I recently got a job at Video Game Depot, and I just knew it was my local indie/used game shop. After bringing up my job with a few people online, I've learned that they have an absolutely huge online presence, and are in fact one of the handful of really big online import shops. You would all be doing yourself a very big favor if you visited their online presence:
http://www.videogamedepot.com
Reasons why VGD is worthy of your attention:
1) It truly is independent. I think there's about 8 people on the entire payroll. There's only one physical location, here in eastern Iowa. They got big online by advertising on PA and Gaming Noise back in the day. The two owners are really down to earth, and super nice guys. My interview process consisted of them quizzing me about games so they could be sure I'd be able to answer people's questions.
2) The coolest thing about the store, IMO, is they genuinely DO work hard to offer the lowest price. Lots of places say they do, but I mean, I've seen it firsthand as an employee. New games are always sold for 48.99 instead of 49.99. I know places like fry's offer kickass deals, but my point is VGD makes a real concious effort to try to knock a few bucks off of what everything "should" be at, to get it to move. This shows up moreso in used products than new.
3) They carry DVDs, Anime, Game soundtracks, CDs, wallscrolls, etc. And a lot of it. I knew they carried this stuff, but it wasn't until I was hired that I realized how much we actually have. We have a HUGE number of used DVDs and music CDs. Almost as many as a DVD or CD store themselves would have, and it's not even our focus.
4) This one is almost a given, but the Import selection is arguably among the best anywhere, period.
5) There are no backorders. Our sales program and our inventory program are connected directly with the website. When something sells, it no longer shows up on the site. Everything you see online is ACTUALLY there to be purchased.
6) Customer service truly is #1. It's a cliche I know, but I don't really know how else to say it. Like I said, now that I'm employed there, I can see it firsthand. In the back any emailed complaint about an order not being right or whatever is pinned on the board and we fix the problem immediately.
If you don't read the rest of this thread, at least let some of these prices speak for themselves. They aren't "shockingly" low, but they're just priced to be a good value, like everything else in the store
Indiana Jones Boxed Set - $35
A.I. DVD - $7
Panzer Dragoon Orta Soundtrack - $14
.Hack Sign OST Vol. 1 - $14
Nirvana (in utero) - $5.99
Billy Squier (Enough Is Enough) - $5.99
Super Mario RPG - $35
Secret of Evermoor - $17
Mega Man Zero - $12
Advance Wars - $12
Max Payne (PS2) - $7
Dragon Warrior (NES) - $6
Startropics - $6
Cliffnotes: If you're buying games or any other media used, shop at VGD b/c #1 they're what's right with gaming retail and #2 it'll be cheaper than ebay.
I feel like a salesman, lol. I don't mean to be pimping my store... I just genuinely feel like the world should know. I'd have made this thread before I worked there, if I knew the extent of their inventory and how far they go to ensure happy customers.
http://www.videogamedepot.com
Reasons why VGD is worthy of your attention:
1) It truly is independent. I think there's about 8 people on the entire payroll. There's only one physical location, here in eastern Iowa. They got big online by advertising on PA and Gaming Noise back in the day. The two owners are really down to earth, and super nice guys. My interview process consisted of them quizzing me about games so they could be sure I'd be able to answer people's questions.
2) The coolest thing about the store, IMO, is they genuinely DO work hard to offer the lowest price. Lots of places say they do, but I mean, I've seen it firsthand as an employee. New games are always sold for 48.99 instead of 49.99. I know places like fry's offer kickass deals, but my point is VGD makes a real concious effort to try to knock a few bucks off of what everything "should" be at, to get it to move. This shows up moreso in used products than new.
3) They carry DVDs, Anime, Game soundtracks, CDs, wallscrolls, etc. And a lot of it. I knew they carried this stuff, but it wasn't until I was hired that I realized how much we actually have. We have a HUGE number of used DVDs and music CDs. Almost as many as a DVD or CD store themselves would have, and it's not even our focus.
4) This one is almost a given, but the Import selection is arguably among the best anywhere, period.
5) There are no backorders. Our sales program and our inventory program are connected directly with the website. When something sells, it no longer shows up on the site. Everything you see online is ACTUALLY there to be purchased.
6) Customer service truly is #1. It's a cliche I know, but I don't really know how else to say it. Like I said, now that I'm employed there, I can see it firsthand. In the back any emailed complaint about an order not being right or whatever is pinned on the board and we fix the problem immediately.
If you don't read the rest of this thread, at least let some of these prices speak for themselves. They aren't "shockingly" low, but they're just priced to be a good value, like everything else in the store
Indiana Jones Boxed Set - $35
A.I. DVD - $7
Panzer Dragoon Orta Soundtrack - $14
.Hack Sign OST Vol. 1 - $14
Nirvana (in utero) - $5.99
Billy Squier (Enough Is Enough) - $5.99
Super Mario RPG - $35
Secret of Evermoor - $17
Mega Man Zero - $12
Advance Wars - $12
Max Payne (PS2) - $7
Dragon Warrior (NES) - $6
Startropics - $6
Cliffnotes: If you're buying games or any other media used, shop at VGD b/c #1 they're what's right with gaming retail and #2 it'll be cheaper than ebay.
I feel like a salesman, lol. I don't mean to be pimping my store... I just genuinely feel like the world should know. I'd have made this thread before I worked there, if I knew the extent of their inventory and how far they go to ensure happy customers.
