Is the gaming retail chain providing customers a free demo disc of Monster Hunter Tri without any strings attached or are they trying to use them to bait $5 out of your pocket?
Today I went on a few errands which brought me to GameStop. I figured while I was in there that I’d check to see if they had any more of the Monster Hunter Tri Wii demo discs still available. When I arrived and asked the employee about the disc, I was told that they were only being given those who pre-order the game. I tried to argue that Capcom had said the discs were free and not supposed to be a “pre-order bonus” and of course got no where. I went to another GameStop location only to be given the exact same story.
Red = denied | Blue = potential
This got me thinking about my local area and wondering if it was just my neck of the woods that was snubbing me simply because I chose not to pre-order. I called around and found no pattern to how the stores were functioning when it came to distribution of the demos. One employee I spoke to said candidly that they were attempting to use the discs to bait people into paying $5 (pre-order), supposedly to try and make their pre-order totals higher one would assume. Another said that there was a huge mix up about how the demos were to be distributed and that if I had problems with the other stores that I should let them know.
This small bit of information is from Washington State and is a small sampling, therefore I have created a Google Map that I will plot information submitted to me from anyone who’d like to contribute. The goal is to provide those a visual local guide to finding a disc and obtaining one without giving into GameStop’s questionable sales tactics to sample the game as Capcom intended. Please help others out and contribute if you’ve been able to or not able to get your hands on a disc and submit that information in the comment section, thanks!
View Monster Hunter Tri Demo Disc Availability in a larger map
I know I am not the only one who has been met with this resistance from GameStop employees as well. Over at the Capcom Unity forums under the Ask Capcom section, there is a six page thread that has people speaking up about the same issue I experienced.
As of this post I have e-mailed Capcom about not being able to procure a disc at my local GameStop and have not received an answer. I have also sent off an e-mail to GameStop to see if they’d like to comment on the situation.
Thank you so much for contributing! Added your locations to the map.
Game Stop 2257
(626) 288-7116
3006 San Gabriel Blvd.
Rosemead, CA 91770
>> Pre Order Required
GameStop – Mall 4196 & Mall 1871 (Two GameStops, 1 Mall)
(626) 447-1503
400 S BALDWIN AVE
ARCADIA, CA 91007
>> Free to Take
Game Stop 0829
(626) 351-1258
3401 E. Foothill Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91107
>.Free to Take
Thank you so much for contributing! Added your locations to the map.
I went to this Gamestop location last Sunday and asked for the Pre-Order demo. After telling them that I read online the demo was supposed to be free, they still told me I had to fork over $5 for a Pre-Order to get the disc. The location's address & Phone Number is as follows:
Gamestop
670 Merced Mall, Merced, CA
(209) 388-0616
Really great project! Glad I can help!
Thanks for your contribution, though I can't find that particular location on the map, I've made a note of that on the marker I put there. Could be outdated, not sure!
Pre-order Required @
Gamestop
6749 South Westnedge Avenue, Portage, MI
(269) 321-9363
Thank you as well! Added to the map.
Game Stop 4783
(407) 855-5336
2101 Town Center Blvd
ORLANDO, FL 32837
Ive had this ongoing debate with one of the workers there that the demo is free but every time i go i always forget to bring my printout of capcom's posting so he tries to make me pre order it EVERY TIME.
With those types of folk I doubt even a laptop with the current site on it would do much good unfortunately. Best of luck to you, I've added your information to the map, thank you!
Game Stop 0662
(703) 492-8627
13277 Worth Avenue
Woodbridge, VA 22192
Gave me a disk without a fight or preorder. Also didn't hassle me about signing up for an edge card when I sold a few games. One of the better ones.
I've only been to one or two GS I care for and that was mostly because of the awesome people running them. They quit months later and I pretty much stopped going in due to the ignorance and frustration of them trying to fleece me anytime I'd approach the counter.
Hopefully your GS stays a good one since they seem to be rare as gold at the moment.
Thank you for your contribution!
Oh, man, now I wish I knew the adress of my local GameStop! They gave me the disc gratis, as intended.
If you have a general idea you could Google Map the location then find the address that way.
I went to the one at:
160 Beverly Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90036-2547
last tuesday and was told that I needed to pre-order it. I told them I had read multiple places that said it was free and asked to see their documentation that claimed I had to pre-order, causing them to search their system. 3 minutes later I was told that he had been mistaken and I left with the demo.
Wish I had that kind of luck at my local GS. Even when I told them it was supposed to be free, they pulled the notebook out and read off a paragraph that basically said no $5, no disc.
Thanks for your contribution!
Should have said afterwards, "Okay, now I'd like to pre-order, please.
"
I Went 510 Showers Drive
Mountain View, CA ..I was denied; didn't say I had to preorder but I had to buy a wii game to get it =/
Wow a full game? That's a bit much.
Thanks for your contribution however!
GameStop – Mall 4616
(509) 747-6406
808 W MAIN AVE
SPOKANE, WA 99201
>>>Free to take
Thanks, updated the map to reflect your contribution!
GameStop
(520) 326-0701
2910 N. Campbell Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85719
Told me I had to pre-order the game first.
Thank you very much! Added to the map.
GameStop – Mall 0143
(269) 979-1844
5775 Beckley Road
Battle Creek, MI 49015
went first day to pick it up, guy told me i had to pre-order. i argued with him about it, and after 3 min he caved and gave it to me. was out there sunday though, and they seemed to be back to the pre-order tactic.
That seems to be the way one GS I phoned wanted to handle things. Said /I/ could have one free but that they were going for the pre-orders. :/
Thanks for contributing!
Gamestop
4543 FM 1960 Rd W
Houston, TX – (281) 587-8652
I can't do anything with this unfortunately, I need to know what your experience was (good or bad) in order to put a data point on the map.
The gamestop in Downtown Crossing in Boston also said I had to pre-order the game even when I said the demo is supposed to be free.
Neighborhood: Downtown
40 Winter St
(between Tremont St & Temple Pl)
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 210-7923
Updated, thank you!
I called ALL these locations. Visited the first 3. They all require Pre-orders..
GameStop – Mall 1479
(216) 861-1448
230 West Huron
Cleveland, OH 44113
****Pre-Order required****
Game Stop 5430
(216) 574-6190
2015 W 25TH ST
CLEVELAND, OH 44113
****Pre-Order required****
Game Stop 3767
(216) 661-5443
3435 Steel Yard Dr.
Cleveland, OH 44109
****Pre-Order required****
Game Stop 4847
(216) 661-1560
4828 RIDGE RD
BROOKLYN, OH 44144
****Pre-Order required****
Game Stop 2426
(216) 228-9487
14869 Detroit Avenue
Lakewood, OH 44107
****Pre-Order required****
Game Stop 3618
(216) 581-8596
9781 Vista Way
Garfield Heights, OH 44125
****Pre-Order required****
Game Stop 2424
(216) 251-0118
3754 Rocky River Dr.
Cleveland, OH 44111
****Pre-Order required****
Game Stop 0939
(216) 291-2226
3582 Mayfield Rd.
Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
****Pre-Order required****
Game Stop 4872
(440) 884-8290
7540 BROADVIEW ROAD
PARMA, OH 44134
****Pre-Order required****
Whoa, thank you for doing that much work! I appreciate it tons and have updated the map to reflect your contribution!
Game Stop 5310
(410) 744-2535
818 N ROLLING RD
CATONSVILLE, MD 21228
No problem getting the demo disc without pre-ordering. I asked for it and they handed it to me, but the display was just sitting out on the counter.
A display for them and there were still discs left? That's cool that they put them out for everyone to access.
Thanks, added!
Game Stop
16201 Ford Road
Dearborn MI, 48126
Said preorder required
Gamestop
42645 Ford Road
Canton, MI, 48187
Free to take
Updated, thanks!
Game Stop 0976
(724) 742-4445
1713 Route 228
Cranberry Township, PA 16066
Game Stop 5246
(724) 741-6100
20111 ROUTE 19
CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, PA 16066
both wanted me to pre-order
Thanks, updated!
Gamestop 2980
Hauppauge shopping center
393 Nesconset Hwy
Hauppauge,NY 11788
(631) 863-2109
They originally had you preorder, but are now giving it free.
Added, thanks!
My local GameStop was doing the same.
10333 Magnolia Avenue
Riverside, CA 92505-1809
(951) 343-9363
Doing the same? Does that mean they said you needed to pre-order? I need to know one way or the other for certain before I add this to the map, sorry!
I am a Gamestop employee and though I have no monetary motivation to defend the company, this has to be explained.
No, we are not required to collect a pre-order deposit when giving out the Monster Hunter Tri demos. Anybody can walk in and pick one up. However, I prefer that we DO get a pre-order because we only receive a limited supply of demos (about 30 in a case). Why do I want to run out of demos handing them to customers who don't care and just want to try the game out when its not due for over a month? What do I tell the people that are genuinely interested and want to put down a deposit? "Sorry, but I handed your demo to somebody with a slight interest in the game that is too cheap to put down $5 despite the fact that it comes with 500 free Nintendo points and a $5 deduction off the cost at pick up."
Store employees are scrutinized and evaluated on their sales production and when Capcom and Nintendo are offering so much in bonuses for reserving, I don't understand why people are getting upset. Put down the money and take the demo home. If it sucks, then go to the store and get your money back.
Not all of us Gamestop employees are evil.
Bollocks.
That implies that a game demo is a tickle treat for someone who is already going to buy the game so they can play it early. Game demo's are to illicit sales and generate hype amoung the group of gamers who haven't decided whether or not they will purchase the game. The person who is coming in to preorder doesn't need the demo, they're already buying the game.
Oh I'm not trying to insinuate that you all are evil. There are varying degrees to be sure in everything.
I however cannot agree with you on the subject. It's not that I'm too cheap to plop down $5 on the counter, it's the principle of the matter. This bait and switch isn't cool because it's a ploy and in my eyes is wrong.
Now, I encourage those who DO pick up the demo for FREE without a pre-order to consider pre-ordering, because that helps Capcom as far as I know.
That's exactly the conduct that got me to order Monster Hunter Tri (and practically every game I get) from Amazon instead of Gamestop. I'm tired having to put up with Gamestop's slimy preorder hucksters.
Sorry to hear that. I'm paid minimum wage, I don't have great Gamestop devotion other than to keep my job another month till I graduate college. I'm just trying to explain the angle of the average Gamestop pawn. If I don't reach certain numbers, there are 5 or 10 people that pass through the door each day with an application in their hand ready to take my place. I'm not a cutthroat Gamestop goon jamming crap down my customer's throats, but when Capcom is offering basically $10 and a demo for putting down $5, I really don't think that qualifies me as a "slimy huckster" for suggesting that customers pre-order when I hand them their demo.
It does when Capcom sent those same demos to people for free in the mail and specifically said in the blog that you didn't need a preorder. So yeah, I feel pretty justifiably irritated at how Gamestop handled it.
As for my opinion on Gamestop employees, it's nothing personal. I bet a lot of people who work at Gamestop are fabulous when they aren't trying to buy/sell/trade used video games and preorders.
Game Stop 0790
(330) 966-8535
5520 Dressler Road
North Canton, OH 44720
I need more information before I can post this (either you needed a pre-order/not), sorry!
GameStop #5272
University Plaza
1142 E 2ND ST
EDMOND OK, 73034 US
(405) 216-9655
Free to take.
Thanks, updated!
I was able to get mine without any trouble at the Gamestop in the Pentagon City Mall in Arlington, VA 22202
Game Stop 5117
(301) 632-5163
3067 WALDORF MARKET PLACE
WALDORF, MD 20603
Bunch of fagatrons there. Told me I had to reserve the game!
Thank you for your information, however I don't think they deserve to be called names simply because they are wrong in the situation.
All my GS stores where requiring a pre-order to get the demo EARLY. after the demo release date i went in to get my friend a copy and was told they are free now. All my GS locations are handing them out for free with no hassle.
I'd love to know the locations so I can put them on the map!
GameStop Store 2452
(770)667-0154
5230 Windward Parkway
Alpharetta GA 30004
I was picking up the new release of Pokemon HeartGold this Sunday, and saw these discs in a display at the checkout counter. I asked if it was free and was told it was only being given out to people who pre-order the new game for $5.
Thank you, added to the map!
This is why I demo digital (PC/XBox), hopefully Wii will start embracing retail demo downloads in the near future.
The problem is space. The options you listed have HD options.
I asked for a free demo of Monster Hunter 3 here at this Gamestop. They told me I had to pre-order the game or pay $5.
Gamestop Address:
1882 3rd Avenue
New York, NY 10029-5432
(212) 427-6317
gamestop.com
Thanks, added!
13340 Franklin Farm Road
Herndon, VA 20171-4098
(703) 437-0486
They told me I had to pre-order and I didn't push it.
Thanks, added!
Gamestop in Maysville, KY requires pre-order.
One more reminder why I stopped shopping at Gamestop.
Need an address or phone number so I can map this, thanks!
I received my demo for free but they tried to convince me that I needed to preorder the game. I argued that that did not make any sense and that Capcom had stated the demos were free to all. After this they handed over a copy.
Gamestop in the Mall in Tucson Arizona
on the Corner of Oracle and Wetmore.
Unfortunately since I don't live in your state I'll need an address or phone number because I'm not familiar with any landmarks out there, sorry!
Archon must be talking about this location:
GameStop
4500 N ORACLE RD
TUCSON, AZ 85705
(520) 408-7430
Thanks, updated accordingly!
Game Stop 3814
(508) 295-6164
2421 Cranberry Hwy
Wareham, MA 02571
I just walked in and took one no questions asked.
The Gamestop at Northpoint Mall in Alpharetta, GA first told me that I had to pre-order to get it. I replied, "I thought it was free?" and another clerk said that it was.
I need an address and phone number if you wouldn't mind please? Thanks!
GameStop
(812) 402-3939
6401 E LLOYD EXPY
EVANSVILLE, IN 47715
**Pre-order required**
Updated, thanks! ^_^
All of these wanted me to pre-order. I had originally pre-ordered with #4 so I went back and got my money back and kept the demo. Even after I got my money back the kid was like "well, it's supposed to just be a reward for ordering but…" to which I replied "it says Reserve Now right on the case!"
also, it's worth noting that, despite this MH3 silliness, the people at #2 are some of the best I've ever met. they're nice, they're helpful, and most of the time they're knowledgeable.
—-1—-
Game Stop 6307
(716) 633-2161
5041 Transit
Clarence, NY 14221
—-2—-
GameStop – Mall 0374
(716) 626-0466
4545 Transit Road
Williamsville, NY 14221
—-3—-
GameStop – Mall 4092
(716) 823-2522
3701 McKinley Parkway
BLASDELL, NY 14219
—-4—-
Game Stop 4666
(716) 821-1628
3701 MCKINLEY PKWY
BLASDELL, NY 14219
Added, thank you very much!
I knew it! Okay, two locations here:
PreOrder Required
3251 20th Avenue, San Francisco, CA
(415) 564-7567
Located in Stonestown Mall
3800 Klose Way, Richmond, CA
(510) 758-8482
I preordered through them, but was able to cancel the preorder and transfer the funds to a copy of Pokemon SoulSilver.
Gamestop 3576
Sacramento, CA
Free to take – even put them out on the counter to be freely accessible.
Check AIM, I left you a message.
If there actually are Gamestop employees not trying to push pre-orders or Edge cards on you, -they won't last there long, or at least they won't get any hours.
Pre-orders and Edge cards are basically the *entire basis* for getting hours and getting promoted at Gamestop.
GameStop
11865 Carmel Mtn. Rd.
San Diego, CA 92128
(858) 385-9172
>>Preorder Required…plus the guy gave me some attitude for telling him getting a demo via preorder is pretty stupid.
Thank you, sorry you caught attitude for trying to get your point across.
Game Stop 0573
(773) 284-5599
7945 S CICERO AVE
Chicago, IL 60652
I was denied a copy of the demo. I was actually VERY CLOSE to getting one, but whom I presume was the manager said that the game had to be pre-ordered to get one.
That sucks, sorry to hear that, but thank you for the info!
1250 South Hover Road
Longmont, CO 80501-7952
(303) 682-1930
I went there on March 8th to pick up my copy of the demo, but they refused to give it to me saying that preorder was required. I went on a huge fit about how I read that people had similar problems online, and that Capcom made a deal with Gamestop, etc etc. Called their BS and they ended up giving it to me so I would leave the store (lol). I bet they would still tell others that they need preorder though.
It sucks you had to fight with them to get it, but at least you got one! Thanks!
Being an ex gamestop employee I can tell you that chances are these stores are all operating by either their manager's or district manager's instructions. Corporate most likely did not tell them to do this. All types of managers get bonuses for reserves. Reserves are the most important benchmark stat for a store or district.
Either way this is wrong and they need to answer to capcom for this.
They're staying silent on the situation (both parties) and I think they'll just weather the storm instead of comment on it unfortunately. :/
GameStop
(949) 551-6546
3972 BARRANCA PKWY
Irvine, CA 92606
Preorder required
Interesting article to write. I was having the same problem. My local Gamestop said I had to preorder and would not give it to me. I went to another Gamestop just a bit further away yesterday to buy some stuff and was able to just grab a demo off the counter. They didn't care.
GameStop #5556
4404 Shelbyville Rd
Louisville, KY 40207
(502) 895-9100
completely free to take
Thanks, added to the map, hopefully it'll help folks out that way.
I was told I had to preorder at the Gamestop in the Tallahassee Mall:
2415 North Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32303-4112
(850) 383-0288
Thank you very much, added!!!!
Game Stop 0418
(314) 577-0317
3509 Bamberger Avenue
St Louis, MO 63116
They said on the phone and at the store that you have to pre-order the game, but the demo discs are in an open "take one" box right on the customer counter so it should be easy enough just to swipe one without them noticing.
Thanks, added to the map!