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cheshirescat on 15 January 2015
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MDMAlliance said:
cheshirescat said:
MDMAlliance said:
Burek said:
Is it even legal to include a device without a charger? Aren't there any consumer protection laws in the US? They sell you a device that you will be unable to use unless you buy extra equipment.

I've never heard of a smartphone maker saying "We don't include a charger, people already have some USB cables lying around their house." This is the most consumer-unfriendly move, and it is beyond my comprehension that someone can even attempt to defend Nintendo.


I think it does happen, actually. Also, haven't you ever heard of "batteries not included" on products that require batteries?


Yeah, but this is more of a "the port you actually put the batteries in sold separately" sort of deal.

That's not at all the same thing. The comparison I made is closest, since it's roughly the same thing. In fact, "batteries not included" is worse simply for the fact that cheap ones are not rechargeable.  You can use the 3DS without the charger since the battery is actually charged a little in the box.  You will just need to buy the charger to use it after its initial charge dies.  

Anyway, think about the process for each.  Let's say you buy an RC toy.  It requires batteries, but the box says the batteries are not included.  That means that you cannot use the device unless you buy batteries separately.  

Now go with the New 3DS XL. The box will, no doubt, have on the box somewhere "AC adapter not included." That means that you cannot go past the initial charge without buying the charger separately. 

Price of a pack of batteries: Varies, but tends to be $4+

Price of an AC adapter that works on the 3DS: $10 new on Nintendo's store page, $5 refirbished, $5 3rd party, $2 ebay

Very similar processes.  If you imply that the "port" is sold separately, the equivalent for the 3DS would more likely be "buttons sold separately - self install."  


There are just a few problems with your assertions, one being that batteries are a universal product, there are many variations to be certain and fall under several brand names and generic types, however, any given size of battery has several possible applications--in some cases, such as AA batteries, there are literally thousands of products that use them, regardless of brand.  On top of that batteries can be bought virtually anywhere, grocery stores, pharmacies, department stores, tech stores, fabricators, gas stations, stores devoted entirely to batteries, I saw a freaking liquor store selling basic batteries before, the pont being that as long as you live anywhere near a 7-11 you will have 24 hour 365 day a year access to batteries.  Not to mention it is a pretty common practice for a household to have a bag or drawer set aside specifically for the storage of batteries.  Now I know there are some people out there who are just swimming in ds apapters because they've bought every version of every ds in every possible color because their parents didn't love them and they have to fill that gaping void somehow, but I think (or at least would like to believe) that they are an exception rather than the rule.

 

Now take the new 3ds which is powered by a rechargeable battery, can the battery be charged with a universal product, such as a micro-usb?  No, it uses a proprietary device, meaning a device with the sole function of charging a nintendo ds system.  Now there are knock-offs, there always are, and there may be some universal adapter that connects to a micro-usb so that it can charge a 3ds, I'm not sure, but the problem with that is if you do so you will void your new 3ds' warranty.  Do you see where I am going with this?  If that rc car you mention breaks and I send it to the manufacturer for repairs they aren't going to tell me I'm screwed because I used energizer batteries but the warranty only recognizes duracell.

 

The problem here isn't with the cost of an adapter, or the ease of finding one, it's the simple fact that in order for the damn thing to function within the confines of the warranty you will need one specific device that only nintendo makes and sells (except of course for those people who only plan to use it for a few hours on that initial charge, then they're just hunky dory).  For them to not include this with the package is absolutely ridiculous and just because they've gotten away with it in other markets is not an excuse for a shitty practice.