Video Games Etc — Local services in Cedar Rapids

Very displeased for a number of reasons. Will, the manager of this location, is a good guy, has helped me out and has always been pleasant. However, there is a very big problem with a lot of the staff here and selling single cards. Today myself and my wife stopped in, she was looking at a Dark Vileplume #30 unlimited holo. This card goes for $3-4, they quoted us $21. Upon seeing the card, that definitely looked to be in moderate play, I asked "In that condition?". The literal second I asked about the condition, the card was pulled back with "We have to ask our manager about condition, but we can hold it in the back, he will be here tomorrow.". I was going to ask to look at the card so I could inspect it further, but never got a chance. I was also curious about another couple of cards in the case, but once the Vileplume was pulled, I didnt even get to ask about any others.

My wife had also picked out some DVD's, they had to clean them which was initially fine. However in the middle of cleaning the DVD's, another customer had wanted to purchase something, and things were missing out of the box, then something about a phonecall, and whom put what where and who took it in. By this time, both my wife and I were not only very uncomfortable, but also running out of patience, so we decided to leave without making a purchase.

History be told, I have spent a lot of money here in the past, I have also had an issue related to singles here aside from this one. On an earlier visit, I was charged $400 for a LOB Reigeki that was damaged. I had to take it back. Will made it right, but, if these are the types of issues that are going to come along with singles, and, not being able to tell conditions, just throwing out a number and wanting someone to pay it, when its not even accurate, is a HUGE problem, and probably shouldnt be selling singles if your staff isn't trained on them.

My wife and I own and operate our own store that deals with singles and we know very well how to determine value based on set, rarity and condition. Any shop that sells singles should.

I will be calling Will tomorow when he is in store and letting him know what is going on as well. He is a very decent manager and should...

Video Games Etc. has always been my personal choice for all my retro gaming needs and I quickly came to know many of the employees at the store by name. The people who work here are very friendly and helpful, making me feel welcome as soon as I arrive! I’m happy to say that they always treat their customers with the respect and kindness they deserve, a quality that is sadly hard to find among most businesses these days. You’ll never have to worry about product pushing from them either, a major pet peeve of mine that causes me avoid other video game retailers which will remain unnamed. Unlike those other stores, the employees at Video Games Etc. won’t pester you about subscriptions or memberships while you’re at the check out. You can get in and get out in under five minutes (if you know what you’re looking for) without any hassle whatsoever! Finally, Video Games Etc. has some of the best prices on the market, especially for old retro games, which is one of the main reasons I shop there so often. I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve had my eye on a classic game but was unable to play it because of the ludicrously high prices online, only to later buy it for a fraction of the cost at Video Games Etc. More often than not when I ask for something, they have a cheap copy of whatever it is in stock that’s well within my price range! There’s nothing more satisfying than scoring a copy of an old game for a great price! Their prices are so low that sometimes I can’t help but wonder how it’s even possible they can afford to stay in business! What more can I say? If you’re a fan of old school games like I am, then it’s a no-brainer that you should be shopping at...

The last time I was there will be the last time I'll ever go there. I purchased a used product with the assurance of the cashier that the product I was buying had been tested and was warranteed and able to be returned if it failed to function within 90 days. He told me to keep my receipt for that purpose. I did. The item in question failed on delivery. DOA. CLEARLY THEY HAD NOT tested the item as they indicated. I did my best to make it work but it was just plain dead. I returned 2 days later and asked them to return the item. They told me they would not and pointed out the receipt which DOES say that. That's NOT what the employee that sold the item told me. So there's that issue. Fine, so I asked them instead to replace the item with one that worked. They refused to do so despite the explicit warranty on that same receipt that said they would. I posted an email to the company in Dubuque (where they're based) about this issue and never heard back. I will not buy from them ever again and highly suggest caution to those who take the chance to do so. Just because they SAY something doesnt' make it true. If you buy used, prepare for disappointment and the loss of your money. They are thieves, plain and simple. I'm glad others have had good experiences. They obviously got what they paid for. I did not. If it can happen to me, it can...