AfterDawn: News

Best Buy charges only $30 to update PS3 firmware

Have you ever hated having to update your PS3 firmware yourself? Is the task of downloading the free update or retrieving it from a game disc just too much manual labor for you to handle? If so, then Best Buy comes to the rescue as usual. Fresh from being called out for offering $40 "optimization" services for new PCs from its stores, Best Buy's geek squad has now found a way to profit from free firmware updates.

A Best Buy store in New York will add $30 to the purchase price of a new 120GB PlayStation 3 (PS3) console to update it to the latest firmware. It boasts that the update will enable the console to play _all_ Blu-ray movies and PS3 games. It will eliminate bugs and glitches and make the system run smoother too. Use Facebook? Well the update even improves that, while adding Power Save settings, a Photo Gallery and Video Editor, PlayStation Plus and improves System Settings.



Of course, any user with an Internet connection can just perform a firmware update by going to the system menu and selecting system updates, just a few button presses on a controller. The update is also free, as every PS3 user knows. Best Buy's firmware update "service" is optional for the customer, but you have to wonder how many parents buying consoles in anticipation of the holiday season will fall for such a horrid scam?

Engadget decided to confirm the story for itself and found it to be completely true (see below pic). The Staten Island, New York store would bump a 120GB PS3 price up to $329.98 including a surcharge for a firmware updating service. The remarkable part of the confirmation is that when they explained to a rep that they already had a PS3, he offered the firmware update for just $29.98.

Pic Source: Engadget

We know times are tough, but... come on... really???

Written by: James Delahunty @ 5 Oct 2010 0:07

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• 27 comments

• Lelouch

  this is a ripoff like i would pay some one to update my firmware. what are they thanking that no one know how to use a ps3
  

  5.10.2010 00:36 #1

• xnonsuchx

  The $29 is just their minimum charge fee to cover 15-30 mins. of labor. It's the same charge they have for running Windows Updates for a new computer purchase. SOME people don't have decent Internet connections at home and WELCOME having some things done for them. Yes, they shouldn't be trying to push such things too hard as a necessity (which varies from store to store) or exaggerating what's being done (which they seem to be), but having dealt w/ so many ignorant customers, maybe it's not too bad a thing to suggest to them. ;-)

  5.10.2010 00:41 #2

• Zealousi

  People are stupid so i am not surprised Best Buy did it, just proves the average intelligence level of Americans, exploiting their own countryman for a quick buck. Would not be the first person to increase their profit but this has to be false advertising as they are claiming they can do a job that is all ready there.
  

  5.10.2010 01:05 #3

• baxter00

  So what happens when they brick your brand new PS3 with the update, like what happens to several users? Then they brick another when they try to update a new one to replace the first one they bricked. And so on, and so on, and so on....

  5.10.2010 03:06 #4

• KillerBug

  That really sucks...if they could revert from the latest firmware for $30 or even $50, that would be a great deal...but an "Upgrade" to the worst firmware ever? I don't think so.
  
  Oh, and as to those that don't have fast enough internet to download a firmware update, they also don't have fast enough internet to play online, so they have no use for the new firmware.

  5.10.2010 03:10 #5

• ps3lvanub

  Profiting off peoples ignorance to read the user manual... Great idea! (No sarcasm)
  

  
  
  OMG! COD6 TENTH HACK WITHOUT JTAG!

  5.10.2010 08:56 #6

• Tristan_2

  WHAT THE edited by ddp IS BEST BUY HIGH? Seriously!!! Why doesn't Best Buy get sued by Sony for this? THIS IS SO STUPID Computer Maintenance I can understand but THIS!?

  5.10.2010 10:05 #7

• biglo30

  Originally posted by KillerBug:
  Oh, and as to those that don't have fast enough internet to download a firmware update, they also don't have fast enough internet to play online, so they have no use for the new firmware. Totally makes sense, best but is just wrong for this, offering people an upgrade for 29 when the upgrade are free. This is just so stupid and wrong on so many levels.

  5.10.2010 10:25 #8

• Mysttic

  Quote:So what happens when they brick your brand new PS3 with the update, like what happens to several users? Then they brick another when they try to update a new one to replace the first one they bricked. And so on, and so on, and so on.... I would hope the end user signs a liability waiver, so that any damage done through Bestbuy means they replace it.
  
  Quote:Profiting off peoples ignorance to read the user manual... Great idea! (No sarcasm) Dude, its even more pathetic than that, all they technically have to do is read their TV screen, not even a manual. Sad...

  5.10.2010 10:27 #9

• philosoweed

  Look, if Americans weren't so damn stupid, companies like this wouldn't attempt such a blatant ripoff. On the flip side, Best Buy should, by law include another "bullet" to their advertisement that states "This service is provided free of charge and available through the system menu on the console itself if you have an internet connection at home".
  
  Philosoweed
  

  5.10.2010 10:39 #10

• frenchegg

  Wow this is so out of order. With christmas coming lots of parents/grandparents are going to get stung.
  
  Not everone has tech know how. They will see this and think ohhh I better purchase that, little johnny doesn't want the old firmware. Not knowing it free.
  
  I hope they are made to explain this before someone makes a purchase.
  
  I think I'll launch a service to charge wireless controllers, £10 to charge one up and when it runs out bring it back and give me another £10. Seems fair to me. Allows you to play all the latest games.

  5.10.2010 11:13 #11

• jerred121

  Insert Xbox fanboy's push button response about how M$ updates don't take nearly as long...
  

  PSP-modded, ps2 fat-modded w/fliptop and swap magic, PS3-YLoD, DS Lite w/ Acekard 2i, Xbox 360 - JTAGed with no dvd-rom
  

  5.10.2010 12:21 #12

• jerred121

  Originally posted by philosoweed: Look, if Americans weren't so damn stupid, companies like this wouldn't attempt such a blatant ripoff. On the flip side, Best Buy should, by law include another "bullet" to their advertisement that states "This service is provided free of charge and available through the system menu on the console itself if you have an internet connection at home".
  
  Philosoweed ah yes, it's because of us stupid Americans. It couldn't have anything to do with a 60-80 year old grandparent that barely knows how to turn their TV on is buying their grandchild a PS3 when a nerdy kid in a blue shirt ringing them up asks if they what the upgrade and says all of the above without mentioning that it's free.
  
  Damn us stupid Americans... We should learn how to read, oh wait, the sign didn't even say that in the first place... hmm... Damn you stupid senior-citizen Americans you should really get with the times! How dare you not be up on the latest in video game consoles! Can't blame anyone but yourself, certainly not this upstanding, reputable corporation!
  
  @ philosoweed - You're completely ignorant, think before you type.
  

  PSP-modded, ps2 fat-modded w/fliptop and swap magic, PS3-YLoD, DS Lite w/ Acekard 2i, Xbox 360 - JTAGed with no dvd-rom
  

  5.10.2010 12:39 #13

• steigs

  Listen, calling people ignorant and stupid is well...Ignorant on your part, Not everyone knows how certain technology works and like a number of posts above mine certain individuals don't know(And don't care to know) the works of said tech.
  
  I work in IT and know my fair share about things, if I don't, I research, as its my thing but not all wish to do this....Hence there is a market for this kind of service.
  
  Take the Dr I spoke to the other day, He said to me "Give me a dying baby and I'll fix that, Just don't ask me to know anything about PC's", Would you call him stupid? No I think not... Which nails it on the head for me!
  
  People will do whatever makes them happy and most of all...Comfortable!
  
  Upgrade of PS3 firmware - $30
  
  Smile on one's face - Priceless!

  5.10.2010 12:54 #14

• ddp

  Tristan_2, watch the language as post edited. also knockoff the caps lock as we are not deaf.
  
  

  5.10.2010 15:17 #15

• chthomson

  You would be surprised how many electronic devices that come in for service that never had their firmware/software updated. Some customers have returned their blue ray players saying it will not play their recent movie purchase and expect a replacement when all they have to do is a firmware update on the player.
  Making sure the PS3 firmware is up to date is smarter than having "Johnny" complaining on Christmas morning that it won't play his game/movie because it needs an update.
  Not all of us are Tech savy

  5.10.2010 20:39 #16

• ZippyDSM

  Please on please tell me this is for the modded frimware?
  

  Until lobbying is a hanging offense I choose anarchy!
  Ah modern gaming its like modern film only the watering down of fiction and characters is replaced with shallow and watered down mechanics, gimmicks and shiny-er "people".
  http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/

  5.10.2010 21:35 #17

• KillerBug

  Originally posted by chthomson: You would be surprised how many electronic devices that come in for service that never had their firmware/software updated. Some customers have returned their blue ray players saying it will not play their recent movie purchase and expect a replacement when all they have to do is a firmware update on the player.
  Making sure the PS3 firmware is up to date is smarter than having "Johnny" complaining on Christmas morning that it won't play his game/movie because it needs an update.
  Not all of us are Tech savy It isn't even a matter of tech-savvy. You plug the ps3 in, and it does the update...and "Little Johnny" can still play his lego harry potter game because every game disk includes the firmware update required to play that game...you don't even need an internet connection.
  
  If BestBuy actually wanted people to have a nice, smooth experience with their new PS3, they would not make them wait in the store for an hour while they did this update. They would have a stack of CDs with firmware 3.50 on them...every time someone buys a PS3, you hand them one and say, "Just slide this in and the system will update itself to the latest version". Heck, Sony would probably provide the disks for free just to prevent jailbreaking.

  5.10.2010 22:52 #18

• ZippyDSM

  Originally posted by KillerBug: Originally posted by chthomson: You would be surprised how many electronic devices that come in for service that never had their firmware/software updated. Some customers have returned their blue ray players saying it will not play their recent movie purchase and expect a replacement when all they have to do is a firmware update on the player.
  Making sure the PS3 firmware is up to date is smarter than having "Johnny" complaining on Christmas morning that it won't play his game/movie because it needs an update.
  Not all of us are Tech savy It isn't even a matter of tech-savvy. You plug the ps3 in, and it does the update...and "Little Johnny" can still play his lego harry potter game because every game disk includes the firmware update required to play that game...you don't even need an internet connection.
  
  If BestBuy actually wanted people to have a nice, smooth experience with their new PS3, they would not make them wait in the store for an hour while they did this update. They would have a stack of CDs with firmware 3.50 on them...every time someone buys a PS3, you hand them one and say, "Just slide this in and the system will update itself to the latest version". Heck, Sony would probably provide the disks for free just to prevent jailbreaking.
  I think best buy is just looking for free money and getting dumb people to buy essentially free stuff.
  

  Until lobbying is a hanging offense I choose anarchy!
  Ah modern gaming its like modern film only the watering down of fiction and characters is replaced with shallow and watered down mechanics, gimmicks and shiny-er "people".
  http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/

  5.10.2010 22:53 #19

• bam431

  I'll do it for $15.
  

  http://www.pirateparty.ca/
  Xbox Live: war dog431 - PSN: bam431 - IGN: bam431
  Youtube: electrowaffle - Twitter: bam431

  5.10.2010 23:03 #20

• xnonsuchx

  Originally posted by steigs: Listen, calling people ignorant and stupid is well...Ignorant on your part Calling people stupid is being mean..."ignorant" is actually the correct word.

  6.10.2010 02:01 #21

• KSib

  I don't see the problem. If you're buying a PS3 and don't realize how to update it then I'm not sure why you have a PS3.
  
  Free money!

  6.10.2010 02:29 #22

• xaznboitx

  Might as well do a wii update as well...
  
  Bestbuy better not charge me when I buy PS3 Move bundle, I hope this isn't true for all Bestbuy

  6.10.2010 11:15 #23

• Clownzill

  Originally posted by bam431: I'll do it for $15. I'll do it for $10 and I will even sync the Player 1 controller for them (player 2 for an extra $2)
  

  6.10.2010 15:37 #24

• dEwMe

  First this is for NEW PS3's so I am absolutely sure they would replace it if it goes South and bricks...
  
  As far as the rest of it there's a sucker born every minute...I wouldn't let Best Buy touch any of my stuff...ever...lol
  
  

  Just my $0.02,
  
  dEwMe
  

  7.10.2010 13:07 #25

• blueboy09

  Screw BB. They don't need to charge something that you can get for free. It's just more money for the corporate cash cows to rake in. It's sick and disgusting man!!!
  

  Life is about walking on thin ice, if you make too much drama, youll crack under pressure. - BLUEBOY

  7.10.2010 21:28 #26

• 1nsan3

  15 -30 mins to update screw that it takes mine about 5 or 6. and 30 dallors .. YOU R A RIP OFF BESTBUY!!
  

  For Sale:
  
  Parachute, Used Once, never opened small stain.
  Best Offer!

  10.10.2010 20:38 #27