Time for GameStop to Go?

**HCK** · 09-12-2011

I dunno... something strikes me as unnerving about a game retailer that has its own platform...

And while I was in America, GameStop was the only national chain retailer I saw... are they it now? And if so, how is it that they haven't run afoul of anti-monopoly laws?

"The company also revealed today that it is set to launch its own brand of Android gaming tablet, which will be classed as a "GameStop certified gaming platform."

As reported by GI.biz [registration required], the scheme is due to hit stores next year, and will simply be an existing tablet with certain games preloaded onto it -- although the specific model has not yet been announced."

And it's early and I still haven't had coffee yet. Bleh.

**GodofHardcore** · 09-12-2011

Starbucks has it's own record label

Barnes and Noble has it's own E-Reader (and Barns and Noble is more or less the only national bookstore chain left since Borders went under)

SO really I don't see any issue with Gamestop selling their own gaming tablet.

**Taucias** · 09-12-2011

Originally Posted by HCK

I dunno... something strikes me as unnerving about a game retailer that has its own platform...

And while I was in America, GameStop was the only national chain retailer I saw... are they it now? And if so, how is it that they haven't run afoul of anti-monopoly laws?

And it's early and I still haven't had coffee yet. Bleh.

They don't appear to have been hit with anti-competitive laws yet, but they surely should be.

**CrAzY** · 09-12-2011

I just don't like Gamestop, mainly because it has only been PS2 and above for years now, they sticker the fuck out of everything, and other bad experiences. I used to have so many cool independent stores nearby, even one 3 blocks from me called Gameworld that had everything, owner was a true gaming enthusiast too.

2 years ago I bought around 10 SNES games their for extremely cheap. Most fully boxed with all the inserts, and all for $3-5 each. Chrono Trigger boxed was a full $20, well worth it for me. Since I am pretty good friends with the owner, I tell him I will be back soon to clear out all of his SNES collection, and 2 weeks later I return to an empty building.

I ask him on Xbox Live what had happened and he tells me some story about all of the merchandise getting seized for matters I can't quite recall, but all in all a truly depressing time for me! All of the gems that store had, seized? Ludicrous.

I want Gamestop to fall and for independent game stores to just pop up all over the world! .... & then I step back into reality.:crying:

**kendrick** · 09-12-2011

Gamestop hasn't been relevant to my gaming purchases for nearly five years now. In all that time, the only purchase I've made there has been one to take advantage of a local pricing error. Other than that, I spend nearly $1,500 a year and it all goes to Target, Amazon, and local independent shops.

At the same time, I know that voting with my wallet won't have a noticeable effect. The majority of the market likes the convenience of a single chain with a unified inventory system, and doesn't care about corporate corruption or price gouging. Gamestop serves that need and doesn't have to work very hard to keep that business. As the economy gets worse, that may change.

**Yakumo** · 09-12-2011

independent shops rule IMO. I love looking around them but they do seem to be living in the land of crazy prices at times or at leat the ones in southern Japan are. Still, there's always the used game stores as well which do have deals and just as magial to look around.

For new stuff though it has got to be Amazon all the way. Cheap, very fast and free deivery and no problem with returns.

Yakumo

**GaijinPunch** · 09-12-2011

Originally Posted by Taucias

They don't appear to have been hit with anti-competitive laws yet, but they surely should be.

You'll likely never get hit w/ anti-compete by opening stores. Actively taking out/buying the competition is another story. Anyone can open up a store in the same neighborhood.

**GodofHardcore** · 09-12-2011

The trick is to open up in an area gamestop wouldn't even think about opening a store in.

Someone I went to school with has an online retro store and IT SUCKS

http://www.retrocadegames.ecrater.com/

They've been BEGGING ME to change the name of my show too.....
Jackasses

No joke after the first episode of my show was uploaded I got a call from one of the guys running the shop CRYING asking me what my problem was.

But there are some great indy retroshops here in paticular The Toy vault and the Time Capsule.

By the way there is another video game chain in the US called Play N Trade

**CrAzY** · 09-12-2011

Yeah, I noticed Play N Trade popup a couple years ago in my town. It's a decent place, but mine never had too many good classics, and I am sure it varies greatly depending on the store. I really only went there for the Halo tournaments, which were good times, always with free pizza and soda. (Especially fun since my team has won the last 3 times.)

Anyways, I know I have mentioned a place called "Game Dude" on here before, but anyone close enough to Hollywood should take a visit if you have a chance. Some of the prices are ridiculous, but you can find everything there.
http://www.gamedude.com/

+ It's pretty cool to just browse and take in the atmosphere!

**MottZilla** · 09-12-2011

In the US besides GameStop you can buy games at retailers Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and possibly others. GameStop sucks, there is not really anything else to say. They make alot of profit off people trading in games.

**HCK** · 09-12-2011

I used to work video game retail at a shop in the Minneapolis/ St. Paul area called Toyriffic. We carried everything from modern stuff (which at the time was N64) all the way back to whenever.

And if the boss came in and you weren't playing games he'd get on your ass. He use to say "How can you recommend a game if you don't know if it's good or not? I expect you to be an expert on all these games!"

THAT was a job.

**kendrick** · 09-13-2011

I find Play-N-Trade, as a chain, to be a lot like Gorilla Games. They have great retro items that no other store may carry, like Atari 2600 carts or original Gameboy peripherals. But you can't count on a store to be run professionally. Registers are unattended, displayed games frequently aren't in stock, and in one extreme case I found a store that didn't even stick to its posted hours. They haven't ripped me off or tried to sell me a magazine subscription, so I'm still willing to shop at Play-N-Trade. But they're not the first place I think of to buy from either.

**Keberasky** · 09-13-2011

Originally Posted by GaijinPunch

You'll likely never get hit w/ anti-compete by opening stores. Actively taking out/buying the competition is another story. Anyone can open up a store in the same neighborhood.

Very true. Stuff like this below really does show you how gamestop is pushing the limit.
http://betanews.com/2011/08/24/games...reaming-games/

**HEX1GON** · 09-13-2011

Originally Posted by Yakumo

independent shops rule IMO.

Exactly right, I love them as well. I worked in one for a very short period of time (around 2 weeks). I nearly bought every system in the shop. Was great friends with the owner as well. Too bad he shut shop, too many parents would come in claim he'd rip their kids off. When actually he had the best prices that I could recall. Very depressing, miss that store.

Doesn't GameStop have exclusive promo items usually?

**A. Snow** · 09-13-2011

Pretty much all my purchases are from Amazon now. Great service and preorder deals and all without the constant pimping of products that Gamestop does. The only problem I've had with Amazon that was entirely their fault was when a game I ordered with free "get it on release date" shipping came a day later. I didn't even notice until I received an email apologizing and giving me a $5.00 credit. Gamestop on the other hand has more than once either lost or royally fucked up my preorders and has never once tried to fix the problem. Fuck'em.

The other thing that pisses me off to no end about Gamestop is how every other new game I try to buy is the last "display" copy. They always look at me like I just insulted their Wife, GF, or Sister when I refuse to buy their fondled over game for full price and then try to lecture me on how it is still "new". Maybe I'm wrong but I was always under the impression that an item is no longer new once you tear into it. Why the fuck they can't use a similar system like the one Toys "R" Us has is beyond me.

Funny how a company I have never done business with face to face and one far more logistically complex can consistently beat a chain store with a local presence so badly.

**Bramsworth** · 09-13-2011

I just hate these boring chains. No variety, just a bunch of newer systems. There used to be this great game store called Knights Video Games near where I live that had everything retro, including imports. If you were looking for an import, they could locate it for you. It used to feel good just to be in that place, and the people there weren't just boring employees, you could tell they actually play games, and that wasn't limited to just what's current either. They ended up disappearing though. I can only assume since they were pretty much the only independent game store in this entire area, the competition from bland old chains like Gamestop drove them out :(

**Cyantist** · 09-13-2011

Originally Posted by GodofHardcore

The trick is to open up in an area gamestop wouldn't even think about opening a store in.

Someone I went to school with has an online retro store and IT SUCKS

They have some nice stuff but it seems overpriced as hell.

Gamestation was fantastic prior to being bought by GAME. Everything now is utter junk and the retro stuff is relegated to one shelf. Needless to say it can be months before you see new stuff being put out.

GAME and Gamestop can firmly fuck right off because I refuse to buy from GAME (little store nearby called Game Trading is soo much better) and I'd sure as shit refuse to buy from Gamestop.