Gamefly: Worth it?

[Dark Prince]

I've been on the fence lately about whether or not to really get into the Gamefly thing. I've seen a lot of people on EvAv and some here mention it. I'm always up for saving money from spending 60 bucks almost every 2 weeks because of a new game release that will eat half of my paycheck.

I keep wanting something new to play for my PSP and DS and that DS recommendation thread in the handheld forum has been kicking me in the pants to get those games.

I also figure that it would help me get the most out of my consoles as well since I always need something different every once in a while.

So, is Gamefly worth it? They have a 10-day trial, but I also would like to here from you guys about what you think of it.

[GunnyMo]

Big time. Do it. DOOOOOOO IIIIIIIITTTT!

Seriously, I love the 'Fly. So much better than buying everything right off the bat (although that's still a need for big releases, of course, unless you like the rental wait time) and their used prices are cheaper than most places. And if you buy the used game they send you the box and instructions while you keep playing! It's good stuff.

Did I mention do it?

[Camel]

YES!

It is worth it to me just to get the huge discount on games when they first come out. I put new games at the top of my list, and once they are released you can usually get them brand new for around $45 or so. It is also awesome for times like now when lots of great games will be coming out, and you really won't have time to play them all.

[Dark Prince]

YES!

It is worth it to me just to get the huge discount on games when they first come out. I put new games at the top of my list, and once they are released you can usually get them brand new for around $45 or so. It is also awesome for times like now when lots of great games will be coming out, and you really won't have time to play them all.


That is also part of my reasoning to get it. There are a lot of good games coming out that I want to get around to eventually and I'm thinking that Gamefly will be a great help to saving me money.

[GunnyMo]

Sure, sure. Ignore MY helpful advice and don't quote it in a reply. I see how it is. Sure, take the guy with the cutesy poo avatar instead of the guy who sacrificed four years of his life in the Corps to keep you safe! I see how it is. I'm on to you.

[rein]

Yes, even if you buy games the savings on Gamefly pricing vs most is enough to pay for the Gamefly subscription. The only downfall is if you miss something in your que or if you are impatient and do not want to wait for a new release to be shipped to you. If Gamefly was smart, they would add a pre-purchase button in their 'coming soon' listing so you could purchase the game directly instead of having to use the 'keep it' option. Then again, I am sure they make their money by renting the game a few times before actually selling it.

[Alkanos]

I've had Gamefly for what's coming up on a year, and really like it. It's nice not having to worry about spending $60 on a game only to not really like it. Plus, I have relatively quick shipping times in Eastern PA. I send the game back on Monday, and I'll have a new game by Thursday or rarely Friday.

However, it does have some downsides. First off, you may not have as short a turnaround depending on where you live. Add to that the problem of getting a game you instantly know you don't like and send back right away. So you can spend a good amount of time sans-game if you're unlucky.

Another problem is you can't really take your time with the games. Well you can, but the longer you keep a game, the less value you're getting really. So it's better for short games than long epics.

One last good point. If you're really lucky, and have good timing, you can sometimes get games right after they come out. So you're basically renting a brand new game. And you often have a Keep it Now option, which means you keep the game, they ship out your next one and the case/manual of the one you kept. So if you take adventage of this and their coupons/longtime member discounts you can get new games for very nice prices. I got a brand new copy of GTA4 for about $40, $55 base price, plus a 5% discount and two $5 coupons.

So I'd say go for it. If you don't like it, you can always get rid of it, not like you're wasting a huge amount of money!

[rein]

Another problem is you can't really take your time with the games. Well you can, but the longer you keep a game, the less value you're getting really. So it's better for short games than long epics.

I have friends who feel this way but I don't feel pressured to race through games. Even if I play a game for a month. I spent $17 to complete a $60 game.

[Dark Prince]

Sure, sure. Ignore MY helpful advice and don't quote it in a reply. I see how it is. Sure, take the guy with the cutesy poo avatar instead of the guy who sacrificed four years of his life in the Corps to keep you safe! I see how it is. I'm on to you.


No! I needed that protection, now who will I get to protect my games? :p

So am I hearing that you really can't keep games for as long as you need too to finish them then?

[KingGorilla]

Do you want to play all of the games that you do not want to play right away? Do you want to play the games that you want to play when you don't want to play them? Do you want to wait 10 days for a turnaround on titles? If yes Gamefly is your answer.

Gamefly is a terribly hit or miss service. For some people it is great, for others (like me) it is terrible. If you are expecting anything anywhere near Netflix quality, save your money.

I found that by the time the games I cared to play were available, I could have put that 2-3 months worth of playing crap like Haze or Assasin's creed, that 60 bucks and raided the bargain bin for titles that dropped in price.

[EWolfmanD]

So am I hearing that you really can't keep games for as long as you need too to finish them then?


You can keep games as long as you want. I kept a few games for a few months each when I suddenly stopped playing them for longer than I expected to. Finally I decided to just mail them back and get them again later instead of wasting more time.

Really you need to just try the service out for yourself. Just get the free trial and then maybe pay for a month to test it out. Worst case is that you're out a few bucks but got to play a few games at least.

KG is right that it seems to vary wildly from person to person, so you can only see for yourself. Everyone seems to love it or hate it with few in the middle. I'm in the group that loves it. My turn around times are usually around 3-5 days, but sometimes it's only 2 days if the "fast return" thing is actually working(which seems to work for a few weeks and then not work for a while and then work again--guess it has something to do with my post office). And you're closer to a distribution center than I am.

It is true that you usually have to wait to play the brand new releases. There are two things you can do for this. First, if "fast return" is working, you can mail the game back the day before release and hopefully you'll be one of the ones that get it. If "fast return" isn't working, then you have to guess how long the game will take to get there based on your past experience.

The other thing you can do is have a game out that you want to buy, and then use the "keep it" feature the day of the new release. Even then though, you sometimes miss out. If there are a lot of games coming out that you want, you can chain this together. I prefer brand new games to used games, so I really only like to keep the games that I know are new. For example, right now I have a copy of Disgaea 3 out that I was sent on launch day. At some point when a new game comes out that I want, I'll buy Disgaea 3 and then have another brand new game that I want to buy. Then I'll wait for a third game to come out and buy the second game so the third one will be sent. You usually save about $15 per 360/PS3 game and $10 per DS/PSP game(I'm a long time member so I have the maximum savings. I forget how much new members save.) So it basically pays for itself in savings if you buy a decent amount of games, and you also get to rent other games while you're at it, depending on how many games you have out at once.

Anyway, just try it out and see how you like it. Hopefully it works well for you. :D

[Dread7x]

Get the trial and see the shipping times. If they are acceptable to you, then yeah, its worth every penny. I've heard stories of people not having games for 2 weeks at a time because of where they live. Thankfully I have a shipping center 2 days away and fast return for most of my games.

[Wolvie]

Yeah I think it's worth it. Some times the shipping times are slow, and some times they flat out refuse to send the game you want, but it's still worth it.

[Aggort]

Ypu'd be crazy not to think it was. Looking at my gamertag, I wouldn't have been able to enjoy half the games there without it.

[Disgustipated]

Gamefly is amazing. I've saved over $500 at least with it. Ask me for a referral link so I can get my $20! /shameless plug

[Deadend]

It's much cheaper than Blockbuster. I tend to subscribe to it for several months at a time, then cancel it for awhile if there isn't anything I want.

[Aggort]

I did exactly that when my 360 went all RRoD

[Purple Santa]

I'll join the GF lovefest. It's a great service and the one possible negative, poor turnaround shouldn't affect you. Since I too live in the Jersey Devil state...most of my games arrive in two days...yes, even hot titles...at least try the 10 day trial...

[PathMaster]

Been using it for around four months. Had the two at-a-time plan but just dropped it down to one. Living in upstate NY, my turn around can be several days and up to a week before I get my next game. Can take some finagling sometimes to get a game you really want. A couple of times they have sent games not at the top of the queue, a minor annoyance. Great service if you are looking to play catch up on several years of games like I have been doing.

[roguebaboon]

Iv had if for a few months and love it. Iv played some stuff that theres no way i would be willing to buy. The reason i tried it out, one game for ten days (two rentals @ $8) from store equals a month of the game on gamefly.

[Dark Prince]

Well, I decided to try out the 10-day trial and my first two games I picked were Uncharted: Drakes Fortune (PS3) and Professor Layton and the Curious Village (NDS).

So, looks like I'll have something to play this week.

[Suave Peanut]

There is too much praise in this thread, I must protect the balance...

GameFly is stupid and horrible and they are run by a bunch of racist misogynist Satanists.

[Determination]

Uncharted was the first game I picked on my GameFly account some time ago, and the completed it within 2 weeks. That 1 game alone saved me enough to pay for 3 months of additional service. I've been trying more games and spending less money overall. Win-Win-Win. I happen to be about an hour driving distance away from a distro center, so turnaround is lightning quick. Being close to a distro center is critical to GameFly enjoyment.

[pomeroy]

There is too much praise in this thread, I must protect the balance...

GameFly is stupid and horrible and they are run by a bunch of racist misogynist Satanists.

Not very suave, Peanut.

[Dark Prince]

Uncharted was the first game I picked on my GameFly account some time ago, and the completed it within 2 weeks. That 1 game alone saved me enough to pay for 3 months of additional service. I've been trying more games and spending less money overall. Win-Win-Win. I happen to be about an hour driving distance away from a distro center, so turnaround is lightning quick. Being close to a distro center is critical to GameFly enjoyment.

I'm actually glad that's the case for me. I'm in South Jersey and the distro center is just over the bridge in Philly which works out great since philly is only about almost 2 hours away. Should be a good deal for me then.

[Mashidar]

I've enjoyed using gamefly. As long as you remember to take time with the games you get otherwise it seems to take twice as long to get your next one on your list back.

Also if there's a title you really want, I've found the only way I can get that title is if I remove everything else from my game Q. Otherwise I'll get games far down my list before I get the titles on the top.

Also I've bought a number of titles from Gamefly's store option and I've always been happy with things from them. There's also something neat about renting a title then paying a cheap price for it if I want to keep it.

[Grifter]

I'll finally be signing up today and hopefully be playing SW:TFU and Mercs 2 by this weekend.

[Dark Prince]

I think the only thing I have wrong with Gamefly is the fact that you can't really check when you're games are shipping. You're just making the list and you seem to get them out of the blue based on whats available.

[itchyeyes]

I have mixed feelings about Gamefly. On the one hand, when you compare it to something like Netflix, it's a pretty poor service in terms of availability and turnaround time. On the other hand it's still better than the alternative, which is either not playing or overpaying for a lot of games that I'm uncertain of.

[Goronmon]

I have mixed feelings about Gamefly. On the one hand, when you compare it to something like Netflix, it's a pretty poor service in terms of availability and turnaround time. On the other hand it's still better than the alternative, which is either not playing or overpaying for a lot of games that I'm uncertain of.This pretty much sums it up. Using Gamefly definitely requires a certain level of patience due to low availability of new titles and often slow turn-around times. However, considering the cost of games nowadays and the insane number of titles being released, it's definitely worth opting for if you enjoy a large variety of games.

I think the only thing I have wrong with Gamefly is the fact that you can't really check when you're games are shipping. You're just making the list and you seem to get them out of the blue based on whats available.Which is why I only have one or two games in my queue at any time and I review the queue every time I send back a game. Sure, it requires a bit more of an effort that Netflix, but it avoids getting games that you realize you aren't really interested in playing.

[Grifter]

I just signed up, will they send me an e-mail with the games they are shipping to me or is it a wait and see kind of thing?

[Goronmon]

I just signed up, will they send me an e-mail with the games they are shipping to me or is it a wait and see kind of thing?They do send you and e-mail when they ship a game out.

[Spacetronaut]

Depends on what the turn around time in your area is. Up here it was way too long to justify the 15 bucks a month.

[Banacek]

Since I live in LA I have to say that Gamefly is awesome. I get my games in a day :)

[Dark Prince]

Quick question...

I'm about to send back some games that I got from Gamefly a couple of days ago. Does the envelope need my address on it or can I just drop it in the mailbox to be picked up and sent back to them?

[Goronmon]

I'm about to send back some games that I got from Gamefly a couple of days ago. Does the envelope need my address on it or can I just drop it in the mailbox to be picked up and sent back to them?Just drop it right in the mailbox.

[Dark Prince]

Just drop it right in the mailbox.

Great...thanks.

[Rune_74]

Hey guys anyone use any of the game rental places in canada? Anyone recomend them?

[KingGorilla]

I have mixed feelings about Gamefly. On the one hand, when you compare it to something like Netflix, it's a pretty poor service in terms of availability and turnaround time. On the other hand it's still better than the alternative, which is either not playing or overpaying for a lot of games that I'm uncertain of.

Tertio: Wait. In a matter of months most games are at half the price they were at launch. Those games you sweat overpaying for, will be 20 in less time.

[Rock Bandit]

Gamefly is great, I love it. I'm also lucky on turnaround, I've never waited more than 3 days after sending a game back to get a new one.

[Dukefrukem]

I had it for a few months and hated it. So I canceled it. I ended up keeping Gears of War for 5 months, then when I went to buy it, they wanted $50 for it. F that. They should subtract the monthly cost from the price tag depending on how long you have it.

[Inspector Fowler]

Gamefly is...um...

I use it. It's okay.

Here is the problem - you almost never, ever get the next item in your queue. They rank them as low, medium, high, or available now. When you send in a game, in theory, they go down your queue - if they can wait a day and send you a "high" availablity game, they'll try. If that fails, they'll go to the next one that's "available now". If there isn't anything on your queue that's available, good fucking luck. They'll send me an e-mail saying, "We just shipped Suchandsuch!" I'll look at the queue, and see tons of titles higher on my queue that also had a higher availability rate. Huh?

The solution is to babysit your queue - as some have said, only keep one or two items on there. Honestly, I think that's fucked up. You should be able to set a placeholder - tell them, "Don't send me any more shit until you can get me this game!". You'd have to click something that said, "I understand I'll keep paying for Gamefly until they're able to send me this game", but getting any kind of new release from these guys is about as likely as me screwing Scarlett Johansen unless you babysit the queue.

The other issue, for me, is that the shipping time is absolute crap where I live. I send it on Monday, they might recieve it by Thursday, and they might send out a new game on Monday. WTF? An example: This week I sent a movie to Netflix and two games to Gamefly. Netflix has already shipped my next movie to me (as in, I have it in hand) and Gamefly hasn't even received the games. Again, huh?

However, I am pretty relaxed about all this. I just don't try to get new releases on it. I look at Gamefly as a way for me to experience all the "eeeehhhh, maybe?" games that come out, and in a kind of kooky random order. Makes it a lot easier to deal with the piss poor service.

[Dark Prince]

Yea, I'm mostly using Gamefly for the quirky titles that I've heard everyone recommending around here mostly on the PSP and DS side of things. Although, I just got lucky and they are apparently sending me Wii Music that I didn't think I would get right away.

Gamefly is definitely great for the games you might have a "meh" or "ok" feeling on....like for me, Wii Music was a "meh" feeling and keeps me from heading to blockbuster or something only to find that it's not on their shelf yet again...

[Purple Santa]

Yea, I'm mostly using Gamefly for the quirky titles that I've heard everyone recommending around here mostly on the PSP and DS side of things. Although, I just got lucky and they are apparently sending me Wii Music that I didn't think I would get right away.

Gamefly is definitely great for the games you might have a "meh" or "ok" feeling on....like for me, Wii Music was a "meh" feeling and keeps me from heading to blockbuster or something only to find that it's not on their shelf yet again...

I live in the same area as you. I have no issues with GF and received Dead Space a day after the original batch went out...have you tried getting something other than quirky games?

[Adam Blue]

I like it. Turnaround for me isn't great, but I've been able to play so much lately. And the sales on used games is great. It's one thing I actually think about everyday: timing my games to send them out, scheduling what to play between certain titles.

[Talon]

I like it, but I use it to get new exclusives/PS2 games. I've managed to snag GTAIV, Rock Band 2, TFU, NCAA 09, etc. a day or two after release date, so I'm pretty satisfied with it.

If you're wanting to get a new release within a month after release, you're going to be very disappointed with the service.

Just for reference, I get games usually within 2-3 days after the shipping date from both Atlanta and Chicago.

[Purple Santa]

If you're wanting to get a new release within a month after release, you're going to be very disappointed with the service.

I think sometimes this is where some of the issues with GF are. Although there are some spots in the U.S. where if there is no distribution center close...you might be out of luck. I say it often in these GF threads...if you want a hot title...you need to plan for it...it's like waiting on line to pre-order a console. You have to work it a little, meaning have an empty slot open when the game ships. I got Dead Space and I opened a slot two days before it was shipping from GF. I didn't get it the first day it shipped but the second. I was impressed...

[Banacek]

I like it, but I use it to get new exclusives/PS2 games. I've managed to snag GTAIV, Rock Band 2, TFU, NCAA 09, etc. a day or two after release date, so I'm pretty satisfied with it.

If you're wanting to get a new release within a month after release, you're going to be very disappointed with the service.

Just for reference, I get games usually within 2-3 days after the shipping date from both Atlanta and Chicago.

I'm had success making sure my queue was set up to get games the second they are released. I bet it's a real pain to get new games a month in, with everyone holding on to their copies as long as they want.

It also helps that their distribution center is 30 mins away :)

[Dark Prince]

I live in the same area as you. I have no issues with GF and received Dead Space a day after the original batch went out...have you tried getting something other than quirky games?

Yea, stuff like Fracture.....Wii Music...etc. I'll get most of the mainstream games. The first game I got was Uncharted: Drakes Fortune....

[Inspector Fowler]

Okay, I changed my mind. This latest shipment is a TWO WEEK turnaround, which, thinking back, is typical for these assholes. I just quit, but their "why did you quit" form only allowed 255 characters. So I submitted the following to them via their "Contact Us" page:

I just cancelled, but 255 characters was not enough to describe WHY.

If I mail a game back, it often takes you up to a full week to say you've received it. Why? Netflix takes ONE business day. Then, it takes 1 to 3 business days to pick a game from my queue (we'll get to the awful queue in a moment). THEN it takes 3-5 MORE business days to get a game back. Why? Netflix takes ONE business day. Two week turnaround is absolutely unacceptable as a business model.

Then we have the "queue". That's in quotes because it's not a queue at all - a queue would indicate that I have some control over the order in which I recieve games. Instead, the queue is more like a lottery system. I never know which games I am going to get from Gamefly. And new-release games? Forget it! I have only two choices - I can keep my queue empty except for the one game I want, and wait a week or two for you guys to actually get a copy in (during which period I am paying you guys for NOTHING), or I can keep the queue full, and continually get 6 month to 1 year old games that none of my online friends play anymore. I dare you to convince me that is a good deal.

There is no way on this earth that I would try Gamefly again unless, like Netflix, I can get TWO TO THREE BUSINESS DAY TURNAROUND, and you guys actually have enough product in stock to allow me to get games in the order of my queue - not the order of your choosing.

Gimme a ring when you can deliver on an actual rental service that works.

Is that pretty clear? Get on their website and see where their shipment centers are before you agree to Gamefly, and even then, understand that your queue means nothing to them when they are deciding what game to ship next. Geographically speaking, I'm pretty central in the US, and I never had a problem with Netflix or Blockbuster taking TWO WEEKS.

[Adam Blue]

I will say I'm not too happy with the system, but it's better than nothing, and I'm playing a lot and saving money.

[Inspector Fowler]

I will say I'm not too happy with the system, but it's better than nothing, and I'm playing a lot and saving money.

I guess my problem is that I wasn't playing a lot. I'm a pretty social guy. I like playing a game while my buddies are playing. Even if we're not playing co-op, sometimes a friend will bring over his Xbox and we'll play at the same time, watch each other play, help each other with the tough bits, etc.

So, the absolutely silly shipping/handling/shipping aside, the queue was a problem for me. I still had to purchase the multiplayer games my buddies and I wanted, because otherwise it would be months before I got them. And as much as I would have liked to get some games like Dead Space or Lego Batman when my friends were playing them, in six months with Gamefly I almost never, ever got a game that wasn't "Available Now" on my queue.

Oh well. My fat ass needs to get out more anyway. :)

[AgtFox]

Many of my reviews both here and at the previous place were done via Gameflying the game. I don't have tons of money to throw out $60 to cover all the games I review, so GF has been a godsend.

It takes roughly 2 days for them to get titles I send and 2 days to get sent to me. There have been a couple 3 day there lately, but no big deal.

My queue only has upcoming games, so I never have a game that is available unless I add it. I keep tabs on when they get games from me, so I'm always on for the next games and change the queue accordingly. This virtually forces them to send me new releases and only once have I not gotten the game sent on day of release. Once they get one of my latest games I just sent I will drop back down to the 2 at a time plan. I temporarily went 3 at a time in order to cover stuff I had to review here (Saints Row 2), a game I wanted to play but did not review (Dead Space) and a game I had to do a review for at the other site.

I think I can hold onto just 2 at a time for the rest of the gaming avalanche. In no hurry to have Quantum of Solace for instance since it is short. Anyway, I think GF is a good deal as long as the turnaround time is not insane. If it is drop them.

[Inspector Fowler]

They sent me an e-mail back today, trying to explain how their shipping system works.

I really don't care, Gamefly. If I can send a movie out on Monday and have a new title on Wednesday, I expect no MORE than Monday ---> Friday with Gamefly. That plus the queue sitting.

However, if they ever opened up a shipping center in my state, I'd try them again. The whole queue sitting bullshit is probably easier when you have a much more predictable shipping time.

[Stmfuller]

if you can get past the slow turnaround time and low availability for AAA games, then it's great.
if not, look elsewhere.

the thing about gamefly is that they no real competition like blockbuster online and netflix have. So, it's their way or fuck off.
no in between.

[J'onn J'onnz]

It's great if you want to save money, the way money is tight now I'll be temporarily upping my service plan this Christmas instead of buying, since I rarely replay games, I only keep games that I must have (MGS4, Mass Effect ect.).
The only big cons are:
-Turn around is shit (up to a week) if you dont live very close to a distro
-If you want a big name game to ship on release day, you'd better add it to you Q a while in advance
-Unfortunately if you keep a few released games in your Q it's any ones guess which one the assholes will decide to send out

What I'll put up with to save money...

[Stmfuller]

-Unfortunately if you keep a few released games in your Q it's any ones guess which one the assholes will decide to send out I have a theory about this.
The less I want to play a game (or lower rank IMO of a game) the more likely gamefly is to send the game.
example.
I want to play:
fallout 3
deadspace
lego batman
in that order.

so, guess which game they sent first?
right, lego batman.

[Purple Santa]

It wouldn't have to do with that Lego Batman was released in Sept. and available, unlike sought after games such as Fallout 3 and Dead Space?

[Stmfuller]

It wouldn't have to do with that Lego Batman was released in Sept. and available, unlike sought after games such as Fallout 3 and Dead Space?
no...gamefly knows all and sees all.

[Goronmon]

Just don't put games in your queue that you don't really want to play. That has improved the value of the service for me quite a bit.

[Inspector Fowler]

Just don't put games in your queue that you don't really want to play. That has improved the value of the service for me quite a bit.

But we really shouldn't have to do that. At the very least, they should have a "hold queue" feature where, instead of queue juggling, you mark titles that you want to hold your queue for you. When that title reaches the top of the queue, you don't get any new games until that one is available.

That way, you could just pick a game, instantly mark it as a holder, and not worry about it again.

Then, all they'd need to do is fix my (literal) two week turnaround time and it wouldn't be so bad.

[Purple Santa]

But we really shouldn't have to do that. At the very least, they should have a "hold queue" feature where, instead of queue juggling, you mark titles that you want to hold your queue for you. When that title reaches the top of the queue, you don't get any new games until that one is available.

That way, you could just pick a game, instantly mark it as a holder, and not worry about it again.

Then, all they'd need to do is fix my (literal) two week turnaround time and it wouldn't be so bad.

Actually that's a good suggestion. Have you submitted that? Might start something...

[Goronmon]

But we really shouldn't have to do that. At the very least, they should have a "hold queue" feature where, instead of queue juggling, you mark titles that you want to hold your queue for you.Well, it comes down to the problem that Gamefly can't afford to buy copies of a new game for everyone with the service who wants to play at release. The more people who use the "limited queue" technique, the less effective it is. Gamefly relies on being able to send out alternatives to the top titles.

[Kelegacy]

This will probably be my last month having Gamefly (making my membership 2 months long total). Pure is shipping to me now, and I'll be sending the last of my titles back and canceling by mid-month. It's a decent service but getting new games is a hassle. I was only able to get a few games in a months time because of the slow turnaround times for me, and that's with readily available older titles (Viking, Turok, Army of Two, etc). If I only put new releases in my queue, it might dwindle even more.

Plus, I like not having to "hurry", which I feel like I need to do. Especially since the turnaround times are so fussy (about 10 days or more there and back, and that FAST RETURN gimmick does NOT work for me, or hasn't for the 4 games they've shipped to me via Fast Return thus far); I'd like to get a game back in the mail so I can get another game back the following week, so I almost feel like I'm rushing. If I ever get the desire to rent and play a game RIGHT NOW, I'll just go to my local corporate video store, which I had to do with Dead Space. I was sick of waiting on Gamefly.

[AgtFox]

I am extremely close to being done with Gamefly. I don't have a problem with getting product (2 day), but once I send it out it seems to float for a bit before it gets back. I sent 3 games back earlier this month (Monday, Nov. 3rd). The first game showed up at their place that Friday, the second one Saturday and the 3rd one never showed up so I did a shipping problem deal with them. They supposedly were going to notify me when it actually showed up, but I haven't gotten any e-mail or anything about it.

I just sent one back yesterday, we'll see how long that takes. Luckily I have no games in the queue at the moment. It would certainly save me some money if I dropped it and with the quiet release schedule it may just be smart to drop it. The bad side of things is that I may not do as many reviews here (many of them are done via a Gamefly rent) and I have to break the news to my EiC over at GameShark where I have not received product since probably earlier this year and have been consistently renting via Gamefly for that.

[Psykoboy2]

I haven't had a single problem with Gamefly...once with Bad Company, but that was it. Nothing since. It's been a very good deal for me and got me through the holiday mass of titles with paying very little, but still playing a whole lot of games.

[AgtFox]

I haven't had a single problem with Gamefly...once with Bad Company, but that was it. Nothing since. It's been a very good deal for me and got me through the holiday mass of titles with paying very little, but still playing a whole lot of games.
As I said, I have no problem with getting product from them. However once I send it back (and I usually send them back at work which is close to the central USPS office or at the airport which is the other central office...they should go out straight from either place) things get a bit hairy ever since the games get sent to Austin, TX now instead of City of Industry (or now Long Beach), CA.

I used to be reimbursed by GameShark for my monthly fees, but that has dried up via the higher ups and I haven't been too happy that some EA stuff I've done reviews for over there I have not seen product for, I guess it is just expected I use Gamefly and don't get the product when he gets it *shrug*

[hideouslywrinkled]

But we really shouldn't have to do that. At the very least, they should have a "hold queue" feature where, instead of queue juggling, you mark titles that you want to hold your queue for you. When that title reaches the top of the queue, you don't get any new games until that one is available.

That way, you could just pick a game, instantly mark it as a holder, and not worry about it again.

Then, all they'd need to do is fix my (literal) two week turnaround time and it wouldn't be so bad.

Agreed. When I was a member the first time (2003-2005), I sent them that suggestion. The customer service rep said it was something they were "looking in to," and then said the only way to do that right now is to delete everything in your Q except the new release or game you want. That's too much effort.

[Purple Santa]

Agreed. When I was a member the first time (2003-2005), I sent them that suggestion. The customer service rep said it was something they were "looking in to," and then said the only way to do that right now is to delete everything in your Q except the new release or game you want. That's too much effort.

I agree it's a lot of effort. I keep a sticky called GameFly to put back all the games I want to play but had to take off to get the "hot" titles that came out this Fall. But it was worth it. Dead Space, Mirror's Edge, Left4Dead all came within three days of the release date. If not for GF i couldn't be enjoying those games now.

[Disgustipated]

I just bought Gears of War 2 for $26.93. And yes, that includes the code to download the extra levels. Tell me that's not worth it. Gamefly is awesome.

[Kelegacy]

I am extremely close to being done with Gamefly. I don't have a problem with getting product (2 day), but once I send it out it seems to float for a bit before it gets back. I sent 3 games back earlier this month (Monday, Nov. 3rd). The first game showed up at their place that Friday, the second one Saturday and the 3rd one never showed up so I did a shipping problem deal with them. They supposedly were going to notify me when it actually showed up, but I haven't gotten any e-mail or anything about it.

I just sent one back yesterday, we'll see how long that takes. Luckily I have no games in the queue at the moment. It would certainly save me some money if I dropped it and with the quiet release schedule it may just be smart to drop it. The bad side of things is that I may not do as many reviews here (many of them are done via a Gamefly rent) and I have to break the news to my EiC over at GameShark where I have not received product since probably earlier this year and have been consistently renting via Gamefly for that.

Whenever I have reported shipping problems (games being received by Gamefly, not the other way around) they usually receive the game that same day or later. Sometimes I think it's a problem with manpower and not updating the system or scanning in returned games as frequently as they should. Stoners in the warehouse and all that--they see the complaint come in and voila! they receive my game magically. It's probably been sitting there for the last couple days waiting to get scanned.

After the new year I may cancel my account as well, or after I get caught up on all the newer releases. It seems like I actually have games from Gamefly in my possession possibly a week out of the month all told and the rest of the time is spent waiting. A short game might take me a day to beat, but take 8 business days turnaround at the very least--mine to reach them, new one to reach me. Still, I guess it saves me cash.

Fox, do you have a Hollywood Video or Movie Gallery near you? Xbox Live Diamond costs about 6 bucks a year I think, and with it comes a bunch of discounts, like unlimited Rent-One-Get-One Free printable coupons for those two places. I don't have Diamond, but I still printed out a shitton of those coupons and still use them from time to time on games. Basically it boils down to getting two next-gen games for 8 bucks for almost a week. Since I only get about 4 games a month from Gamefly, and that's with playing and returning as fast as possible, I can theoretically get 4 games for 16 bucks in two weeks by renting with Diamond.

Of course, availability is the issue with brick and mortar stores, but then again, it's also a problem with Gamefly a lot of the time. I may cancel my sub after the new year and might pursue this avenue for game rentals. I cannot afford to buy everything I play, nor would I want to buy some of them.