JoEsMhOe
06-26-2006, 5:00 PM
Seems that the anti HD-DVD movement has hit mega-stores...and new morally-questionable levels:
"I went to three best buys in CT today (Newington, WestFarms, Manchester). Newington was out of stock but the BB guy told me not to buy the bluray because it was so far inferior. Westfarms just had a demo machine so I hit Manchester, where they had 1 unopened unit on the top shelf. I asked the guy to get it down for me and he said hold on I need to talk with the manager. Phil came out and informed me that they can no longer sell the HD-A1 unit because it is defective and being recalled. I argue'd for about 20 minutes about this while they tried to double team me into buying a bluray system. I left the store and sent an email complaint to bb and sent an email informing toshiba of this practice.
I was appauled that they would do something like this. So I ordered it online and will have it Tuesday..
I see others have run into shady practices with BB, but this was a first for me. "
followed up with:
"I think the facts need to be faced: Best Buy is promoting Blu-ray. I've read about several employees that admitted they had received a "memo" from Best Buy Corp to stop selling the Toshibas. It appears they are "inventing" reasons why, but the bottom line is that they will be promoting Blu-ray.
It could have to do with profits -- not from the BD sales, but from kickbacks from Sony for promoting Blu-ray exclusively. Sony is a VERY powerful corporation and with the other high $$ companies behind Blu-ray, Toshiba will have NO CHANCE to compete . . . at least not financially.
As I see it, Sony layed an egg initially with the BD player. So, they're going to "plan B" -- bribe the retail establishments. Pay large amounts for display space. Tell the retail places that they will ONLY pay those large rental fee if their product is "exclusive." Offer discounts on other Sony products (kickbacks) if they carry "exclusively" the BD line.
Retail establishments are so concerned about profits, they will not not even blink about the ethics of it. It's about $$$$ folks, and that is one of the reasons why HD DVD has an "uphill battle." It's not necessarily the least expensive or the best than survive, it's the products that get the most financial and political support. "
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=691891
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
These stories seem to be growing more and more common. There are also reports of HD-DVD players--once set up on nice HDTVs--have now been relegated to shelving with the normal DVD players, replaced by BluRay players (so that people can't compare the 2 and judge for themselves).
So it has me wondering whether stores like BestBuy will even sell the HD-DVD add-on at all. And if they do, will they do it any justice...or try to steer people away from it as well and not because it's a better product...but because they'll make more money from BluRay kick-backs than HD-DVD kick-backs?
I wasn't really looking to get the HD-DVD add-on, even as an HDTV owner, nor am I considering BluRay, but this is just shady practice. :mad:
Can HD-DVD backers compete against the companies that they need to sell them? Will the 360's HD-DVD add-on be killed off before birth by lying employees at stores that n00bs count on like Best Buy who have not our interests, but their interests at heart? And how many other massive chains will follow suit? Target? Wal-Mart? Meijer? RadioShack? CircuitCity? CompUSA? :eek:
Another story I found,
another story...this time from Fry's :
"You might well say well this is Frys so what do you expect but this just proves that for some reason these retail stores are all for Blu Ray.
I walked into Frys Electronics in Plano Texas on Saturday night.
I was dealt with by a 50+ year old guy who seemed to know what he was talking about until he started talking about HD DVD.
I already own a HD DVD machine but i thought i would ask the guy about the diff between Blu Ray and HDDVD.
He said well its not really a choice.
Its Blu Ray all the way.
I said oh why is that? he said the main reason for me saying that is this.
How many dvds do you own ?
I said about 1500.
He said do you want to be able to play these dvds again?
Well of course i do.
Well sir the only way you can do that with HD MACHINES is if you get BLU RAY.
He said Blu Ray has something called the FUSHIA CHIP which allows you to play standard def DVDS.
HD DVD however cannot play standard def dvds so if you buy that machine you are stuck with a machine that only plays HI DEF DVDS and nothing else.
BLU RAY however will play any sd dvd and of course BLU RAY.
At this point i was so disgusted with his lies or lack of knowledge i just thanked him and left.
Before i left i asked him if HD DVD was selling.
He said NOPE.
Its all BLU RAY HERE.
HD DVD has not done well and BLUE RAY is flying.
I said but HD DVD IS HALF THE PRICE.
Well sir if you want a machine that will still be around in a few years then buy Blu Ray.
If you want to waste $500 then get the HD DVD.
So does anyone have a link where i can report my experience to TOSHIBA. "
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=692491
Big business is again deciding what's best for the consumer...hmmmm...
"I went to three best buys in CT today (Newington, WestFarms, Manchester). Newington was out of stock but the BB guy told me not to buy the bluray because it was so far inferior. Westfarms just had a demo machine so I hit Manchester, where they had 1 unopened unit on the top shelf. I asked the guy to get it down for me and he said hold on I need to talk with the manager. Phil came out and informed me that they can no longer sell the HD-A1 unit because it is defective and being recalled. I argue'd for about 20 minutes about this while they tried to double team me into buying a bluray system. I left the store and sent an email complaint to bb and sent an email informing toshiba of this practice.
I was appauled that they would do something like this. So I ordered it online and will have it Tuesday..
I see others have run into shady practices with BB, but this was a first for me. "
followed up with:
"I think the facts need to be faced: Best Buy is promoting Blu-ray. I've read about several employees that admitted they had received a "memo" from Best Buy Corp to stop selling the Toshibas. It appears they are "inventing" reasons why, but the bottom line is that they will be promoting Blu-ray.
It could have to do with profits -- not from the BD sales, but from kickbacks from Sony for promoting Blu-ray exclusively. Sony is a VERY powerful corporation and with the other high $$ companies behind Blu-ray, Toshiba will have NO CHANCE to compete . . . at least not financially.
As I see it, Sony layed an egg initially with the BD player. So, they're going to "plan B" -- bribe the retail establishments. Pay large amounts for display space. Tell the retail places that they will ONLY pay those large rental fee if their product is "exclusive." Offer discounts on other Sony products (kickbacks) if they carry "exclusively" the BD line.
Retail establishments are so concerned about profits, they will not not even blink about the ethics of it. It's about $$$$ folks, and that is one of the reasons why HD DVD has an "uphill battle." It's not necessarily the least expensive or the best than survive, it's the products that get the most financial and political support. "
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=691891
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
These stories seem to be growing more and more common. There are also reports of HD-DVD players--once set up on nice HDTVs--have now been relegated to shelving with the normal DVD players, replaced by BluRay players (so that people can't compare the 2 and judge for themselves).
So it has me wondering whether stores like BestBuy will even sell the HD-DVD add-on at all. And if they do, will they do it any justice...or try to steer people away from it as well and not because it's a better product...but because they'll make more money from BluRay kick-backs than HD-DVD kick-backs?
I wasn't really looking to get the HD-DVD add-on, even as an HDTV owner, nor am I considering BluRay, but this is just shady practice. :mad:
Can HD-DVD backers compete against the companies that they need to sell them? Will the 360's HD-DVD add-on be killed off before birth by lying employees at stores that n00bs count on like Best Buy who have not our interests, but their interests at heart? And how many other massive chains will follow suit? Target? Wal-Mart? Meijer? RadioShack? CircuitCity? CompUSA? :eek:
Another story I found,
another story...this time from Fry's :
"You might well say well this is Frys so what do you expect but this just proves that for some reason these retail stores are all for Blu Ray.
I walked into Frys Electronics in Plano Texas on Saturday night.
I was dealt with by a 50+ year old guy who seemed to know what he was talking about until he started talking about HD DVD.
I already own a HD DVD machine but i thought i would ask the guy about the diff between Blu Ray and HDDVD.
He said well its not really a choice.
Its Blu Ray all the way.
I said oh why is that? he said the main reason for me saying that is this.
How many dvds do you own ?
I said about 1500.
He said do you want to be able to play these dvds again?
Well of course i do.
Well sir the only way you can do that with HD MACHINES is if you get BLU RAY.
He said Blu Ray has something called the FUSHIA CHIP which allows you to play standard def DVDS.
HD DVD however cannot play standard def dvds so if you buy that machine you are stuck with a machine that only plays HI DEF DVDS and nothing else.
BLU RAY however will play any sd dvd and of course BLU RAY.
At this point i was so disgusted with his lies or lack of knowledge i just thanked him and left.
Before i left i asked him if HD DVD was selling.
He said NOPE.
Its all BLU RAY HERE.
HD DVD has not done well and BLUE RAY is flying.
I said but HD DVD IS HALF THE PRICE.
Well sir if you want a machine that will still be around in a few years then buy Blu Ray.
If you want to waste $500 then get the HD DVD.
So does anyone have a link where i can report my experience to TOSHIBA. "
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=692491
Big business is again deciding what's best for the consumer...hmmmm...