HMV.co.uk refuses PS3 pre-orders unless consumers agree to buy PSP too

seraphimvc

anyone read this news yet?;)

read this 2 days ago and think some gamers might havent heard it.here you go...:p

this a mad world...mad world...

Bundle retailing for GBP 675

HMV's online store is now taking pre-orders for PlayStation 3 - providing consumers are also willing to purchase a 4GB PSP pack for a total price of GBP 675.

An email sent out to customers today says the deal will enable them to become one of the "lucky few" who will be able to pick up a PS3 at launch. It reads: "At HMV.co.uk, we've been working with Sony to offer up to 5000 customers an incredible deal when you buy the new Sony 4GB PSP.

"Anyone who takes advantage of this offer will get priority over other HMV.co.uk customers for the PlayStation 3." The deal also includes two PSP games - Killzone Liberation and Gangs of London - and the price for the bundle is listed as GBP 674.99.

According to the terms and conditions of the promotion, all consumers who buy the bundle "will take precedence over any other online HMV customers".

However, it's difficult to see who these other customers might be as a paragraph at the end of the email states, "PlayStation 3 solus console is currently unavailable to order from HMV.co.uk by itself, and we kindly ask customers not to contact us with regards to this." HMV's high street stores are not currently accepting PS3 pre-orders either.

There's no assurance that customers who sign up for the bundle will get their PS3 when the console launches on March 23. The terms and conditions of the offer state: "Delivery of any PS3 is subject to Sony�s delivery to HMV Guernsey. Accordingly, HMV cannot guarantee that registration on the Priority List means that you will receive your PS3 on the estimated release date, nor that your order will be fulfilled within any given time frame."

The offer is not likely to be well received by those consumers who feel that the price of the PlayStation 3 alone is already too high at GBP 425 - or by those who want to purchase a PS3, but already own a PSP.

A Sony spokesperson told GamesIndustry.biz, "This is just one of a number of value added incentives that retailers will be offering to mark the launch of PS3.

"Consumers are free to shop around to find a package that best suits their own needs, and offers the greatest value for money."

original source :http://gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=22524

p/s:675GBP =1020.64euro >_<just realise that....

The Sparrow

Thats ridiculous! Another case of a retailer exploiting the gaming cash cow! I know you don`t have to buy it and many won`t, but almost every retailer forces gamers to buy something they don`t really want when they buy a new console. :mad:

Kristok

no different to them forcing you to buy a second controller and a game like they usually do at launch and seeing as the console is the most expensive yet why not up the price of the bundled item. In one way at least you'll have something to play games on while you wait for something worth while to come out on the ps3.

Bananna man

Its a farce as far as im concerned. As if the ps3 isint as expensive enough as it is.

event

well just dont prebook with them, they'll change their mind

unreggd

Prebook it at Smyths, its 50 euro deposit which you get back, and Smyths have been a lot better than most places with Preorders, namely with the Wii

Black Jack

Cheeky monkeys

astrofool

They should bundle it with the Wii

quad_red

Well, it's a free market I suppose.

Still, if Sony are cooperating with HMV on this, it's further punishing the consumer for the scarcity and late launch of their product.

Europe get it months later. At a much higher price (even taking into consideration shipping, tax etc.). And Sony actively cooperate with retailers in 'hammering' desperate hardcore fans into buying packages.

And it sets another bad precedent. An extra controller or an extra game is one thing. But another bloody machine altogether? Harsh.