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Forums - Sony - Sony Europe prove once again they are incompetent.

Bigspleen on 21 February 2012
Euphoria14 said:
Even in the US Sony is TERRIBLE with their digital prices. Why would someone buy a digital copy for only $3-$5 less when they can get a used copy for the same price and sometimes even get a new copy for less?

A $40 retail game should be no less than $25-30 digital. Anything else is a waste of time for the consumer.


WOW what is the double standard with Sony here? SONY is hardly the only one, see steam, Xbox live, insert company here. Sony if anything is one of the few offering digital cheaper at all.



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masschamber on 21 February 2012
Roma said:
Apple is paying them to make the Vita bomb?

OT: Good job Sony!


doesn't make sense for apple to want that, vita has so much in common with the iOS platforms apple with enjoy all sorts of indirect benefits of vita success.  My hypothesis, sony is absolutely enthralled with that wierd Nobunagapokemon crossover and wants nothing to jepordize it's success



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NOW A PUNISHER CAB!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Euphoria14 on 21 February 2012
Bigspleen said:
Euphoria14 said:
Even in the US Sony is TERRIBLE with their digital prices. Why would someone buy a digital copy for only $3-$5 less when they can get a used copy for the same price and sometimes even get a new copy for less?

A $40 retail game should be no less than $25-30 digital. Anything else is a waste of time for the consumer.


WOW what is the double standard with Sony here? SONY is hardly the only one, see steam, Xbox live, insert company here. Sony if anything is one of the few offering digital cheaper at all.

I don't see where the double standard is, I am just stating the obvious. In the US it is alright so far, with just about all Vita games being cheaper on PSN, although when compared to used or even new the price just doesn't cut it. You can't resell them, so they should be cheaper than just 10%.

PSP games are even worse as some games that can be found for $10-$20 brand new at retail cost upwards of double the price on PSN. Jeanne D'Arc is a perfect example, $10 new at retail, $23 on PSN. Then you have Fina Fantasy IV Collection, $20 new at retail, $30 on PSN.

This truth can not be overstated. Sony needs to update their prices and they need to do it quick if they want to send the right message at launch, especially if they want potential PSP buyers to grab a Vita instead.



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Slimebeast on 21 February 2012

This is not something new since it's the same on PSN with all "retail $60" games being remarkably overpriced. Games that you get from the bargain bin for $20-25 are still $40-45 on PSN. I think the same is true for Xbox Live and even Steam's regular game prices.

It might have something to do with not wanting to piss off retailers by undercutting them. Isn't that the common theory?



Slimebeast on 21 February 2012
KylieDog said:
Slimebeast said:

This is not something new since it's the same on PSN with all "retail $60" games being remarkably overpriced. Games that you get from the bargain bin for $20-25 are still $40-45 on PSN. I think the same is true for Xbox Live and even Steam's regular game prices.

It might have something to do with not wanting to piss off retailers by undercutting them. Isn't that the common theory?


Retailers no sell digital items like PSN games etc, the difference between Vita and anything else is that Sony straight up went and said digital will be cheaper than retail.  In fact only yesterday on the PS blog, a day before posting prices that are higher than retail at worst, equal with high-end retail prices at best.

Oh. But did they outright say they would be cheaper than retail?

EDIT: Oops, it says so in your OP in quotes twice and I even read it the first time.



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Barozi on 21 February 2012
Euphoria14 said:
KylieDog said:
Euphoria14 said:


I know that for some other nations it is worse, but look at where the OP is from. I am just saying that things aren't as bad as he makes it seem.


What is not simple about it? 

- Sony claimed digital would be cheaper than retail, it is on average 17% more expensive instead.
- On PS3, £40 game in UK is $60 in US.  On Vita £40 is (and it seems US changed numbers since last check) $45. 

On the issue of taxes on the second point, any additional US tax is moot, since it applies to both the $45 and $60 figures, fact is, top end Vita games same price as PS3 games in UK, $15 cheaper in US.  Why is there no price difference in UK?  That $15 is about £10, so top end Vita games should be about £30.

I already said that you are getting screwed on digital prices, as are we, especially on PSP game prices. I have already posted about it in the official thread.

As for the rest of your post, I was referring to your retail prices. There are many times when you pay less and you start paying less a lot sooner than we do in the US. As for you saying tax is moot, if a game costs you $50 Euro, you end up paying ~$66 US. In the US, if a game is $60, I end up paying $65. I was just saying that in the case of retail I don't understand this idea that you are getting screwed.

It wasn't aimed at you per say, it was only to show the fallacy with the idea that people in EU (Notably the UK) pay more for everything when compared to the US.

Well since you use the Euro to make a point, usually HD games within the €-States are either 60€ or 70€ (in rare cases even 72€. Saw LittleBigPlanet for that price in a Media Markt) which translates to $80-95 per game.
When you look at that it is obviously still very profitable to buy games in the UK, even though Rol seems to have his own opinion. Surely the difference isn't as big anymore, but still £40 are "only" 48€ and that's still a lot you can save.
When I imported my PS3 from there 3 years ago, prices for new games were 42€.

But I agree with you that all in all people of the UK shouldn't complain too much about these issues :)



crissindahouse on 21 February 2012
Barozi said:
Euphoria14 said:
KylieDog said:
Euphoria14 said:


I know that for some other nations it is worse, but look at where the OP is from. I am just saying that things aren't as bad as he makes it seem.


What is not simple about it? 

- Sony claimed digital would be cheaper than retail, it is on average 17% more expensive instead.
- On PS3, £40 game in UK is $60 in US.  On Vita £40 is (and it seems US changed numbers since last check) $45. 

On the issue of taxes on the second point, any additional US tax is moot, since it applies to both the $45 and $60 figures, fact is, top end Vita games same price as PS3 games in UK, $15 cheaper in US.  Why is there no price difference in UK?  That $15 is about £10, so top end Vita games should be about £30.

I already said that you are getting screwed on digital prices, as are we, especially on PSP game prices. I have already posted about it in the official thread.

As for the rest of your post, I was referring to your retail prices. There are many times when you pay less and you start paying less a lot sooner than we do in the US. As for you saying tax is moot, if a game costs you $50 Euro, you end up paying ~$66 US. In the US, if a game is $60, I end up paying $65. I was just saying that in the case of retail I don't understand this idea that you are getting screwed.

It wasn't aimed at you per say, it was only to show the fallacy with the idea that people in EU (Notably the UK) pay more for everything when compared to the US.

Well since you use the Euro to make a point, usually HD games within the €-States are either 60€ or 70€ (in rare cases even 72€. Saw LittleBigPlanet for that price in a Media Markt) which translates to $80-95 per game.
When you look at that it is obviously still very profitable to buy games in the UK, even though Rol seems to have his own opinion. Surely the difference isn't as big anymore, but still £40 are "only" 48€ and that's still a lot you can save.
When I imported my PS3 from there 3 years ago, prices for new games were 42€.

But I agree with you that all in all people of the UK shouldn't complain too much about these issues :)

yeah i'm from germany as well and it's horrible if you see the prices here compared to uk shops even with the bad euro atm. it's still profitable to buy in uk from germany lol^^

btw i have a tax question for the us-americans. your prices are always without tax right? so if i buy something in new york as us-american i have to pay the price in the window (for example) + the tax of new york? does this mean you don't really know what to pay if you are from another state until the girl on the checkout is saying the price?

and what if you buy on the internet? do you never have to pay taxes then or how do you calculate the taxes then? and how do you pay them? do you have to care for that or does the internet shop calculate the tax then?

and why aren't there the prices with tax included on the price tag? i mean when i have to pay the price included tax why not putting this price on the price tag?

sry if i'm talking stupid shit but this confuses me in germany we have the same tax everywhere for products. only two different taxe rates for dofferent products but the same in whole germany (and the price inclusive tax is on the price tags)



averyblund on 22 February 2012
crissindahouse said:
Barozi said:
Euphoria14 said:
KylieDog said:
Euphoria14 said:


I know that for some other nations it is worse, but look at where the OP is from. I am just saying that things aren't as bad as he makes it seem.


What is not simple about it? 

- Sony claimed digital would be cheaper than retail, it is on average 17% more expensive instead.
- On PS3, £40 game in UK is $60 in US.  On Vita £40 is (and it seems US changed numbers since last check) $45. 

On the issue of taxes on the second point, any additional US tax is moot, since it applies to both the $45 and $60 figures, fact is, top end Vita games same price as PS3 games in UK, $15 cheaper in US.  Why is there no price difference in UK?  That $15 is about £10, so top end Vita games should be about £30.

I already said that you are getting screwed on digital prices, as are we, especially on PSP game prices. I have already posted about it in the official thread.

As for the rest of your post, I was referring to your retail prices. There are many times when you pay less and you start paying less a lot sooner than we do in the US. As for you saying tax is moot, if a game costs you $50 Euro, you end up paying ~$66 US. In the US, if a game is $60, I end up paying $65. I was just saying that in the case of retail I don't understand this idea that you are getting screwed.

It wasn't aimed at you per say, it was only to show the fallacy with the idea that people in EU (Notably the UK) pay more for everything when compared to the US.

Well since you use the Euro to make a point, usually HD games within the €-States are either 60€ or 70€ (in rare cases even 72€. Saw LittleBigPlanet for that price in a Media Markt) which translates to $80-95 per game.
When you look at that it is obviously still very profitable to buy games in the UK, even though Rol seems to have his own opinion. Surely the difference isn't as big anymore, but still £40 are "only" 48€ and that's still a lot you can save.
When I imported my PS3 from there 3 years ago, prices for new games were 42€.

But I agree with you that all in all people of the UK shouldn't complain too much about these issues :)

yeah i'm from germany as well and it's horrible if you see the prices here compared to uk shops even with the bad euro atm. it's still profitable to buy in uk from germany lol^^

btw i have a tax question for the us-americans. your prices are always without tax right? so if i buy something in new york as us-american i have to pay the price in the window (for example) + the tax of new york? does this mean you don't really know what to pay if you are from another state until the girl on the checkout is saying the price?

Yes, in my experience all prices are not including tax here. Yup, unless you know the tax rate (usually between 4-9%) you won't know for sure until the item is rung up.

and what if you buy on the internet? do you never have to pay taxes then or how do you calculate the taxes then? and how do you pay them? do you have to care for that or does the internet shop calculate the tax then?

If you buy online you are only charged tax if the item is from a company that has a "presence" in the same state. Presence can mean a store, HQ, or shipping warehouse. HOWEVER, we are supposed to report all online purchises for taxes every year- but most people don't, and despite it being technically tax fraud it is rarely enforced.

and why aren't there the prices with tax included on the price tag? i mean when i have to pay the price included tax why not putting this price on the price tag?

I honestly can't answer this. For years people have been asking to have tax figured into listed prices, but it hasn't gotten much press. Not sure why. I for one prefer the system you and many others have of showing the full price.

sry if i'm talking stupid shit but this confuses me in germany we have the same tax everywhere for products. only two different taxe rates for dofferent products but the same in whole germany (and the price inclusive tax is on the price tags)

Not stupid at all, I'm actually surprised how well you get it. The system here is convoluted, and not optimal for consumers. Even if the prices are (generally) a tad lower.


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ImJustBayuum on 22 February 2012

Lol, see Aus/NZ prices for games (retail and digital) it is off the roof compare to other countries.



crissindahouse on 22 February 2012
averyblund said:
crissindahouse said:
Barozi said:
Euphoria14 said:
KylieDog said:
Euphoria14 said:


I know that for some other nations it is worse, but look at where the OP is from. I am just saying that things aren't as bad as he makes it seem.


What is not simple about it? 

- Sony claimed digital would be cheaper than retail, it is on average 17% more expensive instead.
- On PS3, £40 game in UK is $60 in US.  On Vita £40 is (and it seems US changed numbers since last check) $45. 

On the issue of taxes on the second point, any additional US tax is moot, since it applies to both the $45 and $60 figures, fact is, top end Vita games same price as PS3 games in UK, $15 cheaper in US.  Why is there no price difference in UK?  That $15 is about £10, so top end Vita games should be about £30.

I already said that you are getting screwed on digital prices, as are we, especially on PSP game prices. I have already posted about it in the official thread.

As for the rest of your post, I was referring to your retail prices. There are many times when you pay less and you start paying less a lot sooner than we do in the US. As for you saying tax is moot, if a game costs you $50 Euro, you end up paying ~$66 US. In the US, if a game is $60, I end up paying $65. I was just saying that in the case of retail I don't understand this idea that you are getting screwed.

It wasn't aimed at you per say, it was only to show the fallacy with the idea that people in EU (Notably the UK) pay more for everything when compared to the US.

Well since you use the Euro to make a point, usually HD games within the €-States are either 60€ or 70€ (in rare cases even 72€. Saw LittleBigPlanet for that price in a Media Markt) which translates to $80-95 per game.
When you look at that it is obviously still very profitable to buy games in the UK, even though Rol seems to have his own opinion. Surely the difference isn't as big anymore, but still £40 are "only" 48€ and that's still a lot you can save.
When I imported my PS3 from there 3 years ago, prices for new games were 42€.

But I agree with you that all in all people of the UK shouldn't complain too much about these issues :)

yeah i'm from germany as well and it's horrible if you see the prices here compared to uk shops even with the bad euro atm. it's still profitable to buy in uk from germany lol^^

btw i have a tax question for the us-americans. your prices are always without tax right? so if i buy something in new york as us-american i have to pay the price in the window (for example) + the tax of new york? does this mean you don't really know what to pay if you are from another state until the girl on the checkout is saying the price?

Yes, in my experience all prices are not including tax here. Yup, unless you know the tax rate (usually between 4-9%) you won't know for sure until the item is rung up.

and what if you buy on the internet? do you never have to pay taxes then or how do you calculate the taxes then? and how do you pay them? do you have to care for that or does the internet shop calculate the tax then?

If you buy online you are only charged tax if the item is from a company that has a "presence" in the same state. Presence can mean a store, HQ, or shipping warehouse. HOWEVER, we are supposed to report all online purchises for taxes every year- but most people don't, and despite it being technically tax fraud it is rarely enforced.

and why aren't there the prices with tax included on the price tag? i mean when i have to pay the price included tax why not putting this price on the price tag?

I honestly can't answer this. For years people have been asking to have tax figured into listed prices, but it hasn't gotten much press. Not sure why. I for one prefer the system you and many others have of showing the full price.

sry if i'm talking stupid shit but this confuses me in germany we have the same tax everywhere for products. only two different taxe rates for dofferent products but the same in whole germany (and the price inclusive tax is on the price tags)

Not stupid at all, I'm actually surprised how well you get it. The system here is convoluted, and not optimal for consumers. Even if the prices are (generally) a tad lower.


thx man! i wonder why they don't control the online purchases better? it has to hurt the shops who don't sell online (and produce more jobs) doesn't it?

i know from here that retailers in the cities have problems to stay alive because of the online shops but the tax is the same for both. if i could get it over the internet tax free (ok you say you should pay tax then as well but nobody does^^) or would have to pay  tax in the shop the price difference has to be even greater!

but great that your tax rate is between 4-9% in most places in usa, we have 19% here for most products :( ok "only" 7% for groceries but for almost everything else 19%. it'S the most important tax for our gouvernment. more than 30% of the tax income comes from this.

i wonder how much would be the difference between the costs for a german or an us american with average income with all taxes included. tax on income, tax for gasoline (which is a huge difference between usa and europe and especially germany), and so on...