great vid as always joe. ive never used gamefly, kinda dont want to now.

I tried the whole renting games online thing for a few months, but every site just ended up screwing me over in the end. Hell, GameFly took 7 days out of my 10 day free trial to mail me a game!!

I also tried gameznflix, which was good at first, but within a month nothing was available.

The last service I tried was GottaPlay. Their trial was actually $1 instead of free, which really helped because all new games were available instantly. Their service was rock solid... for a month. Then they switched to free trials and not a single damn game in my 20 title queue was available. After I cancelled they repeatedly sent me threatening letters demanding that I pay [i]"$0.00"[/i] or they would seek legal action. They refused to listen the first two or three times. I don't remember how I got out of that mess, but all I can say is [b]stay the fuck away from GottaPlay[/b].

Whoa, crazy ass stuff!
Thanks Lee, and for christ sake [b]get AN AVATAR IMAGE![/b]

[size=large][b]GameFly has taken the first steps to Reply to the Video:[/b][/size]

[url]http://twitter.com/ AngryJoeShow[/url]

Gamefly Initial Contact (wanting to solve my issue):
"@AngryJoeShow
send me a DM with the email associated with your GameFly account and I'll look
into it for you."
[url]http://twitter.com/ GameFlyInc/status/ 3384477039[/url]

My Subsequent Responses:

@GameFlyInc Thx for ur Reply, But Unless u
promise to buy x2 ur New Release Stock & Stop Hiding your Metrics, you wont
solve the Major Issue

@GameFlyInc In the future plz make your Web
"Reorganizations" Helpful instead of more difficult to find Availb.
status for members & Non-M's

@GameFlyInc Also Plz show the Vid to your
Senior Management & know that we are watching & hope/wish things Improve Soon [url]http://cli.gs/ r5b2ve[/url]

I've posted Links to the Video On My Own Site:
[url]http:// angryjoeshow.com/? p=5664[/url]

and Youtube:
[url]http:// www.youtube.com/watch? v=iMojt6NrG3k[/url]
[b](Generating alot of discussion and similar horror stories)[/b]

And will continue to spread the word.

At the very least at this current time
GameFly customer support is reacting and looking to solve any issues in a
positive way.

I just dont think some of the issues addressed in the video will
be under Customers Supports Boundaries, such as making it harder for users to
see just how well the service is obtaining its goals/metrics.
[b]
A.J.[/b]

I have to assume their policy is similar to Netflix: When you first sign up, for the first several weeks, maybe a month or so, I don't know, you'll get whatever you want pretty much whenever you want it, as long as you return your other stuff, because as a new member you're given priority. Once that grace period is over, you're put on the back-burner, because giving new members everything will make them more likely to recommend it to others, and the people who stay on and get screwed will go "Well it was good when it started, so I'll just stick it out..." Etc.

*ahem* Sarcasm *ahem*

*cough* Sorry *cough*

*twitch* Because I Can *twitch*

Good point. I noticed that they sent me games if they had a "Very High" availability, which were all in the middle of my queue.

I cancelled it after a while, mostly because it was just getting too expensive, but this did play a factor in my decision.

Great video!!! Can't wait for Blockbuster to start their's!!!

Joe, I don't mean to alarm you but in the last 3 seconds of video the large studio you were in became dangerously radioactive, glowing green.

Nevermind Idea:Fuck Gamefly.

In my opinion,if they remove a comfort out of shame,it means they care more about their image than their customers.
And that's bullshit.

Sorry this bullshit had to happen to you man.

Lately I've been wondering whether I should use Gamefly or just keep buying PC games off of Steam, but after this vid I'll probably not use it. I'm not saying that this video convinced me Gamefly is bad, I'm just saying Steam gives me my games.

Gamefly really screwed the pooch with this. What is so bad about using your profit to make more profit?

Oddly enough the blockbuster idea has some promise to it. Though I wounder I local stores will hold copies for subscribers.

Well if ur waiting 2-3 weeks for a game ur better off just going to a rental store. If they don't have the item u seek in stock u have a large verity to choose from. So u will get something right there and then not weeks later.
Well anyway best of luck to u Joe

I was actually just thinking of going with Gamefly cause the Block Buster nearby isn't the most prompt with getting games in.

I think one of the problems is allowing people to keep games so long with not enough stock to keep up with demand which is pretty bad.

Still might go with them cause game renting is iffier in my town. That talk of Block Buster doing the same thing sounds interesting though. If I could just take my game into them, have it be scanned or quickly returned so that stuff in my queue could go quicker, that sounds better than Gamefly.

Maybe I'll give it abit of a wait.

"That talk of Block Buster doing the same thing sounds
interesting though. If I could just take my game into them, have it be scanned
or quickly returned so that stuff in my queue could go quicker, that sounds
better than Gamefly."

That's actually how the movie service works.

On certain plans, you can trade in directly for an exchange right away, or maybe a discounted rental. But if you want to just drop it off and have the next thing sent out, the moment your mail item is scanned in, the warehouse is alerted and will send the next available item in your queue on the next business day.

If anything, the game service can be expected to be designed similarly, if not the exact same way. (Game mail trades might give fully paid game rentals on exchange, or the game system might not have the option for exchange. Never know. Either way, being scanned in at a store will send an alert to the warehouse.)

Personally I'd cancel it.

What they should show is how long a game is late getting back from rentals, I bet that really has something to do with the Avail? I never have heard of GF until this Vid.. and really I'd rather go to my Blockbuster or Rogers ( sorry Canadian here) and rent one at a store. That way if there is any issues I'd be back at that store and getting either a refund or a new copy right away rather than waiting for how every f'king long it takes for it to be mailed back to you... if there is one avail.

Also how long have you had your subscription for? Do you get a V.I.P status for having it longer?

I think I would go with Blockbuster only because I know I would get a anwser from a REAL PERSON and not just a,Most likly,automatic letter and I have the same problem with gamefly so your not alone Joe.Never stop speaking for the gamers! *FFVII Victory music*

looks to me like ur getting hosed. I've personally gone to local rental because of the ability to see availability. Great video and I hope Gamefly responds.

I like my local Blockbuster myself. Some of the helps a bit lacking, especially this one curly haired guy who couldn't give two shits about the customers, but most of the guys are nice, and also, provide info on games I might like, if I say I enjoyed one. There's one guy there who's directed me to some great games, that I might otherwise have just passed over.

I know a guy who once compared gamefly to being like a friend who keeps promising to let you borrow a game only to keep making you wait week after week.

I wouldn't even bother if I can't rent what I want when I want.

Thanks once again Joe for calling someone in the gaming industry on their bullshit.

I've been with these guys for a couple of years. The site change is most definitely NOT WELCOME. Everything about the fucking thing is a marketing ploy. Having said that, I still like this company. I like what they do, I like the concept. It's in the execution that Gamefly falls flat on it's face. It sucks that people are being charged for stupid shit. It's never happened to me, but that doesn't mean it never happens. They need to man up to their own mistakes, or simply accept that the US Postal service isn't perfect & accept the decidedly small losses. And FOR FUCK'S SAKE, they need to purchase more stock. Perhaps they've grown too fast too quickly, where they're trapped in the spot of "Can't meet the demand, can't afford to raise the supply". Perhaps if they let us view the actual statistics, we could decide for ourselves. My proposed solution? USE. CUSTOMER. SUPPORT. If every Gamefly user around were to file their complaints, the sheer build up of e-mails would overwhelm the Gamefly staff. But no, only a few submit their complaints, while the rest just bitch or refuse to join until someone else makes the change happen. Follow Joe's example, guys!

I'm with you Joe. I've not played any games for the PS2 since around 2003 (except for GHI - III), but I have been aginst them since Gamefly started. I felt like it would be a big waste of money.

Shipping costs, payments for late, broken or lost parcels, and exhorbitant fees for special or high demand games = a company that demands your money for VERY little service.

Fuck companies like Gamefly.

Gamefly has free shipping & handling, for renting games or shipping you the fresh case & manual when you decide to keep it. They also don't charge extra for high demand games. The few games they can actually spare to put in the store are actually radically less expensive than most video games. Not saying they're some paragon of virtue, but how about complaining about their lackluster Availability, or poor customer service? Or stupid business tactics?

Well now you know Joe there's a thing called "Server load". Sites with huge traffic prefer to reduce "unneccesary stress" on they server, like for instance database inquery ...

Why bitch about it?

Because they added several unnecessary graphics to the site to pretty it up, as well? Just saying...

[b]I hope this is a joke.[/b]

...maybe because its essential to their business model?

I rememeber my experiences with Gamefly. I was about 12 years old and bored during the summer, saw an ad for Gamefly. I thought it was great at first. I got my games and I played them. But that was all around when Gamefly was new, not many customers and everything. Soon though, my games started coming in later and later, to the point where I would wait a week after returning them until I got my next one. But I was still fine, I could entertain myself for a week without some new toy. Then the shit hit the fan. I sent in a game, and a week later after not recieving my next one I checked the site, they had no record of recieving my last one. They had a handy button on the side that said "lost game." I went in there, filled out my form stating it had been mailed, but something must have happened in transit. I got a stock email that said we apologize for your loss, your next game is in the mail. After the same thing happened TWICE more, the second of which ended with me getting some japanese game I had never heard of, (it was DEFINITELY not God of War). I got an email FROM GAMEFLY stating that my account had become void due to the loss of several games.

Thanks a fuckton Gamefly, blame me for your shitty processing skills, and take my money while you do it.

word

Here's my justification for their "maintenence": Nine times out of ten if a site is down for maintenence, they're either doing nothing or making it less easy to use.

I personally don't have a GameFly account, but now I'm probably never going to. Hopefully, the service Blockbuster is testing will be reliable, but I really don't know right now since I live nowhere near Cleveland.

I hope they're not doing the same thing with Netflix.

If they keep jerking you around, Joe, I'd recommend dumping them. Blockbuster's plan seems like a much better alternative.

Score one for rental stores. :)

Sorry to hear Gamefly sucks. :(

I've never heard of that Gamefly thing but it sure seems to suck. The concept is ridiculous. Buy the games at a store near you if it sucks.

I'll Bite. For a while I've started to notice this too.
GF Does have this crazy thing about Availability skipping. I had a couple game in my Q that I wanted to Rent. Especially for a tournament that just past in July. And I got Pissed that 1 of them was not coming up first. so then I thought ok I'll play their game Have My games in Low up front then Games that I just wanna try for a week, and hope that the game in Low would come up. but in stead I get 1 of the "Medies" and just be bored. just like back in the day of the old local rental. or asking your Parents to get the game for you If they go shopping and you yourself cant make it to the Video store. Chances are you'll get a Crap game and your weekend is Fucked. -_-.. Why Do we need to go through that again? I usually Blame the Video Stores for us Buying Crap when We just wanna Try them out for a week. I mean We Hear that a New game is out And It's at the WalMart (Now Full of Shit) and You Go to Blockbuster and they don't even Have the freaking Game. You don't even have the Money to Buy the game. You're fucked!! so Now it's 3 weeks later and now You lumber up enough Money Because the Video store STILL doesn't have the game You Go to the Store Buy the game and It turns out to be Crap. Now that $60.00 Dollar game that IS crap May Become a $12.59 Trade in ($17.36 for Credit and You may not use that right away or not even get it at all) or It may just as well become a White ass Elephant (BURGER KING!! AHH!!) so that is Why I go with Game Fly. I thought this would be better, be cause of the easier and Better use of Renting. I'll still Keep my GF in Hope That the Service will get better. Yeah I know May sound Like the "Devils Avocado" But Yes In the same same sense I do Hope that Blockbuster Will bring that game and Movie Mail in will come around soon in hopes that It may be their Second wind. But I'll still keep GF until It be comes No use to me any more.

Yeah that's my Ramble.
Sorry if my Whole rant sounded like a South Carolina Speech (Ding!)

I have Gamefly and this dose happen.

Thing is I run Wii games and DS Games, and they don't have to much demand for them so my games are more high and Available Now. But yeah this is totally B.S.

They really do need to expand there supply of games.

Its great that you come out with this becouse gamers deserve to know about it.

I can't really talk much on this as I haven't rented games since I was a kid, so you can ignore my ramblings.

I do agree, that kind of service is not fair to the customer and they shouldn't jerk people around with false advertising. However, I think this is a more "buyer beware" sort of situation.

This is an online rental service with no "late" fees, which implies that people can keep the game for an extended period of time without being fined for it. I'm sure there is a system set up that does charge people for keeping a game or down right stealing it, but I doubt that's very easy to enforce.

Also, I haven't heard a guarantee of a game's quality(if the game is in working condition or not) or anything about customer treatment of said goods. Let me just go back in time to the late 90s and early 2000s before all of this online rental was big and retail was still on top. I rented from Blockbuster a lot, but it was really annoying when I would rent, for example, 'Sonic Adventure', being it home and only find out then that the disc had been scratched just enough that the game wouldn't run past the title screen. Saddest thing is, that happened twice on the same day(wait, this makes me sound really pathetic... oh well). They(the guys working behind the desk) didn't tell me the quality of the discs or if everything that originally came with the game was there either(was I the only kid who liked game booklets? Man, I AM pathetic).


Here's a scenario for this whole problem(oy, do I ever shut up?): maybe Gamefly hasn't had a good percent of their games returned or maybe they noticed that some of the games returned were in disrepair. It probably costs a pretty penny to replace them and they might have needed to cut corners somewhere. They obviously couldn't stand to lose face in front of their consumer base, so they cooked up a clever lie to try keep those customers interested while the company deals with these problems.
It's a bit of a "What if" based analysis of the situation, so correct me if I am wrong.

I guess my point is that if there is a problem with game rentals, it's most likely due to customers and/or distributors' handling of the goods and services. Really, it is up to the customers to be sure that they aren't being shafted at the end of the day, but let's hope that the producers of said goods and services are paying attention to the plights of their consumer base.

End of rambling.

I've always been paranoid about online renting, mostly for this reason.

Not only do you have to trust in their numbers, but in the reliability of the postal service as well. This problem was an inevitability for the online renting, but of course I'm very pessimistic when it comes to businesses.

Now, the blockbuster plan sounds better. But there are multiple concerns here. First off, areas that don't have a local store still have to worry about the postal service screwing up.

Next, as Gamefly proved, the online renting service can get huge, and if they can't meet demand like Gamefly, there is still a likelihood the numbers will be screwed with. Blockbuster has never been the most user-friendly company so to speak, so I don't trust them any more then Gamefly to keep their numbers straight.

If you must have online rentals, you might as well stick it out until Blockbuster comes out, in hopes that they will be better. Otherwise, I'd say drop Gamefly and just stick to renting from the stores directly. At least then you'll know going in whether or not you can get a copy, and have a decent Idea of when you'll have a chance for it if its not currently available. THe only real use I can think of for online renting is people who live to far out of the way to be able to regularly rent games.

I canceled my GameFly subscription yesterday, for many of the same reasons you are bitching about.

1. You can't get new games, period. Any good new game will be on low availability for six months because there are so many people waiting on it.

2. You have to micromanage your queue. Let's say I have 3 games I really, really want to play at medium availability, and 3 games that I kind of want to play at high availability. A proper queue system would allow you to properly prioritize those so you got the medium first at least most of the time. GameFly will send you the high availability ones every single time.

3. Cost. The two game plan is just too expensive. I could keep a game rented out from Movie Gallery for about the same money, and not have to wait weeks to get that high demand game to begin with.

So basically, I'd spend less money and have less of a hassle if I just went to Blockbuster or Movie Gallery and grabbed the game I wanted for a week or two. Absolutely not worth the money anymore. If Blockbuster rolls out their service, I'll probably pick it up and try it out, especially if I'm allowed to return games to the local store (if you can pick them up there, that would be amazing). A 2 game plan with a price under 20 dollars would be amazing as well.