FunTrade — Attraction in Billings

As a frequent customer of Fun Trade, I have come to love the store, but it is far from perfect. The store is cluttered with games for every system. I have inquired if Fun Trade carries a certain game, but the employees have no clue if they carry it or not. I have had the owner walk away when I am ready to pay, and a rude employee (possibly named Carson) who has pushed me out of the way while going about his business.

I have spent a great deal of money at Fun Trade, and I thought that perhaps the management would turn the business around. Instead, they have sent it careening downhill. Of course there are games for all of my old systems, but with that being said, I find it sad if I cannot find a specific game I am looking for, and the owner or the employees do not know if they even carry it. Being a retro video game buff, I know the prices of games and what they should be. I understand the profit to be made by selling the retro games, but I am not one to rip off customers. If you try to sell games for the high-end used price or the average price on eBay, that is not going to help your business at all. This is Missoula, and the market is different here.

I have walked into the store many times and wondered if it was a pawn shop. The managers of Fun Trade seem to sell anything they think they can make money off of. Seeing the post of the Britney Spears dolls prompted me to write this since that has nothing to do with video games, but more like the owner is just selling them to make a buck.

The main point I want to get across is this store needs to either become a pawn shop or strictly a video game store. Fun Trade has way too much merchandise, and I find it to be ridiculous that there are earring s in one section, pipes in another, Build-a-Bear in yet another, and guitars hanging from the ceiling with amps creating a divider between the “cashier” (using the term loosely) and their product.

The positive reviewers of Fun Trade must be friends with the owner, because they probably haven’t seen the animals living in cages in the back of the store. It seems odd to have ten five-star reviews and one two-star review. This proves that the owner invited them to like his page. The reviewers being friends with the owner has prompted them to leave a five-star review. Personally, I believe that this store is unsalvageable. I have never seen an owner be so rude to a guest before, and there is nothing he can do to fix this. The owner needs to learn that you cannot please everyone. He should try to help fix things, but calling a customer out in front of other guests is reprehensible. It would have been nice if the owner would walk over and address the customer in private instead of putting them in the spotlight by virtually yelling at them, ultimately causing them to walk out of the store in shame.

I spoke with one of the employees, and she said that Fun Trade has had problems with the theft of merchandise. The management knew that this had been going on, but they wanted to be sure about it before they took action. If this had been my decision, I would have called the police right then and there instead of waiting for it to happen yet again.

I have engaged in trading at Fun Trade, and after I spend my last eighty Fun Bucks I will not return. If you are going to buy anything and everything to make a buck, you are obviously worried about your bottom line. This is worrisome to me, especially when you open up two more stores. Good luck on your new business venture, but as a retro gamer, this store has both everything and nothing. It is too cluttered to find a simple game, and if there was a way in which to give this place a zero-star review, I would have. I am not going to sit here and have you call my girlfriend out in front of the whole store. I hope the owner has a reality check and realizes that he has lost one of the biggest customers of his store’s existence. I will tell all of my friends and family not to shop here until these issues are resolved. I will be patiently...

I took my little brother here so he could trade some cards for a joystick for pc. While waiting I started stacking items on the counter to purchase. Was about to add a couple games while I waited on pricing of a set of flight pedals. (I'm assuming) the owner came and told me $90. This surprised me and I asked "really"? He said ya, that's what they're going for online. I looked over and saw him checking ebay. I told my brother I was prepared to spend some money in there but not that much and the owner said

"I don't have to do business with you. I don't have to take this"

Again surprised, so I asked excuse me? He said I don't need what he's (my brother) selling. I don't need to do business with you. I was so offended I told him whether he chooses to do business with my brother or not was on him, but I'd never return and walked out. Sitting in the car writing this now.

By the way, there were a few on ebay for 90, there were more on ebay for 50, 45, and 35. I'll buy one of those. Also found on amazon same pedals brand new for 109 with free 2 day shipping with my prime account.

Also as I was writing this he just came out and falsely accused a young man of stealing. He didn't. Apparently this guy just doesn't want to stay in business.

I'd rate zero stars if I could.

Edit: bought the same pedals and the yoke that goes with them at another local electronics place for $20 used. Even tested for me....

This is a wonderful local business! NOTHING ELSE LIKE IT IN MISSOULA AND TOTALLY WORTH YOUR TIME AND MONEY! Game prices are VERY reasonable, if not rock bottom. Excellent, progessional and personalized gaming recommendations! Great selection of classic/retro games and consoles. If you are looking for the absolute lowest prices on games, systems or peripherals, or want to sell a gaming system or games for the highest cash price, this isn't the place for you. A small business like this cannot compete with a huge faceless chain like Gamestop. This isn't Gamestop! Thank God! Don't expect it to BE Gamestop and leave a hater review when you are disappointed. Did i say THIS IS NOT GAMESTOP?!?!?! This is not a pawn shop either. This is a business that exists for love of the material sold within. The primary employee, Jim, is a rare and unique guy. I give the store my business just for the pleasure of speaking to this employee. He has forgotten more pop culture, video game, film and literary lore and than I will ever know. I'm treated like an old friend when I arrive and ALWAYS have a memorable experience. I never feel pressured to spend money here, but I do buy from Fun Trade to support a unique local business and to say: "Thank you" for the amazing service...