I wrote this in a comment on Collete's Blog, but felt the need to put it in my own...
Everybody is going to have their own opinion, as cliche as that sounds. Some people really like Gamestop, Some people really hate them.
As my friend SaraAB87 said It really all depends on the manager and the store itself, what kind of experience you have.
I guess it really boils down to just simply getting over it. Dont let all of this hatred and anger for something boil up so much that you feel the need to condescend; just go somewhere else.
Personally, I think alot of casual gaming is hurting the industry, NOT Retaillers. We wouldnt have all of this hooplah about "Mass Effect" if the Casual Crowd wasn't trying to muscle their way in to our world. However, without Retailers (brick and mortar AND online) we wouldnt have the catalysts for our gaming.
But Gamestop is a business, you have to try and understand that they're in it for themselves as well as everyone else (if not more-so). Wal-mart, Best Buy, Gamestop, Blockbuster, Circuit City; they didnt get where they are today by giving away free merchandise and hugs. They sell things people want, so THEY can make money. Do you hate Kroger for selling groceries and wanting to turn a profit? Maybe you can dislike their high prices, sure, but you cant hate the foundation to which every buisness is formed around. Capitalism makes the world go round.
Sure, policies aren't fun sometimes either. Especially when they aren't pertaining to (or hindering) your specific problem. Urban Chaos is only trading in for $4 (give or take...)? Then dont trade it back. But don't trade it in then complain about it.
Embrace the fact that these are some of the only places to go for something you love. If you feel like one place rips you off, go somewhere else and get over it.
Check out this (eww...I know)
Kotaku...article. 
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Clerk: You going to reserve Halo 3
Me: No thanks, im just looking for Persona 3
Clerk: I heard that the game is very linear and not too graphically impressive. You should go with Halo 3.
Me: *facepalm*
Conversation went on like this bad enough to where my palm never left my face. Ok maybe thats a lie but these store clerks who think they are gamers but have no clue are just what grinds my gears.
But I will say it really boils down to who works there and the store itself. I've come across many good EB games where the people there know their stuff (as in stuff, I mean crap that isn't Madden or just mainstream titles all the time.) and are pretty damn cool people to talk to on the job. Whereas others are just bums who are looking for money, don't know a thing about games, and are simply there cause no one else would hire them.
Of course for people like me, I preferred when they carried PSX/DC games. Just because I'd find so many treasures for cheap prices (and depending on which store I went to, I'd get the actual game case and manual.) For me seeing a Good condition Soul Blade, Bloody Roar 1, AND Tobal #1 (I mean actual case, booklet, good disc.) all in one store was a rarity in its own right already.
So overall it realy just boils down to area. I've found a Panzer Dragoon Orta in a Gamestop not close to me but still in the area thanks to these fools. So it's not COMPLETE hate. more hate on how they decide to run their business and the people who work there.
I would honestly rather buy games from ANY other store than the evil that is GameStop/EB. I already mentioned the service as the #1 reason I absolutely loathe stepping foot into the store, but their business practices certainly don't help my perception of the company.
See, THATS a very valid point but like Sara said, It's going to be different every store you go to.
Not EVERY Gamestop store is full of D-bags and jerks. Just like not EVERY Associate at EVERY Kroger is always rude.
Gamestops HAVE to press reserves on people and as annoying as it is to the customer, it's annoying to the associate as well.
But to generalize every associate for being an ass for having to do their job is unfair. You cant blame the entire company because you havent found the right store to visit yet.
Do you kindof see where I'm coming from?
-JD
I couldn't work at EB just because I wouldn't push half of those main games out. Maybe some of the lesser known but even then I couldn't do it.
Most retail sources have standards that employees are REQUIRED to abide by, or they are written up/fired very quickly. Its retail, there is no end to the bodies that are willing to slave for the company...but gamestop seems a bit too busy with the way they expand to notice crummy service.
One of the gamestops refused to hire "geeks" because of the baggage included. 400lb guys heaving across the room to reach for a game, then blast BO in your face and spit on you repeatedly when they tell you how dumb you are when you buy a certain game, is just not good for service.
But really, that will happen in any geek establishment you go to (including comic book stores, games workshops, game stores, movie places, etc)...its hard to hate any one company for stuff like that. Being female in the geeking world, I often am treated very poorly, but often get free shit out of it by kicking, screaming, biting, and calling corporate.
Whereas the Gamestop has, for the most part, competent people working there (props to Mr. Cat Bowtie Man, you know who you are).
About Eb Games, ive shopped at them around the true north and free country in north america, its canada if you havent guessed it, and every EB ive gone through wethers its in the big nickel sudbury or in cowboy land calgary, i always get great service.
A few points:
You cant hate a car salesman for trying to sell you a car (well you can, but its pointless.), he's doing his job. He's gotta eat just like everyone else. And sure he can find someplace else to work if he hates it so much, but what if he truly cant?
You cant hate Red Robin because the waitress wants you to buy dessert, right? She needs her tips, other-wise she wouldnt be working there.
You cant hate theatres for wanting you to buy concessions because they dont make money off the tickets.
So why hate Gamestop for pushing reserves? Especially if you know your going to buy it anyway. And if you aren't, appreciate the fact that all you have to do is say "No thank you." and finish your transaction. Why is that so hard NOT to get bent out of shape over?
And
@ShadoKat "gamestop seems a bit too busy with the way they expand to notice crummy service." Thats a FANTASTIC point. Absolutley brilliant. But, what is GOOD customer service? good customer service is definately the beauty-in-the-eyes-of-the-beholder bit. Most people see, if they aren't being taken care of the specific way they want to, its automatically a 100% bad place. But not everyone can be pleased, which is incredibly unfortunate and unfair in som respects. But what if everyone was? There cant be a place that caters to aboslutely everyone otherwise, nothing would ever get done in its development. Like I said, you cant expect to have a great visit ANYWHERE every single time you go.
Thank you for your opinion, you had a fantasic reply.
-JD
If anything, I spoke a bit more quickly than I should have. I don't necissarily think that Casual gaming is tearing apart our industry. EVERYONE starts out as a casual gamer no matter what.
But casual gaming is what Retailers are paying more attention to these days and I believe that is the main factor in people hating them. Retailers cant just focus on one group anymore, so its more or less a jealousy thing between hardcore gamers and casual gamers. Almost like a new baby brother in the house that makes the older sibling act out to get his attention back.
It's both tearing us apart as gamers, but creating more Hardcore gamers as well.
So you have a very valid point.
Thanks!
-JD
Yeah I was taught in grade school that steriotyping was bad but they are also generated for a reason. Mainly because the majority of Sales people are the douchebaggery type. I know it sucks for those who are cool and its not as if I go out of my way when I go to those stores and shout in there face "STFU and give me my game!". I'm polite and I chat with them but I get annoyed when they try to tell me im wrong (especially on the case of Halo 3 being a better buy than Persona 3).
The ones i hate are the ones with poor managment. Around here Toys R Us. Bleh! Walmart is decent but rarely carry those titles SOOOON enough for me. Gamestop is a pleasant experience...... 1/2 & 1/2.
That said Gamestop.com has NEVER screwed my order up. & never hassle me for cards, preorders, or tell me what's hot or not. They even screw up sometimes & send your Unreal Tournament 3 overnight s&h. When you purchase 3 day UPS!
Also some deals youcan't get ANYWHERE else on Gamestop.com ( Stating the Obvious ) like pre-order deals like $5 Off or Free whatever the deal shipping & handling. Speaking of which. ( Order The Club for PS3 & receive a T-Shirt & $10 Off towards Condemned 2! ) Yeah!!! I'm going to get that "Bonus" on The Club! I AM!!!!! Backoff!
Hah, that's good then. You do the right thing! :)
You have the right to get annoyed...Hell, you have the right to do the STFU thing too.
And as for the Halo::Persona 3 thing? I'd get pretty mad if someone told me Halo 3 was better than Bible Stories on Nintendo for God's sake...
...
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(literally)
-JD
My 1st technical job I ever had was for AOL and when they told us we were going to be pitching free Gas on all calls I was less than pleased. Its hard to have to tell someone they have a hardware issue that you can't help them with then have to try and sell them some BS. I didn't do as much as they wanted me to and just slipped by mentioning just enough to keep the managers happy(had a cool manager by the way).
So I understand Corporate BS and I don't hold it against the game stop employees I just let it go in one ear and out the other. Most of the people I have met at the stores I have been to are like-able people occasionally there are assholes that either have zero knowledge and lie(not knowing and telling the truth is fine in my book) or are too high pressure but you know I have found those types everywhere. And really the real high pressure ones don't last, sells is a art form you have to make people want something if you are going to succeed.
Trust me.
Writing this thing, I stopped half-way through and contemplated deleting everything.
You cant ever really change people's opinions with your own or unless you have HARD facts that their wrong, which theres nothing wrong with of course, we're all entitled.
But I highly agree with you. It's more of MY way of complaining I suppose. After all, what's a blog for?
-JD
But, for better or worse, retail evolves and the days of barren shelves and price guides are long behind us. *Cue sad violin*
Gamestop nowadays? Eh. I like online shopping for almost everything cause malls give me the heebie jeebies.
If your name really is Leon S K something, I'll now begin to feel like a tool.
-JD