I am done with game stores and game departments. Every time I walk into one, I get one of five reactions. I was at Walmart, and basically, the staff ignored me because I don't look like the average parent or someone with spending money. I usually have to grab a member of the staff and ask them to grab the item I want. Or something else negative.
1) OMG, a GIRL: This extends into employees offering me Sims/Fashion Designers games. Worse in smaller privately owned places - the flea market stall that I used to buy from always asked if I wanted games like Neopets, the Sims, and other "girly" games. Usually just manifests itself as slack jawed staring at the fact that I have breasts. Or I'm ignored in favour of some dude buying the newest Halo.
2) Are you sure you want that?: Once we get over the fact that I actually want to spend money at the store, this begins. It's a extension of "girls only want to play girly games" and it seriously pisses me off. The employees usually mention that the game I'm holding is very difficult/annoying/violent and try to get me to purchase a shovelware game.
3) Upselling/Extended Warranty: Let me repeat that, I NEVER buy extended warrenties. Unless I'm not confident about the stuff I buy. (I bought the launch PSP with the extended warranty because I figured the UMD drive was the most vulernable thing in the box.) Employees tend to tell me that the item I buy is not so good, and tends to fail. I do research before buying my stuff, and I tend to think that extended warranties are just a way to make more cash money.
4) Extra Explanations: Again, the employees think that extra explanations are needed for me to get the item running. I've been in the computer field for about 7 years, and I use logic to get things running. I got this explaination when I bought my replacement DS Lite --> it doesn't use traditional batteries, it charges with a mains cable, don't get it wet, or drop it. Seriously, I've fixed several DS Lites for friends, and you are telling me about the properties of a DS Lite? Ugh.
5) Snooty parents: Parents are always found in these shops. You can't start a conversation with them without them feeling like you might be a pedophile. Usually identifiable by the perplexed look on their faces, and a desperate look of wanting to be out of there. These parents refuse to listen - I witnessed a clerk saying that he couldn't sell the kid GTA:CW because he was underage. The mother didn't filch, and actually started screaming at the clerk because "it's just a game"! I had to leave before I started in on the screaming match with the parent.
I'm done with mortar and brick stores. Terrible service, terrible fellow customers, and terrible selection. I'm shopping online now for all my needs.
1) OMG, a GIRL: This extends into employees offering me Sims/Fashion Designers games. Worse in smaller privately owned places - the flea market stall that I used to buy from always asked if I wanted games like Neopets, the Sims, and other "girly" games. Usually just manifests itself as slack jawed staring at the fact that I have breasts. Or I'm ignored in favour of some dude buying the newest Halo.
2) Are you sure you want that?: Once we get over the fact that I actually want to spend money at the store, this begins. It's a extension of "girls only want to play girly games" and it seriously pisses me off. The employees usually mention that the game I'm holding is very difficult/annoying/violent and try to get me to purchase a shovelware game.
3) Upselling/Extended Warranty: Let me repeat that, I NEVER buy extended warrenties. Unless I'm not confident about the stuff I buy. (I bought the launch PSP with the extended warranty because I figured the UMD drive was the most vulernable thing in the box.) Employees tend to tell me that the item I buy is not so good, and tends to fail. I do research before buying my stuff, and I tend to think that extended warranties are just a way to make more cash money.
4) Extra Explanations: Again, the employees think that extra explanations are needed for me to get the item running. I've been in the computer field for about 7 years, and I use logic to get things running. I got this explaination when I bought my replacement DS Lite --> it doesn't use traditional batteries, it charges with a mains cable, don't get it wet, or drop it. Seriously, I've fixed several DS Lites for friends, and you are telling me about the properties of a DS Lite? Ugh.
5) Snooty parents: Parents are always found in these shops. You can't start a conversation with them without them feeling like you might be a pedophile. Usually identifiable by the perplexed look on their faces, and a desperate look of wanting to be out of there. These parents refuse to listen - I witnessed a clerk saying that he couldn't sell the kid GTA:CW because he was underage. The mother didn't filch, and actually started screaming at the clerk because "it's just a game"! I had to leave before I started in on the screaming match with the parent.
I'm done with mortar and brick stores. Terrible service, terrible fellow customers, and terrible selection. I'm shopping online now for all my needs.
