Nintendo kills Wii ads due to console shortage
But eBay's got plenty
Nintendo is replacing a series of ads for its Wii console this Christmas, despite the games machine being the subject of the most searched for term on eBay.
A spokesman for the company told Marketing Week that demand for the console is already too high and that it wants to take a “responsible stance this Christmas and not fuel demand”.
The adverts, scheduled to run on TV and in print, will be replaced with ones for its DS Lite handheld console.
eBay’s UK website last week logged nearly 30,000 searches for the terms ‘Wii’ and ‘Nintendo Wii’ and, while we were writing this, the website had consoles for sale with prices ranging from about £150 to £500.
However, if you’ve really got money to burn, then one intrepid seller has even been trying to make the most of the Wii shortage and offload his console for a staggering £1m.
Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime recently claimed that the company wasn’t limiting availability of consoles to keep demand high. "Anyone who suggests that a shortage is good for business really doesn’t understand business," he told MSNBC. Apparently, it’s just “highly unfortunate that consumers cannot find a Wii to purchase”.
COMMENTS
@Steve Rowsell
Ah no, Steve you miss my point.
You think my post was about me?! Ah no, you would be wrong, read it again! I won't be buying any console this Christmas...
But to admire Hedley Phillips for "taking a stand against the 'must have at all costs' attitude of too many people" by buying an ancient console from several years ago on the cheap is pretty empty headed in my opinion...
The real point is that, although a PS2/NES/whatever might convince you, it won't convince any youngsters this Christmas! Now if you want to criticise this "must have" attitude then I suggest you start with all the kids in this country, it is they who embody it most... and see quickest through any BS that out-of-touch old folks might try to pull on them!
Advertising gone right
It is unbelievable that you guys are going on about what is just an overpriced, under-powered console. If someone wants to play games, well, they have two proper consoles out there that will last for a few more years whereas the Wii will last a few months after the novelty effect has died off. Thank you.
title is misleading
For those who can read ... they have pulled the ads because they don't want a shortage in the UK and Europe. There's already shortages in the US and Canada (I haven't seen a store here have one in stock for 3 weeks.) Outside of the title I found no reference that there actually is a shortage except when the American spokesman talks about the shortage.
@Steve
Steve, I wasn't aware that I was asking for your sympathy.
I fail to see your logic though. Why is it that people in the UK hate to think of anyone showing a bit of entrepreneurial spirit to make a profit? Isn't the basis of a capitalist society supply and demand? Perhaps Nintendo should sell the Wii at cost price, heaven forbid that they should make a profit. Why are Audi R8's demanding a 20% premium over RRP at the moment? Because demand is greater than supply. Impatient people who have the money will pay the extra 20%, others will wait until supply catches up.
Nobody makes parents spend £250 on a Wii do they? However, if people want one desperately enough they will pay what they will pay.
As for being £14k short, don't be silly, the worst that will happen is that we will have gone to a lot of effort for very little profit and that's the risk people like us take. You on the other hand are probably Mr Play It Safe who just moans about 'greedy' people.
Greed is what drives our society, if you don't like it toddle off to a communist one.
@bogsheet
Congratulations, you win todays prize for most facile, empty-headed comment.
I applaud Hedley Phillips for taking a stand against the 'must have at all costs' attitude of too many people.
Whereas 'bogsheet' has shown that he/she is all too easily taken in by the marketing baloney that convinces people that three stripes on a pair of trainers means they are three times more valuable than those without.
Pathetic.
