Why do EBGames clunk up prices in Western Australia

[evil cabbage 9]

After reading my little "annoyed scribble", could you please tell me whether you think EB Games is overpricing? Thanks.

 

 

I am very annoyed about this. You see, Australia has a little habit of having only one or two big brands that dominate an entire market. For instance, across the whole of Australia we only have three main supermarket chains, which all rake in huge amounts of dosh and undercut farmers by paying them less and less. The video game selling industry is very much the same, except as I am living in a town hours away from a city, the only place I am able to buy games (physically) from is EBGames. Now, EBGanes (obviously) is a chain of video game distributors, but unlike in other countries, EBGames virtually owns all the game shops I have ever come across both in Perth, where I live and in other states. The irritating thing is that EB know for a fact that they practically run the industry and Western and Southern Australia, so they pump their prices up ridiculously high, simply because in many places, EB is the only place where they can buy games. I have some examples here:

 

(When they first came out this is what these games cost on PC):

 

Empire Earth III: $90

COD 4 MW 2: $110

The Sims 3: $100

(This is a right shocker:)

Dragon Age Origins (No Expansions): $130

 

Also, virtually every new game on XBOX360 or PS3 will be at, over or just below $100

 

Personally, I think that game retailers really overprice nowadays, so I now buy games of Steam and Direct2Drive, as even when you convert the $US to $AU, most games still work out cheaper. These are those same games (if available) with their Steam/Direct2Drive prices (whichever is cheaper) converted to $AU. Also, I can guarantee you that where I live most of these prices will still be the same, as sometimes they do not change for years.

 

Empire Earth III: Not Available

COD 4 MW 2: $64

The Sims 3: $52

Dragon Age Origins: $52

 

I found that in the most part, if you go to other stores, the prices are usually cheaper, especially in Eastern Australia.

 

Because of this overpricing, I now using Steam and Direct2Drive to get games (Steam is my first preference, but if a game I want isn't available on Steam, I will obtain it from D2D)

 

So, is EB overpriced?

 

PS: If anyone uses Steam, post your username (on steam) and I will add you. My account name is "henryfagan" (without quotes)

[Joey 9]

....I don't think EB Games exist anymore, lol.

[Arkbennett 16]

Yeah, EB games and Gamestop merged if I'm correct. So most EB Games were converted in Gamestops. Those are definitely overpriced though. That said, when you converted all the prices, Dragon Age is actually cheaper because it's 59.99 in the United States last I checked.

[Joey 9]

I'm guessing these are just PC games though, I don't buy those often (and if I do it will most likely be online)...but all of the other games I buy seem to be all the same normal price, so...I dunno, lol.

[Arkbennett 16]

I thought they hiked up PC games as well? Perhaps I am wrong.

[totalsticks 1]

Well, I do see a price difference of course, and that is sad. :(

 

Anyone else here miss the golden age of video games? $15-20

for a brand new game, $200 for a system, and god help the

company that tries to market a PC game for over $30?

 

I commend you for finding a way around this snafu, and still

getting access to the games you want to play, legally. :clap:

[Joey 9]

...Just noticed that you're talking about Australia....never mind. XD

[FranklinX 37]

What is the currency of Australia? That may explain the difference.

[evil cabbage 9]

What is the currency of Australia? That may explain the difference.

 

The currency of Australia is Australian dollars, but the prices I have shown for Steam and D2D are converted into AU$ from US$ already.

[Leon 55]

Gamestop/EB can be overpriced, or it can be cheaper. I have found games on both sides of that fence. That is why I love waiting for them to come out in used. Many benefits:

 

-Cheaper

-At Gamestop, if you don't like it; return it. (you have 1 week. I have beaten most games and returned them in that time.)

-Drop in price faster.

 

I don't know if you have a gamestop there in Australia, but if so, I'd look into it.

 

Just NEVER trade in at a gamestop... F*in ripoff. They only wanted to give me $2USD for Puzzle QUest Galactrix...

[Joey 9]

I honestly don't mind trading...I save my money for the full price of the game anyway just in case. But sometimes I find myself never playing a certain game or two...telling me its time to get rid of it. Therefore, I trade it in a for a dollar or two. (sometimes more depending on the game) I don't know how they do the value system, sometimes its annoying that a popular game like Galaxy is only $5, but whatever, better than nothing/throwing it in the garbage.

[Leon 55]

Maybe so, Joey, but Ebay, among other sites, you can get almost double, or more, for the game than what they offer.

[Joey 9]

I don't trust ebay all that much though...so, I dunno. I'm not good at selling them like that anyways. XD