Issues with Game @ Sydney City (refuse to honour current catalogue)

Lwai yeen 2 on 07/07/2010 - 14:16
Last edited 08/07/2010 - 18:57

Games shop - city branch next to Myer …. have bad customer service …and not honoring their advertised price!!!

I went to the Games shop in city near Myer this afternoon. I have with me a catalogue which they advertised Bioshock 2 and Uncharted 2 at $28. I ask them about the price and if they are selling it at that price. One of the sales staff pretending to ask for my catalogue for a closer inspection. When I gave it to him, he took it away and does not want to give it back. he said that the catalogue is not valid and it is not correct. I said I get the catalogue from another branch and ask him to give it back to me. He say no in a really bad attitude and call the security guard to get me out of the shop. This is totally bad way to handle a customer. Game should have honour the advertised price or at least explain nciely. However, they have used a dirty and bad tactics to steal my catalogue and not give it back so i have no proof of their advertisement. This is REALLY REALLY BAD for the reputation of Games shop. I think I will never buy anything from their shop ever again. I will tell all my friends about their bad services. I might even tell my story to the newspaper or even the Sydney Morning Herald. They have essentially tricked a customer to steal back their valid catalogue.
Hope you all beware of Games staffs in the future and their pretentious “friendliness” to you.

as per the subject - the store is the city store… next to Myer foodcourt

And to answer those who have doubt in this story, I can challenge anyone who have doubt to treat everyone else here free lunch. I have bought Uncharted 2 and Bioshock 2 at $28 at chatswood branch last weekend using the catalogue. I have the receipt. Those who have doubt, we can bet on free lunches to everyone here. I have the games, the receipt, from Game chatswood. Just that i don't have the catalogue anymore!!

andy19363… I agree that the catalogue price are subject to the discretion of Game… but… they should have advise us in a much more appropriate manner…. not calling security guard!! If my friend have done anything untowards, he would have been taken by the police, but, no, they cannot take my friend because all my friend did was just ask for the catalogue back… definately strongly when they refuse…but in no way my friend harm anyone.
…. andy, you are right. I totally agree to your opinion. So, basically they just have really really really terrible customer service. So, if that is what Game want to promote, that they have really BAD SERVICES, we are doing them a good thing…free promotion of their bad services! anyway, I do appreciate your kind advice.

wonga… I agree…to be fair.. .this incident happens at the city branch next to Myer .. I will not say that staffs from other branch are as bad. My apology if I give such impression.

beaker.. would you like to treat everyone here free lunch? we all come out..I'll bring my receipt from Game chatswood… uncharted 2 and Bioshock 2 $28 each…brand new…. dated last weekend… cool?

strategy…thanks… I will write to the HO a complain email … thanks for your help… the reason I keep on editing my first post here because I cannot post more than 5 times here as I am a new user. I agree that we do have to complain through proper channel. Free stuffs to me is really not as important as getting them to service the customers more appropriately. Just give me back my catalogue and sell to my friend the games according to the catalogue price… no contact number meaning… if they do, they will be too busy answering it. haha… strategy, sorry for my response… right now, all I need is really just an apology from them. At any other time, I won't say no to any free stuffs at all. :)

kingwang …you can try…but, before you know it, the security guard would have thrown you out… what can you do about that?

Antman76… I got the catalogue from chatswood branch… I bought Uncharted 2 and Bioshock 2 at AUD28 only.. brand new… I don't think u can get it at that price anywhere else… but..the thing is it has been advertised in the catalogue… I have my games and receipt to prove it… and now i had my catalogue taken away forcefully…

Davo.. thanks for clarifying the title…but..I do think my previous title is more direct and straight to the point… anyway, thanks! :)

for your information…I do realise the catalogue price is too good to be true..

brand new… uncharted 2, bioshock 2, heavy rain, assassin creed 2… $28…. Final fantasy XIII $38 brand new… totally unbelievable

I think after this post, more people will have a closer look at the catalogues..

8th July - Thanks to all those who read this and supported this posting. To those who have doubt in my posting, I will not force you to follow this posting and comment anything. Thanks. All I want to do here is to write about the real incident and to bring some awareness to all of us here. As I already mentioned above, i am not interested in any free games from Game. No but thanks. I can buy my own games. I just hope Game will take note of this posting and improve their customer service in the future. I do not think the catalogue is exclusive to chatswood branch. They also should not have taken the catalogue away from my friend forcefully and called security. Thanks again for those who supported this posting. there is really nothing more I can do.

mikinoz.. I understand what you said and I totally agreed. The lunch bet is just my way to show how frustrated i am with people who give me an extra kick in the face after the whole incident… people who doubt my story and yet have no reason to do so. I am not so free to spend time posting fake story about a video game store. Thanks for your concern.

Antman… when I said "I don’t think u can get it at that price anywhere else… but..the thing is it has been advertised in the catalogue" … I mean anywhere else as in other videogame store such as Sanity, JB Hifi or EB games..not other Game branches..hope this clarify, thanks..

cwongtech .. thanks! …we don't have to argue with antman or anyone else here. That's not the real purpose of this posting. As long as we know we are doing the right thing and be honest about it.

weezlebub … thanks a lot for you support!! haha… I hope I can do what you suggested with the milkshake… :P but… I rather donate the money to some charities than throwing more of my money at those people… :) anyway…thanks heaps for your support again!!!

andy19363…I agree with you that the premises management or shops have the right to throw us out anytime they want… but… subject to a proper process. Also, any action have a consequence. They can throw us out… but… that action of throwing us out can result in something they do not want…such as bad press or reputation damage. I will definately go if they ask me to leave.

NOTE
Sorry…have to reply in my first post here because I am a new user and I am not allow to post more than 5 times.

General Discussion

Comments

  • h4lcyon on 07/07/2010 - 14:24

    Wow… stealing your catalogue… that's low.

  • wai yeen 2 on 07/07/2010 - 14:29

    Imagine if u go to k-mart, coles, big W or other shops and ask about the advertised price and being met with security guard.

  • Penalty boxer on 07/07/2010 - 14:36

    wow…

  • [Deactivated] on 07/07/2010 - 15:01

    lol…its also low to deceive future customers to go to Games if this is a false experience

  • Mikinoz on 07/07/2010 - 15:08

    I would have kicked shite out of the security guard and then attacked the guy who took the catalouge , then go to court and claim self defence as it was theft/mugging

    i wish i could get my hands on that catalouge now……. its been a bad day and there no muay thai training tonight lol

    Which store by the way ? ie suburb i couldnt find it in your post

    Edit:(please note you said city most of us call the main town city, i assume from the reference you meant sydney as you have chatswood in there)

  • huntress_love on 07/07/2010 - 15:18

    wow, if it was me i wouldn't have left until they gave it back.
    can they legally take you catagloue? if its considered your property, i wouldn've stay in store and
    told every customer that came in. if you don't hurt anyone they can't really do anything to you!

    • Trance N Dance on 07/07/2010 - 20:59

      They can't throw you out unless you're doing something that's disruptive to other customers or illegal, etc. In this case you could've sat in the middle of the store and the security guard couldn't do a thing to you. They can't touch you or use force to remove you from the premesis unless it was neccessary. And with the cameras in the joint they wouldn't dare to either.

      • andy19363 on 07/07/2010 - 22:10

        of course they can throw you out………it's their private property. Nobody has an automatic right of entry, stores can refuse you entry and also ask you to leave. The only exception to this is in relation to illegal discrimination……but proving that would be costly.
        If you remain after being asked to leave, you could be charged with trespass

        • Trance N Dance on 07/07/2010 - 22:31

          Even though it's private property, they have no rights to ask you to leave since they're offering a public service. They are opening their doors to the public too enter their premesis, it's like if your front door is unlocked the burgaler isn't breaking and entering and cannot be charged as such. They open their doors to allow the public to walk through their store and browse if they decide to throw you out because they don't like the way you reacted to having your catalogue taken away and you have done nothing illegal then that is discrimination.

          • andy19363 on 07/07/2010 - 23:19

            @Trance N Dance: Shops are not offering a public service…..even so called public services can throw you out (go into a public library and make loud farting noises….pretty soon you'll be asked to leave….if you do not, you will be thrown out….even though farting noises are not illegal).

            Try staying in a shop after closing time….you will be asked to leave, irrespective of your activity….try telling them "well, the door was open, so I'm staying as long as I want"

            Shops are private property, and you are invited in……you have no right to automatically enter.

            Next time you're shopping….look around for the "management reserves the right to refuse entry, yadda yadda" signs. You can even be refused entry to an entire mall…..

            If the burglar is in your house, he/she will be charged with burglary…..

            A person or persons enters or is in the place of another person, without that other person's consent, with intent to commit an offence in that place is guilty of a crime and is liable

            • Trance N Dance on 08/07/2010 - 00:01

              @andy19363: That's because your disrupting those around you and after a certain extent that becomes illegal.
              Trading hours are when the shops are fair game, outside these hours then yes of course they can kick you out they're "closing the door" to speak.
              You can be refused entry into a mall only if you breech the contract, if you don't breech the contract they have no right to throw you out.
              You can also be banned from a mall, but you must sign a contract to acknowledge that you are banned from a mall, and so far I understand that they cannot force you to sign anything that you don't want to.

              Yes they will be charged with "theft" and "tresspassing" but not "breaking and entering". If they enter your house because the door was unlocked and they take nothing or don't break anything they can only be charged with tresspassing. As that is the only "illegal" activity that they have done, and even then the owner of the property will be asked if they want to press charges. As it will be the owner of the property that determins if the suspect was tresspassing or not.

              • andy19363 on 08/07/2010 - 11:59

                @Trance N Dance:

                after a certain extent that becomes illegal.

                when's that then?….

                Malls/shops are private property to which the public have access, (kind of like a big garage sale)….and, like a garage sale, they can decide who comes in or not, how long people stay, and what they do when they are in there. Go to your local Westfield and try riding a bike through there, or playing a trumpet, or skateboarding, or just sit down on the floor in a shop…..none of which is illegal, but you will be asked to leave eventually. There is lots of internet discussion regarding photography and malls….even snapping your mate on your mobile can get you thrown out of some malls.

                Serious or aggravated criminal trespass might also get thrown at your house 'guest'
                Maximum penalty:
                (a) for a basic offence—imprisonment for 15 years;
                (b) for an aggravated offence—imprisonment for life…..(in SA anyway)

                for your bog standard trespass…ie in your shopping mall, (and your house guest)
                Where—
                (a) a person trespasses on premises; and
                (b) the nature of the trespass is such as to interfere with the enjoyment of the
                premises by the occupier; and
                (c) the trespasser is asked by an authorised person to leave the premises,
                the trespasser is, if he or she fails to leave the premises forthwith or again trespasses on the premises within 24 hours of being asked to leave, guilty of an offence.
                Maximum penalty: $2 500 or imprisonment for 6 months.

                Also, interestingly….
                A person who trespasses on premises must, if asked to do so by an authorised person,
                give his or her name and address to the authorised person.
                Maximum penalty: $1 250.

                again….SA only…don't know about other states, but presumably similar…

  • wonga on 07/07/2010 - 15:19

    The staff at Game in Broadway are actually quite good. Thanks for the warning though, I will be staying away from the Myer branch.

  • andy19363 on 07/07/2010 - 15:25

    I'm sure it's complicated, but I'd take a stab that the catalogue remains the property of Game plc…..

    • Mikinoz on 07/07/2010 - 15:27

      it might reference there lawyers/ security have been empowered to remove the catalouge or something lol

      i wish Kraft would take back my Isnack 2.0 lol

  • [Deactivated] on 07/07/2010 - 15:38
    +1

    I find this hard to believe

    he said, she said?

  • Strategy on 07/07/2010 - 16:01

    If you haven't already, send a complaint to their head office at Baulkham Hills - [email protected]
    Will try find you a number for the head office.

    • Strategy on 07/07/2010 - 16:17
      +1

      Can't seem to find a contact number, just address.
      Personally, I'd complain (Getting kicked out by a security guard?). But since I don't know what exactly went down, it's up to you.

      GAME Australia,
      PO Box 7086,
      BAULKHAM HILLS NSW 2153

      My Dad is a complainer, enjoys calling up head offices if he is treated badly. Often comes out of it with free stuff :P

      • Strategy on 07/07/2010 - 16:25

        "Free stuffs to me is really not as important"

        Free stuff not important?! This is on OzBargain, we love free things :P
        Good Luck, let us know if you get a response.

        • Cripto on 08/07/2010 - 15:47

          Yes if you complain and they check surveillance, and your story checks out. You are entitled to Uncharted 2 and Bioshock 2 free of charge along with a Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 shiny black console, and $1,250 for being treated badly (everything on the house). Not really, but maybe if you complain and show your frustration you can get some serious dollars and maybe those mentioned games for free! totally worth it for someone who seems upset like you.

  • andy19363 on 07/07/2010 - 16:24
    +1

    I am unsure why you are responding in the body of the text of your original post…….makes it difficult to keep up……

    However…..
    as we know….
    1. Merchants are not obliged to honor genuine advertising mistakes
    2. If the catalogue remains the property of the company, which I suspect it does…. then you have no right to demand it back.
    3. They are not obliged to serve any customer, can ask them to leave, and request they are removed if they refuse.

    good luck

    • Cripto on 08/07/2010 - 15:51

      genuine advertising mistakes? doesn't every company have to honor advertising mistakes in someway or another eg. Virgin, Dell to name a couple.

      • andy19363 on 08/07/2010 - 16:29

        nope…..
        (Dell!!??)

  • kingwang on 07/07/2010 - 19:02

    I would of chucked a fit and started yelling at the store person

    • andy19363 on 07/07/2010 - 19:53

      wouldn't you be worried about looking like a complete and utter puerile berk?
      I know I would if I'd had a tantrum……

  • AntMan76 on 07/07/2010 - 19:34

    Where did your original catalogue come from?

  • Davo1111 on 07/07/2010 - 19:41

    wow….

    (i just edited the title for clarity)

  • tron07 on 07/07/2010 - 21:54
    +1

    What happen to customer is always right? I will link this to other forums….

    • fattyboombatty on 09/07/2010 - 10:35

      The customer is not always right - sometimes the customer is a right dick. It's the entitlement complex created by that statement that makes some customers feel like they can behave like jerks.

      Please note I am not commenting in relation to the OP's issue, just to the comment above.

  • AntMan76 on 07/07/2010 - 22:25

    Can't you reply in the comment area? Sheesh so frustrating.

    Go back to Chatswood and get another catalogue. Wait you answered something interesting… "I don’t think u can get it at that price anywhere else… but..the thing is it has been advertised in the catalogue".

    Yes maybe it is a Game Chatswood special. What made you think you could use it at another store then? Oh wait, they are probably sold out. So you missed out on getting more from Chatswood and are now cracking the shits at another store that won't honour it?

    Something about this story doesn't add up.

    • cwongtech on 07/07/2010 - 23:46
      +1

      "Can’t you reply in the comment area? Sheesh so frustrating."
      - Are you eff'ing blind or did you not even read?
      "the reason I keep on editing my first post here because I cannot post more than 5 times here as I am a new user."

      • AntMan76 on 08/07/2010 - 17:49

        Yes I can effing read. Ever think he wrote that AFTER I wrote what I did?

        Reading is one thing. Comprehending is another.

  • pauly on 08/07/2010 - 00:32
    +1

    wai yeen 2, not sure where this GAME is located in Sydney city (I'm from the other side of the country), but I'm assuming it's the Sydney Central branch which is in the Westfield Sydney Central Plaza shopping centre?

    If so and what you have described is accurate, I would also suggest that you approach the centre management for the shopping centre and lodge a formal complaint on the store. This probably wouldn't change the outcome on your end, but this will certainly be passed on to the correct people of the store who I have no doubt would love to know about such incidences.

  • Davo1111 on 08/07/2010 - 01:26
    +2

    imho just write to GAME head office.

  • infernal_max on 08/07/2010 - 05:07

    if it was the catalogue for a specific store, they sales assistant should of just pointed that out, i would of called the police and reported a theft (even if GAME say catalogues are still thier property)

  • Jabba the Hutt on 08/07/2010 - 09:05

    The suggestions that the catalogue/brochure/flyer remains the property of the store sound like nonsense to me. Other parties own the copyright (just as others own patents/trademarks on the monitor you're staring at) but the physical copy is yours.

    • daydream on 13/07/2010 - 01:50

      Agreed. You're entitled to get your property back (they have effectively stolen the catalogue from you) and they are entitled to ask you to leave their store. Take it up with head office and centre management (so that they are aware of your side of the story given their security was involved).

  • h4lcyon on 08/07/2010 - 09:27

    Can you scan your receipt from the previous store? - that's not an offer to pay for anyone's lunch. I'm just interested, and I would imagine you would like to include a copy of it when emailing head office to complain.

    Thanks :)

  • Mikinoz on 08/07/2010 - 09:34

    Whats the deal with the offer for lunch? , i mean seriously who is going to want to have lunch with you and hear more about this story , no offense but its not exactly a carrot to the Militant Consumer Activists

    • h4lcyon on 08/07/2010 - 12:52

      And to answer those who have doubt in this story, I can challenge anyone who have doubt to treat
      everyone else here free lunch. I have bought Uncharted 2 and Bioshock 2 at $28 at chatswood branch last
      weekend using the catalogue. I have the receipt. Those who have doubt, we can bet on free lunches to
      everyone here. I have the games, the receipt, from Game chatswood. Just that i don’t have the catalogue
      anymore!!

      Free lunch is for doubters only ;)

  • weezlebub on 08/07/2010 - 16:47
    +4

    In all likelihood, it would have been the individual store person acting inappropriately, as game price-match, the only reason that he would want to keep the catalogue would be to price match it for himself or his friends … by the same token, if you asked for the catalogue back so that you could price match elsewhere, he may have been nicer …

    personally, i would have either waited for security and asked them to speak with store management …

    or

    order a milkshake on a weekly / fortnightly basis for a few months and lobbed it into the store whenever the guy was working …

    one or the other …

    • cwongtech on 08/07/2010 - 20:17

      Milkshake too expensive, $1 7eleven coffees ftw!

    • infernal_max on 09/07/2010 - 02:29

      i love that idea!!

    • Davo1111 on 09/07/2010 - 11:19

      lol, just buy a 2L coke, pierce a hole in the bottom, walk in with your thumb covering the hole, and shit it down on the floor somewhere.

      I also laughed at this sentence by OP

      I might even tell my story to the newspaper or even the Sydney Morning Herald

      lol, i know the SMH is bad, but its not that bad… lol

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