HMV store memo circulating Bulk Buying

[neoz]

In the future they will use face recognition software. When you buy a SB it'll take a piture of your face. If you come back in the day or another day the system will throw up a red flag telling the cashier on duty that you already bought a copy when you try to check out again. haha
Sad news for GB's really.

[rickah88]

I've mentioned this before, and I know it's never going to happen, but it would be great if there was someway to have some sort of recognized Group Buy Club. Like members actually are vetted by retailers and once so, are able to buy, in bulk, for international customers. It would ensure collectors get their copy and ease inflated secondary prices a little bit.
Kind of bad news for someone, like me, living in the US...but hopefully more steelbooks wind up in the hands of collectors at retail price.

[CasuallyDressed]

Originally Posted by rickah88

I've mentioned this before, and I know it's never going to happen, but it would be great if there was someway to have some sort of recognized Group Buy Club. Like members actually are vetted by retailers and once so, are able to buy, in bulk, for international customers. It would ensure collectors get their copy and ease inflated secondary prices a little bit.
Kind of bad news for someone, like me, living in the US...but hopefully more steelbooks wind up in the hands of collectors at retail price.

And that presents another question: Why should GB sellers have priority over uk collectors? Sure, they're being sold onto genuine international collectors, but screwing over the local ones in the process.

[malcy30]

I presume in this case HMV under estimated demand as did not see which other countries are offering an Enders Game steelbook. They seem to go for lower quantities on their recent E One exclusive steelbooks (Red 2, Riddick and now Enders Game) as these sold out much quicker than their Fox exclusive steelbooks (Wolverine and Die Hard 5). as those stayed around unsold and they had to reduce the prices to clear.

[rickah88]

Originally Posted by CasuallyDressed

And that presents another question: Why should GB sellers have priority over uk collectors? Sure, they're being sold onto genuine international collectors, but screwing over the local ones in the process.

No doubt, if HMV wanted to do their best to ensure local sales only. I suspect, in this day/age, that would be hard to accomplish, but they could always try.
Of course they are a business, and they are "in it to win it", and by "win it", I mean sales...so there's that.
Needless to say, kind of a slippery slops to traverse here, but, if true, I commend them for taking steps.

[BHolst]

Originally Posted by CasuallyDressed

And that presents another question: Why should GB sellers have priority over uk collectors? Sure, they're being sold onto genuine international collectors, but screwing over the local ones in the process.

This is purely speculation and is not grounded in any research!

I would guess/hope that if it was possible to make sure that any copies isn't sold for scalping, there would actually be enough for genuine collectors - both local and international (provided the print run is large enough!).

[casperuk]

Originally Posted by MarcusZoller

I work right by the Oxford Street branch that recently closed to move to a much smaller location. It's a shame to see them go, but I'm glad they are trying to capture some revenue with things like exclusive steelbooks.

Managed to get the A Good Day To Die Hard steelbook for £1.99 in the clearance.

Lucky f

Originally Posted by MarcusZoller

There are always ways round this, whether it's hitting several stores, going to different sales desks/assistants or hiding copies and coming back strategically throughout the day, people are going to find loopholes.

As mentioned by me previously, there are copies of the Wolverine "limited" steel at every HMV I go too. If I or anyone else arranged a group buy for US customers I doubt anyone at HMV would stop me buying 10, because they are just taking up shelf space now.

It's only because Enders Game has flown out so quick... but who knows if there'll be a restock. I'm heading down today to check.

i've not seen any Wolverine's in the Westfield HMV in Statford or the one in Romford either to be fair, but i did see a few when it was 15.99 in both.

as for them only have 30 copies it depends on how limited the run is.

[malcy30]

Originally Posted by casperuk

as for them only have 30 copies it depends on how limited the run is.

Given how cramped their new Oxford Street store is compared to the old one, it may be they no longer have stock room space, or even storage on the shop floor (they used to store overspill under the display shelving).

Therefore send a limited number to last a few days but regular restock every few days from a central warehouse.

It will depend how much of the stock was sent to the stores for day 1 v what they are storing centrally and can be used to restock the stores in the coming days.

[MarcusZoller]

Originally Posted by casperuk

Lucky f

i've not seen any Wolverine's in the Westfield HMV in Statford or the one in Romford either to be fair, but i did see a few when it was 15.99 in both.

as for them only have 30 copies it depends on how limited the run is.

They have quite a few in Oxford Street and there were loads at the other store before it closed, I saw a basket full being collected at one point during the close down!

Haha yeah, I got some sweet deals before it closed, but that was definitely the best (apart from maybe my 99p Stark Industries mug )

[wjasoncul]

Originally Posted by cudzndrips

According to Naughtius Maximus over at HDN a memo has been sent from HMV head office to all stores instructing them that bulk buying in-store is no longer allowed, and that each customer could be limited to just 1 x copy and no more.

FYI New quote from NM

Though i did find out through my local HMV manager; there has been NO internal memo saying not to allow bulk buying...so its down to each individual store manager to allow it or not.

[guidofistpimp]

Originally Posted by CasuallyDressed

And that presents another question: Why should GB sellers have priority over uk collectors? Sure, they're being sold onto genuine international collectors, but screwing over the local ones in the process.

you again ? just quit while you're ahead

all retailers care about is

[MarcusZoller]

[richieb1971]

Group buys wouldn't be needed if they had a website still running.

I am getting mine tonight, unless the MK store sold my preorders to someone else.

[chip75]

Will this affect other exclusives too? I need to pop in next week and get The Hunger Games Catching Fire for myself and a member. I don't understand why HMV can't sell their exclusives on-line and ship worldwide ...

[MarcusZoller]

Originally Posted by chip75

Will this affect other exclusives too? I need to pop in next week and get The Hunger Games Catching Fire for myself and a member. I don't understand why HMV can't sell their exclusives on-line and ship worldwide ...

Their website was always bad, but they shut it down when they went into administration.

[bladelia]

Has anyone seen ebay, it's full of Enders Game steelbooks,

[malcy30]

Originally Posted by chip75

Will this affect other exclusives too? I need to pop in next week and get The Hunger Games Catching Fire for myself and a member. I don't understand why HMV can't sell their exclusives on-line and ship worldwide ...

Because the costs of running it meant it was unprofitable especially with ever increasing postage costs in the UK. The number of people prepared to pay a true cost of postage is obviously not enough. They might as well just continue with the stores where they still have the infrastructure in place.

[MarcusZoller]

Originally Posted by bladelia

Has anyone seen ebay, it's full of Enders Game steelbooks,

It'd be nice to see a couple of them go for under retail but it's not going to happen

[bladelia]

Managed to have one put aside for me, in a store , picking it up tomorrow morning.

[jimmyv]

Mostly people are speaking out of selfish perspective. It's human nature I know, but it would be a bit refreshing if people were to at least *try* to see an angle other than what's best for them.

Well... here's my thoughts.

HMV needs to pull their head OUT of their you know what. They are the problem. It is not "scalpers" or group buys. Good grief.


Ok some simple basic thoughts about managing this:

First of all, SHIP INTERNATIONAL!! like Zavvi, Amazon, Kimchi, Plain Archive, etc.

Retailers who are selling product that have worldwide appeal that do not ship to their worldwide interested parties will CAUSE THEIR OWN PROBLEMS.

If they coose not to ship out, you can be sure of one thing... people will always find a way to get what they want. And anyone that naively believes that limiting to 1x per customer will help solve anything is bordering on total delusion.

You think Ebay prices are high now?

Wait til NOBODY internationally can get ahold of HMV steels. Watch what happens to the prices on Ebay.

In case it wasn't readily apparent, I think this is really really dumb idea for a solution to a problem that HMV is creating.

One final thought to HMV: If you want to sell limited edition collectible steelbooks, you better find a way for international folks to source them. If you choose to be the only retailer that does not ship locally via a website, does not allow group buys, and does not ship internationally, your problems with this will only get worse.