Snooty EB Games Employees

[tyranthraxus]

Sometimes I wonder a little about some stores business practices

or I always wonder about their knowledge of the game market. I

walk into any EB and they have about a gazillion copies of last years PS2

EA sports titles. You would think after the 10th trade in that they would

realize the game has lost is appeal. Same goes for some of the real

crappy games that they have multiple copies of. If I owned a store I

would be very stingy on what games I would accept as a trade in. And

price the crap games accordingly.

 

The mom & pop store can be hit & miss. I know one store that has a

nice sellection but its like he has not bothered to update his prices since

the late 80s! The place is filled with NES games most of which are

badly overpriced $10-15 and upward. He has a small Atari section

where the cheapest game is $7.50! His PS1 games are priced $20-40

and while his PS2/Xbox/GC selection does sell he is not aware of

price drops and has overpriced all the Greatest Hits games. Worst of

all he won't haggle no matter how long the game has been there. Its

one of those stores where you wonder how they can afford to stay in

business.

[Scooterb23]

The place i frequent the most, sells used game at 30 dollars tops

 

So, Chris...wanna help a brother out a bit??? May I ask where this store might be located?? At least a name, general vicinty...I'll take anything!!

[chrisbid]

Video Games Express, there are a few locations in the area

 

Grove City (never been there, dont know the address)

North Point (route 23, roughly 5 miles north of 270, in same shopping center with Super Wal-Mart)

Westerville (just off of 161, same shopping center as the now closed K-Mart)

Bethel Rd (across the street from gawddammutherfucking Micro Center)

 

A guy named Burt is the owner of the small chain, hes a really good guy, and most of the employees are pretty cool to talk to.

[shep]

My local EB isnt bad, but the one I went to at mall of america pretty muched forced me to buy a used game discount. Here is how it went down:

 

My family had went to mall of america for a small vacation, not being much of a shopper I spent the weekends living at the Electronic stores. On the first day I went to Gamestop where I purchased a couple Dreamcast games used, well this iditio hyperactive (not really, just one of those perky fellows that get annoying), kept telling me about how I could get discounts on games if I just bought this card, and Id get a free subscription of GameNow(no thanks, its just EGM2 renamed a billion times to try and get more readers), after he talked for a couple min about how it would save, I declined for the fifth and final time. I was able to make my purchase as he mumbled how it could save me money (get over it i dont want it).

 

Well the next day, I decide to go to the EB which is on the first floor, near to one of the many entrances. I found Tony Hawk for like 5 bucks and Jet Grin Radio for 10, decided on my purchases, picked up a couple other titles, then headed to the counter. I had to wait about 5 min (being the only person in line) because the only worker who was working at the counter was busy answering a 10 year old and his family questions about the SP (stupid ones like, does it play the old games? How do I use headphones, etc.) When I finally got there, I saw the guy was new and halfway through punching in my stuff he got confused, and asked another peppy dude, but much more annoying than the last (fast fast talker), who guided him through the rest of the purchasing. We'll before they told me my total he told the guy to through in the card, told me i was getting this card because it would save me so much percent on used games and i got a free subscription to the aforementioned stupid magazine. I pollitley said "no thankyou", and he says "no we will put it on here, it will all even out as if you didnt have the discount yet", i repeated "no thats ok", but I ended up walking out there with a stupid card. Ridicoulous, totally took advantage of me because Im young, polite, and somewhat passive.

[killersquirel]

Shep wrote:

 

When I finally got there, I saw the guy was new and halfway through punching in my stuff he got confused, and asked another peppy dude, but much more annoying than the last (fast fast talker), who guided him through the rest of the purchasing. We'll before they told me my total he told the guy to through in the card, told me i was getting this card because it would save me so much percent on used games and i got a free subscription to the aforementioned stupid magazine. I pollitley said "no thankyou", and he says "no we will put it on here, it will all even out as if you didnt have the discount yet", i repeated "no thats ok", but I ended up walking out there with a stupid card. Ridicoulous, totally took advantage of me because Im young, polite, and somewhat passive.

 

Mike responds:

 

What I would do is go back to the store with an empty beer or a juice bottle filled with gasoline and a dirty, oily rag sticking out of it. I would approach the individual that forced me to buy this discount card and say "I really appreciate you forcing me to purchase this discount card. You must really care about your customers." At this point I would slowly pull out a lighter and explain to him that I feel sorry that someone as annoying and rude an individual who obviously doesn't listen to what people say probably has a hard time attracting the ladies. I would then light the rag and tell him that I was helping him out because from now on the ladies would feel pity for such a pathetic bastard and I would throw the now flaming bottle at the clerks feet. At this point as he is screaming and trying to put himself out of fire (funny how in the heat of panic people forgot the basic principal of stop, drop, and roll) I would take out the discount card and throw it at his now burning flesh

 

 

Oh i was just kidding about that.....

 

-Mike

[Mendon]

Sometimes I wonder a little about some stores business practices  

or I always wonder about their knowledge of the game market. I  

walk into any EB and they have about a gazillion copies of last years PS2  

EA sports titles. You would think after the 10th trade in that they would  

realize the game has lost is appeal.

 

Ahh, the miracle of "returning DEFECTIVE games to the manufacturer for replacement or credit"... an age old retail trick. No way is EB, Gamestop, etc gonna take in 300 copies of Madden 2001 and LOSE money

 

Mendon

[MegaManFan]

I think they're gonna have a hard time returning that Namco Museum Vol. 5 I brought back to the store. Well, they never should have sold it out in the first place. SS can attest - he took one look at the thing and it was HORRID! I've still got $18 in credit on an EB card I haven't used yet because I never find anything at the local one here I want.

 

So.. anybody got a Namco Museum Vol. 2 or Vol. 5 for sale?

[Jasoco]

I got a Used Discount card from GameStop because it came with a subscription to GameInformer which is only good for the retro gaming section in the back. My last subscription ended last month and I went to renew it, they gave me the same issue. But it was a two cover issue so I now have both covers. Weird. I never had all covers from a multi-cover issue of anything before.

 

I never used it. Well, the first card I didn't. The second card I got with my Zelda Wind Waker Used disc. Yeah, I got a USED Zelda. So what? I took the case it came in which had the hole for the locking mechanism (Like you'd have at BlockBuster) and put it on Pikmin and traded in Pikmin so you can't even tell Zelda was used. I'm sneaky like that.

[shep]

I agree that the retro section of the magazine is the only good part, but what ive seen from this Game"Now" is another magazine with a "hip" look trying to atract the "gamers" that are only fans of mindless games like Tony Hawk, GTA, and so forth. Not bad games, but....come on....

[Jasoco]

Glad I have Informer and not Now.

[DeV0]

Well we have EB here in australia as well, i can assure you that the store generally sux. My latest experience,, EB sells 2nd hand N64 games and other retro stuff, On this day i was after super mario 64. They had one in stock and wanted $30 for it! I asked why so expensive? The dweeb tells me it is a very rare game. Ahem, I politely told this guy that the game was actually free with the system and was as common as combat,, He then asks "whats combat?" OK, at this point i had to control myself by walking away, He follows me with the sm64 from the back and shows it to me, The cart had teeth marks in it! I followed by saying "you have more then 1 in stock don't you", Of course they had about 50.. Too young, too stupid, No respect for the older gamer with more experience.

[ussexplorer]

Video Game Trading Post

 

I found this store in Boise, Idaho after moving up from Pocatello. I know I had to find a small out of the way game place not associated with a big name franchise. Not that these stores are nice. But the knowledge of most of the employees only went back so far. I would say all the employees. But like Radio Shack you get somebody that knows everything. Those guys/gals need to get paid more.

 

My quest was simple:

 

1. Find a place with tons of older game carts/systems.

2. An employee who knows almost everything about any game system.

3. A good price that is not an arm and a leg.

 

This place fit the bill, tons of Genesis/Saturn/Nintendo games. No Atari but several third party or after market items. Most I couldn’t find anyplace else except e-bay. A point program to collect points for discount or free used games. Plus he answered my 5,000 questions without getting pissed. Do you have a ram cart for the Sega cd, an RF adaptor, light gun, mouse, etc, etc was some of the questions. Not once saying anything bad. Hey, the guy even wanted to know if the Magnavox odyssey worked that I picked up from a friend. It however, did not. For a while he was even open Sunday.

 

Well that is my good store find.

 

Laters,

 

Josh

[BoOchan!]

Well we have EB here in australia as well, i can assure you that the store generally sux. My latest experience,, EB sells 2nd hand N64 games and other retro stuff, On this day i was after super mario 64. They had one in stock and wanted $30 for it! I asked why so expensive? The dweeb tells me it is a very rare game. Ahem, I politely told this guy that the game was actually free with the system and was as common as combat,, He then asks "whats combat?" OK, at this point i had to control myself by walking away, He follows me with the sm64 from the back and shows it to me, The cart had teeth marks in it! I followed by saying "you have more then 1 in stock don't you", Of course they had about 50.. Too young, too stupid, No respect for the older gamer with more experience.

 

The EB closest to me doesn't sell used PSX and N64 game anymore, except they had a fantastic range of used games for $9.95. I picked up a mint used Pong (PSX) for just A$9.95, which was pretty good. They've got the cheapest Gamecubes in Australia, A$199 with a free game. Anyway, the best deal I ever got at a K-Mart was an incorrectly labled Twin Pack, which were 2 games I really wanted (And are Extremely Rare), Kula World (Roll Away in US) and Lemmings 3D. I got these to for instead of $49.94, I got them for $9.94! Hows that for incorrect pricing!

[Clock]

Our EB's are all renamed to GAME here in the UK and they don't really sell stuff for older consoles.... but I have always found them to be very nice helpfull people (who do unfortunately make mistakes quite a bit though).

 

We have 2 in our town and they are both equally cool.

 

 

 

<= I've never used Spidey before, so I thought I'd just add him to the bottom.

[Jasoco]

We have an EBX in.. well, it's not even in the mall I was thinking. It's over an hour away. Even more. Either way, they also have a GameStop on the floor above and I prefer the GameStop. It just seemed a bit better. Even though the X seems to stanc for "Much more excelent atmosphere", and I got my PlayStation there and never had any problems, I just preferred the feel of the GS over the EBX.

 

It seems all the malls I go to have both a GameStop (Or affiliate) and an Electronics Boutique (Or an affiliate). One of each. I prefer the GS version. But I'll buy something wherever I can find it. Haven't had a bad experience really.

[Dones]

Bringing this thread back fromt the dead, I remember sometime ago a website were it was posted scans of the EB employee manual. The stuff written there was hilarious as well as pictures on how to spot fake trades (eg. A tin box of SPAM inside a gameboy advance box). Anyone by any chance has a link to this?

[figgler]

On impulse I went into EB last weekend. I tend to avoid it because, well see thread topic, but I was passing by and Old Navy just wasn't in the cards that day.

So anyway, they have Sega Smash Pack for GBA in really good shape for $14. Good deal I think. Portable Echo and Golden Axe will sure fit the bill, but I digress.... I asked of course to see the manual and cart and make sure everything is in top condition before commiting to purchase. Of course this scrutiny of mine is met with and by the goof-bag employees. They even throw in a little "Hey, there's a price sticker on the box, are you sure that's okay? Are you going to be able to get that off?" Like fuck off man. Sorry if I don't care to buy goods that are damaged or ill-taken care of by the previous owner. And even if it is a tad obsessive, who asked these guys what they thought? Shouldn't they just be glad I'm contributing to their salaries? I fear the EB - asshole employee connection will go on forever. I buy a lot of games, and I hope my infrequent visits to EB due to shitty service is hurting them on some small level

[Jasoco]

Holy crap. I remember this thread. This was AGES ago!

[maibock]

Err yeah, it was awhile ago - well, while it's here, to update the story.. the kid is no longer there - I like to think he got fired

[sega saturn x]

I have 2 of the worst jerks working at my e.b in a mall near me. Any time i ask them about anything they get real pissed and act like there doing me a favor by getting a game from the back. Its your job you prick if you dont like it work with the other know nothing jerks at sam goody across the hall.

[Dones]

So anyway, they have Sega Smash Pack for GBA in really good shape for $14.  Good deal I think.  Portable Echo and Golden Axe will sure fit the bill, but I digress.... I asked of course to see the manual and cart and make sure everything is in top condition before commiting to purchase.  Of course this scrutiny of mine is met with    and    by the goof-bag  employees.  They even throw in a little "Hey, there's a price sticker on the box, are you sure that's okay?  Are you going to be able to get that off?"  Like fuck off man.  Sorry if I don't care to buy goods that are damaged or ill-taken care of by the previous owner.  And even if it is a tad obsessive, who asked these guys what they thought?

I think you have every right to check the condition of an item before buying. It's common sense man. I do think people who check for disc scratches and such are the minority, but that's just me. Anyway doesn't used sales benefit eb stores directly more than new games?

[xenomorpher]

I been very lucky with my local EB Games. The one has some older people there and they were very nice. The other one had some younger people which were nice and the one and I talked about Zela O.o.T. on the N64 for a bit. I guess I live in a nice area.

[NE146]

I dunno about you guys.. but I personally LIKE getting talked down to. I get a real kick out of it. I probably leave many many videogame and computer stores with the sales clerk thinking I'm probably one of the most clueless dufuses around

[Dones]

At my local EB the employees I have seen don't patronize you, but instead push you all this promotional stuff hoping you will bite. The way they talk it's almost robotic: you can tell by the tone and expressions that they have said the same line thousands of times. A mix of obligatory procedures with a hint of boredom.

 

Where I always get talked down is at Radio Shack. Those guys treat you like you are a complete imbecil (LOL). They patronize so much that they supervise you how to operate those touchpad atm thingies. And if you don't give them your phone number before making a purchase, they get mad and puzzled (like asking for a big mac without cheese at a mac donald's employee).

[Alexius Wronka]

You guys ever go to a store with some super rare stuff just to see how much you'd get? I went to one where most of the people are Jerks except the owner. Which makes no sense. But any way I got in with Snes Mr.do, Two rare coleco games can't think of their names but they're worth like 30 bucks each and Dragon Warrior 4. They offer me 10 bucks. Course that was from one of the jerks. But what what funny was how he figured it out.

 

I gave hime the games and said, "How much can I get."

 

Store guy then looks up in his head thinking.

Thinking

Thinking. 30 seconds go by

 

How much?

 

Sorry I'm doing some math

Thinking T

Thinking

um................. 10 dollars

 

Wow either those games were all worth some strange amount like 2.32434234534562345+3.351234512 or he's really really dumb.

 

However ussually if you talk to the old guy you get a deal.