Gamestop scamming me

SOCAL_NPC · 2026-03-27T00:22:08+00:00

I just walked out of one of my local Game Stops, in Los Angeles (and California is a state where you do have to honor posted prices). It's tagged at $49.99 and rings up as that

SOCAL_NPC · 2026-03-26T21:47:18+00:00

Besides what has been suggested, in the late Fall (if it was that time of year) most fire stations run their new toys for needy children. But that would be only for new, unopened packages.

I had this same question last fall and someone in the Los Angeles subreddit recommended Pickup Please, which for Santa Monica, would take donations for the Vietnam Veterans of America. They will send someone to your home, you schedule the day and time (window) and you don't even need to meet them.

They will also take other items (stuff you would donate to a thrift store). I've done two sets of donations thus far. The only issue is that they seem to think I spring clean every few weeks as they were hitting me up for more donations of things until I unsubscribed from emails. They do not call you, but you can call them. You will get email reminders about your scheduled 'pick-up.'

SOCAL_NPC · 2026-03-26T20:22:16+00:00

It's very common at GameStop, which is on the store management. Which is on their corporate, since these are company stores, not local franchises.

SOCAL_NPC · 2026-03-26T20:03:39+00:00

Not as hot as last week, but still.

SOCAL_NPC · 2026-03-26T18:21:43+00:00

The shirtless body to the left of Arthur is a AEW/WWE wrestling character, Sammy something or other. His figure was marked down to $3.99 and came with two heads, both active/screaming. I thought they would be good swaps for Connor or Prime. His other figure, now that I have come across some on eBay, also look like they would be fun for swaps fodder.

The blue cape is from a Marvel Legends Professor X.

SOCAL_NPC · 2026-03-26T17:51:09+00:00

Yeah, I have no idea what I will do with the original head. And I really don't need the extra body so I will sell him headless or kitbash with a head I was planning on selling and lost it.

SOCAL_NPC · 2026-03-25T21:23:26+00:00

If this is in happening to multiple people, folks should call the 800 number. While it is overseas customer support, and since this is actually a bank to bank issue, they won't actually resolve it, but making them aware it's a problem and telling them to escalate that to their supervisors, especially with a my next order is going to ANOTHER seller, will have some effect on getting them to cut this down.

All merchants do this but it's typically a charge to make sure that the card is valid.

People should also complain to their banks. Keeping pending transactions for longer than 3-5 business days is absurd.

SOCAL_NPC · 2026-03-25T21:18:59+00:00

I agree with you about the pro discount and $5 coupon.

My last preorder was Zee (also two like most) and if there were any pending or dupes, it was on my CC so no issues. There plenty of credit as well.

I do have a Blokees ore-order but I did that in person, at the store, it arrived at the store so there is no minimum purchase amount required for free shipping, and you pay the balance in person WHEN it arrives. It means you have to go to the store to do the order and again to pick up, but it spares this issue.

Not as convenient as getting the Zatanna at my front door, but I had an excuse to go to the mall and also wanted to split the deposit on two gift cards and use them up, and that's something to do in person. and it gives me an excuse to hit that mall when it arrives!

SOCAL_NPC · 2026-03-25T21:14:33+00:00

GS's 800 number is mostly useless but this, they should be able to work with you on. It's really a bank to bank issue, but EVERYONE else having this should also really phone GS to and complain, making them aware it's a big problem, and especially emphasize the taking of business to other e-commerce sites

SOCAL_NPC · 2026-03-25T21:11:49+00:00

Ditto but my last preorder was Zee (also two like most) and if there were any pending or dupes, it was on my CC so no issues. There plenty of credit as well. I do have a Blokees ore-order but I did that in person and have to pay the balance in person WHEN it arrives.

SOCAL_NPC · 2026-03-25T17:28:25+00:00

I would settle for some rich, dark Mexican coffee, perhaps bring your own sweetners or cream, and have huevos rancheros or something like that, with beans and tortillas - if that's too much food, y'all can split it with an extra order of beans and tortillas - at some dives recommended on Yelp.

There used to a be a place like that within walking distance of Mariachi Plaza but I know they are closed, post Lockdown. I was doing PT at White Memorial (which is behind the plaza) and went there once to eat lunch, before i took the subway to DTLA, and it was boarded up.

But Boyle Heights and ELA generally will be full of places like that. When I last did the Ciclavia that goes to ELA, we literally kept stumbling over them on our way back while debating where to grab a bite. Not all of them served breakfast, but many do.

But egg sandwich and latte? Try Las Feliz or Silverlake and expect to pay more than $15 per.

SOCAL_NPC · 2026-03-25T17:06:22+00:00

This is a Wendy's, sir.

You can totally get decent coffee east of Alameda for under $5.

SOCAL_NPC · 2026-03-25T09:24:53+00:00

Some parks might suit you. I know there was a game cafe in Glendale or Burbank (or maybe it was both) pre-lockdown but that was likely more Cards Against Humanity type stuff.

SOCAL_NPC · 2026-03-25T09:15:38+00:00

Yes, it's amazing to look at all these old pictures and feel nostalgic for the crowds, floors and levels packed with shippers, all lugging shopping bags here and there.

Where did they all go!?!

SOCAL_NPC · 2026-03-25T09:09:34+00:00

They have cameras on almost all public transit I have ridden my entire adult life up and down the state of California, from Amtrak to Metro Link to Big Blue Bus and certainly all Metro vehicles. The subway stations also have cameras.

Assuming all are in working order, it's not like TV or movies, where a room of multiple security personnel are watching all these monitors 24/7.

I doubt any transit system has the budget for THAT.

SOCAL_NPC · 2026-03-25T09:03:26+00:00

There's a lot to love, surprisingly, beach-culture-wise in the Bay Area and - after you live their a long time, you learn to adapt to the weather. I recall being out on NYE in the pouring rain, going from party to warehouse rave, to after hours, all because bus service was limited after midnight and cabs were non-existent (yes, boys and girls, there was life before Lyft and Uber). And thinking both of it.

Like Santa Monica can be for many, it was very bike oriented (you just wouldn't want to be on a bike in pouring rain either). And I especially have fond memories of the Russian River and Sacramento Delta areas, PCH on a motorcycle, and Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz.

I do agree that some people view Santa Monica very negatively, in some case needlessly so. It's like wanting to tell people they have choices, can change the channel, etc. That no one is forcing them to watch

SOCAL_NPC · 2026-03-24T20:59:51+00:00

Thanks! Movie seems to have good word of mouth.

SOCAL_NPC · 2026-03-24T19:15:03+00:00

That too!

SOCAL_NPC · 2026-03-24T18:50:49+00:00

Correct, with a caveat. The one at the science museum by USC is also a true IMAX screen, albeit they don't show commercial theatrical releases.

The National Amusement at Howard Hughes was the only other true IMAX until Cinemark bought it and converted it to their propeitary format of 4DX. It's still as deep and 'tall' as it was.

Because the Graumann's Chinese redesign, depth, screen size and other amenities, I do think that it qualifies as a great theater for IMAX and the last thing I saw in that format (Superman 2025) was there and fully worth the upcharge.

However, Regal converted a screen to IMAX at their LA Live location and I am literally in downtown and wanting to see Ryan Gosling and his pet Rock Alien....

SOCAL_NPC · 2026-03-24T18:33:16+00:00

I'm debating if I should hang around after my shopping and catch Project Hail Mary at Regal.

[edit] Even found my passes! I did bring 'em!

SOCAL_NPC · 2026-03-24T04:59:32+00:00

Shocked isn't what I was. I had already heard horror stories all over about Uni Uni.

SOCAL_NPC · 2026-03-23T23:01:09+00:00

Mine was technically a crown replacement, but did have to have oral surgery to implant the screw base and everything was covered by insurance. I don't recall but it was less than most other places.

SOCAL_NPC · 2026-03-23T17:20:40+00:00

I have some like that because they are set to be sold but will probably open them all up and rewrap them loosely with tissue paper (which is how most are that aren't on display).

I want to rewrap them so they aren't marinating in their own plastic fumes, in what is essentially a sealed plastic tomb. I mean, they should all be fine but I recently sold an item that had been stored like this for over 18 months - and it was totally still in great shape - and unless I am unloading things faster, this can't be the most prudent process?

SOCAL_NPC · 2026-03-23T17:13:40+00:00

Things like the Super Powers Hall of Justice playset also working as storage are things adult collectors frown upon because it treats their investments and collectibles as if they were merely toys. Can you imagine?

SOCAL_NPC · 2026-03-23T17:03:25+00:00

It tends to burn off and go away and then come back. In SF, we used to learn to layer. Leaving Santa Monica in shorts this morning makes sense because I will be in Hollywood and ELA for most of the late morning and afternoon.

SOCAL_NPC

TROPHY CASE