[quote name='raiser']I am of the understanding there are really only 2 competetive online game retailers
Amazon and now Gamestop. Some may argue Gamefly or Family Video, but I haven't seen a deal that makes me shop at either.
BestBuy, Walmart, TRU, and other box stores rarely have a deal worth mentioning.
I'm going to point out the very obvious differences:
Amazon:
+ Price matches nearly everyone in the known gaming universe.
+ free shipping on most orders
+ no tax for most people
+ good customer service
+ lots of preorder exclusives
+ $off coupons stack
- $off next purchase coupons only good for a few weeks
- have to mail back returns
- have to mail in used game trades, and wait...
Gamestop.com (not necessarily in-store)
+ pricing competitively in 2010
+ free shipping on most orders
+ good customer service (at least in 2010)
+ lots of pre-order exclusives
+ regular used game 30%-50% trade-in bonuses (+Edge-stacking)
+ lots of used game sales including B2G1 Free, 25%-40% off (+Edge-stacking).
+ can return, or exchange, games in local retail stores (this is BIG for me)
+ $off next purchase coupons good for TWO years
- $off coupons don't stack
- website can be flakey
- coupons don't always work right (often to our benefit)
- generally lower base trade in values.
- Used games aren't always 100% (if so, just exchange in store)
Now I'm not a big fan of what Gamestop represents, but I have to say that if you play their game, they can pay off with great deals.
That includes getting the email blasts, subscribing to edge/GI, watching CAG for sales and coupons.
In 2010 I've traded and bought a crapload at Gamestop So far they are leading the pack and have my vote for being most competitive.
Whether it continues moving forward???
Let's see what the May deals bring. April was one for my record books with a TON of trade-ins, flips, and game purchases.
If they top 25off coupon next month I will be broke.[/QUOTE]
I think this is a very good comparison. As a new game buyer only, Amazon still has a huge lead in my book, especially since I will only deal with Gamestop online as their stores are still a nightmare to deal with. The tax thing really makes a difference as well living in a 10% sales tax area. Even with a 25% off coupon that doesn't seem to work all the time and requires a $100 minimum purchase, that really drops the discount down to 15% which isn't worth it to me in most cases, especially since I regularly get Amazon gift cards and I like the $10 game credit stacking.