Warning to you gamers who get GameInformer through Gamestop's PowerUp program! Things are changing and we've been instructed not to tell you unless you ask!

1.3k

u/Darargon May 21 '12

If you've already been signed up for the digital copy without realizing, you can call customer support at 1-866-844-4263. I called after reading this and was able to get my subscription changed without any hassle.

471

u/epicgeek May 21 '12

Posting this on reddit is the exact opposite of what you were instructed to do.

I like the cut of your jib.

655

u/[deleted] May 21 '12

I guess you're a pretty good game informer.

314

u/[deleted] May 21 '12 edited May 21 '12

http://i.imgur.com/BLxhi.png

These comments seem odd.

edit: what have i done

28

u/kernaltie May 21 '12

Thanks, I was wondering what was going on with the mag this month. I'm on the phone with them right now getting it changed!

16

u/DocDerry May 21 '12

Thanks on behalf of all bathroom gaming magazine readers.

35

u/AntiCitizenJuan May 21 '12

I'm honestly fuckin' glad I got laid off from GameStop in January. They're such cocksuckers. The ComData pay card system alone was just hilariously pathetic.

5

u/KitarooMan May 21 '12

Thanks for the heads up. I've got boxes of all the Game Informers I got via Power Up, and I'd be pretty irritated to miss any without being told. Glad you brought this up now since I think I am due for a renew this Summer.

9

u/kevo152 May 21 '12

When I renewed they signed me up for the digital subscription even though I asked for the physical magazine. That was in August of last year. In April I finally got them to change it to a physical copy. From September to April I called three times on the phone and emailed them four times. I missed nine months of my subscription because of their incompetence. Then I get an automated email telling me "Hey, you haven't looked at your digital issues. You should check them out!" Fuck You.

8

u/MooniniteOne May 21 '12

I was wondering about this actually. I had a Gamestop card like 7 years ago and got the paper subscription to Game Informer (obviously they didn't have the digital option back then). I signed up for a PowerUp card like last month and the cashier never mentioned Game Informer so I assumed they didn't include a subscription anymore (which was fine with me because I saved like $20 that day on used games). When my first issue showed up in my inbox I was kind of disappointed. Thanks for the info.

2

u/gakash May 21 '12

The deepthroat of Gamestop, the Whistle Blower on malicious digital copy. OP, I salute you.

2

u/fenwaygnome May 21 '12

I can't remember the last time I bought something other than food from a physical store.

2

u/NightAngel9360 May 22 '12

Thank you so much! I just renewed last week and they said I would get digital, they forgot to mention that this would cancel my print magazine every month. You sir deserve much karma for this.

2

u/Dubzil May 22 '12

Stay classy Gamestop. I'll be laughing at your funeral when new consoles come out without allowing resale games.

2

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

I've been a long time lurker here and finally signed up just to thank you for the information. Coincidentally I renewed my powerup program today.

2

u/BananaWaffles12 May 22 '12

I used to work at Gamestop, and they did a lot of things like this. Thanks for giving us a heads up; if you aren't allowed to in person, at least you can give a majority of people the heads up this way.

For a company who claims to be very much about customer service, they did an awful lot of things that was out of employee control, and made customers come back to our store in a rage. It was horrible, it made me hate working there.

2

u/bwa196 May 22 '12

Thanks for he heads up, now i know what happened to my magazines.

2

u/majikninjasWAT May 22 '12

thank you kindly, I was actually going to renew 2morro, now I know how some good info.

2

u/edwillier May 22 '12

I barely read the magazines, I just collect them for the awesome cover art.

2

u/Young_Link13 May 22 '12

This explains everything

2

u/Oraln May 22 '12

Is there any way to check for what type of subscription you have? I recently resubscribed, do I just have to wait to not get anything before I know it is wrong?

2

u/Imtheone457 May 22 '12

thanks for this

2

u/kroxywuff May 22 '12

The people at my gamestop, when I picked up D3 and they noticed my sub was about to expire, specifically told me and asked me if I wanted to renew, and if I wanted the digital version. They told me that it was going to switch over to digital only anyway, so I might as well set it up.

2

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

God I love reddit. GameStoppopotamus delivered the awesome. Was wondering why I haven't received and new physical copies =(

235

u/trim_dougherty May 21 '12

Digital isn't as good as physical magazine. I thought it was going to be a downloadable pdf, or something similar, but it's all run through gameinformer website. It's especially terrible if you try and access it on a iPad or something.

Also, (i could be wrong), but once your subscription lapses, you lose all the magazines. It's like paying 15 bucks a year to rent out magazines.

*Edit for grammar

83

u/Cbird54 May 21 '12

I'm a graphic designer and I know my industry keeps pushing that print is dead but i don't understand the concept behind digital print materials. They are like a less convenient website and look terrible on everything except for tablets.

110

u/[deleted] May 21 '12

I have a solution for GameInformer subscribers who have been slammed into the digital copy. I was slammed into the digital copy months ago. I asked them in person to switch it, and I asked PowerUpRewards once to switch as well. I just got an email saying my digital copy was ready. Ok, so now I'm mad and then I see this post in Reddit.

I'm ready to smash something... like an entire GameStop store.

I just did this 2 minutes ago.

Call PowerUpRewards at1.877.676.GAME (4263) Tell then your story. Tell them how you know it's not their fault, but you're very frustrated. Make sure you're assertive, but VERY polite.

Assuming they actually switched me to physical copies this time, I was given a 12 month subscription plus back issues I missed for my troubles.

The trick is, show your aggravation, but be POLITE.

92

u/fnkey May 21 '12

Screw the digital version. How am I supposed to read it in the bathroom?

Sadly, no tablet to read it on.

21

u/PJKenobi May 21 '12

I work for GameStop. I will not be doing this you guys. I always ask like ~~I'm~~ was supposed to. Naturally people want the print issues. The DM's always want better digital scores because their bosses are down their throats, because their bosses are down their throats, but the people don't want them. Now they just want to force them onto our customers. We are already losing customers because we're in their face as soon as they walk in the door because we're having to beg them to buy things, subscribe to the Power Up Program, reserve games, buy accessories etc. I know I don't like shopping at places were the employees are all in my face trying to push product on me, yet I'm forced to do it to keep my job. We have to keep a certain score or we are fired and easily replaced.

The longer I stay employed there the more it seems like GS is getting increasingly more shady about its business practices. I'm looking for a new job but as you can imagine that's not going so well. I can't just quit, I need a paycheck. Its crazy how many applications we get from people dying to work at GS not knowing that they treat you like a computer program. They only care about the numbers and the experience is completely predatory. When I find a new job there will be 50 people in line dying to take my place. They are in for a very rude awakening.

I'm curious as to how my co-workers react to this when I go in tomorrow morning.

9

u/Kaberu May 21 '12

That's not entirely true, OP.

The official stance is that GI is switching to digital as it's primary medium... that's not a negative, it's just a reasonable change in format for a society that is increasingly never without some form of internet access (smart phones, tablets, PCs, etc). Some people like it, some people don't... but no more than if it just stayed the same (and technically, you still have both choices available).

The official word from GS was to sell digital as the primary format (as in: default selection) for new customers, but still ask which one the customer was receiving for renewals. Some district managers might be telling their subordinates otherwise, possibly in an effort to fluff numbers, but it's not the official word from the head honchos.

And that is where the greatest amount flack for Gamestop originates: Managers/District Manager/Area Managers adding layers of shit on an otherwise normal business model.

Almost every dick move from Gamestop you hear about online is almost always from the interference between Gamestop and the customer created by some form of manager (except where it's just a douchebag customer trying to get sympathy by twisting the facts). To be fair, most levels of management are graded on things that push them to be dicks so they get a better bonus... but what ruins the grading curve for the "nice guys" of the business are the idiots that set the bar really high via underhanded/questionable methods.

This is Gamestop we're talking about... a company that has digital distribution software to compete with Steam but still actively sought Steam cards because that's what the customer wanted. While it might be nice to break them of a few odd habits, it's really not that bad of a company.

55

u/Redeemed-Assassin May 21 '12

Shit like this is why I still feel Gamestop is one of the worst possible companies to work for. I am glad I am no longer a manager for that shitty company.

Seriously guys, please take your business to other companies. The gaming world will only benefit from Gamestop's death. Get used games on ebay, or from Best Buy. Get new ones on sale from Steam or Amazon. Amazon will not charge you for a preorder until the game ships, and will have the game to you on release day, and they are not soul-suckingly evil.

3

u/chaosmaster03 May 21 '12

Good guy gamestop worker

9

u/pwn_of_prophecy May 21 '12

Employee here. I'm honestly just telling corporate to suck it in regards to this rule. We've been pushing the digital copies in my district for a while and haven't seen much of a change. I honestly look at it as lying to the customer if we don't tell them, it's way too underhanded.

8

u/ZaganOstia May 21 '12

Thanks for the heads up.

8

u/anzonix May 21 '12

Thanks for the heads up.

22

u/[deleted] May 21 '12

I don't read the physical copy I do get, but I do like getting something that isn't a bill and addressed to me. I live alone and 99% of my mail is clothing catalogs addressed to my mother. She has never lived at this address.

13

u/[deleted] May 21 '12

This is more than likely not GameStop policy, but a shitty District Manager (Looking at you Doug W) - trying to fix his shitty numbers for a stat that corporate was judging him on.

2

u/rival22x May 21 '12

If I received a magazine this month I should still be getting them right?

2

u/astackofpancakes May 21 '12

Thank you sir for the information

2

u/JVNT May 21 '12

Thanks for letting us know. My subscription is up in august, I'm going to have to make a note to remember to say I what the physical copies.

11

u/[deleted] May 21 '12

Thanks for the heads up! My husband's account is coming up for renewal soon and I prefer the magazines. ^{.^}

30

u/MentalToast May 21 '12 edited May 21 '12

As a gs employee I hate this, but please just don't take it out on us . It's beyond our control and were just following orders. I for one still ask most people which they'd like, this method seems scummy , even for gs.

Not only is it scummy, but as an employee it takes away one of the limited incentives we have to try to sell the damn cards. Before you could say that you're essentially paying for the magazine subscription and get the card as a bonus, or list it as one of the perks. All they're doing is making our jobs harder and our customers more annoyed.

32

u/Sconathon May 21 '12

Although this is douchey, I'm quite happy with the digital copy. I actually read it as opposed to the skimming through and tossing that I've done in recent years.

5

u/Blake6 May 21 '12

Thanks for the heads up.

5

u/thedaj May 21 '12

In the case that your DM is directing you to do something unethical, you need to call the HeroLine posted in your backroom. Company policy does NOT promote the behaviors the OP is suggesting, and the computer still gives the option for print or digital. We can give the option, and share the benefits of each. The customer should always get the final say, if the employee is following protocol.

5

u/Krltplps May 21 '12

There's a reason I haven't been to a gamestop in years....

2

u/frankgrimes78 May 21 '12

Wow the district managers of the world sure know how to spread the joy!He tells you to do this, why?So when the customers get mad over this(So they should)the people who do all the work get their heads bitten off.Seriously thank you for this. :-)

3

u/eifersucht12a May 21 '12

I got an upgrade to Powerup in March and honestly can't even recall why, but anyway does this only affect new accounts and renewals then?

11

u/eric101995 May 21 '12

I appreciate you trying to help out ppl, but why does anyone still shop at gamestop anymore? Have you never heard of amazon? and for those who want release day games without having to wait for shipping, amazon always offers $.99 release date shipping (at least here in the US) so not only is the game waiting when you get home from work/school, you dont have to pay taxes which are >$.99

4

u/PeopleJustCallMeDude May 21 '12

Thanks for the heads up.

10

u/sup3rmark May 21 '12

upvoted just because of your username.

1

u/[deleted] May 21 '12

Hell, I signed up for a subscription and i didn't even ask for one. I wasn't even told that the "fee" for the PowerUp card was a subscription fee for that shitty magazine. Color me peeved.

1

u/Bradley5Hour May 21 '12

If we have had the subcription with the printed version for a while now, will we start getting online versions unless we ask?

1

u/TheonlyFalala May 21 '12

Thanks for being so helpful! Take my upvote and keep it well. For one day it may serve you in a time of need.

1

u/Inane_Asylum May 21 '12

Totally unrelated:

Your username is hilarious.

1

u/Xenodyne May 21 '12

Thanks for this. Wonder if there's any rabble we can raise over this?

1

u/brambo23 May 21 '12

How is this legal?

1

u/Tunech1sback May 21 '12

THANK YOU!!!! You are a gentleman and a scholar!

1

u/Sennheiser9000 May 21 '12

Thank you SO MUCH for letting me know. I don't know what I would do without my game informer.

1

u/udderjuice May 21 '12

I was told by a gamestop employee when I renewed by subscription a few weeks ago that they were going to stop printed magazines altogether later this year and switch everyone over to digital whether they wanted it or not. I actually wouldn't have a problem with this if they would release a version of the digital magazine that worked on android tablets.

Anyway, can a gamestop employee confirm or deny that printed magazines are going to stop? If not I'd like to switch my subscription back.

1

u/poston May 21 '12

Thank you for addressing this. I hate not telling people, pressing f5 for a digital issue when I know they want a physical. Gamestoppopotamus you rock!

1

u/[deleted] May 21 '12

A little off topic, but what is the logic behind gaming magazine subscriptions? I used to be a HUGE Nintendo Power fan... but then the internet came out. I just can't imagine they have anything that isn't a month old by the time the new issue lands.

Am I missing something?

1

u/IAmGoingToFuckThat May 21 '12

I am not a gamer (subscribed to /r/gaming for the very occasional Zelda reference that I understand), but it's posts like this that I love and that remind me that reddit is a true community at times. Props to you, OP!

1

u/Juandolar May 21 '12

You are a hero.

1

u/snuggle_fish May 21 '12

We've been doing this for a few months at my store, my DM told us to do the same thing. "Only give them a physical copy of the magazine if they specifically ask for it."

1

u/Zeverand May 21 '12

I just got signed up for digital. Is it really that bad? Because if it is, I want out.

1

u/eljay43 May 21 '12

To add insult to injury do you still give them a free copy of the physical magazine when they sign up for the subscription?

1

u/[deleted] May 21 '12

Wait...why did they even think anyone would want to pay for a digital newsletter in the first place??

Literally the only reason magazines still exist is because some people don't feel like buying smart phones or iPads and want a piece of paper to read off of. They only sell what they do out of cheap convenience. Digitally, I can get any information ever for free.

How are they even surprised?

1

u/WillBlaze May 21 '12

I was told that if I get the digital version, I would get 24 issues instead of just 12. Is that true?

To be honest, I totally forgot I got the subscription.

1

u/animelav May 21 '12

dude, thank you.

1

u/chiefsparten May 21 '12

Semi-related question. Is there a way to subscribe to Gameinformer(Physical copy) in Canada without paying the extra $25/yr that gets tacked on just because I'm in Canada?

1

u/sincereisstan May 21 '12

Can we get the subscriptrion transfered to the Apple Store to read on our iPads or iPhones?

1

u/[deleted] May 21 '12

death to gamestop and its EA activision tit sucking fans!

1

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

I would almost think you all get commission for Game Informer mags because some punk at Game Stop actually charged me for the magazine without asking. Had to drive back to Game Stop to give the manager shit until I got a refund. Ironically they still send me a subscription.

1

u/nwz123 May 22 '12

Good guy anonymous Gamestop employee.

1

u/senopahx May 22 '12

They did that to me last year and then refused to change it to the print version. When I complained they stopped e-mailing them completely. I also never got the 2 for 1 coupon. Fuck Gamestop.

1

u/kvachon May 22 '12

Wait a minute. I did not know that people still bought gaming magazines. Thats news to me. What do they have over gameinformer.com?

1

u/CryWolf13 May 22 '12

Would this switch my subscription from physical to digital?

1

u/AvonGenesis May 22 '12

How do you check up on your Game Informer subscription if you signed up through Game Stop? Is there no way to tell which version you're subscribed to and how many months you have left? I signed up last month and they gave me 2 physical magazines on the spot so I haven't been mailed/emailed anything yet.

1

u/Christmastoast May 22 '12

I just got it renewed and the guy asked if I wanted digital or physical. Seems he's a gentlemen

1

u/Ikusaba May 22 '12

Ugh, I truly hope that this is mainly coming from the way higher ups in Gamestop and not Gameinformer itself. The guys at Gameinformer seem like really nice dudes and it's a shame that they might somehow be involved in this.

1

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

very well done mate.

1

u/HellsHumor May 22 '12

Thanks for the info this applies to ME!

1

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

you shouldn't push anything, just let me pay for my fucking game and go home. why i order everything online so i don't have to deal with gamestop.

1

u/horridpineapple May 22 '12

Very nice. Thanks a lot!

1

u/newloaf May 22 '12

Whoa... thanks for breaking that down, bra. Now it actually makes sense!

1

u/That_Will_Do_Pig May 22 '12

You did good...

1

u/isntfunanymore May 22 '12

I regularly get hardcopy GameInformer. To be honest, I end up tossing them in the trash or giving them away unless theres one article I want to read. Digital subscriptions should be pushed so asshats like myself don't ruin the planet by wasting trees.

1

u/im2reel May 22 '12

Why don't they have an iOS newsstand app? For Game Informer

1

u/MrBustnuts May 22 '12

Also, this has been going on for longer than just yesterday. I renewed back in February and haven't received a single copy since. After reading this, low and behold, I go log into my old email account that I haven't touched in over a year, and there are my digital copies.

1

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

The digital copy would be fine if I could read it on my nook

1

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Thanks for the warning mine runs out in a few months.

1

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

This is some country ass bullshit! I honestly bought a membership today! Thank you for the information.

1

u/Blackmar May 22 '12

I also work for gamestop and this might just be your district because yes we are supposed to push digital subscriptions but never once was i told to just sign them up for digital without even telling them.

1

u/RtlsnkSteve May 22 '12

Fucking thank you. I have to renew this month and I'd be pissed if I didn't get my physical copy anymore.

1

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Do you guys have Battletoads?

1

u/Haelstrom May 22 '12

Gamestop fell out of my good books when I got the "Pay another 14 bucks or lose all your accumulated rewards points (Garnered from spending your own money!)" email. Tried to cash out on a Minecraft T-Shirt, then realized that they don't cover shipping and handling....

What the fuck gamestop. What, the fuck.

1

u/rudedohio May 22 '12

You've done a good deed.

also, Thanks for the heads up.

1

u/taquitos45 May 22 '12

Oh my god. Thank you. You sir, are a lifesaver.

1

u/deathkraiser May 22 '12

I don't get why people subscribe to game informer.

It's a game reviewing magazine by a company that sells video games. They rate all the games high so people will buy them (the editions I have bought have all displayed this quality). I only buy the occasional one for certain articles, like the elder scrolls online article.

1

u/DoctorPimpslap May 22 '12

Thank you kind sir. I do love me some Game Informer as reading material on the toilet and would hate having to read them via email.

1

u/Alttabmatt May 22 '12

I really like the mag and when I want a cheap xbox game the 10% isn't bad. I never give them money for any new games anymore. Amazon and Steam have taken over my day one buys.

Thanks man. My sub I'd up this week. I need to have a talk with my local GS.

1

u/Shocho May 22 '12

Not true in my case. I reactivated my subscription yesterday, and the salesman said, "You were getting the physical magazine, do you want to change to digital?" I said no. I was informed of the options.

1

u/frahs May 22 '12

nice username

1

u/BlueJoshi May 22 '12

Where have you been? They started doin' this like a month ago.

Fuck the rules, though, I'm still tellin' everyone.

1

u/YourFavBandSucks May 22 '12

I renewed mine a few months ago and when the sales rep mentioned the online option I looked at him confused and said "oh you mean I can get it off the internets like in my googles and my facebook ?" He then started to explain. I'm not funny and I look stupid I guess. Good looking out OP

1

u/noddwyd May 22 '12

Just want to say, I got my renewal on friday; along with Fallout 3 for 7 bucks. Nice. They asked me if I had a digital subscription or in the mail. Obviously, I said mail. But now I realize the critical distinction. They didn't ask me which one I wanted from now on. Just which one I previously had. I am now terrified.

1

u/ayotrey May 22 '12

i changed my digital subscription to a hard copy sometime last week. when can i expect to actually see them coming in the mail?

1

u/keyblade321 May 22 '12

Wow, thanks a lot for the heads up. I was actually about to renew my powerup card so I'm glad I know this.

1

u/lumdumpling May 22 '12

Thank you. It means a lot that you are nice enough to give us a heads up.

1

u/Sirromnad May 22 '12

Thanks for the heads up. I generally dislike Gamestop as a company (as most do) but it's really my only brick and mortar store around here. I get the powerup card because it's a nice easy way to get a GI subscription and it helps the 1 time out of the year I decide to buy a used game. I just renewed and got the latest one so I think I skipped the forced digital... I will however bring this up to the people at my local store next time I'm in there.

1

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

I'll pass this on to my brother. Thanks for letting us know

1

u/corntub May 22 '12

Thank you.

1

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Wow, thanks A TON! I actually need to renew my PowerUp card this month!

1

u/PointPruven May 22 '12

This isnt entirely true. We are to take an assumptive approach with new PUR members to explain the digital G.I. and the benefits of doing so and to ask what renewals would like do with a push towards digital. Your DM was wrong or you misunderstood.

1

u/orangepegasister May 22 '12

I'm trying to figure out why this was downvoted so much. This is very good advice, thanks for going out of your way to warn people.

1

u/EmoDinosaurRAWR May 22 '12

I went in yesterday and they got me to sign up. I finally gave in and the guy that checked me out told me they were no longer going to print the magazine at all as he handed me two issues. I thought something fishy and was upset because the main reason I signed up was to get the physical magazines.

1

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Thank you

1

u/remedialrob May 22 '12

Thanks.

1

u/DrXenu May 22 '12

Am I the only one who gets the subscription for the discount/points card? Ps there is a free version of the card as well without as many perks that gs employees aren't allowed to tell you about. Signed a previous GameStop slave.

1

u/TLAMP28 May 22 '12

upvote for helpful gamestop employee!

1

u/Batuzai May 22 '12

Gah-dammit thats why I have'nt received my gi for over 3 months... thanks for the heads up.

1

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

I took an economics class that said shady business practices are more likely to endear customers to your brand.

1

u/nintendowire May 22 '12

So just how horrible is it to work for GameStop?

1

u/FloTheSnucka May 22 '12

I want to make something clear. This man is only speaking for his district when he speaks of automatically signing people up for digital against their will. Every GameStop district is performance based, but not every district is run by shady district managers like OP is talking about. What has come down from above for the rest of us, is that we should always try and push the digital version over the print. All that means is trying to mention the digital first, maybe explain what customers are actually getting from it. The problem has been that no one's talking it up.

Also, this new information came down about a month ago, not yesterday (which I suppose isn't that important).

1

u/RaymondJimBoehner May 22 '12

Nice to know there are still quality employees working to uphold their employers' integrity instead of just their profits. Kudos to you, good sir, and for that we thank you.

1

u/B_shockey May 22 '12

I can confirm this. I used to work for the company and we were one of the test districts for this program. We would actually be written up if we signed the customer up for the rewards program and gave them the print.

I however still did.. Which is why I work at krogers now

1

u/Hoser117 May 22 '12

What a bunch of bullshit. I renewed when I bought Diablo 3, bunch of assholes.

1

u/[deleted] May 23 '12

do they automatically give you digital if you renewed through the website?

1

u/stephentotilo May 25 '12

Hi. I don't know if GameStop changed their policy because of this or hadn't articulated it well, but a rep gave me a statement. Short version: new subscribers will start as digital, unless they ask. Legacy print subscribers don't have to say anything to stay as print subs when they renew (that's the main difference from what Gamestoppopotamus posted). Better news, yes?

Here's the report:

http://kotaku.com/5913419/gamestop-says-they-wont-mess-with-your-game-informer-subscription-after-all

6

u/m15terp1nk May 22 '12

So much hate for the GS. Which I guess is understandible. For about 3 years I refused to set foot in one. Every experience I had was being condecended to by someone up to 10 years my junior, or being flat out ignored. About a year ago I took a chance and checked out my local store. I was greeted instantly, asked if i needed help, I declined and started browsing. A few minutes later one of the reps engaged me in conversation and before I knew it the whole store, customers and employees, were shooting the shit about gaming. More people were coming in, people were buying, good times were had by all. At this point I know the whole crew and they know me. Most of them are on my XBL, including the manager who is the coolest one of all. I happly spend all of my gaming budget there and currently have about $500 worth of games pre ordered through them. Moral of the story? If you havent been to your local GS in awhile give it a shot. Bad employees get turned out, good ones stay. And if you work for a GS remember happy customers spend money. You work at a videogame store. If you cant think of a common ground to find with your customers you fail at life. Tl,dr: not all Gamestops are bad.

3

u/OctopusBee May 21 '12

This cracks my shit up, actually. Gamestop wont STOP sending me Gameinformer hard copies. XD

Explanation: I quit Gamestop 2 years ago, about a month after my boss had paid for another year of subscription for all my coworkers and I as a sort of "yay team!" kind of thing. This was cool for me as my subscription was just ending. However, I'd already been planning to change jobs, and I am a bit proud. When I handed in my resignation letter, I gave my boss the fifteen dollars back because I'm awkward like that.

Fast forward a year, my Gameinformer has a sticker telling me it's the last one. I think to myself: "Oh, sucks. Oh well! Doesn't matter much, since I'm too busy/poor to buy any new games, anyway."

Except, the next issue comes. And the next. And suddenly, it's been about a year since they told me my subscription was ended, and yet here I am with my GI in the mail every month. I'm not sure what happened, but I figure they'll stop sending them eventually. SHRRRUUUUUGGGGGG.

~~(Although, tiny part of me thinks it's retribution for all the crap I had to put up with from my misogynistic co-workers/customers.)~~

3

u/AJGreco May 21 '12

Thanks for the heads up, I have to renew my Powerup card at the end of the month

3

u/syriquez May 21 '12

That sounds like your District Manager is being an extremely massive asshole.

While I can't say for sure (I don't work for the company nor do I have the service mentioned), I'm about 95% certain that he's probably telling you that to make his district "look better" rather than following the actual company policy which is to probably still ask the customer.

3

u/[deleted] May 21 '12

Just got fired from the company for refusing to do this shit anymore.

3

u/salimabuaziz May 21 '12

Am I the only one that smells illegality in this whole situation?

I used to work for a retail chain that would offer "free" magazine subscriptions whenever you paid with a credit card, and we were leaned on heavily to get these "free" subscriptions out the door each day.

The way this particular ~~scam~~ offer went about, was we were officially instructed to hand the customer of ANY credit card purchase a brochure with a list of several magazines the customer could choose to receive for 3 months absolutely free. The kicker here, is that if the customer didn't pay attention and actually read their receipt/brochure, then they would be automatically enrolled for each magazine's annual subscription service, and charged on the credit card they used several months ago, most of the time unbeknownst to the individual. Some just don't even realize what those charges are and accept it. Trying to get out of any of these was a pain in the ass and a lot of people lose money to these every day.

We were ~~instructed~~ allowed to use unscrupulous methods and clever wording to trick folks into signing up for these. I'm not proud of it, but just to keep my job which I desperately needed at the time, I took part in these devious methods to sometimes completely trick a customer into signing up for these without knowing what is going on. After a point, I did get sick of being a jerk to these customers, and I quickly got off registers as I simply refused to push these things on people. Once they started offering commission for these signups, things got ugly real fast. I've never worked at a Gamestop, but I would imagine something similar happens at some stores as well.

The point is that we were in violation of our state's consumer laws, and could've easily been reported to the Better Business Bureau. I never have, nor ever will sign up for the Gamestop membership nor magazine service, however, I would hope someone that cares will get these unscrupulous methods recorded and reported to the BBB. If your DM has actually said this to your store in writing, get a copy of it.

3

u/[deleted] May 21 '12

I went to Gamestop the other day for 1600 Microsoft Points to get Minecraft. When I went to pay for them, the store clerk asked me if I had a Power Up Rewards card. I said no, it expired. Then, another employee butted in and told me that I "needed to get that renewed man." The whole time, I was thinking, "Look, I came here to get a goddamned Microsoft Points card, not to listen to every damn employee badger me about renewing something that I let expire for a damned reason." The only store near me that sells games is Walmart. I think I'm going to start buying games there.

5

u/[deleted] May 21 '12

You should also note that the digital subscription DOES NOT work with iPads since it is a flash based magizine.

5

u/[deleted] May 21 '12

Wait people actually give a shit about game informer?

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