EB Games

Full review
Although we moved to an area where there is a lot of winter activities, I knew winters up here would also mean plenty of indoor time. My kids had a Playstation 2 and a few games, but they had never really taken to it that much. I figured that might change and began shopping last Christmas for more games.

I browsed around the Internet looking for games my three kids would enjoy and which I would approve of. Many of the stores were already out of the popular picks among the kid-oriented games by three weeks away from Christmas. I didn’t want to have to incur shipping charges from a variety of different merchants just to get the games I wanted.

I ended up making my purchases from EB Games. They had all the games I wanted for my kids in stock and available to deliver. Since then I have shopped from them a few more times and I have always been happy.

The website is very easy to use. The main page is laid out featuring the latest releases. A banner across the top highlights the most popular platforms. There’s also platforms highlighted in a column to the left, which seems redundant because they are almost all the same as what’s across the top. Each platform can sub-divide to game categories, such as role playing, simulation, or sports. This makes browsing for a game for your system when you just can’t figure out what to buy very easy.

Below that is another box featuring other items EB Games sells or which they are taking orders for. One feature here that’s really cool is the Trade In Values. Here you can find out how much a used game you have is worth. In my case, a game my kids didn’t particularly care for was listed here and the next time I drove south and passed one of their stores, I used it toward the purchase of another game.

Physical stores you say? Yes, EB Games has GameStop and EB Games stores across the country. There’s a store locator on the web-site to find the one nearest you. What’s also helpful is that if you are looking for a particular game, under that game’s listing you can check and see where it’s in stock at stores within a certain distance from your home. This is great to eliminate driving around from store to store looking for a popular game, only to find they have sold out of them.

Used games are also available, although it would be expected that recent issues would have to wait a few months before used games are available. These are often at deeply discounted prices. These games are returnable to EB Games if they are defective within 30 days, the same policy which applies to new games. This is for exchange only. Anything that is unopened and unplayed can be returned for a full refund.

The selection at EB Games is really great. I haven’t had a problem getting games I want for my kids, no matter how recently they were issued, or how close it is to the holidays. Their product descriptions are really good and I was able to tell whether or not the games were something I wanted my kids to be playing. The ratings are given right under the picture of the game cover, along with the reason for the rating.

The shipping charges are extremely reasonable:

- Value shipping (5 to 10 business days) is just $2.99 for orders up to $75.00 and then an additional $1.50 for each $75.00 worth of games ordered
- Ground shipping (3-5 business days) is just $5.99 for orders up to $75.00 and then an additional $1.50 for each $75.00 worth of games ordered
- 2-Day Air shipping (2 business days) is just $6.99 for orders up to $75.00 and then an additional $1.50 for each $75.00 worth of games ordered.
- Overnight shipping (1 business day) is just $9.99 for orders up to $75.00 and then an additional $1.50 for each $75.00 worth of games ordered.

EB Games accepts Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Discover for payment. There is no option for personal checks although you can use a debit or check card with no problem.

Every order I placed arrived within the time-frame indicated and in excellent condition. There was no problem re-selling the game back to them my kids didn’t care for. I like having that option. The descriptions are excellent and make it easy to choose games suitable for us. I will most definitely be using them again in the future.

Website: www.ebgames.com


© 2006 Patti Aliventi