Quote Originally Posted by Graham Mitchell View Post
Well, again, they lied about that and backed out of it. I felt cheated because I ordered my system long before this bundle was offered, and best buy made no attempt to notify me that, despite me believing I would get my machine on launch day (which is the whole reason one preorders) I'd actually be getting it a week late. Then when I inquired about it they were rude and dismissive.

Technically, yes, I ordered the sku that isn't released until next week. But you'd be pretty pissed too and you found out people who ordered the product AFTER you got it BEFORE you, and you weren't informed in a timely manner that this was happening.

And I could give a fuck about little deviants. But I may have plunked down the extra cash to get it earlier if I knew I had that option. They dropped the ball.

Edit: on rereading your post, I think I didn't understand your point initially; they were going to give me a preorder bundle unit. But they're not now.
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Look, I agree with you that the manager and employees were poorly informed and for that they owe you an apology. Everything else, however, is entirely your responsibility. Contrary to your assertions, there is no such thing as a $5 preorder and pick up of the bundle you ordered on the 14th or the 15th. Your bundle and the $250 WiFi version will be available on Wednesday the 22nd as advertised.

Sony made a decision in late November/early December to create this newer bundle exclusively for the 3G edition (Canada actually got a WiFi version which would have been nice for those of us who think the 3G is a waste of money), likely because preorders for that version were low in Japan and also low here. That bundle is $50 higher in MSRP than what you ordered and it includes a $30 game, a $20 4 Gig memory card and a case which is exclusive to that bundle. For your $300, you are going to get the system plus an 8 Gig memory card and a download of Super Stardust and one month of 3G service. Keep in mind that when you preordered, all you were supposed to get is the system and again Sony bumped up the freebies to encourage people to buy the 3G.

Yes, people that spent the extra $50 and ordered the later bundle are currently enjoying their Vitas. Having said that, they really overpaid and were stuck with stuff they might not really want including a mediocre game and a small memory card. Sure, Best Buy probably should have contacted you to see if you wanted to spend the extra $50, but frankly, I don't want stores calling me and one of the reasons I never shop at Gamestop retail locations is that I don't want to be harassed about pre-orders.

I have had my share of issues with Best Buy. I ordered several games at Christmas for store pick-up that the employees literally bought themselves when they saw the orders come through, leaving me with nothing. Best Buy customer service has always made things right, however, giving me another $50 Kinect game free, letting me buy a $60 game for $5 and finally giving me a $25 and $75 gift card for two other holiday issues. So, yes, they can really be hard to deal with and frankly not well informed at times, but if you come in armed with a little knowledge, you can actually get things resolved in a way that satisfies you and allows them to build the goodwill to keep you as a customer.