. There's Pinoy 3DS, Pinoy Nintendo Switch (Formerly Pinoy Wii U), Nintendo Ph, etc.

Then there are subgroups like Pinoy Amiibo, Pinoy Animal Crossing, MH Philippines, etc.

One employee from GameOne posts on our group, so we usually have a heads up on when a stock is coming. He also ask if there are certain demands for specific items like amiibos or limited edition.

I personally don't have any aftersales issue with Datablitz, so it is really anecdotal. Remember that our country don't have any official support from Nintendo, and if needed, the items will be sent back to Maxsoft on Singapore for warranty repairs.

 

[Boss Doggie]

Not sure if there is one. The Nintendo community here is heavily divided. There's Pinoy 3DS, Pinoy Nintendo Switch (Formerly Pinoy Wii U), Nintendo Ph, etc.

Then there are subgroups like Pinoy Amiibo, Pinoy Animal Crossing, MH Philippines, etc.

One employee from GameOne posts on our group, so we usually have a heads up on when a stock is coming. He also ask if there are certain demands for specific items like amiibos or limited edition.

I personally don't have any aftersales issue with Datablitz, so it is really anecdotal. Remember that our country don't have any official support from Nintendo, and if needed, the items will be sent back to Maxsoft on Singapore for warranty repairs.

Yeah, it's that that makes me wonder if DB and GOG are at least on equal footing, but then it's still about customer service, so maybe I have a better chance at GOG.

 

[killatopak]

I buy at Datablitz for the discount games. I buy hardware at GameOne/Gadget.

I do recommend Game One for support from my experience. Sometimes they get games earlier at a higher purchase price.

.

 

[Boss Doggie]

So I'm almost near my savings to grab one, and decided to check GameOne/iTech for their prices. Seems like their stuff is slightly cheaper too, Switch costing 18000 (vs DB's 19000) and Zelda being 2700 (vs DB's 2800).

With that said I am unfamiliar with the tempered glass they're using. OTVO?

 

[cyberevan]

Been a loyal Datablitz customer for 5 years now. Never had any issues with them whatsoever. My ps4's hdmi got busted and Sony Service Center accepted the my warranty claim. All I can say is Datablitz has been reliable for me.

 

[DonMigs85]

In my experience, i-Tech/GOG tend to have the more rare Nintendo accessories in stock (like TPU cases, screen protectors and bags for the regular New 3DS, for example). Games are sometimes slightly cheaper as well and the staff are friendlier.
I'll always have a soft spot for Datablitz though since they started carrying console games in 2002 or 2003 and saved me from Toy Kingdom's insane prices.

 

[omg_mjd]

I had an epic time getting DataBlitz to replace my Vita that took several units (all defective) and several mediation meetings at the main DTI office for them to finally take actual responsibility and give me a working Vita and refund me the price difference (all the defective units were the 3G SKU and I had noticed this and asked for the WiFi model but they kept insisting on giving me the 3G model).

I think it depends on their relationship with the particular supplier. When I went back to buy a Vita 2000 from them it finally came with a proper warranty from Sony Philippines.

 

[Boss Doggie]

I really wish Itech/GOG has a branch in Megamall though. The nearest I can go to is Greenhills but it lacks a transport service going to Antipolo.

I had an epic time getting DataBlitz to replace my Vita that took several units (all defective) and several mediation meetings at the main DTI office for them to finally take actual responsibility and give me a working Vita and refund me the price difference (all the defective units were the 3G SKU and I had noticed this and asked for the WiFi model but they kept insisting on giving me the 3G model).

I think it depends on their relationship with the particular supplier. When I went back to buy a Vita 2000 from them it finally came with a proper warranty from Sony Philippines.

why didn't your original purchase have a warranty from Sony, is it because the product was from a parallel import?

 

[omg_mjd]

Not sure who their supplier was but yeah I bought my first Vita when Sony Philippines wasn't officially supporting it yet, hence the awful service. Weeks of waiting for a diagnosis from DataBlitz tech support and then weeks of waiting for them to send me a (defective) replacement unit.

Thankfully Sony hardware has official local support now. Just hope that my Switch doesn't develop issues in the future because I have no confidence that DataBlitz will prioritize fixing it over covering their own asses like they did with my Vita.

 

[Boss Doggie]

Well I read something about their suppliers here.

EDIT: to those who buy in GoG/Itech, what receipt do they use? Is it the one like Datablitz or something more machine-printed?

 

[jbluzb]

Gog has machine printed pos receipts. Gog and itech have more friendly staff.