While this only applies to Norway (as far as anyone knows), Microsoft is forcing retailers to sign an agreement in order to get 20 systems per store. The agreement basically says, "Sell two games with each system and all the systems on launch day." Here's the article. Now in the US, selling out of systems is not going to be a problem (especially if only 20 are alotted per store), but selling two games with each system? That's the bitch-kitty. However, with the number of bundles I've seen, maybe the retailers have known all along? Of course it could just be the retailers doing what they always do in order to force sales. Yay big companies screwing both retailers and customers! (Especially the customers!) :yatta:
what if they don't succed? if find that stupid. If the console isn't selling, it's maybe not because of the retailler, but because of the console itself. And how can they be sure that the Retailler really sold out the stock? A lie can be done so quickly.
If I understand this right - basically, every system the retailer sells has to be bundled with 2 games if you want more than 20 on launch day. After launch day and once the retailers are sold out, I don't think it is going to matter what they sell/order.
So I could go to a shop and say I want nothing but the XBOX 360, no leads, controllers etc and get the item for a lower price? or just that a retailer can't force me to buy 65536.707 games with the console?
You can take it all to the counter, just to get the guy off your back, and then say, I want to buy only this... and they can't say anything. Or do what I would do, buy the 360 on a "seperate" credit card. Then when they go to ring up the rest, say "no thanks" and leave. They can't do anything. You bought it at normal price, no crime or anything. Just pissed off sales people.
well what I find funny is that every major retailer I see offering xbox 360 preorders says they are out of stock in everything except like $700 bundles. I find that deceiving and a cheap way to rake in the benefits of a perceived supply shortage.
I have done this at a couple of console launches. The look on their faces is priceless! It's like you reached over the counter, slapped them in the face, and then put cold water down the front of thier pants! I was "detained" in a Wal-Mart for about 20 minutes with a sly grin on my face as they called all of the store mangers. They stood around for while, then decided I did not do anything wrong.
its really pissing me off havign to now buy a bundle when a system comes out, i didnt start seeing this happen till around when ps2 came out, gba was the first piece of hardware i saw where nerealy every store you wanted to buy it from, you had to buy a damn bundle. In fact the only places i know that dont force you to are walmart and target, those places its just first come firs serve.
I'm excited to see how this launch goes. I haven't really heard any sort of buzz...from Joe average about it yet. And I'm at a college...so...I think I would hear something.
For the legally unaware: "The Supreme Court has stated that the 'essential characteristic' of an illegal tying arrangement is a seller's decision to exploit its market power over the tying product 'to force the buyer into the purchase of a tied product that the buyer either did not want at all, or might have preferred to purchase elsewhere on different terms.'" In other words, if the product is normally packaged separately and can be sold separately (i.e. it has its own SKU/UPC) from another product, then the requirement that both items be bought as a unit in order to purchase one of them is forced bundling. You can get a 360 separate from the games, but not separate from the manuals/wires/included controller. I just wish I could find a clear cut list of states where it is explicitly illegal. I know enough legalese to scare the crap out of any store manager, so I have never had a problem here.
Same apply in France, nobody can force you to buy something you don't want or it's court, companies never win, the consumer is king in France. Last year I wanted to buy a PSTwo for Christmas in the UK for a nephew and retailer GAME didn't want to sell me one without games, they wanted me to buy crap games, so I went to Gamestation who gave me what I wanted. I'm sure they'll do the same thing with Xbox 360. I need to check the legislation on this... Wouah I'm shocked that they detained you for that, it's not shoplifiting, it's just a fucking piece of plastic, unbelievable!!! Did you sue them? Hearing all that, makes me want to skip this generation until Revo comes out and not support M$ at all on that side. I would be interested to see what their auditors have to say on that... Sabre
As I've stated before, Bundling in Mexico is not only the norm, but it's a more painful than usual sort of raping. See, you get your expensive system, and have to get it with two games (that rise the price at least another hundred dollars). These games generally suck ass, as well. This is not only during launches (I'm still to hear anything about 360 in official mexican retailers), but even now. For example, if you want a GBA, you HAVE to get it with MegaMan Battle Network Chip something or other, or a Yugioh game (unsold stock?), and you end up paying like 40 dollars for each. Gamecubes are generally bundled with "Enter the Matrix" and Metroid Prime - and you pay like 260 dollars for the bundle. The DS, when it came out, was bundled with "Sprung". And you couldn't buy it without getting your 60 dollar copy of the awful game. And the black market is doing this too, now. Some dudes tried to sell me a PS2 slim line with a "gift" of two 10 dollar games, for 250 dollars. And the "gift" was not optional, either. Fucking thieves. I forgot to mention something a bit OT. There's a Mexican-Market-Only, official Sony bundle PS2 - that comes with Winning Eleven 8. Will this bundle/box become somewhat rare? The machine might be Region 4, even. Back on topic. Bundling is unfair, for sure - and that's yet another reason not to buy consoles at launch date. Is it just me, or has the new breed of capitalism been trying hard to screw not only the workers, but now the consumers too? Because everywhere I go, companies and businesses are always trying to steal from me in any way possible. I should consult mexican law to see if forced bundling is illegal down here. I'd love to see those fucking bastards' faces in GamePlanet. Not sure I could defend my rights in the black market, though. The solution there is to stop going to the scam stands. There are still very decent retailers.
Im actually really suprised, they didnt force me to bundle my 360 with anything. Though, i eventually ended up getting 3 games anyway, plus a controller. I just payed off my 360 thank god, number 7 out of 28 guaranteed, though that number may be lower. I should be set, whoo.
