We shopped at EVERY GameStop in our town and...

#videogames #GameStop #retrogaming
Go check out Tales of Vogar - Lost Descendants on Steam for a great, classic, turn-based RPG!
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We have now been to EVERY GameStop in our town, and we visited most of them in one day. Unfortunately, we found some major problems along the way…
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[@JRPGLife]

Go check out Tales of Vogar - Lost Descendants on Steam for a great, classic, turn-based RPG! store.steampowered.com/app/1887070/Tales_of_Vogar__Lost_Descendants/

[@SimonSaysRetroGame]

Vogar? Or Vorgar? ☺️

[@aqlandmirrorvideogamerandc2983]

People hate on gamestop. They want to see them go away. Me no. Gamestop isnt perfect. They have problems. But going into a store that sells physical games is awesome. I hope they can figure out a way to stay around. I don't want to see them go away.

[@torstenscholze3696]

@@SimonSaysRetroGame it is indeed Vogar :D

[@MortsGarage]

GameStop should legit have paid for this content. So good!

[@JRPGLife]

You are too kind!

[@EXCEEDINGSHADOW]

Yeah morts right employees would appreciate this knowledge cause never know if it helps them more than one

[@wantsome-zs5sq]

I don't want gamestop to go away. I still go there but they need to fix things. My biggest pet peeve is them trying to sell me an open game as new. If they can't give me a sealed copy at new price I walk.

[@JRPGLife]

It's such a bummer! We agree totally

[@GrabbinPills]

I worked at Gamestop in the valley back in the day and it's cool to see you two go to so many stores and locations I'm super familiar with. Speaking of that I was suprised to hear that employee who didn't know what complete was. No joke he's been working for Gamestop for over 20 years. Maybe he was out of it that day lol. Or maybe after 20 years he's given up. They definitely need more knowledgeable associates though.

[@JRPGLife]

Oh wow! You actually know the exact person? 😬 hopefully we didn't offend anyone

[@GrabbinPills]

@JRPGLife yeah when I was hired he was one of my managers. This was ages ago and no worries I don't think you offended anyone. You make some great points here after all. If you want some stories or get some inside info hit me up! ✌️

[@Victinipikachufilms]

i love these videos i’m addicted to JRPGLife😵‍💫

[@JRPGLife]

You are too kind! Thanks for watching 😀

[@collectorjohn9538]

It's a really fun channel! Y'all seem like great people and I love listening to you talk about games

[@eddieeverhart4474]

I can very much appreciate having a video where you don't just discuss your issues, but offered meaningful solutions.

[@JRPGLife]

Thanks for saying so! We think it's important to consider options, even if we aren't technically executives lol

[@mikeivans47]

I worked at GameStop for the better part of a decade, and I can tell you right now the employees they have there are poorly trained. The turnover is remarkably high and I don't think the finer details of corporate policy have been passed down very well. Can't really blame the newer employees either since most stores are running a skeleton crew. Just really unfortunate overall.

[@JRPGLife]

That's a shame... 😞

[@TheNintendoWizrad]

My favorite video from you guys in a while. Genuine discussion about games. Good stuff

[@JRPGLife]

Thanks so much for the kind words ☺️

[@Veggiephill]

I agree with everything you guys said. Man I wish GameStop executives would see this video. I only play/collect retro so I go in and ask for retro games and have to ask for that dreaded list, so annoying. And 90% of the time (in my experience) the staff is rude or spread so thin I feel bad asking for games.

[@JRPGLife]

The list is the worst...but I get it. Hopefully they find new methods soon

[@Cinefessions]

Awesome work with this video, guys. I loved the original video where you went to each store, and this is such a well thought out and articulated summation of that experience. Well done! Also wanted to say thanks because, thanks to your videos on this, I asked one of my local GameStops the other day if they had any PS3/360 games, and found a game I’d had in my wish list for a while at about half the going rate, which was awesome! Never would’ve asked if I hadn’t seen your video, so thanks for bringing awareness to this. Great job, as always!

[@JRPGLife]

Oh wow that's great to hear! Thanks for watching 😀

[@uchihasasuke191]

As a GameStop Refurbishment Warehouse worker/GameStop customer, I still think shutting down most of their stores would be best. Then take over an old store like a Neighborhood Walmart, you know nothing too big. Have the employees work there with a bigger staff. And maybe have a retro section and a modern section.

[@JRPGLife]

That's a great idea!

[@Eagleknight815]

Also it was awesome to see you guys again this past weekend at Game On! Im looking forward to those videos

[@JRPGLife]

You too!

[@jamesdwhite873]

I completely agree with the store closures. One of the towns close to where I used to live. There was a GameStop in the mall. Across the road was another GameStop. Where the GameStop in the mall was located. It was a 6 min walk to the other GameStop. That's insane.

[@JRPGLife]

That's wild! We've seen close, but that takes it to another level...

[@treyprice04]

The preorder policy at our local stores is 48 hours to pick up. I’ve also had plenty cancelled on release day, especially on special editions.

[@rickeymorton1368]

Great video, you guys keep it up.

[@boyonthephone1]

Great video guys. It's really bad that they didn't save that game for you. I feel fomo is designed just for that as a marketing tool so you feel you have to get it. Keep up the good work and I'll look forward to the next upload ❤😊

[@noble_wine]

I see physical copies of certain games in your video. Man, I wish it was like that where I live.

[@JRPGLife]

Some of these locations are really good! 😀

[@ChewyTheRed]

All GameStops in Canada have gotten out of selling retro games and more than half the store retail space is now toys/board games/clothes and pet items?! I would love to see retro games come back to retail stores for sure. Great video guys, really good suggestions. 👍

[@JRPGLife]

Thanks so much for watching 😀

[@numberoneappgames]

I hope Gamestop Corporate listens to this.

[@Ryan_TheBold]

My area store tried to push the preorders so hard that they only ordered enough stock to fill preorders. I went in a few times for a brand new game and got hit with “sorry we only got enough to fill preorders” so I walked next door to target and picked it up. My nearest store has a really cool manager who is wildly passionate about gaming and retro stuff. He was taking in retro games a few years and would have them all sold within the day.

[@JRPGLife]

That's the kind of store manager these sites need 😀

[@tonberryhugs6435]

Gamestop was my first job many years ago (started shortly before the 360 launch). The policies are the same but each store operates very independently. Also, the average gamestop personnel are very different (take that how you will) from a retro game store worker. They also pay criminally low so unless its someone's first job, good luck lasting a year. Also, the money down on a reservation that isnt picked up just stays with the associated phone number/account and can be refunded or put towards something else in store.

[@JRPGLife]

Thanks for the info! It's a shame they pay so low 😕

[@mvpheat]

Loved this and the last video Dan. Even though I no longer buy games physical/digital anymore I would hate for gamestop to go out of business. Every bit of information is highly helpful you and Elisa are presenting. If you feel like it I think this would be very beneficial if you posted this on gamestop r e dd it. Thxs again for the content!!

[@JRPGLife]

Thanks so much for watching 😀

[@MTG69]

What made you stop buying games? Are there no new releases that you are interested in?

[@mvpheat]

@@MTG69Hi. Honestly I really don't play games anymore (I'm heavily into tv media guy pirate it). I only like moded systems. I got wiiU ps3 360 PS5 OriginalXbox all modified with games installed (saves alot of money and one day I will get back into it). For snes sega I just emulate it on the pc (literally makes it look likeits an HD remaster). I'm also cheap but I love moding, cool new adapters, and I also enjoy physical collectibles. Not really a gamer anymore, maybe more of a cheap ass gamer.

[@Casprizzle]

I love that you take sponsorships from RPG Maker games :) A lot of people dislike them but I love them.

[@CERBERUS300ify]

They can easily print a copy case and put it on the shelf instead of opening one.

[@Adanwrx]

The store closest to me recently closed, I wasn’t surprised though because they didn’t stock much items, they always had there open signed off and was clearly not managed properly. I didn’t want it to close but I wanted to see it get better.

[@gabyb9556]

Great video! I can’t tell you how many times I have tried to go to GameStop recently and they’re closed for a lunch or bathroom break because there’s only one person working at a time. People lined up outside for 20-30 minutes waiting for someone to come back. Many (including me) don’t wait around and give our business to a place that actually cares about their employees. Every one I go to has employees who are super tired and it’s not their fault they’re the only ones working there all day. This is in a major city btw. It shouldn’t be like this.

[@JRPGLife]

The lunch break thing is a great point that we neglected to mention! How about they put enough staff in there so people can actually take breaks? Lol

[@giygas9305]

I’m in Phoenix Arizona right now for Spring Break with my family!

[@Tracksidebench]

Happy for more

[@GamerLive247]

There is a set spot of shelf space they want "retro" games. Some DMs and SLs just dont care or know wtf to do. Also, make friends with your local gamestop manager. They will 100% hook you up and hold stuff. trust

[@JRPGLife]

Love it!

[@Prettse]

The bad pre-order policy reminded me of the time I had Arc the Lad Collection pre-ordered (dating myself here). If youre familiar with Working Designs you understand that their games were always delayed. Well it turned out I was moving out of state so I went to get my money back and they refused because my pre "sale" as the associate put it was past the return period. They tried to tell me I could take my receipts and use them as credit at any Gamestop in the country (this was before the EB merge and they were all over). It took me refusing to leave the store and having them call their district manager right there for me to get refunded.

[@JRPGLife]

Yeah, it's basically like holding your money hostage. The policy needs improvement 🤔

[@Robocline]

I went into a GameStop yesterday and they had nothing older than PS4 on the shelves. They had a massive collection of funko pops but not much else. I did get the clerk to open the drawer and show me the DS games eventually. I bought a Luigi's mansion for 3DS but their selection was pretty bad. The clerk actually suggested that I go to another retro game store to look. That's terrible for GameStop when employees are directing customers to a competing business.

[@JRPGLife]

😞

[@undamned]

Very thoughtful analysis! Whenever I go to gamestop I feel like I'm in some alternate universe because of the lack of knowledge and view that opened stuff is "new," lol.

[@JRPGLife]

Lol for sure

[@ghnvt3]

My local store just closed one day and hasn't opened since. I'm in Vermont, there is only one left in my area within about an hour. They are toast if they don't change.

[@mjdf122]

The GameStop Grind

[@CERBERUS300ify]

Dudes told me last week they don't buy PS3 or PS3 games. Sent me down the street to their competition lol

[@JRPGLife]

Argh that's frustrating

[@GamerAhmer]

The ones in my area are pretty good. They are always willing to help with any questions I have. There are a few gripes I have but that’s why I shop in person. I won’t order games from them if I can’t visually inspect them first.

[@JRPGLife]

Totally agree!

[@boo1_gaming927]

I buy most of my games from Game Stop. I love collecting physical games, especially on the Switch. The Switch does physical the best out of all the current gen consoles. I also recently got a PS4 about a year ago at this point, and PS4 games are being sold for at least $5, but most of them are around $20. I'm surprised at how many games that are cheap, and they're big games too! Games from EA, Ubisoft, Square Enix, even Sony themselves. You don't really get that with Nintendo. There are also retro game stores where I live, but Game Stop is by far the most consistently clean. One local game store feels like a clutter every time I go in. I've also been shopping at Game Stop for years at this point. Most of the staff here seem knowledgeable about gaming, and it also helps that you know what things should be. Obviously, working there is another story, but shopping at my local Game Stops have been a pleasant experience.

[@JRPGLife]

Thats great to hear!

[@thomasbyers9153]

One issue on the used inventory is that GameStop pays the same for a loose disc or cartridge as they do for complete in box. Retro Rick used to do the split back at the beginning. They need to have trained employees buying games on sliding scales based on condition and if complete. But that goes to issue of staffing.

[@CheeseDimes]

I like GameStop clearance items haha

[@RedBull89s]

I love brick and motor stores, but Gamestop please: 1. Stop Opening up new games and then putting a hard to peel sticker 2. Carry at least a few copies of new games instead of forcing people just to preorder 3. Do ship to store for free shipping, just like Best Buy, take advantage of the physical stores 4. Stop playing Russian roulette on how a copy is going to show up used, let us know if it's CIB or whatever. 5. Like 3 do better with shipping costs, there are ways, not even buying one brand new $70 game will get you free shipping 6. Online inventory of a location never matches what's physically there

[@JRPGLife]

Excellent points!

[@RedBull89s]

I also love window shopping, I'm not going to spend time looking on a list of your inventory

[@DLeif-bk3ye]

There also needs to be consistency with stores taking in trade ins instead of managers discretion.

[@JRPGLife]

Agreed! It's pretty annoying...

[@deathmog91]

i should see you guys this weekend at game on expo.

[@JRPGLife]

Come say hi!

[@sfdghkhjsdfghsdfhg]

first comment YAY, I liked your JRPG tier list and wanted to tell you I just finished X and i loved it, gonna play IX or VI now, what do you think

[@JRPGLife]

Elisa and I would both say VI is better 😀

[@sfdghkhjsdfghsdfhg]

@@JRPGLife thank you! have you guys heard of astlibra revision

[@JRPGLife]

Nope

[@GrailboundGaming]

This video is a breath of fresh air! Thank you both for sharing your experience of shopping at the GameStops in your area. I really like how you both presented solutions in addition to the issues and inconsistencies that are prevalent at GameStop. As a fellow gamer and consistent consumer of GameStop, I also want them to succeed. Lately, as much as it saddens me, I feel as though the corporate hierarchy at GameStop does not care about creating beneficial solutions for its employees and consumers and is focused purely on higher profit margins. This needs to change asap. I also think that GameStop shouldn’t contribute in any way to FOMO. They should stock more copies of games beyond just only pre-orders. There’s no need for them to have or advertise a limited supply of copies for a desired game to drive sales when their warehouses are full of numerous copies of said “desired game”. Also, limiting the number of in-store restocks of desired games will aid in countering FOMO for us consumers while contributing to more successful in-store sales.

[@JRPGLife]

Very solid points! Thanks for sharing 😀

[@austinkurak4470]

Resealing the game and passing it off as its original wrap is bonkers. It’s also a store policy if it’s the last copy in the store that they are using for a display. I’ve asked for them not to even wrap it at that point but, they end up having to anyway. I’m just like “I promise I won’t tell anyone” they still won’t do it 🤣 Love GameStop as well, but would definitely want to see these changes and I 100% agree with you on the preorder policy. Thanks for the quality content guys, I am a fan 🤙🏻

[@JRPGLife]

Thanks for saying so, and for watching!

[@Fizggig]

Another issue is with pre orders. Online it will say if you pre order online and you want to pick up at your local store. The locations by me they will say oh you cant get the pre order bonus thats only for instore pre order first come. Yet it legit says on the flyer otherwise. The stores dictate what goes

[@JRPGLife]

Argh that sucks

[@lonegrimo6098]

In my Area Gamestop doesn't open until Noon

[@IowaRetroGamerDad]

I honestly think GameStop is on its way out and unless they start focusing on Retro games and stuff like that.. They are gonna keep fading. I remember back in their prime when we'd had like 3-5 in the bigger cities around here. Now they have one. Its crazy.

[@readmposter]

God I don’t miss working for GameStop.

[@DogKama]

Adding to the low stock issue, I asked one of the sales reps at the Pebblecreek location and he told me its because they're having trouble getting stock. When asked further he suggested I pre-order a game I'm interested in because they'll likely get enough copies to cover the pre-orders and that's it. On top of that he's noticing certain games are only appearing for Pre-order on their website like the Touch Detective Collection for Switch, which is bonkers because his system wouldn't even show it, yet I ordered no problems on the website. This adds another layer of complexity GameStop Doesn't need, and even the employee believes its them trying to sell less physical and more junk/ digital stuff.

[@JRPGLife]

Wow...that is hard to hear 😞

[@DETH_BY_NUTZ]

Don’t know if this has already been said but it’s actually only 48 hour holds for preorders.

[@hanamusson4032]

I’ve recently parted ways with GameStop, was a store manager. My direct supervisor enforced a 48 hour hold for preorders, if no one picks it up then they force employees to sell it if someone asks about it, OR the system makes it purchasable for online orders. It’s absolute bullshit. I didn’t stand for it, if I could help it, I would lie to people asking after preordered games because I genuinely do not condone such policies. 😢

[@JRPGLife]

Wow, it's so sad to hear about this kind of horrible experience! Hopefully things turn around soon 🙏

[@samanthaazira]

My major complaint is with the manager at the gamestop closest to me. He constantly pushes the disc protection policy to the point he adds it befoe i say no. He also put a pre order on my account when i told him no, because the next time i went in he asked if i wanted to put money down for it.....

[@JRPGLife]

Eek, that's not good...

[@MaxH0ward]

Ive been a gamestop customer since i was like 6 or so and i love it. It has its problems but ive always had really good experiences with the employees. My childhood gamestops still have employees that watched me grow up so its kind of a unique experience. But i usually only go in there for new releases nowadays since when im buying a game normally its usually something retro and they dont have a great selection at my local stores

[@JRPGLife]

It's great to hear that some stores have long-term employees 😀

[@WavesNGames]

I feel like the sentiment thay GameStop should close half its locations only applies to larger cities. When i worked at GS it was in a small town in Oklahoma and the next closest GS's were 45 minutes away in either direction. So with that said, if they did close half the locations I would hope that they prioritize stores that are proximal to other stores. Also, the displays are always great! They have great corporate level marketing.

[@JRPGLife]

TOTALLY agree! Definitely only a big town problem 😀

[@stashmerkin9576]

Less Funko would create more shelf space for older games. Dance with the one that brought you.

[@JRPGLife]

Totally!

[@turtlebutter6401]

What store are you currently running? Seems like you’re a manager of a place?

[@JRPGLife]

Nope, neither of us ever worked at a GameStop. I was in retail management for around 10 years though, and it's all about the same.

[@robert_roland63]

I haven’t been in GameStop in a long time until this past weekend/week. The reason was one of our local stores had a mini Care Bear that my wife was wanting to complete the set since we found most of them elsewhere. It was then I started asking about older games. Pretty much the only ones I went to had the games out on display and nothing behind the counter. I have only seen Wii, Wii U, PS3, Xbox 360, DS & 3DS. Granted there are more from pS4/Xbox One and up as the Switch should be a given. I’m going to explore a little bit more because I have not gotten my Pro account reinstated since there really wasn’t much interest for me to pay their increased price for that membership.

[@JRPGLife]

Yeah its tough to justify the pro membership for sure. Hopefully you have a few local Gamestop options to try and find retro games at 😀

[@TheP1ckle]

Sweet bro I wish the ones Ive been to in Texas were this stacked 😔

[@threeswordssama]

Yeah there's like 4 different gamestops that I could hit up in my local area. Where I lived before there was really only one that made sense for me to go to. I've also found that the employees split time between those 4 different gamestops that I've been in. Also, I had my local gamestop (they knew me there) sell my Tears of the Kingdom Amiibo (link) at the TotK release party. They tried as best they could to get me one but that ship had sailed. Had to buy it later on Amazon for about triple the price. That was one time but I feel the pain on pre-order stuff.

[@JRPGLife]

Ouch...that one hurts 😵

[@threeswordssama]

@JRPGLife I didn't make a big stink about it but I was disappointed for sure. Oh well 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[@ramundo07]

The issue I’m having at my local stops the employees(management) are holding the more rarer titles for friends or for themselves stating those games aren’t for sale.

[@JRPGLife]

Wow...thats the WORST

[@ramundo07]

@@JRPGLife and it’s always the more obscure games they hold it’s never the commons lol. I’m out in the Texas panhandle but I have fond memories of the gamestops in phx.

[@TheLBNC]

I go retro hunting at my local gamestop quite often and the staff is amazing but the biggest flaw ive seen is the training they get for retro stuff. Ive actually been helping them tell the difference between real and a repro because all the training they get is a video saying "look for the Nintendo logo on the board of a gba game" but on a repro the font is different. Ive spotted multiple repros there and have been showing them all the different ways to spot fakes.

[@JRPGLife]

Elisa did the same thing with that Metroid Zero Mission lol

[@RACOONBACON]

You can have it shipped to home if you pay for it in advance

[@thepickinpreacher]

I need to meet you guys! we like the same type games. Nobody else in the community really into RPG

[@UndeadGuardian1]

I live in Canada. My one GameStop (the only one for 4+ hours' drive in any direction) often does not have stock of popular games day one if you didn't pre-order. I was talking to the manager there last week, and he was saying that their mindset shifted during and after COVID. He told me they told him they wanted to sell out day 1, and they'll get more if the stores ask for it. How can they get more if they sell out? On top of which, selling out of big games means people won't want to come back, and will buy from Amazon, Wal-Mart, or any other number of stores that are available to them. I think they are shooting themselves in the foot with this mindset. On top of which it seems to be more about merch than it does about games these days. Not all gamers are into the collectibles side of the hobby. I know I mostly am not. So if they stop getting games... I will have no reason to go there.

[@JRPGLife]

That's pretty crazy! What a backwards philosophy...

[@TheFleaX]

My local GS only offers 2 days to hold a game unless you tell them to save it for you, then they can do a week. (My local GS has some great gamer employees and know me very well and have bent over backwards to help me) BUT if any online order comes in they could sell it out from under you if after the 2 days. (so if if a game comes out on Tuesday and I can't make it in til Saturday, I risk losing my game.) While I understand the ones that put $5 down (btw you can always get this money back, its never lost) But if they paid in full.... Then ya at least 30 days and TAKE IT OUT OF YOUR SYSTEM because it will be listed to buy online. The game is sold, fully paid for for crying out loud.

[@JRPGLife]

Agreed!

[@TWOTALL4UFOOL]

Enjoyed your video. There is a lot wrong with GameStop and there is still a bit of good that they do. The main thing they need to do I feel is start closing more of the GameStops and merge stores so consumers can get a better shopping experience. Having stores less than 10 miles away from one another isn't a good business model. Stores are pretty much competing against one another.

[@JRPGLife]

Totally agree!

[@okey22able]

never been to too many GameStops in one day, i think most have been through 4 gamestops just to find a copy of Last Story on Wii on launch 2011 back in the day it was totally worth it since the price of that game went up a little bit on eBay glad got my copy back then.

[@JRPGLife]

That's a great pickup!

[@NCSUWolfpacker2010]

The manager at my local GameStop mentioned how he wanted to put DS and other older stuff out but they don’t give him boxes for them so he has to keep them behind the counter. He has em up behind them so you can see them at least though. Well see they have them anyway.

[@JRPGLife]

That's wild, what a silly corporate decision...

[@E-Z_Gamerz]

A lot of display shelves were thrown away during the transition of ps3-4 etc…when I was a manager I was told to throw away the game cases, and put the 3DS/DS in those plastic clam cases and put in the drawer. Million dollar stores(yearly) will be well kept. Mall stores normally don’t have crap cause all they get is foot traffic and window shoppers. All full time employees had their benefits and vacation time taken away permanently until they figure things out, what a manager told me recently. They started the PRP/GPGs when the Xbox 360 was making rings around discs…that’s when they pushed it most.

[@JRPGLife]

Very interesting!

[@BigCheeseThrifts]

Great video! Yeah "Gamestop new" as i call it, when you ask for new and they give you an unwrapped game is so obnoxious. It should be an illegal use of the term "new" and man when you ask about a sealed copy some of these folks get super uptight or rude about it trying to justify its "new" but of course its always the last copy. Maybe they will tighten up and change, but maybe pigs will start to fly.

[@dynamic2336]

I think somze regions are doing your store suggestion. i used to have great options 1 on the way home from work and 1 not to far down the street both closed. Now i living in Northern Virginia not a small town and all but if i goto the Store finder on gamestops site it kicks back 5 stores with in 15 miles. which feels like alot but i would consider any of them 'easily accessable" . Luckly for me i have Estarland just down the street so i am not hurting but i havnt bothered togoto a gamestop in awhile cause they are all out of the way an Estarland is way more likely to have what i want

[@JRPGLife]

Being close to eStarland is so cool!

[@seankeating6319]

Love this vid guys, I feel you're 100% right on your recommendations. If only the corpo-overlords actually listen and use logic/common sence

[@JRPGLife]

Fingers crossed that things change!

[@user-is6cs2nu5s]

I pre order mana game my self when I pick it up it was a open copy.thats not new.the manager told me they only order my copy.put it on the display.why would they do that.

[@JRPGLife]

It's just not cool...

[@looselycollected7505]

What about some sort of phone app for customers to use to check the retro/backroom inventory of each story instead of having to chase a paper trail from the 80's?

[@JRPGLife]

Omg that would be so great!

[@looselycollected7505]

If it was implemented right and maintained correctly, it would be super useful. Much like any great tool, misused and / or mistreated, and it's useless. But I'd like to see them try it. As opposed to another useless phone app that let's you basically look at their website.

[@realsteel7260]

Iv gone to my local gamestops here in the 818 And man it sucks when they have special edition 3DS XL and they tell me they can’t sell it because they’re not aloud to

[@JRPGLife]

Really?! That's wild!

[@Aging.gamer83]

I am so frustrated by the Gamestop by my house for a number of reasons. Recently tried return an NES game that I bought online from Gamestop and was told by the store employee that their system wouldn't let them do that. I would have to ship it back and pay an $8 label fee. Called customer service and they said I can return to any store but still the employee would not do it. Went to another store, and had the item returned in LESS THAN 5 mins, no issues.

[@JRPGLife]

Sounds like an individual manager just didn't want their numbers to reflect that return that day...that's not good customer service 😞

[@Aging.gamer83]

@@JRPGLife The funny thing is that store where I did the return for a $15 game, I ended up spending $60. 🤷‍♂

[@JRPGLife]

​@hondanine9 it's crazy how much people spend when they have a great customer experience 😊

[@JayWillYT]

I think it might be a little too late for gamestop to resurge back to where they were but I wish they would. I have 3 in my town and honestly think they need to close all 3 and reopen with a larger location. I miss midnight releases and would love for them to bring those back and do random promo events or tournaments. Digital games came roaring in and people adapted to it for the most part and vendors of physical media never really fought back... they just started selling codes. Gamestop is a modern Radio Shack just grasping at straws to stay a float. Local shops offer a way better retro experience and then for modern games I would rather use Amazon/Wal-Mart/Target/Best Buy.... They have to a major overhaul because i feel like it isn't a store gamers go to anymore. I feel like my comment is a little scattered but I am currently gaming and typing during down time lol. Also the preorder thing and the "new" game thing is enough for me to place them in the last resort category.

[@jasonsplack4573]

Not sure if the focus is bad on the camera, but it looks like its flickering between in focus and out of focus

[@JRPGLife]

Yeah it kept wanting to focus on the mic 😅 We'll set it up properly next time

[@user-is6cs2nu5s]

I miss game crazy 😢

[@saltytbone]

I'm still holding a 15-year grudge over my preorder for Demon's Souls Deluxe Edition that the store manager sold to the district manager before release day. Thankfully the assistant manager looked out for me and got the game back from the DM for me the next day after the store manager lied to me the morning of release day (I was the only preorder in the area apparently). DM claimed he didn't know/wasn't told it was a preorder. At least I got the game but it was already opened, but that's Gamestop "new" for ya.

[@theJohnnyPinball]

Very good constructive criticism

[@Eagleknight815]

Seriously, I have a icky feeling when it comes to GameStop. Just been burned way too many times. I find myself getting used games at other local dealers in town or go online for new games. However, Ill go to the devs store before going to Amazon.

[@looselycollected7505]

Also, I'd like to say the close half option will be employed the wrong way. Living in a much less populous area, these are one of the few places we have to go to shop at. We have 3, maybe 4 in a 50-60 mile radius of where I live. I could see them saying they'll close half but by lowest sales. And then less populous areas will go from having a few to one or none at all. And areas like where you are, you might only lose a couple of stores.

[@davidbrinkman7867]

Great video, Game Stop should send you a gift card for your consulting

[@JRPGLife]

Lol thanks! I doubt they will even pay attention to this video 😅

[@PivotKimmey]

I would love for GameStop to price used games differently if they are loose. Why are they charging the loose game the same as a complete game?

[@scanzi720]

I preordered a game(don't remember what now) and paid in full for it. Went to pick it up on release day and they tried to give me the "new" copy from the shelf because they only received 2 copies and had alread sold the other one that was still sealed to someone else. Needless to say I got a refund and have never preordered from gamestop since.

[@JRPGLife]

Argh! That's just taking it too far...cmon Gamestop!

[@flosmi]

Unfortunately, the last gamestops in Austria were closed in 2023.

[@JRPGLife]

😞

[@flosmi]

@@JRPGLife People will miss Gamestop, when it doesn't exist anymore...

[@peterlopez4529]

Hi! Awesome video, but slower pans while filming b roll plz. Waaaay too fast for panning a camera and nearly got sick from it. Thanks!

[@Muses333]

I preordered a switch game at GameStop awhile back and went day of release to pick it up. I had paid in full. They told me they never received a shipment of said game and didn’t have any to give me. They ended up having to mail me a copy weeks later. Why bother preordering if you can’t get the game when it comes out. I’ll stick to Amazon now. Which is sad.

[@JRPGLife]

Ugh that's the worst

[@DarthRic_]

Game stop has a very bad reputation due to issues with its corporate policies and treatment of employees so I believe one of its biggest issues is that they have lost a large portion of their customer base who just refuse to shop there.

[@RetroHoundGaming]

Can’t wait for all of the “I worked at GameStop” comments

[@JRPGLife]

They are already rolling in 😅

[@RetroHoundGaming]

@@JRPGLife if you ever find an arc the lad collection on ps1 it’s one of the original rpgs that I don’t have …can’t justify spending retail for every single game I want in my collection. It I definitely agree the ps1 series is the best +snes

[@JRPGLife]

​@RetroHoundGaming thankfully, we have Elisa's childhood copy 😀

[@benjaminlarouche534]

gamestop is just toys now a little corner for the videogame

[@Edog1337]

I was a Gamestop pro member for years, went 2-3 times per week. Havent been once since 2019. Amazon is great. I click the preorder button, and it shows up at my door day of with no fuss. Why would I ever go to Gamestop??

[@JRPGLife]

Yeah... 😞

[@felix-ve8jk]

Look at all those disc only/cartridge only games! GameStop is where junk games go to die and be resold for 1.5x market price. Lol

[@ninjacape]

I don’t understand why my Walmart gets new games before my GameStop which is in the same shopping center. Even games I preorder sometimes my GameStop.doesn’t get on launch day but Walmart will have it. And don’t get me started on how many preorder bonuses GameStop has screwed me out of over the years.

[@JRPGLife]

Oh man we completely forgot to talk about pre-order bonuses...it's such a problem!

[@MissRavengaming]

Once I found out Gamestop opens new games and takes them home to play themselves, then bring them back to sell them as new, I stopped giving them any buisness. I'll never give Gamestop another dollar again. They're literally lying to people about games being new and getting away with it. I don't understand how.

[@JRPGLife]

Yeah, we've heard that rumor as well and it's VERY uncool...

[@MissRavengaming]

Oh, it's not a rumor. It's a real thing. I went and asked nearly every gamestop in my area (central california) to confirm and yeah every one of them told me it's exactly what they do with all new games so that way they have knowledge of the game for customers coming in to buy the game. It's disgusting.

[@JRPGLife]

😞

[@NurseJosh21]

This may be more niche, but it also bothers me to see their stickers covering the MSRP UPC so you can't check the game easily for a comparison to market price. More often than not, their used prices are way over market. It kills me to see an unsealed new game for full price sitting next to a used copy and the boxes are of identical quality.

[@JRPGLife]

That is frustrating for sure. I think they purposely do it so that store employees don't accidentally scan the default UPC, which will not work properly in their system

[@kefalos7134]

The opening new games things makes me so mad. It happens even if you order online

[@JRPGLife]

It's so frustrating

[@lordcheesus1013]

Your reasons are basically why I'm always so "iffy" about shopping retro from Gamestop. Don't get me wrong, when it comes to the modern stuff, they really know their game! I just think they bit off more than they could chew when they dipped their toes into the retro market. Corporate retail and retro just doesn't feel like a good mix to me. I feel like retro gaming should be left to the local little guy shops that specialize in it.

[@JRPGLife]

It might get that way soon...