HMV store memo circulating Bulk Buying

[bladelia]

If they tried to stop people buying multiple copies, that might be a start

[MarcusZoller]

Originally Posted by bladelia

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

Which store? PM me please

[Buddy Ackerman]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

Isn't that just as 'selfish' a perspective as anyone else in here? You're trying to look for what is best to the international buyer.

This is a UK store offering a UK exclusive. Would it be better for international customers if they offered international postage? Sure. Would it maybe even increase their sales? Probably. But had they "better find a way for international folks to source them"? No - UK store offering a UK exclusive has no responsibility to offer it outside of the UK - anything else is a bonus.

[cudzndrips]

I can't speak for every store of HMV but I will still do my hardest in securing copies for future groupbuys, whether that means being able to buy 20 copies from one store or just doing a very small limited 'first come' GB. We'll just have to wait and see how things go when the next exclusive comes around.

[snooloui]

Originally Posted by 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.

I think someone here or at HDN said that HMV have no intention of re-opening their online store and are trying to encourage people to visit their stores. If that's the case, then they could at least make things easier by allowing us to check stock levels and reserve items online. Considering their website is only a few months old, it is pretty shoddy. They could do with advertising their Steelbooks a bit more too. They even have an article about Ender's Game and it states that it is available in store on Blu-ray and DVD, no mention of the Steelbook!

[richieb1971]

HMV should be sensible. The nearest one to me is 20 miles away and my friend works in John Lewis across the street on a daily basis. Therefore in that scenario its much cheaper for my friend to pick me up a copy. With Enders game we got 2 for 2 different people who paid the person who picks up. I don't see a problem with that. So I think 3 or 4 is a sensible amount.

If someone is going in and buying 25 copies thats obviously selfish.

This HMV model of mass buying is what happened at Futureshop 4 years ago and that didn't turn out well either. Most of the copies that get bought stay sealed for years and go for inflated prices.

[Buddy Ackerman]

Originally Posted by snooloui

they could at least make things easier by allowing us to check stock levels and reserve items online.

That's a very good idea. All it can do is benefit the store.

Originally Posted by richieb1971

HMV should be sensible. The nearest one to me is 20 miles away and my friend works in John Lewis across the street on a daily basis. Therefore in that scenario its much cheaper for my friend to pick me up a copy. With Enders game we got 2 for 2 different people who paid the person who picks up. I don't see a problem with that. So I think 3 or 4 is a sensible amount.

Agreed - 1 is too strict. A limit of 2 or 3 seems much more fair. It won't stop the scalpers entirely but it'll certainly limit it.

[jimmyv]

Originally Posted by Buddy Ackerman

Isn't that just as 'selfish' a perspective as anyone else in here? You're trying to look for what is best to the international buyer.

This is a UK store offering a UK exclusive. Would it be better for international customers if they offered international postage? Sure. Would it maybe even increase their sales? Probably. But had they "better find a way for international folks to source them"? No - UK store offering a UK exclusive has no responsibility to offer it outside of the UK - anything else is a bonus.

you're missing the point in multiple ways.

#1 - no. my perspective was not selfish at all. I came at it from 1) a worldwide steelbook community perspective and then 2) a raw business perspective.

#2 - go ahead and pretend that HMV can operate in their own little world for the UK only, having no responsibility to offer it outside the UK. Of course they don't have "responsibility". But since when does having or not having responsibility determine business perspective. Meanwhile, in reality, there is demand worldwide for their steelbooks, and they are not addressing that. Another way to put would be to ask... "Hey HMV, how's that "localized only" method workin out for ya?"

Get it now?

[Buddy Ackerman]

Originally Posted by jimmyv

you're missing the point in multiple ways.

#1 - no. my perspective was not selfish at all. I came at it from 1) a worldwide steelbook community perspective and then 2) a raw business perspective.

#2 - go ahead and pretend that HMV can operate in their own little world for the UK only, having no responsibility to offer it outside the UK. Of course they don't have "responsibility". But since when does having or not having responsibility determine business perspective. Meanwhile, in reality, there is demand worldwide for their steelbooks, and they are not addressing that. Another way to put would be to ask... "Hey HMV, how's that "localized only" method workin out for ya?"

Get it now?

No need to be such an aggressive tool in your reply.

I don't think I am missing your point at all - yes, you're coming at it from a worldwide steelbook community perspective - i.e. someone who wants access to steelbooks worldwide. So yes, that's looking at it from a selfish view point. That's not necessarily an insult, people just attach the derogatory meaning to it.

And no, HMV have absolutely no responsibility at all to offer their UK steelbooks internationally. Again - they're a UK company selling UK exclusives. And, again, would it be better for international customers if they did, and would they get better sales? Yes, and probably - as I said originally. Yes, there is demand, but that doesn't equate to a 'responsibility' to meet it. They can choose to do what they want - as plenty do (it's not like HMV is the only company that doesn't do international orders, and that includes many with websites). As a company with currently no website and one who recently came very close to closing down entirely, perhaps the fuss and expense of setting up a system for international sales is one they don't want to handle at the moment (being as their website was apparently one of the issues that helped led to their financial woes)? Perhaps they want to be careful and concentrate locally and maintain a steady business, being as they're just coming out of administration?

All of which is fair enough. And if a UK company wants to concentrate on the UK market then yes, it is a selfish thing to say "Yeah, but international customers miss out and they shouldn't!" because that is completely looking at what benefits you rather than what benefits them.

[rapta]

Fair enough if you're selling at face value but it's a bit like ticket touts for events if you're reselling them on eBay/elsewhere for a profit. Noticed somebody pre-ordered 3 copies of the Ender's Game steelbook the other day...either the guy really liked the film, was planning on selling them on for a profit or was buying them on behalf of friends...guess you won't know, but if HMV's policy in future is 1 per person then fair enough - people have been miffed to find we're sold out of the very limited stock of steelbooks because some people want to buy a bunch of copies at once. Steelbooks especially we only get sent a couple at a time, and in the case of some (Rush for example), literally only 1 or 2 copies ever (before it's deleted/unavailable).

[jimmyv]

Originally Posted by Buddy Ackerman

No need to be such an aggressive tool in your reply.

I don't think I am missing your point at all - yes, you're coming at it from a worldwide steelbook community perspective - i.e. someone who wants access to steelbooks worldwide. So yes, that's looking at it from a selfish view point. That's not necessarily an insult, people just attach the derogatory meaning to it.

And no, HMV have absolutely no responsibility at all to offer their UK steelbooks internationally. Again - they're a UK company selling UK exclusives. And, again, would it be better for international customers if they did, and would they get better sales? Yes, and probably - as I said originally. Yes, there is demand, but that doesn't equate to a 'responsibility' to meet it. They can choose to do what they want - as plenty do (it's not like HMV is the only company that doesn't do international orders, and that includes many with websites). As a company with currently no website and one who recently came very close to closing down entirely, perhaps the fuss and expense of setting up a system for international sales is one they don't want to handle at the moment (being as their website was apparently one of the issues that helped led to their financial woes)? Perhaps they want to be careful and concentrate locally and maintain a steady business, being as they're just coming out of administration?

All of which is fair enough. And if a UK company wants to concentrate on the UK market then yes, it is a selfish thing to say "Yeah, but international customers miss out and they shouldn't!" because that is completely looking at what benefits you rather than what benefits them.

wow. and I thought you were kinda dumb before this post. that's incredible.

and if you think my tame and to the point post you quoted was aggressive, you obviously are one of those people that read into emails and texts and IMs and internet postings with incorrect assumption about intended tone.

I meant no agression at all. I was simply replying directly to your post. I wasn't rude. I didn't insult you.

But what was your reply? Look in the mirror "Buddy".

[Buddy Ackerman]

Originally Posted by jimmyv

wow. and I thought you were kinda dumb before this post. that's incredible.

and if you think my tame and to the point post you quoted was aggressive, you obviously are one of those people that read into emails and texts and IMs and internet postings with incorrect assumption about intended tone.

I meant no agression at all. I was simply replying directly to your post. I wasn't rude. I didn't insult you.

But what was your reply? Look in the mirror "Buddy".

'I meant no aggression' - says the man who ended his original post with 'Get it now?'

Still, what a great and well-reasoned counter argument to my logical points. Well done. I can see there's little point trying to debate this with you so I'm leaving it like this. If the best argument you can manage is "You're dumb!" then it's not worth it.

[bigdavehopes]

Wow, this got heated very quickly!

Here's my 2 pence worth.

Obviously there is a demand for good quality steelbooks worldwide.

HMV sell "HMV exclusive" steelbooks which are only sold in HMV's and as such i believe should be available to those with a HMV store located near them before it is available worldwide.

I can understand the need for group buys due to the lack of international delivery but as we have seen with this Enders game, that can clear out a store meaning the local's cannot pick it up. Whereas scalpers are simply in it for the money and will clear a shelf off just to make a few quid which will again leave the locals out.

Now we have international buyers complaining that HMV should ship worldwide so its "fair" for steelbook collectors in other countries.

If the roles were reversed and another country had an exclusive steelbook which couldn't be shipped to the UK and someone organised a group buy that cleared out a few stores so that the locals of that country missed out, surely they would be upset also?

As for HMV limiting it to 1 per customer, i don't believe that will work, 2-3 would but not 1.

As for HMV's website, they obviously haven't set it up due to the recent financial restraints which i can respect. Once they are completely on their feet again im sure they'll relaunch their website.

But hey, thats just my opinion

[Taikero]

I think a limit of 3-5 is fair. This allows for gift purchasing, a spare copy, and still makes group buys possible, if a bit difficult. I think 1 or 2 is very restrictive. I think a limit of 4 is reasonable considering the following scenario:

Person has spouse, person has 2 children, person has friend. All want the movie in question.

Person purchases 4 copies. Person and spouse get to enjoy their copy, each child gets a copy, friend gets their copy. Everybody is happy.

Yep, I think 4 is a great limit. Just my 2 arbitrary cents.

[casperuk]

I'd have to say before the Americans get pissy saying Waaahh HMV don't want my money. Remember there are many of us this side of the pond who can't buy.from best buy, target and Walmart.

They won't take my money and they have more exclusives.

We here in the UK get stuffed on everything don't moan about a handful of steelbooks you can't get hold of. If you ask nicely and don't ***** about it someone would be willing to help.

[casperuk]

Originally Posted by jimmyv

And you dont get it either. Another selfish perspective. Its about solving the damn problem. Not crying "no fair".

No I do get it. I just don't give a shit, there's a difference, as I know the US retailers don't give a shit about it and to be fair the UK retailers don't either. As long as they make money why would they risk sending an item to the US only for it to be trashed and they then have to resend it. Unless they can afford that hit they won't do it. Zavvi can afford it that's why they do it.

[Taikero]

Can't we all just get along and agree that a limit of one is unfair to customers no matter the region they hail from?

Is that so hard?

[casperuk]

Originally Posted by Taikero

Can't we all just get along and agree that a limit of one is unfair to customers no matter the region they hail from?

Is that so hard?

Seems to be

[MarcusZoller]

Originally Posted by Taikero

Can't we all just get along and agree that a limit of one is unfair to customers no matter the region they hail from?

Is that so hard?

[LizardSlayer]

The way I see it, first come, first served! If you are late to the store and they are all gone, that's too bad. I was in a group buy for this and may not get it, so what, I have crap ton of other Steelbooks to spend my money on instead, lol....it's just movies guys, it doesn't matter.