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I'm a mid-30s guy who's been gaming since Telstar Pong. I've owned a bunch of consoles in my past, but the roster currently includes a PS2, a DS Lite, a Wii, and a PSone.

I've served tours of duty in gaming retail. I've written for several different websites in the past. I own two world records. I listen to game soundtracks.

When not gaming, I'm a karaoke DJ with a decent singing voice.

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What sucks more than GameStop? Gamers.
GameGuyPete | 11:50 AM on 11.05.2007 46 comments


With the popularity of message boards and blogs, people have found new ways to bitch about pretty much everything... but gaming retail seems to be at the epicenter of the whining.

Yes, we all know that GameStop has some less-than-ethical business practices. We get it. You should make threads like these into drinking games; every time you read a "GameStop sold me a used game as new" complaint, have a drink. You'll be an alcoholic in no time. What's even better is when people list solutions that seem plausible until you figure in the fact that implementing these solutions might, you know, cost money.

For example: Yeah, let's buy an assload of clamshells. Then, after that initial charge for some 5,000 stores, we'll pay staff to put the games in those things. We'll slow down point-of-sale transactions by fighting with the damned things to open them. That's a stellar idea for the busy season... who doesn't love waiting in line for even more time because the damned clamshell key won't work right?

What gamers fail to remember is that they are the cause of many of these problems to begin with. After all, during the NES era, you could return games to retailers, opened or not. Of course, it was expected that gamers were only going to return defective items... but then gamers became skilled and started blowing through games in less than a week... so they kept returning them and getting other games without having to pay anything extra. Retailers became ignorant rental locations.

Retailers smartened up. Policies were changed. Gamers lost a cheap loophole, and justifiably so.

Let's also not forget that the game gamers who bitch and complain about GameStop still shop there. Sure, you hear, "I'm not buying another new game from there. I hate their policies. They're rip-off artists." That attitude lasts until a new release doesn't show up on time at a big-box store and they really, really want to play it. Way to go with that 7-day boycott. That'll show 'em.

Here's another thing. Stop whining about poor trade-in values. Please. "Waaah... those bastards only gave me $8 for Katamari Damacy and they're selling it for $30! Screw them!" Here's a thought: Just say "no" to trades, if the values are too low. After all, why bother taking into account that selling new games only nets next to nothing in terms of profit. GameStop is a business, and they exist to make money. I'm sure that many of you want to open a video game store of your very own, but unless you want to go out of business within the first three months, you're going to find that marking up used games considerably over what you pay for them is a necessary practice, unless you want to charge $70 for your new games instead of $60.

Listen... I'll agree that GameStop isn't perfect. FuncoLand was far superior in terms of relating to gamers... they actually let you try games before buying and they sold display copies for a 10% discount at times, for example. Game Crazy tried to emulate that model, but has so far fallen well short with chronically late arrivals for new releases, which makes them less attractive for core gamers.

But, you know something? Griping on a message board only goes so far. Actions speak louder than words.



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44 comments | showing # 1 to 44
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king3vbo's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 12:20
king3vbo
Im not even gonna touch this one
MaxVest's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 12:25
MaxVest
I agree with several of your points, but not your tone.

Griping on a message board only goes so far, indeed.
Kryptinite's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 12:25
Kryptinite
Seriously....all I'm going to say is fuck GameStop. I feel what you said and I agree with you 100%. But the more I say fuck GameStop, the more people are going to ask me why? And that's just more people I can convert from selling their shit to those bastards. So the more I gripe, the more people will ask why I do so, the more people I can save :).

So fuck GameStop. If you want to sell your games try Craigslist (not really) or eBay. Hell, try the forums here before you go to GameStop.

GameStop: Fuck 'em!
JACK of No Trades's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 12:26
JACK of No Trades
LOL, I don't shop there ever. Fuck Gamestop. Their greedy business tatics make me want to punch them in the face. You trade in a game get 15 bucks they turn around and sell it for 50. Thats crazy profit, and its called raping the consumer.
Kryptinite's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 12:30
Kryptinite
Oh and for the record I never ever shop there. That's why I fucking hate when some developer/publisher decides to make their limited edition game GameStop only!! WTF is that?
BahamutZero's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 12:32
BahamutZero
WRRAAAAR YOU KIDS GET OFF MY LAWN

cranky old people are funny
bloodylip's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 12:32
bloodylip
tl;dr

But from what I gathered in the first two paragraphs, you're a gamestop shill.
GameGuyPete's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 12:33
GameGuyPete
"Their greedy business tatics make me want to punch them in the face. You trade in a game get 15 bucks they turn around and sell it for 50. Thats crazy profit, and its called raping the consumer."

If you were in business for yourself, and you knew that you could sell a used game for $45 after paying $18 for it, could you honestly say that you would not do it?

You're a liar if you say that you wouldn't, unless you don't like money. Sure, their business tactics are greedy, but they're obviously effective.

You also can't call it "raping the customer"... customers give consent to GameStop to resell the game that they trade in; rapists obtain no such consent when they violate another person.
Snaileb 's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 12:34
Snaileb
Because the big corporate cats at Gamestop are all gamers and really want to help out our hobby and not just turn a quick profit.

Right.
SLiFE's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 12:34
SLiFE
Fuck GameStop (and EB, cuz there are no GameStops in Canada).
Also, fuck this guy's lame arguments.

He glossed right over the "GameStop sold me a used game as new" part. There's no excuse for that.

As for big box retailers getting games late? That's one of the reasons I started going to the box stores. My local EB couldn't get a new release on time to save their lives.

And when discussing trade-in values, the example he uses is a $30 game. How about a $60 game? We're not getting much more than 8 bucks for them too. Saying "no" to trades? Did that a loooong time ago.
GameGuyPete's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 12:37
GameGuyPete
"Oh and for the record I never ever shop there. That's why I fucking hate when some developer/publisher decides to make their limited edition game GameStop only!! WTF is that?"

I am sure that money has something to do with that, not to mention possibly increased visibility as far as in-store advertising goes.

Remember, too, that GameStop is a gaming specialty store-- going with a collector's edition there makes more sense and has a better chance of selling well than getting buried behind a bunch of other stuff at a big box location.

I would agree that it would make more sense to more widely distribute these collector's editions at other locations, though.
blehman's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 12:43
blehman
Let's also not forget that the game gamers who bitch and complain about GameStop still shop there."

What's a game gamer?

Also, fuck gamestop.
SLiFE's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 12:44
SLiFE
We get it Pete, it's all about the money.
Even if acquiring that money involves some less-than-scrupulous business tactics.
Snaileb 's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 12:44
Snaileb
Remember, too, that GameStop is a gaming specialty store, at raping your wallet and getting their moms to buy the stupidest shit made for videogames, because no self realized gamer is dumb enough to buy it.

You left.. that part out...

Not only that, but this whole ESBR mess (don't get me wrong, parents are the number one reason this system fails) plays a big part in the way Gamestop sells and advertises to kids, granted they've done alot to try and redeem themselves while fixing this.

If it didn't get my games in so much trouble I wouldn't care what they played.
GameGuyPete's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 12:45
GameGuyPete
"He glossed right over the "GameStop sold me a used game as new" part. There's no excuse for that."

OK... then let's go there.

If you are offered a display copy, why not just decline? You don't have to buy it.

If you think that the copy you're buying was previously used or opened and is now shrinkwrapped, ask for a manager and tell them that you're going to open and inspect the game before taking it home.

If you're proactive, this shouldn't be an issue. We know why GameStop opens some copies of new games-- for display, because it's cheaper than ordering millions of plastic clamshells or special-ordering plastic slats like TRU used to do years ago.
JACK of No Trades's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 12:47
JACK of No Trades
GameGuyePete

Do you have a hard on for Gamestop? Or is it for Capitalism in general? Yes, of course, if I was in business I would want to obtain as much profit as possible, but from the otherside of the fence it is fucking bullshit!
Snaileb 's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 12:47
Snaileb
"If you are offered a display copy, why not just decline? You don't have to buy it."

This arguement is years old, that's why we stopped going to these stores as kids. We're adults and we fully realize the shenanigans of your (or their) companies money grubbing tactics, which is why we dont buy from there anymore.

You're really ranting on about people that shop at your store and have no connection with this site.

Please, move along.
Riser Glen's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 12:51
Riser Glen
"But, you know something? Griping on a message board only goes so far."

SLiFE's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 12:53
SLiFE
Alls I know is that I go into Best Buy on a Tuesday, pick up a copy of a game from the shelf, take it to the counter and pay, and it's mine.
I got tired of dealing with the hassles associated with purchasing from EB Games.
GameGuyPete's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 12:56
GameGuyPete
"We get it Pete, it's all about the money.
Even if acquiring that money involves some less-than-scrupulous business tactics."

That's the bottom line. I probably could have worded my entry better, but it's mind-numbing to me how so many people refuse to understand this concept and instead choose to post thoughtless, drone-like comments about how much GS sucks and so on.

A lot of these experiences are anecdotal, as well. One commented here about how his store never got new releases in on time... I've not seen that in my area, but if it's happening to him, that's a legitimate gripe. I would take my business elsewhere, too.

I look at GS from a somewhat different perspective, and it's because I've largely had good shopping experiences there. I know why some policies are in place (gutting, for example) and I understand it. I don't necessarily like everything that they do, and I do think that a lesser emphasis has been placed on the gamer than we've seen, but at least they're still focused on gaming... whereas other retailers just aren't.
VWGTI's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 13:01
VWGTI
@ GameGuyPete

Excellent write up. You have many good points that I agree with completely. I wish more of the c-blogs were this interesting to read. Keep it up, brother.
JACK of No Trades's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 13:01
JACK of No Trades
Pete

Please Shut the Fuck UP!!!!!! We could care less about GS. It is a shitty corporation. Why do you love them so much? DO you work for them?? Why argue with the people that are getting fucked out of their money everytime they purchase something from GS???

Why are you trying to stick up for them? OMG, did they brainwash you????
Kryptinite's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 13:04
Kryptinite
lol..this topic is full of flame-worthy material.

Bottomline: Fuck GameStop, EB, or whatever the fuck they call themselves these days.

End of story.
GameGuyPete's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 13:15
GameGuyPete
"Please Shut the Fuck UP!!!!! We could care less about GS. It is a shitty corporation. Why do you love them so much? DO you work for them?? Why argue with the people that are getting fucked out of their money everytime they purchase something from GS???"

I'll disregard your first infantile comment and respond to the ones that actually show a little substance.

For starters, if you "could care less" about GS, why are you still commenting on this one blog entry? Does it bother you that I say actually makes sense? Mmmmm. Yeah.

I also don't understand how people are allegedly "getting fucked out of their money". It's a conscious decision. Yes or no. As a consumer, you have the right to not buy something if you feel as though you're getting the shaft. If nothing else, you are defending consumer indifference, which is arguably just as bad.

As I mentioned, there are some people who have legitimate gripes, and that's fine... but some of these incessant complaints bear some consumer responsibility, in my opinion. People are not slaves to GameStop's policies; they have the right to shop there or not.
MaxVest's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 13:22
MaxVest
What sucks more than GameStop?

Shark attack, wrongful arrest and cavity search, hemorrhoids, overactive funnybone, putting face in fan, giant paper cut, stomping on real turtles, G4, Jack Thompson, RROD, getting tased bro, parking tickets, getting hit by thrown monkey feces -- that should be pretty much everything.
Snaileb 's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 13:23
Snaileb
Maybe my text wasn't big enough?

This arguement is years old, that's why we stopped going to these stores as kids. We're adults and we fully realize the shenanigans of your (or their) companies money grubbing tactics, which is why we dont buy from there anymore.

You're really ranting on about people that shop at your store and have no connection with this site.

Please, move along.
Kryptinite's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 13:26
Kryptinite
I fully agree with Snail. Move the fuck along. You're preaching to the choir.
BahamutZero's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 13:26
BahamutZero
People are not slaves to GameStop's policies; they have the right to shop there or not.

uhhh, except not really, now that they are a monopoly and have consumed all of the superior mall-chain video game stores. GS is corporate bullshit and I hope ebay and goozex run them out of business. Their employees are retarded and rarely informed gamers, but a lot of people have no other options than to go there, where they are coerced into buying shit they don't need.

You know the only reason I need to say "fuck gamestop?"

the fact that people forget to pick up their pre-orders is BUILT INTO COMPANY REVENUE STREAMS. Basically they RELY on STEALING MONEY from forgotten preorders.

take your defense of huge multi-national corporations elsewhere, thank you
kobewan0824's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 13:26
kobewan0824
While I agree with some of your points, perhaps you could have gona about this in a different way. You see, you've become something of an oxymoron here. You came here and complained about gamers complaining.

While you could have complained in the right manner and not been considered an oxymoron, you chose to do the exact same thing you have a problem with: Whine like a little bitch.
BahamutZero's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 13:28
BahamutZero
also your world records in gaming don't mean shit. that's like getting a guiness world record for farting six times while standing on one-foot on the brooklyn bridge while balancing an egg on the tip of your penis. You have that record because nobody else is trying
Snaileb 's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 13:28
Snaileb
Hey it's the FF9 guy. I loved that game. Best FF ever.
AngelsDontBurn's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 13:30
AngelsDontBurn
The merge made everything worse.
JACK of No Trades's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 13:33
JACK of No Trades
BZ

I need to model that up lol
BahamutZero's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 13:34
BahamutZero
I actually hold that record
Kryptinite's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 13:39
Kryptinite
dude you should get a world record for balancing an egg on the tip of your penis period.
kobewan0824's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 13:44
kobewan0824
Wait, the twin galaxies article says this guys is a freelance writer. Seriously, your usage of words sucks balls. This wasn't even well written. You suck
MaxVest's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 13:45
MaxVest
@BahamutZero

GrayFox's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 14:24
GrayFox
I'm really sick of the way they try to sell me a million different things when I just want to pick up a game. Shameless whores.
Variable Gear's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 14:40
Variable Gear
Oh no, Batman!

JJ Rage's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 16:15
JJ Rage
I've never really had a problem with Gamestop, but then again my local Gamestop is actually staffed by people who plays games and aren't retarded.I used to work for the company, and as an employee, it sucked.

I shop at Gamestop because I can guarantee myself a copy of the game the day it is out, big-box retailers have failed me too many times on release day. And if I'm short of cash, I can unload an old game or two. The trade values aren't nearly as poor as people claim they are, and you won't see much difference at any other company that takes trade (Blockbuster, FYE for instance).

And I think it's funny people discuss corporate greed while singing the praises of big-box retailers. I've worked for Best Buy and graveyards at Target, and I can tell you, Gamestop has nothing on them.

Employees at these big retailers are often forced to throw TVs and stereos off the truck and around the back rooms to make sure they stay efficient and on schedule. Would you rather have a new game that's been opened once to create a display box, or a TV that's been shaken more than a crying baby?
Silverback 55's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 16:36
Silverback 55
I am not liked at my local GS because I called them out on their bullshit tactics with a sweet old lady. I was standing behind this lady while she purchased Shadowrun. The employee goes on to state that she needs to pre-order Halo 3 or else she wouldn't find it anywhere until next March. I literally said Bullshit. Everyone looks at me and I said to the lady, "Ma'am, Halo 3 is going to be a big game and you will have no problem finding it somewhere else like Best Buy the day it comes out."
blehman's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 16:40
blehman
lol @ Silverback. Way to be a nice guy. (Cereally)

I just hate stupid employees. I was buying a ds game in there, and sat and watched while the guy tried to put it in sideways for five minutes. Keep in mind, this is after he sold me an empty case, which I narrowly avoided taking home by checking it in the car. A winner was him.
Steve Mitchell's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/06/2009 12:20
Steve Mitchell
@JJ Rage, let's see you sell more than $200 worth of newer PS3 games to GS and get 20 Fucking Dollars and not be able to say anything about it cuz you need food and nobody's hiring. And as for throwing shit around the back of Big Box retailers, They don't do that, because it is ILLEGAL and the store would get shut down for intentional sales of damaged goods. As for a "New game that's been opened once for a display box", well, you must not know that when a game is opened for that box, the worker is allowed to "borrow" the game as long as it's brought back within a certain amount of time to ensure that it will go out (used) and get sold new, wherein they open another copy & do it all over again.

And @Snailb, You're an X-Bot, you have no right to attempt to make any type of argument when it comes to games and/or gaming. Anyone with any sort of intelligence and real credibility in the gaming world won't even listen to what a 360 owner is saying, let alone actually pay close enough attention to take their advice. If you're stupid enough to get ripped off and like it, you're not smart enough to run with the big dogs.
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