Reduced Price Game Guides: Thread XI

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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 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.


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 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

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. Please, whenever possible, use RED font to make the drop info stand out. Thanks again.

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 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/...ighlight=guide
Guide Four:
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/....php?p=1496376
Guide Five:
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/...ad.php?t=85976
Guide Six:
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/...d.php?t=116918
Guide Seven:
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/...d.php?t=131717
Guide Seven and a half:
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/...d.php?t=142400
Guide Eight:
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/...d.php?t=167157
Guide Nine:
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/...d.php?t=187222
Guide Ten:
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=219547

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
Gamestop
Overstock
Strategyguides.net
ToysRUs

Thanks to floormat, Guinaevere 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.

Common Guide Drop Related Questions(FAQ):

FAQ - If you are new (or a vet with a few questions) look here SECOND! (After reading the above!)

Q: What Are Penny Guides?
A: 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.

Q: Do all guides from all stores drop at the same time?
A: No. While most chains have nationwide drops within their own store (as in every BB will have the same drops coast to coast), not every different chain drops at the same time (what drops at BB is NOT necessarily dropped at GS). When in doubt, check post TWO for drop info.

Q: I found a penny guide and a clerk denied me! I'ma report 'em!
A: Whoa, hold your horses there, pardner! First of all, not a question. Second, just because something is on the shelf, the clerk does NOT have to sell you that item. Most stores are PRIVATE property and as such can deny you just about anything they want - including a sale. The best advice is to not be rude, not be arrogant, and just try hard to get them to have pity on you.

Q: Why don't the clerks want to sell me their penny guides? Aren't they just throwing them away?
A: As stated above, the stores are ordered by the publisher to trash the guides, and are then given credit for those guides. If they don't do this, the publisher won't give them the credit - it's like losing a sale. On the employee level, selling a penny guide can sometimes get them in trouble (or even fired!) I know it seems silly, but this is their job we're talking about! Respect the man (or woman) behind the counter and you'll get a lot more guides than otherwise!

Q: Should I just ask if the store has penny guides then?
A: No, since that denotes that you have some insider information as to the runnings of these businesses.

Q: What if the clerk wants to know how I know so much about guide drops?
A: If asked where you got your info about guides that pennied, simply say either 'the internet' or 'a friend of mine told me they're on clearance'.

Q: But clerks will know what a penny guide is, right? I can talk to them like anyone else here...
A: Never use the word pennied to ANY store clerks unless you have built up a good rapport with them. Even then, it may seem a little fishy if you know more about their shop than they do.

Q: Are guides labeled as a penny on the shelf?
A: Sometimes. Most times, no. GS seems to label everything that gets a price drop, so often times guides will be stickered. But even so, they most likely won't sell them to you. A sticker does not mean 'have to sell'.

Q: I tried to buy a guide that this thread said was pennied and it didn't ring up as such! What gives?
A: Either 1) Our source was wrong (this rarely happens and is usually verified a FEW times within maybe an hour of posting), or 2) The clerk changed the price. It's usually number 2.

Q: What's the easiest way to get penny guides? This sounds like TONS of work!
A: Best Buy is probably the best place to get guides, followed by GameStop, GameCrazy, Toys R Us and then Blockbuster. From what I've seen though, probably 95% of guides that people get are snagged at BB - the rest come from the other stores. But it never hurts to try!

Q: Has there been a drop recently?
A: If you are asking this question you didn't fully understand the OP - go back and read it once more. When a drop happens, it will be posted, and then placed in the second post - trust us.

Q: How do you guys know so much about penny guides?
A: We sometimes have inside sources with the information from the stores themselves; other times, fellow CAGS just like you or me simply take suspected guides to the register and ask them to ring them up, to check their prices. Feel free to do this yourself, and help give back to the community by telling us what you find! However, DON'T ask "Has anyone checked XXX lately?", unless you are in the right thread (discussion area).

Thanks to GrilledWitOnions for creating the above FAQ, which should eliminate the need for such questions popping up in the thread from this point on out.
 
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[quote name='Doomstink']Lox, just out of curiosity, how do you know a drop is occurring on Monday? You've usually just done speculating up until now. I know Vahn was able to get advance notice of drops because he worked at a BB.[/QUOTE]

I work there. The notice was in the gaming news section. They were fairly explicit in saying a drop is happening on Monday.
 
[quote name='loxthefox']I work there. The notice was in the gaming news section. They were fairly explicit in saying a drop is happening on Monday.[/QUOTE]

Awesome. That works for me. I just didn't want to revved up for a drop only to find out it didn't happen.
 
ARGH!! All I want is the Fallout 3 GOTY LE but they seem to be sold out all over Oklahoma! Guess I just have to hope for a trade.
 
9539519 Dragon Age: Origins LE
9539573 Fallout 3 Game Of The Year LE
9539653 Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days
9510861 Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
9539467 Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers Of Sky

i know its a long stretch but id be willing to tap into my backlog of rpg guides ive been holding onto some of which are worth 40-60+ new now if someone is able to get these for me. ill be away at academy for my corrections officers so will miss the drop. ill be back on saturday and by then im sure the store will be cleaned out. either way if someone can ill trade anything on my rpg guide list for these. just let me know and i can try to get a list up.
 
Debating whether to try and "stash" some stuff tomorrow. Not the kind of thing I'd usually do but I need my fix and those are some quality guides. BB is right by the Sears so I guess I got nothing to lose.

Also interesting to note Amazon is not even accepting any of the guides listed.
 
Good looking out lox. Checking employee news and action center and all that is the very first thing I do after punching in. I think someone stole a copy of DA LE awhile ago because inventory shows two but I've only found one.

Damn my store doesn't have any more Darksiders or Fallout 3 LE's... Good thing I can get my grubby hands on extra DALE's from another store...
 
Looks like I'll be making the penny guide rounds Monday morning. It's been a while since the last time I went after anything, got a bit burnt out. But the LE guides? Yeah, I'll be there.
 
I realized the perfect place to stash guides..most BBs now have a book/magazine section. Just take your guide over to that area and put it behind the biggest book you can find.

The way American's are, no one will go w/in 5 feet of the book area, so your guides should be safe. I think stashing any day but Sunday might be a waste of time. I'm only going to do that with at least 2 DAO: LE guides, will see what luck I'm dealt w/ the others.
 
Thanks for the heads up Lox.

I just hope the BBs in my area don't pull them like last time. I was able to get what I wanted through trades but I rather be able to secure my wants on drop day.
 
[quote name='neocisco']shieryda, the K key still doesn't work, huh? :lol:[/QUOTE]

Correct. I was upstairs on the broken laptop, and was too lazy to go to the other one. I should really take it in to the Apple store to get it cleaned (I accidentally spilled my coffee on it a couple weeks ago).:D
 
Should be intresting. Won't be able to get to bestbuy till about 6:30 pm so will have to see if anything is left. Really only guide from that list I REALLY want is darksiders. Already have the other LE but love to snag some for trade bait.
 
[quote name='Estebon']Where the hell would you guys stash guides? Also, if security sees you, won't the kick you out?[/QUOTE]

I always stash guides behind a pile of microwaves, never been caught hiding them and they have yet to be found.
 
Thanks for the heads up Lox...If I see any of the guides you mentioned I'll pick them up for ya. Hopefully some of the other guys in this thread will do the same for you...*Hint*Hint
 
Kinda surprised that Assassin's Creed 2 LE isn't on the list. Oh well, maybe it will be on the next one along with Mass Effect 2 LE.
 
Looks like I might have to take a lunchtime trip to BB on Monday and see what I can find, and hit a couple of the BBs around that are usually lax in penny guide removals.

Hopefully I can get lucky and find what I need as well as some extras for other CAGs.
 
I'll certainly try to grab a few extras of whatever I can get for other cags. I'm pretty sure I can get multiples of Army of Two and Kingdom Hearts.


If anyone ends up with an extra Dragon Age Origin's collector's edition I've got a sealed copy of God of War 3 that I'd might be willing to trade for it and a darksiders guide.
 
[quote name='token2k6']I realized the perfect place to stash guides..most BBs now have a book/magazine section. Just take your guide over to that area and put it behind the biggest book you can find.

The way American's are, no one will go w/in 5 feet of the book area, so your guides should be safe. I think stashing any day but Sunday might be a waste of time. I'm only going to do that with at least 2 DAO: LE guides, will see what luck I'm dealt w/ the others.[/QUOTE]

And I think there's a separate team that pulls the books too.
 
Hey IATCG..what do you think about putting lox's list in the second post? I know its not official 'official' but pretty damn close, maybe just put a little header line saying "Possible Future BB Drop 06-07-10" But please, don't put it behind a spoiler..(I wanna be able to access from my mobile browser if need be..)
 
[quote name='wrencrest']Here's hoping for Dar siders. Best name of any guide ever![/QUOTE]

I'll be looking for ingdom Hearts, also.;)

I would request that we don't update post #1 yet until the drops are officially confirmed. That will give CAG a bit of a head-start on getting what they want before the other lurkers swoop in.
 
[quote name='shieryda']I would request that we don't update post #1 yet until the drops are officially confirmed. That will give CAG a bit of a head-start on getting what they want before the other lurkers swoop in.[/QUOTE]

fine, I'll just text message and email myself the list! :roll: :bouncy:
 
[quote name='token2k6']fine, I'll just text message and email myself the list! :roll: :bouncy:[/QUOTE]

Why don't you just use a pen and paper and write it down?;)

Edit: fuck! I need to take a trip at lunch and look for a quiet hiding spot for a Dragon Age guide...
 
[quote name='jester55']My BB sucks! They already did pulls of everything on list! Better hurry stashers![/QUOTE]

NOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.
 
[quote name='GuardianE']NOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.[/QUOTE]

Was kinda hoping for that Darth Vader comic pane...
 
[quote name='shieryda']Was kinda hoping for that Darth Vader comic pane...[/QUOTE]

No time for silliness or searching. Guides are at stake.
 
[quote name='shieryda']Was kinda hoping for that Darth Vader comic pane...[/QUOTE]

vader.jpg


[quote name='GuardianE']NOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.[/QUOTE]

There ya go! ;)

I am definitely going to hit my local store at lunch to see what it looks like. Hoping the report that guides were pulled is the exception and not the rule. Although with the list getting to BB employees 4 days prior to the drop I am a bit worried.
 
second that GG..I'm gonna try to hit up 2 stores during lunch, I'll post back what I see. Had to blow off the wife for lunch.."err gotta run by another company during lunch baby." but I think its worth it :lol:

only thing I"m worried about is my stashing ability, the stores are not very crowded during this time of day and don't want to be too noticeable..
 
I won't be hiding anything, I'm just going to rely on my charm and charisma to get what I want...

...crap, I'm fucked.
 
[quote name='Visc']Actually, it was yesterday, better hop to it.[/QUOTE]

What did??? I thought these were dropping on Monday:

9101857 Animal Crossing: City Folk
9715307 Army Of Two: The 40th Day
9681679 Cheat Code Overload Winter 2010
9696392 Codes & Cheats Winter 2010
9696365 Darksiders
9539519 Dragon Age: Origins LE
9539573 Fallout 3 Game Of The Year LE
9695417 Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers
9539653 Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days
9632208 Left 4 Dead 2
9388548 Madden NFL 10
9510861 Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
9539467 Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers Of Sky
9667276 The Saboteur
9510889 Scribblenauts
9078384 World Of Warcraft: Wrath Of The Lich King
9432312 World Of Warcraft: Wrath Of The Lich King Atlas
 
[quote name='token2k6']only had to get within eye sight to see massive holes on an end gap rack. :( bb on bunker hill is a no go.[/QUOTE]

Sup ToKen .. just checked mines .. all the ones I want still there .. going back this Monday morning to get em .. I hope ^_^
 
In the offchance I strike out Monday, if someone would be willing to help me get a Dragon Age, Mario & Luigi, or Kingdom Hearts guide, provided they get more than one, I would appreciate it - especially the latter, as it will be a gift to someone.
 
[quote name='Visc']In the offchance I strike out Monday, if someone would be willing to help me get a Dragon Age, Mario & Luigi, or Kingdom Hearts guide, provided they get more than one, I would appreciate it - especially the latter, as it will be a gift to someone.[/QUOTE]

I thought you just said that the drop happened yesterday...........
 
[quote name='Visc']I won't be hiding anything, I'm just going to rely on my charm and charisma to get what I want...

...crap, I'm fucked.[/QUOTE]

[quote name='Visc']Actually, it was yesterday, better hop to it.[/QUOTE]

I like the cut of your jib.
 
Bah. I went today but stashing did not seem to be an option. I felt like Snake trying to avoid the blueshirts' "Need help with anything" every ten seconds. They had some of the good stuff but I expect it'll all be gone on monday.

They had about 5 FFXIII CE guides but apparently the value of that thing has completely tanked.

Also, I found some guides from the last drop which had been pulled but somehow got put back out. Prototype, GTA IV, GTA Chinatown Wars PSP, Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, Warhammer Online guide, Marvel UA 2. So not a total loss.
 
Sounds like a lot of people are having luck. Unfortunately for me, all BBs (I'm assuming) in Wake County, NC pulled the guides for this drop. I just hit 5 out of 6 stores and there were no guides to be found. I did not check the two in Durham County (or at least I think the other two are in Durham) and I did not check Brier Creek.

Congratulations, Best Buy, you have officially destroyed my enthusiasm for drops. I've got a good feeling this is how all the drops are going to go from now on. BB is finally on their game when it comes to these things.

If anyone checks the stores I missed or sees any developments at the stores I already checked (like guides reappearing), please let me know.
 
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