Topic: The Flaw with Preording

Last week I woke up at midnight to get Smash Bros for 3DS. I waited for an hour to get the copy but was denied a copy because, you guess it I didnt "preorder". Now I dont have a problem with the concept of guaranteeing a chance of getting a copy. However, it is unfair that there was a stack of a dozen copies being reserved for someone that paid a little bit more money than me. There is no way of knowing that those people will even pick up the copies! Anyway, I hate preordering and gamestop a little but yeah what are your thoughts on this concept?

That sucks mate sorry to hear that never had that issue to be honest I rarely buy from a retail store these days its cheaper online and if you pre order online its the same price you just get it on release day or normally a day or even two before release day.

If you have to pay a little more to preorder, you're doing it wrong. Go somewhere else.

EDIT: Also, why do people default choose GameStop? I was first in line at Walmart at 11:50 pm, and I didn't preorder.

are you saying you should be able to buy my game i payed for 2 months in advance because i can't make it to a midnight release???? realy think about that for a second.

Yeah. That is exactly want Im saying. There are several reasons why you are wrong. One, there is no way in knowing when you are getting the copy, two Im there with the money and you are not so why cant I get it, and three the store will most likely get more copies of the same game you want between the time you go to pick up the game and midnight.

1. That's a risk that some people are willing to take, and in this case, they were rewarded for it. You didn't.
2. Most people pay for the entire game when they preorder, making your point null and void.
3. That's not always the case.

Why didn't you go somewhere else?

What's a preording.

I'm of mixed opinions about preordering. I work for gamestop and preorders determine many things like shipment allotment and midnight releases. For a specialty store like GS they don't get very many extra copies if there is not a preorder demand. The store is only allotted so much shelf space and most of the storage areas are a fricken closet (I have worked in two different states and about 15 stores total so I think that is fairly accurate) So they can't have tons of games sitting in the back. Sure they can ship games to other stores but that doesn't help out the person that wants the game right then and there. Gamestop holds games for 48 hours, so until then that stack isn't theirs to sale. Even on the third day most stores call to make sure they won't get cussed out if they sale your game beyond the 48 hour period. Many people that preorder are repeat customers and buy extras, Gamestop isn't going to risk ticking off the person that drops a grand over three months versus the person that drops 40 bucks over three months. Plus it is not like the pre-orders haven't been open forever. They ask you every time you go in usually months in advance so its not like it was a surprise.

At the same time I get it, they ask for a deposit up front. Sometimes you just want to reserve your spot in line and that is it. Which is why I do all preliminary preorders with Amazon. No money down and I have prime and often get release day shipping anyway. Plus if I decide to cancel it never cost me a dime anyway so no big deal. For instance I have all the amiibo preordered with amazon and am slowly moving my orders to gamestop. Since I didn't want to spend 60 bucks just to hold my place (I'm getting all of the amiibo).

Whatever your preference or budget is going to shape what you choose, but GS employees aren't trying to be jerks when you don't preorder. If they don't have extra they don't have extra. And since preorders determine any extras.... the cycle continues. For me its one of those things where the rules are clearly explained and they give you advanced notice. So I feel like customers that aren't fans of it have every right to go somewhere else, but don't get mad when gamestop follows their policy. If you don't preorder it is first come first serve.

I think gamestop gets picked first because it is a game specialty store. But to be honest if i don't preorder I go over to best buy or amazon because I know that their stock isn't as heavily dependent on preorders and I know everybody else went to gamestop lol!

[quote=GamecubeMan][quote=GamecubeMan]

well i went without my $40 plus dollors for moths so no you are wrong. i've already given them my money way before you. why don't you preorder your games if it's such an issue?

_{We can have an argument without personal insults -Lz}

@GamecubeMan: So why didn't you preorder yours if you knew you were going to be there at midnight.

_{Stick to the topic and not the poster -Lz}

So your point is the game that I PAYED for, prior to even having it, should be given to you because you have money for it now? Grow up. First of all, I already payed for it. That means that "GameStop doesn't legally have permit to sell it". Second, your point that "there is no way in knowing when you are getting the copy", well there IS a limit of only 48 hours hold. If it isnt picked up in that time, they still have to give you "A" copy, but do not have to reserve a certain copy for you. Third, and final, if you HAD the money, why DIDN'T you preorder? It sounds like you were planning the midnight release as a start. Even a SMALL DEPOSIT would have allowed them to reserve a game for you. I finished paying my preorder (at NO EXTRA COST over MSRP) about TEN MINUTES before I got my game. If you dont understand where you went wrong, no complaining in the world will improve your position.

I just wanted to quote this. I cannot confirm that this person is a GS employee, but everything they said is something I would have said otherwise.

Jeepers. ok I missed a few responses while I wrote my block of text. Yeah... no, if a pre order copy is sold early and they run out the next shipment isn't going to come in the next day. Which means if the person comes in the next day and you tell someone with a reserve copy you are sold out...enjoy getting written up. Also the amount of butt chewing the District Manager is going to issue over a potential Customer Service nightmare is not worth selling you the game because you were too lazy to preorder.

Well Ording is a name of a hotel, so this is the flaw of pre-ording.

Surely other hotels would fill the void pre-ording, would it not? Or was Ording the very first hotel because then yes that would be considered a flaw

Yeah, I don't preorder games unless there is a special limited edition that I am interested in. Otherwise I will wait to play it and get it on sale later on.

How come if someone booked and paid for a hotel room in advance, I am not allowed to show up an hour before they do and take their room away?! I am there and have money in my hand!! They are still in a taxi leaving the airport!! Where are my rights?!

On the other hand, I preordered and was promised the game on Day 1 regardless of the time. How would it be fair to me if you got my copy?

There are two (or more) reasons to pre-order a game:

1. The game will be in high demand. You cannot pick it up unless you preorder it. Smash is in this category.
2. There's a nice bonus to preordering.

If you didn't preorder the game, you are not guaranteed a copy no matter when you show up.

That is actually an amazing comparison.