Why pre order?

[RoyalBoyle78]

Re: Why pre order?

Somebody preorders the game today and they are told they will get the system in February, how are you confident that you can walk in and buy it the day it comes out? Anyplace not doing preorders will have insane lines at midnight/store opening time. I would be absolutely shocked if anyone can casually walk into any store around 1 or 2 in the afternoon on the release day and just pick up a 360 and buy it.

I might be wrong, but there isn't a company in the world who could produce enough units to meet the demands this system will have initially. Microsoft would have to delay the system by at least 6 months to manufacture enough units to make them easy to buy on the release day.

Maybe I"m overestimating the demands, but if EA can't make enough copies of Madden to fully supply every store, I don't see how Microsoft will be able to do that for a new system.

The only thing I'm saying, we really don't know how high the demand is, we just think it's high because it will be a new system, don't forget there are a lot of people waiting the PS3 and people who wanna hear from us when we get our 360's first, So I really don't think we can say what the demand is at all. I think that people will be able to get one, the only way people wont get one is if microsoft screws up on a good amount os shipments to store, wich I doubt they will. I know people who plays video games who don't even know anything about the 360 like we do, and some casual gamers don't know anything about the 360 either, and everyone cant afford the 360 like some of us can, so I don't think there will be a shortage at all. Thats just my opinion.

[jmw1137]

Re: Why pre order?

Somebody preorders the game today and they are told they will get the system in February, how are you confident that you can walk in and buy it the day it comes out? Anyplace not doing preorders will have insane lines at midnight/store opening time. I would be absolutely shocked if anyone can casually walk into any store around 1 or 2 in the afternoon on the release day and just pick up a 360 and buy it.

I might be wrong, but there isn't a company in the world who could produce enough units to meet the demands this system will have initially. Microsoft would have to delay the system by at least 6 months to manufacture enough units to make them easy to buy on the release day.

Maybe I"m overestimating the demands, but if EA can't make enough copies of Madden to fully supply every store, I don't see how Microsoft will be able to do that for a new system.

Everyone said "Pre-order Halo 2 or you'll never get it!" What did I do? I took the day off work, woke-up around 11am, drove over to a local Target (I had a gift card) and asked for a copy of Halo. They had at least 100 copies behind the counter.

I could be wrong but every store I'm sure will order the max they can...Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy, Circuit City, etc. I'm betting there will be some available the day of release. A week later, maybe not...people will buy them up...but the day of I bet there will be quite a few, especially at non-traditional places to buy Xbox/video games.

[kodiak]

Re: Why pre order?

Everyone said "Pre-order Halo 2 or you'll never get it!" What did I do? I took the day off work, woke-up around 11am, drove over to a local Target (I had a gift card) and asked for a copy of Halo. They had at least 100 copies behind the counter.

I could be wrong but every store I'm sure will order the max they can...Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy, Circuit City, etc. I'm betting there will be some available the day of release. A week later, maybe not...people will buy them up...but the day of I bet there will be quite a few, especially at non-traditional places to buy Xbox/video games.

Well just consider the fact that Microsoft is projected to have already cut their launch total. The other thing that people must realize is Gamestop Corp commands much more respect since the legal close of the EB purchase. The market share is the same between Gamestop and Wal-Mart now. With how the PSP sat on shelves in Wal-Mart and Target, Microsoft, and even Sony for the PS3 launch are going to look closely at reserves. These "guarnteed" sales mean more than a potential sale.

[CM1847]

Re: Why pre order?

Everyone said "Pre-order Halo 2 or you'll never get it!" What did I do? I took the day off work, woke-up around 11am, drove over to a local Target (I had a gift card) and asked for a copy of Halo. They had at least 100 copies behind the counter.

I could be wrong but every store I'm sure will order the max they can...Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy, Circuit City, etc. I'm betting there will be some available the day of release. A week later, maybe not...people will buy them up...but the day of I bet there will be quite a few, especially at non-traditional places to buy Xbox/video games.

There's also a big difference in making copies of a DVD and making entire systems.

I don't know for sure either way, I'm in the boat that thinks there will be some difficultly getting the system for a few months. I might be wrong, maybe the demand isn't really that high with the PS3 coming out and the price of the 360. Or maybe Microsoft is ready to handle the demand, I can't say for sure. I just think that banking on walking into any store before 06 and picking up a 360 isn't a safe bet. Just my opinion though.

[3rdAnswer]

Re: Why pre order?

I preorder so that I can go ahead and put my money towards it instead of having to scrounge up money 2 days before a game comes out. This is just my situation though. You have to remember that I have plenty to spend my money on since I'm a high school senior living with my parents and have a job.

[bryan_05]

Re: Why pre order?

Financially, Preordering and paying more than the minimum is a BAD idea. You should technically leave the money in the bank and earn interest on it until the last possible second just a lil' FYI

[deejay8595]

Re: Why pre order?

Just goto walmart...they arent taking preorders.Just get in line early on launch day and you should be cool.

[bryan_05]

Re: Why pre order?

Just goto walmart...they arent taking preorders.Just get in line early on launch day and you should be cool.

Easier said than done. I did that 2x in High School for Xbox and PS2, but for the 360 I will prob. be at work and have a ton of Homework to do.

[SportsorDeath]

Re: Why pre order?

I think some of you are grossly overestimating what the demand will be. Sure, it will be impossible to get one even close to launch at any of the game-centric stores. They all did preorders.

Think about every single Wal Mart, Target, Circuit City, Best Buy, Toys R Us, etc. that are not doing preorders. There will be lines at all those places, but I am betting it will not be at the level of the PS2 insanity.

There is less hype surrounding this system than there was for that, and I am talking primarily about mainstream hype, not the buzz generated on game sites and message boards. Those are all in the hardcore group.

Add to that, the economy is hurting more than it was in 2000, gas prices are insane, and I just don't see it being near what it was then. Also, Microsoft decided (stupidly IMO) to go with 2 different packages. A good majority of people who buy on launch day are going to shell out for the $400 version. That will leave at least some of the less desirable package, sans hard drive and wireless controller. Even if Microsoft cut back on units, and ships less of the cheaper one, there will still be some to be had.

Getting a PSP on launch day without a preorder wasn't a problem, and it may be harder with the 360, but it isn't going to be the dire situation a lot of people think. I know at least 2-3 stores around here that I would be able to waltz in when they open on launch day and pick one up, no hassle.

[RoyalBoyle78]

Re: Why pre order?

I think some of you are grossly overestimating what the demand will be. Sure, it will be impossible to get one even close to launch at any of the game-centric stores. They all did preorders.

Think about every single Wal Mart, Target, Circuit City, Best Buy, Toys R Us, etc. that are not doing preorders. There will be lines at all those places, but I am betting it will not be at the level of the PS2 insanity.

There is less hype surrounding this system than there was for that, and I am talking primarily about mainstream hype, not the buzz generated on game sites and message boards. Those are all in the hardcore group.

Add to that, the economy is hurting more than it was in 2000, gas prices are insane, and I just don't see it being near what it was then. Also, Microsoft decided (stupidly IMO) to go with 2 different packages. A good majority of people who buy on launch day are going to shell out for the $400 version. That will leave at least some of the less desirable package, sans hard drive and wireless controller. Even if Microsoft cut back on units, and ships less of the cheaper one, there will still be some to be had.

Getting a PSP on launch day without a preorder wasn't a problem, and it may be harder with the 360, but it isn't going to be the dire situation a lot of people think. I know at least 2-3 stores around here that I would be able to waltz in when they open on launch day and pick one up, no hassle.

I agree with you 100%, I have been saying this for a long time now.

[headrulz101]

Re: Why pre order?

It's not that bad in Canada. I will be able to probably jsut walk in and pick one up. If not launch day a week after.

[jpup]

Re: Why pre order?

The only thing that I can base it on is the PS2. I didn't see one of those in the store after launch for a while. I got my PS2 at Wal-Mart @ midnight on the release date. Many, many people were turned away, empty handed. They had 29 of them and I was like 14 or 17. There were at least, 50 people turned away and countless others in the days that followed. I am not sure how this will be much different.

I thought and thought about just going to wal-mart about 11:00 on the 21st or 22nd, whichever it is, and trying to snag one, but there is that chance that there will be a ton of people already there waiting in line. I got to the PS2 launch at 9:30 and again I was 14 or 17. I can't get to the 360 launch until at least 11:00. I don't like my chances of getting one before Christmas without ordering online.

That is why I preordered online.

The real question is why hasn't Microsoft announced how many units they expect to have available at launch? If I were led to believe that plenty would be available, I would much rather buy in a brick and mortar store. I want an XBOX 360 ASAP, I don't think that I can take that chance.

[bball_1523]

Re: Why pre order?

isn't microsoft one of the richest companies in the world? If bill gates is smart, I think he will conform to the demands of the 360 preorders. It's ridiculous if shipments don't come again until february. It's just a videogame system that probably doesn't take long to manufacture. If it was a car, I can understand, but a small video game system? lol