Why do I preorder games?

[gradualmeltdown]

pre-ordering from Gamestop ended for me years ago. Twice they didn't ever get the games I pre-ordered because I was "the only one" who pre-ordered it at that store. It was explained not enough people pre-ordered so no one in the area got that game They smiled canceled my pre-order, gave me my money and told me to find the game somewhere else. So I did and didn't ever go back.

gamestop sucks. I hate everything about the retail experience there.

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

pre-ordering from Gamestop ended for me years ago. Twice they didn't ever get the games I pre-ordered because I was "the only one" who pre-ordered it at that store. It was explained not enough people pre-ordered so no one in the area got that game They smiled canceled my pre-order, gave me my money and told me to find the game somewhere else. So I did and didn't ever go back.

gamestop sucks. I hate everything about the retail experience there.

What they did was a huge break in corporate policy. All pre-orders are a bound contract for GameStop to provide the game that you paid for unless the game itself is cancelled or in extreme cases (i.e.- console launches) demand severely exceeds the stock produced.

The most likely case is that you pre-ordered a game that an employee wanted but didn't bother to pre-order, so you were tricked into giving up your pre-order so that they could get the game instead. It's a practice that has been hugely cut down on in the last few years so if it ever happens again be sure to reiterate that GS policy to the employee behind the counter before they get you to cancel your order.

Also GS is only required to hold your pre-order for 48 hours after it's released (although most GameStop's tend to hold it for a few days more) before selling it to another customer. If the your game gets sold after 48 hours don't worry your money and pre-order are still there, but you'll either have to wait for the second shipment to come in or for the game to be ordered in from another store.

[manaman]

Yeah,

Actually, I just pre-ordered for real my first game. But I do have a story.

Back in the day, I went in to a GameStop and asked if any of the pre-order bonuses for Dawn of Mana were still in stock after the game was released. They said yes. So, I told them I'd like to purchase the game and get the bonus. They said, "Great" and started ringing me up when they asked me what game I'd like to pre-order.

I stopped and asked, "What?" Then they explained to me that to get the pre-order bonus for Dawn of Mana, I would need to pre-order a game. I told them that I was getting Dawn of Mana.

They told me it was store policy. I looked at them blankly. They asked me again. I asked if I could pre-order Dawn of Mana now, leave the store and come back in a half an hour. They said no because the game was already out so I couldn't technically "pre-order" it to get the bonus. Their solution was apparently that I pre-order something else.

I then had to explain to them that at that point I had no current generation consoles whatsoever--not even a PS2. I explained that I planned on playing Dawn of Mana on my brother-in-law's PS2.

Then they asked me if I had a computer. I hesitantly said yes. They told me what games were available for pre-order for the computer. Then I had to tell them that I didn't use my computer for gaming. They looked at me without saying anythin.

I explained I was a big fan of the Mana series and I was just hoping to score the Breath of Mana soundtrack CD. They (in hindsight, correctly) said they couldn't just give that to me for nothing. I said, "Hmm," and then they deliberated. Finally, they rang me up and told me that one of the store posters was a little crooked in the window. So, on my way out, I had to straighten it for them.

. . .

It was my first experience with GameStop. To be honest, I'm not sure why I've just pre-ordered The Beatles: Rock Band with them. . . .

manaman

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

Yeah,

Actually, I just pre-ordered for real my first game. But I do have a story.

Back in the day, I went in to a GameStop and asked if any of the pre-order bonuses for Dawn of Mana were still in stock after the game was released. They said yes. So, I told them I'd like to purchase the game and get the bonus. They said, "Great" and started ringing me up when they asked me what game I'd like to pre-order.

I stopped and asked, "What?" Then they explained to me that to get the pre-order bonus for Dawn of Mana, I would need to pre-order a game. I told them that I was getting Dawn of Mana.

They told me it was store policy. I looked at them blankly. They asked me again. I asked if I could pre-order Dawn of Mana now, leave the store and come back in a half an hour. They said no because the game was already out so I couldn't technically "pre-order" it to get the bonus. Their solution was apparently that I pre-order something else.

I then had to explain to them that at that point I had no current generation consoles whatsoever--not even a PS2. I explained that I planned on playing Dawn of Mana on my brother-in-law's PS2.

Then they asked me if I had a computer. I hesitantly said yes. They told me what games were available for pre-order for the computer. Then I had to tell them that I didn't use my computer for gaming. They looked at me without saying anythin.

I explained I was a big fan of the Mana series and I was just hoping to score the Breath of Mana soundtrack CD. They (in hindsight, correctly) said they couldn't just give that to me for nothing. I said, "Hmm," and then they deliberated. Finally, they rang me up and told me that one of the store posters was a little crooked in the window. So, on my way out, I had to straighten it for them.

. . .

It was my first experience with GameStop. To be honest, I'm not sure why I've just pre-ordered The Beatles: Rock Band with them. . . .

manaman

Yeah, that was when GS had the big crackdown on emnployees that raided the pre-order bonuses. I was still just a 14yr. old customer when they did that, so I kind of hated it for a while. Now they took most of the restrictions off, si if a game is out and you want one of the extra pre-order bonuses for it when you buy it if all of the pre-orders have already been picked up then the store will more than likely just give it to you if you tell them you want it no questions asked.

[Jrecee]

I haven't pre-ordered anything in a long time. I'd rather wait for the game to be out 6 months and go on sale than pay full price and get a useless little trinket.

[manaman]

Now they took most of the restrictions off, si if a game is out and you want one of the extra pre-order bonuses for it when you buy it if all of the pre-orders have already been picked up then the store will more than likely just give it to you if you tell them you want it no questions asked.

Ah,

That's good to know. I also "pre-ordered" Metroid Prime Trilogy late and am hoping to receive something. It's not looking too good based on the feedback in this thread, but one never knows. I will be making an in-store pickup so that might make a difference.

Peace,

manaman

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

I haven't pre-ordered anything in a long time. I'd rather wait for the game to be out 6 months and go on sale than pay full price and get a useless little trinket.

I do exactly the same thing most of the time unless it's a franchise I love or it's a really cool game from a small developer or import company that actually uses the first week of sales to determine whether to make or translate sequels or similar games.

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

Now they took most of the restrictions off, si if a game is out and you want one of the extra pre-order bonuses for it when you buy it if all of the pre-orders have already been picked up then the store will more than likely just give it to you if you tell them you want it no questions asked.

Ah,

That's good to know. I also "pre-ordered" Metroid Prime Trilogy late and am hoping to receive something. It's not looking too good based on the feedback in this thread, but one never knows. I will be making an in-store pickup so that might make a difference.

Peace,

manaman

You should be fine if you can get a chance to show up to your local GS early, but if there wasn't a whole ton of demand at your store you should probably be able to get one later in the day easily as well. Also if there was extremely low demand and none of the employees care about the shirt or posters they may just give you two like our store does from time to time.

[SpaceBooger]

My first experience with GS (I think they were new to my area at the time and were separate from EB Games) was when I pre-ordered Lunar: Sliver Star Story Complete for the PS2. All went well, so I preordered Lunar: Eternal Blue with hope of getting the "punching" doll... yeah they didn't have them, or if they did they told me that they never got any in...
Oh well.
I have not pre-ordered any other game since then, not because of GS, but because there have not been any games since Lunar that I have worried about not being able to get my hands on.

[manaman]

You should be fine if you can get a chance to show up to your local GS early, but if there wasn't a whole ton of demand at your store you should probably be able to get one later in the day easily as well. Also if there was extremely low demand and none of the employees care about the shirt or posters they may just give you two like our store does from time to time.

Thanks for the tip!

I'll be heading in tomorrow. I do appreciate it.

Peace,

manaman