- Adamantiumind
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I am such an avid hater of Gamestop.
Some generalizations:
- Their staff are not always fans of video games.
- They are often the only video game store/chain in a given area, and all the stores stock pretty much the same thing.
- That which they do stock is far from compelling or comprehensive (no old (64, SNES, PS1,etc.) games/systems, no rare games, no foreign games).
- They are always trying to sell you more: Pre-orders, the new smash hit, memberships, strategy guides. And the way they do it is aggressive and uncomfortable.
- Developers make content EXCLUSIVELY for their patrons, since Gamestop, because of their saturation, has such high sales. This is pretty much the worst thing ever, when you have fans who are upset about lack of DLC or updates, yet development time went into making a GS exclusive.
- Their return/buyback policy approaches Pawnstar levels of rip off.
- They just throw inventory out (check a Gamestop dumpster sometime).
- Their uniforms are dorky.
Now for an anecdote:
A few weeks ago, I went to buy a used, refurbished xbox 360 for Halo 4. I asked specifically, "Will I be able to play this game tonight?" They assured me that I would be fine. I bought controllers and everything.
After they are ring me up, the employee said, "Alright, and here is your rewards card, let me show you how to set up your account." I am not kidding, the guy actually charged me for a membership card without asking, and I did not even realize it had cost me anything until I got home. I am 99% sure that is illegal.
So, I get home. Out of the box, the 360 red rings. I call them (there is no way I can get back there before they close, and even though I live in a major metropolitan area, they are still the only chain that is anywhere near where I work), and the guy says "huh, it was in a green box, that should mean it was tested!" Well. I guess it wasn't.
I go back the next morning, lugging this doorstop of a console with me, and they trade it out and test it no problem (that part was admittedly stress free), and I hit the road. When I get home, guess what I cannot play because I do not have the hard drive space to download the multiplayer disc???? These people assured me that I would be able to play outright, this one game, and they were ignorant of the reality of the situation.
This whole event showed me 3 things:
1) Their guarantees do not hold water.
2) They are unscrupulous.
3) They do not know the products they are selling.
I have been buying the occasional game from Gamestop for almost ten years. In my hometown, there are thankfully some great alternative stores, and I use them. In the last 4 years of me living in this city, I have not had ONE positive experience at a Gamestop.