VVhiplash
I think I held EVGA to a higher standard in my head, than they hold themselves to. At least with this generation, I over romanticized how EVGA was going to both handle/market/design the 900 series cards. Here's to hoping that they listen to the *stale sighs* in the forums and start switching things up?
I've been hoping the price actually goes down slightly when the actual release hits, but like you I think I'm putting EVGA on a pedestal. Hopefully they're just dropping a bomb, so the actual release price seems that much better (649). Other than a big ego, I'm not sure why they think it's worth $100 (more with shipping since this is a US site) more than say a G1 980 or the MSI 4G. I doubt it'll perform much better if at all.
I definitely hope they acknowledge the fact that not one person think it's a fair price, and everyone is echoing the same sentiment that EVGA is beginning to fall. Is that what they want?
EVGA: I am a Canadian customer, and to buy a classified it will cost $960, not including duties. Surely this isn't a fair deal, and while I understand a card like this is a premium item, it's still in the realm of unreasonable. Maybe you could chime in with whatever magic you feel is worth the price difference.
Why shouldn't I get a Strix for $670 CAD now over the classified for $785 CAD next week, before taxes and at about half the shipping costs? $26 express from Newegg, $54 from the EVGA site with the possiblity of duties. At least EVGA offers UPS which is superior to what Newegg uses here, but at what cost. Better yet NCIX has it for $660 CAD, and you can choose whatever courier you want with them. It would cost $17.19 for Xpresspost, which is the best service I have around here by far and without fear of duties. My point isn't to whine, but question what makes it worth this?