I visit a local Gamestop from time to time to waste time for various reasons, but also because it is one of the few options for decent clearance/used games in my area. Target, Walmart, KMart, they all stink compared to two not far from my office here in Southern New Jersey.

Depending on the game, I prefer to buy online - especially since I can often get it cheaper than GS B&M costs, even with shipping - but even going online can't replace the comfort of talking to a fellow gamer.

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I don't like shopping online, actually. Luckily, there are a couple of local video game stores around that are regular treasure troves of awesome, from the Electronics Boutique on the south side of the city that seems to have every single game used and for half price the day after they come out (kids in the suburbs are spoiled and dumb, I tell you what), to the independent game shop in the mall that has the biggest selection of games for every system ever made than most online shops have. It's amazing!

I do shop online sometimes, mostly picking up older games that I just can't find anywhere off of eBay, though I don't do that as much, really. Shopping online just isn't that fun. It's too easy. And you don't get to go outside. Sure, people suck, but I really like walking around and looking at clouds and staring out the train window at all the homeless people who may or may not be dead. It's fun.

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Sometimes I browse through a games store, but since this is Europe, the selection of great titles is limited. Prices are also higher than online (=USA), and that's even before converting dollars to euros. So I've kinda given up on games stores.

Oh, and also, when selling back an unwanted game, you get paid about half of what the store will put it on the shelf for.

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When I lived in the UK, I loved Game bargain bins too, and HMV always had tons of budget PC titles. However, now I'm in the US I refuse to go into any GameStop, because the harassment of customers with pre-order nonsense, and their overpricing of used games (Hmm, $5 off for a greasy cart and no manual? Let me think on that one...). In fact, the whole used games thing bums me out because of the well-known arguments about the game makers not seeing a shred of that money.

However, I have no problem buying from other stores, and have yet to buy a DS game online. I love download purchases on my PC (via Steam, etc), and have gotten so used to getting games near-instantly that the idea of having to wait for shipping is a turn off.

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First off, that is one mighty awesome looking Gamestop in the picture. If only Gamestops by me looked that nice. Instead, I'm stuck with the "bottom of a hill, in a building's shadow, sardine can, hangout for skaters and emo teens" establishment.

With that being said though, I still go there quite a bit. The mall is a wee bit too far away and I like getting a game instantly, without S/H, with little to no hastle (ya know, just saying no thanks after they bombard you with preorder suggestions solves the problem).

I definitely do my fair share of online game shopping, but ever since I realized that preordering on Amazon means I get it much later than if I ordered it the day after its release, I typically just use ebay.

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For me, it all depends on whether I'm looking for a new or used game.

For new, Amazon is the way to go. No tax and free two-day shipping with Prime (very worth it if you buy a lot of stuff from them) are the key selling points.

For older stuff to fill out my library, GameStop, Goozex, or eBay are my primary sources. I have six GameStops within a few miles of each other near me. With the weekly e-mail coupons they send out giving you an extra 25% to 30% off certain games, on top of your 10% Edge card discount, I've been able to fill out my back catalog nicely while saving a ton of green. Plus I get to hand pick the copy I want (i.e. I hate Greatest Hits versions).

Goozex is a great source for complete PS1, DS, and GBA games and 95% of the time gives you better trade in values than GS.

Finally, eBay is my source for the really old or rare stuff.

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Here in the states, Gamestop has cornered the market on used games. I wish there were other retailers, as I'm not a huge fan of the Gamestop franchise. For the most part, the folks behind the counter are friendly. But occasionally, they can be rude or annoying. If I do go to Gamestop, I try to go during off-hours/days to avoid the hordes of little kids and long lines. It's a great source for older used games even if some of it is overpriced. And it's also useful for wasting time while browsing through their selection. I usually stop by there at least once a week to just look around.

Went by a Gamestop last night right before closing to pick up FFTA2. Traded in Front Mission DS & Panzer Tactics, got $20 bucks off. Every little bit helps for me - especially if my older games are just gathering dust.

I'd order from Amazon more often if their prices were cheaper. Occasionally you can find a deal, but not on anything really worthwhile, it seems.

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K-Mart ftw. My local one, anyway. No one goes there, so they have a lot of games sitting around that are hard to find elsewhere; often they're on clearance because they're trying to make room for the new stuff. I found several copies of Tetris DS, which I couldn't find anywhere else (not even used), I found my Wii there, and there were a couple of Xbox games (Mega Man Anniversary Collection and Chronicles of Narnia) that were one cent--ONE CENT.

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Amazon was my one-stop game shop until the end of last year when they stupidly changed their shipping policy to no longer allow PO Boxes (even when shipping USPS), so I had to rely on physical game outlets more. I still use Amazon, but mostly for Atlus games and discounted items. My postmaster is good about re-routing stuff sent to my physical address to my PO Box, so I've actually only ever had to deal with Return to Sender issues a couple of times in spite of the difficulties of ordering online for me.

For games where I can safely assume that supply will be greater than demand, there are brick-and-mortar stores like Gamestop. I preorder only in the instances in which a game is going to be immensely popular and there is the potential for shortages immediately after release--I used this safety precaution with Pokemon Pearl and Brawl within the past year or so, although fortunately shortages never cropped up with either. Rarely have I ever actually found better deals on used games at Gamestop than I can on ebay or half.com (despite the ridiculous increase in average item prices on ebay due to their greedy rate hikes and powerseller monopolies), but I occasionally get lucky, such as when I found Etrian Odyssey $18 used some months back when it was going for $40+ online.

Sometimes they're total jerks about pricing used games in accordance with rarity, though. Things like Disgaea, Rez, and, the various Mario Parties are still $40 years after release, and on rare occasions, they'll actually charge more than what the game cost originally, as in the case of a copy of Marvel vs. Capcom II for the PS2 I saw at a gamestop used for $80. I've heard horror stories about the prices they charge for used MegaTen games like Digital Devil Saga, but I've never seen one in person. I still peek into Gamestop regularly to check for the few DS games I'd rather not pay above-retail prices on ebay for, but I haven't had any luck since finding EO. I've also never traded in a game due to their ridiculously-low offers. I've never forgotten being 11 and being offered $1 for my copies of Star Wars: Yoda Stories and Tetris Plus for the Game Boy.

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I´m so jealous guys, I have to conform with retailer stores and high-priced games, but sometimes when i travel to USA, i find very nice prices even on Gamestop or Wal-mart, but I have to admit i´m not a very consuming gamer(lucky me),otherwise my pocket would be so empty.

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They used to be good but now they just suck either that or inflation, i used to be able to get old second hand PS2 games for like £1-£5 (about 5 years ago), but even since Gamestop took over Electronic Botique, they sell them between £5-£10, (about 2 years ago) which just plain sucks, im sure they lowered now but yeh i suspect the same, Computer Exchange was always ok but even they arent as cheap as they used to be. Then i started using ebay, i i even made profit once i bought a game for like £5 and sold it for £6 althoughi suppose shipping it cost that much, either way i just go online these days, Aamzon, ebay, play.com

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I still borwse eb from time to time, and or toys r us typically I just like to go on a mall run (encompasses eb games, toys r us, best buy, f.y.e. , and ect.) every now and then just to see what deals they have...lately I've really been into online shopping (where else can you get 3 ds styluses for a penny including shipping)...but on occasion the local stores will have a better deal than online competitors, escpecially when you include the price of shipping..I always go brick and mortor (and pre order) for big releases (think halo 3) ones I know I'll have to buy on day 1 (so any online deals are negligable)..

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That's a mighty fine GameStop there. The one I go to is so dark It's hard to tell if it's open or not.

I only pre-order my games at Gamestop and if I'm forced out of my house by not being able to find a game at an online store or Ebay. I'll look for it there and find it because everyone else and their mother bought it online already.

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My local game emporium is about 45 minutes away. Well, not true, there's a small chain game store called FX Videogame Exchange, but I really don't like going there. I prefer GameStop over most other game stores...one of the Austin stores in particular because I've been going there for years. But there's three total GameStops in the Austin area I like to go to. :o

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It use to be better when Gamestop was four separate companies instead of just one.

Babbages/Software Ect and EB used to give really great deals then Babbages stopped when they bought Funcoland and became Gamestop.

Also EB use to be more open on pre-orders for obscure games.

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After Gamestop and Gamecrazy stopped selling nes, snes, and sega games I stopped shopping there. In general I hate there practices, such as selling used games with no boxart for only a few bucks less then new.

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I hate going into game shops, I am like a gaming fanatic but the people that work at game shops are very pretentious and elitist. Its like "comic book guy" from the simpsons, I think these kind of stores are a magnet for people like this. I'de much rather buy online.

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