Instead of gold and jewels, its mostly spray paint and boiled sweets.
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UK Retailer GAME is dead | Brera's Lament
- Thread starter CrunchinJelly
- Start date
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Instead of gold and jewels, its mostly spray paint and boiled sweets.
JennyTablina
Member
Went to Gamestation and Game today in Cambridge;
Gamestation was my first stop, only 2 staff including the manager on shift when I went in. He seemed to be keeping his spirits up, and was telling customers in front of me that he was pretty sure this Gamestop buyout was a sure thing - I suspect that's his opinion rather than anything based on insider knowledge. He was friendly and pretty upbeat, so that was nice at least (actually the staff in both branches seemed to be in good spirits today)
Apparently they still needed to price stuff down for the sale, he mentioned it was going to be a long day in that regard. So I guess some stores may not be as prompt in getting the prices down as others are. Gamestation was also a lot more quiet than the GAME branch, maybe because some people don't realize GAME = Gamestation still
Anyway my haul from Gamestation;
Inazuma Eleven DS (£9.99)
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness DS (£7.99)
Disaster: Day of Crisis (Wii) (£1.98)
I then went to GAME, which seemed a lot more busy - so I assume word had spread of the sale already (though GAME are in a busy part of town too, but it's not usually that busy). Staff there seemed to be working on repricing at the time we were there, but handling quite a few sales.
(I think I must be pretty lucky, the only dodgy GAME store closed last year, the Gamestation and the staff in Lion Yard GAME have always been a great bunch, will miss their respective stores if it all goes down the pan)
Haul from GAME;
Batallion Wars 2 Wii (£1.98)
Super Mario Strikers Wii (£1.99)
Gears of War 2 (£1.99)
The Gears of War 2 copy turned out to be the Xbox Classics copy with all the Maps and Campaigns included. Which was pretty neat : )
Not sure this is ENTIRELY true, I think there's a certain sense of mourning for the current situation and potential incoming loss of not one, but two gaming stores on the high street. The only people who really hate GAME and Gamestation are those who hold a grudge, live near shitty stores or had a bad experience (which can happen with any retailer really). GAME's Head Office is the cause of their own misfortune, maybe they could of checked quality of service was top notch in all stores, and adjusted their priorities in some ways. But when it comes down to it, many people are losing a store they loved to browse at least, and those working in the stores might lose their jobs. Plus it's yet another group of stores closing on the UK's increasingly bare high street.
I have no problem giving my money for some cheap games and giving the chain at least some kind of lifeline, if only for the sake of the staff working at the local stores. I just hope they do something worthwhile with the borrowed time they have from this sale
Gamestation was my first stop, only 2 staff including the manager on shift when I went in. He seemed to be keeping his spirits up, and was telling customers in front of me that he was pretty sure this Gamestop buyout was a sure thing - I suspect that's his opinion rather than anything based on insider knowledge. He was friendly and pretty upbeat, so that was nice at least (actually the staff in both branches seemed to be in good spirits today)
Apparently they still needed to price stuff down for the sale, he mentioned it was going to be a long day in that regard. So I guess some stores may not be as prompt in getting the prices down as others are. Gamestation was also a lot more quiet than the GAME branch, maybe because some people don't realize GAME = Gamestation still
Anyway my haul from Gamestation;
Inazuma Eleven DS (£9.99)
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness DS (£7.99)
Disaster: Day of Crisis (Wii) (£1.98)
I then went to GAME, which seemed a lot more busy - so I assume word had spread of the sale already (though GAME are in a busy part of town too, but it's not usually that busy). Staff there seemed to be working on repricing at the time we were there, but handling quite a few sales.
(I think I must be pretty lucky, the only dodgy GAME store closed last year, the Gamestation and the staff in Lion Yard GAME have always been a great bunch, will miss their respective stores if it all goes down the pan)
Haul from GAME;
Batallion Wars 2 Wii (£1.98)
Super Mario Strikers Wii (£1.99)
Gears of War 2 (£1.99)
The Gears of War 2 copy turned out to be the Xbox Classics copy with all the Maps and Campaigns included. Which was pretty neat : )
Not sure this is ENTIRELY true, I think there's a certain sense of mourning for the current situation and potential incoming loss of not one, but two gaming stores on the high street. The only people who really hate GAME and Gamestation are those who hold a grudge, live near shitty stores or had a bad experience (which can happen with any retailer really). GAME's Head Office is the cause of their own misfortune, maybe they could of checked quality of service was top notch in all stores, and adjusted their priorities in some ways. But when it comes down to it, many people are losing a store they loved to browse at least, and those working in the stores might lose their jobs. Plus it's yet another group of stores closing on the UK's increasingly bare high street.
I have no problem giving my money for some cheap games and giving the chain at least some kind of lifeline, if only for the sake of the staff working at the local stores. I just hope they do something worthwhile with the borrowed time they have from this sale
N
NinjaFridge
Unconfirmed Member
Nevermind.
Could I have it please? I never managed to get a coupon from Gameplay even though I've shopped there before!
Thinking I may try for a DSi XL, and offload my 3DS on eBay. I've got a wonderfully huge backlog of DS games, but the only game I've ever really enjoyed on 3DS has been OOT 3D, and I can't see anything else that good on the horizon either. The region lock BS doesn't help matters.
Basically, right now it's a giant paperweight and by time it does get something I want (probably Ace Attorney 5, provided that also doesn't release for Vita too), I'll be green with envy at everyone else playing it on the redesign.
Sensible, or am I being silly here?
Basically, right now it's a giant paperweight and by time it does get something I want (probably Ace Attorney 5, provided that also doesn't release for Vita too), I'll be green with envy at everyone else playing it on the redesign.
Sensible, or am I being silly here?
Sorry, it's gone.
Probably already posted, but GAME are pulling their concessions from Comet.
I didn't even know GAME HAD concessions in Comet. Ah well.
I didn't even know GAME HAD concessions in Comet. Ah well.
JennyTablina
Member
Iffy one there, while a Lite model is inevitable - assuming GAME exists to see a 3DS Lite/XL ect. or someone takes it's place. Normally stores will do very favourable deals for old models for new @ launch - though then there's the case of downloaded content. Personally I'ld hold onto the 3DS (specially if you have the ambassador stuff and 3DS/DSiware) and buy the Lite so you can transfer data and then trade the old system asap. That way you keep all the goodies and still get maximum value for the old system (as it'll hold it's price a while before the new model saps it's value)
ThoughtsOfSpeaking
Banned
Errm haven't been following this thread. Are you guys saying game and game station are having a massive firesale? There is a gamestation down the road from me, how much do you reckon I could pick up a new 360 S for?
That's news to me too, i knew they had Concessions in Debenhams (my local town had 2 games, a gamestation and a game concession at one point - and it's a small town) but having them in Comet surprises me
J Tourettes
Banned
RRP. It's the secondhand stuff that's on sale.
ThoughtsOfSpeaking
Banned
Oh ok. I'll go and check in the morning.
Lets see. I have a dentist appointment tomorrow, but I should be able to squeeze a visit to Victoria in the morning. If they have nothing I may risk going to the Regent Street branch (Hamleys). Doubt the Oxford Street branch is worth bothering with since that would have been plundered within a second.
Little Old Man
Member
Went into the Gamestations and the L1 Game in Liverpool before. Tbh I can't say I thought much of the sales- the sale just seems to have brought the prices in line with what would be expected. E.g. AC Brotherhood was £8, I got the version with all the DLC new for £9 months ago. A lot of it just seemed stuff I'd seen time and time again online.
To be fair, the Game store was FAR better in terms of prices from what I could see than GS.
Might pop into a different Game/GS tomorrow whilst I'm in the area to pick up any decent Wii games, as they were the only ones that stood out.
To be fair, the Game store was FAR better in terms of prices from what I could see than GS.
Might pop into a different Game/GS tomorrow whilst I'm in the area to pick up any decent Wii games, as they were the only ones that stood out.
dreamcastmaster
Banned
Mr Solo Dolo
Member
'Spring Clean' sale posters now up in the windows of the Game shops in Newcastle
dreamcastmaster
Banned
Nice they can still get credit from the Printers however from what I've read it seems Games have been Spring cleaned out of most of the stock already.
killer_clank
Member
Nice branding for what is pretty much a liquidation sale.
show me your skeleton
Member
hope the guy that coined this a 'spring clean' gets a nice chunk of that fatcat payout.
aren't they £160 new from shopto anyway? I'd want preowned to be a lot closer to £100 before jumping in. Are there any other 'safe' preowned 360s, like elites worth getting? Might be a good opportunity to catch up on my missed Xbox years and some of the franchises i've skipped (bioshock, Halo, Mass Effect)
Castlevania Lords of Shadow: Collectors Edition (PS3, NEW) - £2.98 at Game
It says "preorder" for some reason, but you can buy it (I've got an order placed). Whether they'll honour it I don't know but it's worth a try!
Gamestation link
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow Collector's Edition Includes:
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow videogame
Replica God Mask
Videogame Soundtrack composed by Óscar Araujo
It says "preorder" for some reason, but you can buy it (I've got an order placed). Whether they'll honour it I don't know but it's worth a try!
Gamestation link
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow Collector's Edition Includes:
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow videogame
Replica God Mask
Videogame Soundtrack composed by Óscar Araujo
heliconsoul
Member
Goddamn at the Castlevania. Double dipped so hard, even they even ship it 
Pie and Beans
Look for me on the local news, I'll be the guy arrested for trying to burn down a Nintendo exec's house.
Still waiting on my XBL Points to be shipped... but jumped on that Castlevania SE too. Wonder if it'll be honoured or it turns up not as the mask one..
bigtroyjon
Member
I don't mean to give him any more ammunition but Brera is correct about the cash numbers he is throwing around. You can't look at that mid year number because GAME is like every other video game company and does most of their business in the second half of the year. They should have over 100 million if that loss they projected is correct.
What he isn't correct about is that the amount of cash they have is equivalent to a "war chest". They likely have quite a bit of debt to serve and also need to cover the day to day operating expenses. I'm guessing they aren't paying for games up front because they are attempting some kind of ill fated bluff at the publishers but it looks to be a terrible decision so far and is just going to cause them to lose money even faster.
Based on their apparent expenses, wouldn't be shocked if they were broke by the end of the summer(or sooner) if something doesn't change.
What he isn't correct about is that the amount of cash they have is equivalent to a "war chest". They likely have quite a bit of debt to serve and also need to cover the day to day operating expenses. I'm guessing they aren't paying for games up front because they are attempting some kind of ill fated bluff at the publishers but it looks to be a terrible decision so far and is just going to cause them to lose money even faster.
Based on their apparent expenses, wouldn't be shocked if they were broke by the end of the summer(or sooner) if something doesn't change.
Azure Phoenix
Member
It'll never be honoured, but I couldn't resist jumping on that Castlevania offer - after spending reward card points it ended up at about £1.
Zomba13
Member
I just did this and also got an order email right after the pre-order one. Hope it does get sent. I already own the standard ed but can't say no to the special edition at that price.
Tempting. Especially if it takes Sony a long time to bring psone to vita. Even then with the vita bubbles taking up space it'd be nice to have a pocket psone for £50
any risks to buying a preowned slim 360 - hacked/banned etc? Never bought preowned before but <£200 for a 250gb slim and kinect can't be bad
BattleMedic
Member
I got 7 decent games for £15 at my local Gamestation. I'm gonna go into Manchester and try my luck there, where they've got two GAME's and another Gamestation but I doubt I'll be as successful.
I'm more concerned that (I'm assuming) there'd be no warranty on preowned hardware if Game do go out of business, so if it breaks a month or two from now you're out of luck.
Mauricio_Magus
Banned
Castlevania Lords of Shadow: Collectors Edition (PS3, NEW) - £2.98 at Game
It says "preorder" for some reason, but you can buy it (I've got an order placed). Whether they'll honour it I don't know but it's worth a try!
Gamestation link
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow Collector's Edition Includes:
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow videogame
Replica God Mask
Videogame Soundtrack composed by Óscar Araujo
This DEAL is INSANE!
After seeing the Space Marine deal on here yesterday, I checked the Bluewater stores for a copy after work. They only had 360 versions - at £7 odd. Is the PS3 version that bad that they took £5 off?
They had a fair amount of stuff at Bluewater, actually, probably because it isnt a town center so people have to drive there after work / school.
They had a fair amount of stuff at Bluewater, actually, probably because it isnt a town center so people have to drive there after work / school.
So went in to complain about LBP2 scratched to hell fiasco:
Me: So I bought this game yesterday, as it is scratched to hell, I would like a refund or exchange.
Employee: Hang about.
*Beckons over store manager*
Manager:So what is the problem?
Me:The disk is scratched to hell bought a new copy.
Manager:So what is the problem?
Me:Well the disk won't play
Manager: Well I have never known a game with scratches on never NOT working on a PS3
Me: ...
Manager: Are you sure your harddrive hasn't corrupted?
Me: I'm sure.
Manager: Well we can't do anything.
Me: It is not fit for purpose. I called your head office before I came in, they said YOU would give me a replacement or refund.
So I'm getting slightly pissed off at this point. Anyway I came out with a brand new copy of LBP2. Its not that online has killed the high street, its that the high street is piss poor at customer service.
Me: So I bought this game yesterday, as it is scratched to hell, I would like a refund or exchange.
Employee: Hang about.
*Beckons over store manager*
Manager:So what is the problem?
Me:The disk is scratched to hell bought a new copy.
Manager:So what is the problem?
Me:Well the disk won't play
Manager: Well I have never known a game with scratches on never NOT working on a PS3
Me: ...
Manager: Are you sure your harddrive hasn't corrupted?
Me: I'm sure.
Manager: Well we can't do anything.
Me: It is not fit for purpose. I called your head office before I came in, they said YOU would give me a replacement or refund.
So I'm getting slightly pissed off at this point. Anyway I came out with a brand new copy of LBP2. Its not that online has killed the high street, its that the high street is piss poor at customer service.
To be honest, I have had issues with most of the online retailers as well. There are horror stories with Zavvi and ShopTo and even Amazon where their customer service has not been up to par. Its just because every company in existance sometimes hires some morons.
At least you got a decent copy in the end.
Nahkarankaisja
Neo Member
Castlevania Lords of Shadow: Collectors Edition (PS3, NEW) - £2.98 at Game
It says "preorder" for some reason, but you can buy it (I've got an order placed). Whether they'll honour it I don't know but it's worth a try!
Gamestation link
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow Collector's Edition Includes:
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow videogame
Replica God Mask
Videogame Soundtrack composed by Óscar Araujo
Ordered, will be interesting to see if they honour it and ship it to Finland!
heliconsoul
Member
That's hilarious. What do they say if a passing customer asks to buy a copy? Go over the road to HMV?
The Glasgow stores were very strange yesterday. The main Game store was very, very quiet. Games on the shelves were marked down though (some more than others). One Gamestation was almsot completely out of 360 games stock but had no reductions on anything else and another Gamestation had almost every game in the store priced at £12.98 - more often priced up to that point than down.
I had just under a tenner on my Gamestation reward card but I ended up using it on an eShop voucher due to lack of quality deals.
I had just under a tenner on my Gamestation reward card but I ended up using it on an eShop voucher due to lack of quality deals.
PumpkinPie
Banned
You ordered new originally?
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