The
other binder, Nintendo Product Guide, is a more modern and detailed
source shipped to game stores. It covers the Game Boy Advance,
GameCube, and N64 mostly, but the SNES and NES are mentioned within
the returns section as well.
The
binder is divided into 6 categories: STORE SPECIFIC INFORMATION
- NEWS & UPDATES - NEW PRODUCT INFORMATION - ADVISORIES /
WARNINGS / DISCLAIMERS - SiRAS / RETURNS INFORMATION - MISCELLANEOUS.
Store
specific information was missing completely (for private coporate
reasons).
News
& Updates, referred to as N-Sider News, is a newspaper
of Nintendo proportions. The release of the Game Cube covers the
front page, Game Boy Advance games painted all over the next two
sides, and then it ends back to the Game Cube with small descriptions
of now available games.
New
product information's first page is a full page of ad to "remind
the customer to buy a memory card". Nintendo Game Cube's
stats and upcoming titles cover the next two sides of sheets following
a page of specs of the Game Boy Advance. The final supplement
is "Nintendo Power's Guide to E3 2001".
Advisories/Warnings/Disclaimers
is by far the most "educating" portion of the whole
retail binder. Within these pages, most of the funnier ones scanned
for you below, are popular return fraud tricks and alerts. Nintendo
must think very poorly of their retailers as this section proves
to have some really dumb examples. Trading in a Game Boy Advance
box with a sardine can inside, a Jell-o squared package placed
inside of a N64 box, and carved bricks in the shape of carts to
name a few. "Armed with the knowledge contained within these
pages, slash returns losses and be the hero of your store."
Ending pages informed stores to ask customers if they used cheat
devices before accepting returns of "faulty games".
SiRAS/Returns
Information
starts out with information about SiRAS.com,
a department of Nintendo's Electronic Registration Program that
is designed to manage services to reduce store returns. SiRAS
works by storing UPC codes inside of its database so, upon return,
the store only needs to check that code on their site or by automated
phone service. This saves some hassle if the customer has no receipt.
The next page of the section reads: Nintendo's product returns
checklist. This shows how many days returns to Nintendo or warranty
repair are subjected to. A hotline number on the bottom is for
stores to order more checklists, phone stickers, and brochures.
On the flip side is a list of steps Nintendo suggests stores follow
for all returns.
Miscellaneous
is
basically the place Nintendo decided to advertise their accessories,
games, guides, and magazines to stores for bulk ordering. Common
customer questions and ESRB game ratings come after. The last
page of the binder is a sign in sheet for customer service reps.
Besides
the punched-in sheets, various fold-outs and brochures are inside
of the flaps. A business card for 'NES Merchandising, Inc.' located
in Redmond is attached in its own little side flap.
