Gamestop Staff.

tbh

AdMMM wrote: »

All that you "proved" was that a minority of people have had a negative experience when dealing with a minority of staff

....in the US.

Onearmedbandit

Op take your original post and copy it to a word document, print and send to gamestop hq. Might get a free voucher.

thorbarry

Onearmedbandit wrote: »

Op take your original post and copy it to a word document, print and send to gamestop hq. Might get a free voucher.

Good idea..... maybe I'll do that

Lands Leaving

AdMMM wrote: »

I've also seen a few people here complain about not getting a job there (or in similar stores). You have to remember that they're hiring a salesperson, not an obsessed gamer. A lot of customers just want to see a smiling face and get some advice that they perceive to be helpful. They don't want to be lectured on game choices or feel intimidated by jargon. Of course there are sales techniques which rely on you bamboozling the customer with technical terms but they require a lot of charm and experience to work and honestly wouldn't be expected from a part-time salesperson.

Thats a fair point, but they could give the gamers an interview as well and see if they can be a smiling face AND have some serious knowledge. There's no reason someone can't know what they're selling well and not be intimidating or spout jargon.

But that is a fair point I will agree, and I can see why a shop would just want to hire someone they think will be inviting (or good looking so us nerds all go in for a gawp!)

I'm so cool... :cool:

ShiverinEskimo

The staff in Dundalk are grand by my experience. Seem to know their stuff and are fairly geeky to the point where they know what's what. Never had any problems with them and find in general they are lot more educated compared to their competitors like Xtra-Vision, HMV, Smiths etc.

Rev. Kitchen

Ive never had a problem i dont use them too often as they are way too expensive. But the 2 times they ran a 30 euro trade in offer i availed of it to get a new slim and elite.

I dont blame the staff for not knowing about every obscure edition of every half arsed game (DJ hero being about the 15th game in the ruined "Hero" franchise in about 2 or 3 years) Think about it this way would you go home from work and start reading up on the latest work related trends ?

exiot

Fairly regular customer in the Ennis branch and the guys in there know their stuff, chat away with them about new releases etc, fairly obvious that they all play the games themselves.

Asmodean

By telling him to come back in 8 years time?

Six years actually. It's not 18's it's rated 16+

It wasn't even the fact that he wouldn't sell him the game he was just telling the kid he was stupid for wanting to play it because it's "such a **** game." And I don't mean h was giving impartial advice to the kid he was actually on the verge of mocking him.

shinzon

My own experience of GameStop staff has been very positive. I really can't fault the Waterford staff. They seem to eat, sleep and drink games and movies and clearly know their stuff but they're also all very personable. That goes for the "eye-candy" too!

I 2nd this, I had a problem with the midnight launch of MW2, I reserved it for ps3 and i went in and was mistakingly given the xbox 360 version on the night, didnt know that until i checked before going home, so went back and the guys were very apologetic and was able to get a ps3 version for me in the shop upstairs

Shin

The Aviator

Onearmedbandit wrote: »

Op take your original post and copy it to a word document, print and send to gamestop hq. Might get a free voucher.

I think i might let them figure that out themselves, as i dont see any reason why i want to see a company such as Gamestop improve..

I also think is a stupid idea that the store manager has the ability to recruit new staff,thats completely unprofessional! Xtravision recruitment process go's through its head office in which people with HRM degrees will select the right candidate.

It enrages me when i saw in previous posts that teenage girls with absolute no interest in the industry are employed first over motivated and knowledgeable gamers who will actually thrive the retailers forward in sales depending on their human relation skills.

Ive already had enough problems with Gamestop Headquarters looking for a free 'EA title' is was entitled to with a bundle deal. Which i received in the end.

danois

Well I am a mother who has no idea at all about games what to buy whats the latest must have ect. I went to gamestop in bray and the staff where brilliant they spent time with me going through what would be best for the kids for their ages and stuff. they were really patient knew what they where talking about and didnt mind spending a few extra minutes with me.

The only problem i have with them is the amount of times they cant find a game it cant be that hard to have a decent filing system in place they are at it long enough.

Oh an one other thing and i know its not a big deal but it drives me mad the amount of times i have boughta game for 9.99 or 29.99 whatever price and they say im very sorry have not 1cents left. They must make a decent amount that way cause it happens alot and all those 1cents add up!!!!

Nonoperational

Bought a PS3 in Wilton and they staff were sound. Couldn't fault them.

Lands Leaving

danois wrote: »

Oh an one other thing and i know its not a big deal but it drives me mad the amount of times i have boughta game for 9.99 or 29.99 whatever price and they say im very sorry have not 1cents left. They must make a decent amount that way cause it happens alot and all those 1cents add up!!!!

Xtravision do that too, but to be fair, no one gives 1c coins in a shop like that, since they just pay in fairly handy amounts of cash (10, 20, 25) and rarely will someone go fishing in their pocket/bag for that kind of change when youo;re paying that much. Plus not many grannies go to game shops with their coin purse!

A friend of mine worked in xtravision and they were constantly out of change, to the point where when I was counting up a box of change I'd collected and wishing the bank would just buy a sorting machine and stop being so reluctant to take legal tender just because it's change (that's a wholly different debate!) he suggested I count it and use it in xtravision because they always need change.

Also if you needed advice for buying a console you should have asked on here, that way in amongst 10/20 pages of people going off on tangents about that time they bought NHL 96 in hmv back in the day and arguing over the ps3 and xboxes strengths, you would have got some good advice!

(Actually probably not. I miss NHL 96. Remember the HMV dog?)

Y2J_MUFC

Don't use Gamestop unless they are selling something cheaper than Smyths, HMV, Xtravision (which happens rarely!)

About the staf..some of them are good, some of the aren't. There are enough knowledgable people applying for jobs, so theres no excuse for some of the stories here.

My main gripe with them would be prices (Seem to be at least €5-10 more on new games). Far Cry Instincts being sold for €40 in Q4 2009. Robbery.

hazeler

I am NOT a gamer, I am infact a gamer widow. I know the differences in consoles, I know gaming stuff that I dont want to know but living with a gamer and having an "up and comer gamer" daughter means that alot of "jargon" is spoken at our dinner table. Some I listen too, you need it for presents, other stuff goes straight over my head. The OH this year casually mentioned a gaming related item (cant say what it is, he posts here!) that he'd like to own but times are tough and it not a necessity so I thought BINGO! christmas present sorted. Now I know how to research a product online (thank you boards gaming community) and I know how to go into games stores and ask for what I need without looking like a bumbling fool. (Every good gamer widow knows how to talk the gaming talk!) Turns out I could get what I needed in Gamestop. Great!

I went in to get it and asked confidently for what I needed, armed with my researched jargon incase a conversation insued, the lad brought it out to me and I started to look at the box, and I said "this is it." Because it was. The lad replied, leaning out over the counter to touch the box, with " are you sure this is the one he asked for?" Why would he automatically assume it was not for me?? I could be a gamer? I said " who asked me?" He told me the price.

Now I can understand being asked that if I was babbling and not knowing if it was for the PS3 or the 360 but I was, quiet clearly, not one of those girls. I have no problems with asking for advice when I need it and usually the staff are good in that respect but the condesending attitude of this guy left me very annoyed.

While he was ringing it up (sure I had to get it, no place else had it) I mentioned that the special edition (insert game title here- Chritmas present remember!!) is going on ebay for crazy money so the bog standard edition will have to do ME for now. He said "oh really, I didn't know there was a special edition..." Hehe!!!

The lad is not a Christmas temp, he's there the whole time. Generally speaking my dealings with gamestop in the past have been good but that kind of attitude is poor and unwelcome.

Just some of my thoughts to even out the reponse...

event

danois wrote: »

Oh an one other thing and i know its not a big deal but it drives me mad the amount of times i have boughta game for 9.99 or 29.99 whatever price and they say im very sorry have not 1cents left. They must make a decent amount that way cause it happens alot and all those 1cents add up!!!!

ask them for a 2c coin instead

docentore

event wrote: »

ask them for a 2c coin instead

or on the way back drive in to Esso garage. I saw they have those boxes with spare cents.

Damo 2k9

I have to say, in the charlestown game stop they are really sound, know there games too, have chats sometimes with the one behind the counter about games coming out etc
True what danois said, they never have 1c coins haha
Can take them a few minutes when trying to find a game but other than that i think there fairly friendly, and know there stuff.
Dont know about the other game stops because the only one i go to is the charlestown one

kaimera

Can't say I've had a problem - bought a lot of stuff in both GS in Dun Laoghaire & Portlaoise in the last few weeks and the staff were polite and professional.

Guy in DL I had a good chat with about xbox games cos I was playing catch up - I was gonna buy brand new copies and he said the second hand ones would be cheaper - result

Vic Vinegar

kaimera wrote: »

I was gonna buy brand new copies and he said the second hand ones would be cheaper - result

Of course it would be cheaper. Way more profit for them too as it happens.

Jim

Last year I was attempting to purchase a Madcatz Street Fighter Standard Edition Arcade Stick (which were very rare at the time)...

So I hear they have some, so I run into town and they're sold out. Damn I say. But the guy behind the counter told me they'd get some more next week. So I ring on the day they get them in and ask

- "Do you have any Madcatz Street Fighter Standard Edition Arcade Sticks left? I was told you'd be getting more in today"

- "Hmm...they are arcade sticks for Street Fighter?"

- "Yes, but specifically Madcatz Street Fighter Standard Edition Arcade Stick for Xbox360"

- "Yes, we have two left actually! I can hold one for you if you want?"

- "That's fantastic! I'll get into town as soon as I can!"

So I run into town, got into Gamestop, told the guy at the counter my name and I had reserved a Madcatz Street Fighter Standard Edition Arcade Stick for the 360. "Ah yes he says! One second". He later emerges and hands me a Hori stick for the 360...

- "This isn't what I asked for, this is a Hori stick. I asked for a Madcatz Street Fighter Standard Edition Arcade Stick"

- "But this is a arcade stick for Street Fighter isn't it?"

- "Yes, but not the type I asked for"

- "Oh, what was the type you wanted?"

- ".....a Madcatz Street Fighter Standard Edition Arcade Stick"

- "Oh.....we don't have any of those..."

The reason I typed the full name of the stick each time was because I had said the full name each time so this situation wouldn't happen.

*sigh*

Retr0gamer

To be honest it's not really the staffs fault. They aren't hired for their knowledge, they are hired to shift stock. If anyone is at fault it's Gamestop. Just be glad they aren't like the american staff. If you want to buy a game you have to go through the process of asking if you want the game second hand if they have it (bigger profits for the store on second hand games), then if you want a discount card, then if you want to subscribe to game informer and finally 'oh by the way XXXX is out soon would you like to preorder'. The staff there get extra commisions on the amount of second hand games, loyalty cards, subscriptions and preorders they can make. They do however usually have a person on the floor that would know their **** and go around chatting to customers which is a good idea.

Guy in DL I had a good chat with about xbox games cos I was playing catch up - I was gonna buy brand new copies and he said the second hand ones would be cheaper - result

You got played. The staffer is going to get extra brownie points for shifting second hand games for higher profit.

thegoth

Must say that I find the staff Charlestown and Athlone knowledgeable and friendly.

There is a blonde girl in Athlone that really knows her stuff

fitz0

Jim wrote: »

Last year I was attempting to purchase a Madcatz Street Fighter Standard Edition Arcade Stick (which were very rare at the time)...

I had a somewhat similar problem with them, the problem being that the staffers I talked to on Henry Street didn't even know what it was! They tried selling me a normal pad instead.

Conclusion drawn from this thread:

Gamestop staff vary from town to town, shop to shop and person to person, just like in all walks of life. People weren't born and raised to work in any particular establishment :rolleyes:
It's pointless to make threads tarnishing all staff with the same brush on the basis of experience, as no two people are the same.

projectmayhem

gilberto_eire wrote: »

Gamestop staff vary from town to town, shop to shop and person to person, just like in all walks of life. People weren't born and raised to work in any particular establishment :rolleyes:

No one will argue that. However, people are hired and trained to work in any particular establishment, and this thread helps you conclude that the staff they hire on several occasions are not the right staff for the job. You can also conclude that yes, each shop experience varies. But that shouldn't happen. A good experience in a store should be universal for the chain... hence the reason for having a chain under the same name.

gilberto_eire wrote: »

It's pointless to make threads tarnishing all staff with the same brush on the basis of experience, as no two people are the same.

No one's tarnishing the staff per se. Bad staff are bad staff, but they all work for the same company, and people have a legitimate case against the company if they routinely receive bad treatment in their stores.

AdMMM

You got played. The staffer is going to get extra brownie points for shifting second hand games for higher profit.

He didn't really get played. It still worked out cheaper for him!

fitz0

AdMMM wrote: »

He didn't really get played. It still worked out cheaper for him!

I'd much rather give the money to the developers than the shop especially since the price isn't always that cheap in comparison. (I'm looking at you HMV - Assassins Creed New -€45 Used -€43)

bennyc

Not Gamestop but Smiths, Rockband 2 last christmas. I asked if they had it I think it had been released a week or two but first person had no idea, they got the expert who told me I needed to buy RB1 and RB2 was download only along with RB1 :rolleyes: .

CiDeRmAn

I guess sometimes the problem is having drones trail you around the shop asking "Are you alright there?" as you peruse the preowned 360 shelf, then try to sell you something else.

Happened when I was buying Ace Combat 6 for my 360, the guy said, completely contrary to every review, "Oh you're buying that? you should buy HAWX, it's so much better", and so on, despite HAWX costing 40 quid more at the time.

What did he think? That my Nintendo t-shirt marked me out as some sort of gaming noob?

Slippin Jimmy

Sorry for getting in on this thread so late. I find all of the gamestop staff that I have delt with to be friendly, easy going and have great product knowledge. I think its a job were if you have any sort of interest in gaming in any way shape or form you will do well in.

CCCP^

CiDeRmAn wrote: »

What did he think? That my Nintendo t-shirt marked me out as some sort of gaming noob?

Lawl, oh CiDeR

CCCP^

Retr0gamer wrote: »

To be honest it's not really the staffs fault. They aren't hired for their knowledge, they are hired to shift stock. If anyone is at fault it's Gamestop. Just be glad they aren't like the american staff. If you want to buy a game you have to go through the process of asking if you want the game second hand if they have it (bigger profits for the store on second hand games), then if you want a discount card, then if you want to subscribe to game informer and finally 'oh by the way XXXX is out soon would you like to preorder'. The staff there get extra commisions on the amount of second hand games, loyalty cards, subscriptions and preorders they can make. They do however usually have a person on the floor that would know their **** and go around chatting to customers which is a good idea.

I worked in Gamestop CA, we didn't get commission. NOBODY gets commission from Gamestop, absolutely NOBODY.

valleyoftheunos

I regulalry go to two Gamestops on the South side of Dublin, everyone in both store is clearly a dedicated gamer or if not is at least knowledgeable and helpful. My point is that you shouldn't tar all Gamestop (or any retailer) staff with the one brush because of some bad experiences.

Leprachaun

Nedved85 wrote: »

I would say that 50% of their floor staff at the moment are temporary staff for the christmas season and really wouldnt know much beyond the call of dutys' , Forzas and uncharteds which parents come in and look for..

Which are ironically the last played games in your gamertag / playstation thingy hehe. :P

ShiverinEskimo

ShiverinEskimo wrote: »

find in general they are lot more educated compared to their competitors like Smiths etc.

That's true, mate of mine went into smyths a few weeks ago looking for an AV cable for his newly purchased PSP and was told by two members of staff that there was no such thing available and that you couldn't connect a PSP to a TV and could only connect it to a PS3 :rolleyes:

event

Retr0gamer wrote: »

You got played. The staffer is going to get extra brownie points for shifting second hand games for higher profit.

how did he get played?

he got a game cheaper than full price by getting it 2nd hand

its not like the customers care if the sales people get more commission

0ubliette

Anyone seen the chick with the MASSIVE rack in gamestop henry st.?

Theyre HUGE

Burning Eclipse

0ubliette wrote: »

Anyone seen the chick with the MASSIVE rack in gamestop henry st.?

Theyre HUGE

Gee... I wonder why management hire girls with no knowledge, but other 'assets', as opposed to guys or girls who just have a love of gaming...

Longboard

Went in to the Wilton game-stop recently looking for a looking for a 5V power cable for an after market sensor for the wii. I asked the guy behind the counter if he had one. He asked me to describe the sensor. When I finished, he went to a rubbish bin behind the counter, and after 5 minutes rummaging he pulled out a white cable.

"That should do the trick, no charge" (and it did). Now that's customer service.:)

The Aviator

valleyoftheunos wrote: »

I regulalry go to two Gamestops on the South side of Dublin, everyone in both store is clearly a dedicated gamer or if not is at least knowledgeable and helpful. My point is that you shouldn't tar all Gamestop (or any retailer) staff with the one brush because of some bad experiences.

You either didnt bother reading the original thread by myself, or you have very bad comprehending skills.... Read my opening paragraph ..... and tell me if im sterotyping all Gamestop staff.

inFamouxe

hellboy99 wrote: »

I went in to preorder the DJ Hero Renegade edition a few weeks before release, guy didn't have a clue and said there was no such thing coming out. Another occasion I went to preorder Batman AA for the PC, was told it wasn't coming out for it. There is one guy there that knows his stuff so I just go in now when he's there.

How much is the renegade edition mate?

the_syco

CiDeRmAn wrote: »

That's a rule right there, so if there is a store with consistently ignorant and unhelpful staff, it's generally down to the manager not doing their job, unless it's simply a one off which can happen to anyone, or your place of business is seen as dumping ground for poor staff by the managers own line managers, then you have little in the say of who you get posted to your place of work, and you have to make do.

Agree 100% If the manager doesn't give a damn, then the staff will give less than a damn.

Lands Leaving wrote: »

Kind of crap for us job seeking gamers

Me thinks in some shops, this is the problem. Some managers see the shop as a job, and want sales people selling games. Since the main target are male, having a few good looking young wans in the shop may draw some in. A clueless hot chck is better than nothing a clueless male.

On the other hand, some managers realise that gamers will be able to tell other gamers about games, and hire them. These managers are usually either gamers, or were gamers when younger, and know that people with knowledge of games are a good thing.

brianblaze

0ubliette wrote: »

Anyone seen the chick with the MASSIVE rack in gamestop henry st.?

Theyre HUGE

Met her and her mate in town last night, they mentioned that they'd seen this and were on a quest to find the person who wrote it! Had
to see the post myself...

She knows her gaming, so I'd say that's why she has the job! Can't dance though...

spooky donkey

ah the totty i Game in blanch is far better than in game stop. That said just about every thing i Game in Blanchardstown is better than in game stop.
They are almost always more expensive and the only punters i ever see in game stop buying things are Mammy`s with kids buying Wii games, basically people who dont know better.
I was there the day COD MW2 was released and it was 55 yoyos and only 50 in game two doors down and saw loadsa mammys buying it as crimbo pressies. I felt like saying somthing to them but did not bother in the end.

gilberto_eire

gilberto_eire wrote: »

Conclusion drawn from this thread:

Gamestop staff vary from town to town, shop to shop and person to person, just like in all walks of life. People weren't born and raised to work in any particular establishment :rolleyes:
It's pointless to make threads tarnishing all staff with the same brush on the basis of experience, as no two people are the same.

couldnt agree more incidentally just moved to cork what branch have ye found the best?

meoklmrk91

Have always found the ones in Limerick fairly sound, especially the one in the parkway and then the crescent. Gamestop is by far the most expensive though and I don't believe in brand loyalty so usually only go in there if I am getting a new release as they are pretty much the same price everywhere. Trade my games in and buy preowned where ever is the cheapest.

AceCard Jones

Don't think I ever came out of GameStop satisfied... In my experience they usually hire women just because they're women. Don't get me wrong, I've been to plenty of gaming shops that have women who know their stuff and know a fair few women who game. But my experience in GameStop is they hire them just to have them there regardless of their suitability. And any of the men/boys who work there have been unhelpful/clueless or just plain uninterested. Returning anything to them is always a pain in the hole as well, any other shop Game/HMV etc have never given me trouble.

The last time I shopped with them due to all my bad experiences with them was back in the PS2 era, got a scratched to bits GTA vice city for a relative, crashed during the first tutorial mission. Went back to them with it and the manager himself was there, would not take my word that it was broken so he checked it on the screen behind the counter and when it crashed at said bit, he got all in a huff and insisted he didn't have to give me a refund (while giving me a refund) So I should count myself lucky. I just said he could count himself lucky if I ever walked into a GameStop again and haven't been back since.

All of their stuff that's not brand new titles (Not competing with other stores at launch) is generally at least €5 more expensive than the likes of HMV or GAME. And something that always annoyed me is that they never sell new games sealed, they're always taken out of sleeves in a drawer with marks and fingerprints all over them.

/End Rant

Mr Bloat

Jenny Chilly Fiddle wrote: »

couldnt agree more incidentally just moved to cork what branch have ye found the best?

I have no association with them other than being a customer but I find the Ballincollig Gamestop staff to be friendly, knowledgeable and decent to deal with.

valleyoftheunos

I've no affiliation with any of the stores either but seeing this thread has been resurrected for purposes of a rant against them I have to say I've never had anything but good interactions with Gamestop staff.

You get bad customer service in all areas from time to time and the best solution is to vote with your feet/wallet. Complaining about all employees of a certain retailer isn't really fair.