eStarland.com

Reviews 6

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A L

eStarland offers a massive collection of video games of nearly all generations to some degree. The store is organized enough so that first-time customers can find what they need, albeit some extra time spent searching may be necessary. Games by system are largely typed together, but games of the same company may be spread across the store. Items of higher value may be behind glass cases, although this organization is sub-par. Additionally, several computers exist for customers to use to see if specific items are readily available. However, this also serves as the only means to check prices, as games and other items have their own barcodes. For someone looking for an individual title quickly, the computer is best to use. On the other hand, going in blind to then finding a handful of games means that a considerable amount of time will be spent looking up prices online. Because eStarland serves foremost as a digital storefront, this allows remote customers to see what items are in stock and the option to be notified when the item becomes available. As an in-store customer, there really are no added benefits compared to other stores, and the computer-driven method for everything is a hassle. Because eStarland offers free shipping for orders over $10, ordering online really is the better option. And, as with any game store, the trade-in value is best for those needing quick cash, so one shouldnt expect a huge payout. eStarland also caters to non-gamers or a gamer who may be interested in otaku culture, with items relating to anime and manga available. The store supports local artists for this sub-group as well. Arcade machines and few game systems are for customers free enjoyment. The location also hosts gaming events of various kinds which grants NoVA an good means of a gaming community. Lastly, the store has a team dedicated to in-store repairs, so broken consoles can be serviced here.

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Anthony Centore

I dont really understand why one would go here instead of just shopping online. The prices are not any better, and the process of even looking up prices on any merchandise involves taking the item (in my case a large stack of games) to a computer and scanning in each game (the prices arent on the merchandise). The scanner was buggy, so I ended up just typing in each games title to get the price--just like I was home on my computer! Theres no real discount for shopping in the store (okay, there was a deal for checking in on Yelp, which was $5 off a purchase of $20, but since I was there to buy a lot of stuff, it was insignificant). Theres no break on price even if you buy a bunch of stuff. Nobodys available to help you. The person behind the counter could not be less interested in helping any customers with anything. I ended up buying a bunch of games--I was there, might as well. Spent about $300 (so that $5 of was a 1.6% discount, LOL). But I wont be back. The experience is not fun, takes forever, and theres really no financial reason to buy games in the store (even though they dont need to give amazon/ebay a cut, they dont pass it on to the customer). I drove about an hour to check this place out, but was pretty disappointed.

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Sean Sellards

Staff arent honest. Or helpful. I went there maybe 2 weeks after the New Nintendo 3ds came out to purchase a 3ds, I admit I didnt know the new one was different then the regular 3ds, but I asked serveral times about it, and even brought up the pokemon 20th anniversary edition NEW Nintendo 3ds, and the guy behind the counter said that wasnt a console, it was just cover for the system which is partly true, its a system with covers for both red and blue pokemon. But it is the new Nintendo 3ds. It was 199.99 brand new at Amazon and gamestop, and they kept telling me it was no different same system as the regular 3ds, so I got one and went home and a few days later went to download earthbound from the virtual console and couldnt cause it required the NEW Nintendo 3ds which I didnt have, and couldnt get cause it was too late to return the 3ds I bought from estarland. Had the guy been honest and said they didnt have any new Nintendo 3dss and at least let me know it existed, I would have bought my games, and got they he system some where else but all my other games would come from estarland. But now they have lost my business for ever, Ive felt ripped of ever since my purchase.

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ItalianStallion76

The best game store in the DMV, and even West Virginia for that matter! They have literally almost any game imaginable for purchase, many artifacts and rare boxes and consoles on display as well. They always have very decent prices that regularly beat eBay and Amazon. The greatest part however must be the gamersXchange, which is a flea market, usually once a month (further details on the website) with video games only, and I find this as a great convenience as I find myself going to more than a dozen yard sales on some weekends without even finding a single game. The prices at the gamersXchange are also even lower than the stores, though it depends on the game and its value. I highly, highly recommend any gamers who go through the DMV to come here; its located only a few minutes away from Dulles International Airport and the hotels surrounding it, so if you are here going to MAGfest, dont hesitate to drop by and check out their huge library of games available for purchase!

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A Private User

Walking into this place is like walking into heaven. Floor to ceiling shelves full of games, accessories, and consoles ranging from 1977 (Atari 2600) to the newest releases. Ive been shopping here since around 1997, and Ive never been disappointed. But one of the best parts of them is their trade-in values. They are SO MUCH HIGHER than Gamestop, Walmart, BestBuy, or anyone else. I walked by a GameStop the other day and they only offer $50 for a PSPGo. eStarland offers $145! I cant think of any game store that has more than this place. Sure, theres eBay if you want to improve your collection, but eStarlands quality control is so good that Ive never bought a cartridge that didnt work or a CD that wouldnt read. They clean and shrink wrap everything, and they have a warranty (90 days I think) just in case it doesnt work. They also fix systems and do all sorts of cool technical stuff like making your GameCube region-free. Awesome store.

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Karl Boehm

Terrible Online Store and Business Management - the people are very nice and the inventory is often impressive but the way the online store is run is really shameful. We sold an old console through their mail-in program and were provided an estimate which was not honored. It was not a lot of money in the first place but when we received half of that fee and contacted them they gave a reply that they wouldnt honor their written agreement. The online store and trade-in service is really poorly run. This was not the first issue. The online store doesnt work well and the support isnt able to be helpful. The management needs to adopt policies to take better care of their customers and improve their storefront so that it doesnt make people feel frustrated and ultimately ripped off. Theres something to the phrase - you get what you pay for. Ebay is a path of less resistance imho atm. Hopefully they get their act together.

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