870°

Amazon blocks non-Prime members from buying certain video games

Amazon has extended its "Prime-Exclusive Items" initiative to block non-Prime members from being able to purchase certain video games.

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videogamer.com
jay22959d ago

Anazon can f off rediculess why psy an extra £80 for video games

Ashlen2959d ago (Edited 2959d ago )

I'd like to warn people.

If you sign up for the free prime they will automatically charge your account for a year membership when the free trial ends.

lsujester2959d ago

It's in the terms when you sign up for the trial. Not Amazon's fault that people don't bother reading them.

FullmetalRoyale2959d ago (Edited 2959d ago )

I saw several warnings during my trial, and that is how every single free trial works nowadays. Though I intended on buying prime before my trial was over, I still was aware of my thirty days.
That's on you.

Ashlen2959d ago (Edited 2959d ago )

The point is, they shouldn't charge you at the end at all.

Razputin2959d ago (Edited 2959d ago )

This has been the case for a pretty long time. As others have said.

It is messed up, but you do ahve to look carefully.

I didn't need to try Prime, the benefits were loud and clear.

Skate-AK2959d ago

Nearly every subscription where you have to enter your credit card number will charge you after the free trial of you don't cancel it.

Batzi2959d ago

@Ashlen
You're right but then again, Amazon has no problem refunding that same transaction.

_-EDMIX-_2959d ago

How is that a warning? That's told to you when you actually sign up for the trial

I own Amazon Prime for business reasons and also because I enjoy using it. When I was a college student it's saved me a ton of money on shipping and later begin to gladly pay for it because of all the items I purchased I didn't notice until I looked at my taxes and realized I buy over two hundred plus items a year off of Amazon.

Not only are you getting free shipping you're also getting a ridiculously huge discount on brand new games and also getting their video and music service, so basically for around the same price I might pay for my Netflix account I'm getting a video and music account and a discount on my games and free shipping on a ridiculous number of items it's a better deal then you might really think.

I don't fault them for charging you afterwards as the trial is clearly telling you written that you will be charged for after a set date what I actually blame is complete ignorance it might be the stupidest thing I've ever heard of for someone to get upset that they didn't read the terms of a binding agreement.

Mind you to my understanding Amazon well actually reimburse you that money if you decide to cancel in a certain amount of days following.

Dirtnapstor2959d ago

This is the way it is for 99.9% of "free trials" anywhere.

UnHoly_One2959d ago

I work at a bank, and I am absolutely amazed by the number of people that will call, saying there is a debit card transaction on their account that they didn't authorize, only to follow it up by telling me they signed up for a free trial for whatever the product is.

That's how ALL free trials work, and that's how it has been for years.

edwick2958d ago

almost every free trial i have ever signed up for is like that. but go ahead, warn away, there are plenty of people out there that don't pay attention to what they are signing up for.

+ Show (8) more repliesLast reply 2958d ago
Razputin2959d ago

If you buy 10 games a year, you can literally make your money back.

Amazon offers games at a 20% discount for a good time on pre-orders and new release games. Also the fact that you can get release day shipping, FREE, 2 day shipping, free, and next day shipping typically at $2-8 depending the item.

Ashlen2959d ago (Edited 2959d ago )

Or you can buy someplace else and get shipping free without a $100 membership.

Kalebninja2959d ago

@Ashlen, how you are you comparing free shipping to a 20% discount on all games, 2 day shipping on many items other than just games and a library of free movies and exclusive shows? Especially a good deal when you share your account.

2959d ago
Soldierone2959d ago

@kalebninja Bestbuy, 20 percent discount on ALL new games (not ones just released), 10 dollar voucher for pre orders, discounts on used titles, extra percent for trade ins, other coupons sent throughout the year, all for 30 dollars for 2 years. Want to shop online, free site to store and release day for free.

Looking at Amazon they NEED to ship items, not us. If they were not an online retailer there would be no shipping fee, you could go anywhere to avoid that. So "free shipping" isn't entirely a privilege, also their free shipping for standard users is $50, most new games cost 60 so shipping is free anyways. (granted not release day, even though other retailers offer it) Now looking at their music and video service, I had Prime for two years while that was implemented and used it 1 time to watch "Betas" which wasn't renewed so I had no reason to even keep the app installed. I actually asked them if I could get a discount if they locked access to that stuff since I never used it.

Razputin2959d ago

@Soldierone,

Best Buy does have great deals at time. But for the simple fact that you get so much from Amazon.

Yes, it is wrong that they exclusively put video games behind a pay wall. But myself personally I like the benefit I get as a Prime member.

On top of the ridiculous lower prices and free shipping they have been offering for years. But in the recent years we've gotten a ton additions. Streaming music, movies, and books, free APPs daily, lightning deals, deals on holidays, recommendations, and deals and just nearly anything. And they have competitive prices in compared to specialty stores.

The shipping bargain, literally are a steal. No other place can offer the shipping deals they can. Free 2 day shipping, that often times can arrive the next business day if it was close enough. Free release day delivery on many things. And lastly, extremely cheap next business day shipping usually $2-8 depending the item and distance. No other company can offer that.

Best Buy does free shipping on order over $25-30, but its 3-5 day ground. GameStop paid for shipping, and they are so horrible with inventory, you usually have to add a day for processing.

rainslacker2959d ago (Edited 2959d ago )

Definately worth it if you are into preordering or buying early and like a decent enough streaming service. Free 2-day shipping is great. Got it a while ago with a student discount, and continued to keep it now for about 7 years because it pays for itself...particularly now with the discounted games. I've had bulky items that would cost $40-50 alone to slow ship to me, and they come free in two days.

Other than that, and on topic, this does seem rather silly for Amazon to do. I think they have enough clout to be able to get unique items from publishers that you can't get anywhere else, and throw that up as a prime exclusive. It makes no sense to do it for readily available items you can buy at any store or online merchant with no hassle.

That being said, they aren't obligated to sell anyone anything. Although I'm curious if their agreements with publishers allow this sort of thing, since usually they have strict guidelines for how a game can be sold.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 2959d ago
Nitrowolf22959d ago

I don't see this going well for them, as a prime member even this angers me. I used amazon all the time for game purchases of my games, prime has its benefits especially when they offer games cheaper, but that benefit alone is good enough. Now to have games sold by Amazon exclusive to prime members? It's really only hurting them since there's so many other places to buy

ravinash2959d ago

Well it makes my decision to user either Amazon or Shopto.net much easier.

2959d ago
Soldierone2959d ago

BestBuy Gamers Club. Check it out! New games get a 20 percent discount, no matter how long they have been out. (Prime only gives a discount for the first week or pre-orders) Plus most pre-orders give you a 10 dollar voucher, so you could chain things together and only spend like 35 dollars on new games.

subtenko2959d ago

Why didnt you used shopto in the first place?

Deadpooled2959d ago

True, but sometimes I've experienced preorders for games releasing on Friday get free first class one day delivery dispatched from Shopto on Thursday and get held up by the bloody Royal Mail (damn privatisation) and end up delivering on Monday, losing weekend gaming time.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 2959d ago
blackblades2959d ago

Yeah seen that when l heard SFV CE was on sale and seen it say prime exclusive I was like wtf. I did buy a game from then last night had to put 2 more item with it for free shipping. Gotta say they been slipping like increasing the free shipping to $50, taxes , no tuesday video game lightning deals.

ginsunuva2959d ago

Except Amazon doesn't get hurt by this since they don't make money off sales. They make money off Prime and Ads.

If some non-prime customer goes elsewhere for his games, maybe they lose some ads on them, but that person will still use Amazon for other things anyway. (Or they upgrade to Prime and Amazon wins.)

subtenko2959d ago

Oh well, if people wanna buy games from gamestop or walmart whats stopping them from doing so right now?

Walmart and other stores lets you order online without a paid memeber ship soooooo whats everyone whining about? If you are affected or dont like it, then I encourage you to buy online somewhere else.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 2959d ago
BrianOBlivion2959d ago

Wow. That's the dumbest thing I've read on the internet this month. Somebody really needs to be fired for coming up with an idea that idiotic.

yomfweeee2959d ago

Long time Amazon/Prime customer, but this makes no sense. It will just drive them to another site/store. It also very well could drive them away from Amazon for other products.

Findingcrybabies2959d ago

Unbelieveable. I literally buy everything on Amazon, but really....they don't think they have competition? Pffff I'll just go to Wal Mart or Ebay or 100 other sites. They are getting really balzy. Wonder what's next?

subtenko2959d ago

They know they have competition, walmart, target, bestbuy, etc. They probably will encourage those who dont like what they are doing to shop online elsewhere if they dont have a use for their membership. Gamestop lets you buy at a store and online so, I still dont see why people are mad at amazon when there are so many other places. Why are you all mad when you could buy from other places years ago?

annoyedgamer2959d ago

Amazon has lower prices than Gamestop. But you can bet $60 that I will be spending my money elsewhere!

subtenko2959d ago

Not for new games unless its with amazon prime, and people wouldnt be complaining about this if they hand prime because then it negates the amazon 'preference' if you dont even have prime.

Show all comments (85)
80°

The INDIE Live Expo 2024 event showcased +150 Games during its Saturday broadcast

"INDIE Live Expo, Japan’s premiere online digital showcase series connecting indie game fans all over the world, highlighted more than 150 games during its Saturday broadcast introducing world premieres, new trailers, and updates during its 10th-ever digital showcase." - INDIE Live Expo.

TGG_overlord6h ago

Very much so, there should be something in there for everyone to enjoy for sure.

180°

Summer Game Fest 2024 and games conference schedule: All conference dates, times and streams

A schedule for all of the currently announced game conferences in June 2024, including the Summer Game Fest 2024 date and times.

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eurogamer.net
Lightning771d 6h ago

For the first time in a long time I have a hard time feeling excited for these events. Maybe it's because of all these massive lay offs and closures there hasn't exactly been good news since the start of the year.

Maybe come next week I'll get a little more excited but I dunno I just can't get too excited right now

thorstein1d 5h ago

Maybe it will be an indie showcase.

Cacabunga23h ago

Cancelling e3 and introducing some ridiculous events..
Times have changed.. to the worse

Lightning7722h ago(Edited 22h ago)

Back then it was very exciting, great looking trailers, on stage live gameplay where yes things can and have went wrong but that's how we knew it was a real games being played instead of curated footage extra doctored up that didn't even represent the actual game half the time. Games would release 6 months to a year max not 3 years later.

I miss past E3's even the goofiness like Giant enemy crab or Riiiidge Raceeer. Xbox and Kinect glitching Nintendo's craziness. Again it was real, these days there so protective, clean, doctored sets, where nothing can absolutely go wrong. Too strict and professional with heavy PR babble with buzzwords that mean nothing. Being professional is not bad but when it's fake and corporate heavy where you're made to buy into the words rather than the game, that's how you know it's not real.

Now SFG is just sizzle reeling all the games at once. Plus past SGF events haven't been that great either. Maybe that's not Geoffs fault but the pubs and devs are simply never ready to show anything and have to wait. This gen we've been waiting and waiting for these games.

Plus lay offs as I Mentioned. I dunno Geoff needs to do what made E3 great back then, get funding support and do live stage gameplay he has the support and so why not? Pubs and devs need to do their own thing at the event again. No more doctored bull crap with PR diarrhea trying to sell the game show us with a controller in your hand instead of making empty promises.

Rant over.

Cacabunga22h ago(Edited 22h ago)

Lightning

I will never forget the pre-e3 one year where Kojima was teasing MGS Rising.. and Peace Walker.

Such an incredible period where studios enjoyed what they were doing and teasing their work weeks before the event.

Nowadays is half baked games, cross gen titles, useless mid gen upgrades. There is no hype anymore.
Last great show I remember is the PS EXPERIENCE maybe 3 or 4 years ago in December

gleepot21h ago

Maybe it's because Keighley sucks and never puts on good showcases.

Lightning7720h ago

They aren't geoffs games he's not makin it. Though you're half right, he has the stage and events and controls the pace, how the games are shown and presented. If I was him I would have devs have real gameplay with a stage like how E3 used to be.

No more of this curated pre done footage that we've had in the past 4 years.

Actually before that they've been doing that format for awhile. Cyber Punk being the biggest culprit of that format because you can easily deceive and lie to ppl.

Yeah Geoff is half to blame

isarai1d 1h ago

Is it just me or is there little to no buzz or marketing leading up to this compared to previous SGF?

monkey60221h ago

Because they've been consistently boring for the last couple of years. Hard to get worked up for it now

bRuud8323h ago

Where is Sony? Still no news about the next Playstation showcase.

23h ago
Lightning7720h ago

Hopefully early next week at this point they are signed to SGF so they'll be there.

I also said in another post it's rumored to be a State Of Play now. The only AAA's I can see being announced now is Ghost 2 and Bends New game.

I can't see Santa Monica's New IP or ND New IP being announced. I can see GG being there announcing leggo Horizon, Zero Dawn remake or remaster, maybe the LS horizon game.

Skuletor20h ago

After the way they rudely hurried people off the stage at The Game Awards, I won't bother watching any of the streams for this. I'll just checkout out a few game trailers on Youtube after they're uploaded there.

90°

Boosteroid Plans On Adding More AAAA Titles Exclusively To The Service

The VP of Marketing at Boosteroid revealed that the company is in talks with major publishers to secure exclusive games on the service.

Relientk772d ago

So they're adding Skull and Bones to their service? That doesn't seem exciting at all lol.

EternalTitan7h ago

The games should come with a torchlight to help you find the extra "A"