bigtroyjon
Member
Guess I was right with my meltdown comment earlier.
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Ultra Bomba: Major Australian Retailers Dropping Vita
- Thread starter Box of Bunnies
- Start date
RadiantRule
Banned
Unless you're knowledgeable on how Sony is going about with the production of the Vita and how similar it is to the PS3, your point is invalid.
Also, you know that the PS3 didn't fly off the shelves, right? Maybe they learnt their lesson on the PS3 and decided to not flood the market with PS Vitas - which is what Sony is saying.
This Australian retailer stuff is small-scale bomba fodder.
Try this new article from Gamasutra:
http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/40335/Is_Vita_losing_developer_support_already_Sony_responds.php
Is Vita Losing Developer Support Already? Sony responds
Try this new article from Gamasutra:
http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/40335/Is_Vita_losing_developer_support_already_Sony_responds.php
Is Vita Losing Developer Support Already? Sony responds
TerryWogan
Member
Wow.
Seriously, this kind of tunnel-visioned unfaltering refusal to accept anything remotely negative about a product you like absolutely blows my mind.
I'm not here to revel in Vita owner misery. I own a Vita myself (UK). I came in to check out what the 'Bomba' was, but rest assured, I'd love the Vita to succeed so I can keep playing new games on it for years to come.
That's my position. But I'm still able to accept a bit of potentially bad news about a gadget I own without going into denial and desperately coming up with nonsense in an attempt to poo-poo reality.
Pureauthor
Member
New news (or PR or whatever) should get its own thread.
If they're supply constrained to the point where entire retail chains are cut out of the supply then that does not paint a good picture. At all.
RadiantRule
Banned
Only way to find out is to wait and see whether the PS Vita suffers from any drought.
Wasn't that original article about with the quote about "developers dropping Vita support" nothing but an opinion piece?
Its going to be hard to say because Sony kept potential titles alot tighter than Nintendo. That said its not that hard to believe. When the 3DS launched and then suddenly tanked Developers did delay projects, make them multiplatform etc.The 3DS likely is very appealing now that its selling well and has a large install base already
TerryWogan
Member
It continues! Do you realise how much of a fanboy you're coming across as? 'Decided not to flood the market with PS Vitas'? What?! Do you even understand business and retail? You're completely out of your depth saying crazy things like that in a desperate clawing attempt to spin this story to match your fanboy viewpoint. Incredible scenes.
And how can you declare someone else's point 'invalid' before going on to make your own - by your rationale - 'invalid' point?
I'm out. I hope someone picks up where I left off but I can't carry on reading this nonsense. Apologies if I'm coming across as a troll or something - I'm really not trying to troll anyone - I just can't believe some of the rampant fanboyism in this thread.
Sorry, but I find it a lot more believable than Sony randomly deciding to intentionally not supply their system in stores where every other system is sold.
And Sony said nothing of the sort in their PR. They directly compared the Vita's situation TO the PS3's.
haha so we can enjoy our toys together!
I bought a 3DS at launch, and given how many consoles/games have depreciated in price super fast, I actually thought the ambassador program was a cool thing.
But past experiences have shown me that nothing is decided initially, and a hardware revision could be all thats needed to spark an influx of new interest.
RadiantRule
Banned
Dude, those who want the Vita know where to get one. Vita impulse buyers won't be found at those retail chain stores. You think if Apple decided to sell the iPad at Apple stores only that the item will bomb? No. Those who want them know where to get them. Maybe you don't live in Australia and, thus, wouldn't know that but in any case, you're making a bigger deal out of it that it is.
RadiantRule
Banned
Well, there you go. I guess I was right (as usual).
TerryWogan
Member
Yeah, supply issues... That's why the stores said "we're not stocking them" and Sony said "we're targeting specific retailers".
If supply issues were the problem, supply issues would be what they'd tell us. Hell, supply issues are a positive PR thing. Didn't do the Wii any harm. Increases hype and demand.
It seriously isn't a big deal... People that are willing to buy the system at launch won't be the person that walks into Kmart next week and picks one off the shelf.. Sure, if the system isn't in the shops a few months before Christmas then it might be a small problem but you can still get a Vita here but + Ridge Racer...
I buy all my games and consoles from JB, Big W and Target. Only chumps and casuals who love paying RRP shop at EB.
Box of Bunnies
Banned
:lol
TerryWogan
Member
Are you a leading market researcher? Do you know for a fact that 'people who want one know where to get one'. Do you even know for a fact that people who want one know the Vita even exists yet? Do you live in the real world? Having the Vita in as many stores as possible is a good thing. Plenty of people who would buy the Vita in a heartbeat don't know about it yet. You're talking absolute blinkered rubbish.
Ollie Pooch
In a perfect world, we'd all be homersexual
I buy at EB and get them to price match the other stores - if I hate it they'll accept the game back within a week.
My eb told me that they were only getting 1/10th of the vita games and accesories they had preorders for. Jb Hi Fi have had to stop stocking the 16gb memory card now because of Supply Issues. Sony are going to say whatever they want.. the $1000 PS3 was stocked in Kmart here so if you believe that then you're extremely naive...
Either the retailers didn't want it because of the Downloadable games or they dont have enough stock / feel theres no reason to put it there for launch... Sony aren't apple...
Not worth the hassle, I always get the "We only price match stores within the same shopping centre and now I'm gonna call them to make sure they have stock first"
Fuck rewarding them for their crappy RRP policy, I reward the other store. And I've never had any problem returning games at the places I mentioned.
This is exactly why Sony wanting to only put it in specific stores makes no sense....
Fuck, you're only wearing an L avatar, don't go around thinking you're actually him lol.
TerryWogan
Member
IF THERE WASN'T ENOUGH STOCK, THE RETAILERS WOULD HAVE SAID THERE ISN'T ENOUGH STOCK RATHER THAN SAYING 'WE'RE NOT STOCKING THE VITA'.
TerryWogan
Member
Exactly.. so Sonys reason that they're targeting a certain market is obviously just PR bullshit... Its never been an issue before and could you see the same happening with the PS4? The PSP was $400 at launch, the PS3 $1000. Its a BS response...
I'm not saying that Stock issues is definetely the reason. There's clearly several reasons but there is stock issues in Australia clearly... When do systems run out of preorders? When do items disapear by the day because there isn't enough stock.. never.
The iPad wouldn't bomb, but I'm pretty damn sure that it would have sold far less if it was only buyable in Apple stores and on the Apple website. And I love how people keep saying this "you don't live in Australia you don't know how people work here!" rubbish. I'm pretty sure Vita impulse buyers in every other country know where to buy them too, but I don't see Sony doing this anywhere else.
Supermarkets in the UK are a different beast than any retailers in Australia. The market here is like the UK was 10 years ago, before Tesco went mental and took over everything.
Big W doesn't stock the iPad or iPhone, and their gaming selection is limited and very much focused on the lower end / casual end of the market. They still sell PS2 games, for example.
TerryWogan
Member
Duh, so you agree with me. I was arguing with you by mistake because the other guy I was arguing with used your stock issues thing to support his weak argument. My apologies for shouting at you!
It's not the dl issue as EB is stocking the vita. They didn't stock the psp go for this same reason, so they wouldn't be stocking the vita if this was the case. The issue will be available inventory is low. It makes sense according to Sony's previous statements of who they are targeting. The product page of the vita at au.playstation.com has had preorder partners of JB, EB and Game since it was announced.
The cynics will tell you a tale of VitaDoom, but it does seem to be a drip-feed launch targeting core audience first.
Ollie Pooch
In a perfect world, we'd all be homersexual
When Vita is being sold in Walmart, Best Buy, big department stores in the states and elsewhere, the 'focused market' thing for Aus is obviously a load of shit. Kmart, Target and Big W don't wanna be burned like they were with the 3DS and subsequent price drop.
RadiantRule
Banned
Calm down. There is no reason for you to get angry.
Only K-Mart gave a specific reason:
"K-Mart stated they will not be stocking the PS Vita at all because they are leaning towards products with lower prices."
Clearly, they know what their customers are after, what they can afford and what they are willing to pay for a gaming handheld.
Box of Bunnies
Banned
TerryWogan
Member
A neat summary. This is exactly how I feel. Sony are spinning this story. Now I'm definitely off to bed!
Different markets, different strategies. Anyone with a passing knowledge of how Sony works knows that the various regions operate by doing their own thing. Which is one of the reasons being a PAL-land gamer is still frustrating.
Duh, so you agree with me. I was arguing with you by mistake because the other guy I was arguing with used your stock issues thing to support his weak argument. My apologies for shouting at you!
Its fine.. I was simply saying that there are clearly stock issues so it could just be one of many of the reasons.. I can't understand it honestly.. There shouldn't be stock issues regardless... All of Game is sold out a week before Launch? Its not as if Sony hasn't had enough time to get enough systems made...
and this is what I originally was referring to. but you and RadiantRule are stating it way better than I am able to heh.
looking forward to seeing you in the next bomba topic troy!
RadiantRule
Banned
People in different countries are different in that they have different habits and purchasing patterns. Or are you saying people are the same everywhere?
Edit: Example - you probably can't just walk into a gamestop shop in the UK, Portugal or Northern Island but there is one at every corner (different name) in Australia.
So Australia is so different from the rest of the planet that they're the only country Sony's doing this in?
flyinpiranha
Member
Another point about the Aussie retail space is that the Electronic chain (dick Smith) owned by Woolworths is stocking the Vita, but Woolworths general, lower-end demographic focused department store (Big W) or Woolworths supermarket chain isn't stocking it. But then no supermarkets in Australia carry big brand electronics or games.
Comparing the situation here to the UK or the US is fallacy, as the markets are totally different.
Last point: Wherever you find Target, Big W or Kmart, you can absolutely guarantee that JB Hifi will be in close proximity. And chances are, so will EB Games and Dick Smith.
The main retail market in Australia is made up of a few dozen retail chains, all owned by a handful of big conglomerates. The big stores are everywhere, but always snuggled next to each other. If a Big W was to open, you can be sure that their competitors in Target or Kmart will open up within walking distance.
JB HiFi (one the main players in the gaming retail space) is *everywhere*.
Comparing the situation here to the UK or the US is fallacy, as the markets are totally different.
Last point: Wherever you find Target, Big W or Kmart, you can absolutely guarantee that JB Hifi will be in close proximity. And chances are, so will EB Games and Dick Smith.
The main retail market in Australia is made up of a few dozen retail chains, all owned by a handful of big conglomerates. The big stores are everywhere, but always snuggled next to each other. If a Big W was to open, you can be sure that their competitors in Target or Kmart will open up within walking distance.
JB HiFi (one the main players in the gaming retail space) is *everywhere*.
Mariah Carey
Member
Regardless of whether it's Sony's decision or the retailers' decision not to stock Vita and the reasons for it, there is not one that is in any way 'good' or advantageous to Sony or the Vita platform.
All the possible reasons involve either: 1. People not expecting Vita to sell as much as a typical games machine. 2. Vita not making as much money for the retailers as a typical games machine.
Less money, less sales = Bomb
All the possible reasons involve either: 1. People not expecting Vita to sell as much as a typical games machine. 2. Vita not making as much money for the retailers as a typical games machine.
Less money, less sales = Bomb
RadiantRule
Banned
Yeah, because I'm sure you know about Sony's strategy in every single country in the world where the Vita is being released.
I'm pretty sure we would have heard about it if big stores in other countries weren't stocking it.
If you had small inventory and were targeting core gamers, wouldn't it make sense to give game, EB and jb higher stock first? Or would you spread it thin to non-gaming retailers where the core gamer doesn't shop for these things?
You conspiracy theory guys are a crackup.
mysticwhip
Banned
man this is some psp go level shit
RadiantRule
Banned
Oh you mean the other countries which are bigger markets than Australia but do not have as many video gaming dedicated stores per head?
there is an inherent logistical cost in getting your products out to retailers. This is in addition to the backroom negotiations that take place between retailers and manufacturers. Big brands - the ones that draw people into the stores - mean that the manufacturer has the negotiating power and can demand retail price, wholesale price, store positioning, POS advertising and so on. For other 'lesser' brands, the reverse is true and the stores can demand wholesale prices which kill the manufacturer's margins.
Seeing as the margins on the Vita itself will be tiny, the retailer would look to make money from games and accessories. Im sure that it's not financial viable or desirable for either the stores or Sony to push the Vita out to certain chains at the moment.
Who is saying no to the Vita is unknown, but you just can't read that these three stores in question are the ones choosing not to stock it and the handheld is doomed. Sony could have viewed JB, EB and GAME as their preferred suppliers and agreed to give them exclusive launch stock in return for reduced wholesale price or better POS adverting etc. You never know.
Seeing as the margins on the Vita itself will be tiny, the retailer would look to make money from games and accessories. Im sure that it's not financial viable or desirable for either the stores or Sony to push the Vita out to certain chains at the moment.
Who is saying no to the Vita is unknown, but you just can't read that these three stores in question are the ones choosing not to stock it and the handheld is doomed. Sony could have viewed JB, EB and GAME as their preferred suppliers and agreed to give them exclusive launch stock in return for reduced wholesale price or better POS adverting etc. You never know.
Example situation. The stores in question not stocking the Vita doesn't necessarily mean any lost sales.
Customer: "Hi, I'd like to buy a Vita please!"
Big W / Target / Kmart: "Sorry, we don't stock it. "
Customer: "Oh, OK, I'll just go next door to JB/EB/Game/Dick Smith."
Big W / Target / Kmart: "No problem. You would like to by the three pack of XXL t-shirts while you're here?"
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