Sam's Club Selling Cocktail Arcade game this Black Friday!

[Cobolisdead]

http://bfads.net/Black-Friday/Sams-Club/Ad?page=11#viewer

http://bfads.net/Item/Sams-Club-Black-Friday-Arcade-Table-System/214505

$999 and it comes with two chrome stools for it.

It has Frogger, Space Invaders, Pacman, Galaga, and Paperboy show cased on the top, but there is no game list. I know this might be old hat to you guys, but I just think that it is pretty cool that you can get one on Black Friday from a major store.

[yotsuya]

http://bfads.net/Black-Friday/Sams-Club/Ad?page=11#viewer

http://bfads.net/Item/Sams-Club-Black-Friday-Arcade-Table-System/214505

$999 and it comes with two chrome stools for it.

It has Frogger, Space Invaders, Pacman, Galaga, and Paperboy show cased on the top, but there is no game list. I know this might be old hat to you guys, but I just think that it is pretty cool that you can get one on Black Friday from a major store.

That's not Paperboy, that's Donkey Kong.

And it's "cool" until the buyers flood Craigslist with them for $2000 (a great deal!!!!!!).

[Cobolisdead]

My bad. That definitely is DK there.

[yotsuya]

My bad. That definitely is DK there.

I could see how you might have thought it was Paperboy. It's pretty fuzzy. 

I wouldn't mind a price for just the stools, though.

[pbj]

I'd be really surprised if Donkey Kong is on that thing.  Never say never but I don't think that's ever been on a legal multiboard with games from other manufacturers.

[jdbailey1206]

THAT is a supremely fuzzy picture.  And if I had to guess it would definitely be Pac Man.  And Im sorry Yots but that thing, even with the stools is not worth $1000.00. 

[yotsuya]

And Im sorry Yots but that thing, even with the stools is not worth $1000.00.

I agree.

I wouldn't mind a price for just the stools, though.

I wanted a price for JUST THE STOOLS. 

[Malenko]

no love for dig dug?

[Cobolisdead]

So, what would be a fair price for it? $299?

[pbj]

So, what would be a fair price for it? $299?

 

Please.

[JDFan]

Only interesting thing here is going to be seeing if any of the copyright holders winds up suing -- As it looks to be another cocktail using one of the chinese xx in 1 knock offs - so doubtful the company making them for Sam's Club actually has any licensing agreement for the use of the roms so will be interesting to see if any of the "Legal" copyright holders comes forward to stop it or threaten a suit if they don't get their cut of the proceeds.

Figure it's one thing when individuals are making a few units for local sales in their garage using the 60 in 1's etc. but once a nation wide retailer gets involved with some $'s behind them that might be worth going after, it might just wake the copyright holders up.

[pbj]

Don't know why you guys have such a justice boner for those 60 in 1s.  You can order them anywhere, nothing will happen to anyone over them.

[ChanceKJ]

I agree, I don't think anyone in a purchasing department for a company as large as Sam's Club is dumb enough to put something that comes with legal baggage on to their assortment.  Before a product makes it on to a store shelf, especially something that's a door crasher, it has to be approved and had eyes on it from many different people. If there was a question of legality it wouldn't have made it past their compliance team.

...and if for some reason I'm wrong and a bunch of people looked past this then SC has a horrible retail back end and deserves to be sued into the ground.

Also, what are the cost of those stools!?

[jdbailey1206]

Also, what are the cost of those stools!?

As far as Yots is concern they are worth $1000.00.   

[yotsuya]

Also, what are the cost of those stools!?

As far as Yots is concern they are worth $1000.00.   

Why do you keep saying that? Ok, let me rephrase what I am trying to say:

I wouldn't mind seeing what the price would be for just the stools.

I think you think I meant:

I wouldn't mind that price for just the stools.

...which isn't want I said.

[ChanceKJ]

No seriously, what is SC charging for JUST a pair of stools? Are they 25/30 each?


Pffff, forget it.

[Paladin]

Better quality pics here:
http://m.samsclub.com/ip/arcade-game-tble-60-diff-games/prod15460184

[JDFan]

I agree, I don't think anyone in a purchasing department for a company as large as Sam's Club is dumb enough to put something that comes with legal baggage on to their assortment.  Before a product makes it on to a store shelf, especially something that's a door crasher, it has to be approved and had eyes on it from many different people. If there was a question of legality it wouldn't have made it past their compliance team.

...and if for some reason I'm wrong and a bunch of people looked past this then SC has a horrible retail back end and deserves to be sued into the ground.

Also, what are the cost of those stools!?

Well from the new description it is assembled in CHINA and is using a 60 in 1 according to the game list ( so doubtful they arranged licensing rights from all of those companies )

Games included are:

1942, 1943, 1943 Kai, Amidar, Arkanoid, Bomb Jack, Burger Time, Centipede, Congo Bongo, Crush Roller, Dig Dug, Dig Dug 2, Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong 3, Donkey Kong Jr, Frogger, Galaga, Galaga 2, Galaga 3, Galaxian, Gun Smoke, Gyruss, Hustler, Jr Pacman 2, Jr. Pacman, Jumping Jack, Juno First, King & Balloon, Ladybug, Mappy, Millipede, Moon Cresta, Mr.Do, Mr.Do's Castle, Ms Pacman 2, Ms.Pacman, New Rally X, Pacman, Pacman 2, Pac-Man Plus, Pacman Plus 2, Pengo, Phoenix, Pinball Action, Pleiads, Pooyan, Qix, Scramble, Shao-Lin's Road, Space Invaders, Space Panic, Super Breakout, Super Cobra, Super Pacman, Tank Battalion, The End, Time Pilot, Van-Van Car, Xevious, Zaxxon.

So if it is indeed completely "Legal" then the other 60 in 1's are also, so perhaps it is time to change the forum rules about linking to them as they must be legal to use ! 

[yotsuya]

No, they're NOT technically legal. I'm sure whoever the buyer is just thought "Cool, these will sell" and that was the extent of it.

[ChanceKJ]

I'm not sure if any of you are aware of what it really takes to get a product on a shelf in a company like this.

SC may be different how we do things, but usually a style needs to be approved by a couple people before it's put on a Purchase Order and shipped to a distribution center to be shipped to stores. This involves an analyst, Buyer, purchasing AVP, not to mention people in a vendor relations team, legal compliance, etc. One of those people (should) be smart enough not to let the company invest a large chunk of money of the season's buy on something that would be illegal to sell or that risks some kind of legal issue.

Companies of that size don't just have a guy running around spending their money to bring in products from vendors because they think they're cool. There's an Aproval process.  And if SC got this wrong it's gonna be quite funny.

[JDFan]

I'm aware of the process but also realize at times things get through and from the game list it includes games from Namco-Bandai, Capcom, Konami, Taito, Data East, ETC. so really doubtful they got distribution rights from them all (would be much more likely if it was one companies multi title compilation rather than the generic Chinese 60 in 1 lineup !) - so would tend to think someone messed up and\or took the manufacturing company at it's word on the subject. So like I said will be interesting to see if any of the companies involved actually try to stop the sales or if they no longer wish to assert their rights and allow the sale (since SC is a much larger retailer with deep enough pockets to pursue for damages.)

[ChanceKJ]

Quite possible. But it would be most likely that SAMs club would by buying these from an American vendor, which they would have some sort of legal indemnification with.  They would be the company importing the games from overseas via another manufacture or subsidiary. So if anyone got sued it would be the vendor, which in this case could be a tiny shell company that no one would get a dime from anyways. They could name SC in it as well, but mind you this is all gross speculation.

[JDFan]

Quite possible. But it would be most likely that SAMs club would by buying these from an American vendor, which they would have some sort of legal indemnification with.  They would be the company importing the games from overseas via another manufacture or subsidiary. So if anyone got sued it would be the vendor, which in this case could be a tiny shell company that no one would get a dime from anyways. They could name SC in it as well, but mind you this is all gross speculation.

Seems you are probably correct based on :

For additional questions or concerns regarding this product, please contact the Manufacturer's Customer Service Department at 1.949.381.7367

and that number is listed to : Creative Outdoor Distributors Usa I

Creative Outdoor Distributors Usa I imports from Yancheng Novelty Electronic Co.,ltd in China through the port of Long Beach, California

[Haze]

I agree, I don't think anyone in a purchasing department for a company as large as Sam's Club is dumb enough to put something that comes with legal baggage on to their assortment.  Before a product makes it on to a store shelf, especially something that's a door crasher, it has to be approved and had eyes on it from many different people. If there was a question of legality it wouldn't have made it past their compliance team.

...and if for some reason I'm wrong and a bunch of people looked past this then SC has a horrible retail back end and deserves to be sued into the ground.

Also, what are the cost of those stools!?

Well from the new description it is assembled in CHINA and is using a 60 in 1 according to the game list ( so doubtful they arranged licensing rights from all of those companies )

Games included are:

1942, 1943, 1943 Kai, Amidar, Arkanoid, Bomb Jack, Burger Time, Centipede, Congo Bongo, Crush Roller, Dig Dug, Dig Dug 2, Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong 3, Donkey Kong Jr, Frogger, Galaga, Galaga 2, Galaga 3, Galaxian, Gun Smoke, Gyruss, Hustler, Jr Pacman 2, Jr. Pacman, Jumping Jack, Juno First, King & Balloon, Ladybug, Mappy, Millipede, Moon Cresta, Mr.Do, Mr.Do's Castle, Ms Pacman 2, Ms.Pacman, New Rally X, Pacman, Pacman 2, Pac-Man Plus, Pacman Plus 2, Pengo, Phoenix, Pinball Action, Pleiads, Pooyan, Qix, Scramble, Shao-Lin's Road, Space Invaders, Space Panic, Super Breakout, Super Cobra, Super Pacman, Tank Battalion, The End, Time Pilot, Van-Van Car, Xevious, Zaxxon.

So if it is indeed completely "Legal" then the other 60 in 1's are also, so perhaps it is time to change the forum rules about linking to them as they must be legal to use ! 

The Chinese manufacturers claim them to be legal and fully licensed, which is obviously BS, but enough to convince some suits who knows nothing about the games / emulation that they're fine for using in some overpriced piece of junk.  The fact they're using them should tell you enough about their quality standards for the rest of the thing, probably worth 75$, not 1000.  Cheap tat sold at 'luxury' prices.

[JDFan]

@ ChanceKJ -- figured rather than keep arguing the point I went ahead and sent an E-mail to Namco Bandai's Frank Cosentino (VP of Product Strategy) - figuring he would know if Sams had indeed gotten distribution rights and just recevived the reply from him (attached below) : -- So looks like they were unaware and agree that these units are "illegal"

[yotsuya]

@ ChanceKJ -- figured rather than keep arguing the point I went ahead and sent an E-mail to Namco Bandai's Frank Cosentino (VP of Product Strategy) - figuring he would know if Sams had indeed gotten distribution rights and just recevived the reply from him (attached below) : -- So looks like they were unaware and agree that these units are "illegal"

Were you "really" interested in purchasing one of those, or was that a part of your master plan to talk to someone at Namco. 

[yotsuya]

Oh, and BTW,  you're my hero. 

[jdbailey1206]

@ ChanceKJ -- figured rather than keep arguing the point I went ahead and sent an E-mail to Namco Bandai's Frank Cosentino (VP of Product Strategy) - figuring he would know if Sams had indeed gotten distribution rights and just recevived the reply from him (attached below) : -- So looks like they were unaware and agree that these units are "illegal"

Were you "really" interested in purchasing one of those, or was that a part of your master plan to talk to someone at Namco. 

You're just pissed Yots because now you cant get your free arcade cabinet with the purchase of a pair of $1000.00 stools.   

[yotsuya]

You're just pissed Yots because now you cant get your free arcade cabinet with the purchase of a pair of $1000.00 stools.   

--Smurfette--, please, I build my own stools and cabs!!!   

Hey, I commended JDFan in the next post. I'm serious, that was well-played.

[JDFan]

You're just pissed Yots because now you cant get your free arcade cabinet with the purchase of a pair of $1000.00 stools.   

--Smurfette--, please, I build my own stools and cabs!!!   

Hey, I commended JDFan in the next post. I'm serious, that was well-played.

Just figured rather than go back and forth endlessly on whether it is "legal" to sell a cabinet built around a 60 in 1, it would be much easier to just ask someone that worked for the company that owns the rights to some of the games to put an end to the question once and for all - and figured with a larger retail outlet finally trying to sell them it was the best time to ask and actually get an answer.

[yotsuya]

You're just pissed Yots because now you cant get your free arcade cabinet with the purchase of a pair of $1000.00 stools.   

--Smurfette--, please, I build my own stools and cabs!!!   

Hey, I commended JDFan in the next post. I'm serious, that was well-played.

Just figured rather than go back and forth endlessly on whether it is "legal" to sell a cabinet built around a 60 in 1, it would be much easier to just ask someone that worked for the company that owns the rights to some of the games to put an end to the question once and for all - and figured with a larger retail outlet finally trying to sell them it was the best time to ask and actually get an answer.

[ChanceKJ]

Holy Crap JD, 

Good call, but i wonder how many people's Christmas's you just ruined? haha. But no seriously, i agree if its something like this then they (Namco) should be getting their cut.  I do stand corrected and i think its an epic fail on behalf of Sam's purchasing department.  Accidents happen, but this is just negligence.  Too bad we can't see what happens behind the closed door now that you have the ball rolling.

Yots' ...I'll be building my own stools for my cocktail project myself anyways. They won't match what i have in mind. i was being silly.

[yotsuya]

Too bad we can't see what happens behind the closed door now that you have the ball rolling.

Amen, brother. Definitely a "get your popcorn" event.

Yots' ...I'll be building my own stools for my cocktail project myself anyways. They won't match what i have in mind. i was being silly.

Yeah, I might build my own cocktail stools, too. My test stool worked out fine, so the tweaked design will be applied to the smaller ones.

[ChanceKJ]

Agreed.  Besides those stools were too "50's Malt shop" and have no place with a 70's arcade machine.

Hmmm, now you have me thinking stool design for my next project...

[yotsuya]

Agreed.  Besides those stools were too "50's Malt shop" and have no place with a 70's arcade machine.

That reminds me, this weekend at a furniture store I saw these AWESOME barstools that looked straight out of the 70s, made of a medium-colored U-Shaped curved wood and shiny metal. You didn't sit on them so much as sit in them. One of them would look totally at home in front of a Computer Space or Pong.

Addendum: They kind of looked like this, but with more wood on the sides. Looked like the spiritual brother of a woody 2600.

[ChanceKJ]

See, thats when you buy them then jack the price up and sell them on the BYOAC.

 

[Locke141]

I'm not sure if any of you are aware of what it really takes to get a product on a shelf in a company like this.

SC may be different how we do things, but usually a style needs to be approved by a couple people before it's put on a Purchase Order and shipped to a distribution center to be shipped to stores. This involves an analyst, Buyer, purchasing AVP, not to mention people in a vendor relations team, legal compliance, etc. One of those people (should) be smart enough not to let the company invest a large chunk of money of the season's buy on something that would be illegal to sell or that risks some kind of legal issue.

Companies of that size don't just have a guy running around spending their money to bring in products from vendors because they think they're cool. There's an Aproval process.  And if SC got this wrong it's gonna be quite funny.

I agree with every thing above, except for the part where some one would know better. Things just slip past sometimes. Back in college I was a store level buyer at whole foods, I still have a good friend thats a regional buyer. I can't say exactly why, but I would have not been suppress if something like this happened. 

[yotsuya]

I'm not sure if any of you are aware of what it really takes to get a product on a shelf in a company like this.

SC may be different how we do things, but usually a style needs to be approved by a couple people before it's put on a Purchase Order and shipped to a distribution center to be shipped to stores. This involves an analyst, Buyer, purchasing AVP, not to mention people in a vendor relations team, legal compliance, etc. One of those people (should) be smart enough not to let the company invest a large chunk of money of the season's buy on something that would be illegal to sell or that risks some kind of legal issue.

Companies of that size don't just have a guy running around spending their money to bring in products from vendors because they think they're cool. There's an Aproval process.  And if SC got this wrong it's gonna be quite funny.

I agree with every thing above, except for the part where some one would know better. Things just slip past sometimes. Back in college I was a store level buyer at whole foods, I still have a good friend thats a regional buyer. I can't say exactly why, but I would have not been suppress if something like this happened.

I bet the importer told the SC buyer that the boards were licensed, which they probably were - from the hacks who made the 60-in-1s. But that doesn't mean the content of said boards was, just the physical boards. Or some other crappy loophole like that.

[JDFan]

I bet the importer told the SC buyer that the boards were licensed, which they probably were - from the hacks who made the 60-in-1s. But that doesn't mean the content of said boards was, just the physical boards. Or some other crappy loophole like that.

Was probably something of that sorts or pointed out to the buyer the other sites selling those same boards at retail to show they were Legal to purchase so must be legal to use Since the GOVT was collecting their share  (Note : reference to 4 year old thread arguing this same point )

[pbj]

Wow, good job.  You did Namco's job for them, completely free of charge, and have accomplished nothing.