Game Den — Local services in Layton

I tried out this location about 9 months ago as I was new to the area and was looking for a new shop and a vendor for pokemon league play... Ooooh boy... To start, it was my FIRST EVER pokemon event of any kind, needless to say, I had some procedural and other questions regarding deck checks/lists, format and other stuff. The clerk behind the counter, (white Male adult with dark hair and glasses), became annoyed with my questions and made me feel stupid for not knowing such basic information.

Regardless, I was not going to let a clerk, (that may or may not be having a bad day), deter me from trying to join the pokemon community. He begrudgingly set me up in the system to participate in the event and I took a spot at an open table. The event itself was fun and I got to speak with the "Pokemon Professor" that was assigned to the event.

However, that was the only positive part of my experience at this location. After the event concluded, I noted that the "Pokemon Professor" had participated in the event and awarded himself prizes... Granted that is an issue between TPCI and their "Professor"... What disturbed me was that this practice was considered "Normal" as neither the clerk nor any other employee wearing "Game Den" apparel batted an eye when this took place.

After the event was concluded, I wanted to buy some additional product and Shining Legends had recently been released. I waited patiently for the clerk with the glasses while he dilly dallied behind the counter to purchase the Elite Trainer Box. I asked him to ring me up for the product and was asking questions about other products that I was interested in and again was treated as though my questions were a nuisance and the clerk made it clear through his body language, verbiage and tone that he didn't want to be bothered to answer any questions that I may have regarding the product or the store. It felt as though selling me product and entertaining my interest in purchasing additional product was treated as more of an annoyance than an opportunity.

I decided that night that I would never return to the shop to purchase product, nor would I participate in events at their location due to shady and questionable integrity. I found out a few weeks later from folks at a different shop that the clerk that could not be bothered to answer questions and treated me as an annoyance is named "Garth". As long as he is behind the counter of this location I would STRONGLY advise against trying to give this shop your money as the clerk cant be bothered to take it from you. Which is an unpleasant experience to...

This shop earns high and very low ratings from me, but top heavy on the low score... Always a large selection of pokemon singles at current market prices plus a small brick and mirror charge (which is top be expected, not a problem for me) I go here specifically for these. But I have to say, the customer service from 2 of the 3 people I have been helped by on several occasions is lackluster. More times then not, down right disrespectful, rude, and belittling. I have been ignored, talked down to like I was dumb, and lied to. I understand that card prices are volitile and change daily, but I've been bold face lied to about their buying policy guidelines, prices they pay for card types, and when they are all willing to accept trade-ins. Even told that they can't accept my trade-ins based on nothing but the employees willingness at the time to sort brought them. When I pressed the issue of him accepting my trade in, with the utmost hesitation and worst attitude he picked out 5 cards (current market value for the 5 was roughly $310 total on tcgplayer that day) and without even looking at his computer to check he said "I'll give you $5 store trade in value, take it, or leave it? The rest are trash." Absolutely stunned at the customer service I had just been dealt, I packed up my cards and left. It was appalling. So I can't fairly give this location any more then 2 stars. And honestly, that feels generous. Cool singles selection, but horrible customer service, employee knowledge, trade-in guidelines and rules, consistency of store policy between employees. Hope this helps potential customers make an informed decision before having to walk into a experience like my own. No one deserves to be treated that way,...

UPDATE: I've been in to Game Den a few times over the past couple of years following my previous review. And things have drastically improved.

It may simply have been the hiring of new staff, but my interactions have all been positive since then. As primarily a board gamer, I appreciate that they've got stuff in stock that you don't generally find at other locations. Also their method for selling TCG singles is nice as it generally means you pay less than the standard market price.

All in all, Game Den is a store I'm happy to visit currently, which is a big improvement over before.

OLD REVIEW: Having visited most of the game shops from Ogden to Provo, Game Den in Layton is probably at the bottom of my list. They have a good amount of play space and the selection is adequate, but interaction with the employees is just a roll of the dice day by day.

In fact, I realized after stopping in a couple of weeks ago that I've never had a POSITIVE interaction with an employee at Game Den, it's either been neutral or negative--with one employee who is constantly either annoyed or passive aggressive when asked questions, or even to facilitate a purchase.

At the end of the day, there are too many great game stores in northern Utah (2+ within ten minutes of Game Den!) to bother with middling to poor service at...