text: This used to be my favorite Gamestop when Dijon worked here, but he's since moved to the blue diamond location, so I frequent that one more, although this one is still closest and I like it. Sacha has been working at this location for a while too, and he's cool, but I dealt with Dijon a lot more and he knew me as a regular and always hooked up free shwag.\nIf you're used to buying videogames, then you may know how a store like this works, however, some people are still noobs, so I'm here to help.  \nLet me start with a list of things to do and things not to do at this franchise.\n\nDO:\nNumber 1 - Pre-orders:\nPre-order the AAA titles that have collector's editions or special editions, or limited produced items like arcade fightsticks.  Wal-mart and best buy usually won't have these items and gamestop will only order as many as they are reserved, so if you don't, you're fucked, and you're going to be hitting up ebay and paying double or triple the retail value in some cases.\nPre-order the hot titles and if you change your mind come release day, just back out and get your money back. You don't HAVE to buy the game if you change your mind, and nobody is forcing you to.  It's just like having a little bit of security and not getting screwed when the game gets sold out elsewhere.  As incentive,  there's always exclusive pre-order bonuses for in-game content, and they call to remind you when the game will be out a couple days before...so why not.\n\nNumber 2 - \"Free Rentals\":\nSome people might not be aware of this loop-hole, but if you buy a USED game, you have 7 days to return it for a full refund, granted you kept the receipt.  This is mostly for the Achievement and Trophy whores who know that they'll beat a certain game in a week and want nothing to do with it again after that...whores like me.  This is also convenient if you're considering buying a game, but are not sure if you'll like it, or if you think you might get bored of it after a while.  I use the term \"free\" loosely, because you do have to front the money, but you get it back in the end.  \nTry it out at least once.\n\nDON'T:\nNumber 1 - Trade Ins:\nI've heard it a million times, pissed off gamers who think Gamestop is so evil because they give you pennies on the dollar for your used games, then turn around and sell it at retail price.  This is true...they do that.  But if they're going to sell a game at retail, why shouldn't you get retail price for it?  \nFor this, I suggest ebay for getting the right amount of cash back for your games you don't want anymore.  Here, you can undersell Gamestop, but still get back more what they would offer you.  Play the money game; instead of giving them nothing but profit by buying their used games, use the \"free rentals\" loop-hole.  Instead of getting ripped off by them on trade-ins, undersell them on ebay. \n\nNumber 2 - Midnight Releases:\nI would highly advise to never go to a midnight release...at any location. For reals...they're always shitty and you'll have a fucked up time because it's just not that much of an organized event if you're strictly going there with intent to buy the game at midnight.  It's chaotic.  D-bags cut in line in front of those who have been waiting hours, the kids are annoying, and there is no structure at the registers.\nI mean, I guess if you plan on not getting home until 1 - 2am, downing RedBull, and staying up all night with your new game, then go for it.\nI, however, prefer to save the headache, go to bed instead, and come back in the morning where the game will be waiting.   I'm too old for that midnight shit anyway.  It's just not cool to me.\n\nAll in all, Gamestop is the juggernaut of commercial game sales, and their stores are popping up more than McDonald's and Starbucks, which is a good thing.\nI've spent more money on new games than I can remember at these stores because I'm an avid collector, and they cater to my needs.  Occasionally, I'll buy used if it's a game I never picked up on launch day, and it's been marked down decently and it's in pristine shape, and if I think I'll keep it for more than a week, haha.\n\nGamestop is legit.