Sold German PS4 at Gamestop

Lusocu

I bought a ps4 today at Gamestop in Cork. When I set it up at home I found that there was a two pronged plug power cable supplied with it that doesn't fit in the socket unless you get a piece of plastic to stick in the top hole to get it to slot in. I didn't have an adapter and there wasn't one supplied with it. Strangely there was also a uk and Ireland style 3 pronged power cable too. I looked everywhere on the ps4 and this 3 pronged power supply cable is not compatible with it. I then saw all the instructions were only in German. It's not hard to set up anyway but that's not the issue. I'm annoyed I wasn't sold a uk and Ireland ps4 that would work out of the box. The extra incompatible power cable was very odd. To add insult to injury the wifi is extremely weak on it. It took hours to download the system updates and now I can't even log into the playstation network. I think not being able to log in is a common problem. I'm strongly thinking of taking it back to gamestop to ask for a uk and Ireland model. The whole thing just seems so shoddy. Am I being reasonable? It does work but is it safe and I think don't need any worry and I shouldn't have to make a concession like that.

MiskyBoyy

They're legally obliged to supply you with a UK 3 pin plug is my understanding. Bring it back & demand a fully usable Irish one.

hearmehearye

Take it back and get a replacement.

Maximus Alexander

Bringing it back would not be unreasonable.

ZiabR

Don't want to start again... but... Gamestop! really!

Take it back to them and get a refund. Then go to Arogs/Smyths and get one there instead.

Wonda-Boy

logik wrote: »

Don't want to start again... but... Gamestop! really!

Take it back to them and get a refund. Then go to Arogs/Smyths and get one there instead.

WHAT HE SAID....^^^^^ Would rather play a sega mega drive then buy off them cowboys. Surprised they are not running in the 2016 general election ffs!

Skerries

was this brand new or 2nd hand?

Lusocu

Skerries wrote: »

was this brand new or 2nd hand?

It was brand new. When I go in I hope I don't get some dude who'll look at me like I've two heads and gives me the spiel that it's all compatible and what's my problem and there must be something wrong with me for thinking it's an issue. I've had difficulties with uppity sales people before.

bigphil2

Lusocu wrote: »

It was brand new. When I go in I hope I don't get some dude who'll look at me like I've two heads and gives me the spiel that it's all compatible and what's my problem and there must be something wrong with me for thinking it's an issue. I've had difficulties with uppity sales people before.

They shouldnt be selling electrical goods from there without informing you and supplying and convertor at least,so you are completely in your rights for a replacement without question..
I doubt the salesperson knew it was German btw,they just sell what they have..

dreamers75

WIFI is brutal on all PS4s so dont expect that to be fixed.

Hmmmmm. My spidey senses are tingling here, you 100% it was new OP ? Mix ups can happen for sure but when you opened the box was everything in plastic wrap , nothing installed on the console if you set it up etc?

Either way get it back to them, as others have said they are required to have a 3 prong plug on it , this also applies if you by online from outside Ireland as far as I am aware.

Mr.S

Mr.S wrote: »

Clearly he just got a unit meant for the German market.

OP - the cable is not a unique power cable, what does the UK/IRE cable they supplied look like?

Just bring the box back to GameStop and replace. Or just buy a power cable for 99p on eBay if your lazy

Almost surely the case, but also a small chance it could have been a used console mistakenly picked up from the stock room. No harm to check that with the OP.

EDIT: Also worth asking on the off chance if it came in a white box with graded product written on it, highly unlikely though.

Lusocu

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Hmmmmm. My spidey senses are tingling here, you 100% it was new OP ? Mix ups can happen for sure but when you opened the box was everything in plastic wrap , nothing installed on the console if you set it up etc?

Either way get it back to them, as others have said they are required to have a 3 prong plug on it , this also applies if you by online from outside Ireland as far as I am aware.

All the wrapping was there and it looked new. I found it odd that a UK 3 prong plug power cable was included which was was not compatible with the PS4 inside the box. The power cable included needed an adapter which wasn't included. It's like a Frankenstein box of parts. The whole experience of buying a PS4 has been ruined for me. It's very unprofessional. I want a PS4 that's intended for this country. It's really bugging me that I have to stick an adapter on the end of my power lead. I rang the shop today. The guy said he wouldn't replace it for me. I would not have bought the PS4 if I was told that it was a foreign model that I would need to buy an adapter for. The idea of it just ruins the experience for me. I wanted everything to be smooth and as intended now I'm supposed to make do. He said I could ring back on Saturday and speak to the manager.

Lusocu

Mr.S wrote: »

Clearly he just got a unit meant for the German market.

OP - the cable is not a unique power cable, what does the UK/IRE cable they supplied look like?

Just bring the box back to GameStop and replace. Or just buy a power cable for 99p on eBay if your lazy

The UK/IRE cable has three slots that's supposed to go into the back of the ps4 but there's no compatible port there. The foreign one has two slots and this does fit into the back of the ps4 and has two prongs that are supposed to go into the mains which I'm supposed to use an adapter for which wasn't included. They said they'd give me an adapter if I called in. If they offered me an adapter because it was a foreign model on the day I bought it I would not have handed over my money. I'm seriously wound up over it.

JIdontknow

I'd be marching in there tomorrow with it all boxed up, leaving it on the counter and demanding a replacement or refund. Don't back down and if you have to cause a scene, do cause one! Ask for the manager. I mean we don't go into electrical stores and buy something only to get home and open it and its a European plug or for the German market.

mrm

Hi Lusoco,

Ring Consumer Affairs 01 4025555 and open up a case with them before you go into Gamestop. Write down all the advice CA give you so you can quote it back to anyone in the shop who resists sorting this out to your satisfaction:

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/consumer_affairs/

Lusocu

JIdontknow wrote: »

I'd be marching in there tomorrow with it all boxed up, leaving it on the counter and demanding a replacement or refund. Don't back down and if you have to cause a scene, do cause one! Ask for the manager. I mean we don't go into electrical stores and buy something only to get home and open it and its a European plug or for the German market.

I'll have to ring on Saturday and speak to the manager. I'm embarrassed about going in. I don't like doing this type of thing. But if I have to go in to make my argument I will. My fears were realised today when they were behaving as if I shouldn't be thinking anything was wrong. In fact it's ruined this thing that I'd been looking forward to buying. They must have sold more of those foreign units already. I imagine most people would choose to buy it elsewhere if they were informed it was a foreign model that needed an adapter. I'm being made to feel as if I'm neurotic and my complaint is not valid. I should have been told about it and I would have gone to Smyths instead or asked for a UK/Irish model. Now I'm just supposed to accept it and be reasonable.

JIdontknow

Lusocu wrote: »

I'll have to ring on Saturday and speak to the manager. I'm embarrassed about going in. I don't like doing this type of thing. But if I have to go in to make my argument I will. My fears were realised today when they were behaving as if I shouldn't be thinking anything was wrong. In fact it's ruined this thing that I'd been looking forward to buying. They must have sold more of those foreign units already. I imagine most people would choose to buy it elsewhere if they were informed it was a foreign model that needed an adapter. I'm being made to feel as if I'm neurotic and my complaint is not valid. I should have been told about it and I would have gone to Smyths instead or asked for a UK/Irish model. Now I'm just supposed to accept it and be reasonable.

I'd call head office tomorrow (it mightn't be open Saturday, probably open business hours Monday - Friday) and explain and say you called the store and were told basically tough luck, and that's not acceptable to you. Then go into the store Saturday, you've nothing to be embarrassed about, you bought it in good faith new.

JIdontknow

JIdontknow wrote: »

I'd call head office tomorrow (it mightn't be open Saturday, probably open business hours Monday - Friday) and explain and say you called the store and were told basically tough luck, and that's not acceptable to you. Then go into the store Saturday, you've nothing to be embarrassed about, you bought it in good faith new.

+353 76 680 5877 is the number I think.

It's total BS they should not be selling a german sku here stock mix up or not , also if we want to be super anal about it , he/she could argue there were no english instructions included but that would also be a point

Lusocu

I spoke with the manager this evening in Gamestop. They conceded in the end to my argument that I was sold the product under false pretenses and gave me a refund. Apparantly there's a shortage of UK/Ire PS4s all over, so they had to order in Nordic models. Imagine trying to resell this second hand to a person down the line and saying to them it's an import but sure it's grand with this adapter here lad. It might raise doubt in their mind with other compatility issues with games and software downloads. I think it's something that should be mentioned to the buyer. For me the harmony of the experience was destroyed knowing I had to use an adapter. I needed everything to be right.

elfy4eva

Fair play on getting a refund, I know how you feel, all you wanted to do was chill with a few new games and all the rigmarole just ruins the relaxed spirit of it all!

K.O.Kiki

Lusocu wrote: »

I spoke with the manager this evening in Gamestop. They conceded in the end to my argument that I was sold the product under false pretenses and gave me a refund. Apparantly there's a shortage of UK/Ire PS4s all over, so they had to order in Nordic models. Imagine trying to resell this second hand to a person down the line and saying to them it's an import but sure it's grand with this adapter here lad. It might raise doubt in their mind with other compatility issues with games and software downloads. I think it's something that should be mentioned to the buyer. For me the harmony of the experience was destroyed knowing I had to use an adapter. I needed everything to be right.

You keep banging on about needing an "adapter", but it's a standard C7/C8 "figure-8" power plug.

bigphil2

Lusocu wrote: »

I spoke with the manager this evening in Gamestop. They conceded in the end to my argument that I was sold the product under false pretenses and gave me a refund. Apparantly there's a shortage of UK/Ire PS4s all over, so they had to order in Nordic models. Imagine trying to resell this second hand to a person down the line and saying to them it's an import but sure it's grand with this adapter here lad. It might raise doubt in their mind with other compatility issues with games and software downloads. I think it's something that should be mentioned to the buyer. For me the harmony of the experience was destroyed knowing I had to use an adapter. I needed everything to be right.

Glad you got it sorted in the end,its a shame you had to argue for it though as it could have been avoided by them simply informing you before you handed over the dosh..

Lusocu

K.O.Kiki wrote: »

You keep banging on about needing an "adapter", but it's a standard C7/C8 "figure-8" power plug.

No. I just googled a pic of that power plug you mentioned. I did not receive that plug in the PS4 pack. I got a two pronged European plug and very oddly a power cable with a three pronged plug that had no port in the PS4 for it to slot into. It had no purpose being there. I dont know if Gamestop or Sony are responsible for that extra incompatible plug but it's very shoddy being there.

Straight Edge Punk

Lusocu wrote: »

No. I just googled a pic of that power plug you mentioned. I did not receive that plug in the PS4 pack. I got a two pronged European plug and very oddly a power cable with a three pronged plug that had no port in the PS4 for it to slot into. It had no purpose being there. I dont know if Gamestop or Sony are responsible for that extra incompatible plug but it's very shoddy being there.

All PS4 consoles, regardless of where it is purchased have the same power port in the back of the console. The poster who told you that you needed a "figure of 8" plug was correct. You could have got one in any pound shop.

Lusocu

bigphil2 wrote: »

Glad you got it sorted in the end,its a shame you had to argue for it though as it could have been avoided by them simply informing you before you handed over the dosh..

I've been calling around Gamestops all over Cork today having conversations with managers about this. Apparantly they ran short of PS4s around Christmas and they had to order in Nordic PS4s to cover the shortage and they still have a surplus of those they're selling off. In Gamestop Wilton Cork I was told that they are very careful to inform customers so they know what they are getting, that the PS4s are imports that do require an adapter to work. In Gamestop Midleton Cork it's the same situation. I called into Smyths as well for good measure. I've arranged to have the shops call me when they get in the PS4 model that I will be happy with.

Maximus Alexander

Straight Edge Punk wrote: »

All PS4 consoles, regardless of where it is purchased have the same power port in the back of the console. The poster who told you that you needed a "figure of 8" plug was correct. You could have got one in any pound shop.

And he shouldn't have needed to.

Lusocu

Straight Edge Punk wrote: »

All PS4 consoles, regardless of where it is purchased have the same power port in the back of the console. The poster who told you that you needed a "figure of 8" plug was correct. You could have got one in any pound shop.

I said that the plug included was a two pronged plug. 2 prongs. It's shoddy and unprofessional. I'm not prepared to accept what looks like a box of parts and not all the equipment I need to run it when I get home.

Riesen_Meal

Lusocu wrote: »

I've been calling around Gamestops all over Cork today having conversations with managers about this. Apparantly they ran short of PS4s around Christmas and they had to order in Nordic PS4s to cover the shortage and they still have a surplus of those they're selling off. In Gamestop Wilton Cork I was told that they are very careful to inform customers so they know what they are getting, that the PS4s are imports that do require an adapter to work. In Gamestop Midleton Cork it's the same situation. I called into Smyths as well for good measure. I've arranged to have the shops call me when they get in the PS4 model that I will be happy with.

Why would you even be wasting your own time and the shops doing that?

The PS4 is completely region free - what difference does a Nordic unit make?

It's the exact same console?

Change the plug and language and get on with it - as once you go to start off an account on it, it automatically reverts to an Irish account...

You can buy a PS4 in NYC, bring it home, throw out the cable and pop in a cable from a sky box and off it would go into an Irish account...

Lusocu

Fieldog wrote: »

Why would you even be wasting your own time and the shops doing that?

The PS4 is completely region free - what difference does a Nordic unit make?

It's the exact same console?

Change the plug and language and get on with it - as once you go to start off an account on it, it automatically reverts to an Irish account...

You can buy a PS4 in NYC, bring it home, throw out the cable and pop in a cable from a sky box and off it would go into an Irish account...

I was also hoping to find the model I wanted. As a side effect it's not a waste of the shops time because maybe now they will remember to tell people it's a foreign model that requires an adapter. My ps4 package was shoddy and unprofessional with surplus parts with no function. No thanks.

It doesn't matter. Don't bother. Im fully aware of all this. It's neuroticism/OCD I admit openly. I want the UK Irish model with everything included that I need to run it without the need for an adapter and that is that.

Skerries

if they knew it was not going to have the correct cable before xmas they should have supplied them themselves as I'd say there was a few kids on xmas day hoping to play with their new PS4 only to realise that he had brought the version from Santa's own country instead

eggy81

Skerries wrote: »

if they knew it was not going to have the correct cable before xmas they should have supplied them themselves as I'd say there was a few kids on xmas day hoping to play with their new PS4 only to realise that he had brought the version from Santa's own country instead

Simply stick something in the top prong of the docket to open the live/neutral ports and bang in the two pronged lead. Simples. These are double isolated and don't have an earth. The earth pin is plastic and simply opens the socket.

kunst nugget

Skerries wrote: »

if they knew it was not going to have the correct cable before xmas they should have supplied them themselves as I'd say there was a few kids on xmas day hoping to play with their new PS4 only to realise that he had brought the version from Santa's own country instead

I've probably over a dozen of those cables lying around the house. It's hardly that big a deal.

Fieldog

Fieldog wrote: »

Why would you even be wasting your own time and the shops doing that?

The PS4 is completely region free - what difference does a Nordic unit make?

It's the exact same console?

Change the plug and language and get on with it - as once you go to start off an account on it, it automatically reverts to an Irish account...

You can buy a PS4 in NYC, bring it home, throw out the cable and pop in a cable from a sky box and off it would go into an Irish account...

He didn't go to the US and buy one and fly it home though , he bought one in an irish b&m store and shouldn't have to go changing plugs and languages, granted those are easy to sort out but the point being he shouldn't have to

dunworth1

Op I would recommend going to argos and buying a ps4 for cheaper than gamestop

Julez

Why are people defending Gamestop here? Just do this or that, right yeah, its a simple fix, but you shouldn't have to do anything. They clearly knew they were euro consoles and so slipped in an extra UK/IRE cable and said nothing, that cable turned out to not even be the correct cable. While not the worst thing in the world, its not OK and he/she is well entitled to a refund. Fair play OP. As others have said, get one in Argos, it'll be one that was assigned to be sold in Ireland and you'll get a better deal.

RobertFoster

mrm wrote: »

Hi Lusoco,

Ring Consumer Affairs 01 4025555 and open up a case with them before you go into Gamestop. Write down all the advice CA give you so you can quote it back to anyone in the shop who resists sorting this out to your satisfaction:

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/consumer_affairs/

According to Citizens Information safety of electrical products:

You are entitled to expect that any electrical item that you buy in Ireland comes with a 3 pin plug. If it does not the item may be considered "not fit for its purpose" as per the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act, 1980.

It was up to GameStop to remedy the plug issue properly. They should have told the OP at the point of sale, and provided the right cable (not an adaptor). Even if a replacement is cheap and easy, it's not up to the OP to do it.

Straight Edge Punk

Lusocu wrote: »

I said that the plug included was a two pronged plug. 2 prongs. It's shoddy and unprofessional. I'm not prepared to accept what looks like a box of parts and not all the equipment I need to run it when I get home.

You got an EU plug rather than a UK one,That's all. Id say you have 5+ of the plug you needed lying around the house.

Straight Edge Punk

Lusocu wrote: »

I was also hoping to find the model I wanted. As a side effect it's not a waste of the shops time because maybe now they will remember to tell people it's a foreign model that requires an adapter. My ps4 package was shoddy and unprofessional with surplus parts with no function. No thanks.

It doesn't matter. Don't bother. Im fully aware of all this. It's neuroticism/OCD I admit openly. I want the UK Irish model with everything included that I need to run it without the need for an adapter and that is that.

It didn't need an adapter, that's the point. It needed a plug you could find in the back of a sky box or even a PS3.

Corholio

Nobody should have to look for a plug when they buy a console, regardless of how many may be lying around the house. It smacks of shoddiness and completely unprofessional in a dedicated game shop. That's something that gets forgotten they are a DEDICATED game shop so of all the places it should not happen, it's there. But Gamestop be Gamestop. If I bought a console there I'd expect a UK machine/plug with English instructions, and fully expect to take it back for a refund if it didn't.

Straight Edge Punk

Corholio wrote: »

Nobody should have to look for a plug when they buy a console, regardless of how many may be lying around the house. It smacks of shoddiness and completely unprofessional in a dedicated game shop. That's something that gets forgotten they are a DEDICATED game shop so of all the places it should not happen, it's there. But Gamestop be Gamestop. If I bought a console there I'd expect a UK machine/plug with English instructions, and fully expect to take it back for a refund if it didn't.

Call me strange but I'd rather just use a plug I have at home instead of packing everything up and driving back to the shop. I completely agree with your point and I am in no way defending Gamestop but it just seems the person is making a big deal over a relatively minor thing. The console itself was brand new with no issues.

He could have avoided all this and saved himself money by just buying it in Argos. Never ever buy from Gamestop.

P.S I know a tiny issue like this certainly wouldn't ruin the experience of buying a ps4 if it had happened to me way back when I bought mine.

micks_address

Bought ps4 pre Xmas in gamestop. They told me at purchase it was a European console, they included three point plug and said warranty was same etc

DARK-KNIGHT

Try trade those consoles into cex or gamestop and I guarantee you that they will refuse it as it's an imported console

Straight Edge Punk

DARK-KNIGHT wrote: »

Try trade those consoles into cex or gamestop and I guarantee you that they will refuse it as it's an imported console

They would have no way of knowing.

ASOT

DARK-KNIGHT wrote: »

Try trade those consoles into cex or gamestop and I guarantee you that they will refuse it as it's an imported console

They wouldn't be refused in CeX aslong as it has the correct figure of 8 plug there's no way they would know unless you told them its not a question they have to ask.

DARK-KNIGHT

If you were using the lead you got like a two prong with an adapter to Irish 3 pin.

I have had stuff refused in cex as no Irish plug they said

kunst nugget

DARK-KNIGHT wrote: »

If you were using the lead you got like a two prong with an adapter to Irish 3 pin.

I have had stuff refused in cex as no Irish plug they said

You don't need to use the two prong lead with an adaptor. You just replace it with a standard three prong plug lead - just make sure it has the same amp fuse for peace of mind. We operate on the same voltage as Germany. It's not like using an American PS4 in ireland.

DARK-KNIGHT

kunst nugget wrote: »

You don't need to use the two prong lead with an adaptor. You just replace it with a standard three prong plug lead - just make sure it has the same amp fuse for peace of mind. We operate on the same voltage as Germany. It's not like using an American PS4 in ireland.

I am aware of that but unless you have bought an Irish three prong cable cex will not take it. If you buy an Irish cable they will take it but without its a no go

RobbingBandit

Regardless of the plug CeX usually need to format the console upon testing which when it reverts to the default German settings it will fail.

kunst nugget

DARK-KNIGHT wrote: »

I am aware of that but unless you have bought an Irish three prong cable cex will not take it. If you buy an Irish cable they will take it but without its a no go

So it isn't an issue at all.

Mr Bloat

RobbingBandit wrote: »

Regardless of the plug CeX usually need to format the console upon testing which when it reverts to the default German settings it will fail.

It doesn't revert the German default settings, on first boot or after a format, the first question asked on screen is to choose a language. What you choose here becomes the default system language. CEX would choose English and move on, never knowing where the console came from.

This is a total non-issue in fairness. Sony have a factory that churns out identical PS4s that are boxed and distributed to many countries. It's the exact same console sent everywhere in Europe. At some point of the distribution chain, a certain amount of consoles are marked to be delivered to IE/UK and a three prong power lead is put into those boxes along with English instruction leaflet, a two prong is put into the others that are marked for mainland Europe and an instruction leaflet in a different language. That is the only difference between the boxes. The consoles are identical whether you buy in in IE, FR, DE or whatever. Gamestop should have given OP a three prong lead and if they did, he/she would have been none the wiser as to where the console came from.