Reggie Announces Wii Rain Check Program - Pay now, get one in January

[quote name='thingsfallnapart']The problem, for the most part, is this shortage isn't completely driven by gamers, rather desperate parents and scalpers ( who think they can make a fast buck.)

In retrospect, I bet if you took scalpers out of the equation, the percentage of desperate parents would drop big time - thus creating more happy gamers who could probably buy a console without having to take off work or pay massive amounts of doe to acquire one.[/QUOTE]

It's one thing to blame scalpers, but they don't exist in a vacuum. "Desperate parents" are every bit as blameworthy for enabling the scalpers.

Now, of course, you can't take "desperate parents" out of the equation, or else you have...the PS3, I suppose (or its demand versus supply, at any rate) - but you can show some goddamned restraint such that scalpers take themselves out of the equation.
 
Look, I'm not saying that I necessarily believe that there is a "hold back" of systems. But I'm trying to look at this from an angle of how they could possibly supply this many systems unless there is a real cap on what Gamestop can take in orders.

They messed up the 360 launch BADLY so I wonder how they could go into this. It's tough enough to tell someone you don't have their system on a deposit. But to guarantee a system and take a full payment? Nintendo must be allocating a large amount to Gamestop. But how does that affect Best Buy, CC, etc etc? They would not stand to be shafted on supply as they get more than Gamestop does.
 
[quote name='Lord_Kefka']Look, I'm not saying that I necessarily believe that there is a "hold back" of systems. But I'm trying to look at this from an angle of how they could possibly supply this many systems unless there is a real cap on what GS can take in orders.

They messed up the 360 launch BADLY so I wonder how they could go into this. It's tough enough to tell someone you don't have their system on a deposit. But to guarantee a system and take a full payment? Nintendo must be allocating a large amount to GS. But how does that affect Best Buy, CC, etc etc? They would not stand to be shafted on supply as they get more than GS does.[/quote]
Well easy, Nintendo announced this first and said only GS is capable with such a feat due to their already easy to use reserve system and the fact it's right next to Christmas. If Nintendo announced this, I'm pretty damn sure they are going to give GS the amount they reserved. I passed one today and they had a sign up that said *Taking 24 Wii Reserves on Friday* so there is probably a cap too.
 
I don't get why Nintendo has not seriously increased production of the Wii to meet demand yet. The Wii has sold out for the past year and no component of the Wii is really cutting edge and holding back the production rate. Only reasons I can think of is that Nintendo likes the demand or Nintendo thinks the Wii is a fad and thus they don't want to create too many Wiis like they did with the Cube.
 
[quote name='ananag112']I don't get why Nintendo has not seriously increased production of the Wii to meet demand yet. The Wii has sold out for the past year and no component of the Wii is really cutting edge and holding back the production rate. Only reasons I can think of is that Nintendo likes the demand or Nintendo thinks the Wii is a fad and thus they don't want to create too many Wiis like they did with the Cube.[/QUOTE]

Sigh.

I'd like you to do me a favor.

Go figure out how much it would cost to build a new factory for the sole purpose of pumping out systems. And then compare how long that brand new factory might be useful in producing systems versus when the demand might level out. Figure out all the costs.

Go on. I have hot chocolate, so I can wait. Don't come back until you do.

And after you determine that, ask yourself if the numbers make sense, or if they grow teeth and try to eat your eyeballs. I suspect the latter. So while you're out figuring the numbers, you might want to construct some sort of eye shield made out of adamantium.

No, really. I have marshmallows and a cinnamon stick. I'm set. Take your time.
 
for new yorkers, i heard theres going to be about 13 units in an hour at the Gamestop on 8th St. infront of the Gap. theres 1 guy on line. for those who wants it go there now. if you want to confirm, call the store first. i got a call from my brother he was just there 10 minutes ago.

that store brings back memories when it was FuncoLand i guess.. i remember them selling a import Dreamcast system for $700 :)
 
[quote name='Strell']
No, really. I have marshmallows and a cinnamon stick. I'm set. Take your time.[/QUOTE]


Ooooh. Room for one more?

Anywho, I haven't kept up with this thread and I'm way too ADD to go scrollin' through so if this has been answered just give me a titty twister. Has it been mentioned that Gamestop will only allow so many rainchecks per store..?

I mean, if they were to say "Each Gamestop will allow 50 Wii per store" that kind of defeats the purpose in a way, and just sounds like a pre-order then a raincheck.

OR are they just going to take as many as they get..and that way they order them depending on how many rainchecks are sold that day?
 
[quote name='From Destructoid'] 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.
[/quote]
serves them right..
 
I wanted a Wii.. my parents couldn't find me one (I asked them mid-november.. the stores in town never got any more..its been impossible to find) I could have bought one earlier in the year but I bought an Ipod instead.. its ok though.. I'll just wait for the summer lulls to get one this coming year.. hopefully i'll pick up a 360 soon..

but its just been too difficult to find them.. it really has.. everyone ones one (or one of the multitude of plastic guitar playing games)
 
[quote name='Dead of Knight']It is from Reggie, but I'm sure it is also a ploy from Gamestop as well.[/quote]From what i've heard from my noa buddies, it's a deal GS approached Nintendo over. But that's heresay, obviously.

I'm curious how it went at the GS's on friday. Eighteen per store, right? sheesh.

[quote name='Strell']No, really. I have marshmallows and a cinnamon stick. I'm set. Take your time.[/quote]
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[quote name='phear3d']serves them right..[/quote]
ER...ok...

I suspect there are a number of contributing factors not the least of which is ignorance on the part of some of the shoppers: Parents whom aren't 'net savvy enough to have heard of this.

Other factors may be simply giving up- If they can't have a Wii under the tree by Xmas, then they might as well go to Plan B: get Jr. something else.

I've seen evidence of both- When I camped out for my Wii a "gaggle" of older ladies (I say older from my 33yr old perspective...) showed up and tried to get snarky with the BB employees at the door: "Who knew you were going to have Wii before the circular today?!?! How was anyone supposed to know this? This isn't fair!" It was then explained to her that "100's of websites have shown evidence of this for weeks, even having the circular scanned for all to see"

As for Plan B's- my friend in line for the Wii: his roommates mother wants to buy his Wii as she is unable to locate one. If not I think she's settling for some other gift. We told her about the raincheck deal, but she, like I suspect many people, want something lil Jr. can hold and play with NOW.

The fact that any stores sold out of rainchecks is amazing to me. It also points that the days of the Wii scalpers are nearing an end, if not completely dead looking at eBay...
 
[quote name='guinaevere']
imageskb5.jpg
[/QUOTE]

He's eating ramen. Though, to be fair, still amusing.

Don't make me say what you know I want to say right now.
 
Funny story. We took our preorders, it took us hours to fill the 24.

We got 15 in that day. 15 of the reserve customers got their Wiis already.
 
[quote name='reibeatall']Funny story. We took our preorders, it took us hours to fill the 24.

We got 15 in that day. 15 of the reserve customers got their Wiis already.[/quote]
I was wondering if the vouchers would be redeemable for the "next available" or if they were specifically marked for units to be delivered in Jan so any units arriving before then would just be put out for sale. I bet those customers were pretty surprised when you called.
 
The local GS had their sign up saying that they had 42 available for rain checks, although they still had plenty left over from Friday considering the promo was still going on through at least noon on Saturday. Either there's low demand for the Wii around here (doubtful) or people who are doing holiday shopping don't like giving rainchecks for Christmas.
 
[quote name='Kapwanil']The local GS had their sign up saying that they had 42 available for rain checks, although they still had plenty left over from Friday considering the promo was still going on through at least noon on Saturday. Either there's low demand for the Wii around here (doubtful) or people who are doing holiday shopping don't like giving rainchecks for Christmas.[/quote]

They don't like the idea of a raincheck... but then again, they continue to drive around aimlessly looking to get a Wii by stumbling upon one. At least GS will hold the system when they get it in and call you to let you know.
 
From what I have seen customers are afraid to do this pre-order. But the funny thing is 6 of the customers at my store have already received their wii's and I have 6 more in transit, might even be here before Xmas. Since we are only doing 18 in my store these customers are going to be more than satisfied.
 
The rainchecks were going slow at most stores here, there were no lineups or anything that I could see, and I was out and about on friday morning.

The fact of the matter is when people need to put a gift under the tree they will pick from what is available on the store shelves. Most Christmas shoppers don't think like us, if they need a game system for their kids for christmas, they pick from what is available in that store, on the day they go to buy it. It is more important to get that gift under the tree in time.

Most people also want to introduce a new system during Christmas break so the kids have something to play during that time, and so it doesn't distract from their schoolwork by introducing it after the christmas break is over.
 
[quote name='Strell']He's eating ramen. Though, to be fair, still amusing.[/quote]He's clearly sitting there with a cup of hot cocoa and a cinnimon stick, waiting to hear about Iwata opening up a new factory.

Don't make me say what you know I want to say right now.
Click to expand...
You know me, I wouldn't dream of instigating anything of the sort.

[quote name='reibeatall']Funny story. We took our preorders, it took us hours to fill the 24.

We got 15 in that day. 15 of the reserve customers got their Wiis already.[/quote]Hours is better than minutes. And that's great that some folks thinking they'd have to wait till mid Jan got there's last week.
 
So here it is Dec 24th, and I am stuck here at work, when I get a call. the Wii I reserved and payed for on the 21st is here! Just in time for Christmas! WhoooHoo!
 
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