SmallBizGenius Analysis

Gamefly reviews reveal a service plagued by slow shipping, poor customer service, and billing issues, leading to widespread customer dissatisfaction. While the concept of renting games is appealing, the execution consistently falls short of expectations, resulting in a low SmallBizGenius rating.

Category Breakdown

Scores based on analysis of 96 recent reviews

Shipping and Delivery

2.0/10

Numerous reviewers complain about extremely slow shipping and delivery times, often taking a week or more to receive games. Many also report games getting lost in the mail, leading to further delays and frustration; one reviewer stated, "It took 11 days to receive my 1st movie and 5 days for GF to receive the return."

52 reviews mention this

Customer Service

2.5/10

Many reviewers describe Gamefly's customer service as rude, unhelpful, and unresponsive. Customers report difficulty resolving issues, receiving generic responses, and being blamed for problems such as lost games; one reviewer said, "Customer service is quite rude, so let’s start there."

38 reviews mention this

Billing Issues

2.0/10

Several reviewers report being charged incorrectly, including charges for games they never received or after canceling their subscriptions. Some also mention difficulty obtaining refunds or resolving billing disputes; a reviewer stated, "Charging me $60 for a game they lost."

25 reviews mention this

Game Availability

3.0/10

Reviewers frequently mention that desired games, especially new releases, are often unavailable. They also report receiving games lower on their queue, despite higher-priority games being listed as available; one reviewer said, "It was next to impossible to get any of the games."

20 reviews mention this

Account Management

3.0/10

Some reviewers report issues with account cancellations, reactivations, and accessing their accounts. Others mention being denied service due to past issues with previous residents at their address; one reviewer stated, "Very rude service they cancel my membership on a free trial then told me to pay for my membership when they have my card."

15 reviews mention this

Game Condition

3.5/10

A number of reviewers report receiving damaged or non-functional game discs. This leads to frustration and wasted time waiting for replacements; one reviewer said, "Gamefly sent out a ps5 disc that was scratched all the way to hell and completely unreadable by my console."

10 reviews mention this

Pros & Cons

What Customers Love

Wide selection of games and movies Mentioned 5x
"Gamefly has an okay selection at the times things are released"
Option to purchase used games at a discount Mentioned 3x
"also if you want to keep a game its often cheaper then you would get a used game anywhere else"
Convenient rental service in theory Mentioned 3x
"Great concept, poor execution"
Website is easy to use Mentioned 1x
"Website is actually great!"
Customer service can be helpful Mentioned 1x
"I even reached out to customer service once because I had a question and they quickly responded with an adequate response."

Common Complaints

Extremely slow shipping and return times Mentioned 52x
"It’s slower every month I really don’t understand. I’m averaging about 6/7 days to receive and over a week to return."
Poor and rude customer service Mentioned 38x
"Customer service is quite rude, so let’s start there."
Frequent billing errors and disputes Mentioned 25x
"They took two payments of $9.95. But I told me that it didn’t go through and my account set up was not finished."
Games often unavailable, especially new releases Mentioned 20x
"It was next to impossible to get any of the games."
Damaged or non-functional game discs received Mentioned 10x
"Gamefly sent out a ps5 disc that was scratched all the way to hell and completely unreadable by my console."

Common Questions About Gamefly

Answers derived from customer review patterns

Is Gamefly legit and trustworthy?

Based on 96 reviews, Gamefly's legitimacy is questionable due to numerous complaints about billing issues, lost games, and poor customer service. Many reviewers report being charged for games they never received or after canceling their subscriptions, leading to frustration and distrust. While some customers have positive experiences, the overwhelming negative feedback suggests caution when considering Gamefly. Small business owners should carefully weigh the risks before committing to a subscription.

Based on 45 reviews

Does Gamefly have good customer service?

The majority of Gamefly reviews indicate poor customer service experiences. Reviewers frequently describe customer service representatives as rude, unhelpful, and unresponsive. Many report difficulty resolving issues, receiving generic responses, and feeling ignored or blamed for problems. This lack of effective customer support makes it challenging for small business owners to address any issues that may arise with their subscriptions or rentals.

Based on 38 reviews

Is Gamefly worth it for small business?

For small businesses, Gamefly's value proposition is undermined by its unreliable service. The slow shipping times, frequent billing errors, and poor customer service can lead to significant frustration and wasted time. While the concept of renting games to test before buying might be appealing, the execution consistently falls short of expectations. Small business owners may find it more efficient and cost-effective to purchase games outright or explore alternative rental options.

Based on 20 reviews

What is Gamefly's shipping like?

Gamefly's shipping is a major point of contention among reviewers. Many customers report extremely slow shipping times, often taking a week or more to receive games. Some also mention games getting lost in the mail, leading to further delays and frustration. The unreliable shipping makes it difficult for small business owners to plan their game testing or entertainment schedules effectively.

Based on 52 reviews

Why is it so hard to get the games I want on Gamefly?

Many reviewers report difficulty obtaining the games they want on Gamefly, especially new releases and popular titles. Customers often find that desired games are listed as "low availability" or are never shipped, despite being high on their queue. This can be due to limited inventory or issues with Gamefly's distribution system, leading to disappointment and a lack of control over the rental experience.

Based on 20 reviews