EA’s Online Pass. A Line In The Sand.
When I first heard of EA’s “Project Ten Dollar”, I was a little skeptical. Some time has passed since it’s inception, and given the mediocrity of day one DLC and pre-order bonuses, I’ve been less then satisfied with the fruits of the “Project Ten Dollar” tree. It’s completely understandable why a consumer would want to save money by purchasing products used, but at the same time it’s understandable why a business like EA wouldn’t be fans of being excluded from any used game sales profit. EA took a respectable approach at solving this problem by rewarding the customer who purchases his game new with bonus content. This content would be available for download if you did not buy the game new, but at a price. It’s a carrot on the end of the stick. A very easy concept to understand, and what I believe to be totally fair. GameStop underpaying for used games and then overcharging while making 100 percent of the profit doesn’t sit well with me, and it apparently not well with EA.
Now EA has raised the stakes with the “Online Pass” which is a code included in new copies of EA sports games that unlocks the Online modes. In practice it means that little Johnny saving up his birthday money for a used copy of Madden won’t be able to play the game online without paying 10 dollars extra to unlock the mode. The content is not being added to the game, it is being unlocked. Some people might argue that this is the same strategy as project ten dollar, but that is not the case. It’s different. Instead of being rewarded for buying new, EA is now punishing you for used purchases. The game will include a trial of the online mode, which only lasts for a short while and is certain to confuse the unsuspecting victims. It’s a shootout between GameStop and EA, and you’re being caught in the crossfire. Content that has previously been available in every iteration of a series will be locked out to people who purchase used. EA would rather lock you out from arguably the main source of content for some games than have you save some money by buying the game used. If there was ever an example to prove to someone that a large company like EA pictures the general public as nothing but walking dollar signs, this would be it. It’s a real shame to see EA burning up the goodwill it has been building up in the minds of gamers over this.
This means a few different things. It serves to prove that EA doesn’t care about public perception as much as it does profits, and it should also serve to scare the living crap out of loyal gamers everywhere. EA is willing to lock out online play in used games. What’s stopping them from locking out any kind of multiplayer in general, with no option for purchasing it from used products? Maybe it’s portions of the single player that are locked out. Maybe buying a game new at full price will be the only way to play the game at all. How far is EA willing to push this? It’s the shift in attitude that has me worried. It’s no longer about rewarding the faithful; it’s about punishing those who disobey. EA is dipping its toe in some troubling waters with this online pass, and if we sit quietly on the sidelines and watch, what’s stopping them from pushing forward with these sort of ideas?
EA plays the sympathy card well
“In order to continue to enhance the online experiences that are attracting nearly five million connected game sessions a day, again, we think it’s fair to get paid for the services we provide and to reserve these online services for people who pay EA to access them.”
Hold the phone for a second. It’s totally cool with EA if I buy a game new and play it online. It’s totally not cool if I sell that game to my friend and he plays it online because it’s putting extra stress on their servers and they gain no profit? I didn’t duplicate the disc, so really nothing has changed, right? Their is still only one copy of that game. EA isn’t now forced to support me and my friend. The number of people online with that game is not being compounded; only one of us can have the disc and be online at a time! That means that no matter how many times that copy of Madden changes hands, their is never ever going to be any higher an amount of people online because of it! So how exactly are they not being paid?
This also puts the ball in EA’s court for people who are willing to purchase their games new. If the online modes are costing people extra money to enjoy, they better be worth it. EA can’t continue their minimalistic strategy of support, shutting off servers only a few years after a games release. If I’m going to pay for the right to play a game online, they better make it worth it. If they can’t, then their might be real problems. Luckily EA recognizes this fact.
“This is an important inflection point in our business,” said Peter Moore, president of EA Sports. “It allows us to accelerate our commitment to enhance premium online services to the entire robust EA Sports online community.”
Competition for the market still exists, meaning EA can’t afford to burn their fans too much, lest they turn to a different company. Say, like Activision? It’s another attempt from a game company to squeeze even more money from consumers. It’s another ugly side of DLC, which has already made its mark in this generation as being terribly inconsistent and regularly over-priced. I hate every kind of locked out feature on a product I purchase, but this one stands alone. I’m not saying EA has no right to try and see profit from used games sales, but it’s their methods I’m questioning. Multiplayer in sports games can be such a large part of the games life, it’s scary to see EA dangling it as a treat. I just plain don’t like the smell of this one.
Living with GameStop
This is the third in our series of articles about GameStop. In the Case Against Gamestop articles, we explained from both a Customer and Employee perspective just why we at Everyday Gamers have taken such a strong stand against the company. The biggest video game retailer in North America has not exactly helped its case since then by breaking street dates on major holiday titles. If it was possible, we would tell our readers to flat out refuse to deal with them.
Unfortunately, we realize for many of you this just is not a realistic ideal. Being the largest video game retailer in North America and one of the few that deals in used games, GameStops are everywhere, and for many of you there just really is no good competition in your area. On top of that, the company uses its market share to negotiate special deals with game makers, allowing it to offer exclusives the competition just cannot match. In the end, even those of us who are the most hardened against the company find ourselves having to deal with it from time to time.
In light of this, we at EDG thought it would be a good idea to share some of the insights we have gained on how to get the most out of your dealings with the game retailer. These insights come from years of being GameStop customers and, for at lest one of us, from being an employee. Hopefully these tips will help you even the odds a bit the next time you go to purchase or trade games with the company.
Tip Number 1: Not all GameStops are alike
I know it can be easy to lump all the stores together because GameStop is a retail giant, but not all stores are alike. While the prices and corporate strategies will be the same no matter where you go, the employees working for the store can make all the difference. If there are multiple stores in your area, which seems likely since GameStop loves to over saturate the market, check more than one out before deciding which one you will frequent.
Need help determining which GameStops employ friendlier, knowledgeable and helpful staff? Here are some tell-tale signs:
1. The state of the store: Look to see just what state the store is in when you enter. Does it look like the employees make an attempt to keep it looking nice? Are the games alphabetized, or are they just strewn all over the place. Do you see employees walking the store, seeing if games are out of place? The state of the store will give you a clue about just how much the employees care about their job and the customers.
2. How customers are treated: Are the employees sensitive to the customer’s needs, or are they too busy trying to force preorders and Game Informer subscriptions down their throat. Are they listening to the questions customers are asking and providing thoughtful answers, or are they just schilling the latest game corporate is choosing to push. Look for signs of a staff that actually cares about the customer.
3. Test their knowledge: Ask the employees about a few games or gaming related issues you are familiar with. Check their answers. Do they know of what they speak. If they don’t know, are they willing to admit that, or do they make things up to hide their ignorance. Personally, I would much rather have someone tell me they are not familiar with a game then try to make up an answer to hide lack of knowledge.
Once you have found a good store or two, you will find dealing with the company a much more relaxing experience.
Tip Number 2: Watch the Sales
Though GameStop’s general prices are no better than anyone else’s (in fact, they can often be worse), it does tend to have good sales. These can range from just good prices on new games to the popular “Buy 2 Used games, Get 1 Free” sales the stores have on a regular basis. Every summer GameStop runs its Gamer Days sale, and the prices during that sale can make dealing with the company worthwhile even to its most hardened critics.
If you really want to know what sales are coming up for GameStop or any retailer for that matter, there is only one website to check: Cheap Ass Gamer. As much as I am not a fan of the the name of the website, the site itself is packed with info on how to get games for great deals, and it is the place to go to find out what sales all retailers are running, including GameStop.
Want to know just how good the sales can get? Earlier this year, I picked up a copy of Street Fighter IV for $19.99 when it was selling new for $39.99. During last year’s Gamer Days sale, certain Guitar Hero controllers were being sold for $9.99; and it is not unusual to see games on sale for 50% off during that sale.
Tip Number 3: Trade to your advantage
We all know GameStop almost never gives fair value for trading in games, but there are ways you can make sure to get more for your trade:
1. Trade early: If you know you are going to trade in a game after you beat it, beat it as soon as possible so you can trade it in as early as possible. GameStop is always looking for trade ins of the hottest releases, and the company will generally give you better trade credit for them. This is becoming even more important with the recent trend of games to drop in price a couple of months after coming out, and it is a must if you are going to trade sports titles. One thing I do is look at my games and evaluate whether or not I am really going to play them anytime soon, If the answer is no, I will trade them in, knowing that is I really want to come back to them, I can pick them up later for a good price or GameFly them. Granted, I take my trades to Play N Trade, but the principle is the same.
2. Trade for New Releases: GameStop almost always has trade in deals when you put the money toward a preorder or new release. If there is a big game you are looking at preordering and you have some games to trade in, take advantage of these deals. A game that would normally only trade in for $10 will give you $12 if you get an extra 20% for preordering a qulifying game. That is how I was able to afford Rock Band; after trades, I paid about $40 for it, including all the instruments.
3. Know when to trade: After the holidays, GameStop almost always needs trade ins. As a result, the company will often offer trade deals right then. Also keep an eye out for major deals where it offers up to 40% trade credit. Those are rare, but they do happen.
4. NEVER trade for Cash: GameStop will never give you anything close to what games or consoles are worth if you trade for cash. If you need the money, look at selling on Amazon, Craig’s List or even your local pawn shop. They will generally give you a better deal.
Tip Number 4: Remember the alternatives
No matter where you live, there will be alternatives to GameStop, at least in terms of new games. Best Buy has been in the midst of a price war with the company, offering “Buy 2 Get 1 Free” deals on all games and even at one time offering to sell some new games and GameStop’s used price. Toys R Us, Target and (I hate to say it) Walmart have all been offering deals on new games as well. See if you can find local stores that offer trade credit for games, such as Play N Trade. Also, never forget the online alternatives, such as Amazon, Ebay and Craig’s List.
It’s up to you
While these tips can help you deal with the company, in the end there is only one way to make sure you are not going to be fleeced by GameStop: determine before entering the store what you are willing to deal with. If you are trading in games, think about what the lowest amount you are willing to get in return is, and if the store will not meet that, walk away. When buying, know before you go what would be a good price to pay for the games you want, and if you find GameStop’s price is higher, go elsewhere. Never forget that GameStop is not the only video game retailer in the US. If you keep that in mind, you can make sure you deal with the company on your own terms.
Gamestop: Another Bad Move
Starting next year, Gamestop is going to cater to DLC lovers. How you may ask, they are going to sell DLC… IN THEIR STORES. Ok, so something called Downloadable content, which can be DOWNLOADED in the comfort of your own home, is going to be sold in store? I honestly want to know who came up with this idea. I can’t see consumers making a trip just to get something they can download anywhere. All I can say is, Gamestop is either 1, running out of good ideas or 2, desperate. Either way, I do not feel that this a good move for Gamestop. Selling DLC in store kind of defeats the purpose.
Gamestop Vs. Best Buy: Round 2
I recently wrote about how Best Buy was matching Gamestop’s prices. Well, it seems that Gamestop is paying attention. In that post I said that Gamestop could make their used games prices lower. Well, they did just that. I am not trying to gloat, I am saying that this is exactly what needs to happen. Gamestop is finally starting to realize that they need to change their ways. Now, even though they are cutting their prices, Gamestop still has a few things to change before I go back there. I am actually going sometime this week to personally try out the Kiosk at Best Buy. That brings me to my next point. Gamestop trade-in credits. I had also mentioned in that post, that I felt that Gamestop had ripped me off numerous times and they have. For example, I was going to trade in my 360 to them (WORST mistake ever). So, I called in advance to see how much they might give. They said $100. I figured that was fair since you can get a new one for $250. Well, low and behold they only end up giving me $80. I wish I would have said NO WAY and kept it, but I didn’t. So let me get this straight, they tell you one thing, but do another? That is why people are getting turned off from Gamestop. The problem is, they have really been our only option which is why I am so excited about how Walmart, Best Buy, Amazon and a few others are trying out used games and Kiosks.
Why Gamestop is Looking Sad
When I first heard that Best Buy was to start testing out kiosks that allow you to trade-in DVD’s, games etc., I was ecstatic. I thought of the potential and the fact that we may soon have a better option then Gamestop. Basically the way the kiosks work is, you take games and then the kiosk determines how much credit you get. It then gives you a gift card which you can use in their store. I am very familiar with the fact that Gamestop is not so generous with the credit you get as I have experienced it personally. To be truthfully honest, they have ripped me off more than once. So now Best Buy is taking another aim directly at Gamestop. One store in Utah is now trying out a policy where they will match the price of a used Gamestop game to a new one. So what exactly does that mean? Well, in essence, Gamestop generally prices their used games at $5 less than normal retail. So, what does this mean for gamers? Well first off, it means you are saving $5 on new games which means used games would cost even less. I hope that will open up Gamestop’s eyes and show them that gamers are sick of being taken advantage of and they are not the only outlet for used games. Now while we are not certain if they are trying this anywhere else, it could definitely give Gamestop a run for their money.
The Case Against GameStop: The Customer’s Perspective
It’s no secret that we here at Everyday Gamers do not have a very high opinion of GameStop. Whether we’re discussing problems with the company with Nick Sutner in our podcast or encouraging you to look around for alternatives, we have made it clear that we are not too happy with the leader in video game retail. What might not be so clear is why we do not like GameStop. Sure, we mentioned some of our objections in various forms, but it might be easy to consider some of what we have said just sour grapes. Tom and I are former GameStop employees, and it would be easy to say we just are holding a grudge.
That could not be further from the truth. As insiders, Tom and I have had a unique view of just how this company treats gamers and employees. We have seen what we once loved become a place we can hardly bear to visit. We have seen customers, coworkers and friends affected by the decisions this corporate giant has made, and not in a good way.
So in an effort to explain just why we try to encourage you to look for other places to spend your gaming money, we have decided to lay all our info on the table. We took the time to not only compile our objections but to also talk to other former employees to get their view on the company. We wanted to give you a chance to weigh the evidence of yourselves and make your own decision. While we have our own feelings about GameStop and will always encourage competition, we also know you have every right to know why we have chosen to stand against them.
With that in mind, let me present The Case Against GameStop.
The First Witness: The Customer
Since customers drive any retail business, you would think it would be in the best interest of the said company to treat its customers well. GameStop apparently has not figured that out. It is concerned much more about the bottom line than the customers, and it shows in many of the company policies.
Want proof GameStop has a low opinion of its customers? How about this picture taken at a store where employees were told to dress up in fat suits to promote fitness games.
1. The pittance GameStop gives for trade credit:
I would wager most of you know this one all too well. Whether or not to trade in a game can often be a difficult decision to make. In the end, you gather up the games you spent both your money and time playing and take them in, hoping to get something new for them. Then you hear the total GameStop is willing to give you for those games, and you feel insulted.
GameStop is notorious for giving gamers a mere fraction in trade credit of the price the game will be sold. For example, it was not unusual at all for a customer to only receive $20.00 in trade credit for a game which would be sold for $54.99. Part of the reason for this is the corporate mentality of the company. If a game is being traded in on a regular basis in part of the country, its trade value will be lowered, whether or not the store in question actually has any copies on hand. Add to that the fact GameStop feels it can give back in trade as much or as little as it chooses, knowing more often than not gamers will trade in their games anyway, whether or not they feel cheated.
Of course, $20.00 for a newer game is less insulting than $1.00 for a game that will be sold for $10.00. Believe it or not, I’ve seen that happen.
2. Selling Pre-orders to people who did not order them:
You go to GameStop. You put $5.00 or more down on a game, wanting to make sure you get a copy. You are told the game will be held for 48 hours. Unfortunately, you have to work the day the game comes out, so you cannot make it out to the store till late that day. You stop by the store only to be told there were not enough copies to cover the pre-orders, but there are more coming, and your money will still be good toward the game when they get more stock.
Now while there are times that stores do not receive enough to cover pre-orders, let me share the ugly truth behind what usually has happened in these cases: the store has sold your pre-order to another customer who did not plan ahead but happened to come to the store before you got there.
That’s right. Managers are often encouraged to sell pre-orders to people who come in to buy the game who do not have pre-orders. I have not only heard my manager told to do just that, I have seen the emails telling us to do just that. Never mind the fact the receipt you get when you pre-order a game promises you they will hold the game for you for 2 days.
This practice was exposed when the following leaked memo to managers encouraging them to sell pre-orders of Grand Theft Auto IV started making the rounds of Video Game Blogs:
Now the manager I worked for actually refused to do that, but many do not have that integrity. I can also tell you that he had to fight constantly with his district manager because he refused to do this. You can say that the managers who caved in were just following orders from corporate, but that does not make it right.
3. Condition of used games:
Ever had to return a used game back to GameStop? If you have been buying games there for a while, you probably have. Let me give you a tip: take a look at the game disk before you leave the store. You might be shocked at its condition.
GameStop makes it a habit of taking games in that are in horrendous condition. Many managers do not really care the condition of the games they bring in. I saw this play out as an employee. One of the stores I worked at had a previous manager who would sell games with radial scratches on them. The manager I worked for refused to sell those disks, which meant there were times a customer would bring a case to us for a game that we could not sell because all of our copies were in bad shape. Unfortunately not all managers hold to the same policy.
Now I will grant you GameStop does have a 30 day return policy on used games if they do not work. If a game was rare enough, we would sometimes take the game in even if it was in bad condition. We would let any customers interested in the game know the copy was not in the best of shape and may not play, leaving the decision in the gamer’s hands. There is a difference between making an intentional choice like that, however, and taking in games that GameStop has no business selling. Sure, the customer has 30 days to return it, but GameStop is counting on gamers losing receipts or just never getting around to returning the game.
Some games are damaged so badly, however, that they have to be sent back to the warehouse to be “refurbished.” That brings me to my next point.
4. The Myth of Refurbishing Games:
Did you know most scratched games can be repaired? You would be amazed what can be fixed. My friends at Play N Trade have shown me games they received with the circle etched into them you get from a 360 DVD drive being out of alignment that, after being run through their disk repair system, look almost brand new. All that really cannot be repaired is damage done to the label side of the disk; anything else can pretty much be fixed.
Someone really should tell GameStop. What that company calls “refurbishing” is running a disk through a polishing machine that polishes in circles, leaving circular impressions on the disk. In other words, the game is often in worse shape than it would have been had it just been cleaned.
I cannot count the times I have seen people bring used games back that had been refurbished because they would not play on the gamer’s system. It got to where some customers would refuse to buy an refurbished game, knowing it would more than likely not play in their consoles.
Then there is the fact we on more than one ocassion received “refurbished” DS games. Now other than cleaning the contacts, how exactly do you refurbish a cartridge game? Seriously, who did the company think it was fooling? More than likely, whoever “refurbished” it at the warehouse just cleaned it up a little and sent it back out to be sold. In other words, that person took a game which was returned to GameStop because it would not play and sent it back out to be sold. Tell me how that is taking the customers into consideration.
These are only some of the charges that could be leveled against GameStop for they way it treats its customers. I won’t even get into the stories I know of people getting cheated out of special editions of games, pre-order bonuses and unique items employees were allowed to buy before customers even get to see them. There are a lot of policies at GameStop that just do not favor gamers.
For many of you, this article may have been a bit of a revalatoin. For others, you have probably already experienced many of these objections all too many times. You may even have stories of your own you would like to share. Please feel free to do just that.
This is only the first half of the case against GameStop. We at EDG have yet to call our second and final witness: the employees.
NOT the Only Game in Town
So there I stood on Tuesday, November 25, at one of the few GameStops I could stand. I was patiently waiting for the worker to go trough his shipment and find my copy of Chrono Trigger DS. Though I was pleased with the customer service, the fact that he had not even had a chance to get to the shipment on a day a game as big as this one was coming out just reminded me of why I was happy this was going to be one of the last times I shopped with this company.
When a good thing turns bad: I remember the old days of EB Games and GameStop. It wasn’t that long ago that any trip I made to a mall that had one of those two stores invariably ended up with me in it, probably more than once on that trip. I loved looking at their selection of games, trying to find the one I had been looking for or that gem you could not find elsewhere.
Christmas of 2006: I was working as the acting GM of a local Christian bookstore. Two of my coworkers (twin brothers no less) and I would frequent the EB that was in the same mall. The employees there came to know us, and when it came time to hire some holiday staff, they invited us to work for them. We jumped at the chance to get the discount and “rent games,” so of course we signed up.
It wasn’t long afterward that GameStop bought out EB. We were already being told by those working within the company that this was not a good thing. Most of them felt EB was the better company. At first, it seemed like sour grapes on their part, but it did not take long to see they were right. The change in policies at the stores, as well as not making it an emphasis to hire people who cared about games, started to leave a cold taste in our mouths. I did have to go back to work on a more permanent basis with the company in 2007-2008, and though it was made tolerable by great managers, I was not exactly relishing the experience.
I could go into a long list here of what is wrong with GameStop, but that is really not the idea behind this article. I just wanted you all to know I have seen the company from an insider’s perspective, and I have seen what was a company I really liked turn its back on the people they supposedly are there to serve.
The problem is that GameStop is the big player in the video game market. The company is the most recognized brand.
They are not the only one, however.
The Alternatives: There was a time where it was basically Gamestop/EB or bust. Then Game Crazy came, but it really did not last long; you can still find a few out there, but it is no longer a reliable brand.
So where do you go to get your games, especially used games, if you don’t want to just continue to feed into the corporate shell that is Gamestop?
Play N Trade is a new group of independent franchises appearing nationwide.
1) Play N Trade: never heard of this company? That’s not too surprising. They are relatively new, but Play N Trades are starting to pop-up all over the country. So what makes them any better than GameStop? Each store is an independent franchise and opposed to a corporate shell. What this means is the owners are given much more freedom when it comes to how they design the store, what they carry, and what specials and events they have. A couple of friends of mine just opened one in Phoenix, and the difference between this store and the local Gamestops is HUGE! They have 8 flat screen TVs with consoles hooked up for demoing games, a clean, open environment that encourages browsing titles, and a growing selection of retro games and consoles, something Gamestop refuses to carry. I even bought a Retro Duo there, which is a system that lets you play NES and SNES games. Now like any chain, there will be differences between stores, but if this is peeking your interest, check out http://playntrade.com and see if there is a store near you. If there is, check it out. You may just like what you find.
2) Local stores: Many larger cities have local games shops that either existed before GameStop and have still managed to hang in there or cater to a specific market, such as retro gamers. In Arizona, one such place is called Bookmans. Now Bookmans is more than just a video game shop: the chain deals in used books, movies, music, electronics, games….basically a little of just about everything. You can buy anything from a paperback novel to a 360 there (in fact, that is where I bought mine). The downside of a store like Bookmans is it only deals in used, which means you are not going to be able to buy the newest and biggest games there unless someone has traded it in. On the flipside, you can trade in anything they sell there for trade credit towards games, which is a VERY nice feature I have taken advantage of many times.
Bookmans is just one example of the kind of local stores you can find. Take a look at your local yellow pages or google video game stores in your area code. You may just find a store that is to your liking.
Sites like Amazon.com, Gamefly and ShopGoodwill.com can be great places to buy games.
3) Internet Sites: There are a ton of internet sites for gamers and game deals. Playswitch.com allows you to buy used games at a set price and sell your games as well. Since it eliminates the middle man when buying or selling games, you get better deals. Game HQ lets you buy or trade games for great deals. You can even consider joining Gamefly; not only do they rent games, they sell them to members at great discounts, and they give you even more discounts the longer you are a member. There’s also Ebay, Amazon, and a whole host of other internet sites that specialize in gaming and have great deals for people willing to search.
The Choice is Yours: I’m not here to tell you to never purchase anything from GameStop again. I can’t even say I never will. All I am trying to say is there are alternatives out there. If you are tired of the practices and attitude of the corporate giant, take a look around you. See if there is a local store you can frequent instead, or do a little research on the web and find a net based retailer you like. The choices are out there.
Gamestop has come to act as if it is the only game in town. Maybe it’s time we as gamers prove the company wrong.
============================ Another Take ================================
David Lange:
Ah yes the good old days of EB games and that coveted trip to the mall that would invariably find you there. I remember those days, when going to a game store was something you actually looked forward to with youthful glee. At least that’s what I’ll tell my children, when I reminisce about the golden age of retail gaming, because thanks to the soulless corporate zombie known as GameStop those joyous occasions are quickly being relegated to fond memories alone. “Son, when I was a boy, I would walk 7 miles through the snow to go to EB.” Today I wouldn’t go to GameStop if someone carried me on a cushioned pedestal. I exaggerate slightly. But not about the lack of joy, or the nostalgia of an era when your local game store was a veritable cornucopia of electronic euphoria (yeah, it was that good).
At the age of 25 (a genuine “old fart” in gaming years) I can speak to a new generation of 13-somethings whose only experience of retail gaming is an irritated sales clerk too busy unpacking a box to go get the Xbox 360 you’re trying to buy (oh wait that’s my experience). Really it isn’t all that bad, but it isn’t particularly good either, and that’s the point. It’s a sad state when a trip to the “game store” means logging onto Amazon.com, but I’d rather do that than go to an over-sized, understocked retailer.
So what changed? Lot’s of things I suppose, but the primary factor is the prevalence of industry giants such as Walmart and Best Buy. As corporations it makes good sense for them to avoid costly micro management of the multitude of product catagories they offer. Instead they focus on the mass market of the mainstream consumer. Jack of all trades and masters of none, as these commercial behemoths increase in size they swallow up various markets, smothering specialized retailers with name brand, mass marketed mediocrity. Each particular industry they absorb is marginalized and even stores such as GameStop that do “specialize” in one department still suffer from the corporate machine, cogs in which they are.
What EDG staffer Eric has done here with this feature is struck a blow for gamers everywhere, and I encourage everyone to look to alternative sources when trading and buying games. As hardcore gamers the video game community we belong to is a great thing that defines who we are. Every time we take the easy way out and buy from companies that don’t care about the individual gamer we contribute to the slow disappearance of this subculture. In the information age there are far better and more enjoyable ways to indulge in our beloved hobby, and going to the local “big box” stores is a lazy excuse we are all guilty taking. Over the next few weeks EverydayGamers.com will be featuring articles that look at unique opportunities to play and save. I hope we’ve got your attention because we’re just getting started.
Thomas Pine:
I couldn’t agree more with what Eric or David have stated. As a former employee of GameStop, I can sympathize with the underpaid minions who call GameStop their employer, but I have no compassion for the company because of what it has done to gaming. Yes, as Eric remarked, there is too much to cover in too little space, but all one needs to do is spend a little time inside one of these stores and the problems quickly become apparent. Fortunately, as the title of this article suggests, there are many other options available for gamers seeking games.
Sure you could bypass GameStop and go directly to the Best Buy or Walmart, but in essence you would be defeating the purpose. GameStop, Best Buy, Walmart – no matter the name they’re all the same monster. So, where should you go to buy your games? Most of the obvious answers have already been stated above, but allow me to rattle off a few of my top choices:
Amazon.com – Want to find a decent to great price on a game without having to wait through hours or even days of bidding? Amazon is one of your best choices. Not only do you have the option to buy games directly through Amazon, but you can also preorder upcoming titles, purchase accessories and hard to find gems, and shop various other sellers items. It’s like eBay without the bidding option. Like a game and the price? Then buy it from the seller. As an added bonus Amazon offers “deals of the day” and “gold box” deals, with both of these options giving you an increased savings over the msrp. Qualified orders also ship for free.
ShopGoodwill.com – This is a little known secret that I have been holding on to for a while. Most of you are familiar with the name Goodwill, but you probably associate it with “other peoples garbage”. Maybe that’s true, but remember the old saying – “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” I have to say that I was completely surprised when I stumbled upon this site. It a retro-gamers paradise, with games and systems ranging from as far back as the Atari to the more modern 360. Choose an item that you like and bid on it, if the bidding ends with you on top pay for the item and have it shipped. It’s a strait forward process with little hassle, but a big payoff.
Independently owned local game stores – Many names have been mentioned above, but these are going to vary from city to city. I have a few in my town that I frequent, and I’ve found that it pays to become friendly with the owners. Once you’ve built a rapport with these guys, you’ll find that they’ll keep an eye out for you if there is something that you are looking for in particular. Obviously they’re not always going to have as large a stock of games as the GameStops or Best Buys, but if you put in a request most likely they can obtain what you are looking for. In addition, you’re most likely going to be able to find harder to locate games and systems through these smaller guys, because the don’t have to go by a corporate standard of what they accept as trade-in items.
Kurt Roberts:
As a self professed budget gamer, meaning I don’t buy new releases at full price and more often than not buy used, I share the same memories of EB back in the day. (Remember free shipping and stackable coupons online that resulted in purchases that cost them more to ship than they would profit?) Without getting into a rant about Gamestop and their incessantly poor sales techniques bordering on harassment, or the insanely off balance employee structure where they either know nothing about gaming or think that they know everything and aren’t open to other viewpoints, I like others have turned to alternatives. In a small town where your only options are Wal-Mart, Circuit City, and Gamestop, I have found online resources to be the best.
Forums like those at Cheapassgamer.com or dvdtalk.com are great resources for current gaming deals, and if you visit frequently you might happen upon a very short lived sale or pricve mistake. Store ads are often posted weeks in advance, so knowing that a game you want will be $10 cheaper next week or come with a gift card is great. In the used market, half.com and ebay used to be decent, but recent policy updates and sellers dishonesty has turned me away. Amazons used markets and selling/trading subforums of the above mentioned sites are great peer-to-peer oppertunities. Gamefly often has free shipping sales with great prices, available to those who aren’t even on a rental plan with them. Patience pays off, other than a very few ‘must have’ new releases, I never pay more than $20 for a game.