I was always into small independent stores. I didn’t like Starbucks, I liked South Street Coffee. I didn’t like Borders, I liked Marlow Books. Those of you not in Philly don’t recognize two of those stores because they never grew into chains and the chains eventually killed them. The independents had atmosphere and personality that Borders and Starbucks fake. Over the years I’ve grown to enjoy Borders and Starbucks because that’s all that’s left. But it’s not what I want. I want something more personal and less corporate. I want to support the small business that appreciates it.
Now I have a crisis because Game Zombie opened up 5 minutes from my house. What’s Game Zombie? A cool little store that sells everything game related. They have Dreamcasts and Atari’s in stock. They get new releases on Day 1 but have a huge selection of old games. They do free polishing of scratched disks. They have a game club where kids come in and play after school. They also have a Wednesday night movie showing where people go and watch zombie flicks on their large TV. All in all it’s what I’ve always wanted in a game store. They’re local, personable and seem to have an appreciation for the customer.
But there’s one thing they don’t have, one thing I love, pre-order bonuses. Forget the gold lancer, I’ve never cared about the gold lancers of the world. But I do love Juggernaut in Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2. I do love extra-outfits for Kratos and sackboy (it reminds me of playing with my Barbies growin…nevermind, TMI). I like the guns that you can only get during pre-order (Blackhole gun in Mass Effect 2 ROCKS). So much fun stuff just by putting down my $5 early. And it’s all so pretty and shiny.
And until now I’ve fallen into that trap. I go into Gamestop and I drop down my cash and a few weeks later I walk out with my added toy. But no longer. GameZombie has given me an independent option and I’m going to start taking it. As long as they continue to offer their great services I’m going to give up on all the corporate pre-order stuff and support my local game store.
Fallout: New Vegas Gamestop preorder bonus is a pet puggle.
oooo puggle
A puggle? That…is…AWESOME!!! A pet baby platypus would definitely make it game of the year for me. And Full Tilt, I totally hear ya. I wish my town had an independant store of its own. It is quite sad that many of the major corporations push out the little stores.
At the same time, many of those major corporations were once small independant mom-and-pop stores themselves that became very popular in their area and started growing. I guess it’s just the danger of the dollar.
I would love to have a cool friendly local shop to go to. It really seems to be the cool thing to hate who is on top though. When you think about it, who cares if they get your dollar early? You are going to spend it anyway. Who cares if they have pre-order bonuses? You get a little extra in the game. Imo everyone should be taking that up with the developers for allowing content to be limited. Gamestop and eb started out as little shops too before becoming big time.
Like I said, I would love to support an independent shop just for the atmosphere alone but in the end all business is competition and unfortunately gamestop is top dog.
I hear you on the independent issue. My hometown used to have a local game store that treated the customer like a human being. Unfortunately, the owner got too greedy, and changed everything about the store that made it different from the corporate clones. Support them if you get the service you’re looking for.
I don’t have the hate for Gamestop that a lot of people seem to have. I’ve met my fairshare of dopes working there (one guy argued that Xbox was going mandatory blue ray for all future games)…but I prefer the little guy. If someone can provide quality service at competitive prices and get himself out of the corporate rat race, I appreciate that and will try to fund it.
I wish we had more “Mom and Pop” game stores in my area. I’m getting to that age where I enjoy collecting Old systems and games
I like the concept of playing those old games…then I play them and they suck. Nothing holds up for me anymore.
HI! and Wow!
I want to extend a MASSIVE, THANK YOU to Robert Snyder! Thank you for posting your opinion of our store!. (Please stop in so I may shake your hand!)
A few things I’d like to address.
We WANT to be able to provide the “Pre-Order Bonuses”! However, unlike any corporate backed business, acquiring the capital to re-invest back into the store has been slow coming. It’s posts like this from Local gamers that really give us strength to keep living our dreams.
We have no plans for going “Corporate” anytime soon.
I worked retail for nearly 20 years, and disliked it so much so, that when Dave and I got this idea, I swore we would NOT be like that….
Unlike our competitors, we are flexible… If a 10 yr old gamer is a few cents shy of the amount on the price of his”I need it NOW game”, we just tell him/her bring it back later;(which they make it a point to do)!
Naturally Customer Service is our #1 Priority. You guys are our bread and butter. For which we ARE totally greatful. We LOVE getting feedback! (I am going to print this out, and put a copy of it on the website, and a copy for the front window!)
We try to remember the majority of our clientele, by name or face, Both if possible! It’s like the sitcom “Cheers”~~ where everybody knows your name??!!
We receive text messages on the store phone” Yo! It’s me, Mike, I bought the…” I Adore personable service, aparently you do as well…
The GAME STOP is 5 mins away from us, not only KNOWS we exist, but they SEND us people as well. They send us people who are looking to get cash for their trade-ins (cash FRIDAYS;store credit on the other days), or those who cannot find a particular older game, ie, Ms. Pac-man for Sega…Being as they no longer carry a lot of the items We DO! Ofcourse, if we don’t have it, unlike our competition, we will hunt it down for you!, order it, and at the fairest price available!
One last item I’d like to bring up, then I’ll let you go beat the latest game,LOL…
GAME ZOMBIE is dedicated to supporting the community, by giving back.(Local charities, throwing New Years Eve Parties to give mom and dad a night off ). We are GREEN. We recycle games,(trade-ins), use bags from other stores(no Game stop bags here,please,LOL) Walmat maybe,) !
We support the Service Personelle, 10% off on all Used games, every visit! Military personelle get the same discount. If it weren’t for these individuals; who serve and protect this Great Nation….well, we wouldn’t be the melting pot of the world and have the Oppurtunities we do!
Once Again!
Thank You ALL so much for Supporting us not only with your dollar but with Your Words as well!!!
” SPREAD THE INFECTION”
Sincerely, Thanks for Rockin’ the Zombie!!
Diana M. Kolick
Co-Owner of GAME ZOMBIE,LLC
315 MILL STREET
BRISTOL, PA 19007
215.778.1566 CALL/ TEXT
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