Will GAME aus be affected by GAME UK's troubles?

[CaptainOrgazmo]

I currently have over $100 in preorder deposits with GAME australia's online site, and they specify the deposits are non-refundable so I can't even cancel them right now. 

I'm getting really worried about what will happen to Australia's GAME since UK's GAME is bankkrupt.  If Australia's GAME goes down as well, would that mean I lose all the deposit money? 

[SimOniS]

Same here mate, hoping it does not effect the fully paid off deposit Diablo 3 collectors edition I have ordered with them. Finally got a release date set for it thankfully.

On the positive side GAME UK has only gone into administration, not bankruptcy, so they still have options  to continue operating atm.

http://www.gamesradar.com/game-finally-gives-and-goes-administration-it-gone-forever-heres-what-means-real-terms/



 

[S1NGULAR1TY]

Game AUS is being verrrrrrry disingenuous with its responses. They're throwing around misleading, meaningless terms like "operates differently to Game UK" [differently, huh? Rrrrrrrrreally?] and "separate entity" [sure, it's a separate Australian company... that's owned by....?] in the hopes of placating the market.

Or at least, avoiding one of those self-fulfilling prophecies like happened with the Asian financial crisis.

Anyways, I just hope I get a chance to redeem my $50 gift card before it all comes crashing down. If not, I'll just have to help myself to the dumpster of "Only $50!! Cheap!!!" stickered 2nd hand copies of Smackdown vs Raw 2007 that'll start appearing behind the stores. Heck, with enough copies of Damnation, Fifa 08 and X-Blades I can probably build my cat a neat little house to sleep in. Then at least some good has come of this all.

Oh, btw, a decisive link you'll never find on the GAME Aus facebook page among the 4chan memes and links to awkward Game TV vids : http://www.gamegroup.plc.uk/gmg_plc/about/locations/australia/

[Charlie Miso]

GAME are pretty much dead in the UK, there was some rumblings about Gamestop from the US looking at some of their non-UK business, especially in Spain.

However Gamestop own EB here so there is no chance they'll look at GAME here.

I'm preparing for the firesale myself.

[snuke]

From Kataku

In the UK, GAME is going through difficult times. It has suspended trading on the stock exchange and there are plans to close multiple stores. If GAME in the UK doesn?t raise ?180 million by the end of the week it risks going into administration. This has raised concerns about GAME in Australia ? we now have a local response which claims GAME Australia is working on ?viable alternative options?.

?GAME?s businesses around the world are going through a challenging time,? reads the statement. ?Regarding our business locally, Australia is a separate legal entity and business from the UK, with a separate management team. The choices that GAME?s UK entities are making don?t necessarily impact us here.

?In case the UK entities do go into administration, the Australian management team and I are working hard on a number of viable alternative options for our business.?

GAME is hoping that good working relationships with local publishers and distributors will help the company in the long term.

?We are fortunate that we have strong relationships with local publishers and continue to work closely with them. We will keep stocking the latest releases, as well as honouring all our pre-orders. Our aim, as always, is to ensure we remain as the destination of choice for our customers and continue to deliver great customer service and knowledge.?

[ianinozzie]

I really like Game Australia, or more appropriately, the Game staff. Not taking away anything from the EB Games staff, especially my local EB, because they are also always very friendly and helpful, but I find that the two to three Game stores I have frequented over the years have fantastic staff who always go out of their way to give superb customer service. My local store in Ringwood, in particular, have staff that always try to get me the best deal possible.

Yes, prices of Game's games tend to be on the pricier side (sometimes moreso than EB) when compared to JB, Harvey Norman, Dick Smith and other retailers, but those other stores, apart from EB, don't have rewards programs and don't have that same sort of staff who know their games and stuff.

Hoping we're not too affected by Game UK going into administration, though my only order with Game at the moment is for Kid Icarus: Uprising that's out this Thursday. Hope for all the best for the Game staff overseas.

[Charlie Miso]

Administration confirmed overnight.

All pre-orders, loyalty points, gift cards and exchanges dead and money lost.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-03-26-game-suspends-use-of-reward-cards-and-gift-cards-cancels-refunds-and-exchanges

Pro Tip - do not give GAME any money.

[S1NGULAR1TY]

My heart goes out to suicine. Think of the billions (or is it trillions?) of Game credit bucks that're locked down, unable to be redeemed...

[Chief]

Administration confirmed overnight.

All pre-orders, loyalty points, gift cards and exchanges dead and money lost.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-03-26-game-suspends-use-of-reward-cards-and-gift-cards-cancels-refunds-and-exchanges

Pro Tip - do not give GAME any money.

I used my reward points today, so for GAME AUS it appears business as normal at this point.

Not that I would be buying gift cards or putting down a pre-order deposit...

[snuke]

GAME Aus is up for sale:

http://www.afr.com/p/world/game_australia_bid_to_keep_stores_o4XwaUusf8nWrA9unmhoxJ

[ianinozzie]

Like Chief, I used my rewards points at Game, though it was on Thursday 29 March to purchase Kid Icarus Uprising on the 3DS. Might have to avoid putting down pre-order deposits now until there's some certainty over what's going to happen. A real shame, I really like shopping at my local Game.

[Charlie Miso]

UK GAME has been bought, no idea what this means for AUS GAME though.

[beyondtool]

http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2012/05/is-it-safe-to-buy-from-game-australia-now-that-it-is-in-administration/

Recent article on the state of the aussie GAME stores.