The GameStop Experience

CriticalGaming

Elite Member
Legacy
Dec 28, 2017
11,302
5,716
118
If he started in his 20s at a place a place with high turn over, and has a good work ethic, it's not unreasonable to end up in a management position by mid 30s (which is where I'd place Critical also). And let's not forget that once you have a management position on your resume it's that much easier to get another. You don't even have to be any good, you just need to be able to BS in an interview. That's how we ended up with a plant manager and maintenance manager who are both completely useless and haven't actually seemed to have done anything in the year they've been with us.
I was getting management positions from an early age though. MY first job was Carl's Jr./Hardy's, and I was made a shift manager two weeks into the gig, simply because I was always on time and I got all my shit done. I was raised to do the best job I can do, even if I hated the job, to always show up and do what I need to do and to treat the workplace with respect.

And that's my problem with "young" people these days, got I hate sounded old, but it shouldn't matter if you hate your job or you think the job is a bullshit gig or whatever. Treat the job with respect and do your best, because you never know who is watching.

For example, every morning as I mentioned I go to 7-11 for a redbull and drinks for the office for the day. When I'm in there and I see shelves unstocked, but the merchandise is in delivery boxed in the middle of the floor, I see "kids" behind the counter fucking hanging out like the guys from Clerks, I know they don't give a shit. Remember I run a company, and I see these brats everyday, if they ever walked into my office to apply for a warehouse job or customer service, the answer would immediately be no. I've seen how they treat the job, and I'm not interested. Even if they would be perfectly fine at my workplace it doesn't matter, because if they can't respect the "ground level" then they don't deserve anything higher imo.

And believe me if I tell an employee to do something and I see a fucking eyeroll, they are let go immediately. You don't have to like me, you don't have to like the job, but you WILL respect it. If that's too much to ask, goodbye.
 
  • Like
Reactions: hanselthecaretaker

Drathnoxis

I love the smell of card games in the morning
Legacy
Sep 23, 2010
5,828
2,137
118
Just off-screen
Country
Canada
Gender
Male
I was getting management positions from an early age though. MY first job was Carl's Jr./Hardy's, and I was made a shift manager two weeks into the gig, simply because I was always on time and I got all my shit done. I was raised to do the best job I can do, even if I hated the job, to always show up and do what I need to do and to treat the workplace with respect.
That's what I said, I didn't mean you only got the management position when you turned 30 or whatever. But, basically that fits exactly with what I said.

And that's my problem with "young" people these days, got I hate sounded old, but it shouldn't matter if you hate your job or you think the job is a bullshit gig or whatever. Treat the job with respect and do your best, because you never know who is watching.

For example, every morning as I mentioned I go to 7-11 for a redbull and drinks for the office for the day. When I'm in there and I see shelves unstocked, but the merchandise is in delivery boxed in the middle of the floor, I see "kids" behind the counter fucking hanging out like the guys from Clerks, I know they don't give a shit. Remember I run a company, and I see these brats everyday, if they ever walked into my office to apply for a warehouse job or customer service, the answer would immediately be no. I've seen how they treat the job, and I'm not interested. Even if they would be perfectly fine at my workplace it doesn't matter, because if they can't respect the "ground level" then they don't deserve anything higher imo.

And believe me if I tell an employee to do something and I see a fucking eyeroll, they are let go immediately. You don't have to like me, you don't have to like the job, but you WILL respect it. If that's too much to ask, goodbye.
Frankly, you sound like a crappy boss. I agree with you about work ethic, a lot of people have a lousy one, but firing someone because they rolled their eyes at you once makes it sound like you're on an ego trip. At least give them a warning or two to make the expectations clear first. But I guess you can get away with crap like that in a country with no worker protection.

I'm pretty sure, I've rolled my eyes at my supervisor. It's an involuntary reaction when you hear something stupid, sometimes it's hard to control. Pretty sure he's rolled his eyes at me too. We get on well, though, and he's not really my boss since I'm maintenance and he's the production supervisor.
 

CriticalGaming

Elite Member
Legacy
Dec 28, 2017
11,302
5,716
118
I'm pretty sure, I've rolled my eyes at my supervisor. It's an involuntary reaction when you hear something stupid, sometimes it's hard to control. Pretty sure he's rolled his eyes at me too. We get on well, though, and he's not really my boss since I'm maintenance and he's the production supervisor.
The eye rolling thing is an exaggeration. I didn't know how else to convey respect in that instance. It's more like an example of attitude and whether or not people get things done. I dunno maybe I'm not giving a good example. But you can generally care when someone has work ethic or not. Or if they give a shit about doing the job. Like I said, it's fine to dislike the job, but it's not fine to treat it like you dislike it.

If you have a job you don't like, find another one while still doing your best at the one you dislike. It is always easier and safer to get a "better" job while still employeed than to be desperately job hunting when unemployeed.
 

Drathnoxis

I love the smell of card games in the morning
Legacy
Sep 23, 2010
5,828
2,137
118
Just off-screen
Country
Canada
Gender
Male
The eye rolling thing is an exaggeration. I didn't know how else to convey respect in that instance. It's more like an example of attitude and whether or not people get things done. I dunno maybe I'm not giving a good example. But you can generally care when someone has work ethic or not. Or if they give a shit about doing the job. Like I said, it's fine to dislike the job, but it's not fine to treat it like you dislike it.

If you have a job you don't like, find another one while still doing your best at the one you dislike. It is always easier and safer to get a "better" job while still employeed than to be desperately job hunting when unemployeed.
True, but I just don't think attitude is cause for immediate dismissal. As long as the work is still being done satisfactorily you need to give someone a chance to improve. Maybe they're just having an off day, and don't have perfect control over their emotions.

Yeah, if someone tangibly hates their job and aren't doing it properly, and you've talked to them and given them several documented warnings about proper ways to express themselves, then yeah, I can see it. Or if someone shows up on the first day like that, definitely not a keeper.
 

CriticalGaming

Elite Member
Legacy
Dec 28, 2017
11,302
5,716
118
True, but I just don't think attitude is cause for immediate dismissal. As long as the work is still being done satisfactorily you need to give someone a chance to improve. Maybe they're just having an off day, and don't have perfect control over their emotions.

Yeah, if someone tangibly hates their job and aren't doing it properly, and you've talked to them and given them several documented warnings about proper ways to express themselves, then yeah, I can see it. Or if someone shows up on the first day like that, definitely not a keeper.
These day it's hard for people to even show up. I've hired a lot of people who just don't show up on their first day. And I've had some that even leave after a couple of hours and don't even come back to collect the two hours of pay I owe them.

In some ways I kind of respect that, rather than waste my time training them it's better if they fuck off before any of that can happen rather than me have to train them and loose them later. At the same time, why even accept a job and then not bother to show up on the first day? A lot of people right now, apply for jobs to go through the motions and they don't actually want to work.

I wonder how people can survive like that, but since a lot of the people applying are in their 20's my guess is that the parents pay for everything and so long as they look (and "fail") to get a job, then they can skate along while the folks pay all the bills. Which is a fault of parents for not enforcing any work ethic or responsibility on people. But that's speculation. I can't think of any other reason as to why people aren't wanting to work.

It isn't just me either, i talk to my colleagues all over the country and they all have the same issues, people quitting by their 1st lunch break, or not getting applicants at all.
 

Elvis Starburst

Unprofessional Rant Artist
Legacy
Aug 9, 2011
2,803
788
118
Huh... Then the way you've spoken in this thread makes you sound ooooooooooold.

I should note that I've also been raised to have a solid work ethic, and I do my best to uphold it. Hell, every now and then I'm too hard on myself to the detriment of my mental well being cause I sometimes set the standards too high, and feel awful about it when I can't keep up with it. Currently trying to work on that with the therapist, among other things.

I can't think of any other reason as to why people aren't wanting to work.
I just listed plenty in my second response to you. Lemme post em again.

[And while some are quick to pull the "nobody wants to work" BS (and it is largely BS), there's the slightest truth to that, only because the pandemic helped people realize that working at shitty jobs for shitty people with shitty customers for minimum wage or less is a fast track to mental health problems and bad quality of life... and life's too god damn short to be dealing with that.]

There's probably some people that do want things handed to them, I'm not gonna pretend that isn't a possibility. However, the world's slanted pretty hard against most people growing up in it these days, and people are more in tune to their circumstances than ever. I can understand why the above I listed doesn't remotely appeal to those who feel they have to get a job.
At the very least, the want to be paid remotely fairly for the effort is most of what's being asked, or at least be asked to be treated fairly by other people in the process. It doesn't matter if it's a "low level/entry level" job, sometimes that's the best that can be had. A lot of those jobs are difficult too, even if others looking in don't think so. I'd like to see the ranting old hag on the customer side of the counter do the shit fast food workers do in the back during the lunch/dinner rush while short staffed like so many places are these days.

True, but I just don't think attitude is cause for immediate dismissal. As long as the work is still being done satisfactorily you need to give someone a chance to improve. Maybe they're just having an off day, and don't have perfect control over their emotions.

Yeah, if someone tangibly hates their job and aren't doing it properly, and you've talked to them and given them several documented warnings about proper ways to express themselves, then yeah, I can see it. Or if someone shows up on the first day like that, definitely not a keeper.
Full agree on this part
 

BrawlMan

Lover of beat'em ups.
Legacy
Mar 10, 2016
29,958
12,448
118
Detroit, Michigan
Country
United States of America
Gender
Male
My friend actually got his ass bitten by them when he bought a refurbished XB1, which worked for about 5 min then would randomly shut down when he took it home. He went back, they told him sorry, and exchanged him for another one. This one stayed turned on just fine, but wouldn't read the disc and had some serious wear and tear marks around the console. He said "fuck that noise" at that point and just got a refund, and got the refurbished one from Microsoft directly, which was much better.
Now that sucks. What state are you living again? So far this has not been a problem (for the most part) in Michigan as far as I know. The refurbished stuff actually works. I got in the refurbished PS2 and later Xbox 360 back in the 2010s. Though for all I know, that might have changed now. I do know people are going to Disc Replay for refurbished consoles or just picking Amazon now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: FakeSympathy

CriticalGaming

Elite Member
Legacy
Dec 28, 2017
11,302
5,716
118
[And while some are quick to pull the "nobody wants to work" BS (and it is largely BS), there's the slightest truth to that, only because the pandemic helped people realize that working at shitty jobs for shitty people with shitty customers for minimum wage or less is a fast track to mental health problems and bad quality of life... and life's too god damn short to be dealing with that.]
I mean this is all well and good, but we can't all work a job we love. We can't all have jobs we enjoy, being an adult in a functioning world requires some people biting the bullet to get the shit done that the world needs done. You think anyone's dream job is cleaning sewers? Driving Garbage trucks? Working an oil rig? Wiping bird shit off powerlines? I feel like this thought process about mental health and being drained by a job is a by-product of the mentality a person has working a job. If you go to a place and look at it like a fucking source of all your misery, then of course that's going to fuck with your head. A good mindset can be a great shield against all of that.

Part of being an adult, is taking the joys where you can. Being able to look on the bright side of things, and taking personal responsibility for your choices. Again it's boomery to say, but Social media has brainwashed kids these days to think that success in life is becoming a millionaire and living a glamourous life. It's a dellusion that they are unwilling to wake up from. The odds of you being the next Pewdiepie, or Justin Bieber are fucking slim. You can persue that shit if you want, but you should be working in a real job in the meantime, and if you become famous and rich good for you, but you should operate under the assumption that you wont.

Success will come if you treat every job like it's the best job you've ever had, even if it isn't. Because with a good work ethic and attitude, you would be amazed the opportunities come your way.

On topic, I worked at a Gamestop in Santa Monica back in 2005. An old bearded guy in his 40's came in looking for an Xbox and was asking me all these questions about the console and about games and whatever. I answered and helped him get the system and some games that sounds good to him. When I handed him his bag he handed me a business card and told me to call him the following Monday. Turns out he was the QA lead at Activision just down the road, and when I called him he gave me the job at Activision.

You never know what can happen even at a shitty job. Hate your job on your own time, but while you're there pretend you are happy to be there.
 
  • Like
Reactions: hanselthecaretaker

Zykon TheLich

Extra Heretical!
Legacy
Jun 6, 2008
3,497
837
118
Country
UK
These day it's hard for people to even show up. I've hired a lot of people who just don't show up on their first day......
At the same time, why even accept a job and then not bother to show up on the first day?
When you're looking for a job, especially when you're young and not going for a specific qualified field or a career, you don't know what you're going to get accepted for, what you're not. Often it's best to chuck out dozens of applications and see what sticks. Just accept any offer that comes along and if you get something else you like the sound of better in the meantime, just fuck it off and take that instead.


Edit: just to add a bit more on topic, I think we still have "Game" stores in the UK. Though I don't think I've seen one since about 2012. They were fine, a standard brick and mortar game store. Since I am now solely glorious pc gaming master race I've not needed to actually buy a physical game in a long, long time.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: BrawlMan

hanselthecaretaker

My flask is half full
Legacy
Nov 18, 2010
8,738
5,910
118
That's what I said, I didn't mean you only got the management position when you turned 30 or whatever. But, basically that fits exactly with what I said.

Frankly, you sound like a crappy boss. I agree with you about work ethic, a lot of people have a lousy one, but firing someone because they rolled their eyes at you once makes it sound like you're on an ego trip. At least give them a warning or two to make the expectations clear first. But I guess you can get away with crap like that in a country with no worker protection.

I'm pretty sure, I've rolled my eyes at my supervisor. It's an involuntary reaction when you hear something stupid, sometimes it's hard to control. Pretty sure he's rolled his eyes at me too. We get on well, though, and he's not really my boss since I'm maintenance and he's the production supervisor.

As long as he's not being an unreasonable A-hole, there shouldn't be much of an issue. There's a respectful way to lead, and that's where it starts. Reciprocation and just realizing there's a job to do. Take issue with something or the way something is being done? Talk it out. If that's an impossibility, then the position is bound to have high turnover, or misery which leads to work ethic issues regardless of the industry.
 

FakeSympathy

Elite Member
Legacy
Jun 8, 2015
3,574
3,333
118
Seattle, WA
Country
US
Now that sucks. What state are you living again? So far this has not been a problem (for the most part) in Michigan as far as I know. The refurbished stuff actually works. I got in the refurbished PS2 and later Xbox 360 back in the 2010s. Though for all I know, that might have changed now. I do know people are going to Disc Replay for refurbished consoles or just picking Amazon now.
Both of us are in WA. His XB1 ordeal happened a few years ago as well.

i do agree the refurbished stuff can work, but it depends on the quality of work on them. I guess MS is a bit more dedicated to it, since it’s their own product.

I also had a similar experience; XB1 power supply box stopped working, got a replacement from GameStop which didn’t work either. Got a new one directly from MS, which worked fine
 
  • Like
Reactions: BrawlMan

BrawlMan

Lover of beat'em ups.
Legacy
Mar 10, 2016
29,958
12,448
118
Detroit, Michigan
Country
United States of America
Gender
Male
Both of us are in WA. His XB1 ordeal happened a few years ago as well.

i do agree the refurbished stuff can work, but it depends on the quality of work on them. I guess MS is a bit more dedicated to it, since it’s their own product.

I also had a similar experience; XB1 power supply box stopped working, got a replacement from GameStop which didn’t work either. Got a new one directly from MS, which worked fine
Good to know.

I'll give a positive experience. In 2017 at one of my favorite GS that is longer around, the clerk (she) gave me the Bayonetta 1 & 2 Switch advertisement poster. They were getting rid of it, and they knew about me being a huge Platinum fan. I was one of their favorite/returning customers. I happily took the poster and still have it now. Along with the rolls of Bayo1 CG posters that came with my 360 copy back from 2010! Something I got from that same GameStop!
 

Worgen

Follower of the Glorious Sun Butt.
Legacy
Apr 1, 2009
15,120
3,979
118
Gender
Whatever, just wash your hands.
Good to know.

I'll give a positive experience. In 2017 at one of my favorite GS that is longer around, the clerk (she) gave me the Bayonetta 1 & 2 Switch advertisement poster. They were getting rid of it, and they knew about me being a huge Platinum fan. I was one of their favorite/returning customers. I happily took the poster and still have it now. Along with the rolls of Bayo1 CG posters that came with my 360 copy back from 2010! Something I got from that same GameStop!
I don't know how it is now, but you used to be able to ask about the game posters and they would put your name on them so when they took them down they would give you them instead of throw them away. I doubt it was a company policy but a couple of the stores around here would do it.

Gamestop is a shitshow right now, really the only good parts of it are from the workers, not management, management has been shit for a long time, but the workers can be pretty motivated and passionate, at least till company bullshit squeezes that out of them. Passionate people are replaceable and payroll adds up. The whole gamestonks thing was really stupid since the company deserved the short it was getting, now the higher ups get a nice golden sail while they squeeze out every drop they can from the dying business while completely disregarding the workers.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BrawlMan

Gordon_4

The Big Engine
Legacy
Apr 3, 2020
6,529
5,788
118
Australia
I don't know how it is now, but you used to be able to ask about the game posters and they would put your name on them so when they took them down they would give you them instead of throw them away. I doubt it was a company policy but a couple of the stores around here would do it.

Gamestop is a shitshow right now, really the only good parts of it are from the workers, not management, management has been shit for a long time, but the workers can be pretty motivated and passionate, at least till company bullshit squeezes that out of them. Passionate people are replaceable and payroll adds up. The whole gamestonks thing was really stupid since the company deserved the short it was getting, now the higher ups get a nice golden sail while they squeeze out every drop they can from the dying business while completely disregarding the workers.
The poster thing used to be common when I was younger too. I think what happened is something similar to the movie industry. Cinemas used to give away standees for big movies to people who asked - and presumably bunged them a few bob for the Christmas party for the big ones - and would collect them themselves. Eventually movie studios started putting it into contracts that the promotional material had to be destroyed so they stopped.
 

CriticalGaming

Elite Member
Legacy
Dec 28, 2017
11,302
5,716
118
The poster thing used to be common when I was younger too. I think what happened is something similar to the movie industry. Cinemas used to give away standees for big movies to people who asked - and presumably bunged them a few bob for the Christmas party for the big ones - and would collect them themselves. Eventually movie studios started putting it into contracts that the promotional material had to be destroyed so they stopped.
I FUCKING BEGGED for the Final Fantasy Remake posters and cardboard stands when they were gonna take them down. "Nope our company policy requires us to throw them away." Fucking why!? It's not an industry secret that a game came out months after it came out, so what the fuck?
 
  • Like
Reactions: BrawlMan

Gordon_4

The Big Engine
Legacy
Apr 3, 2020
6,529
5,788
118
Australia
I FUCKING BEGGED for the Final Fantasy Remake posters and cardboard stands when they were gonna take them down. "Nope our company policy requires us to throw them away." Fucking why!? It's not an industry secret that a game came out months after it came out, so what the fuck?
I have a feeling it was to stop people getting multiples and flipping them on ebay for not insignificant amounts of cash.