The "I Hate Gamestop" Thread

[purbeast0]

So if you're one of them, why do you keep coming into the thread? Just to complain about the complainers? That makes sense.

This thread started because there was debate in another thread about GameStop's viability. Numerous valid points have been posted to support the questioning of said viability. When a fanboy or two started blindly defending them and the wonder they bring, then personal stories (and stories from the interwebz) of their poor customer service became the focus. It was just the natural course of discussion. So what if people want to vent? It doesn't (need to) affect you and you're no less judgmental than anyone else.

When people complained about Forza's lack of cars/tracks, you ridiculed them for not reading up on Forza beforehand. A week later, you were down on the PS4 because of its line-up. (Did you not read up on it beforehand?)

My point is, if you want to defend GameStop, then defend them directly. Prove the points wrong. Quit trying to shut people up just because you don't like what you're hearing, whether the subject be GameStop, Forza, or whatever else happens to be on your "Like" list. People are entitled to their opinions.

im not complaining about people complaining. i was simply pointing out that a lot of the hate stems from the whole "its cool to hate on gamestop" feel that is going around. just google "hate gamestop" and you will see tons of stories about people hating it.

oh, and i spent $0 on forza, and $0 on ps4, so i actually don't see what you were trying to do bringing that up here. both ps4 and xbox1 hardly have any games now, that is not a secret to anybody, so again, not sure why you are bringing that up here. talking about something != complaining about something.

im not defending gamestop either, i just personally don't have a problem with them. and i have a choice to shop there or elsewhere just like everyone else. it is just tiresome coming to the ATCG forum and constantly seeing the "hate" threads/discussions being the ones that are constantly at the top of the forum. i mean hell, there was nearly a full page (50 posts) of people bitching that the xbox1 is literally 1 inch bigger than the ps4, and that being an actual factor into someones decision as to which console to purchase. it's just sad seeing this forum turn into basically a bitchfest at the start of a new console era.

 

[Fulle]

I don't think the "it's trendy to hate on success" argument applies to Gamestop.

There's definitely common themes when it comes to the complaints. For example, in regards to the "gutting" of new games practice, but I was actually negatively effected somewhat recently.

Basically the circumstances were that Nintendo was running a promotion with Shin Megami Tensei IV and Fire Emblem Awakening, where you get an E-Shop credit if you purchase both games. Target and Bestbuy were sold out of SMT4, so I bought a "new" but opened copy from Gamestop against my better judgement.

Do you think my registration code worked for SMT4 on my "new" copy that was opened?

Haha, of course it didn't. I called Gamestop, but they refused to do anything but exchange the game, and they didn't have a replacement available since it was the last copy. I ended up having to waste Nintendo customer service's time with the issue....

Nintendo was actually very helpful, but Gamestop sure as hell wasn't. And, man, I knew I was making a mistake when I bought that open copy. I just knew it...

So, if I was to say "I really hate how Gamestop sells opened games as new copies", I'm not being a hater because Gamestop is popular. I'm hating on the practice because it can potentially cause people issues, and I'm looking out for my fellow gamers.

It's not like people just make up reasons to hate Gamestop just because they want to be cool on the internet.

 

[smackababy]

Except your complaint with GameStop is "they offered to exchange my used game for a new one, except they had zero in stock (since I purchased the last one)." What exactly would you like them to do in that situation?

Saying "I really hate how GameStop sometimes (if it is the last available copy) sells an opened game as new, despite it never having been used and simply placed behind the counter in a sleeve to prevent theft", then yes you have a valid complaint.

I think the hate on GameStop (and everything else) stems from people feeling entitled and companies not giving that. Look at the hate MS gets for changing policies people were up in arms against. They are even worse because they actually listened to their "consumers", despite quite a few of them on this very forum not buying their product anyway. "I'm going to make a fuss about something I don't intend to buy, because I can!"

 

[gothamhunter]

Except your complaint with GameStop is "they offered to exchange my used game for a new one, except they had zero in stock (since I purchased the last one)." What exactly would you like them to do in that situation?

Saying "I really hate how GameStop sometimes (if it is the last available copy) sells an opened game as new, despite it never having been used and simply placed behind the counter in a sleeve to prevent theft", then yes you have a valid complaint.

I think the hate on GameStop (and everything else) stems from people feeling entitled and companies not giving that. Look at the hate MS gets for changing policies people were up in arms against. They are even worse because they actually listened to their "consumers", despite quite a few of them on this very forum not buying their product anyway. "I'm going to make a fuss about something I don't intend to buy, because I can!"

That basically was his complaint.

 

[Wingznut]

Saying "I really hate how GameStop sometimes (if it is the last available copy) sells an opened game as new, despite it never having been used and simply placed behind the counter in a sleeve to prevent theft", then yes you have a valid complaint. "

That basically was his complaint.

Why don't people who object just say "no thanks" and move on to the next store? I am absolutely puzzled by this.

 

[TerryMathews]

Why don't people who object just say "no thanks" and move on to the next store? I am absolutely puzzled by this.

They would lose their claim to moral outrage?

Fun fact: there is no such thing under Federal law as a "used" diamond. Under our laws, they can claim a diamond removed from a dog's anus is every bit as new as one freshly mined.

If you are the kind of person who orders jewelry to be made, think about that the next time...

 

[Fulle]

The "new" game was opened, and the Nintendo registration code was flagged as already used. Seems like a Gamestop employee must have stolen the code, and although they offered a replacement, the situation caused me quite a bit of inconvenience...

My point was that the policy of selling open games as "new" copies does cause people legitimate problems. It's not complaining about the policy just to jump on the Gamestop "hate bandwagon." Its something that can cause people legitimate problems. So they bring it up as a negative.

It's surprising to me that you actually found an angle to try to STILL defend the policy too. How is wanting to get the full product you purchased as "new" being "entitled" in a negative sense? Of course you are "entitled" to an actually "new" copy of a game, that doesn't have used up codes, if you pay the full "new" price for it.

 

[Fulle]

@Wingznut

What makes you think that I (or others who expressed frustration towards Gamestop in this thread), still shop there?

 

[smackababy]

The "new" game was opened, and the Nintendo registration code was flagged as already used. Seems like a Gamestop employee must have stolen the code, and although they offered a replacement, the situation caused me quite a bit of inconvenience...

So, you hate a policy because a Gamestop employee broke the law? Yeah, that makes sense.

It's surprising to me that you actually found an angle to try to STILL defend the policy too. How is wanting to get the full product you purchased as "new" being "entitled" in a negative sense? Of course you are "entitled" to an actually "new" copy of a game, that doesn't have used up codes, if you pay the full "new" price for it.

You didn't have to purchase the game, knowing it had already been open.

Yes, I agree you are entitled to everything included in a "new" purchase (and were offered a replacement as such).

 

[TerryMathews]

The "new" game was opened, and the Nintendo registration code was flagged as already used. Seems like a Gamestop employee must have stolen the code, and although they offered a replacement, the situation caused me quite a bit of inconvenience...

My point was that the policy of selling open games as "new" copies does cause people legitimate problems. It's not complaining about the policy just to jump on the Gamestop "hate bandwagon." Its something that can cause people legitimate problems. So they bring it up as a negative.

It's surprising to me that you actually found an angle to try to STILL defend the policy too. How is wanting to get the full product you purchased as "new" being "entitled" in a negative sense? Of course you are "entitled" to an actually "new" copy of a game, that doesn't have used up codes, if you pay the full "new" price for it.

Did you know that a dealership can wreck a car, fix it, and still sell it as new?

 

[Fulle]

The policy gives low paid retail employees access to the codes (which is bad), damages the packaging (bad), and sometimes results in lost or damaged packed in content (bad). So, it's bad. Not really a complicated thing here.

I mentioned that I purchased it against my better judgement.... and offering a replacement after a problem already occurred due to a bad store policy, doesn't make things "all better", since the problem still caused me a lot of inconvenience, wasted my time, and wouldn't have occurred at any other retailer, since other retailers keep their new games sealed.

 

[Tweak155]

Pretty valid complaint if you ask me...

 

[Fulle]

@Terry
Well, that's random and way off subject on the car example. A dealer in that circumstance could theoretically sell the car as new, but would have to disclose that it was in an accident.

 

[sze5003]

In this sense also, if you are sold an open game as new and you want to return it, you should get credit for it, if it's the last copy. Obviously if you buy a sealed game and open it, you won't get your refund.

 

[smackababy]

The policy gives low paid retail employees access to the codes (which is bad), damages the packaging (bad), and sometimes results in lost or damaged packed in content (bad). So, it's bad. Not really a complicated thing here.

I mentioned that I purchased it against my better judgement.... and offering a replacement after a problem already occurred due to a bad store policy, doesn't make things "all better", since the problem still caused me a lot of inconvenience, wasted my time, and wouldn't have occurred at any other retailer, since other retailers keep their new games sealed.

The policy "negatives" effect such a small amount of people, the policy (overall) is better. It was implemented to keep boxes on the shelf and not have them stolen. I was in BestBuy the other day picking something up (and looking at TVs) and I noticed the Xbox One games do not exist in box form on the shelves. Instead, they have cardboard cutouts and it says you can pick the game up at the register / customer service. Would you rather Gamestop do that instead? That takes away from the "allure" of going, if you ask me. If I went into a library and only a picture of the books was on the shelves, the library would look strange. I imagine a Gamestop would as well.

Eventually, it will end up like that anyway (due to DD becoming the standard).

 

[Tweak155]

The policy "negatives" effect such a small amount of people, the policy (overall) is better. It was implemented to keep boxes on the shelf and not have them stolen. I was in BestBuy the other day picking something up (and looking at TVs) and I noticed the Xbox One games do not exist in box form on the shelves. Instead, they have cardboard cutouts and it says you can pick the game up at the register / customer service. Would you rather Gamestop do that instead? That takes away from the "allure" of going, if you ask me. If I went into a library and only a picture of the books was on the shelves, the library would look strange. I imagine a Gamestop would as well.

Eventually, it will end up like that anyway (due to DD becoming the standard).

This just screams ignorance. Didn't happen to you or people you know, therefor the policy is better.

How do you even know how many people it affects? And even if you had that number, how can you know how many people care enough to have the actual boxes there?

 

[TerryMathews]

@Terry
Well, that's random and way off subject on the car example. A dealer in that circumstance could theoretically sell the car as new, but would have to disclose that it was in an accident.

Very relevant considering the number of people who maintain that an opened copy is no longer new.

The words you are looking for are relevant analogy. And I believe you are incorrect, at best the dealer may have to disclose if asked but that would vary by locale.

 

[BikeJunkie]

im not complaining about people complaining.

People complained about GS. You're now complaining about them. So...

i mean hell, there was nearly a full page (50 posts) of people bitching that the xbox1 is literally 1 inch bigger than the ps4, and that being an actual factor into someones decision as to which console to purchase.

This is exactly what I'm talking about. What is the point in getting all in a twist just because someone factors into their decision an attribute that you don't care about? A line of discussion isn't illegitimate just because it's not important or interesting to you.

Take me for example: my console needs to sit atop by PC case on my desk, so size is crucial. But because some stranger on the internet doesn't care about that means all of a sudden my concerns are invalid and I should keep them to myself On a discussion forum? About game consoles? No offense, but that's pretty narcissistic.

it is just tiresome coming to the ATCG forum and constantly seeing the "hate" threads/discussions being the ones that are constantly at the top of the forum. i mean hell, there was nearly a full page (50 posts) of people bitching that the xbox1 is literally 1 inch bigger than the ps4, and that being an actual factor into someones decision as to which console to purchase. it's just sad seeing this forum turn into basically a bitchfest at the start of a new console era.

I guess I don't see it as a bitchfest. Gamers are a passionate bunch. You also have to keep in mind the evolution of this thread. It wasn't created by a member, it was spun off by a mod (making it difficult to track how it actually evolved), but it turned into a "GS hate thread" not because of actual GS haters who just decided that today's the day we bring down GameStop on the Internet, but because of one person's fanatical defense of them when a few of us speculated that their business model would be hurt by next gen consoles' embrace of digital distribution. It was in reaction to that over-zealousness that both sides' gloves came off. Again, it's not like anyone has been pedaling anything untruthful.

So like I said, just let people voice their opinions, and if the thread gets you down, ignore it. It's a much simpler solution compared to telling people you don't want them having a particular discussion because you find it uninteresting or depressing.

 

[BikeJunkie]

This just screams ignorance. Didn't happen to you or people you know, therefor the policy is better.

How do you even know how many people it affects? And even if you had that number, how can you know how many people care enough to have the actual boxes there?

How often do we see this on the internet? Gaming, especially, is littered with people of the mindset "it didn't happen to me so it's not really a problem." We saw this profoundly in the early days of the RRoD fiasco with the 360. We even saw it to a degree in the first day or two of the PS4 and the One.

People just don't want their parade rained on, and some are prone to extreme single-mindedness when it happens. "I like GameStop and they've never screwed me over, so anyone who says otherwise is just on an ill-founded hate train."

 

[smackababy]

How often do we see this on the internet? Gaming, especially, is littered with people of the mindset "it didn't happen to me so it's not really a problem." We saw this profoundly in the early days of the RRoD fiasco with the 360. We even saw it to a degree in the first day or two of the PS4 and the One.

People just don't want their parade rained on, and some are prone to extreme single-mindedness when it happens. "I like GameStop and they've never screwed me over, so anyone who says otherwise is just on an ill-founded hate train."

Except the example was "I bought the last copy available anywhere around for a coupon code included that had already been used." How often does that situation ACTUALLY happen? Once per shipment. Now, if this policy was such a wide spread problem, we'd hear a lot more than "the game was opened, omg it isn't new." Those same people don't complain that new car they just bought had 25 miles on it (it was used by someone else omg!).

 

[BikeJunkie]

Except the example was "I bought the last copy available anywhere around for a coupon code included that had already been used." How often does that situation ACTUALLY happen? Once per shipment. Now, if this policy was such a wide spread problem, we'd hear a lot more than "the game was opened, omg it isn't new." Those same people don't complain that new car they just bought had 25 miles on it (it was used by someone else omg!).

You are referring to a VERY small piece of this entire thread; a discussion YOU had regarding one other person's post. This thread covers a LOT more ground than just that, including but not limited to my own firsthand accounts of GS employees ravaging entire shipments of new games. You need to look at the thread as a whole and not just cherrypick one single item you took issue and pose it as evidence that the whole thread is just wanton hate.

 

[Fulle]

*sigh* Yes, I would prefer that Gamestop used mock displays, like BestBuy and other retailers, or adopt alternative anti-theft measures that don't involve gutting new games.

I was giving a specific example on why people may dislike the policy, after the accusation was made that posters were just jumping on the "hate success" train.

I honestly find it unbelievable that this is turning into this long of a discussion about something that has no positive to the consumer.

 

[TerryMathews]

I honestly find it unbelievable that this is turning into this long of a discussion about something that has no positive to the consumer.

Can't read the instruction manual at Best Buy before you buy.

 

[BikeJunkie]

Can't read the instruction manual at Best Buy before you buy.

What instruction manual Games have nothing but codes inside them. Well, unless you bought it at GameStop.

*snap*

 

[Tweak155]

Except the example was "I bought the last copy available anywhere around for a coupon code included that had already been used." How often does that situation ACTUALLY happen? Once per shipment. Now, if this policy was such a wide spread problem, we'd hear a lot more than "the game was opened, omg it isn't new." Those same people don't complain that new car they just bought had 25 miles on it (it was used by someone else omg!).

Proof?