Rumor: GameStop being eyed for purchase by private equity group

I have heard that the interested parties are although private...their connections to the Big Box Stores (ie:Best Buy and Walmart, etc) are big influences....I would not be surprised to see this to be a buyout of a company just to eliminate it from the market...or to add it to an existing junction.

Look on the bright side, Gamestop couldn't possibly get any worse, right?






Right?

So GameStop might just end up worse than it is, eh?

Can any employees of Game Stop comment on their impression of the health of the company? I was under the impression that it was getting squeezed to irrelevance from big-box stores like target, and the future seems like a GameStopless download-only world.

The developers and publishers sure don't like used games. I'm sure they equate it akin to piracy with PC games, same with used games for the consoles, no?

This seems like ill-informed types seeing profits and nothing else. There's a reason the company isn't respected, and profit-centric types aren't going to change that. Not to mention GS has a relatively short shelf life.

Don't worry about it guys. It's just me.

Those Full House residuals just won't stop coming! Have mercy!

Not really related, but it's about gamestop and it's hilarious:
http://www.penny-arcade.com/images/2007/20071031.jpg

I doubt this would make Gamestop suck any less.

That picture is the funniest thing I've ever seen! Love it!

it could be MS looking to absorb thier DD into thier ,plus who wouldn't want a company that can generate these #'s. GameStop's total revenue climbed to $8.8 billion in the fiscal year ending 31 January 2009, up from $7.1 billion in the previous fiscal year, an increase of 24%. just a wild guess

Maybe this will get our store some new cabinets/drawers and other things that might help us function properly.

Joystiq, you do realize that a company's market cap does not equal its value right?

Apparently not.

Nothing says long term doomed future, like private equity group.

What will inevitably happen after being acquired... they'll downsize and close most of the locations, and make questionable management choices like leasing shelf space inside Starbucks, which will work initially be eventually lead them into bankruptcy in 4 to 7 years because they underestimated the market and weren't able to ever pay off the loan it took to acquire the company. The name will be sold off for practically nothing to some lessor known peripheral maker who once sold items through the chain, and then the company will re-emerge later as an internet only entity.

Well, I just hope that PE group made sure to put down their pre-order on the chain, otherwise there's no guarantee they'll be able to get it the first day they want it.

I can tell you this, my former company went private and things fell apart from day 1, i'll be damned if I go through this again.

1) They will buy your used copy for $15, place it on the shelf used for $50.
* You could always throw it away. Oh wait or get $15.
2) They claim to not buy scratched discs yet do, then sell copies that don't work due to being so scratched.
* 30 day defective guarantee & 7 days if you just don't like it.
3) Hounded for edge cards, magazine subscriptions, and pre-orders when trying to make a simple purchase.
* Hmmm free things for reserving and discounts with the subscription.
4) They will repackaged opened, returned, games and claim them as new.
* Just not true! If it happens the employee would be terminated.
5) They will open brand new copies to use as "displays" and claim it's the only new copy of the game they have, so essentially you are buying an open copy.
* Trying to use displays as much as possible. But yes this is true open & noy used.
6) They hold pre-orders for only 48 hours while games release on tuesdays, when a majority of people are paid on fridays. They give you crap for asking to hold it longer until pay day. Best Buy will hold pre-orders for a week.
^ 48 hours guaranteed yes. Best Buy can't even guarantee the game.
7) Many stories of non-refundable $5 deposits on pre-orders, not even in the form of a gift card.
* You can always get a refund. GameStop even called, e-mailed, & texted customers with old reserves to let them know their money was available.
8) When having "Extra % trade in" specials, they will lower the values on games causing your "Extra % trade in" to practically gain you nothing but a few cents more.
* So 50% extra on a $25 trade-in is not a good deal?
I could keep going but I think that's enough reason to hate Gamestop.
* Just enough to show how little you know.