Crono said: Once I discovered Amazon there was no turning back.
Dh said: It's a funny video, but GameStop isn't that bad and if it upsets you that much, buy the shit from a different Website and shut the fuck up.
My experience with all the best buys in Richmond is literally the exact opposite of what you're describing, and if you look at their website, most of their trade ins are either the same as, or better than GameStop (with them trade off that you can't get cash, sadly, just gift cards), and the people there are always at least somewhat knowledgeable (at least the ones in the gaming department) and friendly without constantly pushing things on me. It's a wonderful change of pace. And even if they are awful, for reasons I'll go into later in this, I tend to prefer going to them. A lot of people I know say Best Buy does similar stuff. But with their Preorder kiosks (no need for human interaction!), usually cheaper prices, and slightly better trade in rates, they still prefer going to them. Meanwhile, all my experiences with GameStop, regardless of location, tend to go more like a grounded-in-reality version of this video, which is why I don't go there anymore unless I ABSOLUTELY must get something used (like the wired controller I'm looking to get for my PC) or really want their preorder bonus (which is a whole different rant that isn't aimed at just GS). This combined with the fact that my GSes just don't carry PC games anymore unless you preorder (and even then, they only tend to get one or two, I've been left twisting in the wind more than a few times on PC preorders, which really just should not happen, and makes me worried about The Old Republic) and I think it paints a pretty good picture for why I don't shop there anymore. As for trade ins, I'm not against the practice itself, though if you liken it to used cars my first instinct is to slap someone - they are completely different business with different practices, just with a similar service. But in the end it's like comparing apples and oranges - you can't, and shouldn't, do it. My issue with trade ins lies in the hellacious markup (mentioned in that video), and the fact that GameStop (or Best Buy, or anyone, makes at least 100% profit on them, with developers getting zilch). That video is right - I can trade in a a game, get five bucks, and then GameStop will turn around and throw it on the shelves for 100 to 300% profit. That's absolutely ridiculous. Hell, just yesterday, It traded in an accessory and a game, and got $7 combined for both. You know how much they sell for used? Thee accessory for $20 (I got //$2// for it) and the game for $18 (I got $5 for it). If that's not screwing the customer, I don't know what is. But if games depreciate in value that much, someone should apply that logic to GameStop as well, instead of making me still pay $35 for games barely a year old, while they only give me $10 for them trade in. It is flat out robbery. Best Buy isn't //much// better, but I tend to see their used games (of which they have a much smaller selection) priced a bit less than GS, while they tend to give me a bit more for my trad ein, so it balances out just a bit better. It's still not spectacular though. Anyway, my beef with with GS, not you, -------. I actually really do appreciate it if you approach work that way, it means you're one of the good guys. And that's awesome. But I'm sorry, the company you work for is awful and has some seriously questionable business practices. They aren't the friends of gamers they were back in the days of Babbages, Funcoland, or even early GameStop. They are ruthless, greedy cashgrabbers who routinely screw customers, and it really, really sucks. I usually hate saying it, but this is one time I definitely miss the old days.
