Interesting comment from a local Kmart manager

Collapse

Recommended Videos

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • GoldSox
    Pro
    • Dec 2002
    • 740

    #1

    Interesting comment from a local Kmart manager

    I called today to see if they had any 360s (long shot, I know). The employee put me on the phone with the manager who proceeded to say:

    "I didn't order any. I don't agree what the manufacturer is asking us to do. It's not fair to the customer. I will wait until February when they make them available for everyone...I do have accessories though!"

    Odd...what would MS have "asked them to do"? Why did he say he was "waiting until February when they are available to everyone"? Am I reading too much into the comments from a Kmart manager?

    Seriously, though...If this is some "marketing ploy", I don't get it. Why miss out on the Christmas buying rush by making less units than meet demand. Also, if they wait until February to "make them more available", I might just consider waiting for the PS3. (Who am I kidding...I'll probably get both again). It seems like one of the things that will help drive sales is that it will be a long time before anything this good (or better?) is available.

    Thoughts?
  • fsquid
    Banned
    • Jul 2002
    • 17635

    #2
    Re: Interesting comment from a local Kmart manager

    Specuation is that MS took away US units and made them available overseas.

    Comment

    • jpup
      MVP
      • Feb 2003
      • 4571

      #3
      Re: Interesting comment from a local Kmart manager

      Originally posted by GoldSox
      I called today to see if they had any 360s (long shot, I know). The employee put me on the phone with the manager who proceeded to say:

      "I didn't order any. I don't agree what the manufacturer is asking us to do. It's not fair to the customer. I will wait until February when they make them available for everyone...I do have accessories though!"

      Odd...what would MS have "asked them to do"? Why did he say he was "waiting until February when they are available to everyone"? Am I reading too much into the comments from a Kmart manager?

      Seriously, though...If this is some "marketing ploy", I don't get it. Why miss out on the Christmas buying rush by making less units than meet demand. Also, if they wait until February to "make them more available", I might just consider waiting for the PS3. (Who am I kidding...I'll probably get both again). It seems like one of the things that will help drive sales is that it will be a long time before anything this good (or better?) is available.

      Thoughts?

      BS!

      Kmart and other retailers recieve items based on sales. They do not order them.
      NFL: Tennessee Titans
      MLB: Cincinnati Reds

      Comment

      • sdrotar
        OS Managing Ed., 2002-07
        • Jul 2002
        • 1055

        #4
        Re: Interesting comment from a local Kmart manager

        You may be reading a little too much into it.
        One of the things Microsoft has done is send "sold out" signs to vendors, which they're to display after the initial shipment has been sold.
        Undoubtedly, that's to build excitement and demand, but they aren't sitting on units in the back...

        Microsoft wants to sell as many Xbox 360s as they can, as soon as they can.

        But if it's going to be a while until the flow of product is larger than a trickle, then they're going to try to turn that into an advantage.

        Whether that's smart business (it probably is), or distasteful business (it may be to some) is subject to interpretation.

        But to answer the more direct insinuation: Microsoft is not "artificially" delaying shipments. That would be foolish. The demand is there and the sales are waiting. It appears that Microsoft may have underestimated the difficulty of a worldwide launch somewhat (nobody's ever really done that before). As a result, they're short on product everywhere, and doing what they feel they need to to keep excitement up until the can get more units produced, packaged and on store shelves.



        Shawn Drotar
        Managing Editor, OperationSports.com
        Read Operation Sports on Xbox.com!
        "Splinters From the Pine" - the 'blog

        "I eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich before every game. Whoever invented that was smart. That's got to be one of the best sandwiches ever."
        -- Ben Gordon
        Shawn Drotar
        Former Managing Editor, OperationSports.com (2002-07)

        Comment

        • EWRMETS
          All Star
          • Jul 2002
          • 7491

          #5
          Re: Interesting comment from a local Kmart manager

          Originally posted by sdrotar
          You may be reading a little too much into it.
          One of the things Microsoft has done is send "sold out" signs to vendors, which they're to display after the initial shipment has been sold.
          Undoubtedly, that's to build excitement and demand, but they aren't sitting on units in the back...

          Microsoft wants to sell as many Xbox 360s as they can, as soon as they can.

          But if it's going to be a while until the flow of product is larger than a trickle, then they're going to try to turn that into an advantage.

          Whether that's smart business (it probably is), or distasteful business (it may be to some) is subject to interpretation.

          But to answer the more direct insinuation: Microsoft is not "artificially" delaying shipments. That would be foolish. The demand is there and the sales are waiting. It appears that Microsoft may have underestimated the difficulty of a worldwide launch somewhat (nobody's ever really done that before). As a result, they're short on product everywhere, and doing what they feel they need to to keep excitement up until the can get more units produced, packaged and on store shelves.



          Shawn Drotar
          Managing Editor, OperationSports.com
          Read Operation Sports on Xbox.com!
          "Splinters From the Pine" - the 'blog

          "I eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich before every game. Whoever invented that was smart. That's got to be one of the best sandwiches ever."
          -- Ben Gordon
          I think Microsoft is better off to have initial shortages that builds up hype than have Xbox 360s sitting on the shelves the day of launch. Part of the reason why so many people did ridiculous things to get one was because they feared it would be difficult to get one afterwards. What now makes sense for Microsoft is to trickle in Xbox's throughout the entire holiday season, enabling everyone to buy one, but keep the risk that they won't be available. If they really wait till after holiday season and many people are unable to get it, people will choose to get other products during the holiday season, and won't get 360s.

          Comment

          • fsquid
            Banned
            • Jul 2002
            • 17635

            #6
            Re: Interesting comment from a local Kmart manager

            are you arguing with lead editor Shawn Drotar?

            Comment

            • GoldSox
              Pro
              • Dec 2002
              • 740

              #7
              Re: Interesting comment from a local Kmart manager

              Originally posted by sdrotar
              You may be reading a little too much into it.
              One of the things Microsoft has done is send "sold out" signs to vendors, which they're to display after the initial shipment has been sold.
              Undoubtedly, that's to build excitement and demand, but they aren't sitting on units in the back...

              Microsoft wants to sell as many Xbox 360s as they can, as soon as they can.

              But if it's going to be a while until the flow of product is larger than a trickle, then they're going to try to turn that into an advantage.

              Whether that's smart business (it probably is), or distasteful business (it may be to some) is subject to interpretation.

              But to answer the more direct insinuation: Microsoft is not "artificially" delaying shipments. That would be foolish. The demand is there and the sales are waiting. It appears that Microsoft may have underestimated the difficulty of a worldwide launch somewhat (nobody's ever really done that before). As a result, they're short on product everywhere, and doing what they feel they need to to keep excitement up until the can get more units produced, packaged and on store shelves.



              Shawn Drotar
              Managing Editor, OperationSports.com
              Read Operation Sports on Xbox.com!
              "Splinters From the Pine" - the 'blog

              "I eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich before every game. Whoever invented that was smart. That's got to be one of the best sandwiches ever."
              -- Ben Gordon
              Truly didn't mean to insinuate anything negative. Sorry if it came across that way. And I didn't think MS was making retailers hold units in the back of their stores. I'm just trying to get a grip on whether more of these will be available (a) later this week; (b) next week; (c) next month; or (d) next February(?!?!)

              Thanks for your responses.

              Comment

              • Basco
                Rookie
                • Nov 2003
                • 51

                #8
                Re: Interesting comment from a local Kmart manager

                The Kmart in my town sold them to the employees, he probably was giving you a story

                Comment

                • JRod
                  MVP
                  • Jul 2002
                  • 3266

                  #9
                  Re: Interesting comment from a local Kmart manager

                  Well Shawn does write for Xbox.com...

                  Anyway, the real question is who shops at KMart?

                  Comment

                  • sdrotar
                    OS Managing Ed., 2002-07
                    • Jul 2002
                    • 1055

                    #10
                    Re: Interesting comment from a local Kmart manager

                    Originally posted by GoldSox
                    Truly didn't mean to insinuate anything negative. Sorry if it came across that way. And I didn't think MS was making retailers hold units in the back of their stores. I'm just trying to get a grip on whether more of these will be available (a) later this week; (b) next week; (c) next month; or (d) next February(?!?!)

                    Thanks for your responses.
                    LOL. Ignore Squid - I always do.

                    My guess - and it's purely an educated guess - is that you'll see about the same number of units as were available today each week until January.

                    I think the people paying $1,000-plus for them on Ebay right now are nuts.
                    Shawn Drotar
                    Former Managing Editor, OperationSports.com (2002-07)

                    Comment

                    • ComfortablyLomb
                      MVP
                      • Sep 2003
                      • 3548

                      #11
                      Re: Interesting comment from a local Kmart manager

                      Originally posted by sdrotar
                      I think the people paying $1,000-plus for them on Ebay right now are nuts.
                      Especially for launch units that are guaranteed to have more problems per console than units that come off the line later in the production cycle.

                      Comment

                      • GoldSox
                        Pro
                        • Dec 2002
                        • 740

                        #12
                        Re: Interesting comment from a local Kmart manager

                        Originally posted by JRod
                        Well Shawn does write for Xbox.com...

                        Anyway, the real question is who shops at KMart?
                        People who are:

                        (a) desperate for an XBOX 360, but

                        (b) not desperate enough to wait all night in the cold rain or spend $10,000 on EBay

                        Comment

                        • sdrotar
                          OS Managing Ed., 2002-07
                          • Jul 2002
                          • 1055

                          #13
                          Re: Interesting comment from a local Kmart manager

                          Originally posted by ComfortablyLomb
                          Especially for launch units that are guaranteed to have more problems per console than units that come off the line later in the production cycle.
                          Yes - that's very likely, using history as our guide.
                          Shawn Drotar
                          Former Managing Editor, OperationSports.com (2002-07)

                          Comment

                          • caseyd
                            D*d y** g*t th* m*m*?
                            • Jul 2002
                            • 2367

                            #14
                            Re: Interesting comment from a local Kmart manager

                            Originally posted by sdrotar
                            Yes - that's very likely, using history as our guide.

                            Exactly. I can hear this in 2 years:

                            "What Drive do you have?"
                            "I have the Samsung. I got a launch system."
                            "Oh, that has known issues with that game. You need the Phillips."
                            Mario Kart Wii: 1203 9969 5095
                            Super Smash Brothers: 1590 5514 9377
                            Animal Crossing Friends Code: 4081-9120-3313
                            Animal Crossing Town: Danville

                            Comment

                            • JayBee74
                              Hall Of Fame
                              • Jul 2002
                              • 22989

                              #15
                              Re: Interesting comment from a local Kmart manager

                              Originally posted by sdrotar
                              You may be reading a little too much into it.
                              One of the things Microsoft has done is send "sold out" signs to vendors, which they're to display after the initial shipment has been sold.
                              Undoubtedly, that's to build excitement and demand, but they aren't sitting on units in the back...

                              Microsoft wants to sell as many Xbox 360s as they can, as soon as they can.

                              But if it's going to be a while until the flow of product is larger than a trickle, then they're going to try to turn that into an advantage.

                              Whether that's smart business (it probably is), or distasteful business (it may be to some) is subject to interpretation.

                              But to answer the more direct insinuation: Microsoft is not "artificially" delaying shipments. That would be foolish. The demand is there and the sales are waiting. It appears that Microsoft may have underestimated the difficulty of a worldwide launch somewhat (nobody's ever really done that before). As a result, they're short on product everywhere, and doing what they feel they need to to keep excitement up until the can get more units produced, packaged and on store shelves.
                              That's a good take on the "intentional shortage". The only way a contriving like that would make any sense is if the floodgates of 360 were loosed a week or two before Christmas.

                              Comment

                              Working...