We’ve all been through it. There’s that thing that you really want, and so you ask your parents to buy it. Your parents, not keen to purchase that thing, will give you an excuse as to why it’s not possible. They will throw expressions at you like, ‘Sorry, but my hands are tied’, or ‘Money doesn’t grow on trees’. They’ll then leave it at that. You on the other hand, will be left trying to figure out what their excuse actually means. Your conclusion will always be the same. What they just said to you, simply makes no sense. Especially since Game Stores are so affordable.

How did you put on that cardigan if your hands are tied?

How did your bones get soft, then they wrap around each other without your permission? What knot is this one, that keeps your hands tied?

The bowline?

The clove hitch?

The square knot?

Tell me?

Why is it impossible to untie your hands?

Who doesn’t want you to clap your hands like everyone else?

Or close your mouth when you're yawning?

Why did they choose hands and not feet?

Because at least you could sip tea and change channels.

Then at night you can hop back to bed to sleep

Tell me Mama

Are you a criminal?

Are you insane arrested against your own will?

What magic is happening in this God fearing household that your hands are tied every time we want to buy something for this family that you love?

It does not make any sense

My hands are tied doesn't make any sense when you've got games everyday low, low prices and price beat and price lock

Because Game’s got you and you’ve got Game

Game Stores is a mass retailer that has been offering South African consumers appliances and consumables for over 53 years. It is known for its extremely low prices and bargains on everything under the sun. South Africa is currently experiencing a heavy economic downturn and Game Stores wanted to remind South Africans that it simply does not make any sense to shop anywhere else. To achieve this objective, the agency was briefed by the client to come up with a radio campaign that would do just that. The reason for going with radio commercials being that radio is still the most widely consumed medium in South Africa, and also one of the cheapest to advertise on.

Radio is the most widely consumed medium in South Africa. And one of the cheapest to advertise on. It thus served as the perfect platform for Game Stores to remind consumer’s that they are the cheapest retailer around during these tough economic times. A radio campaign used well known phrases, such as ‘Money doesn’t grow on trees’, Running a tight ship’ and ‘My hands are tied’, to demonstrate to consumers that shopping anywhere other than Game simply makes no cents.

Expressions such as ‘money doesn’t grow on trees’, ‘running a tight ship’, and ‘my hands are tied’ are still used and understood in South Africa. Game Stores have many ways of saving consumers cash, such as ‘Price Beat’, which is our guarantee that we’ll beat any competitor's price on a product. Price Lock is an offering that locks necessities at a low price for an extended period of time.