Gamestop CEO Interviewed

[Scout Tactical]

I had this sent to me by a non-gamer, and I thought I'd share it. I don't think I'm alone in disliking some of Gamestop's sleazy tactics, but what I will grant them is that they represent the gaming community well when communicating with outsiders. It's kind of lengthy, coming in at 26 minutes, but feel free to let it run in the background while you browse the forums.

http://video.kera.org/video/1628499501

The CEO did a pretty decent job of explaining things to a non-gamer, and really represented the community well, in my opinion. I think in that regards, it's important to remember that while companies may have greed-driven motivations for certain goals, they may have positive repercussions for everyone. I think GameStop is, much like Nintendo, trying to encourage videogames to become more mainstream in their efforts. While this has obvious economic implications for them, it has great social implications for us.

So, I guess at the end of the day it comes down to something simple: it turns out that Satan himself doesn't run GameStop. Or he has a pretty good disguise. Thoughts?

 

[oplinger]

...wait who thinks satan runs gamestop?

 

[Zyphonee]

I don't live in a country with access to a Gamestop, is it really as bad as everyone on the internet claims it is? It seems like they have just created a system that allows them to keep their economy afloat. I also like how he talks about gaming from the perspective of what the demand is about and what pleases the gamer.

 

[twistedheat15]

I don't live in a country with access to a Gamestop, is it really as bad as everyone on the internet claims it is? It seems like they have just created a system that allows them to keep their economy afloat. I also like how he talks about gaming from the perspective of what the demand is about and what pleases the gamer.

Not really, ppl just like to find something to ***** about no matter how petty it sounds.

 

[JeanLuc761]

I don't live in a country with access to a Gamestop, is it really as bad as everyone on the internet claims it is?

It depends ENTIRELY on which Gamestop you visit. The one I work in is, fortunately, one of the highest regarded in our district. The past week alone, I had three people say that we're the best Gamestop they've ever been in, and they'll never visit any others now.

On the other hand, there's a Gamestop 30 miles away that everyone else would prefer to be demolished due to the horrible customer service.

 

[Googenstien]

I just hate Gamestop because they sell used games making double profits and also when you walk into one and cant actually browse for games - they are all hidden behind the counter. All you see out on the floor are their crappy used games and a small section for each system showing games to pre-order.

 

[Boomah]

I have one and only one issue with gamestop as a whole. The quality of their used games. Back in the day before gamestop bought them all out there was a store called FuncoLand. Basically the SAME exact deal as gamestop with one exception...

If you brought in a game for trade/sale that looked like your dog chewed on then butthole surfed across the floor with it, they would actually REFUSE the trade/sale.

I'm kind of sick of asking for a used copy of a game there, having the employee sift through at least 6-8 copies of the same game before finally choosing one and tossing it in an envelope stating "this looks like the best one." Only then to have me pull it out of said envelope before purchasing, take one look at the bottom of the disc, and say "nevermind."

 

[Scout Tactical]

I have one and only one issue with gamestop as a whole. The quality of their used games. Back in the day before gamestop bought them all out there was a store called FuncoLand. Basically the SAME exact deal as gamestop with one exception...

If you brought in a game for trade/sale that looked like your dog chewed on then butthole surfed across the floor with it, they would actually REFUSE the trade/sale.

I'm kind of sick of asking for a used copy of a game there, having the employee sift through at least 6-8 copies of the same game before finally choosing one and tossing it in an envelope stating "this looks like the best one." Only then to have me pull it out of said envelope before purchasing, take one look at the bottom of the disc, and say "nevermind."

They actually discuss the acquisition of Fun Co in the interview above, as well as some other companies.

 

[Worgen]

I just hate Gamestop because they sell used games making double profits and also when you walk into one and cant actually browse for games - they are all hidden behind the counter. All you see out on the floor are their crappy used games and a small section for each system showing games to pre-order.

what do you expect them to do? give you 45 bucks on a 50 dollar game? that would result in them going out of buisness in a snap, they have to guess how many of that game they will get and how long it will stay in the store or if they will have to pay to get it refurbished or have it shipped to another store and all of that costs money

 

[JeanLuc761]

I just hate Gamestop because they sell used games making double profits and also when you walk into one and cant actually browse for games - they are all hidden behind the counter. All you see out on the floor are their crappy used games and a small section for each system showing games to pre-order.

How does Gamestop make "double profits" with used games when new sales go almost entirely to the developer? Unless you're referring to the fact that the trade in value is often quite low, in which case the reasoning is because used sales pay for the company.

As for the "can't browse for games," what store did you go to? Every single game we have in stock is out on the shelves with the discs behind us in the drawers.

 

[Boomah]

Oh and this latest Dueling Analogs brought the funny.

http://www.duelinganalogs.com/comic/2010/11/01/assplowing-to-the-payers/

 

[Firoth]

I just hate Gamestop because they sell used games making double profits and also when you walk into one and cant actually browse for games - they are all hidden behind the counter. All you see out on the floor are their crappy used games and a small section for each system showing games to pre-order.

How does Gamestop make "double profits" with used games when new sales go almost entirely to the developer? Unless you're referring to the fact that the trade in value is often quite low, in which case the reasoning is because used sales pay for the company.

As for the "can't browse for games," what store did you go to? Every single game we have in stock is out on the shelves with the discs behind us in the drawers.

Yeah, I think this is dependent on where you go. All of the stores around me just keep the multiple copies of the new games behind the counter. There's always a box to represent them out on the wall for browsing.
Also, the customer service is amazing. I go into the store all the time and just chat with them about new games and old games I'm interested in (when it's a slow day of course). They're really cool, and actually know a lot about the games by having played them. Heck, they even remember my name.

 

[MrGalactus]

I like Gamestop, although that could just be because I'm good friends with the dudes that work there.

 

[Kynexy82]

Wonder if they asked about Battletoads?