There's no question that the Wii is one of the most popular gift items this holiday season, and it's no surprise that Nintendo's supply simply can't meet the demand. (OK, maybe a little ... I still can't quite wrap my head around it.) When Nintendo partnered with GameStop to announce the Wii 'Rain Check' program (a one-day reserve program that would guarantee a console some time January), it wasn't hard to imagine the resulting lines of parents shoving one another to the ground.
But according to a few GameStop store managers we spoke with, the program wasn't quite as successful as they had anticipated. One store manager we spoke with thought he would stripped of his 18 available rain checks within minutes, but was still sitting on nine of them the following day. As a result, we were told the rain check program was extended beyond the initial December 21 "one day only" period.
While some stores were able to sell through all of their rain checks (which required a fully refundable payment of $249.99), there were many who simply couldn't, despite promotional signage and phone calls.
"People have been calling about the Wii for months," said one employee who wishes to remain anonymous, "so it's shocking we still have rain checks left. Most people said they needed the system for Christmas, and were sure they'd be able to find one elsewhere, even though it's only a few days away. Good luck with that."
Despite the lack of success some stores may have had with the rain check program, there's no doubt about it, the demand for the Wii is still there ... Santa just needs it now. For those of you who are willing to wait, check your local GameStop or EB Games and let us know if you have any success securing an empty box and a product voucher.
[Photo: Picasa Web Album via GoNintendo]
Contest:
12:13 PM on 12.22.2007
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If I had already played through Super Mario Galaxy I'd probably sell my Wii on Ebay and re-purchase it once the demand goes down. Unfortunately I'm getting SMG for Xmas and I will then have an unhealthy need to collect 241 stars.
This is tickle me Elmo all over again, I barely touch mine any more, he just doesnt dance like he used to....*sigh*
They said they have 10 left.
I'm going there today to get a Rain Check for it.
( Action Bastard thinks less of me now. )
: (
I've been wanting one for awhile now. Especially after SMG & the news/HYPE about SSBB.
I guess it's because it's the parents spending their money, a lot of the gamers who have really wanted a Wii probably picked theirs up by now.
Also Brainderailment is 100% correct, paying full price for layaway is absurd.
Do you happen to know how many thousands upon thousands of dollars worth of deposit money GameStop is sitting on? You ask for a partial deposit (let's say $50), and you have very little commitment. I can guarantee there are still original reserve deposits for Wiis, 360s, and PS3s sitting around. You get someone to pay full price upfront, that's a very strong commitment to a purchase. There's really nothing absurd about it.
But yeah a rain check for a Wii is a pretty silly concept. If I had a son or daughter I know id rather buy them something else and tell them that there were no Wiis available instead of handing them a raincheck and telling them "Merry Christmas! You can have fun with your gift come February"
Maybe if Gamestop wasn't such a shitty place to shop, they wouldn't have any of their raincheck allocation left.
I pre-ordered Unreal Tournament 3 (PC) from those bitches. I come to pick it up, and the clerk says that is in a box and they can't unpack it right now. She had the nerve to tell me to come back tomorrow. Seriously, they had the game but was too lazy to unpack it.
So my dumb ass actually comes back the next day to pick it up. Oh, sorry, the swag that was promised me (free unlock code and a free copy of Unreal Anthology) not included. And I never got them either.
So not only did I have to wait a day and make an extra trip, I got ripped off in the process.
FUCK GAMESTOP, and FUCK ANY COMPANY THAT DOES EXCLUSIVE DEALS WITH THEM. That means game companies that give them exclusive "Collector's Editions", and the BS like rainchecks.
} rant
I tell you what though, the 'Well, I need it for CHRISTMAS' reaction in the 'I'm smarter than you' tone of voice will never get old, especially when Christmas is less than a week away and their kids have probably been asking for Wii's from Santa since July. Always makes me chuckle.
It's even better when they listen!
It's even better when they listen!
Its thats simple.
Yeah, I pretty much got it only because of Super Smash Brothers Brawl.
You really have no one to blame but yourself if you continue to give GameStop your business after getting repeatedly screwed. Why did you go ahead and buy the game from them when they didn't give you the pre-order bonuses? You should've called their district manager the minute they told you they had it but couldn't unpack it.
There are about 15 different places you could've gone and gotten the game the day before without the hassle. When you continue to reserve and buy stuff from them, you're part of the problem.