Comments on: Sony’s New Sales Method: Bribery

By: OldManDeath

OldManDeath — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 00:30:10 +0000

@xpgeek – PC Gamers will always be able to get PC games. Either at Best Buy, Fry’s Electronics or online.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 23:09:33 +0000

The only thing I ever remember working at Target is a promotion Microsoft did for the original Xbox. To get people to learn about the new games they setup a website that you could visit and take quizzes on the games after reading about them. If you did well enough on the quiz you would get some points, which could then be traded in for Xbox games. I think it took 4 quizzes (about ten questions each) to earn one $19.99 game. So it wasn’t such a bad deal.

Other than that I don’t remember getting any other incentives for being the electronics manager. I guess it is only Target, so more of the incentives are probably offered to Best Buy since their focus is on electronics.

By: CoryC

CoryC — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 12:12:52 +0000

I was a manager in a electronics department before going back to school and it was not uncommon for manufactures to offer incentives for high ticket items such as camcorders or big screen TV; JVC and Sony were to the most common. Often, the sales were recorded through the register and reported automatically other times you had to keep a copy of the sales receipt and submit it to the manufacture similar to a rebate. The incentives were usually pretty good but you had to sell several “widgets” to qualify.

Another tactic that retailers offer employees who may or may not be on commission is a “spiff” which is a small, immediate bonus for a sale. These were usually on high profit items but not necessary big tickets items. I’ve seen spiffs as low as 50 cents and as large as $100. Spiffs were paid on the pay check but were sometimes sponsored by a manufacture.

These thing have been around for a long time and most (major)retailers participate.

By: Ashley

Ashley — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 23:10:30 +0000

I wonder if they’re on some type of commission at Gamestop? Maybe that’s why they are pushy? I know Best Buy, Target, Toys R Us, etc., aren’t on commission which is probably why they could care less if you buy or not.

By: Mohan

Mohan — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 22:48:00 +0000

Gamestop people always try to push stuff on people, that is why I rarely go there. I like to go to Toys R Us, Target, or Best Buy they are much better and not try to push stuff on people majority of the time.

By: xpgeek

xpgeek — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 22:08:08 +0000

I was just in a GameStop the other day, picked myself up Resident Evil 4 for the PC for 20 bucks. And this is kinda off topic from PS3 but I learned some interesting news. As I was remarking to the guy working there how sad it is that theres 4 whole walls and everything in between of console games and stuff for consoles, the PC gaming section has been reduced down to one single shelf. And then he told me that they’re getting rid of that soon too. GameStop stores will sell zero PC games in store, and only on their website. Even Half Life 2 Episode 2 when it comes out, will not be in store to buy, I asked, answer was nope. Tis a sad sad day for PC gamers.

By: Chris Rossini

Chris Rossini — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 21:48:27 +0000

I’m sure price is a large factor. I remember when I was a teenager, $600 was not very easy to come by.

As far as a “fair” price?…Well, as long as both parties voluntarily agree, every price is fair.

For me…$300 would get me interested.

By: OldManDeath

OldManDeath — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 21:15:22 +0000

The price does have a bit that would keep me from buying one. However, I do not play many games like I used to. I sold my Xbox 360 with HD-DVD drive not too long ago.

The only game I play anymore is Titan Quest for the PC.