GameStop is Vile and Disgusting Part XXVII
#1101
DVD Talk Hero
Re: GameStop is Vile and Disgusting Part XXVII
They are everywhere. As long as they can keep that many stores open, they will always be an option. Yeah, moms, teenagers, grandpas, etc.
It's always easier to drive 5 mins, or even walk!, and get whatever videogame gift you were planning, than ordering online and wait. Or in Best Buy case drive 30 mins or so, fight hordes, etc. to get the videogame gift you want.
It's always easier to drive 5 mins, or even walk!, and get whatever videogame gift you were planning, than ordering online and wait. Or in Best Buy case drive 30 mins or so, fight hordes, etc. to get the videogame gift you want.
I have two Targets, a Wal-Mart and a Best Buy closer to my house than a GS. Not to mention, the media dept at Target gets me checked out way quicker than GS, since there's only one employee at a GS, and they're usually taking their sweet ass time on the customers before me.
#1103
DVD Talk Legend & 2021 TOTY Winner
Re: GameStop is Vile and Disgusting Part XXVII
There's an intersection less than a mile from my house with Gamestops on each side of the street on the same corner. There used to be a 3rd Gamestop in the mall on a third corner in the same intersection, but that one is gone now. There is another one less than 2 miles down the same road though.
#1104
DVD Talk Hero
Re: GameStop is Vile and Disgusting Part XXVII
Gamestop did buy out a few other game stores some time back, which may be why there are multiples in some malls, but at least around me most reduced to one store.
#1105
DVD Talk Hero
Join Date: Feb 2005
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Re: GameStop is Vile and Disgusting Part XXVII
Is it typical for Gamestop stores not to match the deals available on gamestop.com?
I went in as I was considering the Xbox One + Gears + RotTR + $50 card deal, but the clerk said that deal was over. I said it was online, and he 'looked it up' and said, "nope. Over."
WTF? Did I just go to a shitty location or something, or do they really run totally different promotions between the website and retail stores?
I went in as I was considering the Xbox One + Gears + RotTR + $50 card deal, but the clerk said that deal was over. I said it was online, and he 'looked it up' and said, "nope. Over."
WTF? Did I just go to a shitty location or something, or do they really run totally different promotions between the website and retail stores?
#1107
Banned
Re: GameStop is Vile and Disgusting Part XXVII
According to their FAQ online:
http://www.gamestop.com/gs/landing/hops_info/
Still, the policy is crappy and idiotic
Will I pay the online price or the store price?
You will be paying at the store, so you'll pay the store price on the day you pick up. Most of the time our online prices and store prices are similar. Although we strive to keep our online and in-store pricing consistent, we occasionally come across special online deals that cannot be duplicated in stores or special in-store deals that cannot be duplicated online for various reasons. Rather than pass over these opportunities, we choose to allow our customers to take advantage of them.
You will be paying at the store, so you'll pay the store price on the day you pick up. Most of the time our online prices and store prices are similar. Although we strive to keep our online and in-store pricing consistent, we occasionally come across special online deals that cannot be duplicated in stores or special in-store deals that cannot be duplicated online for various reasons. Rather than pass over these opportunities, we choose to allow our customers to take advantage of them.
Still, the policy is crappy and idiotic
#1109
DVD Talk Godfather
Re: GameStop is Vile and Disgusting Part XXVII
http://kotaku.com/new-gamestop-progr...ium=Socialflow
Brilliant!
Have you gone to GameStop over the past few months and tried to buy a new game? Have they told you that it’s not in stock? They may simply be lying to you, fueled by a new program that discourages GameStop salespeople from selling unopened copies of video games.
The program, called “Circle of Life,” gives each GameStop store different percentage quotas for 1) pre-orders; 2) reward card subscriptions; 3) used game sales; and 4) game trade-ins. Each of these quotas is based on the store’s total transactions. Pre-orders and reward cards subscriptions are based on the number of transactions, while used game sales and trade-ins are based on the total dollar value of transactions. If a store’s quota for used game sales is 30%, and the store sells $1,000 worth of merchandise, GameStop expects at least $300 of that merchandise to be pre-owned.
So if someone walks into GameStop and picks up, say, a brand new copy of Yakuza 0 without 1) pre-ordering another game, 2) subscribing for a new rewards card, 3) buying a used game, or 4) trading in some games to help pay for it, then the transaction will knock down all four percentages.
The more new games an employee sells, the more used games they’ll have to sell to make up for it. In other words, according to salespeople speaking to Kotaku and elsewhere on the internet, GameStop is incentivizing employees to stop people from buying new games and hardware. GameStop staff say the company has threatened to fire people who don’t hit these quotas, which is leading to all sorts of scuzzy tactics.
The program, called “Circle of Life,” gives each GameStop store different percentage quotas for 1) pre-orders; 2) reward card subscriptions; 3) used game sales; and 4) game trade-ins. Each of these quotas is based on the store’s total transactions. Pre-orders and reward cards subscriptions are based on the number of transactions, while used game sales and trade-ins are based on the total dollar value of transactions. If a store’s quota for used game sales is 30%, and the store sells $1,000 worth of merchandise, GameStop expects at least $300 of that merchandise to be pre-owned.
So if someone walks into GameStop and picks up, say, a brand new copy of Yakuza 0 without 1) pre-ordering another game, 2) subscribing for a new rewards card, 3) buying a used game, or 4) trading in some games to help pay for it, then the transaction will knock down all four percentages.
The more new games an employee sells, the more used games they’ll have to sell to make up for it. In other words, according to salespeople speaking to Kotaku and elsewhere on the internet, GameStop is incentivizing employees to stop people from buying new games and hardware. GameStop staff say the company has threatened to fire people who don’t hit these quotas, which is leading to all sorts of scuzzy tactics.
#1110
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: GameStop is Vile and Disgusting Part XXVII
^So, when buying a new game, also bring up a pricey used game. Then change your mind on the used game after said new game is produced for sale.
#1111
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: GameStop is Vile and Disgusting Part XXVII
That's American Corporate business culture for you. Upper management comes up with something with quotas/sales percentages, which is the only thing they understand. They then make the regional/district managers bonuses related to the new effort, they in turn force the store managers to care about it by making their job be based on how well they reach these goals. Then the managers make the retail level employees have to make these by any means necessary. In this case it was determined that refusing sales at retail level in order to keep percentages in line is ok, since upper management ONLY cares about these numbers. They will be patting themselves on the back at corporate for reaching these targets, blind to what is actually going on.
Sorry about my rant, but I just see the same thing type of corporate mindset at my large company. I was laughing at the Wells Fargo scandal (opening unauthorized accounts) due to sales goals set by an out of touch corporate base, because it reminded me so much of my job. Whenever these numbers become the top priority, employees do whatever they can to reach these targets to keep their jobs, even in questionable/unethical ways. Customers usually are the ones who suffer most (and low rung employees), but as long as the numbers are met so the upper management get their bonuses all is well. When it comes out, corporate will blame the low rung employees even though their metrics are the reason it happened in the first place.
Sorry about my rant, but I just see the same thing type of corporate mindset at my large company. I was laughing at the Wells Fargo scandal (opening unauthorized accounts) due to sales goals set by an out of touch corporate base, because it reminded me so much of my job. Whenever these numbers become the top priority, employees do whatever they can to reach these targets to keep their jobs, even in questionable/unethical ways. Customers usually are the ones who suffer most (and low rung employees), but as long as the numbers are met so the upper management get their bonuses all is well. When it comes out, corporate will blame the low rung employees even though their metrics are the reason it happened in the first place.
#1112
Banned by request
Re: GameStop is Vile and Disgusting Part XXVII
The quotas are nothing new, although it sounds like they have gotten higher since I worked there. I remember when I was a manager, they took the loyalty card that was $5 and attached it to a Game Informer subscription for $25 IIRC (it might have been $15 but I think it was $25). Corporate came up with all these pitches to sell people on the idea of paying $25 upfront and likely not seeing any discounts on their purchase (I don't remember at what point they started saving money, but it wasn't with the purchase of a single new game).
Well, not surprisingly, card subscriptions plummeted almost immediately. And corporate was fucking pissed. They put pressure on the district managers to get the numbers up. I remember getting phone calls from my DM asking why my numbers were low. I told them that very few people considered the new program a deal, and most people don't want a physical magazine sent to their house these days (2007). He told me I must be pitching it wrong, and so I rattled off all the corporate pitches they had taught us, not just from memory but as an actual pitch, as if I believed their bullshit about it being a good deal.
The DM was absolutely stumped as to why my numbers weren't better. I had all the pitches down. Corporate said it would work. He couldn't fathom that maybe the people working their stores would know the customers better than some number crunchers at the corporate headquarters.
They truly are a clueless, awful company. I haven't bought a game from them in years and don't intend to start back up ever again.
Well, not surprisingly, card subscriptions plummeted almost immediately. And corporate was fucking pissed. They put pressure on the district managers to get the numbers up. I remember getting phone calls from my DM asking why my numbers were low. I told them that very few people considered the new program a deal, and most people don't want a physical magazine sent to their house these days (2007). He told me I must be pitching it wrong, and so I rattled off all the corporate pitches they had taught us, not just from memory but as an actual pitch, as if I believed their bullshit about it being a good deal.
The DM was absolutely stumped as to why my numbers weren't better. I had all the pitches down. Corporate said it would work. He couldn't fathom that maybe the people working their stores would know the customers better than some number crunchers at the corporate headquarters.
They truly are a clueless, awful company. I haven't bought a game from them in years and don't intend to start back up ever again.
#1113
DVD Talk Legend
Re: GameStop is Vile and Disgusting Part XXVII
Why do you guys buy at Gamestop with Best Buy and Amazon being so convenient and reasonable?
#1114
DVD Talk God
Re: GameStop is Vile and Disgusting Part XXVII
I only ever used to shop at GameStop due to trade in deals. Now that BB has about the same trade in prices, I don't bother with GameStop anymore.
#1115
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: GameStop is Vile and Disgusting Part XXVII
Honestly, the only thing I really find myself buying from Gamestop is their physical exclusives (Song of the Deep, Prototype Hazard Bundle, Duke Nukem 20th Anniversary, etc). Otherwise, it's very rare and just killing 5 minutes while my wife looks at purses in the mall kinda thing.
#1116
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: GameStop is Vile and Disgusting Part XXVII
When GameStop starts with all of that song and dance, I tell them, I don't want to buy a used copy. I want a brand new, never been opened before or I will walk 20 feet down the parking lot and buy it at Wal-Mart.
It also bugs the crap out of me when you ask for a new game, they come out with a empty box and then look for the actual game in a drawer. When I tell them I don't want an open copy, they come back with, why, it's a new game. No, if it's been open, I don't consider it new.
It also bugs the crap out of me when you ask for a new game, they come out with a empty box and then look for the actual game in a drawer. When I tell them I don't want an open copy, they come back with, why, it's a new game. No, if it's been open, I don't consider it new.
#1117
Political Exile
Re: GameStop is Vile and Disgusting Part XXVII
Yeah, I pretty much stopped shopping there because of them selling opened games as new. I used to tell them that it is a gift (even if it wasn't) which seemed to make them understand that a factory sealed game is better than one that is covered in their unremovable stickers. I did stop in their stores for the first time in years recently to pick up their exclusive pokemon character cards used for the Sun/Moon games.
#1118
Re: GameStop is Vile and Disgusting Part XXVII
I swung by Gamestop when we were at the mall over the weekend and they were trying to get me to order some Pokemon 3DS that is coming out. Kept telling me that I should put $50 down so I don't miss out. When I told him that I have a Vita I barely touch, he said that I would play the 3DS a lot more. Not sure where he was coming up with that theory, but...ok.
I did spot one cool thing while I was there. They had a bunch of steelbooks for indie games. Rogue Legacy, Axiom Verge, Guacamele, Thomas Was Alone, Chariot, etc and were $20 each.
I did spot one cool thing while I was there. They had a bunch of steelbooks for indie games. Rogue Legacy, Axiom Verge, Guacamele, Thomas Was Alone, Chariot, etc and were $20 each.
#1119
DVD Talk Hero
Re: GameStop is Vile and Disgusting Part XXVII
When GameStop starts with all of that song and dance, I tell them, I don't want to buy a used copy. I want a brand new, never been opened before or I will walk 20 feet down the parking lot and buy it at Wal-Mart.
It also bugs the crap out of me when you ask for a new game, they come out with a empty box and then look for the actual game in a drawer. When I tell them I don't want an open copy, they come back with, why, it's a new game. No, if it's been open, I don't consider it new.
It also bugs the crap out of me when you ask for a new game, they come out with a empty box and then look for the actual game in a drawer. When I tell them I don't want an open copy, they come back with, why, it's a new game. No, if it's been open, I don't consider it new.
Actually if you buy a lot of new games, I don't see how Best Buy's gamerclub (or Amazon Primes similar but inferior deal) can be beat.
#1120
DVD Talk Godfather
Re: GameStop is Vile and Disgusting Part XXVII
GS cashed out some reward points a few weeks ago automatically and emailed me a $5 coupon.
I couldn't find anything worth buying, cheaply. So I took a $10 PSN card to the counter. Nope doesn't work on cards.
Of course not. Goodbye.
I couldn't find anything worth buying, cheaply. So I took a $10 PSN card to the counter. Nope doesn't work on cards.
Of course not. Goodbye.
#1121
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: GameStop is Vile and Disgusting Part XXVII
I have a lot in trade in credit. Plus, It takes an act of Congress to get someone with a key to unlock the video game case at Wal-Mart. Also, I don't have a Best Buy anywhere near me so that's the reason I don't buy from them.
#1122
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Join Date: Aug 2004
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Re: GameStop is Vile and Disgusting Part XXVII
Can you still buy gift cards with game stop credit? I used to buy amazon gc's.
#1123
DVD Talk Legend
Re: GameStop is Vile and Disgusting Part XXVII
Another year and GS still sucks. Check.
#1125
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: GameStop is Vile and Disgusting Part XXVII
You can get Xbox or PSN credit. I do it all the time.
I pretty much never buy new games at Gamestop because of the 20% discount I get from Amazon or Best Buy but I buy and trade used games fairly regularly. You just have to know how to take advantage of sales or promos.
I pretty much never buy new games at Gamestop because of the 20% discount I get from Amazon or Best Buy but I buy and trade used games fairly regularly. You just have to know how to take advantage of sales or promos.