I have to vent about this. Today Graev decided that he wanted to give Super Paper Mario for the Wii a try. So we went out to dinner and on the way home we swung by Gamestop. If you don’t already know, their slogan is “We buy and sell used games”. So we get inside and the first thing I notice is the workers goofing off and bragging about the karate moves they can do and how they knocked this guy out and entered a tournament and all sorts of bull you know is made up just to impress the preteen girls hanging around. So right away I was ready to lose my dinner all over the dirty carpet floor.
We get to the counter and begin our attempt at catching the attention of one of the “workers”. He finally slumps over and in what I think might have been slurred mumbled English asks what we need. We tell him we want to buy a copy of Super Paper Mario if they have it. “Let me see if we got that” then he returns asking “Super Mario Paper 2?” …. No we want Super Paper Mario for the Wii… “For the Wii?” he asks.. Yes the Wii – Super Paper Mario for the Wii. So the guy opens his glass cabinet where it appears most of the new titles are at. After rummaging in there for atleast three minutes he comes out with a sleave and a cd and says “let me get the box”….
What the hell? Get the box? This guy actually wanted to sell us an opened game with the cd in a white sleeve that was opened and obviously played as a store display and pawn it as new. We told him no way and walked out making sure others in the store heard us say “What a scam”. I don’t know if any of you out there have ever had similar encounters with your Gamestop stores trying to sell you used games as new but this wasn’t even our first time nor was it just this store trying to run this scam.
Not too long ago we went in to purchase a copy of Pheonix Wright and they tried pulling a similar stunt. We actually believed them that it was just “taken out of the case for security reasons and stored in the back room”. We got the copy home and popped it into the DS to find it already had a save file on it. We called them back demanding to speak to a manager and we wanted a refund. We received our refund and an apology.
BUT that’s not even all. On MULTIPLE occasions we preorder games from Gamestop’s in our town (we have 3 local Gamestops and use all 3) and EVERY time we preorder for the “preorder bonus” we NEVER receive it. We never got our dog tags for bf2142, we never got our Jade empire bonus disc, we never get anything we are entitled to from this company. The list goes on. They provide lousy service and hire the most incompetent employees I have ever seen.
They’ve forever lost two customers and hopefully will continue losing more until they get their act together. Word of mouth is a powerful thing.
[…] But of course I did. If you recall, a few days ago I posted about my horrific trip to Gamestop. I swore I was never going back ever and what’s the first thing I did when I couldn’t find what I needed? Anyway I’ll get to the Gamestop thing in a minute. […]
My wife managed a Rhino video game store for awhile before they got bought out by gamestop. Since then the whole district of Rhino managers, including the district manager have left or been let go. Many under shady gamestop circumstances, most couldnt take the crap Gamestop policy. The whole gamestop operation is TERRIBLE. One Gamestop got robbed at gunpoint, but the guy only stole a system not cash. Gamestop is punishing the female manager that was held-up saying they dont believe it. Talk about a big corporate hug. I could go on… Or you can look up the old Rhino myspace for yourself. Horror stories galore. Seriously… I never thought I’d say this, but buy your games at Walmart. Anywhere but Gamestop.
Tom
I’ve actually been finding my local Best Buy to be vastly superior than the chain used to be. Games are coming out on time, they’re getting more in, and the service is with a smile. So definitely check into Best Buy’s and even Walmarts as Tom said. Target is also moving into the gaming scene more and more these days.
I definitely agree that buying anywhere but Gamestop is your best bet.