Re: iTunes

One day I logged into iTunes and it instantly began to download...something, I don't even remember what it was. I hadn't used iTunes in months (perhaps years), so I had a hard time believing that I'd purchased something and then forgot to download it.

The download finishes and then I check my e-mail. Sure enough, there's a message in here charging me some amount for a download.

I sent an e-mail to iTunes support immediately saying that I didn't know why something downloaded upon launching iTunes, and that I didn't authorize the charge at all. Surprisingly, they said that the agreed it was in error, and gave me the refund.

Still not sure what happened there. I changed my password but haven't really used iTunes since. Amazon's selection is arguably the same for most stuff, although iTunes does tend to get the random indie things that I try to support (by which I mean completely random stuff, like a guy who covered "Let it Be" to raise money for sick child).

We're getting way off topic, but since there's no real news...

Originally Posted by uncle5555 If you can buy say a $50 PSN card and maybe get a discount on it, why can't MS and Nintendo follow that lead and make a dollar amount card you can buy in a store, still makes sense right?

"Maybe" being the operative word here. The ratio is probably more than 50-1 in terms of Live points deals compared to PSN card deals.

Originally Posted by uncle5555 I hate having non-money numbers on there, as that leads to hanging balances, that I can't do anything with because they want 120 points for game x and I only have 100 points as an example, I'd probably get more stuff on XBL, if it wasn't for that, I skipped a DLC recently because it'd throw my balance off to get some 80 point indie titles I wanted to get and I didn't want to have to deal with the hassle of calculating how many points to get back to a balance that would work that I can divide by 80 to get zero.

This argument is pretty weak. If you buy a $20 Live card you're still going to have the same exact balance if you're buying the same things. In your example they want $1.50 and you have a balance of $1.25. It's not that odd of a number, and something that won't magically go away if they do away with points.

The only way that argument works is if it was run like PSN where you have your CC on file and charge each item as you buy them. Since most in here seem against that idea, then it appears living with a balance is going to happen no matter whether they use dollars or spacebucks.

Since we have 7 years of history of having deal after deal after deal on spacebucks and maybe an occasional deal on PSN$ cards, a CAG should realize switching to a dollar system will be the death knell of many point card deals.

Also, there's this, if the math is hard.

I'm not sure if this falls under the argument of 'Dollar value', 'Buy only what you want', or the 'Easier to find discounts on spacebucks card' viewpoint, but I'll post this for discussion.

Currently I have a couple Sears that have the old blister 2000 Wii Points cards on clearance, one for $11.97 and the other location for $14.97, hoping they would be discounted further in the future (they haven't in over six months now). If they were listed at an actual dollar value ($20) rather than point value, I'm almost certain they would be gone now, but because they use the artificial value listings, they have stood there untouched (+1 for spacebucks).

On the other hand, the only thing I really want on the Wii Shop is La-Mulana, which comes in at a cool 1000 points, which I can buy that same exact amount in points on the channel itself, without having to spend the additional $2-5 bucks that I could get a cheap N64 / SNES game with, but ultimately I have no interest in (+1 for buy only what you want).

As for the Dollar value argument, Wii points make it pretty easy to do the math, so honestly I don't see any difference in calculation between 1000 and $10 bucks, though for other formats I can see the validation in the stance.

Originally Posted by foltzie I wonder if you can transfer from two Wiis down to one Wii U. I was able to do that with two DSis to one 3DS

I was wondering this as well. I have purchases split between two Wiis, and I would like to take this as an opportunity to consolidate. It's still no substitute for an account-based system like Microsoft and Sony use, but I'll take it.

I didn't realize that we're able to do that with multiple DSi handhelds, but that's reassuring. You were able to transfer things over without overwriting anything?

Originally Posted by Renaissance 2K I was wondering this as well. I have purchases split between two Wiis, and I would like to take this as an opportunity to consolidate. It's still no substitute for an account-based system like Microsoft and Sony use, but I'll take it. I didn't realize that we're able to do that with multiple DSi handhelds, but that's reassuring. You were able to transfer things over without overwriting anything?

Yes, using the DSi to 3DS transfer tool I was able to move a few games that my wife didnt want to my 3DS which had already received my DSi games. The 3DS to 3DS tool seems to be a 1-1 copy only.

Originally Posted by foltzie Yes, using the DSi to 3DS transfer tool I was able to move a few games that my wife didnt want to my 3DS which had already received my DSi games. The 3DS to 3DS tool seems to be a 1-1 copy only.

You could choose which games to copy?! Damn you for instilling me with all this hope!!

Originally Posted by Renaissance 2K You could choose which games to copy?! Damn you for instilling me with all this hope!!

Yes, using the DSi to 3DS tool.

Originally Posted by foltzie Yes, using the DSi to 3DS tool.

That reminds me I should use that 1000 points on my DSi and then xfer that stuff to my 3DS XL. Oh, and maybe I'll dump one or two of those Wii Points cards on it too and buy some more stuff first. Problem is, I never play those Wii/DSi shop games - even the "free" ones from Club Nintendo.

As for the points card debate - yep, there is definitely a difference about things going on sale between the two. I don't think I've ever seen PSN cards on sale - just offered as bonuses with other purchases. XBL cards, on the other hand, I've gotten tons for $10 or less. Yeah, I've seen (and taken advantage) of the iTunes sales but they are mostly in the 5-10% range and thus nothing too special.

Now, as long as they continue cards in general that is at least a half-measure for me. What I would not go with at all is credit-card only. And it isn't for the security (though that is a small concern). It is for the full-price paying. At least even with cash money type cards like PSN, 3DS shop, iTunes, I can buy those at Gamestop with trade-in credit. As long as I can do that, I might still buy a little stuff with those services. But I still want spacebucks for all the reasons posted before by me and others.

Anyway, bringing this back on topic, we can pretty much be sure Nintendo is going the 3DS Shop route with the Wii U. So we can expect the half-measure: real money-valued cards that you can buy with other means (ie, Gamestop, Amazon, Best Buy, etc credit).

Originally Posted by io Anyway, bringing this back on topic, we can pretty much be sure Nintendo is going the 3DS Shop route with the Wii U. So we can expect the half-measure: real money-valued cards that you can buy with other means (ie, Gamestop, Amazon, Best Buy, etc credit).

Yes. The only question is wether or not the shop itself and download functions will be as clunky to use as the 3DS shop and how it may compare to XBL, PSN, and iTunes stores.

Originally Posted by Corvin We're getting way off topic, but since there's no real news... "Maybe" being the operative word here. The ratio is probably more than 50-1 in terms of Live points deals compared to PSN card deals. This argument is pretty weak. Also, there's this, if the math is hard.

Then we're going to have to agree to disagree here then, I'm not that much a of SUPER CAG that I need a deal on space bucks and a deal in one of their stores as well to buy something. That's just too silly to even bother with.

That's the mentality that makes no sense to me and presents the massive hole in the argument you are presenting to me, I understand you're saving a bit more in the long run, however what I've seen is what maybe $1-5 on MS points, and that's why we'll not agree, as I'd just as soon wait for a sale on the game and not bother with the pitiful return on loading up on the points that I might or might not use, than have to deal with the hanging balance that you and others of that mindset don't seem to care about.

Even if I buy a $2 game in PSN, my balance will be $3, however as soon as I get a game for over that balance amount (usually $5) it'll put on what it needs and the balance is gone.

Maybe I'm being OCD in that regard, but I don't like letting companies keep my money just because of the "space bucks investment program" is borked. But then again who's more out there between what I do and what you do, you might not understand my side, but I have a hard time understanding needing both (cards and sale on game) to be cheap to buy a game, that's as I said, is just too silly for me to comprehend.

And honestly has there any thread at CAG that has never veered off course, I wouldn't put too much money on that one. (and it's not too OT, since it has to do with Wiiware and the reason I brought it up to begin with after someone mentioned points on there)

I appreciate the discussion, but I think we can both agree we've come to a stalemate and will find no common ground to agree with on this issue.

C'est la vie

Originally Posted by Billytwoshoes As for the Dollar value argument, Wii points make it pretty easy to do the math, so honestly I don't see any difference in calculation between 1000 and $10 bucks, though for other formats I can see the validation in the stance.

I'm more arguing the fact that I want to spend X and they make me spend more than X to get what I want. Especially in their set buying amounts, if your damn game is 480 spacebucks, then lemme buy 480 freakin' spacebucks, not 800 or 1000 or whatever amounts they tell me I can buy them in.

And Nintendo points I don't need to consult special online places to figure out, its MS and their stupid point values that are ed up is where I have the problem with space buck values, it's more the set amounts you have to purchase that is the touchy area to me.

Originally Posted by io Now, as long as they continue cards in general that is at least a half-measure for me. What I would not go with at all is credit-card only. And it isn't for the security (though that is a small concern). It is for the full-price paying. At least even with cash money type cards like PSN, 3DS shop, iTunes, I can buy those at Gamestop with trade-in credit. As long as I can do that, I might still buy a little stuff with those services. But I still want spacebucks for all the reasons posted before by me and others.

And as I mentioned, then I rest my case as those who like those wacky things and those like me, who want them banished for real money values will never see eye to eye, and hey I don't have a problem with that, they just won't get my money, period.

Continue on with regularly scheduled programming now.

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Don't know what this $1-$5 on MS cards thing is. I got most of my MS Points cards for $5 (and some at $3 with $10 being the absolute maximum I've paid). Then when I buy stuff that is on sale (though I don't always do that) it is even cheaper. I don't see how hard that is to understand. I'd never pay $10-$20 real money for just about anything on XBL or PSN. When I get points dirt cheap, the issue of leftover point balances seems as silly and meaningless to me as the issue of buying cheap points and cheap games, apparently, does to you .

For example, I loaded up on about $30 worth of Rock Band stuff when they had the sale a few weeks back. I wouldn't have bought any of it if I didn't have cheap points to use.

Exactly.

You wait for that $10 game to hit $5 and buy. Good for you, you saved $5.

Those that buy points on sale(I also average about $10 for $20 worth of points) can buy that same game for $5 but are only out $2.50.

There's nothing wrong with being OCD about hanging balances but I'd rather save another 50% off every purchase I make. The points will get spent down the line anyway.

Think of it this way, I can hop on the marketplace any day of the week and ANY item on there is half off for me right off the bat. Let that soak in for a bit. The ENTIRE marketplace is half off, all day, every day. Sales are a bonus. So the beauty of it is that first $10 Borderlands or Halo DLC is $5 for me on day 1. No waiting for sales needed.

Switching to a dollar system and saving 5-10% on cards (ala iTunes) kills that instantly.

Personally, I find the whole points argument silly, when Nintendo points rarely went on sale anyways. Yes, those who were able to find blister packs were able to get them because they happened to be in the wrong category, but for the most part you couldn't get a deal.

BTW, iTunes cards are dollar values and regularly go on sale. It seems to be less about if they are points/dollar and more about if the vendor is willing to put them on sale. The only time I bought points cards is when TRU was offering 15% off any card, which also applied to Microsoft and Sony.

It seemed to me like until Sony in particular got into Points Cards and whatnot that there were always a ton of XBL Points sales. Since then not so much. I've rarely seen any Sony Points Cards on sale though. Especially Playstation Plus ones.

Rayman Legends has been delayed until next year.

Originally Posted by pitfallharry219 Rayman Legends has been delayed until next year.

me. Pikmin and Rayman... the two reasons I'm buying this machine. This launch is looking less appealing by the day.

Probably a good move. There were questions about the amount of content in Single Player, as well as Ubisoft having a ton of games in the Launch Window. So I imagine the latter's really why they delayed it, to focus on games like AC3, Just Dance 4 and Zombi U.

Plus, it probably gives it some breathing room between it and Mario (although I wanted both, because from what I played a couple of months ago, those were the 2 most impressive games).

I got the cheap 37.99 preorder locked in for Rayman Legends, so by all means polish it up and add more content. I'm really excited for Zombi U, and I dunno, maybe I'll grab Mario.

Since Legends is postponed, I think I'll go ahead and pick up Batman at launch.

I just noticed Tank! Tank! Tank! dropped to 50 on Newegg and I had an order from the 12 off while it was 60 sitting at 48.....not sure if I'll keep it now that it's only 2 bucks off unless another code comes out and I can get it for lower.