Gameplay Today - Because You're Always Gaming

Though it's not limited to this one form of media, convenience makes for a lot of sales in the gaming world. Maybe you prefer digital downloads to hard-copies; or a corded microphone is simply too bothersome and you buy a wireless one to compensate. And in a world where consumers want everything done as quickly as possible, why would you ever overlook immediate satisfaction? It's not hard to find gamers proclaiming their detest towards GameStop; usually about their supposed shady business practices and pushy clientele. With that kind of negative feedback many wonder how a company like them can exist with BestBuy and other competitors now taking trade-ins on used video-games. The answer is obvious though; gamers are lazy.

Hundreds have seen this exact same scenario: a customer walks into the nearest GameStop to trade in their no longer desired copy of the latest Call of Duty game. Immediately after receiving say, $10 for the game the very next customer buys that same game for over twice the price given to the first customer. Had those two actually communicated in the parking lot prior to entering the store, they each could have benefited by avoiding the retail chain altogether.

I'm not implying gamers should riot and burn down their nearest store, but there's no reason to let yourself be ripped off. Instead of trading your copy of Black Ops for roughly $20.00, why not sell it on Amazon or to a friend for $30.00? Plenty of other quality websites exist as well where you can easily look into the value of games. GameTradingZone and Goozex for example.

“But what about the shipping costs?” many misinformed people might yell. A shipping envelope could cost as high as fifty cents if you shop at a department store. Though if you buy them in bulk, expect to only pay pennies per envelope. As for the actually postage, Amazon covers this for you- or you can ask the buyer to help you cover costs. Hell, most legitimate trading sites allow you to buy the postage from home, you don't even have to leave the house. How's that for convenient?

Realistically though, the majority of gamers simply shop at GameStop because they hate the idea of waiting. Most would rather receive 50-90% less money (or in-store credit) than have to wait for a new game or money to arrive. It's that instant satisfaction that comes from handing over piles of video-games in order to get one possibly newer title.

Sure, if GameStop is having a sale such as their recent 50% extra trade-in values; there many not be a reason to sell online. In that case the difference is minimal, and surely the time saved is worth it. But that's a rare scenario. And even if selling gives you more credit, that's still limited to usage within the chain. Meaning you'll be using more money to get what can be found elsewhere for cheaper. Duke Nukem Forever for instance still costs $59.99 new at GameStop; on Amazon it can be found for under $40.00. Rare examples do exist where GameStop offers lower prices, usually on bargain-bin titles like Project Gotham Racing 4.

All I'm saying is use your head. Most people, especially gamers, have internet. And last I checked Google works on practically every computer and smart phone in existence. GameStop continues to thrive because the average customer is caught in a loop of buying, trading and buying using trade-in credit. Moreover, GameStop works because of lazy and uneducated gamers.