Video Game Retailer Inside Secrets

[HardOCP News]

I’m sure that most you have had suspicions about the nine secrets of a video game retailer listed in this article for a long time…but it is nice to finally have confirmation.

Having a game reserved does not guarantee you will get it on launch. We over-reserve games all the time. Systems are even worse. It's an unfortunate fact that, while the pre-order system is useful and helps a lot, any company that guarantees the game if you pre-order it is lying to you. They can't guarantee it, and what's worse, it's often first come first serve for those that did.

 

[GabooN]

Good read, most of the info posted I had already known but I did pick up the “edge” card from GameStop with it a 1 year subscription to Game Informer for a dollar, and I have been doing allot of trade ins so it was worth it for me.

Personally I want digital distribution for all my games but since that isn’t an option yet with consoles I still have to visit my local GameStop…

 

[Riddlinkidstoner]

Unfortunately game retailers aren't alone. So many companies now are forcing profit margins on its employees, using tactics that are less-than-friendly and cornering the customer into something they probably don't need. Now don't get me wrong, some of the things are fairly good if you really read the fine lines. For example: Someone purchases a two year extended replacement plan from us (Staples) for a PDA. Ever two years they get a brand new one, no questions asked, and he continues to get the replacement plan for the next two years and because the price of PDAs goes down the money he got back from his previous PDA covers the replacement plan. Good deal, no? Of course people ask what the catch is...well the catch is the company sends the product back for a full refund so everyone wins but no one profits.

 

[[Spectre]]

That all seems vaguely familiar

 

[DeadlyAura]

I had my suspicions about that kind of stuff, but now its confirmed.

I don't mind GameStop making huge profits off of used games. I often times will buy a used game over a new one because it is cheaper for me. I don't really care if they are making money or not, it's their job to make money.

 

[qkool]

Yeah, I bought used phantom brave for the PS2 for under 20 bucks. The only difference between the new and used is that the used didn't have a plastic seal around it.

I never preorder unless I am guranteed the game delivered to my door or picked up on launch day. Since they usually don't give you such gurantee, I never preorder.

 

[stabilep]

I like going to the gamecrazy near me. The guys there are cool and so far whenever I reserved a system I always got it. Like someone else said: I don't care if they make a huge profit off of used games. I like paying less then the price of a new game for the same exact thing. Gamecrazy near me always makes sure my games are always in top condition and they have a buff machines that they use to buff the discs free before selling them to me. The membership there already paid itself off on the sheer amount of money I have saved on games. Unfortunately I have moved so now I don't go as often as I should

 

[yojimbo]

Ladies and gentlemen, I will confirm EVERYTHING that has been written in the linked article. I worked for GameStop (Software, Etc. when I was employed there), and each statement the author has made is 100% true. I vividly remember how crucial selling reservations, bundling memberships, and all of the other customer-retention bull$#it was, and it actually had something to do with how well you 'performed' as a sales person. That's what pissed me off the most: We were jacking customers by selling them things they didn't want or need, and we were making ourselves miserable by selling out what we loved doing.

It's also true for video/music stores. I worked for Suncoast/Sam Goody as a manager. The sales and performance regimen is practically identical.

Thank frackin' goodness I work for a consulting job that is more concerned with my customer service & satisfaction rather than how much crap I sell...

 

[Nobi125]

I worked at Gamecrazy (like a Gamestop but in a Hollywood Video) for 3 years.

It's basically all true.

Although we never did bundles for console launches.

 

[sc3252]

I took advantage of number four once. I went to a bestbuy, and pirates(side meier) just came out. I wasn't looking to buy it, but I saw the sticker on the box and said $20. There was no way I could pass that up, I picked it up and brought it to the front and tryed to purches it, they rang it up for $50 and I pointed out that it had a $20 sticker on it. They went to the back for a moment and came back and rang it up for $20. I don't believe in karma, so they can suck it.

 

[srangara]

Thank frackin' goodness I work for a consulting job that is more concerned with my customer service & satisfaction rather than how much crap I sell...

That's pretty funny. The consultants where I work are constantly trying to meet the expectations of customers based on promises from Sales. Plug that into your cust sat scores.