game in serious trouble?

That was for the additional dlc content, not to mention the benefit of playing it on the day of release, rather than playing a guessing game.
 
hux said:
That was for the additional dlc content, not to mention the benefit of playing it on the day of release, rather than playing a guessing game.
Click to expand...

We are sidetracking here but you got Back to Karkand with pre orders from retailers as well. I didnt buy from Origin, but I have it.

Point stands - everyone loves Steam. Steam prices are higher than retail prices for new release games.

Retail can ONLY compete with steam on price. They have NO other avenues open to them. Consumer habits have shown that price isn't why people buy on Steam.
 
Game and Gamestations websites are both down this morning. Both state down for maintenance.


***Edit*** Back up again now.
 
Last edited:
PC games are a nightmare in store, they really are. Most people who come into store have no idea what the specification of the PC they have is and therefore inevitably end up coming back 4 days later with a 'faulty' copy of MW3 that the store has no way of testing and no way of verifying isnt faulty.

The people who *do* have the right spec for these games generally buy online, either from cheaper online suppliers or from content services like Steam.

For every 20-30 copies of the latest COD I'd sell on a console, I'd sell perhaps 1 or 2 on PC. And inevitably it came back anyway.
 
[TW]Fox;21115714 said:
PC games are a nightmare in store, they really are. Most people who come into store have no idea what the specification of the PC they have is and therefore inevitably end up coming back 4 days later with a 'faulty' copy of MW3 that the store has no way of testing and no way of verifying isnt faulty.

The people who *do* have the right spec for these games generally buy online, either from cheaper online suppliers or from content services like Steam.

For every 20-30 copies of the latest COD I'd sell on a console, I'd sell perhaps 1 or 2 on PC. And inevitably it came back anyway.
Click to expand...

I thought PC games were never refunded anyway as they can easily be copied, etc?

That said, if you claim it's faulty I suppose there's nothing the shop can do.
 
I know for a fact that they wouldnt let you trade PC games in because of them being copied easily, but they cant refuse a refund/exchange if theres something wrong with the disk.

I havent used Game in years, they even sent me a new loyalty card the other day maybe to remind me to shop there. But when I was old enough to own my own debit card and learnt to shop online I very rarely buy local anymore.
 
[TW]Fox;21115714 said:
PC games are a nightmare in store, they really are. Most people who come into store have no idea what the specification of the PC they have is and therefore inevitably end up coming back 4 days later with a 'faulty' copy of MW3 that the store has no way of testing and no way of verifying isnt faulty.

The people who *do* have the right spec for these games generally buy online, either from cheaper online suppliers or from content services like Steam.

For every 20-30 copies of the latest COD I'd sell on a console, I'd sell perhaps 1 or 2 on PC. And inevitably it came back anyway.
Click to expand...

All game staff I have dealt with for PC games have asked did I check the requirements and stated game do not refund PC games what so ever because it is up to the customer to make sure they can run it.
 
Robbo said:
I thought PC games were never refunded anyway as they can easily be copied, etc?

That said, if you claim it's faulty I suppose there's nothing the shop can do.
Click to expand...

Exactly. In theory they are non refundable. It isnt the shops fault if your PC won't run it and it isn't faulty if your Radeon 8500 doesnt play BF3.

But if you can't prove it's working, the customer claims its faulty, not that it simply doesnt run because his PC sucks, what can a shop really do? The customers statutary rights come before a retailers policy. It was a nightmare. I can't imagine it's got better recently, so I can only assume it's got worse. I've been out if this sector since 2009 :p

Most customers think the machine they paid £1000 for from 'insert big pc shop here' 2-3 years ago is 'top of the range for games'.

Whereas you sell a PS3 game, it goes home, goes into the PS3 and... just works. And if somebody claims it doesnt its easy to test it.
 
When I had my job with Game, 11 years back, I remember when returns came back in, we had two boxes. One for them to be re-shrinkwrapped and go back on the shelf, another to be sent back to head office because they needed to be returned to the manufacturer or written off.

This kind of thing was quite common back then, as that's also when they let staff take home any new game of the shelves for three days, then return it and it was still sold as brand new.

The stupidest items though were PC Games that got returned, especially the likes of MMORPGs which had single use free months access codes. I actually bought one myself once, only to enter the code, which took me to a screen telling me I'd already redeemed it, showing me the name and credit card details of the person who had used it before! So whenever a game like that got returned, I threw it in the box to go back to head office. The Manager always wanted them to go back on the shelf though, such a fool.
 
PC Games section back on the GAME website. But you do wonder why it was taken down in the first place? :confused:

I think this is just the beginning of retail death - concerning PC games of course.

:(
 
Booner! said:
I just had an email which suggests they are in a very bad position...both GS and Game. That said, I can't see anything happening in the near future...Abandon ship while you still can!
Click to expand...

News is catching up, I can't go into details as I am concious of legality's within my industry...!

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2...e-as-doubt-cast-on-ability-to-stock-new-games

ORIGINAL STORY: UK shop GAME appears to be in trouble after doubt was cast on its ability to buy new games.

Eurogamer has heard from multiple UK industry sources that the specialist video game retailer has lost credit insurance with a number of publishers.

This means that publishers are now forced to take the risk on games that do not sell - something they do not wish to do.

GAME is now being asked by publishers to pay for new stock up front with cash. If GAME doesn't have the cash, it could result in the shop being unable to stock new games.
Click to expand...
 
Being asked to pay cash upfront for stock is pretty much a killer surely, for an established business? I'm surprised their shares haven't fallen off a cliff again.
 
I only really use Game for Collectors editions (although only just recently), if amazon stocked them at all I wouldnt even bother!

Hopefully they will still get the ME3 pre-orders in!
 
Updates

Booner! said:
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-02-01-ea-concerned-at-financial-health-of-major-european-retail-partner

EA boss John Riccitiello has voiced concerns about the financial health of a "major European retail partner".

Speaking during an investor call earlier today, Riccitiello didn't name the company in question, but explained that the situation could affect the publisher's next set of financials.

"We are concerned with the financial condition of one of our major European retail partners, which could lead to both increased bad debt and lost sales," he said.
Click to expand...


Booner! said:
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-02-02-game-confirms-talks-with-lenders-have-begun-hints-at-overseas-sell-off
Embattled retailer GAME has confirmed it is in talks with its lenders over its current credit troubles.

Its lending syndicate is reviewing the company. In a statement GAME hinted it may sell its overseas operation.

GAME has a strong presence in Europe and Australia. It has 94 shops in Australia, 197 in France, 288 in Spain and Portugal and 67 in Scandinavia.
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom