I realize that nearly every retailer (on or offline) sporting game preorders has sold or will continue to sell people out from under their placeholder copies. It's a common practice, but this is the first time it's happened to me - so naturally, I'm
effing cheesed! Especially when it happens on what is figuring to be the game of the year (maybe century),
Bioshock.
So I used a birthday gift card I got for Best Buy to place my preorder. I think you can all guess where this is going - I arrive at my local Best Buy to discover that whoever did the preorders "didn't order enough."
(Translation: "We couldn't wait 24 hours to hold your copy when a half-dozen walk-up customers were salivating over it.")
I figure since this thing is obviously selling like a free griddlecake special on a street corner full of hobos, that my chances are slim. Sears: Nice try, cigarless. GameStop: No dice. FYE (and perhaps the best denial): "Are you looking for Bio-something? No, we don't have it."
Finally, I stop in the Bellevue Fred Meyer. I saw the answer written on the faces of the clerks before I even asked. But this time, I told my sob story to the two guys in the Electronics Department. Defeated, I rejoined my wife several aisles down and resumed food shopping. "At least maybe I can get some ice cream out of this," I thought.
One of the clerks caught up with me and said, "Hey, were you looking for Bioshock on 360?" I nodded, slightly more hopeful. "I was holding a copy for myself until I got paid on Friday," he continued, "but I'll sell it to you." Here was my ray of light, but not wanting to be a total douche, I replied, "No man, don't sell yourself out of a copy for me." He insisted and led me back to the register and I walked away elated.
I write this article for that kind, kind clerk (you know who you are dude, if you're reading this). Anyone in the Greater Seattle area, please: Drive, even out of your way, to give these guys in the Bellevue Fred Meyer your business.
Imma go play Bioshock now. Bye.
(
Link via WeeklyGeek)
O_O.. I was gonna read the article till I saw the picture and was instaly and utterly disgusted.
You ever see the car commercial where the dude licks the door handle to effectively claim his ride? Same principle. =P
Still disgusting....
Pfft. I got you beat.
My story is out of desperation and moxy.
Nice story, I'm picking my copy up tomorrow (it launches tomorrow in the UK!) but I expect it will have mysteriously disappeared when I arrive at 1 minute past opening time.
Weirdly, whenever all the game shops have sold out on launch day, I usually find the copy of what I want at a crappy like supermarket near me.
Wow, that was cool as hell of that guy. A touching story, like Homeward Bound!
NIce guy!
How I lost and found interest in bioshock stories, starring Mel Gibson as braveheart, Danny Glover as the vagina in Preditor 2, and Lindsey Lohan as a retarded cokemonger. Featuring the music of top 40 band will haven. coming soon to a theatre near you.
Wow that's pretty nice of him. But as a cynic I can't help to think why he would sell you his copy, when friday is tomorrow..
Brings a tear to mah anus... I meant eye... WHATEV!
He probably knew that they already had umpteen more copies on back order for a Friday delivery. But still, it was really awesome of him.
don't worry about the employee, they'll probably have another shipment in before friday anyway.
Game's gettin released tomorrow. Still debating whether or not I can afford to get it.
i had sex with a guy i didn't even know to get bioshock. it was a worthy exchange.
Wowza, that is like woah.
Also I wuv you!