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Gamers Club Unlocked Appreciation Thread (saving $$$ for the console/handheld gamer)

N

netguy503

Member
Dr. Black Jack said:
If you're talking about actual "I have my receipt, give me my money back" returns you're going to get burned. Best Buy keeps track of returns...they can and will ban you from returns and revoke your GCU/rewards account if you abuse the return policy.

I don't see how that's even possible with opened games though, unless you lie and claim it doesn't work.
Click to expand...

well the game on PS4 is $60 not $50 so of course I meant rushing to beat it so i could use it for max trade in value fodder and use it as a cheap rental/plat. But $50 is more than enough to get a brand new PS4 game I actually want to keep( Until Dawn, Metal Gear) without having to pay anything (and getting those $10 I spent on Jurassic World back with reward certs from the Metal Gear promotion) so I'm good with that. :)
 
D

Dr. Black Jack

Member
netguy503 said:
well the game on PS4 is $60 not $50 so of course I meant rushing to beat it so i could use it for max trade in value fodder and use it as a cheap rental/plat. But $50 is more than enough to get a brand new PS4 game I actually want to keep( Until Dawn, Metal Gear) without having to pay anything (and getting those $10 I spent on Jurassic World back with reward certs from the Metal Gear promotion) so I'm good with that. :)
Click to expand...

Yep, that's the way to do it if you don't care about owning the games after beating them. Just making sure.
 
C

chicagocubsfan

Member
Gears of War Ultimate Edition is on the $10 list now. I think it's the first time a $40 game has been on the list. Comes out to like $22 for the game with GCU and the points.
 
C

chaosblade

Unconfirmed Member
Does anyone have experience with the Best Buy credit card? I'm curious how the points work along with GCU, might be worth it just go use for game purchases.
 
W

WhirlwindMonk

Banned
chaosblade said:
Does anyone have experience with the Best Buy credit card? I'm curious how the points work along with GCU, might be worth it just go use for game purchases.
Click to expand...

Totally worth it. It comes out to 7% back on games, which is a better deal than you'd get basically anywhere else, even without the 20% off up front.
 
T

thekonamicode

Member
This isn't GCU related, but I picked up an Xbox One 500 Gig Master Chief Collection bundle today from Best Buy since they were offering a free $50 gift card and a free second controller. There was also an AMEX offer for a $25 statement credit for any Best Buy purchase over $250 and I had $60 in Best Buy gift cards laying around from earlier promotions (buy this game, get a $10 gift card).

All together everything was $290 and I'll use the $50 gift card to pick up Rare Replay and Sunset Overdrive with GCU discount.

I'm spinning this in my head as spending $265 for a 500 gig Xbox One with two controllers, MCC, Rare Replay and Sunset Overdrive.
 
B

Boogiepop

Member
Okay guys, someone please help me puzzle this out if you can:

Best Buy just sent me a $5 thing for not buying anything from them for a bit, with the caveat that it need to be used in store (it's got a barcode for the cashier). It expires like a day after the Etrian Odyssey 2 remake comes out, which is the only thing out soon enough that I'm interested in, and I was actually thinking I'd pick it up. However, there's like no way I trust them to happen to have copies of that niche a game on store shelves on release day that I can just walk in. And trying to preorder for in-store pickup online requires you to pay for it then...

Is there any good way to handle this? Like, can I go into the store and have someone help preorder there and use the code or something?
 
W

WhirlwindMonk

Banned
Boogiepop said:
Okay guys, someone please help me puzzle this out if you can:

Best Buy just sent me a $5 thing for not buying anything from them for a bit, with the caveat that it need to be used in store (it's got a barcode for the cashier). It expires like a day after the Etrian Odyssey 2 remake comes out, which is the only thing out soon enough that I'm interested in, and I was actually thinking I'd pick it up. However, there's like no way I trust them to happen to have copies of that niche a game on store shelves on release day that I can just walk in. And trying to preorder for in-store pickup online requires you to pay for it then...

Is there any good way to handle this? Like, can I go into the store and have someone help preorder there and use the code or something?
Click to expand...

They do have those pre-order kiosks in store. I know people have had very mixed luck with the game actually showing up in store, but that's probably your only option. Hopefully you'll have better luck.
 
E

EatinOlives

Member
I also got a $5 thing but it expires at the end of this month. Because BB doesn't charge until you pick up, it means I can't preorder anything that doesn't release before the end of the month?
 
E

EatinOlives

Member
malfcn said:
You can lock in the reward dollars.
Click to expand...

By preordering something online, right? Because I did that a few days ago and I still had that reward certificate a day after, but I just checked it right now and I have $0 in rewards and my preorder is still there with the $5 discount.

I guess it takes them a while to update your reward dollar amount.
 
M

malfcn

Member
EatinOlives said:
By preordering something online, right? Because I did that a few days ago and I still had that reward certificate a day after, but I just checked it right now and I have $0 in rewards and my preorder is still there with the $5 discount.

I guess it takes them a while to update your reward dollar amount.
Click to expand...

There is some processing time. I've had $30 expiring before, put it on a preorder and have had the $30 show as available on one screen, but not another for about 10 minutes. It works itself out eventually.
 
B

Boogiepop

Member
WhirlwindMonk said:
They do have those pre-order kiosks in store. I know people have had very mixed luck with the game actually showing up in store, but that's probably your only option. Hopefully you'll have better luck.
Click to expand...
It was a bit of a runaround and required me to go to the store twice, but this did indeed work out. Thanks!
 
H

HammerOfThor

Member
I'm sorry if this was asked to death already, but if I pre-order MGS on bb.com, so I still get the $10 rewards? Or do I need to do it in the store?
 
M

Marty Chinn

Member
Got a question on how the discount works.

I know if you do Buy 2, Get 1 Free, you get the 20% off on all games. Does the discount not work on sales like buy a specific game, get $20 off these select games? To be more specific, they have a sale this week that if you buy Super Mario Maker, you can get $20 off Splatoon. With GCU, I was expecting to pay $80 for both ($48 for Mario Maker, $40 - $8 for Splatoon), but that's not what came up at check out. I got the discount on Mario Maker, but Splatoon was only $40.
 
R

robertlebrone

Member
I've had GCU for ages, but haven't used it once. I wish there was a way to have this apply to digital games. I just don't like driving out of my way to go to a b&m store anymore.
 
H

Hazmat

Member
I'm curious how long it takes for the $10 preorder credit to appear on your account. I preordered MGS5 a while back and picked it up on Tuesday, but haven't gotten the credit yet. Is that normal?
 
M

Marty Chinn

Member
robertlebrone said:
I've had GCU for ages, but haven't used it once. I wish there was a way to have this apply to digital games. I just don't like driving out of my way to go to a b&m store anymore.
Click to expand...

Why not get them shipped to you?

Hazmat said:
I'm curious how long it takes for the $10 preorder credit to appear on your account. I preordered MGS5 a while back and picked it up on Tuesday, but haven't gotten the credit yet. Is that normal?
Click to expand...

I believe it's supposed to be 15 days after. After the return policy so you don't get a free certificate by returning the game after you get it. Surprisingly, I got mine already though.
 
B

BigWeather

Member
Is this still $120? Considering it but will wait for a repeat of that $30 deal I think.

Edit: Ooooh, it's only $30 now. That permanent? ..and should I be extra greedy if so and hope for a even better deal? How low has this been in the past?
 
J

Jafku

Member
BigWeather said:
Is this still $120? Considering it but will wait for a repeat of that $30 deal I think.

Edit: Ooooh, it's only $30 now. That permanent? ..and should I be extra greedy if so and hope for a even better deal? How low has this been in the past?
Click to expand...
Yes
 
D

Digital Snake

Member
Hazmat said:
I'm curious how long it takes for the $10 preorder credit to appear on your account. I preordered MGS5 a while back and picked it up on Tuesday, but haven't gotten the credit yet. Is that normal?
Click to expand...

It doesn't like to appear right away. But typically it takes 15 days for your points to show up, and that likes to show up around that time saying 'victory can be preordered' or something like that.
 
C

Cth

Member
I used to buy a lot at BB, had a Silver membership or something..

.. I hatehatehated the whole Gamer magazine thing, as I hated to pay for something to get coupons/deals.

So when GCU launched at $120 I scoffed big time..

Cut to today, when I price matched Until Dawn and turned that $25 into a GCU ($30 for 2 years isn't bad) and traded in Until Dawn for even more credit. So, I pre-ordered Battlefront II today (collectors edition which with the discount is pretty much what I'm used to paying for games) and I'm getting $10 in certificates on top of it.

So, by the time the game comes out, I can use the $10 GC on the pre-order on top of the 20%.

I'm kicking myself for not doing this once it dropped to $30 now :D
 
S

SlipperyMoose

Member
EatinOlives said:
I also got a $5 thing but it expires at the end of this month. Because BB doesn't charge until you pick up, it means I can't preorder anything that doesn't release before the end of the month?
Click to expand...

You can use it. The minimum for a preorder is $5. You can use your 5$ certificate and it will work just like cash down.
 
J

Jeremy

Member
Anyone know how long it takes for Best Buy to receive a game using their provided free shipping? I got Until Dawn for $32 last week and went ahead and locked in a trade-in for $32. I have seven days left to send it in and was wondering if it will make it in time. If not I'd rather just use my own postage to guarantee it will be there on time.

Nevermind, UPS offers an estimate on their website of about 3 days from where I'm located. I'm still stuck in the world where shipping takes weeks.
 
S

spyder_ur

Member
Sorry to dig up an old thread. I joined GCU about a week ago - finally activated it after having purchased it with MGSV (as an aside it's super annoying that you have to activate in store). I've got a couple questions.

-How long does it take for point to show up? I have points that show as pending from October 29? I traded in a bunch of games in store, about $65 worth, yesterday and nothing is showing from that, either.
-I've heard people say they have gotten some welcome coupons - I haven't gotten any.
-Similarly, when do you receive the $10 reward cert for preordering? When the game is shipped/picked up?

The cycle of trading back in games seems like a really good value if you plan on preordering new games.
 
N

Neuromancer

Member
spyder_ur said:
Sorry to dig up an old thread. I joined GCU about a week ago - finally activated it after having purchased it with MGSV (as an aside it's super annoying that you have to activate in store). I've got a couple questions.

-How long does it take for point to show up? I have points that show as pending from October 29? I traded in a bunch of games in store, about $65 worth, yesterday and nothing is showing from that, either.
-I've heard people say they have gotten some welcome coupons - I haven't gotten any.
-Similarly, when do you receive the $10 reward cert for preordering? When the game is shipped/picked up?

The cycle of trading back in games seems like a really good value if you plan on preordering new games.
Click to expand...
I believe 30 days after shipping/pickup, after the return policy has expired (they don't want you getting $10 and then returning the game.)
 
T

The12thGripper

Member
spyder_ur said:
I've got a couple questions.

-How long does it take for point to show up? I have points that show as pending from October 29? I traded in a bunch of games in store, about $65 worth, yesterday and nothing is showing from that, either.
-I've heard people say they have gotten some welcome coupons - I haven't gotten any.
-Similarly, when do you receive the $10 reward cert for preordering? When the game is shipped/picked up?
Click to expand...

- It takes about 15 days for points to become available up but they typically do before 15 days. If 15 days pass, email Best Buy and they'll fix it. I've only had this happen to me once and it was because I somehow had 2 accounts linked to the same email and the points went to the other account.

- I remember getting a welcome coupon maybe a few days after joining but it was like 10% off a used game or something, didn't use it.

I can't answer your 3rd question though, I've never bought a game that was apart of that promotion.
 
S

spyder_ur

Member
Neuromancer said:
I believe 30 days after shipping/pickup, after the return policy has expired (they don't want you getting $10 and then returning the game.)
Click to expand...

The12thGripper said:
- It takes about 15 days for points to become available up but they typically do before 15 days. If 15 days pass, email Best Buy and they'll fix it. I've only had this happen to me once and it was because I somehow had 2 accounts linked to the same email and the points went to the other account.

- I remember getting a welcome coupon maybe a few days after joining but it was like 10% off a used game or something, didn't use it.

I can't answer your 3rd question though, I've never bought a game that was apart of that promotion.
Click to expand...

Thanks to you both, makes sense on the certs. sorry Neuro I'm the mayor of Boston. Sumahville too.
 
L

Lrrr

Member
spyder_ur said:
-Similarly, when do you receive the $10 reward cert for preordering? When the game is shipped/picked up?
Click to expand...

No. All pre-order certificates are issued only after the return period for the game has expired - which is approximately 15 days.
 
M

Marty Chinn

Member
Lrrr said:
No. All pre-order certificates are issued only after the return period for the game has expired - which is approximately 15 days.
Click to expand...

What happens if you're an Elite member who has a 30 day window and you use the certificate and then return the game?
 
M

Marty Chinn

Member
henhowc said:
probably refund you using a gift card? at least that's been my experience with most stores when using some kind of store credit.
Click to expand...

Oh no that's not what I meant. I mean you preorder a game that gives you a $10 certificate. You then use the certificate to buy something else and then return the game you paid full price for. In short, it sounds like you get a free $10 certificate.
 
RedAssedApe

RedAssedApe

Banned
Marty Chinn said:
Oh no that's not what I meant. I mean you preorder a game that gives you a $10 certificate. You then use the certificate to buy something else and then return the game you paid full price for. In short, it sounds like you get a free $10 certificate.
Click to expand...

oh...lol...well then. someone over at cag or slickdeals might be able to answer that one.
 
J

jamsy

Member
Can someone fill me in on one thing?

So you get rewards for spending money with the GCU. How many points do you get for every dollar spent? What are the rewards levels?

I can't find this stuff anywhere on their website...
 
C

chaosblade

Unconfirmed Member
jamsy said:
Can someone fill me in on one thing?

So you get rewards for spending money with the GCU. How many points do you get for every dollar spent? What are the rewards levels?

I can't find this stuff anywhere on their website...
Click to expand...

You normally get 1 point per dollar. Gamers Club (even the free one) gives you 2 points per dollar. 50 points work out to be a dollar, and you can get reward certs at $5, $10, or $20 intervals I think.

This also stacks with Best Buy's credit card points bonus (2.5x points), but I don't know how the stacking works.

Also, games bought with gift cards don't get any points.


Edit: for stacking, it looks like that should be 3.5 points per dollar (1 base point + 1 GCU bonus + 1.5 credit card bonus).
 
J

jamsy

Member
chaosblade said:
You normally get 1 point per dollar. Gamers Club (even the free one) gives you 2.5 points per dollar. 50 points work out to be a dollar, and you can get reward certs at $5, $10, or $20 intervals I think.

This also stacks with Best Buy's credit card points bonus (2x points), but I don't know how the stacking works.

Also, games bought with gift cards don't get any points.
Click to expand...

So you need to spend $250 to get $5 off? That's not a great deal...
 
C

charpunk

Member
Marty Chinn said:
What happens if you're an Elite member who has a 30 day window and you use the certificate and then return the game?
Click to expand...

Majority of time the points for each transaction are put in a pending status until your return period is up then the points can be issued to a certificate to prevent such a thing.

Sometimes the gamers club $10 bonus certs get issued quicker than they are supposed to.
 
S

SocksAndShoes

Banned
GuardianE said:
It's just a Cashback bonus. Better than you'll get anywhere else. Why are you viewing that in a vacuum?

The actual draw of GCU is 20% off new games.
Click to expand...

And the $10 gift certs for preorders on bigger games, 10% off used games, etc.

I'll say this: It's the only way I buy games at retail anymore. The program is that good.
 
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