GameStop not getting enough PS3s to fill preorders
Retailer's launch allocations not expected to cover original batch of reservations; employees "asked" to wait until second shipment to buy systems.
Last month, retailer GameStop began accepting "limited" preorders for the PlayStation 3, asking customers to put down $100 in advance for the system, with a modest expectation of eight units per store in most cases. Now it appears the largest gaming specialty chain in North America won't be receiving even that many systems.
A GameStop representative told GameSpot today that the company received launch allocation numbers from Sony, and that it won't be able to fill its existing PS3 preorders. The representative declined to comment on how many systems GameStop expected to receive, or how short of that figure the company's share of systems would be.
"We are beginning to notify our customers that our initial shipment of PS3 systems will not be what we expected," the representative said. "As this is not an ideal situation, we are asking employees to wait to purchase systems until the second shipment. We are anticipating having systems to cover reservations before Christmas."
For launch day, preorders will be filled in the order they were received, and those who had a preorder but are denied a system on day one will receive something for their troubles. GameStop will give those unfortunate customers (as well as unfortunate employees) a free used game or DVD valued at $19.99 or less when they eventually wind up purchasing the system.
Those who reserved a system won't need to wait long to find out if they can expect a system on launch day. Starting tomorrow, customers who preordered a PS3 will be contacted personally by phone and updated on the status of their reservation, the rep said.
And while it might be a nonissue considering the clamor for consumers to get their hands on the coveted systems, GameStop is also asking anyone with a confirmed preorder to pick their systems up by Saturday evening.
Hot Stories
Newsmakers
-
Visually impaired gamer sues Sony Online
Refusal to implement or facilitate changes to make online games more accessible violates Americans with Disabilities Act, suit claims. Full Story
- Posted Nov 6, 2009 3:48 pm PT
- 1100 Comments
-
Interview: BioWare's Dr. Greg Zeschuk
Dr. Greg Zeschuk discusses BioWare's role-playing game formula, moving into the massively multiplayer market, and whether the studio will adopt motion-sensing tech. Full Story
- Posted Nov 8, 2009 7:48 pm PT
Featured Stories
-
Shippin' Out Nov.8-14: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Activision shooter dominates busy holiday release week; new Dragon Ball, Pro Evo Soccer games also set for launch. Full Story
- Posted Nov 7, 2009 3:58 pm PT
- 316 Comments
-
Gran Turismo 5 sporting $60 million budget
Polyphony Digital head Kazunori Yamauchi reveals next year's sprawling racing simulator cost nearly three times as much as Killzone 2. Full Story
- Posted Nov 6, 2009 1:41 pm PT
- 609 Comments
-
Little Big Planet sequel 'counterproductive' - Media Molecule
PS3 developer discounts follow-up to user-generated content-heavy puzzle-platformer, saying new installment would harm player community. Full Story
- Posted Nov 6, 2009 4:49 pm PT
- 234 Comments
-
NCsoft profits soar 836%, Aion NA, Euro sales near 1M
Korean publisher's newest MMOG pushes July-Sept. net income to $40 million on revenue of $142 million. Full Story
- Posted Nov 6, 2009 3:40 pm PT
- 63 Comments
-
WOW row inside Chinese government intensifies
Culture Ministry castigates rival agency for having "overstepped its authority" by revoking World of Warcraft permits; Blizzard claims MMORPG still "online and operational" in China. Full Story
- Posted Nov 6, 2009 3:01 pm PT
- 51 Comments



475 Comments
Sign in / Sign up