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Help me chew out a Gamestop Register biscuit!
The Muffin Man
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So, here's the story.
I get paid today and since I had a little extra cash from a dude paying up on his bet. So I figure I've been good with my money lately, I'm entitled to a gift! Fallout 3. A game I've wanted to pick up for the longest.
It's on Steam but lacking a credit card that requires me to bug my friend to gift it when he won't be available to do so until 5 (I got paid at 3:15), then find a time when we can meet up, then give him $30 and it's just a pain in the ass. So I figure there's a Gamestop about 5 minutes from my job, I'll leave work, head over and grab Fallout 3. This is in Hartford, which is a good 20-30 minute drive. I don't have easy access to a car, and this was the least out of the way location that I felt I should ask my ride to bring me to (since the exit is literally facing the highway home).
Anyway, I grab the game, they pull it out of the drawer, but I don't raise a stink. It's a PC title, it's the last copy...and I of course inspect the disc myself, so there's no tampering or scuffs. I figure I'm all set, come home, and pop it into the drive...
Nothing.
Literally, nothing.
It hums and does the "CD Loading" icon next to my cursor, but nothing pops up. I explore the disc drive and the disc is in there, but there is literally nothing on it. As in it has been deleted.
Now, my question:
How much should I yell at the employee? (Figuratively speaking. How annoyed should I be. Should I stay calm, but firm? Should I make it clear I'm angry but not violently so? Should I just let them handle it?)
What should I demand? Right now I'm going for the obvious (WORKING fucking copy of the game), but I was thinking Used Price since it was CLEARLY not "New" (And not in the "It was out of the original package before I bought it" sense. Someone clearly brought this game home and brought it back.) Is this out of line? Too much? I don't think a ~$10 refund is too huge a deal all things considered. I'm going to stress CASH (No I don't want fucking credit for the store that just gypped me fuck off) and if all else fails, cash REFUND (And I WILL NOT accept "Store Credit" Refund. If I can't get a straight exchange I'm taking my business elsewhere.)
Thanks in advance for any help. I have a general idea, but I've never had to chew anyone out in person and I figure this place might have some GS employees who know exactly how to handle the situation to get what I want.
I get paid today and since I had a little extra cash from a dude paying up on his bet. So I figure I've been good with my money lately, I'm entitled to a gift! Fallout 3. A game I've wanted to pick up for the longest.
It's on Steam but lacking a credit card that requires me to bug my friend to gift it when he won't be available to do so until 5 (I got paid at 3:15), then find a time when we can meet up, then give him $30 and it's just a pain in the ass. So I figure there's a Gamestop about 5 minutes from my job, I'll leave work, head over and grab Fallout 3. This is in Hartford, which is a good 20-30 minute drive. I don't have easy access to a car, and this was the least out of the way location that I felt I should ask my ride to bring me to (since the exit is literally facing the highway home).
Anyway, I grab the game, they pull it out of the drawer, but I don't raise a stink. It's a PC title, it's the last copy...and I of course inspect the disc myself, so there's no tampering or scuffs. I figure I'm all set, come home, and pop it into the drive...
Nothing.
Literally, nothing.
It hums and does the "CD Loading" icon next to my cursor, but nothing pops up. I explore the disc drive and the disc is in there, but there is literally nothing on it. As in it has been deleted.
Now, my question:
How much should I yell at the employee? (Figuratively speaking. How annoyed should I be. Should I stay calm, but firm? Should I make it clear I'm angry but not violently so? Should I just let them handle it?)
What should I demand? Right now I'm going for the obvious (WORKING fucking copy of the game), but I was thinking Used Price since it was CLEARLY not "New" (And not in the "It was out of the original package before I bought it" sense. Someone clearly brought this game home and brought it back.) Is this out of line? Too much? I don't think a ~$10 refund is too huge a deal all things considered. I'm going to stress CASH (No I don't want fucking credit for the store that just gypped me fuck off) and if all else fails, cash REFUND (And I WILL NOT accept "Store Credit" Refund. If I can't get a straight exchange I'm taking my business elsewhere.)
Thanks in advance for any help. I have a general idea, but I've never had to chew anyone out in person and I figure this place might have some GS employees who know exactly how to handle the situation to get what I want.
The Muffin Man on
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This discussion has been closed.
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Make sure you are using a DVD reader, as fallout 3 is much too large to fit on a single CD
I think it may even be on dual layer, not sure someone can confirm/deny
i'm a little unclear on whether you purchased a new or used game.
if it was a new game, you can get another brand new copy. you opened it, so no- you won't get a cash refund.
if it was a used game, you can get another copy or store credit or, if you wish, a full refund in cash.
note also that all policies are subject to leeway. behave accordingly.
if they don't have another new copy and you are polite, you will probably be able to weasel a refund. but if the game was new and they have other copies in stock to replace it with, you'll get one of those.
Explain the problem calmly
Ask for a replacement
Don't be a dick about it
My drive is a DVD Drive. I've had no problems with other games in the past. Team Fortress 2 runs perfectly fine from a disc.
FF: Being a dick is definitely out. Thought I was clear in the OP I'm not literally going to yell at them, just be firm.
Doubtful they'd have it, or be willing to support Steam :P
Also calling them up isn't gonna do much. I have to get down there eventually anyhow, ad I'd rather be there so they can't put me on hold for an hour and pretend to get a manager.
Speaking of Steam, this pretty much just reinforces my thoughts of "Fuck Brick and Mortar".
Certainly does so for Gamestop.
This is like any defective product. Call the store, explain that the disk does not work, ask for an exchange.
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it's not his fault, dang
just go back and get what you paid for or your money back
this seems like the first time this has happened and you are amazingly overreacting, good god
if you do want a refund, and that's kinda counterproductive because then you need to find another ride to another store etc etc etc then you should be able to get back your actual cash, yes
don't ask for "a little something for your time", that is stupid
why are you angry at all? it's a freaking video game. Granted you paid money for something that doesn't work but they have a full return policy
it's defective merchandise. it happens. the retailer will be happy to swap it or give you a refund
have you ever purchased anything at gamestop before
Mistakes happen and I'm not sure why you're blaming any cashier or biscuit or whatever other degrading title you apply to someone who has a job that probably pays for a car and spending money outside bets.
Yes its frustrating to go through the trouble but it's not anyone's intent nor is it negligence.
This time you win!
You might want to try it in another drive if you've got another PC handy, just for kicks.
spoiler:
What I'm saying is don't be a stupid asshole customer and go back and go through the proper motions to get a replacement and/or refund. It's not the dude's fault you got a bum disc, and you going in there and acting like an entitled child isn't going to make him want to help you.
Also, when I worked at Gamestop over 7 years ago, we stopped putting CDs in the PC box cases. Why? People steal them.
you got a new game
there is no functional difference (in store policy) between a still wrapped new game and a gutted new game
Walk back in with the game. Explain, "Hey, this is defective. And this is why..." in a NICE TONE OF VOICE. They will exchange it. End of story.
I was a GS register jocky. People bitched at me for things completely beyond my control. I wanted to follow them to their car and hit them upside the head with a bat.
Uh... TF2 doesn't run from a disc.
Make sure you are familiar with their returns policy for PC games, because you might need it.
@gamefacts - Totally and utterly true gaming facts on the regular!
What they're not saying and what actually is the case is, if you're a normal customer, and you make a stupid mistake or the product doesn't work, they'll give you a refund/exchange. Usually.
This can't be stressed enough. My wife couldn't install any Blizzard games (among other titles) on her old computer because they absolutely refused to work with her DVD-R drive. I could take the same discs and install them on my own computer no problem.
Edit: I know in my old store if something like this happened we would immediately swap the disc, no questions asked. Now, you bought a gutted copy meaning you may have gotten the last one. Unless they are a PC-A store (few of which exist anymore... most are C or D), they likely won't have another one, and with the game being out over a year, may not get another one. It's listed as "Not available online" on the site, so that's my bet... it may be that a refund is the only possibility.
You would not believe what these people have to deal with. Their job fucking sucks enough without them taking your shit.
He thought it was used because there was nothing on the disc, and he also thought disc erasing was possible, thus someone "erased it" and returned it as a cruel joke.
Help me chew out a Gamestop Register biscuit!
No. Bad.
Don't do this.
If you get the wrong thing, or a broken thing or whatever, please just take it back explain the situation kindly and they will correct it.
@Bryceforvice on Twitter Facebook
Over a faulty product they have no control over?
Take it back, exchange the product, and work on being less of an ass.
Uh, he was clearly bamboozled. The disc was erased, damnit! It was erased and then resold to him in new condition! Fucking devil of a store, man. [/sarcasm]
This thread is just testament to what is happening to PC gaming. You don't buy PC games at the store anymore. Steam. GOG. Whatever else you can do. No credit card? Get a pre-paid one then. They're like gift cards these days--no excuse.
Mind you, I've never been to a Gamestop/EB where they "gut" new games. I'm in Canada, though.
More importantly, why are you asking us about Gamestop policies as opposed to, you know, fucking Gamestop?
Cause I don't think the guy/gal sold you a defective game on purpose.
Maybe someone just didn't rewind the disc.
3DS FC: 4699-5714-8940 Playing Pokemon, add me! Ho, SATAN!
Step 2: on your way home, stop at your bank and request a fucking debit card
Step 3: purchase future PC games on steam / online
There is literally no reason you should be thinking about "chewing out" some schmuck working retail for $7 an hour.
I bought the hard copy and installed it from the disc.
Shadowfire: I tried it on another computer and it ran fine. Still returning it, but now I know the annoyance lies with Bethesda and not GS.
Well.
STILL annoyed with GS but that's more because they had the nerve to charge me full price for a game they chucked into the drawer, but that's not a battle worth fighting right now.
Problem more or less solved? Well, unless they refuse a refund today.
Assholes!
Or use the computer it works in to copy the disk, maybe the copy will work?
their return policy clearly states that used games can be returned for a full refund, and that new games, unopened, can be returned for a full refund. a new game that has been opened is not refundable. you will be issued another new copy of the game, if they can get their hands on one. the only way you're getting a refund is if they can't find another copy and the manager's feeling nice.
again, their policy perceives no difference between an enclosed new game and a gutted new game. they are both still new. in fact, most stores will actually take it back and reshrink it for you if you wish.
and muffin?
don't yell at anyone when you go there
See this screenshot in the lower left hand corner there's an Add Game button; clicking that allows you to enter the CD key of a game. I think that should let you download it after, but I dunno, I haven't actually done that before.
Oh, hey I'm making a game! Check it out: Dr. Weirdo!
Really, you're buying PC games at a store that is notorious for gutting their new games. Why are you surprised, here?
Steam accepts credit cards and paypal. You can get a pre-paid credit card from any store that sells gift cards. Alternatively, you can hook your Paypal account up to your bank's debit card. Then, you won't have to worry about chewing anyone's biscuit out at all!