Sony starts bribing Gamestop managers to sell PS3s
by Colin Torretta 
{ Jun 6th 2007 at 10:30AM }
Sony has just started a rewards program for Gamestop managers to see who can sell the most PlayStation 3s, according to a tip received by Gamers Report. The article goes on to explain that Sony will host regional contests to see which store can sell the most PS3s, with the winner receiving a boatload of points to be redeemed in the private Sony/Gamestop retail rewards site (credentials required). Additional points will be granted to the number one store in the whole company, which should provide enough Sony swag to bury the top manager's Subaru in PlayStation paraphernalia. While it's not unusual to have companies strike a deal with Gamestop/EB Games to push a particular product, this looks like it might be a larger-than-average marketing push by Sony. It's clear that the PS3's sales aren't setting the world on fire like Sony was hoping, and it's possible that this is the start of a larger marketing campaign that coincides with the end (finally!) of the drought of PS3 games later this summer. Regardless, prepare to get barraged with offers for PlayStation 3's every time you call or visit a Gamestop for the next couple months. And no, telling them that you already have one doesn't stop them -- we've tried.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Punk1984 @ Jun 6th 2007 10:41AM
Good I hope now they'll stop trying to sell me an XBox 360 when I go into to buy stuff for my PS3.
Benjamin09 @ Jun 6th 2007 10:46AM
Yet another reason not to shop at Gamestop.
oldxskoolxhlywd @ Jun 8th 2007 10:10PM
NOW THERE'S A CHALLENGE
lol
PS3 RULES @ Jun 6th 2007 10:53AM
It's a shame that they have to do this but they know that you can't walk in ebgames/gamestop with hearing the workers push xbox and trash sony just cause they are fanboys. They need to do there job and keep the bias for when they get off.
Bored @ Jun 6th 2007 11:23AM
It's sad that this would be necessary to make shop sellers work professionally. It happened to me too, I went in a shop to buy a PS3, and the bloody clerk was trashing the PS3 and trying to convince to buy a 360 instead. Needless to say, I bought it elsewhere, where the people working there would just let me buy what I chose.
XBox fanboys are like f*cking religious fanatics, it's really sick. Not even Nintendo fanboys are that bad. Those only get angry when someone tells them that Nintendo didn't invent everything, but they're usually OK.
shase @ Jun 6th 2007 11:23AM
My gamestop and ebgames are mostly nintendo and ms fanboys. This guy even tried to convince a customer that some MS/PS3 exclusives/multiplats are coming to Wii - like Assasin creed , virtual fighter 5, FF13 etc. This other guy was trying to convince a customer that ps3 has about the same failure rate as a 360 and said as long as he buys the extended warranty everything will be fine. There are couple of honest employees who actually tells the customers the pros/cons of each system and not try to give them the wrong impression for any other system.. That was one reason i usually check gaming news sites - although the BS will always be there but at least i will be informed about the system a bit more.
Spector @ Jun 6th 2007 11:24AM
Awesome time for a bash Gamestop article.
Anyway this contests are common practices in the company, and for the most part entice nobody who works for the company due to the horrible treatment they get already. They have contests like these all the time the last one was sell Pokemon Diamond and Pearl together at once (after launch).
Also btw the Gamestop Retail Reward site is not the same as the Sony Retail Reward site. The boatload of points is only for the Gamestop one.
So continue on with your stories now of that bad employee who ruined your day by just asking once if you want to reserve something because that's how he keeps his job.
upz @ Jun 6th 2007 11:25AM
I'm always astounded by how clueless Gamestop employees are about the products they sell. Last time I was there, I was told there was a game coming out called on PS3 called "Sword of Heaven" and I would like it a lot if I liked God of War since it's "made by the same dudes." I wouldn't be surprised if the next time they try to sell me a second PS3 they tell me about it's "Cell Processor(!)and Blu-ray(!)...thingamajig" ala Captain Quark in the Ratchet trailer.
Popfrogs @ Jun 6th 2007 11:52AM
I have a Gamestop and an EBgames literally one block from each other where I live. The EBgames guys are smart and like the PS3. On the night of Nov. 16th the manager even called everyone on the wait list to tell them he's opening early and to wait in line.
The Gamestop is full of X360 fanboys. They regularly diss the PS3.
Sony needs to realize that no matter who you bribe, a game machine has to have games. That's it, end of story.
pete @ Jun 6th 2007 12:34PM
@9 a wii bashing that came outta left field. but back to topic, bride is not a word i would use, its an incentive program, they have those every where, hell here where i work they have and incentive program, the last guy won disneyland tickets for a fam of 4 and $350 in spending cash, this months its ball ticket parking and cash for food and drinks. whats the big deal?
GodisaMyth @ Jun 6th 2007 1:02PM
During my time with Funcoland, Babbages, EB Games, and GameStop these promotions went on constantly. There was a new contest/promotion every single month of every year during my employment with the company.
Cleaners, GI sub cards, Strategy Guide+game, Pokemon (u name the title) Madden, Windwaker, GameCube+madcatz controller, XBOX+DVD remote+Fever sports games (remember those pieces of crap?) GBA+cover/screen protector.
In the fall of 2002 Microsoft even went as far as to give away an XBOX to every single manager and district manager at GameStop. Nintendo that very same year gave away GBSP's to every single manager and district manager. No sales contest to get them....they just gave them to us. Sony, gave away 3 PS2's in a random drawing...they were limited edition colored ones.
Most everyone was pissed at Sony because all we got were free games/hats/t-shirts. Microsoft and Nintendo were WAY behind Sony back then so it was a no-brainer for them to give us a bunch of free stuff so that we would be more receptive to their products.
I do not blame Sony one bit for doing this. I would think if they were really desperate they would give away a PS3 and or a PSP to every manager and district manager. They are not at that point yet, so Sony is not in trouble (yet).
That is the single biggest thing I miss from my time there....all of the free stuff we would get...I still come across some free stuff that I forgot I had every now and then and I have not been a DM for GameStop since 2004.
Kill the Plumber....
The Wee is a ripoff, rehashed LameCube with a (I wanna look like I am having an epileptic seizure) controller.
Frack all of you Plumberbois.
Geoff Gibson @ Jun 6th 2007 1:30PM
That...that is just sad.
It is disconcerting to see a company such as Sony having to resort to measures like this.
WhackMushroom @ Jun 6th 2007 1:38PM
our gamestop is full of ms fanboys who are very behind in terms of news etc. some did not even know what HOME was until the latest game informer came out. the fact that they will try to sell you a zune over an ipod well .. that sums it up.
Kspraydad @ Jun 6th 2007 2:40PM
Just give the employee one of these 'I'm deaf' cards when you enter the store...they'll leave you be.
http://www.hearingconcern.org.uk/pics/merchandise/comms_card.jpg
Azorean @ Jun 6th 2007 2:59PM
I love how this has turned into "Gamestop employees are (put Wii or 360 here) fanboys" bash session instead of how pathetic Sony is to have to resort to these tactics to sell a console that according to all you "fanboys" is the greatest thing since sliced bread!
The PS3 shouldn't have ANY problems selling, it should sell itself regardless what the idiot behind the counter says! It's not because the clerks are fanboys it's because the the PS3 is way to expensive for what it currently has to offer and I'm sure the early comments from all the arrogant asshat's at Sony hasn't helped with self image but that can all change with great games and a price cut.
Gamble20 @ Jun 6th 2007 4:07PM
This kind of stuff happens all the time.
Its just this managed to slip out. They bribe magazines and other major media networks all the time. NOTHING NEW.
That said everyone knows that many Gamestop/EB games push for xbox or wii. They did the same thing with xbox and gamecube.
if you want to deal with it go to tellgamestop.com and complain the crap out of it. Then they might get fired (alittle harsh but it is true)
shase @ Jun 6th 2007 4:48PM
Maybe the GS/Ebgames are biased towards MS because MS is american company. Anyway, GS/Eb employees always try to lie or give out false info here. Like telling me that FF13 will be multiplat - he talked to an "insider" at a party. I was like "you think you are important enough to be at a party like that?". Other employees i've seen actually try to gang up on whoever's arguing with them by saying that person doesn't know what he/she's talking about (of course parents trust the employees...). My favorite was when I was arguing with this one guy about game compatibility (he was telling a customer how PS3 supports only 50% ps2/ps1 games and the percentage is about same as a 360) I annoyed him so much (on purpose of course :) ) that he had to ignore me and go on a break. I have fun time screwing with these guys.
pete @ Jun 6th 2007 5:50PM
jake the wii cost $250 border line on impulse buy.
smmcinto @ Jul 1st 2007 12:31AM
Everyone keeps talking about how GS, and EB are different stores, with different "types" of employees....but they are all gamestop employees, since gamestop owns eb games, so it really doesn't make any sense. If you were at a store called EB Games, or EBX, you work for GameStop.
Anne Marie @ Jul 12th 2007 9:21PM
Apparently I am not spending enough money at GameStop. Over the past 4 years I have been in the Maysville, Ky location and spent ALOT of money. I have also had alot of returns, but I followed THEIR return policies fully. So they can sell a game at some disgusting amount, and then buy it again from some poor sucker at some disgustingly low amount, and then sell it again as USED for yet another gross price. But if I go in and return too many times they won't allow me to do so anymore. I won't be shopping there anymore ever.