iGamestop Coming Soon to a Gamestop Near You...

Just to follow up on yesterday's post about Gamestop now taking iDevice trade-in's.  Looks like it's definitely true.  I received an email today from Gamestop (since I hold one of their PowerUp Rewards cards).  And looks like if you use your PowerUp card at the time of trade-in you will net an extra 10% Trade-In credit.

What I love about the email is down at the very bottom you'll notice the banner that reads: "You can also trade in game systems, game accessories, controllers, and more!".  Seriously?  How did Gamestop think I started getting their emails...Maybe because at some point in time I shopped there frequent enough to get me email on this list?  Maybe that is a possibility...

Is it a bad thing that Gamestop is expanding it's business in this way?  Probably not, does it feel like a critical business move?  Not feeling that either.  I guess it's all good and well as long as kids are willing to trade in their brother's iPod Touch for a some credit towards a game.

And when they start selling the iDevices new, it'll be interesting to see how long they go before opening up the box and taking out the Apple Stickers.  (Ok, bad joke...I know.)

Anyways, trade with care.

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Get your iOS Devices at your local...Gamestop?

Yep, you read that headline right.  Word on the web is that Gamestop is to start carrying Apple's iOS devices.  Apparently mobile gaming has becoming so prevalent that now the game stores can start selling mobile devices? I'm pretty sure that's just what we need.  Their stores are small and crowded enough as it is.  So let's throw some iPhone/iPod Touch displays in there, and let the kids play Angry Birds while the parents shop for games?

Gamestop's reputation has been anything but fantastic for a long time.  Especially among people who opt to trade their games to Gamestop for mere pocket change.  I don't foresee that changing with this new plan.  If you've ever traded a game with them, you'll know the issue.  I pay $40 for a game, and the give me $10 or less in store credit.  Want cash now?  They give you even less when you're credit is converted into cash that will walk out of their store.

So let's theoretically walk through this, shall we?  I walk in with an iPhone 3GS, the look at it and power it on.  While it's booting up the flip it over, yep.  The back of is has a few cosmetic scratches.  It's booted up, the look at it mess with it for a minute or two.  One of two things will probably happen, they will give store credit and knock a bit off from the already low store credit for the cosmetic wear or tear and still give you a sub-par return on your iDevice.  Or they will say 'Nope, it's jailbroken we can't take it.'.

My issues with Gamestop are issues that can be taken to other brick and mortar stores as well.  It's the short stock or availability of PC Games.  However, with the mess that went down concerning Square Enix/Gamestop/and the Deus Ex Onlive Coupon I doubt I'd even buy a PC Game from them now.

So beware, that Gamestop will now be taking iDevice trade-in's and selling Apple's wares.  Just a heads up.

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