Sterkinekor trying to bully local gamers

[xrapidx]

MyGaming

There is presently no evidence to support the claim that SterKinekor is behind any of this. They have denied it, and until evidence surfaces that they are involved, we can only really speculate.

If anybody has any real evidence, or is involved in any of these cases please PM me.

Why can't it be verified that there are 10 people with this problem? Just go over the ps3za?

 

[OverKill69]

This has nothing to do with a game rating - it is not being sold in SA - it was bought overseas. You may buy any title you want irrespective of rating. (Kiddie pron being an obvious exception).
SK do not uphold warranties.

IMHO you are not going to get a movie house boycott going - what will the Discovery members do?

And if 702 had any decent reporters I'd suggest that they get onto it right away. But they don't (Except maybe Mandy Weiner and Jean Jacque)

I phoned Mandy Wiener... She's on it like a bad skin rash!

 

[Oculate]

At 2009.03.11 09:59, zaner said:

Umm… According to Customs (Derik). The SK Brand Attorneys are the one at fault… Before you declair my accusations false, rather do a bit of research. Feel free to contact Derick at Durmail Customs. There are 12 suspended copies of Killzone 2 at the moment and they have held a few more in JHB… Just a suggestion…

(from the lazygamer article i posted previously)

If SK really are safe/have nothing do with this, why havent the SK brand attorneys cleared up the matter

 

[tinman]

Why can't it be verified that there are 10 people with this problem? Just go over the ps3za?

This is hardly conclusive evidence.

It could very well be that the talented folks over at customs are getting stuck in of their own accord. It is a bit of a stretch to accuse SK of masterminding this whole thing without an ounce of evidence.

It is entirely permissible that that Customs have decided to start cracking down on pirated imports. It is even possible that SK is putting pressure on them to do so, and if this is the case then there is no foul play.

If however, it is true SterKinekor is playing some role in this and deliberately imports then they should lose their PS3 distribution license.

However, reckless finger pointing will not get us anywhere, and if anybody has any actual information then they need to come forward.

EDIT: And I have been in touch with Customs, and they have acknowledged the incident but deny any third party involvement :?

 

[xrapidx]

So all the people who say their copies over at ps3za are lying - and there is only one copy thats a problem at the moment?

I'm not disputing whether or not SK are involved (Which I think they are, in SA this sort of thing is quite possible), I'm saying its easily verifiable that there is more than one person experiencing this problem.

 

[tinman]

So all the people who say their copies over at ps3za are lying - and there is only one copy thats a problem at the moment?

I'm not disputing whether or not SK are involved (Which I think they are, in SA this sort of thing is quite possible), I'm saying its easily verifiable that there is more than one person experiencing this problem.

No, that's not what I'm saying.

There are most certainly other people that are experiencing this problem.

However, it could be that customs are acting independently. It looks like they are pulling aside packages that resemble DVDs/CDs/Games in an effort to catch pirated goods coming in.

There have also been reports of people have non SK titles being detained, such as Gears of War 2.

 

[xrapidx]

No, that's not what I'm saying.

There are most certainly other people that are experiencing this problem.

However, it could be that customs are acting independently. It looks like they are pulling aside packages that resemble DVDs/CDs/Games in an effort to catch pirated goods coming in.

There have also been reports of people have non SK titles being detained, such as Gears of War 2.

I agree with that, but the customs guy that this specific user dealt with claims it is on instruction by SK - maybe he should be contacted and asked? I'd ask for it in writing - or record the call.

 

[tinman]

I have contacted the original complainant and will be getting in touch with the customs official in question.

 

[smokey]

The difference between the cinemas and games is that EVERYBODY goes to the movies and only a certain portion of the population buy games. Gamers have a community and we must use it to our full advantage. With enough media exposure, more gamers will boycott SK GAMES and then they will feel it. IF the entire gaming community were to go against this - no buying of local PSP/PS2/XBOX/Wii games, then you can bet Musica, CNA etc would be on SK's case 24/7.

However, for this to work properly, you need conclusive proof that SK is meddling. Without that... you're on shaky ground...

 

[drew137]

This is hardly conclusive evidence.
It is entirely permissible that that Customs have decided to start cracking down on pirated imports. It is even possible that SK is putting pressure on them to do so, and if this is the case then there is no foul play.
?

But these are surely not "pirated" games they are legal versions and are should be classed as "grey" imports therefore not covered by an SK warranty? I honestly couldn't care if SK wants to warranty the game or not, if it's a legal version and I paid for it then simply let me pay my VAT and import tax and deliver the item finished. I could however understand SK being pissed if they were pirate.

Also what if I get stopped at customs at the airport with 5 or 6 legal games I purchased outside of SA are they going to take them away and hold them?

 

[I am Penguin]

IF the entire gaming community were to go against this - no buying of local PSP/PS2/XBOX/Wii games, then you can bet Musica, CNA etc would be on SK's case 24/7...

So the aim of this is to get SK to allow everyone to import their own games legally.

So the standoff would then be NO GAMES! If SK allows everyone to just import all the games then what have SK or CNA et al got to loose/win in the first place?

I rather see it an issue of pricing and should be adressed differently with that in mind!

 

[smokey]

So the aim of this is to get SK to allow everyone to import their own games legally.

So the standoff would then be NO GAMES! If SK allows everyone to just import all the games then what have SK or CNA et al got to loose/win in the first place?

I rather see it an issue of pricing and should be adressed differently with that in mind!

Dude... Choice and pricing. If you don't want to keep prices decent, then don't give us hassles if we make do with other sources - it's our bloody choice!. How they deal with it is not my problem.

 

[drew137]

So the aim of this is to get SK to allow everyone to import their own games legally!

What is illegal about importing games for personal use in the beginning? How can there be a law against that, providing it's not pirate?

 

[I am Penguin]

What is illegal about importing games for personal use in the beginning? How can there be a law against that, providing it's not pirate?

Who said its illegal? Can anyone just import a car at will? At a price yes with some legal issues to sort out. So if you bypass local suppliers and import games/goods it's your problems. Sort it out with customs directly. Surely you can prove that it is a legal purchase and not a pirate but only a "grey" import. Just remember to take your import license with!

 

[Albereth]

The difference between the cinemas and games is that EVERYBODY goes to the movies and only a certain portion of the population buy games. Gamers have a community and we must use it to our full advantage. With enough media exposure, more gamers will boycott SK GAMES and then they will feel it. IF the entire gaming community were to go against this - no buying of local PSP/PS2/XBOX/Wii games, then you can bet Musica, CNA etc would be on SK's case 24/7.

However, for this to work properly, you need conclusive proof that SK is meddling. Without that... you're on shaky ground...

Actually you don't need any proof whatsoever - if you can get a better deal elsewhere then you should go for it. If SK can't compete they should get out of the game.

The downside is that you are going to have to use your credit card and will have to wait for the title to be shipped. Decide for yourself whether that delay is worth the cost differential.

 

[stefan9]

Who said its illegal? Can anyone just import a car at will? At a price yes with some legal issues to sort out. So if you bypass local suppliers and import games/goods it's your problems. Sort it out with customs directly. Surely you can prove that it is a legal purchase and not a pirate but only a "grey" import. Just remember to take your import license with!

Can't compare cars and computer games. Cars have a 175% import duty which makes it totally uneconomical to import them. Another one of those pathetic protectionism schemes which I hate with everything I have. Computer software and hardware are exempt from duties, they only get charged customs and vat tax.

Customs should not be stopping totally legal imports. Its quite easy to see when something comes from a legal business and one that comes from a pirate. Just opening the package and inspecting it should be enough. It should be neccesary to send it off to SAFACT. If customs are so pathetic that they can't accomplish this then SAFACT needs to send up offices at the major international airports in our country to speed up the process.

 

[drew137]

Who said its illegal? Can anyone just import a car at will? At a price yes with some legal issues to sort out. So if you bypass local suppliers and import games/goods it's your problems. Sort it out with customs directly. Surely you can prove that it is a legal purchase and not a pirate but only a "grey" import. Just remember to take your import license with!

Well someone either at SK or customs is doing something to stop these orders from being released to customers who purchased the items from a reputable store. I have ordered numerous items from BH photo and other online stores and never once had an issue with items being released. As long as I pay my VAT and import tax that item is rightfully mine?

 

[tinman]

I have an appointment with the respective customs official at 2pm. Will get some official commentary and post ASAP

 

[xrapidx]

I have an appointment with the respective customs official at 2pm. Will get some official commentary and post ASAP

 

[drew137]

I have an appointment with the respective customs official at 2pm. Will get some official commentary and post ASAP

Smooth