GameStop — Local services in Arcadia

If I could give 0 stars I would. I just got home from the Switch 2 Pre Order event after a terrible experience. I have a lot to say, but in short, the staff lied about procedures, was unprepared, and my patience and following of instructions led to roughly 30 to 40 people getting in line in front of me (after they told us not to form a line).

Here is the full story. I first showed up around 1:15pm for the 3pm Pre Order time. No customers were waiting, and the staff said to come back at 3pm and no earlier, and that if I showed up at 3pm they guaranteed I'd get one before they ran out (I know they can't guarantee that but they said it). I then came back at 2:30pm and roughly 30 people were waiting outside the store. I went inside and asked the man working if he would like for us to form a line, he said no lines just wait outside. At about 2:50 I was right outside the door and he asked us all to disperse and clear the whole area around GameStop, and to come back a little after 3pm, and they would let us in randomly. I stepped away from the store and everyone else surrounded the door area, so I was now outside of the now 50ish people because I followed his instructions. They then asked everyone to form a line just after 3pm, and there I was, at the back of the line. A GameStop employee then handed out papers with info on what was for pre order, and she told us she had no idea what was going on today, that they didn't prep her at all even after asking. They then split the line into three lines, where more new customers got in front of me again as they rushed. After 20 minutes or so more people had arrived and join the three lines randomly, until the first line was split again into two and now those next 15ish people to arrive were somehow the second line, cutting the pre existing second and third line. After about an hour and a half of the 3pm 'open' time, they had served roughly 10 customers from these lines and that's when I left. There was at that moment roughly 50+ people in front of me and I could not wait until 9pm to maybe get a pre order, and then do it again at that time to collect said pre order. I'm mostly disappointed because I was patient with the workers and security, I thanked them for their patience with the situation, I followed instructions from everyone, and all that got me was nothing. Those who arrive later, rushed everywhere, complained, and was just plain rude, was in front of me all. I just dont understand why they didn't allow us to line up beforehand, making everyone cluster without order, and THEN made us line up and allowed for anyone to choose a random line making it pointless to...

I've been going to this gamestop my whole life basically so about 2 decades. I even remember there being two gamestops in the santa anita mall. But in recent years I've gone less and less. They don't usually seem to have many sales anymore. But the main issue is one I experienced for the first time today. Someone I almost mistook for a child was working the counter. Mind you I'm a 5 foot asian so it takes a lot to make me think someone's a child. Anyways didn't get their name but they were blonde and had glasses and under 5 feet tall. They were the least helpful employee I've ever met there. I think they've tried helping me once before but they're quite assertive. Which doesn't matter too much. But this time the store was basically empty at 11:45 am. And I went in looking for the new yugioh booster packs that just came out the day before. And immediately when I asked they said if it's not on the floor then they don't have it. Which I thought oh ok fair. Since they work here they should know. But normally I get the workers checking the system to see if they have any stock left before telling me they have nothing. And after telling my mom that online they said this gamestop should have stock she took my phone and went back telling them the website says they have some. The employee didn't even know what I was looking for apparently. They thought it sold out during black friday when it literally just came out. So they FINALLY checked the back and guess what. They had stock -_-. They legit wanted to be on their phone more than the check for me when it's their job and have nothing else to do. Idgaf if people use their phones on the job cuz as a phone addict I relate. But to not even ATTEMPT to help me??? Tf?? Also not even an apology is crazy. The guy the day before was so much more helpful instead of being dismissive and uninformed. Which is why I gave this rating 3/5 stars...

Went in to trade in my PS5 and met Shannon at the front desk who was in the middle of a conversation with another staff member of which the topic was that she had to close 6 minutes later than usual because of a difficult customer. "Can I help you?", she asked me with a slight annoyed tone since I had interrupted her complaining. Fortunately, everything got a little bit better while she was testing the PS5 I was trading in... until she started talking again. She openly stated "I hate when men are right." & "That's what happens when no one listens to women.", in another conversation she was having with her co-worker.

Trying to change the subject, I asked "Do you guys have Khazan pre-owned?" To which her response was her putting up one finger (as if I was a child) and said "We'll get there."

I was there to trade in a PS5 not listen to a GameStop employee complain about her job. Shannon's blatant misandry in front of me was obviously disrespectful but again, I'm trading in a PS5, I don't care that she's living a sad life.

However, before they brought out my PS5 Slim that I was purchasing I was offered the warranty on the console which I declined. To which she said "Well once you open it, you're on your own." Then they proceeded to bring out the console from the back room AND THE CONSOLE BOX WAS OPEN (PICTURES ATTACHED), BEATEN UP, AND IN BAD CONDITION!

I asked for another box to which she said "ALL OF OUR BOXES ARE LIKE THIS!"

Given misandry, poor customer service, and the fact that I had better things to do with my life, I picked up the console and walked out the store (they had no bags, by the way).

This is not the GameStop I remember when I was young and had purchased my first PS2. I don't even recognize this company anymore. I'll be reporting this up to corporate. I want to exchange my PS5 Slim without having to return to that store....