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']We need confirmation on which VERSION of the TP guide pennied or if all of them pennied a list of who made what version and what other words we may have to look for on the front cover.

Plus, there have been multiple 'regular edition' Oblivion guides as well. We need further clarification on those as well.

And, I doubt that Gamestop ONLY pennied the one guide, so we need to know what other guides dropped there...

Anyone have any info?[/quote]

Actually, I'm pretty sure it was just that one guide. I asked the guy working and said that was the only one. My other store didn't have any, so I'm pretty sure they were clearing up the old Zelda:TP white softcover guide (there's a new one for $14.99, and it doesn't say "Wii Version" on the front)
 
I tried the Prima TP softcover at GS, it pennied but the guy wouldn't sell it. Just quietly put it back behind the counter and said they weren't allowed to let them go.
 
[quote name='Xizer']Which TP guides exactly did they penny out? There's tons of different variations of them.[/quote]

every version of the guide which my store carried was pennied out. I have the white cover, Prima one, and the hardcover special edition w/ the cloth map.


the cover on the white one is plain, has Link w/ his sword and shield, and if it is shrinkwrapped has a sticker that says ONLY $14.99/ More Content at (insert url).
 
[quote name='jaydepps']I went to my BB and they had hundreds of game guides on sale. Do you guys have them price check them to see if they are a penny? I had them price check Phantom Hourglass, Assassin's Creed, Mass Effect, and Oblivion, but all rang up as 20.[/quote]

That's because none of those guides are pennied.

Pennied guides are only :
LOZ:pH Hardcover, not softcover
Assassin's Creed with Art book, not stand alone guide

Oblivion(extended version with Knights Of The Nine, WITHOUT sticker over original UPC) : This is from 6 months ago, it has likely since been replaced by a different guide not pennied.
 
[quote name='FiendCameron']every version of the guide which my store carried was pennied out. I have the white cover, Prima one, and the hardcover special edition w/ the cloth map.


the cover on the white one is plain, has Link w/ his sword and shield, and if it is shrinkwrapped has a sticker that says ONLY $14.99/ More Content at (insert url).[/QUOTE]

I think that's the newer version of the white one. The older version of the white one I remember seeing said the guide was a "Premiere Edition" guide, which I noticed was missing from the newer white one. I'm not sure if the UPC's are the same, though.
 
We need confirmation from someone else on the "Only $14.99!" edition. I saw them at my local GS -- they looked brand new, actually, never saw them before, so it could be that FC's store is an isolated incident and put the wrong stickers on the guides.

I can confirm, however, that the white softcover one that says PREMIERE EDITION across the front IS pennied.

Heh. I now have four versions of this guide: a Nintendo Power version free from renewing my subscription, GameCube version from a penny drop at BB, a hardcover that dropped to $4.99 at my local BB, and now this Premiere Edition. And it looks like there's going to be a fifth at some point - might as well catch 'em all!
 
[quote name='Slim Gatsby']We need confirmation from someone else on the "Only $14.99!" edition. [/QUOTE]
What's to confirm? They exist, they're not a penny, and you can tell them apart because they are thicker and don't say "Premiere Edition" on the front cover.
 
[quote name='KABUKISTAR']What's to confirm? They exist, they're not a penny, and you can tell them apart because they are thicker and don't say "Premiere Edition" on the front cover.[/quote]

Fiend Cameron claimed that it was pennied out.

Also, FC, this drop was reported for GameSTOP. Is that what you meant, or did you actually get these for a penny at GameCrazy (a completely different chain that is part of Hollywood Video/Movie Gallery)?
 
[quote name='Slim Gatsby']Fiend Cameron claimed that it was pennied out.

Also, FC, this drop was reported for GameSTOP. Is that what you meant, or did you actually get these for a penny at GameCrazy (a completely different chain that is part of Hollywood Video/Movie Gallery)?[/QUOTE]

We are questioning it since the new zelda guide just came out last month and it would be very strange for game crazy to pennied it in out. Most likely someonemade a mistake.
 
It was a big ass mistake then. It was a memo from corp that said destroy these. This wasn't a glitch or something we stumbled upon. I came in, and the morning memo's said this was to be destroyed. The price of all the TP guides were $0.01. Go check your local GC, the price should be the same.

and again, i can only vouch for the Game Crazy drop. GS is the devil to me.
 
[quote name='62t']We are questioning it since the new zelda guide just came out last month and it would be very strange for game crazy to pennied it in out. Most likely someonemade a mistake.[/quote]


Theres a new Zelda guide?
 
Thanks from me as well, fuss. Now all we need is someone who works at Gamecrazy to come in here and verify which versions of the TP guide dropped, since I think there were 4 of them(2 for GC version, 2 for Wii version).
 
[quote name='IAmTheCheapestGamer']Thanks from me as well, fuss. Now all we need is someone who works at Gamecrazy to come in here and verify which versions of the TP guide dropped, since I think there were 4 of them(2 for GC version, 2 for Wii version).[/QUOTE]

FiendCameron already said all of them dropped. Of course there is a new version that just came out this month that we dont know for sure

Also there is only 1 gamecube version.

here are all the versions of TP gide
Nintedo Power (Wii and Gamecube)
Prima Gamecube (Grey cover)
Prima Wii (white)
Hardcover Prima
Hardcover Prima reprint
and the new Thicker Prima guide
 
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[quote name='62t']FiendCameron already said all of them dropped. OF course there is a new version that just came out this month that we dont know for sure[/quote]

Using the term 'all of them dropped' doesn't help when there's 4-5 versions, as I like to keep the second post updated with which versions dropped.

Example: 'the guide for Oblivion dropped'.....

Well, that's all find and dandy, but there's been 2-3 versions of the guide with a TAN cover, one of which covered PC ONLY, one covered PC and 360 and the third one covered PC/360 AND PS3. See what I mean? In that example, that's not even counting the black cover versions, which included other information. There's been 1-2 of those as well, I think.

It's the same deal with the TP guides, as I think they revised the blue hardcover version once or twice and re-released it.

So again, I'm going to say that we need clarification from a GC employee as to which ones dropped. Publisher name would be nice too, since I think there was 1-2 from Nintendo Power and 1-2 from Prima.

That's why I always hold off on adding guides to the second post list until confirmation/verification. We've had some slip ups before.

I mean, I am thankful for the info that many of you provide, but that's why I ask for specific info/confirmation before posting the drops.
 
i don't visit this thread very often, but I was in Blockbuster today and they had the Mario Kart guide for the Wii clearly marked at .01 with a clearance sticker.

I bought one, left the other.

This was the Blockbuster on Ridge in Brooklyn, OH.
 
[quote name='daminion']i don't visit this thread very often, but I was in Blockbuster today and they had the Mario Kart guide for the Wii clearly marked at .01 with a clearance sticker.

I bought one, left the other.

This was the Blockbuster on Ridge in Brooklyn, OH.[/quote]

LOL well, I just confirmed this in another state. I called and spoke to my local manager and she confirmed one in store and that the system has it for a penny! She is holding it for me .... she was/is amazed ...
ps...It probably didn't hurt that I just brought her a Mario Galaxy guide and other freebies for her boys a couple days ago...

Oops! Thanks a bunch Op!
 
Hmm, I wonder if they pennied Kingdom Hearts II at one of mine. They had like 6 copies of it, but wouldn't scan it when I asked them last month. They just read the MSRP off the back for me.
 
[quote name='daminion']i don't visit this thread very often, but I was in Blockbuster today and they had the Mario Kart guide for the Wii clearly marked at .01 with a clearance sticker.

I bought one, left the other.

This was the Blockbuster on Ridge in Brooklyn, OH.[/quote]

That's unusual then, since fellow CAG whitedeaths' wife works at Blockbuster and I've been told that they remove the guides from the shelf first, THEN they penny them.

But maybe those guides were put on the clearance rack just to eliminate them from stock?
 
Just went to my closest BBV, they had 1 copy of Mario Kart Wii (Premiere Edition, although the guide is super thin...). This store had guides dispersed in different sections (PS3/XBox360/etc) but there was no Wii guides section...almost missed it too coz it was with the magazines right near the exit area.
Thanks, daminion!
 
do you ever post Movie Gallery guides? the manager at one of my local stores just told me that they penny out guides all the time.
 
[quote name='Sinnbox']do you ever post Movie Gallery guides? the manager at one of my local stores just told me that they penny out guides all the time.[/quote]

I didn't know they even SOLD guides. I've never seen ANY at my local Movie Gallery/Hollywood Video, but I would think that the Gamecrazy lists might apply to the MG/HWV.
 
[quote name='Rave Child']Hmm, I wonder if they pennied Kingdom Hearts II at one of mine. They had like 6 copies of it, but wouldn't scan it when I asked them last month. They just read the MSRP off the back for me.[/QUOTE]

That's a case of lazy employee. Has nothing to do with whether a guide is pennied or not.
 
[quote name='SDC']That's a case of lazy employee. Has nothing to do with whether a guide is pennied or not.[/quote]

Well, this is Blockbuster we're talking about. I've only been to one or two stores with hard working employees out of maybe a dozen or so.
 
[quote name='Rave Child']Hmm, I wonder if they pennied Kingdom Hearts II at one of mine. They had like 6 copies of it, but wouldn't scan it when I asked them last month. They just read the MSRP off the back for me.[/quote]
I worked at BBV for a long time, and actually thought this guide HAD pennied, like a year ago. I remember being angry that I didn't get to have it, but our manager always threw them out like he was suppossed to.

And as far as pulling and then pennying, I am pretty certain the price would change regardless. I rarely pulled mags (and never got to pull penny guides), but usually price changes in the computer overnight for everything else. They are then scanned out of inventory and destroyed.

It's hard to get info on it because, believe it or not, for some reason BBV is really good on pulling drops. Don't know the difference between GS; probably that GS employees care even less than BBV.
 
[quote name='GrilledWitOnions']I worked at BBV for a long time, and actually thought this guide HAD pennied, like a year ago. I remember being angry that I didn't get to have it, but our manager always threw them out like he was suppossed to.

And as far as pulling and then pennying, I am pretty certain the price would change regardless. I rarely pulled mags (and never got to pull penny guides), but usually price changes in the computer overnight for everything else. They are then scanned out of inventory and destroyed.

It's hard to get info on it because, believe it or not, for some reason BBV is really good on pulling drops. Don't know the difference between GS; probably that GS employees care even less than BBV.[/quote]

Wow, looks like I know where I'm going after work! Thanks for the info.
 
[quote name='IAmTheCheapestGamer']I didn't know they even SOLD guides. I've never seen ANY at my local Movie Gallery/Hollywood Video, but I would think that the Gamecrazy lists might apply to the MG/HWV.[/QUOTE]

i was actually going to ask the same question as i just found out that i have a movie gallery in the area and that they have a gamezone on it which has a rack of guides. i guess only one real way to find out.
 
Gah! Perfect time for car problems...probably won't make it out to a BBV/GR until they're pulled or sold. I got my son Mario Kart Wii for Christmas and I always like to include a pennied guide if given the option.
 
[quote name='GrilledWitOnions']
And as far as pulling and then pennying, I am pretty certain the price would change regardless. I rarely pulled mags (and never got to pull penny guides), but usually price changes in the computer overnight for everything else. They are then scanned out of inventory and destroyed[/quote]

Actually, the one local BBV had guides from 2001 or 2002 on the shelves as of a year ago. They were buried behind magazines they had out by the registers. I had them price checked and they were all still full price.
 
[quote name='IAmTheCheapestGamer']Actually, the one local BBV had guides from 2001 or 2002 on the shelves as of a year ago. They were buried behind magazines they had out by the registers. I had them price checked and they were all still full price.[/quote]
Doesn't necessarly mean that the guides are pennied manually, they just never drop. We had a guide pull like once a year, and never got very many guides in. I could be way off though; the manager knew I had a tendency for these kinds of things so he might have kept me in the dark to keep me from asking about them too much. :p

edit: although that's quite a long time ago... hmm. Maybe they do manually process them, but that really makes little sense since the comnputer price changes everything else. Perhaps they simply pulled and no price change happens (so I guess pennying would be manual but probably not done).
 
well apparently Mario Kart (Wii) is now $0.01 at BLOCKBUSTER (yes indeed!)

tho i have yet to confirm this it has been confirmed by several others in BBV thread :whistle2:D
 
[quote name='GrilledWitOnions']Doesn't necessarly mean that the guides are pennied manually, they just never drop. We had a guide pull like once a year, and never got very many guides in. I could be way off though; the manager knew I had a tendency for these kinds of things so he might have kept me in the dark to keep me from asking about them too much. :p

edit: although that's quite a long time ago... hmm. Maybe they do manually process them, but that really makes little sense since the comnputer price changes everything else. Perhaps they simply pulled and no price change happens (so I guess pennying would be manual but probably not done).[/quote]

I'm personally waiting for their computer system chainwide to go kaput one of these days. The damn thing is ancient, as you can plainly tell by the yellowed monitors in some stores, which are the basic green and black OSD ones most times.

I think the employees at 3-4 stores told me they're still using DOS or a similar program on the system.

[quote name='animemaniac14']well apparently Mario Kart (Wii) is now $0.01 at BLOCKBUSTER (yes indeed!)

tho i have yet to confirm this it has been confirmed by several others in BBV thread :whistle2:D[/quote]

So then you're saying that besides CC going back to pennying guides, now we have to add Blockbuster to the mix? I do wish we had some employees from Transworld(FYE, Sam Goody, etc) on here, since aside from the 2-3 guides I've personally found, I KNOW they penny stuff too.

But it's highly, highly YMMV to get ANYTHING from them.

I'll add the Mario Kart Wii guide to the second post...and add that someone told me they pennied the LE version of the God Of War 2 guide a while back. Although, those should be long gone and I think those were done under the OLD system of pulling them first THEN pennying them in the system.
 
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