Gamestop will be closing down stores

[FOX2600]

I'm hearing figures of 150-250 worldwide. I wonder what regions will be getting hit the hardest, anyone have updates, also what's your take on all this? Thanks!

 

(This news doesn't surprise me at all)

[xenomorpher]

Kind of bummed since I didn't have any negative experiences really. But the only reason to buy stuff there now is for exclusive dlc or swag. I'd rather buy something online and wait to save money.

[Flojomojo]

There's usually a list at places like cheapassgamer.com once the stores to be closed have been determined. I'm sure they're prioritizing closing low performing stores, particularly those with another store nearby.

[Schizophretard]

Kind of bummed since I didn't have any negative experiences really. But the only reason to buy stuff there now is for exclusive dlc or swag. I'd rather buy something online and wait to save money.

 

One of the big negative experiences for me is finding a game marked "New" and then when I would hand them the display box instead of handing me a new game they would put one in the unsealed display box I just handed them with stickers directly on the case.

[Reaperman]

That averages out to just 5 per state. There are at least 5 to many within 10 miles of me that need to go (I just checked, and there are 10 total).

 

If they closed half their chain down, it would get them closer to where they need to be. I'm not exactly sure why they opted to put one every three blocks, but it's just silly. One time I saw a mall with one, and another in a mini strip mall right in the mall's parking lot. Heck I think I've been to malls with more than one inside.

 

The one closest to me has had a giant yellow 'clearance' flyer stretched across the entire front for months. I finally broke down and went in...tiny clearance bin in the middle of the store. Not cool, gamestop--you can't just play with a man's emotions that way.

Edited March 27, 2017 by Reaperman

[Mord]

 

One of the big negative experiences for me is finding a game marked "New" and then when I would hand them the display box instead of handing me a new game they would put one in the unsealed display box I just handed them with stickers directly on the case.

 

ie: a gutted game. That's probably the biggest pet peeve I have with them as well, to the point where I'll take a game I intend to buy up to the cash and ask them if they have a factory sealed copy. If they say they don't, or try to start rummaging around for the disc, I'll tell them not to bother and that I'll get it elsewhere. If it's a gamestop exclusive I'll either just pass on it or see if another store has a proper copy.

 

I followed this so long that I started to wonder if I still cared enough about the packaging, even if I'm planning on opening the game that night anyway. So recently I went ahead and bought a game that was gutted anyway - no choice since it was the only copy they ordered in. Cost about 40 bucks plus tax. And the entire way home I felt ripped off. So the policy is back in effect, and already cost them a 69.99 sale.

 

With regards to choosing which stores close down, I suspect towns with multiple stores will be hit first. With the biggest store of the lot staying open since it will likely do more business from people having to go there instead of the stores that would have been closer to them. Of course this will cost them some sales too.

 

Around me, I'd expect the store in the mall to close since they have a larger stand-alone store on the other side of town. I think I'd prefer this since I pass the mall every day on the way to work - more temptation for me. I'll end up going to the other store once a season unless there's a specific game coming out and I do the unthinkable and actually preorder it. (I wouldn't hold my breath on that though, devs themselves have sworn me off trusting them to deliver a quality game good enough to preorder.)

[godslabrat]

It's only 150 stores now, but all their stores suffer from the same issues, so this will only be the first of many closings. We're seeing the beginning of the end. Literally every trend in the industry is working against them, and they aren't doing themselves any favors by being over-extended and having such anti-consumer business practices.

 

I worked at Circuit City just before they closed up shop, and I see a lot of similarities between what happened there and the position GameStop is in now... and between the two companies, CC would have been in a better position to right the ship than GS currently is.

[Inky]

And gamestop will only get about $7.35 for all the stores....

[zzip]

 

One of the big negative experiences for me is finding a game marked "New" and then when I would hand them the display box instead of handing me a new game they would put one in the unsealed display box I just handed them with stickers directly on the case.

 

yes this annoyed me as well, although I must say that the last few times I bought a new game there, I got an actual sealed one.

[Tanooki]

Add me to that list when they did that to me probably 15 years ago. I other than an exceptionally rare case or two (nutty black friday pricing) quit buying NEW ever again over it. I got into an argument with the manager who acted like a dick and stood their ground how it was a new copy. Yes, a NEW game that is: Opened up, Finger marks and stretching on the sleeve, missing and/or finger printed and folded up paper, and a disc thrown into their cheap yellow cardboard with a little scuff on it from even that. I pointed it out, asked for the used price and got the callcenter repeat yourself run around for it and refused to buy it.

 

No bitch, that is NOT new.

 

The fact no one sued the company over it ever blows my mind because there are laws against that. Whether it would fall under deception, fraud, misrepresentation, whatever the case, it's not NEW.

 

 

I went in there this weekend, been a LONG time. I got a Wii again, so I decided knowing I've seen them have walls of the games to go check out a couple spots. Sure you had the famous garbage Wii filler shovelware and it was like around $1-5 for any of that, makes sense. But then you get into anything that probably deserved a B or higher rating, and they were scamming. Perfect example both Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2 they listed them at $20 USED. These are still sold around (albeit harder to get at a store) as a Nintendo Select for NEW at $20. They sell USED online for $10-12 SMG1 and around $15 SMG2. I saw the same janky margins on others like the Kirby Collection was $50 ($30 online), same average on Return to Dreamland too. Last Story, Pandora's Tower, Xenoblade, all had remarkably high prices. I walked out. They can just rot, and I'll just use their system against them the day they do another B1G2 free USED games deal to clear out old stock.

 

They want to know why they're failing, it's not hard. They're predatory and stalk/harass you repeatedly when you're just in looking around. They price stuff worse than any other location around that does both new and specifically used. Their replacement merchandise of toys, puzzles, wall art, statues and plushies are all priced higher than elsewhere too. And they act confused like they don't know why other than blaming Sony and MS for not bringing out a new system after 5 years to keep interest. NO, they did, it's a pro box which goes even higher yet still has the courtesy of allowing the older versions to run the games too. It's their own self destructive rotten business practices that are doing it. I wouldn't be surprised if you could find more of them in a 10sq mi area than starbucks in some places. At least Starbucks harasses no one, you get something good out of it, and their rewards program actually is free to get into and gives you freebies and bonuses as well.

[Reaperman]

The worst part of gamestop is that their concept is somewhat sound.

Once a physical game hits a few months/years old, it's often really hard to find in regular retail circles, but gamestop has it, and generally for a fair price.

 

Of course Gamestop's execution of this is about as bad as it could possibly be on every level, and physical games are circling the drain, and online retailers do a better job with it. Just go away, gamestop--nobody wants you, and you bought up all the chains that did it better.

[godslabrat]

The worst part of gamestop is that their concept is somewhat sound.

Once a physical game hits a few months/years old, it's often really hard to find in regular retail circles, but gamestop has it, and generally for a fair price.

 

Of course Gamestop's execution of this is about as bad as it could possibly be on every level, and physical games are circling the drain, and online retailers do a better job with it. Just go away, gamestop--nobody wants you, and you bought up all the chains that did it better.

Indeed, there IS a need for a used-media store in the world, but GameStop isn't it. Vintage Stock (a chain in Middle America) seems to be somewhat closer to the mark. One thing that differentiates them is that they sell most any media, including movies, music, and comics, and their merchandise is generally in good shape.

 

I can't vouch for how profitable they are, but they seem to be doing well. My hope is that if GS folds, it'll make the market more hospitable toward a company that's not crooked as hell.

Edited March 27, 2017 by godslabrat

[Flojomojo]

I've been playing with their store locator, and marveling at how they've blanketed the earth.

 

They are in densely settled areas.

 

They are in the desert, gathered near urban areas, just like the water supply.

 

They're in the heartland.

 

They're off the beaten path.

 

Would anyone even notice a tiny 2-3% haircut in a place with a lot of these stores?

 

I guess it's too early for them to name the stores that are closing, but I found a discussion from their 2011 round of store closings, when they shut down all the duplicate shops in malls after they acquired Electronics Boutiuque.

 

I recall when Borders went out of business, yes some of that was due to a contracting physical book market, but they had also overextended themselves with a ton of expensive real estate. Same deal with Boston Market, or Kenny's Chicken. It's probably way too soon to start saying bye bye Gamestop, even if the trend seems clear, since a lot of their business is cash-only kids with lots of trade-ins. Could they keep that up in an online-only world? I used to mail stuff into FuncoLand for store credit long long ago, but that seems silly in the digital age.

[Flojomojo]

My hope is that if GS folds, it'll make the market more hospitable toward a company that's not crooked as hell.

 

I think that's baked into the pawn shop business model, unfortunately. If you're buying back last month's stuff, you're going to minimize the price you pay and maximize your selling price.

 

Private sellers on eBay aren't much better, because of the structure of the economics, but if GameStop's used game division disappeared tomorrow, maybe we'd see a more level playing field. Oh, wait ...

[zzip]

 

I recall when Borders went out of business, yes some of that was due to a contracting physical book market, but they had also overextended themselves with a ton of expensive real estate. Same deal with Boston Market, or Kenny's Chicken. It's probably way too soon to start saying bye bye Gamestop, even if the trend seems clear, since a lot of their business is cash-only kids with lots of trade-ins. Could they keep that up in an online-only world? I used to mail stuff into FuncoLand for store credit long long ago, but that seems silly in the digital age.

 

I would like to see companies start selling "boxed codes". This way people who like box art and collectors editions can still buy these things and get the convenience of digital game (no disk flipping). These could sell at a slight discount to discs because they lack trade-in value. Retail stores have a chance to stay in business- and they serve a purpose as a place you can go and try the systems and play the games. Seems like a win-win for everybody, which is why it probably won't happen.

[S1500]

Last time I went to a GS, the floor space seemed to be entirely devoted to toys & video game swag.

[FOX2600]

And gamestop will only get about $7.35 for all the stores....

[Flojomojo]

Boxed codes -- isn't that a thing already?

 

There are lots of coffee table art books and strategy guides a person can buy. I don't want them either nowadays, but I see that they're at least somewhat popular.

 

Agreed about the toys and swag scene -- seems GameStop and its type of stores went through this at least once before during slow periods in the game scene. I remember when Electronics Boutique looked like the Pokemon Store.

[FOX2600]

predatory and stalk/harass you repeatedly when you're just in looking around

 

This has always been a common complaint and something I've experienced often at multiple stores. It's almost as if employees are trained in such a way they develop an anxiety for fear of not performing well enough under the watchful eye of a superior....

 

But, Surprisingly, when I bought my 2DS the employee was very pleasant, easy going, no pressure. Too bad I had to go thru 4 2DS's to get one that functioned, but that's a story for another thread...

Edited March 27, 2017 by FOX2600

[Prosystemsearch]

Gamestop needs to either shape up or ship out of business these days.

 

Also, if only Alan's video were still around. Similar stuff for the sears catalog.

[FOX2600]

I've been playing with their store locator, ...

I guess it's too early for them to name the stores that are closing, but I found a discussion from their 2011 round of store closings,

 

wow thanks for all the research! Good stuff

[godslabrat]

I've been playing with their store locator, and marveling at how they've blanketed the earth.

 

They are in densely settled areas.

lots of gamestops in NJ.png

 

They are in the desert, gathered near urban areas, just like the water supply.

gamestops in the desert.png

 

They're in the heartland.

in the heartland.png

 

They're off the beaten path.

montana.png

 

Would anyone even notice a tiny 2-3% haircut in a place with a lot of these stores?

connecticut.png

 

I guess it's too early for them to name the stores that are closing, but I found a discussion from their 2011 round of store closings, when they shut down all the duplicate shops in malls after they acquired Electronics Boutiuque.

 

I recall when Borders went out of business, yes some of that was due to a contracting physical book market, but they had also overextended themselves with a ton of expensive real estate. Same deal with Boston Market, or Kenny's Chicken. It's probably way too soon to start saying bye bye Gamestop, even if the trend seems clear, since a lot of their business is cash-only kids with lots of trade-ins. Could they keep that up in an online-only world? I used to mail stuff into FuncoLand for store credit long long ago, but that seems silly in the digital age.

The only "ace in the hole" GameStop really has is that in many areas, it's the only game in town. But in the world of Amazon, Steam, and direct downloads, that's not really the endgame it used to be.

[zzip]

Boxed codes -- isn't that a thing already?

 

There are lots of coffee table art books and strategy guides a person can buy. I don't want them either nowadays, but I see that they're at least somewhat popular.

 

Agreed about the toys and swag scene -- seems GameStop and its type of stores went through this at least once before during slow periods in the game scene. I remember when Electronics Boutique looked like the Pokemon Store.

 

Maybe it's a thing on some platforms. Not PS4 for sure. I have seen boxes containing Steam codes, but it's almost impossible to find retailers that carry boxed PC games anymore.

[Inky]

The Completely Unnecessary Podcast has been talking a LOT lately about gamestop's "Circle Of Life" program..

http://kotaku.com/new-gamestop-program-leads-employees-to-lie-to-customer-1791874332

Edited March 27, 2017 by Inky

[HoshiChiri]

 

I would like to see companies start selling "boxed codes". This way people who like box art and collectors editions can still buy these things and get the convenience of digital game (no disk flipping). These could sell at a slight discount to discs because they lack trade-in value. Retail stores have a chance to stay in business- and they serve a purpose as a place you can go and try the systems and play the games. Seems like a win-win for everybody, which is why it probably won't happen.

 

That's been a thing already- I remember they did it with Patapon 2 and it pissed me right off. I always wondered how many angry people came back wanting to know why their game wasn't in the case. To make matters even more confusing, it came out on disc later- I picked up a case randomly at a video store that was going out of business thinking I'd grump at it a bit, only to realize it was too heavy to be empty. Opened it up, saw the disc, bought it immediately.

 

Basically, I think most of the people who care enough to keep a box around want a game to go in it. They'd have better luck doing the Sonic Mania CE thing, where you're buying a toy/trinket that comes with a game code.

 

Also, as far as my area goes, there's a Gamestop in every town. Hell, there's 3 I can walk to from work! I imagine there's some chopping room.

Edited March 27, 2017 by HoshiChiri