Game are not the only useless sods

[Cacophanus]

Oh, he knew what he wanted, I told him to pick up a pal Zelda pack and an actiob replay, it was the shop that told him he needed the ntsc cube as it was better for playing imports.

...which is true. Even so, this poor bloke was shockingly underprepared for spending a wad of his own moola.

[Strider]

Oh, he knew what he wanted, I told him to pick up a pal Zelda pack and an actiob replay, it was the shop that told him he needed the ntsc cube as it was better for playing imports.

...which is true. Even so, this poor bloke was shockingly underprepared for spending a wad of his own moola.

Agreed, they saw a pigeon and plucked him bare.

[srgbilco]

Even if a switch cube is better for imports, there was no way they should have sold him a Freeloader. If they really are out to make his importing life easier, then why the hell would they sell him a product which doesn't work with some games, when another product that does work is availible for a few quid more?

Sounds like somebody needs to get rid of some Freeloader stock...

[ThoseOfTheUnlight]

Indeed, I have stayed back from this thread. Apologies if I sounded arrogant earlier.

My simple point is - why was he so clueless to come back like a little kid who simply has to spend all his money?

Another point - YOU are using an import forum. Surely you could have advised him a bit better? Even gone with him if he doesnt know a lot? I VERY much doubt if he went into the store and said "I'd like a PAL Zelda pack please" then they would have sold him the import cube.

Maybe its just me, but if a guy came into a shop that I worked in, and asked for a cube so he could play Viewtiful Joe, F Zero etc etc, then I would certainly advise him to go for a NTSC cube.

Hope I've made my argument a little clearer, I'm not an elitist, maybe Im just putting out a way too simplified argument. In this case, there are no hidden meanings. If a guy goes out with a wad of cash and knows NOTHING about what he wants, then its his own bloody fault, and I nor anyone else should have any sympathy - the shopkeepers is not to blame.

[Strider]

You're right, I am using an import forum, however I have a pal cube with an action replay, recently I've been buying loads of imports and he was interested in these games.

I started to explain to him about NTSC vs Pal, but he gave me such a stupified look that I simply said that if he was to buy a machine, he'd be better off with the same as me.

Next thing I know he comes round my house with said package, he did actually go to the counter with his pal pack, but was told he would be better off with the NTSC version.

You're quite right, he did blindly rush in, however, he made it quite clear what he wanted, and his was giving an inferior product (as in something he was unable to use when he got home).

Anyway, like I said, he's now got a pal cube from gamestation and everyone is happy (except for the naught importer who has lost ?150 pounds and a customer).

[Ginza]

Your tone stinks ThoseOfTheUnlight and all this CAPITAL ****e cut it out.

[Corrupt Rose]

When you think about it, if he went up to the desk with a PAL Cube and had to be advised that an NTSC model was more suitable for his requirements, the shopkeeper should have made the synaptic leap that perhaps this guy didn't really have much knowledge when it comes to importing.

But all in all, this sounds like an unnatural shop. They let him walk out without everything he needed? When they could have sold him the bits and bobs for more money? That doesn't sound like the best buisness model in the world, to be honest.

Did they have the cables in stock?

Did the shopkeeper actually know what he was doing? Or was he a bored Uni student with a vague passing interest, getting money to go out and get pissed in an easy job?




- Corrupt

[Freddo]

shops are always out to rip you, if your friend didnt have the resolve to stand his ground and buy what he went in to buy then thats his own fault really.

[marcus]

Were I to run an import shop in the UK I would assume that the majority of people that came in were not aware of the differences between PAL/NTSC, and voltages and so on. It would be a matter of course that I would explain to buyers exactly what they would need in order to play games on the console they are buying. For example, were I of not to of mentioned the fact you would need a stepdown to use a Japanese console in the UK then chances are very high that the buyer would simply of got home, plugged it straight to the mains and blown up the console, which from a legal standpoint Im reasonably sure would end up being my loss for replacement parts as the buyer would not of been expected to know that. That would be my job and responsibility.

So, Im of the opinion that not only were the shop very irresponsible in this situation, but the sales representative involved clearly lacks the intelligence/knowledge/common sense to be in a frontline sales position. I dont blame your freind one little bit for the stores stupidity.

Noone is a born importer, the knowledge is acquired along the way and any import retailer worth their salt would realise this.

[Lyris]

Well, I would like to put a word in for G-Force in Glasgow. I was in there today and picked out Resident Evil for the USA GameCube, and saw the price was only 7.99. I asked the guy at the counter if it was preowned, he said yes, and when I asked he was happy to let me see the discs, which were in mint and near mint condition. He explained that they're really picky about the condition of the stuff they take in for the preowned shelf. So, I'm impressed

[bowser123]

Fair point Marcus.
But surely it would take some kind of real idiot not to take a look at the plug and realise that a pin is missing and maybe it isn't intended for our sockets. Sure, you may not know how to get around it (in which case sites like this and import shops should help in advising stepdowns, British transformers, etc) but IMO you would deserve to have your machine blow up if you seriously think that by plugging it directly in will cause no problems.
Surely it's just common sense, right?

[marcus]

Why take that risk with a customer?

It may sound nasty, but were I an import retailer I would assume that everyone was an idiot or had no clue at all how to connect a NTSC console. But thats just me, I come from a reasonably focused customer service background where things like this would just be a part of the job, what it boils down to for me is that the retailer clearly didnt listen to or care for Striders friends needs when they should of. Had they of bothered in the first place then we wouldnt be here having this conversation about them now.

[Strider]

Thanks Marcus and everyone else who agrees with him. As for noticing what the plug looked like (you can't tell when it's all packed up in a box).

I agree that my friend was a bit rash, (but you all know what it's like when you see something that you really want) he got excited, he was a bit gullible and he got caught out.

In all honesty the guy who sold him the cube has only taken the shop over but he himself is a serious gamer (so he should have been fully aware that the machine wasn't fully playable out the box).

[Cacophanus]

Agreed, they saw a pigeon and plucked him bare.

In that case, if you knew they were cheeky sods, you should have gone with him and guided him through every step of the way. For other peeps information, this is the shop Darran's mate went to. Looks a tad el dodge.

[Strider]

Agreed, they saw a pigeon and plucked him bare.

In that case, if you knew they were cheeky sods, you should have gone with him and guided him through every step of the way. For other peeps information, this is the shop Darran's mate went to. Looks a tad el dodge.

As I explained before, If I knew he was going to that shop, I would have.