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Using a store's wishlist feature is a good first step to saving money. You get an email when a game goes on sale, but what if the sale price still isn't low enough? To become a truly smart shopper, you need to go a step further and set up custom price alerts.

A price alert lets you define the exact price you're willing to pay for a game or piece of hardware. A service then monitors the item across multiple stores and notifies you only when it hits your target. This guide shows you the best tools for the job.

Tracking PC Game Prices with IsThereAnyDeal

For PC gamers, IsThereAnyDeal.com is an essential tool. It tracks prices across dozens of legitimate digital stores (not grey markets) and lets you set highly specific alerts.

Here's how to set an alert:

Create a free account on the IsThereAnyDeal website. This is necessary to save your alerts.
Search for the game you want to track.
On the game's page, you'll see its current best price and its historical low price. This context is incredibly valuable.
Find the 'Wait for a better price' section. You can set your price threshold here. For example, you can tell it to alert you when the game drops below $15.
You can also specify which stores to watch and what type of deal (like a bundle) you're interested in.
Save your alert. You'll now receive an email as soon as the game hits your target price at a legitimate store.

Tracking Console Game Prices

For console gamers, similar sites exist that are tailored to the PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo ecosystems. A popular and reliable option is Deku Deals. It tracks sales on the Nintendo eShop, PlayStation Store, and Xbox Store, showing price history and allowing you to add games to a wishlist that will notify you of any price drop.

Another excellent resource is PSPrices.com, which covers all major console platforms and regions with detailed price histories and email alert functionality.

Tracking PC Hardware Prices with PCPartPicker

If you're planning to build or upgrade a PC, waiting for the right price on a CPU, graphics card, or SSD can save you hundreds of dollars. PCPartPicker.com is the standard for this.

While building your component list on the site:

Enable Price Alerts: For any part you add to your list, you can click the gear icon next to it and enable price alerts.
Set a Target: You can choose to be notified of any price drop or set a specific price threshold. For example, you can get an alert when that graphics card you want drops below $500 from any major retailer.
Monitor Trends: PCPartPicker also includes price history graphs for every component, so you can see if the current price is a genuine deal or just a minor fluctuation.

FAQ

Are these tracking services free?

Yes, all the services mentioned in this guide (IsThereAnyDeal, Deku Deals, PSPrices, and PCPartPicker) are free to use. They are typically supported by affiliate links, meaning they may get a small commission if you buy something through their links, at no extra cost to you.

Is it safe to create accounts on these sites?

These are reputable and widely used websites. However, as with any online service, it's good practice to use a unique and strong password for your account.

Why not just use a store's built-in wishlist?

A wishlist only tells you when an item is on sale. A price alert lets you specify how much of a sale you're waiting for. It's a more patient and powerful way to shop, ensuring you only buy at a price you're truly happy with.

Key Takeaways

Price alerts notify you when an item reaches a specific price you set, which is more powerful than a simple wishlist.
Use IsThereAnyDeal.com to set detailed price alerts for PC games across many legitimate stores.
Use Deku Deals or PSPrices.com for tracking game prices and sales on console storefronts.
Use PCPartPicker.com to track prices and set alerts for individual PC components like CPUs and GPUs.
Always check an item's price history to know if the current sale price is a good deal.

Go Beyond the Wishlist: How to Set Up Price Alerts for Games and Hardware