revisiting eVGA's Step-Up program

[wpeng]

I found this quote in an older post:

Originally posted by: Skyguy
So your best bang for your buck is to step up to something more substantial, and/or wait to see what EVGA's MSRP price is........if you can get it for close to what a retailer is selling it, then you're laughing. If there's a large price difference between the two, then you won't get as good a "deal" on your step-up. The best deal is actually to use your step-up on a brand new card/product, because the retailers' prices will be almost identical to EVGA's own price. So you get to use the step-up credit and get a brand new card. Stepping up to a card that's been out for awhile is a waste, because you're paying FULL price from EVGA, whereas you could get that card cheap from a retailer.

Basically, only step up to a newly released card for the best value. Makes sense to me. The value of the Step-Up program is affected by the depreciation of the card you are stepping up to, but prices are controlled by eVGA. So, Step-Up doesn't seem like much of a deal at all because eVGA's video cards bought direct will be a little more expensive than the retailers' and will probably remain stable for the next 3 months. This means you will be paying full MSRP in 3 months anyway, with the only benefit being a free video card rental for 3 months.

Am I missing something, or is this Step-Up program a lot better deal than I think it is?

 

[Compuzen]

Well, right now newegg has the 8800GTX for 599, and its 650 MSRP on Evga.com. I like the idea a lot cause you don't get screwed out of all the money you paid for a card when they come out with a new one 2 months later. I bought my 7950GX2 right after they came out. It was far too early for me to get an 8800, but its nice to know you have it.

Its all about timing too. Don't expect to get an 8800 and have them come out with a new card before your 90 days are up. And you still have an awesome warranty on top of all that.

 

[SniperWulf]

I think its a great deal. Mostly because its the only place you will get full dollar value of what you spent on your current card in the first place. If you try to sell it in FS/FT for what you paid 2.5 months later, you'll always get some guy on there saying what he will pay for it, which usually includes a link to some low ball price of what the last guy sold his for that was desperate for cash.

 

[Syran]

Biggest benefit imo, is if you pay full price for a monster card, and it gets dwarfed quickly. Like getting a 7950GX2 then moving to the 8800gtx.

I actually did this with my 7800GT, upgrading to a 7900GT for under $30 including shipping.

 

[Compuzen]

Yeah, its a no loose situation. Even if you don't or can't use it, you still have a very good card with a great warranty.