Fucking Gamestop Selling Fucking Open Fucking Games

[Hitoshura]

I worked at GameStop 2 years ago, believe me I have gutted my fair share of cases and have hated it. I don't know how different the policies and procedures may be today but the way they pushed me to make pre-order quota was beyond frustrating. Not sure if that still applies today to you guys.

[Max™]

It costs money to tell someone. "Hey, this is a copy that was used for display, but it's the last one we have, is that ok?"

It's hard to do that at a job? (Tip: I've worked all fucking kinds of retail, including video game sales) Ya know, serve a customer?

I dunno about every single person, but the general gist I got was people being pissed about not even being informed that it wasn't actually a new sealed copy, which is kind of an important distinction.

NOT about stores using gutted copies, or even selling them.

Just selling them dishonestly.

[Melena]

maybe your stores are weird and run to the backstock to get the gut and re-shrink, but out here, they do it right in front of you If you don't notice them opening the case, opening a drawer, rifling through the guts till they find the right game, put it back in the case, and then hand it to you, it's really your fault for not knowing it's been opened.

[Tyche]

maybe your stores are weird and run to the backstock to get the gut and re-shrink, but out here, they do it right in front of you If you don't notice them opening the case, opening a drawer, rifling through the guts till they find the right game, put it back in the case, and then hand it to you, it's really your fault for not knowing it's been opened.

It's not the customers responsibility to ask/notice if they are being sold a display model, if what Tekki says is true, that they will sell it anyway, what's the harm in asking the consumer if it's OK they get a display model?

[Sho]

maybe your stores are weird and run to the backstock to get the gut and re-shrink, but out here, they do it right in front of you If you don't notice them opening the case, opening a drawer, rifling through the guts till they find the right game, put it back in the case, and then hand it to you, it's really your fault for not knowing it's been opened.

It's not the customers responsibility to ask/notice if they are being sold a display model, if what Tekki says is true, that they will sell it anyway, what's the harm in asking the consumer if it's OK they get a display model?

Because it brings down confidence in the product, lol.

Also known as: "shady business practice." Also extremely doubtful about the 99% happy to 1% unhappy on a whole, between living in GA, NY, and now TX, I've seen quite a bunch of Gamestops and EBs get shut down because of these simple, refused, shady, business practices.

[AzazaelFenrir]

I mean. You could talk about the fact that their exclusive focus on used game sales turns the store into a pawn shop and stops money from reaching the actual developers who actually made the games...

Im with you on this one. But this is an uphill battle. Public demand requires the used sales market, so this is something that will never change. I put up with it b/c its my job to make the customer happy. And most of my customers are happy with saving money. I live in the heart of the middle/low income classes, I understand why they buy used...Tiny text b/c this could be a whole other thread.

I am going to follow the tiny text train here. GS will never ever stop with the used sales. That is the reason they are as huge as they are and doing as well as they are. From a company standpoint it is the perfect scenario. You are in complete control your profit margins with used items, YOU dictate the cost you pay and the cost you sell for. This is the reason my DM would little flip out on stores if their used section looked like trash.

My biggest gripe with the company is more that they (1) treat their employees worse than ever, especially managers (2) insist on hiring DM's and higher from OUTSIDE the company. I just loved having a DM who knew more about shoes than he did video games. Having to explain video game shit to him all the time was a PITA. The former is why I finally left the company. After having emergency surgery to get my appendix out the company expected me to be back to work in two days and got pissed when I couldn't and the doctor wouldn't release me.

[Mugmug]

I agree with Tyche pretty much.

I don't mind them running there business the way they do, but at least let the customers know its a gutted copy.

I don't think theres any excuse to get a "new" game with no booklet, and a beat up case without at least a heads up.... but as some GS employees have said you're paying for the disc, and not the case/instructions right!?!?!?

I'd be quite embarrassed to buy someone a game as a gift only to find it in that shape. It would seem like I just gave them my used copy.

[Norelco]

Let me get this straight. Are the putting the shrink wrap back on the gutted game? If so, why bother, other than to cover up the fact that it's gutted? That's the shady part right there.

[Mulligan]

Let me get this straight. Are the putting the shrink wrap back on the gutted game? If so, why bother, other than to cover up the fact that it's gutted? That's the shady part right there.

In my case, the game they gave me was on the shelf behind the counter where they have all their games. The other copies of devil may cry visibly had the wrapping on them still so when the woman grabbed one i assumed it still did too, so this bitch specifically grabbed a gutted copy that had already been sealed with a sticker. I guess you could say I should have been paying more attention to which copy she grabbed, but every other time I've been offered a gutted game you see them get the game and replace it in the box.

[Max™]

Ah, theres a good point.

If I intended to pay for unknown condition disc, I'd get a used copy.

Paying for new is for the sake of it, for opening it up yourself, and knowing noone else has had their grubby little fingers on it.

Gutted copies don't fulfill that, they're fine, but they sure the fuck aren't a new game is all.

[Acturus]

I mean. You could talk about the fact that their exclusive focus on used game sales turns the store into a pawn shop and stops money from reaching the actual developers who actually made the games...

Im with you on this one. But this is an uphill battle. Public demand requires the used sales market, so this is something that will never change. I put up with it b/c its my job to make the customer happy. And most of my customers are happy with saving money. I live in the heart of the middle/low income classes, I understand why they buy used...Tiny text b/c this could be a whole other thread.

I am going to follow the tiny text train here. GS will never ever stop with the used sales. That is the reason they are as huge as they are and doing as well as they are. From a company standpoint it is the perfect scenario. You are in complete control your profit margins with used items, YOU dictate the cost you pay and the cost you sell for. This is the reason my DM would little flip out on stores if their used section looked like trash.

My biggest gripe with the company is more that they (1) treat their employees worse than ever, especially managers (2) insist on hiring DM's and higher from OUTSIDE the company. I just loved having a DM who knew more about shoes than he did video games. Having to explain video game shit to him all the time was a PITA. The former is why I finally left the company. After having emergency surgery to get my appendix out the company expected me to be back to work in two days and got pissed when I couldn't and the doctor wouldn't release me.

That's classic retail practice though, not just EB/GS stores.

Prior to getting in with Healthcare, I watched several retail companies hire other retail people of a similar level, but PREFER hiring from outside as opposed to promoting from inside.

I worked at a coffee shop where the Asst. Manager that was hired after I transferred was a former Burger King manager. Pissed me off becase we had two very capable supervisors who could have done the job better than that tomato slice counting moron.

[AzazaelFenrir]

In my case, the game they gave me was on the shelf behind the counter where they have all their games. The other copies of devil may cry visibly had the wrapping on them still so when the woman grabbed one i assumed it still did too, so this bitch specifically grabbed a gutted copy that had already been sealed with a sticker. I guess you could say I should have been paying more attention to which copy she grabbed, but every other time I've been offered a gutted game you see them get the game and replace it in the box.

It is possible that they had 3 gutted at one point (for hot title reasons) and then only needed one. I wouldn't automatically assume that she grabbed the one single 'unshrink wrapped copy' to give to you. Of course the world is out to get you so it is possible someone called ahead to say you wanted that game and to prep that specific copy....

[Ivaden]

Opening a new game that has that new game smell is what does it for me, just like new car smell. Buying a new car gives you that sense of satisfaction, especially when you smell that new car smell.

Just throwing that in the pool of analogies in the thread, but that's honestly how I feel about this whole thing. But admit it, you all love that smell of opening a new game case.


That being said, I'm pretty sure back when I bought Dead Rising it was a gutted copy, but I didn't get pissed at the store for not telling me, moreso felt like a dumbass for buying it. I usually buy games online, only very rare exceptions do I go to the store to buy a game, so it's pretty much a non-issue for me.

[Thelam]

Have not read most of the thread but, isn't EBgames and Gamestop the same thing?

[Denchi]

Gamestop can do whatever they want, doesn't mean I can't think it's stupid. I can even assert that regardless of what I think, it IS stupid.

I knew to stop shopping at Gamestop after I worked there, though, so I'm not really sure why I'm bitching.

[Deejay]

I usually only cared that my game was open in the span of time between opening the case and putting it in the system.

[Melena]

maybe your stores are weird and run to the backstock to get the gut and re-shrink, but out here, they do it right in front of you If you don't notice them opening the case, opening a drawer, rifling through the guts till they find the right game, put it back in the case, and then hand it to you, it's really your fault for not knowing it's been opened.

It's not the customers responsibility to ask/notice if they are being sold a display model, if what Tekki says is true, that they will sell it anyway, what's the harm in asking the consumer if it's OK they get a display model?

It's the customers responsibility to ensure the product is what it's supposed to be before leaving the store. I don't even work for the company (worked at Babbages back in 97 and we did this as well and never heard a single complaint). If I buy a burger somewhere, I check it to make sure it's made how i wanted it before I leave. If I buy a new game, I ask them specifically to not give me a gutted copy. If you don't want to put out a little bit of effort, your going to get dicked by a minimum wage slave who honestly doesn't care about your feelings on a game.

[Denchi]

We don't live in India, I shouldn't have to haggle price and check to make sure I'm getting the product I actually pay for. That's fucking retarded.

[SephYuyX]

Obviously youve never dealt with any sort of contract.

If you dont haggle, and make sure all the fucking t's are crossed and the i's are dotted, youre gonna get fucked.

[aurik]

We don't live in India, I shouldn't have to haggle price and check to make sure I'm getting the product I actually pay for. That's fucking retarded.

Can't remember any time where Gamestop employees engaged me in haggling!

You, the customer, are always are responsible for deciding whether you are satisfied with your purchase. If you don't want a gutted game, refuse to buy one. Simple as that. If you don't like their policy of selling the gutted game at full price, refuse to pay full price. I guarantee you they won't have the latitude or motivation to give discounts on mint-condition guts, so be prepared to walk out empty handed (or better yet, shop somewhere else to begin with if you really feel that strongly about it)