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Microsoft's move to real cash hurts UK buyers, helps Canadian buyers
- Thread starter Gowans
- Start date
The points system was excellent especially since up here in Europe there were plenty of independent web shops where you could save a great deal of money over MS's actual prices, and they always competed against each other and had special sales every now and then too.
Such a shame that people wanted them gone without thinking about the positives like that.
Such a shame that people wanted them gone without thinking about the positives like that.
Miles Quaritch
Member
Anyway, just checked and I've been given just over £101 for just over 12k points. I spent about £50 in all on those points...
Not too shabby.
Not too shabby.
Then they could convert the existing prices to the rised price, and it would still be profitable after that initial conversion
For those in the UK, I suggest following me
SirMossyBloke
Member
I also went to download the full version of state of decay. I have $3.50 in my account and the full game is $19.99.
My Xbox wanted to take the full $19.99 off my visa. Not sure how I'm going to spend my $3.50 at this rate.
My Xbox wanted to take the full $19.99 off my visa. Not sure how I'm going to spend my $3.50 at this rate.
Stumpokapow
listen to the mad man
I changed the title in part to note that this wasn't UK-only, and in part to note that it's a function of the move to real cash, but also because Canadians win big on this.
Based on a report I received from someone who isn't me, Canadian price conversions are as follows:
Before:
800 msp -> $11.45 (+ tax)
Now:
800 msp -> $9.99 (+ tax)
Also, based on the MSP to currency conversion rate for existing balances, if someone hypothetically had 6720 msp before conversion, which should be $84 USD worth, they'd give them $97 CDN for it. Awww yeahhhh
Based on a report I received from someone who isn't me, Canadian price conversions are as follows:
Before:
800 msp -> $11.45 (+ tax)
Now:
800 msp -> $9.99 (+ tax)
Also, based on the MSP to currency conversion rate for existing balances, if someone hypothetically had 6720 msp before conversion, which should be $84 USD worth, they'd give them $97 CDN for it. Awww yeahhhh
PrivateRyan
Member
Over-delivering value
Delusibeta
Banned
Bah, they are indeed using the 120MSP = £1 conversion rate. You got screwed out of at least £20 there.
antiquegamer
Member
Yep, not to mention all the points sale at my local Fred Myers which will be gone after the conversion to real money.
The NDA does not specifically mention message boards, only blogs, commercial site use and and photos. I actually read it.
Neuromancer
Member
You win Canada, you are a Tier 1 country now.
Miles Quaritch
Member
Damn Canadians, stole our discounts.
The Faceless Master
Member
but wasn't canada getting screwed already so this just makes things even again?
europe subsidizing canada now too!
We were getting screwed even more. At one point is was 7.50/500 Allards, then they dropped it to 7.25.
Miles Quaritch
Member
I saved quite a bit on those points so I don't feel too screwed, but I get your point.
My advice is to stock up on as many cheap points cards/codes as possible and keep and close eye on HDUK for any info on stores that are getting rid of points cards on the cheap.
Asda, Tesco, HMV, Sainsbury, Morrisons, indie stores (if you can find any), Amazon (maybe). Keep a close eye on all of them.
Prices in Mexican Pesos haven't suffered a big deal yet. 1 USD = 12.86 pesos. According to Xbox this is $14 MXN instead. Given that our currency is really unstable as of late, and was even 13.50 last week or so, we're still good MS.
I still miss when the MSP cards were 200 MXN = around 14 USD back in the day though. ):
And I just discovered that the RB DLC is now between $1-2 now. When did this happen? D:
I still miss when the MSP cards were 200 MXN = around 14 USD back in the day though. ):
And I just discovered that the RB DLC is now between $1-2 now. When did this happen? D:
Miles Quaritch
Member
Ban request.
At first I thought XBL marketplace prices were more expensive than PSN after the removal of MS points, now I realize there's simply a price match with PSN. I suppose real life currency helps users pay exactly what they want to spend instead of paying a higher value of MS points.
Delusibeta
Banned
When the new dashboard rolls out.
As for the retailers, on the transition they will switch to PSN-style cards of a monetary value, and presumably any digital points codes will be nulled in favour of digital cash codes. Points codes on cards will remain valid for another 12 months, so don't expect a big dump-off.
I never liked points at all. Like many have said in Canada they were a rip off not only that I got tired of wanting to buy a game and having to spend a fortune cause the point values were never enough. I rather pay for the items price not points.
toythatkills
Member
I really, REALLY would advise against buying points cards.
They'll be converting your money at their standard rate. So if you've got 2,000 points now, that will buy two 800pt games and a 400pt one. Converted to cash, you'll get £17.00, which won't even buy you two 800pt games.
They'll be converting your money at their standard rate. So if you've got 2,000 points now, that will buy two 800pt games and a 400pt one. Converted to cash, you'll get £17.00, which won't even buy you two 800pt games.
ChorusLindarr
Banned
Because its people's fault for complaining about a shitty system, and not MS' for creating a shitty system.
Shitty logic dude;-)
I'm digging the idea of paying actual money for the things in the Dashboard now. Browsing through the RB DLC makes me feel like actually buying it instead of "oh great, I want this song only but have to shell out on a 500 MSP pack".
MX users use USD on PSN, but it's still a bit cheaper than this. Sucks for the UK folks though. D:
Miles Quaritch
Member
Hmm. Good point, but if you're buying the points on the cheap, you're not losing out as much as you would buying gift cards or whatever they intend to replace points cards with in stores.
Man that's shitty.
What's the UK rate?
I have £9.18, what did I have in points and what did it cost me???
Delusibeta
Banned
If you can get the points cards for 33% less than RRP, then yes, you'll be fine. Otherwise, spend them before you convert to the new dashboard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOR38552MJA
♫♪ Blame Canada! ♫♪
♫♪ Blame Canada! ♫♪
♫♪ Blame Canada! ♫♪
♫♪ Blame Canada! ♫♪
toythatkills
Member
In the UK to buy Microsoft Points today through your Xbox, it costs £17 for 2,000, so that's what they'll give you. (This is conjecture, but I don't see why it would be wrong.)
I imagine your £9.18 was a little under 1,100pts? So enjoy the 800pt game your 1,100pts can now buy!
Steverulez
Member
Except it wasn't a shit system.
Miles Quaritch
Member
I'm in the beta, updated not 45mins ago.
I'm not too bitter, the points I have were relatively cheap in the first place and as I don't intend to buy a One any time soon, I'm not as angry as I might otherwise be.
Delusibeta
Banned
120MSP = £1, the standard rate for cards (so it's reasonable to assume that you spent £9.18). The problem with it is that the price increase means you can now buy less than previously (pre-conversion, after buying an 800pt game you would have 300pts left, which means you might be able to afford some cheap DLC. Post conversion, buying the same game would leave 19p, which is worthless).
pr0cs
Member
QFT, points were the best part of XBL purchases, I almost never paid full price on anything since the points cards regularly went on sale and all the promotions giving away free points made it easy to get stuff on the cheap.
Anyone wanting real dollar values (yes even us Canadians OP) is crazy/obtuse because you can bet those sales are now going to be far and few between
SirMossyBloke
Member
No one else bothered that MS wants to take the full $20 off my visa when I have $3.50 of that in my account? Unless I'm missing something.
Miles Quaritch
Member
I'd assume so.
Delusibeta
Banned
Yes. 1650 pts = £13.75, which I believe would be less than the new price for the DLC (£14.99).
vadernoooooooo.jpg
That's almost stealing. I can't see that going down well here.
Steverulez
Member
It would convert however many points you bought (£10 is only 20p off 1200 so I assume you'd be buying 1200pts) and they would convert into £10.20