I freely express my frustrations w/ Gamestop/EBGames to my friends but I’ve never really posted about it here. That changes today. The lovely event that took place earlier today really sparked me to post about it. Let me set it up for you:
I walk into Gamestop.
[GS] Hello sir, anything I can help you with?
[Me] Hopefully. I’m looking for Resident Evil Umbrella Chronicles, do you have it?
[GS] Let me check for you… Yes we have one last copy here.
[Me] I’ll take it.
At this point the employee digs around in a drawer and removes the game from a paper sleeve. He carries the sleeve over to the display shelf and he removes the Umbrella Chronicles box. He then places the disc into the box off of the shelf and closes it. Then he walks back to the register and proceeds to ring up this “NEW” game for $49.99.
[Me] You’re selling me that as a “NEW” game?
[GS] Yeah, it’s new.
[Me] It has no seal. I saw you take the game out of that paper sleeve and put it into the display box.
[GS] Yeah it’s our last copy. It’s “NEW” though.
[Me] What stops you guys from playing the game in the store? Or even worse, taking it home to play and brining it back and replacing it in the drawer?
[GS] Uh… we don’t do that… *silence*
[Me] Can you at least give me the “USED” price w/ the warranty?
[GS] Nah, it’s a “NEW” game. It’s fine.
[Me] *sigh* Never mind. I’ll get it elsewhere and buy it “NEW” where it’s actually “NEW” and factory sealed.
[GS] Whatever–it’s your call.
There’s tons of things wrong w/ that but I still think the worst aspect is that some people actually would accept that full $49.99 price for that “NEW” game. Since when has this become an acceptable way of doing business?
I try to avoid Gamestop at all costs. I went there today because the 3 other stores I checked on the way home from work had no copies in stock. This is only one reason why I hate Gamestop but for now I guess it’s enough to get my message across.
Needless to say I’m going to buy it tomorrow when I’m at work from a local Target.
MacDork says:
That’s one of my pet peeves w/ them, too.
There was a story this week about a store that sold a guy a disc that clearly had the words “demo disc” scribbled over on his copy of a new game he bought. Assy, for sure.
Order it online, man. Takes a bit longer, but the sooner they get the point that we’re not going to put up w/ those kinds of shenanigans, the better.
28 November 2007, 8:12 ampenut says:
That’s crazy. I’m definitely done w/ their stores.
Though when I was talking to MacsRule, he was saying that his Targets in Australia do the same as our Gamestops! They take the disc out of the box before they sell it to you as “new”. Maybe his version of Gamestops are like our Targets? Hahah
28 November 2007, 9:02 amMacsRule says:
Oh, and I should add, Target Au have nothing to do with Target US.
It’s more than just Target that do it here, too.
28 November 2007, 4:51 pmpenut says:
I sure as hell hope that doesn’t become the standard here!
30 November 2007, 12:40 pmJenna says:
Why I hate EB Games/ Gamestop….they close at 8:50 when the sign says 9:00pm, so the employees can leave by 9:00pm.
3 December 2007, 8:31 ampenut says:
Good point there Jenna. There’s tons of reasons why it’s no good. I just heard on a the Gamespot podcast that a person called in to confirm his copy of Rock Band was waiting for him and they said it was. By the time he drove to the store after work they had sold his copy away! I hate their “reservations only” policy but it’s even worse if you do reserve something and it’s sold to another person.
3 December 2007, 8:35 amrubber ducky says:
thats ture…GS has always sucked cuz of those stoopid things they do..a pet peeve i have of GS..ive been applying there for like..”EVER!” and never get the job…i got my nintendo when i was 3 and have been playing games ever scince…they always hire the most dumbest ppl to work there…that probly dont even own a system…why dont they hire ppl that accually know what they are doing…and would probly love doing their job?…
7 May 2008, 11:58 pmbut where i live….the employes only hire thier friends….and are dickheads for doing so….GS sucks…i just save my sanity by buying online…