Circuit City has some really large cojones

[Joe Siegler]

http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/01/circuit-city-will-make-your-360-backwards-compatible-for-30/

Read that.

[The Dukenator]

What the hell were they thinking?

[Water12356]

What the....

[Zztx]

Like the first comment in that link said: "Wow."

I wish I could think of so many ways to exploit stupid people.

[Yatta]

That is very funny. I don't live close to Circuit City anymore, but if I'm ever there I think I'm going to have a talk with their manager if I see some shit like that posted a their store.

[Vivi]

It's a scam, and they can be legally held responsible for conning people out of money.

[Travis]

Tsk tsk.
I bet hundreds of dumb people will be flushing their money down the drain with that scam

[Twin]

that's kind of funny actually :p

if i lived in the US then i think i would've just gone there and asked about it just for the heck of it :D

i do stuff like that all the time to see what the shop assistants response would be :p

[Laser Eyes]

Hey, you Americans buy bottled water from France. How much more stupid can you get than that?

[Jiminator]

well, someone has plans to sell pre-filled pure ice cube trays from france, so there are plenty of suckers to be had...

[Dave-ros]

Bwahahaha, foolish gullible Americans -- I'm so glad we don't have Circuit City over here, we're much harder to rip off. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to lug my computer over to PC World and pay them £50 to check it for viruses and spyware.

Hey, wait a minute... :doh:

[Tang Lung]

Everyone should just continually complain and call watchdog TV shows hundreds and millions of times.

[Duoae]

^It's the next reality tv!

[X-Vector]

It's a scam, and they can be legally held responsible for conning people out of money.

Does this mean that companies which charge customers extra for installing, say, a stick of RAM that they've bought from them can also be held legally responsible?
Or how about those super expensive Falcon Northwest Mach V PCs, which feature comprehensive pre-sale setup and tweaking; surely the time and labour spent by FN personnel on that is figured into the overall cost?

The fishy thing about this offering (aside from the HD resolution issue) is that it depends on unawareness of the customer that there is a free or at least much cheaper DIY alternative, but I'm not sure if CC is legally bound to mention that.

[Dave-ros]

Some of the posts under the original story suggest that certain staff members at these places want everyone to pay extra for installation, no matter how intelligent they are. As one pointed out, fair enough if it's something big and fragile because the company pays for any breakages, but if you know how to install your own stick of RAM, and you tell the clerk this, what business has s/he telling you to pay them to do something you could do?!? (Answer: they want their commission :p)

[Duoae]

X-vector, the difference is that they are not actually offering a service in this case - as opposed to the other examples you give. They do not control anything they show in their advertisement and so are basically lying.

[Wamplet]

Doesn't seem that dumb. I mean people really are that stupid, so might as well own them.

[Phayzon]

Doesn't seem that dumb. I mean people really are that stupid, so might as well own them.

I agree :)

[Duoae]

I don't. People being uninformed doesn't make them stupid. It's like saying that because someone doesn't know the ins and outs of the law then they should be punished by stupid laws.

[Telee]

Bwahahaha, foolish gullible Americans -- I'm so glad we don't have Circuit City over here, we're much harder to rip off. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to lug my computer over to PC World and pay them £50 to check it for viruses and spyware.

Hey, I don't agree with that. I live in the US and I would never fall for this bullshit...

[alexgk]

People aren't that stupid.

[Dave-ros]

Computer Stupidities would beg to differ -- one woman seemed to be horrified that after spending thousands of dollars on a new computer, she still needed to "click on something". Does her TV telepathically know what she wants to watch?! No, so why should a computer? :doh:

Also, I think it's one thing to offer a service to people who can't do technical installation things (or are afraid of invalidating the warranty and want an expert to do it), it's just a question of how much should be charged.

Telee: read the last sentence of my original post, foo' :p

[Telee]

read the last sentence of my original post, foo' :p

Oh, lol. I didn't understand what you were saying "doh'" to, I think I know what you're doh'ing about now :p

... Did that sound stupid? :doh:

[hiob]

thanks for the tip Joe just send them my 360 :p
just kidding, i wouldn´t be that stupid, to buy a 360 :D

[Destroyer]

haha stupid loosers who actually go for this.

[Hudson]

They'll also install RAM modules for you, for the low low price of $60.

"Circuit City - Taking advantage of idiots since 1949"

[Phayzon]

They'll also install RAM modules for you, for the low low price of $60.

The last RAM module I bought wasnt even that expensive...

Maybe they're trying to force computer illiteracy away? "Learn or pay us to do it for you :tinyted:"

[Hudson]

I always thought they were just a bunch of asses.

[Phayzon]

I always thought they were just a bunch of asses.

Oh, well, they are. Look at what they say the system requirements for CS Anthlogy are (200Ghz)...

[Little Conqueror]

One time, at Circuit City, I used a gift card to try to purchase a microphone. Well, the microphone was hung at the wrong price tag, so it was $1.14 too much for my gift card, and I had no cash. So I told the sales rep to hang on to my card, and I'd exchange the microphone for a cheaper model. I came back, and he asked me for my card.

"You HAVE the card."

"No, I don't. I just have this one in the trash can that has no money on it."

"That's because it's MY CARD and you just emptied it and didn't cancel the purchase on it."

It even had my name on it and everything, but the manager was an even bigger idiot than the sales rep, so my sister (who'd bought the card) stopped payment on it and gave me a card for Best Buy instead.

Circuit City sucks.

[Telee]

One time, at Circuit City, I used a gift card to try to purchase a microphone. Well, the microphone was hung at the wrong price tag, so it was $1.14 too much for my gift card, and I had no cash. So I told the sales rep to hang on to my card, and I'd exchange the microphone for a cheaper model. I came back, and he asked me for my card.

"You HAVE the card."

"No, I don't. I just have this one in the trash can that has no money on it."

"That's because it's MY CARD and you just emptied it and didn't cancel the purchase on it."

It even had my name on it and everything, but the manager was an even bigger idiot than the sales rep, so my sister (who'd bought the card) stopped payment on it and gave me a card for Best Buy instead.

Circuit City sucks.

Wow, what a fu*ker :mad:

[Micki!]

That's a really evil trick... I would never EVER trust a company again, if they did stuff like this...

[Ivan]

Wasn't Circuit City named Radio Shack? Or maybe they bought them? Anyways, you can never find what you want there. I wouldn't expect anything more from them.

[8IronBob]

Mleh, I can see Peter Moore issuing a lawsuit on Circuit City, saying that it should be MICROSOFT'S responsibility to make the console backwards compatible, NOT a retail store's. I, for one, see that other stores may catch on to this, like Best Buy, CompUSA, Wal-Mart, etc... This is just another way of the corporate greed that's been oppressing and taking advantage of everyone. It's the stores that're getting rich, and leaving others high and dry that simply can't afford it anymore... This country's getting to be like another "Robin Hood" story anymore.

[Phayzon]

Wasn't Circuit City named Radio Shack?

Nope...

[Ivan]

Nope...

Well we used to have those Radio Shacks here and suddenly they disapeared and those crappy Circuit City appeared.

[Phayzon]

Heh, we still have both...

[8IronBob]

So do we, as a matter of fact, they've consolidated Circuit City to just a few stores here in the Cleveland, OH area.

[Destroyer]

Well we used to have those Radio Shacks here and suddenly they disapeared and those crappy Circuit City appeared.

we still have booth, but how is Circuit City worse then Radio shack?
the radio shacks here are really small stores only around 1000sq foot, but the circuit city stores are huge. and generally have much better prices.

[Zztx]

"radio shaft, lawl".

Seriously, whenever I've gone to get something from Radio Shack, it was total rammage. Feh.

[Nessus]

Heh, for an extra $20 they'll format your camera's memory stick!

[Llama Gibbz]

it's just a question of how much should be charged.




I dont have a broadband connection.
However i was able to download the file i needed and install it myself.

There may be some xbox 360 consumers who dont even have a computer.
So what circuit city is doing can be helpfull for those peple.

IMO,its a matter of how much is a 3mb file is worth.:)

[Dr. Kill]

Circuit City sucks. I already was not a fan of them. Their "no questions asked returns" is bullshit, too. My friend tried returning a game, and they wouldn't take it. If it was me, I would've thrown it at them, and told em to stuff it up their ass!

Anyway, charging to "install" an incomplete list of backwards compatibility patches? WTF?! That's a new low. For shame! :mryuck:

[8IronBob]

Yeah. To make matters worse, Circuit City may start charging for a service to install XBL Arcade games to your Xbox HDD for the $400 package, to add to the backwards compatibility. Of course, Circuit City should know that MS is releasing a compilation of XBLA's biggest game hits already.

Grrr... I accidentally bumped Hexic HD off my HDD, speaking of XBLA, wonder how I can get Hexic back on my X360 now. Sorry, but that talk of XBLA has that bothering me now...

[GodBlitZor]

whoah, Ted owns CC. \o/

[Duoae]

Is CC made of solid gold? I don't think so. Nah, Ted owns MS... why would he need CC? :)

[Scream]

To all of you making fun of people who have others do things like install RAM modules for them, just remember that there are auto-mechanics out there laughing their asses off at most of you every time you bring your car in for basic maintenance.

We are all kings in our own court, and jesters in others...

[dreweth]

To all of you making fun of people who have others do things like install RAM modules for them, just remember that there are auto-mechanics out there laughing their asses off at most of you every time you bring your car in for basic maintenance.

We are all kings in our own court, and jesters in others...

This is a much nicer way to say what I was thinking.

But I'll say it anyway.

Simply, this service is not for you people. You folks, myself included, build our own computers, setup our own networks, and understand that if we want to upgrade a device, we can do it through the magic of the interweb.

Outside of this extreme minority of the population, other people never ever want to see inside of their computer, and have more money than time to learn to fix it.

It's not a snob thing. Well, sometimes it is. But mostly, people whose time is worth more than taking the time to learn the service will just pay the money.

They have better things to do with their time, or they at least believe they do.

Also, CC is providing a service here. I may debate the price, but they are using their broadband net connection, downloading and burning a cd/dvd full of updates, plugging in a customer's xbox 360 and ensures it's working, installs the disc, and likely tests the compatability a little for the customer.

That's a service. Installing ram is a service. The price isn't worth it for us, but the free market will decide if it's worth it for enough people to sustain the offer.

[FireFly]

The problem is that free markets can only operate efficiently when there is perfect information. In this case, Circuit City isn't telling consumers that they can activate the backwards compatibility themselves, so is potentially taking advantage of their ignorance.

[8IronBob]

Well, maybe they're doing that for people who may not have broadband internet at all, there are plenty of X360ers that only run on dialup who can't use broadband internet on their consoles, you know. It's not like the old Dreamcast days where you could have 56K connections. Of course, I'm on a low-end cable internet connection, and it does seem to work well on my X360, so I can't complain. Bet that Best Buy's gonna join in on this service, too.

[ShadeEX]

Why does this not surprice me... :rolleyes:

seriously Circut City get your act together.. :mad:

[Daveman]

Well, maybe they're doing that for people who may not have broadband internet at all, there are plenty of X360ers that only run on dialup who can't use broadband internet on their consoles, you know.
But you can get the CD from Microsoft for free if you just ask them.

[dreweth]

The problem is that free markets can only operate efficiently when there is perfect information. In this case, Circuit City isn't telling consumers that they can activate the backwards compatibility themselves, so is potentially taking advantage of their ignorance.

Actually, it's more like "Caveat Emptor" than perfect information exchange.

More like, "A fool and his money are soon parted" than some ideally accessible information.

Wait. We have ideally accessible information, it's called the internet. Therefore, if this service survives, since no one is forced to buy it, it is a perfect example of the free market in action.

Service for money.

[FireFly]

Actually, it's more like "Caveat Emptor" than perfect information exchange.
If consumers don't have enough information about a product then they won't necessarily make the correct decision, the decision that would be in their best interests. If that happens then there has been a market failure.

Wait. We have ideally accessible information, it's called the internet. Therefore, if this service survives, since no one is forced to buy it, it is a perfect example of the free market in action.
Just because the information is available doesn't mean the buyer will have accessed it, or be aware of it. To clarify: I'm not saying the service shouldn't exist, or that it isn't providing value to consumers, just that its effective provision depends on Circuit City being honest with customers and specifying the true nature of backwards compatibility, rather than making ambiguous statements:

"Backward compatibility on the Xbox 360 is done through software* Let Circuit City install it for you for just $28.99.

People could very easy go in to buy the console, not having read about backwards compatibility, see the ad and think "oh, backwards compatibility has to be purchased and installed separately - I guess I'll have to pay the $28.99".

I mean you can even order a backwards compatibility disc from Xbox.com and have it shipped to you for $1.99.

[Scream]

If consumers don't have enough information about a product then they won't necessarily make the correct decision, the decision that would be in their best interests. If that happens then there has been a market failure.


Just because the information is available doesn't mean the buyer will have accessed it, or be aware of it. To clarify: I'm not saying the service shouldn't exist, or that it isn't providing value to consumers, just that its effective provision depends on Circuit City being honest with customers and specifying the true nature of backwards compatibility, rather than making ambiguous statements:

"Backward compatibility on the Xbox 360 is done through software* Let Circuit City install it for you for just $28.99.

People could very easy go in to buy the console, not having read about backwards compatibility, see the ad and think "oh, backwards compatibility has to be purchased and installed separately - I guess I'll have to pay the $28.99".

I mean you can even order a backwards compatibility disc from Xbox.com and have it shipped to you for $1.99.

All of this is the reason the phrase "caveat emptor" exists. It means "buyer beware". The consumer bears some responsibility in informing themselves before making a buying decision. If a car is on the Consumer Reports "lemon" list, and I go out and buy it without reading up on it, should I be pointing my finger at the reseller? Well, perhaps I might put some of the blame on them for selling a shitty product, but it's also incumbant upon me as the consumer to be careful when making purchasing decisions.

I'd say it's the same here. Circuit City is indeed taking advantage of people to an extent (when people ask about their "install service" they could inform them that if they're hooking up to Live anyway, getting these updates is basically automatic), but at the same time why are these people buying a 360 without knowing anything about it. Backward compatibility is pretty basic, and it wouldn't take a lot of research to discover that it's easy to install yourself. Circuit City may be taking advantage, but there is plenty of opportunity for people to inform themselves as well.

[Mr.Sociopath]

they should charge lower at least :p

[FireFly]

All of this is the reason the phrase "caveat emptor" exists. It means "buyer beware". The consumer bears some responsibility in informing themselves before making a buying decision. If a car is on the Consumer Reports "lemon" list, and I go out and buy it without reading up on it, should I be pointing my finger at the reseller? Well, perhaps I might put some of the blame on them for selling a shitty product, but it's also incumbant upon me as the consumer to be careful when making purchasing decisions.

I'd say it's the same here. Circuit City is indeed taking advantage of people to an extent (when people ask about their "install service" they could inform them that if they're hooking up to Live anyway, getting these updates is basically automatic), but at the same time why are these people buying a 360 without knowing anything about it. Backward compatibility is pretty basic, and it wouldn't take a lot of research to discover that it's easy to install yourself. Circuit City may be taking advantage, but there is plenty of opportunity for people to inform themselves as well.
I agree, but I'm simply stating the reality of the situation - it's likely that people are being misled, and a result the market has failed to provide consumers with the right product. So just because consumers are prepared to pay for this service doesn't mean everything is fine.

Now I think if Circuit City was to clearly disclose the nature of the service then that would provide the most effective remedy. But deciding what to do, and how to solve the problem, is a different issue and we run into questions of legality and morality - how to allocate responsibility and so on.

[dreweth]

I agree, but I'm simply stating the reality of the situation - it's likely that people are being misled, and a result the market has failed to provide consumers with the right product. So just because consumers are prepared to pay for this service doesn't mean everything is fine.

Now I think if Circuit City was to clearly disclose the nature of the service then that would provide the most effective remedy. But deciding what to do, and how to solve the problem, is a different issue and we run into questions of legality and morality - how to allocate responsibility and so on.

Business ethics and the free market and not mutually parallel.

These consumers have a choice to purchase a product, CC does not make that choice for them. The consumer decides if the price for the service is right for them, and makes a choice. Free market in action.

Also, the service is not a "lemon" car, a bad product, or a defective one. Once again, some here are simply haggling price, and mistaking their feeling of value for free market boundaries.

[Scream]

Basically we're arguing over something that's argued about by lawyers in courtrooms every day: letting the free market run freely vs. protecting the consumer from purveyors of snake oil. Anyway, I think this CC case is grey, although it certainly is sneaky enough on their part for me to decide they're not a company I'd do business with. While they may not have a legal obligation here, at the very least they're on some very shakey ethical ground.

[FireFly]

Business ethics and the free market and not mutually parallel.
It's not a question of ethics but efficiency. Markets are there to allocate resources in a way that maximises the benefit to the consumer. Demand is used to judge this 'private benefit', as it's assumed the consumers know the relative worth of the products that they're choosing from. If however consumers don't act in their best interests because the information at their disposal is limited then the market fails, fails to produce the resource allocation that maximises social benefit. So markets depend on consumers making the right choice.

These consumers have a choice to purchase a product, CC does not make that choice for them. The consumer decides if the price for the service is right for them, and makes a choice. Free market in action.
And consumers may be misinformed in their choice. Just because a market exists doesn't mean it's allocating resources efficiently - why else do we have government intervention?

In this case if consumers were given more information, then they could make the right choice, and a true market price for this service could be established, a price that would reflect the actual value to consumers.

[Mountain Man]

What the hell were they thinking?
"Stupid people will give us $30."

Seriously, the best way to steal someone's money is to have them willingly hand it over.

[avatar_58]

Seriously, the best way to steal someone's money is to have them willingly hand it over.

Well it isn't stealing if they've given it to you and you've given them what they asked for. "Technically" Circuit City is giving them a service, its whether or not the customer is smart enough to realize how to do it themselves.