A consumer friendly "buy-back" strategy

[Zotar]

I've been thinking about the consumers who will be left out in the cold as the format war winds down, and it occurs to me that if the BDA offered some sort of "buy-back" option to hd-dvd owners who are now tittering on the edge, it could hasten the end of the war and garner some goodwill from the consumer.

Two possible alternatives occur to me, but I'd be interested to see which other people feel would be the better option (i.e. more feasible / more effective)

1) Buy back on software meaning that hd-dvd owners can send in their hd-dvd discs and either receive the equivalent title on BD or a voucher redeemable when the title is made available on BD.

or

2) Buy back on hardware where hd-dvd owners send their players to the BDA in return for a money off voucher, redeemable against certain Blu-ray players.

I think the second option has more legs myself because as far as software goes there is no way of knowing when any particular title not currently available in blu would be made available.In my opinion, either of these solutions would be a good gesture that would improve relations with the buying public who have been quite disinfranchised by the whole format war.

[cpgator]

Wouldn't this be a reason to buy into HD-DVD, not BD? The consumer could buy a BD player, but if BD loses, then they are stuck with the losing format. If they buy HD-DVD and it loses, then they get the winning format for little or not cost.

So no matter how the 'war' goes, someone who buy HD-DVD will be safe - but not if they buy BD.

[tiger roach]

No. In fact people who chose the losing side should be forced to commit ritual suicide.








J/K. The buy-back scheme sounds costly though, I wouldn't want it if I was a shareholder of a big BDA company.

[mystiksuicide]

A fool and his money are soon departed, if you bought an hd dvd player after the overwhelming numbers blu has had all year then well your a fool in my book.

You can buy a blu on your own or go back to vhs.

[Spankey]

Only thing I see happening is Toshiba stopping production on stand alone HD-DVD players and making combo players. Those that stuck with Toshiba will be stuck with Toshiba.

[SamInNorthCakalakey]

Why give them money. They only lost at max $200-300. That's nothing in the HD world. They committed themselves once, they'll just have to do it again.

[Sonny]

I think they should live with there mistakes !

[bferr1]

Another solution is to have Toshiba replace all HD DVD players sold with the eventual combo player they'll be forced to make.

[mystiksuicide]

Originally Posted by Sonny

I think they should live with there mistakes !

I agree, why let them off the hook. Most of those duders are so pathetic with they're lie that I have zero sympathy with them.

There are a few who you can reason with and have a conversation with but they are the minority.

[olarmy96]

Some level of discount might work, but obviously not a full replacement. Maybe $5 off coupons for BD when you trade-in an HD-DVD. Or, $50 off a BD player if you trade-in a HD-DVD player.

Companies do these types of promotions all the time. A small promotion like this could work, but not the level of the OP.

[WickyWoo]

The concept seems alien to the studios

Frankly I believe a "Smash your HD DVD player on video and upload it to our site, and get a coupon for $100 off a Blu player"

That might be worth it

[mystiksuicide]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

The concept seems alien to the studios

Frankly I believe a "Smash your HD DVD player on video and upload it to our site, and get a coupon for $100 off a Blu player"

That might be worth it

I LOVE IT!!!

[tqlla]

A buy back would be cold blooded.

But if sony could send out a $50 coupon off a blu ray player(max one per purchase) for turning in your HD-DVD player... that would be decent press, and hopefully send out a message.

$5 per HD-DVD disc off movies. Up to $15 off per blu ray movie purchase.

[Go Blu]

Or have a GREEN environmental twist to it for a win win.

Bring in your DUD for $50 towards a Blu-ray player coupon,
so we can properly recycle your obsolete machine.

[Underdog]

But arent HD players supposed to serve as cup holders? Thats rebate enough i think...

[IvanDrago]

There is a buyback program, it's called ebay. Just look at how much Paramount Blu Ray titles go for on that site! After the initial dump on ebay subsides, HD DVDs will probably sell for retail price on the bay.

[bhampton]

Anyone who bought HD DUD deserves to learn a little bit about making decisions.

I wouldn't want to reward their ignorance.

-Brian