Wow... My eyes have truly been opened about Gamestop...

[Jitters Caffeine]

In the last few days, I have heard about and subsequently researched horrible things Gamestop has been accused of doing. Now I'm not talking about whether or not the "used games market" is stealing money from publishers, I'm just talking about business practices of the stores themselves. But from what I hear, Gamestop is guilty of acts that are LITERALLY illegal in the state of California, such as not giving employees breaks, forced searches on employees before their lunches and at the ends of shifts, and damn near stealing money from employees with something called a "Comdata" card that the store signs you up for when you're hired. It was also brought to my attention that in some, not all, that employees actually run criminal record scans on customers without notification. Even the police at least TELL you that their doing it. Now this is FAR from everything that I've been told, but I would really like to know if anyone else had heard anything like this. I would especially like it if current or former Gamestop employees would speak up, because those people would have been on the front lines so to speak.

Now I have no idea how "up to date" my information is, but I will be glad to link the videos I was shown that really bothered me.

Please do not misunderstand me. I fully supported and even defended Gamestop until just recently, so this isn't just some "I hate how they steal money from publishers" thing. I am speaking on Gamestop's apparent treatment of employees as expendable numbers that can be replaced in an instant, and customers as walking sacks with dollar signs on them ripe for the pillaging. I am genuinely interested in any information people have about their experiences.

EDIT:
I realize I probably should have included these in to begin with:

Please do not immediately disregard these videos because of the format, these were all done by former employees who were witnesses and victims to these treatments.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHVepwrFTLA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lh5dGE5eZ0A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxApoyEePfU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FZuneF_Yt0

 

[jakko12345]

I'd certainly like a reputable source on these accusations. Where did you hear this from?

 

[Jitters Caffeine]

I actually heard them from former employees who pointed me to videos made by OTHER former employees.

 

[William Fleming]

Never heard about the illegal stuff regarding their employees before but sounds nasty. Where did you find the information?

EDIT: Sorry just read the article.

 

[Ekibiogami]

There is nothing wrong with searching the employes. They are a Industry of small valuable things. It is Right to search them, But it had better be in the Employe handbook.
But everything else.. Damn, Like Jakko, Id like a Reputable source for it... Wow.

 

[Something Amyss]

I'd certainly like a reputable source on these accusations. Where did you hear this from?

A good chunk of the allegations are sourced in a recent Escapist article.

Probably where he heard it from.

Not to defend Gamestop, but it's going to be hard to find a company that's NOT doing stuff like this.

 

[krazykidd]

In the last few days, I have heard about and subsequently researched horrible things Gamestop has been accused of doing. Now I'm not talking about whether or not the "used games market" is stealing money from publishers, I'm just talking about business practices of the stores themselves. But from what I hear, Gamestop is guilty of acts that are LITERALLY illegal in the state of California, such as not giving employees breaks, forced searches on employees before their lunches and at the ends of shifts, and damn near stealing money from employees with something called a "Comdata" card that the store signs you up for when you're hired. It was also brought to my attention that in some, not all, that employees actually run criminal record scans on customers without notification. Even the police at least TELL you that their doing it. Now this is FAR from everything that I've been told, but I would really like to know if anyone else had heard anything like this. I would especially like it if current or former Gamestop employees would speak up, because those people would have been on the front lines so to speak.

Now I have no idea how "up to date" my information is, but I will be glad to link the videos I was shown that really bothered me.

Please do not misunderstand me. I fully supported and even defended Gamestop until just recently, so this isn't just some "I hate how they steal money from publishers" thing. I am speaking on Gamestop's apparent treatment of employees as expendable numbers that can be replaced in an instant, and customers as walking sacks with dollar signs on them ripe for the pillaging. I am genuinely interested in any information people have about their experiences.

Yeah so? If the employees really mind they wouldn't work for gamestop . Either that or they would sue them . If the employees are not aware of these laws , then it's their own fault , ignorance is not an excuse . Say what you want about gamestop but , it's the employees fault for not contestig this or working for them. I blame gamestop for nothing.

 

[Jitters Caffeine]

Yeah so? If the employees really mind they wouldn't work for gamestop . Either that or they would sue them . If the employees are not aware of these laws , then it's their own fault , ignorance is not an excuse . Say what you want about gamestop but , it's the employees fault for not contestig this or working for them. I blame gamestop for nothing.

Actually that isn't true. The responsibility of informing the employees falls on the shoulders of the employer. And there IS a class action lawsuit going through right now because employees were not getting the LEGALLY REQUIRED 30 minute uninterrupted break.

 

[Jitters Caffeine]

Hah! I wouldn't give any of those credence. I used to work there in college, and I fucking hated them when I worked there. In reality, they were a fairly decent employer (when it comes to the lowest dredge of society: retail). No one likes retail jobs, and a lot of this seems to be extremely exaggerated. I will be the first to say that GameStop needs no defense. Terrible place to shop. But any of these claims could be made for any retail job, so I have a hard time believing anyone who clearly hasn't worked at a shitty retail job.

If you're saying that I have clearly not worked in retail, I'm sorry to say you're mistaken. I work in a retail store now after I had to quit my job as a medical courier.

 

[AuronFtw]

Is the Comdata thing just a place where they dump payments in lieu of a personal bank account?

That sounds kinda fishy, wouldn't they just had checks out instead?

 

[Jitters Caffeine]

Is the Comdata thing just a place where they dump payments in lieu of a personal bank account?

That sounds kinda fishy, wouldn't they just had checks out instead?

From the way it was explained to me by former employees, it is EXACTLY that. They sign you up for an account with Comdata if you do not already have a checking account with a bank when you're hired. But the biggest gripe I heard was that it charges you every time you swipe your card, whether or not you were making a purchase or not. You could have cancelled the purchase or even just have checked your balance, BOOM it charges you.

 

[AuronFtw]

Interesting. Pity setting up a bank account is ridiculously easy, and even kids these days have them.

 

[Jitters Caffeine]

Interesting. Pity setting up a bank account is ridiculously easy, and even kids these days have them.

But some people simply just do not like like dealing with or do not trust banks. I was EXCLUSIVELY paid in cash at my previous job because my bosses were like this, and I was a MEDICAL COURIER. I've had a checking account since I was 12 years old because I owned property and needed it to pay property taxes, but since I was dealt with on a strictly cash only basis, it was moot.

 

[Jitters Caffeine]

I know I can't be the only person who's heard stuff like this...

 

[LadyMint]

I'm not out to defend Gamestop, but in all honesty this all sounds like typical things at workplaces not being properly kept in check by their employees. Except for the card thing. That I've seen at practically every job I've had and only one of those was in retail. In the event that you just can't or don't want to have a bank account, they offer that card to you because overall it makes it easier for them to do monetary transactions. My only recommendation to people who don't like banks is to try community credit unions. I hear nothing but good things about those and am personally thinking about switching.

 

[DracoSuave]

Is the Comdata thing just a place where they dump payments in lieu of a personal bank account?

That sounds kinda fishy, wouldn't they just had checks out instead?

From the way it was explained to me by former employees, it is EXACTLY that. They sign you up for an account with Comdata if you do not already have a checking account with a bank when you're hired. But the biggest gripe I heard was that it charges you every time you swipe your card, whether or not you were making a purchase or not. You could have cancelled the purchase or even just have checked your balance, BOOM it charges you.

In some places (like Canada) a business is required to have a cash option available. Because the money they owe you is a debt, and you always have the right to demand cash payment for debts.

 

[Jitters Caffeine]

I'm not out to defend Gamestop, but in all honesty this all sounds like typical things at workplaces not being properly kept in check by their employees. Except for the card thing. That I've seen at practically every job I've had and only one of those was in retail. In the event that you just can't or don't want to have a bank account, they offer that card to you because overall it makes it easier for them to do monetary transactions. My only recommendation to people who don't like banks is to try community credit unions. I hear nothing but good things about those and am personally thinking about switching.

I actually didn't know that. I've never dealt with anything like it because I've ALWAYS had a bank account or was given cash directly.

 

[Lt. Vinciti]

Oh My God...

I didnt even read it (TLDR) but you found the Gamestop rant videos!

Edit:
Skimmed

Well of course Rapestop is evil....sheesh...I could have told you that from trade ins...and the often blog etc etc of Gamestop ex-employees

 

[Jitters Caffeine]

Oh My God...

I didnt even read it (TLDR) but you found the Gamestop rant videos!

Edit:
Skimmed

Well of course Rapestop is evil....sheesh...I could have told you that from trade ins...and the often blog etc etc of Gamestop ex-employees

This has just been the first I've heard ANY of this