It’s not uncommon for large corporates to make mistakes that annoy or exclude certain groups. We often hear about the booth babe issue or that some or other company acted in a way that hurt the feelings of a subsection of the audience.
Normally the company would make an official apology and the world continues to turn. However over the weekend in Australia some news came out about an incident that occurred at the recent EBGames expo that really does deserve some attention.
The story goes that a disabled gamer, in a wheelchair, and 3 friends were at the expo checking out the games and new consoles. Everything was going fine until they arrived at the PlayStation stand with the goal of getting some game time with the PlayStation 4.
Unfortunately Sony never thought about the possibility of people in wheelchairs arriving and had to let the guy and his friends know that unfortunately all the PlayStation 4’s were upstairs and couldn’t be accessed via a wheelchair.
He then offered them a very humble and honest apology
First of all, I’d like to say that Sony deeply apologises as we have made a massive oversight in regards to supporting our disabled player base and we have placed all the PlayStation 4’s upstairs and with no way to get you up there. Again we are extremely sorry, it really should never have happened but because it is totally our fault and we always support our disabled player base
However instead of simply apologising the PlayStation rep went on to say
we would like to offer something in return along with our sincerest apology. Please could you leave you name and contact details with us and we will give you a PlayStation 4 on release day.
Now that’s how you turn a mistake into a fantastic feel good story for your brand.
Obviously now that they had free PlayStation 4’s there was no way they weren’t going to go and try the Xbox One.. but after arriving at the Microsoft stand they were met with
Sorry, it’s upstairs, you can’t try it
You just know Microsoft Australia are kicking themselves today.
Last Updated: October 14, 2013
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Spathi
October 14, 2013 at 10:51
This story makes me all warm and happy! Well done on firstly owning up to your oversight and apologizing and secondly on rectifying your oversight, even though it will only be in 2 month’s time!
SaintsRowNigri
October 14, 2013 at 10:58
I’m sure he is not going to complain about wait time…
ToshZA
October 14, 2013 at 11:00
At least he has a date and time. All those people waiting for Xbone in SA. I laff atchoo awl.
JHN
October 14, 2013 at 14:31
Wait so one nice thing and everyone forgets the whole slave labor thing?
Spathi
October 14, 2013 at 14:35
Uhm, not sure if you are trolling or being serious?
JHN
October 14, 2013 at 14:37
Just messing with you dude sony did well
Spathi
October 14, 2013 at 14:41
Thought as much,that’s why I asked 😀
Hammersteyn
October 14, 2013 at 14:42
At least we now know why the PS4 is cheaper than the XBOX. I missed that story though, will quickly have a read.
Spathi
October 14, 2013 at 14:43
Hahahaha! True! But MS also uses Foxconn. And Apple products are waaaaay to expensive! Sony are the best slave traders of them all! Another thing Sony is best at 😛
Hammersteyn
October 14, 2013 at 14:49
Just read it, phew feeling a bit better now. This is the way of the world.
Martin du preez
October 14, 2013 at 14:53
Foxconn also make the Xbox and the iphone and the Kindle and the WiiU… And probably the chair your sitting on.
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 14, 2013 at 10:59
If that’s not an example of good PR, then I don’t know what is.
Was that really MS’ response? Wow, just… wow.
Hammersteyn
October 14, 2013 at 11:31
Arogance, MS is doing it right.
Rock789
October 14, 2013 at 11:31
Yeah, they really have revealed themselves this year, haven’t they… And not in a ‘strange guy in a trenchcoat walking towards me in a park’ kind of revealed either!
I have a 360. It’s my ‘go-to’ console this generation. But I’m afraid Sony have won me back – I will be getting a PS4. And it’s not just Sony that have won be back – it’s that MS have lost me too… Some of the things they’ve done and said just cannot be overlooked. They really seem to have adopted a “We’re amazing and screw you if you don’t like that” attitude! Not pleasant…
TiMsTeR1033
October 14, 2013 at 11:32
AMEN BROTHER PREACH IT!
NecroRince
October 14, 2013 at 11:44
That they have man. Shesh, they really need lessons in PR…
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 14, 2013 at 11:52
My theory is that the blind worship people have for Steve Jobs led to this. People like to say how he managed to convince people they wanted what he was selling even when it was very different – and he did very successfully. They’ve tried to emulate his approach, but have failed miserably. The worst is you can see they don’t understand why, especially when they blame their customers.
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 14, 2013 at 11:46
I still can’t get over how badly MS have fluffed their new console launch. It seems like one disaster to another with no end in sight & they’ve become a laughing stock. I really don’t understand how they could have gotten it so wrong.
Just the slightest bit of humility & acknowledgement of mistakes has made people who’d sworn off the bone initially to change their minds & be more favourable.
DrKiller
October 14, 2013 at 15:39
Guess I’ll have to buy my own games next year then 🙁 sniff sniff
Martin du preez
October 14, 2013 at 11:05
M$ hates gamers. Proven in this article.
Thank you Kaz,Cerny and Yoshi. Greatness awaits.
TiMsTeR1033
October 14, 2013 at 11:06
Shit now if only I could find a way to get a free Ps4, hmmm What if I broke a leg on a ps4 stand… lol
Martin du preez
October 14, 2013 at 11:06
Foxhound would get a free Xbone for being mentally sloooooow. :p
TiMsTeR1033
October 14, 2013 at 11:08
Think they would give him one to make him stop talking!
Martin du preez
October 14, 2013 at 11:09
You might say they’d..
Give the dog a bone? amiright?
*moonwalks away*
TiMsTeR1033
October 14, 2013 at 11:11
just missing the “hee he” and white glove!
HvR
October 14, 2013 at 11:30
Or to get him to stop humping the MS reps leg.
TiMsTeR1033
October 14, 2013 at 11:31
That day will never happen…
Weanerdog
October 14, 2013 at 14:57
I have been trying that, really not working. I think they like it to much 🙁
Devourer of Small Bunnies
October 14, 2013 at 11:10
Wow, not a bad move but in the face of ti being just before release, the last thing you want is a shit storm over something trivial or an oversight. I dont know how much “Good Guy Greg” or “Awkward Penguin” this situation is.
TiMsTeR1033
October 14, 2013 at 11:10
The way Ms views things
Sageville
October 14, 2013 at 13:10
Yup, thats straight from the MS website!
True Story Yo!
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
October 14, 2013 at 11:19
Warm and fuzzy feeling 🙂 Well done Sony
Hammersteyn
October 14, 2013 at 14:41
Made my Monday brighter
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
October 14, 2013 at 11:20
You know who can learn from this?
Blizzard and EA. #JustSaying
Fair usage John
October 14, 2013 at 11:20
Yes and yes
TiMsTeR1033
October 14, 2013 at 11:23
EA will never learn! Blizzard there is still some hope!
Trebzz
October 14, 2013 at 11:20
They deserve a standing ovation 🙂
Hammersteyn
October 14, 2013 at 11:28
If Microsoft had gone full retard they would have given them free Kinects
Sageville
October 14, 2013 at 13:11
…and a copy of dance dance revolution.
Hammersteyn
October 14, 2013 at 13:37
XD
Convinced
October 14, 2013 at 11:31
Poor guy still never get his hands-on time with the console. I would expect MS and Sony to at least set aside a private test viewing for their consoles just for the disabled gamers. I’m sure there was more than just one disabled gamer at the expo.
Deano
October 14, 2013 at 11:33
Agreed. Well done to Sony but thumbs down to the organisers for shoving the consoles in hard to reach places and choosing a venue not adequate for the disabled.
Hammersteyn
October 14, 2013 at 11:38
Did you just agree to your own comment and upvoted yourself both times?
McCheesy
October 14, 2013 at 11:43
Typical of Sony to use the disabled to get one over the Xbone 😉
Purple_Dragon
October 14, 2013 at 11:31
That’s how it’s done.
McCheesy
October 14, 2013 at 11:37
I don’t believe that there was just one disabled guy at an expo. Could’ve been a Sony PR stunt to move the media away from last weeks atrocious Foxconn debacle.
Spathi
October 14, 2013 at 11:38
Sjoe, I imagine you’re a blast to have at a party!
McCheesy
October 14, 2013 at 11:45
Depends if it’s ANC or DA but never EFF,
Unavengedavo(aka. IceCreamMan)
October 14, 2013 at 11:40
Maybe they offered the same to the other disables people that were unable to get there? This was probably just one guy that came forward to say thanks?
Hammersteyn
October 14, 2013 at 11:45
Don’t try to hide between multiple accounts Convinced. You’ve been found out.
Sageville
October 14, 2013 at 13:20
LoL, how sad is this guy, Make a statement, then agree with and pat yourself on your own back?!!?
MAXIMUM-TARD ACTIVATE!
Hammersteyn
October 14, 2013 at 13:36
He should leave his contact details so that the disabled guy and his three friends can get in touch with him and give him the beating of his life.
RZR | jeeva
October 14, 2013 at 14:32
Noobs be noobs. At least use in-private browsing when doing it or multiple browsers (regarding cookies). I guess he sucks at any game that requires multitasking…. must be a MOBA player.
Had such a laugh in the office now.
JHN
October 14, 2013 at 14:32
I agree 1 good thing happens and all of sudden it doesnt matter that we used slave labor.
TiMsTeR1033
October 14, 2013 at 11:39
A picture can say it so well..
http://25.media.tumblr.com/393b4d9f0fbfac002106661b07db9dc9/tumblr_mo7k9qc0u81srwynoo1_500.gif
Sageville
October 14, 2013 at 13:20
I like it!
NecroRince
October 14, 2013 at 11:43
Missed opportunity!
Alex [SS] PsyChoPanthis
October 14, 2013 at 12:22
faith in humanity restored… nice work Sony
JHN
October 14, 2013 at 14:20
Yup still want an X1 more than a PS4
DrKiller
October 14, 2013 at 15:38
Thats indeed very good of Sony, but I also think it is a bit unfair of the wheelchair guy to take advantage like that… I mean, Sony already promised him a PS4, why would he then go “hint” at Microsoft for another free console?
Aakriti Ghai
October 15, 2013 at 13:02
new style of gaming, i read it on themoneytimes see here http://www.themoneytimes.com/featured/20131015/month-launch-sneak-peek-sony%E2%80%99s-ps4-id-1701713646.html