Top 5 places to buy Guitar Hero and Rock Band equipment

November 11, 10:58 PMMusic Video Games ExaminerBrian Shea

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So many guitars, so little time!
Red Octane

Music video games are a blast to play, as well as a new and exciting way to experience music. The only problem, however, is that the equipment can cost you an arm and a leg and even after you buy the equipment, some of the instruments have had a less-than-stellar track record in terms of longevity and quality.

While Harmonix and Red Octane both offer limited-time replacement plans for their instruments that you buy from authorized dealers, they won't cover everything, and as mentioned, they are limited time in their coverage. Another large flaw in Red Octane's coverage exists in that they require you to pay for the shipping of your order, which makes very little sense.

With all that in mind, there has to be some place to get Guitar Hero and Rock Band stuff for cheap right? Maybe not dirt cheap, but there are ways around not only getting your stuff for cheap, but also ways to get good warranties and replacement plans.

1. RockBandParts.com
   In addition to having stuff that you can't find in stores, like the illustrious ION Drum Rocker, RockBandParts.com features all the stuff you will ever need to become a hardcore rocker. They don't sell the games or the basic guitars/drums/mics that come with the games, but they do sell the higher-end stuff that you usually have to special order from the manufacturers. Not only do they have all these items in one, easy-to-navigate site, but they can usually get you a better deal on the more expensive items through their sales, promotions, and contests. In addition to all of that, Rock Band Parts will give you a 5 year warranty on major purchases, which is much better than pretty much any warranty that is built into any piece of equipment.
2. Costco
   Five year warranty sounds pretty good right? Well howabout a lifetime warranty? Sure they don't carry the hardcore items that RockBandParts.com carries, and you have to pay the monthly membership fee for Costco, but it's always nice to be able to bring in your stuff and just exchange it for one on the shelf. Your mileage may vary with each location, however, as all Rock Band and Guitar Hero instruments come with a notice to NOT return them to stores, so some managers might not accept them within the policy. It might be a good idea to check with the manager before your purchase. Even if they don't honor the return policy, Costco will usually beat the prices of anywhere else since they have their membership fee to compensate for the low prices.
3. Amazon.com
   Amazon has really impressed everyone recently. From pre-order bonuses to promotional gift cards, Amazon might be the best retailer of the past 10 years in terms of getting deals. The used marketplace is great, as well, for getting great deals with protection. While it might not be the best idea to buy these plastic instruments used, you can score amazing prices (like the original Rock Band for Xbox 360 for around $7). Worried about shipping prices? If you buy your items from Amazon and spend over $25, you'll get their "Super Saver Shipping" for free. The best bet for getting a great deal on something new at Amazon is to look for their unparalleled ability to offer pre-order incentives (like their $20 video game credit that came with Modern Warfare 2) with release-day arrival shipping.
4. Best Buy/Toys"R"Us/Target Clearance Sections
   Nothing beats browsing the clearance section in your favorite store, but with the massive amount of games coming out between the two giants of the genre, Rock Band and Guitar Hero, retailers are very likely to mark down older merchandise for very low prices. The stores' shelves can only hold so much, and with Toys"R"Us showing signs of difficulty over the past few years, they are very likely to not only mark down items to unbeatable levels, but also include incentives like gift cards for future purchases. Target and Best Buy have been notorious in the past for having full-band bundles from the last set of games for pretty cheap as well in their clearance sections.
5. eBay
   Along the same lines as Amazon.com, eBay is an amazing place to find deals on both new and old items. Once again, always exercise caution when buying plastic instruments in used condition. The main purpose of eBay appearing on this list is due to their amazing deals that can be had on the games themselves, particularly the older titles you might've missed out on if you're just now getting into the genre. Always make sure you use Paypal, however, as it will protect you through most of your online transactions, plus it's amazingly secure and allows you to transfer money without sharing your credit card or bank account info with anyone.

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