If this is true it's perhaps the biggest scumbag move I've ever seen at retail.
Anyone who goes along with this is crazy.
If this is true it's perhaps the biggest scumbag move I've ever seen at retail.
Anyone who goes along with this is crazy.
lol - and then it gets worse when they call people up a week or less beforehand to tell them they can't honor their reservation until a few months later..and then refuse to refund the down payment.
Ugh.
It's like a kick to the nuts.
More unconfirmed "facts" from a CheapAssGamer post:
Quote:
Some people have been asking about preordering the Wii. Right now there are two confirmed locations about where one can jump on the boat early.
1. EB & Gamestop (Thanks to HACK for the Heads Up!!! You rock for all the info)
Status: Starts September 18th till September 25th (One Week Only!)
Conditions:
GameStop is NOT ACCEPTING cash, or store credit for your down payment on a pre-order. You HAVE to trade in games or accessories when you pre-order. It must total $50 or more, and it will all go towards your system pre-order. Any money you put down after $50 can be credit, cash, or whatever else GameStop/EB accepts. This applies for both the Wii and the PS3.
Any promotions on game trade-ins active during your pre-order transaction can be used toward this pre-order stuff. That means that you can take advantage of the "trade 3 games and get $10 extra" offer currently being held at GameStop/EB.
You are GUARANTEED to get a Wii, but the date you get it IS NOT GUARANTEED (he specifically told me that you are not guaranteed to get your system on launch or anytime during the Christmas season).
Stores are going to give out launch systems based on chronological pre-order order. That means if you are the first one to pre-order/reserve your Wii, you will be the first one to get a Wii on launch day.
Reservations are limited to 1 per household.
If you want to know what exactly the text says at the bottom of the flyer, here it is: "Cash or Store Credit will not be accepted. Reservations of the PlayStation 3 or Nintendo Wii are limited to one (1) reservation/purchase per household."
And the text near the GameStop logo at the bottom: "All trades must be in working condition and are subject to manager approval. As GameStop cannot control production and shipping issues by the manufacturer, the reservation deposit will only gurantee a spot in line when the PlayStation 3 or Nintendo Wii becomes available. The reservation deposit does not guarantee reciept of a system available to purchase by Christmas."
Here are a few questions I asked when the employee was giving me the info:
Q: Why is the pre-order process being done this way?
A: GameStop/EB is trying to be more cautious and is trying to plan out the pre-order process better. This is an attempt at a different way of handling pre-orders. They say that they take in a large amount of pre-order money and when products launch, many people don't actually pick up their pre-order. That means GameStop/EB has to continually keep track of these unclaimed pre-orders, and that incurs costs. Its a way to keep down costs, and at the same time, its a way for you to actually keep your money in case you do not pick up your system (because your pre-order money is converted basically into store credit).
Q: Will you have lots of Wii accessories (controllers, etc.) on hand for launch.
A: Yes.
Q: Will you open at midnight?
A: It depends. Some stores may, and others might not. My particular store is trying to open at midnight, but its slightly more difficult since its located in a closed mall.
Holy F**K! I read this on gamefaqs and didn't believe it, but it may be true after all. That had better a "call-to-action" to get people to ask questions. If they don't take cash, I may never shop at a GS again.
Best Buy +1
Well the way they are presented sound pretty legit. Looks like I may be stopping into GS tomorrow and cancelling all my outstanding game pre-orders in "support of this".Quote:
Originally Posted by PBMax
Nintendo World with the mouth breathing fun seekers for me.
Yeah it sounds legit, and the flyer looks legit, but they are still unconfirmed "facts." ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Videodrone
Well if it is, I'll take my business elsewhere. I have given quite a bit of money to GS/EB over the last 15+ years, not to mention bought my last five system from them. Being a extremely loyal customer, if my cash is not good enough for them f'em.Quote:
Originally Posted by PBMax
Agreed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Videodrone
Although I got fed up with their crap long ago.
My guess is (and this isn't an apology, this "promotion" is brain-dead stupid and insulting) is that the trade-in thing runs a week, then after that anyone who wants can reserve. We'll see how it goes, but I can't imagine a way Gamestop could screw this up more.
No wait, I can. Never mind.
1-800-883-8895. Gamestop customer service. Give 'em a call and do more than gripe about it online. It won't do any good, but it beats nothing.
James
I will probably call tomorrow. Though I will make sure I speak to somebody a number of steps above a phone rep. They don't get paid to handle that shit.
You could always drop an SPVB cocktail in the back of the store...
SPVB = Shit, Piss, Vomit, and Blood. It's a prison thing.
Like anal rape.
As a GS manager, I have not heard about this or seen this before.
Looks legit though. I'm not too happy about it. If we're not doing cash in any way, it screws parents looking for christmas gifts. :(
I was hoping not to camp out again. Assholes.
I don't think it's real. The interview thing sold it for me.
If one manager knew about the deal, ALL of the SM's would, let alone be able to talk about it.
I don't think it's real. But who knows.
Reservations are so pointless if you can't get your system on launch day.
Rotflmaololbbqcotclmaowpotfroflcopterlnhlobnah
Thats a very strange tactic indeed. I know that EB/GS make most of their money of trades, but this is just underhanded. Almost makes me ashamed to work there. I really hope this is fake because I don't want to be forced to trade in stuff just to insure that I get a Wii. Guess we'll find out monday if this is true.
Yeah, even if they did accept cash, who cares? What good is a reservation that doesn't actually reserve a console for you when it launches?
You know, after my 360 adventure I was ready to preorder... guess not.
I assume after this week is over (if this is real at all) then regular cash money preorders will be accepted. If there are any left. Which there will be since they're not guaranteeing you shit anyway.
$50 worth is what, like 300 games?
I heard if you trade in any Mortal Kombat you get the system for free the day before launch.
Pretty much. You can't even get $50 with a Gamecube system any more.Quote:
Originally Posted by Yamcha
There is always the buy 15 shit games for $1.99/$2.99 (no sports/wrestling/demo) and trade them back in approach. You come out a few dollars ahead (via the extra $10 for every 3), but I can't support the pre-order tactic at all.Quote:
Originally Posted by Yamcha
Totally not worth it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cowutopia
I wi never preorder anotber system. Not after the 360 fiasco.
Why does anyone shop at these stores ever? This isn't really all that much worse than their typical business practices. Anyone who has ever traded in a used game at these places is a fucking moron, so they are getting what they asked for with this "promotion."
After a good night's rest, I've decided to take my business elsewhere and camp out at Best Buy for both launches. There isn't even a Best Buy in my town, but I'll find a way. It's better than trading in half my games just to maybe sort of reserve a system.
I'm calling today to make sure this is real.
Same here.Quote:
Originally Posted by Joust Williams
Actually for me it was the bundling that started with Xbox1.
That makes no sense. If people are not picking up preorders paid in cash, what makes them think people are going to pick them up now? And it's not like they were holding them for people before anyway.Quote:
Q: Why is the pre-order process being done this way?
A: GameStop/EB is trying to be more cautious and is trying to plan out the pre-order process better. This is an attempt at a different way of handling pre-orders. They say that they take in a large amount of pre-order money and when products launch, many people don't actually pick up their pre-order. That means GameStop/EB has to continually keep track of these unclaimed pre-orders, and that incurs costs. Its a way to keep down costs, and at the same time, its a way for you to actually keep your money in case you do not pick up your system (because your pre-order money is converted basically into store credit).
Taking in cash for a preorder is better for them anyway. It's still a guaranteed sale, and the cash goes in the bank the night they take it in.
I could be wrong on this, but don't they have to pay taxes on used game inventory?
I call BS on this whole thing, because it goes against most everything I learned in accounting, and the excuse for it is just dumb. If it IS real, then it's just a way to build used 360 inventory.
Yeah it is, I have at least 5 copies of every Mortal Kombat game for just such an occasion.
not my fault you're not prepared.
Yeah that's a BS excuse. The real answer is "Because we do most of our business by selling the stuff you trade in for a lot of money"
I was burned way back in the N64 era by preordering. I remember bringing up here once and Brisco told me it was just a fluke mistake or something like that. I guess not.Quote:
Originally Posted by Joust Williams
I never put money down on shit I can't walk out with. There's no gold medal for being first in line.
Dreamcast launch was the best ever.
PRe-ordering a Wii is stupid anyway. I bet you'll be able to walk in the store on launch day and walk out with one. It worked that way for the DS, why not for the Wii?
Fuck em.
Bestbuy it is.
Don't know if this is sarcasm or not, but the DC launch at my EB was awesome.Quote:
Originally Posted by Diff-chan
Opened at midnight, 100 customers in line, more than enough systems, games, and accessories. Soul Calibur, Sonic, Ready to Rumble, NFL, Hydro Thunder, ect.
Guitar Hero II and Final Fantasy XII will have to do this winter season.
It wasn't sarcasm. Preorders up until the day before, tons of systems even for walk-ins, tons of games and accessories in stock, it ruled. This is just ghetto ass bullshit.Quote:
Originally Posted by JefmcC
That was one of Segas best days ever. I remember they said they pulled in close to $95 million that day. I got a bum copy of Sonic Adventure but a quick exchange fixed that.
I'm calling a tentative "Bullshit!" on this story. I asked around today at work and nobody knew a thing. There'd at least be some kind of e-mail about it if it was true, and there's nothing anywhere.
The sad thing is how willing Gamestop's policies have made me to believe this.
James
EBgames want your old crappy games. Whats wrong in that? I personally think they give fair prices for used games.
$1.00 for a used game selling for $3 is fine by me. $10 for $40, on the other hand, sucks. It's a more a matter of scale than percentage.
James
LAWL O FUCKING LAWL.Quote:
You are GUARANTEED to get a Wii, but the date you get it IS NOT GUARANTEED (he specifically told me that you are not guaranteed to get your system on launch or anytime during the Christmas season).
I'll wait until I can get one easily at work thank you very much.
looks like i'll be in nascarville(wal-mart) for my wii, eb could have had my money, i was ready to give it to them, but they insist on acting like this.
there were a lot of them here too, i remember i got a bad hydro thunder copy, and when i returned it they had about 10 sonic discs behind the counter.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rumpy
Where do you work?Quote:
Originally Posted by Opaque
Wait overnight and be fanboy losers with us at Nintendo World, guys! C'mon!
People will be selling them from their lawn?Quote:
Originally Posted by Opaque
The prices they give are fucking terrible. They are basically a monopoly, they set the price they give and the price they sell it at. And they don't give you what its worth or even close to it (if they can sell a used version of a game that sells for $40 for $36, the price they give you for it, like $15, is not fair by definition).Quote:
Originally Posted by dakidski
We need Best Buy or Circuit City or some other megabox chain to step in and start selling used. We'll see things change, fast.
GameCrazy takes trade-ins, though.
They're decent compet... ah, who am I kidding?
You're always free to sell games on eBay. I usually take games to EB/Gamestop because they give about $4-5 less than what you get on eBay for most games. Much quicker, and less effort on my part.
"People will be selling them from their lawn?"
ice burn imo
I just got hired at Frys.Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrew
I'm going to be the best fucking shelf stocker guy ever.
Brand X tells me you stock his shelf quite well.
I still don't get this joke as I never did lawns. There weren't even people in the houses I was working on until I was long gone and the thing passed final inspection.Quote:
Originally Posted by Diff-chan
I would if he let me.Quote:
Originally Posted by Yoshi
This can't be real. It's too stupid to be real.
But if it is stupid enough to be real, then will the trade 3, get $10 extra deal work into it? The fact no one besides this CAG poster knows about it makes it reeeealll suspect.
But I know where I'll be Monday morning at 10am
If it is true, just vote with your dollar and boycott those scum sucking vampires.
I forgot about Nintendo World. Since it seems like half the board lives in NYC, we should all go and be all "^-^// ohayo Chao-kun! Genki desu ka?" But it'll be cold.Quote:
Originally Posted by ChaoofNee
I'll pass.
Hey Joust, in love with me much?
As much fun as live TNL would be, we'd still have to deal with the 3 billion blind Nintendo fanboys also on the line who would drive me fucking crazy to the point of stabbing them to death with my stylus.Quote:
Originally Posted by Finch
Union City, NJ Sales Tax - 3.5%Quote:
Originally Posted by ChaoofNee
New York City Sales Tax - 8.something%
Thanks, but no thanks.
3.5%? That's nothing.
looks like Ill be waiting outside walmart come the morning of November 19th
it's a sunday morning and I'll be waiting outside my local WalmartQuote:
Originally Posted by portnoyd
Yuck, you're right. Super Wal-Mart it is.Quote:
Originally Posted by portnoyd
Sounds to me like everyone wins. Do it!Quote:
Originally Posted by portnoyd
James
Fuck that. I'll pick you up. You live in Jersey, right?Quote:
Originally Posted by Diff-chan
What? All sales tax in NJ is 7 percent. I was going to visit my DE buddies and get one for NO sales tax, but whatever. Not as much DS love down there.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cowdisease
It's actually pretty awesome. Bring a beanbag or inflatable chair.Quote:
Originally Posted by portnoyd
Fine. But the first person to say 'XBOX 360 SUX LOL KEKEKE' (or the real life equivalent) gets a stylus right in the fucking eye.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cowutopia
According to Neo GAF, trading in Madden 07 gets you the 50 dollars needed for the preorder and a free copy of Zelda.
If that's true I'll buy a used copy just to do it with. :lol:
James
I live in an Urban Enterprise Zone. Hence the 3.5%.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cowutopia
Saying that you'll find a used copy of Madden 07 is like saying you'll get around that triple bypass by picking up a used heart.Quote:
Originally Posted by James
Some things are more valuable than money.
Yeah I don't know what they were thinking with that one...only trade ins? I just thought that was the stupidest thing when I first heard about it, even if I'm not pre-ordering. Theres plenty of other places you can pre-order without having to deal with that bogus crap.
So whats the best way to make sure you get one on launch day. Am I going to have to camp out?
Do you feel lucky?Quote:
Originally Posted by avatar
You could preorder, and as long as you are high up on the list, you SHOULD be able to get one at launch. However, you run the risk that Nintendo can't get enough systems out and having a 360-esque shortage, and/or the store having some "You have to buy $100 of shitty accessories" crap.
Or, you can go the camping route, only to find out that five minutes before you got to the local Walmart/Bestbuy/whatever there were 50 people in line and the store only got 50.
Personally, I plan on going to EB and putting down $50 (and ONLY $50) on the preorder, assuming the 50 trade in only thing is bullshit. The week before launch, I will get the guys to check to make sure that I am high enough on the list to get a system at launch, since they should know how many systems they have by then. Keep in mind, if launch is on a Sunday, they SHOULD actually have the systems by Thursday or Friday.
If something happens and I am able to get one from them, I will cancel the preorder, and move the credit to one of the games instead. They won't give you money back, which is why you don't use more than $50. Then, go camping at walmart/Best Buy/whatever.
Honestly though, Nintendo is generally much better at this kind of thing than Sony or Microsoft. I would imagine that it shouldn't be too difficult to get the Wii, preorder or not. If I remember correctly, you could walk in and buy a Gamecube or DS at launch. The original Gameboy Advance was slightly harder, but if one store was sold out the store right next to them had some in stock.
Gamecube I remember being a mix bag. Places were selling out, but you could still find places with them.
GBA I remember selling pretty quickly.
I was walking into DSes on the launch Sunday in 2004, but then it seemed like it disappeared after the inital launch.
For all the "crazy mad sales" the DS Lite has been having I still saw that system everywhere since it came out.
I have some credit between two Gamestops right now, but once I use that credit I'm through with them. I'm sick of their attutide, I'm sick of having used shit thrown in my face, and I'm sick of stupid shit like this (Which I do believe is real because I can see them doing shit like this).
I've hated EB for years, though, so this is nothing new on my part. November 19th camping at Target! Woot!
You live in Union City? Hai2u, I boxed at the shit gym on 9th and Palisades. Wanna meet up, do stuff, and tell TNL about it?Quote:
Originally Posted by Cowdisease
Only if mayhem, explosions, and a police chase are involved.Quote:
Originally Posted by Razor Ramon
I'm sure EB/GS will drop the the values of many higher trade-ins Monday morning.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kano on the Phone
Sorry, I don't own any GTA games. :(Quote:
Originally Posted by Cowdisease
"
chronoso 74 (2:17:40 AM): the ikea and the toys r us and such in elizabeth are in the zone
chronoso 74 (2:17:42 AM): that's nice"
Huh. Might go there instead of just driving up my street to the Ikea here next time I need bookshelves.
That's the best euphamism for ghetto ever.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cowdisease
It's fake guys. Guaranteed.
Not quite. From GoNintendo:Quote:
Originally Posted by DougDaBroadcasta
So the program is real, but they're giving it a 'test run' in the fringes of America first. It seems to be generating a lot of complaints but they also expect a lot of business... so who knows if this gets beyond the trial phase.Quote:
Here’s the deal with the “trade $50 worth of stuff for a pre-order deposit” rumor. This rumor is true…however there is a catch. As of right now, Gamestop is doing a test run of this “offer” in the state of Hawaii and the island of Guam ONLY.All the details you posted last night are correct, but as of right now, this is only going to take place in the aforementioned regions (Hawaii & Guam).
The second call was to Software Etc. #1366 (which is owned by Gamestop) in Honolulu at (808) 947-1164. He gave me the entire set of details (mentioned above) and said that he had received numerous complaints about the programs since it was announced yesterday. He said they expect a large crowd on Monday when the “trade your entire game collection for a Wii/PS3 pre-order” program begins.
Yeah, that does unfair. I guess it doesn't bother me much coz I mostly stay clear of the brand new expensive titles. The games I buy are in the 20$ price range, which they usually buy back for around 15$. I guess it varies locally how cheap they are. Last time I used them, they gave me 205$ for 8 mediocre GC games. I felt that was very fair.Quote:
Originally Posted by Diff-chan
Umm.. they give about $4 or $5 for games that are $20 new here.Quote:
Originally Posted by dakidski
It's fairly hilarious, honestly. Most of the people there really are just that sad.Quote:
Originally Posted by portnoyd
Although, taking out a PSP at the front of the line to see Miyamoto was suicide. According to a friend, they almost killed someone.
Yeah, mediocre GC games would definitely not get you 25 dollars here.
That's what I'm talking about. Sad is definitely the keyword. Although I'd like to wait outside the store for Miyamoto next time he swings by, I don't think I'd be able to take such idiotic bullshit.Quote:
Originally Posted by ChaoofNee
i take it you've been alive for numerous system launches before....correct? apply that....to now! :eep:Quote:
Originally Posted by avatar
But you can LAUGH AT THEM. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by portnoyd
Yeah, but they won't feel bad about it. They'll just think they still are better than me, which they are clearly not, and not stfu all night.Quote:
Originally Posted by ChaoofNee
Yeah, if a TNL line waiting trip was planned, I'd go, but I'd bring a bag of rocks to throw at these people.
I would want to wear an Xbox shirt and bring a PSP along. Fanboys can lick my dirty asshole.
You could have buttsex through a Wii in front of them. You may have to leave after, but it'd be interesting to film.
Sounds like I am guaranteed to pick one up at Best Buy, Circuit City, Walmart, or one of the many other places stocking it.
And if I have to wait a week or two to get it, I'll somehow live a fuller, richer life knowing I didn't preorder it from the same scumbag company that owns both GS and EB.
It seems though that the clause about "not guaranteed on launch day" applies more to PS3 than Wii. Although I suppose they are just trying to cover their asses too.
What's going to make me want to pre-order at a store is the type of warranty they offer on it. Nintendo products have always been reliable for me(exept the NES) but I still don't want my investment to go to waste.
Do they let you trade in multiples?
Because id make it a point to trade in like 200 copies of the shittiest, low value game I could find, like Whacked for the Xbox or madden 2001 for the PS2.
You are making a point alright for having 200 copies of the shittiest, low value game....Quote:
Originally Posted by Wildkat
But then again, I like Odama, Killer 7 and P.N.03.