Reduced Price Game Guides: Thread Nine

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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(KEEP ALL TRADE REQUESTS HERE OR IN PM'S)
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(KEEP ALL DISCUSSION NOT RELATED TO GUIDE DROPS HERE!!!)
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=169252

Guide Lists(master drop lists and recent drops):

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

Recent Guide Drops(by date,also check the second post in this thread):
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
Guide Eight:
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=167157

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
Barnes&Noble
BestBuy
BookPool
CircuitCity
Gamestop
Overstock
StrategyGuides.net
ToysRUs

Thanks to floormat, Guinavere and anyone else who has created and maintained the guide thread before, as well as to all of those who find out either advance information on drops or provide a list of which ones dropped when we do have a drop.

The post below this one contains a list going back at LEAST six months of the more current guide drops, which stores they occured at and which ones dropped. Note that sometimes(Oblivion guide, Quake Wars: Enemy Territory)there are multiple versions of a guide, be it that there are Prima versions, Brady versions and the occasional Nintendo and Doublejump guides.

Please specify WHICH version has dropped when mentioning possible guide drops. Thank you.


 
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Success at the CC in Schaumburg, IL. by Woodfield. Picked up Madden '08, DMC4 & Rock Band. The guy who checked me out was shocked and said he was going to pick some up himself.
 
[quote name='genfuyung']Same happened to me. I think the manager got in trouble for selling me so many other guides a week or so ago. Now all penny guides ring up full price. He gives me the death look every time i walk in. I give him one of these ;)[/quote] Guess we should have bought penny guides slowly, instead of 40 at once. >_>
 
[quote name='jererjerer']not sure if this hasn't been asked before, but has Fire Emblem guide dropped in price lately?[/quote] Its pennied at TRU, no where else though.
And $9.99 at BB

Next time please don't be lazy and look at the list in the second post.
 
[quote name='darkslime']Its pennied at TRU, no where else though.
And $9.99 at BB

Next time please don't be lazy and look at the list in the second post.[/quote]

That's wrong, seems like it was a misunderstanding and the clerk scanned the wrong UPC.

[quote name='shiningslade']Ok, I guess I got real lucky getting it then. Sorry guys & gals. False alarm at TRU on Fire Emblem RD being pennied.[/quote]
 
Stopped by Coeur d' Alene Best Buy today, and picked up some Mystery Dungeon, Burning Sea, PS2008, Crysis, etc.

The weird thing was that for the Burning Sea guidea, they actually had a little price label underneath them that said they were $.01
 
[quote name='snatcher33']Success at the CC in Schaumburg, IL. by Woodfield. Picked up Madden '08, DMC4 & Rock Band. The guy who checked me out was shocked and said he was going to pick some up himself.[/quote]

What are you following me?! :)

BTW I hit the CC in Crystal lake and all the penny guides were pulled (8/28).

I also hit the Woodfield BB and CC earlier in the week and picked up LOTR at BB for .01, and 20 or so penny guides at CC. I glad to see a CAG got the ones I left! I can't find rogue galaxy and it is one of the few games I already own that I want the guide for.

Fire Emblem at TRU is YMMV. They rang up 19.99 when I checked them a couple of days ago.
 
[quote name='slowdive21']What are you following me?! :)

BTW I hit the CC in Crystal lake and all the penny guides were pulled (8/28).

I also hit the Woodfield BB and CC earlier in the week and picked up LOTR at BB for .01, and 20 or so penny guides at CC. I glad to see a CAG got the ones I left! I can't find rogue galaxy and it is one of the few games I already own that I want the guide for.

Fire Emblem at TRU is YMMV. They rang up 19.99 when I checked them a couple of days ago.
[/quote] Ok, sorry. The ones at my TRU were pulled so I figured it was pennied.
 
For anyone that had issues with DMC 4 not scanning correctly, see if they'll scan the UPC on the ISBN side of the tag. I picked up two DMC 4 guides this way, as the regular UPC didn't scan at all, though the UPC on the ISBN side of the tag worked without issue. It's also 13 digits longs, so it must be the same trick as the PRI + ISBN # trick.
 
[quote name='shrike4242']For anyone that had issues with DMC 4 not scanning correctly, see if they'll scan the UPC on the ISBN side of the tag. I picked up two DMC 4 guides this way, as the regular UPC didn't scan at all, though the UPC on the ISBN side of the tag worked without issue. It's also 13 digits longs, so it must be the same trick as the PRI + ISBN # trick.[/quote]

This is what I was referring to a few days ago...I noticed the same thing at CC.

I am talking about the EAN double barcode listed under the ISBN. I think they are normally 13-18 digits in length and contain the ISBN. So rather than manually typing "PRI 0761556478", the cashier can scan the EAN instead.

Basically the moral of the story is check both codes at CC, because one may be a penny, the other can be "not on file", "part of package" or full price.
Click to expand...
 
[quote name='slowdive21']What are you following me?! :)

BTW I hit the CC in Crystal lake and all the penny guides were pulled (8/28).

I also hit the Woodfield BB and CC earlier in the week and picked up LOTR at BB for .01, and 20 or so penny guides at CC. I glad to see a CAG got the ones I left! I can't find rogue galaxy and it is one of the few games I already own that I want the guide for.

Fire Emblem at TRU is YMMV. They rang up 19.99 when I checked them a couple of days ago.
[/QUOTE]

Sorry about spoiling your trip to the Crystal Lake CC.

I was there on the 27th and the manager gave me the hardest time and wouldn't sell me the guides. BTW the CC by Woodfield had a Rogue Galaxy guide. I brought it up to the cashier, but he couldn't get it to scan. I just told him to forgot about it so he wouldn't call a manager over and I would be out my guides again.
 
[quote name='snatcher33']Sorry about spoiling your trip to the Crystal Lake CC.

I was there on the 27th and the manager gave me the hardest time and wouldn't sell me the guides. BTW the CC by Woodfield had a Rogue Galaxy guide. I brought it up to the cashier, but he couldn't get it to scan. I just told him to forgot about it so he wouldn't call a manager over and I would be out my guides again.[/quote]

since we are talking about chicago area CC's, the one in arlington heights had rock band and DMC 4 as of 2 days ago... i didnt pick either of them up so im not sure how strict they are over there.
 
Anybody go to the one in Vernon Hills? I have a friend working there and I got him to sell me 15 of em but later he told me that he found out he wasn't supposed to sell them. Anyway, DMC4 and Tomb Raider are still there if anyone wants to try for em.
 
[quote name='illini1010']haha, well we do own the 57th page so far...[/QUOTE]

Sorry, don't have anything to contribute here, but let the domination continue!

Also, are there any CC's in the city/has anyone checked them? Never actually thought to make a trip after classes (if there even is one)
 
CC by Woodfield still has a couple of DMC4s as of this afternoon. I bought 2, and the cashier (as soon as he saw what I was buying) asked me if I had brought my pennies with me. Another smooth transaction.
 
Hey- quick question for you guys on penny guides. What's the etiquette on buying them? I went to Best Buy yesterday and found 4 copies of Condemned 2, and I bought one because I plan to get the game soon. I checked on Cag for the other recent penny guides, and went back today (I went to buy Mercenaries 2 anyways) and picked up a Burnout Paradise, 2 more Condemned's (for 2 of my friends) and Pes 2008. I left behind a condemned, a burnout, and 3 Pes's. They dropped nine days ago, so should I just grab the for tradebait or something, or is that frowned upon? Do they just throw them out? If they do I'm going to snap them up so they don't end up in a landfill.
 
Yeah they usually get tossed out. Just get them, to help the enviroment or trade. That's from an old drop so obviously no one else wants them.
 
[quote name='kewlrabbit']Hey- quick question for you guys on penny guides. What's the etiquette on buying them? ... They dropped nine days ago, so should I just grab the for tradebait or something, or is that frowned upon? Do they just throw them out? If they do I'm going to snap them up so they don't end up in a landfill.[/quote]

At my local BB, I've seen pennied guides stay on the shelf for weeks after they're reported pennied here. Usually, there are only a handful at the time they are pennied. If I'm interested, I buy one and leave the others - maybe for a fellow CAG. I suppose if I was a trader, I'd pick up some more or the rest if there were still some left after a few weeks. Point is, I haven't seen evidence that they're pulled immediately after they penny, but I supposed YMMV by store.
 
I always only take one, since I dont want to hoard, yet at the same time I dont want to be suspicious buying multiples of the same guide. Usually though, there's only one or two left, and I just take whichever is in better condition.
 
Got extremely lucky this morning during my lunch. Walked into GS to browse/kill some time and found a pennied Super Mario Galaxy Collector's Edition. The dust-jacket has some wear and the pricing barcode is stuck to it but for a penny I can't complain.
 
I was just out today, if I had known it was a possible I would've checked. Rats. Oh well, at least I found an untouched Best Buy, I hit the mother load there!
 
Assasin's Creed Artbook+Guide Combo went from 34.99 to 24.99. I just checked an hour ago (Best Buy - Pleasant Hill, CA). Anyway I was able to grab 10 Ninja Gaiden II Wall Graffix for 0.01 each. There's a couple more, probably 12-15 for other cags.
 
[quote name='Xizer']Where does Best Buy put these wall graphics you guys are talking about anyway? Haven't seen them before...[/quote]

I saw 5 on the bottom shelf in the 360 section. That's probably where they would be if you wanted to find some. I think most would be gone since they were $1.
 
Went back to CC (Lansing MI) to look around and they must have put a bunch of old guides back on the shelf. I left a couple of yoshi island DS, Rainbow Six Vegas, Pokedex for diamond & Pearl, lots of Madden 08s among others (Battlefield 2 was a bundle only). I picked up 9 more guides from last time and the MANAGER checked me out / put them back in the system for me. They are being really cool about me getting guides there. Also the BB across the street had 3 pro evolution soccer 08/ coatching dvd guide and a condemnd 2 guide.

Edit: Forgot to add the BB on the east side of town had Orange Box Guides for 4.99
 
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[quote name='Xizer']Where does Best Buy put these wall graphics you guys are talking about anyway? Haven't seen them before...[/quote]

Mine had a ton of them stacked on the divider between game sections
 
[quote name='shoe478']I saw 5 on the bottom shelf in the 360 section. That's probably where they would be if you wanted to find some. I think most would be gone since they were $1.[/quote]

My local BB had wall graphics marked $.99 in the Xbox360 section. I already picked up 6 for our nephews but may pick up some more since they are a penny!
 
Everything I checked had the same price:
New Super Mario Bros
Mass Effect w/ Art Book
Super Mario Galaxy Hardcover
Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass Hardcover
 
[quote name='kewlrabbit']Hey- quick question for you guys on penny guides. What's the etiquette on buying them? I went to Best Buy yesterday and found 4 copies of Condemned 2, and I bought one because I plan to get the game soon. I checked on Cag for the other recent penny guides, and went back today (I went to buy Mercenaries 2 anyways) and picked up a Burnout Paradise, 2 more Condemned's (for 2 of my friends) and Pes 2008. I left behind a condemned, a burnout, and 3 Pes's. They dropped nine days ago, so should I just grab the for tradebait or something, or is that frowned upon? Do they just throw them out? If they do I'm going to snap them up so they don't end up in a landfill.[/quote] I usually take all of them, since I'm 14, and my only source of income is buying and selling stuff like this because my parents won't let me get a job until sophmore year, because they think I should get used to high school.

I'll have to go check the Ninja Gaiden wall graphics this week. Picked up 2 when they were a dollar. Kept one, and I can't manage to sell the second. Oh well, there's still room in my shed with those 24 madden 08. XD
 
[quote name='Xizer']Where does Best Buy put these wall graphics you guys are talking about anyway? Haven't seen them before...[/quote]

Just look around the Xbox 360 accessories. My store has them located on the bottom next to a box of keychain XD
 
[quote name='Pr0JectNymPh0!']Assasin's Creed Artbook+Guide Combo went from 34.99 to 24.99. I just checked an hour ago (Best Buy - Pleasant Hill, CA). Anyway I was able to grab 10 Ninja Gaiden II Wall Graffix for 0.01 each. There's a couple more, probably 12-15 for other cags.[/quote]

didnt know there were others in my area :)
 
I checked Fire Emblem, and Final Fantasy Tactics: War of Lions. Both were still full price. I also checked a 2003 guide for an X-box game, that still wasn't pennied for some reason.
 
[quote name='KABUKISTAR']I checked Fire Emblem, and Final Fantasy Tactics: War of Lions. Both were still full price. I also checked a 2003 guide for an X-box game, that still wasn't pennied for some reason.[/quote]

I'm assuming you mean the guide for the Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, right? My local BB stores had 3-5 of these guides in and I also assumed they would've long since pennied. But every time I checked it, it was still full price.

Another one that baffles me as to why it's still full price, since there's a combined guide now that includes it, is the Shivering Isles standalone guide. At least one of my local BB stores has 1-3 of them in stock still.
 
[quote name='darkslime']I usually take all of them, since I'm 14, and my only source of income is buying and selling stuff like this because my parents won't let me get a job until sophmore year, because they think I should get used to high school.

I'll have to go check the Ninja Gaiden wall graphics this week. Picked up 2 when they were a dollar. Kept one, and I can't manage to sell the second. Oh well, there's still room in my shed with those 24 madden 08. XD[/quote]

I used to take all of them too, but unless you know for certain that you're going to have buyers/traders for all of them, you may end up stuck with assloads of guides that're largely unsellable.

Mind you, whenever I have found guides recently, I ended up taking most(if not all)since even the Best Buy stores here have been getting strict about letting them go for .01, so I take them where I can get them anymore.

Speaking of that, I never did update my tradelist with the 5 or 6 DMC guides and the others I amassed lately. :whistle2:# My procrastination is getting worse.
 
[quote name='IAmTheCheapestGamer']I'm assuming you mean the guide for the Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, right? My local BB stores had 3-5 of these guides in and I also assumed they would've long since pennied. But every time I checked it, it was still full price.
[/quote]
Nope, it was a First Person Shooter game. I think one of the Tom Clancy games, if my memory serves.
 
[quote name='IAmTheCheapestGamer']I'm assuming you mean the guide for the Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, right? My local BB stores had 3-5 of these guides in and I also assumed they would've long since pennied. But every time I checked it, it was still full price.

Another one that baffles me as to why it's still full price, since there's a combined guide now that includes it, is the Shivering Isles standalone guide. At least one of my local BB stores has 1-3 of them in stock still.[/QUOTE]

wait, so where WAS it pennied then? I woulda sworn it was at BB (Shivering Isles). Strange. I have it (and a couple extra if you want one) and I know damn well I only payed a penny...
 
Much like Oblivion and God Of War II, there were multiple versions of that guide as well. One was stickered, one was unstickered. My local store still has a copy or two of ONE of those. I don't recall which one dropped, but I know that one dropped a while back.
 
[quote name='IAmTheCheapestGamer']I used to take all of them too, but unless you know for certain that you're going to have buyers/traders for all of them, you may end up stuck with assloads of guides that're largely unsellable.

i know what you mean i just moved to a new area, i had 17 milk crates full of guides, each crate holds up to about 25 guides. i sold a bunch at a yad sale the rest went to goodwill and local libary. now i only buy 3, one for me , one for my friend, and one for his brother. ps those damn guides get heavier then shit:D
 
I'm almost always able to sell them to a local store that buys guides for $.50-$4.00 each in trade credit. There are 3 different locations, so one almost always takes them.

Or a mom & pop shop will buy them too, but they're a last resort because I feel bad ripping them off, since they're so nice, and give me great deals on CDs.

There are a couple guides that I haven't been able to get rid of though, madden 08 for example. There are 24 in my shed. I sold a few a week before madden 09 came out for 5 bucks in credit each but got more right after it came out and nobody will buy them.
 
I found a few Dark Sector guides today, but nothing from the most recent BB drop. My go-to guide stores have really dried up in recent months.
 
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