HMV's PS3 bundle draws criticism from UK retailers
by Ludwig Kietzmann 
{ Feb 7th 2007 at 8:45PM }
MCV reports that potential PS3 buyers aren't the only ones to express concern with HMV's recent decision to create a monstrous PS3-PSP bundle. The UK retailer, which initially guaranteed PS3 pre-orders to customers who also picked up a PSP, a 4GB Memory Stick and 2 PSP games (grand total: £675), has since done away with the launch prioritization -- though the bundle remains an option.When questioned about the deal, competing UK retailers expressed no desire to create similar bundles. Martin Baxter, head of games at Choices UK, stated that, "We won't be following HMV's lead on the PSP pre-order bundle, because we won't hold our customers to ransom."
Virgin Megastores' Stephen Lynn was a bit more subtle, explaining their decision to "keep things simple" and and to avoid "confusing our customers over any product – let alone one of this expense." HMV refused to comment on the matter.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
RyAnderson @ Feb 7th 2007 11:08PM
Ummmm, doesn't Europe know that the PS3 is a huge dust-gathering disaster? Did they not get the memo?
Baby21 @ Feb 7th 2007 9:04PM
Just preordered from woolworths where I got wii on very first day launch.
Woolworths just doing normal pre-order system, £25 upfront and pay rest on the day.
Suprised? @ Feb 7th 2007 9:14PM
Did you guys not see HMV financial report? The only way out is to rape! RAPE! RAPE! RAPE!
Waruwaru @ Feb 7th 2007 10:14PM
At least you guys don't have to buy a plasma tv bundle...
http://www.engadgethd.com/2006/11/18/compusa-offering-ps3s-with-sony-hdtv-purchases/
is @ Feb 7th 2007 10:20PM
Theyve been trying to come up with ways to flog those psp's for ages. The poor smucks shouldnt have bought so many in!
As a sad loser who thrives on jostiq comment ps3 hate, Im really exited about the european launch. If it goes as badly as I anticipate, its gonna be barrels of fun!
Kworny @ Feb 8th 2007 5:45AM
Oh we do know that. But like a few or many thick americans they is da Sony Fanboys who will be buying that PS3 Shit.
DrXym @ Feb 8th 2007 6:54AM
@6 fanboys are fanboys whatever the platform. Anyone who bought a 360 at launch is a moron. Anybody who bought a Wii at launch is a moron. Anyone who bought / buys a PS3 at launch is a moron. What's the point (aside from ebay) when there just aren't enough games for at least 6 months. At least the EU PS3 launch comes with some new titles, but it's still slim pickings.
Anyway, even the Wii is still blighted by launch greed in the EU. Most are still being sold as bundles and the price of Wii games is still the same in many places as 360 games (as in the SAME PRICE or just 5 euros off). Anyone with a grain of self control waits for the launch hype to die down and for stores to step out of greed mode.
This is not console specific, just common sense.
Slaziman @ Feb 8th 2007 7:11AM
I bought the Wii on launch (no camping), am I a moron? I wanted the best Zelda experience and I couldn't wait, and I wasn't about to spoil it by buying the GC version!
kevinski @ Feb 8th 2007 7:34AM
@Waruwaru
I work at CompUSA, and I can assure you that the requirement to purchase a Sony television wasn't a requirement that was enforced by CompUSA. That was something that was put into place by Sony. I can assure you that Sony televisions certainly aren't the highest-margin brand of televisions that we happen to sell, so there was no reason for CompUSA to push Sony televisions exclusively.
NoHitHair @ Feb 8th 2007 7:50AM
@9:
What the hell are you talking about? Sony doesn't own CompUSA, they can't force their company to do anything. Had you read the article Waruwaru linked, you would've also noted that some stores *chose* to allocate their entire PS3 inventory to the bundle.
kevinski @ Feb 8th 2007 12:40PM
Of course Sony doesn't own CompUSA. They do, however, determine how the units are distributed, especially with such limited quantities. Our store had no PlayStation 3's on launch day, even with a decent number of pre-orders having been purchased. Our initial shipment consisted of a number of PS3 units equal to the number of pre-orders.
Since the pre-orders were filled, however, we've been selling them with no other purchases required. CompUSA only received around 500 units nation-wide during the launch period.
There were, however, two different SKU's that were set up for the pre-sales, one of which required the purchase of a television and one of which didn't. Despite having two SKU's, however, it was stated in a company-wide e-mail that the only way for us to guarantee a PlayStation 3 to each customer was to sell a Sony television with it, essentially making the second SKU useless.
No choices were made on the store level.
Slaziman @ Feb 8th 2007 10:15AM
@10
They can blackmail CompUSA by not sending them PS3's if they don't sell that bundle. Wait, what am I saying, who the hell would mind not having PS3's :O
FokNut @ Feb 8th 2007 10:49AM
"Just preordered from woolworths"
Wow, they still have Woolworths over there??? All the ones in the states were closed down years ago. I used to love that store cuz my mother used to buy my transformers and GI Joes from there.
kevinski @ Feb 8th 2007 12:43PM
And yes, Slaziman is pretty much correct. I can't confirm this on my own, but I've heard from other co-workers that CompUSA and Sony aren't on the best terms, and CompUSA only keeps its association with Good Guys because Sony is bound by contract to provide Good Guys with their products. Without the Good Guys name attached, I doubt that CompUSA would get Sony products very much, if at all. Why they really want them, I have no idea. I, personally, don't really care for Sony products.