90 Percent of Sales People Recommend Blu-ray Disc Over HD DVD

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The study report states that less than 1-in-10 retail salespeople recommended HD DVD to survey takers posing as shoppers for the syndicated, independent field study.

The survey found 25 percent of all salespeople chose not to recommend one platform over the other. But of those who did, 89 percent recommended Blu-ray, and most of them “very strongly recommended Blu-ray, to the point that a typical customer would have had to think long and hard before buying HD DVD in the face of what salespeople are telling them about the two platforms.

http://formatwarcentral.com/index.php/2008/02/15/study-shows-almost-90-percent-of-sales-people-recommend-blu-ray-disc-over-hd-dvd/#more-532

This is news? This has been happening since 2006.

98% of sales people are likely told what to say by their managers.

I went to Best buy tonight to get a new TV stand and got into a discussion with the Magnolia rep asking why best Buy chose to feature just Blu-ray, and his single response was it is the better format. So pausing for a minute I asked him to elaborate, basically I wanted to bait him into a tit for tat discussion on why BR was so superior and he started talking about features BR doesn't even have yet. I said why would you bring up stuff BR doesn't have, his response was well neither does HD-DVD, at whcih I replied that he should maybe find another job because he obviously knows nothing about either format. Then it hit me... He was reading off a cheat sheet on his clip board.

Best Buy has made a cheat sheet with the following info on BR

Web enabled Content (Corrected him on this)
50GB capacity
ethernet update able capabilities (I corrected him on this)
Studio support
More manufacturers making players.

This asshat didn't even know that all profile 1.0 players were not upgradeable, nor did he know about the different profiles. His cheat said HD-DVD was just an upscaled DVD and that the PQ didn't match BR.

After all this I spent 20 minutes educating this fool between both formats, and I said to him I would be very honest with customers in regards to BR because if you sell them a player and it doesn't work with newer discs you plac yourself in a very awkward position.

So basically Best Buy's whole promotion of Blu-Ray is based on unfinished specs, and extremely poor knowledge of either format.

Wow DJ

The HD group should have hired you. Because then they wouldn't be in the mess that they are in.
You have convinced me that HD-DVD is way better. And you are really humble about the whole thing too. All that knowledge and sooooo humble. WOW!!!!!!

of course. if you had an actual EDUCATED saleperson
1) HD-DVD would do much better
2) He wouldnt have the job that long as Sony actually mandates salepeople sell x amount of their product...with a strong emphasis on Blu Ray atm. (this is from a few BB employee friends)

Ever meet a Sony rep? Brrrr......

[Post edited by JServo on Feb 15, 2008]

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The HD group should have hired you. Because then they wouldn't be in the mess that they are in.
You have convinced me that HD-DVD is way better. And you are really humble about the whole thing too. All that knowledge and sooooo humble. WOW!!!!!!

aw....did the widdle truth hurt poor baby?

It did.I am so glad your hear to protect me from the big blu baddies.

A good guess...

90% of CE sales kids have yet to obtain a High School Diploma, or have otherwise failed to be able to do so...

I am also a sales person so i sale what usually pays me but i thought best buy was non commission but what about the magnolia people are they commission based

do u guyz think that hd dvd can make it til tuesday cuz i really want american gangster

I totally don't agree with that. I spent 3 hours today going from store to store today asking sales people what they though of the war. I went to independant stores, as well as the Big Box stores. Out or 37 people I talked to, I found out that 18 prefered HD DVD VS BR, due to quality, and the format was complete. I found 14 that really liked BR, and didn't have one nice thing to say about HD DVD, other than they were waiting for HD DVD to crumble. Then there was 5 still on the fence. 2 of those five have HD DVD players primarily for upconverting DVD. The other 3 said their wives would either not let them make the purchase or B, wanted to wait the war out. Now the majority of people that liked HD DVD, also were from the smaller stores, and have been selling HT and other electronics for 5 years or more. One guy was 67, he was hillarious. The majority of BR supporters, were either sony fans(sony store people), or Best Buy or Circuit CIty guys that were no older than my rash on my A$$. Honestly, The oldest BB employee I could find was 23? Oh well, I wanted to give a fair shake on my day off... I found one guy at a smaller store location that had booming things to say about BR, and however did own both formats. I then asked really, you prefer the BR more, he then said," I get the best of both worlds, I get to game and watch movies from my PS3". Yikes Geesh...

i really want hd dvd because its the only format of the two that i can afford. i also read before that disney offered valiant and chronicles of narnia and zero to their hd dvd baby. that just blowz.

why dont they come out with house no hd dvd, isnt it distributed by universal. ill buy that.

This is pathetic, you mean to tell me that you have nothing better to do with your time than to pick on people at work? This goes beyond being loyal to a format, you guys must have some kind of OCD.

As someone who sells electronics I'd have to agree with Tony. Look the reason why most salespeople don't know anything is because stores do an absolutely horrendous job training people. Companies don't want to spend the money training people and would rather rush someone out to the floor to get a warm body out there. I've spent a lot of my time helping newbies learn the ropes and the last thing they need is people coming in and being a smartass about profiles. If someone doesn't know that information that rest in my opinion solely with the company. Sorry for the mini-rant I've just worked for too many stores that half ass everything with managers that have no business working electronics.

Seriously there is a lot more going on in an electronics store then just the format war. Despite the fact that some people here treat it like life and death.

[Post edited by Movielover316 on Feb 15, 2008]

You always sell more of a product that you recommend ? The only reason all the retailers are shifting to Blu is because there just following the studios, Cause thats where the money is ! I like Sony products but is pisses me off that the Consumer is not having a fair choice of what they really want. But Sony making it that only choice we have. Both formats could survive if they really wanted to go that route, All the studios could make that same amount of money selling Blu or dual formats...

thats true but arent the magnolia people supposed to be elites.

I wish somebody would ask me (if I'm sales person) why my company only sells one format. My rsponse would be because the person who signs my check told me to sell one format, when I get paid to do other wise you'll be the first to know.

poor hd, they should bought studios in the nineties for billions. and sony now to begin getting their royalties from blu ray. nice planning.

[Post edited by Raif_Id4 on Feb 15, 2008]

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I wish somebody would ask me (if I'm sales person) why my company only sells one format. My rsponse would be because the person who signs my check told me to sell one format, when I get paid to do other wise you'll be the first to know.

Not to get off on another rant. LOL but I hate when people get upset with me because of a company wide decision, like I had a choice in the matter. Hell I've had people raging screaming upset about everything from no longer carrying a product, to the bathroom being out of service because it was being renovated.

ReggieP I am not trying to be a dick here man, but are you freakin serious?!?!?! You have absolutely NOTHING better to do with your time than interview 37 people?!?! YOU EVEN COUNTED THEM AND PROBABLY RECORDED THE STATS AND EVERYTHING!! Dude I would seriously consider seeking psychiatric care if I were you. The format war has made you a little NUTTY. Not trying to be a jerk, just an observation.

Movielover, the customer service industry is very hard to work in. When I was a conv. store clerk in high school it was like Fast Times at Ridgemont High for me. I got so much action. MAN those were the days, all before marriage of course.

[Post edited by tony1569 on Feb 15, 2008]

i like HDDVD because the cases are red. and it makes me feel more like a woman.

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i like HDDVD because the cases are red. and it makes me feel more like a woman.

... Quoted for the future.

wow
100% of HD-DUD owners are gutted
it is funny to watch em wriggling about like little worms on a hook.thier replies to all of the weeks news are things like,,,,"well" and "erm" and "but" and not only this but apparently according to them because of HD-DUDs death it is only blu-ray adopters who are gonna suffer,you know with sony rammping the prices of the PS3 upto $1000 and blu-ray discs will go upto $50,how we all got screwed,how profile 1 players WONT play any films,but the funny thing is,in one years time BLU-RAY adopters wont be scratching their heads wondering what to do with thier blu-ray players,on the otherhand HD-DUD adopters will

"yeah erm well but but but my toshitba hd-dvd player is theeee best upconverter money can buy"

and of course lets not forget that hd-dud owners are not gonna get screwed cos when they buy their blu-ray players,they will all be profile 2
dont matter that they WASTED hundreds and in some cases THOUSANDS of dollars on their precious hd-dud players and movies

ah well atleast they can box the players and the films up and put em into storage along with their laserdisc collections

[Post edited by mr_p-ness on Feb 16, 2008]

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i like HDDVD because the cases are red. and it makes me feel more like a woman.

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and this is coming from the mouth of a man

[Post edited by mr_p-ness on Feb 16, 2008]

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This is pathetic, you mean to tell me that you have nothing better to do with your time than to pick on people at work? This goes beyond being loyal to a format, you guys must have some kind of OCD.

OMG you must be a mind reader! I was thinking that same thing.

Well I didn't expect that much negativity, and I'm not surprised all from Blu-Ray supporters. It's gotta be some kinda mandate from you guys... Anyways, let me reply to your comments first, then I will tell you what I was doing. And I was't trying to be a fanboy either...

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Tony Said

This is pathetic, you mean to tell me that you have nothing better to do with your time than to pick on people at work? This goes beyond being loyal to a format, you guys must have some kind of OCD.

Ok, could you be anymore rude. My observations were based on a study. No, not loyalty to a format.

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Blu Bawla Said

ReggieP I am not trying to be a dick here man, but are you freakin serious?!?!?! You have absolutely NOTHING better to do with your time than interview 37 people?!?! YOU EVEN COUNTED THEM AND PROBABLY RECORDED THE STATS AND EVERYTHING!! Dude I would seriously consider seeking psychiatric care if I were you. The format war has made you a little NUTTY. Not trying to be a jerk, just an observation.

Yes I recorded every single stat. I also had a series of question to ask.


OK, now that the cat is semi out of the bag. I was approached by a firm, cannot say the name of the firm due to legal obligations. Anyways, a contract has been signed and I agreed to it. So, I have a four week assignment, to approach two different groups(employees of stores, and customers/general public, on the overall knowledge of Blu-Ray and HD DVD formats. The study is to get a overall basis, on what format is owned?, what format is preferred?, and catch this Do you know anything about the format war? There is more questions than this but, this gives you an idea of some of the types of questions asked. not exact questions, but similar. It keels like an SAT exam, sorta.

Anyways say what you will, I thought I would bring up some startling survey results, that I found, but hey you can always expect negativity here...

[Post edited by ReaggieP on Feb 16, 2008]

Hmmm... who would fund a pointless survey (and not a very scientific one or statistically relevant either). I can see someone doing this a year ago... but now? It's a little late, isn't it?

Actually, there is quite a bit more to it. Unfortunately I cannot say though. I gave generalizations of it's content. If it comes out, or the parties disclose their info, you will see it hit the public. It's a catch 22 situtation... hmm Damn, I don't quite know how to how to explain it? All I can tell you guys that is from no on I have to be completely impartial to either format, reguardless of what happens in the next four weeks. No more bashing or opinionated remarks. I have a totally different outlook on the work that I have to get done. The crappy part of it is that I have to dedicate 30 hours a week to it. The PAY is nice!!!

[Post edited by ReaggieP on Feb 16, 2008]

the sad part is this magnolia rep wasn't some snot nosed punk but a man in his mid to late 20's. Blu may have won, but I find it quite shocking that the specific points they are pushing a product on is because of possible features it may have. Seriously if you bought a blu payer from this guy then in 6 months it suddenly will not load any discs because of profile 2.0 wouldn't you want your customers to know, If and when 2.0 comes out, whats going to happen with all these uneducated consumers who own a 1.0 SA player? The shit is going to hit the fan because if a 2.0 disc doesn't play or work... and they find out it is because a profile change is the cause they are going to be pissed. Some consumers don't havetime tosit down and research stuff or even know where to begin, it is the guys on the floor that are supposed to educate them.

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if you bought a blu payer from this guy then in 6 months it suddenly will not load any discs because of profile 2.0

Someone has to explain why profile 1.1 or 1.0 players will cease to operate when profile 2.0 players are announced. Will these players automatically sense the existence of other 2.0 players on the market and thus fail to operate because of some built-in telepathic self-destruct component?

Up to now, the only thing we can say for certain is that current profile HD DVD players will eventually not play ANY new high-definition media releases. This looming incompatibility is reality.

You're missing my point. Profile 2.0 is not complete yet and no one can confirm or deny the discs will work in 1.0 or 1.1 players. It is all speculation until one of those discs hit the shelves and someone tries to use it in a 1.0 or 1.1 player. If it doesn't work, and there always is that possibility... then what will your come back be?

Backwards compatibility is mandated in the Blu-ray specification. You just wont be able to download commercials and short clips while watching the movie. Additionally, there have been no widespread problems with 1.0 players playing 1.1 PiP titles such as Sunshine. It seems most of the playability issues are due to Fox's implementation of BD+ and certain models (Samsung) than profile issues.

Hope this helps.

Edit: P.S. Isn't it a little late to be spreading FUD?

[Post edited by Skyhawk on Feb 16, 2008]

ReaggieP,

If it's a job that you signed up for than cool. I'm all for people getting paid. If you can't disclose the specifics than at least give a vague explaination (like the one you posted) as to why you went from store to store asking poeple questions. I'm an open minded person, I would've understood if you would've explained it a little better, but my comments were not just for you but for anybody that disrupts a person at work trying to make a living.

Sorry, No problems. I was contacted to do this work. It is not something I normally do in a week or day. Trust me, I rather sleep in, wake up pop in a movie, or two eat bacon, and eggs with hashbrowns and toast, and drink coffee with Baileys. Then around noon, order pizza, drink beer. Then by Dinner, go out with the guys drink multiple beers, and eat steak, then come home Game for a while then watch movies... Why did I get married again? LOL

Now see it's noon time and I have'nt had breakfast yet and you've just put the growl in my stomach.

EDIT: Man, I love Baileys, I only drink it in the winter. I've tried Cask and Cream but it falls short of Baileys.

[Post edited by tony1569 on Feb 16, 2008]

ReaggieP, I only said what I said because you never stated that it was actual work that you were contracted to do, that puts a whole new paint job on things.

To look at the post it looked like this is something you came up with to do yourself, and man, you can't blame people for thinking you were a few fries short of a happy meal

I mean what sane person does this kind of thing in his spare time, just to see what people are saying about the format war?

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I mean what sane person does this kind of thing in his spare time, just to see what people are saying about the format war?

... :: raises hand ::

If we had more stores that catered to CE audience I probably would... especially since I don't have a job.