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With the onset of widespread digital distribution threatening bricks-and-mortar videogame outlets everywhere, it would appear that retailers engaging in price-fuelled backbiting is set to become a thing of the past. How we will miss it.
Best Buy offers to sell new games at used prices. Image: Best Buy.
That being said, in the wake of Sony's download-only PSP Go and Xbox Live’s upcoming Games on Demand service, American retail chain Best Buy is presently mounting an attack on specialist videogame stockists by offering customers access to brand new titles at second-hand price points.
“Why buy used when you can buy new?” asks Best Buy on a promotional advertising board spotted in West Jordan, Utah, by a Cheap Ass Gamer forum poster.
“Best Buy now price matches NEW video games at USED prices from GameStop or Game Crazy,” the sign proudly boasts.
However, GameSpot reports that several regional Best Buy stores across the country have shown a general lack of knowledge regarding the price-matching initiative, which suggests the promotion is presently a test exercise the chain is evaluating against a limited sector of the software market.
While the offer may well sound like a guaranteed winner for Best Buy, it’s perhaps worth noting that gamers are unlikely to flock to the chain in droves – not least because used videogame prices at GameStop only tend to stretch to around $5 USD cheaper than standard retail.
But, on the bright side, if the pricing initiative shifts nationwide and isn’t a limited-time offer (unlikely), then it could certainly sting the likes of GameStop into implementing increased price reductions to their used stock, which in turn improves purchase prices for the game-buying public.
The Tech Herald: Overpriced? Games on Demand titles revealed for Xbox 360
The Tech Herald: Walk-in retailers unhappy about new PSP Go
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