Stop the pre-order madness!!
 

The pre-order push is getting old quick.

I called Gamestop on my way home from work yesterday to see if they had any copies of GT4. "Did you pre-order?", asks the employee. I told him that I had not pre-ordered and he replied that they do have it in stock, but they can't sell it to me since I didn't pre-order.

No demand for pre-orders so they create a false need to pre-order I suppose.

Fine, I'll buy it somewhere else. I was planning to go to a different Gamestop today, but the more I thought about it, the more that bugged me and I was looking for non-Gamestop options.

My wife was at the mall, so I had her pick up a copy at EB. Again, the pre-order lecture kicks in. She finally asks the guy, "Do you THINK I'm buying this for me? I'm just picking a copy up for my husband, I didn't pre-order, I don't care about the pre-order". He sells it to her, but points out that I could have gotten this a day early if I had only pre-ordered.

AAAARRRGH! I think I'm just going to buy games from Best Buy and just deal with the fact that I'll have to wait a couple of days after the release. The couple of times that I have pre-ordered a game, I'm always a bit puzzled when I pick it up and the salesperson has to navigate around the 8 foot tall towering stacks of the game that apparently had to be pre-ordered to be obtained. Halo 2: I'm in line to pick up my pre-order and the guy in front of me asks for Halo 2. "Did you pre-order?" to which the guy replies "No". The salesperson shrugs and grabs a copy off the big stack and sells it to him.

I don't understand why stores rely on preorders when decided how much stock to buy, if they know that a marority of people don't preord. It would seem simpler to change the stores actions rather than try to change the behavior of all of the customers. Makes no sense.

I have read on some other sites that some stores in NYC are taking preorders for Xbox 2 and Halo 2.5. I don't understand why anyone would want to preorder something that isn't yet developed, and a game that isn't even confirmed. Why would MS let them do this? Won't people be angry if they preorder this Halo 2.5 to find out that there may be no such thing ever?

It is really becoming annoying. Everytime I buy a game EB tries to sell me on a preorder. I have never not been able to find a game. Even Halo 2 and GTA were obtained easily enough. I just don't get why the big push.

While we're on annoying subjects- how about the extended warranty for games? I just picked RE4 and the salesperson was REALLY pushing the warranty. What do they think I'm going to do to the game? I'm not some teething toddler.

When I worked at Borders back in college they always made us push some garbage which is why I don't get mad at the sales clerk. They're just doing their job. They usually don't like doing it as well.

But back to the subject- why can't I just buy something without an offer for a free subscription, warranty or some other do-dad? And why do they want my phone number?

Pardon me, I think I'll go live in the mountains somewhere remote.

Agreed. I dont understand this either. I dont mind if they ask for my zip code, cause they sometimes like to track sales activity for the areas. But, I think I am going to stop giving my phone number out. Who knows what they use it for.

Better yet, find out the phone number of that store, keep it in your wallet and when they ask for your number, give them theirs. The store clerk probably wont even notice.

Yep, I just go to Best Buy or Target etc for games now. I hate gamestores, preorder crap, geeks working there, geeks shopping there, little brats running around etc. I feel like my IQ takes a hit just setting foot in one.

I (foolishly) failed to pre-order World of Warcraft. Luckily, I was able to secure a copy on launch day after driving around a bit. Since then, I haven't seen one copy on store shelves.

Well, considering BB, CC, Target, and Fry's usually have popular new games for 5-15 dollars off the first week (or some incentive like a free strategy guide), why wouldn't most people wait and see, at least for the popular games that you know are going to sell tons? For the more obscure games that you're not sure that the big stores are going to stock, EB and the like seem like safer choices (but I've very rarely seen a game that Fry's does not have).

Forgot to mention: oooo, a day earlier! I bet your wife was kicking herself for not preordering after hearing that...

That's a little different, though. Aren't they trying to purposefully limit copies so as not to overload the servers?

Just get it at Best Buy or Circuit City,you can get it cheaper there anyways.Waiting a few extra days shouldn't be a big deal.

Lets say GT4 comes out next week. No one has pre-ordered at Gamestop. How many copies do you think they would get? 10. Even if its a HUGE game, and they DON'T get any pre-orders, they figure that store does not have the 'customers' to buy that game. Meaning, there are no race fans there. Now lets say that gamestop does 100 orders. They will probaly get atleast 150 copies in. Thats 50 more copies to sell.

I can't beleive some of you whine so much about them bugging you. Pre-ordering guarantees you a copy (if done correctly), sometimes a day early, and most of the time with a bonus item. Good luck trying to find a PSP come March 24th.

:up: Preach Brother. I have been giving Best Buy and Bed Bath & Beyond their own number for the past 2 years. I had some dip wad at Radio Crap ask me for my phone number when I ran in to buy some batteries. WTF!?

I always give 867-5309...JENNY! Most of the people that work at game places have no clue.

I never had the balls to do it myself, but one time a guy in front of me in line at Best Buy told them "555-1212 - that's the number for information, if you really need to call me, I'm in the phone directory."

I have preordered one game that I can recall, I had trade credit, and it wasn't likely to be a 'big hit.'
Unless you HAVE to have the game on release day, or you get a cool freebie, or it's a special situation like limiting releases to manage server space, or it's just some odd fluke such as occasionally happens, I'm not a big fan of preordering. Sure the stores use it to judge some interest in the game, but are they not accounting for walk-ins? If I decide on Wed to buy Hot New Game that came out on Tuesday, and they have some in stock [that aren't reserved for other people], they won't sell it to me? They only order enough to handle preorders? If 250 people preorder a game from one store, they don't say, Hey, this game is big, let's order 5, or 10, or 25 extra to stick on the shelf? That doesn't seem like a very good way to run business.
And don't forget, there's always the internet, plenty of etailers to choose from. And, yes, I usually prefer to wait a little bit closer to release date in order to do some comparison shopping.
Consoles are a little different, because those are usually more limited in stock and they do go quickly.

<marquee>Bull Shit!</marquee>

Best Buy doesn't need to take pre-orders to determine how much stock to buy. Circuit City doesn't need to take pre-orders to determine how much stock to buy. Fry's doesn't need to take pre-orders to determine how much stock to buy. Target doesn't need to take pre-orders to determine how much stock to buy. Wal*Mart doesn't need to take pre-orders to determine how much stock to buy.

To be fair, the videogame-specific stores we are talking about are much, much smaller than BB, CC, etc., and usually don't get the same volume discount as BB or can't keep that much excess stock on hand. So I can see them running out of a "hot" game, or not selling copies to customers that didn't preorder if they haven't fulfilled preorders yet. I still see no need to preorder most big games if I can just walk into a bigger store and buy it without putting money down, usually at a discount.

Ha!! I see as many Gamedumps as I do Starbucks these days. I have serious doubts that Best Buy gets any more of a volume discount than they do. Their pre-order system is only there to trick stupid people into a) thinking that pre-ordering is the only way to obtain a copy of a game, b) getting people to spend MSRP or more, c) pigeon-holing people into a sale by securing an unnecessary deposit and d) excessively, violently, insultingly harassing them to purchase further unnecessary, over-priced, useless shit like strategy guides or 3rd party garbage accessories.

pre-orders create a sense of hype, and a guaranteed sale

I like pre-ordering. I get my copy of the game ASAP. I was going to buy it anyway, and this way I don't have to worry about it, drive around, etc. I get the game ASAP at the store closest to my home. It's a win-win situation. If the game is on sale somewhere, you just go back to the place you pre-ordered, ask for your money back, and go buy it there.

If you don't like it, go to Target or Wal-Mart or whatever. Just don't expect to get it on release day.

I don't see what all the fuss is about. Just tell the cashier no thanks when they ask. At best buy, as soon as I put my stuff down, I say "no magazines, no phone number." That pretty much takes care of it.

Awesome! I will have to use that!

That's what pretty much everyone that said they hate games stores said or implied they do.

I couldn't care less about getting a game on release date. Hell, I buy 75% of my games 6 months or more after release when they hit under $20.

Pre-oredering is a good thing but not selling a game that they have in stock because you didnt pre-oreder is complete bull,only reason why I pre-oreder is because I buy most my games online and sometime's I will pre-order a game just so I know I cant touch that money,otherwise I will blow it then not being able to afford it a week or 2 later,I also like pre-ordering certain games like GTA:SA,GT4,Halo 2 etc.

I only pre-order a game if there is a freebie or a special possibly limited edition. Now i was almost positive they would have enough copies of the Halo 2 collectors edition, however on the off chance they would really be limited i pre-ordered. I also pre-ordered Jade Empire because the "limited" collectors edition will have an extra character and extra fighting style in it. I fully expect the store to only have this limited edition, but i know i would kick myself if they ran out and i ended up not getting the extras.

I'll also pre-order if it is a smaller niche title. Originally i had had Puyo Pop Fever pre-ordered for the xbox before it became an GC exclusive.... i didn't think they'd get many copies of it in otherwise.

I needed games on release day when I was 12, not so much any more. I remember giving my mom the blues to go to the mall to get NBA Jam and Mortal Kombat 2 on release days :lol:.

Now I'm pretty much like Mr. Hinkle in that I wait for games to drop in price before I buy them(sub $30 or better...usually less than $20). It's rare that I need to have a game during its release month, let alone pre-order it. I pre-ordered Zelda Wind Waker for the promo disc. That was a great incentive. Sometimes I see them offer t-shirts and stuff which is cool. But more times than not its just $5 to pre-order something.

Games don't have to be massive hits anymore to find them though since it's always easier to buy something online than drive all around town looking for it. I don't get snippy with the sales person for pushing all that extra bullish on me unless they are relentless. Like girls learn in high school, no means no. Actually I'm getting tired of all the q&a sessions I'm having to go through when I'm checking out at various stores now-a-days, but thats another thread all together.

All of those are true.

But I think the preorder numbers DO help them figure out how many to order. Compared to a small mall-based EB or Gamestop, each Best Buy probably has a cavern of inventory space in the back.

It's just not as practical to risk loading themselves down in each game, especially when the breadth of titles they have in stock is far greater than a Best Buy. (For example, try finding an Xbox Dai Senryaku VII: Modern Military Tactics at any Best Buy worldwide.)

I usually only pre-order games that come with some sort of bonus, ex. Gamestop only RE4 case and Xenosaga DVD.

I've preordered the PSP because it seems like nobody can manufacture a system and be able to meet demand.

Pretty much sums it up for me. For the most part, I don't see the need to pre-order because most games are widely available release day, and you can shop for the best deals. Getting it early doesn't usually matter to me. Consoles are a diff. matter, they aren't usually available release day unless you pre-order since supplies are so limited.

I personally pre-order a lot. Not because I feel it's necessary, but because I like supporting my local Gamestop. I know there's a certain idiot factor at some of these... but the folks at my local one are cool, know what they're talking about, and are generally very helpful. Plus, they tend to make sure I get all the cool freebies, and I get the game early. I've cancelled pre-orders before when I've found better deals. It's not really a hassle to me... but to each his own.

I only pre-order now at GameRush....since I have credit and they usually have good trade-in deals for Pre-Orders.

I currently have on Pre-Order:
Doom 3:CE
SW:Republic Commando
GTA:SA (XBOX)
Fight Night 2

I may get one or two more...since the deal is still going on

Let me ask you all something: how does pre-ordering affect you? If you don't want to pre-order a game but still want it on release day, go to a different store. I've had trouble in the past finding games I wanted on release day at various big-box stores. Plus I feel my time is worth something so I don't like driving around for that stuff.

The only game I've pre-ordered recently was Halo 2. I could have picked it up later in the week at a big-box, but I was home playing it at 12:30 am the night it was released. It was a win-win as far as I was concerned.

Who cares if EB and Gamestop push pre-orders? If you don't want it, don't do it. And if you don't like it don't shop there. Seems pretty simple.

Well, that's what most have said they do, just stay the hell out of lame game stores.

Don't forget all the extra money the stores make off of pre-orders. Say they pre-sell 1 million copies of a game. That's $50m they have sitting in an account generating interest until the day they have to pay the publisher for the games. Compare that to regular sales where they only have the profit of the sale to earn interest off. That's why they push pre-orders so much.

Good point, though the numbers are way off as not everkyone pays in full for pre-orders. You usually only have to put $5 down to reserve it.

Do preorders work that way? I assume it does earn interest or something, and I'm not an MBA, but I know there is an issue with gift cards--you'd think selling 10 million in gift cards is a good thing, but many [all?] retailers can't log the money spent on gift card purchases as 'income' until they actually have a product leave the store--one reason why the holiday sales weren't higher, a lot of people gave gift cards for Christmas instead of money/gifts, and the cards got spent after the holiday season, so the sales applied to a later quarter.
Preorders may work like that.

The cash goes into the cash account and can earn interest. It's only an accounting issue on paper that causes a problem.

With gift cards, you book the cash as an asset, but it has an offsetting pre-paid sale liability, so the net effect is zero until the pre-paid sale is converted into an actual sale (the gift card is exchanged for merchandise).

I don't know that pre-orders work the same way, though I would think they do.

But that's really just a problem on paper. A store would have your $5 and could do with it what they want. They just owe you $5 worth of merchandise later (in a way, it's an interest-free loan to the store from the customer).

I always preorder the big games. I'm so for preorders! This guarantees me the game I want on launch day. I hate having to deal with Best Buy or other department stores on getting games. You never know when Best Buy is really going to put them out on the shelf. They always have later release dates and by luck, sometimes they put it out before their so called release date. Then I'll show up on the release date and it's sold out. I hate the hassle of having to check with Best Buy every day for a week to see if they have it yet and then to only find out it's gone already. I go to EBgames, place my $5 deposit and wait for them to call me the day of release to let me know it's in stock. Oh by the way, that's why they ask for your phone number so they can inform you it's in stock. If you don't like preorders, then continue dealing with the hassle. Preorders make my life a hell of a lot easier!

I agree, if you're the type that must have the games on release date, preorder is much easier.

I'll occasionally preorder something like a non-portable zelda that I'm dying to play.

But for most I'll just go to best by the week after release when I know they'll have it, or even more often just wait months for it to drop to $20. No hassle and easier on the wallet! :D

If they give me something free like an art book or extra disc I will sometimes preorder. GameRush has some good trade in deals right now where your basically get your preorders at $34.99 instead of $49.99 for trading it two games (plus the value of the trades) so I have several things preordered there.

It just depends I guess. I preorder when it benefits me and I get something out of it or I just have some trade in credit to burn. I don't fall their dumb high pressure tactics though. If you go to Target on release day you can pretty much get anything you want without preordering it.

Like ive said before in numerous pre-ordering theads we had in the past, when I ran a store, if you didn't pre-order, I would NOT sell you the game for 2 days. Yep, very true. Even if we had 5 extra copies of a game, if you came in asking for it, and didn't pre-order, you didn't get it. Why? Becauseof people that don't preorder, I get screwed in sales.

Example, lets say Snowblind came out today. Not a huge game, not a small one. Some general intrest in it. If my store didn't get any pre-orders, I would get 2 copies ($100). Guess what? They would be gone in an hour. If we had 4 people pre-order, we would get atleast 12 copies ($600). Why is that important? Because the first week of a games release is when you sell the most copies. By not pre-ordering, and you come in later that night of a games release, chances are the game WILL be sold out (this is videogame stores, not BB, Target etc. They HAVE a back room to store 100+ copies, we barley have enough room to fit 2 people in there)

BTW, Pre-ordering also shows whomever is making the game (lets say Atlus) that there is enough intrest in that title to garner a sequel. If they see that have 500,000copies of there game pre-ordered, chances are a sequel is likley. If they see that have no pre-orders, how do they know how many copies to make, nor if it will even sell?