Saw TS 2014 at Walmart and I'm not happy with what I saw.

[Antwerp]

I was at my local Walmart today.... I saw the Train Simulator 2014 - Standard Edition there...

I think it's time for a rant about what I saw in the price-tag.

Train Simulator 2014 - Standard Edition @ Walmart: $19.96

Train Simulator 2014 - Standard Edition @ Steam: $39.99

WHAT!?

Now I know if I want to buy Donner Pass, I will just go buy the $20 box and get $100+ in DLC from it at Walmart instead of paying $40 for just Donner Pass.

Stop with the mark-up Steam.

[Noel]

They mark it up because it's Steam.

[arizonachris]

Stop with the mark-up Steam.

Yeah, good luck with that one, dude. You just now discovering this? Lots of games in Frys Electronics bargain bin at 1/4 the cost of Steam version. Benefits of Steam are: you'll never scratch or lose it, don't need a bunch of shelves in your room.

[Chacal]

Problem: Lots of people wait for a 50% rebate to buy games and DLC on Steam.
Solution: Double the normal price.
Bonus: Early adopters willing to pay the full marked-up price.

[FourEightFour]

Problem: Lots of people wait for a 50% rebate to buy games and DLC on Steam.
Solution: Double the normal price.
Bonus: Early adopters willing to pay the full marked-up price.

Sounds like a sound business plan to me.

Coming from someone who purchased railworks at full price a few years ago.

[buzz456]

It's like HP printers and cell phones. Sell them cheap so you buy the service or the cartridges. Move along. Nothing to see here.

[ChrisOnline]

I don't see anything to complain about . . you could relate the same thing to buying a duvet, a kitchen table, a pack of toilet rolls, or your potatoes

The only difference is that this is a digital product, but Steam's is an all-inclusive, easy-to-access service, with no download or installation tasks for the user, and automatic updates. They also offer the best prices if you wait for sales two or three times a year.

I've seen the occasional post on this and other forums from a newbie who has bought the DVD in store and can't get things up and running, with installation and incompatibility issues. I'm sure the majority are aware of the Walmart product . . so why isn't everyone boycotting buying from Steam and clearing the shelves at Walmart? . . . . convenience. There's a price for that, and people vote with their feet (and wallets . . or make that their credit card numbers!).

Chris

[dejoh]

convenience. There's a price for that, and people vote with their feet (and wallets . . or make that their credit card numbers!).

I agree. Nice to read a common sense thread once and a while.

[hertsbob]

Are you telling me that potatoes are available on Steam? Please don't tell Mrs Bob, she's bad enough with internet shopping as it is!!!

I can just about cope with 1/2 ton of spuds being ordered every week, but I can really do without 10 kitchen tables randomly turning up on the back of a van.

[artimrj]

Are you telling me that potatoes are available on Steam? Please don't tell Mrs Bob, she's bad enough with internet shopping as it is!!!

I can just about cope with 1/2 ton of spuds being ordered every week, but I can really do without 10 kitchen tables randomly turning up on the back of a van.

There is a potato of the month club. You can get 50 pounds (US) a month for $39. You get a new variety each week. Several of my friends do it and some of these potatoes I would not touch with a 10 foot pole...

[PolyesterMafia]

I was talking to another person about this just a few nights ago. If you have ever worked for a vendor that sells it's products to Wal-Mart, you will find that there is no way to make a profit selling to that Company. All those low prices you see in their stores are a result of offering low-ball contracts to vendors with promises that because of the volume of traffic in the stores the vendor will make tons of profit. Then, they bully the vendors with the expectation that WM should be first above all other customers, unattainable shipping deadlines (thank you Backhaul Betty!), and "fines" for stupid crap like the WM truck drivers showing up late for their vendor pick-up appointments then claiming that the order wasn't ready to ship. I've even seen them make huge orders, get the product to store, then when the product won't sell, they send it back to the vendor.

Just my guess, but based on this experience, the game is probablly $19 at Wal-Mart simply for the exposure, not for profit. Get the base product out there and make money on the DLC. And don't forget that there are often Steam sales of the product for basically a gimme.

Wal-Mart - Low Prices Everyday, and Making Small Businesses Go Away.

[buzz456]

See my previous post. Also my experience with Wal-Mart was much more positive. Just remember other than Obamacare you are not forced to buy or sell anything so if you don't like the way Wally World does things don't sell to them.

[arizonachris]

I should have also said, as someone else has, the convenience factor. Closest Wally World to me is an hour's round trip thru crappy traffic. Not to mention it's a freak show, always crowded. So, gas, wear and tear on the car-nerves-eyes, I'll just sit in my easy chair and buy stuff on sale. Not to mention a great, easy way to give gifts.

[Chacal]

...
Wal-Mart - Low Prices Everyday, and Making Small Businesses Go Away.

+1
You're probably right about the price being artificially lowered.

[hertsbob]

There is a potato of the month club.

Good grief. You're serious, aren't you? lol

Supermarkets here are no better, although the customers seem more prepared to get dressed before going shopping compared to Walmart's clientele from what I've seen.