Don't buy games through steam aussies

[DalekJaas]

Discovered this website today, 'Top Rip-Offs' that compares steam prices by region, you are better off buying games online off of different websites than steam.

Link here: http://www.steamprices.com/au/topripoffs

EDIT: website also shows best bargains on steam, but the price gap between the bargains and rip-offs is massive

 

[Red Charlie]

Two words:

Import Tax

 

[DalekJaas]

except they are being downloaded so they aren't being imported anywhere? Also an import tax does not double the price of a game, especially considering Australia has a stronger dollar than the US

 

[JoshGod]

Even when they have a 75% sale?

 

[Ilikemilkshake]

I only ever buy the games on sale from steam, because i know the prices are higher even at full price.

 

[qazmatoz]

None of those games are really worth getting nowadays anyway.

I just ticked on over to the fair priced section and games like Portal 2 and Total War: Shogun 2 are fair.

To me, that's not Steam's influence but the publisher's.

 

[Argonian alchemist]

Even when they have a 75% sale?

A fellow panda!? I love you...

 

[Archangel768]

On top of not buying from steam. Don't buy from retail stores in Australia either. Double the price of what USA pays for their games. Just stick to importing from the US unless it's on a REALLY good special on steam or in stores.

 

[googleback]

holy shit! thats ridiculous!?

are you all rich in Australia or something!?

 

[brunothepig]

Seems to be the publishers decision. Valve's games at least, are a similar price, or cheaper in Australia. And there could be other factors, like the cost of censoring it for our stupid government.
But then, Left 4 Dead 2 at least is still the same price, more expensive in Britain in fact. So maybe it's just publishers being dicks. Problem is, if it is the publishers choice, where can we get them? The only options left are importing or lying on GOG.

 

[Red Charlie]

except they are being downloaded so they aren't being imported anywhere? Also an import tax does not double the price of a game, especially considering Australia has a stronger dollar than the US

In the UK/Euro zone import tax is applied across all products regardless of them being digital downloads or physical items. No country is going to give up on tax and revenue from an industry that in the UK (As of last year) is worth 1.5 billion pounds and is increasing. VAT at 20% from that alone is at least 300 million pounds, so import tax on top of that is some serious business

 

[LawlessSquirrel]

It is indeed the publisher's call, not Valve. My theory is that the only reason they do it is because they can get away with it when we pay more than that anyway (someone should totally email Extra Credits for clarification there).

We are non-consensual cash-cows for many publishers, and to our corporations as a whole. Steam is just the method of delivery. Still, Steam is cheaper than retail, so it's prices are the lesser of two evils. Rather lose a finger or lose an arm?

That said, I won't buy marked up games on Steam out of principal in all but the rarest of occasions.

 

[rabidmidget]

I've known for ages that some more popular games still have huge price differences on steam, that's why I only buy those ones when on sale.

I highly doubt it's steam trying to rip us off, but more likely the publishers, as they would lose a lot of money if people in australia actually strted paying NORMAL prices.

 

[General_Potatoes]

It's still cheaper than buying from a game shop (EB games, if you live in Australia).

 

[Timmibal]

It was my understanding that prices get jacked up for Aussies no matter where they buy their games. Convince your government that they don't turn children into Satan worshipers and prices might go down a bit.

It's nothing to do with the government. Retailers put pressure on steam to bump up prices for Aussie customers. I'm not sure exactly the method they used to do this, but I'm pretty sure it's not a result of legislation.

holy shit! thats ridiculous!?

are you all rich in Australia or something!?

No. Our cost of living is absolutely obscene relative to income.

The justification behind physical medium pricing apparently is that prices are set by the local offices of the publisher, and because Australia is a small market combined with region restrictions and ridiculous classification laws, we are forced to adopt something of a 'when rape is inevitable' attitude to pricing.

tl;dr - Fuck retailers, support your local importer.

 

[SinisterGehe]

Well, the publishers can ask much as they want, you do not need to buy them. Specially on digital era in which there is no loss on unsold copies. Stop buying them and they will give in sooner or later. Or finance a new platform. Money is a powerful tool, you should start using it.

 

[Pat8u]

there all triple A games I only get indies on steam and plus its cheaper than $100

 

[Valagetti]

What about New Zealand?