Posted January 16, 2013 It's partly why vouchers are a bad idea - when you buy them you agree that they can simply stop accepting them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 16, 2013 (edited) The only issue I have with blocking the use of gift cards is that HMV have already taken the goddamn money for those cards so the card could then be used later in the store. I get the terms and conditions, but it's still pretty shitty to make loyal customers (who have guaranteed purchases will be made in HMV) suffer when none of this is really their fault. In fact, it just makes everyone who bought anybody a gift card at Christmas feel terrible. Is it not possible that this kind of action only damages survival in the long run? Lots of customers will be extremely put out by being unable to use their cards just after Christmas and actively avoid shopping there again if the store recovers. Nobody who has been burned with a gift card is going to go spend money on the product they want in HMV when they can buy the same product cheaper elsewhere. For a company struggling to make enough money to survive this kind of action seems kinda short sighted. I know this is very idealistic, but maybe customer loyalty and strong service could be the one thing that keeps the high street going. Edited January 16, 2013 by Guy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 16, 2013 It's to do with administration - any creditors (including people who have gift cards) have to attempt to get their money from the administrators, not HMV. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 16, 2013 There was talk that as the music industry has an interest in a high street presence then maybe they'll look to save HMV. I'm not sure it'll happen though as the writing on the wall for HMV has been around for a few years now. In related news there's reports Blockbuster UK is set to go bust. I live in a town of about 22k which incredibly still has a Blockbuster (in a terrible location though - no where near the main town centre). But it looks like if I ever want to just buy or browse games in town I'm left with GAME & Sainsburys. I'd love to see more independent shops set up though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 16, 2013 Bye bye Blockbuster UK. Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 16, 2013 Blockbusters, meh. I'm more bothered abuot HMV. The highstreet needs more independant stores selling entertainment products. But as i said on Twitter earlier, if this is Mr Camerons idea of regeneration then i'd love to see recession. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 16, 2013 Blockbusters will totally bounce back. ...totally. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 17, 2013 The only issue I have with blocking the use of gift cards is that HMV have already taken the goddamn money for those cards so the card could then be used later in the store. I get the terms and conditions, but it's still pretty shitty to make loyal customers (who have guaranteed purchases will be made in HMV) suffer when none of this is really their fault. In fact, it just makes everyone who bought anybody a gift card at Christmas feel terrible. Is it not possible that this kind of action only damages survival in the long run? Lots of customers will be extremely put out by being unable to use their cards just after Christmas and actively avoid shopping there again if the store recovers. Nobody who has been burned with a gift card is going to go spend money on the product they want in HMV when they can buy the same product cheaper elsewhere. For a company struggling to make enough money to survive this kind of action seems kinda short sighted. I know this is very idealistic, but maybe customer loyalty and strong service could be the one thing that keeps the high street going. Whilst Cube's right, I think it's quite despicable for the company to have done it. They should have stopped offering the vouchers. It's nothing short of a con essentially. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 17, 2013 There really should be some kind of law relating to gift vouchers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 17, 2013 Am I the only one who thinks that HMV rejecting gift vouchers is just fine given the circumstances? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 17, 2013 So, it looks like GAME are interested in purchasing 40-45 HMV stores. http://www.mcvuk.com//news/read/surprise-game-looking-to-acquire-hmv-stores-after-stronger-than-expected-xmas/0109461 Yes. GAME. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 17, 2013 So, it looks like GAME are interested in purchasing 40-45 HMV stores. http://www.mcvuk.com//news/read/surprise-game-looking-to-acquire-hmv-stores-after-stronger-than-expected-xmas/0109461 Yes. GAME. Sounds about right. Game goes bust from buying too many stores too quickly, then proceeds to go ahead and buy up loads of stores again Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 17, 2013 (edited) What? GAME buying HMV would be like... giving a blind person another blind person instead of a fucking guide dog. Edited January 17, 2013 by Guy Automerged Doublepost Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 17, 2013 game? GAME? really? Guy has the jist of this! give it a year and GAME will go under again taking whats left of HMV with them, jsut like they took Gamestation before Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 17, 2013 So now there'll be 4 GAME's in every town instead of 3? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 17, 2013 GAME buying HMV would be like... giving a blind person another blind person instead of a fucking guide dog. Man, that's really snappy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 17, 2013 So now there'll be 4 GAME's in every town instead of 3? They closed half of them - they're interested in HMV stores that are in places that don't have a GAME. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 17, 2013 Am I the only one who thinks that HMV rejecting gift vouchers is just fine given the circumstances? It's not the rejecting, it's the continued selling of them right up to closing shop. It's dishonest. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 17, 2013 They closed half of them - they're interested in HMV stores that are in places that don't have a GAME.The ones they closed were where there was more than one. Places that don't have a game, as in the other end of the high street. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 17, 2013 My town lost it's only game store (it was a GameStation). Well, we have Cocaine Grainger Games, but that doesn't count. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 18, 2013 My town lost it's only game store (it was a GameStation). Well, we have Cocaine Grainger Games, but that doesn't count. Grainger Games is a fine retail institution that has clearly never done anything to disgrace itself or the industry. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 20, 2013 Film and music industries to the rescue! (For a change.) http://www.nme.com/news/hmv/68267 I just hope it's enough to help out... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 20, 2013 Film and music industries to the rescue! (For a change.) http://www.nme.com/news/hmv/68267 I just hope it's enough to help out... Might be me being cynical, but why didn't these companies get involved much sooner? CD prices have been too high for years. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 20, 2013 Might be me being cynical, but why didn't these companies get involved much sooner? CD prices have been too high for years. Because they haven't felt it was necessary? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 20, 2013 Because they haven't felt it was necessary? But this has been a possibility for years. People have been turning away from high streets and record stores in favour of places like Amazon. It's just disappointing that it had to come to this before they decided to step in. They're about 5 years too late, imo. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
