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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[quote name='IAmTheCheapestGamer']Did you have it PC'd at one of those kiosks throughout the store? Or at the front registers?

I ask because even Rogue Galaxy showed up as normal price @ CC when I had it checked at a kiosk. However, when I went to the normal register with it, it came up as not in system.

They will end up having to enter it manually to get it to come up .01 though. It involves them typing up PRI then one of the numbers from the back of the book(don't remember if it's one of the UPC's or the ISBN).[/quote]
$4.99 at the front register. It's not in system so they had to 'move' it in order to sell it. Then it rang up $4.99.
 
Well, I know they said it was 'part of a bundle' and it came up as such. But when they searched for the game to bundle it to, they couldn't find it(since I believe CC clearanced it out a while back), so they just said to take it for nothing.
 
Very good Guide Run for me today

BB

Hellgate London
Sims 2 - Bon Voyage
Halo 2 (PC)
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon
Rock Band - $2.99
(2) Ninja Gaining Stickers.


CC

Army of Two
Lego Star Wars
Madden 08
Pokemon Battle Revolution
Pokemon Diamond Pearl Pokedex
Pokemon Ranger
Rainbox Six Vegas
Splinter Cell Double Agent
STALKER
Tomb Raider
Viva Pinata
Yoshis Island
 
I got banned from a gamestop today. ^_^

Went in to get guides and saw SMG hardcover. I brought it up to the bitchy manager lady because she was the only one at the counter. She started screaming at me that I have caused her so much hassle and gotten her and her employees in so much trouble for penny guides and that they will all refuse to sell me anything no matter what I buy if its a penny or not. >_
 
[quote name='darkslime']I got banned from a gamestop today. ^_^

Went in to get guides and saw SMG hardcover. I brought it up to the bitchy manager lady because she was the only one at the counter. She started screaming at me that I have caused her so much hassle and gotten her and her employees in so much trouble for penny guides and that they will all refuse to sell me anything no matter what I buy if its a penny or not. >_
 
[quote name='darkslime']I got banned from a gamestop today. ^_^

Went in to get guides and saw SMG hardcover. I brought it up to the bitchy manager lady because she was the only one at the counter. She started screaming at me that I have caused her so much hassle and gotten her and her employees in so much trouble for penny guides and that they will all refuse to sell me anything no matter what I buy if its a penny or not. >_
 
Well I went back out today to check CC clearance games and GS had no penny guides and CC had tons.

I ended up with
Yoshis Island x3
Super Paper Mario x1
Viva Pinata x2
Pokemon Ranger x1
Pokemon Battle Revolution x2
Rainbow Six Vegas x3
Madden 08 x3

Unfortunately Army of 2, Splinter Cell, and Pokemon Mystery Dungeon (they must have had 10 copies) rang up out of the system so I couldn't get them and Legend of Zelda TTP rang up full price which was sad also, but I am not complaining since this is one of the better hauls I have had. This was also at the CC in Vegas on Wamsprings and Stephanie.

I will probably check back their in a couple days to see if those other guides are a penny.
 
they now inform most GS/EB and GameCrazy employees to not sell guides for a penny. My local BB has begun stickering $10 for games that are ringing out for a penny so I guess the fun is almost done for penny guides!!!
 
[quote name='chodax']This was also at the CC in Vegas on Wamsprings and Stephanie.[/quote]

That store is all yours! Way to far away for me to drive, even if it is for penny guides ;P
 
Finally hit up my CC... and SCORE. Apparently nobody cares enough in my area (yay for me?)

Couple ammendments to the list:
Guild Wars Factions
Rogue Galaxy

Both of these came up as needing to be bundled or something. The cashier didn't really understand it either, but she said it looks like they need to be sold with the game or something like that. I didn't press the issue, as I don't have guild wars and already have a RG guide (was going to try and trade it for Zelda PH, but oh well).

Also, don't know if it's been tried or not, but the Zelda Twilight Princess (white cover, idk which that is) scanned for 19.99 (was hoping it was old enough to scan, but no dice).

Wanted Zelda PH, Pokemon Diamond/Pearl, and Pokedex the most, but they only had the Pokedex. Still, can't complain. Thanks for the heads up all!
 
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[quote name='darkslime']I got banned from a gamestop today. ^_^

Went in to get guides and saw SMG hardcover. I brought it up to the bitchy manager lady because she was the only one at the counter. She started screaming at me that I have caused her so much hassle and gotten her and her employees in so much trouble for penny guides and that they will all refuse to sell me anything no matter what I buy if its a penny or not. >_
 
[quote name='Zmonkay']Finally hit up my CC... and SCORE. Apparently nobody cares enough in my area (yay for me?)

Couple ammendments to the list:
Guild Wars Fractions
Rogue Galaxy[/quote]

Hah Guild Wars Fractions
 
[quote name='chodax']Hah Guild Wars Fractions[/QUOTE]

touche sir, corrected. for those that play, 5/3 is a bitch to beat...
 
I sort of got lucky at Game Crazy yesterday, last time I attempted to buy penny guides there they wouldn't let me, but it was a different employee working and I was able to get Portrait of Ruin & Phantasy Star Universe :)
 
[quote name='hellmutt']I don't know about the rest of you, but I'd find it extremely helpful if we could flip-flop posts 1 and 2 of this thread. When I'm standing at the guide shelf trying to surf this thread on my cel phone, it's a real pain getting scrolled down to the guide listing.[/QUOTE]

Hi Guys, not sure if anyone was following all the unnecessary drama. Anyways, today I realized that I can just bookmark post 2 rather than the first page of the thread, and that lets me cut down my download time significantly, and also puts my phone browser directly at the top of the list. Maybe this suggestion is helpful to someone else out there too.
 
[quote name='hellmutt']Hi Guys, not sure if anyone was following all the unnecessary drama. Anyways, today I realized that I can just bookmark post 2 rather than the first page of the thread, and that lets me cut down my download time significantly, and also puts my phone browser directly at the top of the list. Maybe this suggestion is helpful to someone else out there too.[/quote]


Good idea, hellmutt. Thanks!
 
[quote name='hellmutt']Hi Guys, not sure if anyone was following all the unnecessary drama. Anyways, today I realized that I can just bookmark post 2 rather than the first page of the thread, and that lets me cut down my download time significantly, and also puts my phone browser directly at the top of the list. Maybe this suggestion is helpful to someone else out there too.[/quote]
Wow, I can't believe I didn't think of that! Very simple solution, good work :D
 
Holy crap. I went back to the GS today, and SMG hardcover was back on the shelf. I stayed outside the store and my friend went in and bought it. The lady let him with no problem...
 
[quote name='darkslime']Holy crap. I went back to the GS today, and SMG hardcover was back on the shelf. I stayed outside the store and my friend went in and bought it. The lady let him with no problem...[/quote]

For a .01? I would have been severely tempted to take it right back in and dance a little jig right in front of her, laughing the whole time.
 
[quote name='darkslime']Holy crap. I went back to the GS today, and SMG hardcover was back on the shelf. I stayed outside the store and my friend went in and bought it. The lady let him with no problem...[/quote]

Are you serious? The exact same thing happened to me today. I was picking up DS games and noticed that ALL of the penny guides I had left there 2 weeks ago were gone. Then, up near the register they had the SMG hardcover and I nearly crapped myself. I was worried though because one of the two guys at the register had previously told me I couldn't buy penny guides, but I figured it was now or never.

When I brought it up, they were surprised they still had the guide. When they rang it up, they let out a simultaneous "daaaaammmmmmnnnnn!" The one who had previously refused to sell me penny guides was like "holy crap man, I don't think you can have this," and he brought it over to the manager to ask him about it. The other guy was really pulling for me to get the guide and he tried to stop the first one from asking the manager. Luckily for me, the manager said it was fine because it already rang up, and the two original employees informed me that it was just a penny and that it was a great find. I agree.
 
[quote name='neocisco']For a .01? I would have been severely tempted to take it right back in and dance a little jig right in front of her, laughing the whole time.[/quote]

I would be severly tempted to agree.

Anyway, I was just wondering, did Best Buy penny any guides this month? I haven't heard them mentioned recently among all the CC activity.
 
[quote name='neocisco']For a .01? I would have been severely tempted to take it right back in and dance a little jig right in front of her, laughing the whole time.[/quote]

I would have to disagree, you might need this friend again to pick up more guides. Or, if you were to do this, you might just ruin it for everyone else, friends or other possible CAGs.
 
[quote name='Link927']I would have to disagree, you might need this friend again to pick up more guides. Or, if you were to do this, you might just ruin it for everyone else, friends or other possible CAGs.[/quote]There were no more Mario hardcovers, but might've been a few others. I don't know, because I didn't actually go in. Its at the Software Etc. in Park Place Mall in Tucson, AZ if anyone wants to check.
 
[quote name='darkslime']There were no more Mario hardcovers, but might've been a few others. I don't know, because I didn't actually go in. Its at the Software Etc. in Park Place Mall in Tucson, AZ if anyone wants to check.[/quote]

I was also thinking of possible future drops?
 
[quote name='Link927']I would have to disagree, you might need this friend again to pick up more guides. Or, if you were to do this, you might just ruin it for everyone else, friends or other possible CAGs.[/quote]

I didn't say to give in to the desire, just that it would be very, very tempting.:)
 
Went into BB, today. Got Turok, Nintendog Pups, and Dark Sector for a penny each.

However, Enemy Territories: Quake Wars (brady) and Pokemone Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness/Time (Nintendo) rang up for full price.
 
[quote name='KABUKISTAR']Went into BB, today. Got Turok, Nintendog Pups, and Dark Sector for a penny each.

However, Enemy Territories: Quake Wars (brady) and Pokemone Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness/Time (Nintendo) rang up for full price.[/quote] POKEMON MYSTERY DUNGEON: RED/BLUE RESCUE TEAM, NOT TIME/DARKNESS RINGS UP FOR A PENNY FOR THE 10TH TIME.
 
[quote name='darkslime']POKEMON MYSTERY DUNGEON: RED/BLUE RESCUE TEAM, NOT TIME/DARKNESS RINGS UP FOR A PENNY FOR THE 10TH TIME.[/quote]

It was never pennied at BB.
 
[quote name='Link927']It was never pennied at BB.[/quote]

The copy I have sitting on the chair next to me begs to differ, complete with Nintendo Power logos and Best Buy price sticker still intact.

Oh and darkslime, I was SOOOOOO tempted to e-mail a picture of me smilling and flipping the middle finger while holding a pennied guide from a Gamestop store to the local DM who put the kibosh on most anyone getting pennied items from his stores, especially after the fun confrontation I had with him at one of his stores the one time.

But, I held my vitriol for things that are more worthwhile to use it on, like flipping people off in traffic when they cut me off. :lol:
 
[quote name='IAmTheCheapestGamer']The copy I have sitting on the chair next to me begs to differ, complete with Nintendo Power logos and Best Buy price sticker still intact.

Oh and darkslime, I was SOOOOOO tempted to e-mail a picture of me smilling and flipping the middle finger while holding a pennied guide from a Gamestop store to the local DM who put the kibosh on most anyone getting pennied items from his stores, especially after the fun confrontation I had with him at one of his stores the one time.

But, I held my vitriol for things that are more worthwhile to use it on, like flipping people off in traffic when they cut me off. :lol:[/quote]

*Starts eating foot*

I was so caught up in CC I forgot to check the BB lists. But the confusion stemed from the CC report, not the BB report >_>
 
Not a problem. With all of the places we have to check for guides lately(TRU, CC, BB, GS, GC), I even get confuzzled at times. So if anyone notices a MAJOR discrepancy between the list in the second post and what they've personally found, please tell me.
 
[quote name='IAmTheCheapestGamer']The copy I have sitting on the chair next to me begs to differ, complete with Nintendo Power logos and Best Buy price sticker still intact.

Oh and darkslime, I was SOOOOOO tempted to e-mail a picture of me smilling and flipping the middle finger while holding a pennied guide from a Gamestop store to the local DM who put the kibosh on most anyone getting pennied items from his stores, especially after the fun confrontation I had with him at one of his stores the one time.

But, I held my vitriol for things that are more worthwhile to use it on, like flipping people off in traffic when they cut me off. :lol:[/quote] Lol. How do you get the manager's email? I'll email her a picture of me doing that with the SMG hardcover.
 
[quote name='darkslime']Lol. How do you get the manager's email? I'll email her a picture of me doing that with the SMG hardcover.[/quote]

Well, before my confrontation with him at the one GS store, I had complained about 'being turned down' on a guide that came up some 'unusual price' and he offered me 50% off ANY guide if I printed up and brought in the e-mail.

However, after the confrontation when he realized I was hitting up 25-30 stores in his district every month or two for guides, he became ALOT less cordial and much more belligerent towards me.

A few times at the local stores I've been told that 'Steve had a talk with us about you'. So I guess I'm (in)famous in his district. :lol:
 
Went back to my local BB to get something and checked the guides again although I was just their 2 days ago and I saw 3 EA 25th year anniversary guides I must not have noticed before so I picked em up. I also know I saw that nintendog pup guide but didn't think it was pennied so I didn't check it.
 
[quote name='IAmTheCheapestGamer']Well, before my confrontation with him at the one GS store, I had complained about 'being turned down' on a guide that came up some 'unusual price' and he offered me 50% off ANY guide if I printed up and brought in the e-mail.

However, after the confrontation when he realized I was hitting up 25-30 stores in his district every month or two for guides, he became ALOT less cordial and much more belligerent towards me.

A few times at the local stores I've been told that 'Steve had a talk with us about you'. So I guess I'm (in)famous in his district. :lol:[/quote] Lawl. I'm gonna find out that bitches name and complain to the dm about her.
 
[quote name='Link927']I checked Fire Emblem Radiant Dawn at TRU today and it rang up at full price at 19.99 =/

[/quote]
Ok, I guess I got real lucky getting it then. Sorry guys & gals. False alarm at TRU on Fire Emblem RD being pennied.
 
[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]

I think you got lucky when the clerk scanned the wrong UPC. After my clerk rang it at 19.99, I took it to a self scanner, and it came up OOS. I remember sometimes there is confusion with the multiple upcs, so I covered one with my hand and scanned the other, which came up 19.99.
 
[quote name='darkslime']I found a Suikoden II guide at Bookman's for $10. Almost crapped my pants. Pics later tonight when I borrow a camera.[/quote]

Which bookmans did you find it at?
 
[quote name='chodax']Which bookmans did you find it at?[/quote] The Grant and Campbell one in Tucson. Lurkers, there are no more. XD

Also, due to the large amount of penny guides that I have seen at Bookman's that look like CC and other place's drops, and the fact that no one here has posted that they picked up guides or said thank you I will no longer be posting the specific locations of Tucson deals unless it was the last one. If you want to know any places where I got them PM me and be an active member of the community. Lurkers, no one loves you. Go get laid. That being said I don't give a shit if you hoard the crappy guides like madden 08 and sell them to bookman's, but please have common courtesy only take one or two of the guides to good games. I'm looking at you, person with a stack of at least 10 mass effects and zelda tp on the trade in counter.
/rant
 
[quote name='darkslime']The Grant and Campbell one in Tucson. Lurkers, there are no more. XD

Also, due to the large amount of penny guides that I have seen at Bookman's that look like CC and other place's drops, and the fact that no one here has posted that they picked up guides or said thank you I will no longer be posting the specific locations of Tucson deals unless it was the last one. If you want to know any places where I got them PM me and be an active member of the community. Lurkers, no one loves you. Go get laid. That being said I don't give a shit if you hoard the crappy guides like madden 08 and sell them to bookman's, but please have common courtesy only take one or two of the guides to good games. I'm looking at you, person with a stack of at least 10 mass effects and zelda tp on the trade in counter.
/rant[/quote]

It wasn't me :drool:

I live in Flagstaff and I went to Tuscon to visit my sister and naturally I had to go to all 3 Bookmans. They are so much better than Flagstaff's. :(
 
[quote name='chodax']It wasn't me :drool:

I live in Flagstaff and I went to Tuscon to visit my sister and naturally I had to go to all 3 Bookmans. They are so much better than Flagstaff's. :([/quote]

Hey, so you were in Vegas awhile ago? (I got all scared thinking I had some real competition for these penny guides...)
 
My last pickup for this drop.

At CC:
Phantom Hourglass x 2
Metroid Prime 3 x 2
Yoshi DS x 2
Tomb Raider with poster

I guess Tomb Raider wasn't in their system anymore so she said she'd just throw it in with the rest instead of dealing with her "dumbass manager."
 
Stopped by one CC and scored the following multiple guides as still in-system...

Yoshi's Island DS
Tomb Raider Anniversary

Passed on Madden 08. Splinter Cell: Double Agent rang up as sell with system/bundle max, and the clerk wouldn't budge (nor did I care much for them), and Army of Two rang up as Not in System... didn't care much for that, but I'm happy for what I got.
 
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