Video Game Discounts

About Video Game Discounts

Video game discounts come from a variety of different avenues and in order to get the best deal possible, it's a good idea to explore them all. Below you will find some ideas for shaving a few dollars off of your next purchase... and every purchase after that. Remember, these money-saving ideas apply to all video games, whether you're looking for old school titles for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) or the latest and greatest like the Sony PlayStation 3. It also holds true for finding obscure titles like import video games, as well as the most popular offerings like Wii Sports and Resistance: Fall of Man.

Coupons and Sales: Online and Offline

Typically, you can find a wide range of sales and coupons in your local newspaper. While most people only look at the ones for groceries or clothing, there are always good deals to be had on video games as well. Be sure have a look through the electronics section at department stores, in addition to traditional video game stores.

Coupon and sale hunting has moved into the 21st century, so oftentimes you can find some great discounts online. There are several websites that are continually updated with new deals to consider. You'll probably have to sift through coupons of different types, but there might be a few video game gems in there too.

Also, remember that discounts on video games aren't always advertised explicitly. For example, an electronics or toy store may offer $5-10 off of any purchase over $100. They don't say that it's for video games, but why can't it be? Sneaky.

For Canadians, I recommend that you check out the the forums on RedFlagDeals.com. There's also an active discussion forum there where can chat about video games. For Americans, you might want to look into RetailMeNot.com. With coupon hunting, the thrill of the search is almost as fun as playing the video game itself. Almost.

Trade In Value

Many video game retailers offer a trade-in program where you can sell your old games back in exchange for store credit. You can then use this money toward a new game, effectively saving you a huge chunk of change! This strategy, of course, has a fairly significant drawback insofar that the size of your video game library will never really grow.

Personally, I've been reasonably satisfied with this way to get video game discounts, because I don't play my older games nearly as often as my new ones. You'll also find that these stores sometimes offer special deals where you can trade in any two or three games in order to get a new one absolutely free. The same can sometimes apply to getting a new video game system.

We Will Beat Any Advertised Price

It's a competitive market out there and this is great for consumers. In an effort to attract business, many stores offer not only a price-matching but a price-beating policy. The difference is usually fairly minimal (an additional 5-10% of the difference), but some savings are better than none. When looking into more substantial purchases -- like picking up a new PlayStation 3 -- that extra 10% can go a long way.

eBay And Other Auction Sites

This is probably the most successful route that I have taken. Because they don't have to maintain a physical storefront, online retailers can sell their wares at a significantly lower price. The usual caveats with the usage of eBay naturally come into play, so be sure to check up on the seller's reputation and such. Also, be sure to confirm the shipping cost as some eBay users charge inordinate amounts for shipping.

If you are buying from an international seller, you should ensure that:

• They are legitimate.
• They address any concerns regarding duties and taxes.