Topic: Nintendo & Amazon

[UncleBob]

So, while we all hold our breath waiting for TJ to come forth with his reliable source for his statements regarding the relationship between Amazon and Nintendo, Kotaku posted a little article today worth reading.

http://kotaku.com/5944662/somethings-not-right-between-nintendo-and-amazon-but-neither-side-is-talking

[MrPhishfood]

I posted this in another thread:

Nintendo has to deal with a lot of stuff being both a publisher and a console manufacturer. If you live in the UK and went inside a GAME store did you ever notice how Nintendo products are always near the back of the store or some hidden away corner?

This is because Nintendo refuses to pay GAME for "premium" space, they have a weird antagonistic business relationship with each other. When GAME were starting to go bankrupt Nintendo were the first to refuse them stock of new games because they knew GAME wouldn't be able to pay for them at a later date, then Capcom did the same.

Here's how I imagine it

Nintendo: We're launching a new console and I was thinking if we could make a deal, I'll pay you x amount of money and for x amount of time you give preferential treatment by helping advertise the Wii U on your website.
Amazon: Everyones products get equal treatment, I'm sorry we can't cut a deal
Nintendo: So we can't work anything out? At all?
Amazon: Nope
Nintendo: Well if you're not going to help me sell the Wii U then you're not going to sell any of my stuff. NEVER EVER EVER!! and your website sucks because its trying to recommend me anger management books when I obviously don't need them

[UncleBob]

I seriously doubt that's the case - Historically, Nintendo isn't the type of company to give moneyhats for special treatment.

[TJ Spyke]

When I have time to find the links, I will post them. But apparently it is Amazon who is refusing to buy hardware from Nintendo (not Nintendo refusing to let them) because Amazon wanted the same treatment that Walmart gets (but no other retailer does).

[rlse9]

There was an article on another site about this a couple days ago.  Basically it said that Amazon was frustrated by the high number of returns that they were getting with the 3DS and how Nintendo was handling it, the fact that Amazon wanted to lower the price when the 3DS wasn't selling and Nintendo wouldn't let them, then let Wal-Mart reduce the price before anywhere else could, and finally because Amazon wanted the same deal Wal-Mart gets, as was mentioned by TJ.

[Mop it up]

The blue 3DS XL was up for sale by Amazon the other day, so the feud may be ending soon. I hope it's over by the holidays, Amazon usually has good deals and I want to get a 3DS XL this holiday.

[Ceric]

I know how popular Amazon is but, I seriously doubt they buy as much Product from Nintendo as Walmart.  We're talking the good and the bad.

[Do_What]

Amazon only sells Nintendo stuff through third party retailers and even then it's always above MSRP. It's really frustrating.

[Chozo Ghost]

Is there any other online retailer besides amazon that will offer Wii U systems? The advantage of buying online is you don't have to pay sales tax, which is a considerable amount on something that costs $350.

[Fatty The Hutt]

No product seller is gouing to give anyone the deals they are basically forced to give Wal Mart. Wal Mart is tolerated because sellers have to do business with them. Those deals are not going to be repeated. Amazon is dreaming.

[UncleBob]

Is there any other online retailer besides amazon that will offer Wii U systems? The advantage of buying online is you don't have to pay sales tax, which is a considerable amount on something that costs $350.

"Don't have to pay sales tax" is generally relative to how much you care about following the law.  Most states that charge a sales tax require you to pay sales tax on internet purchases if the retailer doesn't collect them at POS.

There was an article on another site about this a couple days ago.

If this is the same article I've found, then...

IGN poster Sarabellum1976-tk posted this in response to an Amazon thread regarding sales of the 3DS XL on the site.

...the "source" is a random posting on an internet forum.

I know how popular Amazon is but, I seriously doubt they buy as much Product from Nintendo as Walmart.  We're talking the good and the bad.

Beyond that, I have serious doubts that if Nintendo even cuts Walmart some super-special deal that Amazon would even remotely know the details.  You can be sure that if any such deal is in place, Nintendo isn't giving out that information (to prevent others from trying to get the same deal) and Walmart isn't giving out that information (because Walmart would never give up such information regarding their business advantages).*

*Disclaimer: Spoken as a member of the general public with some common sense, not as an employee of any business with super-top-secret information.

[leahsdad]

Is there any other online retailer besides amazon that will offer Wii U systems? The advantage of buying online is you don't have to pay sales tax, which is a considerable amount on something that costs $350.

"Don't have to pay sales tax" is generally relative to how much you care about following the law.  Most states that charge a sales tax require you to pay sales tax on internet purchases if the retailer doesn't collect them at POS.

Especially in California, where Amazon had never directly charged sale tax for years, meaning that I saved about $25 when I bought my ambassador 3DS from amazon at launch.   

Unfortunately, this past Saturday Amazon started to charge sales tax to California customers as a part of a deal they negotiated with the state of California a year ago.   This was apparently such a big deal that it was on all the local news, including NPR.

If you live in a state that Amazon doesn't charge sales tax in yet, I wouldn't bank on that continuing ad infinitum.   Amazon is an awfully big target, and state governments are gunning for that revenue. 

[Ian Sane]

Amazon is a big enough fish in online retail that I don't think it's worth Nintendo's while to feud with them.  It would look really bad if MS and Sony products were on Amazon but not Nintendo.  I think giving Amazon the "Walmart deal" is not really feasible but they should play nice to the best they can.

I think it's sad that Nintendo's reputation for dealing with any outside company is so poor that I immediately assume this is their fault.

[Ceric]

At this point Nintendo doesn't need to play nice with Wii U.  Unlike more Niche products Nintendo Systems and Games are widely available.  You be hard press to find someone in the United States that couldn't find someone who had the ability to sell them a Nintendo System or game in 100 miles.  I think it more of a Blemish on Amazon not to have Nintendo Products then Nintendo to not be on Amazon.

[Chozo Ghost]

I think every state is going to make online sales tax mandatory at some point in the near future. But until then those of us who can take advantage of it might as well do so while we can. 7% sales tax on a $350 is a considerable amount. Not quite enough for a new game, but over half way there. If you can save that why wouldn't you?

[UncleBob]

I think every state is going to make online sales tax mandatory at some point in the near future. But until then those of us who can take advantage of it might as well do so while we can. 7% sales tax on a $350 is a considerable amount. Not quite enough for a new game, but over half way there. If you can save that why wouldn't you?

Can you give me an example of a state that has a retail sales tax and doesn't require residents to pay in on their online retail purchases?

[Stoeff.at]

I posted this in another thread:

Nintendo has to deal with a lot of stuff being both a publisher and a console manufacturer. If you live in the UK and went inside a GAME store did you ever notice how Nintendo products are always near the back of the store or some hidden away corner?

This is because Nintendo refuses to pay GAME for "premium" space, they have a weird antagonistic business relationship with each other. When GAME were starting to go bankrupt Nintendo were the first to refuse them stock of new games because they knew GAME wouldn't be able to pay for them at a later date, then Capcom did the same.

Here's how I imagine it

Nintendo: We're launching a new console and I was thinking if we could make a deal, I'll pay you x amount of money and for x amount of time you give preferential treatment by helping advertise the Wii U on your website.
Amazon: Everyones products get equal treatment, I'm sorry we can't cut a deal
Nintendo: So we can't work anything out? At all?
Amazon: Nope
Nintendo: Well if you're not going to help me sell the Wii U then you're not going to sell any of my stuff. NEVER EVER EVER!! and your website sucks because its trying to recommend me anger management books when I obviously don't need them

quality

[TJ Spyke]

Kind of off topic but related to Amazon and Walmart, Walmart announced today that they will stop selling the Kindle: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-09-20/amazon-falls-after-wal-mart-plans-to-stop-sellling-kindle

Target announced the same thing back in May. Amazon does make more money when selling the Kindle online, but this will still hurt sales.

[MrPhishfood]

You think the problem may actually be between Walmart and Amazon with Nintendo being caught in the crossfire?

[ThePerm]

Fun quazi-fact, the word Amazon means "no breasts", A = not having, Mazos = boobs, or at least thats the folk etymology

[Shaymin]

There's no relation to the two situations. Walmart doesn't want to sell something that's basically an extension of Amazon.com.

[TJ Spyke]

They did for a long time. And it makes me think that it's a matter of time before they stop selling stuff like iTunes gift cards.

[ShyGuy]

I remember reading somewhere that the Amazon women warriors would chop off one of their breasts because it got in the way when they drew a bow. Crazy!

[Adrock]

I heard that too. That's like slapping God across the face for giving you a beautiful gift.

[alegoicoe]

F*UCK AMAZON!!!