wii fit gamestation rip off

terlan

:mad: I am fuming.


I called my local gamestation (gamestation.co.uk) and ask if they had any wii fit in stock, I know they're in short supply so I'm calling all the local retailers, none have them atm, except this time... the guy on the phone replies. Yeah, we got one in stock, its £135, you get a game and some accessory pack... and I stopped him there and said, I dont want the game or an unnessessary pack (which isnt an nintendo product either) I just want the the wii fit board (RRP 69.99).
He replied candidly "you cant get just the wii fit, because of its popularity and low supplies, we're only selling it in a bundle". So I bluntly asked, "so basically your trying to fleece an extra £55 worth of unrelated sales because stocks are low, and all but extorting your gamestation customers".
"not in so many words, but yes" he replied.

Im fuming:mad: now, an email has been sent to nintendo and gamestation as well, I've used the gamestation store for years now, and for them to treat their customers this way is unacceptable. for years consumers have been forced to buy "bundles" when they buy a new games console, to fatten the retailers christmas sales, but at least with a new console, you might need a few extra games and a extra controller. But this is a wii fit device, everything you need for it comes with it. all the so called extras in the bundle are totally wanton exploitation of the customers.

And some stores arent even trying to cover it up. Argos has the wii fit bundled with super mario smash...... its a fighting game that has no connection to the wii fit, they arent even compatable.

So i think as consumers we should get this practice stopped. If an item is in stock, the consumer should have the right to purchase it without any other "bundled" items. Its a disgraceful practice that consumers have had to endure for years now. Imagine going into your local supermarket and being told you can only buy bread or milk if you buy 2 packets of cheese slices and a box of weetabix, as they only have "lunch and breakfast bundles" available due to the popularity of bread and milk. Sounds silly doesnt it.

ah.... im still mad...and frustrated because the wii fit is something I want and these unfare trading practices are making it impossible to get unless i pay nearly double for it and a pile of rubbish i dont want.

davetrousers

Frustrating. Still I have to be honest, it's not worth getting imho.

swr77

Just don't use them, nearly all their products are overpriced, Amazon or Play always beat them on price.

mymatebob

It is not a rip off - it is shrewd marketing on their part.

Since you need a Wii to use both the Wii fit and the Mario Kart game I don't see what the problem is.

If you don't like the policy shop elsewhere.

Unlike the current housing problems when it comes to Wii fit it is a sellers market.

KILL_BILL

terlan wrote: »

:mad: I am fuming.


I called my local gamestation (gamestation.co.uk) and ask if they had any wii fit in stock, I know they're in short supply so I'm calling all the local retailers, none have them atm, except this time... the guy on the phone replies. Yeah, we got one in stock, its £135, you get a game and some accessory pack... and I stopped him there and said, I dont want the game or an unnessessary pack (which isnt an nintendo product either) I just want the the wii fit board (RRP 69.99).
He replied candidly "you cant get just the wii fit, because of its popularity and low supplies, we're only selling it in a bundle". So I bluntly asked, "so basically your trying to fleece an extra £55 worth of unrelated sales because stocks are low, and all but extorting your gamestation customers".
"not in so many words, but yes" he replied.

Im fuming:mad: now, an email has been sent to nintendo and gamestation as well, I've used the gamestation store for years now, and for them to treat their customers this way is unacceptable. for years consumers have been forced to buy "bundles" when they buy a new games console, to fatten the retailers christmas sales, but at least with a new console, you might need a few extra games and a extra controller. But this is a wii fit device, everything you need for it comes with it. all the so called extras in the bundle are totally wanton exploitation of the customers.

And some stores arent even trying to cover it up. Argos has the wii fit bundled with super mario smash...... its a fighting game that has no connection to the wii fit, they arent even compatable.

So i think as consumers we should get this practice stopped. If an item is in stock, the consumer should have the right to purchase it without any other "bundled" items. Its a disgraceful practice that consumers have had to endure for years now. Imagine going into your local supermarket and being told you can only buy bread or milk if you buy 2 packets of cheese slices and a box of weetabix, as they only have "lunch and breakfast bundles" available due to the popularity of bread and milk. Sounds silly doesnt it.

ah.... im still mad...and frustrated because the wii fit is something I want and these unfare trading practices are making it impossible to get unless i pay nearly double for it and a pile of rubbish i dont want.

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: at the bit that op has written to nintendo to complain

uktim29

You're complaining to the manufacturer (the wrong one by the looks of it) about retailers. Isn't the actual problem that they're in short supply? Surely you should be complaining about that? Which is the manufacturers fault.

Retail is a tough business, the ones that don't push for sales will go under. They're not going to risk that just to please you!

terlan

yeah, a 2 minute email to their PR department to clarify their stance on this policy, you see, if enough people complain to the marketing and PR departments, companies like nintendo can pressure retailers to conform to their sales policies.

But no matter, a quick call to the local game store (game.co.uk), talked to the manager about my experience with gamestation, he tells me that game will under no circumstance "fleece me with extras" and will sell me the console for the £70 RRP, and although he couldnt reserve me a wii fit, he did let ono when the deliveries are due, what day to call and see if they were any due in, and the best time to arrive at the store to coincide with the delivery arriving.

So, game gets all my custom from now on:T .

peediedj

i always use game,dont like gamestation always seems more expensive,and never have what i want,but in there defence at then end of the day i bet they have sold hundreds of these bundles,otherwise they wouldnt bundle it like that so,someone must want them:rolleyes:

DCFC79

Why did you complain, its pointless,

terlan

DCFC79 wrote: »

Why did you complain, its pointless,

honestly.. do you actually read this "consumer revenge" website. or simply post pessimistic posts every now and again. I find it strange that people who are members of a consumer fightback forum defending the actions of retailers exploiting consumer.

Theres always a point in complaining. It vents frustration, and releases stress. Additionally it lets retailers know that not all of us are mindless sheep that shrug and fork out whatever they tell us to pay for stuff you dont need.

And it actually gets results. which is one of the main reasons for doing it. You see the effect of highly regarded feedback forums, such as martin's, have on internet search results are extremely powerful, especially approaching the largest internet retail window of the year.

Now anyone who types "wii fit gamestation" into google now get a link to a page titled "wii fit gamestation rip off" and the seed of doubt is planted is consumers head, and even if that only causes 1 person to purchase from another retailer after reading this post, a warm feeling will be felt. currently no 11 on google results for "wii fit gamestation". And it'll climb as the post gets older, and a stronger page rank.

Complaining works. And internet complaints have consequences that sit on googles search results for a long time.

georgina_fenwick

You could try Blockbuster, I ordered mine from there, paid £1.00 deposit and they called me approx 3 weeks later when it came in and i just paid them the remaining £68.99 when i picked it up.