I think it’s just to further reinforce their brand image as “the store where you can buy the exact same shit as at the Target next door but with a worse customer experience”
Worse everything.
I went digital long time ago so I dont care about discs. But if I was still a disc buyer, GS is fine if trading in deals for their T3 get new game free promo is worth it (it used to be T2 sometimes). Aside from Best Buy and mom and pop shops, they are one of only a small number who willingly buy back games. So I give them a checkmark for this point.
Problem is multifold now.
- There game selection is a fraction of what it is where most of the store isn't even games anymore. Ok, if someone wants to buy Funko dolls and Call of Duty Black Ops: The Card Game, then GS is the best store in the mall. Most gamers think it's junk. Their massive wall of new and used games is probably 1/10th the size it used to be
- Their prices are still sky high. And a used game is now squeezed to 90% of a new game. It wasnt this bad way back. But they keep inching it up. Funny thing is when GS and Electronics Boutique came to Canada around 1995 (I remember because I bought Heroes of M&M 2 at launch), their prices were probably the best, they had price matching (did it myself many times), and if you hated the game you could return the game after I think 10 days. You go in, buy your game and leave
- Radio Shack Syndrome. As I said above, shopping there was a typical in and out experience. At some point (not sure when), it became a flea market of every clerk hawking disc protection, Game Informer subscription, pre-orders, etc.... Just like Radio Shack, the second you step one foot in the door the fucking clerks talk to you and vulture eye you making sure you know they are there. I dont think the average car salesman tries this hard upselling you shit