Advice for shopping at Game (Game)

Member Name: jennikitten

Product:	Game
Date:	03/11/09 (24 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Can get your game instantly

Disadvantages: Costs

Game is one of the best-known high street computer game shops out there, along with Gamestation (which was bought by Game in 2007). Game has a bright purple logo, which I think stops it from looking too masculine, and makes it stand out from typical high street colours.

Game sells a variety of PC, Wii, Xbox and Playstation games. Its selection of PC games is generally quite small considering the amount of titles that are out, and they seem to stock up on cheap old games frequently, so browsing can sometimes be annoying when you've sifted through ten or twenty copies of Petz or Sims expansion packs.

The range of console games is better, in my opinion. However, Game can rarely ever compete with web prices, particularly for games that have been out a year or two. This is the only reason why I don't buy from them more often. As an example, I've seen a game there that sells for £10 new on Amazon selling for £35 second hand in Game. That's why I tend to browse the web for prices before I go, so I have an idea. If it's a couple of quid out I don't mind, but a 350% price increase is a bit much for me.

Where Game can be more useful is in its second hand or 'pre-owned' game range. These are more comparable to internet prices, and you can occasionally get a good deal if you know what you're looking for. I personally have no problems with buying games second hand as they are guaranteed to work, and they are ok for gift giving as long as you take the price sticker off and check the manuals! (Though there is no plastic wrap so the person might realise).

Game offers a trade in serivce for old games and consoles you don't want. I would never trade in games though as Game is a big rip off, and will only give you a few pounds, if that. Therefore I'd recommend selling games online for a better deal.

Another reason to buy from Game is the range of accessories, extras and toys they do, some of which are collectibles. It's worth price checking with Gamestation though, as I found by chance when buying a silicone cover for my Wii balance board. In Gamestation the cover cost £4.99 (a great price), but in Game, the exact same one cost £9.99.

When pre-ordering certain games, you can get collectible and limited edition items, which are definitely worth it for fans - particularly around Christmas as they make a great thoughtful gift. This happens quite a lot with DS games, and I've pre-ordered one cheaper than Amazon (at the moment) that is a limited edition set, whereas on Amazon you just get the game.

Game does a loyalty card as well, but it costs £3 to sign up. They have different offers and deals on points, but at the moment, 500 points = £1.25. As a guide, you can pay around £25 and expect about 70-80 points at the moment (look out for double points deals) - so not great, but better than nothing. Game also accepts student discount cards, and offers 10% off on production of a a valid one.

If you know what you're buying, than Game can be a good place to go. There is no consistency on second hand game pricing, so it may be worth shopping around if you have different branches available to you. I don't recommend buying new games in Game unless you know what's going to fall in price and what isn't (e.g. I just bought Wii Fit Plus from Game this weekend because I know it's not going to drop much and it's better than hanging around waiting during postal strikes and dispatch issues). Even buying online from Game to get cashback - topcashback.co.uk is currently offering 7% on software - and Game loyalty card points is better than buying in store, especially as they're offering free delivery.

Overall, my advice is:

- Check web prices before you go
- Shop carefully and take advantage of freebies and limited edition items
- Never buy a game from Game without price checking first, even if it's only with GameStation
- Take advantage of cashback (if shopping online), Game loyalty points and student discount

Thanks for reading :)

Summary: Choose wisely!