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How many of you youngsters (makes me sound old don't it) have wondered what it would be like to work in a videogames shop? After all, it used to play on my mind before I started work in a Cardiff videogames retailer. You're constantly surrounded by games, get to chat to the gamers and even get to play on the games before they're released....right?
Well, not entirely. You see...working in a videogames shop is like making love to a beautiful woman. First you take a look at what you've got to work with, then the fun and games begin, but shortly after you find all your hard work leaves you with very little reward. Why?
Well let me explain.
For an experienced gamer who can actually understand that some people do enjoy the consoles and games that they don't, working in a videogames shop can be great fun. Customers are always asking about products, and half the time they don't know much about what they're talking about anyway.
You also get to find out, with the information provided for you, when new releases are due out. This enablesyou to be able to help out the customers with no problem at all, and you feel good deep down that you have helped someone - if only over a little thing.
But you very rarely get to play any of the new games - especially before they're released. After all, when a promotional copy gets sent to the store - there's only going to be one person getting this promotional game, and that's the manager! Even if the manager doesn't have the console to play it on, there's no way a sales assistant is going to get hold of a brand new game for nothing!
And if you think you'll have time during the day - you're wrong. You'll always be busy doing something - even if that is just standing around waiting for customers. After all, if the shop has pods, then they are reserved solely for customer use. And if you do risk taking a quick peek at that new game, and your regional manager catches you, you'll be lucky to see the end of the week without getting a disciplinary.
On the plus side, you get first opportunity to buy new releases on the day they're out...right? Well actually, it depends who you work for. If you worked for my previous employer, then you'd be lucky to buy a new release title, unless it isn't selling very well and there's more than one in stock - even if you do want to pay full price. After all, it's not like you're putting money in the till is it? <-sarcasm>
Now, working in a videogames shop can be a pleasurable and worthwhile experience, especially if you've got staff who look out for each other and get on with each other. However, if you work at a certain retailer in Cardiff, you'll find that the most challenging task is trying not to have a full blown argument over little things with the manager. After all, when the manager makes up allogations of you being late, just for the sake of it, or suddenly decides he's got anger to vent on the staff, you really to feel like telling him to get over it. But you know that in doing so, you're going to make things worse. So you keep quite, and put up with being called every single offensive four letter word because the manager isn't happy. Ofcourse, this doesn't happen everywhere, as my experience in Game was great, despite them charging the most, they had better staff treatment than the last company I worked for!
One thing you have to realise about working in a videogames shop is that most of them are small plots that aren't big enough for warranting their own cleaning staff. So the dirty jobs are often left to the sales assistants, which normally involves mopping or sweeping the floor, polishing the shelves, washing up all the cups used during the day and even cleaning the 'facilities'. As I am sure you can imagine, that isn't the nicest job in the world to be getting on with.
Don't get me wrong, I don't want to put any of you off working for a videogames retailer. I'm sure Special Reserve are great to work for (if you get the opportunity) and one of my previous employers was great to work for too, but if you get unlucky and are forced to work in a demoralising environment where each day seems to drag on longer than the last, you'll soon get fed up of working in a videogames retailers and will probably not want to bother again.
Just make sure you understand that it isn't about playing games and having fun. It's about customer service, and if you're unlucky, terrible bosses.
Well, not entirely. You see...working in a videogames shop is like making love to a beautiful woman. First you take a look at what you've got to work with, then the fun and games begin, but shortly after you find all your hard work leaves you with very little reward. Why?
Well let me explain.
For an experienced gamer who can actually understand that some people do enjoy the consoles and games that they don't, working in a videogames shop can be great fun. Customers are always asking about products, and half the time they don't know much about what they're talking about anyway.
You also get to find out, with the information provided for you, when new releases are due out. This enablesyou to be able to help out the customers with no problem at all, and you feel good deep down that you have helped someone - if only over a little thing.
But you very rarely get to play any of the new games - especially before they're released. After all, when a promotional copy gets sent to the store - there's only going to be one person getting this promotional game, and that's the manager! Even if the manager doesn't have the console to play it on, there's no way a sales assistant is going to get hold of a brand new game for nothing!
And if you think you'll have time during the day - you're wrong. You'll always be busy doing something - even if that is just standing around waiting for customers. After all, if the shop has pods, then they are reserved solely for customer use. And if you do risk taking a quick peek at that new game, and your regional manager catches you, you'll be lucky to see the end of the week without getting a disciplinary.
On the plus side, you get first opportunity to buy new releases on the day they're out...right? Well actually, it depends who you work for. If you worked for my previous employer, then you'd be lucky to buy a new release title, unless it isn't selling very well and there's more than one in stock - even if you do want to pay full price. After all, it's not like you're putting money in the till is it? <-sarcasm>
Now, working in a videogames shop can be a pleasurable and worthwhile experience, especially if you've got staff who look out for each other and get on with each other. However, if you work at a certain retailer in Cardiff, you'll find that the most challenging task is trying not to have a full blown argument over little things with the manager. After all, when the manager makes up allogations of you being late, just for the sake of it, or suddenly decides he's got anger to vent on the staff, you really to feel like telling him to get over it. But you know that in doing so, you're going to make things worse. So you keep quite, and put up with being called every single offensive four letter word because the manager isn't happy. Ofcourse, this doesn't happen everywhere, as my experience in Game was great, despite them charging the most, they had better staff treatment than the last company I worked for!
One thing you have to realise about working in a videogames shop is that most of them are small plots that aren't big enough for warranting their own cleaning staff. So the dirty jobs are often left to the sales assistants, which normally involves mopping or sweeping the floor, polishing the shelves, washing up all the cups used during the day and even cleaning the 'facilities'. As I am sure you can imagine, that isn't the nicest job in the world to be getting on with.
Don't get me wrong, I don't want to put any of you off working for a videogames retailer. I'm sure Special Reserve are great to work for (if you get the opportunity) and one of my previous employers was great to work for too, but if you get unlucky and are forced to work in a demoralising environment where each day seems to drag on longer than the last, you'll soon get fed up of working in a videogames retailers and will probably not want to bother again.
Just make sure you understand that it isn't about playing games and having fun. It's about customer service, and if you're unlucky, terrible bosses.
retail is retail in my opinon but if some like to work in a games shop then good for them.
Obviously doesn't work in Cardiff store.
If he gets first choice in retro stuff - then his manager is breaking company rules as there has to be more than one of the product in stock before staff are allowed to buy it.
Not that I care - as I don't work for them any more and can buy what I like.
If he gets first choice in retro stuff - then his manager is breaking company rules as there has to be more than one of the product in stock before staff are allowed to buy it.
Not that I care - as I don't work for them any more and can buy what I like.
In my experience, there's no real difference working for a games shop than say, a clothing shop. they're both retail outlets and they're out to make money not appease to your sense of wonder and grandeur at getting up to date information. Okay the difference is games but the only way you'll benefit is by working in a smaller, slightly dirtier but more proficient games shop. Some kind of small independant games shop is the best for that - no hassle, the manager wants to plays games all the time, profits are merely incidental not a priority and your general knowledge of games as well as the ability to make informed judgements isn't hampered by your boss trying to tell you he knows better or taking his anger out on you because he's failed to meet his expected sales margin for the month.
Edgy, you didn't work in Gamestation did you? My friend works there and he likes it a lot. He gets first choice on any hard to find or retro games and/or consoles and he's treated decently by the manager who is an avid games fanatic.
Edgy, you didn't work in Gamestation did you? My friend works there and he likes it a lot. He gets first choice on any hard to find or retro games and/or consoles and he's treated decently by the manager who is an avid games fanatic.
How many of you youngsters (makes me sound old don't it) have wondered what it would be like to work in a videogames shop? After all, it used to play on my mind before I started work in a Cardiff videogames retailer. You're constantly surrounded by games, get to chat to the gamers and even get to play on the games before they're released....right?
Well, not entirely. You see...working in a videogames shop is like making love to a beautiful woman. First you take a look at what you've got to work with, then the fun and games begin, but shortly after you find all your hard work leaves you with very little reward. Why?
Well let me explain.
For an experienced gamer who can actually understand that some people do enjoy the consoles and games that they don't, working in a videogames shop can be great fun. Customers are always asking about products, and half the time they don't know much about what they're talking about anyway.
You also get to find out, with the information provided for you, when new releases are due out. This enablesyou to be able to help out the customers with no problem at all, and you feel good deep down that you have helped someone - if only over a little thing.
But you very rarely get to play any of the new games - especially before they're released. After all, when a promotional copy gets sent to the store - there's only going to be one person getting this promotional game, and that's the manager! Even if the manager doesn't have the console to play it on, there's no way a sales assistant is going to get hold of a brand new game for nothing!
And if you think you'll have time during the day - you're wrong. You'll always be busy doing something - even if that is just standing around waiting for customers. After all, if the shop has pods, then they are reserved solely for customer use. And if you do risk taking a quick peek at that new game, and your regional manager catches you, you'll be lucky to see the end of the week without getting a disciplinary.
On the plus side, you get first opportunity to buy new releases on the day they're out...right? Well actually, it depends who you work for. If you worked for my previous employer, then you'd be lucky to buy a new release title, unless it isn't selling very well and there's more than one in stock - even if you do want to pay full price. After all, it's not like you're putting money in the till is it? <-sarcasm>
Now, working in a videogames shop can be a pleasurable and worthwhile experience, especially if you've got staff who look out for each other and get on with each other. However, if you work at a certain retailer in Cardiff, you'll find that the most challenging task is trying not to have a full blown argument over little things with the manager. After all, when the manager makes up allogations of you being late, just for the sake of it, or suddenly decides he's got anger to vent on the staff, you really to feel like telling him to get over it. But you know that in doing so, you're going to make things worse. So you keep quite, and put up with being called every single offensive four letter word because the manager isn't happy. Ofcourse, this doesn't happen everywhere, as my experience in Game was great, despite them charging the most, they had better staff treatment than the last company I worked for!
One thing you have to realise about working in a videogames shop is that most of them are small plots that aren't big enough for warranting their own cleaning staff. So the dirty jobs are often left to the sales assistants, which normally involves mopping or sweeping the floor, polishing the shelves, washing up all the cups used during the day and even cleaning the 'facilities'. As I am sure you can imagine, that isn't the nicest job in the world to be getting on with.
Don't get me wrong, I don't want to put any of you off working for a videogames retailer. I'm sure Special Reserve are great to work for (if you get the opportunity) and one of my previous employers was great to work for too, but if you get unlucky and are forced to work in a demoralising environment where each day seems to drag on longer than the last, you'll soon get fed up of working in a videogames retailers and will probably not want to bother again.
Just make sure you understand that it isn't about playing games and having fun. It's about customer service, and if you're unlucky, terrible bosses.
Well, not entirely. You see...working in a videogames shop is like making love to a beautiful woman. First you take a look at what you've got to work with, then the fun and games begin, but shortly after you find all your hard work leaves you with very little reward. Why?
Well let me explain.
For an experienced gamer who can actually understand that some people do enjoy the consoles and games that they don't, working in a videogames shop can be great fun. Customers are always asking about products, and half the time they don't know much about what they're talking about anyway.
You also get to find out, with the information provided for you, when new releases are due out. This enablesyou to be able to help out the customers with no problem at all, and you feel good deep down that you have helped someone - if only over a little thing.
But you very rarely get to play any of the new games - especially before they're released. After all, when a promotional copy gets sent to the store - there's only going to be one person getting this promotional game, and that's the manager! Even if the manager doesn't have the console to play it on, there's no way a sales assistant is going to get hold of a brand new game for nothing!
And if you think you'll have time during the day - you're wrong. You'll always be busy doing something - even if that is just standing around waiting for customers. After all, if the shop has pods, then they are reserved solely for customer use. And if you do risk taking a quick peek at that new game, and your regional manager catches you, you'll be lucky to see the end of the week without getting a disciplinary.
On the plus side, you get first opportunity to buy new releases on the day they're out...right? Well actually, it depends who you work for. If you worked for my previous employer, then you'd be lucky to buy a new release title, unless it isn't selling very well and there's more than one in stock - even if you do want to pay full price. After all, it's not like you're putting money in the till is it? <-sarcasm>
Now, working in a videogames shop can be a pleasurable and worthwhile experience, especially if you've got staff who look out for each other and get on with each other. However, if you work at a certain retailer in Cardiff, you'll find that the most challenging task is trying not to have a full blown argument over little things with the manager. After all, when the manager makes up allogations of you being late, just for the sake of it, or suddenly decides he's got anger to vent on the staff, you really to feel like telling him to get over it. But you know that in doing so, you're going to make things worse. So you keep quite, and put up with being called every single offensive four letter word because the manager isn't happy. Ofcourse, this doesn't happen everywhere, as my experience in Game was great, despite them charging the most, they had better staff treatment than the last company I worked for!
One thing you have to realise about working in a videogames shop is that most of them are small plots that aren't big enough for warranting their own cleaning staff. So the dirty jobs are often left to the sales assistants, which normally involves mopping or sweeping the floor, polishing the shelves, washing up all the cups used during the day and even cleaning the 'facilities'. As I am sure you can imagine, that isn't the nicest job in the world to be getting on with.
Don't get me wrong, I don't want to put any of you off working for a videogames retailer. I'm sure Special Reserve are great to work for (if you get the opportunity) and one of my previous employers was great to work for too, but if you get unlucky and are forced to work in a demoralising environment where each day seems to drag on longer than the last, you'll soon get fed up of working in a videogames retailers and will probably not want to bother again.
Just make sure you understand that it isn't about playing games and having fun. It's about customer service, and if you're unlucky, terrible bosses.