A Year in the Life of a CAG Member (Informative)

Theenternal

Theenternal

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About a month or two ago, I decided I would write this. Partly for CheapyD and for others as an example of how much I saved with the various deals on Cheapassgamer.com. Hopefully it can be a sticky for a few days so new guys can see how valuable a resource this website is.

The following are the games that I have bought since being a member of CAG in approximately 1 year. As I forgot the password to my first user name Enternal and used TheEnternal.


Various Info

*The prices include all shipping costs

*The Total non CAG cost are games that I have sought prices for but was unable to find a deal or used ebay.

*The Total CAG deals are deals that I directly were able to get because of CAG.

*I have put the EB prices for CheapyD as I am pretty sure CheapyD is helped out from purchases linked from his site.

*I did not make any Game Stop Purchases.

*Some prices were cost through trade Ex: I picked up an 4.99 game and traded it for one I could not find. I would calculate postage in my cost for this too.

*I have marked the Pre-played EB games in Italics. Which were the only used purchases except for a few Mint complete Ebay purchases.

*All PS2 Pre-played games received were mint except Tekken Tag and came complete.

*Ninja Assault was ordered used but I received a new copy.

*Only 1 PSX Pre-played games came complete (Die Hard Trilogy).

*I bought most of the cheap PSX games to ignore shipping cost with SAVER.

*Titles marked with * are ones I have still not played

*All games except for a few PSX were non GH/PH/GC (2 Star Wars X Box games are PH)

*I owned Primal 2 prior times and traded it off for deals etc.

*Various savings also show that I all 3 Onimusha’s were purchased for less than the original cost of 1.

Game Boy + Advanced:
(All GBA Complete)

1.Dragonball Z Legendary Super Saiyan Warriors [9.99]
2.Dragonball Z The Collectable Card Game [9.99]
3.Castlevania Aria of Sorrow [29.99]
4.Fire Emblem [29.99]
5.Final Fantasy Tactics Advance [29.99]
6.Wolfenstein 3d [7.99]
7.Mega Man & Bass [4.99]
8.Mega Man Zero [4.99]
9.Mega Man Zero 2 [4.99]*
10.Boktai [4.99]*
11.Boktai [4.99]*
12.Advance Wars 2 [4.99]*
13.Zone of Enders The Fist of Mars [4.99]
14.Pokemon Fire Red [11.99]

Total GBA = 164.06 (14 Games)
Total CAG = 64.90 (10 Games)
Total EB = 0
Avg. GBA = 11.78
Avg. CAG = 6.49


Sony Playstation:


15.Final Fantasy Origins [7.99]
16.Ridge Racer 4 (Disc Only) [1.64]
17.MDK (Disc Only) [1.64]*
18.Suikoden 2 [117.00] With Guide, sold Guide for 55 = 62
19.Valkyrie Profile [32.49]*
20.Lunar Silver Star Story [32.49]
21.Koudelka [14.99]*
22.Dance Dance Revolution Konamix [4.99]*
23.Die Hard Trilogy [1.59]
24.Cybersled [1.59]*

Total PSX = 161.41 (10 Games)
Total CAG = 19.44 (6 Games)
Total EB = 6.46 (4 Games)
Avg. PSX = 16.14
Avg. CAG = 3.24

Sony Playstation 2:

25.Final Fantasy X [14.99]*
26.Final Fantasy X-2 (Sealed) [23.99]*
27.Xenosaga (Sealed) [7.99]*
28.Castlevania Lament of Innocence [5.99]
29.Robotech Battlecry [4.99]
30.Gitaroo Man [9.99]
31.Maximo Quest for Glory [9.99]
32.Tekken Tag [12.99]
33.Kingdom Hearts (Sealed) [13.49]*
34.Wipeout Fusion (Sealed) [4.99]*
35.Ninja Assault [17.99] with Guncon
36.Swing Away Golf [1.99]*
37.Rygar (Sealed) [8.47]
38.Zone of Enders The 2nd Runner (Sealed) [7.50]*
39.Breath of Fire Dragon Quarter (Sealed) [7.50]*
40.Virtua Fighter Evo [10.00]
41.Summer Heat Volleyball (Sealed) [4.99]*
42.Parappa The Rappa 2 [4.99]
43.DragonBall Z Budokai (Sealed) [14.99]
44.DragonBall Z Budokai 2 [27.99] With Guide
45.Onimusha 2 (Sealed) [9.99]*
46.Devil May Cry 2 [9.99]
47.Devil May Cry (Sealed) [14.99]*
48.Harvest Moon Save the Homeland [10.00]*
49.Mad Maestro [4.99]
50.Dino Stalker [4.99]*
51.Freaky Flyers [4.99]*
52.Street Fighter EX3 [9.99]
53.Suikoden 3 [20.53]*
54.Disgaea [49.99]*
55.Primal [8.47]*
56.Suikoden 3 [25.99]*
57.ICO [14.99]*
58.Draken [9.99]
59.Marvel Vs Capcom 2 [19.99]
60.Monster Rancher 4 [4.99]*
61.Romance of the Three Kingdoms VIII [4.99]*
62.Dance Dance Revolution Max 2 [4.99]*
63.Arc the Lad [15.29]*
64.Frequency [4.99]*
65.Dark Cloud [4.99]*
66.Silent Hill 3 [9.99]*
67.Clock Tower 3 [5.99]
68.Onimusha 3 [14.99]*

Total PS2 = 501.91 (44 Games)
Total CAG = 390.41 (40 Games)
Total EB = 79.23 (7 Games)
Avg. PS2 = 11.41
Avg. CAG = 9.76

Game Cube:

69.DragonBall Z Budokai [29.99]
70.Viewtiful Joe [9.99]
71.Legend of Zelda The Wind Waker [16.57]
72.Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles [4 for 1 total 19.96]
73.Skies of Arcadia (Sealed) [21.99]*
74.Skies of Arcadia (Sealed) [21.99]*
75.Zelda Bonus Disc [9.99]*
76.Pikman [4.99]
77.Dead to Rights [4.99]*
78.Bloody Roar [4.99]
79.P.N. 03 [9.99]*


Total NGC = 155.44 (11 Games)
Total CAG = 125.45 (10 Games)
Total EB = 0
Avg. NGC = 14.13
Avg. CAG = 12.54


Xbox:

80.Star Wars Obi Wan [4.99]
81.Ninja Gaiden [4 for 1 total 13.99] -10.00 Voucher
82.Dead Or Alive Beach Volleyball (Sealed) [21.00]*
83.Panzer Dragoon Orta [9.99]
84.Panzer Dragoon Orta (Sealed) [7.99]*
85.Capcom Vs Snk 2 (Sealed) [9.99]*
86.Exhibition Demo Disc Volume 2 (Full CVS2) [1.99]
87.Otogi Myth of Demons [19.99]*
88.Genma Onimusha [9.99]
89.Gun Valkyrie [4.99]*
90.Beyond Good and Evil [4.99]*
91.Shenmue 2 [10.50]*
92.Odd World Abe's Exodus [4.99]*
93.Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic [9.99]*

Total X Box = 135.38 (14 Games)
Total CAG = 124.88(13 Games)
Total EB = 9.99 (1 Game)
Avg. X Box = 9.67
Avg. CAG = 9.61



Neo Geo Pocket:

1.Fatal Fury R2
2.Samurai Showdown 2
3.King of Fighters R2
4.Metal Slug
5.Pacman
6.Neo Turf Masters
*(Part of system bundle deal for 50.00 I subtracted going price of system of about 20.00)

Total NGP = 30.00 (6 Games)
Total CAG = 30.00 (6 Games)
Total EB = 0
Avg. NGP = 5.00
Avg. CAG = 5.00


Total Game Cost = 1148.20 (99 Games) Didnt make 100 :(
Total CAG Game Cost = 755.08 (85 Games)
Total EB Cost = 95.68
Avg Game Cost = 11.60
Avg CAG Game Cost = 8.88


I would like again to thank CheapyD and everyone at CAG…Casey,Punq,BigNick,Jsweeny,S Penquin, Manimal, JMCC, People who I have traded with…and sorry if I forgot anyone.

Thanks, Mike

Spending about 1150 on games seems like a lot. But thats for almost 100 games vs 20 retail priced games :). So I feel good about my savings...bring on another year of Deals!!!
 
been here since august. i'm not a wild spender so i don't have much but when there's a game i want i usually get it

all of these are for ps2 and were purchased new

burnout 3-40
ssx3-13 (b2g1)
socom 2-13 (b2g1)
prince of persia-13 (b2g1)
final fantasy x-2-16
street fighter anniversary collection-25
*NEW from black friday* Grand theft auto: san andreas-30

the ones labeled buy 2 get 1 free is divided so it's an average per game

theeternal, you wouldn't mind trading or selling some of your games do you? :lol:
 
Let me take my XBox collection (I started it out here) and look a bit...

Free = Via trade, gift, credit, etc.

First off, the ones i've already traded..

Sudeki [Free]
Driv3r [49.99 (ouch)]
Riddick [Free]
Full Spectrum Warrior [Free]
THUG 2 [Free]
MK:Deception [Free]
Leisure Suit Larry: MCL [Free]

The collection..

007 Nightfire $4
Amped 2 $9
Armed and Dangerous $14.99
Beyond Good & Evil $10
Breakdown [Free]
Burnout 3 [Free]
Counter-Strike $19.99
Crimson Sea $4.99
Crimson Skies [Free w/ Live Kit which I got at 29.99]
Dave Mirra 2 $9.99, nonPH
DOA Ultimate $37
DOA XBV $5
Def Jam FFNY [Free]
Deus Ex: Invisible War $19.99
Dino Crisis 3 $4.99
Dynasty Warriors 4 $14.99
ESPN NHL Hockey 2K4 $4.99
Evil Dead $4.99
Fable $49.99
Fight Night 04 [Free]
Freedom Fighters $10
GTA Double Pack $19.99
Halo [Free]
Halo 2 LE [Free]
Haunted Mansion $4.99
Hitman 2 $9.99 nonPH
Hitman Contracts $49.99
 
Jesus, how do you guys remember all those titles, but yeah in the little bit more than a year I've been here I'm sure my list looks similar, if not better because of Gamerushes! :D
 
[quote name='zewone']Jesus, how do you guys remember all those titles, but yeah in the little bit more than a year I've been here I'm sure my list looks similar, if not better because of Gamerushes! :D[/quote]

some people record all their purchases they make. that's what i would do. keep a list of everything i've bought or at least the receipts
 
I don't have time to play the games I buy . . . much less keep track of all of them!

But, I'd say my average game price (for cheapies) is $8.00 . . .

Many, many were bought at $5 (a few at $10 and some $7.50 (a $5 game traded to get a different one . . . $2.xx for shipping).

I counted about 40 games in my collection that make up this $8 ave. group . . . that's about $320 spent on games that I probably wouldn't have without CAG. (the CC sale is by far the biggest source but I've also done well on Target clearances that even the clerks didn't know about)

But I'd say I'm doing a ok moneywise because I sell a few of the games I buy . . . I don't hoard but I do speculate a little.

I'd say I made about $300 on ebay through speculation of games that I learned about here. . . selling about 15 game (my lone copy of MvC2 Xbox made $50 by itself). Brought in another $50 of tradein EBGames credit as well.

Usually my sales are the one copy that I bought and never open. Also, I often turn a profit even with a game I opened and used.

I also learned and honed the fine art of rainchecking at Target through CAG . . . this helped me to get my Holiday wants (RC3, Jak3, Halo2, GTASA, Sly2, and Metroid 2) for about $150 rather than $300.

The $150 was covered by selling other game stuff from Goodwill and resale shops (a 50 cent Skies of Arcadia guide got over $50 on ebay not influenced by CAG).

So, this year I probably gained about 70 games (traded some, sold others, and kept most) . . . ending up with a net of 55 (some that I kinda want, some still the pipe to tradein, trade, sell). With being pretty much even on $.

Thanksgiving to CAG!!!!!!
 
I've been keeping stats on all my purchases since July. I have a custom-made Excel spreadsheet that automatically calculates everything. Here's a summary of my purchases:

Total savings: $254.68
Average Savings: $4.32
Average Savings: 24.01%
Average Game Price: $7.42
Savings thanks to CAG: $156.52
Average CAG Savings: $6.52

Store Statistics (Store Name: Total Savings, Average Savings):

EB Games: $25.97, $2.60
EB Games.com: $38.58, $2.41
Amazon: $58.56, $19.52 (thanks to the $40 GBA/e-Reader bundle)
eBay: $30.77, $1.47
Best Buy.com: $58.27, $19.42

Man, I didn't realize I had spent that much. I really need to cut back, but it's so addictive. I hope the deals slow down after the holidays, for my wallet's sake.
 
In the little less than a year that I have been here I would have to say my list is very similiar to everyone', maybe more so because I had an exceptional haul at my CC because nobody ever goes there. I'm just too lazy to post it. Mine is quite long.
 
Very impressive. It's nice to see you charting your financials so diligently.
Your spending is right in line with mine, though I haven't done any trading worth mentioning through the CAG boards.

I'm glad I'm not the only sitting down and figuring out the point of diminishing returns on a deal (like the gamerush trade in deal) and other things like that.
 
selling the sukioden 2 guide was a good move if i ever pull the trigger on that game ill win an ebay auction with the guide and do the same maybe and also the 5 dollar pikmin which deal was that from? in the last year dont remember that one.
 
[quote name='cag1000']selling the sukioden 2 guide was a good move if i ever pull the trigger on that game ill win an ebay auction with the guide and do the same maybe and also the 5 dollar pikmin which deal was that from? in the last year dont remember that one.[/quote]

$5 Pikmin is from $5 Circuit City clearance sale which I was also lucky enough to get a copy from their for $5. :D
 
This is making me feel like I should have tracked everything I've gotten from CAG on an Excel spreadsheet.. I'm sure it would reveal some interesting data.
 
[quote name='fmarxnge'][quote name='zewone']Jesus, how do you guys remember all those titles, but yeah in the little bit more than a year I've been here I'm sure my list looks similar, if not better because of Gamerushes! :D[/quote]

some people record all their purchases they make. that's what i would do. keep a list of everything i've bought or at least the receipts[/quote]

I'll have a better track of my spending now that I'm in college and have to take care of all my bills...
 
Its good seeing that how well others have benefitted.

And its funny how people remember deals, like where my pikman deal came from. When I look through my list and at each title...at least purchases since cag I get memories of where I was when I bought each game.

My list is in notepad :).

One day i decided count/list what games I had etc. And since it was only a few months since i started here at Cag, I just added the prices to my list whenever I would add to my gamelist.. I spent a decent amount on games this year, but I figured my spending would slow once I picked up everything i missed out on. (I purchased a ps2 2 months after joining cag, but was buying 5 dollar ps2 games before) In addition most of my purchases were made before I started school again, while I had a full time job. Also my finances are in good standings where Im not digging myself a hole to get these games.

And to think about how when I was in gradeschool I would save up 50 for one game... and sometimes the game was pretty crappy... "various jaguar games"
 
[quote name='spyhunterk19']But....wouldn't you save more money by not buying the games in the first place?[/quote] Yes, but the purpose of money is to be eventually spent. And I would normally be spending about 750 a year in buying several games and rentals. I didnt own a ps2 before, but I owned a GC/GBA/Xbox as well as about 40 other consoles. Yes I could have more money in the bank by not going to the movies, paying for cable etc..

However gaming is what I like doing and it makes me happy. I did spend more then I would usually spend in a year, but like i noted earlier. I suspected that it would slow down when i was first purchasing games as I was mainly getting what I missed out on in the ps2 library. And since july my game purchases have only been a few titles as I have pretty much all I want now, except for new releases which Im going to wait to drop anyway... So my purchases in the next year should be much lower. And even in reality If I happen to be wrong and spend the same amount over-all when compairing last year and the next few. I would have rather spent that amount and have much more games to play.

Which I make sure that I am playing and enjoying the games that I purchase. I also make sure that I really want a game before I pick it up for 5. In addition I still maintain a good gpa, work part time, hang out with friends, have a GF, and still exercise 5 times a week....+ spend some time at CAG :wink:
 
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