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GameStop: We Can Stay Open During Lockdowns Because We're 'Essential Retail'

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Re: GameStop: We Can Stay Open During Lockdowns Because We're 'Essential Retail'

#81

Post by ThrowawayR2 »

ceilingcorner wrote: post #70

And modern people wonder how the witch-hunts happened in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The mob-like response to this is sad and deranged... Many companies will go out of business as a direct response to these closings. Millions of people will lose jobs. Before throwing out insults, consider that GameStop probably has to try and stay open, or they'll go extinct. Considering that a retail employee that sells video g…

> "Before throwing out insults, consider that GameStop probably has to try and stay open, or they'll go extinct."

At the potential risk of human lives?

Even if we say that customers are coming in voluntarily, it isn't the executives at GameStop manning the counter at these stores; if it were, people would have less objection. Those staff are ordinary people like you or I.

Re: GameStop: We Can Stay Open During Lockdowns Because We're 'Essential Retail'

#82

Post by braythwayt »

ceilingcorner wrote: post #70

And modern people wonder how the witch-hunts happened in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The mob-like response to this is sad and deranged... Many companies will go out of business as a direct response to these closings. Millions of people will lose jobs. Before throwing out insults, consider that GameStop probably has to try and stay open, or they'll go extinct. Considering that a retail employee that sells video g…

Excuse me, but let's stop this line of thinking right now.

No business has a right to do whatever it thinks it must to survive. Tobacco companies don't get to do whatever they think they must to survive.

If a restaurant is in trouble, it doesn't get to tell its employees to speed up service by not washing their hands, nor does it get to hire employees under the table for cash to avoid payroll taxes or minimum wage, nor does it get to serve slaughtered horse to save money on beef.

Companies do not have an inalienable right to existence. If they cannot make money while being good members of society, they must close or be forcibly closed.

Re: GameStop: We Can Stay Open During Lockdowns Because We're 'Essential Retail'

#83

Post by ascagnel_ »

sjburt wrote: post #62
uxcolumbo wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I probably missed a few news cycles, but what Musk and Bezos do you would class as disgusting during this crisis? I heard Tesla is going to produce ventilators?

Tesla refused to close the Fremont plant and told workers they were essential because they were providing transportation [1]. Musk has also said that the virus response has been overblown. [2] Musk is now saying that they well produce ventilators, although they have no design, no experience in medical devices, and a factory that makes cars, not ventilators... [1] https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a31748353/tesla-alam…

> Musk is now saying that they well produce ventilators, although they have no design, no experience in medical devices, and a factory that makes cars, not ventilators...

He's also said they will only do so in the event of a shortage -- he has not said he'll be proactive and divert manufacturing resources to prevent any shortage.

Worth noting that SpaceX, not Tesla, would be the business making the ventilators, as they already make similar equipment for space travel.

Re: GameStop: We Can Stay Open During Lockdowns Because We're 'Essential Retail'

#84

Post by throwawaysea »

Different people will have different needs and circumstances. What’s essential shouldn’t be dictated centrally - I think that’s too draconian. Instead focus on the parameters - reduce max gathering size, require businesses to implement max customer limits, cleaning procedures, and queueing procedures that include distancing. We don’t need to be perfect about this, just good enough.

In the case of GameStop - mental health matters to people, and games are an important outlet especially if they live alone. The alternative is that they will violate guidance on gatherings. And GameStop also sells equipment you can use to work from home. I don’t think it’s just groceries or healthcare that should be allowed to operate. People who fear what’s coming next might want to shop camping/outdoors stores, or maybe they need to get their car fixed up if they need to leave, or whatever else. I understand the logic behind it, but I feel a blanket rule banning most businesses from operating isn’t the right move.

Re: GameStop: We Can Stay Open During Lockdowns Because We're 'Essential Retail'

#85

Post by xnyan »

iNate2000 wrote: post #56
redblacktree wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Should they? They're out there being unnecessarily exposed to potential infection. If they were laid off, they'd be eligible for unemployment benefits.

Aren't unemployment benefits usually a fraction of actual wages? How much does GameStop pay?

My understanding is in this situation, the right thing to do is to offer the employee the "opportunity" to be laid off.

Several companies are doing this, it allows the worker to choose between reduced employment benefits from UE insurance at the benefit of less exposure to C19 or earning more money.

Most people I know that are making an hourly wage have chosen to be laid off if they had the option.

Re: GameStop: We Can Stay Open During Lockdowns Because We're 'Essential Retail'

#86

Post by voxic11 »

sjburt wrote: post #62
uxcolumbo wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I probably missed a few news cycles, but what Musk and Bezos do you would class as disgusting during this crisis? I heard Tesla is going to produce ventilators?

Tesla refused to close the Fremont plant and told workers they were essential because they were providing transportation [1]. Musk has also said that the virus response has been overblown. [2] Musk is now saying that they well produce ventilators, although they have no design, no experience in medical devices, and a factory that makes cars, not ventilators... [1] https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a31748353/tesla-alam…

This would be coming from the SpaceX manufacturing facilities, and doesn't SpaceX make life support systems for their Crew Dragon spacecraft?

Re: GameStop: We Can Stay Open During Lockdowns Because We're 'Essential Retail'

#87

Post by Exmoor »

AdmiralAsshat wrote: post #48

Hopefully there's a class-action lawsuit on behalf of any employees who become sick as a result of this decision. But then, this company is clearly on its way out. I'd be very suspicious at the moment that the execs are finding ways to funnel remaining funds to their golden parachutes before they declare bankruptcy.

I'm assuming you meant, "against Gamestop by any employees who become sick.." ?

Re: GameStop: We Can Stay Open During Lockdowns Because We're 'Essential Retail'

#88

Post by zenexer »

VectorLock wrote: post #59
cryptoz wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Multiple GameStop employees at different locations across the bay area openly mocked me / laughed at me for trying to buy a used GameCube in ~2016. Haven't set foot in a store since. Good riddance.

Thats incredibly strange especially given how retro gaming is a huge thing, and isn't buying/selling used games and equipment kind of GameStop's thing?

Yes, that's quite odd, especially given GameStop's notorious Circle of Life (CoL) philosophy.[1][2] That being said, GameStop employees are often gamers, and gamers are often opinionated about platforms and companies--just like any other enthusiast.

[1]: https://kotaku.com/we-are-all-scared-for-our-jobs-gamestop-e...

[2]: https://kotaku.com/sources-gamestop-changes-their-controvers...

Re: GameStop: We Can Stay Open During Lockdowns Because We're 'Essential Retail'

#89

Post by braythwayt »

opwieurposiu wrote: post #67

The government does not have the legal authority to quarantine people that that are not sick. Thus they have no legal basis to shut down gamestop. Gamestop is calling their bluff.

You did not begin your comment with the disclaimer that you are not a lawyer. So, are you a lawyer? Are you familiar with the authority municipalities, states, provinces, and entire countries have under normal circumstances? How about when there is a state of emergency declared? How about when there is a public health emergency?

Re: GameStop: We Can Stay Open During Lockdowns Because We're 'Essential Retail'

#90

Post by ceilingcorner »

braythwayt wrote: post #82
ceilingcorner wrote: post #70

And modern people wonder how the witch-hunts happened in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The mob-like response to this is sad and deranged... Many companies will go out of business as a direct response to these closings. Millions of people will lose jobs. Before throwing out insults, consider that GameStop probably has to try and stay open, or they'll go extinct. Considering that a retail employee that sells video g…

Excuse me, but let's stop this line of thinking right now. No business has a right to do whatever it thinks it must to survive. Tobacco companies don't get to do whatever they think they must to survive. If a restaurant is in trouble, it doesn't get to tell its employees to speed up service by not washing their hands, nor does it get to hire employees under the table for cash to avoid payroll taxes or minimum wage, n…

First off, don't start any conversation by telling someone to stop thinking contrarian thoughts.

Secondly, the risk of dying from the coronavirus from working at or going into a small video game shop is negligible. You are far more likely to get it at Walmart or a grocery store. Are you calling for the closure of these stores too?

Thirdly, you are painting GameStop as some faceless entity. People work there. These people probably rely on their income to survive.

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