Pre ordering a console

[Jeremy]

I have never done this before... so I'm wondering... why do people line up and scramble around trying to find one if they could have just preordered it? I'm thinking about preordering it from Amazon. But does that mean I might not get it right away or something?

 

[Jas0n]

Amazon are AWFUL with pre-orders and I'd never recommend them, I know of plenty of people that can agree with me. You can be waiting weeks for it even if you pay extra for the release date delivery. If you want to pre-order I'd order from a more reliable source, not sure of one in the US but GAME in the UK ALWAYS delivery either a day before release or on the release day.

As for people lining up, I'd assume because 1) they want to experience the atmosphere or 2) they don't know of a reliable place to pre-order.

 

[Jeremy]

Actually, I remembered that I have a lot of GameStop gift cards / store credit. I wonder if I'd have to wait when preordering from them...

 

[SamXX]

As for people lining up, I'd assume because 1) they want to experience the atmosphere or 2) they don't know of a reliable place to pre-order.

Yes! I love the atmosphere of lining up with lots of people all there for the same thing to be honest.

 

[Liquefy]

In Amazon's defense, not everyone who pre-orders an item does it to have the item "right away."

In my experience, Amazon frequently ships items prior to "official" release (many times on the day before). Time of delivery, though, is usually subject to the chosen shipping service (USPS First Class, USPS Media Mail, USPS Priority Mail, etc.)

Also in my experience, Amazon sometimes offers great pre-ordering incentives, like $20 credit for your next video-game-related purchase.

 

[Jas0n]

In Amazon's defense, not everyone who pre-orders an item does it to have the item "right away."

In my experience, Amazon frequently ships items prior to "official" release (many times on the day before). Time of delivery, though, is usually subject to the chosen shipping service (USPS First Class, USPS Media Mail, USPS Priority Mail, etc.)

Also in my experience, Amazon sometimes offers great pre-ordering incentives, like $20 credit for your next video-game-related purchase.

This is very true, Amazon are great with things like that and some people do get their pre-orders on the day or a few days after release, but in general if you're looking to have the item on release day, pre-ordering from Amazon isn't the way to go.

 

[Jeremy]

Anyone have experience with preordering consoles from GameStop?

Should I still wait in line if I preorder it?

 

[Pear]

Sometimes you can get stuff early too though. A ton of people got Halo Reach a day early. Obviously, that's not the majority, but it would be a nice surprise.

 

[Jas0n]

Anyone have experience with preordering consoles from GameStop?

Should I still wait in line if I preorder it?

Really depends if you're willing to wait in line to have it on release day. I think that's the best way to make sure you'll have it.

 

[Brad]

This isn't really console related but it's pre-order related. Back in the good old days when Hollywood Video was still around I pre-ordered Pokemon SoulSilver and I got on a Wednesday. Even though It came out on sunday. I was like the almighty over-lord of the nerds in my school. =] *ON TOPIC* As for consoles I usually just get the console around a birthday or christmas so I wouldn't have any experience with that.

 

[Psychonaut]

closest i've come to a launch date event was picking up a DS at wal-mart the day it came out. not a nerd in sight.

i can understand wanting the atmosphere if it's anything like black friday, though. i was at a brawl release, oh god that was fun.

 

[SockHead]

I say if you want it at 12am, go wait in line. If you can wait until around 9am when you wake up, get it then. (pre-order it of course)

 

[Tyeforce]

I'm in the same boat as you, Jer. I've never preordered a console before, because I've always just gone in and bought it on launch day without a problem, or, before I actually had money to buy my own things, got it for my birthday or Christmas. The only exception was the Wii, because I really wanted to wait in line at Wal-Mart with my friends, and oh god was that awesome. The best 33 hours ever! XD And I'd love to do it again with the 3DS, but because of school and work, it just wouldn't be possible for me. And I can't just walk in sometime later in the day and expect to get one with no problem at all like I've done with other consoles, since the launch supply is so short. So preordering is probably my only choice if I'm gonna get it on launch day. I already took care of that the other day, as I just preordered both an Aqua Blue and a Cosmo Black 3DS at GameStop, but that's not to say that I can just sit back and relax now. GameStop may or may not have a midnight launch, and if they do, it will vary by location. I want my 3DS at midnight, dammit, so if GameStop fails me, I'm canceling my preorder and heading to Wal-Mart and hoping that there isn't too long of a line by the time I can make it there.

 

[Mino]

I just preordered both an Aqua Blue and a Cosmo Black 3DS at GameStop

Some poor kid is not going to get a 3DS now.

 

[Tyeforce]

Some poor kid is not going to get a 3DS now.

They're not both for me, lol. The Cosmo Black one is for me and the Aqua Blue one is for my boyfriend.

 

[Jeremy]

I'm wondering if I should preorder another one (or more lol) and sell it on eBay...

 

[Tyeforce]

That might actually be a good idea... Many people did that with the Wii when it came out, and it looks like the 3DS might be even harder to get ahold of than the Wii was, so it probably wouldn't be hard to make a big profit that way. And even if you can't manage to sell it for a higher price, I'm sure you'll have no problem at least breaking even if worst comes to worse. I'd try it if I weren't so lazy. XD I'm too lazy to pack and ship stuff to sell on eBay, lol.

 

[Jake]

OMG I WANT JEREMY'S 3DS!!!

Actually, I don't, I'd much rather get one for the cheapest price. Jeremy is too rich for my likings,

 

[=TPow=]

I usually pre-order online through stores. That way I can get it right away and pick it up at the store of its release day. Then walk out laughing at everyone!! =P