Grumpy Bob's Emporium - Maryville, Illinois

Jessica Mills

My husband and I are both fans of retro gaming. It was fun looking at the wall to wall video games and consoles. I’ve seen reviews complaining about pricing being high, but have to understand market value. There wasn’t much prices marked on items which I’m sure isn’t the best choice for certain customers. You are directed to a site to check pricing though.

Tj Aldridge (RazrEdge68)

I've visited them a couple of times. Each time the staff greeted me as well as every other customer that enters. Each time I visited while holding my motorcycle helmet, the staff behind the counter has offered to take it so that I wouldn't have to carry it while browsing. As for pricing, I check online with other stores and usually see that the prices are about the same when you factor in shipping cost. Having a store like this is nice because I don't have to wait for shipping if I can pick it up in person.

Bobbi Hardy

I have ordered games and movies online and received amazing customer service and great products!
I love the opportunity to support a local business that employs people fairly and regularly gives back to their community!!!
I proudly send friends and family to this store to find games, nostalgic items and entertainment!

Joshua Daily

Review Date: March 5th, 2016

Grumpy Bob’s, they are just so friendly there! Wait.. what?

My friends and I were heading over to Dizzy Dugout in Collinsville, IL and we happened to drive by this place and we all kind of turned our heads at the same time to look at it as we drove by. We all just knew we had to visit it on the way back. So we did.

I wasn’t expecting much. Just a typical thrift/antique store, but when we walked in, I knew I found home. Rows and rows and racks and walls of video games. Running from the front of the store to the back wall in another room… and then some. They have a HUGE video game section. The walls of games, the locked cases, the wall of accessories. It’s almost a museum in it’s own right due to the sheer size of it.

As mentioned in the opening, the staff is fantastic. We came in during a bit of a hectic rush as their video game seller had to leave due to having a bit of a cold, so the owners were scrambling to help everyone. We waiting awhile to check out and they apologized profusely for the long wait and even offered us a free soda/energy drink for waiting so long. But it gets even better. They happened to put the wrong game in my case and I didn’t notice until later that night after they closed. So I shot them a message on Facebook and they invited me to come in on a Sunday, a day they are closed, to swap it out or get a refund.

We decided to take them up on the offer and popped back in the next day (as we were leaving the area that afternoon). I explained the mix up and they offered me a store credit refund. So I picked up something else that was a bit more and offered to pay the difference. They refused to take the difference and even offered me a free pick from their candy selection. Such a friendly place. Highly recommended!!

I just wish my phone hadn’t died before reaching here or else I would have taken a few photos of their impressive video game wall.

Don Rice

I'll be changing my one star to a 5 star in a few days. I wanted you to see this because I think this matters. I read your reviews. And it looks like if I decide to leave an honest review. I'm going to get a pretty conservative answer. Even if I'm in the right with how I logically articulate my reason. So to me, I'll say this. I had a bad experience. My first experience, but I still will come back and patronize because you guys have things that I need, but it doesn't entice me to want to continue to patronize when I feel more like a number then a customer! YOUR STAFF SAVED YOU THERE SO NICE AND WELCOMING ? If you ask me I'd be happy to tell you.... It's October 7th 2024..... follow-up. So the reason why I was upset was we cleaned some disks and unfortunately, there was a sale going on by 3 items get one free. I was told it was typical policy to have paid for buffs First! They did help me out with a free buff butt that game was traded to them an you buff your disks before resale ither way, which means i got nothing for free except 1 of my 3 buff because of the buy 3 get 1 free. However, it prevented me from getting A free item of a value of fifteen dollars and instead, I got one of five dollars, because the buffs were added onto my ticket which we kept open.I agreed to being a new customer, not understanding what I was doing to myself at the time. We later on stayed and unfortunately scrubbed one of my disks to death which I also agreed to I was also okay with, because I knew it was old. I purchased an extra copy and was very happy with the service. I will be returning today to purchase more items. As well as patronize, the store I thank you for getting back to me and I have changed my review as I said.! I also thank you for buffing one of my disks for free. But I also wound up selling you that same disk and paid for my other 3 disks except(promo). I hope that you are open to the idea that things happened differently after you left to which I was sentimental to your situation and understanding. I thank your staff and am returning today because the items I traded were left accidentally put in my bag. I got called the day after for a follow up about a game I was honest and told the young lady about the mistake and assured the young lady on the phone I will be returning with them with entint to purchase other items. And appreciate her willingness to work with me as my cumute to you is 55 mins with light traffic! See you soon thanks!

Rachel Schmitt

Was able to sell multiple game systems and games for them at very fair prices! The staff is so friendly, helpful and very responsive to all questions. Excellent small business!

Elizabeth Wulf “Lizcario”

My dad sent me the address to this place and I had a great time here!
They have a massive selection of games for various consoles and systems, including ones I didn't even expect to see!! (Atari 2600, SNES, etc.) They even had a Super Famicon for sale!
I bought a good handful of DS games for my library, Atari 2600 and NES games for my dad and some plushies and stickers for me and my best friend.
Will definitely come back here again!!

Klenklan

Awesome selection of all products retro! Rooms full of Funko Pops, games, movies, consoles, and figurines from games or films:)