Gamestop Offering Wii Rainchecks dec 20 and 21

Lenardo · 12-14-2007, 10:50 AM

found this on ign- pay retail price, get wii raincheck and be guaranteed a wii for january.

December 14, 2007 - In a conference call this morning, Nintendo's Reggie Fils-Aime revealed a plan to get Wii systems in the hands of frustrated consumers still unable to get ahold of the elusive system.

Fils-Aime revealed that the company has partnered with GameStop to distribute rain check certificates. Consumers can buy a certificate on December 20th and 21st for the full price of the Wii system, securing a system for pick-up in January.

The company partnered with GameStop because of GameStop's strength in pre-sell technology.

Fils-Aime followed up the announcement in a Q&A by revealing that supplies of this rain check will be "many tens of thousands." The system must be picked up in January at the store in which the certificate was purchased. According to Fils-Aime, the certificate is at least something to put under the tree this Christmas for those who can't acquire the system by normal retail means.

He also pleaded with consumers who are paying eBay premiums for Wii systems to "wait a little longer, more Wiis are on the way." This weekend six retailers including Target, Best Buy, and Circuit City will have mass Wii shipments for their newspaper advertising inserts.

Nintendo is unable to meet demand due to many factors. According to Fils-Aime, because the system utilizes many components from many different suppliers, if one is unable to up the supply, Nintendo is unable to up supply on the system.

"We will not know the extent of the Wii demand until we reach it," Fils-Aime said. "Having enough systems would make everyone, including me, happy."

Soygen · 12-14-2007, 10:58 AM

Wow, Nintendo actually partnering with them on the deal...

Akileese · 12-14-2007, 11:40 AM

It's because of their faggy pre order system. They're the only ones capable of actually keeping track of the shit. I still forsee this ending badly. As in ya know, 300 people showing up per store.

RiskyChris · 12-14-2007, 11:45 AM

Wow, giving out rainchecks 4 days before xmas? Someone is going to die in the frenzy. Holy shit.

Grave · 12-14-2007, 12:06 PM

I don't understand why the demand is still so high.

What the fuck is there to play on it?

Everyone I know who has one says it's just collecting dust.

RiskyChris · 12-14-2007, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grave

What the fuck is there to play on it?

Nothing. Let alone even a single game of the year candidate.

Jubee · 12-14-2007, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grave

I don't understand why the demand is still so high.

What the fuck is there to play on it?

Everyone I know who has one says it's just collecting dust.

The people rushing out to buy one aren't the "real" gamers. It's soccer moms and teenage girls that don't realize the system can even play anything besides Wii Sports.

Kindnugs · 12-14-2007, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jubee

The people rushing out to buy one aren't the "real" gamers. It's soccer moms and teenage girls that don't realize the system can even play anything besides Wii Sports.

I'm no soccer mom and I want one. I am done with hardcore games for awhile. I figured the Wii would be a nice switch when I am bored and want something to dick with.

Trebla · 12-14-2007, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jubee

The people rushing out to buy one aren't the "real" gamers. It's soccer moms and teenage girls that don't realize the system can even play anything besides Wii Sports.

Well, generally the people rushing out to buy one are the ones who got tired of FPS games and their derivatives a decade ago. The individual Wii games are a much more niche market. Sure, FE: Radiant Dawn doesn't have the mass appeal of Halo 3, but it's still a great game. And Excite Truck, for instance, may not be the next Forza, but it's certainly not garbage.

The people who have systems "collecting dust" are, for the most part, the ones unwilling to try anything that's not guaranteed to be a blockbuster.

Of the dozen or so games I have, I'd say only a couple were really bad.

Soygen · 12-14-2007, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trebla

The people who have systems "collecting dust" are, for the most part, the ones unwilling to try anything that's not guaranteed to be a blockbuster.

What?

Trebla · 12-14-2007, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soygen

What?

What games (in general) do the people you know with systems collecting dust have? And, in addition to that, what types of games do they generally like?

Edit: Anecdotally, whenever I've seen someone say their system is collecting dust it's usually accompanied by "... the only games I have are Zelda and Wii Sports." Not buying/trying games is a good way to not get use out of a system. Perhaps the "afraid to try non-Blockbusters" was misstated, should have been "afraid to try non-Zelda"

Borzak · 12-14-2007, 12:50 PM

I think there's an artificial shortage. Look at the sites that track when wii's are in stock. They come up several times a day from the same sites everday. On the history page of what's in stock stores will put up wii's in bundles like 10 times a day every day.

I think they do it because nobody is just selling a $249 wii. Look at the ones they put up for sale. It's always like a $450-$700 bundle with 8 games or 10 games.

I think they just hold onto them and people buy the big package they don't want but at least they get a wii. Most of the packages you save a grand total of like $10 on by buying 8-10 games with it...whoopie dooo. Great way to move a lot of product and make more profit.

Nintendo Wii In Stock Tracker History - NowInStock.net

Aulirophile · 12-14-2007, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Borzak

I think there's an artificial shortage.

Nintendo's stock report says hi!

No, they are making them as fast as they can. Retailers don't give a damn, they don't make any money on the actual console and if there was enough supply they wouldn't be spending hundreds of man hours on phone calls alone telling people they don't have Wiis during the busiest shopping season of the year to make a few extra bucks.

Akileese · 12-14-2007, 01:32 PM

I love my Wii. Me and my friends play fighting games on it (DBZ, Bleach, Naruto) as well as Wii Spots, Mario/Sonic Olympics and what not. It's not a great single player system aside from a few games. Paper Mario is fun and so is Zelda, and Mario Galaxy.

So yeah, the people who say their system is collecting dust just aren't willing to try new games. At the least they should be picking up RE:4 for fucking 30 bucks. If you're Wii is collecting that much dust, get gamefly and try games out that way this way you can keep most of the ones you really like.

rodahn · 12-14-2007, 02:18 PM

Mass hype and mass market appeal are what's selling Wiis.

As popular as games like Smash Bros. Brawl and Mario Galaxies are, that popularity is pretty much confined to a niche market.

12-14-2007, 10:50 AM	#1 (permalink)
Lenardo Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 2,360 -12 Internets	Gamestop Offering Wii Rainchecks dec 20 and 21 found this on ign- pay retail price, get wii raincheck and be guaranteed a wii for january. December 14, 2007 - In a conference call this morning, Nintendo's Reggie Fils-Aime revealed a plan to get Wii systems in the hands of frustrated consumers still unable to get ahold of the elusive system. Fils-Aime revealed that the company has partnered with GameStop to distribute rain check certificates. Consumers can buy a certificate on December 20th and 21st for the full price of the Wii system, securing a system for pick-up in January. The company partnered with GameStop because of GameStop's strength in pre-sell technology. Fils-Aime followed up the announcement in a Q&A by revealing that supplies of this rain check will be "many tens of thousands." The system must be picked up in January at the store in which the certificate was purchased. According to Fils-Aime, the certificate is at least something to put under the tree this Christmas for those who can't acquire the system by normal retail means. He also pleaded with consumers who are paying eBay premiums for Wii systems to "wait a little longer, more Wiis are on the way." This weekend six retailers including Target, Best Buy, and Circuit City will have mass Wii shipments for their newspaper advertising inserts. Nintendo is unable to meet demand due to many factors. According to Fils-Aime, because the system utilizes many components from many different suppliers, if one is unable to up the supply, Nintendo is unable to up supply on the system. "We will not know the extent of the Wii demand until we reach it," Fils-Aime said. "Having enough systems would make everyone, including me, happy."

12-14-2007, 11:45 AM	#4 (permalink)
RiskyChris Safety Dance Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 5,585 -5 Internets	Wow, giving out rainchecks 4 days before xmas? Someone is going to die in the frenzy. Holy shit. __________________

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12-14-2007, 10:58 AM	#2 (permalink)
Soygen 100% Pure Soy Monk Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 6,395 +26 Internets	Wow, Nintendo actually partnering with them on the deal...

12-14-2007, 12:06 PM	#5 (permalink)
Grave Slightly OP Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 1,186	I don't understand why the demand is still so high. What the fuck is there to play on it? Everyone I know who has one says it's just collecting dust.

12-14-2007, 12:50 PM	#12 (permalink)
Borzak Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 737 -6 Internets	I think there's an artificial shortage. Look at the sites that track when wii's are in stock. They come up several times a day from the same sites everday. On the history page of what's in stock stores will put up wii's in bundles like 10 times a day every day. I think they do it because nobody is just selling a $249 wii. Look at the ones they put up for sale. It's always like a $450-$700 bundle with 8 games or 10 games. I think they just hold onto them and people buy the big package they don't want but at least they get a wii. Most of the packages you save a grand total of like $10 on by buying 8-10 games with it...whoopie dooo. Great way to move a lot of product and make more profit. Nintendo Wii In Stock Tracker History - NowInStock.net

12-14-2007, 02:18 PM	#15 (permalink)
rodahn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 226	Mass hype and mass market appeal are what's selling Wiis. As popular as games like Smash Bros. Brawl and Mario Galaxies are, that popularity is pretty much confined to a niche market.