Anyone work in any high street stores [PS3 wanted..]

DannyS_2

Are many high street stores likely to do me a good deal on a PS3? I am looking for a console, 3-4 games [that I want as all the bundles I can find online have 3 games, but only 1 i would want...] extra controller kind of thing but with the current economic climate and me wanting to spend about £450, am I likely to get very far? I have heard rumours of Game managers being given authorisation to give 50% off each game when bought with a console but just wondered if anyone had any first hand experience, or worked in said stores [zavvi, game, gamestation etc.]

Fallout 2, Fifa 09, GTA4, Rockband + All the instruments are ideally what I am after, I can get Rockband + Instruments for £127 from Argos [promotion] so how far am I likely to get with a PS3 + the other 3 games, for say, £330-£350ish?

A_Name

In Gamestation you can trade in games - so if theyres a bundle with only one game you want you can trade in the others for store credit once you've purchased the console (be aware, you'll get less than the RRP - usually £15-25 for newer games) and use that money to buy other games. At the moment they have some consoles bundled with packaged with them which are pretty much worthless - ask if they have any consoles not packaged with the games, as you want to trade the games in.

You could look into a pre-owned console, depending on whether any are available. I know that after Xmas isn't the best time to buy them, and if you're getting at least one game you want in a bundle, it usually won't work out cheaper, so I wouldn't recommend it.

They have pre-owned games which cost less than the new ones, usually in like-new condition especially for more recent games like Fallout 3 (which is what you mean, I think) - If theyre a little scratched the staff will always clean them up on the magic disk fixing machine for you for free if you ask nicely.

By my rough workings, you should be able to get a PS3 with those 3 games for about £320, extra PS3 controllers are about £40, but again, ask if they have any nice pre-owned ones to save a few quid. Don't be scared of pre-owned, they're nothing wrong with them!

At this time of year, most stores are selling consoles like hotcakes and are unlikely to give discounts. I've never heard of any crazy 50% discounts. They don't make that much profit on each game, even staff don't get discounts that big.

TIPS:

Buy pre-owned. The stores make more money on them, and getting a discount on them is more likely.

Try and be served by the manager, as if you're polite, friendly and mention the possibility of possibly knocking a few pounds off the pre-owned stuff you buy, they're the ones with the authorisation to do so.

Try and go in when it's quiet, so you have more time to talk to the staff about your options. Explain to them what you want, and how some crazy girl on the internet told you about trading in the games in the bundles

Don't ask for the manager specifically, as you won't get a discount if you disturb a conference call or something else important.

Don't expect a discount, treat it like a pleasant bonus if you can get one.

Don't say 'I'm buying X, Y, Z, what deal can you give me?' or generally act like a cocky idiot. The staff are not on commission, they're paid by the hour whether you buy anything from them or not. Be nice, friendly and all the rest and they tend to be friendly back.

Don't expect internet prices and store prices to be the same. Store prices are higher as they have higher staff costs and overheads, but they also contain friendly people like me who can give advice which could end up saving you money.

... Sorry it was a long post, hopefully it's useful!

Marty_J

You'd have more luck getting that lot if you got an Xbox 360 rather than a PS 3.

I had to decide between the two last week, and I went for the Xbox 360 so I could get the games I wanted too. I figure I'll get a PS 3 next year when money's not as tight and the price comes down a bit.