Got a call from Gamerush about my 360 pre-order

[norkusa]

...and guess what? I'm not getting one on launch. I don't know if this is true and applies to all Gamerush stores, but the employee that called me said that his store is only getting 6 systems in. I was #7 on the pre-order list (go figure). He said MS told them there was a manufacturing problem on the 360's, so they were doing a recall to fix them. Supposedly, that's the reason why there is a shortage but personally I don't buy it. Said the stores would be getting shipments every week after launch though, so I *should* get mine then.

Sorry about the bitching. I just needed to rant and give some info to anyone that pre-ordered a 360 at Gamerush.

[Darth Sensei]

Don't be sorry, I'd be pissed as hell about it and bitching about it loudly inside the store.

[Lady Jaye]

Shortage due to hardware problem? Possible, but I doubt it. The Xbox 360 is highly allocated throughout North America, therefore, many stores ended up taking way more pre-orders than they'll receive consoles.

[diskoboy]

...and guess what? I'm not getting one on launch. I don't know if this is true and applies to all Gamerush stores, but the employee that called me said that his store is only getting 6 systems in. I was #7 on the pre-order list (go figure). He said MS told them there was a manufacturing problem on the 360's, so they were doing a recall to fix them. Supposedly, that's the reason why there is a shortage but personally I don't buy it. Said the stores would be getting shipments every week after launch though, so I *should* get mine then.

Sorry about the bitching. I just needed to rant and give some info to anyone that pre-ordered a 360 at Gamerush.

A manufacturing problem? Thats total BS. But I can understand about the 6 consoles... I've never heard of this chain/store. That's probably why you're getting hosed. Most places I've talked to are getting around 15-30 of both system packages. But the 'recall'? Thats a lie.

[DreamTR]

That recall is NOT bs. A bunch of video game journalists and magazines have non working units and a letter was sent out by Microsoft that they are INDEED defective, and they will need to be replaced.

[Griking]

For what its worth, the 360 kiosk at my local Gamestop had an out of order sign on it. I don't know if that's just a coincidence or a sign of a larger problem

[norkusa]

A manufacturing problem? Thats total BS. But I can understand about the 6 consoles... I've never heard of this chain/store. That's probably why you're getting hosed. Most places I've talked to are getting around 15-30 of both system packages. But the 'recall'? Thats a lie.

Gamerush are games stores owned by Blockbuster. Kind of like Hollywood Video's Gamecrazy stores but the stores are located inside of BB stores. They aren't in all states yet though so that's probably why you haven't seen any yet.

Never had a problem getting my DS and PSP at launch from Gamerush. Each store only took 10 pre-orders for the 360, so I thought I'd be getting one for sure. :/

[Mayhem]

There's a possible overheating problem on the 360 so that could be the reason why.

[Mr.FoodMonster]

Don't be sorry, I'd be pissed as hell about it and bitching about it loudly inside the store.

I'm sorry, but what in the hell is that going to do? Sure, yell at the employees, who have absolutely no control over a situation and make other customers feel uncomfortable. Sounds like a great idea to me.

[john_soper]

Even if there is a hardware problem and MS fixes it, there'll probably still be some other sort of problem found after the launch. When you buy the newest and greatest, you pay a premium and you take your chances.

[njiska]

There is a hardware problem with some of the pre-release xboxs but there's no word on whether or not it's in the retail one. Refer to Kotaku.com and Joystiq.com for more.

Sorry but i don't have time to post the direct link. i'll get it up after i get home.

UPDATE: Here's the story link.
http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/xbox-36...ive-138007.php

[n8littlefield]

Yeah - the employees have no choice. I'd call and yell at Microsoft. They are trying to create artificial demand by "selling out" the system at all stores. They don't want people to be able to find the system the first week after release - they are purposefully creating this year's Furby or TickleMeElmo for media hype.

[norkusa]

There is a hardware problem with some of the pre-release xboxs but there's no word on whether or not it's in the retail one. Refer to Kotaku.com and Joystiq.com for more.

When I talked to the guy from Gamerush, he said that it was all the 360 consoles manufactured since August that had the problems. Don't know if that's true but that's what he told me.

[Jumpman Jr.]

There was a news release saying that there was going to be a significant shortage of 360's on launch day. I wrote something on it and it would have been on the front page if Joe wasn't so busy with his store and stuff.
Rumors were saying that Gamestops, EBs, Gamerushs, etc, were only going to be getting 8 - 10 consoles.

[mcgrail0007@netzero.net]

From all the reports I am hearing there will be a shortage of 360's at least in the St. Louis area. Most stores are not getting very many and this includes large stores known for having a lot of systems on launch days.

[Ed Oscuro]

He said MS told them there was a manufacturing problem on the 360's, so they were doing a recall to fix them.

There was definitely a manufacturing problem - IBM couldn't crank out the chips fast enough! Don't know about a recall though, and I don't think Microsoft would like about that...

[Dobie]

The Best Buy in my area was having problems with the display unit overheating too, but I'm thinking that the problem lies in the clear plastic case that the system was enclosed in--there are zero airholes for hot air to escape. Essentially, the Xbox would be recycling the hot air it ejects to cool itself. The plastic was slightly warm to the touch too. Not totally sure this was the actual source of the issue, but I could see it being a potential problem if the console was on for a long period of time. I'm no airflow expert though.

[s1lence]

Wow, here is a big surprise. A "next" generation console that is going to have a shortage, reminds me of the PS2. Microsoft is just trying to create hype and the consumers lose out in the process.

[njiska]

Wow, here is a big surprise. A "next" generation console that is going to have a shortage, reminds me of the PS2. Microsoft is just trying to create hype and the consumers lose out in the process.

While that is the rumour. the facts are starting to point in the other direction. It really does look like a manufacturing problem has cut down unit stock. It's also important to note that many companies were taking pre-oreders long before the system even entered production so the blame for over pre-selling is as much there fault as MS's.

[sisko]

Don't be sorry, I'd be pissed as hell about it and bitching about it loudly inside the store.

What good would this do? Every retailer gout their allocations slashed in half about two weeks ago. Gamerush, Gamestop, EB, Best Buy, Target....

This is NOT the RETAILER'S fault. This is MICROSOFT'S fault. Bitching at the store won't accomplish anything other than making yourself look like a complete jerk.

[rbudrick]

Inside sources tell me it is a programmed-on-purpose "flaw" in a number of systems released since August to give this story credibility and to make it this years Furby/Cabbage Patch Kid/Beanie Baby/Tickle Me Elmo, as n8littlefield mentioned. MS didn't want to sound like Sony on the PS2 launch (pffft, nobody believed THEM, that's for sure), so they made their story credible. It is fixable through a simple firmware update they don't want you to know about.


Yeah, I'm full of shit AND conspiracy theories.

Note: The above story was not relayed to me by anybody and is intended to be humorous and satirical. Rob Budrick does not take any responsibility for his actions, and neither should you, asswipe. That said, I still say my theory is true, BWA HA HA!

God, please don't sue me, MS.

-Rob

[SoulBlazer]

Sounds like several factors are going on here.....

1) Manfacturing problems in getting the needed ammount of XBox 360's made.
2) Unit recall on pre-release units ment a delay in making new ones to make sure that they were fixed.
3) Trying to go for a world wide launch at once -- STUPID!
4) Hype....Microsoft will make them tough to find until after Christmas.

[Darth Sensei]

Don't be sorry, I'd be pissed as hell about it and bitching about it loudly inside the store.

What good would this do? Every retailer gout their allocations slashed in half about two weeks ago. Gamerush, Gamestop, EB, Best Buy, Target....

This is NOT the RETAILER'S fault. This is MICROSOFT'S fault. Bitching at the store won't accomplish anything other than making yourself look like a complete jerk.

If I had lined up months ago to pre-order a system before that system even had a set price, simply in the hopes of getting one on launch day, you can bet I'd throw a hissy fit about not getting it.

As long as companies pull this shit and you don't react, you will continue to get treated that way. Now, if the multi-million dollar gaming chain, or the multi-billion dollar Microshaft want him to be happy, they'll at the very least give him a free game or something.

However, they won't do it if you roll over and take it up the hershey highway.

Do you work for a game shop or something?

[sisko]

Don't be sorry, I'd be pissed as hell about it and bitching about it loudly inside the store.

What good would this do? Every retailer gout their allocations slashed in half about two weeks ago. Gamerush, Gamestop, EB, Best Buy, Target....

This is NOT the RETAILER'S fault. This is MICROSOFT'S fault. Bitching at the store won't accomplish anything other than making yourself look like a complete jerk.

If I had lined up months ago to pre-order a system before that system even had a set price, simply in the hopes of getting one on launch day, you can bet I'd throw a hissy fit about not getting it.

As long as companies pull this shit and you don't react, you will continue to get treated that way. Now, if the multi-million dollar gaming chain, or the multi-billion dollar Microshaft want him to be happy, they'll at the very least give him a free game or something.

However, they won't do it if you roll over and take it up the hershey highway.

Do you work for a game shop or something?

I do. And you can bet I absolutely LOVED calling all the customers that got stiffed because Microsoft slashed the allocations. Because MICROSOFT slashed the allocations.

[Zing]

Best Buy seems to be getting plenty (~60 per store). I'm sure Wal-Mart is getting equal quantities.

The theory behind the success of holiday scarcity is this:
Parents promise their kids Xbox 360 for christmas. Christmas rolls around and a "shortage" has made it impossible to get the 360. Obviously, parents cannot tell the kids they must wait until January for their gifts, so the parents buy other gifts for christmas day (maybe Xbox 1 games? ). January comes and, yay, the 360 is suddenly available. Parents buy 360.

Yes, this was intentionally done with Furby. I suspect it was also done with Elmo. I'm not so sure about Cabbage Patch Dolls, though, at least initially.