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Denver, 11:26 AM
Fri Jan 8
58 posts in the last 24 hours
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06:26 AM
Gamestation and GAME, were advertising a preorder bonus of the Scarborough Fair gun, for example. However, earlier this week, they were sending out emails to anyone who had ordered online that there had beein supply issues and that the gun would be shipped later.
Since my good friend stopped working in game retail, I'd been buying games online unless I had anything to trade in.
Sadly, this was one of these days. I preordered this on in store.
I'd been hoping to get one of these guns (especially now since I heard they were surprisingly well built), however, seeing the email that Game were sending out the other day I was prepared for the worst. So I decided to pop by early , just after opening, just in case they did have stock and they got snapped up before I could get one. What an "experience" that has been.
Here follows a rough transcript of my buying experience.
(9:30am. I walk up to the till - the kid behind the till, emo haircut and gormless expression on his face, looks like he doesn't have a braincells to rub against itself, let alone 2 to rub together.)
Me: Hello, I've come to pick up my preorder of Bayonetta, please.
GS Employee: Er. Yeah. 360?
Me: Yes. What's going on with the preorder bonus? I hear there's a supply problem?
(Cue awkward pause as the GS employee works out what I'm talking about, he appears to have no clue at all - he goes into the back room to talk to who I assume to be his superior, appears to be just as brain-dead)
GS Manager: Yeah, there's a supply problem.
(Cue second awkward pause)
Me: Well, will I get one or not?
GS Manager: Err... (another awkward pause) They are probably coming in next week.
Me: OK, shall I keep my preorder slip then
GS Manager: Err... Yeah (said in the tone of voice usually associated with "don't give a shit", usually paired with "whatever")
(Gormless Emo GS Employee takes my game for trade and takes my cash, hands over game)
Me: So can I get a phone call when the bonus comes in or something so I don't miss out?
(Yet another awkward pause)
GS Employee: Err...
(another pause, goes out back to his superior again, comes back to the counter)
GS Employee: Er.. sure, here write it down.
(I write down my name and phone number on a bit of blank receipt paper - I'm already thinking I don't know why I'm bothering, I won't get a phone call)
GS Employee: Just keep popping in during the week, or something.
Me: Well I don't really spend much time in the town centre in all honesty, I'd rather be phoned when it's here, but if I am around, I'll pop in.
I get the distinct feeling if I had not mentioned it nobody would have said a word. I noticed all references to the preorder gun had been removed in store, If I hadn't brought it up I'm pretty sure the dingus that served me wouldn't have, as he didn't even seem to have a clue there was even supposed to be anything to go with the preorder.
Maybe I shouldn't be so uppity about this. It's only a bit of free tat, after all... But I do expect some kind of level of customer service when I go to buy something from a shop. Like, for example, product knowledge, and a demeanour that doesn't cry from the rooftops "I don't give a shit about you or this job".
Maybe I was spoiled by having a mate of mine as a go-to guy in a videogame store for so long.
#bayonetta #speakup
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