In Office Depot tonight - asked about BD burners - got into argument

[Neo65]

How about all of us around the St Catherines area (from Toronto to Buffalo areas), just stop by St Catherines on our way to Niagara Falls, ask for Keith and then ask when he will carry a Blu-Ray burner?

After a few dozen times, he might change his mind.

[I have two blu-ray burners and they are amazing]

[Maxell]

Umm this is an Office Depot employee you are talking about. It's not like someone looking for hddvd or blu-ray will right away go to officedepot. I'd be more worried if he worked for Best Buy or Circuit City. Although I'm sure there are a ton of simlar salesmen in those.

[MrBogey]

Like Cash sang....

Whoever is unjust, let him be unjust still.
Whoever is righteous, let him be righteous still.
Whoever is filthy, let him be filthy still.
Listen to the words long written down, When the man comes around.

[tron3]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

...
She says she will definitely let someone know and that "Keith" is normally pretty good with stuff.

Yeah, I'll tell you why he's pretty good with stuff, because he's one of those assertive speakers who talks shit and makes stuff up but sounds good doing it. Unfortunately he had to run away when he realized he was talking to an informed consumer.
...

Excellent catch on talking down a BS artist. The SHEER audacity of him thinking that PORN is the key to blu-ray's success tells me he is upset because he thinks he can't get porn on blu-ray!

Beware the fast talkers and sociopaths. Underneath they are all cowards and will run rather than confront.

The blu-bloods needs people like you. Join us!

[reiella]

Originally Posted by Banjo

Yeah, I just find the idea of using pornography as an argument to be tacky. I don't want to debate if I should buy a video device solely based on how much support it's receiving from the adult industry. Especially in a retail store like Best Buy where everybody can overhear the conversation. Once you use the porn argument, you'll end up looking like a pervert.

I just cannot believe people are really that dense to resort to such an argument.

Well, it's a case of a little bit of knowledge.

We know it had an affect on the VHS/Betamax war . And it's an apparant 'repeating of history'. Now what alot of folks don't know, is that there was in fact, porn on BetaMax too. The case of predominance of porn in one format over the other was more so an issue due to the overarching issue that haunted BetaMax ['going it alone' as it were].

[Banjo]

Originally Posted by reiella

Well, it's a case of a little bit of knowledge.

We know it had an affect on the VHS/Betamax war . And it's an apparant 'repeating of history'. Now what alot of folks don't know, is that there was in fact, porn on BetaMax too. The case of predominance of porn in one format over the other was more so an issue due to the overarching issue that haunted BetaMax ['going it alone' as it were].

Doesn't matter, a salesperson should never, never mention pornography. It's never appropriate to bring it up at any family-friendly retail stores. It's rude and tacky. It's also a great way of giving your store a bad reputation if you use the argument with the wrong person.

Anyway, the real reason why VHS won was because they had more support. Sony tried to keep it as their own format and didn't want to share it with anybody else. The pornography argument has been long-winded and it doesn't hold water.

[reiella]

Originally Posted by Banjo

Doesn't matter, a salesperson should never, never mention pornography. It's never appropriate to bring it up at any family-friendly retail stores. It's rude and tacky. It's also a great way of giving your store a bad reputation if you use the argument with the wrong person.

Anyway, the real reason why VHS won was because they had more support. Sony tried to keep it as their own format and didn't want to share it with anybody else. The pornography argument has been long-winded and it doesn't hold water.

Yep, the porn 'side' was a symptom of the cause. Which I guess I failed to convey. And I do agree about the porn comment, even if your store does sell porn, it's best not to mention it. Guess I didn't convey it enough, but what I meant is that folks fixation on the influence a 1 billion industry has on a media format is based on a case of a little bit of knowledge.

As an amusing sidenote, having worked retail in a store that sold (and rented) porn, you get some funny stories from people when they end up needing help finding something. This one guy, had a habit of finding an associate he didn't recogonize, and ask for some help getting something for a bachelor party. EVERY TIME HE CAME IN THE STORE.

[daisuke149]

yeah no salesperson should ever bring up porn or anything while informing customers. Hell if a customer brings it up with me i try to steer away from it.

Btw has anything considered making a thread about if anyone works in retail where exactly they are? perhaps we can do things like help other out / hook people up if their in the area etc.

[Banjo]

Originally Posted by reiella

Yep, the porn 'side' was a symptom of the cause. Which I guess I failed to convey. And I do agree about the porn comment, even if your store does sell porn, it's best not to mention it. Guess I didn't convey it enough, but what I meant is that folks fixation on the influence a 1 billion industry has on a media format is based on a case of a little bit of knowledge.

I'll agree to that, I'm just saying that I think they overplayed the role of the adult industry in the VHS vs. BETAMAX war.

As an amusing sidenote, having worked retail in a store that sold (and rented) porn, you get some funny stories from people when they end up needing help finding something. This one guy, had a habit of finding an associate he didn't recogonize, and ask for some help getting something for a bachelor party. EVERY TIME HE CAME IN THE STORE.

That's pretty funny.

[martinstraka8282]

Haha thats funny.

The local independent video store by my house is owned by an HD-Dvd fanboy, and he has stocked the place with like 100 HD titles and 0 Blu. When I ask him why he says it's cuz Blu Ray is dead and that the PS3 has flopped. No matter what I tell or show him he insists that every movie studio supports HD as opposed to Blu, and that he figures nobody in our town even owns a blu ray player. I find this funny since the only place in my town sells an HD player other than the Brick, meaning you have to order it. The only electronics store in town is Blu exclusive, but he won't believe me. I guess ignorance is bliss.

[dobyblue]

Ha, it takes all kinds doesn't it?

Keith is probably still feeling like an idiot right now. Wait till he gets home and actually tries to think for himself.

I wonder if he'll come across this thread?

[tron3]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

Ha, it takes all kinds doesn't it?

Keith is probably still feeling like an idiot right now. Wait till he gets home and actually tries to think for himself.

I wonder if he'll come across this thread?

Naa, probably too busy eating nachos and thumbing through his 8-track collection. If Keith doesn't get his facts straight, then he will be the one who is obsolete.

Just a side bar. Anyone remember a kids camcorder a number of years back? it actually recorded on cassette tape! Yes, regular audio cassette. The draw backs were the resolution was poor and it only recorded in b&w, but it worked. Neat, eh?

[becomingwater]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

So I go into Office Depot on the way home to pick up some paper for my printer.
I went to see if they have any BD burners - they do not. I probably should have guessed.
The loose panted, sweaty guy walking around looking important was obviously a tech guy, so I asked him if they have gotten any BD burners in yet.

His immediate response and the rest of the conversation:

• "No and I can guarantee we never will"
• "Why is that?"
• "Because they cost too much"
• "What about when they come down in price?"
• "No we never will because Blu-ray isn't going to last much longer"
• "Oh? Why is that?"
• "Well it's because of porn, Sony won't let any porn on their format"
• "That's not true, porn is already available on both formats"
• "No, um.....it just was announced by Sony last week"
• "No they announced a long time ago that they wouldn't replicate any porn on their disc replication lines, but porn has been out for sometime now on Blu-ray from Vivid's Debbie Does Dallas....Again to several other titles available from CD Girls, so I'm afraid you're incorrect. Sony doesn't run Blu-ray"
• "Well they are the big power behind it"
• "Actually Sony along with Philips, Pioneer, Panasonic, JVC, Samsung and others run Blu-ray; any decisions made are made by the board of directors not Sony"
• "Well there's also the problem with all the discs breaking"
• "Oh, I haven't heard of that"
• "Yeah the aluminum in the disc is causing it to crack, it's on CNN"
• "I know of disc rot and that happened on a run of a few copies of The Prestige due to an error in the pressing, but that's about it. Why is it you're telling me false information? You should be telling the consumers the truth about new technologies, not making things up"
• "Well, okay sir, that's your opinion. Is there anything else I can help you with"

(Immediately begins walking away)

• "Yes, you can start researching what you're talking about and find out facts and stop telling the consumer lies"

I go to the cashier, she asks me how everything is. I tell her about the guy who told me false information and tell her I work for Panasonic Canada.

She says she will definitely let someone know and that "Keith" is normally pretty good with stuff.

Yeah, I'll tell you why he's pretty good with stuff, because he's one of those assertive speakers who talks shit and makes stuff up but sounds good doing it. Unfortunately he had to run away when he realized he was talking to an informed consumer.

Keith is the guy who thinks Blu-ray is going nowhere and tells lies.
If you want to tell Keith that you read about this and that you think he should start reading non-propaganda sites and actually start looking into the facts (6+ million devices on market, 2+ million discs sold, etc.) you can contact him here:

10 YMCA DRIVE
JUST ACROSS FROM COSTCO
Store# 733
ST CATHARINES, ON L2N 4G9
(905) 935-7500

That's funny..lol Was he sweating from being nervous?..lol

[Coltboy]

Curious, how many companies made Beta-Max players when that war was going on? i was around but to young to remember or care If it was a failing "go no-where" format why would several companies be making players?

[ReduxInflux]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

Keith is the guy who thinks Blu-ray is going nowhere and tells lies.
If you want to tell Keith that you read about this and that you think he should start reading non-propaganda sites and actually start looking into the facts (6+ million devices on market, 2+ million discs sold, etc.) you can contact him here:

10 YMCA DRIVE
JUST ACROSS FROM COSTCO
Store# 733
ST CATHARINES, ON L2N 4G9
(905) 935-7500

ha ha ha! this is hilarious. way to bring the heat. address and everything huh? bravo to you. i'm not nearly as assertive

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by becomingwater

That's funny..lol Was he sweating from being nervous?..lol

yes - he seemed very flustered


(probably because he had been caught in a lie)

[Danno]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

The loose panted, sweaty guy walking around looking important was obviously a tech guy, so I asked him if they have gotten any BD burners in yet.

Just further proof to my theory that the only people who blindly support HD DVD only are trashy poor people who can't afford a Blu-Ray player because they work crappy retail jobs and have no real ambition in life.

[glenn22]

Originally Posted by Danno

Just further proof to my theory that the only people who blindly support HD DVD only are trashy poor people who can't afford a Blu-Ray player because they work crappy retail jobs and have no real ambition in life.

That's a little extreme, unless of course you mean the HARDCORE HD-DVD supporters... then I'd agree.

I hate trying to talk to ignorant people about technology, ESPECIALLY when they think they are right and won't listen to reason.

[Danno]

Originally Posted by glenn22

That's a little extreme, unless of course you mean the HARDCORE HD-DVD supporters... then I'd agree.

I hate trying to talk to ignorant people about technology, ESPECIALLY when they think they are right and won't listen to reason.

HD DVD's proponents target demographic, as stated by all the yahoos at AVSforum, is "Joe Six Pack".

Apparently they are all unaware that the term "Joe Six Pack" is a politically correct way of calling someone an uninformed moron.

[glenn22]

Originally Posted by Danno

HD DVD's proponents target demographic, as stated by all the yahoos at AVSforum, is "Joe Six Pack".

Apparently they are all unaware that the term "Joe Six Pack" is a politically correct way of calling someone an uninformed moron.

I guess I prefer the "Joe Six Pack" term instead of the trashy poor people with no ambition term. Anyways, I just think that a lot of people that are casual movie enthusiasts get dragged into the HD-DVD camp due to not taking the time to truly understand what makes Blu-ray better. This is a major reason that we need to start seeing more in-depth advertising running on TV. "Joe Six Pack" needs to be educated on HD, even if it's in the most simplistic way.