The "I Hate Gamestop" Thread

[smackababy]

The store will know ahead of time because they see it on the distro list for product in transit.

Unless that is new, they don't. I worked at a GameStop during the Wii launch and we got a shipment of 3 Wiis per week, and what day was random. We had no idea unless it was Friday and the delivery hadn't happened yet.

Split off from another thread, since it was dragging that thread off topic
-ViRGE

 

[cmdrdredd]

Unless that is new, they don't. I worked at a GameStop during the Wii launch and we got a shipment of 3 Wiis per week, and what day was random. We had no idea unless it was Friday and the delivery hadn't happened yet.

The system allows you to see product in transit with an expected delivery date. It's not information available to GA's though.

The managers will know, but they most likely won't tell you. They wouldn't be able to tell you "next week on thursday we will get them." though. They don't have that much advance notice. Basically if it's in transit they can find it in the system. They check the sku in an F10 lookup and check for a QIT entry or "quantity in transit" if it's 0 then there's none on the way. If it's a yes they can look on the distro list and see a ship date + days in transit. This is how my store knew what day they expected to receive the Killer Instinct fight sticks for those who reserved them. They checked the shipping list and checked the date. I asked because I was thinking of buying a second one but everyone came to pick theirs up and there weren't any left over after the 48hour window.

It's simply information that they don't give out.

 

[Doppel]

It's simply information that they don't give out.

I get the distinct impression the guys at the gamestop near me LOVE telling people "I can't tell you", as if it's some damn state secret when consoles are coming in and/or how many they have. The day before release of the PS4 the guy seemed to enjoy telling me he couldn't tell me how many they have.

Frankly gamestop won't exist after this generation of consoles anyway. Used games will probably be shut out entirely then and at that point gamestop has no competitive advantage over anybody. Of course, radio shack somehow hasn't gone out of business, so there is some small chance I'm wrong.

 

[BikeJunkie]

I get the distinct impression the guys at the gamestop near me LOVE telling people "I can't tell you", as if it's some damn state secret when consoles are coming in and/or how many they have. The day before release of the PS4 the guy seemed to enjoy telling me he couldn't tell me how many they have.

Frankly gamestop won't exist after this generation of consoles anyway. Used games will probably be shut out entirely then and at that point gamestop has no competitive advantage over anybody. Of course, radio shack somehow hasn't gone out of business, so there is some small chance I'm wrong.

Amen :thumbsup:

 

[cmdrdredd]

I get the distinct impression the guys at the gamestop near me LOVE telling people "I can't tell you", as if it's some damn state secret when consoles are coming in and/or how many they have. The day before release of the PS4 the guy seemed to enjoy telling me he couldn't tell me how many they have.

Frankly gamestop won't exist after this generation of consoles anyway. Used games will probably be shut out entirely then and at that point gamestop has no competitive advantage over anybody. Of course, radio shack somehow hasn't gone out of business, so there is some small chance I'm wrong.

They aren't allowed to tell you. If they do and if you are a secret shopper or if it's overheard by a secret shopper, that manager is in deep with the DM.

Gamestop is going nowhere, they are the biggest video game retailer in the world.

From the following page. Third quarter earning results. http://news.gamestop.com/press-release/business/gamestop-reports-third-quarter-2013-results

Total global sales for the third quarter of 2013 were $2.11 billion compared to $1.77 billion in the prior year quarter, an increase of 18.8%. Consolidated comparable store sales rose 20.5%, significantly above the forecasted range.

During the quarter, sales of new software increased by 43.1%, driven by the strong performance of recently released new titles, such as Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto V. New hardware sales grew 15.3%, led by strong sell-thru of Nintendo 2DS and 3DS. Each of these categories outperformed the overall market, leading to 675 basis points of market share gain during the quarter. Pre-owned sales decreased 2.0%. Our new businesses, mobile and digital, had sales and receipts growth of 14.4% to $49.9 million and 8.6% to $137.9 million, respectively.

GameStop’s net earnings for the third quarter were $68.6 million, a 45.3% increase compared to adjusted net income of $47.2 million in the prior year quarter.

 

[BikeJunkie]

I'm starting to think you're a GS employee/shill.

 

[cmdrdredd]

I'm starting to think you're a GS employee/shill.

So you dont like the truth? Gamestop is making billions every year and you think they are going away? People hate Walmart too but they aren't going out of business. People hate gamestop's used prices but then claim to not buy or trade their games on the used market anyway. So...what is their beef? Its not like they have a monopoly either.

I just think you want to ignore facts and live forever being a bandwagon hater of anything successful.

 

[BikeJunkie]

So you dont like the truth?

No, just GS. And you have quite the short memory. Last year, people were ready to start counting GS' remaining timeline in days rather than years because they were in such bad shape... so your quarterly earnings comparing this year to last is pretty hilarious. Did they experience an uptick this year? Yes, but it was a recovery - a retreading of old territory - not gaining new ground. Does it remotely address where the industry is going in the future? Hell no. Anyone without blinders can see that GS' current business model has no chance of holding up through digital distribution in the long run.

I don't know why you're so quick to your feet to defend GS - it's almost fanboyish - but it's not very rational.

I just think you want to ignore facts and live forever being a bandwagon hater of anything successful.

Hyperbole much? Yes, anyone who takes issue with GS "hates anything successful" But thank you for proving my point.

 

[exdeath]

So you dont like the truth? Gamestop is making billions every year and you think they are going away? People hate Walmart too but they aren't going out of business. People hate gamestop's used prices but then claim to not buy or trade their games on the used market anyway. So...what is their beef? Its not like they have a monopoly either.

I just think you want to ignore facts and live forever being a bandwagon hater of anything successful.

Some of Gamestop's used prices are better than EBay. Add in points for a free game once in a while and frequent B2G1F used sales, and its that much better. In fact most of my DS and PSP collection built up this year was from Gamestop.

$4-12 for obscure RPGs that are $30+ on EBay? Yes please. Xenoblade for $40 (before the recent reprint sold as used for $90 scandal). Legend of Heroes III for $7. Hexyz Force for $16. Class of Heroes $16. Etc.

Just don't buy Mario, Pokemon, Call of Duty or anything remotely known or popular. I call this the Mario Tax. Its hilarious when a reseller has 10 copies of Mario for $54.99 but has the obscure rare $100 RPG for $5.

But even then with B2G1 used sales you can still come out ahead of EBay prices on Mario Taxed titles.

 

[cmdrdredd]

No, just GS. And you have quite the short memory. Last year, people were ready to start counting GS' remaining timeline in days rather than years because they were in such bad shape... so your quarterly earnings comparing this year to last is pretty hilarious. Did they experience an uptick this year? Yes, but it was a recovery - a retreading of old territory - not gaining new ground. Does it remotely address where the industry is going in the future? Hell no. Anyone without blinders can see that GS' current business model has no chance of holding up through digital distribution in the long run.

I don't know why you're so quick to your feet to defend GS - it's almost fanboyish - but it's not very rational.



Hyperbole much? Yes, anyone who takes issue with GS "hates anything successful" But thank you for proving my point.

Your point is worthless because GameStop is the only place that actually has certain titles in stock a lot of the time. Try finding blazblue in target and Walmart. You won't find it. Amazon has it but I have to wait for shipping. If I want the game for today or tomorrow I am out of luck unless I wanna pay for overnight.

Plus GameStop does digital games too. Bet you didn't know that did you? It isn't different from green man gaming and other sites that offer codes that work on steam. Amazon is offering a psn store and it won't be long before GameStop does the same thing I bet.

So yeah...you hate them for no reason .

 

[BikeJunkie]

Your point is worthless because GameStop is the only place that actually has certain titles in stock a lot of the time. Try finding blazblue in target and Walmart. You won't find it.

And your point is worthless because you think a behemoth that is on the decline can make up for massively shifting industry trends by living off of titles like BlazBlue. That's hilarious! Maybe Blockbuster could have saved itself by offering piles of Anime :biggrin:

Plus GameStop does digital games too. Bet you didn't know that did you? It isn't different from green man gaming and other sites that offer codes that work on steam. Amazon is offering a psn store and it won't be long before GameStop does the same thing I bet.

Yes, because it's such a big secret

Unless GS can offer something significant over Amazon, PSN, XBL in the long run, so what. The GS we know today will exist in name only tomorrow, and that's best case scenario. We're talking about B&M stores and the used game model for all intents and purposes, but if you want to move the goalposts to digital distribution, that's fine with me. The fact that you need to compare GS to GMG to make your point speaks volumes. Maybe you're too emotionally invested in this discussion to recognize this, but I'm pretty sure we just watched Blockbuster go through a very similar transformation

Regardless, you're dodging the issue, which is that used game sales are the rock of GS' business model, and that's going to die sooner rather than later. Here's an article highlighting just how delicate GameStop's model is, given how reliant it is on publishers' cooperation and how easily it could fall victim to their whims:

Forbes - Why GameStop Is Still In Trouble After Microsoft's Used Game Clarifications

The critical takeaway here is that GameStop's current model can only be successful as long as publishers AND console manufacturers CHOOSE to remain compliant. I wouldn't hold your breath. Microsoft took a run at it a few months ago, but if you think that was their last shot on goal, you're sadly mistaken. The fact that that's where their intentions are aimed is telling enough.

Moving along. Article discussing the piss poor earnings last year that I was referring to:

It May Be "Game Over" For GameStop Soon

Here's a teaser:

The video game retailer is coming off another disappointing quarter. Sales plunged 11% to $1.55 billion, well short of the $1.61 billion that Wall Street was expecting. Same-store sales fell by a problematic 9.3%.

Ouch. So comparing this year's numbers to those numbers is pretty stupid. There was a similar trend in 2011, as well.

Of course all of that can be largely ignored, because the coup de grâce can be predicted by anyone sensible enough to look at PC gaming as an indicator. Walk into any store (GS, WalMart, Target, etc) and try to purchase one. Oh wait, you can't. Why? Because not long after PC games were made widely available via digital distribution, it became pointless to sell them in stores. If you can't see the significance of that, you're too emotionally invested in the outcome to be having the discussion.

Hell, when I was in a GS a few weeks ago looking for a PS4, I had to wait forever while a GS employee explained to some stubborn argumentative fanboy why they didn't sell PC games. "We don't sell them because most people just download them from Steam or whatever." GS employee's words, not mine. Maybe you were the guy standing in front of me who just didn't 'get it,' or maybe you're the sole GS employee/shareholder who ignored the memo. GS can try to play in that arena, but they're going to have to share that pie with a LOT of other players, including the likes of Amazon. Yikes.

So which one are you? GS employee or shareholder?

 

[Anteaus]

The day I stopped shopping at Gamespot was back when they were still selling PC games. I walked in looking for something, then noticed that every one of the game boxes was opened. I asked about it and the employee said it was to prevent theft. With full knowledge of the game check out system that GS employees enjoyed, I had a hard time feeling confident that many of the one-time codes used for activation weren't compromised. That was the day I swore never to buy a new game that had been opened by anything, and have since not walked into a GS. Gamestop likes to say that they stopped stocking PC games because demand was down, but in truth it's because they declared war on us and pushed us away.

The irony is that the very thing that caused a huge boom in PC games (Steam, Origin, GOG, etc) will cause a similar boom in console games but at the detriment of Gamestop. Why does that sort of DRM work? Because you get access to all release titles, all the time. No more games going out of print. No more worrying about buying that niche Atlas title because they only printed 50,000 of them. Once they start preloading like Steam, preording a game means literally starting to play it the second it's available and not having to go out and stand in a line.

Sony and MS won't block used games, but what they will do is start selling digital only versions via PSN and XBL and start convincing developers to stop printing discs. They won't do it now because they aren't ready and console gamers aren't hip to it yet, but it's inevitable. Gamestop brick and mortal can't survive in an all digital world where they can't sell used games, but the irony is that if Gamestop does survive it will be via Impulse which, wait for it, sells PC games!

Of course it can't happen today, but over the next five years it will slide that way. It's mainly contingent on internet speed and availability, which improves constantly.

 

[smackababy]

Could you use a source that is relevant please. Your "It may be game over for GameStop" is over a year old AND is morons who think smart phone games are going to kill console sales. MS and Sony would like to disagree.

GameStop, as long as they continue to offer a large number of the most popular console games and take trade ins, will continue to be profitable. They have to worry about the next generation of consoles though, as those will most likely all be DD.

And once Amazon starts charging tax, there is very little reason to new items Amazon.

 

[Doppel]

They aren't allowed to tell you. If they do and if you are a secret shopper or if it's overheard by a secret shopper, that manager is in deep with the DM.

Gamestop is going nowhere, they are the biggest video game retailer in the world.

From the following page. Third quarter earning results. http://news.gamestop.com/press-release/business/gamestop-reports-third-quarter-2013-results

This is why I said after this gen. To date GameStop has done well with used games and new games. Things are already going digital. There is a great chance used games won't be allowed in the future and/or they are hamstrung, not to mention more people are downloading games all the time.

What possible market advantage does GameStop have over best bu or amazon in a world of digital media? It will end up like CD stores. Remember those?

You gave numbers about their great third quarter. Why then did the stock crash? It is down big lately because their profit outlook is poor in the future.

The games you and exdeath mention GameStop having I have never heard of. In any case, carrying esoteric games few people play will not hold up a business with 6000+ retail stores.

I believe the stock of GameStop belies what is actually an incredibly dire future. They unequivocally cannot exist relying on hardware sales. Anything that kills their cash cow, from the demise of used games to increased digital (this last one utterly inevitable) hacks them out at the knees. Unless they can consistently offer digital downloads cheaper than amazon (they can't), this is not a business that will keep them going.

I agree with bikejunkie. GS will be a brand, a logo to paint onto some half assed future. A retail establishment that relies upon the health of physical content that can be delivered digitally has a poor future..

 

[cmdrdredd]

So which one are you? GS employee or shareholder?

Neither but I sure am not a bandwagon hater. Go jump on the next train, they are bitching about xbl gold Netflix paywall in the other thread.

 

[cmdrdredd]

The day I stopped shopping at Gamespot was back when they were still selling PC games. I walked in looking for something, then noticed that every one of the game boxes was opened. I asked about it and the employee said it was to prevent theft. With full knowledge of the game check out system that GS employees enjoyed, I had a hard time feeling confident that many of the one-time codes used for activation weren't compromised. That was the day I swore never to buy a new game that had been opened by anything, and have since not walked into a GS. Gamestop likes to say that they stopped stocking PC games because demand was down, but in truth it's because they declared war on us and pushed us away.

The irony is that the very thing that caused a huge boom in PC games (Steam, Origin, GOG, etc) will cause a similar boom in console games but at the detriment of Gamestop. Why does that sort of DRM work? Because you get access to all release titles, all the time. No more games going out of print. No more worrying about buying that niche Atlas title because they only printed 50,000 of them. Once they start preloading like Steam, preording a game means literally starting to play it the second it's available and not having to go out and stand in a line.

Sony and MS won't block used games, but what they will do is start selling digital only versions via PSN and XBL and start convincing developers to stop printing discs. They won't do it now because they aren't ready and console gamers aren't hip to it yet, but it's inevitable. Gamestop brick and mortal can't survive in an all digital world where they can't sell used games, but the irony is that if Gamestop does survive it will be via Impulse which, wait for it, sells PC games!

Of course it can't happen today, but over the next five years it will slide that way. It's mainly contingent on internet speed and availability, which improves constantly.

The difference is steam offers deep discounts. A monopoly owned by Microsoft or Sony wont. So you need competition in the marketplace to begin with.

PC games weren't selling because of many reasons. They still sell pc games. I buy them at GameStop all the time. I would rather talk to people who are actual gamers with some knowledge of what they sell than deal with some of the people at wally world. Amazon is of no help when I found out about an obscure title that is no longer in print but I missed it when it was. So where do I go? Pay $80 to some eBay scalper or go to GameStop and buy it for half that with discounts from my reward card? Easy choice to me.

 

[Bman123]

This thread went to shit real fast, wow. People will always need systems and controllers and I happen to prefer my local GameStop because when I need help with anything BB, Walmart Target employees don't know shit. GameStop isn't going anywhere. They know how to make money, they hustle people everyday on trade ins

 

[smackababy]

The difference is steam offers deep discounts. A monopoly owned by Microsoft or Sony wont. So you need competition in the marketplace to begin with.

You don't know that. And the very same argument could have been made by Steam. Also, just because a game is digital download only doesn't stop retailers from offering a code for said game. GameStop could end up selling game codes like they already do for Xbox Live Arcade games.

PC games weren't selling because of many reasons. They still sell pc games. I buy them at GameStop all the time. I would rather talk to people who are actual gamers with some knowledge of what they sell than deal with some of the people at wally world.

GameStop's saving grace is the big retailers that also sell games are terrible. The employees never know anything about what games they even stock, nor how to check if another store has it most of the time. GameStop even offers free shipping if you have to get it from their warehouse.

 

[cmdrdredd]

You don't know that. And the very same argument could have been made by Steam. Also, just because a game is digital download only doesn't stop retailers from offering a code for said game. GameStop could end up selling game codes like they already do for Xbox Live Arcade games.

GameStop sells codes for steam right now. I dont think it will be long before people can buy codes for psn and xbl.

 

[smackababy]

GameStop sells codes for steam right now. I dont think it will be long before people can buy codes for psn and xbl.

That is what I mean though. GameStop can easily get 1000 licenses for X game on Xbox One and sell them as digital downloads. The pricing would fluctuate with the market, just as boxed games do. The fact they don't get fire sale prices like Steam is really because they continue to sell at such high prices.

 

[BikeJunkie]

Neither but I sure am not a bandwagon hater. Go jump on the next train, they are bitching about xbl gold Netflix paywall in the other thread.

In other words you have nothing of substance to say. Gotchya, champ :thumbsup:

 

[BikeJunkie]

Could you use a source that is relevant please. Your "It may be game over for GameStop" is over a year old AND is morons who think smart phone games are going to kill console sales. MS and Sony would like to disagree.

Yes, I know it's old, but it was a frame of reference for a shill's laughable GS earnings boasts for this year:

So comparing this year's numbers to those numbers is pretty stupid. There was a similar trend in 2011, as well.

 

[BikeJunkie]

I believe the stock of GameStop belies what is actually an incredibly dire future. They unequivocally cannot exist relying on hardware sales. Anything that kills their cash cow, from the demise of used games to increased digital (this last one utterly inevitable) hacks them out at the knees. Unless they can consistently offer digital downloads cheaper than amazon (they can't), this is not a business that will keep them going.

Yep - I whole heartedly believe they are the next Blockbuster. It has nothing to do with "bandwagon hate." While I admittedly have not liked GS for a long time, that doesn't mean the situation can't be analyzed objectively... and anyone with a modicum analytic ability can see the writing on the wall. Their current model is doomed. Best case scenario, they end up a small fish in a ginormous sea of digital distributors, many of whom are experts in that arena right now, not 5 years from now.

 

[Doppel]

Yep - I whole heartedly believe they are the next Blockbuster. It has nothing to do with "bandwagon hate." While I admittedly have not liked GS for a long time, that doesn't mean the situation can't be analyzed objectively... and anyone with a modicum analytic ability can see the writing on the wall. Their current model is doomed. Best case scenario, they end up a small fish in a ginormous sea of digital distributors, many of whom are experts in that arena right now, not 5 years from now.

I actually can't believe it is a debate. There is no way in hell GameStop doesn't end up like blockbuster. ALWAYS bet on digital. It won music, it won movies, it's winning games. GameStop B&M will be crushed in an increasingly digital world.

 

[smackababy]

I actually can't believe it is a debate. There is no way in hell GameStop doesn't end up like blockbuster. ALWAYS bet on digital. It won music, it won movies, it's winning games. GameStop B&M will be crushed in an increasingly digital world.

While GameStop does make most of it's profits from game sales, they do make money off peripherals and consoles. Plus, handhelds aren't going anywhere. GameStop might not be the juggernaut it is now in the post physical media world, however, people will still need extra controllers, cables, consoles, handhelds, accessories, etc. People, who are impatient, are not going to want to wait a few days when their controller breaks or a new console comes out. They want to go and pick it up. Amazon is trying to combat this (see their drones). They know the convenience of grabbing locally beats out waiting, especially in places you have to pay tax regardless.