Are game shops FORCING people into pre-orders?

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WillieBeamish

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#1 WillieBeamish
Member since 2008 • 1289 Posts

I just called my 6th Gamestop/EBGames in my area (Ottawa) and EVERY SINGLE ONE has told me that they sold out of Fable II on launch day.

Ok, this seems a little suspicious to me. I got the whole "you better pre-order whatever you want between now and Christmas because otherwise you aren't going to get it" line. I just don't believe this.

I think that these shops are intentionally only purchasing pre-orders to punish walk-ins for not giving them $5 up front.

Game discs aren't a limited resource. Companies can pump out as many as they want. It makes no sense that every EBGames manager in a 10 mile radius of me is so inept as to forecast game sales, and as such make a legitimate decision as to how many copies to order.

Anyone else agree that these specialty retailers are screwing people over?

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ONLYDOD

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#2 ONLYDOD
Member since 2006 • 6026 Posts
Yeah, sounds like you should have pre ordered. Then you wouldn't be here complaining.
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Franko_3

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#3 Franko_3
Member since 2003 • 5729 Posts
How are they screwing you exactly? You will have your 5$ off once you buy your copy.
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Verge_6

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#4 Verge_6
Member since 2007 • 20282 Posts
Let an ex-Gamestop employee tell you something. Even if we had, say, TEN copies of a game on launch-day, and there were only eight pre-orders for it, we'd still tell you we were sold out.
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Legendaryscmt

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#5 Legendaryscmt
Member since 2005 • 12532 Posts
That's why I just go to a Best Buy or something. They always have games like that on launch day in the masses.
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WillieBeamish

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#6 WillieBeamish
Member since 2008 • 1289 Posts

Let an ex-Gamestop employee tell you something. Even if we had, say, TEN copies of a game on launch-day, and there were only eight pre-orders for it, we'd still tell you we were sold out.Verge_6

but this is the day after launch.. I want the game and if some idiot doesn't pick up his pre-order, thats his fault. Cash talks.. I can't believe EB are so backwards.

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WillieBeamish

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#7 WillieBeamish
Member since 2008 • 1289 Posts

That's why I just go to a Best Buy or something. They always have games like that on launch day in the masses.Legendaryscmt

ahh good idea! let me call them up

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Verge_6

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#8 Verge_6
Member since 2007 • 20282 Posts

That's why I just go to a Best Buy or something. They always have games like that on launch day in the masses.Legendaryscmt

I do just that. I never preorder a game that has sub-Halo 3 hype. Sure, the mall Gamestop may be "sold out" (cough cough), but I can just go literally next door to Best Buy and get the game I wanted easily.

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Verge_6

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#9 Verge_6
Member since 2007 • 20282 Posts

[QUOTE="Verge_6"]Let an ex-Gamestop employee tell you something. Even if we had, say, TEN copies of a game on launch-day, and there were only eight pre-orders for it, we'd still tell you we were sold out.WillieBeamish

but this is the day after launch.. I want the game and if some idiot doesn't pick up his pre-order, thats his fault. Cash talks.. I can't believe EB are so backwards.

Welcome to retail, where management is so out of touch with reality, they may as well have lived in a bunger for last two decades.

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buuzer0

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#10 buuzer0
Member since 2005 • 3792 Posts
I rarely if EVER buy games at game shops like this. Their whole preorder nonsense is obnoxious. I'd rather buy from a big dept store, which is guaranteed to have whatever new game disc you need in stock on launch day 99.9% of the time, especially when it's a big title.
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WillieBeamish

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#11 WillieBeamish
Member since 2008 • 1289 Posts

Yup best buy has it in stock! I'm going there after work. I don't think I'll walk into another EBGames again. Those shops are filled with uber geeks anyway, and the sales people are generally unhelpful, unknowledgeable, or flat-out liars it seems.

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FirstDiscovery

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#12 FirstDiscovery
Member since 2008 • 5508 Posts
This wouldnt be happening if games were selling...
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haris12121212

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#13 haris12121212
Member since 2004 • 7560 Posts
Game Stores won't have it of course, but other stores like Best Buy, Wal-mart, Future shop, most of the times habe it.
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haris12121212

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#14 haris12121212
Member since 2004 • 7560 Posts
Game Stores won't have it of course, but other stores like Best Buy, Wal-mart, Future shop, most of the times habe it.
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WillieBeamish

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#15 WillieBeamish
Member since 2008 • 1289 Posts
EBgames has a horrible business model. They are the snake oil salesmen of the game industry. $10 for a warranty on a $60 game disc? Pre-order to get your game on time? Give me a break! Full electronic distribution to consoles can't come quick enough.
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Cloud_Insurance

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#16 Cloud_Insurance
Member since 2008 • 3279 Posts

GS/EB succeed by operating on a very small margin. One way to keep costs down is to only order the number of copies for a game that they are guaranteed (or at least likely) to sell. So what do they do? No matter how big a game is, when it first releases, they only order enough to fill preorders and maybe a couple extra.

Then, when the game releases, they are able to satisfy those who preordered it. When walk-ins come in on release day or the day after GS/EB lets it be known that they are sold out. This does a couple of things. For one, it makes it seem like the game is really good and in high demand. It also encourages walk-ins to preorder their games in the future so they are sure to get them. This is what GS/EB wants.

Oh and GS/EB also always get a second shipment of new releases later on in the week. So when you show up on release day and they don't have it, they'll tell you to come back on the weekend. Again, this is what they want: to increase the number of times you visit the store, it increases the chance that you'll buy something.

If you live in an area with a ton of electronics retail stores, going to EB/GS is a total waste of your time, unless you want some exclusive stuff that only they offer. Otherwise you can always always always find copies of any game at stores like Best Buy or Circuit City. These stores only sell out about a week or two after release, when the public catches on to how good the game is or if they didn't get many copies of niche titles.

Plus, stores like Best Buy often sell new games at a sale price, because they can afford to do that. GS/EB can't, thats why they pretty much never have sale prices on new games (except when they are clearing out excess copies, like Condemned 2 for example).

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heretrix

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#17 heretrix
Member since 2004 • 37881 Posts
Go somewhere else. There are other places that sell games you know.
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carljohnson3456

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#18 carljohnson3456
Member since 2007 • 12489 Posts

Go to Wal-Mart dude, Gamestop's preorder thing is a joke. They get like 10 copies of a game on launch day and then act like it's your fault that they dont have more games to sell because you didnt preorder.

Wal-Mart never sells out. If GTAIV couldnt sell out at Wal-Mart, nothing can.

Speaking of, I never realized how lucky I was to get MGS4 from Gamestop the day it was released without preordering... lol.

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loco145

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#19 loco145
Member since 2006 • 12226 Posts
Yeah, they are.
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bri360

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#20 bri360
Member since 2005 • 2755 Posts

I just called my 6th Gamestop/EBGames in my area (Ottawa) and EVERY SINGLE ONE has told me that they sold out of Fable II on launch day.

Ok, this seems a little suspicious to me. I got the whole "you better pre-order whatever you want between now and Christmas because otherwise you aren't going to get it" line. I just don't believe this.

I think that these shops are intentionally only purchasing pre-orders to punish walk-ins for not giving them $5 up front.

Game discs aren't a limited resource. Companies can pump out as many as they want. It makes no sense that every EBGames manager in a 10 mile radius of me is so inept as to forecast game sales, and as such make a legitimate decision as to how many copies to order.

Anyone else agree that these specialty retailers are screwing people over?

WillieBeamish

I dont go to Eb/gamestop anymore. They never have any new games they are always sold out and it takes them so long to get new shipments in. I once pre-ordered a network adapter for 360 from them and they said it would take a week to get it in. Well after calling a month later they just said it will be in soon. Soooo I walk buy futureshop and they have a rack of like 50 of them. I buy it and forget about the eb one, almost a year later they call me and tell me its come in lmao, i already forgot about it. Also they have both tried to screw me over on numerous occasions trying to pass off used games as new etc.... I would suggest going to stores like Best Buy/Futureshop and HMV becasue they almost always have lost of copy's of everything even new games like fable 2. and if they dont they get new shipments quickly so you never need to preorder.

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WillieBeamish

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#21 WillieBeamish
Member since 2008 • 1289 Posts

GS/EB succeed by operating on a very small margin. One way to keep costs down is to only order the number of copies for a game that they are guaranteed (or at least likely) to sell. So what do they do? No matter how big a game is, when it first releases, they only order enough to fill preorders and maybe a couple extra.

Then, when the game releases, they are able to satisfy those who preordered it. When walk-ins come in on release day or the day after GS/EB lets it be known that they are sold out. This does a couple of things. For one, it makes it seem like the game is really good and in high demand. It also encourages walk-ins to preorder their games in the future so they are sure to get them. This is what GS/EB wants.

Oh and GS/EB also always get a second shipment of new releases later on in the week. So when you show up on release day and they don't have it, they'll tell you to come back on the weekend. Again, this is what they want: to increase the number of times you visit the store, it increases the chance that you'll buy something.

If you live in an area with a ton of electronics retail stores, going to EB/GS is a total waste of your time, unless you want some exclusive stuff that only they offer. Otherwise you can always always always find copies of any game at stores like Best Buy or Circuit City. These stores only sell out about a week or two after release, when the public catches on to how good the game is or if they didn't get many copies of niche titles.

Plus, stores like Best Buy often sell new games at a sale price, because they can afford to do that. GS/EB can't, thats why they pretty much never have sale prices on new games (except when they are clearing out excess copies, like Condemned 2 for example).

Cloud_Insurance

I realize and agree with most of what you say. I disagree with the razor thin margins though. Used game sales are their bread and butter and they make a KILLING on those mark-ups.

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Mike1234234

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#22 Mike1234234
Member since 2004 • 2004 Posts
The guy at my EBGames has six Sonic tattoos.
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deactivated-61010a1ed19f4

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#23 deactivated-61010a1ed19f4
Member since 2007 • 3235 Posts
At our shop, we take preorders untill a week before release, then we order enough to last us the friday, sat , sunday, and if they are all gone we order again on the monday.
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MyopicCanadian

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#24 MyopicCanadian
Member since 2004 • 8345 Posts

I just called my 6th Gamestop/EBGames in my area (Ottawa) and EVERY SINGLE ONE has told me that they sold out of Fable II on launch day.

Ok, this seems a little suspicious to me. I got the whole "you better pre-order whatever you want between now and Christmas because otherwise you aren't going to get it" line. I just don't believe this.

I think that these shops are intentionally only purchasing pre-orders to punish walk-ins for not giving them $5 up front.

Game discs aren't a limited resource. Companies can pump out as many as they want. It makes no sense that every EBGames manager in a 10 mile radius of me is so inept as to forecast game sales, and as such make a legitimate decision as to how many copies to order.

Anyone else agree that these specialty retailers are screwing people over?

WillieBeamish

Yes, they specifically buy only enough copies for pre-orders, with some extra copies. But Gamestop and EB are terrible. Just go to Best Buy or Future Shop on launch day for any major game and they'll have a shelf full of copies :) I stopped going to EB after they kept trying to push pre-orders down my throat. That, and Future Shop is so conveniently on the way home from work!

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WillieBeamish

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#25 WillieBeamish
Member since 2008 • 1289 Posts
The guy at my EBGames has six Sonic tattoos.Mike1234234
Epic fail confirmed!
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Verge_6

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#26 Verge_6
Member since 2007 • 20282 Posts
[QUOTE="WillieBeamish"]

I just called my 6th Gamestop/EBGames in my area (Ottawa) and EVERY SINGLE ONE has told me that they sold out of Fable II on launch day.

Ok, this seems a little suspicious to me. I got the whole "you better pre-order whatever you want between now and Christmas because otherwise you aren't going to get it" line. I just don't believe this.

I think that these shops are intentionally only purchasing pre-orders to punish walk-ins for not giving them $5 up front.

Game discs aren't a limited resource. Companies can pump out as many as they want. It makes no sense that every EBGames manager in a 10 mile radius of me is so inept as to forecast game sales, and as such make a legitimate decision as to how many copies to order.

Anyone else agree that these specialty retailers are screwing people over?

MyopicCanadian

Yes, they specifically buy only enough copies for pre-orders, with some extra copies. But Gamestop and EB are terrible. Just go to Best Buy or Future Shop on launch day for any major game and they'll have a shelf full of copies :) I stopped going to EB after they kept trying to push pre-orders down my throat. That, and Future Shop is so conveniently on the way home from work!

We had extra copies, but we had to pretend they never existed until a week or so after launch-day. Really pained me to disappoint some little kid by telling him we were out of Super Mario Galaxy, when I had about six copies in the back.

There's a reason we tried to cram pre-orders down your throat. We had a quata to meet, and if we didn't meet that quota...bad things happened.

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nuge004

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#27 nuge004
Member since 2006 • 851 Posts
[QUOTE="MyopicCanadian"][QUOTE="WillieBeamish"]

I just called my 6th Gamestop/EBGames in my area (Ottawa) and EVERY SINGLE ONE has told me that they sold out of Fable II on launch day.

Ok, this seems a little suspicious to me. I got the whole "you better pre-order whatever you want between now and Christmas because otherwise you aren't going to get it" line. I just don't believe this.

I think that these shops are intentionally only purchasing pre-orders to punish walk-ins for not giving them $5 up front.

Game discs aren't a limited resource. Companies can pump out as many as they want. It makes no sense that every EBGames manager in a 10 mile radius of me is so inept as to forecast game sales, and as such make a legitimate decision as to how many copies to order.

Anyone else agree that these specialty retailers are screwing people over?

Verge_6

Yes, they specifically buy only enough copies for pre-orders, with some extra copies. But Gamestop and EB are terrible. Just go to Best Buy or Future Shop on launch day for any major game and they'll have a shelf full of copies :) I stopped going to EB after they kept trying to push pre-orders down my throat. That, and Future Shop is so conveniently on the way home from work!

We had extra copies, but we had to pretend they never existed until a week or so after launch-day. Really pained me to disappoint some little kid by telling him we were out of Super Mario Galaxy, when I had about six copies in the back.

There's a reason we tried to cram pre-orders down your throat. We had a quata to meet, and if we didn't meet that quota...bad things happened.

Breaking little children's hearts across America:(

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WillieBeamish

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#28 WillieBeamish
Member since 2008 • 1289 Posts

We had extra copies, but we had to pretend they never existed until a week or so after launch-day. Really pained me to disappoint some little kid by telling him we were out of Super Mario Galaxy, when I had about six copies in the back.

There's a reason we tried to cram pre-orders down your throat. We had a quata to meet, and if we didn't meet that quota...bad things happened.

Verge_6

Its like the thing is, telling someone you don't have the game isn't going to make me want to pre-order a game in the future. All its going to do is shift where I do my shopping. People who want instant gaming gratification aren't going to waste their time going to a game shop in advance to make a pre-order for a game they won't see in a month. Those types of people just order online and have the game sent straight to their house.

If EBGames wants to attract people they need to throw a real incentive into the mix. Have launch parties that include only people who pre-order. DO something fun at the launch parties like throw the game up on a big screen TV or projector.. have like cosplay contests or whatnot, I don't know, be creative.. But don't take the tacky, unimaginative used car salesman approach because #1 it brings the industry down and games will always have some kind of tacky stigma attached to them, and #2 it pisses off your customers.

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Verge_6

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#29 Verge_6
Member since 2007 • 20282 Posts
[QUOTE="Verge_6"]

We had extra copies, but we had to pretend they never existed until a week or so after launch-day. Really pained me to disappoint some little kid by telling him we were out of Super Mario Galaxy, when I had about six copies in the back.

There's a reason we tried to cram pre-orders down your throat. We had a quata to meet, and if we didn't meet that quota...bad things happened.

WillieBeamish

Its like the thing is, telling someone you don't have the game isn't going to make me want to pre-order a game in the future. All its going to do is shift where I do my shopping. People who want instant gaming gratification aren't going to waste their time going to a game shop in advance to make a pre-order for a game they won't see in a month. Those types of people just order online and have the game sent straight to their house.

If EBGames wants to attract people they need to throw a real incentive into the mix. Have launch parties that include only people who pre-order. DO something fun at the launch parties like throw the game up on a big screen TV or projector.. have like cosplay contests or whatnot, I don't know, be creative.. But don't take the tacky, unimaginative used car salesman approach because #1 it brings the industry down and games will always have some kind of tacky stigma attached to them, and #2 it pisses off your customers.

Like I said, retail management is often incredibly out of touch with reality. If I ever have a small, local business that I own turn into a huge corporate powerhouse, I'm going to find out at what point I or the management below me, start to forget what the public really wants. Then, I'll write a book about that point, and try to find a way of preventing it, if that is possible.

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mr_mozilla

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#30 mr_mozilla
Member since 2006 • 2381 Posts
People still actually go into stores to buy games? I can't remember the last time I did that, I'll just order them online and few days later it drops in my mailbox, no game this far has been so important that I couldn't wait for few days. And online you almost always find better offers than by walking in a store.
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HarlockJC

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#31 HarlockJC
Member since 2006 • 25546 Posts

if you are going to buy a game no matter what why not prepay to make sure you get it......Just left Gamespot with the new DDR which I pre paid for

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Verge_6

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#32 Verge_6
Member since 2007 • 20282 Posts

if you are going to buy a game no matter what why not prepay to make sure you get it......Just left Gamespot with the new DDR which I pre paid for

HarlockJC

Because you can most likely get the game you pre-ordered Gamestop at Wal-Mart, Best Buy, etc. easily without having to cough up the extra $5-$10.

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waynehead895

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#33 waynehead895
Member since 2005 • 18660 Posts
Do what I do. If Gamestop doesn't have it. Surely Target, Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Circuit City, or Toys R Us would have it.
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#34 AdobeArtist  Moderator
Member since 2006 • 25184 Posts

They're not so much "forcing" you into pre-orders, but definitely employing dirty salesman tactics to get you to pre-order. This whole game shortage story is total BeeEss! I can remember picking up Halo 2 on DAY 1 (right after the midnight madness) without any problem. And that was at an EB Games.

Maybe things are done differently here in Canada, where the "order by small margines above pre-oders" isn't applicable, who knows? But it's a sure thing you can always find alternatives to EB Games. I actually don't buy at EB anymore, there are plenty of Best Buys and Futureshops for me to go to to get my games, plus a couple of independant specialty stores to get em used.

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#35 epic_pets
Member since 2008 • 5598 Posts
I pre-order so things like that won't happen.I went to gamestop to pre order fable 2 and it was out so I went to gamecrazy and it was there.
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Puckhog04

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#36 Puckhog04
Member since 2003 • 22814 Posts

Only way you're guaranteed a copy is by reserving. The companies that distribute the games look at the reservations of all the stores and give either the exact amount reserved or a bit extra based on the amount that other stores in the area have reserved of said game.

I'd just recommend pre-ordering. You can pay it off (you're going to end up paying it anyway) or just put down $5. It's not difficult. Then you're guaranteed a game on launch day.

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Javy03

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#37 Javy03
Member since 2006 • 6886 Posts

Gamestop's determine how many copies of a game to purchase for their particular store based off of pre orders. That ensure's that they dont have way too many new copies of a game nobody in that area is interested in. If it really bothers you go to Best Buy or Circuit City, they always buy in bulk.

Now people need to look up the definition of "Forcing" because buying quantity based on preorders is not "FORCING". Its called smart buisness for them.

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SecretPolice

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#38 SecretPolice
Member since 2007 • 45558 Posts

They are lying to you I mean, how in the world would such a flop sell so many copies in such a short time ? :P

Seriously, you are not forced to buy but if you want a game on day one it's just prudent to reserve a copy is all.

PS: Picked up my pre-ordered copy yesterday and because of circumstances, was not even able to play one minute of the game. :cry:

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HarlockJC

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#39 HarlockJC
Member since 2006 • 25546 Posts
[QUOTE="HarlockJC"]

if you are going to buy a game no matter what why not prepay to make sure you get it......Just left Gamespot with the new DDR which I pre paid for

Verge_6

Because you can most likely get the game you pre-ordered Gamestop at Wal-Mart, Best Buy, etc. easily without having to cough up the extra $5-$10.

Is the game cheaper or something at Wal-mart?

Because why would I want to go into a huge supermarket and wait in line. When I can just walk into a store and say can I have my preorder and be out.

It's not like your losing your $5 it goes towards the game you want.

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Javy03

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#40 Javy03
Member since 2006 • 6886 Posts

They're not so much "forcing" you into pre-orders, but definitely employing dirty salesman tactics to get you to pre-order. This whole game shortage story is total BeeEss! I can remember picking up Halo 2 on DAY 1 (right after the midnight madness) without any problem. And that was at an EB Games.

Maybe things are done differently here in Canada, where the "order by small margines above pre-oders" isn't applicable, who knows? But it's a sure thing you can always find alternatives to EB Games. I actually don't buy at EB anymore, there are plenty of Best Buys and Futureshops for me to go to to get my games, plus a couple of independant specialty stores to get em used.

AdobeArtist

Games like Halo, GTA, MGS, FF, are well known HUGE games and most Gamestops play it safe and order a ton, more then enough for walk ins. Most other games arent so lucky, Fable sold ok at best last gen. and is not something that would get the same Halo treatment. Most games dont get the Halo treatment.

My Gamestop in NA does it that way, smaller games might be harder to just walk in and pick up if you wait to long. Bigger games are a guarantee.

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UnnDunn

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#41 UnnDunn
Member since 2002 • 3981 Posts

I just called my 6th Gamestop/EBGames in my area (Ottawa) and EVERY SINGLE ONE has told me that they sold out of Fable II on launch day.

Ok, this seems a little suspicious to me. I got the whole "you better pre-order whatever you want between now and Christmas because otherwise you aren't going to get it" line. I just don't believe this.

I think that these shops are intentionally only purchasing pre-orders to punish walk-ins for not giving them $5 up front.

Game discs aren't a limited resource. Companies can pump out as many as they want. It makes no sense that every EBGames manager in a 10 mile radius of me is so inept as to forecast game sales, and as such make a legitimate decision as to how many copies to order.

Anyone else agree that these specialty retailers are screwing people over?

WillieBeamish

Your problem is you went to GameStop (or EBGames which is the same thing). GameStop's SOP is to only carry just enough inventory to satisfy preorders and about a day's worth of sales, and no more. GameStop carries as little new game inventory as possible, devoting the large portion of its inventory to used games.

Solution: don't go to GameStop. Instead, go to Best Buy or Sears or Wal-mart. Better yet, find a small independent game store and support that.

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#42 StreetRodJack
Member since 2007 • 79 Posts
I go to the Sears in the same mall as EB games. I bought both Halo 3 and GTA IV on launch day after EB games told me they were sold out. I don't think most people would think of going to Sears for games.
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MyopicCanadian

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#43 MyopicCanadian
Member since 2004 • 8345 Posts
[QUOTE="Verge_6"][QUOTE="HarlockJC"]

if you are going to buy a game no matter what why not prepay to make sure you get it......Just left Gamespot with the new DDR which I pre paid for

HarlockJC

Because you can most likely get the game you pre-ordered Gamestop at Wal-Mart, Best Buy, etc. easily without having to cough up the extra $5-$10.

Is the game cheaper or something at Wal-mart?

Because why would I want to go into a huge supermarket and wait in line. When I can just walk into a store and say can I have my preorder and be out.

It's not like your losing your $5 it goes towards the game you want.

That's interesting, because I have always spent much more time waiting in line at EB Games than Wal-Mart, Best Buy, or Future Shop. Wal-Mart has a separate cashier or two for the media section, so you don't have to wait in the main line-ups.

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UnnDunn

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#44 UnnDunn
Member since 2002 • 3981 Posts

That's interesting, because I have always spent much more time waiting in line at EB Games than Wal-Mart, Best Buy, or Future Shop. Wal-Mart has a separate cashier or two for the media section, so you don't have to wait in the main line-ups.

MyopicCanadian
The small local game store around the corner from my house NEVER has lines and is NEVER sold out of new games on launch day.
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HuusAsking

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#45 HuusAsking
Member since 2006 • 15270 Posts

[QUOTE="HarlockJC"][QUOTE="Verge_6"][QUOTE="HarlockJC"]

if you are going to buy a game no matter what why not prepay to make sure you get it......Just left Gamespot with the new DDR which I pre paid for

MyopicCanadian

Because you can most likely get the game you pre-ordered Gamestop at Wal-Mart, Best Buy, etc. easily without having to cough up the extra $5-$10.

Is the game cheaper or something at Wal-mart?

Because why would I want to go into a huge supermarket and wait in line. When I can just walk into a store and say can I have my preorder and be out.

It's not like your losing your $5 it goes towards the game you want.

That's interesting, because I have always spent much more time waiting in line at EB Games than Wal-Mart, Best Buy, or Future Shop. Wal-Mart has a separate cashier or two for the media section, so you don't have to wait in the main line-ups.

Plus there's always the self-checkouts at Wal-Marts.

But the point is taken, what's the disadvantage of preordering? It's not like you're paying extra for it--your preorder payment goes towards the game, meaning less to pay on pickup. Even most big-boxers charge the full price (give or take a penny) on launch day for maximum margin.

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#46 BobHipJames
Member since 2007 • 3126 Posts

I just called my 6th Gamestop/EBGames in my area (Ottawa) and EVERY SINGLE ONE has told me that they sold out of Fable II on launch day.

Ok, this seems a little suspicious to me. I got the whole "you better pre-order whatever you want between now and Christmas because otherwise you aren't going to get it" line. I just don't believe this.

I think that these shops are intentionally only purchasing pre-orders to punish walk-ins for not giving them $5 up front.

Game discs aren't a limited resource. Companies can pump out as many as they want. It makes no sense that every EBGames manager in a 10 mile radius of me is so inept as to forecast game sales, and as such make a legitimate decision as to how many copies to order.

Anyone else agree that these specialty retailers are screwing people over?

WillieBeamish

No, we want you to preorder so you don't come in and complain after the game comes out. That's the only reason clerks give you a hard time.

I've talked to fellow employees and they tell me candidly that they enjoy telling people the day after the game comes out and they wander into the store looking for it that they should have preordered it.

It's called the school of hard knocks. You can either join in or listen to the clerk.

Fact of the matter is that manufacturers create their allocation to a retailer based on preorders. After a point, they meet their allocation and have to change that. Sure, discs are a renewable resource, but you have to wait for the next shipment. Christmas is a difficult time for retailers to stay stocked. During summer, we have boatloads of software.

But, yeah, we're given hours based on how many preorders we sell and my boss bothers my constantly about not harassing people enough. I try to hold back, I really do. I don't like bothering people about it. If you want it, cool. If you don't, cool. Don't you dare complain when you walk into the store after the day it releases.

If you really want a deal, try preordering via Steam. They let you load it onto your PC the day you purchase it and activate it once it releases, plus they actually have $5 off deals pretty frequently for pre-order customers. And you'll be able to purchase it at any time, not having to wait for a physical copy to arrive at your favorite retailer.

Fact is, manufacturers are fickle and stop making product they don't think people want any more. When's the last time you say a brand new copy of Fable 1 in a game store?

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#47 Verge_6
Member since 2007 • 20282 Posts
[QUOTE="Verge_6"][QUOTE="HarlockJC"]

if you are going to buy a game no matter what why not prepay to make sure you get it......Just left Gamespot with the new DDR which I pre paid for

HarlockJC

Because you can most likely get the game you pre-ordered Gamestop at Wal-Mart, Best Buy, etc. easily without having to cough up the extra $5-$10.

Is the game cheaper or something at Wal-mart?

Because why would I want to go into a huge supermarket and wait in line. When I can just walk into a store and say can I have my preorder and be out.

It's not like your losing your $5 it goes towards the game you want.

I haven't had to wait in line for more than a couple of minutes in a supermarket in...years, I think. :?

No, you aren't really losing the money you pay forward, but there have been times where someone made a shipping error and we wound up not getting as many copies as we did preorders, and this happened more often than you'd think (at my store, anyways). The people who had payed the in-advance $5 for their copy had to wait another week for the next shipment.

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#48 BobHipJames
Member since 2007 • 3126 Posts

[QUOTE="MyopicCanadian"][QUOTE="HarlockJC"][QUOTE="Verge_6"][QUOTE="HarlockJC"]

if you are going to buy a game no matter what why not prepay to make sure you get it......Just left Gamespot with the new DDR which I pre paid for

HuusAsking

Because you can most likely get the game you pre-ordered Gamestop at Wal-Mart, Best Buy, etc. easily without having to cough up the extra $5-$10.

Is the game cheaper or something at Wal-mart?

Because why would I want to go into a huge supermarket and wait in line. When I can just walk into a store and say can I have my preorder and be out.

It's not like your losing your $5 it goes towards the game you want.

That's interesting, because I have always spent much more time waiting in line at EB Games than Wal-Mart, Best Buy, or Future Shop. Wal-Mart has a separate cashier or two for the media section, so you don't have to wait in the main line-ups.

Plus there's always the self-checkouts at Wal-Marts.

But the point is taken, what's the disadvantage of preordering? It's not like you're paying extra for it--your preorder payment goes towards the game, meaning less to pay on pickup. Even most big-boxers charge the full price (give or take a penny) on launch day for maximum margin.

There isn't any disadvantage to preordering. People just like to complain about people selling stuff to them. Preordering isn't a product. It's a service to the consumer and it's a huge bonus to the producers, the developers, the manufacturers, and the shipping industry.

Everyone likes preorders and that's why you should stop complaining about it.

And Gamestop should stop shoving them down people's throats, because all they do is get upset.

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#49 MyopicCanadian
Member since 2004 • 8345 Posts
Plus there's always the self-checkouts at Wal-Marts.

But the point is taken, what's the disadvantage of preordering? It's not like you're paying extra for it--your preorder payment goes towards the game, meaning less to pay on pickup. Even most big-boxers charge the full price (give or take a penny) on launch day for maximum margin.

HuusAsking

The disadvantage is having to visit a store twice for one purchase. What's the advantage of pre-ordering? You're guaranteed to be able to purchase a game at a store that's constantly berated for poor business practices and makes boatloads of money by extorting people on used game sales. Awesome!

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HuusAsking

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#50 HuusAsking
Member since 2006 • 15270 Posts

There isn't any disadvantage to preordering. People just like to complain about people selling stuff to them. Preordering isn't a product. It's a service to the consumer and it's a huge bonus to the producers, the developers, the manufacturers, and the shipping industry.

Everyone likes preorders and that's why you should stop complaining about it.

And Gamestop should stop shoving them down people's throats, because all they do is get upset.

BobHipJames
I think the problem is that GS bigwigs tie preorders to the bottom line. And the bottom line in a business affects everything: from labor hour allocations to staffing limits to even the number of stores in an area. And with the market crunched down like this, many GS clerks may be facing a stark decision: push or be pushed out.