Author Topic: Thinkgeek (Read 10828 times)

Pardue · « **Reply #20 on:** June 18, 2015, 11:21:50 am »

Wow. So there's more out there.

Part of what I can't understand is this- if he really is trying to evade retailers, how long did he think he'd be able to hold off ED?? The guy has experience manufacturing handhelds himself! He's going to know once something doesn't look right.

What a disaster. And think about how it ties in with this thread. Just from what I hear, some people have spotted ThinkGeek-like merchendise showing up at GameStops. Now imagine how well this could have turned out if ThinkGeek had been supplied with a steady stream of Zeros. You have the biggest video game retail store in the US taking over the website you supply your gaming handheld to. This could have been the big mainstream breakthrough the Zero's been waiting for and it looks like they blew it.

Unless something changes soon then we might be watching Rome burn right now.

lemmywinks · « **Reply #21 on:** June 18, 2015, 01:00:00 pm »

Quote from: Pardue on June 18, 2015, 11:21:50 am

Now imagine how well this could have turned out if ThinkGeek had been supplied with a steady stream of Zeros. You have the biggest video game retail store in the US taking over the website you supply your gaming handheld to. This could have been the big mainstream breakthrough the Zero's been waiting for and it looks like they blew it.

Yup. I've seen retro stuff sell amazingly well on Facebook groups when the users are introduced to it, places where people don't really know about this sort of thing and wouldn't think to do an internet search. For example the JXD S7800b (which has been out for ages) was featured on The Gadget Show (a UK trend/tech TV show) and they went crazy for it. Within a few hours loads of people were ordering them, completely oblivious that similar consoles have been available for years. Same with the crappy AtGames/Blaze consoles and knockoff PSP tat - as soon as they know this sort of thing exists they lap it up and pay more than the new price.

People on those Facebook groups still think the PSP is the best handheld emulator out there and don't look further than IGN or Gamespot for their gaming news. These are people who will pay hundreds for a single retro game.

The hardest thing with a niche device like this is actually getting it beyond specialist websites and making it visible to a wider audience. Lets face it the people who come on sites like this are a tiny part of the possible market, important (because of early adoption and publicity) but still tiny. You could shift hundreds of thousands of units with an opportunity like that, lets say Thinkgeek had a few thousand units at the time of the buyout and they were put on trial sale in selected shops to clear existing stock, that could be a huge breakthrough.

Instead we have resellers wondering if they will ever see their money again.

xXFrostXx · « **Reply #22 on:** June 18, 2015, 01:34:29 pm »

Yikes... if every retailer goes after Justin to sue, that's going to really throw the company to the ground.

I'm really hoping that he ships these by Monday, because I doubt it could get any worse than it is right now.

Pardue · « **Reply #23 on:** June 18, 2015, 08:55:02 pm »

Quote from: lemmywinks on June 18, 2015, 01:00:00 pm

Quote from: Pardue on June 18, 2015, 11:21:50 am
Now imagine how well this could have turned out if ThinkGeek had been supplied with a steady stream of Zeros. You have the biggest video game retail store in the US taking over the website you supply your gaming handheld to. This could have been the big mainstream breakthrough the Zero's been waiting for and it looks like they blew it.

Yup. I've seen retro stuff sell amazingly well on Facebook groups when the users are introduced to it, places where people don't really know about this sort of thing and wouldn't think to do an internet search. For example the JXD S7800b (which has been out for ages) was featured on The Gadget Show (a UK trend/tech TV show) and they went crazy for it. Within a few hours loads of people were ordering them, completely oblivious that similar consoles have been available for years. Same with the crappy AtGames/Blaze consoles and knockoff PSP tat - as soon as they know this sort of thing exists they lap it up and pay more than the new price.

People on those Facebook groups still think the PSP is the best handheld emulator out there and don't look further than IGN or Gamespot for their gaming news. These are people who will pay hundreds for a single retro game.

The hardest thing with a niche device like this is actually getting it beyond specialist websites and making it visible to a wider audience. Lets face it the people who come on sites like this are a tiny part of the possible market, important (because of early adoption and publicity) but still tiny. You could shift hundreds of thousands of units with an opportunity like that, lets say Thinkgeek had a few thousand units at the time of the buyout and they were put on trial sale in selected shops to clear existing stock, that could be a huge breakthrough.

Instead we have resellers wondering if they will ever see their money again.

You are absolutely right. I've had friends that still marvel at my A320 and if I'm remembering correctly, ThinkGeek was selling the A380 long after it was obsolete. It's hard for us to understand because we've been in this scene for so long but there are people out there who have never even used a forum. For the vast majority of gamers they get their news from ads, big gaming news sites, and YouTube. It's like they say "If you're not at the table, you're on the menu" and it's very easy to get skipped over by gaming media and locked out of the market.

What I don't understand is how the hell did the GCW project get this bad? Wasn't the point of the Kickstarter to make a 3,000 unit production run? And that was with a goal of just $130k. There were only about 1,600 KS units to send out, the rest get sold for profit. It doesn't make any sense.

But in the next few years there might be a bigger threat to the retro market. I think this retro trend is a bubble and it's ready to pop. Games always made a gradual improvement in graphics ...well, almost, let's forget FMV era. When graphical improvement stagnated and became too boring, the retro graphics trend took off because it was a nice distraction. But it's always just been a small part of the whole "sitting in front of a TV" market. But that might change with VR/HoloLens. I really think the market is ready for the change. Once a demo station is installed in every Best Buy this tech is really going to take off and the mainstream is going to move on from the retro craze.

EvilDragon · « **Reply #24 on:** June 19, 2015, 03:09:03 am »

Quote from: Pardue on June 18, 2015, 11:21:50 am

Part of what I can't understand is this- if he really is trying to evade retailers, how long did he think he'd be able to hold off ED?? The guy has experience manufacturing handhelds himself! He's going to know once something doesn't look right.

Well, manufacturing handhelds and manufacturing handhelds can be totally different.
I'm doing everything here in Europe which basically triples the price but is secure.
The GCW is being done in China, and there it totally depends on the company... The Revo K1GBA guys, for example, are superb, while others deliver cheap crap (if they deliver at all).
That's too risky for me - and AFAIR Justin wanted to move the production a few times (or did?) so it seems he had quality issues with them.

However, last thing he posted to me is that he had some guy in China testing all the units and they had a failure rate of 4% (2100 units were tested).

If that wasn't a lie, then the units SHOULD'VE been finished and ready to be shipped... that's the weird thing.

Quote

Unless something changes soon then we might be watching Rome burn right now.

I still hope for the best.
Last thing I want is taking legal actions against guys who try something and fail...
The main thing I'm pissed off is those lies and promises he was always doing. And telling me he got 1000 at stock which need to be sold fast, so I ordered 100 more because I expected they would arrive within one or two weeks.

EvilDragon · « **Reply #25 on:** June 19, 2015, 03:12:35 am »

Quote from: Pardue on June 18, 2015, 08:55:02 pm

What I don't understand is how the hell did the GCW project get this bad? Wasn't the point of the Kickstarter to make a 3,000 unit production run? And that was with a goal of just $130k. There were only about 1,600 KS units to send out, the rest get sold for profit. It doesn't make any sense.

That's actually a very good question.
Unless he sold them for a lower price than production costs (which I cannot imagine, as he raised the price later after I already ordered and paid the first 200 units), I wonder where the money did go...?

Trying to hire coders for HDMI, etc.?

No idea...

Scoobysnaxx · « **Reply #26 on:** June 19, 2015, 05:20:17 am »

I've once wondered if console funds were used to prop up the GCW Retro-Cade. Justin has stated otherwise. Every so often though the thought still crosses my mind (the GCW Retro-Cade hasn't exactly been a runaway success if the Facebook posts are any indication).

Edit: I had more written, but it's all just beating a dead horse at this point.

EvilDragon · « **Reply #27 on:** June 20, 2015, 01:43:28 am »

Finally, Justin replied via Skype to me.

Units should be ready, and he promised to either send the units or a refund until June 30th.

I won't give out any details from our conversation (as there was some personal stuff included as well), but let's hope it'll work out this time and the GCW will finally see the true light of day and will not die.

dreamesper · « **Reply #28 on:** June 20, 2015, 02:01:20 am »

Wow, thats great news Dragon. Keep us all informed, if possible, when you get the units... I know a lot of people within the community are eager to get their hands on one.

Pardue · « **Reply #29 on:** June 20, 2015, 04:34:42 am »

Thanks for the updated info! Somehow I doubt this will get resolved by the 30th, but for your benefit I would love to be proven wrong!

Keep us in the loop.

Dangoo · « **Reply #30 on:** June 22, 2015, 11:23:03 am »

Quote from: stan on June 18, 2015, 10:30:46 am

Quote from: Pardue on June 14, 2015, 07:33:37 am
Quote from: EvilDragon on June 14, 2015, 02:48:38 am
Since then, I got at least three or four "We'll ship them for sure at that date"-messages, even got a few messages that they've been shipped (but never got a tracking number and they never arrived), followed by excuses why they hadn't been shipped and that they'll ship for sure on date XX.

I'm still waiting for them. Or anything, as Justin simply didn't reply anymore for the last 1,5 weeks on Skype.

Potential customers are getting annoyed, I'm getting regular emails when they'll be available again and can tell them... nothing. As I have no idea, and every shipping date I get from Justin simply doesn't happen.

It's a nice device, and I'd happily support it, but how would that work if I can't get the units?

If it's the same with other distributors (and it seems to be, as ThinkGeek removed them as they didn't get new stock), I don't see how it will survive.

Well, this was the last time I paid for the GCWs in advance. If any future orders ever happen, I will pay after delivery.
And I still have to get the current order - and hope it will arrive soon (or the money back on my account).
I don't really want to take legal action, but if I have to, I will. It's over 10,000 USD we're talking about, and I urgently need them for Pyra development.

Let's hope for the best. I still wish for a steady order flow for the GCWs, but right now it's looking rather dim.

S...M...H...

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?!

PLEASE keep us updated on this. This forum found out how bad it can get when something similar happened to PureWicked.au

I wouldn't want that to happen to you, ED. I never owned an OpenPandora but your good reputation speaks for itself after helping out people who got screwed over after ordering from Craigix. Someone like you doesn't deserve to be hassled like this.

Please keep us informed with information as you get it.

And full disclosure: this affects me personally... because I look forward to owning a Pyra

Edit: to clarify that the "Craig" I referred to is Craig Rothwell ("Craigix") from the OpenPandora debacle.

Really sorry to hear about your troubles Evildragon - I have just emailed you directly as guess what, we here in the UK are suffering the same fate.

Justin ignoring phone calls, emails - we have sent him $1000s of dollars upfront for stock he just is attempting to run away with the money. Well, lets track him down together. I have told him he has till Monday 22nd June to refund us in full or else we will be going after him.

Contact us direct and we will work together on this.

Stephen Staley
Managing Director
GameSeek LTD

Web site: http://www.gameseek.co.uk
GameSeek Ltd, Unit 16, Premier Park, Winsford Industrial Estate, Winsford, Cheshire, CW7 3PH

I have some sympathy for you, but then I remembered you (Gameseek) put the price up. You now charge ?120 which equates to about $190. At one stage you were charging ?100 and I think even less than that to begin with. So haven't you kind of profited from the sparsity of this console?

I appreciate its supply and demand and yo are within your rights obviously to change the price. But as a UK customer it would probably cheaper to buy from America... when it becomes available again.

Aeter · « **Reply #31 on:** June 23, 2015, 11:22:19 pm »

Quote from: Dangoo on June 22, 2015, 11:23:03 am

I have some sympathy for you, but then I remembered you (Gameseek) put the price up. You now charge ?120 which equates to about $190. At one stage you were charging ?100 and I think even less than that to begin with. So haven't you kind of profited from the sparsity of this console?

I appreciate its supply and demand and yo are within your rights obviously to change the price. But as a UK customer it would probably cheaper to buy from America... when it becomes available again.

If Dragonbox and other resellers get stock again, they will all lower prices to be competitive of course.
And US shipping can't be that cheap that it'll be cheaper to order there than from the UK.

Yertle · « **Reply #32 on:** June 23, 2015, 11:57:31 pm »

For some reason all United States retailers weren't able to ship overseas with their newest batch of units. The same went for retailers overseas weren't allowed to ship to the United States. Not sure why but I would assume this newest batch would be the same way.

Pardue · « **Reply #33 on:** July 01, 2015, 03:45:19 am »

Quote from: EvilDragon on June 20, 2015, 01:43:28 am

Finally, Justin replied via Skype to me.

Units should be ready, and he promised to either send the units or a refund until June 30th.

I won't give out any details from our conversation (as there was some personal stuff included as well), but let's hope it'll work out this time and the GCW will finally see the true light of day and will not die.

Any good news, ED?

Stan?

mujotomi · « **Reply #34 on:** July 01, 2015, 09:33:53 pm »

Quote from: Dangoo on June 22, 2015, 11:23:03 am

I have some sympathy for you, but then I remembered you (Gameseek) put the price up. You now charge ?120 which equates to about $190. At one stage you were charging ?100 and I think even less than that to begin with. So haven't you kind of profited from the sparsity of this console?

I appreciate its supply and demand and yo are within your rights obviously to change the price. But as a UK customer it would probably cheaper to buy from America... when it becomes available again.

You're right. If I remember right, it was in December that the price was ?99, and few months after it went to ?110, and few weeks later to ?120 (on eBay over ?140) ... I sent them a message, but didn't find out why - I presumed that it was because ED didn't have it in stock.

stan · « **Reply #35 on:** July 03, 2015, 12:34:20 am »

Any good news, ED?

Stan?
[/quote]

Similar to EvilDragon I was told June 30th. Its now 3rd July. I am afraid its not good news so far.

Pardue · « **Reply #36 on:** July 03, 2015, 03:06:30 am »

Tsk, Tsk...

I'm ready to call this thing dead in the water. It's been like four months now with no new stock nor any meaningful updates.

I always wanted to see this become the next A320 and instead it's just another mismanaged Kickstarter riches to rags story.

EvilDragon · « **Reply #37 on:** July 11, 2015, 01:24:40 pm »

Well, according to Justin, he sent a bank transfer to me yesterday.
I am awaiting a confirmation from the bank, I told him to send me a copy of the receipt (haven't gotten that yet).

If I don't receive it until Monday, I'll contact the German American Chamber of Commerce.
http://www.gaccny.com/en/services/legal-services/collection-service/

So, no, I wouldn't say it's good news.
Instead of waiting for the units, I'm now on to waiting for the refund.

pcercuei · « **Reply #38 on:** July 12, 2015, 08:24:39 am »

You should wait until Tuesday then, some banks won't transfer any money during the week-end (so until Monday afternoon in DE timezone).

Harteex · « **Reply #39 on:** July 12, 2015, 12:15:48 pm »

Quote from: EvilDragon on July 11, 2015, 01:24:40 pm

Well, according to Justin, he sent a bank transfer to me yesterday.
I am awaiting a confirmation from the bank, I told him to send me a copy of the receipt (haven't gotten that yet).

If I don't receive it until Monday, I'll contact the German American Chamber of Commerce.
http://www.gaccny.com/en/services/legal-services/collection-service/

So, no, I wouldn't say it's good news.
Instead of waiting for the units, I'm now on to waiting for the refund.

Quote from: pcercuei on July 12, 2015, 08:24:39 am

You should wait until Tuesday then, some banks won't transfer any money during the week-end (so until Monday afternoon in DE timezone).

I'm pretty sure most banks won't transfer money during weekends, they seem to count in business days, where an international money transfer can take up to 5 business days. So I wouldn't expect the money already on monday, if he sent it on friday. Maybe not tuesday either.

Also, keep it to one thread, this thread is about Thinkgeek. ~~It will be locked on the next off topic post.~~
Nevermind, it's already too off topic to recover. Closed.

Author Topic: Thinkgeek (Read 10828 times)

dreamesper (OP)