This thread has been created for the sole purpose of gifting Steam games from certain regions to users in regions where distributors do not believe in equality and like to jack up the prices for the exact same DD copy of a game.
It hopes to level the playing field by allowing users to request games from a different region and pay a lesser sum than it would cost on their Steam region. Pricing equality is the name of the game here.
The localisation of pricing to regions is really a load of crap, it's on the rise and the only reason for the differences is because they can.
This thread is for requests / responses to Steam gifting. It is a central location so requests are not lost and helpful people can be helpful.
What pricing discrepancies?
Good question!
Consumers in certain countries have been noticing this for quite some time.
For example, when Borderlands was released back in November, Borderlands was priced for $50US for the first 2 weeks of launch. Shortly thereafter, there was apparently a pricing error which caused the game to be taken away and then reintroduced at $79US. Similarly with Modern Warfare 2, while it was priced higher in the US store at a higher than normal $59.99US, it was released in Australia on Steam at a high $89.99US which was actually higher than retail stores.
Pricing discrepancies occur on various games for the 3 major regions (AU/UK/US). People deserve to get the best deal they can, which is where this thread comes into play.
Where are the pricing discrepancies?
Another good question!
I have recently found this incredible site called Steam Prices, what it does is pull data from all of the stores and highlights the largest differences in prices. (it also offers a quick and dirty comparison to show the cheapest region for a game you are looking for)
For example, AU top extra charges, US top extra charges. Hopefully you can already see the difference between regions.
Another awesome feature of the site is the top savings, where it shows the cheapest games in that region. US top savings, AU top savings.
The final issue with the Steam global distribution is that certain games are not available in all regions. A primary example is the Rockstar collection pack which is not available in Australia, is currently on sale in the UK/US at the moment. It is not available in Australia so numerous AusGaffers have had to request someone gift them the game from the appropriate regions in the Steam deals thread. A problem with the deals thread is that the deals are so hot the pages keep clicking over rapidly. This often results in requests for gifts to be ignored / skipped over.
How does gifting work?
Simple. You request a game and region you want it purchased from in this thread and hopefully someone from the appropriate region will PM you, where the responder will send their Paypal address along with their Steam ID for the requester to send the appropriate funds and add the responder to their friends list. Once the funds have been received the responder will then purchase the game and gift it over to the requester.
So what now?
Have a browse around the Steam Prices website and find any games you would like (different games are on sale at different times in different regions) and post here in the format of what game(s) you want and what region(s) you would like to have it, followed by your region; ie 'Rockstar Collection - UK/US - AU
'.
Gifting etiquette
Be open with your transaction partner, if you offer to take someones request for a gift and send them your PayPal/Steam details and then go on vacation for a month it isn't going to please the requester. Try to offer a rough estimation of how long it will take you to gift them the game once you have received the funds.
Regarding tipping, I personally am not too sure, I know the majority of users on here would not care if they received/sent a tip, but i would suggest to limit a tip to 5-10% of the transaction value, ie an extra $1-5 (depending on the price discrepancy) of goodwill to ensure the responder will remain warm and fuzzy inside and continuing their good deeds.
Useful sites
PayPal currency converter - note that PayPal currency lags behind real exchange rates for the sole purpose of them getting higher profits by adjusting rates selectively.
-------------------------------------
That's about it, please use the thread for gifting purposes and provide feedback to those who fulfill your requests.
I've purchased quite a few copies of various STALKER games and gifted them to US users, so I will do some AU games if anyone finds any games.
It hopes to level the playing field by allowing users to request games from a different region and pay a lesser sum than it would cost on their Steam region. Pricing equality is the name of the game here.
The localisation of pricing to regions is really a load of crap, it's on the rise and the only reason for the differences is because they can.
This thread is for requests / responses to Steam gifting. It is a central location so requests are not lost and helpful people can be helpful.
What pricing discrepancies?
Good question!
Consumers in certain countries have been noticing this for quite some time.
For example, when Borderlands was released back in November, Borderlands was priced for $50US for the first 2 weeks of launch. Shortly thereafter, there was apparently a pricing error which caused the game to be taken away and then reintroduced at $79US. Similarly with Modern Warfare 2, while it was priced higher in the US store at a higher than normal $59.99US, it was released in Australia on Steam at a high $89.99US which was actually higher than retail stores.
Pricing discrepancies occur on various games for the 3 major regions (AU/UK/US). People deserve to get the best deal they can, which is where this thread comes into play.
Where are the pricing discrepancies?
Another good question!
I have recently found this incredible site called Steam Prices, what it does is pull data from all of the stores and highlights the largest differences in prices. (it also offers a quick and dirty comparison to show the cheapest region for a game you are looking for)
For example, AU top extra charges, US top extra charges. Hopefully you can already see the difference between regions.
Another awesome feature of the site is the top savings, where it shows the cheapest games in that region. US top savings, AU top savings.
The final issue with the Steam global distribution is that certain games are not available in all regions. A primary example is the Rockstar collection pack which is not available in Australia, is currently on sale in the UK/US at the moment. It is not available in Australia so numerous AusGaffers have had to request someone gift them the game from the appropriate regions in the Steam deals thread. A problem with the deals thread is that the deals are so hot the pages keep clicking over rapidly. This often results in requests for gifts to be ignored / skipped over.
How does gifting work?
Simple. You request a game and region you want it purchased from in this thread and hopefully someone from the appropriate region will PM you, where the responder will send their Paypal address along with their Steam ID for the requester to send the appropriate funds and add the responder to their friends list. Once the funds have been received the responder will then purchase the game and gift it over to the requester.
So what now?
Have a browse around the Steam Prices website and find any games you would like (different games are on sale at different times in different regions) and post here in the format of what game(s) you want and what region(s) you would like to have it, followed by your region; ie 'Rockstar Collection - UK/US - AU
'.Gifting etiquette
Be open with your transaction partner, if you offer to take someones request for a gift and send them your PayPal/Steam details and then go on vacation for a month it isn't going to please the requester. Try to offer a rough estimation of how long it will take you to gift them the game once you have received the funds.
Regarding tipping, I personally am not too sure, I know the majority of users on here would not care if they received/sent a tip, but i would suggest to limit a tip to 5-10% of the transaction value, ie an extra $1-5 (depending on the price discrepancy) of goodwill to ensure the responder will remain warm and fuzzy inside and continuing their good deeds.
Useful sites
PayPal currency converter - note that PayPal currency lags behind real exchange rates for the sole purpose of them getting higher profits by adjusting rates selectively.
-------------------------------------
That's about it, please use the thread for gifting purposes and provide feedback to those who fulfill your requests.
I've purchased quite a few copies of various STALKER games and gifted them to US users, so I will do some AU games if anyone finds any games.
