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Circuit City is Ripping off Xbox 360 owners

kotaku.com — The retail store is charging its customers 28.99 to "install" backwards compatibility software in order to play Xbox titles. via Kotaku.

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Ozmotear 2 years 82 days ago, made popular 2 years 82 days ago

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Who Dugg It?

edrift101, on 10/12/2007, -17/+68Not that I shop at Circuit City, but I've officially started boycotting them as well.

Let's see, now the list is:
Sony (Rootkits are fun), EA (Why make a good football game when we can just buy out the competition), Circuit City (Screwing our customers is fun), WalMart (Our employees are actually zombie slaves and don't deserve benefits)
- joehobbes, on 10/12/2007, -26/+42I agree with all of those except for the Walmart one. Nobody forces people to work at Wal-Mart.
  
  On another note, I try not to shop at either, but at this point, I still prefer CC to Best Buy. That wasn't the case for me a couple of years ago. Either way, I only buy stuff from them when its dirt cheap on sale and they aren't making a whole lot on it in the first place
- Jwoey, on 10/12/2007, -62/+16I get so damn sick of all the anti-walmart talk. It's ridiculous. Also, saying you boycott a company is ridiculous.. because if you're doing it by yourself, its not a boycott... its just that you shop somewhere else. Im not boycotting Burger king, i just like mcdonalds better. You're not boycotting EA sports.. you just like 2k sports better.
- BobsYourUncle, on 10/12/2007, -6/+67@ joehobbes
  Nobody forces people to work at Wal-Mart, but all sorts of people are forced to work. Sometimes a paycheque is more important than where it's coming from. I wouldn't really hold it against them; they have to eat too.
- Shawnosaurus, on 10/12/2007, -26/+6On an unrelated (to circuit city story) note, those are some of the mose uninformed boycott's I've ever heard of. Walmart employees can work elsewhere should they choose and the NFL demanded exclusivity, not the other way around. Read before you make a statement.
  
  The circuit city rip off is shady and sad.
- cliffzdude, on 10/12/2007, -16/+10That "ad" is definitely professionally printed. That looks like glossy paper on a color laser jet, maybe even ink jet. Then placed in a lucite display frame.
  
  I'd have to venture a guess that this isn't Circuit City Corporate Office sanctioned, just a guess mind you. But the ad looks like *****, so I'm thinking my guess has plenty of merit.
  
  So, if this is not Corporate sanctioned then what is it? Either CC stores put together their own ideas to write more service dollars, or... Or some little pr1ck who doesn't like CC put it in their store after printing it on his Mommy's printer at home.
  
  No certainty here, just putting it out there, for what its worth, which is very little...
- joehobbes, on 10/12/2007, -18/+7@BobsYourUncle
  
  I don't like the government forcing companies to do certain things like that if they don't want.
  Does McDonalds and every other cheap employer do good benefits?
  
  And I know how it can be a pain -- I spent a while trying to get a job that had benefits. But I dealt with it. It's a free economy. Don't take that away.
- remyz16, on 10/12/2007, -15/+5As a former Circuit City employee, I have to say that we never screwed over any customers. Maybe it was because I worked at an older store with the old race-track layout (not a red Best Buy) at a major location but the only time a customer was ever screwed over was when they were stupid enough not to take an associates advice. I see this charge as just smart thinking on the part of CC corporate to make some extra revenue. Sure, it may sound like a scam, but competition is competition in the retail world - places like CC and Best Buy were built to take advantage of ignorance. If you're stupid enough to not be able to do it yourself, or to pay for the service, you deserve to lose that money.
- aarona, on 10/12/2007, -7/+52"Hi, my son is 7 years old and I want to get him an Xbox 360 for his birthday. Can he play old Xbox games on the 360?"
  
  Why yes, ma'am, he can. It requires a software install from Microsoft. Do you have high speed internet access?
  
  Option 1: "Yes." Well, OK then - all you have to do is connect this system to Xbox live and install the updates. If you'd like, we can do that for you for only $28.99, the same as we charge to install any software on your computer, while you poke around the games department and look at the different games you have to choose from. When he opens the box on his birthday, he'll be able to play his old games and his new ones right away, without having to do any setup work.
  
  Option 2: "No." Oh, well that's ok ma'am. You can contact Microsoft to have them mail you a copy of the updates, which you can install yourself, or we can install the updates for you here [yadda yadda yadda same as above] ...
  
  Where does the scam ever occur?
  
  Circuit City is providing a service for people who may otherwise not have the time, inclination, resources, or knowledge to provide that service for themselves. Since when is it a scam to offer to do something for a customer who may need assistance?
- ReCkLeSsX, on 10/12/2007, -4/+7It's kind of ridiculous but it's nothing to be so upset about.
  
  Some people really are stupid, and they have to pay.
- BobsYourUncle, on 10/12/2007, -5/+4@ joehobbes
  I think I should explain myself. I wasn't referring to gov't forcing Wal-Mart to provide benefits. I was directly replying to your comment "Nobody forces people to work at Wal-Mart."
  
  What I meant by my reply was that it's not always possible for people to find/obtain a job that will provide adequate benefits. Some do not have the education level to allow themselves to get a better job. I don't hold it against the employee, they may not have a choice of employer.
  
  By all means, if they can find a better job, go for it. Those that cannot may be forced to abide by any rules thrust upon them by their employer simply to keep the paycheque coming. I just don't think people _deserve_ to be abused because they _could_ work elsewhere. Maybe they can't.
  
  Hope that clarifies it.
- VeganG, on 10/12/2007, -8/+11"Nobody forces people to work at Wal-Mart."
  
  What about when all the other surrounding stores have gone out of business and all a town has left is Wal-Mart? I think you're pretty much forced to work there, then.
- DEIx15x8, on 10/12/2007, -3/+10Do people still not realize that these updates come in many ways. The BC updates are available through:
  1) Xbox Live
  2) Download on PC and burn to a CD (anyone with internet)
  3) Request a CD from Microsoft for free (anyone can do this, but it is easier to order online)
  4) Official Xbox Magazine (Every issues offer it on the demo disc)
  5) Play a game (Microsoft has said that they are going to bundle updates with games, most likely all Microsoft Games Studios games)
  6) and probably more that i am not aware of
  
  So here are 5 options that don't cost anything extra just to get BC.
- Coffeedemon, on 10/12/2007, -2/+14"Nobody forces people to work at Wal-Mart"
  
  Nobody except "reality" and the need to eat and keep a roof over your head I suppose.
- samdu, on 10/12/2007, -4/+7I boycott Wal-Mart, too. But mostly because of this:
  
  http://www.reclaimdemocracy.org/independent_business/walmart_eminent_domain.html
  
  The other glaring problems are icing on the cake.
- squarehappy, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Dunno why cliffzdude has been modded down, look at the typography on that ad. The header is effing Comic Sans and the rest of it looks like Verdana. Basically, fonts that come with the Windows installation that resides on a computer in the back room of that particular Circuit City. The ad was obviously done in-house on some blank Circuit City sign template. The fact that Circuit City allowed it to happen is disappointing, but we have no idea if they were even aware or what their response would be.
  
  Of course, the only thing people who like to read the headline and the summary and then form a strong opinion about something they know nothing about will get out of this is "Circuit City rips off their customers".
- Wooism, on 10/12/2007, -5/+3Dugg down as inaccurate. They do what they say they are going to do. You can't blame the corporations for wanting a few extra bucks from people who don't bother to educate themselves! They don't outright lie about anything, so I don't see the issue here!
- mellifluous, on 10/12/2007, -3/+0@ aarona
  
  based on what u said,
  
  "Why yes, ma'am, he can. It requires a software install from Microsoft. Do you have high speed internet access?"
  
  if that is in fact what they are saying then yes, it is a scam. because it does NOT require any effort to play xbox games on the 360. for the most part is has a decent compatibility already on the hard drive. the word that makes it a scam is that it says it "requires" a software install, which it does not. Moreover, the store is implying that every xbox game would be playable with the install. Which, again, is not the case.
  
  What they should have is a list of games that are playable out of the box, and if there are any the son/daughter has that are not on that list they should have another list including the games that would become playable if they had the software update.
- razorpit, on 10/12/2007, -3/+0I don't understand why some one gets digged down for making the comment that people who work at Wal-Mart do so by their own free will? Seriously, if it was such a bad place to work at, why do so many people work there? Better yet, if it is such a horrible place why do so many people shop there and support the company?
- Surefoot, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Boycott a whole retail chain over a service that you don't obviously need but others might? Not only that but a service that appears to be only in one store, and probably not the one at your location? Oh wait, you don't even shop there anyway? Ok, have fun with your "official boycott"!
- ubergmr, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2@ by aarona the main problem is that circuit city is not even telling the truth
  
  the sign says:
  "• Every game* will be playable in high definition.
  • Every original Xbox game* will be upscaled to 720p and 1080i, and will take advantage of Xbox 360's anti-aliasing capabilities, delivering a picture that is clear and crisper than anything available on Xbox."
  
  first off not every xbox will play on the 360, there is only support for select games. Secondly original xbox games will not be upscaled, I'm not positive but I think that halo and halo 2 are the only games the support that feature as of now.
- plnegative1, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1"I get so damn sick of all the anti-walmart talk. It's ridiculous"
  
  My Aunt just recently left Wal-mart (she worked at the main corporate office in Arkansas - not a store) and part of the reason was that they don't treat their employees very well with benefits or anything.
  
  Wal-mart is a dirty store.
tsar04, on 10/12/2007, -7/+12this is one of the most absurd things ive ever seen from a retail store! i mean, i never liked circuit city...but this is really low.
pmppk, on 10/12/2007, -5/+13This is up there with DiVX (the video disc "rental" format, not the software).
- BobMysterioso, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4At least until Magnolia Home Theater makes it way to every Best Buy - I find that Circuit City sells higher quality electronics than Best Buy.
  
  @pmppk
  I remember those, if you read up on it - it went bankrupt before it even got to market.
- fascfoo, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! I remember that! THATS when I started boycotting CC - the whole Divx concept was such a ridiculous idea. And naming it after an established video codec was just retarded as well. Monkeys in suits run CC.
idiggeverything, on 10/12/2007, -32/+10Dirty people goto walmart!
- sinfree, on 10/12/2007, -7/+17And you know this how?
- EPeters, on 10/12/2007, -3/+6I wouldn't say "dirty" people, but my local Wal Mart is definitely a freak-show.
BumbyKnuckles, on 10/12/2007, -15/+5Wow that is just something that is so over the top i really dont know what to say.
- sinfree, on 10/12/2007, -3/+11Right. Since the obvious way to combat their tactics is by getting yourself thrown in jail.
- pbaehr, on 10/12/2007, -3/+17"Wow that is just something that is so over the top i really dont know what to say."
  
  Yet, you feel the need to write something anyway. If only those struck speechless would remain that way.
BobMysterioso, on 10/12/2007, -20/+1dupe post - digg is acting odd...
h00ligan, on 10/12/2007, -6/+19uhh free enterprise whiners.. if someone doesn't have an online connection, they would want this - but the bottom line is they are a business out to you know.. make money, just like the one you work for, assuming you actually have a job.

Stop whining.
- halytech, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6Actually you can send off for an update CD, which, although takes a little bit of time, makes more sense than spending the $20-some-odd bucks on them using the same update CD there.
- afex, on 10/12/2007, -2/+8yea and buying reg wires makes more sense then dropping a C-note on monster cable. i agree with hooligan, this is not a scam - they clearly deliver exactly what they say...not much different than geeksquad charging XX dollars to do a virus scan when there are plenty of alternatives (some free too)
- remyz16, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6Halytech, it's all about convenience. You make a good point, but there are people out there who would just rather spend the money to have something right away.
- Wootery, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2It's not about false-advertising, it's about taking peoples' money when they don't know that the product is meant to be free (or thereabouts).
  
  I partially blame Microsoft for not licencing the software in such a way as to prevent this from happening. (I'm assuming this is legal...)
TriZz, on 10/12/2007, -1/+18I can't RTFA because my firewall has it blocked. So, my comment may be unjustified - but here goes:

...the backward compatibility updates are done via the dashboard with an online connection. Thus, people not into gaming online (or just don't have an internet connection) and want to play the old Xbox games will need someone to install the updates.

Given the lack of an internet connection, I could see this being fair.

Again, I haven't read the article - so I don't know what exactly is happening - but that's my $.02
- mraty, on 10/12/2007, -3/+6True, you can download updates directly from xbox live. But you can also download the periodic updates from microsoft and burn them to a cd-r. So even if you don't have an internet connection, you can still get the BC updates. So, basically they're just taking advantage of the ignorant/lazy.
- SvobodaIT, on 10/12/2007, -3/+6If this were the case, why don't they advertise it as being for those w/o Live? I think the fact that they sell it to everyone is what makes it shady.
- mjparker75, on 10/12/2007, -4/+4The ignorant and lazy should be taken advantage of... they're ignorant... and lazy. The only way scams like this go away is that people get educated and proactive. Bilking Grandma out of $20 bucks when she buys little Skeeter an XBOX360 for Christmas only works if no one says anything. When a few people start calling a con a con, Circuit City stops charging, issues apologies, and runs away with tail between legs.
- rileyjt, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5This was my thought too. For people that don't have their 360 connected to the internet, which according to MS is about 40% of their install base, this is actually a pretty good deal. Seriously - people need to think before the get all up in arms about stuff like this. Of course its not worth it if you can do it yourself, but for other people this is well worth it.
- igraham09, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2@ mraty et. all
  
  i'm farily sure that ALL major companies are only out there to take advantage of the ignorant and lazy.
  
  This is also good for the middleaged soccermom who just wants little jimmy to be able to play "Spongebob Squarepants" on his 360
Geesu, on 10/12/2007, -4/+8Well this would actually help for people who don't have an internet connection and need to get the updates from XBOX Live, but that is the ONLY thing I could see this helping with...

it's pretty shady
huggiesmiff, on 10/12/2007, -11/+1I've BEEN boycotting them. I hate that 'new system is out, now u have to buy our 2 crappy games-accessories you dont want-protection program' policy. Can you imagine the 'package' they make you buy when PS3 comes out? Good thing this chick there 'diggs' me. Discounts, beeyatch. You know its hard out there for a pimp.
Chewie67, on 10/12/2007, -12/+7Huh.

On the other end of the spectrum, Circuit City is HELPING PS2 owners. I *just* got back from the store with Sly 3 -- a new Greatest Hits release. It's normally $19.99, but they gave it to me for $14.99!

Hurray Circuit City!
sithlordoflanc, on 10/12/2007, -1/+9How is this any different than a computer shop that installs AV software or anti-malware? They are a business that is out to make a profit. Any company that tries to sell hardware exclusively, is sunk. The services are where the real profit is. I say, good for the guy who thought to do this.
Lazrius, on 10/12/2007, -9/+2That is horrible.
Sc5i, on 10/12/2007, -6/+1I like the idea of super gluing a note to the display that tells the shopper how to do it themselves. Or maybe a comment to read the manual before paying for the service. I stress super glue - or at least something that won't come off the displays plastic with out a great deal of effort.
PeteyEks, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8It's not ripping off customers because 1) it's not mandatory and 2) you'd be ripping yourself off to have them do it. Now it is a convinient option if you don't have the proper resources. You act like they should do it for free, yeesh.
- brhad56, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6People will pay just so they don't have to worry about doing it incorrectly themselves. They just want it to work.
josegutz, on 10/12/2007, -5/+3 I think that's just what I needed...
wtfdan, on 10/12/2007, -4/+5Having worked at a major electronics retailer and knowing common practice, this makes me VERY angry.

This is very, very low. I was hoping to see an [Inaccurate] tag on this, but no such luck it seems.
teljax, on 10/12/2007, -2/+9If you have such a problem with someone making money for their time and effort why don’t you socialist retards tell your boss the next time he hands you your paycheck, oh no boss I wanna work for free. Put your money where your mouth is or STFU.
Go ahead and start digging me down. Everyone knows you idiots hate to hear the truth.
superstewy, on 10/12/2007, -4/+13The title should read "Circuit City is Ripping off Dumb Xbox 360 owners"

If you're going to pay for the updates you deserve to get ripped off.
- VladDrac, on 10/12/2007, -2/+8Thanks, I was just going to say the exact same thing. If people willingly pay money for a service and the service is performed, it's not a scam. If people are too stupid to RTFM it's not Circuit City's fault.
- josegutz, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6@superstewy
  
  29 bucks is not THAT much to pay for this. If anyone can afford a 360, they can afford 29 dollars. You are eschewing that all XBOX 360 owners are dumb..
  
  This just makes me wanna puke all over my keyboard...I can't believe this is even a digg...
- levitron, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2And *you* are "eschewing" that eschew means insinuate. Eschew is a great word, but it doesn't mean ***** if you don't use it right... http://www.answers.com/eschew&r=67
- levitron, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1And *you* are "eschewing" that eschew means insinuate. Eschew is a great word, but it doesn't mean ***** if you don't use it right... http://www.answers.com/eschew&r=67
Electrawn, on 10/12/2007, -5/+4This is ripe for a false advertising claim against CC. The advertising seems to infer to play old xbox games, special software is needed. Instead, MS provides the "software" as part of a general update to the Xbox Live. Paying to have someone install something that is free is a convience service and ok to charge for, but should be marked as such.
Like:
"To get the most out of your XBOX Live experience, and play the most XBOX games on your XBOX Live, updates are provided by Microsoft. Let CC install these updates for you for $XX!"

They don't even have to mention the updates are free...

Of course, this probably violates some advertising/marketing clause deep in MS's distribution agreement with CC. Try that angle!
- rileyjt, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6I honestly don't see how this would be false advertising in any way shape or form. They are doing exactly what they promise to do - install the software for you. Not everyone has access to a broadband connection for their 360 so it might be well worth it to have CC do it for you.
mc4_a, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8And they offer to install hard drives too. I think it's incredible when you considering how easy it is to do. The same things holds true.

I would never pay for this service, but I bet there are people out there that a) could never figure out how to do this on their own or b) don't want to mess with trying to do this on their own and would like to pay someone to take care of it. There's nothing wrong with this...unless you're willing to go to every Xbox users' house to take care of this for free.
- 8086ed, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4Some people don't know that you can open your computer's case outside of a clean room. That's why people pay to have hard drives installed.
8086ed, on 10/12/2007, -7/+3How to fix this:

Acquire duct tape and sharpies.
Walk into Circuit City.
Put a large strip of duct tape on the sign.
Write "THIS IS A SCAM" on the duct tape.

Stands out, and is informative. Help your less geeky brethren!
crzdmnsldy, on 10/12/2007, -4/+0assholes.
but that's what you get when you don't know any better.
NeonDemon, on 10/12/2007, -4/+2HA!, i used to work as a tech! thats great! bastards
Hollister, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4If customers are willing to pay for it they can charge what they want.. its a SERVICE. Even if they did it for $5 you would still call it a rip-off. Get real
toreyarnold, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1Taking advantage of n00bs is all it is.

If people are that ignorant about something they are about to spend $400 dollars on then they deserve to be ripped off.

People should do some research.
iXneonXi, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2The money they make off this must be why their Nintendo DS units come with such a great bundle :D
R3dHalo, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4I actually worked at Circuit City and none of us would actually EVER attempt to sell it or even mention it. If the customer asked about it, we would explain what it actually was. We would explain that if you had access to an internet connection then you could use the ethernet cable that comes with the xbox to connect and update it for free, and that its a waste of money unless there is NO WAY you would be able to update it on your own.

Otherwise I agree that for the most part it is pretty underhanded...but it was an order that came down from "upstairs".
BalkiZX, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3They would not be selling this service if there wasn't a market for it. I'm sure there isn't a single person reading this blog that would have trouble installing some simple software but the simple truth there are idiots out there who are intimidated by technology and purchase these services so they may remain blissfully ignorant.

Sure you can chastise Circuit City for offering this service, but the fact of the matter is there are people out there who don't know anything about computers and prefer shopping in real stores as oppossed to online.

So go ahead and complain about a service you will most likely never have to turn down but I am siding with the City on this one. They are way better than BB even if I rarely go to either one.
- Coffeedemon, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2"but the simple truth there are idiots out there who are intimidated by technology and purchase these services so they may remain blissfully ignorant"
  
  Ah you were doing well until you exposed yourself as an elitist *****... there are many that have no need to know these things and many more still that could care less to learn the intricacies of computer use. Imagine that - even in this day and age. It will remain so until computers become mandatory for all citizens.
daridave, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5I fail to see why this is ripping off. I would do the same. If you can do it yourself, fine, but if you don't know how to and you have to ask someone who's working to do it, it is justified, IMO, to have to pay for the time he's taking to assist you. Expensive, yes. Rip off? No.
Skunkhair, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Here's the thing, most of us think that this is complete BS, because we're all educated (for the most part) and we know that this is a free update provided you have an internet connection. Some markets however have a very diverse customer base. For example, I live in Washington D.C. where some neighborhoods don't have a huge internet using population. However, they've saved up for that xbox 360, but have absolutely no plans to use Xbox live because that's another expense they can't afford. Heck most of the 360 owners I know locally here don't even have computers. And I've actually updated 5 friends' 360s because they don't have a computer or internet. So, ideally, to some customers this is an excellent option. yeah, to you and me, it's wrong, but honestly, CC found that there was a customer base that needed this. Trust me, like most retail stores, they've been testing this service for some time now, it's not like they just came out and offered it. And most likely it did well enough for them to offer it in their stores. So, what do we learn from this? 1) Don't get upset because a company in the business of making money found out a way to make more money. 2) start charging your friends 10 bucks to update their 360s 3) It's not the responsibility of the associate to tell the customer that this service is available free. They're number one goal is to sell and make money. Sure, if the customer asks, tell them the truth, but like I said, CC is in the business of making money like any other business.
SubbieFTW, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3I have to agree with aarona. They're doing the same thing every computer store large and small: offering to do something technical for the technology challenged. Whine elsewhere, buried
mccarron, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2You mean they charge for a service they perform for you, just like how they charge you to install software on your PC, or install your car stereo, or anything else that doesn't come easily to the majority of consumers?

I bet if you look at the amount of 360 owners who use live, you'll find it is a pretty low percentage. Then how many of those users that don't have Live have high speed Internet to download the update, and then a burner to burn it? Lets not even talk about getting the user to burn the update, that in itself can be troublesome for most users.

Marked inaccurate.
- Skunkhair, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Actually, and someone please correct me if i'm wrong, but i believe i read somewhere that MS has a 60% attatch rate. Meaning 60% of those who own 360's use Xbox Live.
- DreadPirateWes, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1It was up on Major Nelson's site.
  
  http://www.majornelson.com/archive/2006/08/31/Over-50-Million-Marketplace-downloads-served.aspx
  
  "More than 60 percent of Xbox 360 owners are connected to Xbox Live"
BobsYourUncle, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1EDIT: I hit reply, but it decided not to work, OP is at the top.

@ aarona
The scam is the fact that the update could be done for free is omitted.

The majority of digg readers/posters probably know that updates for the Xbox 360 can be done online. But I'd bet a large percentage of parents aren't aware of the intricacies of updating the Xbox. We assume that based on the 'ad' that customers are not being told that the update _could_ be done for free.

If the parent hears "Your son can play all his old Xbox 360 games for $28.99", they might think it's a great deal. "My son has a ton of those things, and he can keep playing them? Here's my $28.99!"

Not being very knowledgable about cars, before I bought one, I tried to find out everything I thought I should know. If a salesman threw me a curveball, how would I know if he was telling the truth? Unless it sounded ridiculous, I probably wouldn't. It's no different with a non-technologically inclined parent talks to the kid behind the counter (although we're talking significantly smaller amounts).

All CC had to do to remove the whiff of 'scam' was clearly spell out that this was 1 of many options. Something as simple as mentioning the discs could be received for free (I assume based on other posts, I'm not 100% sure) or online OR for $28.99. They could trumpet the speed of their service over waiting for a disc from MS. Which would be a perfectly valid argument. But to prey on the ignorance of the customer is exactly the scam. And the small amounts of money made using this scam may not even be worth the P.R. damage done. Once (if) a parent finds out they've been cheated, they are less likely to shop at that store again and/or believe anyone behind the counter. Adults are able to sustain a personal boycott of a store simply because they probably have the means to go elsewhere (transportation).

(I had to respond, I just find the CC situation so infuriating, and I don't even have an Xbox)
- DreadPirateWes, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1I agree with you. Although even if it wasn't deceptive $30 for an install is a ripoff anyway. Especially for something easier than a Next, Next, Yes, Install, Next, Finish. I mean, I did a cleanup on someone's system that was crippled by a virus and only charged a 6 pack of Sam Adams...
Farmer77, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Worked at CC for a year. The gaming hardware and especially the computer hardware don't make much money for the store. And if there is a big sale on a computer, the store actually loses money on the computer if the customer don't buy anything else with it. The real revenue comes from selling the accessories, the city advantage warranties, and services like installing someones new printer drivers for 19 dollars on the new computer they just bought. (LOL) Only the television sets make any real money by itself because there is such a huge mark up on TVs.

And that sign is not fake. The sign looks cheap because they are printed in the backroom or behind customer service. The managers change the services often so it doesn't make sense to put a lot of money into them.
chzimmerman, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3As a former Circuit City employee who has maintained relationships with people in the company, I can tell you that this is absolutely not corporate sanctioned.

Tech services are a largely new thing to Circuit City, unlike some of the other big box companies who have been doing them for years. The model isn't seriously tamped down and unscrupulous managers who are desperate to boost their service numbers will often create services, such as this one and the iPod dvd transfer service exposed a few months ago. These programs are generally only held in a single store, unless they work well and are expanded throughout a district. That store prints the signs instore on a color printer and puts it in an acrylic sign holder. It would happen all the time. Boycotting a nationwide company simply because of a few people (who will be reprimanded if a legal issue has occured) would be silly if I didn't know that the people engaged in the boycott were uninformed. As for the things mentioned in the flyer that are simply not true, well, I suppose I won't be asking the people at the Newport Beach CC for advice. But I won't condemn an entire company which I know to be largely composed of good, hardworking people who seek to educate as much as sell over the activities of a few people.

All that said, this is a rip-off to digg readers. I can understand why. We're probably ahead of the curve, technologically, than the majority of people. There will be people who can benefit from this service. I can't tell you how many parents I sold 360s to for their children over the holiday season. The parents do not have the time to figure this stuff out, they only have the problem that their kids can't play generation one titles. The kids may be too young to know what to do. So, while you may find it outrageous to pay thirty dollars to have this service performed.
Easty, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Christ on a bike! That's just... just... dear god.
deathguppie, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1The "people don't have to work at WallMart" statement is retarded. If WallMart is the only retailer left in town .. then yes, they do have to work at WallMart. The point being that some completely unresorceful intelects somewhere believe that if you pay people less society gets better, because everything is cheaper.

I'll stick with the well made products that I can buy from local craftmen. They cost more, but I don't have a that white trash pile of broken crap in my garage. What's more people make real wages creating "real" products.
- brhad56, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1What's WallMart? Do they sell Wall's?
  
  Oh. Wal-Mart. Got ya.
joaob, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Does anyone know if there is a SPIFF attached to this offer ? I couldn't imagine any decent ethical salesman (oxymoron?) pushing this service without informing the customers that they could easily do it on their own.
Kreigster, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1At Compusa they charge $30 to install Microsoft updates and at the best buy in my area they won't sell you Norton unless you have it installed through them (for an extra fee) so this is nothing new.
guitarpro411, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3I work for circuit city and we dont have this sign anywhere in the store. Certain stores will make signs for different services if they feel they need to advertise it (its not that hard to do... and that gloss look it just the plastic encasing for the paper to make it stand up.) I do the services for my store and we dont even have a sku for that so I dont know where thats coming from. I dont think one store advertising a service they created should be represented as Circuit City as a whole.
Thorlord, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3I work at circuit city, im an instore tech.

i walked around my store and couldent find this sign.
i do know its a service that we offer, but its again, for people who dont know how to install it.

so far 0 people have gotten the service, mainly because we tell them that they can get it free from microsoft.
honestly i believe the whole idea for that price, is us spending 30 minnutes doing the BC upgrade. we charge for time on issues like that, not really for the product.
- sevyplates, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Exactly.
  
  Time=money, and that's what we were selling.
Andyr3w, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3that is such crap!!!
sevyplates, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7HOLY S***!

That's the circuit city I work at! Newport Beach California!
And that's my department too!

Unfortunately though, this guy took it all wrong. we don't scam people - that's a load of BS,
None of us pushes it.

Why we did it?

Because when I told people you have to sign on to X-box, then download an update just to play their library of original X-box games they would shake there head at me and ask me to do it. I kindly tell them we're unable to, and tell them that you can just give Microsoft a call and they'd be happy to send it to you for a small fee. Yet the idea of having to go out of their way to play their original X-box games .

We kindly tell them we're unable to, the customer whom is miffed about having to do this just leaves.

The Computer Department's Manager at the time(NOT THE VIDEO GAME DEPARTMENT'S MANAGER) thought of this idea.(he recently got transferred to a different location)

Personally I think it's great because plenty of parents out there don't want their children online, that and they just don't have the Internet connection or whatever the reason. $29.99 great? I honestly don't know.(I insisted it should be $10 or free to those who bought the extended warranty.)

I recall selling it to an elderly woman whom wanted to buy one for her 9 year old grandson. I saw her looking at the X-box games and told her that she'd need an update. After some conversation I learned that she has a 56k dial-up connection and doesn't want the hassle of contacting MS for an update CD. So then I recommended the service to her and she chose it.

What we, AND I REPEAT, don't do is convince the customers that they need this, so I would like to personally call the author an idiot.

If somebody looks at the sign and asks me about it I always tell them the alternatives.
What this author is trying to to do is make Circuit city and everyone affiliated with it look like scum. Not only is that upsetting, but that's bad journalism.
- sevyplates, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1By the way, If you ever happen to walk in my store on weekends, drop by the Games section and say Hi to "Bob".
  
  I'd love to say hi to any digg users.
- Thorlord, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2exactly, some people just want it now, and dont have broadband.
  
  if i was asked to do it, i'd charge a $1 per minnute, because it probably wont take 30 minntues and can be done quite simply.
  
  on small items like that its better to make the customer happy, even if its almost giving away the service. so that they may come back again some other time when they need help on anything else.
- chzimmerman, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0It should also be noted that it's against the terms of service for children under the age of 13 to use XBox Live. It's not likely to stop anyone anytime soon, much to my dismay and that of anyone who's had to endure pre-teens on Live.
haloevo, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1I work at teletech here in canada as a customer support representative for those of you shopping at circuit city in america.

I am not impressed to hear about this. I'm quitting my job.
MtnScott, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1CC (I never shop there) is selling a sevice. It is a simple service.
How many here pay to have thier oil changed. Very simple to do, I pay for it.
are they overcharging? Probably, Do I care? No.
Surefoot, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2Rip off? Is the article bitching that there is a charge at all or that the price for this service is too high? If it's the former, show me another store that does this for free, if at all. If it's the latter, show me a store that does this for less.

There's obviously a demand, or it wouldn't be offered at all.
greeneyedzeke, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1I think the problem here is that they advertise "every" game working in high-def and "every" game looking nicer than possible on the X-Box, and then they have a footnote saying to check the Backwards Compatibility List for more information. Unless they're providing the list in-store, they're basically telling the customers to hop online and check out the very site where they can get this for free (pretty much negating the claim that this service is being helpfully offered to only those folks who lack a net connection).

What they seem to be hoping, then, is that people will be in impulse buy mode, not bother to check the list out, figure they can get "Soul Calibur 2" or "The Warriors" running on their 360 (ha, ha), and pay the money for the update.

Illegal? Probably not. "Free Market"? Sure. Low? You betcha.
ChinezePanda, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Used to work at Best Buy in NYC... and they pulled this ***** all the time

Being in charge of Video Games at my store... i had to put a stop to it...

I called the media and they immediately had BB shaking in their boots.

They stopped.

Anyway.

About parents not wanting their children going online? GET WITH THE TIMES! noone is going to leap through your TV of LCD and murder, rape your child.
oMeSSiaHo, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Here's the thing.

There are over 660 CC stores and each one has a tech manager. Installs are high PMI business so they really want to get them. The tech manager at this store probably just made that sign up and did it himself. It's just dumb for CC to even try this. I bet its just this one store doing the install.
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Circuit City is Ripping off Xbox 360 owners

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