Amazon: Pay $6, get "release-date" game delivery
Tue Aug 26, 2008 11:13AM EDT
See Comments (6)
The online retailer says it'll get the hottest new games to your doorstep the very day they're out in stores—guaranteed. But if you're not an Amazon Prime subscriber, you'll pay $6 extra for the privilege. Good deal, or gouging?
In a press release, Amazon said that it'll kick off its "release-date delivery" feature with "Tiger Woods PGA Tour '09," which is due in stores today (guess it's a little late to test "guaranteed" delivery on that one). Future titles will include "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed" (set for release Sept. 16), "Fable 2" (Oct. 21), and "Gears of War 2" (Nov. 7).
"Release-date" shipping is free through Amazon as long as you're a member of "Amazon Prime," a $79/year subscription service that gives you various discounts on shipping. Otherwise, you'll pay $5.98 for the release-date shipping feature. By way of comparison, the 5-to-9-day "Super Saver" delivery option is free, while three-day "standard" shipping is $4.49 for a single game.
So, how "guaranteed" are these deliveries going to be? I checked out the fine print, and of course, there are plenty of caveats. While Amazon says it'll refund your money in case of a missed delivery (as in, the carrier simply doesn't show up), you're out of luck if UPS attempts a delivery, you're not at home, and the carrier decides not to leave the package at our doorstep. Also, no refund in case of "service interruptions or failures" that are "beyond Amazon.com's control." Hmmm.
Now, as a casual gamer, I might be tempted to cough up $6 to guarantee (more or less) that my game pre-order arrived at my door on the exact release date, especially given that Amazon's standard three-day delivery is nearly $5 anyway.
That said, I've heard from plenty of gamers who—after too many changed or missed shipping dates—have sworn off Amazon for good when it comes to pre-ordering games, and I'm sure this "release-date shipping" scheme will add fuel to the fire.
OK, gamers, have at it: Anyone willing to pay extra for "guaranteed" on-the-day shipping? Or would you rather just pick up your pre-order at a walk-in gaming store?
Related:
Amazon Offers Guaranteed Release-Date Delivery of Games [Digital Media Wire]
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6 Posted by nolava72 on Fri Aug 14, 2009 4:13AM EDT Report Abuse
dcsoccer25: Sounds like you purchased from a Marketplace Seller, not Amazon. There is a difference and you're at the mercy of the MP seller's customer service policies. Amazon does not charge your payment method until the item ships. No item in stock = nothing to refund.