Is it too early to give up on the 360 for Christmas?

[msduncan]

I just went AGAIN to my local EBgames to find out what they know.    Several things:

1.  They are consistent in telling me that they are not expecting the bulk of shipments until January and any before then will be tiny consisting of a couple units at a time.

2.  They have not yet receieved a single shipment since launch day.

3.  They have no news or word on when ANY new shipment will arrive, and nothing has shown up in their computer systems

So is it too early to give up quite yet?   I could very easily release the 200 dollars my wife was going to put toward it and let her spend it as she wishes.         Or I could wait and hope.... and also hope that my contacts here pan out or that I happen upon one as it gets to the loading dock.

Edit to add:   if I give it up now, it will likely be months before I can purchase one.    In fact.... I might then decide to skip it and wait for PS3 at that point.

[Devil]

NEVER GIVE UP!!

[Soulchilde]

Thats a tough one to answer.  Honestly, the things I have been reading is that MS is releasing another big shipment the week of the 18th, but again all this is just internet rumors

[jament]

You'll get one. Fuckin' A believe it.

[farley2k]

So is it too early to give up quite yet?   I could very easily release the 200 dollars my wife was going to put toward it and let her spend it as she wishes.         Or I could wait and hope.... and also hope that my contacts here pan out or that I happen upon one as it gets to the loading dock.

Edit to add:   if I give it up now, it will likely be months before I can purchase one.    In fact.... I might then decide to skip it and wait for PS3 at that point.

It is never too early to quit!    

I would say you have a 5-10% chance of getting one but how optimistic of a person are you?

[Captain Caveman]

You may need to give up getting one from EB or Gamestop, but there should be other ways to get one in the coming weeks. Online sites will occasionally get them in stock (CC apparently sold out in a couple of minutes this morning), and stores like Target and Walmart should have some trickling in through Christmas. Your best bet, though, if you REALLY want one by Xmas, would be to do the camp out thing outside Best Buy for Sunday the 18th.

I've pretty much resigned myself to getting one when I get one. If that's February, so be it.

[Kurt Stevens]

Not too late I dont think. I managed to get one at Circuit City's web site this morning. Of course, you had to buy the bundle and it really didnt have the greatest selection of games for me. Im just hoping it actually ships. I had waited in line lauch day and came up 3 people short of getting one and my computer crashed the last time Circuit City had them available. I was about to give up too. Keep looking and use one of the online sites that keeps tabs on inventory for several retailers. The other option is of course, another long wait on the 18th at Best Buy.  Good luck.

[The_Man]

I think  it's safe to say you won't get one from EB or Gamestop, but I have a feeling if you are diligent enough, you will be able to get one from a Best Buy, Wal Mart or Target.  This might require you going in a few times a day, but you might just get lucky.

[msduncan]

My wife has informed me that Microsoft are 'a bunch of asses' and that she is going to use my Christmas money for something else.   She says I can keep looking and keep my preorder and just pay back the family fund when tax refund time comes around.

She's pissed at M$, but she's not going to let them ruin her Christmas for me.

I <3 my wife.

[whiteboyskim]

NEVER GIVE UP!!

NEVER SURRENDER!!

[TheMissingLink]

Listen to your heart.

[Andrew Mallon]

Not too late I dont think. I managed to get one at Circuit City's web site this morning. Of course, you had to buy the bundle and it really didnt have the greatest selection of games for me. .

After it arrives, you can take the games and accessories you don't want and return them to a Circuit City store. I got the bundle earlier this month and I returned PGR3, NFS: Most Wanted, and the extra controller for a full refuend. Wasn't hassled at all by the sales clerk when I returned it.

[happydog]

Not too late I dont think. I managed to get one at Circuit City's web site this morning. Of course, you had to buy the bundle and it really didnt have the greatest selection of games for me. .

After it arrives, you can take the games and accessories you don't want and return them to a Circuit City store. I got the bundle earlier this month and I returned PGR3, NFS: Most Wanted, and the extra controller for a full refuend. Wasn't hassled at all by the sales clerk when I returned it.

I did the same thing, but at Toys-R-Us.

[Mystic95Z]

I believe there was a link to a story on bluesnews.com about BestBuy holding any 360's they recieved until the 18th for a sale....

-Tony

[Kurt Stevens]

I was thinking about trying to exchange a couple of the games for call of duty 2 and cash. Good to know it can be done. Thanks for the info!!  

[Laner]

Not too late I dont think. I managed to get one at Circuit City's web site this morning. Of course, you had to buy the bundle and it really didnt have the greatest selection of games for me. .

After it arrives, you can take the games and accessories you don't want and return them to a Circuit City store. I got the bundle earlier this month and I returned PGR3, NFS: Most Wanted, and the extra controller for a full refuend. Wasn't hassled at all by the sales clerk when I returned it.

I just removed the stuff I didn't want from the basket before I placed the order.

[Kurt Stevens]

I just removed the stuff I didn't want from the basket before I placed the order

I thought about that but was paranoid it would cause an issue with the order.I figured Id only have one shot to order it. Plus, I was just sick of looking for one of the damn things.

[Roguetad]

There's a link on bestbuy.com titled "Open Letter to Customers".  I've pasted the text below.  Interesting.  

TO: Open Letter to Customers
FROM: Brian Dunn, President - Retail, North America
RE: Launch of Xbox 360
CC:  Best Buy Store, District and Territory Employees
DATE: December 6, 2005


I'm writing to apologize.

While all of us at Best Buy were thrilled to be part of the recent launch of Microsoft's Xbox 360 video game system — one of the most anticipated events in the history of electronic gaming — the launch did not go as we had hoped. We sold out of Xbox 360s nationwide in less than two hours, and most of our stores did an outstanding job of serving our gaming customers. I'd like to thank the majority of our employees, who provided a terrific experience for customers at the launch date. However, our promotional activities in certain cases failed to follow company guidelines. As a result, some of our valued gaming customers had an experience in our stores that was inconsistent with what you've come to expect from us, as a leader in the consumer electronics industry.

Specifically, customers in some Best Buy stores were told that they were required to buy additional Xbox accessories or services if they wanted one of the sought-after Xbox 360 consoles, even though we advertised the Xbox 360 console alone. I want to be very clear that Best Buy does not condone pressuring customers to purchase items they may not want or that may not fit their lifestyle. In fact, these behaviors are in direct conflict with our desire to serve customers' needs better than anyone else, and our values of honesty and integrity.

We are currently investigating all leads about promotional practices that may have violated the company's guidelines, and we will take disciplinary actions as appropriate. We have also reminded all of our stores about our policies with respect to launches of hot products. Meanwhile, on behalf of Best Buy, I'd like to offer a sincere apology to any customers who felt pressured to buy items they did not want.

Customers who are unhappy with Xbox 360-related purchases made in November 2005 may return unwanted items for a full refund at any Best Buy store. In addition, if your Xbox 360 purchasing experience did not meet your expectations for any reason, please e-mail us at [email protected]. (Employees with information pertinent to our investigation are encouraged to call our Ethics Hot Line instead.)

Lastly, I would like to invite you back to our stores, particularly later this month, when Best Buy will receive more shipments of Xbox 360s. While supplies continue to be very limited, we are truly excited about this new gaming platform, and we'd like to deliver the best of that experience to you. We promise an in-store experience that is focused on your needs and the needs of everyone on your holiday gift list.

Brian Dunn

[Harpua3]

Listen to your heart.

 
 ^Funny stuff^

 "Before you tell him goodbye"...OMG, I couldn`t resist.

[happydog]

Got an AMEX card?

http://www.mylifemycard.com/mywishlist/wishlist.html

Looks like you could get one tomorrow. But I have no idea what this whole deal is about, I just clicked a link in MSN messenger for a totaly unrelated reason.  :?

[CrayolaSmoker]

And for only $150?!  Hell, if I can find a relative to loan me their Amex, I'll see if I can get one.

[gellar]

There are only 200 available per timeslot.  Still, worth a shot... I may actually give it a look tomorrow.

gellar

[msduncan]

Well after calling every relative I have ... NOBODY has an AMEX card.  

Looks like I'm out of luck.

[Roguetad]

I have an AMEX, but it's my corp card. I can't imagine my company would be too keen on me charging an Xbox 360 on it.  Then again, I'm the one who has to pay the bill each month, not my company.  It looks like it's either the premium system or a core with the hard drive according to the item description.  You can't beat either for $150.

[Gratch]

Woah, I'll have to give that AMEX thing a shot tomorrow.  I'm not really that interested in the 360, but for $150 I would be!

[Ralph-Wiggum]

You should go for the Range Rover also. Only costs $5000.  :shock:

[Hetz]

Circuit City had them on their website this morning for awhile...and the people that got in on it this morning got shipping notices this afternoon. They sold out in about 2 hours.

Looks like the retailers are starting to get more in!

http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/genericContent.do?oid=136791&cmSearchKeyword=xbox+360

[Dimmona]

Target is getting their followup shipment on the 23rd, and I thought I heard somebody at Toys-R-Us say they would get their second shipment the week of Christmas as well.

Seeing how there is still a group of about a dozen people (mostly moms) who apparently camp out in front of my Target *every day* at 7:30am with the hopes that Xbox360s will have come in, I'm think my chances of getting one before Christmas are pretty small...

Oh well, Animal Crossing DS should keep me busy well into the next century

[disarm]

i was checking most of the big stores in the area regularly for a while, but i've pretty much given up on that idea for now.  my current plan is to try hitting BestBuy on the 18th...don't have anything else to do that morning

[Turtle]

I checked one of my two non corporate local game shops recently, it turns out the owners have been ebaying any Xboxes they get in.

Now, I don't think that buying an xbox from a store and selling it is fine, but tapping the distribution network just to get xboxes to ebay seems just plain wrong.

I have another local store that I'm going to check tomorrow, it's small enough that they might have an extra one sometime.

[Knightshade Dragon]

and we will take disciplinary actions as appropriate

= Immediate Promotion to store manager

[CeeKay]

Hmmmm.......

[corruptrelic]

Can that website really be right? If you look at tuesday they have a range rover sport for $5000 (retail $56,000) A loss of over $50000? No customer is worth that much.. although if some of us do get the 360 for $150, more power to us. I'd be on it if I had an american express as well, even if not for me I'd sell it for a grand on ebay  

[Victoria Raverna]

I just went AGAIN to my local EBgames to find out what they know.    Several things:

1.  They are consistent in telling me that they are not expecting the bulk of shipments until January and any before then will be tiny consisting of a couple units at a time.

2.  They have not yet receieved a single shipment since launch day.

3.  They have no news or word on when ANY new shipment will arrive, and nothing has shown up in their computer systems

So is it too early to give up quite yet?   I could very easily release the 200 dollars my wife was going to put toward it and let her spend it as she wishes.         Or I could wait and hope.... and also hope that my contacts here pan out or that I happen upon one as it gets to the loading dock.

Edit to add:   if I give it up now, it will likely be months before I can purchase one.    In fact.... I might then decide to skip it and wait for PS3 at that point.

With the disc scratch problem, overheat power supply, etc. I think maybe it is better to wait for several months until Microsoft released a Service Pack 1 version of XBOX 360.

By then, there'll be more software titles to choose from.

[CrayolaSmoker]

I'd be on it if I had an american express as well, even if not for me I'd sell it for a grand on ebay  

Honestly, that'd be my fourth option.

1) See if my mom wants to give it to my little brother.
2) Offer it to msduncan at cost + shipping.
3) Same offer to rest of GT.
4) eBay.

Right now, I'd rather have a PS2.

[msduncan]

I'd be on it if I had an american express as well, even if not for me I'd sell it for a grand on ebay  

Honestly, that'd be my fourth option.

1) See if my mom wants to give it to my little brother.
2) Offer it to msduncan at cost + shipping.
3) Same offer to rest of GT.
4) eBay.

Right now, I'd rather have a PS2.

Much <3 to you CS.   Much <3 to ya.

[gellar]

With the disc scratch problem, overheat power supply, etc. I think maybe it is better to wait for several months until Microsoft released a Service Pack 1 version of XBOX 360.

Hooray for the uninformed consumer.

gellar

[Arkon]

With the disc scratch problem, overheat power supply, etc. I think maybe it is better to wait for several months until Microsoft released a Service Pack 1 version of XBOX 360.

Hooray for the uninformed consumer.

gellar

Wait you mean the 360 doesn't kill your firstborn child, rape all the women in your household and burn your house down?  Damn that is dissapointing.

[gellar]

With the disc scratch problem, overheat power supply, etc. I think maybe it is better to wait for several months until Microsoft released a Service Pack 1 version of XBOX 360.

Hooray for the uninformed consumer.

gellar

Wait you mean the 360 doesn't kill your firstborn child, rape all the women in your household and burn your house down?  Damn that is dissapointing.

Mine didn't.  It must be defective

gellar

[happydog]

Can that website really be right? If you look at tuesday they have a range rover sport for $5000 (retail $56,000) A loss of over $50000? No customer is worth that much.. although if some of us do get the 360 for $150, more power to us. I'd be on it if I had an american express as well, even if not for me I'd sell it for a grand on ebay  

Drop in the bucket for AMEX. My wife worked for them for several years. You wouldn't belive the number of stories like:

Customer: I can't charge.
AMEX: We put a hold on your account due to unusual activity. You normally spend $100,000 a month, and it just went up by $200,000 last week.
Customer: Yeah, I went shopping.
Me:  :shock: