Seattle game stores (the problem with Gamestop)

I live in Seattle - Capitol Hill to be exact. Up until recently if I wanted to buy a videogame I'd wander downtown and choose between a Gamestop, or another Gamestop, each a block apart.

Now I don't mind Gamestop, don't get me wrong, I'm not one of these people who hates them, but here's what I don't like:

- Every time I go in some over-eager employee asks me if I'd like to pre order 24 different games
- The employees insinuate that unless I pre-order a game I likely won't get a copy on the day of release
- They sell some used games at just $5 off the brand-new price
- They're killing all other gaming publications by shoving Game Informer down your throat every time you buy something

All that said it's awfully handy for trading in games. They give you reasonable credit and often extra bonuses for trading in 3 or 5, or 10 games etc. Afterall it's in their best interest since they make total profit on second-hand games sold. In essence the developers and publishers get screwed on re-sale.

So how do I get my games on the day of release guaranteed? Why I use Amazon of course. There are very few companies I enjoy giving money to but Amazon is one of them. They have great service, very good prices, and give me my games on the day of release, sealed and often with a pre-order bonus too. Amazon has really come along way since the late nineties and it's now easier than ever to order with them and find what you need. I have Amazon Prime (you pay a small flat fee each year) so I get free release date delivery, free 2 day delivery, and $4 next day delivery. Incredible. I realize I probably spend too much money but that's my own fault. At no stage does Amazon rip you off, demand a pre-order, charge over MSRP, or mess up your delivery.

Urgh, I just read the above paragraph and realized sound like a Yelp reviewer. Forgive me.

Back to traditional retail land though... I was in Hollywood Video the other day on Broadway (again, in Capitol Hill) and they now have a games cabinet (I know, sounds really impressive doesn't it? A cabinet!). It's full of new games for all consoles as well as some older titles and they sell them at highly competitive prices; a few of the older PS3 games - Lair, for example - were 10 bucks cheaper there than Gamestop. Definitely great for an impulse buy and closer than downtown. The disadvantage however is that you can't have any witty banter about games usually since the staff aren't gamers. Then again, at least you can buy a game, rent a movie, and buy a giant box of Red Vines all in one place...

Oli.