So, excuse me while I change some Beyonce lyrics for you….
“If I were a boy, I think I could understand… how it feels to reserve a game and not be told it’s rated M”
Seriously, it’s getting old. Do game retailers need some training? Do the employees need to be more aware? In my mind it feels like a gender issue but also not getting to know your clientele. If I show up at your establishment more than once a week and you wait on me each time, wouldn’t you have an idea what I buy, like, and how I live?
Just this past week I was asked upon buying Battlefield Bad Company 2, “Is your son old enough to play a rated M game?” Um… do I look like I have a child with me? Have you ever seen me with one? I don’t think so, buddy.
I can understand when you are making minimum wage that maybe it’s too much to ask, but I know I wouldn’t get a job at a game store if I had absolutely no interest in games. And wouldn’t it be more fun anyway to talk to people about that shared interest?
How about being told “Vampire Rain would be too hard for you”. Excuse me? I know that the game got horrible ratings and I’m probably going to hate every second of it but isn’t that my decision?
And my personal favorite is when the reserves they try to sell me are for games I would never take an interest in playing, while the guy next to me is getting talked to about the next shooter coming out. I do not want Barbie Horse adventures part 11. Do not want.
So is this just because I’m a woman? As much as I hate to say it, I think a lot of it is. I spend hundreds of dollars a month on games in the same store and out of the four employees that have been there the whole time, only one treats me with any kind of respect. That is sad.
What’s even sadder is that they are only hurting themselves. I used to get in the car and drive there to look for used copies of games; always loving the hunt. Plus, I’m a instant gratification type of girl. Now? It’s online used game buying for me. I only subject myself to the in store ridiculousness for pre-order bonuses and midnight releases.
A long time ago on a different side of town, this same chain had an exemplary employee. He not only made me happy but my brother as well. He knew our names, what games we loved, and talked to us about games we should try. If not for him, I would have never picked up “Narc” or “God Hand.” I remember him specifically holding back copies of “The Document of Metal Gear Solid 2” for us because he “just knew” we had to have them. He was right and you know what that got him? Every single reserve we placed. I wrote to the company to tell them what a great employee he was and what an enjoyable experience he made for us when shopping there.
Apparently that didn’t help because he got fired. I’ve never had the same experience again with an employee there and I’ll be honest, I still miss him today. I think about him each time I’m treated like crap at that chain.
So what are your most hated game buying experiences? I’d love to hear them with comments below or as always, hate mail directed to: melissa@gamesareevil.com.
Until next week…
Popularity: unranked [?]
5 comments