Anybody here work for EBgames?

[JSHAW]

NO, I'm not going to start a thread that slams them for gutting boxes, I'm actually thinking about working for them. I applied for a Store Manager/Assistant Mgr. slot in my neighborhood this morning.

My question is this - How much does a Store Manager make per year? Assistant Manager?

[Guy Incognito]

Hopefully the place you applied isn't terribly close to a Gamestop

[JSHAW]

Hopefully the place you applied isn't terribly close to a Gamestop

YEP, it sure is. Not even a mile in distance between Gamestop and EBgames.

So basically I think what your getting at is due to acquisition of EBgames by Gamestop that they'll be closing down that EBstore near me?

I live less that 1/2 mile from Gamestop, 1 mile from EBgames. Gamestop is so close I could walk to it in several minutes.

[Gedd]

Jeff, you're applying to the EB over by the Target in Huntersville? Cool.

I'm actually curious as to which store will be left after the merger. The Gamestop is a nicer, newer store but the EB has a lot more floor space and I think in a better location.

[JSHAW]

YEP, that's the one Gedd.

I applied for the position using their website. Their website says they'll contact me if they are interested. No contact, not interested. Here's crossing my fingers.

I'd definitely like to get an employee discount on an XBOX2.

[EddieA]

Even when Gamestop takes over, they won't necessarily close down the EB. In both malls closest to my house, there are two Gamestops. In both cases, one was once a Funcoland, but they were kept open even when Gamestop bought Funcoland.

[wankerjr]

I work as a part-time associate for EB Games.

IIRC my manager draws a salary of about $30K with possibilites of bonuses & such along with some shares of stock.

No we do not get discounts on the systems (we do on nearly everything else) but I am not sure about GameStop's employee discount policy.

My manager got an XBox for free from the annual EB Vendor Show/Management Training. MS gave all the managers there a XBox and other various goodies the year the XBox launched.

My manager doesn't expect much anymore as the freebies have been getting fewer and fewer as the years have gone by. He's a big PC Gamer and back in the good old days the LucasArts rep (back when LucasArts was original & innovative) would give them free games and would literally take orders on what games the employees wanted for free.

[JSHAW]

Thanks for the info wankerjr.

[Chaz]

I'm a manager with EB. Salaries run between $30-35k. Any specific questions, feel free to PM me.

[Ridah]

I'm a manager with EB. Salaries run between $30-35k. Any specific questions, feel free to PM me.

Damn, you must have been holding your tongue what with all the EB bashing that goes on around here.

[Chaz]

I learned long ago that some people just hate some things, and are very vocal about it. When I first started there three years ago, I would get into the EB bashing arguments and try to give the perspective from the other side of the counter. A lot of people just don't want to hear that, and know that they are completely right, and that those of us working there are all mouth-breathing cretins.

If you get a job, my first word of advice would be to avoid posting in the "EB sucks!" threads.

[Napoleon]

I learned long ago that some people just hate some things, and are very vocal about it. When I first started there three years ago, I would get into the EB bashing arguments and try to give the perspective from the other side of the counter. A lot of people just don't want to hear that, and know that they are completely right, and that those of us working there are all mouth-breathing cretins.

If you get a job, my first word of advice would be to avoid posting in the "EB sucks!" threads.

Shut up, you mouth-breathing cretin!

Says the person who has been in an EB exactly once in his life.

[KiloOhm]

Prize to be awarded in Monopoly money. Recipient must be at least 200 Martian years old in order to claim prize. Contest void in TN, AK, and Virgin Islands.

OK, where's my $100???

[baron calamity]

Chaz, question. I heard that EB corp is now demanding that 60% of a store's sales be used product or a store and its staff will be written up. If true is there any logic to this?

[Beergut]

I suspect this is indeed true, at least in some regions. A friend of mine works there and was written up because he had a single week where his preplayed sales lagged behind the others workers at the same store. His district manager was deaf to his defense that he was not working cash as much that week, and that on any given day it is "luck of the draw" that determines which employee is on cash when someone decides to make a big preplayed purchase.
It boggles my mind how myopic and shortsighted the management at EB is...

[Chaz]

This year, the company goal is that 35% of total sales for the year be on preplayed items. Some districts are making that goal higher for the first half of the year because preplayed sales are much lower during the holidays, and they want things to balance out. How strictly those percentages are being enforced is up to the district managers. Mine is fairly relaxed about it, but my sales are fine, so it might be that I'm just missing it.

Funny thing is that we actually have Gamestop to thank for that. When they announced their earnings for last year, their preplayed sales were 35% to EB's 25%. Top management decided that we should be able to hit that too, so up our goals go. Of course, Gamestop includes Funcoland stores, and most of what they do has always been used games, while EB only started it a few years ago, but anyway...

[wankerjr]

Chaz, question. I heard that EB corp is now demanding that 60% of a store's sales be used product or a store and its staff will be written up. If true is there any logic to this?

As an offshoot, our district is currently focusing on pre-orders. It's a pain as we're also supposed to get so many Edge card sign-ups, game play guarantees, pre-played, Vendor of the Month sales, trade-ins, and soon that (stupid IMHO) Synapse magazine subscription program.

I don't mind all that much doing most of the above but pushing pre-orders & magazines is annoying to me as a customer and extends checkout time. Oh well I shouldn't stress over this stuff as much since this is really supposed to be my "fun" job

[edosan]

I suspect this is indeed true, at least in some regions. A friend of mine works there and was written up because he had a single week where his preplayed sales lagged behind the others workers at the same store. His district manager was deaf to his defense that he was not working cash as much that week, and that on any given day it is "luck of the draw" that determines which employee is on cash when someone decides to make a big preplayed purchase.
It boggles my mind how myopic and shortsighted the management at EB is...

That's how retail chains work, for the most part. A lot of stores can't distinguish beween what a salesperson can and can't do (HINT: you can try to persuade, but you can't "make" someone buy something).

[The Preacher]

This year, the company goal is that 35% of total sales for the year be on preplayed items. Some districts are making that goal higher for the first half of the year because preplayed sales are much lower during the holidays, and they want things to balance out. How strictly those percentages are being enforced is up to the district managers. Mine is fairly relaxed about it, but my sales are fine, so it might be that I'm just missing it.

Is there flexibility around preplayed game prices then? Can you work with an associate or manager to get an extra $5 off if you buy 3 games (for example)?

[Chaz]

This year, the company goal is that 35% of total sales for the year be on preplayed items. Some districts are making that goal higher for the first half of the year because preplayed sales are much lower during the holidays, and they want things to balance out. How strictly those percentages are being enforced is up to the district managers. Mine is fairly relaxed about it, but my sales are fine, so it might be that I'm just missing it.

Is there flexibility around preplayed game prices then? Can you work with an associate or manager to get an extra $5 off if you buy 3 games (for example)?

Nope. Prices are pretty much set in stone. If the customer doesn't like it, it's our job to convince them that they actually do.

[JonathanStrange]

This year, the company goal is that 35% of total sales for the year be on preplayed items. Some districts are making that goal higher for the first half of the year because preplayed sales are much lower during the holidays, and they want things to balance out. How strictly those percentages are being enforced is up to the district managers. Mine is fairly relaxed about it, but my sales are fine, so it might be that I'm just missing it.

Is there flexibility around preplayed game prices then? Can you work with an associate or manager to get an extra $5 off if you buy 3 games (for example)?

Nope. Prices are pretty much set in stone. If the customer doesn't like it, it's our job to convince them that they actually do.

I believe that! There's this quite cute brunette at a local EB who almost convinces me that $5 off a used game is a bargain (even if it's still higher than the same game new at Best Buy). I smile; it's her job to try and sell it, it's not my job to buy it unless I want it.

I find all the anti-EB stuff amusing and overblown; but that's me. If I don't like a store's policies, I go elsewhere. No big deal. Some people probably like to vent; let 'em. It's funny. I can't help but remember my college roommate who'd always angrily proclaim "That's the last time I shop here!" so often that entire sections of town were offlimits.

[Beergut]

Well, that's the last time I listen to you, Mr. Jonathan Strange! (if that's even your real name...)

[morlac]

Funny thing is that we actually have Gamestop to thank for that. When they announced their earnings for last year, their preplayed sales were 35% to EB's 25%. Top management decided that we should be able to hit that too, so up our goals go. Of course, Gamestop includes Funcoland stores, and most of what they do has always been used games, while EB only started it a few years ago, but anyway...

Not bashing in particular but couldn't this also be due to Gamestops generally giving you better trade in value?

[wankerjr]

Funny thing is that we actually have Gamestop to thank for that. When they announced their earnings for last year, their preplayed sales were 35% to EB's 25%. Top management decided that we should be able to hit that too, so up our goals go. Of course, Gamestop includes Funcoland stores, and most of what they do has always been used games, while EB only started it a few years ago, but anyway...

Not bashing in particular but couldn't this also be due to Gamestops generally giving you better trade in value?

Gamestop doesn't always give a better trade in value and that's coming from customers.

[ericb]

That's funny Jeff...I applied for the manager position at the EB on South Bvld just a few weeks ago. Never heard back and the listing is gone so it's safe to assume I won't get it It seems like there are never openings in the actual city of Charlotte but everywhere else in the state has an opening. Oh well.

[U2K Tha Greate$t]

Nah but i almost had a fight with some of the workers in there, what they didnt know, is that i been a blackbelt for years, i could of really put all 3 of them into hospital, but i did the smart thing and just walked out.

I never wanted to work at a gamestore tho, even tho i wanted to work at toys r us years ago, in the game department.

[Mark]

Nah but i almost had a fight with some of the workers in there, what they didnt know, is that i been a blackbelt for years, i could of really put all 3 of them into hospital , but i did the smart thing and just walked out.

Ladies and gentlemen, can we put this into U2K's canon, along with:

1. 6 kittens;
2. 2 rabbits;
3. Sleeping with a porn star;
4. Being Russian;
5. Designing Dreamcast games; and
6. Working on a Website?[/b]

[Blackadar]

Nah but i almost had a fight with some of the workers in there, what they didnt know, is that i been a blackbelt for years, i could of really put all 3 of them into hospital , but i did the smart thing and just walked out.

Ladies and gentlemen, can we put this into U2K's canon, along with:

1. 6 kittens;
2. 2 rabbits;
3. Sleeping with a porn star;
4. Being Russian;
5. Designing Dreamcast games; and
6. Working on a Website?[/b]

7. Being a complete and utter BS artist.

[Kobra]

IIRC my manager draws a salary of about $30K with possibilites of bonuses & such along with some shares of stock.

Holy crap 30k? Thats like poverty level. I thought I had it rough years and years ago when I ran a Radioshack and made 40-50k. I can't believe a company would pay 30K in this day and age.

With the hours you have to work, that works out to what, $9 an hour? Thats rediculous. There are a whole lotta better things you can do with less work, and make much more.

Corporate greed is pathetic these days.

[JSHAW]

There are a whole lotta better things you can do with less work, and make much more.

Please make me the list of what those things are, I'd like to apply for them.

[Bad Demographic]

There are a whole lotta better things you can do with less work, and make much more.

Please make me the list of what those things are, I'd like to apply for them.

Inspirational speaking - especially on the corporate level.

[wankerjr]

IIRC my manager draws a salary of about $30K with possibilites of bonuses & such along with some shares of stock.

Holy crap 30k? Thats like poverty level. I thought I had it rough years and years ago when I ran a Radioshack and made 40-50k. I can't believe a company would pay 30K in this day and age.

With the hours you have to work, that works out to what, $9 an hour? Thats rediculous. There are a whole lotta better things you can do with less work, and make much more.

Corporate greed is pathetic these days.

Funny thing is that at my primary job at a state university I make less than he does. If you factor in the medical insurance coverage they give me then I make about $30K a year.

[Eightball]

[Holy crap 30k? Thats like poverty level. I thought I had it rough years and years ago when I ran a Radioshack and made 40-50k. I can't believe a company would pay 30K in this day and age.

I think poverty level for a single person is 9.5k actually. For a family of 4, it's 19.3k.

30k is pretty standard for retail management. It's way above poverty level.

[RookieCAF]

I'd be quite comfortable at the 30K level. Retail has its moments to *shudder*