Dammit, we want you to tell us stuff! Stuff like where you prefer to buy your games.
This isn’t some marketing survey or whatever. It’s an emotional investment in you. Yes, we’re interesting in knowing you, Kotaku reader person. You probably know fucktons about us — more than you even want to, we’re sure. But, hey, we’d like to know about you, too.
Anyway, here’s today’s question…
Question: From where do you most often by your games? And what’s the reason why you prefer to shop there?
Indefinite Implosion
June 19, 2009 at 11:24 AM
Mark me down as another JB Hi-Fi Loyalist.
Report PermalinkSame reason as everyone else is quoting; getting a new release game from JB for $80 then walking past EB and seeing the same game for $120 is amazing…
Kav
June 19, 2009 at 11:28 AM
JB
Report PermalinkKav
June 19, 2009 at 11:29 AM
Looks like JB is the winner!!!
Who else here thinks Kotaku should have a forums section???
Report PermalinkAaron Clement
June 19, 2009 at 11:30 AM
I use Steam for the majority of my gaming purchases, but will pick up stuff from a bricks & mortar shop if stuff is on special (or is only available there).
Console stuff is definitely EB though, mostly for the 7 day return policy (and the inherent shovel-ware status of the gaming industry these days).
Report PermalinkNicholas
June 19, 2009 at 12:22 PM
1)STEAM
Report Permalink2)JBHIFI
3)GAME
4)EBgames
rioter
June 19, 2009 at 12:28 PM
GAME because the girl at the local store is cute, and entertaining.
Report PermalinkMichael McLoughlin
June 19, 2009 at 12:34 PM
I buy my games from JB if they’re new releases. Otherwise I usually get the off eBay. There are some amazing deals on there. I usually get region-free US or Asian games, or PAL games from the UK. Even with postage, they end up being much cheaper.
Report PermalinkFemg
June 19, 2009 at 12:34 PM
Steam.
Plain & simple. Weekend deals are great.
I also like not having to worry about broken disks.
Report PermalinkRyno
June 19, 2009 at 12:46 PM
nowadays its EB, becuase there they are only store around that sells games. its an hour to the next town so were lucky to even have that.
back when i lived in brisbane it was always JB-hifi, day of release and they will knock $15-$20 off the price of a game, from the shelf, with no preorder garbage.
Report PermalinkInon
June 19, 2009 at 1:15 PM
Generally, I do the same as most other people here and buy from JB HiFi since they generally have cheaper new and second hand titles.
If it’s an import game, or a title I don’t mind waiting for, I’ll import from Games Plus. I’ll put in a large order with my partner to reduce shipping individual titles.
I find GAME has the best over the counter service. All the staff I’ve met their know their stuff about games, and if they don’t know something about a particular title either someone in the store will or they go out of their way to find out. Their trade-ins are pretty fair too.
The service at EB, by contrast, seems to have dropped over the years. I’ve been given wrong information about release dates, compatability, and prices to even bother any more. The only time I go in is when they have a clearance sale on retro or almost-new games, because you can find some really good bargains.
tl;dr JB Hi-Fi
Report PermalinkScott Vandonkelaar
June 19, 2009 at 1:27 PM
I get games online as often as possible (Steam & PSN).
Report PermalinkBut for the console games I can’t get online and want new I usually hit up JB Hi-Fi.
Second hand games I’ll get from anywhere I find them. Mostly EB Games.
Max Skelton
June 19, 2009 at 2:26 PM
ebay! no buts about it mister!
Report PermalinkAshling
June 19, 2009 at 2:52 PM
I go to Game Traders more often than not.
The staff are a LOT more friendly and, if I mention that JB has a lower price going, then they’ll price match with no muss no fuss.
And yeah, there’s that price card thing which they don’t even look at usually and throw another 10-25% discount. lol
EB is better for selection but their prices are just stupid, I only go in there for ideas now.
Report PermalinkDuskbringer
June 19, 2009 at 8:51 PM
I never purchase from EB. Why?
1. I used to work there and found the selling techniques distasteful.
2. Price matching: When a retailer offers a particular item at a lower price, this means they bought too much stock and need to unload it, they get a great deal from a supplier, or they are willing to take a hit to get your hard-earned dollars before you spend them elsewhere.
EB charges full price (and often more, when compared to other retailers) unless the items are quite old and over-stocked, then they get the markdown treatment a few times a year.
So what have they done to earn your custom? Nothing. In fact, they’ve waited for another retailer’s initiative, then your leg-power bringing the information to them. Then they have the gall to check up on you because they don’t keep track of what other retailers are doing and won’t offer a competitive price unless you are able to actually purchase it from the other store!
3. Trade-Ins: When you buy a game off the shelf, everyone’s happy. You get a game, the publisher, designers, manufacturers etc get their percentage and the retailer makes a nice packet on top.
4. When you take this game and trade it back in to EB, you receive a small fraction of what it is worth to put towards the purchase of another game – An amount that, on its own, would probably not cover EB’s mark-up. EB then takes this game and sells it for a tiny fraction under full retail price. Nobody sees a cent of that money except EB. This hurts publishers, game designers and manufacturers.
If you think I’m being unfair, go to your nearest EB and check out the Trade-In section. Any title worth a damn is as little as $10 off full RRP. It’s not uncommon to find Trade-In games being sold for more than unopened stock on the floor.
I try to buy from Steam whenever I can. Why?
1. It’s a truly innovative form of retail. With demos, updates, gift purchasing, information and no deceptive or forced selling.
2. Products are available to buy, download and play on release date – no hunting or disappointment.
3. Sales are often unbelievably good value.
4. It allows “Indie” game publishers to release their games on a relatively level playing field.
5. Friendlier to the environment.
For my console purchases, it’s usually JBHifi or online stores. Sorry for the lengthy post, but I seem to have strong feelings about the subject.
Report Permalinkpaulus
June 20, 2009 at 8:49 PM
EB’s pre-owned prices (for both trade-ins and re-seilling) totally fuck me off as well. As you mentioned, it’s infurating to see a pre-owned game about $10 less than the RRP of the new copy next to it.
Still, I’ll get something from Electronic’s Buttock if it’s way old and dirt cheap (say, under $25) and I haven’t found it anywhere else.
Report Permalinkbleach1st
June 19, 2009 at 10:02 PM
Typically if I’m buying something older or if I can wait 6 months to play it I’ll buy it from eBay cause I’m a Uni student with no money :( but if I can’t wait (like CCFFVII) I’ll pre-order it at EB Games or just buy it at JB Hifi, JB is by far the cheapest most of the time :D
Report PermalinkAmir Sefat
June 20, 2009 at 3:18 AM
JB HIFI OR EBAY
Report PermalinkH2oGatesy
June 20, 2009 at 1:37 PM
JB HI-FI if Im buying brick and mortar, you cant beat them for price right off the bat and they also stock a lot of SE right on the shelf.
I also buy from steam a fair bit and use CDWOW/Play Asia for importing I guess it just depends on whats either uncut/cheaper/easier at the time and how soon I actually want said game.
Report PermalinkCheuk
June 22, 2009 at 10:41 AM
If you’re in Melbourne, you can always check out Dungeon Crawl. It’s near the corner of Elizabeth St and Bourke St, and you need to go up some stairs. They have both imports and the new stuff, and generally a little cheaper than places like EB or JB when they’re selling at RRP. They’ve also got an eBay Shop as well if you’re not in Melbourne.
I normally check JB or EB for their prices first, (since both EB and JB are pretty close to Dungeon Crawl) then see if Dungeon Crawl has it for cheaper. If I want to import or pre-order, I’d generally just go straight to Dungeon Crawl.
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