My local GameStop is closing down

SMC92Ian · 02-10-2019 7:05pm #1

Holy **** it's actually happened. I knew my local store was in a bad way as nobody ever goes into it with they're mental prices and Smyths and Argos down the road but yeah they're gone.

Saw a sign in the window. I'll try post a photo if I can.

Dravokivich · 02-10-2019 7:09pm

1 branch in particular or all over?

Duane Dibbley · 02-10-2019 7:10pm

SMC92Ian wrote: »

Holy **** it's actually happened. I knew my local store was in a bad way as nobody ever goes into it with they're mental prices and Smyths and Argos down the road but yeah they're gone.

Saw a sign in the window. I'll try post a photo if I can.

Naas?

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo · 02-10-2019 7:12pm

CEX took most of their trade in business. And they were never the cheapest for buying new games.

Damien360 · 02-10-2019 7:16pm

Duane Dibbley wrote: »

Naas?

The Naas GameStop is in a weird place. It probably had footfall when the old Tesco was beside it but once Tesco moved to their big store, there is little reason to go there for a younger generation. I went there only by chance a few times and it was always empty of people.

Newbridge on the other hand is in a shopping complex beside the Whitewater and will still get footfall. I’m surprised they are still there with CEX just a few yards away.

Duane Dibbley · 02-10-2019 7:20pm

The Naas one is closing on the 20th Oct

SMC92Ian · 02-10-2019 7:20pm

Naas atm, but a few more to follow. I had to go in to cancel all my pre-orders. My hole I'm going over to Newbridge, I hate that store and the manager is a twat.

GarIT · 02-10-2019 7:45pm

Just for people to be aware, within the last few years they were on the verge of closing all stores but found a buyer at the last minute. That buyer planned on turning things around by focusing on high profit merchandise instead of games. If the merchandise doesn't start turning a profit soon they will be closing all stores and you will loose and preorders.

scamalert · 02-10-2019 7:53pm

when theres likes of Steam offering almost any pc game, or dozens other sites. Then you have regular stores tesco supervalu getting most console games, which work out usually at same price, there becomes little need for likes of gamestop, ps,xbox stores eliminate the need.

Id say will go down like extra vision and many similar stores in close future.

DaveyDave · 02-10-2019 7:56pm

I think they're closing around 20% of stores worldwide and restructuring to have a new store design.

Maybe if their games weren't €75 when Smyth's and Argos are €65 or less for all new releases they would have more sales. They get a lot of sales with their merch sections nowadays.

SureYWouldntYa · 02-10-2019 7:58pm

I might be getting ahead of myself, but anyone know what happens with pre orders with Gamestop should your own store close? Or the country as a whole

GarIT · 02-10-2019 8:00pm

SureYWouldntYa wrote: »

I might be getting ahead of myself, but anyone know what happens with pre orders with Gamestop should your own store close? Or the country as a whole

If one store closes they will have to honour it. If all of the stores close you're out of luck.

They announced losses of $673 million in 2018. If they doesn't change then they will all be gone.

TitianGerm · 02-10-2019 8:02pm

SureYWouldntYa wrote: »

I might be getting ahead of myself, but anyone know what happens with pre orders with Gamestop should your own store close? Or the country as a whole

You'll be an unsecured creditor if the whole Irish company closes. Most likely you wouldn't get anything from them if that did happen. I'd go move your pre-order to something already available if it looks likely they will all close.

If your store closes I'd imagine the pre-order would be honored in another store.

SureYWouldntYa · 02-10-2019 8:03pm

GarIT wrote: »

If one store closes they will have to honour it. If all of the stores close you're out of luck.

Again getting ahead of myself but anyway you or someone might be able to help

I remember seeing something about being able to change my trade in voucher to €70 GS credit? Or am I rambling. If there's trouble I'd consider using my 3 pre orders and a bit of cash to buy a Switch instead

ShaneU · 02-10-2019 8:06pm

DaveyDave wrote: »

I think they're closing around 20% of stores worldwide and restructuring to have a new store design.

Maybe if their games weren't €75 when Smyth's and Argos are €65 or less for all new releases they would have more sales. They get a lot of sales with their merch sections nowadays.

The €75 charge only happened fairly recently when things got bad for them (the max was €70 before)

They obviously decided to screw over the people not bothered to shop around and turn everyone else away

I have a lot of sympathy for the staff but none whatsoever for the higher management who treat their staff like dirt, especially some of the stories I've heard from U.S. workers.

GarIT · 02-10-2019 8:09pm

ShaneU wrote: »

The €75 charge only happened fairly recently when things got bad for them (the max was €70 before)

They obviously decided to screw over the people not bothered to shop around and turn everyone else away

I have a lot of sympathy for the staff but none whatsoever for the higher management who treat their staff like dirt, especially some of the stories I've heard from U.S. workers.

They tried selling Gears and Halo for €80 around the 360 launch. I think they tried similar around this gen, they try it when they can.

TitianGerm · 02-10-2019 8:12pm

GarIT wrote: »

They tried selling Gears and Halo for €80 around the 360 launch. I think they tried similar around this gen, they try it when they can.

I think I paid €80 for Ninety Nine Nights in Xtravision for 360.

Beechwoodspark · 02-10-2019 8:18pm

Awww man I love GameStop I hope they stay open

Myself my missus and our kids often spend time browsing the one in naas for example

Ol' Donie · 02-10-2019 9:49pm

They should expand the merch section to do band tshirts and that. Do all the gaming tat that we all buy from time to time, only do it for bands too.

I'd hate it if they closed. It'd be a big loss.

NewMan1982 · 02-10-2019 10:01pm

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

Awww man I love GameStop I hope they stay open

Myself my missus and our kids often spend time browsing the one in naas for example

That’s the problem. Do more buying

5uspect · 02-10-2019 10:50pm

I upgraded my Switch to the new more energy efficient model for €30 there the other day. No idea how they plan on making money on the secondhand stock. I can’t remember the last time I’ve actually bought a game there.

Skerries · 02-10-2019 10:55pm

aww where am I going to go now to look at stuff that I can then buy online after?

2Mad2BeMad · 02-10-2019 11:04pm

Skerries wrote: »

aww where am I going to go now to look at stuff that I can then buy online after?

if I walk into smyths to buy a present for my kid or any of my friends kids, I always go to the game section.
If I walk into argos to buy anything I always look at the games section in the book.

Whenever I see a gamestop I don't recognize it. I don't see it as a gamestore, its mearly a shop I have no interest in going in so I don't notice it. Its like arnotts to me. I just walk on by.

I hope they don't close down due to the fact competition could raise their prices but how bad does a games shop have to be to make me think this way. I mean I literally play games every day (well most days when I can) its my favourite hobby(addiction) and that shop is just a blank to me.

Darkglasses · 02-10-2019 11:06pm

They recently gutted and remodeled the one in Wexford Town, and it now sells more knick-knacks like tshirts and toys than anything else. Fairly few games in stock really. A modest selection of peripherals, only things that don't take up much space.

Kinda ****ty really, not much reason to go there compared to CEX for anything tech/gaming related.

Ned Led Zeppo · 02-10-2019 11:11pm

Gamestop in Dundrum Town Centre: God Of War new 70 Euro,second-hand 60 Euro.The sooner
they close down the better.

SMC92Ian · 02-10-2019 11:20pm

SureYWouldntYa wrote: »

I might be getting ahead of myself, but anyone know what happens with pre orders with Gamestop should your own store close? Or the country as a whole

Yup the girl told me I could go to another county to get my pre-orders, I laughed them out the shop with all my refunds.

SMC92Ian · 02-10-2019 11:21pm

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

Awww man I love GameStop I hope they stay open

Myself my missus and our kids often spend time browsing the one in naas for example

Really? I guess you don't drive? Just go to Smyths and Argos. Much cheaper and better selection.

Corholio · 03-10-2019 2:45am

Still would miss browsing around there even if their prices are high. Never get why people would want a specific store to.close when they aren't shopping there anyway. New games out tend to be still pretty expensive in CEX when traded in too it has to be said, just comes down more over time than Gamestop does.

I think thread title is a bit misleading too. There's no word at all that all Irish Gamestops are closing down.

Exclamation Marc · 03-10-2019 2:58am

Ned Led Zeppo wrote: »

Gamestop in Dundrum Town Centre: God Of War new 70 Euro,second-hand 60 Euro.The sooner
they close down the better.

Ugh this attitude really irritates me. If you don't like it, don't shop there but wishing it shuts down is so shïtty.

I traded in PES2019 a month or two ago (a game a year old with its sequel nearly out) and got a preorder on Luigis Mansion 3 for €10. Earlier this year I bought Little Dragon Cafe for 20 in Argos, traded it into GS for 60 credit and got Days Gone for free. I think I upgraded my PS4 to a PS4 Pro for about €100 last year. Some unbelievably good deals. They are so good for some trade in deals if you're clever with your trades.

Less competition is always a bad thing.

DaveyDave · 03-10-2019 3:49am

Is less competition really a bad thing when the cheaper, better rivals are the ones left over? They only have themselves to blame, they're expensive and they haven't done much to change things except push overpriced hoodies, Pop figures or clog the stores with Game of Thrones Monopoly.

Sales are down 14% this year, they're closing 200 lower performing stores worldwide which is 3.5%.

They still have a website you can buy everything on. It just means there's a few less of their generic stores and now you can't talk to the girl with blue hair while buying Yu-Gi-Oh cards.

Atlas_IRL · 03-10-2019 8:32am

People should probably know better than to put up closing down threads for companies that close one store out of 52 :rolleyes:

Homelander · 03-10-2019 9:50am

CEX are miles better though. They give more trade in credit and the games also cost less, broadly speaking. I think the last time I bought/traded at Gamestop was about 10 years ago. If I'm buying a brand new game, Argos or Smyth's always have it significantly cheaper. As in, sometimes €15-20 cheaper....the one near me hardly even sells games anymore, just merchendise and accessories. The last time I was in there, the 2nd hand prices in the small bin for PS4 was eye-watering. Games that are €10 in CEX, €25 in Gamestop. In fact most of the 2nd hand games were more expensive than buying the games new elsewhere.

WarpAsylum · 03-10-2019 10:09am

Exclamation Marc wrote: »

Ugh this attitude really irritates me. If you don't like it, don't shop there but wishing it shuts down is so shïtty.

I traded in PES2019 a month or two ago (a game a year old with its sequel nearly out) and got a preorder on Luigis Mansion 3 for €10. Earlier this year I bought Little Dragon Cafe for 20 in Argos, traded it into GS for 60 credit and got Days Gone for free. I think I upgraded my PS4 to a PS4 Pro for about €100 last year. Some unbelievably good deals. They are so good for some trade in deals if you're clever with your trades.

Less competition is always a bad thing.

I agree. I would sorely miss their upgrade deals.

I've done very well with OG Xbox - Xbox One S - Xbox One X and PS4 Slim - PS4 Pro at the right times.

Also took advantage of upgrading my daughter's OG Switch to a Switch 1.1 for €30.

Yes, they can be gougers ... but they can also be offering things at next to nothing if you work it right.

Mango Joe · 03-10-2019 10:12am

Oh no....I won't be able to buy second hand games for a shocking €54.99...... Sob.

ZiabR · 03-10-2019 10:14am

NewMan1982 wrote: »

That’s the problem. Do more buying

Nah. Number one gouging store in Ireland. Can't say I am surprised and I can't say I am sorry to see them close.

I do feel sorry for the staff that are affected by job loses, but gamestop can **** right off.

Mickeroo · 03-10-2019 10:21am

They have their issues and are generally anti consumer in a lot aspects but at the same time if they do go under I will miss their ridiculously good value trade in deals.

sweetie · 03-10-2019 11:26am

Can a PS4 preorder be moved to a switch game? Hopefully I can switch my 4 pre-orders to upcoming games, just in case. Surprised the never got into selling Vinyl, the sold CDs for a while.,

johnny_ultimate · 03-10-2019 11:31am

Tweaked the thread title a little just to emphasise it’s not all Gamestops closing down.

TitianGerm · 03-10-2019 11:38am

sweetie wrote: »

Can a PS4 preorder be moved to a switch game? Hopefully I can switch my 4 pre-orders to upcoming games, just in case. Surprised the never got into selling Vinyl, the sold CDs for a while.,

Yup it can. I've moved Switch to Xbox before.

Calhoun · 03-10-2019 11:47am

For Ireland a combination of loosing some of its bigger competition in the market place and it's inability to grow it's online web front in a meaningful way is doing the damage.

I wanted to order the recent links Awakening limited edition but they weren't selling online. I don't trust the stores to honor them after being burnt a few times.

Hopefully they can turn it around but I feel for it to survive it will have to be a bit more innovative and cut more underperforming stores .

BrokenArrows · 03-10-2019 11:50am

Cant remember the last time i set foot in a game store. Sure why would you?

Creamy Goodness · 03-10-2019 11:57am

Just because you don't have a need doesn't mean others don't, not everyone has a decent internet connection to download games. Whilst I won't be losing any sleep over GameStop disappearing (no one to blame but themselves) physical stores are needed by some people.

Calhoun · 03-10-2019 12:06pm

Creamy Goodness wrote: »

Just because you don't have a need doesn't mean others don't, not everyone has a decent internet connection to download games. Whilst I won't be losing any sleep over GameStop disappearing (no one to blame but themselves) physical stores are needed by some people.

It's not only the physical need but with the right team they can become a social hub for gamers which is an added bonus.

SMC92Ian · 03-10-2019 12:15pm

I never said it was all GameStops so calm down. It's a few. Over on Reddit a few other people have said their shops up and closed over night. That's shocking. They moved everyone's preorders to other stores without telling them.

I never bought a game from them or a console until it was an amazing deal. Got my X for 90. My pro for 50 and my Switch 2 weeks ago for 30. Then the countless games for free or €10.

And sooooo many pops. I'll kind of miss them.

Stone Deaf 4evr · 03-10-2019 12:47pm

Its easy to look at a gamestop closing , and take a smug kind of pleasure in it, but you know who its really going to hit?
The kids, who head in with their mam on a saturday morning, after the grocery shopping is done, with a few games to trade in against something new (or used) to play for a week or two before repeating the process. I don't buy much in our local one, but saturday mornings see a brisk trade in the above type of customer
Its grand being 'woke' on the internet, and saying to go to CEX or buy online, but those alternative outlets just arent availble to everyone.

sweetie · 03-10-2019 1:05pm

How many stores are in Dublin City? Think there's 3 on the Northside city centre alone. Can see Liffey st going at the very least. Got some good deals in there last Xmas on labos and a few games.

Calhoun · 03-10-2019 1:34pm

Stone Deaf 4evr wrote: »

Its easy to look at a gamestop closing , and take a smug kind of pleasure in it, but you know who its really going to hit?
The kids, who head in with their mam on a saturday morning, after the grocery shopping is done, with a few games to trade in against something new (or used) to play for a week or two before repeating the process. I don't buy much in our local one, but saturday mornings see a brisk trade in the above type of customer
Its grand being 'woke' on the internet, and saying to go to CEX or buy online, but those alternative outlets just arent availble to everyone.

I don't think it has anything to do with being woke, when all other competition left the market they acted as most companies would and they upped their prices. They also have fairly bad practices when it comes to some of their selling practices.

Sure it sucks for the local children but a think of the children defense will not protect them from a declining customer base due to digital sales and online retailers. I would go as far as saying in the scenario you described they are heavily taking advantage of those kids.

I think the only thing that will save them is if they can somehow come up with a better online market place and reduce store numbers down.

murphyebass · 03-10-2019 1:36pm

Stone Deaf 4evr wrote: »

Its grand being 'woke' on the internet, and saying to go to CEX or buy online, but those alternative outlets just arent availble to everyone.

To be fair it’s a VERY small minority who don’t have access to internet these days.

I take no joy at all in seeing GameStop close, job losses etc but it’ll make zero difference to my life as I buy everything online.

They didn’t move with the times, similar to hmv, xrtravision etc..

Exclamation Marc · 03-10-2019 1:38pm

BrokenArrows wrote: »

Cant remember the last time i set foot in a game store. Sure why would you?

I can't trade up my PS4 to a PS4 pro by post? I can't trade in my game against an offer to get a new game for €10. The reasons are numerous.

DaveyDave wrote: »

Is less competition really a bad thing when the cheaper, better rivals are the ones left over? .

Yes. It is categorically a bad thing. If a store has no competition, there is no reason to undercut prices or offer brilliant deals.

And as has been mentioned over and over again, Gamestop have offered some incredible deals that Smyths or CEX cannot compete with.

Jesus the attitude from other posters of 'well I hate it so close it down' is shockingly narrow minded. Nobody's forcing you in the door but there are people who have a use for it whether it's a necessary or opportunistic use.

HorrorScope · 03-10-2019 1:42pm

Can't say I'm surprised to hear this at all - Gamestop kept their prices as high as they possibly could while the likes of Argos and even Tesco were cutting them out of the picture for new releases by about 15-20e. Even their pre-owned games are generally more expensive than can be found in Smyths or others.

It's a relic now and passed saving if you ask me. CEX have the 2nd hand market sown up now and with a move to online downloads, Gamestop's days are numbered.

Mr.Fantastic · 03-10-2019 1:53pm

Will there be any list released of closing down stores?

Have cyberpunk pre-ordered in Patrick street in cork. Bit worried now, it seems busy enough.

Have to say similair to other people the trade in deals can be great but the pricing of the games even used are extortionate, when you get them online/smyths/argos way cheaper.

On a different note the three main websites I use thegamecollection, base and simplygames are all Uk based. Gonna be limited post brexit.

My local GameStop is closing down

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