Reduced Price Game Guides: Thread XI

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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 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='DanteWarrior']Yes - Borderpost dropped. Softcover Zelda ST did not
Or so I heard earlier in the morning here
:lol:[/QUOTE]

What is Borderpost? Never heard of that title.
 
[quote name='yazman']What is Borderpost? Never heard of that title.[/QUOTE]

It's the idea of some tool that thinks it's funny to post that over and over again in the thread. Just hit ignore. I'm sure he will never provide any meaningful deal commentary.:roll:
 
I was not aware that Gamestop had Black Friday sales on Game Guides for $2.99. I went to two Gamestops today and both had piles of Guides priced at $2.99 good until December 4th. They are part of a Black Friday promotion that's still running until tomorrow.

I picked up Fable II and Halo OSDT for a total for a total for $5.99. I can't remember all they had, but I remember a lot of God of War III guides and UFC 2010 Guides.
 
Their site has the following guides at $2.99:

Crackdown 2
Fable II
Halo 3: ODST
Splinter Cell: Conviction
Super Street Fighter IV
UFC Unleashed 2010

Most of these were posted at some point before BF but it certainly was worth repeating since the price is good until 12/4.
 
[quote name='neocisco']Their site has the following guides at $2.99:

Crackdown 2
Fable II
Halo 3: ODST
Splinter Cell: Conviction
Super Street Fighter IV
UFC Unleashed 2010

Most of these were posted at some point before BF but it certainly was worth repeating since the price is good until 12/4.[/QUOTE]

Cool. I must have missed this thread during the Black Friday madness. Those were the other guides I saw in stores that I couldn't remember (crackdown 2, Kingdom hearts, etc.).

The little red $2.99 price stickers say "Only $2.99 valid from 11/26 to 12/4," so there's still a couple days to hunt these down if you couldn't find them at Best Buy.

I specifically was explaining to the Gamestop employee at the register how much I liked this promotion and that if corporate or anyone asks about this sale, to tell them that customers love it. There's no way in hell I'd ever pay $24.99 for a Halo ODST guide when the game takes 4.5 hours to finish, but I'll pay $2.99 for it a year after the game's release.
 
[quote name='SonictheHedgehog1337']I was not aware that Gamestop had Black Friday sales on Game Guides for $2.99. I went to two Gamestops today and both had piles of Guides priced at $2.99 good until December 4th. They are part of a Black Friday promotion that's still running until tomorrow.

I picked up Fable II and Halo OSDT for a total for a total for $5.99. I can't remember all they had, but I remember a lot of God of War III guides and UFC 2010 Guides.[/QUOTE]

If anyone knows of any other guides besides these and what neocisco mentioned, it would be great if you could post it. I will try to get into a store myself but it will probably be Friday.
 
Semi off-topic, but does Gamestop penny PC games? Found the following Facebook entry, posted about an hour ago:
working at gamestop bonus bejeweled blitz pennied out took it home and 1 million free coins was my prize
Click to expand...
 
[quote name='eugaet']Semi off-topic, but does Gamestop penny PC games? Found the following Facebook entry, posted about an hour ago:[/QUOTE]


Yes they pennied out Braid a few months back.....
 
this is bs, it seems any of the stores around me, meaning 2 best buys and a gamestop actually do what they are supposed to do.. Checked at a gamestop at the mall, somewhat know the store manager, and asked him about the guides, to see if he had any in the back. He replied with, he is the one that personally grabs the guides when they go off and tears them up personally. They also had a CE copy of LOZ: Spirit tracks, I thought that was pennied, so I took it up, but it did ring in somewhere around 30 bucks.
 
[quote name='zergtillian']this is bs, it seems any of the stores around me, meaning 2 best buys and a gamestop actually do what they are supposed to do.. Checked at a gamestop at the mall, somewhat know the store manager, and asked him about the guides, to see if he had any in the back. He replied with, he is the one that personally grabs the guides when they go off and tears them up personally. They also had a CE copy of LOZ: Spirit tracks, I thought that was pennied, so I took it up, but it did ring in somewhere around 30 bucks.[/QUOTE]
Dude. Seriously. READ THE FIRST AND SECOND POSTS IN THEIR ENTIRETY!!!

If a guide is pennied at one store chain(aka Best Buy) that DOES NOT mean it's pennied everywhere.

If you READ THE SECOND POST, you would notice that Gamestop has not yet pennied the LOZ: Spirit Tracks LE guide.

Moreover, asking about pennied guides unless you've formed a rapport with the GS/BB store employees and they're cool with you grabbing some when they drop is just asking for trouble and blocking anyone else in your area from getting the deal(at least at that store).:roll::roll::bomb::bomb:
 
Well on an odd note. Stopped by bestbuy today that I go to regularly to find an Army of Two 40th Day guide right there in the section. I can almost guarantee 99% it was not there before, but that's from a drop a long time ago. Wonder it if was a return or if it was uncovered under a bunch of other guides in the back. After searching didn't see anything else that dropped previously(or none I can remember off the top of my head). Kinda odd this one would show up out of nowhere.
 
[quote name='IAmTheCheapestGamer']Dude. Seriously. READ THE FIRST AND SECOND POSTS IN THEIR ENTIRETY!!!

If a guide is pennied at one store chain(aka Best Buy) that DOES NOT mean it's pennied everywhere.

If you READ THE SECOND POST, you would notice that Gamestop has not yet pennied the LOZ: Spirit Tracks LE guide.

Moreover, asking about pennied guides unless you've formed a rapport with the GS/BB store employees and they're cool with you grabbing some when they drop is just asking for trouble and blocking anyone else in your area from getting the deal(at least at that store).:roll::roll::bomb::bomb:[/QUOTE]

:lol:
 
AHHH RAGING!!!! hahha.. still think this thread should b off limits until new guides r pennied.... agreeing with someone who posted earlier..

anyways =] continue....
 
This thread should be off limits to people too goddamn stupid to read.

The worst part about this thread is that you can't ingore ANY posts because it could be a report of a guide dropping. (I guess that goes especially for IATTCG) so you end up reading a whole bunch of shit by people who shouldn't be allowed to even shop at gamestop or best buy at MSRP, much less take advantage of their penny guides.

For people who CAN read, please check my link in my sig. free guides, beeyotches :)
 
I was just at a Best Buy in CT and saw a few copies of Mass Effect 2 Collector's Edition and though it was not marked, it scanned as pennied out so I picked it up. A couple copies are left there. I did not think it would work because in the OP it cites the Mass Effect 2 Limited Edition as being pennied out, but it also worked for the Collector's Edition for me (unless they are one and the same).

So just a little heads up.
 
[quote name='borg20001']I was just at a Best Buy in CT and saw a few copies of Mass Effect 2 Collector's Edition and though it was not marked, it scanned as pennied out so I picked it up. A couple copies are left there. I did not think it would work because in the OP it cites the Mass Effect 2 Limited Edition as being pennied out, but it also worked for the Collector's Edition for me (unless they are one and the same).

So just a little heads up.[/QUOTE]

When something is noted as Special, Limited, or Collectors edition they are typically all the same. Since it depends from guide to guide instead of checking each guide it's typically just noted as Limited Edition since then people will still know it means it is hardcover or different than the regular guide.
 
[quote name='borg20001']I was just at a Best Buy in CT and saw a few copies of Mass Effect 2 Collector's Edition and though it was not marked, it scanned as pennied out so I picked it up. A couple copies are left there. I did not think it would work because in the OP it cites the Mass Effect 2 Limited Edition as being pennied out, but it also worked for the Collector's Edition for me (unless they are one and the same).

So just a little heads up.[/QUOTE]
:roll::roll:CE/SE/LE all mean the same thing to me. It usually means it's a hardcover guide, so if you don't see any other HC guides on the shelf, then chances are that's the one that pennied.:applause:
[quote name='Ultragamer']When something is noted as Special, Limited, or Collectors edition they are typically all the same. Since it depends from guide to guide instead of checking each guide it's typically just noted as Limited Edition since then people will still know it means it is hardcover or different than the regular guide.[/QUOTE]
Apparently NOT everyone.:roll:#-o
[quote name='dabamus']They ar one in the same. The op just has it mistitled.[/QUOTE]
:razz: And your point is? It's a tough job cut and pasting the list that others compile for me into the second post. I'm not gonna mess with the perfect list just for accuracy.;)
 
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[quote name='IAmTheCheapestGamer']:roll::roll:CE/SE/LE all mean the same thing to me. It usually means it's a hardcover guide, so if you don't see any other HC guides on the shelf, then chances are that's the one that pennied.:applause:

Apparently NOT everyone.:roll:#-o

:razz: And your point is? It's a tough job cut and pasting the list that others compile for me into the second post. I'm not gonna mess with the perfect list just for accuracy.;)[/QUOTE]

Are you always this pissy?
 
[quote name='neocisco']Are you always this pissy?[/QUOTE]
Not really. Just when people can't think for themselves and/or read the first couple of posts and figure shit out for themselves
or when they ask stupid questions or stuff that's been answered a ton of times repeatedly until someone answers them out of frustration.:roll:
 
[quote name='Bezerker']Alan Wake doesnt state which system its for. Is the one pennied for the Xbox 360 version?[/QUOTE]

Wii. The graphics suck on it though. The fog looks like puddles.
 
[quote name='confoosious']Wii. The graphics suck on it though. The fog looks like puddles.[/QUOTE]

Better than the GBA version. That one's barely playable. Knew I should have held out for the PSP version.
 
[quote name='jimijumper']Yes they pennied out Braid a few months back.....[/QUOTE]

Hmm, speaking of pennied PC games, is Strong Bad's Cool Game still $.01 at BB? They had a copy last time I was there but I didn't feel like taking my chances with the cashier (plus I already have a copy.)
 
[quote name='IAmTheCheapestGamer']Not really. Just when people can't think for themselves and/or read the first couple of posts and figure shit out for themselves
or when they ask stupid questions or stuff that's been answered a ton of times repeatedly until someone answers them out of frustration.:roll:
[/QUOTE]

I like your posts hahaha :) Always to the point.
 
[quote name='N3UROP0D']Hmm, speaking of pennied PC games, is Strong Bad's Cool Game still $.01 at BB? They had a copy last time I was there but I didn't feel like taking my chances with the cashier (plus I already have a copy.)[/QUOTE]

Yes. I found 3 copies at a newer store, but the manager denied me as it being a mistake in the system.

(they had just found out about penny guides too, so that shows how new the store is)
 
[quote name='Bezerker']Alan Wake doesnt state which system its for. Is the one pennied for the Xbox 360 version?[/QUOTE]

[quote name='confoosious']Wii. The graphics suck on it though. The fog looks like puddles.[/QUOTE]

[quote name='guessed']Better than the GBA version. That one's barely playable. Knew I should have held out for the PSP version.[/QUOTE]

Yea, I can't find a guide for my PS3 version.
 
[quote name='elessar123']Yea, I can't find a guide for my PS3 version.[/QUOTE]

Yeah it's a bitch to find. Maybe I should go check ebay to see if I can find the PS3 version. I hate to resort to ebay, but I really want to add it to my collection.
 
[quote name='neocisco']Their site has the following guides at $2.99:

Crackdown 2
Fable II
Halo 3: ODST
Splinter Cell: Conviction
Super Street Fighter IV
UFC Unleashed 2010

Most of these were posted at some point before BF but it certainly was worth repeating since the price is good until 12/4.[/QUOTE]

Not sure about on the site, but in Gamestop store I also saw for $2.99:
God of War III
Kingdom Hearts 356/78 Days
 
[quote name='Kazaganthi']Not sure about on the site, but in Gamestop store I also saw for $2.99:

Kingdom Hearts 356/78 Days[/QUOTE]

Whoa, the super rare sequel to 358/2 Days? Crazy find!
 
[quote name='nixmahn']There should be a stickied BB pennied out thread, besides guides of course[/QUOTE]

I made one 3 or 4 years ago and nobody posted in it.
 
I snagged Splinter Cell, Kingdom Hearts, and Halo 3 ODST all for $2.99 at Clinton Utah Gamestop. All were marked properly along with Super Street Fighter IV.
 
[quote name='Purkeynator']I snagged Splinter Cell, Kingdom Hearts, and Halo 3 ODST all for $2.99 at Clinton Utah Gamestop. All were marked properly along with Super Street Fighter IV.[/QUOTE]

I noticed the 2.99 stickers too. Pretty encouraging to think that they actually printed up clearance stickers for the guides. Hopefully it signals the beginning of the end of the "destroy everything" philosophy.
 
[quote name='Richard Longfellow']I noticed the 2.99 stickers too. Pretty encouraging to think that they actually printed up clearance stickers for the guides. Hopefully it signals the beginning of the end of the "destroy everything" philosophy.[/QUOTE]
One can hope, though I'd still prefer the penny price or them just giving me them for free.:D

But if it's one I really want and the DM at the local GS stores cracks down again, then I'd gladly pay $3(as long as it's mint) for ANY guide.
 
[quote name='Richard Longfellow']I noticed the 2.99 stickers too. Pretty encouraging to think that they actually printed up clearance stickers for the guides. Hopefully it signals the beginning of the end of the "destroy everything" philosophy.[/QUOTE]

It was for the black friday sale, kinda doubtful they will do it again for another sale.
 
I still can't believe GS throws out the used DS game cases. I was gonna pick up some semi hard to find used DS games recently & wen in the store to find that the ENTIRE used ds game selection was all each individual DS cart in a small glass case...making it damn near impossible to browse.
 
[quote name='Maniac Mansion']I still can't believe GS throws out the used DS game cases. I was gonna pick up some semi hard to find used DS games recently & wen in the store to find that the ENTIRE used ds game selection was all each individual DS cart in a small glass case...making it damn near impossible to browse.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, last time the guides were pennied out at GS, I checked there dumpster and not only did I find a bunch of guides, but I saw a box packed full of different cases. About 80 altogether with most of them being for the DS & PS2.
 
[quote name='Maniac Mansion']I still can't believe GS throws out the used DS game cases. I was gonna pick up some semi hard to find used DS games recently & wen in the store to find that the ENTIRE used ds game selection was all each individual DS cart in a small glass case...making it damn near impossible to browse.[/QUOTE]
CAG's and collectors aren't Gamestop's primary customer base, so it makes sense that they ditch the cases for games that they feel take up too much space.
 
ive gotten quite a few rare rpg cases and just extra name brand cases aka nintendo brand not the cheapo flimsy 3rd party crap from them getting rdy to throw em out.
 
Supposedly Blockbuster also tosses out boxes full of cases sometimes, so if any of you are feeling particularly brave you could always dumpster dive to grab some spares.
 
And your point? :razz:

Chances are BB won't penny out any guides till AFTER Christmas/New Year's. Take a look at the list in the second post, they've been pretty close to that schedule from last year THIS year from what I can recall.

But hey, if you wanna run out to Best Buy and scan everything in sight and come back and let us know if you found any new drops, then by all means please do so.:booty:
 
[quote name='IAmTheCheapestGamer']And your point? :razz:

Chances are BB won't penny out any guides till AFTER Christmas/New Year's. Take a look at the list in the second post, they've been pretty close to that schedule from last year THIS year from what I can recall.

But hey, if you wanna run out to Best Buy and scan everything in sight and come back and let us know if you found any new drops, then by all means please do so.:booty:[/QUOTE]


yeah BB pennies to clear out room for new stuff so with it being so close to Xmas i'd say sometime after the new year ie Feb for next drop but here's one person who is ALWAYS keeping his fingers crossed for a drop!!
 
[quote name='IAmTheCheapestGamer']:roll::roll:CE/SE/LE all mean the same thing to me. It usually means it's a hardcover guide, so if you don't see any other HC guides on the shelf, then chances are that's the one that pennied.:applause:

Apparently NOT everyone.:roll:#-o

:razz: And your point is? It's a tough job cut and pasting the list that others compile for me into the second post. I'm not gonna mess with the perfect list just for accuracy.;)[/QUOTE]

Yup, I did not see any definition of LE=LE or CE or SE etc. in the first 2 posts so I didn't know. I haven't looked for reduced guides for a few yrs now since GameStop bought out my local EB and replaced the manager who used to put aside one set of all the pennied out guides for me when I did my weekly drop in to his store. So I'm behind the times. Thanks for tending to this thread tho.
 
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