Dimensions of Quality

Quality of Design- Before GameStop put out their games, they do research on what type of games customers most prefer to, what games are the best sellers in the market, what games that they should not sell because not a lot of customers buying them, what type of games the kids would like and type of games adults would like and what type of games that could make them money. So when GameStop decide to put their games at their stores, they pretty much knew that those games are going to sell instead buying all kind of games from the manufactory.

Quality of Conformance – GameStop always do their best to make sure the product and service meets specifications. GameStop’s workers check every game case before they put the games out in the store to make sure that the right game is in the right game case. That way when customer buys the game and gets home open the game case it won’t be a different game that they were buying. The GameStop workers will always help customers out to the fullest; they won’t get impatient when the customers keeping ask them similar questions.

Availability, Reliability and Maintainability – Most of the games in the GameStop will last forever; it will not stop working until the customer’s scratch it or damage the surface of the disc. If customers keep good care of the game disc, the game will last forever without broking or other failures. The GameStop could not repair the game if its surface is damaged, but the GameStop could do a refine; give the customer another game or the same game if it’s within the game frame of the receipt.

Field Service - If the game stop working for any reasons, all the customers have to do is take the game back to the GameStop with their receipts, the customers either get a refine, get a new game that is in the same price range or the GameStop will pull the same game out of the storage room and give to the customers, that only apply within certain time frame like a week or two. GameStop will not try to repair the game disc because if the disc’s surface is damaged, the game is basically done meaning it cannot be use anymore. All of the GameStop’s games have warranty, but it does not last very long, it has its own time frame. Customers could only get refine or switch games only within that time frame.

The quality system that GameStop currently use all four of the dimension of the quality that mentioned at the top. They will make sure the used games that they sell are usable, and it won’t damage the game system and all new games are in perfect condition.

Buy enough new games when they just come out, because it might be a hot seller like the Halo3. It will be gone in a day or two, if they buy more of that game, they could make a lot more money off the new games that just come out.

technology choice

GameStop uses CAD and CAD as technology choices. As we know, GameStop not only sells video game accessories for other parties, but also manufactors its own products such as controllers, av cables, system cases, and so on. Let's take controller as an example. GameStop uses CAD technology to design its own ps3 controllers, which has a different looking than sony's but has the same function. Then GameStop uses the CAM to make those controllers as a batch flow process. those "home made" controllers are much cheaper and are very attractive to customers.
For those used games, they take in as "trade in"s, put every single game disk in a separate evenlope, and file them away behind the register. then they label price ids on the cases, and display them on the wall. we call the process "gutting", usually takes at least 2 mins for each game. When a customer comes in to buy a use game, he has to find the case on the wall, bring to the register, and the cashier has to find the game from thousands of guts. sometime if a person files the game in the wrong place, the other person won't be able to find it, and that usually causes a lot of customer complains. if the company can find a way to automate the whole gutting process, it will not only reduce the labor cost, but will also decrease the waiting time for customers.
GameStop uses ERP system, because everty store in the district can check each other's sales comp. trade comp. reverses, and subscriptions. They also get an email from corporate every day regarding which store has the best sales number, which store needs to catch up. GameStop has more than 3000 stores in the United States, but by using the ERP system, they are able to share informations anytime and anywhere.
gamestop.com and ebgames.com are the two major websites for the company. customers can review the upcoming new games, new releases, hot titles, and used games on those websites. they can also buy gams online, and it's easy and simple. All they have to pay extra is the shipping. after they got the game, if they don't like it, within 7 days, they can even return to a store!

PROCESS SELECTIONS

Unlike other stores Gamestop does not produce many different kinds of products. They produce mainly games, gaming systems and accessories. In other words they use a Batch flow system; where each type of product goes through a different process in order to achieve a finished product.

The best way to puchase a game at Gamestop is to preorder it, because they only have a limited quantity of each particular product or game at the store; in other words its first come first serve. All their products are Made-to-Stock (MTS.

Gamestop standerdizes itself in the product-process matrix as a high volume, low variety, and high priced.

Factors that influence thier process selection depends upon the demand of the customers and the popularity of the products that they produce. Other factors depend upon the costs of producing the product or good.

Mass Customization is not possible for Gamestop, due to its low variety of products and the fact that thier products cannot be customized in any way.

GameStop Link

http://www.gamestop.com/Default.asp?cookie%5Ftest=1&

INVENTORY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

GameStop is the world's largest video game and entertainment software retailer. They carry one of the largest assortments of new and used video game hardware, video game software and accessories, PC entertainment software, and related products, including action figures and strategy guides. They carry a constantly changing selection of more than 5,000 stock keeping units (SKUs) of electronic game merchandise in most stores.

In relation to the ABC inventory management states that "a few items usually account for most of the inventory value as measured by dollar usage (demand times cost)." Therefore enableing them to focus on certain items in the store that control most of the inventory value.

Item Ranking in an average GameStop store:

"A" ranked items are the videogames and PC games that the store offers which take up about 50% of the SKUs.

"B" ranked items are usually the game consoles which take up about 30% of the SKUs.

"C" ranked items are the videogame hardwares. i.e. (controllers, memory cards, strategy guides, and other hardware devices/accesories). These take up about 20% of the SKUs.


Inventory count is done once every two weeks then followed up by re-ordering of any games that are short and in demand. An average of 10-15 copies per game are in stock at all times to ensure customer satisfaction. Pre-order is also availabe upon request for any game that has not been released.

Gamestop

GameStop is the world's largest video game retailer. With over 4,400 stores located throughout the United States and 15 countries, they are the retail destination for gamers around the world. GameStop, EB Games and Electronics Boutique retail locations set them apart in the industry. Everything that they offer the customers—from an expansive selection of new products, to thier knowledgeable associates and a value-added pre-owned product—is geared to deliver customer satisfaction. They complement their store network with GameStop.com and EBgames.com, and publish Game Informer, one of the industry's largest circulation video game magazines.