 Hollywood Video. When one hears those two words they tend to think second place. Why? Because factually, they are second place next to Blockbuster Video here in the states. And usually located next to a Hollywood video (more than not, that is) is a store called GameCrazy, another second place runner up, this time to GameStop. Now, the reasons why Hollywood Video is behind Blockbuster are clear: Blockbuster is just better, plain and simple. Now, for GameCrazy however, something doesn't add up. To me, GameCrazy seems like the superior store, for more than just one reason. If you haven't read my GameStop review blog post, do so now, so that you can see just how much better GameCrazy, at least to me, is. And now... The Review:- Selection: Good, the majority of the time. It's a pity, that like GameStop, GameCrazy has phased out the majority of its older stock. This makes us as collectors unhappy, but doesn't necessarily have to do with selection. In terms of new games and being in stock, they usually are in stock all the time. A solid 4.5/5 in this section.
- Organization/Product Quality: Well, unlike GameStop with their silly 'opened but new games' craziness, the new games are actually new. Organization can be a bit of a problem for the used selection, but the new stuff is usually very tidy. Their used product quality is very good, I have never had a problem with a used game, and they always let me check it before I buy it. If they think that it looks bad, they buff it for me for free, then will test it to make me satisfied. Product Quality and Organization is great, earning 4.5/5.
- Prices: Used prices tend to be very low, and new prices are new prices. Nothing more to say than good prices, and they do have buy 1 get 1 free every so often, and other promotions in that type of vein. I'd say they are pretty darned close to perfect, so a 5/5.
- Customer Service: As I said in Product Quality, they tend to be very good on the whole Customer Service thing. One thing that does annoy me is that they sometimes ask me about their disk protection service ($2.50 or so), and I say no, yet they still charge me for it. Even other times, they won't ask and still charge me for it. That is NOT cool. 3.5/5, due to the issues with charging me for services I specifically do not want.
GameCrazy earns a solid 17.5/20, or 87.5%. GameCrazy is, so far, my favorite chain around where I live. However, Play-n-Trade has recently moved into the area, presenting more competition. I will have to patronize them some to see how well they play into the mix. Have any of you guys (or gals) ever had a success story with them? Possibly a horrendous one?? Leave a comment, post a blog, or PM me! And keep it on channel 3!!!! [IMAGE]
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Nice article. I have frequented this chain a few times during the last 4 or so years and have been very impressed with their used game pricing. I haven't experienced the $2.50 disk protection as of yet - but I usually only my local store. Customer service has been excellent for me - much better than GameStop who usually parades out an almost arrogant workforce who think they know everything about anything. I usually eat three of those types for breakfast.
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I have always had good experiences with game crazy and would definately recommend them over Gamestop. They always seem to have some good deals going on used games. And the prices for used games are cheaper than gamestop as well. I don't buy from game stores very often. But when I do, I would go to Game Crazy first.
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Darn. I'd never heard of these stores before, but after reading this, I decided to look for a location near where I live. The closest is about an hour away. However, I do live near a Play-n-Trade. It would be pretty cool to see where they fit into the ranking of things.
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There is also 3rd place GameRush attached to Blockbusters.
I have never lived in the part of the country where they are but i know they did exist if they haven't closed up shop entirely already.
I worked at GameCrazy. I have friends who work at GameStop. I prefer GC because i was able to work their system and i knew about all the deals and whatnot. I know the local GCs and GSs have both gone down hill alot in terms of selection, quality, and staff.
I don't even like most of the local mom and pop stores anymore.
I am enjoying your reviews but i have a hard time even going into stores anymore because everyone is either cutthroat, a "know-it-all" blowhard or just an outright jerk/scumbag.
Compared to how i use to get my games i have moved from mostly real world to the internet now....
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With Gamecrazy I've had good and bad. The good is often times I've been able to get to know the people on a friendly nature. I come in, they hold stuff for me, and it doesnt matter if it's one day, two days, or even a week. They've held stuff up to two weeks for me due to a sale taking place that day. Hell, I'm on a first name basis with every single emp at the local store. Even known at the two other stores that are closest by face but I honestly dont remember any of their names half the time. Guess it helps when the closest store is right next to work.
All sounds well but I have had a number of bad experiences at them before. When Castlevania Portrait of Ruin was released on the DS, there was a pre-order bonus that was very nice. Game came in, as did the pre-order items, and the same day all the pre-order items disapeared. The manager swore up and down no one had took them and they'd never recieved any even though he himself checked them into the database in front of me the day before. I stoped shopping at that location for over a year untill he was gone. I later learned he'd been fired for stealing which didnt surprise me.
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I haven't been a fan of Game Crazy for a number of years now. Specifically, since they stopped selling vintage games. I'll give it credit for one of my better all-time finds (MUSHA, loose, for $4), but when I'm looking for good deals on hard-to-find PS2 and GameCube games, GameStop is leaps and bounds ahead of the pack (at least in metropolitan Minnesota and Portland).
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Ive heard of GC through others from out of my area. Unfortunatly according to they're website GC isn't in the greater orlando area yet (which includes most of central florida). We just started getting play-n-trades down here and frankly while they do sell classics at decent prices im not impressed. Looks like im stuck with gamestop and half.com still.
Great review logical!!!
on a side note:remember when toys r us used to be THE place to get games? lol
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"There are no GameCrazy stores within 50 miles of your location."
So, unless I go on vacation somewhere, I'll probably never experience one. We have (had?) a Hollywood Video somewhat close, but no GameCrazy. I'll keep an eye out for one though! Good review.
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@cant-grow-up:
I still swing into TRU for games.
They have been putting a bunch of things into discount bins lately.
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I've been into a GameCrazy exactly once. It was a few months before they started selling off their old stuff, and I must say, I wasn't impressed by the store much. First off, it was a tiny corner of the Hollywood Video building, not much bigger than the kitchen in my house. Secondly, the prices weren't that great, I can't remember exact prices, but their cartridges were about on par for eBay prices at the time. I didn't buy a single thing that day. Finally, their selection wasn't great at all. They had most of the newer releases at the time, but even the PS2/Xbox/GC racks combined were only as big as a PS2 rack in GameStop. Their classic games were pretty much confined to the display case under the counter.
However, the store did have a friendlier vibe to it than a typical Gamestop and the employees there were helpful and seemed more knowledgeable on the older stuff than a typical GS employee.
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PnT is a franchise, so each store is different. They vary like crazy.
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The disc protection charges are definitely not something they should be forcing on you. I'd report the problem to the 800 number on the website. I've only had to call it once, but I've gotten a call back from the DM within 24 hours of reporting it and they've always effectively dealt with the situation. With very few exceptions, Gamecrazy has ALWAYS taken care of my as a customer. They're always helpful, the DMs and RMs are very talkative with customers when they come into the store and proactively seek feedback, and they listen to their customers. They are my favorite chain store by a long shot.
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It appears to me that gamecrazy is going out of business which is sad because I never got to even experience this place, and it's already going under...shame.
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Mine went out of business, but it was always horribly disorganized, so I didn't frequent it.
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![[IMAGE]](http://rezd.tstc.edu/game_crazy_logo.png){kind=link}