Report: GameStop Could Be Launching Its Own Prime-Like Pro Service
Retailers seem to like to lean on exclusive services to keep people coming back for more. And this [...]
Retailers seem to like to lean on exclusive services to keep people coming back for more. And this doesn't exclude gaming, as both Amazon and Best Buy have exclusive programs that help gamers save money, with Prime and the Gamers Club Unlimited, respectively.
And now it looks like GameStop could be giving its own service a try. The company currently has a GameStop program that provides bonuses on trade-ins and buying games used, but this report from the Cheap Ass Games Twitter indicates that it could be introducing its own Prime-like program – and it could launch in some stores as soon as next month.
We've included some screenshots over the next couple of pages, as well as a potential list of features that could benefit users in the program. Let's see what it has to offer!
The Benefits
First up, as transcribed from the new paid membership plan, GameStop wants to add the following features:
- 30 points for every dollar spent (3x points!)
- 20% off pre-owned software and acessories
- 20% extra trade credit on software, accessories and for the first time ever... it will include tech
- A buy 2 get 1 free pre-owned games welcome offer
- A collectibles welcome offer
- $50 in exclusive monthly offers
- Free 2-day shipping
- And all the other benefits Pros currently enjoy!
The company hopes to start rolling out the program to some select locations on September 13th, and all stores by the 18th of October. It's currently going under the name "Elite Pro", indicating that it's a level above the programs it already has in place.
That said, it's not quite perfect, and here's why…
prevnextBut What’s Missing?
First off, it's not really an original program. Its current plan enables 10 percent trade-in extra and 10 percent off used games, and this simply doubles those. It also offers a buy 2 get 1 free for new Pro Members already. The only real benefit here is the free two-day shipping, which is also what Amazon uses.
But here's the drawback – the program only points towards used games. There is no discount offered for new games whatsoever, save for anything that could be used with the $50 in exclusive monthly offers. Amazon recently withdrew its 20 percent savings for new games with its Prime program, but offers a number of other benefits, including Twitch Prime membership, Amazon Prime video and audio selections, and more. GameStop…doesn't really have that.
GameStop has been looking for a way to turn around its trade-in program, but, set to cost $30 a year (double the price of its current $15 program), it's going to be a hard sell for some. We'll see what these "other benefits" has in mind with the company.
There's been no word yet from GameStop on this officially happening, but with the GameStop Expo recently wrapping up in Las Vegas, it's very likely first details came out there, so…we'll see.
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