Not a real career. Something to do if you can't find anything else - Assistant Store Manager GameStop Employee Review

2.0
Oct 5, 2012
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Some of the best health insurance I've seen If you enjoy games (which is probably why you're there) you'll have some fun occasionally. The company will be around for a while. They've got the whole "We don't care how we treat our employees as long as we're making money" philosophy down to a science.

Cons

Unrealistic sales goals placed without any training on how to reach those goals. Poor work/life balance Poor pay Store managers are expected to work 6-7 days a week for little more than mid 30s a year. Instead of making you feel like a valued member of a team the company is quite content to let you know regularly that you are replaceable. Managers on duty are not allowed to leave the store if there is not another manager present (they'll terminate you, its in the handbook even). Due to low hours allocated to some stores this leaves managers without lunch breaks. They tell you to go to the back room and take your break on the clock, but employees need a break. It's borderline false imprisonment. Once you hit Store Manager that's pretty much the highest you'll get in your career. There is an extremely small bottleneck for advancement past this point- Even if you're one of the few with a Degree.

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5.0
Jul 23, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Personable management that is understanding of education commitments

Cons

There are no cons to report

3.0
May 16, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

You get real management experience fast. You can honestly say you handled: Inventory control Cash handling Customer conflict Sales goals Scheduling pressure Loss prevention Store operations Merchandising Trade-ins Tech/product support Opening and closing Problem-solving without backup That is valuable on a resume. You also learn independence. If you can run a store alone, you can handle pressure, prioritize, and make decisions without someone holding your hand. It can also be good if you like games, collectibles, tech, consoles, and talking to customers who care about that world. And if the store has decent traffic, you can build strong customer relationships. Regulars matter.

Cons

Being “store manager” but also being the only person there is often exploitation dressed up as responsibility. You may be expected to do the work of: Manager Sales associate Inventory clerk Security Customer service desk Tech advisor Cleaner Cashier Loss prevention Complaint handler All at once. The biggest cons: You are accountable for problems you may not have enough staff, payroll, or authority to fix. Upper management may push metrics, warranties, memberships, preorders, and sales goals without giving enough labor or support. You may get blamed for shrink, low numbers, customer complaints, late tasks, missed calls, or messy inventory even when the real issue is understaffing. Breaks can become fake breaks. If you are alone, you may not actually be able to step away. Safety can be an issue, especially with cash, consoles, theft, angry customers, or closing alone. The title can sound stronger than the pay. GameStop management responsibility has historically outweighed compensation in many stores. Burnout risk is high. You are constantly “on,” and there may be no one to absorb pressure with you.

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