GameStop — Local services in Bloomington

TL;DR: Used to be a great and friendly place to shop, now is much colder and willing to use pressure tactics combined with using illegal bait and switch tactics on specific items. Only stopped after being told that I would report them if they didn't. Be vigilant on prices and check everything on the till and any bill given, as people willing to do this are completely capable of performing other illegal business tactics. I can no longer recommend this particular store.

I went in on my latest visit and saw they were selling a Nacon Daija PS5 arcade stick for $199. As that price was a $50 markdown from its standard price, I decided to pick it up after a few days of consideration. We went in and asked for the stick. Once the staff member got the item down, another staff member claimed he had been planning to pick that same stick up after his shift ended.

The first staff member’s handprint was clearly visible as it had picked up the dust from the top. That stick had been sitting on a shelf for a while. The guy who made the comment also had been in the shop all week and could have picked it up whenever he wanted, so I realized it was a pressure tactic.

The item is taken to the till. As soon as the price comes up, the staff member simply says “pay when you’re ready.” I checked the displayed price on the payment terminal and realized the price was off as it was displaying the original price after tax, about $275. I asked as to why it was showing up like that when the tag said it is “$199, was $249.”

The first staff member tells us that the markdown price was an old markdown, and that the displayed price was what he was to sell it at. I’m not sure if the staff member realized it, but the date of the original markdown was on the label. It had only been two weeks since the markdown, far from being an old markdown. In my mind, that told me something immediately: it was either a bait and switch or the guy was hoping he could get us to buy it at the higher price instead of what it was listed. Both practices are illegal in North America.

After hearing that, I decided not to get the item. They then attempt to put the item right back on the shelf despite stating it was the wrong price! No modification to the “old markdown” tag, no conversing with staff or a manager about what to do about it, nothing! That was the last straw. They were told, in no uncertain terms, that what they were doing is illegal and that if it was still like that the next time I was in that they would be reported for it. After exiting, I saw the two staff members talk to an individual who I quickly realized was their manager. I saw them take the box back down, but not what happened after as the mall was closing up for the day.

A couple days later, I decided to return and saw they had changed the price. It is now its proper price.

So to summarize:

They tried to use pressure tactics. They refused to sell at the listed price In conjunction with the previous, they tried to avoid speaking of the price they were selling at until directly confronted. When confronted and denied a sale, they attempted to put the item back on the shelf with an improper price tag knowing full well it was wrong.

The pressure tactics are one thing. The fact the staff were hoping we wouldn’t say anything about the price and just pay the amount is already enough to sour my opinion, especially after how good the previous staff had been during our last visit. The attempt to pretend nothing happened and put the item back on the shelf without modification was the last straw. For those unaware, this sort of bait and switch tactic is illegal across North America.

I used to be able to recommend this shop. After this visit, however, I can't recommend anyone shop here...

Incident Summary My partner and I stopped by the store to check for the newly released Mega Evolution Pokémon products. While inquiring about booster boxes (36 packs), and I asked if it would be possible to purchase 36 individual packs instead. Worker informed me that Pro Members could only purchase up to 10 packs, which I understood. I simply asked what the difference was between purchasing 36 packs individually versus as a booster box. I know scalper is a real thing, but I had told the employee I don't want 36+ packs. I just wanted 36 packs exact (and honestly if they wanted me to open all in front of them I would have too just so they know I am not scalping)

Unprofessional Conduct At no point was I aggressive; I am naturally timid and respectful when interacting with staff. Despite this, employee abruptly slammed the cards on the counter and threatened to call mall security if I did not leave the store. He is not a manager. He repeatedly told me to “get out of my store.” This exchange was humiliating.

Given the security concerns at the Mall of America, I did not want to escalate the situation and risk my reputation. As I began to leave, employee laughed and said, “I’m just kidding,” but offered no apology or acknowledgment that his actions were inappropriate. His behavior was dismissive, unprofessional, and created an unsafe and uncomfortable environment.

Customer Impact I felt disrespected, intimidated, and wrongfully threatened with mall security despite posing no threat.

This experience has caused me to reconsider my membership and my future business with GameStop. If someone knows how I can cancel this, please let me know. I'll just buy my games off of Playstation and Pokemon...

Employee KEEGAN (or teagan, idk its the white with the mad frizzy hair) was so incredibly pushy the whole time. My husband went in to buy singles for cards (our total was only $4) and he kept trying to convince him to buy the Gamestop Membership. My partner mentioned that we don’t come to Gamestop that often and his response was “well you’re here now.” My partner declined over four times until finally I interjected and went “he said no.” It was so awkward and he just kept being pushy. Like, dude, I get that your job is reliant (to an extent) about selling the memberships but after the second no you’re just being annoying.

Ended up going the week after (my family was visiting Minnesota for the first time and they wanted to go to the mall) as one my cousins wanted to buy Pokemon packs. BRO. There was a customer in front of us that had been waiting for ten minutes because Keegan told him that he couldn’t buy the Pokemon packs and could only sell them to members (a lie — he just wanted to sell the membership once again). When it was finally our turn to pay, Keegan kept pushing my cousin about it as well. He seemed butthurt (again) that he was being declined for the membership and said that he doesn’t do Pokemon because he’s a “real gambler” and does CS:GO instead. First of all…go outside.. And secondly, stop being so pushy! He ruins the whole experience...