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Home retailers updates

Move over, GameStop: Gamestation opens its 250th store in the UK

1:20 PM on 11.26.2008, Colette Bennett 30 comments

Move over, GameStop: Gamestation opens its 250th store in the UK photo
     retailers

People complain about GameStop a lot, but I also notice most of us go there to buy games. While getting some of our favorite games on release day requires going to a games-specific retailer such as GameStop, I know some gamers would prefer to support smaller stores ... but what can you do?

Speaking of corporate chains, Gamestation celebrates the opening of its 250th store this Friday in Meadowhall, Sheffield. The company will also be hosting a party for the press, publishers and partners tomorrow evening, and will offer prizes to the first fifty customers that come to the store on Friday morning.

I'm curious for those of you that live in the UK and go to Gamestation -- do you like it, or do you have the same complaints that American consumers seem to have about Gamestop?

[Via GamesIndustry.Biz]


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greeneggsnsam's Avatar
greeneggsnsam at 11/26/2008 13:27
It used to be awesome. Great trade in rates, really low prices, lots of retro games. Now GAME has bought it, it went SHIT. Exactly the same as GAME under a different brand, now. Fucking sucks.
Citizen Erased's Avatar
Citizen Erased at 11/26/2008 13:31
Gamestation's ok...glad there's one in Meadowhall now...I can finally spend my frekin' vouchers!
Gibbo's Avatar
Gibbo at 11/26/2008 13:31
Oh the old Gamestation. Those were the good days. But GAME had to go and buy them and now it's been ruined.
falinter's Avatar
falinter at 11/26/2008 13:32
looks the same from where im standing.

unless they love not boning people in the bum with trade in prices.
stevephoenix's Avatar
stevephoenix at 11/26/2008 13:37
Gamestation used to be awesome for retro or second hand games,now it just falls in line with every other store which offers pre-owned games.

i once got sonic 2, street fighter 2, mortal kombat and streets of rage for £4.99 can;t beat that.

Blockbuster selling and Game buying was the worst thing to happen to it.

I just go to Game for everything now, unless the supermarkets do their 29.99 deals on new releases. that's how i got gears 2
Rosseh's Avatar
Rosseh at 11/26/2008 13:46
It's just like any store. They started off with some sweet deals to pull you in then started to rip you off slowly, just like Gameplay, remember them? Their trade in prices are usually lower than independant's and ometimes even GAME give you better part-exchange prices.

They got rid of all their retro stuff and their adverts (posters and TV) are so false. While they tend to know more about games than the average GAME employee, they're usually not afraid to let you know their gaming elitist opinion in one way or another. So basically, douchebags.

Most of the time they have some decent deals like 2 for £20 but occasionally they can be tricky and not actually save you any money.

Oh another thing, they're always playing some shitty nu-metal in the one in my town. It penetrates my own headphones and becomes a mishmash of awesome and shite.
Nevermore Burning's Avatar
Nevermore Burning at 11/26/2008 13:53
Ooh cool! But there's already two Games in Meadowhall, unless they're replacing one...

Depending on what I'm looking for, I go to different shops. Game is good for not much, Gamestation's good for deals, but as people have said they've got worse recently, and then I go to independents for my retro-fix.

Worst thing that they did: getting rid of their wide selection of old handheld stock.
Mushman's Avatar
Mushman at 11/26/2008 13:59
Where I live, in bury, Gamesatation is STILL okay, but thwy were much better back in the day.

H
Anus Mcphanus's Avatar
Anus Mcphanus at 11/26/2008 13:59
Gamestation used to sell loads of cool retro games/consoles for a fair price and really cool gaming merchandise. I got some really cool belt buckles from the one in Camden ages ago.

That being said all gamestations look like a car boot sale in someones old garage and smells like an old world war 2 army boot that has never been cleaned
Mushman's Avatar
Mushman at 11/26/2008 14:03
Wait, what happened there??

Any way like I was saying, they were MUCH better than GAME was, but when they got took over by GAME, well let's just say they have had better days.

Heck, they used to sell me 18+ games when I was a kid, thats puts them in my good books!!
Zantetsuken's Avatar
Zantetsuken at 11/26/2008 14:14
My Gamestation (Ipswich) is very good, I managed to find War of The Monsters in there for £20 and the staff are pretty awesome too (my friends older brother works there).
FlammableD's Avatar
FlammableD at 11/26/2008 14:27
Eh, GameStation is OK, not as good as it used to be.

While we're talking about GameStop, I now live in the same city as the (as far as I know) only UK GameStop. After everything I've heard, I haven't so much as set foot in the place, even if the local Computer Exchange is further away.
akathatoneguy's Avatar
akathatoneguy at 11/26/2008 15:03
I actually very rarely buy anything at Gamestop. I don't usually buy used games (unless it's the only way to find one), so I go to Best Buy 90% of the time. I go in to Gamestop to look around sometimes, since they're located by about every Wal-Mart, Target, etc. out here, but I never really buy anything there.
spoot-smeg's Avatar
spoot-smeg at 11/26/2008 15:03
I have got no complaints about gamestation at all I dont really bother going into game anymore unless they have a special offer on. I like the staff in gamestation can hav a good conversation about the games they know what they are doing
Uber Mashu's Avatar
Uber Mashu at 11/26/2008 15:06
It pains me to say it, but Gamestation are indeed a watered down GAME nowadays.
I worked at chateau d'Gamestation for a few years and have left recently. Good riddance (I may sound a little melodramatic, so forgive me!)
I don't dislike GAME. They are/were the Ying to the 'stations Yang! They complemented each other.
Game are the friendly shiny corporate face of retail who'd shake your hand, wear a forced grin and ram the latest offerings down your throat in a desperate bid to show you that they cared.
Gamestation were a more real, indie type of experience who'd appeal to gamers on a more personal level. The smell of urine on the then stained floors felt like home. They had it all. Retro games, Passion, real opinions, pierced faces and baggy jeans.
One or the other may appeal to you. It doesn't matter which. You had a choice.

Unfortunately, the apes wearing the suits didn't take that into consideration. With an "I don't care" attitude, they thought it would be a far more wise decision to alienate most of the Gamestation core audience and cash in on ideas that were more suitable in a GAME environment. The ideas they've implemented in theory may be good, but it sure would be swell if they did it propally at least.

No more retro. It's true. We physically had to destroy a lot of it. (not all mind) My assistant manager looked close to tears and he never shows emotion. It's a sign of weakness!
Warranties. Almost overnight we were expected to change from shy bashful nerds into sale sale salespeople. Clark Kent to Superman. No training. You will not believe the pressure these poor guys are under now.
Preowned Games. Our trade prices dropped significantly whilst our friendly rivals now soared? "Why aren't you doing so well? I dunnae understand!?" they cried.
To counter balance this we trade in any disc, NO MATTER the condition. A repeat customer is a happy customer!

I could spend all day doing this, but my therapist would rather I told him all this at an hourly paid rate. I'm certainly not in Kansas anymore and couldn't be happier!
Half left's Avatar
Half left at 11/26/2008 15:24
My local gamestation used to be superior to GAME in every way. Until GAME bought them. Now they're more or less the same.
SetoChaos's Avatar
SetoChaos at 11/26/2008 15:37
It really depends with Gamestation these days. They used to all be great and generally know what they were talking about until GAME brought them. Now unless you go to some big city they no longer stock retro game which sucks because I used to take a train ride just to look at the retro things when they sold it. The ones that do still sell retro games are great, I hope that doesn't stop.

As for game, well I've already written a really long blog about how corrupt they are so heres a link... http://screwattack.com/node/2199

The shop I prefer is a small one in a town near where I live called Game Exchange. The guy who works there actually plays games, plays games in the shop, knows what he's talking about and has over 140K Gamerscore. No really, he does... http://live.xbox.com/member/Red%20Herb
Mr Wrighty 987's Avatar
Mr Wrighty 987 at 11/26/2008 15:38
Gamestation are cunts! last time i went in (few months back) PS3 games were still £50
Swizzler121's Avatar
Swizzler121 at 11/26/2008 15:46
I haven't for a full year, don't sell them my games either! Thanks to Local gamestore "Game Guy" Walmart and Steam for new releases, and Goozex for trading everything else!
Batthink's Avatar
Batthink at 11/26/2008 15:52
I like the Gamestation in Norwich. The pre-owned deals on 360 games are awesome. ^_^
pheonix-blood's Avatar
pheonix-blood at 11/26/2008 16:18
I WORK FOR THEM, I WORK FOR THEM! I love the old gamestation mentality! <3 they used to have a great attitude towards gamers and gaming and the geek way. since getting taken over by Game its stared changing slowly.
I Predict A Ryan's Avatar
I Predict A Ryan at 11/26/2008 16:20
Game station is awesome. It's alot better than GAME, which is weird seeing as they are owned by the same people. I usually go to the one in Plymouth.
Tremulant's Avatar
Tremulant at 11/26/2008 17:17
They price match and beat any trade in price offered in a ten mile radius. They even add a pound to sweeten it. Also I think as you can get some xb360 games at 4 for 20 the trade in price reflects the low prices on offer.
Jon2309's Avatar
Jon2309 at 11/26/2008 17:21
The one near me still sells Dreamcast games. That's an instant winner in my books.
AIex's Avatar
AIex at 11/26/2008 18:01
Here in the UK, I use HMV as they do 10% student discount on everything including online purchases. They've only just started doing preowned. But I've never been one to buy second-hand games anyway. As far as I'm aware every game specific store has a lot of overpriced stuff.
Grasshopper7's Avatar
Grasshopper7 at 11/26/2008 22:11
Haven't been to one in a while, but it always used to be pretty good. In our high street there was a Gamestation literally about 4 stores down from a Game, so you could see the differences easily and Gamestation always felt the better place to me. Better selection, nicer people. I wonder how much it's changed since being bought by Game? *sighs wistfully*
AClockWorkMelon's Avatar
AClockWorkMelon at 11/27/2008 09:54
Too bad GameStop's biggest in the US. No GameStations here from what I can tell. :(
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