In the NYC area and I have tons to buy

M

madgeek

CAG Veteran
I live in India and am traveling to the US in May (I know it is six weeks away and all) need to buy a PS3, DS3 and half a dozen or so games and some other miscellaneous accessories (see list here http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/1TP4QG73CSNW2)

and maybe a PSP (still undecided between a bundle or the plain version (prolly will go for the daxter version)) as well.

Is it a better idea to buy online (Amazon is most prefered ) or shop around in the stores and ask for a discount.

I will be based near Poughkeepsie but will be travelling to NYC almost everyday.

My only regret is that I didn't plan for a slightly later trip as I didn't know abt the 80 gig bundle coming up in June.

Haalpp...

(PS: Please do comment on the choice of games/accessories)
 
[quote name='madgeek']I live in India and am traveling to the US in May...

Is it a better idea to buy online (Amazon is most prefered ) or shop around in the stores and ask for a discount.
[/quote]

Um, I know you're not from the States, but the only things you'll get from walking into a store and asking for a discount on anything, especially a big-ticket-low-margin item like a console, are rolled eyes and poor service. Thats just not how things work here.

Oh, and just a random FYI for international travelers -- dining etiquette in a sit-down restaurant is to generally a 15% tip on top of the check total (a rule of thumb method of calculation is to double the sales tax) or a couple of bucks more (towards the 20% range) if the service is really good.
 
You could visit the Nintendo Store near Rockerfeller Center. That would be nice place for a geek to be.
Well, there aren't that many deals on videogames in NY. You should probably shop at amazon.

You must visit the book-off on 41 Street (bet. Madison Ave & 5th Ave). There are bunch of Japanese books and discount book for $1 and they sell dvds.
 
[quote name='Slim Gatsby']
Oh, and just a random FYI for international travelers -- dining etiquette in a sit-down restaurant is to generally a 15% tip on top of the check total (a rule of thumb method of calculation is to double the sales tax) or a couple of bucks more (towards the 20% range) if the service is really good.[/quote]

LOL. We usually tip 8-10% here. But, if the service sucks, then I make it a point NOT to tip. :) And sometimes we have a 10 to 15% service charge tacked on, which is a cue not to tip as well...

I probably won't go to a sit down restaurant. I won't know how to use all them forks and spoons. ;)
 
If you want to buy games go to Chinatown and go to Elizabeth street and canal st. Go to J&L
(you can see the store front on the street) and they have a wide selection of new and used games. They also offer decent bundle packs on just about everything. You don't have to pay for taxes at all so you save money here. There is also another store in the Elizabeth center called Penguin village (they keep changing names almost every other week) but its across the street from J&L and in the basement floor of the shopping center. They are even cheaper than J&L.

Also these two are the only places that really sell mint quality used games. You can be saving up to $20 a game here.

Word of advice if you want BC get the 80gig version they are still floating around these store. Also You can go wrong with any of the accessories you have on your wish list except for the charger you really won't need that at all. The eye is great btw. Every game you have is fine except for Blazing angels two if you want a flight shooter I would wait for Ace combat 6 which should be coming out for the PS3 sometime this year. Or just stick with warhawk.

I also recommend Devil may cry, uncharted, and ninja Gaiden if you like adventure games.


P.S. 10% tip is good for most if not all restaurants here, unless its a real fine dining establishment. Even then its usually tacked on so no tip. Also haggling usually doesn't work. But these two stores I mentioned you can usually talk it out with the guys especially if you are buying a lot of items.
 
[quote name='Draknight']
P.S. 10% tip is good for most if not all restaurants here, unless its a real fine dining establishment. Even then its usually tacked on so no tip. Also haggling usually doesn't work. But these two stores I mentioned you can usually talk it out with the guys especially if you are buying a lot of items.[/quote]

Dude, no its not, and I can only imagine how much the waitstaff wherever you go hate you. You do realize they don't actually get paid in any fashion by the establishment, right? What kind of logic are you following?
 
Stay away from J&L, if you want any sort of deal. And as for tipping, geez, these people get paid just like anywhere else (minimum wage), so just use common sense. No need to follow the advise of the measly thinking CAG here.
 
[quote name='Slim Gatsby']Dude, no its not, and I can only imagine how much the waitstaff wherever you go hate you. You do realize they don't actually get paid in any fashion by the establishment, right? What kind of logic are you following?[/quote]

When I was a waiter, I made $2.13 an hour before taxes. All of a waiter's income is tips, the pay check is just a formality. 10% sucks unless they completely ignored you.
 
[quote name='dragonjud']Stay away from J&L, if you want any sort of deal. And as for tipping, geez, these people get paid just like anywhere else (minimum wage), so just use common sense. No need to follow the advise of the measly thinking CAG here.[/quote]

Not really like anywhere else...its more like half minimum wage. Barely enough to cover the taxes that the gov't charges on the tipped income.
 
[quote name='Draknight']
Word of advice if you want BC get the 80gig version they are still floating around these store. Also You can go wrong with any of the accessories you have on your wish list except for the charger you really won't need that at all. The eye is great btw. Every game you have is fine except for Blazing angels two if you want a flight shooter I would wait for Ace combat 6 which should be coming out for the PS3 sometime this year. Or just stick with warhawk.

I also recommend Devil may cry, uncharted, and ninja Gaiden if you like adventure games.
[/quote]


Regarding the BC: never owned either the PS or PS2, tho a lot of games are available here for next to nothing. Dunno, if I it is worth the effort to find a 80G for them. I mostly wanted the 80G for the excellent bundle value.

I'm assuming you meant I can't go wrong with the accessories. I've kicked the charger off the list.

I played Ace Combat on the PSP (till I lost the console). And I agree it is worth waiting for. (I think Amazon ships to India, so no hassle there)

I'm figuring that over the next few months the PS3 will evolve into a full fledged computer, and it already is a BD player. So the Eye, keyboard and the remote. Just can't wait to get movie *coughtorrentscough* running... ;)

That reminds me I need to get a hub to plug in my external hard drives... :)

I will look at the other games you recommended.

Do feel free to recommend additions/deletions/substitutes
 
Tipping in NY is easy, just double the tax. If the service sucks you can definitely tip less if at all. You can haggle at PC Richard but noot for videogame related stuff. Unless someone is running a promotion Amazon is the better choice. You can browse around the mall there (Poughkeepsie Galleria) for sales.
 
[quote name='madgeek']I will be based near Poughkeepsie but will be travelling to NYC almost everyday.[/quote]


so do you work with IBM?
 
op-

if shopping in new york, DO NOT SHOP in any of the small electronics stores that have tons of items in the window. These prey on tourists and are designed to rip you off. It is a waste of time to go in, regardless of what deal might be pitched.
Also, believe it or not, you can sometimes bargain at bigbox stores like BestBuy- not if you are going to buy $50 of games, but if you were going to be spending close to $1000 as it sounds like, you might be able to swing something- remember they don't have to, and you can always take your business elsewhere.
6th Avenue electronics and J&R- you definitely CAN bargain on larger purchases.

Unless a specifc coupon exists for a bestbuy, circuit city or toyrus, it is usually better to buy on amazon since you don't pay tax. I don't have a ps3, so I can't comment on your choices.

I suggest pricing it out online, and then trying a bestbuy, 6th ave or J&R to see what deal they can give you if you buy everything from them. Just remember bargaining isn't common practice, and you may have to talk to a manager.
 
I noticed you're buying the Orange Box for the PS3- I'm not sure if you even have a decent computer, but if you do, DEFINITELY go for the PC version. The mod and map-making support for Valve games is phenomenal, and adds vastly more replay value than you'd ever, ever get on any of the console versions. Even running those games at the lowest possible settings is worth it. I'd only go for the console versions if your comp is just that poor.

I'd say the same holds true for UT3, but there's been alot of division in terms of overall opinions on that game, as alot of people say it's barely improved, and in many ways a step down compared to Unreal Tournament 2004 outside of the graphics and sound. UT2004 goes for extremely cheap now, and takes very little computer power to run, so if possible, I think you should go for that as well or just instead. I've never been that interested in that game though.
 
[quote name='n64ra']so do you work with IBM?[/quote]

Hell! no. Haven't been anywhere near an IT co. ever (unless you count a dotcom as one). I live & work in India. In the US for a two week holiday and happen to be staying over at my aunt and uncle, neither of whom work for IBM. :)
 
[quote name='Woede']I noticed you're buying the Orange Box for the PS3- I'm not sure if you even have a decent computer, but if you do, DEFINITELY go for the PC version. The mod and map-making support for Valve games is phenomenal, and adds vastly more replay value than you'd ever, ever get on any of the console versions. Even running those games at the lowest possible settings is worth it. I'd only go for the console versions if your comp is just that poor.

I'd say the same holds true for UT3, but there's been alot of division in terms of overall opinions on that game, as alot of people say it's barely improved, and in many ways a step down compared to Unreal Tournament 2004 outside of the graphics and sound. UT2004 goes for extremely cheap now, and takes very little computer power to run, so if possible, I think you should go for that as well or just instead. I've never been that interested in that game though.[/quote]

Don't have a comp at home. I just plug in the office provided laptop to the internet connection at home (though I have an office wireless data connection as well) for pretty much everything.

The only reason UT3 is on the list, is because I had good memories playing UT on the PC.

But you raise a good point. I might reconsider the Orange Box (along with UT3 and Blazing Angels) It will make space for more games. :)


[quote name='n64ra']so do you work with IBM?[/quote]

Hell! no. Haven't been anywhere near an IT co. ever (unless you count a dotcom as one). I live & work in India. In the US for a two week (and rather expensive) holiday and happen to be staying over at my aunt and uncle, neither of whom work for IBM. :)

[quote name='vherub']op-

if shopping in new york, DO NOT SHOP in any of the small electronics stores that have tons of items in the window. These prey on tourists and are designed to rip you off. It is a waste of time to go in, regardless of what deal might be pitched.
Also, believe it or not, you can sometimes bargain at bigbox stores like BestBuy- not if you are going to buy $50 of games, but if you were going to be spending close to $1000 as it sounds like, you might be able to swing something- remember they don't have to, and you can always take your business elsewhere.
6th Avenue electronics and J&R- you definitely CAN bargain on larger purchases.

Unless a specifc coupon exists for a bestbuy, circuit city or toyrus, it is usually better to buy on amazon since you don't pay tax. I don't have a ps3, so I can't comment on your choices.

I suggest pricing it out online, and then trying a bestbuy, 6th ave or J&R to see what deal they can give you if you buy everything from them. Just remember bargaining isn't common practice, and you may have to talk to a manager.[/quote]


These are good tips... We Indians bargain on everything, Shoes, Suits, vegetables and sometimes even groceries. If there is a salesman, we bargain. :), in short, everywhere, except at big name retailers. So I asked.

Hell! in Thailand it's a tourist sport. A third or a fourth and even a fifth of the first quoted price is not unheard of... It's good fun, they enjoy it as well. you should try it on the streets of bangkok and Pattaya.
 
Oh, just to let you know- there's an amazing deal on Steam that sells nearly all Unreal games for $60. That includes UT 3 and UT2004. Remember that games for the PS3 and 360 typically go for $60, so you'd be paying $10 more for games without any mod support. But this whole collection is a digital copy only.

I was exagerating when I said UT3 is a step-down in "many ways", but alot of people have said it is a stepdown to a degree. Also, what's your interest in buying a PS3? I think people are too hard on it- it's now the same price as the 360 at launch, and it's first year wasn't much different than the 360, but it's selection of good exclusives is still pretty piss-poor. Off the top of my head, there's just Resistance: Fall of Man, Warhawks, Ratchet and Clank: Tools of Destruction, Drake's Forture: Uncharted, Folklore, Ninja Gaiden Sigma (though technically just a graphical update of Ninja Gaiden for the Xbox with different content) and Heavenly Sword. There's also Disgaea 3, but that won't be out in the US until August, and tactical JRPG's are pretty much an acquired taste for alot of people.

That, and it's a damn cheap blu-ray player, so that's also something to look at. How does the blu-ray situation in India look right now?
 
[quote name='hero101']You could visit the Nintendo Store near Rockerfeller Center. That would be nice place for a geek to be.
Well, there aren't that many deals on videogames in NY. You should probably shop at amazon.

You must visit the book-off on 41 Street (bet. Madison Ave & 5th Ave). There are bunch of Japanese books and discount book for $1 and they sell dvds.[/quote]

Woah woah woah, there's a Book Off in NYC? Do they sell used games, giant robots etc.?

And where the hell is the Nintendo Store near Rockerfeller Center, I was out in Manhattan a few months ago looking for it, couldn't find the damn place. Do they have discounted games at all or clearances? Doubtful, but I have to ask. And what about rare and hard to find games, or games for old systems?
 
[quote name='karkyco']
And where the hell is the Nintendo Store near Rockerfeller Center, I was out in Manhattan a few months ago looking for it, couldn't find the damn place. Do they have discounted games at all or clearances? Doubtful, but I have to ask. And what about rare and hard to find games, or games for old systems?[/quote]


Its kind of hard to describe where it is, but I suggest www.nintendoworldstore.com

No discounts, clearances, or particularly old games, but they tend to have rare excusive stuff (they sold ElectroPlankton way back when, as well as the uber-rare Pokemon Box that let you store and organize your Pokemon on your GameCube). Additionally, they have tons of neat swag -- pins, figures, shirts, you name it!
 
[quote name='Woede']
I was exagerating when I said UT3 is a step-down in "many ways", but alot of people have said it is a stepdown to a degree. Also, what's your interest in buying a PS3? I think people are too hard on it- it's now the same price as the 360 at launch, and it's first year wasn't much different than the 360, but it's selection of good exclusives is still pretty piss-poor. Off the top of my head, there's just Resistance: Fall of Man, Warhawks, Ratchet and Clank: Tools of Destruction, Drake's Forture: Uncharted, Folklore, Ninja Gaiden Sigma (though technically just a graphical update of Ninja Gaiden for the Xbox with different content) and Heavenly Sword. There's also Disgaea 3, but that won't be out in the US until August, and tactical JRPG's are pretty much an acquired taste for alot of people.

That, and it's a damn cheap blu-ray player, so that's also something to look at. How does the blu-ray situation in India look right now?[/quote]


I'm not that much of a gamer... I loved the Atari many moons ago and since then was a PC gamer for well over a decade and more recently moved to the PSP. I was reviewing the Xbox 360 when it was going to be launched in India and that's when I decided to move to a console.

Since I was travelling to the US this season, so I delayed the purchase till now. In India it is 1.5 times what it costs in the US. :roll:

Finally, it was the Blu ray player bit, which sealed the deal for me... :)
 
Yeah, I've heard there's almost always major pricing issues in non-east asian, non-european, non-PAL, and most non-NA countries when it comes to videogames, so that's what I assumed what was going on. Still, why is getting these games in the US such a major interest if amazon has worked so well for you for so long? Are the prices any different on that? And I don't mean to be too forceful with that list of PS3 exclusives, but I'm talking about exclusives that are generally the most well-reviewed.
 
[quote name='Woede']Yeah, I've heard there's almost always major pricing issues in non-east asian, non-european, non-PAL, and most non-NA countries when it comes to videogames, so that's what I assumed what was going on. Still, why is getting these games in the US such a major interest if amazon has worked so well for you for so long? Are the prices any different on that? And I don't mean to be too forceful with that list of PS3 exclusives, but I'm talking about exclusives that are generally the most well-reviewed.[/quote]


well so far I've only ordered books from amazon (hundreds of dollars worth) and never had an issue.

Amazon doesn't ship electronics world-wide and quite a few games are marked as US only. Prices are not different. Infact shippng can add up to quite a bit...

Since I was going to be in the US. i thought I would get the
console and accessories and a few games and then later buy games here.

The gaming scene is quite nascent here. A lot of hype, and very little substance. for e.g. the Gaming head for MS here was an idiot who graduated selling CD's (i.e. MS software) for MS and and was a complete pompous prick. I'm told he's quit (or asked to move on...). So MS may actually wake up and do something decent.

Sony seems to be as clueless... tho they did launch God of war and GT5:prologue simultaneously with Europe. So maybe they are waking up too..
 
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