Gaming News

EoinHef

Personally i work in an industry thats in decline,not nessacerily from bad decisions but from the inevitable march forward of technology so i do have a bit of empathy for gamestop even if i dont particularly like how they operate.

Some times there is no clear right decision for an industry going forward. Its about weather they can repackage what they do in a changing landscape. Sometimes they find a way but sometimes its just an unstoppable march toward the end of an industry.

The rise of digital has really screwed retail.

Grumpypants

They never moved with the times to compete with online in terms of price but more importantly customer service.

I always go back to when I was applying for a job there. In the interview the manager spent ages talking about the importance of the customer to their business. Was really selling it until we did a little role play.

The scenario was he was the customer looking to buy his dad a console. I went through the usual patter around what games he likes for the different exclusives, does he play online and how much to see if it was worth paying for (at the time psn was free but live was more robust).


I reccomended the ps3 as he only played offline COD. Afterwards the manager said I should have sold him the Xbox as they can sell him more accessories and that's were their profit is. He also said each employee had to sell 5 disk insurances a day or they would get put on a performance review. And then started banging on about customers that think they are lawyers when it comes to missing codes from boxes.

That has always stuck with me. If you treat your customers and staff like idiot resources to be squeezed for profit then the writings on the wall.

Jordan 199

Jordan 199 wrote: »

I would hate to see Gamestop go out of business. The staff in my nearest one are super.

PsychoPete wrote: »

Likewise and know exactly what they are talking about. Surely it was only a matter of time before this happened

Conversely, the ones in my nearest most convenient store are complete dicks.

Case in point, I was in one day buying a 3DS game for myself, just happened to have the kiddo with me. So the GameStop NPC behind the counter decided he'd slip in a Level 3 loyalty card (at that time you needed to pay for that), without me asking for it, or him asking if I wanted it. I guess he figured I was one of those clueless parents just keeping Little Johnny happy. Anyway, I spotted him doing it and let the transaction go through.

After he handed me the card, I asked him why he added the loyalty card without my permission. Response was "Uhhhhh.....". Got him to call his manager over and tell the manager what he had done. Ended up getting a refund on the loyalty card, and keeping the level three.

Another time, my Xbox One X failed after about a week. Went in with my receipt in hand and had a ten minute argument about how their company policy didn't matter a damn over my legal rights. Corporate drone said I had to go to Microsoft for the repair. (Instead I drove to the next GameStop... they replaced it without any hesitation.)

Overall - and as much as I don't like people made redundant - I could not care less if they go out of business. Smyth's are far, far better these days, and that's where a lot of my (new release) physical copies come from now.

Varik

They're being affect by digital more so than anything else, don't put any weight are people claiming it's bad management.

Exclamation Marc

People are extremely short sighted.

Smyths do incredibly well and are my go-to for bricks and mortar shopping. But don't forget, they price well as they have competition. If they ended up as the only dog in the fight, what stops them raising their prices? Competition is good.

And there's something seriously wrong with people wishing companies out of business. Don't shop there by all means, but don't be an ass about it.

Greyfox

Exclamation Marc wrote: »

And there's something seriously wrong with people wishing companies out of business. Don't shop there by all means, but don't be an ass about it.

It depends on the business, CEX or Smyths going out of business is a bad thing but with Gamestop it will be good to see them gone. I feel sorry for the staff but it makes be phisically sick when I see some of the prices on 2nd hand games that have been out ages, they are a lot more expensive then there competition

Penn

Exclamation Marc wrote: »

People are extremely short sighted.

Smyths do incredibly well and are my go-to for bricks and mortar shopping. But don't forget, they price well as they have competition. If they ended up as the only dog in the fight, what stops them raising their prices? Competition is good.

And there's something seriously wrong with people wishing companies out of business. Don't shop there by all means, but don't be an ass about it.

Smyths would still have decent competition with Argos, but also online. Smyths and Argos can offer games at a lower cost because they make their money off other items not relating to games. Gamestop was almost entirely centered around gaming (even by branching out into clothing, toys etc, they were still mostly gaming-related or pop-culture, and those items weren't enough to sustain them outside of games).

If Gamestop went out of business, I don't think it'd result in Smyths or Argos increasing their prices, as more people will shift to online/digital. They may not make much money on games as it is, but their lower prices get more people in the door in the hopes they'll also buy items that they'll make more money on. Gamestop never evolved enough to be able to do that, nor could they really as their whole business model was centered on games.

Competition is good. But competition is also the reason Gamestop is failing, as they just can't compete any more, particularly with their price model for buying and selling second hand games, which has been ridiculous for so many years at this point.

B.A._Baracus

Exclamation Marc wrote: »

People are extremely short sighted.

Smyths do incredibly well and are my go-to for bricks and mortar shopping. But don't forget, they price well as they have competition. If they ended up as the only dog in the fight, what stops them raising their prices? Competition is good.

And there's something seriously wrong with people wishing companies out of business. Don't shop there by all means, but don't be an ass about it.

On one hand, it's not right to show no feelings about someone else losing their jobs. It's not really a nice thing is it?

On the other, whatever job you personally may have, if that suddenly went do you think GameStop employees would care? As it wouldn't directly effect them.

That's life my good man. People only care if they are put out by something or know someone close who would be effected.

Exclamation Marc

Penn wrote: »

Smyths would still have decent competition with Argos, but also online. Smyths and Argos can offer games at a lower cost because they make their money off other items not relating to games. Gamestop was almost entirely centered around gaming (even by branching out into clothing, toys etc, they were still mostly gaming-related or pop-culture, and those items weren't enough to sustain them outside of games).

If Gamestop went out of business, I don't think it'd result in Smyths or Argos increasing their prices, as more people will shift to online/digital. They may not make much money on games as it is, but their lower prices get more people in the door in the hopes they'll also buy items that they'll make more money on. Gamestop never evolved enough to be able to do that, nor could they really as their whole business model was centered on games.

Competition is good. But competition is also the reason Gamestop is failing, as they just can't compete any more, particularly with their price model for buying and selling second hand games, which has been ridiculous for so many years at this point.

I don't disagree with anything you're saying and I do believe loss leading and bulk buying is a key strategy for those still selling games and also why Gamestop can't compete. Your point on competition and their over reliance (by choice or otherwise) on gaming is spot on

My point is that other posters wishing another bricks and mortar store off the high street is pathetic and doesn't do anyone any favours as it excels for some gamers. I purchased my ps4 and subsequently my ps4 pro in there on brilliant upgrade offers. I've also gotten incredible trade in deals such as trading in a year old pes2019 + €10 for Luigis Mansion 3. Smyths, CEX nor Argos are going to compete with that.

If people don't like the prices, don't shop there. But wishing they'd close down is just appalling. Who benefits from them going bust?

Exclamation Marc

B.A._Baracus wrote: »

On one hand, it's not right to show no feelings about someone else losing their jobs. It's not really a nice thing is it?

On the other, whatever job you personally may have, if that suddenly went do you think GameStop employees would care? As it wouldn't directly effect them.

That's life my good man. People only care if they are put out by something or know someone close who would be effected.

I don't want anyone losing a job irrespective of where they work "my good man". It must be nice to live in a world where when potential job losses come up in any industry that you can react with a "well it doesn't affect me so I don't care".

I also don't want to lose a store that benefits me as I've gotten great deals there. That's how it affects me even though its only in a tiny way.

Varik

Greyfox wrote: »

It depends on the business, CEX or Smyths going out of business is a bad thing but with Gamestop it will be good to see them gone. I feel sorry for the staff but it makes be phisically sick when I see some of the prices on 2nd hand games that have been out ages, they are a lot more expensive then there competition

It's all business, with less competition I can see the other raise prices and lower trade in prices. The clueless parents have to go somewhere.

Penn

Exclamation Marc wrote: »

I don't disagree with anything you're saying and I do believe loss leading and bulk buying is a key strategy for those still selling games and also why Gamestop can't compete. Your point on competition and their over reliance (by choice or otherwise) on gaming is spot on

My point is that other posters wishing another bricks and mortar store off the high street is pathetic and doesn't do anyone any favours as it excels for some gamers. I purchased my ps4 and subsequently my ps4 pro in there on brilliant upgrade offers. I've also gotten incredible trade in deals such as trading in a year old pes2019 + €10 for Luigis Mansion 3. Smyths, CEX nor Argos are going to compete with that.

If people don't like the prices, don't shop there. But wishing they'd close down is just appalling. Who benefits from them going bust?

Yeah I agree, though I do remember when XtraVision closed, I was kinda happy, especially with how they f*cked over people with the launch of the Xbox One (and would have done same with the PS4 release two weeks later if they hadn't created such a sh*tstorm with the XB1). After that, I kinda was glad they closed (even though the job losses were obviously huge compared to what Gamestop's would be).

I don't think Gamestop's practices have been particularly good for gamers, and I think they definitely rely a lot on naivety of non-gamers when it comes to disk insurance or general upselling, consumer rights (like someone mentioned above about getting a faulty Xbox fixed). But admittedly I don't think they've done anything substantial enough to deserve any real vitriol. I wouldn't lament their closure, but I wouldn't see cause to celebrate it either.

B.A._Baracus

Exclamation Marc wrote: »

I don't want anyone losing a job irrespective of where they work "my good man". It must be nice to live in a world where when potential job losses come up in any industry that you can react with a "well it doesn't affect me so I don't care".

I also don't want to lose a store that benefits me as I've gotten great deals there. That's how it affects me even though its only in a tiny way.

You do know me putting my good man wasn't some sly dig or anything... but thanks for putting it quotes in your reply. Yeah... you really took the wrong end of the stick with its use.

Anyways, wake up.
You care cause it effects you. Not a tiny way. If I have to explain how life works, ie; how people don't give a bollocks then you really aren't going to get it if you havent realised it by yet.

EoinHef

B.A._Baracus wrote: »

You do know me putting my good man wasn't some sly dig or anything... but thanks for putting it quotes in your reply. Yeah... you really took the wrong end of the stick with its use.

Anyways, wake up.
You care cause it effects you. Not a tiny way. If I have to explain how life works, ie; how people don't give a bollocks then you really aren't going to get it if you havent realised it by yet.

Come off it man,nobody needs your explanation as to how you feel life works.

Im sure most people here already know and dont really need your life lessons.

Also everyone sees life differently,not everyone is really cynical for example:P

B.A._Baracus

EoinHef wrote: »

Come off it man,nobody needs your explanation as to how you feel life works.

Im sure most people here already know and dont really need your life lessons.

Also everyone sees life differently,not everyone is really cynical for example:P

nice popshot calling me really cynical there :pac:
All the rest was just a lead up to the popshot. i see what you did there :pac:

EoinHef

B.A._Baracus wrote: »

nice popshot calling me really cynical there :pac:
All the rest was just a lead up to the popshot. i see what you did there :pac:

That part i was joking about.

The rest is valid though,personally im probably more along the line of thinking of yourself but i do realise that others dont think/feel the way i do so i dont believe theirs one truth to how life is.

Mr.Fantastic

Worrying enough to see the recent news on gamestop, only recently got cyberpunk for 30euro in there with the trade in deal. Wonder if they will even make it till next march.

Or it will be a shut up shop a la HMV.

marcbrophy

I hope GS shuts down in the morning.
Shower of price gouging, customer hating, zero knowledge pricks is all they've ever been in Limerick and them gone might pave the way for a better competitor.
Where's your disc insurance now, you fúcks?? :mad:

Vicxas

Did they give a list of the stores they're closing?

My local one in Navan has been reduced to selling Those crappy POP dolls and sh1tty memorabilia.

Exclamation Marc

Vicxas wrote: »

Did they give a list of the stores they're closing?

My local one in Navan has been reduced to selling Those crappy POP dolls and sh1tty memorabilia.

Nope none yet. But as I said earlier, they're closing 180/200 of their 5700 stores so who knows if any will close in Ireland.

Venom

Vicxas wrote: »

Did they give a list of the stores they're closing?

My local one in Navan has been reduced to selling Those crappy POP dolls and sh1tty memorabilia.

I think the majority of shelf space in all their shops over here is POP Vinyl and "limited Edition" crap these days.

Grumpypants

Fifa 20 in Gamestop €69.99
Fifa 20 in Smyths €59.99 (pre-order in store and it's €54.99)
Amazon €55
Simply Games €54

That's why they are struggling.

ERG89

Grumpypants wrote: »

Fifa 20 in Gamestop €69.99
Fifa 20 in Smyths €59.99 (pre-order in store and it's €54.99)
Amazon €55
Simply Games €54

That's why they are struggling.

Tbf twice this year (during E3 & Gamescom) you could get it for €30 if you bought a game in Argos or Smyths to trade in against it.
I think they lose a lot of money there as people ain't trading in games like Zelda, Mario, Resident Evil 2 or God of War against it which you could sell eventually, they are stuck with dozens of copies of Lego whatever or Cars 3 which are €20 new.
They outlived GAME & HMV due to pushing their second hand games first but when your second hand stock is pish that ain't moving they are in big trouble

Shiminay

There's another thing - I hope ThinkGeek will be ok. I can see why Gamestop acquired them and how pivoting from a games only shop into a more "geek culture" place with the Funkos and the Harry Potter whatsits and all the rest was a good idea, but it might have come a little too late. It suffers from the same risks as games in that if you get 100 funkos in stock and people only really want the 20 most popular, then you've got 80 sitting there taking up space and working capital in the same way that those 800 copies of last year's FIFA do.

Retr0gamer

I believe global warming isn't caused by cows or plastic packaging but by funko pop and the mountains of ****ty vinyl models they make.

Jerichoholic

Retr0gamer wrote: »

I believe global warming isn't caused by cows or plastic packaging but by funko pop and the mountains of ****ty vinyl models they make.

Unopened too, mostly owned by grown men who keep them untouched so that children can't play with them.

johnny_ultimate

It’s easy to blame Funko Pops for retailers’ woes, but...

Actually, sorry, no ‘but’.

It’s easy to blame Funko Pops for retailers’ woes.

J. Marston

I cannot see the appeal in them in either. I don't have any proper figurines/statues (been tempted but always too tight to splash out on collector editions) but there are a lot of cool looking ones. Funko Pops though, square headed shark-eyed ugly little yokes.

dreamers75

Not a fan of gamestop but once they gone thats pretty much the end of physical stores.

So a newish hobby(gaming kinda) in which the hobbyist will have to go to specialist stores to purchase physical items, similiar to record shops. Thats strange but completly understandable.

Venom

dreamers75 wrote: »

Not a fan of gamestop but once they gone thats pretty much the end of physical stores.

So a newish hobby(gaming kinda) in which the hobbyist will have to go to specialist stores to purchase physical items, similiar to record shops. Thats strange but completly understandable.

There's still the likes of Smyths, Argos and some of the supermarkets that will sell physical discs and hardware.