The Bargain Shop - Games, Movies and Gear — Local services in Jacksonville

Great selection of video games however the prices are through the roof and the employees are very rude. I was consistently given prices 2-4 times the actual market value. Very disappointed because I was ready to spend $500 on games needed to complete my N64 library but I refuse to pay outrageous prices for those titles. If you don't believe me compare in store prices to pricecharting.com (the definitive website that tracks current game values) I tried to bring this up with a young female employee at the counter and received nothing but a bad attitude. I sincerely hope this pricing and customer service problem can be fixed because I'd still love to purchase many of the games they have in stock.

Edit due to owner response:

When using the pricecharting site, each title is linked to AUTHENTIC video game copies from sources such as Game Stop, Amazon and eBay. The algorithm of the site removes outliers (reproductions) and calculates the current values based off of recent sales of genuine games (in various states like loose, CIB and sealed) as well as consoles and respective hardware. The method at which they calculate value is detailed in the "about" section of the website. This is why pricecharting has been a go to pricing guide for game stores and collectors across the country. I've personally been to dozens of video game shops in 8 different states over 7 years to amass a personal library of over 2000 games and "The Bargain Shop" is by far the most overpriced shop I have ever been to. As for the 4 games I purchased "under pricecharting value" these games were in terrible shape. The front labels were damaged. The owners "in their infinite wisdom" Sharpe the game's name on the top of the case and place a large price sticker on the rear label. Any collector knows this dramatically decreases the value of the games because removal will inevitably damage the label. I also had to clean advanced corrosion off the pins and use isopropyl alcohol to clean corrosion off the board for the games to even work properly. I would have gladly paid more for games in better condition. Previously I had stopped going to this store because an employee (the same one with the attitude) tried to sell me a clearly fake copy of Paper Mario for authentic price. The identifiers of the cartridge being fake was a circular dot instead of a square on the "i" in the "Nintendo" impression on the back as well as the wrong type of shell plastic and a lime green board color around the pins instead of the authentic tan/brown. I tried to inform the employee about the fake (thinking they may not have known and I wanted to help) and was treated like garbage. Same attitude and poor customer service.

If you are not well versed in the vintage video game scene I strongly advise that you not purchase games from this establishment. They prey on the less knowledgeable to sell reproduction cartridges and sell games for double or even quadruple the actual market value. I'm not the first to make this review on Google and there are similar reviews on their Facebook page (where they are rated a 1 out of 5) as well as yelp...

I have been buying Marvel Legends Figures and comics from this shop ever since I moved here in 2016. Ever since then, ive spent around $500 a year here. Ive been a loyal customer. I'm sure many employees will remember me as the guy who shows up every Thursday to check if there's new stock.

(Before anyone replies to this review saying that you'd love to talk and help remedy the problem, I have tried to talk to several employees. I have even left a note and contact info for a Manager or the owner to call me. Nothing ever came from those attempts.)

Over the last 2 years. I've noticed a massive price increase for new products. So I started asking why. No one had an answer for me for a long time. Eventually I figured it out and talking with some employees confirmed my suspicion.

This company buys products from legitimate vendors online, and then charges their customers full ebay scalper prices for said items. There have been numerous occasions I have found brand new items for 50%-100% more expensive then any other vendor. And these items are IN STOCK online. It would be one thing if they were rare items, but these are just new items.

I finally pointed all of this out to an employee who said he orders items and helps maintain stock. He acted indignant and completely confused that I was put off by this. He explained to me that they're a business and 'how do I expect them to make money and keep the doors open'? ( if your company stays open by ripping off ignorant customers by participating in scalping products from legitimate vendors, then you do not have a business. You have a Racket.)

They dont care that it is scalping. They dont care about fair price models. They only care about inflated ebay pricing to maximize individual product margin.

Let me make this clear...

THIS COMPANY DOES NOT CARE ABOUT THE COLLECTORS THEY CATER TO.

The prices will remain outrageous, they will act as the victim when you point this out. They will continue to scalp new items and charge half as much or double for...

My first visit when I traded in a PSOne with LCD screen, and a handful of games: After some haggling I felt I received a fair deal. I decided to trade for a Nintendo 64. During the trade they tested my console, I asked if we could test the Nintendo 64. The clerk guaranteed all consoles behind the counter worked. Upon getting home and plugging it in, it didn’t work. I called the location and was told something along the lines of “how do we know you didn’t drop it?” and “it’s probably your tv?” I swore I would never go back. Months later I was on vacation in Fort Wayne Indiana and purchased a Nintendo 64 w/Expansion pack for $49.99. I had a buddy look over the 64 I purchased from the Bargain Shop and it was dirty and had some wear and tear. After he cleaned it, it worked. I decided I wouldn’t go back.

Experience 2: Living in Jacksonville, NC there are not many places that sell retrogames with such a large selection. I was looking for a copy of Mario Kart and stopped by Bargain Shop on my way home. I saw the copy and asked how much, clerk said $80 because it’s a rare game. I didn’t even get to look at the cartridge past the glass but it looked just like a repro, as the sticker looked extremely clean. Bargain Shop - Mario Kart 64 is not rare, it is the 2nd best selling game on the console. The game is worth maybe 25-40 dollars (loose price). I hope you get some competition in Jacksonville so you no longer have a monopoly. I will be going to 2nd & Charles.

*As of July 18th 2020 median price for loose cartridge is $37.41. This algorithm is based off of all cartridges sold and often include reproduction numbers which can be...