Gameschlop

Yeah, yeah, I know. I'm jumping onto yet another bandwagon, here... namely, the official "Fuck Gamestop" bandwagon.

I'll be honest, while living in the States, I shopped at Gamestop pretty often. It was pretty much out of convenience, as I don't like dealing with long lines and washing machines. Plus, I like the pizazz a particular register monkey put on the word "EDGE GAMER CARD." I'll never sign up for one, as I don't trade-in games or buy used games, so it'd probably take me a while to recoup my losses from the combined purchase of that piece of plastic that they don't have on file, plus a year-long subscription to the best game advertisement rag around, Game Informer, but I digress. Hearing a socially awkward teen offer you an "edge" because you're one of his kind, a gamer, through and through, son... that's just all sorts of boner-inducing, physically and emotionally.

And when I return to the States? I'll probably resume shopping at Gamestop. Once again, out of convenience. A while ago, I was big on corporate accountability. A company, I believe, should be held accountable for unfair labor practices, unethical business methods, and so on and so forth. A little while ago, I grew up. It's not so much that I'll "go to bed" with these big companies per se, as many first-year liberalized college students would have you believe, it's just that I don't see the point in fighting a pointless battle on an individual scale that is individually unwinnable by the average person. Yes, I'm the average person. And guess what? So are you.

An unwinnable battle, to me, is basically a karmic victory. By choosing not to give a company such as Taco Bell or The Gap your business, you are making a point to the universe that you are a person who is ethically grounded and aware of evil when you see it. Unfortunately, you're your only audience. I'm still fascinated that people believe the phrase "you've just lost a customer" holds any water at any kind of retail chain. Unless you're a struggling ma-and-pop operation, that phrase doesn't mean shit for shit. And here's the thing. After the smoke has cleared and the streets have been swept clean of the aftermath of your personal ticker-tape parade, the company will continue to proffer the same questionable sales practices and you'll have gained nothing in your life. Except maybe a longer driving route to get the same thing.

So, what does all of this aforementioned reckoning have to do with my jumping on the bandwagon? Nothing, really. I've always known Gamestop was a shitty retailer to buy products from. I didn't say anything when my copy of Jeanne D'Arc for the PSP had scratches on it because it was formerly a display copy, ie. the last copy in the store. I held my composure when I was handed a copy of Gears of War for the PC without an instruction manual. Finally, I swore to the high heavens but did not break any furniture when Gamestop's on-line arm suddenly cancelled my pre-order of Gears of War 2 and Wrath of the Lich King Collector's Edition without warning or any kind of notification, while still managing to charge me shipping and handling for a phantom item I would not be receiving. I was mostly pissed about the Lich King edition, mainly 'cause that stuff goes fast. And it's got an art book. A really pretty art book.

I guess this post is more of a reminder to myself in not getting too angry when shit like this happens because shit, has and will eventually happen. So, I give this situation a heartfelt and resounding "fuck Gamestop and it's shitty customer service", but that's really all I've got. Like I said, when I return to the States, I'll probably resume buying my games at the Gamestop on La Paz and Oso, nestled between the quaint little coffee shop called Starbucks and that charming little bistro Arby's.

As an epilogue to this classical hero's journey, I searched a little on-line and settled on re-ordering my copy of Gears of War 2 and Wrath of the Lich King Collector's Edition off of Newegg.com, a site that has provided me with excellent customer service and quick shipping in the past. Something I should've done to begin with, come to think of it.

The moral of this story? Do whatever works, and when shit goes down, you've got no one to blame. Just fix that shit. You got that, Robert?