Author Topic: Merchants: Avoid or Shop (Read 4969 times)

Ceric · « **on:** December 10, 2006, 02:41:48 PM »

Upon the Wii release we have all had are shares of "experiences." Making many swear that they would never shop there again. Well that only works with numbers and numbers we shall have. Reward the Righteous and Condemn the Wicked. Here how I like this to work.

Chain/Store.....Why

Also if you want split them to be lists of the ones who should have are business and should not. I'll start.

Avoid
Sam Goody's/FYE Associated stores in general................................Because I preorderred with them, then they pushed a bundle, didn't even get any systems in, gave me the run around getting my refund of my preorder, and there customer service never return my calls. Also they are always trying to push something.

Good
Wal*mart...........................Surprisingly enough I had a nice experience with them. The launch was nice and orderly. I had a good area to walk around with and it was protected from the elements and heated to boot. Helps they gave us free Nintendo Swag. You do have to wait to get at the games but they don't bother you about anything. They just want you out and well when I check out I just want to be gone.

KnowsNothing · « **Reply #1 on:** December 10, 2006, 02:51:35 PM »

Avoid
Gamestop/EB Games: This should be obvious, there are tons of reasons not to buy from that chain. There's the fact that they're simply more expensive, or that their trade-ins are rip-offs, or that they generally don't know **** about games, or that they alwasy try to push something on you. Every store I've been to has had an extremely bad selection, and their service is always extremely slow (both physically and mentally). On black friday there was a snafu with some people who cut in line, and the manager just chose to ignore it. He pretty much just ignored everyone actually. Just...don't go there.

Walmart: honestly they weren't that bad...they told me and a bunch of other people the wrong time they were opening on launch, so I was late by a couple hours. But you shouldn't really shop at walmart anyway, because...well...because you just don't want to turn into a "walmart shopper." You know what I mean.

Good
Best Buy: They handled both times I lined up extremely well, and even opened up a wii LAWL bit early to boot. I have never had a problem with BB ever, except they sometimes try to get me to go to bestbuy.com for a chance to win something or whatever every time I check out. Not a big deal, I just say no thanks and they're cool about it. Also they're receipts are REALLY REALLY long

BranDonk Kong · « **Reply #2 on:** December 10, 2006, 03:29:39 PM »

Avoid Target at all costs. First off, that store is clearly meant for women only. Secondly, the store is full of complete jerkass employees and douche bag security guards that are basically extra cart chasers.

Best Buy is a mixed bag for me, sometimes it's great, sometimes is sucks. I did get a PS2 (5 years ago, stayed all night) and a Wii (arrived 2 hours early) on launch day, so they're being good to me lately.

Circuit City usually sucks. Plus the brand new one over here smells like stank ass BO.

KDR_11k · « **Reply #3 on:** December 10, 2006, 09:51:33 PM »

Not related to the Wii launch but Kaufhof really counts as AVOID unless you want to buy last gen launch titles at full price or PC games from the 3dfx era.

Rhoq · « **Reply #4 on:** December 11, 2006, 01:08:30 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Brandogg
Avoid Target at all costs. First off, that store is clearly meant for women only. Secondly, the store is full of complete jerkass employees and douche bag security guards that are basically extra cart chasers.

I got my Wii at Target on launch day. I waited in line for 10 hours in below-freezing temperatures, too - but I walked away with a Wii in-hand, so Target rocks.

UltimatePartyBear · « **Reply #5 on:** December 11, 2006, 10:40:44 AM »

I don't think this list can be too useful. It's not like it's corporate policy to act like a jerk to customers. There are a lot of rude, stressed out, apathetic, or otherwise difficult to deal with people working in retail stores. Likewise, they have to deal with plenty of rude, stressed out, or otherwise difficult customers every day. I try to be friendly, polite, and easygoing, and I think it makes a difference. On the other hand, there are some stores that I don't like to go to for one reason or another. I'm not so easygoing that I'll put up with anything, after all.

Ian Sane · « **Reply #6 on:** December 11, 2006, 11:00:02 AM »

I think a good rule of thumb is to avoid places that push sh!t on you. As gamers I think we get too used to that. Imagine going to a grocery store and at the checkout the cashier asked if you would like to buy a jug of orange juice. In stores that deal with a wide amount of customers you rarely see anything like that so why is it acceptable in a more specialized store? If I have the option to avoid someone bugging me about a strategy guide or buying some form of insurance for a $60 product I'm going to take it. Hell I don't even like McDonalds asking me if I want to super-size or Burger King asking me if I want cheese on my Whopper. If I want it I'll ask for it. Bug me if the extra item is free or it allows me to get a deal on virtually the same purchase.

So I just avoid EB because of that crap. I have other options usually and they provide me with no incentive to shop there so why have anything to do with them? At least Burger King has a Whopper monopoly and thus putting up with their cheese push is worth it. EB is just giving you the same as every other store but with higher prices and more bullsh!t.

Kairon · « **Reply #7 on:** December 11, 2006, 11:15:30 AM »

If you can afford it, buy online. That's the next best ethical solution to buying at an indie game store.

Find some independent Ebay store instead of going to the big corporations and pay for shipping. Or find some fansite or site that you go to that has a hook-up "affiliate" program with amazon.com so that every purchase you make through amazon.com through them gives that fan site additional operating dollars.

I've shifted almost all of my gaming expenses off onto amazon.com through a fan site that I visit's affiliate program, for example.

~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

Ceric · « **Reply #8 on:** December 11, 2006, 11:25:06 AM »

Hey, if NWR would have a program like that with Amazon I be game.

Also this thread might not be super useful but it is still useful to get the word out and healthy to discuss these things. If everyone consistently has a problem with a corporation then it must be something there doing because we all live in very different places. Plus corporations read these sort of things to get a feel for there market. Also I enjoy the discussion.

Kairon · « **Reply #9 on:** December 11, 2006, 11:30:18 AM »

Only problem witrh ordering online is that you DO have to pay more (shipping) and you DO have to wait longer. But 8 bucks shipping distributed over a whole range of games is fine with me, especially when I think of how sometimes I just cave and pay EB the extra 5 dollars they tack onto their prices sometimes for third party DS games. And, I don't need games right now right now. I'm a Nintendo gamer, so I'm used to waiting.

~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

Athrun Zala · « **Reply #10 on:** December 12, 2006, 03:58:21 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Kairon
If you can afford it, buy online. That's the next best ethical solution to buying at an indie game store.

agreed....well, it's kinda like the only option I have, otherwise I have to put up with crap like this

Ceric · « **Reply #11 on:** December 12, 2006, 04:12:57 AM »

I'm actually moving some place with only a Walmart to buy games from and I am going to try the rent from Gamefly and keep strategy. No shipping and a used price plus I already tested it so I don't see anything wrong with it... I'll let everyone know how it goes.

Kairon · « **Reply #12 on:** December 12, 2006, 09:07:36 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Athrun Zala
crap like this

Oh my giddy aunt...

~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

Kairon · « **Reply #13 on:** December 13, 2006, 07:47:24 AM »

I saw an ad for videogameadvantage.com on PGC's site... does buying there help PGC?

~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

Smash_Brother · « **Reply #14 on:** December 13, 2006, 08:38:17 AM »

Yet to have a problem with Gamestop, really. Being able to return games for credit and get new ones without spending additional cash is great for people on a budget.

As with every store, the store will only be as good as the people who run it. True, bad customer service policies can ruin it as well, but it depends mostly on the employees of the store in question.

segagamer12 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 03, 2007, 08:59:38 AM »

>>Find some independent Ebay store instead of going to the big corporations and pay for shipping. Or find some fansite or site that you go to that has a hook-up "affiliate" program with amazon.com so that every purchase you make through amazon.com through them gives that fan site additional operating dollars.<<

I totally agree with that method it is the best for everyone.

Not only do you support the company whose product you are buying

you also help support a small time website that needs the extra cash.

Oh look I have a website and am an amazon.com associate too... were you thinking of me?

I only brought this up cuz so far the only thing I sold through my associate program is 1 Wii remote and some books to my brother in law.

And while were at it I always shop K-mart they are the best.

decoyman · « **Reply #16 on:** January 03, 2007, 11:27:46 AM »

My Target experience was really positive actually. I got there 3 hours early, and chatted it up with the people around me, who were cool. An employee even went down the entire line with a shopping cart full of pop and popcorn for everyone in line. All was calm until about 15 minutes before the store was to open, at which point a manager, escorted by a security guard, began handing out tickets (I got ticket #60 out of 60! W0oT).

After it opened, everyone orderly filed back to the game dept. to pick up their goods, and every employee was courteous, helpful and friendly. I think it's a sign that the manager that day was on the ball. The line didn't move super-quick, but it went fast enough. Plus, I'd made a friend in line, so I was busy chatting about game stuff with him.

Yeah, for me: Target: Good.

Shorty McNostril · « **Reply #17 on:** January 03, 2007, 01:11:36 PM »

I find eb to be very good in my little part of the world. (aus). They never try to push stuff on me and are "usually" very helpful. I went to an eb to get my wii at a midnight launch. They had the doors open straight away and let us inside as soon as we got there. The staff mingled with all the customers as we waited for 12.01am and handed out tickets as we arrived. WHen midnight came all was very orderly. 2 people at a time got their gear and left. I couldnt have been happier with eb.

Djunknown · « **Reply #18 on:** January 03, 2007, 03:43:45 PM »

Quote
As gamers I think we get too used to that. Imagine going to a grocery store and at the checkout the cashier asked if you would like to buy a jug of orange juice.

Or worse, what if this happens?

I've said it before, and I'll type until I get carpal tunnel: A store is only as good as the employees working in it, and the management running it.

I've had some good experiences/ bad experiences with the Gamestop/EB machine. One particular store delivered when it counted.

Quote
Not related to the Wii launch but Kaufhof really counts as AVOID unless you want to buy last gen launch titles at full price or PC games from the 3dfx era.

Dakitana FTW! Seriously though, what's the average price for a game over in Europe? Is it more expensive when using Euros, or cheaper compared to the nation's national currency?

KDR_11k · « **Reply #19 on:** January 03, 2007, 09:47:30 PM »

Is it more expensive when using Euros, or cheaper compared to the nation's national currency?

Countries that adopted the Euro no longer have a national currency.

Games are 40-50€ (55€ in rare cases though limited to EA Games, this does not account for "collector's editions") on the PC, 40-45€ (50€ in rare cases) on the GBA and DS, 55-60€ on last gen and Wii games and around 70€ for 360 games. PS3 does not exist.

News:

Author Topic: Merchants: Avoid or Shop (Read 4969 times)