Gamestop (or other Video Game Retailer) Stories of ...
- Thread starter TheKbob
- Start date
Recommended Videos
Okay, new story. So I was in my local game store, and I'm pretty good friends with everyone there except the new girl. In walks about four other regulars with a huge box of games to trade in. Well at this time the owner wasn't in, so the kid running the counter had to call the owner, and the owner could only take about four of the games, so they were going to throw away the rest. I just so happen to hear this and I rescue the box of pc games... For free! There was a bunch of good first person shooters in there, and an empty box for a copy of painkiller... Needless to say, I was a little disappointed about that, but still... Free games!
I've heard stories of super nintendos being dropped out windows and still working.HalfShadow post=9.67420.636204 said:
I don't have any good stories, but I did spend about 3 hours in an EB when I traded in ALL my xbox/Gamecube stuff, and MOST of my PS2 stuff to get a 360/Mass Effect/GH2.. it took SOOOOO long to get it all figured out, and the manager and like 3 people had to pore over it to see what discounts we were entitled to.
That's what I like about EB. They don't hide discounts and special deals. You don't HAVE to ask about them, and they'll usually tell you about them if you are eligible for them. I have also helped several moms pick games for their kids, usually with a lot of thankful remarks. Never ever ever try to help a dad though.
They'll kick your ass with their mouth
I know when I worked at a store that sold games ( was a 'music' store but did games and dvds too ), damn, the constant flow of idiocy could be draining.
I know one rule we had between the staff, and the manager was with us 'unofficially', was that if you came in with a legit complaint, and just asked us to help, we'd go out of our way to make sure you left the store happy.
Stomp in shouting and blaming us because you got a defective item that came in defective, and we unknowingly sold defective , claiming your 'rights' and demanding all sorts of stuff, we'll go out of our way to make the whole process long,drawn out and make sure you get the minimum we can offer.
Sorry its not funny, but yeah, the guys behind the counter are just people, if they're treating you fair, return the favour, and if they're being asshats, well, maybe its fair to return the favour again. Most of us didn't choose retail, but we did choose a games related store to work at, so consider we probably at least know a bit, and have an interest, and may even want to help.
I think I've blown all my store tales in other threads, like having to explain things like 'alphabetical' and 'surname' to customers, and having to point out the foot high sign above the 'New Releases' area that the guy walks past to ask me where the new stuff is.
I know one rule we had between the staff, and the manager was with us 'unofficially', was that if you came in with a legit complaint, and just asked us to help, we'd go out of our way to make sure you left the store happy.
Stomp in shouting and blaming us because you got a defective item that came in defective, and we unknowingly sold defective , claiming your 'rights' and demanding all sorts of stuff, we'll go out of our way to make the whole process long,drawn out and make sure you get the minimum we can offer.
Sorry its not funny, but yeah, the guys behind the counter are just people, if they're treating you fair, return the favour, and if they're being asshats, well, maybe its fair to return the favour again. Most of us didn't choose retail, but we did choose a games related store to work at, so consider we probably at least know a bit, and have an interest, and may even want to help.
I think I've blown all my store tales in other threads, like having to explain things like 'alphabetical' and 'surname' to customers, and having to point out the foot high sign above the 'New Releases' area that the guy walks past to ask me where the new stuff is.
Why will they kick my ass with their mouth? [/idiot question]Altorin post=9.67420.672317 said:
Anyway, I've just remembered a story of my own.
One saturday I want into EB to buy Age of Empires 3: The War Chiefs. So I took it up the counter, paid the lady, went out and noticed the box was a bit lighter than it should be, so I opened it up to check that everything was in the box. Sure enough, the disc was missing.
So when I went back into the store, I waited until there was a different person at the till (the previous lady was scary looking). When I explained what had happened and pointed out the lady who'd sold me the game in the first place, the salesperson I was now dealing with said:
"Oh, She's the manager."
Note: Here in Australia, EB games "guts" their games. That is, opens up the box when they get new stock and put the manuals and CD's in locked drawers as an anti-theft measure. Then they get it all out again when you buy the game. It seemed pretty obvious to me that you don't forget the CD when you repackage the game.
Note deux: 100 posts. Whoo!
For me, a bad experience. This actually happened a few weeks ago. Since I purchased a Wii, and then found out Nintendo wants to screw me over and give me nothing but party games and kids stuff now, I've decided to go back and pick up a bunch of old Cube games that I never played since I never bought a Cube. I go into one I'd never been in before, and was there a good 45 minutes looking over various sections and was never approached by the guy working. I even had people asking me if I worked there and I answered a few questions, what I could. It wasn't busy or anything. So I make my final selection and the employee pulls the crap I always hate. I'm female, so I must be there buying for my boyfriend/husband/brother/etc and have no clue what I'm getting. He leans in and in a low voice goes "You do know this is for the Gamecube right? You were probably looking for the PS2 release instead, I'll see if we have it." I just leaned in closer, with this nice smile and an overly sweet "f-u" tone of voice replied "That's why I'm buying it." He kind of stared at me for a few seconds until I finally asked him to get my game from the drawers. He didn't bother saying anything else after that. He was probably even more embarrassed when I pulled out my Edge card.
Another story, something I just observed, but I thought it worth mentioning. Was in a few years back and a group of kids had brought in an XBox that was pretty beat up and wanted to trade it in. It was fairly obvious the thing had been modded, and it didn't help that the serial code (if I remember correctly) had been scratched off. The employee was really apologetic about it and told them it couldn't be traded in, that it must be in it's original condition. The kids started screaming and yelling, telling the employee that he just accused them of stealing it, buying it illegal, etc, which the guy never did. They started ganging up on him, telling him there wasn't any reason he couldn't take it in, he just didn't want to for them. This guy really kept his cool, wasn't nervous or intimidated or anything. I was impressed with his composure. I mouthed to him that I was getting help, and ran off for a security guard and the kids were escorted out. I really wish I had that kind of mentality. I would have been freaking out, if anyone had done that to me.
Another story, something I just observed, but I thought it worth mentioning. Was in a few years back and a group of kids had brought in an XBox that was pretty beat up and wanted to trade it in. It was fairly obvious the thing had been modded, and it didn't help that the serial code (if I remember correctly) had been scratched off. The employee was really apologetic about it and told them it couldn't be traded in, that it must be in it's original condition. The kids started screaming and yelling, telling the employee that he just accused them of stealing it, buying it illegal, etc, which the guy never did. They started ganging up on him, telling him there wasn't any reason he couldn't take it in, he just didn't want to for them. This guy really kept his cool, wasn't nervous or intimidated or anything. I was impressed with his composure. I mouthed to him that I was getting help, and ran off for a security guard and the kids were escorted out. I really wish I had that kind of mentality. I would have been freaking out, if anyone had done that to me.
I've got a few as a customer of Gamestop
The Amazing Racist
A few years back I was staying with my grandparents for the summer while college was out, and I decided to hit the local mall and just hang out for the day. So, I browse through the book store, pick up a few manga and graphic novels, and happen to look across the way to the Gamestop. Couple of people are just sitting outside the store. Weird. So I walk over to check it out, turns out that GTA:San Andreas released later that day. Well I had nothing better to do, so I decide to hang out and grab a copy since I had the money and would probably just end up blowing it anyway.
So, it's me, some younger 15-ish white kid (reeked of that suburban, "I know jack all about the real world but I'm going to spout out my nonsense anyway", vibe) think his name was James, and this African-American guy who I would guess at being about my age his name was Aaron. We shoot the breeze, brag about how we're first in line, how we'll be the first ones to get the play the game, blah blah blah. James mentions that he's calling his mom to pick him up as soon as he gets his copy. Eventually we start to talk about the game, what we liked about it, what we were a little iffy on. Both me and the Aaron mention how we like the 90's setting, and the idea of making your own gang, and James decides to pick this point to chime in with his big gripe about the game.
"I just wish we didn't have to play as a (insert racial slur with N here)"
Aaron and I just look at eachother, our jaws drop, we slowly turn to look at young James. He looks back as if nothing is really wrong, like maybe we just thought he was simply wrong about his choice of main character, like he'd done nothing really wrong. He continues to speak though.
"Don't get me wrong, I still like the game, it's just that I really don't like (racial slur again)"
Aaron and I end up just sitting there in silence for the rest of the wait.
There is an upside though. James, it seems, like me, did not have a pre-order, and for those of us in line without pre-orders the game was first come, first serve, no holding or reserving the game. You get out of line or whatever, you lose your right to purchase the game and if you try to buy it after giving up your place in line, you have to go to the back of it. Line has about a hundred or so people without pre-orders at this point. Aaron and I go to pick up our copies, James is behind us, Aaron is still very visibly upset, and I am one who would not let things like this slide. I pay for my copy, see Aaron paying for his, James walks up and begins to make his purchase. I nudge Aaron before speaking up to get the guy who's ringing up James' purchase attention.
"That game's rated M"
The employee looks at me odd, so I continue.
"He's 15, you're not supposed to sell M rated games to him without a parent or guardian around."
Employee looks at James, asks if he has ID, Jeams has none, asks if he's underage, James is, employee says he's sorry but he'll need his mom or dad to complete this sale. James' parents aren't even at the mall. Aaron and I walk out, feeling a little better that justice has been served, James walks out crying that he won't get his copy of GTA.
The Amazing Racist
A few years back I was staying with my grandparents for the summer while college was out, and I decided to hit the local mall and just hang out for the day. So, I browse through the book store, pick up a few manga and graphic novels, and happen to look across the way to the Gamestop. Couple of people are just sitting outside the store. Weird. So I walk over to check it out, turns out that GTA:San Andreas released later that day. Well I had nothing better to do, so I decide to hang out and grab a copy since I had the money and would probably just end up blowing it anyway.
So, it's me, some younger 15-ish white kid (reeked of that suburban, "I know jack all about the real world but I'm going to spout out my nonsense anyway", vibe) think his name was James, and this African-American guy who I would guess at being about my age his name was Aaron. We shoot the breeze, brag about how we're first in line, how we'll be the first ones to get the play the game, blah blah blah. James mentions that he's calling his mom to pick him up as soon as he gets his copy. Eventually we start to talk about the game, what we liked about it, what we were a little iffy on. Both me and the Aaron mention how we like the 90's setting, and the idea of making your own gang, and James decides to pick this point to chime in with his big gripe about the game.
"I just wish we didn't have to play as a (insert racial slur with N here)"
Aaron and I just look at eachother, our jaws drop, we slowly turn to look at young James. He looks back as if nothing is really wrong, like maybe we just thought he was simply wrong about his choice of main character, like he'd done nothing really wrong. He continues to speak though.
"Don't get me wrong, I still like the game, it's just that I really don't like (racial slur again)"
Aaron and I end up just sitting there in silence for the rest of the wait.
There is an upside though. James, it seems, like me, did not have a pre-order, and for those of us in line without pre-orders the game was first come, first serve, no holding or reserving the game. You get out of line or whatever, you lose your right to purchase the game and if you try to buy it after giving up your place in line, you have to go to the back of it. Line has about a hundred or so people without pre-orders at this point. Aaron and I go to pick up our copies, James is behind us, Aaron is still very visibly upset, and I am one who would not let things like this slide. I pay for my copy, see Aaron paying for his, James walks up and begins to make his purchase. I nudge Aaron before speaking up to get the guy who's ringing up James' purchase attention.
"That game's rated M"
The employee looks at me odd, so I continue.
"He's 15, you're not supposed to sell M rated games to him without a parent or guardian around."
Employee looks at James, asks if he has ID, Jeams has none, asks if he's underage, James is, employee says he's sorry but he'll need his mom or dad to complete this sale. James' parents aren't even at the mall. Aaron and I walk out, feeling a little better that justice has been served, James walks out crying that he won't get his copy of GTA.
^ Lol, serves that kid right
^^ Truthfully, I'm surprised he mentioned PS2.. everyone knows the Gamecube was a girl's system anyway (I keeed..)
^^^ dad's tend to get a lot more defensive when you offer them unsolicited advice, just my observation
^^ Truthfully, I'm surprised he mentioned PS2.. everyone knows the Gamecube was a girl's system anyway (I keeed..)
^^^ dad's tend to get a lot more defensive when you offer them unsolicited advice, just my observation
Just curious, but why all of a sudden did this thread die?
I was enjoying reading the stories people posted, some of them not as funny as others, but they all gave me a good chuckle
I was enjoying reading the stories people posted, some of them not as funny as others, but they all gave me a good chuckle
I'm 25 years old. Walked into Gamestop the other day, bought Dead Rising and Condemned 2 for 360. Walked up to the counter, with my wife and 1 year old daughter, to pay for the games. The nice young lady working asked me for my ID. After picking my jaw up off the floor, and stroking my beard, I told her I didn't have it, as my daughter had broken it in half and almost eaten it after getting into my wallet. The nice lady said, "I'm sorry, I can't sell these games to you." My wife doesn't have the same patience for humanity that I do, so after some fussing she got out her ID, showing that she, a 31 year old, can buy me this game.
But I didn't leave with the games right there, oh no. Had to get the manager because her ID is out of state. Anyways, I got the games, just seemed kind of foolish to mistake me for a 13 year old.
But I didn't leave with the games right there, oh no. Had to get the manager because her ID is out of state. Anyways, I got the games, just seemed kind of foolish to mistake me for a 13 year old.
Well mine is more of a customer point of view.
This was about three years to two years ago. Back when I was buying and playing games more often. This started around when I was 16, and I'll admit yes I am attractive, and at times I can be a bit to playful, but when I go in to EB games pissed off looking for my games that I wanted you're older cahier must semy being pissed, as "i'm a slut please hit on me." sign on my back.
For tha year once I started looking 18 at a glance, I was often in EB buying a game. Generally about every week or everythird week. Now, everyemployer except one Bob lets call him, wasin different to me, I was just some customer making there day goa bit faster. Which was ok, especially afte Bob started acting like he did. Now Bob must have been atleast 25, he had worked there fore about sixyears one of the othe employees told me.
anyway my point is Bob seemed to always already be on, or jsut switching to register when I came in. Now I almost always bought somehting. And I never really liked wandering around malls, so when I went in I bought my games, and I left the mall to go home and play my games. So the first time this happens, I'm 16, and I was wearing a trenchcoat, and you could see my face, and maybe half of my calfs, which were covered in jeans, and my boots. thats it. Nothing that should provoke this bob hitting on me. But he does that none the less, I tell him I'm 16 and he shuts up I tell one of the other employees and they shrug it off, saying and I quote "he does it all the time ignore him."
Now a month later I go back in, and I buy another three games, alll used, and I had intended on trading in more, but theres bob on the register. So i just buy my games, and as I'm leaving, he asks if I'm 18 yet. I call him a pervert and he leaves, this continues for about ten more months. Until I go in, now 17, and buy another game. he's not on register so I trade my huge backstock of games I have in my brothers car, I get somethign like a hudred dollars out of them. as I'm leaving he enters apparently on his shift. and grabs my ass as I pass him.
I had had enough of his bullshit, and I swung around and kicked the back of his knee, and very much like I expected he went to the ground, hard. I bitched him out for upwards of twenty minutes, loudly. Security showed up and tried to get me banned fromt he mall. I told them everything that I had dealt with, they let go of my arm, and had "bob" removed from the store, I saw him being put into a cop car an your later after I picked up some other things.
When I went back the next week, there was another girl gamer who thanked my for getting bob fired.
The only reason I continued to go there is I didn't drive yet, and no one was willing to take me an additional thirty minutes to the next closest game store. And I became kinda freinds with that other girl till I went off to college, she would only be 17 now, she doesn't even look it either.
This was about three years to two years ago. Back when I was buying and playing games more often. This started around when I was 16, and I'll admit yes I am attractive, and at times I can be a bit to playful, but when I go in to EB games pissed off looking for my games that I wanted you're older cahier must semy being pissed, as "i'm a slut please hit on me." sign on my back.
For tha year once I started looking 18 at a glance, I was often in EB buying a game. Generally about every week or everythird week. Now, everyemployer except one Bob lets call him, wasin different to me, I was just some customer making there day goa bit faster. Which was ok, especially afte Bob started acting like he did. Now Bob must have been atleast 25, he had worked there fore about sixyears one of the othe employees told me.
anyway my point is Bob seemed to always already be on, or jsut switching to register when I came in. Now I almost always bought somehting. And I never really liked wandering around malls, so when I went in I bought my games, and I left the mall to go home and play my games. So the first time this happens, I'm 16, and I was wearing a trenchcoat, and you could see my face, and maybe half of my calfs, which were covered in jeans, and my boots. thats it. Nothing that should provoke this bob hitting on me. But he does that none the less, I tell him I'm 16 and he shuts up I tell one of the other employees and they shrug it off, saying and I quote "he does it all the time ignore him."
Now a month later I go back in, and I buy another three games, alll used, and I had intended on trading in more, but theres bob on the register. So i just buy my games, and as I'm leaving, he asks if I'm 18 yet. I call him a pervert and he leaves, this continues for about ten more months. Until I go in, now 17, and buy another game. he's not on register so I trade my huge backstock of games I have in my brothers car, I get somethign like a hudred dollars out of them. as I'm leaving he enters apparently on his shift. and grabs my ass as I pass him.
I had had enough of his bullshit, and I swung around and kicked the back of his knee, and very much like I expected he went to the ground, hard. I bitched him out for upwards of twenty minutes, loudly. Security showed up and tried to get me banned fromt he mall. I told them everything that I had dealt with, they let go of my arm, and had "bob" removed from the store, I saw him being put into a cop car an your later after I picked up some other things.
When I went back the next week, there was another girl gamer who thanked my for getting bob fired.
The only reason I continued to go there is I didn't drive yet, and no one was willing to take me an additional thirty minutes to the next closest game store. And I became kinda freinds with that other girl till I went off to college, she would only be 17 now, she doesn't even look it either.
I'm a shameless exploiter of EB Games' refund policy. At one point I was in every Saturday trading in a DS game I'd bought the previous week. This went on for about two months until I found one that took me more than a week to get bored with.
The employees didn't seem to midn at all
The employees didn't seem to midn at all
I was an ASM for a gamestop and have had this Crazy PSP lady. She by the grace of god found her self in need to ruin my day. She bought a brand new psp off my reccomendation saying that we were out of DS's so this should do her son/daughter right. O HELLLL NO. After her kid (who she told me before hand was 15) seemed to get quite hungry and bite/rip/tear apart the psp she sadi it was faulty and she should get her money back. ok well i agree it prob. was faulty when the screen was cracked the thumbstick was missing and the d-pad was in shambles. However this is not how she bought it and it was over 30 days so i say sorry i cant, i sold it in great-unopened condition and i cant accept a return on somthing you broke. She then gets super crazy and tells me that im calling her a lier(spelling?) saying that she never did anything to the psp and that this is how she bought it. I nearly died, no shit right there in front of me the psp i made sure was in perfect condition was now completely broken. Needless to say this went on and she got worse i gave her a customer care # and shortly got a call back saying that i was in the wrong because the customer is always right. Funny how i demoted myself to customer not ten minutes later when my SM came in to work his shift. Gatta love gamestop, little pay, few benifits, and they undermine their manegers. And thus the Crazy PSP lady.
OK, so...yeah I'm not sure if my story will be as near as good as the other ones i've seen... so here goes
i went to a game stop the end =D
no
"The arrogant prick kid"
this is a customer viewpoint
ok so, i don't have a drivers license, and i "need" to go to gamestop, which is 5 miles away. So i ride my bike, in the middle of july. So when i get there (lots of hills >.>) i'm tired and a little sweaty, not dripping, but a little stinky. ANYWAYS, i ponder about the store for a bit, window shopping, because what i "needed" was a WoW gamecard, which is behind the counter. (at least i rode my bike to get it) so i'm windowshopping because i wanna see wuts out, because i play wow so i have no clue whats coming out and such. so after i'm done looking around i go up to the counter, letting a youngish woman in front of me. yeah... my bad.
A little kid walks up to the woman and stands in line with her, so i guessed it was her son. My assumptions were correct, but he had a silver briefcase, so i kinda assumed that he was carrying an explosive... don't ask why i just did. So only 1 register is open and they get there first obviously, and the kid opens the case. Its a freaking psp case and he pulls it out saying it was broken or something, i had my ipod on so i couldn't hear very well.
Well now it started. He pays for a new battery or something, and he asks to get GTA for the psp. The mom said no, he couldn't get it. But the little snot-nosed kid says, "don't you owe me like 40$, i'm getting it." the mom actually starts to argue about this. I mean seriously if you can't keep your kid in line, just ***** slap him. Personally speaking. Now the employee was just awestruck, and another employee filing stuff behind the counter tried his best to hide his snickering. so after a 10 minute debate (and a line of probably 10 people by now... still only 1 register) the kid eventually wins the battle of the wills and gets the game.
Now this little brat opens the case, tears all the wood and plastic and crap out and shoves the game into the psp... and i mean SHOVED it in. worse part, he didn't leave his spot so he still claims superiority in line...little dickhead. obviously (who woulda guessed) it didn't work, so then another 5 minute debate goes about the game and returning it. after the kid getting his way again (sad i know, but the guy behind the counter just wanted it to be over) the mom asks about the gamestop magazine there. Oh crap... "it offers a 10$ sale on used games, and that game is used, i think we should buy it." "but mom i don't want it" blah blah blah (i'm almost flipping them off openly, and the other guy is still laughing) the brat's mom gets the magazine subscription and etc. he leaves and i walk up to the counter. I smiled, pointed and looked at the departing group, and just said "damn son." acquired my "cocaine" (damn you wow) and left. all within 2 minutes, while this little brat took close to 25-30.
"MORAL"
Don't trust little kids with brief cases, they're @$$e$
And always get physical activity, wow drains it from you
i went to a game stop the end =D
no
"The arrogant prick kid"
this is a customer viewpoint
ok so, i don't have a drivers license, and i "need" to go to gamestop, which is 5 miles away. So i ride my bike, in the middle of july. So when i get there (lots of hills >.>) i'm tired and a little sweaty, not dripping, but a little stinky. ANYWAYS, i ponder about the store for a bit, window shopping, because what i "needed" was a WoW gamecard, which is behind the counter. (at least i rode my bike to get it) so i'm windowshopping because i wanna see wuts out, because i play wow so i have no clue whats coming out and such. so after i'm done looking around i go up to the counter, letting a youngish woman in front of me. yeah... my bad.
A little kid walks up to the woman and stands in line with her, so i guessed it was her son. My assumptions were correct, but he had a silver briefcase, so i kinda assumed that he was carrying an explosive... don't ask why i just did. So only 1 register is open and they get there first obviously, and the kid opens the case. Its a freaking psp case and he pulls it out saying it was broken or something, i had my ipod on so i couldn't hear very well.
Well now it started. He pays for a new battery or something, and he asks to get GTA for the psp. The mom said no, he couldn't get it. But the little snot-nosed kid says, "don't you owe me like 40$, i'm getting it." the mom actually starts to argue about this. I mean seriously if you can't keep your kid in line, just ***** slap him. Personally speaking. Now the employee was just awestruck, and another employee filing stuff behind the counter tried his best to hide his snickering. so after a 10 minute debate (and a line of probably 10 people by now... still only 1 register) the kid eventually wins the battle of the wills and gets the game.
Now this little brat opens the case, tears all the wood and plastic and crap out and shoves the game into the psp... and i mean SHOVED it in. worse part, he didn't leave his spot so he still claims superiority in line...little dickhead. obviously (who woulda guessed) it didn't work, so then another 5 minute debate goes about the game and returning it. after the kid getting his way again (sad i know, but the guy behind the counter just wanted it to be over) the mom asks about the gamestop magazine there. Oh crap... "it offers a 10$ sale on used games, and that game is used, i think we should buy it." "but mom i don't want it" blah blah blah (i'm almost flipping them off openly, and the other guy is still laughing) the brat's mom gets the magazine subscription and etc. he leaves and i walk up to the counter. I smiled, pointed and looked at the departing group, and just said "damn son." acquired my "cocaine" (damn you wow) and left. all within 2 minutes, while this little brat took close to 25-30.
"MORAL"
Don't trust little kids with brief cases, they're @$$e$
And always get physical activity, wow drains it from you
I can't believe I missed this topic. There's are some really good stories in here, particularly from you TheKbob. I'd love to hear more of them. Rarely do I sit and read everyone's posts.
Well, I have a few stories from events I have witnessed in a Gamestop. When I was heavily into playing my Xbox, I loved Gamestop. I would go there often to take advantage of the discounted used games, or the buy 2 get 1 free deal.
I'll do 5, but not 10
One day while selecting a few used games at the store I did my regular purchases in, I had lined up at the cash register behind a guy talking on his cell phone. I hear his loud conversation with someone:
"Look, I won't do more than 5. I'll do 5, but I'm not going to do 10. I know I could've killed him. YES! I shot him, but he deserved it. Look, I'm not going to do more than 5, so YOU just fix it ok!?"
I'm just standing there looking at the reactions of other people - the cashier didn't say a word and rang up the guy's purchase in silence. Everyone is real quiet like 'Hey, let's just leave that guy alone'. I kind of wondered if he was going to pull out a gun if he couldn't get his way.
Your Brother Stole It
My brother lives about 2 hours away (well, did anyway before I moved to Japan) - and we would take turns visiting each other over weekends. We always get together to play games and watch movies. Shortly after World of Warcraft's release, he was trying to talk me into playing it. I just didn't have the money to buy the game - so when we went to Fry's Electronics, he bought it for me and gave it to me in the car. Awesome!
We get home late that night, and as I'm installing it I can't find the CD Key anywhere. He calls up one of his friends to confirm where the CD Key should be, but we still don't see it. We look at a little spot where it looks like it WAS - like it was very carefully peeled off. That sucks - first time it ever happened to me. He has to go home that night, and I tell him the next day I'll go back to Fry's to fix this.
I got to Fry's and explained what happened. The customer service guy says to me,
"Well, your brother stole your CD Key."
SmugFrog - "Excuse me?"
CS - "Your brother apparently took the sticker off and stole it."
SmugFrog - "Why would he do that when he already HAS a copy and he was buying a copy for me so we could play together?"
CS - "Well sir, I don't know but he did!"
He looks the box over and you can tell the bottom sticker seal on the box was carefully peeled back and resealed. Wow... I never thought to check a box that thoroughly. I asked to speak to his manager, and EVENTUALLY they let me pick up another copy of the game. I did a check for the CD Key right there before I left.
Free CD Keys
While in the local mall, I'm browsing the selection of PC games. I had been considering picking up Supreme Commander to play with a friend, and I saw the store had a copy for $19. I had also picked up Crysis and was considering playing it due to the good reviews, and I enjoyed the demo. I noticed that the game boxes had been opened (like the console games), and it always bothers me to see this done with PC games. On one hand, it SHOULD be more secure - on the other I'm worried about a repeat of the WoW CD Key - and not knowing about it until I get home and try to register a game. How do I know that all of the employees are legit and not using those keys? We had a guy in our WoW guild that claimed to work at his local Gamestop and do that kind of crap.
I debate it internally for a bit, then decide to give in. I'll just ask them about their return policy on the matter.
They're cool about it, and then open up the drawers and pull the manual (which I note is ripped up from them ripping the back pages off), and they put the disc in the case. One of the workers asks if I think Crysis will even run on my computer - Yeah, I just bought a new laptop to take to the ship with me, I'm sure it will (plus the demo worked fine so... if a demo runs good, 90% of the time the full version will too).
I look through the mangled book for Crysis and don't see the CD Key. I point this out to the cashier and she starts looking through the pile of manuals and, there it is. She points out the Supreme Commander CD Key, and I'm good to go.
I get home, register, no problems. Looks like everything is legit.
Shortly before my move to Japan, I took several of my favorite games out of their cases to place with my laptop. Gotta have something to do on that long flight. Then I notice I have 2 CD Keys for Supreme Commander! They put an extra page in there. Oh man, someone must've been pissed off when they got their game without one. I still have it - never tried to see if it was already registered or anything. That REALLY made me not want to do business at a store with open PC boxes anymore.
Well, I have a few stories from events I have witnessed in a Gamestop. When I was heavily into playing my Xbox, I loved Gamestop. I would go there often to take advantage of the discounted used games, or the buy 2 get 1 free deal.
I'll do 5, but not 10
One day while selecting a few used games at the store I did my regular purchases in, I had lined up at the cash register behind a guy talking on his cell phone. I hear his loud conversation with someone:
"Look, I won't do more than 5. I'll do 5, but I'm not going to do 10. I know I could've killed him. YES! I shot him, but he deserved it. Look, I'm not going to do more than 5, so YOU just fix it ok!?"
I'm just standing there looking at the reactions of other people - the cashier didn't say a word and rang up the guy's purchase in silence. Everyone is real quiet like 'Hey, let's just leave that guy alone'. I kind of wondered if he was going to pull out a gun if he couldn't get his way.
Your Brother Stole It
My brother lives about 2 hours away (well, did anyway before I moved to Japan) - and we would take turns visiting each other over weekends. We always get together to play games and watch movies. Shortly after World of Warcraft's release, he was trying to talk me into playing it. I just didn't have the money to buy the game - so when we went to Fry's Electronics, he bought it for me and gave it to me in the car. Awesome!
We get home late that night, and as I'm installing it I can't find the CD Key anywhere. He calls up one of his friends to confirm where the CD Key should be, but we still don't see it. We look at a little spot where it looks like it WAS - like it was very carefully peeled off. That sucks - first time it ever happened to me. He has to go home that night, and I tell him the next day I'll go back to Fry's to fix this.
I got to Fry's and explained what happened. The customer service guy says to me,
"Well, your brother stole your CD Key."
SmugFrog - "Excuse me?"
CS - "Your brother apparently took the sticker off and stole it."
SmugFrog - "Why would he do that when he already HAS a copy and he was buying a copy for me so we could play together?"
CS - "Well sir, I don't know but he did!"
He looks the box over and you can tell the bottom sticker seal on the box was carefully peeled back and resealed. Wow... I never thought to check a box that thoroughly. I asked to speak to his manager, and EVENTUALLY they let me pick up another copy of the game. I did a check for the CD Key right there before I left.
Free CD Keys
While in the local mall, I'm browsing the selection of PC games. I had been considering picking up Supreme Commander to play with a friend, and I saw the store had a copy for $19. I had also picked up Crysis and was considering playing it due to the good reviews, and I enjoyed the demo. I noticed that the game boxes had been opened (like the console games), and it always bothers me to see this done with PC games. On one hand, it SHOULD be more secure - on the other I'm worried about a repeat of the WoW CD Key - and not knowing about it until I get home and try to register a game. How do I know that all of the employees are legit and not using those keys? We had a guy in our WoW guild that claimed to work at his local Gamestop and do that kind of crap.
I debate it internally for a bit, then decide to give in. I'll just ask them about their return policy on the matter.
They're cool about it, and then open up the drawers and pull the manual (which I note is ripped up from them ripping the back pages off), and they put the disc in the case. One of the workers asks if I think Crysis will even run on my computer - Yeah, I just bought a new laptop to take to the ship with me, I'm sure it will (plus the demo worked fine so... if a demo runs good, 90% of the time the full version will too).
I look through the mangled book for Crysis and don't see the CD Key. I point this out to the cashier and she starts looking through the pile of manuals and, there it is. She points out the Supreme Commander CD Key, and I'm good to go.
I get home, register, no problems. Looks like everything is legit.
Shortly before my move to Japan, I took several of my favorite games out of their cases to place with my laptop. Gotta have something to do on that long flight. Then I notice I have 2 CD Keys for Supreme Commander! They put an extra page in there. Oh man, someone must've been pissed off when they got their game without one. I still have it - never tried to see if it was already registered or anything. That REALLY made me not want to do business at a store with open PC boxes anymore.
At least that jerk got what was coming to him. Sweet Jesus, I've got 3 daughters... how am I going to deal with perverts?LV Solace post=9.67420.788553 said:
When I wanted to get Tales of the Abyss, the person there said that its release date had been pushed back to November 18th or so, specifically when the release date was I think October 9th or whatever.
Then I come back and lo and behold...there it is RIGHT THERE on the shelves and I apparently got the last copy. The person working that register (Different) said that it just came in a day late and thought it was a shame that it was gonna be largely ignored since it came out within weeks of Final Fantasy XII/
There were also SEVERAL occasions where I stood in line behind people only for the person to look confused and say "we're out of that game actually". Then what is the case doing on the shelf then? If this happened only once or twice then I can let it slide but considering it's happened at least four times in the past few years...someone at that gamestop's definitely either enjoying playing pranks by putting empty cases of rare games like Shadow Hearts or Suikoden 3 on the shelf.
Then I come back and lo and behold...there it is RIGHT THERE on the shelves and I apparently got the last copy. The person working that register (Different) said that it just came in a day late and thought it was a shame that it was gonna be largely ignored since it came out within weeks of Final Fantasy XII/
There were also SEVERAL occasions where I stood in line behind people only for the person to look confused and say "we're out of that game actually". Then what is the case doing on the shelf then? If this happened only once or twice then I can let it slide but considering it's happened at least four times in the past few years...someone at that gamestop's definitely either enjoying playing pranks by putting empty cases of rare games like Shadow Hearts or Suikoden 3 on the shelf.
For a lot of interesting game store stories, check out www.actsofgord.com
Some canadian dude who owned a store and ran it however he wanted. Lots of funny stories, even if you don't believe them.
Some canadian dude who owned a store and ran it however he wanted. Lots of funny stories, even if you don't believe them.