halcyon1234
12-20-2008, 10:03 PM
Hi, everyone.
As we all know, over the past couple months there's been a number of really good deals for video games. TRU B2G1, Zellers misprice, Rogers 2/40, and so forth.
And in every thread, I've seen the following comments:
1) I only want X and Y. If someone sees them I'll gladly pay you back + shipping.
2) I have an extra of Z if anyone wants...
3) Shaqing RFD hoarders!
It's a forgone conclusion that any halfway descent deal is HIGHLY regional, and anyone outside that region will more often than not get screwed over by a hoarder.
When a deal comes around, I've noticed that the majority of us here at CAG just want a game or two. We're not interested in buying the whole lot to hock on Craigslist. And it also often seems that the seekers and their quarry aren't together. Since we're already all sharing the information about where the deals are, maybe we can work together to get other members the games they want.
I was thinking about starting some sort of "deal share". The basic concept is simple. You want game X that's on for an amazing deal. You can't find it in your region, but would be willing to pay the cost of the deal + shipping to get it to you. If another member is able to find that game, they'll pick it up for you an be reimbursed.
What it ISN'T is a way to make a massive profit off each game by re-selling it at retail to those you took the deal away from.
What are your thoughts on the benifits and downfalls of something like this? What other aspects of it come to mind?
THe deal share would operate on a very "quid pro quo" basis-- where by helping someone else out, it makes the service better, and when you're looking for a game, it'll help you. Though I could see a small "finders fee" being added to a find-- get someone the game, and they'll pay you back cost + 5% or something-- something to cover gas and time, or a small token of reward for those who find deals and share them. Though some of us would do the game seeking out of the goodness of our hearts, some sort of token reward would help get more people on the look.
A problem I can see is too many people trying to fulfil a deal. If I say "I'd like Raving Rabbids for $20 from Rogers", and seven people PM me back saying "I bought it for you", then who do I buy it from? Six people would be left stuck with a game they don't want and out $20. Do I select someone before purchase, send them $20, and wait for them to buy it? But what if they go back and the Rogers is out of stock. What happens to my $20?
What do you think?
As we all know, over the past couple months there's been a number of really good deals for video games. TRU B2G1, Zellers misprice, Rogers 2/40, and so forth.
And in every thread, I've seen the following comments:
1) I only want X and Y. If someone sees them I'll gladly pay you back + shipping.
2) I have an extra of Z if anyone wants...
3) Shaqing RFD hoarders!
It's a forgone conclusion that any halfway descent deal is HIGHLY regional, and anyone outside that region will more often than not get screwed over by a hoarder.
When a deal comes around, I've noticed that the majority of us here at CAG just want a game or two. We're not interested in buying the whole lot to hock on Craigslist. And it also often seems that the seekers and their quarry aren't together. Since we're already all sharing the information about where the deals are, maybe we can work together to get other members the games they want.
I was thinking about starting some sort of "deal share". The basic concept is simple. You want game X that's on for an amazing deal. You can't find it in your region, but would be willing to pay the cost of the deal + shipping to get it to you. If another member is able to find that game, they'll pick it up for you an be reimbursed.
What it ISN'T is a way to make a massive profit off each game by re-selling it at retail to those you took the deal away from.
What are your thoughts on the benifits and downfalls of something like this? What other aspects of it come to mind?
THe deal share would operate on a very "quid pro quo" basis-- where by helping someone else out, it makes the service better, and when you're looking for a game, it'll help you. Though I could see a small "finders fee" being added to a find-- get someone the game, and they'll pay you back cost + 5% or something-- something to cover gas and time, or a small token of reward for those who find deals and share them. Though some of us would do the game seeking out of the goodness of our hearts, some sort of token reward would help get more people on the look.
A problem I can see is too many people trying to fulfil a deal. If I say "I'd like Raving Rabbids for $20 from Rogers", and seven people PM me back saying "I bought it for you", then who do I buy it from? Six people would be left stuck with a game they don't want and out $20. Do I select someone before purchase, send them $20, and wait for them to buy it? But what if they go back and the Rogers is out of stock. What happens to my $20?
What do you think?