Buying HL2 retail dilemma

[SIN55]

I live in Canada and over here the big store is FutureShop. I preordered the Collector's Edition from them last week. The CE was $99.99 and Standard was $69.99.

I checked the site again today and the Standard went down to $59.99 because of a $10 discount. AND it now comes with a FREE Nyko Air-Flo Optical Mouse (value of $39.99).

Now Standard is starting to seem like a damn good deal, and I basically have to choose between a free optical mouse and the HL2 Strategy Guide included with HL2: CE.

Please help me choose and point out the pros and cons. I can cancel my preorder at will!

 

[Ownzed]

Well if the Nyko Air-Flo Optiacal Mouse isn't better than your one you have now, I would keep the CE.

 

[Munro]

It's not the full strategy guide - it's just a incomplete teaser. Get the regular version

 

[shapeshifter]

Yea thats a good deal for the standard, Id go for that if I wasen't already going for steam purchase.

Ce does not come with the strategy guide, its a prima book sampler, has a bit of the stragtegy guide, and a bit of the rasing the bar book thats all.

 

[SIN55]

Ok, so:
*a sampler strat guide, and a T-Shirt I'll never wear in public and HL1: Source

VS.

*Free optical mouse and saving 40$, Hl1 would still be downloadable by Steam, and I could buy the strat guide separetly

 

[Ownzed]

*Free optical mouse and saving 40$, Hl1 would still be downloadable by Steam, and I could buy the strat guide separetly :thumbs:

 

[shapeshifter]

yup sums it up.

that and if you have or ever get a dvd burner you can easily make those 5 cds into one dvd. Then if your printer allows you to make cd/dvd stickers your all set.

 

[wabamak]

ahhaah i went to future shop too and the price was lowred !!!!

 

[SIN55]

Alright I canceled my preorder. Thanks for clearing things up guys!

I'm going for the Standard, I don't care about installing 6 CD's. I'm not an impatient guy . Although DVD's are useful, they are not necessary.

 

[Stain_HHH]

Check out Best Buy in Canada (I am in Alberta). The CE is $99 but it comes with a very nice Microsoft multimedia keyboard - hopefully one that will let you play mp3 tunes without having VAC ban you

If there is no best buy in your area you could try bestbuy.ca (not .com)

Still, I bought silver from steam. I could not resist access to DOD, HL:S and the back catalogue. I never did try Condition Zero, but now I can give it a try if I want some day

Cheers

 

[Cynical]

how about one of the pro points for the CE being the box? does any one know what it looks like? I've seen the one that comes with the gold steam option, and it's not that great to be honest. I remember long time ago someone who visisted valve posted this pic
that box on the left is cool.

 

[Stain_HHH]

Just to add... Best Buy and Future shop are owned by the same people in Canada, so I have been able to get them to match each others advertised deals (like free stuff) with very little problem.

Good luck!

 

[SIN55]

If there is no best buy in your area you could try bestbuy.ca (not .com)

There are BestBuy's everywhere but in Quebec, dammit! Stupid government. Anyway, I would probably not get same day free shipping from an Ontario store. And I don't see any special offers, except the $10 off the Standard.

Anyway, doesn't matter, I'll stick with my choice. I hope I don't get cheated out of getting the mouse because of the "While Supplies Last" thingy :angry:

 

[Sharrd]

how about one of the pro points for the CE being the box? does any one know what it looks like? I've seen the one that comes with the gold steam option, and it's not that great to be honest. I remember long time ago someone who visisted valve posted this pic
that box on the left is cool.

In case you're not joking; you do realize how fake that looks? Gave me a good laugh, though.

Edit: The one you were talking about, on the far left, is of course not fake, though. But I doubt that they'll be releasing boxes like that one.

 

[Cynical]

In case you're not joking; you do realize how fake that looks? Gave me a good laugh, though.

Edit: The one you were talking about, on the far left, is of course not fake, though. But I doubt that they'll be releasing boxes like that one.

I'm being serious. if the CE box is something cool it would make the whole package more attractive. cause tbh, we thought the CE would be much better than it turned out to be.

 

[Stain_HHH]

Well, sticking with the Standard retail and getting an optical mouse is not a bad deal. But Future Shop does match other store's prices, and Future Shop and BestBuy are owned by the same group.

Goto BestBuy.ca, click on 'Weekly Ad' in the very top-left corner of the screen. Type in the postal code 'T6T 1V6' (a random Alberta postal code). Look at the flyer window that opens up. Goto page 22, print it, and take it into Future Shop with you. They should match the deal and give you a MS keyboard with the CE!

Cheers

 

[shapeshifter]

how about one of the pro points for the CE being the box? does any one know what it looks like? I've seen the one that comes with the gold steam option, and it's not that great to be honest. I remember long time ago someone who visisted valve posted this pic
that box on the left is cool.

Nope, CE box is just a cruddy cardboard box. Would be nice if it was that metal one but its not, those are just mockups.

 

[SIN55]

Well, sticking with the Standard retail and getting an optical mouse is not a bad deal. But Future Shop does match other store's prices, and Future Shop and BestBuy are owned by the same group.

Goto BestBuy.ca, click on 'Weekly Ad' in the very top-left corner of the screen. Type in the postal code 'T6T 1V6' (a random Alberta postal code). Look at the flyer window that opens up. Goto page 22, print it, and take it into Future Shop with you. They should match the deal and give you a MS keyboard with the CE!

Cheers

I doubt they'd match the deal when BestBuy is not even in Quebec, therefore does not have competition with FutureShop. But anyhoo, I wouldnt replace my KB, it has become an extension of my body

 

[Stain_HHH]

I doubt they'd match the deal when BestBuy is not even in Quebec

I hear ya, but sometimes those 16 year olds that work there just do not care that much. LOL

Quebec, therefore does not have competition with FutureShop.

BestBuy and Future Shop have the same owner in Canada, so they don't really compete. It is just the illusion of competition. That is why the price match thing could work. But I am just beating a dead horse here

I wouldnt replace my KB, it has become an extension of my body

Cheers to that. I did not know if you had a '$10 special' keyboard or a decent one. :smoking:

Have fun playing HL2, I know I will. I have already started laying the groundwork for me being 'sick' from work on Tuesday. Dropping comments for the last few days about this cold that is really starting to beat me up! LOL

Cheers :afro:

 

[SIN55]

haha thats great. Unfortunately for me I really was sick for the last two weeks. So I can't also be sick this week hehe.

On that note, let's all have a good time with HL2 when it's out, and I can't wait to make some more maps this time for the HL2 engine!