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Tags: gamefly, hacks
Okay GameFly isn’t for everyone — in fact I have a separate article coming with complaints, but if you do use the video game rental service here are my suggestions for getting more out of it.
Save money – part one
GameFly can be expensive on an annual basis:
1 at a time $15.95/mo. = $191.40
2 at a time $22.95/mo. = $275.40
3 at a time $29.95/mo. = $359.40
4 at a time $36.95/mo. = $443.40
Unless you get bored of games quickly, there’s no need to go beyond the 2-game plan. The only exception to this is if you are sharing a GameFly account with friends/family. Splitting the 4-game plan between two people brings the price down to $221.70 ($18.48/mo.).
Save money – part two
Don’t keep games out forever. It’s tempting to hold on to hot games, but if you like them that much, buy them. GameFly doesn’t have a rent to own plan so the longer you hold on to a game, the more money you’re pouring down the hole.
Save money – part three
Buy games from GameFly. GameFly has great pricing on previously played games. The games aren’t mucked up with labels and the games ship with their original cases and manuals. Every three months you’re with GameFly, you pick up $5 credit towards games and there’s always free shipping.
Speed up shipping
GameFly isn’t Netflix and they don’t have shipping centers in your backyard, so timely delivery is an issue. However, you can speed up shipping by always mailing games back from the post office (mornings if possible). Also, pay attention to when mail is delivered at your house. If your/your parents workplace doesn’t have a problem with you getting mail there, use the work address for shipping. Businesses get their mail delivered during business hours. Residential mail is lower priority.
Also: If you’ve sent GameFly a game back and they haven’t received it within the normal timeframe, Report A Shipping Problem and they’ll send you your next game. Use this tip sparingly though.
Get the games you want
Micromanage your queue! Unlike most queues, GameFly’s is heavily governed by availability ratings. If game #15 is available now, there’s a good chance that you’ll get it over games you really want to play. If you want games with Very Low to Low Availability then you’ll need to take a hit and cut your queue down to those games or consider temporarily upping your game-at-a-time plan.
Bonus tips
Don’t rent crappy games for any reason. Looking back on my queue I see I had gems like Batman: Dark Tomorrow, Star Trek: Shattered Universe, and Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel. Trust me, a bad game is a bad game whether you rent it, borrow it, or buy it.
Look at the Free Tracks available from GameFly Tunes. Every month 5 new DRM-free tracks are added.
Think backwards compatibility. GameFly has a separate list of 360-compatible Xbox titles. Also Game Boy Advance games work on the DS, GameCube games work on the Wii, and PS2 games may work on your PS3.
Cezar:
Hey, nice post. Good review. I’m totally with you on managing your game queue. I don’t think a lot of people realize that they need to be a little bit more proactive to maximize the all the benefits.
That said, more and more I’m thinking gamefly actually is for everyone. Especially with new games getting as high as $70. It’s getting ridiculous and totally cost prohibitive to buy new games.
When you break it down gamefly’s pretty freakin cheap. I mean, if you assume the average cost of a new game is going to fall right around $50 you’re going to spend what you would on a year using the 2 games at a time plan on five games. Even if you keep a game for a month or two, you still end up ahead.
Last year I must have gone through 40 gamefly games and while I try to heed your advice by not renting crap, every now and then something comes through I just don’t like. Being able to send it back ends up paying for my gamefly subscription right there. Like ten times over.
And with all the $5 coupons you end up with when you do go to buy something it’s bargain basement from gamefly and in pretty awesome shape. I’ve gotten pretty much brand new games from them whenever I buy something.
I also like that they keep working to style you out with options. The free MP3s are pretty cool and I’m getting ready to send some games into them for trade now that they’re doing that whole thing.
Bottom line is that they’re pretty much the only way you can get to play everything that’s affordable.
Silvercube:
This is why I don’t do gamefly – I can’t afford to pay another monthly service…
nice article : )