Why half of game stores ONLY have FS2002 Standart Version?

georgi55 · 01-02-2002, 04:43 AM

I had extra time during my winter brake, so I decided to go around bunch of Computer and Game stores in Los Angeles Area.
Then, what I saw was that only half of the game stores I went had FS2002 PRO. All of them Had either Both or Standard Only.
I went to about 10,11 stores. I asked the person in store, but he/she said that he/she never had chance to get PRO edition for his/her store.
Now I wonder why is that? It's not that it was sold out. As I said above, I asked and answer was "Wasn't able to get it."
If this is done intentionally by someone, then that person is trying to make some business.
Someone who is beginner in FS would hear that Baron in FS2002 is great, and he would go out an buy whatever it says FS2002.
Then when he gets home, he finds out that plane that his/her friend was talking about isn't in game...
And in these days, most of Games store WILL NOT ACCEPT Returns for WHATEVER Reason.
(Exclusion: I hear that BestBuy will let you return standard and get Pro)
I know I'm putting my Flame Suit On( I like this flame suit thing, it's not my idea, someone in this forum used it)
but I really wonder what is going on...
Georgi
http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/Use...8446c87ce0.jpg http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/Use...4b24187146.gif

Simon Evans · 01-02-2002, 05:11 AM

Most of those stores have to stock a large variety of different software from a large number of different manufacturers, from an ever-greater number of formats...

Do you really expect the person handling stock ordering to be an expert on Microsofts software packaging policy..? I think you need to put some distance and perspective on this software package Georgi - although it's the top selling simulation title (well, maybe Train Simulator has knocked it off its perch now) the total number of sales in the short term is `small potatoes` compared to, say, Return to Castle Wolfenstein.
What gives this franchise its strength is its longevity - substantial numbers will still be being sold twelve months from now, long after RtCW is a long-forgotten memory.

It does appear as though MS have got a little blase (or more likely, nervous) about this franchise - with previous versions a full briefing pack has been sent to (UK) retailers explaining the difference and even the market division patterns so that stocking plans can accommodate both versions for the ardent/casual simmer. As a function of this latest edition `sneaking` onto the shop floor, in the light of events, that document was not released, as far as I know. One retailer I spoke to only knew that FS2002 was released when he had the ardent simmers queuing at his door on the morning of release - he had failed to spot it among the general release lists that are distributed here!

Simon Evans

**Stonec0ld** · 01-02-2002, 05:12 AM

A logical solution *MIGHT* be that they expected a lot of people to prefer the standard edition because it was cheaper.....

A more drastic (and probably sadistic) solution could be that they're trying to cash in on the people who buy the Standard edition (either by mistake or because they weren't able to get the Pro edition there), and are subsequently forced to pay another full price for the Professional edition because their first purchase of the Standard edition cannot be returned......

Really, I wouldn't know why some stores would be refused the Professional edition.......

georgi55 · 01-02-2002, 05:20 AM

>Really, I wouldn't know why some
>stores would be refused the
>Professional edition.......

That's the point here... The store holders were like "I don't know, they jsut say it's not avaiable."
Georgi
http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/Use...8446c87ce0.jpg http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/Use...4b24187146.gif

Simon Evans · 01-02-2002, 07:32 AM

Out of stock because this and every other forum says "Buy Pro, forget Standard..."?

Hmm, perhaps MS should start listening more closely to the customer base. With that kind of consumer power we could do wondrous/hideous things...

Simon Evans

**Pappy** · 01-02-2002, 08:08 AM

I agree with you, Simon. Most of my local stores all only have a few copies of FS2002, period, so it's no surprise that the standard version is easier to find. I'm sure they stock more copies of the cheaper version.

As for there not being a briefing pack on the differences between standard and pro versions, maybe Microsoft didn't think it was necessary since they had already done so with FS2000 previously. I also agree a lot of nervousness was involved as well, since the product was delayed and later kind of just showed up on the retail shelves here with no fanfare.

Georgi mentions that some stores don't have the chance to get the pro version at all. My question is this: Does Microsoft not make the pro edition available to certain stores, or was it some sort of store decision to stock only the standard edition?

georgi55 · 01-02-2002, 08:11 AM

It's made clear in my 3rd post, but here it is again:

>The store holders were like
>"I don't know, they jsut say it's not avaiable."

So it's not that they Decided not to get it, but they wasn't able to get it.
All store holder of the store that didn't have Standart gave me same answer...
Georgi
http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/Use...8446c87ce0.jpg http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/Use...4b24187146.gif

**Pappy** · 01-02-2002, 09:27 AM

Wow, that doesn't sound like good marketing by Microsoft. I'm sure there are a lot of factors involved that we don't know, but it sure seems strange!

Sonar5 · 01-02-2002, 10:52 AM

Hi all,

When I went to look for it, I went to my local Sam's Club (USA), they only had the Standard version for $49.95 with a tips book included.. No PRO version..

I did not ask anyone why they didn't have it, for like posted above, they usually don't know..

I did end up getting the PRO Version for $39.95 at place called Microcenter.com

Their ON-LIne store has since been disabled from their site, but having not owned MSFS since 5.0 Dos, I do want to thank all of you for pointing out the differences between the two..

NOTE: I rarely buy any software when it first comes out, because usually after a month or two, you can always buy it discounted... That way my expectations are usually met, and since I didn't pay full price, I feel much better.

The Term is called Delayed Gratification, which works very well when purchasing large ticket items.. IE: Do you buy a new car the first time you visit the lot.. :-)

Best of Luck,

Joe
Sonar5

**DaveKDEN** · 01-02-2002, 11:22 AM

Hey Joe,
>Do you buy a new car the first time you visit the lot..
I'm one of those types that does. Can't help myself. I see all the new features offered and have to have it NOW! Don't know what it is about me, but I justify it by telling myself I'm really helping the economy in this little recession we're going though. ;-)
Dave