Kontraband Retro Games — Local services in Corvallis

0/5 – Gaslighting, Shady Practices, and Zero Accountability

I had an incredibly uncomfortable and frustrating experience selling gaming equipment at Kontraband Retro Games in Corvallis. This business operates with zero transparency and accountability, and they make you feel unreasonable for even asking for basic proof of transaction.

They flat-out refused to provide a receipt or any official record of the sale. When I asked for any form of documentation—anything at all—they dismissed me, saying things like, “That’s not necessary, you’re fine,” or “You have proof, I just gave you cash.” Their tone made it clear they saw my request as unreasonable, which was incredibly gaslighting. I was met with dismissiveness and condescension, with statements like, “I think you’re good” and “You don’t need that.”

After pressing further, they reluctantly scribbled something on a sticky note but refused to sign their name or give me anything legitimate. If I had wanted to reclaim my item due to a mistake, I would have had no proof that I ever sold it to them. That’s not just shady—it’s outright unethical. I felt humiliated in front of the other customers—it was extremely uncomfortable.

To make matters worse, their pricing process was completely inconsistent and secretive. There was no set pricing system, no website, no clear standards—just vague, possibly made-up numbers. More than that, there's really no transparency there, which really broke my trust.

What’s most frustrating is that this is the only business of its kind in the area, and they seem to take full advantage of that fact. They know people don’t have many options, so they're running their operation without accountability, professionalism, or basic respect for their customers.

I left feeling cheated and robbed of my integrity. I would strongly warn anyone against doing business here unless you are comfortable with being dismissed, misled, and given no proof of what happens to your items. This experience left me feeling gaslit and disrespected, and I would strongly advise others to take their business elsewhere if they value clear communication and...

Genuinely my fav spot to check out games. We have snagged everything from PS4, 3DS, & Switch games to controllers & a console here. All have worked flawlessly & in great condition for a reasonable price, which is especially appreciated for Nintendo stuff since Nintendo never depreciates their prices & GameStop will try to sell you a dinged-up copy of Tears of the Kingdom for $70.

Kontraband recently moved to this new location downtown (used to be on 9th) that is much more spacious, & they've expanded quite a bit. The old spot on 9th was very cozy, but they're definitely making use of their new spot having about 5x the space & I dig it. Immense respect for whoever is scrounging up retro display cases 'n decor too, it is so cool to see that stuff still around!

Plus, they are the only place I've seen anywhere nearby that has a selection of foreign language games for a variety of consoles, so I am finally able to get my hands on some games in Mandarin! Not an easy find in the US without a lot of digging & international import hassle. If you are looking for games in languages beyond the usual English, Spanish, & French, it's definitely worth stopping by. I only speak EN, FR, & CN, so I admit my attention is mostly on those 3 languages, but I've noticed they have quite a bit in Japanese as well.

All the folks I've met there have been super chill & personable too, & they're knowledgeable about some of the more niche stuff like emulator consoles & modified handhelds. You can tell it's run by people with a genuine interest in what they do, & that is the best...

Cool store, friendly staff, but not a lot of selection to be found for classic games. Hoping that changes in the future.

Edit 1/24, replying to response to original review

On my list currently:

Back to the Future, Dragon Warrior, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Metal Gear, A Nightmare On Elm Street (NES)

Air Diver, Chakan: The Forever Man , The Death and Return of Superman, Dune: The Battle for Arrakis, Flashback: The Quest for Identity, Ka-Ge-Ki: Fists of Steel, Rambo III, Spider-Man, Spider-Man & Venom: Maximum Carnage, Super Monaco GP, WWF Super Wrestlemania (Sega Genesis)

Clock Tower, Command & Conquer, Dave Mirra's Freestyle BMX, Destruction Derby, Driver, Driver 2, Dune 2000, Final Doom, Final Fantasy VIII, Hexen, Mortal Kombat Trilogy, Myst, Nightmare Creatures, Overblood, Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, Silent Hill, South Park, Spider-Man, Star Wars: Dark Forces, Star Wars: Masters of Teras Kasi, Tekken, Tekken 3, Tenchu: Stealth Assassins, Warcraft 2: The Dark Saga, The X-Files (PS1)

Capcom Classics Collection Vol. 1, Capcom Classics Collection Vol. 2, Half Life, Midway Arcade Treasures, Midway Arcade Treasures 2, Silent Hill: Origins, Spider-Man 3, Taito Legends, The X-Files: Resist or...