RF Generation Message Board

The other day, I was calling a BUNCH of GameStop Stores looking for the 360 Game, Import Tuner Challenge. I eventually managed to track it down, and proceeded to go out and purchase it. They told me it was in "great shape", and to my surprise, the disc was cracked, and there was a bunch of white stuff right in the center where the disc hole is. What the hell? How is that "great shape"? Has this ever happened to you? And more importantly, how could someone get hired at a store with that kind of stupidity?

Minimum wage, and you can treat them like crap. If they decide to quit or not show up, there's always another to fill in the position. Enough said.

^ Pretty much what Shadow said, they are there to collect a paycheck. Don't overly know much about the games themselves. Of course there are employees who know what they are talking about, but it seems the number that don't outnumber the ones that do.

My wife has put numerous GameStop employees in their place when they mistake her for an uninformed woman that only plays casual games. Last time, some employee was trying to recommend some POS title to an uninformed lady because the title wasn't selling, and my wife made sure to inform her of what it was actually like. Lady left in disgust and the GameStop employee asked us to leave. Unfortunately for him, I know the manager at the store and he was replaced the next day.

It helps when most of the GameStop managers in the area are former co-workers.

After working for Gamestop for 7 yrs on and off ( multiple times) the stories I could tell. When you get paid min wage and the company wants everything for that price you end up with people who dont care. That and the fact MOST work there just for the discount on games.

Ive noticed in my location before my store closed alot of people were like me in the fact they liked what they liked and knew very little about anything outside of what they personally liked. Just showing up for the discount kinda goes with the territory when the company really offers you NOTHING else for part time or even full time non store managers. Add to this going from a cashier, to a key holder is 25 cents difference makes working harder and going further seems less interesting for more young people. Most everyone at my old store played video games during their shift. 2 guys had red solo cups with them at all times ( You guess what was in the cups) one made weapons out of shelf hangers with a ton of rubber bands.

I agree though looking at a disc and seeing if its scratched or in good shape should be common sense and honestly should have been done when the stuff was being either traded in OR when it was coming in from another store in shipment.  When I was there the company wanted a certain % of trade ins accepted so even bad CDs were to be considered , taken and marked to be shipped out to our warehouse for refubishing. This of course would be at a 20% less trade in to the customer.

I hate when that happens :/

You know gamestop.com has a store locator for games right?

I don't know what good they do but I always fill out the surveys and give details at tellgamestop.com.

I find that if I'm polite and tell the clerk right away that I'm looking for stuff in complete and good condition, they are mostly accommodating.

Sure I have my share of horror stories but for how seldom I go there, I must just be lucky to usually run into nice employees. 

It isn't always that accurate. In my area it almost always says NONE or LOW STOCK and then they suggest you call ahead.

EDIT
Of course whenever i am looking for some piece of shit game that sold terribly so that could certainly be part of the problem...

the worst i've had was a copy of Tom Clancy's Endwar for PC. i wasn't interested in starting it right away and when i did (happened to be past the return policy), it worked for singleplayer but the multiplayer said my key wasn't able to authenticate/was invalid. so the key was most likely either swiped by staff or a customer, but i didn't bother doing anything about it because it was so long after buying and i think i had lost the receipt too. now i never buy PC games from them unless it's a pre-order, or definitely sealed. i'm also sceptical about buying games with an online pass, but i haven't had a problem with those yet.

only minor complaint about the service itself was buying gears of war 2, the copy i grabbed off the shelf was complete, and when i opened it at home the manual was gone. they must have swapped copies when i wasn't looking for whatever stupid reason. there are also times that are a little more understandable, staff not getting why i want things to match up for used games. like one time i wanted a psp game and the box i grabbed was for the original release, but they only had a greatest hits behind the counter. the girl was putting it in and i asked if they have the matching one and she said "what's the difference? is there extra content on the greatest hits version?" and i said no but had to explain that i just want everything to match, she didn't really get it. didn't buy that one :P.

The problem with store locators is that with older games, it doesn't tell you whether or not the game has an insert or manual. And good luck finding an employee who is honestly going to take the time to check for you. I'd be happier if they listed this out.

Also, I hate buying opened "new games." It's not new if it's opened. I have no problem with paying the used price or the used price with a slight increase.

My disgust with places like Gamestop is pretty much the reason I own no current generation systems.

i really hate this too, but if it looks in really good shape and it's one i plan on playing i usually put up with it. definitely agree though, besides pre-orders, gamestop/EB doesn't sell anything new.

I'm the same way, and will buy it if I really want it.  If it's a Wii game, just be weary that your Nintendo Club points flyer or other materials may be missing.....

But it gives you places to call.

Their refurbishing sucks to, mine had to furnish me a PSP because one of the shoddy replacement casings they use to refurbish UMDs tore the drive up.

The only reason I visit my local Gamestop is because an old buddy is the manager, and he will treat me right when he is there. I've run into the thing with other employees where you give them one box, but they swap it for another behind the counter. On the odd occasion I buy there I always check before I walk out.

I really don't see the need to visit Gamestop that often these days due to online sales and Gamefly used sales.

My pawnshops are so well stocked with relatively new titles in like new condition for $10 I rarely have to go you there anymore either.   

Ill tell you something you might know or not know. The new opened copies get loaned out to the employees after 14 days of release. This is to help them know the product IF they want. But basically it's to borrow games for fun. I've seen new copies get loaned come back flawed. I go to sell it with full disclosure and get written up for being honest. Then the manager wouldn't discount it to used 44.99 from 49.99 due to the flaw.  Go figure. Figured the gaming world show be aware when they buy new opened copies

When i worked at GameCrazy new used games were not the norm yet. So when some guy wanted to by the last copy of a game and it had been opened for instore use he threw a shit fit.

He must not shop at Gamestop now.

That being said i don't buy "Gamestop" new.
I will buy GameFly "used". They always come in like new condition and with all inserts and DLC/online passes unused.

Honestly never had a problem with Game Stop up here in MN. I don't try to buy new games too often but when I do I usually preorder it and get it still in it's wrapping. The staff's friendly and I don't really depend on others for information about games so I don't run into problems that often.

I buy 98% of my 360/PS3 games this way, and Gamefly was nice enough to e-mail me an online pass code for Battlefield 3 when I rented it.. 

I haven't been in a Game Stop since they stopped selling used PC games. That might even have been EBGames...

Just cause you work at a game store doesn't mean you like games.

Crazy huh?

i haven't worked there so i can't say, but they must intentionally look for people who play games at least. even with the dumb people we've talked about here, most of the employees i see at EB/gamestop are always talking about the games with the customers and recommending similar ones that they enjoyed. i think it must be part of their job description to have at least a basic knowledge about the games they're selling. the dumb ones we've dealt with are probably those that are just too lazy or don't care.