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[elrechazado]

I actually like auto makers being able to continue making cars I like, sorry for caring about their health from a preventable bullshit practice.

I hate used car deals too, those bastards.

Second hand sales have existed as long as goods have been sold and produced. The games industry is not special in deserving some magic exemption from the realities of commerce that have affected not only real property, but intellectual property, for centuries.

 

[Uno Venova]

I don't mind them, if i want a new game I'm hyped for Gamestop is where I'm going.

What annoys me about them is when they ask me to pre-order a bunch of games, and it also annoys me that they always try to sell me a used game when I specifically asked for a new one.

 

[storl026]

I hate used car deals too, those bastards.

Second hand sales have existed as long as goods have been sold and produced. The games industry is not special in deserving some magic exemption from the realities of commerce that have affected not only real property, but intellectual property, for centuries.

Granted, but how often do you walk onto a car lot, money in hand to buy a new car, sit down to do the paperwork for a new car, and have the salesman redirect you to a used car of the same model?

 

[NYR94]

Haven't bought anything from there in years. I like to find the game, buy it, and get out. I don't want to be questioned about gamer cards, magazine subscriptions or pre-orders. If I'm buying a game in a store it's Best Buy because they don't bother you like Gamestop.

 

[elrechazado]

Granted, but how often do you walk onto a car lot, money in hand to buy a new car, sit down to do the paperwork for a new car, and have the salesman redirect you to a used car of the same model?

That's a false scenario, because I buy what I can afford, which is my right and ability as an informed consumer. So the choice is always there to buy used or new. Just like it is with books, movies, furniture, services, and video games. Every item I buy I search for it used first, then on sale, then at full price.

 

[bengraven]

I walked in with ten games, three collector's editions for still popular games.

They told me 12 dollars.

I walked out telling them "this is why people pirate videogames" and never walked into another one.

 

[brucewaynegretzky]

Granted, but how often do you walk onto a car lot, money in hand to buy a new car, sit down to do the paperwork for a new car, and have the salesman redirect you to a used car of the same model?

That's because there is an appreciable difference between the two products. Game developers need to find a way to differentiate between used and new. This is why I have no problem with "pay to play" online modes with codes packaged in. The problem is people bitch about them too. You can't suddenly decide economics is fucked up just because your favorite industry is bad at it.

 

[elrechazado]

I walked in with ten games, three collector's editions for still popular games.

They told me 12 dollars.

I walked out telling them "this is why people pirate videogames" and never walked into another one.

Why is gamestop's bad trade in prices related at all to pirating of games?

 

[Grinchy]

I kind of agree with bruce there. The difference between a new car and used car is very evident. The difference between buying a brand new game or a "Like New" condition game from Amazon is....nothing.

 

[storl026]

That's a false scenario, because I buy what I can afford, which is my right and ability as an informed consumer. So the choice is always there to buy used or new. Just like it is with books, movies, furniture, services, and video games. Every item I buy I search for it used first, then on sale, then at full price.

I'm not saying it's not within their right to sell used, I'm saying it's a shitty practice to have a prompt come up on their computer when a person is buying a new game to ask if they'd like the used copy instead.

Can you agree that is a shitty practice? If you can, than inherently you can do something to stop it. By not shopping there.

 

[richman555]

I stopped going to Gamestop once I realized that every new release of a game they would never have any stock in the store. I would walk out disappointed thinking how silly I am for going to the store expecting them to have stock on the release date. Preorders is all they do, and if I do visit the store I believe they should have ample stock.

I now preorder using Amazon prime. Online with delivery to your house is the way to go if you preorder. Why I would want to visit the store 2 times to do the same thing.

 

[Kintaro]

I actually like devs being able to continue making games I like, sorry for caring about their health from a preventable bullshit practice.

I've got something that will BLOW YOUR MIND. Devs buy used copies of games. I know developers who pirate damn near every game they play.

Crazy.

When the business model for gaming is fundamentally broken, any business within does what it can to make their money. It isn't like used games retailers haven't been around for 25+ years now, you know?

 

[storl026]

Ok this is getting off track.

I'm not saying "WAAAAAAAAA USED GAME SALES EXIST WAAAAAAAAAAAAA".
I'm saying it's hurtful for them to push a used copy on someone ready, money-in-hand, to buy new.

 

[brucewaynegretzky]

I'm not saying it's not within their right to sell used, I'm saying it's a shitty practice to have a prompt come up on their computer when a person is buying a new game to ask if they'd like the used copy instead.

Can you agree that is a shitty practice? If you can, than inherently you can do something to stop it. By not shopping there.

I can't agree with that. The margins on a used game are way better. Why should a merchant not try to sell a game at a higher profit when they aren't misleading the consumer? It's not Gamestop's job to try and educate consumers. It's their job to give them what they want for the lowest price and make a profit. Why are game developers entitled to this revenue again?

 

[TheUsual]

Ok this is getting off track.

I'm not saying "WAAAAAAAAA USED GAME SALES EXIST WAAAAAAAAAAAAA".
I'm saying it's hurtful for them to push a used copy on someone ready, money-in-hand, to buy new.

Then it's the consumer's responsibility at that point to make the decision not the retailer.

EDIT
At least Gamestop is offering the consumer a choice as well.

 

[mikeybwright]

Well here is my Gamestop story:

I went in to buy my brother the Borderlands GOTY edition during the sale they had a couple of weeks back. It was 19.99 for a new copy, and I noticed that they had copies with 2 disks meaning you could get all the DLC from a disk rather than using a download code via XBOX Live. I picked up a copy and walked over to the nerdy middle aged cashier. I said "I'd like to get the two disk version as my brother doesn't have the internet in his new apt". He said no problem, and handed me one of their 'like new, open' games. I asked if they had any sealed ones as it was a gift, and he said no all they had was 3 'new, open' copies. I just rolled my eyes and bought it.

Fast forward a couple of days, my brother opens it up (in front of me) and 1 fucking disk. Upon further inspection it says there is a DLC card inside, and there wasn't. No Borderlands DLC card and no Duke Nukem Forever demo code (no big loss there). We brought it back to the same fucking gamestop, same employee and he put up a fight about it being 'open' and can't exchange it. I threaten to call corporate and he goes in the back and magically finds a sealed copy with 2 disks.

Fuck gamestop.

 

[woolley]

Ok this is getting off track.

I'm not saying "WAAAAAAAAA USED GAME SALES EXIST WAAAAAAAAAAAAA".
I'm saying it's hurtful for them to push a used copy on someone ready, money-in-hand, to buy new.

So the company is bad for trying to make a profit? It's up to the consumer to know that they're buying/doing and not the retailer.

 

[storl026]

Then it's the consumer's responsibility at that point to make the decision not the retailer.

EDIT
At least Gamestop is offering the consumer a choice as well.

Exactly. Gamestop thrives off the 99% of people that don't care, that just go "OOOoooooooh $5 less!".

Does it make Gamestop money? Yes.
Is it within their right to do? Absolutely yes.
Does it hurt the industry? I think yes.
Can I do anything about it? Well.....I don't agree with it and I don't shop there anymore.

 

[brucewaynegretzky]

Exactly. Gamestop thrives off the 99% of people that don't care, that just go "OOOoooooooh $5 less!".

Does it make Gamestop money? Yes.
Is it within their right to do? Absolutely yes.
Does it hurt the industry? I think yes.
Can I do anything about it? Well.....I don't agree with it and I don't shop there anymore.

Does it hurt the industry? What the fuck is that? Now the retailer is in charge of making a profit for the publisher. I want to live in a world where I can make something and someone else is forced to make me a profit on it.

 

[CornBurrito]

I actually like devs being able to continue making games I like, sorry for caring about their health from a preventable bullshit practice.

Why is it a bullshit practice? Why should they not be allowed to sell something used? Should I not be allowed to say... take my copy of Bayonnetta and give it to a friend for 20 dollars?

I support developers as well, but I am not anti-consumer while you seem to be. TRAMPLE ON CONSUMER RIGHTS, DEVS NEED TO EAT!

 

[storl026]

Does it hurt the industry? What the fuck is that? Now the retailer is in charge of making a profit for the publisher. I want to live in a world where I can make something and someone else is forced to make me a profit on it.

Consumer buys new: developer sees some money.
Consumer gets pushed to buy used: developer sees no money.

There's an intervention on the part of Gamestop to get someone to buy used that results in a real, monetary loss for the developer.

Why is it a bullshit practice? Why should they not be allowed to sell something used? Should I not be allowed to say... take my copy of Bayonnetta and give it to a friend for 20 dollars?

I support developers as well, but I am not anti-consumer while you seem to be. TRAMPLE ON CONSUMER RIGHTS, DEVS NEED TO EAT!

Ok this is getting off track.

I'm not saying "WAAAAAAAAA USED GAME SALES EXIST WAAAAAAAAAAAAA".
I'm saying it's hurtful for them to push a used copy on someone ready, money-in-hand, to buy new.

My issue is their intentional rob of the new sale in lieu of the used sale. Good on them that it makes them money. It's not something that I'll support. Not that any of you care what I support, it's a personal preference.

 

[CornBurrito]

My issue is their intentional rob of the new sale in lieu of the used sale. Good on them that it makes them money. It's not something that I'll support. Not that any of you care what I support, it's a personal preference.

That is fine. This thread was a "things you hate about Gamestop." You could have simply posted your reason. Instead your initial post was basically moralizing everyone that shopped at Gamestop.

 

[storl026]

That is fine. This thread was a "things you hate about Gamestop." You could have simply posted your reason. Instead your initial post was basically moralizing everyone that shopped at Gamestop.

Not my intention at all. Sorry if I offended anyone.

 

[highrider]

gamestop is like any other small store chain. it's only as good as the staff in a given location. i have a guy that managed a gamecrazy and moved on to gamestop when they closed down. he is smart enough to understand that you can't push pre-orders on guys that are seriously in to games. i would love to see gamestop have some competition. in washington dc i thought fye was pretty good but they tanked here.

 

[brucewaynegretzky]

gamestop is like any other small store chain. it's only as good as the staff in a given location. i have a guy that managed a gamecrazy and moved on to gamestop when they closed down. he is smart enough to understand that you can't push pre-orders on guys that are seriously in to games. i would love to see gamestop have some competition. in washington dc i thought fye was pretty good but they tanked here.

What fye in DC? Union station? I really only use them for new games. The gamestop at Pentagon City is better stocked IMO and there's a best buy across the street. I always can get the game I want.

 

[Neuromancer]

I walked in with ten games, three collector's editions for still popular games.

They told me 12 dollars.

I walked out telling them "this is why people pirate videogames" and never walked into another one.

Well I don't know about all that, but you should check Amazon's trade in prices. Much more attractive, usually.

Well here is my Gamestop story:

I went in to buy my brother the Borderlands GOTY edition during the sale they had a couple of weeks back. It was 19.99 for a new copy, and I noticed that they had copies with 2 disks meaning you could get all the DLC from a disk rather than using a download code via XBOX Live. I picked up a copy and walked over to the nerdy middle aged cashier. I said "I'd like to get the two disk version as my brother doesn't have the internet in his new apt". He said no problem, and handed me one of their 'like new, open' games. I asked if they had any sealed ones as it was a gift, and he said no all they had was 3 'new, open' copies. I just rolled my eyes and bought it.

Fast forward a couple of days, my brother opens it up (in front of me) and 1 fucking disk. Upon further inspection it says there is a DLC card inside, and there wasn't. No Borderlands DLC card and no Duke Nukem Forever demo code (no big loss there). We brought it back to the same fucking gamestop, same employee and he put up a fight about it being 'open' and can't exchange it. I threaten to call corporate and he goes in the back and magically finds a sealed copy with 2 disks.

Fuck gamestop.

I believe it. I refuse to buy an opened but somehow new copy. Even if everything's in the box that's supposed to be there, it's insulting.

 

[G-Fex]

The people, goes for customers and employees.

Shut the fuck up and let me buy my game.

and the gutted games, and their shitty generic replacement covers.

 

[highrider]

What fye in DC? Union station? I really only use them for new games. The gamestop at Pentagon City is better stocked IMO and there's a best buy across the street. I always can get the game I want.

i lived in the friendship heights area and the mazza galerie fye was great. i would also go to the georgetown square location as they would often have some great older games and toys. sadly, they both closed down. union station is a bit out of the way for me. i have a buddy that works at union station and he pretty much said the same as you, that the fye there didn't have much other than new games.

 

[strem]

The only thing that bugs me is when my two guys aren't in the noob behind the counter has to ask me if I want to buy scratch protection 20 times.

The best thing you can do when going to gamestop is find the gamer that works there and befriend him. After that it is a great place to go

 

[Alligatorjandro]

I don't like their price fluctuations.

 

[Salsa]

I know this is from Leon, but I can't remember/figure out what he's saying here.

"Everyone"

 

[Xena]

"Hate" is a strong word. But I dislike their constant effort to try to sell me game guides... if I wanted one with, say, LA Noire, I'm 100% I'd have gotten one from the rack or asked him/her myself for one copy.

 

[neoism]

Amazon+Prime=Gamestop doesn't exist

 

[Araxen]

I only shop at Gamestop when it's the last place I can get a game from. I hate the million questions they ask you at check out so I stay away from there at all costs. Their "new open" games are a pet peeve of mine too.

 

[macewank]

I always forget to bring my trades. They always forget to not be a worthless store. Its a strong relationship gamestop and I keep if i do say so myself

 

[Pride]

I know this is a thread about GameStop but in regards to other retailers I thought I'd share this story...

I received a $50 Gift Card for Best Buy a couple months ago and wanted to pick up L.A. Noire. Went to the local BBY and got a copy (includes the pre-order BBY bonus) went to pay and the cashier asked me if I wanted to buy a year warranty for $4.99. I don't mind, and completely understanding asking me to pre-order another game or trying to sell me a warranty on a new piece of electronics but $5 for a year warranty on a game?

 

[tetrisgrammaton]

i hate how they put their limited edition paper sleeve cases right on the shelf so they are beat up to hell and back after a few weeks

 

[Grinchy]

I know this is a thread about GameStop but in regards to other retailers I thought I'd share this story...

I received a $50 Gift Card for Best Buy a couple months ago and wanted to pick up L.A. Noire. Went to the local BBY and got a copy (includes the pre-order BBY bonus) went to pay and the cashier asked me if I wanted to buy a year warranty for $4.99. I don't mind, and completely understanding asking me to pre-order another game or trying to sell me a warranty on a new piece of electronics but $5 for a year warranty on a game?

I think Toys R Us asked me the same thing last time I bought a game there. I kinda had this awkward hesitation as I tried to figure out if I heard the guy correctly.

 

[WillyFive]

I hate how everything is opened. Am I supposed to buy that?

 

[Ramma2]

Over sold 360 preorders.
Open games for display, then sell them as new.
Can't get a game on release day unless you preorder.
Low $$$ for trading in used items.

 

[OldJadedGamer]

Amazon+Prime=Gamestop doesn't exist

Add to it Amazon's amazing trade in prices on games and you have a 100% winner. I bought both RDR and Reach from them brand new for $40 then sold both games back to them for $40 credit each 2 months later.

 

[Alligatorjandro]

sometime GS has some pretty good sales

 

[Dark Octave]

Their only copy is the used one with stickers all over it that they are trying to pawn off on me as new.

I started a game of Phoenix Wright I bought from them "new" and there was a save that was halfway through the game.

Also terrible for when you are trying to buy a gift. I had a GS employee pretty much tell me it was ridiculous that I care if I buy someone a used game for their birthday.

They buy a game for $25 and resell it for $55.

 

[Einbroch]

I don't mind the constant badgering about subs and the edge card. I only care about the insane markup.

 

[Projectjustice]

I would like to grab a game, buy it and leave.

I know they force their grunts to do it, but I don't care about your card, I don't care about preordering a game that comes out six months from now, I don't care if your grubby used version is two dollars less, I don't care about pawning my games to you for pennies on the dollar.

Just leave me alone and let me buy the goddamn game.

This, 1000x this!!!!! I hate going to gamestop because of this. They are like the fucking mob strong arming you down.

 

[Ominym]

Perhaps I have it easier than most, or perhaps I'm less antisocial than some people here. But I have never felt like I was being "asked a million questions" or that my trip was substantially longer because of a few questions made while being rung up. Personally, I don't want to visit a game store, or any store for that matter where people and I don't converse. Even if it is corporate banter and me declining.

I will however agree that I dislike being profiled (why would I pre order Madden in December?) and that selling an opened game as new, is bullshit. That said, I think some people really blow simple business practices out of proportion here.

 

[FinKL]

Go in to Gamestop waiting for my pizza to be ready. 2 people walk in and go "OMG CoD MW3 !!!!" since they have new posters up and proceed to preorder it because if you do, you can take home the friggin Time Magazine Poster. I told them to look up Battlefield3 as they have never heard it. CoD will win on the hype alone which shouldn't be how it works =/

 

[MechaX]

I can mind the reserve-hounding. It's something that some nonchalant "no"'s will solve pretty quickly.

But from a person who is OCD about games being in their original cases with original manuals in good condition... But for something that does annoy me, price tag stickers everywhere. Stickers on stickers that are a bitch to come off annoy me to absolutely no end.

 

[ElectricBlue187]

I hate everything about Gamestop. I hate the smarmy jackass sales associates I hate the disgusting insulting decor. I hate the porn video store feel of the dump. I hate the awful stench. I order games from Amazon now

 

[CyReN]

Haven't been to Gamestop since I won a copy of Halo Reach Legendary.

Amazon Prime/gift cards/no taxes/saving gas money make them amazing.