Slackers CDs and Games

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Slackers CDs and Games
Type Retail
Founded Columbia, Missouri, Flag of the United States United States, 1993
Founder Kurt Jellinek
Paul Zacharias
Headquarters Columbia, Missouri, Flag of the United States United States
No. of locations 11 stores (2008)
Area served MidwesternUnited States
Products Video Games
Music
Movies
Website http://slackers.com/

Slackers CDs and Games is a chain of entertainment retailers located in the Midwestern United States. It was founded in 1993 by Kurt Jellinek and Paul Zacharias in Columbia, Missouri. The store is known for selling local independent music, its extensive collection of classic games, and giving the most credit for trade-ins. In 2007, the store raised some controversy for stockpiling Nintendo Wiis. As of 2008, there are 11 locations in the midwest.

Contents

[edit] History

Slackers CDs and Games in Columbia, Missouri
Slackers CDs and Games in Columbia, Missouri

Slackers CDs and Games was founded in 1993 by Kurt Jellinek and Paul Zacharias in Columbia, Missouri.[1] Jellinek and Zacharias opened the store after graduating from Saint Louis University using only their own collection of 1,500 music CDs.[2] The name originated from their Generation being considered slackers before given a chance to prove otherwise.[2] Although, business was slow at first with the store sometimes only making $30 in a day, business eventually increased and after 2 years they were able to open a second location in O'Fallon, Illinois.[2] As of 2008 there 11 locations in the Midwestern United States.[3]

[edit] Wii Controversy

On December 20, 2007, the store raised some controversy when Ars Technica reported that the chain was stockpiling Nintendo Wii systems to sell at a higher profit while telling retail customers that the chain did not have any systems in stock, and were not expecting any.[4]

On December 21, 2007, Kurt Jellinek responded on the Slackers website, saying that the article was sensationalist and misleading. He said that of the 44 units the chain had, five were sold on eBay for $399.99 with a couple of units still in stock, 35 were held for specific customers and sold at the MSRP, and the remainder were given away.[5]

Some sites believe this may violate Nintendo's enforcement of the Wii's $249 retail price,[6][7] and may prevent the store from receiving future products from Nintendo.[7][8][9] Nintendo has refused to comment on the issue.[10]

[edit] Reputation

Slackers CDs and Games won an award for best used CD store in 2006 from the Riverfront Times for it's collection of vinyl records and independent and rare music CDs.[11]

Since the store buys video games from all consoles, it's known for it's extensive collection of classic titles. While the prices are considered to be fair for most of their old titles, some are considered to be too high when compared to other stores. In addition, they only require the game for catridge based games.[12]

The store is also known for giving more credit for trade-ins than it's competitors. In 2005, Vox Magazine had the same four games(Halo, Metal Gear Solid 3, NHL 2004, and Madden NFL 2005) priced at EB Games, Game Crazy, and Slackers CDs and Games, with the trade-in value being $16.50, $26.82, and $45 respectively.[13]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Slackers CD's and Games. St. Louis Business Journal. Retrieved on 2008-01-04.
  2. ^ a b c College 'Slacker' Buddies Follow Music, Video Game Business Dream.. Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News. Retrieved on 2008-06-13.
  3. ^ Slackers CDs and Games locations. Slackers CDs and Games. Retrieved on 2008-01-04.
  4. ^ Slackers employees explain Wii scalping business. Ars Technica. Retrieved on 2008-01-04.
  5. ^ Slackers stores not slacking on Wii profit margins. Gizmodo. Retrieved on 2008-01-04.
  6. ^ Retailer Sold Nintendo Wiis on eBay. eFluxMedia. Retrieved on 2008-01-04.
  7. ^ a b Retailer sold marked-up Wiis on eBay. Digital Trends. Retrieved on 2008-01-04.
  8. ^ Retailer selling Wiis on eBay. Slippery Brick. Retrieved on 2008-01-04.
  9. ^ Retail Store Accused of Scalping Nintendo Wiis on eBay. RealTechNews. Retrieved on 2008-01-04.
  10. ^ US game store black-marketing Nintendo Wii on eBay?. NewsLocale. Retrieved on 2008-01-04.
  11. ^ Best CD Store (Used) (2006). Riverfront Times. Retrieved on 2008-01-04.
  12. ^ Genesis Around the World: Slackers CDs and Games. Sega-16. Retrieved on 2008-01-04.
  13. ^ Beat the system. Vox Magazine. Retrieved on 2008-01-04.

[edit] External links