Reduced Price Game Guides: Thread Eight(MODS: Please lock, Thread Nine is up)

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IAmTheCheapestGamer

IAmTheCheapestGamer

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First off, let me welcome you all to the new guide thread. Second, I'd like to ask you all to please keep conversations not pertaining to guide drops or which ones you've grabbed to a minimum to avoid cluttering the thread. It's not that I don't enjoy the chit chat, but that it may stop others from locating information on the newest drops.

That being said, let me thank Cheapy for creating this site, without which I would've spent probably 10 times what I HAVE spent on games and guides. Moreover, let me thank each and every one of my fellow CAGs for continuing to contribute to making this site a great place to find out about sales and clearances of the items we as gamers use most. Without a great community, NONE of this would be possible.

Furthermore, I would like to thank our Wiki editors HeatDolphin and Rocko for updating the Wiki. Great job.

Now, with that out of the way(and before I get to rambling), let's get on to making this new thread.

Useful Information(and links):

Game Guide Trading Clearinghouse(old one, locked now):
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=102021

Game Guide Trade Thread(current one):
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=175548

PLEASE keep ALL trade requests in there or PM's. Thank you.

Reduced Price Guide Discussion Thread(please keep all conversation NOT related to guide drops HERE. Thanks.): http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=169252

Guide Lists:

Master Drop List(by store, alphabetically):
http://wiki.cheapassgamer.com/index.php/Category:Strategy_Guides_%28master_lists%29

Recent Guide Drops(by date):
http://wiki.cheapassgamer.com/index.php/Category:Strategy_Guides_%28recent_drops%29

What is the purpose of this thread?

The purpose of this thread is to let our fellow CAGs know when a guide has dropped to a low price(it's NOT ALWAYS A PENNY), so they can go out and grab guides for themselves and for trading with other CAGs.

Anytime you have guide drops to report, post them here. Please specify at which store you found them and which guides you found and list them in alphabetical order. Thank you.

What are penny guides?

Penny guides are guides which have been on the market for a while and the publisher(or store chain) decide that the remaining stock of these guides have little to no chance of selling, so they issue an order to pull them from the shelves and destroy them. At that time, they are also marked as .01 in their inventory system, except in the case of BBV, which marks them .01 only AFTER pulling them.

Most stores have an agreement with the publisher that states that if they destroy the remaining stock of those items, they will receive a credit for their value from the publisher. This is why many stores are usually annoyed when we CAGs come in and buy the guides AT the penny price, since otherwise they would've received a full credit for those items.

According to an employee at a local BB, they also have a recycling program for the pennied stock, so as to not clutter landfill space with the guides. As to how true it is, I cannot confirm, but I would hope that the paper is at least recycled instead of just dumpstered.

Prior Reduced price game guide threads:
Guide Three:
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50515&highlight=guide
Guide Four:
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1496376
Guide Five:
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85976
Guide Six:
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=116918
Guide Seven:
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=131717
Guide Seven and a half:
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=142400

Finally, below is a list of website links, each of which goes to their respective guide page. Whenever possible, I will update the links with better ones(if available).

Amazon
B&N
BestBuy
Borders
BookPool
CircuitCity
Gamestop
Overstock
StrategyGuide.net
ToysRUs

Thanks to floormat, who did threads 3,4,5 and 6 and provided me with the links to them.

Thanks to Gwen for allowing me the honor of giving something back to CAG by doing this new guide thread. I hope you all enjoy it and it isn't TOO hard to read.
 
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To help eliminate the confusion that seems to be present, MONDAYS are ALWAYS the days guides drop.

In addition, it would behoove you to check the Best Buy site first, because the prices on the site will be the same as in-store, 99.99% of the time. The prices of some of the guides mentioned in the last several posts are on the Best Buy site and NOT a penny.

Just trying to save people the time, trouble and gas money, since you can quickly and easily find out on the site without leaving your house.
 
[quote name='Ubiiquitous']To help eliminate the confusion that seems to be present, MONDAYS are ALWAYS the days guides drop.

In addition, it would behoove you to check the Best Buy site first, because the prices on the site will be the same as in-store, 99.99% of the time. The prices of some of the guides mentioned in the last several posts are on the Best Buy site and NOT a penny.

Just trying to save people the time, trouble and gas money, since you can quickly and easily find out on the site without leaving your house.[/quote]

I agree that Mondays are the price drop days, I just decided to check today for the heck of it.

To your point about checking the site- it's funny, but some penny guides are still full price on the BB site, such as Enemy Territory:Quake Wars. Yet when Bioshock went .01, it showed .01 on the site.

Weird...
 
I also noticed that Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga has dropped off. I didn't see it mentioned earlier, so I wanted to make sure that was added to the list of potential drops.

I realize that just because a guide has dropped off the site, doesn't mean it's going to drop to a penny, but it's at least a prime candidate.
 
Last time the prices dropped to a penny at about 2am Mountain time if memory serves. Perhaps I will make sure to check it again tonight. Last time I was able to order the Bioshock guide and have it shipped for about $5 total.
 
I hope they don't end up online again, last time not only did my store pick-up purchases get denied they tossed the guides in the trash after ripping them up (not just the cover, but down the spines).

Note: I ordered one of each guide and added some blank DVDs for good measure.
 
[quote name='darkslime']Sweetness. I looked in the GS dumpster and in it were these guides:
FF (PSP)
FFII (PSP) x2
Ace Combat 3 I think
Fight Night Round 2
UT3 x4
Enemy Territorys Quake Wars x5[/quote]

Wow man- that is some hard core action for strategy guides. Last time I went dumpster diving...oh wait, I haven't done that yet, but good for you! :dunce:
 
[quote name='h3llbring3r']I hope they don't end up online again, last time not only did my store pick-up purchases get denied they tossed the guides in the trash after ripping them up (not just the cover, but down the spines).

Note: I ordered one of each guide and added some blank DVDs for good measure.[/quote]

I got two Advance Wars guides for pick up. I didn't even pick them up either until the following monday after the drop, and no problems at all.
 
[quote name='beniah']Wow man- that is some hard core action for strategy guides. Last time I went dumpster diving...oh wait, I haven't done that yet, but good for you! :dunce:[/QUOTE]

I've only tried it a couple times. I saw a pile of Rainbow Six Vegas guides that had been rained on one time, and the other time, well, best not to mention the things seen that time...
 
[quote name='Ubiiquitous']To help eliminate the confusion that seems to be present, MONDAYS are ALWAYS the days guides drop.

In addition, it would behoove you to check the Best Buy site first, because the prices on the site will be the same as in-store, 99.99% of the time. The prices of some of the guides mentioned in the last several posts are on the Best Buy site and NOT a penny.

Just trying to save people the time, trouble and gas money, since you can quickly and easily find out on the site without leaving your house.[/quote]

Best Buy may do their drops on the first Monday of the month, but GS and TRU are kind of iffy on that, so not every store drops on that same schedule. Oh and BB has dropped guides mid month before, but it's usually on the first Monday schedule 90% of the time.

As for putting the drops up as .01 on their site, that's also very iffy, since 90% of the time, they just drop in the store and you have to scramble to get them before they're pulled.

I just thought I'd clear that up for everyone who doesn't know.
 
[quote name='IAmTheCheapestGamer']Best Buy may do their drops on the first Monday of the month, but GS and TRU are kind of iffy on that, so not every store drops on that same schedule. Oh and BB has dropped guides mid month before, but it's usually on the first Monday schedule 90% of the time.

As for putting the drops up as .01 on their site, that's also very iffy, since 90% of the time, they just drop in the store and you have to scramble to get them before they're pulled.

I just thought I'd clear that up for everyone who doesn't know.[/QUOTE]

Sorry, I was specifically referring to Best Buy in my post. I should have been more clear. I don't even bother with GS or TRU myself.

I also meant, with regard to guide prices on the website, that if they're regular price on the website, they're pretty much always regular price in-store too. I was just trying to keep people from going all the way into the store to price check something that's regular price online.

It's pretty uncommon for penny guides to be listed as such online. Typically, penny guides just aren't on the website at all, at any price.
 
I didn't mean to contradict you, but actually several guides which are pennied at Best Buy were still up on their site at full price the last time I checked. So while 90% of the time they'll pull them from the site, there's that 10% of the time when they'll stay up on the site but be .01 in the stores.

I also usually don't check TRU or GS around here, since they're typically on top of pulling them and deny you even when you DO find them. But, I still try from time to time, especially if it's been a week or more since the drop and I found it on the shelf still. They'll typically admit that they missed it and sell it at that price, which is a nice surprise, but I also don't go out of my way to grab them there anymore.
 
Picked up 2 Zelda Windwaker Nintendo guides at Gamecrazy today for $3.99 each. I also found a Devil Summoner which came up .00 & saw a Gears Of War LE but didn't realize it had been pennied until after I left!:bomb: They gave the DS guide to me. Frickin' Fable guide still rings $7.99:roll:
 
OK folks, if a drop from BB happens and they list the guides as .01 on their site, THIS is the page you should be checking: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&id=abcat0711000&type=category&usc=abcat0700000&cp=1&sp=%2Bcurrentprice+skuid&nrp=63&qp=crootcategoryid%23%23-1%23%23-1%7E%7Eq70726f63657373696e6774696d653a3e313930302d30312d3031%7E%7Ecabcat0700000%23%230%23%2319r%7E%7Encabcat0711000%23%230%23%231q

It lists all guides on ONE page, from low to high on price. Although, considering that there's at LEAST 10 guides on that page that have dropped during prior drops which are STILL LISTED, it's not a very accurate page.

Best of luck should a drop occur today, but if it does, I'll be trying for some this afternoon/evening and not before.
 
With exception to a couple of titles, the ones that have been pennied at the stores are showing either backordered or sold out, so maybe that's a clue as to what may drop?
 
yeah, but that sucks for those of us who can't make it until after work. all the Best Buys around here seem to be pretty good about pulling the guides, so having the option to order them online for in-store pickup was my best bet. I'll still give it a shot, but I'm not expecting much.
 
[quote name='shiningslade']With exception to a couple of titles, the ones that have been pennied at the stores are showing either backordered or sold out, so maybe that's a clue as to what may drop?[/quote]

Actually, I was going to say to look for 'Limited Availability' under the store pickup option to try and locate possibilities for a drop, since that's what MOST of the previously dropped guides say with a few exceptions.
 
Limited Availablity:

Crisis
Orange Box
Super Mario Galazy
Pokemon Battle Revolution
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon
God of War
Viking
Art of Mass Effect
 
I am heading out (Target drop today), will check these at BB when they open.

Crisis
Orange Box
Super Mario Galazy
Pokemon Battle Revolution
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon
God of War
Viking
Art of Mass Effect
Army Of Two
Assassin's Creed:CE
Condemmed 2: Blodshot
Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess (Wii)
Pro Evolution Soccer 2008
Uncharted
 
[quote name='white3er']Limited Availablity:

Crisis
Orange Box
Super Mario Galazy
Pokemon Battle Revolution
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon
God of War
Viking
Art of Mass Effect[/quote]

Thanks for checking, but don't forget to note guide versions. Pokemon Mystery Dungeon has two versions; the old one (Red & Blue) and the one that came out two weeks ago (Time & Darkness).

I can't wait to hit them up today. I really hope there's a drop.
 
Just visited Best Buy. I checked several of the listed guides and none had pennied out. Condemned rang up $10, though. Hopefully there will be a mid week drop...
 
[quote name='h3llbring3r']looks like no drop today?[/quote]They've done then on non-Mondays before.

They've also done them on other Mondays that weren't first of the month.

We need to keep an eye out for large amounts of guides disappearing, as well as check them daily or thereabouts.
 
There was a drop today, but a small one:

Hellgate London
The Sims 2 (PC)
The Sims 2: Bon Voyage (PC)
Lego Star Wars: Complete Saga

A lot of guides dropped to half-price as well, but really....we all know what will happen next time.
 
[quote name='troy2007']There was a drop today, but a small one:

Hellgate London
The Sims 2 (PC)
The Sims 2: Bon Voyage (PC)
Lego Star Wars: Complete Saga

A lot of guides dropped to half-price as well, but really....we all know what will happen next time.[/quote]Hellgate and Sims 2 Bon Voyage dropped previously at GS, if I remember right, as I have both guides. Sims 2 might be that composite guide I've seen at BB previously, which wouldn't be a bad find.

LSW: CS is one I need to go track down, so it's a stop at BB on the way home today, I think.
 
[quote name='Pookymeister']Shrike needs to take a picture of his guide collection.[/quote]Shrike will take pictures of his guide collection when his basement is finished and his bookcases to house said guides are up in the basement. ;)

Theoretically by the end of June, under current estimates.
 
Checked Orange box, God of War PSP, Army of Two, Assassin, condemmed 2 (9.99) and lost oddessy. none are pennied out from that group.

*** I didnt see any Turok guides. They may have dropped. I think my BB pulled all the penny guides yesterday, because the sims guides were gone that were there earlier in the day yesterday and I got there when the store opened today.
 
That sucks, I was really hoping for an Orange Box guide. Hellgate London is good news though. I heard the game sucks but I'll still get it at some point. I wonder if the Rock Band guide dropped?
 
I checked a bunch of guides, including Orange Box, Mario Galaxy, Twilight Princess (Wii), Mass Effect 2 pack. Then the guy told me the list of what pennied out and said I'd be doing them a favor to buy them. I don't think any others pennied.
 
does anyone know if you take one of the guides that is supposed to be pennied out, and do a price scan with those scanners at the end of the aisles accessible to customers at best buy , will it show up as a penny?
 
Hmmm, so, lets try to get organized for this week.

So far, reported, we have:

PENNIED:
Hellgate London
The Sims 2 (PC)
The Sims 2: Bon Voyage (PC)
Lego Star Wars: Complete Saga
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune


REGULAR PRICE
Army of Two
Condemned 2
Fire Emblem
God of War: CoO
Lost Oddyssey
Orange Box
Zelda Twilight Wii
Pro Soccer 2008
Assasins Creed guide/artbook combo


Do we have any more reports or confirmation? Can we confirm anything as definitely NOT pennied?

And did anyone check Fire Emblem?
 
[quote name='Slim Gatsby']

Do we have any more reports or confirmation? Can we confirm anything as definitely NOT pennied?[/quote]

I can confirm Orange Box, Zelda Twilight Wii, Pro Soccer 2008, Assasins Creed guide/artbook combo regular price.
 
[quote name='gamerasscheap']do the game guides scan at a penny in best buy at the item scanners at the end of the store aisles?[/quote]

They definitely should, as they are in the system for a penny.

Any more confirmations before I strike out on my own in half an hour?
 
[quote name='Slim Gatsby']Hmmm, so, lets try to get organized for this week.

So far, reported, we have:

PENNIED:
Hellgate London
The Sims 2 (PC)
The Sims 2: Bon Voyage (PC)
Lego Star Wars: Complete Saga
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune


REGULAR PRICE
Orange Box
Zelda Twilight Wii
Pro Soccer 2008
Assasins Creed guide/artbook combo


Do we have any more reports or confirmation? Can we confirm anything as definitely NOT pennied?

And did anyone check Fire Emblem?[/quote]

read the posts: Checked Orange box, God of War PSP, Army of Two, Assassin, condemmed 2 (9.99) and lost oddessy. none are pennied out from that group.
 
[quote name='shrike4242']Sims 2 might be that composite guide I've seen at BB previously, which wouldn't be a bad find.[/quote]If it's the box set you're thinking of, I can confirm it is not pennied. I didn't see any standalone original Sims 2 guides. I can confirm Hellgate, didn't see any LSW:TCS.
 
I got for a penny...

Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
Oblivion (with Knights of the Nine Content added)

I know this (Oblivion) has dropped already for others, but the one without a sticker didn't drop until today at my BB.

Those were the only ones that dropped for me though. Fire Emblem was still 9.99.
 
[quote name='Antic']I got for a penny...

Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
Oblivion (with Knights of the Nine Content added)

I know this (Oblivion) has dropped already for others, but the one without a sticker didn't drop until today at my BB.

Those were the only ones that dropped for me though. Fire Emblem was still 9.99.[/quote]

Black or tan Oblivion?
 
[quote name='slowdive21']read the posts: Checked Orange box, God of War PSP, Army of Two, Assassin, condemmed 2 (9.99) and lost oddessy. none are pennied out from that group.[/quote]

I recommend reading the post that you're quoting before getting snippy.
 
[quote name='slowdive21']I would guess fire emblem is .01 too b/c my store had 7 copies yesterday and none today when they opened.[/quote]Hmmm...if this one is pennied, I'll have to make a second trip. I would have taken one to the register had I known it was in question.

EDIT: NVM, I see Antic scanned it at $9.99.
 
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