Gamestop (or other Video Game Retailer) Stories of ...

[kanyatta]

I live in Wisconsin and work at a movie theater. I am in GameStop around once a month-ish, and I'm not all that talkative, yet somehow, every employee recognizes me and knows my name whenever I go in the store (I'm not that far from 'average' in appearance, so I must have made a stunning first impression with people that I'm not aware of).

MADDEN 09

Anyway, I just got back about 5 or 6 hours ago, and was browsing through Wii games (side note: I bought No More Heroes, fun game) and anyway, they have the big Madden 09 poster and a few people walk in (being that I live in Wisconsin) and say "OH LOOK! BRETT FAVRE!!" and the person behind the counter says "Oh, would you like to pre order it?" and the customers reply "Oh, well, I don't actually own any video game systems other than an N64, but... I'll get it anyway." and he pays for the game in full on the spot, I guess just to put it on a pedestal and worship #4.

THE ORANGE BOX

Close to a year ago now, I was in Best Buy looking for the Orange Box on PC. For the life of me I couldn't find it, so a 30-something year old blonde walks up to me and asks if I need anything. So I say "Yeah, do you guys have the Orange Box for PC?" and she just gives me the strangest look and says "Umm... I guess we have some cardboard boxes in the back if you want them?" While she said this, I noticed the last copy on the shelf behind her, and just said "No thanks, don't bother", picked up the game and walked to the register.

Another part of this story, Orange Box is rated T-M (since it has 5 games of various ratings), and I had recently turned 17, so I could purchase it without my parents. I went up to the register, ready to whip out my driver's license, and I get carded, and it's all good. I go 2 weeks later and pick up the special edition DVD of Saving Private Ryan, and expecting to get carded again, since it is rated R, they decide to skip it.

GENERAL THEATER FACTS EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW

When you get your ticket, the theater you're in is printed in big bold letters on the bottom of the ticket and is read TO YOU by the person who ripped it. Although ~45% of people ask an associate what theater they are in.

Our 6"x36" neon marquees display what is showing in that theater and the time it is, and also which number theater it is in. They flash and are bright colors for a reason. Look at them, and any mystery about where you should be will be solved.

If you clearly look ~13 and try to get in to Saw IV, I will laugh and sell you a ticket to Veggie Tales.

No, I cannot give you a discount on concessions. Yes, I know they are incredibly expensive. That's why I don't even buy them when I go to see movies.

Don't try to tell me I am wrong about where Theater #6 (or whatever) is located. I've poured thousands of hours into this place over the last 2 years, I know where it's located.

(I know I don't work in an electronics retailer, I just needed to vent a little about my job and this seemed to be the best place. Also, everyone goes to see movies, so I'm sure you all can take a little something away from this.)

 

[ChildofGallifrey]

My game store of choice is called GameWare. GameWare is a locally owned franchise in Baton Rouge, LA, and also specializes in anime, game action figures (I've got a nice FF7 Play Arts collection going), wallscrolls, plushies etc. I'm really good friends with all the employees there, so they let me come and just hang out a lot of the time. I was hanging out there just this afternoon when some kid walks up to the register and asks my friend Renee if they would accept GameStop gift cards. She asked if it was a mall gift card (one of the stores is in the mall, so the mall card would have been acceptable), and the kid said "No, it's just a regular card." Renee politely tells him that they can't accept his card, and he got mad and huffed off.

I'm not sure, but after that he probably tried to go shop at Target using a Wal-Mart card or something......

 

[mark_n_b]

4) Irony: Our 360 has died like 4 times, the Wii like 3 times. PS3 doesn't break.

That I love. It's like... deep... or something.

My rage at E/B staff often times knows no bounds, I dislike the way that I tend to get talked down to by so many. And I really hate those E/B (or Gamestop) employees who just don't give a royal (insert profanity beginning with F here). So many think you're such the game playing loser who is either "fanboy uninformed" or "geeky unemployed" (ussually this depends on whether they are a gamer themselves or just some kid that filled in an opening)

The Vancouver Pac Center crew has earned a couple of gold stars from me.

I sometimes try to track down old titles I missed due to funding / time issues. I was on the hunt for Odin's Sphere eons after its release, and it was one of those games that was destined to get a low ship rate. Could not find a copy in the store. Grabbing a couple other games I decide to ask at the register, I had already resigned myself to not being able to find the game, but, y'know, it couldn't hurt.

Turns out that there is one copy left in stock. Awesome, let's find it. Well, it would have to be the one whose case was displayed on the shelf. The disc is acquired quickly, but the case is no where to be found.

Now I am huge on the full package, I want the case, I want the manual. Yeah I know where GameFAQs is, but I still buy strategy guides frequently. I take pride in the visual quality of my game collection. So being unable to find the case (it was probably stolen by one of those stupid thieves) was a huge bummer for me. I still wanted the game (it is Odin's Sphere) but... So they grab a replacement generic case to house the game and I explain my disappointment (It is two guys giving me a hand at this point) and one of them says "No, I totally get it, it's all part of the whole collection aspect of it."

That is exactly it. So they offer a 15% discount on the game (never owned) and told me they would keep an eye out for the case. A few days later I am in the mall again and I pop by and ask if anyone had discovered an Odin's Sphere case, to which they say no.

Too bad.

Two weeks after that I am in buying some other stuff, and one of the guys says , "weren't you looking for a missing case?"

Voila, the case and manual and all those groovy things I like so much are offered to me right there. That is an example of awesomeness.

 

[JC123]

MADDEN 09
Anyway, I just got back about 5 or 6 hours ago, and was browsing through Wii games (side note: I bought No More Heroes, fun game) and anyway, they have the big Madden 09 poster and a few people walk in (being that I live in Wisconsin) and say "OH LOOK! BRETT FAVRE!!" and the person behind the counter says "Oh, would you like to pre order it?" and the customers reply "Oh, well, I don't actually own any video game systems other than an N64, but... I'll get it anyway." and he pays for the game in full on the spot, I guess just to put it on a pedestal and worship #4.

It's weird, but surprisingly common - my friend has upsold quite a few people an entire console when they just wanted the game. And yeap, does give the weird idea of "What the hell were you going to do with it without the console?"

Working at the store can have it's benefits. The same friend who works at an EB managed to score a pre-order copy of Crisis Core for PSP (normally $80 AUD or so) with a sneaky trade-in...The store was offering it free with 4 games traded in, and my friend happened to find 4 crappy PSP games being sold used at $4 each. $16 for Crisis Core, not bad at all. Unfortunately when I tried to pull the same trick after he told me, they were out of those cheap used games.

 

[TheKbob]

There are many sub limitations to trade in deals due to the hijinks of Gamestop Employees

Some neat things about working there:

I get discounts on Microsoft Points and Xbox Live. I would sub sequentially get the same on Wii Points and Sony PSN Moolah when those cards start getting pressed.

We do tend to get first dibs on interesting tid bits that walk through the door. I got one of those metal Xbox 360 carrying cases that run $40 to $60 for... $7. Xbox 360 VGA cable, normally $40,... for $7.

We do get to rent games. I stick to primarily used. This has allowed me to play games I wouldn't have normally touched and re-affirms me on games that I feel are overhyped (IE, it saved me $50 from not buying GTAIV, but didn't save me the $50 from NG2. NG2 was fun, but the great combat is completely overweighed by no story, too much projectiles/explosion, bugs, and slow down).

We do shop and trade at our own store. Most, if not all, of us have Subs to GI w/ cards because having 25% of used stuff is very nice.

We do not get discounts on new hardware. Zunes and Consoles, unless used, must be purchased at full price.

Important one THERE IS NOW A DISCOUNT IN OUR SYSTEM FOR SHOP WORN ITEMS. If something is in a broken package, a guide with a ripped cover, a game with a faded case from sunlight, or if a case has been stolen, we can offer 10% off. Note: If you are found to be abusing this you will most likely pay full price and be asked to never return to said store. Most likely other stores around the area will be called with and notified of yourself and be watched for. If it's a really bad day, the manager may call the police for shop lifting.

We are not on commission. No money made from sales. Your job being on the line being based upon Subs and Pre-orders is only a half truth. Raises and the hours you get/manager liking you can be based around that, but a good store will use the Team based mentality as the overall numbers make the manager look good. Therefor our store aims for customer loyalty to get the #s instead of force-feeding tactics.

I really don't have any more stories that come to mind that are that amusing. I have stories about fellow employees but that's not nice to share those. If anything interesting leaps out at me, I'll share. If you guys have any questions you always wanted to ask a Gamestop employee, do so. Just skip on the "HOW DO I GET A JOB THERE?!?" type stuff. Simple thought on that one can really iron it out.

 

[AntiAntagonist]

GENERAL THEATER FACTS EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW

When you get your ticket, the theater you're in is printed in big bold letters on the bottom of the ticket and is read TO YOU by the person who ripped it. Although ~45% of people ask an associate what theater they are in.

Our 6"x36" neon marquees display what is showing in that theater and the time it is, and also which number theater it is in. They flash and are bright colors for a reason. Look at them, and any mystery about where you should be will be solved.

If you clearly look ~13 and try to get in to Saw IV, I will laugh and sell you a ticket to Veggie Tales.

No, I cannot give you a discount on concessions. Yes, I know they are incredibly expensive. That's why I don't even buy them when I go to see movies.

Don't try to tell me I am wrong about where Theater #6 (or whatever) is located. I've poured thousands of hours into this place over the last 2 years, I know where it's located.

(I know I don't work in an electronics retailer, I just needed to vent a little about my job and this seemed to be the best place. Also, everyone goes to see movies, so I'm sure you all can take a little something away from this.)

You might like Multiplex. I think they have a sub-forum for people that work at theaters too.

Great stories everyone! Keep em comin!

 

[TheKbob]

Something from this weekend:

So I have a new DS now and I love "The World Ends with You", but I REALLY want FF Tactics A2, as well, but I'm waiting. This guy comes in, nosing around, and then finally looks to me and asks if we have any copies of... FFTA2! I'm like, "Yes!, 2 left!" and I grab a box for him and show it. He likes the looks but then sees the price tag (It's a $40 DS game, but it's well worth the price due to length, same with TWEWY) and just says he'll look around.

So I go back to staring off into space or something and he finally comes back up with... Final Fantasy III? I'm like Ok and I ring it up... out of now where he says:

"I Don't have the money for A2. I get paid Friday, I'll get it then"

I'm like,.... ok. I see the system offers up a used copy of FFIII. I tell him we have it and that it's 17.99 vs 19.99. He's like "Yah, yes."

So I grab it... then I tell him "OK, this is a standard type RPG, turn based. No strategy grid and this remake is harder than hell. Expect to die to learn strategies or look them up".

He stops, looks at me in all seriousness and says

"It's Ok. I Play World of Warcraft"

I just stare and keep ringing. The guy working next to me is doing his best not laugh. As soon as he walked out, we were like oh my...

XD

 

[Rath709]

I would like to hear some stories from GAMETRADERS ROBINA.

 

[ChicagoDon]

In 1996, a man came into the EB that I worked at with a broken PS1. He had purchased a replacement policy so the employee started working on the paperwork to replace the system. He asked what was wrong with the system.
"I shot it." the customer replied.
Taking the system out of the box, it was clear that it had indeed been shot. Suddenly the employee had no idea what to do. He had previously replaced policy-covered systems that people had thrown or spilled drinks into without batting an eye. This time, however, he felt the need to have someone in authority OK the replacement. Neither the manager or assistant manager was there at the time, so he called the home office. A few minutes later he had the regional manager on the line. The employee filled him in on the situation and asked him what he should do.
The regional manager said "So the man in your store got upset at a videogame system..."
"Uh-huh" confirmed the employee.
"and he shot it. With a gun..."
"Yes, sir."
"Of course you give him a new one!"
Later, that system was returned to the Home Office. Since it could not be sent back to Sony, the regional manager kept the system in his office as a trophy.

 

[SteinFaust]

The regional manager said "So the man in your store got upset at a videogame system..."
"Uh-huh" confirmed the employee.
"and he shot it. With a gun..."
"Yes, sir."
"Of course you give him a new one!"
Later, that system was returned to the Home Office. Since it could not be sent back to Sony, the regional manager kept the system in his office as a trophy.

oh wow that was a good one! got a good laugh out of it-- lot's of har's and heehee's. thank you good sir!
i have a story about a cheap game.
in late 2002, NHL2002 was worth a penny.
what? that's it.

 

[TheKbob]

i have a story about a cheap game.
in late 2002, NHL2002 was worth a penny.
what? that's it.

Crap man, you should have bought a lot of them. Cheapest CD cases + coaster sets ever

 

[SteinFaust]

i have a story about a cheap game.
in late 2002, NHL2002 was worth a penny.
what? that's it.

Crap man, you should have bought a lot of them. Cheapest CD cases + coaster sets ever

meh, there were only 2 and one was a fubar'd disk in a paper sheath. i got some good hours of gameplay though and i got to create a team of die ubermenchen with their stats all maxed out and made in the likenesses of myself and all of my friends. ah, i have never seen a hockey game with a score of 25-0 in the first period before that.

 

[zachbob2]

I was in NC and went to buy Call of Duty 2. I had only enough money to buy the game, but I really wanted the extra version (Love extra historic stuff) but bought the normal. when I opened the case I had gotten the extra version!

 

[Zera]

Damn, I take a couple month haitus and I miss topics like these(I'll never get my reputation back now). Well anyways despite being a former employee, I dont really have any interesting stories save one or too, but if ya wanna hear'em select one.

Robber aint going far
The Blackout
The game eating brothers
The Storm
The Halo release
The Stench of Death

oh and great stories from all of ya, I can relate

 

[Shade Jackrabbit]

The Game Eating Brothers sounds good, though I have a bad feeling about what it involves...

 

[dukethepcdr]

These stories remind me of why I hope that I never work as a retail associate again. I've worked at four different stores and had some good days and some bad days. I've had some bad days like the stories on this thread. They made me want to flat out quit that day. I didn't though and stuck it out untill a better job came along. Now as a customer who has been on the other side of the equasion, I try even harder to be respectful and friendly to the store associates. I know what a tough job it is.

I'll give you one quick one from my days at Circuit City. I worked in the PST section which is video games, music, movies and pretty much everything else that doesn't have it's own department. As those of you who have worked retail know, prices change every now and then. They go down for a week or two for a sale and go back up again. Then eventually go on a clearence sale when they are being phased out. On inventory day, you have a lot of stuff to do before the store opens including changing the price tags. As associates are human beings, they occasionally miss something. At Circuit City, you can purchase stuff at the front counter or in the departments. One day, a guy brought an older game up to me to buy. I scanned it and it came out at the regular price. The customer is standing right there behind me at the kiosk so he can see the screen too. He says "No, that's not the right price. It's on sale." I check the sale flier and the game is not in it. We go and look at the shelf where the game belongs and an old, expired sale tag is sitting on the runner on the shelf below where the game belongs. The expiration date is clearly marked on the sale tag. I point that out to the customer and appologize for the confusion. The customer says "No, you have to give me the game at that price since it's there." Then I notice that the correct tag is also on the self but is a few inches down to the side of where the games are. I point this out to the customer and explain that someone missed removing the old tag and that the correct price is posted. (All Circuit City tags state the name of the product they are for above the price). He still insists on getting the old sale price. I have to call my manager and let him explain it to the customer. The manager comes over and explains the situation. He's a nice guy and appologizes for the mistake. He offers to give the customer a discount on the game that he would normally use for defective merchandise. He looks up what that would be and it's just a few cents different than the old sale price. This isn't good enough for the customer though. Oh no. He rants for a bit about incompitant people in these stores these days and leaves in a huff. We waste a good 40 minutes all because they guy wanted the exact price on the old sale sign and another offered price that was maybe 20 or 30 cents more wasn't good enough.

Then again, I've had good stories too. I had a lady come in wanting a portable game system for her son who wasn't with her. I went through all the questions I normally ask like "What game systems does he have already?, What kinds of games does he like?, What games has he been asking about getting? etc." Based on answers to questions like that, we narrow it down to a PSP. In addition to the system, I recommend a hard sided carrying case since she says he cracked a Gameboy Advance SP by dropping it once, screen protectors and a few of what were then the most popular games in the genres that her son liked to play. She bought all that and the warranty (which wasn't easy to explain the value of until I remembered a web site I could show her on our internet kiosk for a place that repairs PSP's. One glance at the repair prices sold her on the extended warranty. A few days later, she came back with her son and I was on break in the back. My manager came back to the break room and let me know she came in to get some more games for her son and that she told him what a great job I did helping her with buying the PSP. It's the good days like that that make the bad days easier to get through.

 

[Zera]

The Game Eating Brothers sounds good, though I have a bad feeling about what it involves...

It aint much, but here we go

I was working one day, when a customer came in and wanted one of our two refurbished PS3s. My associated got one down for him and was about to sell it when the customer decided you wanted to have it checked first on our tv we have in the store. Being a bit of a Sony Fanboy, my pal said sure and setted the sucker up. And the first game to try out was Motorstorm.

Now as soon as the game loaded, we were all expecting to hear blaring music. What we got was loud alright. Suddennly the system started making a loud knocking sound and it decided to eat the game instead cause it sure as hell wasnt giving it back. My pal was so embarressed that he hitted the system saying things like "work damn you!". So he immediatly got the other one and setted that up, with the lucky Drake's Fortune to be played.

Guess what happened next.

In the end the customer left with no disdain, my buddy was bummed and two PS3s were shipped out still eating.

---------------------------------
Sorry like I said it aint much

 

[AntiAntagonist]

Damn, I take a couple month haitus and I miss topics like these(I'll never get my reputation back now). Well anyways despite being a former employee, I dont really have any interesting stories save one or too, but if ya wanna hear'em select one.

Robber aint going far
The Blackout
The game eating brothers
The Storm
The Halo release
The Stench of Death

oh and great stories from all of ya, I can relate

I'd like to hear "Robber aint going far"

 

[TheKbob]

Duke,

I feel yah. I have several return customers, including an older woman who always likes shopping with me for her grand-kids.

We try to be honest with people about when games suck or not if they are looking for a big purchase, but we gloss over the bargain bin divers because we just need to get rid of stuff. Right now, our store REALLY needs a PS2 sale since we have two crap bins and a wall crammed full of stuff. We have 9 sleeve holders crammed full of games, it's very aggravating to pull titles.

Zera,

Nothing like dealing with multiple return RRoD 360s. Most of the time when people return PS3s to us they have it booted into HDMI mode and don't realize it. We get to make them look a bit stupid instead. Dems Da perks!

Also, I REALLY don't wanna hear that stench of death story because it will probably involve really smell trade ins, which always make me gag, or really smelly customers. We have one guy right now who REEEEEEKS the entire store up and comes in wanting certain games with everything intact (Games, Manual, even the stupid Nintendo health pre-caution pamphlet)... but it's not like for good games, it's for crap like Scooby Doo and Lemony Snickets. Ugh, just the thought of him makes me want to heave.


Zud,

You did read my story of the kid who tried to play a PSP game in a PS3, right? I take those kind of questions for granted nowadays... lol.