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Thread: Bundling Problems at stores world-wide

  1. #1
    HEXUS.gaming Steven W's Avatar
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    Bundling Problems at stores world-wide

    A con or just plain common sense?

    Xbox 360 console uproar at stores across the U.S and U.K

    Check out this Gaming Headline for more info.

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    Beard hat ftw! steve threlfall's Avatar
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    I have heard about certain retailers only selling the system as a bundle with 10 or so games to make a huge proffit. This is really taking advantage of the shortage situation.

    Surely its better to wait a month or so for more stock than pay a ridiculous premium just to be one of the first to own one.

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    No more Mr Nice Guy. Nick's Avatar
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    The article has just been updated.

    To their credit, GAME were very open and honest and keen to look into this.

    Once they have done so, they will be again getting back to us.
    Quote Originally Posted by Dareos View Post
    "OH OOOOHH oOOHHHHHHHOOHHHHHHH FILL ME WITH YOUR.... eeww not the stuff from the lab"

  4. #4
    smtkr
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    Best Buy, the largest electronics retailer in the United States had some bad press about this issue. Apparently, it was isolated to a few stores. One of them is the closest store to me (in Portland):

    http://www.fool.com/News/mft/2005/mft05120204.htm

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    Senior Member Workaholic's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by steve threlfall
    I have heard about certain retailers only selling the system as a bundle with 10 or so games to make a huge proffit. This is really taking advantage of the shortage situation.

    Surely its better to wait a month or so for more stock than pay a ridiculous premium just to be one of the first to own one.
    15 games and console = almost £1000, why are consoles so expensive when released?
    N64 was £300 when released and quickly dropped to £100-£150 after a few months.

    I don't understand the following though:
    "Again, it's not our policy to pressure customers to buy bundles or accessories they don't want or need, but it is our job to match customers with lifestyle solutions."
    You simply can't force someone into buying something without a gun pointed at their heads.
    Last edited by Workaholic; 05-12-2005 at 06:37 PM.
    Woohoo now Assistant Manager!


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    Quote Originally Posted by Workaholic
    15 games and console = almost £1000, why are consoles so expensive when released?
    N64 was £300 when released and quickly dropped to £100-£150 after a few months.
    Most consoles are not "expensive" when their first released. Most new consoles are sold at a loss, and money is only made on games and controllers/cables etc. The N64 was released in the UK at £250 with £50 knocked off 6 weeks later due to Sony dropping the price of the Playstation. Its the early adopters who will get hit the most, its always been like this and always will be like this. Plus its the same with PC's and their components.

    This isn't the first time i've heard of GAME forcing people to buy their console in bundles only, but its does make them look greedy with the shortage of consoles available in the market place.

  7. #7
    No more Mr Nice Guy. Nick's Avatar
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    The article has been updated with a response from Anna Macario, Marketing Director for GAME Stores Group Ltd.
    Quote Originally Posted by Dareos View Post
    "OH OOOOHH oOOHHHHHHHOOHHHHHHH FILL ME WITH YOUR.... eeww not the stuff from the lab"

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    Theoretical Element Spud1's Avatar
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    tbh if I were a retailer, knowing that I was only going to have say 20 Xboxes, 10 of each for example, I would do exactly the same.

    As a retailer I would be there to make money. Now I would know there will be a shortage of consoles compared to the demand, and be looking to make the most money possible. To this end it makes complete sense to only sell bundles. I would expect the most commonly purchased items to be an Xbox premium with another controller and maybe 2 games. So that means if I sold 20 xboxes i would sell aroung 40-50 games..not really that much is it?

    The odds are that If i only sold high priced bundles, and seeing as i only had 20 to begin with, I would sell all 20 to some people eventually..before i got any more stock in.

    The bottom line is that it makes great business sense to only sell them in high priced bundles, so why wouldnt you do it? Your still amost guarenteed to sell out, and make lots of cash. Remember for the retailer it is all about the money, no matter how they try to dress it up..

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    Капраз dkmech's Avatar
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    But forsing you two buy 15 games when only 10 different ones are available? How is that justifiable?
    Tough on mirrors, tough on the causes of mirrors.

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    Moderator Carlh's Avatar
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    Cant really see how it is justifiable.

    I can understand why they have checked all the pre-orders etc tho as this makes sense as we did exactly the same and decided to have a one per customer rule, seems as tho when Hexus went into the Milton Keynes store they were just fed some BS by a sales rep.

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    Theoretical Element Spud1's Avatar
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    It isn't morally justifiable, but then if you don't take into account the morallity of it it still makes sense.

    It comes down to the fact that there are people there who were willing to do almost anything to get a 360 on release, or close to release. If people will buy a package like that (which I am sure they did) then retailers will sell it.

    Why make only 600quid in sales (not talking profits here) when you can make 900? Of course some retailers would have to think hard about their reputation with this kind of thing, but I couldnt critisise any of them for it really. It is their stock, and they can sell it however they choose...

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    Капраз dkmech's Avatar
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    I would understand them charging more than RRP and making you buy every item available for xbox 360 (controllers and etc). But buying two of the same game (times 5) - that just shows them to be unbelievably greedy and more than that - that they fully admit just how greedy they are! It goes beyond maximising the opportunities. Its just plain wrong.
    Tough on mirrors, tough on the causes of mirrors.

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    No more Mr Nice Guy. Nick's Avatar
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    Can I just highlight GAME's response guys.

    Yes, they were selling bundles at prices up to near £800 quid... BUT the company policy is to not REFUSE to sell the console other than in a bundle.

    Though GAME are still investigating, it looks like its really down to someone going too far with GAME's policy of trying to encourage buyers to trade up...
    Quote Originally Posted by Dareos View Post
    "OH OOOOHH oOOHHHHHHHOOHHHHHHH FILL ME WITH YOUR.... eeww not the stuff from the lab"

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    Bah Humbug. Dooms's Avatar
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    We did things *like* this all the time when I worked at gamestation, personaly no problem with the whole bundle thing HOWEVER the thing with having to pay fully for games that arnt actualy out for 4 months is just stupid.

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    HEXUS.social member Agent's Avatar
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    There isnt a £969 bundle sent out to stores, and as you pointed out, there isnt 15 different games, so WTF the guy you spoke to was on about, ill never know.
    Quote Originally Posted by Saracen View Post
    And by trying to force me to like small pants, they've alienated me.

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