Wii Preorder Information?

[bobber205]

When do you think the retailers will start taking preorders?

[risc]

You have a release date and an official price, why wouldn't stores be taking pre-orders now?

[Tommyg117]

I was just thinking this. I really want to get one on release day.

[Oblivious]

I haven't asked my local EB Games for a while, but last time I did the employee said they wouldn't be taking preorders until they got an estimate from Nintendo as to the number of consoles they would be receiving on launch. So I assume that is the issue, who knows if they've received estimates now though.

[Sky Blue]

I'm thinking i'll probably bounce round some stores early launch day. I'm sure I can find one.

[GFLPraxis]

I haven't asked my local EB Games for a while, but last time I did the employee said they wouldn't be taking preorders until they got an estimate from Nintendo as to the number of consoles they would be receiving on launch. So I assume that is the issue, who knows if they've received estimates now though.

Bingo, I'm a former employee and friend of the managers and this is what he explained to me.

Microsoft shorthanded then and a lot of customers got mad.

[it5five]

I just called Gamestop and they said they will most likely be taking pre-orders the end of this month or the beginning of October.

[coal]

http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?category=&products_id=6998&

I think this retailer was one of the first, but I have no personal experience with them. If you can't wait though, it's worth a look.

[coal]

Also, this site is a good bookmark for the coming months:

http://www.nintendowiipreorders.com/

[Jovian9]

EB Games/Gamestop stated that no pre-orders will be taken most likely until early October when they get an estimate on how many they will be receiving.

[strubwii]

I went to my local EBgames today and this is what was told to me. I asked if they had started preorders for the Wii...and for a change I got a different answer. The manager said that they were doing something different with the Wii preorders but he couldn't tell me....just yet. I asked if they were asking for more money upfront, he said no. I asked if there were bundles for it, and he said no. He said to check in the next couple of weeks, and/or the beginning of October, and that they would be doing what they're doing for only one week. I don't know what he means, and that's all he could say. Weird.

[Convoy]

http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=107954


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.

[gloss]

Aaaand the corporate psychosis sets in.

[MacRumorUser]

Convoy - Very strange one - Gamestop not accepting cash :confused:

I suppose the - we will guarantee you **** but not for christmas / launch is just protection after the dire happenings of the 360 launch, with people who pre-ordered weeks if not months in advance, still did not get their 360....

Has Sony set up a pre-ordering scheme? It was rumored that they would insist stores take a deposit of $150 in order to stop hawkers buying more than one system. Dont see how that would quite work in practice, but in principal it's ok... :)

[Dagless]

My local GAME have just ran out of the first stock of pre-orders, allegedly. I think they're keeping some back for people who didn't place pre-orders, the impulse buyers? I mean I'm getting mine online but I'm just curious to see how my mates are going to buy a Wii.

[MacRumorUser]

did they say how many they expect to get in Jimmi ?

I'm going the Lik-Sang route (even though I know i'll end up having to pay customs duty) so I can get a USA machine.

[gloss]

Yeah, I'm going the Amazon route. I can't imagine how icky the retail situation's going to be over the 17th-19th weekend between the PS3 and the Wii. Not going near it.

[Convoy]

If memory serves, the Gamecube was pretty easy to find on launch; you just showed up at a BB, CC, or TRU an hour before open and you got one. The Wii launch is pretty sticky for me because I need 2. One for myself and one for my 9 year-old niece. She got a Gamecube at 6 and has been hooked oin gaming ever since. She's inherited my white DS Lite, XBox, and PS2 over the past 10 months, too. :)

I know most people frown on bundling, but after my experience with the 360 last year, as soon as Gamestop or EB put up bundles, I'm buying one. Or two, if I can.

[gloss]

If memory serves, the Gamecube was pretty easy to find on launch; you just showed up at a BB, CC, or TRU an hour before open and you got one.

Honestly, I don't know how the supply situation was for the Cube when it came out, but all signs (at least, if the sensationalist media are to be believed) point to a pretty serious undersupply of next-gen systems during the Christmas season. Definitely for the PS3 (if the X360 launch serves as precedent), and possibly for the Wii, especially if the wider appeal of the console translates to greater sales outside of the usual hardcore gamer crowd, which it very well may. I haven't bought a console since the Dreamcast, and I'm psyched for November.

[MacRumorUser]

Both the Gamecube, Gameboy Advance & SP, DS & DS lite never had a supply problem here. Simply walked into shops without pre-ordering and picked them up.

4 million Wii's before the end of December, chances are we should not have a supply issue (except maybe in Japan where Nintendo & DS sell like hot cakes).

[Tommyg117]

I hope that I can just walk in a get one. I want to preorder somewhere but if gamestop is going to make me trade 50 bucks worth of games, there's no way in hell I'm gonna do it.

[Convoy]

Honestly, I don't know how the supply situation was for the Cube when it came out, but all signs (at least, if the sensationalist media are to be believed) point to a pretty serious undersupply of next-gen systems during the Christmas season.

I found this at gamecubicle.com:


Citing reliable retail sources, IGN confirmed "Americans will receive some 1.1 million consoles during the month of November." The well respected site continued, "Note that this does not mean 1.1 million GameCubes will be available for launch, but rather over the course of the entire month of November." At the same time, GameSpot announced, "Nintendo to ship 1.1 million GameCube units at launch" - contradicting GameSpot Japan's earlier report.


So 1.1 million during November. According to Wikipedia, 500K of the original DS shipped on launch. I found a nice-sized stack on Black Friday at a Toys R Us and a Sears. So I think you'll be safe if you want a Wii. Just show up an hour or so early. I think a million systems at launch is a "sweet spot."

What's of equal importance is how quickly the supply chain gets refreshed. If there were regular shipments of the 360 after launch, things would have been much better.

Definitely for the PS3 (if the X360 launch serves as precedent), and possibly for the Wii, especially if the wider appeal of the console translates to greater sales outside of the usual hardcore gamer crowd, which it very well may. I haven't bought a console since the Dreamcast, and I'm psyched for November.

Both the PS3 and Wii will sell out on their launch days. But you'll have a greater chance of finding a Wii leading up to the holiday season than the PS3.

[harveypooka]

When do you think the retailers will start taking preorders?

Soon! Make it soon! I can't wait for release. Now only if Gears of War came to the Wii...

Bobber, your best post link is quality!

[bobber205]

Honestly, I don't know how the supply situation was for the Cube when it came out, but all signs (at least, if the sensationalist media are to be believed) point to a pretty serious undersupply of next-gen systems during the Christmas season. Definitely for the PS3 (if the X360 launch serves as precedent), and possibly for the Wii, especially if the wider appeal of the console translates to greater sales outside of the usual hardcore gamer crowd, which it very well may. I haven't bought a console since the Dreamcast, and I'm psyched for November.

That's a good point. But I don't think it'll be all the grandmas and older parents buying it. It'll be gamers. The Wii should be successful down the long road with a large spectrum of people, just not right off.

[MacRumorUser]

That's a good point. But I don't think it'll be all the grandmas and older parents buying it. It'll be gamers. The Wii should be successful down the long road with a large spectrum of people, just not right off.

I agree, initally it will be only gamers buying it. It's when non gamers see the wii being played by others that they may be tempted to try it and buy it. But like the DS that will be down the line...

[gloss]

That's a good point. But I don't think it'll be all the grandmas and older parents buying it. It'll be gamers. The Wii should be successful down the long road with a large spectrum of people, just not right off.

I agree, initally it will be only gamers buying it. It's when non gamers see the wii being played by others that they may be tempted to try it and buy it. But like the DS that will be down the line...

You're both probably correct. Then again, Nintendo might also be bringing more disenchanted folks like me out of the woodwork. I swore off consoles after the Dreamcast, but the backwards compatibility and genuine innovation Nintendo's demonstrating with the Wii (and the DS, which I picked up after 15 years of trashtalking handhelds) is just too much to resist.

[jdechko]

I agree, initally it will be only gamers buying it. It's when non gamers see the wii being played by others that they may be tempted to try it and buy it. But like the DS that will be down the line...

True. I think, at least in the US, the Hardcore gamers/Fanboys/whatever will be the ones picking up the first shipment.... this is people who can afford to buy the Wii themselves. Hopefully the next shipment shows up at stores a few days (or a week) later just in time for the start of the holiday shopping season. I think it's a smart idea because it gets those who want a system right now out of the way. Then mommy and daddy can go to the store the next weekend (with the next lot of systems) and pick one up for Johnny for Christmas.

[zero2dash]

After deciding to purchase a Wii anyway over the weekend (despite being disgruntled about the 'higher than expected' price), I will be sitting inside a 24 hr Walmart the night before to buy one at midnight, just like I did on the day before launch of the Gamecube. I was there at 5pm and was #3 in line. They actually ended up having 25 of each color (black and indigo) and people who got there at 11:45 even got one. I plan on doing the same thing this time around...with my DS and some magazines to make the time pass.

I never have preordered a console or a game, and considering what happened with the butchery of 360 preorders at every 'popular' retail game store - I never will preorder a console. I don't care what they tell me...they screwed up horrendously on the 360 and screwed a lot of people over and for that - I'll wait in line and walk out with one 7 hours later, thank you. :D

[jdechko]

I never have preordered a console or a game, and considering what happened with the butchery of 360 preorders at every 'popular' retail game store - I never will preorder a console. I don't care what they tell me...they screwed up horrendously on the 360 and screwed a lot of people over and for that - I'll wait in line and walk out with one 7 hours later, thank you. :D

It'll be just your luck that you'll be the first in line, but they'll only have enough to fulfill only the preorders. ;) I seriously hope not.. wouldn't wish it on anyone. I'll either be there in line waiting for one, or have one reserved for me.

(I'm hoping to get a temporary part-time job at Best Buy through the holidays to make some extra cash and get a discount on the Wii, so if I have an opportunity to work the Wii launch, I'll probably take it.)