Gamestop & EB Preorders on the Wii or PS3 (PS3 cut 1/2)

[l_lamb]

They're only taking deposits of $100+ on the $599.00 PS3. The Wii is not included in today's reserve. (and what I really want to reserve). At least they'll accept cash, credit, or trade. No mention of any required add-ons.

Gamestop's getting a lot of "free money" for over a month; even if they only get the reported 8 per store, that's $800+ times over 4,400 stores. That's more than $3.5 million they can use or invest.

[Geddon_jt]

A good friend of mine manages a Gamestop. He told me that every Florida store has been allocated 16 total units and that only 2 of those units are allowed to go to store employees. His employees were fighting with each other over the 2nd employee unit (he is kind enough to reserve one for yours truly) and he expects a major line when he opens this morning.

[geneshifter]

A good friend of mine manages a Gamestop. He told me that every Florida store has been allocated 16 total units and that only 2 of those units are allowed to go to store employees. His employees were fighting with each other over the 2nd employee unit (he is kind enough to reserve one for yours truly) and he expects a major line when he opens this morning.

Here in Texas they are getting 8 units per store according to the manager friend of mine. He told me to get there early this morning. In fact, I just went to check it out (5 a.m.) and still no one in line here. I'll probably go back to stay at about 7 a.m. FYI, I just read on some forums that there are lines forming at NYC gamestops.

I hate Sony for causing this stupidity :angry:

[Mr.FoodMonster]

It's funny, I was just at an EB last night where some guy came in and wanted to know about presales. The manager told him the $100 down thing, but didn't yet know a date of when they will start accepting it. I guess he missed a meeting somewhere, or just wasn't listening. Oh well, that guy flat out said he intends on going out to the parking lot with it and selling it to the dumbest motherf.... er... 'highest bidder' he could find. The manager basically told him 'oh, well, in that case, whatever.' Atleast that one had some morals.

[Nature Boy]

Oh well, that guy flat out said he intends on going out to the parking lot with it and selling it to the dumbest motherf.... er... 'highest bidder' he could find.

What makes a guy like that think anyone else cares what he's going to do? Does he want me to think he's smart or something? I've never figured that out.

I went to TRU on the weekend to buy NHL 07 and inquired about preorders for the heck of it. They started taking 'em in Feb for the PS3, and stopped at the end of July I think he said. I don't think Sony is going to have to worry *one bit* about selling a crapload of PS3s.

[l_lamb]

From GameSpot.com:

"Most stores will receive a preorder allocation of eight units, while a few select stores will receive 16," a GameStop official said. "In either case, employee purchases will be restricted to a total of no more than two systems per store."

I'm on my way to one of the three stores by First Colony Mall (2 outside, 1 inside) to see what the options are. I figure if I change my mind later, they'll be happy to sell mine to someone else.

[GrandAmChandler]

My girlfriend just preordered a $600 model for me. She said that the store manager was there and said that they were able to take 18 preorders, but there was no guarrantee if she would get one on launch.. She was #6 or 7 on the list, not that it matters any...

We shall see.

[LiquidPolicenaut]

Well, I decided to check one of the closer Gamestops to me here in NYC and there was no one there as of 8:00AM, so I was first in line :) By 10, there were still only like 10 in total. Not too bad. Preordered the $599 and RR7 so Im good to go now....

[qbertandernie]

well, ive got my pre order in...

hope i can actually get a $599 system. the manager said they will get 8 systems, but not necessarily the ones that were preordered. some people may be stuck with the lower end model, even if having preordered the high end.

[64Bits]

A good friend of mine manages a Gamestop. He told me that every Florida store has been allocated 16 total units and that only 2 of those units are allowed to go to store employees. His employees were fighting with each other over the 2nd employee unit (he is kind enough to reserve one for yours truly) and he expects a major line when he opens this morning.

A friend of mine works for EB/Gamestop, and I talked to him about the Wii/Ps3 preorders. He informed me that your manager buddy can very well lose his job for holding a preorder aside for you. Just thought you should know (Even though he, and possibly you, know this already.)

[geneshifter]

Yay! I got my PS3 preordered - number 1 in line so it should be about as guaranteed as it gets.

FYI, we were told this morning that all the games for the system will also be in very limited supply x_x So, I also preordered Assasin's Creed, Resistance and also Oblivion since I want to play the new knighthood storyline.

At the GS I was at, we had the 6 people already there by 9am. They are getting 8 with 2 going to employees. One of the guys in line got a call from another one where there were more than 30 people in line - that store is only getting 14 @_@

This madness has got to stop!!

[gepeto]

I had been searching everyday. I find out today and what I'm too late. Sony can kiss my ass. No notices I was just in the store yesterday asking and no heads up. Wii all the way now. even my most reputable stopres didn't fill me in.


The whole process sucks .the big one

Just venting.

[geneshifter]

I had been searching everyday. I find out today and what I'm too late. Sony can kiss my ass. No notices I was just in the store yesterday asking and no heads up. Wii all the way now. even my most reputable stopres didn't fill me in.


The whole process sucks .the big one

Just venting.

Dude, I know what you mean. I got lucky because the GS manager I know on a first name basis told me last night - to give his best customers the heads-up. I'm glad I wanted to go inside and ask about a game now. It didn't hit the internet 'till late last night and radio had it this morning.

I guess they were trying to keep it quiet as much as possible to prevent a stampede. It does suck, though :angry:

[Chase]

Sent my mother to GS this morning (I had class). #5 for a premium bundle with CoD and Madden. I'll be putting it up on eBay as soon as the frenzy starts. $1499 Buy-It-Now :-P

The profits will cover my Wii and hopefully next semester's books.

[vincewy]

I don't think Sony is going to have to worry *one bit* about selling a crapload of PS3s.

You have to look at how many of those preorders are actual end users and wanting them legitimately, I dare say that as many as 80% of the units will be on eBay, they'll have no trouble selling them during the holiday, but after early Jan, I'd be interested to see if they're still flying off the shelf at price point of $600.

Don't get me wrong, I want one myself too (this way I don't have to get PS2), but Sony will have to drop the price on this thing to broaden the appeal.

[98PaceCar]

Sent my mother to GS this morning (I had class). #5 for a premium bundle with CoD and Madden. I'll be putting it up on eBay as soon as the frenzy starts. $1499 Buy-It-Now :-P

The profits will cover my Wii and hopefully next semester's books.

Real nice. The system you bought to turn a profit on is keeping someone that really wants one from having it.

Be sure to post up when you put it on ebay. I'm willing to take a neg to kill your auction...

[GrayFox]

:-/ to Ebaying. I hope the Ebay market becomes saturated, I really do.

Reserved myself a premium system with Resistance.

[Anthony1]

Here is my little GameStop/EB pre-order story:


Last nite, it hit all over the net that this would be going down. It was like the No.1 story on GameSpot and 1up as well as many other gaming news places. It was a super hot topic in all the forums. So I really started to worry about how early I would have to show up at a GameSpot. Normally, I have to take my son to his daycare, and the earliest I could get to a GameStop would be 8am. I figured that this would be too late, so I was able to convince my wife to take both kids this morning. It would make her late to work, but it was my birthday the other day and she said she would as a extra birthday present.

So I decide to set my alarm for 4:55 am. I wake up, throw on some sweats, grab a lawn chair and head out the door. The first place I tried was my local GameStop that's right by my house. Figure I would check that one out first. When I got there, there was 4 cars in the parking lot, and 2 chairs by the front door, but nobody in the chairs. So I pulled up right to the front, and immediately 4 people hop out of the various cars and get in line. I asked them how many units did they think this story was getting, and this one guy had heard they would be getting 10 units. So I figured that if I'm the 5th guy, that would work for me. So I put my chair down and began the process. About a half hour after I showed up, a few more guys showed up. Then at around 6:30 am, another guy showed up. Then around 7am, a few more guys showed up. 20 minutes before the store opened, there were like 25 people waiting out front.

Anyways, I ended up the 4th guy on the list, cause 2 of the people that were waiting were only getting 1 system. I feel my chances are pretty good that I'll actually get one at launch being the 4th guy. :D


I actually plan to keep this system rather than flipping, but I will admit that if I'm somehow able to get a second system, maybe via an online pre-order bundle or something, I'm definitely going to flip one on Ebay. If that makes me a total scumbag, then so be it, I'm a total scumbag :) There are upsides and downsides to being in a capitalistic free market society!

[Chase]

I guarantee you the console will end up in the hands of someone who "really wants one."



Sent my mother to GS this morning (I had class). #5 for a premium bundle with CoD and Madden. I'll be putting it up on eBay as soon as the frenzy starts. $1499 Buy-It-Now :-P

The profits will cover my Wii and hopefully next semester's books.

Real nice. The system you bought to turn a profit on is keeping someone that really wants one from having it.

Be sure to post up when you put it on ebay. I'm willing to take a neg to kill your auction...

[staxx]

Luckily for me, I got the news at about 8.00 pm (PST) and rushed out to a local Gamestop. I was third in line so it seems I will be buying a PS3 afterall. That's one of the hurdles out of the way (phewww). Now to make any space I have left for this big behemoth. I would say a buy it now for $1499 is a little on the low side. I predict a price over $2000. I have nothing against ebayers so long as they only buy one from a store.

[Nature Boy]

Don't get me wrong, I want one myself too (this way I don't have to get PS2), but Sony will have to drop the price on this thing to broaden the appeal.

Of course they don't have to broaden the appeal until they can move serious numbers of units anyway, which won't be for awhile. As much as people *would* like the opposite, I don't think we're going to see PS3 units lying around in stores a day after launch.

[GrandAmChandler]

Called the store manager who I am semi-friendly with, he said I am guaranteed the 8th PS3 that comes through the door. Not necessarilly on launch, but they took 16 preorders which has me hopeful.

No camping necessary.

[GrandAmChandler]

Also, I have started a thread on Ebay PS3 sales (yes it has begun already...) in our ebay forum, or you can just click below.

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=93767

-GAC-

[98PaceCar]

I guarantee you the console will end up in the hands of someone who "really wants one."



Sent my mother to GS this morning (I had class). #5 for a premium bundle with CoD and Madden. I'll be putting it up on eBay as soon as the frenzy starts. $1499 Buy-It-Now :-P

The profits will cover my Wii and hopefully next semester's books.

Real nice. The system you bought to turn a profit on is keeping someone that really wants one from having it.

Be sure to post up when you put it on ebay. I'm willing to take a neg to kill your auction...

Well then, best of luck to you. I'm sure everybody will be better off because of your efforts (or rather, your mommy's efforts).

[pacmanhat]

Sent my mother to GS this morning (I had class). #5 for a premium bundle with CoD and Madden. I'll be putting it up on eBay as soon as the frenzy starts. $1499 Buy-It-Now :-P

The profits will cover my Wii and hopefully next semester's books.

Real nice. The system you bought to turn a profit on is keeping someone that really wants one from having it.

Be sure to post up when you put it on ebay. I'm willing to take a neg to kill your auction...

PaceCar, you are my hero. I wish this sort of price gouging was illegal.

[GrandAmChandler]

Sent my mother to GS this morning (I had class). #5 for a premium bundle with CoD and Madden. I'll be putting it up on eBay as soon as the frenzy starts. $1499 Buy-It-Now :-P

The profits will cover my Wii and hopefully next semester's books.

Real nice. The system you bought to turn a profit on is keeping someone that really wants one from having it.

Be sure to post up when you put it on ebay. I'm willing to take a neg to kill your auction...

PaceCar, you are my hero. I wish this sort of price gouging was illegal.

Okay okay, enough of the eBay talk, feel free to mention that in the ebay thread I posted above.

This thread is about preorders only!

[segagamer4life]

I learned today that Wii preorders at most gamestops/eb's will start this thursday morning, latest Friday am. fyi.

[FantasiaWHT]

*cries* I got stuck in a horrid traffic jam and missed a preorder by two people in line :(

[ManciGames]

Here is my little GameStop/EB pre-order story:
<snip crazy story>

Man, this shit is crazy... The only reason they are launching "on time" this November is to save face.

I am #2 on the PS3 pre-order list and #3 on the Wii list at my local store. I am much more looking forward to the Wii the than the PS3.

I also will be selling my PS3 for a huge mark-up. When I reserved it (about a year ago), I honestly was planning on keeping it. But the launch line-up looks HORRIBLE. And by the time any decent games are out, you'll be able to stroll in and buy one at face value. I had considered keeping it for the Bluray capabilities, but I have read that Blueray is using an outdated MPEG technology and the discs look only barely better than regular DVD. So, I no longer have a need for it at this time.

That being said, if someone here wants to guarnatee themselves a unit for $1499, please email me. That's probably a $500 discount over what you will pay on ebay... We can escrow.

[DKTheArcadeRat]

Well, after checking at local GameStops and an EB store, Wii will start sometime this week, and today they just started Ps3 not Wii, which i thought they did.

Dave

[MarkMan]

Rough day. Got my 2 PS3s on lock. Waited since 3 AM. It's serious down here in San Diego.

[NinjaJoey23]

Horrible luck. My phone has been broken and my computer is out of commission, so today was the 1st day I didn't call EB. I didn't get there today b/c they were closed before I read this thread.

My small hope is that since I live in such a small town, there may be a spot or two left. If not, I'm camping out, fo' sho'

Don't spoil my dream.

[DonMarco]

So I come in this morning and turn down a preorder. Mostly because I'd rather have an 8" stack of holiday-release games than a Sony product. Or 924 king-sized Snickers bars!! Or 5000 bricks of ramen noodles (a 15-year supply)!!!!



Sent my mother to GS this morning (I had class). #5 for a premium bundle with CoD and Madden. I'll be putting it up on eBay as soon as the frenzy starts. $1499 Buy-It-Now :-P

The profits will cover my Wii and hopefully next semester's books.

Real nice. The system you bought to turn a profit on is keeping someone that really wants one from having it.

Be sure to post up when you put it on ebay. I'm willing to take a neg to kill your auction...
I'm with who ever in killing some PS3 auctions on eBay. We can make a game of it.

[vincewy]

That being said, if someone here wants to guarnatee themselves a unit for $1499, please email me. That's probably a $500 discount over what you will pay on ebay... We can escrow.

With large majority of units bought for eBay resales and lack of geniune interest for the system at launch (I'm more interested in later titles too), don't be surprised if most units will fetch less than $1500, maybe even less than $1000.

I'm not saying you won't be getting $2000 for it, just don't count too much on it, some have already put them on eBay for over $5000 for the preorder, talking about getting drugged with greed.

[jajaja]

Here is my little GameStop/EB pre-order story: <story>

That is cool! :) Its so sweet to read that both EBgames and GameStop sold out (well.. the pre-orders) the PS3 within minutes. I was waiting for this message to come just to see how the people who said that the price was too insane. This result shows that the price doesnt matter.

[jajaja]

That being said, if someone here wants to guarnatee themselves a unit for $1499, please email me. That's probably a $500 discount over what you will pay on ebay... We can escrow.

With large majority of units bought for eBay resales and lack of geniune interest for the system at launch (I'm more interested in later titles too), don't be surprised if most units will fetch less than $1500, maybe even less than $1000.

I'm not saying you won't be getting $2000 for it, just don't count too much on it, some have already put them on eBay for over $5000 for the preorder, talking about getting drugged with greed.

I can guarantee you that we will see PS3 auctions that hits over $1000. The thousands and thousands of people who pre-ordered want the system for themself, only a very small fraction of them buy just to sell on Ebay.

[klausien]

That being said, if someone here wants to guarnatee themselves a unit for $1499, please email me. That's probably a $500 discount over what you will pay on ebay... We can escrow.

With large majority of units bought for eBay resales and lack of geniune interest for the system at launch (I'm more interested in later titles too), don't be surprised if most units will fetch less than $1500, maybe even less than $1000.

I'm not saying you won't be getting $2000 for it, just don't count too much on it, some have already put them on eBay for over $5000 for the preorder, talking about getting drugged with greed.

I can guarantee you that we will see PS3 auctions that hits over $1000. The thousands and thousands of people who pre-ordered want the system for themself, only a very small fraction of them buy just to sell on Ebay.

This is true, but there are only a)400,000 units for the launch and b)the system will still remain an elite product for the forseeable future. I think you are underestimating the amount of speculators. Retail sales of the PS3 are not for profit. No matter what, the extra money being spent in the resale market will do nothing but hurt Sony.

[GrandAmChandler]

Do a search for "TMX Elmo" this is the 2nd hottest item this Christmas Season. Retails for $35, and is going at an upwards of $200 for this plush toy.

The American public will do anything to make children happy on Christmas. Do not underestimate their wallets. They will pay over $1000 for a PS3, and by my calculations the average price is going to be $1400ish for a sealed premium PS3 on eBay.

[jajaja]

Ye, and its not like you will see 20,000 auctions on Ebay with PS3 consoles 1-2 days after the launch.

[Nature Boy]

The American public will do anything to make children happy on Christmas. Do not underestimate their wallets. They will pay over $1000 for a PS3, and by my calculations the average price is going to be $1400ish for a sealed premium PS3 on eBay.

It's sad but true. I remember two people fighting over a poster of Wayne Gretzky at Christmas at the hobby store I worked at.

A *poster*

And the only people to blame are the American public themselves. You can look down upon those who 'take advantage' of the situation, but there wouldn't be a situation in the first place if people weren't so stupid.

[Richter]

really no need to PO the Wii
Wii Launch Quantity now 2 Million (http://www.2old2play.com/News/Wii_Launch_Quantity_now_2_Million)

[staxx]

Supposingly the Wii preorder is going to start on this Friday 13th :eek 2: scary... Anyhow it's probably worth doing a preorder on the Wii just to secure yourself one (just go there in the morning). You never know what will happen between now and November 19th. Who knows maybe a bad batch needed to be recalled or a fire broke out in a warehouse, point being best preorder just to be save. But to camp out though, it's not worth it in my opinion.

[studvicious]

Here is my little GameStop/EB pre-order story: <story>

That is cool! :) Its so sweet to read that both EBgames and GameStop sold out (well.. the pre-orders) the PS3 within minutes. I was waiting for this message to come just to see how the people who said that the price was too insane. This result shows that the price doesnt matter.

I don't think anyone doubted that this would happen. I can promise you that there were waaay more than 400K people that were wanting a PS3 on day one no matter what it cost.

[ManciGames]

With large majority of units bought for eBay resales and lack of geniune interest for the system at launch (I'm more interested in later titles too), don't be surprised if most units will fetch less than $1500, maybe even less than $1000.

I'm not saying you won't be getting $2000 for it, just don't count too much on it, some have already put them on eBay for over $5000 for the preorder, talking about getting drugged with greed.

You might be right... Either way is fine with me, really. I hadn't initially planned on trying to make money on it, and if there was just ONE launch game that I was interested in, I'd keep it.

So, I either make some cash, or I just return it to the store a week later and get a refund. If I Ebay it, I will definitely require immediate payment along with Buy It Now.

[geneshifter]

Anyone else going out tomorrow to preorder the Wii at Gamestop? I think I'm going to go ahead and preorder one just in case, though it looks like there will be plenty.

As far as the above poster's comments, weren't there a lot of people burned last year on ebay with paypal chargebacks? Isn't it safer for you to get a money order or cashier's check?

[staxx]

I will probably do the preorder on the Wii tomorrow at Gamestop or EB games. I won't camp out though, there should be plenty of Wii's to go around.

[Castelak]

http://www.gamestop.com/gs/newsletter/wiipreorder/wiipre_email_main.jpg

Looks like it's official, tomorrow! 8-)

[drewbrim]

I'll be there with bells on :-P

[qbertandernie]

rumor is that this had an earlier announcement for presale, so the managers are suggesting you may want to get there earlier than you did for the ps3. i expect more people(even more than 4m) are going to want this, simply due to it being the cheapest, so i expect theyll sell out too. my EB is getting 14. im driving out at 7:30...2 guys in line for ps3 had been there since 4:30 though, so who knows.

[FAMOUS]

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y264/G204U2NV/WiiPREORDER.jpg I just got this in my e-mail... minyana!!!!

[WanganRunner]

I'm driving to my EB at 9am to get my Wii preorder in.

I already saw 3 people in line at like 7am, but I had to come to work, otherwise I would've waited.

[Kejoriv]

I drove by a local Gamestop there were 4 people in line waiting it was wicked cold this morning too. Oh yea...it was 6:30 am.

[gamegirl79]

I won't be able to get to EB/GS until tonight (and I'm sure all preorders will be filled by then) so I'm hoping there's enough to go around on launch day. :/

[jajaja]

Hm.. is it nessessary to preorder Wii? I thought Nintendo were spitting out like 11 million units at launch.

[ManciGames]

As far as the above poster's comments, weren't there a lot of people burned last year on ebay with paypal chargebacks? Isn't it safer for you to get a money order or cashier's check?

Not in my experience. Using those forms on an auction like this just leads to a bunch of people trying to kill your auction (like the people in noted in this very thread).

Buy It Now with Immediate Payment protects you...at least as much as protection is possible.

[Oobgarm]

Hm.. is it nessessary to preorder Wii? I thought Nintendo were spitting out like 11 million units at launch.

I think that the rabid fanbase, coupled with the lowest price of the next-gen systems, will provide ample reason for the launch to sell out. Especially with it being so close to Christmas.

[Nes]

I was first in line at EB. They ended up only having 3 preorders available for the Wii. Good thing I got there 3 hours early and yes there were a lot of pissed off people. There was another store nearby that had 36 apparently but I had heard the line there was already 25 strong 2 hours before opening. Next time I will call beforehand to ask how many will be available. I got lucky this time.

[Kejoriv]

I think that the rabid fanbase, coupled with the lowest price of the next-gen systems, will provide ample reason for the launch to sell out. Especially with it being so close to Christmas.

Yup you and yup.

The question is how much do you think these will go for on eBay? I think at least double at $500. The PS3 will go over 1k on the majority of the auctions. Ridicolous is my opinion but whatever floats your boat...

[Damaniel]

Hm.. is it nessessary to preorder Wii? I thought Nintendo were spitting out like 11 million units at launch.

I didn't think so at first, either, but yesterday I decided that I was going to head to EB this morning and get my pre-order in, just in case.

I knew that I was going to have a hard time when I got to the first store, almost 3 hours before opening, and there were already 12 people in line. The store was a small one so I figured that 12 was all they would get. The second store had even more (people, that is), and some of those people had been waiting a while; there was even a tent set up! :) Same deal at the third.

A friend of mine waiting at an EB in Sherwood, OR (about 25 miles away from me) called me to tell me that he was 4th in his line and that nobody else had showed up in over half an hour. I ended up driving all the way out there, and managed to get the 8th spot in line. By the time the door opened at 10, there were over 25 people there, and the manager had to turn most of them away (they only had 12 pre-orders).

I expect that GameStop/EB will sell out their pre-orders today, much like they did for PS3. I'm sure that Target/Walmart/etc will have larger numbers of units available on launch day, but I wanted to hedge my bets in case supply ends up being shorter than expected.

[geneshifter]

Here, the line for the Wii was much longer than the PS3 on Tuesday.

I got there at 8am and was #2 out of some 20 people by the time the store opened. Mostly soccer moms getting it for their kids today.

This GS only got 11 to give out so there were some really angry people when they opened :eek 2:

Oh, FYI, GI magazine had an ad this month about a Zelda preview at midnight on Nov 19, launch day, for those that had preordered the game. Does this mean that they will also release the console at midnight?

[Damaniel]

Oh, FYI, GI magazine had an ad this month about a Zelda preview at midnight on Nov 19, launch day, for those that had preordered the game. Does this mean that they will also release the console at midnight?

The manager at the EB I preordered from said his store would be open at midnight for the Wii launch. I don't know if this is a company-wide policy, though.

[YoshiM]

I kinda find it lame that they limit it to so little. If I'm not mistaken the email they sent to people stated that if you preorder it doesn't mean you'll get one on launch day so what would be the big deal if they took more?

My friends and I were put on a list at the local Gamestop back in June for the Wii. However there was a management change and that list was tossed so our claim was null and void (and I think $5 went bye-bye...not sure as I wasn't the one who did the preorder). My bro in law got to Gamestop around 10:30 and all 14 preorders were snagged up.

Word to the wise: PREORDER YOUR WII MOTES AND CHUCKS! I've been hearing that the controllers are going to be at a premium so if you want your multiplayer gaming snag those suckers up!

[WanganRunner]

I got my Wii preorder this morning at around 10:15am.

I missed the boat at one store and so I had to go to another one, ended up being 9th in a line of 50 PEOPLE!

I got the system, Zelda, and a classic controller.


Oh, and eBay has REMOVED all PS3 preorder auctions. Go check for yourselves. You can still see them in the search, but try and click on one and.....POOF!

I'll sell mine on craigslist then, I suppose.

[JSN]

Fortunately, I was able to get one reserved today. The local GS was only allotted 12 systems for reservation (only 4 more than PS3s they were given). My Wii and Zelda are paid in full, all I need now is to pick them up! It cannot get here soon enough. :)

[klausien]

I got to the local Funcoland I always frequent for reserves (I used to work there) around 8:30 AM and was the second person in line. Freezing, but instantly satisfied because I knew I was golden. The Gamestop across the parking lot (yeah, I know) had about 5-6 people at that point, but they have a larger customer base for some odd reason.

At around 9 AM, the store manager showed up and handed out lists of available Wii items for preorder he had printed out in exactly the amount he had for reserve: SEVEN. Yikes. Sales technique, yes, but also a conscientious way of keeping a count of who was getting a preorder. As more people came up to the line, we tried to let them know the deal. But, people will be people, so they stuck around and felt it necessary that they give the manager crap when he returned to open the store. He said the line, however meager, was at least double the amount of people who showed up to preorder a PS3.

Truth be told, I went and stood in the cold wind for almost 2 hours for a slip of paper because I wanted to absolutely guarantee myself a no-hassle Wii at launch. There is no shame in that, despite what IGN Wii's blog would like to have you think. If one is wondering why EB/GameStop kept the numbers low, they need to wake up. The last several system launches were over-pre-sold disasters. The Wii WILL be replenished plenty prior to Christmas, unlike the XBox 360 at launch or PS3, yes, but it is nice to know that I will be holding the system in my hands, most likely at the stroke of midnight, on November 19th.

Even more importantly, I wanted to be absolutely positive that I would be walking out that night with an extra remote and nunchuck. The system will be available, but the controllers will be tough to find for months, just like they were for the N64. I will still most likely need to be one of the first in line at launch to guarantee this, but it is worth the down payment. I also preordered Zelda and ExciteTruck. Extravagant, but it is going to be SOOOO worth it. Can't wait for 11/19/06! :rocker:

[opitekk]

I waited in line this morning from 9am till it opened at 10am, freaking cold!!! The lady said they only have 9 Wii's avaialable to pre-order and there were only 6 of us waiting in line......the other store two blocks down only had 7 available to pre-order.

Thats the story around here in Michigan.

But i bet there will be more then that cuz thats jsut bad buisness and nintendo will want to move as many systems as they can, ya know.

At least i'll have mine@ :-)

[MrRoboto19XX]

Pre-ordered mine today at my Gamestop of choice (where the art of douchebaggery is almost never seen).

The number 1,2,3 and 4 people in line had been there since 2:30 AM, no joke.

I was number 5, I arrived at 9:30, the store opened at 10.

[Anthony1]

Damn, I missed out on the whole Nintendo Wii preorder thing. I was camping. REAL camping. Well actually I was in a cabin, so I guess that isn't camping to be honest. Anyways, we got back home about noon, and I hoped online and saw the news of the EB/GameStop preorders for the Wii starting today and I said, "Oh shit!". I called all the local places but they had all sold out within the first 10 minutes.


My guess is that GameStop/EB is being ultra conservative with their Wii allotment, because from what I understand, Nintendo is going to have 1 million for launch day in the U.S. If the 1 million number is correct, then that would mean that your average Target would get 60 or 80 or even more. So I'm hoping to still be able to snag one at a Target or something on launch day. Of course, Nintendo has been known to fake scarcity to drive up demand (N64 launch anyone?), so who knows what might happen. I know I can get my hands on a Wii prior to Xmas, but I'm a launch day type of guy.

[TurboGenesis]

Damn, I missed out on the whole Nintendo Wii preorder thing. I was camping. REAL camping. Well actually I was in a cabin, so I guess that isn't camping to be honest. Anyways, we got back home about noon, and I hoped online and saw the news of the EB/GameStop preorders for the Wii starting today and I said, "Oh shit!". I called all the local places but they had all sold out within the first 10 minutes.


My guess is that GameStop/EB is being ultra conservative with their Wii allotment, because from what I understand, Nintendo is going to have 1 million for launch day in the U.S. If the 1 million number is correct, then that would mean that your average Target would get 60 or 80 or even more. So I'm hoping to still be able to snag one at a Target or something on launch day. Of course, Nintendo has been known to fake scarcity to drive up demand (N64 launch anyone?), so who knows what might happen. I know I can get my hands on a Wii prior to Xmas, but I'm a launch day type of guy.

That sucks that you missed the pre order. I wish you the best of luck in getting a Wii. I am a silly deranged launch guy myself. I don't know what it is - my friends think i'm crazy. I'm going to be spending almost $1000 next month.

I made it to Game Stop yesterday morning at about 8am and I was #4 the other three folks were there at 6am and after I showed up the line just seemed to grow until there were 14 and then that was it. Everyone else got sent away and were told to check the other stores near by.

[staxx]

This is not so good news dunno if it real or how much of an impact it will have but news is news I guess.


Last month, retailer GameStop began accepting "limited" preorders for the PlayStation 3, asking customers to put down $100 in advance for the system, with a modest expectation of eight units per store in most cases. Now it appears the largest gaming specialty chain in North America won't be receiving even that many systems.

A GameStop representative told GameSpot today that the company received launch allocation numbers from Sony, and that it won't be able to fill its existing PS3 preorders. The representative declined to comment on how many systems GameStop expected to receive, or how short of that figure the company's share of systems would be.

"We are beginning to notify our customers that our initial shipment of PS3 systems will not be what we expected," the representative said. "As this is not an ideal situation, we are asking employees to wait to purchase systems until the second shipment. We are anticipating having systems to cover reservations before Christmas."

For launch day, preorders will be filled in the order they were received, and those who had a preorder but are denied a system on day one will receive something for their troubles. GameStop will give those unfortunate customers (as well as unfortunate employees) a free used game or DVD valued at $19.99 or less when they eventually wind up purchasing the system.

Those who reserved a system won't need to wait long to find out if they can expect a system on launch day. Starting tomorrow, customers who preordered a PS3 will be contacted personally by phone and updated on the status of their reservation, the rep said.

And while it might be a nonissue considering the clamor for consumers to get their hands on the coveted systems, GameStop is also asking anyone with a confirmed preorder to pick their systems up by Saturday evening.



From http://www.gamespot.com/news/6161580.html?sid=6161580&sid=6161580

I guess I will find out tomorrow if I have secured one :(

[GrandAmChandler]

I called the manager and I was number 8 on the list, and JUST made the cut off. I will be getting the 60 GB model on Friday morning at 9am. My store took 16 reserves.

-GAC-

[geneshifter]

I called my GS in Dallas and they said I made it for Friday but they would not tell me how many after that. I was #1 in line and he did say that not everyone was getting theirs. They took 8 preorders so it is less than 8 for sure.

I'll try and get a more definitive answer later today.

This whole situation bites :hmm:

[FantasiaWHT]

I lost mine...

I'm good friends with the DM, and I can shed some interesting light on this...

THIS TIME, it's not Sony's fault (it was MS's fault for the 360 launch- they gave numbers and then cut them). On a conference call last night it was admitted that EB/GS NEVER HAD confirmed allocation numbers from Sony! They were guessing, and thought they were guessing low.

The DM also tells me that Sony has said they will get enough systems to EB/GS to fulfill preorders by Christmas

[PapaStu]

My friend lost his as well... however from what he was told by his brother who works at the GS he preordered from, ALL employee/family preorders have been bumped until a later date which hasn't been determined. He was #1 on that stores list.

[Muscelli]

I feel kinda sorry for the ebay pre-orders that were sold. Imagine how much of that money just went to waste in paypal/ebay fees.... Not to mention the people who will not recieve their ps3