Hi MFC-thanks for your post. Absolutely-there are inherent problems with an organization as large as BB with 100's of stores. I am sorry to hear that you have had ongoing issues with them-hopefully they listen when you voice your concerns to their corporate office-best of luck. I was specifically speaking to the issue of sku mixups and miscommunication, based on 15+ years in the media distribution industry, and why they may occur-and not about any additional internal logistics/staff issues-those are different issues entirely. Believe me, as an end customer, I've had my share of runarounds with Best Buy over the years, as a hunter of sales, limited eds, etc. I've often said to anyone I've helped over the years, who was not able to get BB exclusives themselves, that most of my items are ordered online for delivery because of the constant mixups and confusion I've experienced. Unfortunately with this sku-saster I did have to visit a store yesterday, myself, as the copies to be delivered to me this Thursday may all be Lenticulars, which I can't use.
'Disconnects' of this nature, where an item is suddenly available, that was never announced are not uncommon-decisions are made in isolation, that do not make the print deadline, or online posting deadlines, and all levels of staff may simply not be clued in in time. I think we also have to remain mindful that both 'Spirit of Vengeance' and 'Underworld Awakening' are Sony pictures. The studio makes the ultimate decision of what will be released, not the retailer, and it's very possible that their decision making time frame for these 2 titles, simply did not allow for advance advertising. There have been, over the years, other instances of people walking into stores to find Steelbooks, without ever being told in advance in flyers, forums, etc.
It's frustrating for consumers (I myself went to buy my Disney Steelbooks years ago, and the store had no idea their pricing was wrong because corporate had not sent down the correct info yet) and countless other examples where various promotions were going on and employees had no idea. Again a 'disconnect' that occurs in organizations. Best Buy and many retailers could do much better in marrying info, sales, communication to their employees and their customers. But the interaction between studio and retailer is much more complicated than what the end consumer sees on the surface. This may be an organizational or communications issue that they should be addressing, but as this thread is about the release of the Underworld Steelbook, that may be an internal discussion more appropriately addressed with their their HR/Management staff.
Without knowing the exact inner workings of their organization, and what actually occurred here, we are all guessing about what ultimately caused the lack of information. But, as a consumer we always have a choice in either contacting them with our frustration or not-I wish you the best in getting your voice heard, MFC. And hopefully the appearance of this G2 Steelbook in the US further signals more to come-and if we're lucky, the sale of future titles will be better executed over time.
you can only really tell in certain light. oh well I had to go to two different stores to find it
