20$ Steam cards now costing 24$ in aus?

[the happy leper]

I have a bad feeling i'm getting ripped they seemed to have upped the price of the pre paid cards in EB stores in australia, when the aus dollar was higher i never seem to recall the cards only being 15$.
Anyone else in aus suffer the same problem or am i being ripped?

[Lone Wolfe (Hoover1979)]

Yep I got same problem. ALL AUSSIES ARE GETTING RIPPED OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sloppy Seconds]

Wow, just Wow. How is this even legal? Stores should not be charging more than what the gift card is actually worth -- What's on the tin is what you should be paying.

We have EB Games in Canada too, and it sucks. I refuse to give them my money.

[Gus the Crocodile]

Автор сообщения: Sloppy Seconds

Wow, just Wow. How is this even legal? Stores should not be charging more than what the gift card is actually worth -- What's on the tin is what you should be paying.

What something's "actually worth" isn't an objectively quantifiable amount. The car advertised on TV isn't "worth" $16990 in any objective sense, that's just what the company can get away with selling it at in the current market.

The fact is, it isn't a simple swap of more for less. You aren't just paying AU$24 to get AU$20, you're paying AU$20 to get US$20 in Steam Wallet credit. People who don't have another good means of online payment may pay the extra buck or so for convenience. People who want to give a gift may pay the extra buck or so for the slightly more personalised touch that not just giving someone cash brings. Etc.

If you personally wouldn't pay it, that's fine, but I personally wouldn't pay for most products in the world and it doesn't mean they need to be made illegal. There's no reason to question legality - if people don't think the $24->$20 thing is good value then they won't buy it, EB/Steam will adjust the price in response, an it will balance out.

[Lone Wolfe (Hoover1979)]

its not just the difference in the dollar we're shelling out but also a foreign exchange surcharge too! ITS JUST NOT FAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sloppy Seconds]

Автор сообщения: Gus the Crocodile

-snip-

Had this thought in the back of my mind as I was posting this, and I posted it anyways. Kinda silly come to think of it. Your point is completely valid. However, my sentiment is that this situation is simply a price gouge. Though, I'm coming to think that is ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ as well because after the currency exchange, you are only paying an extra 2 AUD, which isn't too bad considering the retail options.

[Shin Ramyun]

They're just doing business, it's not illegal.

Anyways, I won't get into that, I think it's better to spread the words of alternatives like Amazon, Ozgameshop, Greenmangaming and whirlpool is a great resource (PC forum). If I'm going to buy a game, I make ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ well it's the best bargain I can grab

[Ultrapwnd]

Автор сообщения: Sloppy Seconds

Wow, just Wow. How is this even legal? Stores should not be charging more than what the gift card is actually worth -- What's on the tin is what you should be paying.

We have EB Games in Canada too, and it sucks. I refuse to give them my money.

What do you mean? The EBgames here costs $20 only.

[Irregular Seconds]

Автор сообщения: Ultrapwnd

What do you mean? The EBgames here costs $20 only.

Different issue(s), ie. ones not p[er]taining to this conversation.

[the happy leper]

Автор сообщения: Irregular Seconds

Автор сообщения: Ultrapwnd

What do you mean? The EBgames here costs $20 only.

So you're in aus and you only pay 20$? i sent a ticket to the steam support team i hope they can clear it up for whats right or not ty for replies.

[ByzKev]

Автор сообщения: Sloppy Seconds

Wow, just Wow. How is this even legal? Stores should not be charging more than what the gift card is actually worth -- What's on the tin is what you should be paying.

We have EB Games in Canada too, and it sucks. I refuse to give them my money.

they're overcharging here now too. EB games has a monopoly on game sales here, and they use that to rip off the consumers, which is why i use steam in the first place. if steam cards were sold in other stores too then maybe EB games would smarten up

[Swimmingworks]

Hmm at 711, I paid $20 for a $20 steam gift card. But when I redeemed it, it only gave me around $14.

[Hanomaly]

Автор сообщения: Tao

Hmm at 711, I paid $20 for a $20 steam gift card. But when I redeemed it, it only gave me around $14.

Sounds like your Steam Store uses United States Dollar.. Instead of Australian Dollar. Or the 7-11 in Australia is selling United States Dollar steam wallet cards?

If you go to google and type in currency exchange.. and look at Australian Dollar to United States Dollar... you will see that $20 Australian does indeed only equal $14.90 ish United States Dollars.

So.. that's why you only got $14 and change.

[d✪tS]

weeehooo

[Si-Fi]

For those that aren't up to date, EB Games is Gamestop and since Gamestop is primarily an American owned company they have rights to sell Steam Gift cards in US currency and that applies to EB Games here in Australia as well thus is uncontestable.

Now going by the currency conversion, EB Games will make adjustments to the gift card prices at every tenth percentile so whether the conversion drops or raises below $0.70 US, currently at around 0.74, of our Australian dollar, they will decide if they adjust it and yes, there is a small markup involved.

An alternative, convenience stores such as 7/11 and supermarket chains such as Coles and Woolworths offer Steam gift cards in Australian prices which is operated by Fastcard. Keep in mind though, once redeemed, it will convert to US currency so for example $20 AU currently converts to around $14 to $15 US and that is not too bad to be honest.