My local EB (Fairmount, N.Y.) always holds games for me on release day even if I don't pre-order as long as I get to the store before closing. For that reason alone, I like that store a lot.
It's a plus that the sales help is friendly, and the manager is a very personable, knowledgable guy.
Guess my EB is the exception.
Take care,
PK
Are EBs and Gamestops becoming irrelevant?
Moderators: Bill_Abner, ScoopBrady
If Gamestop/EB Games (both the same company now) stores don't start changing their ways, they aren't going to be around too much longer. Yes, there was a day where these "specialty" stores were the best places to shop if you were a hardcore gamer because they did get the games sooner than larger stores like Best Buy, Circuit City, and Target.
However, the big boys aren't oblivious and now know that the videogame industry is huge right now. It used to be where they would have videogames shipped to their distribution centers first, then sent on their trucks a couple days later to the stores. But now, these big companies are having these videogames drop shipped directly to the stores, the same process that Gamestop and EB Games uses.
Preordering used to work for Gamestop and EB Games. Now, preordering doesn't make sense. The last time I preordered a game was Links 2004 at a Gamestop. Well, they didn't get the game in the day other stores got it in. I walk into Best Buy, they had plenty of copies. I bought one there, and never preordered a game since. I find it comical now where Gamestop and EB Games tries to scare customers if they don't preorder. If they don't order enough copies to satisfy demand, then that is their loss.
The only positive I see going to an EB Games or Gamestop now is if you do want to trade in some games for credit, but even that has gotten to be a joke. I rarely trade my games back now. Simply not worth it. Instead, I have just cut back on my videogame purchases, or wait until they go on sale.
Like pk said, there are certainly EBs and Gamestops that seem to be the exception. If you find one with knowledgable employees, I'd gladly do business there, as I have fun chatting with them about gaming. But I despise when these places start badmouthing one system over the other, especially when 98% of the spew is lies.
EB Games and Gamestop need to act quickly if they expect to stay in business. I've always thought that these stores would benefit more if they had a few copies of games available to rent. If the customer decides they like the game, they could buy it. As a rental fee, these stores could charge $2 a day or so. If they decide to buy, credit a dollar a day back toward the purchase. Also, they have online stores. They should set something up similar to a Gamefly. If they don't find a different way to do things, we'll be seeing alot of their stores vacant before too long.
However, the big boys aren't oblivious and now know that the videogame industry is huge right now. It used to be where they would have videogames shipped to their distribution centers first, then sent on their trucks a couple days later to the stores. But now, these big companies are having these videogames drop shipped directly to the stores, the same process that Gamestop and EB Games uses.
Preordering used to work for Gamestop and EB Games. Now, preordering doesn't make sense. The last time I preordered a game was Links 2004 at a Gamestop. Well, they didn't get the game in the day other stores got it in. I walk into Best Buy, they had plenty of copies. I bought one there, and never preordered a game since. I find it comical now where Gamestop and EB Games tries to scare customers if they don't preorder. If they don't order enough copies to satisfy demand, then that is their loss.
The only positive I see going to an EB Games or Gamestop now is if you do want to trade in some games for credit, but even that has gotten to be a joke. I rarely trade my games back now. Simply not worth it. Instead, I have just cut back on my videogame purchases, or wait until they go on sale.
Like pk said, there are certainly EBs and Gamestops that seem to be the exception. If you find one with knowledgable employees, I'd gladly do business there, as I have fun chatting with them about gaming. But I despise when these places start badmouthing one system over the other, especially when 98% of the spew is lies.
EB Games and Gamestop need to act quickly if they expect to stay in business. I've always thought that these stores would benefit more if they had a few copies of games available to rent. If the customer decides they like the game, they could buy it. As a rental fee, these stores could charge $2 a day or so. If they decide to buy, credit a dollar a day back toward the purchase. Also, they have online stores. They should set something up similar to a Gamefly. If they don't find a different way to do things, we'll be seeing alot of their stores vacant before too long.
I find it a bit annoying always been asked if I want to pre-order another game at Gamestop and EB. But they have to ask customers that or they get fired, right?
I have only ever pre-ordered one game from Gamestop. That was Xenosaga II, and I only pre-ordered it so I got the bonus DVD with all the cut scenes from the first game. But the big stores like Best Buy didn't have that bonus DVD available, so Gamestop really served a purpose for me on that occasion
I have only ever pre-ordered one game from Gamestop. That was Xenosaga II, and I only pre-ordered it so I got the bonus DVD with all the cut scenes from the first game. But the big stores like Best Buy didn't have that bonus DVD available, so Gamestop really served a purpose for me on that occasion
I couldn't agree more with this post. The one thing that I find to be the biggest kicker for me is the return policy for these stores. I can understand not returning a used game, but accessories shouldn't be that big of a deal.
I had bought a PSP for a business trip and a case to keep it protected. The case ended up not having all the items advertised on the box and was a big disappointment. The damn store wouldn't return it. They said once the packaging was open that they would not take it back. Nothing was missing and everything was put back in exactly how I had found it. From that debacle, plus a couple others, I will never shop there again.
How can a store have a ZERO return policy?!?!?!
I had bought a PSP for a business trip and a case to keep it protected. The case ended up not having all the items advertised on the box and was a big disappointment. The damn store wouldn't return it. They said once the packaging was open that they would not take it back. Nothing was missing and everything was put back in exactly how I had found it. From that debacle, plus a couple others, I will never shop there again.
How can a store have a ZERO return policy?!?!?!
Not to belabor the point, but I was out last night and went to a few Gamestops and EB's. I also went to BestBuy, where I got one of the Datel 360 memory managers (not available in any of the 4 game stores i visited yesterday).
When I was in EB, I was thinking that if I owned a game store and I had access to high speed internet, I would have a 360 running in the store and download the online previews and stuff from E3 and have them running on a TV the entire time the store is open. I would also download all the information I could about the PS3 and the Wii, and would put together a fact list for customers to see. The biggest week of the year for the gaming industry should get some play in the game stores. I did notice that ToysrUs at least put together a fact sheet about the PS3 and posted it on the PS2 kiosk.
When I was in EB, I was thinking that if I owned a game store and I had access to high speed internet, I would have a 360 running in the store and download the online previews and stuff from E3 and have them running on a TV the entire time the store is open. I would also download all the information I could about the PS3 and the Wii, and would put together a fact list for customers to see. The biggest week of the year for the gaming industry should get some play in the game stores. I did notice that ToysrUs at least put together a fact sheet about the PS3 and posted it on the PS2 kiosk.
Badgun's post made me laugh. These "associates" try have tried the same tatics on me. There seems to be a fundamental problem with the "culture" of the company as Ive experience the same types of problems in every store I visit.
At this point Ive learned to lower my expecations and just ignore the associates that work in these stores. Of course I dont buy much from them anymore either. Typically I just use the stores to browse around while my wife is shopping elsewhere.
At this point Ive learned to lower my expecations and just ignore the associates that work in these stores. Of course I dont buy much from them anymore either. Typically I just use the stores to browse around while my wife is shopping elsewhere.
Anyone know if EB honors Gamestop's 10% Value Card now they're the same company? Today my wife bought a used copy of Chibi-Robo for the GameCube for $40 from an EB in the local mall. When we got back to the car, I noticed the plastic bag the game came in had the Gamespot logo on it. So that made me wonder if we could have saved $4 by showing our Gamestop Value Card.
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ScoopBrady
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Mine too. The manager is really cool and a couple of the employees are as well. They know my brother and I and they treat us well.pk500 wrote:My local EB (Fairmount, N.Y.) always holds games for me on release day even if I don't pre-order as long as I get to the store before closing. For that reason alone, I like that store a lot.
It's a plus that the sales help is friendly, and the manager is a very personable, knowledgable guy.
Guess my EB is the exception.
Take care,
PK
I am a patient boy.
I wait, I wait, I wait, I wait.
My time is water down a drain.
I wait, I wait, I wait, I wait.
My time is water down a drain.