Please support the UK import scene, don't let it die!!

[Welrain]

Earth Defense Force 2017 - £32.99
Earth Defense Force 2017 - £21.84
Earth Defense Force 2017 - £19.99

3 prices - one from a UK Retailer, one from a UK based importer and one from a USA company.

Which is which?

[Hitcher]

C'mon guy's let's restore this cene to the glory day's!!

Rip off days more like.

I used to pay ?60+ for import PS1 games from UK import shops.

[j.m.ratkos]

hitch:
if you'd like, I can still sell you tons of brand new, factory sealed psone titles at that price

[Hitcher]

hitch:
if you'd like, I can still sell you tons of brand new, factory sealed psone titles at that price

Thanks for the offer mate but I think I'll pass.

[NekoFever]

I'm in two minds on this issue.

On one hand my friend owns a UK-based importer and I'll support his shop by buying my UK stuff there (it's usually a couple quid more than Gameplay and co), but even I can't justify the £60-65 that he slaps on new imports. A surprising number of people will, but I won't. I don't begrudge him for doing it because it's less than the £70-90 that I remember and I know what his costs on these games are; it would just be stupid for me to pay those prices when I can get a game for £25 online.

I like that they usually have specialist knowledge (that's not to say that I don't have horror stories to tell, mind) instead of the high street places (where I have very little but horror stories), which don't. And that they usually have a passion for it, because you don't bring in the latest vertical shooter for the Dreamcast if you only want a quick buck. That's an important thing to keep around, I think, even with online communities doing similar jobs.

And I miss going to the shop at times like a Sunday night when they got back with the first Japanese Dreamcasts fresh from the supplier in London. There was a big crowd there to see it, and I can't remember the last time that happened.

Then there's my rampant capitalist side which says that if they can't compete, **** 'em. Why should I give them a big wedge of money when the same games are available for their cost price?

[dogsout]

Earth Defense Force 2017 - ?32.99 UK based importer.
Earth Defense Force 2017 - ?21.84 USA company.
Earth Defense Force 2017 - ?19.99 UK retailer.

3 prices - one from a UK Retailer, one from a UK based importer and one from a USA company.

Which is which?

Am I right?

[christaylor]

I'm starting this thread because I am seriously worried guy's. The UK import scene that we grew up with and loved is in serious danger of dying, and although this will not happen soon if I and a few other's have anything to do with it, it will happen if alot of you keep supporting these Asian and US importers who would quite happilly let our Uk industry die for a quick buck.

Now once this happen's can you still be guarenteed their price's will remain as low if they have no competition to underprice, like Sky TV for example???

Now I know why alot of you go to place's like Play Asia, it's cheaper, plain and simple. But in my honest opinion their customer service just cannot compare with a great Uk based importer like VGI or JPN Games, the current gem's of the Uk industry and the last of a dying breed of great Uk based import store's.

Now you may think VGi are that bit dearer, but there is no hidden Vat charge which you might recieve if you buy outside the Uk and there is that cushion of it won't get lost in post if you choose special or recorded delivery, and as I say you won't get a rude postman or courier on your doorstep demanding a Vat charge and custom's clearance charge. You can also have the post marked to the correct value should their be a disaster and your item get's damaged in transit. You also have that Uk guarentee should your hardware become defective.

I grew up with this scene, and I love chatting to my importer on the phone and sending email for a chat about stuff whnever I please and getting a fast and friendly response. I can also get my importer here to special order anything I want, and get the condition I want through VGI too, no ****ty boxe's with crushe's if I don't want it. Mint means MINT!! Not ebay cup of tes stain mint, lol .

Now this ain't an advert for VGi or any other UK based importer, it's just a word of warning to not let this industry die like the arcade did in the UK. remeber these guy's got us started on our collection's and introduced us to the wonder's of Japanese and Us gaming, and also depend on this business for their livelyhood.

Let's support our UK importer's, and stop China taking over this industry like they are with every other at the moment.

If yuou haven't tried a UK importer, why ot to to JPN game's or VGi for your next purchase and see the quality of their service for yourself. You won't be dissapointed!!

C'mon guy's let's restore this cene to the glory day's!!

In all my days on the internet I don't think I've ever seen such a gross misuse of the humble apostrophe.

To the point, I echo what (almost) everyone else has said about rip-off prices.

[John Beaulieu]

why anyone would want to go back to the days of over-priced indie stores is beyond me - yes you can argue that the personality of sales staff was better in those shops (at least they knew what they were talking about), but if I want to chat about the latest games I just use this forum now.

When you see some indie stores still trying to get away with 50-60 quid for import titles, especially knowing what they cost them (since we all import ourselves now) is disgraceful

[Welrain]

Earth Defense Force 2017 - £32.99 UK based importer.
Earth Defense Force 2017 - £21.84 USA company.
Earth Defense Force 2017 - £19.99 UK retailer.

Am I right?

Yep!