@CrouchingWeasel If I live in Australia, which I do, which ought to be obvious given that I'm discussing the cost of games sold through Australian retailers, then why would I try renting in the US?
If I wanted to confirm the price difference between US and Australian housing I wouldn't need to go to the trouble and expense of actually renting. I could simply research the topic on the internet. Which you could also do.
Here's a good start for you (first reference found via a basic Google search):-
@TurambarGS Costs of shipping might well be a real and valid reason for an increase in price, but not to the extent that the prices are increased. If it costs an extra $5 per unit (which it wouldn't) then charge us $5 extra - not whack up the margin by an extra 30%.
@Wrathesoul Yes, this is a very important aspect of the discussion (which has thus far been overlooked). One major issue is that consumers are paying too much, have done for years, are not being protected by those that should protect us (IGEA, publishers, national retailers that have been in the market for decades).
Another important aspect is that due to the high costs and lack of protection, we are seeking alternatives and that will continue to diminish the sales and profits achieved by Australian businesses in the market.
10 years ago there weren't any alternatives available to the consumer, but now there are, and we're aware of them. They'll get our money, EB won't.
@SolemnJedi79 Yes I agree with this. I hate unsealed games. Part of the point of buying a game is the cherishing of the item - same as it was with CDs', tapes, LPs'. Having said that, the likes of Target are the worst for new games - not only are the games unsealed, but then they'll be put back together by someone that doesn't even know what a game is - and you just have to hope they give all the correct items, and then they slap a big security sticker on it which will remain on the item for the rest of its days.
And why do we need stickers on manuals of pre-owned games? Thanks for needlessly defacing my item, EB. Effwitts.
@Salanderr @Wawas20 Yep. Selling mobiles and tablets doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Especially pre-owned ones - they should leave that to Cash Converters. Hire Paul Yardley and speed up their inevitable death.
@CrouchingWeasel We shouldn't have to pay more simply because we can afford to. Games retailers and game publishers are not charities. Price gouging isn't fair just because we can afford it. The source mentioned in the article that seems to think it is ought to wake up.
Also, your argument about lower wages in the US leading to a lower standard of living is not very solid. Yes we have higher wages here, we also have higher costs for pretty much everything - but most notably housing. We would benefit from higher wages if we had the same level of costs as there are in the US, but we don't.
@istuffedsunny Yeah, the DS works because the 2 screens are next to each other - you just have to change the direction of your eyes, not your head.
This 2 screen with the TV seems like a novelty smply to get us to say - oh this little screen gives me extra information - wow, how cooool. But it's not cool. Sure, it'll be entertaining, as most new things are, but how long until the novelty wears off. Seems like a few people are bored after a few minutes - not a good sign
@xgalacticax Thanks for the description - i've not actually read anything like that before. Yeah it makes it seem like a novelty when you have to have your gaming screen interrupted in order to provide you instructions - of what to look at! Yeah, that does seem confusing.
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