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Electronics Boutique Opens 2000th Store

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sonycowboy

Member
Expect big things from EB next generation. They seem to be EXTREMLY well positioned going forward, IMO. They're trying a bunch of different things some of which are questionable to bad judgment (from trading in Cell phones for credit towards games to forcing hardware replacement plans then falling back to quoting hardware & software prices w/ replacement plans built-in, requiring the consumer to say no.

But, in the end, they seem to have much better management and strategic growth plans relative to Gamestop, or Best Buy,etc in the VG space

Tuesday February 22, 7:41 am ET
Highlights Commitment to International Expansion

WEST CHESTER, Pa., Feb. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp. (Nasdaq: ELBO - News) today announced the opening of its 2000th store in Trieste, Italy. The store began operations on February 21, 2005, marking the Company's 57th store in Italy and its 527th international location.

"We are very excited to announce the opening of our 2000th store -- a significant milestone in the history of our Company," commented Jeffrey Griffiths, President and Chief Executive Officer. "It is fitting that our 2000th location is situated in Europe, reflecting our continued commitment to expanding our international presence and building upon our strong brand equity. The fact that we have been able to grow from a single kiosk in 1977 to 2,000 stores today confirms the strength of our business model. Given the highly fragmented nature of the international video game arena, we believe many opportunities exist to expand into both new and existing markets. Finally, this important step in our store growth further advances our goal of being the destination of choice for all gamers worldwide."
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I hate how they offer a $3 "warranty" on software now, and the pitch is always backed up by an employee who happens to walk by and say, "yeah, my friend played Halo 2 for like 9 straight hours and it just stopped working... so he had to pay full price for another version."
 
levious said:
I hate how they offer a $3 "warranty" on software now, and the pitch is always backed up by an employee who happens to walk by and say, "yeah, my friend played Halo 2 for like 9 straight hours and it just stopped working... so he had to pay full price for another version."
Click to expand...

That's why I stopped buying from EB.
 
This doesn't surprise me -- I can seriously think of at least three EB stores (four, if you count the one in the mall) within 20-30 miles of my house. If this is the trend everywhere it's no wonder they're up to 2,000.

Incidentally, I've noticed the same trend with Gamestop (actually, where ever there's an EB, a Gamestop is usually put in really close by a few months later, or vice versa).
 
heavy liquid said:
Gamestops far outnumber the EBs where I live, for some reason.
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Dr_Cogent said:
Same here. I have 3 gamestops within less than 1/2 mile of each other where I live. It's very odd.
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EB's expansions into strip malls didn't really hit full steam until early 2003. Whereas, Gamestop was able to convert hundreds of Funcolands to Gamestop's years earlier. EB still has some stores to open and it will probably be another 50-100, but thier biggest growth by far is still overseas.
 
EB is all we really have in Vancouver as far as specialty stores go.

I should have bought ELBO stock last summer when it hit $23.80 :( I was seriously contemplating it too!!!
 
There's three EB stores right near my house; TWO in the mall and one right across the street from where I work (that has been robbed 5-6 times already...in broad daylight. And not just one guy with a gun; we're talking guys with automatic weapons making the employees load up all their stock onto a truck)

Cold-Steel said:
That's why I stopped buying from EB.
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I don't like it either, but I wouldn't stop buying from them because of it. The clerks are just doing their jobs. I tell them "no" and that's the end of it. If I were to be harassed about it, then I would ask for the mamager and tell him/her I wasn't coming back because of it and see how they handle the situation. But telling them no thanks is enough at all the EB stores I've been to.

I go to EB because of their trade-in prices and also because one store in particular is the "main store" for all Atlanta and possibly GA; they get everything in first.
 
How many stores does Gamestop have?

I would imagine it's more since they're basically a combination of Software Etc., Babbages, and Funcoland.
 
Ramirez said:
2000 stores and still not one near me in under 4 hours :lol
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Sure there's one near you! You know, the one wedged between the Starbucks and The Gap? ;)

Good god! 2000 stores is a lot! Guess they are ramping up for the Next Gen too.
 
Minotauro said:
I would imagine it's more since they're basically a combination of Software Etc., Babbages, and Funcoland.
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EB absorbed Walden Software didn't they? Don't know how big they were.


LakeEarth said:
I don't like it either, but I wouldn't stop buying from them because of it. The clerks are just doing their jobs. I tell them "no" and that's the end of it. If I were to be harassed about it, then I would ask for the mamager and tell him/her I wasn't coming back because of it and see how they handle the situation. But telling them no thanks is enough at all the EB stores I've been to.
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My "no" is always countered with some snooty remark along the lines of, "well, I hope for your sake nothing happens to your game." Offering it is fine, especially for people purchasing games for young kids... but offering it like you're a life insurance salesman gets on my nerves.
 
levious said:
I hate how they offer a $3 "warranty" on software now, and the pitch is always backed up by an employee who happens to walk by and say, "yeah, my friend played Halo 2 for like 9 straight hours and it just stopped working... so he had to pay full price for another version."
Click to expand...

In which I would reply, "Your friend is a fucking idot."
 
levious said:
My "no" is always countered with some snooty remark along the lines of, "well, I hope for your sake nothing happens to your game."
Click to expand...

Eeeek! After hearing that I'd be wary of wether or not they gave you one of their famous opened-by-them "new" games. They probably scratch them up on purpose to justify the warrant o.o!
 
I was also a little pissed that they're now including the $3 warranty in the price and you have to decline it after being told. But I'm pretty certain that will go away within a month or two after the complaints start rolling in. (and if you haven't complained, do so. that's how it'll stop.)
 
Got sick of the employees trying to unload a strategy guide as well as the new software warranty crap on me. Even when you turn them down and explain why, they continue to try and sell me on it each time I go into the store.

I pretty much get my games at Target now.
 
levious said:
Originally Posted by LakeEarth:
I don't like it either, but I wouldn't stop buying from them because of it. The clerks are just doing their jobs. I tell them "no" and that's the end of it. If I were to be harassed about it, then I would ask for the mamager and tell him/her I wasn't coming back because of it and see how they handle the situation. But telling them no thanks is enough at all the EB stores I've been to.



My "no" is always countered with some snooty remark along the lines of, "well, I hope for your sake nothing happens to your game." Offering it is fine, especially for people purchasing games for young kids... but offering it like you're a life insurance salesman gets on my nerves.
Click to expand...

That's weird... I didn't say that :lol
 
levious said:
I hate how they offer a $3 "warranty" on software now, and the pitch is always backed up by an employee who happens to walk by and say, "yeah, my friend played Halo 2 for like 9 straight hours and it just stopped working... so he had to pay full price for another version."
Click to expand...

I mostly buy used games because I'm in university still and quite poor, and never over my entire life have I ever had a game break on me. For the un-informed videogame buyer the $3 sounds like a great deal. They must be making buckets of cash on it.
 
LakeEarth said:
That's weird... I didn't say that :lol
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Then it's time I officially recognize you and Lyte Edge as two separate entities.
 
Heh one of my earlier gaming memories is going down to EB with my dad and getting Conan and Joust for the Atari 800XL. And of course the little poems you got when you died in Conan... which I did so very much. The store is still there which is pretty cool.
 
levious said:
I hate how they offer a $3 "warranty" on software now, and the pitch is always backed up by an employee who happens to walk by and say, "yeah, my friend played Halo 2 for like 9 straight hours and it just stopped working... so he had to pay full price for another version."
Click to expand...

My favorite is when I had a manager come up to me and say "You know you can trade in used games for new ones." when I'm browsing the used GC/PS2 titles.

I responded with "Wow. I was wondering how these used games got here.", and gave her a flat, annoyed look. She walked away scowling like it's my fault she sounded stupid, and I've never bought from them again.
 
Sadly, the warranty thing has been a HUGE success. I thought it was a sure-fire failure when they started it, but we sell TONS of them and it's something they track fairly closely.

SatelliteOfLove said:
My favorite is when I had a manager come up to me and say "You know you can trade in used games for new ones." when I'm browsing the used GC/PS2 titles.

I responded with "Wow. I was wondering how these used games got here.", and gave her a flat, annoyed look. She walked away scowling like it's my fault she sounded stupid, and I've never bought from them again.
Click to expand...

As an EB employee, it's annoying that we have to do that kind of crap to people. I'm always concerned that I'm going to come off as patronizing to a customer that isn't a moron.
You have to remember though that most people ARE stupid. I can't believe how many people don't realize that we take trades, or that we resell the games they trade in. I've been asked "so, what do you do with the games people trade in?" and "where do all the used games come from?" so many times it's sickening.
 
I wish more people would bitch about the warranty, to the higher-ups. The stores in NY are really forcing these things. I think they are worth if you have kids or problems keeping your discs in working condition, but EB is not out to help you the consumer, it is "lets find a way to get more money out of every transaction". It will be hard pressed for a while then it won't be so important to the company, they'll just focus on something else to get your money.
 
Leo said:
Sadly, the warranty thing has been a HUGE success. I thought it was a sure-fire failure when they started it, but we sell TONS of them and it's something they track fairly closely.



As an EB employee, it's annoying that we have to do that kind of crap to people. I'm always concerned that I'm going to come off as patronizing to a customer that isn't a moron.
Click to expand...

Understood; and I can sympathize, (Wal-mart department manager here.)

You have to remember though that most people ARE stupid. I can't believe how many people don't realize that we take trades, or that we resell the games they trade in. I've been asked "so, what do you do with the games people trade in?" and "where do all the used games come from?" so many times it's sickening.
Click to expand...

Sadly, I keep forgetting that, and expect basic levels of common sense from adults. :lol
 
There are 41 EB Games stores in Sweden and 44 GAME stores. It's like some kind of crazy game store arms race. With only 9 million people that is a lot. And it's all been happening in the last 4-5 years...
 
Holy fuck...they opened 1000 stores in the span of 2 years? I remember working at EB back in 2003 when they were doing the 1000th store opening. Jesus Fuck...1000 extra locations, that's mammoth.
 
I really, really hope that the bubble bursts next gen and all these fuckers have to realize "Well... uh, shit. Looks like we oversaturated the market!"
 
I traded in some games at EB today to take advantage of that trade 2 get $10 bonus credit promotion. I feel dirty, knowing that I'm helping EB's bottom line. :(

At least I turned $6 into $30 worth of credit. Wario Ware Twisted is mine bitches
 
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