GameStop and EB not taking PS3 preorders till October????

[Anthony1]

I'm guessing with e3 this next week, maybe GameStop and EB will start accepting PS3 preorders. Anybody heard anything ?

[Leo_A]

Why didn't you wait a week and see if your suspicions were correct?

I don't believe any major retailer is doing it currently.

[weirdguy]

Toys R Us

[c0ldb33r]

I think someone was pre-ordering a ps3 at the local EB last week.

Just call around.

[Trebuken]

I am under the impression that GameCrazy and EB are making a call list for preorders. Sony's press conference is Monday at 4 PM, I believe. I think after that conference is when things will start to go into motion.

I'm on their call-lists, so if they have started taking preorders....I may be a bit irritated...

Later,
Trebuken

[s1lence]

My local gamecrazy has about 20 people on a list already. After all the bullshit that went on with the 360 preorders I'm not even going to bother.

[Schenley]

I asked at EB today and was told as soon as the release date was uh released, they would start taking preorders.

[norkusa]

My local gamecrazy has about 20 people on a list already. After all the bullshit that went on with the 360 preorders I'm not even going to bother.

So true. The PS3 launch is going to be 10x's worse than the 360's. My name was #5 on the store's pre-order list and I didn't even get one until a month after launch. I'm not gonna even attempt to purchase a PS3 'till 2007.

[Lothars]

I would love to preorder the PS3 but I am tempted to just try to wait in line and get one

depending on how hard it will be to get on at launch should be interesting none the less.

[neonesmaster]

Game Crazy managers are getting heat over taking pre orders for the PS3, but my local Game Crazy is still taking pre orders. if oyu are interested in taking a pre order for the ps3 go to game crazy. they have preorder able titles for the ps3 of Ni-Oh and the Darkness. tell the manager you want to preorder them. put you on a list and you want a ps3


no need to wait

act now

[zerohero]

How much can you pre order it for? I mean I haven't seen an official price of the system yet.

[Anthony1]

I preorderd one at a GameCrazy quite some time ago, but I'm the 10th guy on the list. The chances of that GameCrazy actually getting 10 units at launch is very slim. At best. They will probably only get like 5 or 6 units. Hopefully, when it's announced that the price of the PS3 is $599.99, maybe some of the people ahead of me will just get their $50 back, and cancel their order, bumping me up higher on the list. That's what I'm hoping for. But I still need a backup plan.


None of the other GameCrazy's are taking pre-orders anymore, so my best chance is at this one place as the No. 10 guy in line. I had a chance to be 19th at this one other GameCrazy, but passed on it, simply because they will only get about 3 PS3's at that location. No need to even bother.

[zerohero]

I'll go by gamestop at the end of this week, since E3 should give me the info I need to know.

[WanganRunner]

I've had $50 down at FYE for months.

[donkeykong1]

I threw down some money at Gamecrazy's in my area back in January. I have a few preordered. Now to preorder some at other stores.

[Anthony1]

I talked to a manager at a EB games yesterday, and he thought that preorders could possibly start as early as Tuesday (today), but I went into several GameStops and one EB games to check, and so far no go. Some of the employees felt that maybe next week they would start, or even later this week.

I'm going to try to check on it everyday, because if I'm not in the top 5 preorders, at a decent place, I'll have no chance, and I'll have to camp. I had to camp for the PS2 launch back in 2000, and I really don't want to do that crap again.

[Daniel Thomas]

You know, if you can afford to spend $600-$800 on a videogame, you can afford to pay someone else to stand in line for you. Seriously, if I was a mugger, that night before launch would be like Christmas. You could fuckin retire on a haul like that :evil: .

Sorry, gomen.

LOL :evil:

You just know that Sony's people at E3 are either sweating bullets or laughing themselves hysterically. Here's a transcript if you don't believe me:

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha..."

[Anthony1]

You know, if you can afford to spend $600-$800 on a videogame, you can afford to pay someone else to stand in line for you.



I can't afford to spend $600-$800 on a videogame, but I'm sure as hell going to get one, or two, or three or four. Really, I'm going to have to get at least two of them, and sell one of them and hopefully get enough for it, so that I'm only really paying like $300 for the PS3 with a couple of games.


Actually I'm not going to buy a single PS3 game, rental only for me. Same thing with any game that costs more than $29.99, and I'm only going to buy at $29.99 game if it's a AAA title. So in other words, I have no interest in buying brand new games for more than $29.99 each. Rental is the way to go. You have to buy the hardware, but you don't have to buy the software. It least not initially, it's best to wait until you can get them dirt cheap. These rental plans available now make things so easy and cheap if you use them the right way.

[DeputyMoniker]

I would love to preorder the PS3 but I am tempted to just try to wait in line and get one

depending on how hard it will be to get on at launch should be interesting none the less.

The DS had sold out everywhere in my area. I headed over to the ghetto and they still had two on the shelf at Target. I may try the same thing with the PS3. However, a PS3 sure is an expencive item to be walking around with in the ghetto. XD

[Anthony1]

Any EB or GameStop employees on these boards? Have you heard anything? Last I heard is that all of the big executives for GameStop/EB are at e3 right now, and are awaiting an official Sku to use, and guesstimates on how many units each of their stores will receive before giving the go ahead on Pre-Orders. Supposedly, Pre-Orders could start any day now, or maybe still be several weeks away.


It kinda sucks cause everyday at 10am I have to call a EB and GameStop just to check in on this, and I know it must be driving the employees crazy to have to answer so many calls with the same tired question. The problem is, if I don't find out right away on the day they start the preorders, then I'm going to be totally screwed, cause if you aren't in the top 5 preorders you aint gonna get one on November 17th. The shortage is going to be just as bad as the 360 if not worse, and don't let the high price fool you, there are enough 20 somethings and 30 somethings with discrecianary income to buy this thing that you really will have to be in the top 5 preorders at GameStops, probably top 10 preorders at EB locations and top 3 preorders at GameCrazy.

[Schenley]

I was really gung-ho to try to get a pre-order, but honestly, I don't think it's worth the time and effort. Every time I ask any of the stores, I get a different answer. My local EB's phone has been busy every day this week from 10-11. I'm assuming that they took the thing off the hook, and I don't blame them.

Honestly, I'm looking to get one to put it right up on Ebay. None of the games are compelling enough that I can't wait til next year...

[Anthony1]

I was really gung-ho to try to get a pre-order, but honestly, I don't think it's worth the time and effort. Every time I ask any of the stores, I get a different answer. My local EB's phone has been busy every day this week from 10-11. I'm assuming that they took the thing off the hook, and I don't blame them.

Honestly, I'm looking to get one to put it right up on Ebay. None of the games are compelling enough that I can't wait til next year...


Well, you can always try to buy two of them, and sell one of them for double the price, so that you get the other one for free. It worked for me during the 360 launch. I wasn't able to sell a 360 for double, but I was able to make a $250 profit selling some 360's, I actually sold 3 of them and kept 1 for myself. By doing that I was able to get my 360 for free, and put some money towards a laptop. It worked out really well for me, and I'm hoping to do the same kinda thing with the PS3.

Some people will consider me to be a scumbag to do such things, but F it, I'm not really concerned with how other people view me, and I'm trying my best to enjoy life, hear and now, if you know what I mean. This shit costs too much, the supply is always constrained, and the Ebay/Craigslist scene is too hot to be ignored. Sometimes instead of fighting the system, you have to use it to your advantage. And it takes some work and effort to pre-order at multiple places and advertise your systems, and deal with the headaches of shipping and payments and all that crap.

[Schenley]

In one of my discussions with an EB employee, I mentioned that I was only looking to sell it on Ebay. He got all adamant - "If I have any suspicion that you are going to resell it, I'm not going to sell it to you." Then, "Actually, I've been told that any PS3s you buy, you will need to purchase the extended warranty."

[donkeykong1]

In one of my discussions with an EB employee, I mentioned that I was only looking to sell it on Ebay. He got all adamant - "If I have any suspicion that you are going to resell it, I'm not going to sell it to you." Then, "Actually, I've been told that any PS3s you buy, you will need to purchase the extended warranty."

Why would you tell him you're gonna resell it?

[Slate]

In one of my discussions with an EB employee, I mentioned that I was only looking to sell it on Ebay. He got all adamant - "If I have any suspicion that you are going to resell it, I'm not going to sell it to you." Then, "Actually, I've been told that any PS3s you buy, you will need to purchase the extended warranty."

Why would you tell him you're gonna resell it?

I know why that employee was being wierd about it, I just don't know why he did it.

If i was him (The Employee) I wouldn't care what the buyer was going to do with it, But if i bought it and he was about to play baseball with it, that would be different.

Back to the main topic...

I saw some sort of list for preorders for the PS3 at an EBGames, I think it was a calling list now that i think about it.

[Schenley]

Why would you tell him you're gonna resell it?Cause obviously, he's not going to remember me. So, who cares? He also said that they're probably only going to get 5, and they would all go to employees only.

[Anthony1]

Everyday I've been calling my local EB and GameStop to check in on any info regarding PS3 pre-orders and when they are going to start. The thought originally was that once a date and price were announced, that they would begin doing pre-orders. So many people actually thought they were going to start as early as last Tuesday, but here we are almost a week later and they still haven't started taking preorders, and the new rumor is that they aren't taking any preorders till October 1st.


Now, I have no idea if this is legit, or if somebody is making this up or what, but supposedly no pre-orders till October. Can any EB or GameStop employees comment on this? I'm still going to check in with them like once a week, cause personally, I don't think they are going to wait that long, and preorders could still start up on any given day.

[DonMarco]

<-- EB register monkey

One of the few reasons EB/GS would wait to take preorders would be that they don't know their allocation numbers, as a company. Sure the US will get 2 million or 500,000 or 1 million PS3s at launch, but what goes to Best Buy or Circuit City or Wal-Mart or wherever is still in the air.

Not taking pre-orders until October would be awesome. So would a 2006 launch. If you can't tell where I'm being sarcastic, I'll be sure to use italics later on.

[SkiDragon]

My local GameStop also said October for preorders. They said the same thing about Wii pre orders too.

[Oobgarm]

Given the pre-order debacle that was the X360 launch, I wouldn't rule that out. I'd say no preorders until they get their allocation numbers.

I guess it's better to have unhappy non-customers than unhappy customers who put money down and have nothing to show for it.

[FantasiaWHT]

Given the pre-order debacle that was the X360 launch, I wouldn't rule that out. I'd say no preorders until they get their allocation numbers.

I guess it's better to have unhappy non-customers than unhappy customers who put money down and have nothing to show for it.

Actually, EB DID wait until they got their allocation numbers for the 360. I was a manager at the time and our first allocation was 17 units. Then it got bumped up to 27. Then 31. All good news. Then a couple months before launch, it went back down to 20. Not good news. Don't blame the retailers, blame MS for having a large batch of defectives out of their initial run. At least that was MS's rep's explanation heh.

[EricRyan34]

Yeah we arnt taking pre-orders for it until October, to help us find out how many systems we are actually getting etc. We dont want to let anyone down.

[squarepants]

They will take pre-orders before October.

[DonMarco]

No, they will take pre-orders after May 15th.

[kainemaxwell]

Haven't heard anything at my store about accepting pre-orders again. Hopefully the people on the lists already from months ago will remain on.

[hezeuschrist]

Given the pre-order debacle that was the X360 launch, I wouldn't rule that out. I'd say no preorders until they get their allocation numbers.

I guess it's better to have unhappy non-customers than unhappy customers who put money down and have nothing to show for it.

Actually, EB DID wait until they got their allocation numbers for the 360. I was a manager at the time and our first allocation was 17 units. Then it got bumped up to 27. Then 31. All good news. Then a couple months before launch, it went back down to 20. Not good news. Don't blame the retailers, blame MS for having a large batch of defectives out of their initial run. At least that was MS's rep's explanation heh.

Nobody here is blaming the retailers, but Joe Average doesn't get that. They get that they put money down and no matter what, they deserve a system.

From what I've heard they're going to wait for solid allocation numbers and only preorder that many, and not even bother with multiple shipment preordering. They're gonna sell when they get more in, so why go to the trouble? The retailers are going to cover their ass this time around, they aren't going to let Sony dick them the way MS did.

[Oobgarm]

Given the pre-order debacle that was the X360 launch, I wouldn't rule that out. I'd say no preorders until they get their allocation numbers.

I guess it's better to have unhappy non-customers than unhappy customers who put money down and have nothing to show for it.

Actually, EB DID wait until they got their allocation numbers for the 360. I was a manager at the time and our first allocation was 17 units. Then it got bumped up to 27. Then 31. All good news. Then a couple months before launch, it went back down to 20. Not good news. Don't blame the retailers, blame MS for having a large batch of defectives out of their initial run. At least that was MS's rep's explanation heh.

I wasn't blaming retailers, but I think that they do have something to do with it. From what you said, EB was on top of it, so no problems there. But GameStop took blind preorders for a while, I'm sure, as they do that with anything that's going to have demand. Then they realize that they overstepped their allocation and have to backtrack. If I'm not mistaken, Game Crazy did the same, at least in my area.

It's different when you know how many you get first, so that way no one who has placed a deposit gets disappointed, unless the manufacturer has difficulty in the X360's case.


The retailers are going to cover their ass this time around, they aren't going to let Sony dick them the way MS did.

I don't doubt that one bit. Since it seems that GS is squeezing out the past systems in favor of the new stuff.

[Diatribal Deity]

Because the Gamestop/EB conglomerate can now boast itself as being the number one retailer of videogames, you can bet their allocations will be the highest.

This will also be assured given their high (WARNING industry term) tie ratios.

If I was senior management I would start taking pre-orders for ridiculous package deals only over $1000 which would need to be paid in full. This would enable them to bank the money, ensure some allocation of crappy initial release games and weed out some of the Ebay resellers (not that I have anything against it).

[mdk]

Because the Gamestop/EB conglomerate can now boast itself as being the number one retailer of videogames, you can bet their allocations will be the highest.

This will also be assured given their high (WARNING industry term) tie ratios.

If I was senior management I would start taking pre-orders for ridiculous package deals only over $1000 which would need to be paid in full. This would enable them to bank the money, ensure some allocation of crappy initial release games and weed out some of the Ebay resellers (not that I have anything against it).

Unfortunately Walmart is still the largest game retailer. Not that Gamestop's corp. policies are any better.

[Anthony1]

No, they will take pre-orders after May 15th.


It's like May 19th and they aren't taking preorders. Last I heard it was going to be September or October. With possible forced bundles.

[DonMarco]

Tie ratios? For those that don't know, every system that is sold the store (wal-mart, gamestop, wherever) makes very little money. So selling systems with accessories, games, controllers, warranties, etc. really helps to increase store profits. So selling a 360 with two games and a controller would be a tie ratio of 3:1.



No, they will take pre-orders after May 15th.
It's like May 19th and they aren't taking preorders. Last I heard it was going to be September or October. With possible forced bundles.
Guess what? We won't be taking preorders tomorrow, either. And last I heard, it'll be sometime near a month that's in the fall or summer! Gee whiz, let's call our local EB daily and keep each other notified in this thread, okay?

EB/GS (offline) didn't do any bundles for the 360, hopefully won't for the PS3 and Wii. Then again, they did bundles for the Xbox/PS2/Gamecube. So who knows, really? Do you know, Anthony1?

[FantasiaWHT]

Unfortunately Walmart is still the largest game retailer. Not that Gamestop's corp. policies are any better.

When the EB/Gamestop merger was announced, the press releases stated that the combined entity would have a market share approximately equal to Walmart.

And this is a number that doesn't really matter to the console manufacturers, but it's worthwile to consider that in the USED game market, EB/Gamestop has a large majority of the market share.

[Dangerboy]

(All my own personal opinion)

GameStop / EB will not be taking pre-orders for at least another month. They are waiting until after the Managers convention to work it all out. Here's why:

1. Avoid the 360 fiasco

2. Avoid the 360 fiasco x2 since we AGAIN have 2 different deck set-ups, and now even worse that they're $500 - 600.

2a. Where as the 360 core was simply "I need to add on everything else", the PS3 lesser one is "you're screwed" and considering how (and this is my own personal opinion) FREAKING STUPID the mainstream customer base is, trying to explain to someone why they just spent $500 and have no Wi-Fi connectivity is NOT something I'm looking forward to.

3. Sony *always* screws up launch shipments. *Always*
See: PSP
See: PS2 Slim
See: PS2 original

Remember that Sony said "2 Million" for EVERYONE at launch. Divide that by 3, and you have roughly 666,667 (hey sign fo the devil...) per country.

And since Sony counts "launch" as "launch window" (read, 1 - 2 months) I would not be surprised if the US only saw about 200,000 to 300,000 total units at launch. Just keep thinking "PS2 launch" and freak out from there.

4. Granted, $600 is a lot of money for a consumer, but slap that onto an order of 100,000 units, and that's a TON of investment for a company. I'm pretty sure they want to get this right the first time.

5. On the positive side, we HAVE started taking pre-orders for Call of Duty 3 PS3 and Tony Hawk PS3. It's under the N64 department in the register.

Jason