Why the eVGA step-up program is porked!

[Earfoam]

I paid $270 AR for my 8800 GTS G92 a few months back. If you are buying an 8800 GTS G92 today and plan to step-up later, the following scenario will even be worse for you.

I can step-up to a 9800 GTX for $80 more = $350 card + shipping. (practically no gain)
9800 GTX can be had for $290 at Clubit.

I can step-up to a 8800 GTS G92 for $90 more = $360 card + shipping. WTF! This is the same card I have
MSI 8800 GTS OC can be had for $199 at Newegg.

I can step-up to a 9800 GX2 for $330 more = $600 card + shipping :shocked:.
PNY 9800 GX2 can be had for $540 at Allstarshop.

Step-up? Uh......I'll pass.......................

 

[vhx]

So go pay the full $540, or save $270 by trading in a card you won't use. It's that simple. ;P Blame the cards not being worth the upgrade, or not worth the price, or both. It's not a failure of the Stepup program.

Sounds like you just wanted more credit towards your card. Older card prices fall after they've been out awhile, new cards are priced higher; it's a fact of life in the hardware world. It's not a perfect program, but it is better than nothing.

 

[v8envy]

You pay for the convenience of not having to deal with ebay or for sale/for trade. Yes, you could probably sell your 8800 GTS for $200-ish and pick up the $540 GX2 for the same end $ as a trade up -- but you'd have to deal with unknown people. For someone like me who keeps gear until it's worthless a stepup could be a useful feature.

It's not EVGA's fault the GX2 and 9800GTX are not compelling upgrade choices from the 8800GTS. Had the 9800GTX truly been a new high gen part as opposed to a slightly improved 8800GTS that $80 upgrade would have been a no-brainer.

BTW, the extended 120 day trade-up on the GX2 makes me think we won't be seeing the R200 parts until late summer/early fall at the absolute earliest.

 

[Hauk]

The full purchase price is what you report as you begin step-up. I assume you got the $30 rebate deal. Whatever's on your receipt is what you report. Sounds like you have about $300 in step-up bucks not $270.

I won't step into the minefield of whether a 9800 GTX is worth $50 plus $10 shipping. I do know this.. you'd lose at least that much if you tried to sell the GTS outright..

 

[Earfoam]

no, unfortunately they don't count the rebate, so $270 it is.

 

[Hauk]

Oh you're right. Crap, looks like they'll wanna be billing me another $30 bucks. Oh well, at least I got the rebate check already...

 

[taltamir]

and now you get to enjoy some time, sometimes a few weeks, without a video card, because they will not cross ship.

I just buy XFX now and sell it for more money (transferable lifetime warranty) and then buy the new card I want. Better deal.

 

[Hauk]

Yea taltimir, XFX is damn near perfect with their Double Lifetime Warranty.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: taltamir
I just buy XFX now and sell it for more money (transferable lifetime warranty) and then buy the new card I want. Better deal.

You probably already know this, but for others just remember to register the card with the manufacturer's web site within 30 days of purchasing, otherwise you lose the warranty past 1 year. This applies to EVGA, XFX and BFG.

 

[MustangSVT]

ya i looked into the step up prog but I dont upgrade often and I always go for best value, it was not for me. their prices are too high.