Anyone Else With This Pre-Order Dilemma?

[hurricanefootball4]

I have not pre-ordered NCAA Football 12. Certainly not because I'm not going to pre-order or buy the game, but because I don't know where I will get the game for a midnight release.

The Gamestops closest to me usually don't have midnight releases so I end up having to drive 30 or so minutes away for a midnight release. The Gamestop I went to last year I just found out only has 4 pre-orders for the game. It's still 40 days out but it's not likely that they will get up to the #'s they need for a midnight release.

The Walmart by me just became a 24 hour Walmart this year, but I've never tried to get a game from Walmart at 12:01 and I'm skeptical of how successful I'd be. The customer service (or lack thereof) at the Walmart by me really makes me not want to go there.

Does Walmart even take pre-orders in store? Is there a way to make sure they have copies up at the counter at 12:01?

Just wondering what kind of experience people have had in the past with Walmart or if there is anyone else out there with a similar dilemma and what they plan on doing.

[walshcav]

Re: Anyone Else With This Pre-Order Dilemma?

I would say it's 95% certain that your 24 hour Wal Mart will have PLENTY of copies. I'm driving 50 minutes each way to get the game 3-4 days early and I have been for the last few years.

I guess it just depends on how hardcore you are about it. I know I'm absolutely crazy haha. Around mid-May my ears start to perk up!

[PioneerRaptor]

Re: Anyone Else With This Pre-Order Dilemma?

Wal-mart doesn't usually rush to put games out at 12:01 or anything for that matter unless it's something big.

When they do this though, they usually set up an area where everyone lines up to buy the item.

However, since NCAA most likely won't merit that, you'd probably have to ask a stocker to get it for you as all the department employess will be gone by then. The only workers there will be a manager and stockers.

[bigbob]

Re: Anyone Else With This Pre-Order Dilemma?

I've personally had a lot of success with getting games at Wal-Mart, occasional getting them a little before midnight in my area. Very rarely have I ever gone and them be sold out or there be a line for the games. It seems like not many people think about going to Wal-Mart at midnight to get a game.

When it comes to games like Madden, NCAA and any "big name" games come out, they always have a display at the end of the aisle because they know people will be coming for them.

At least that's in my area.

[NDAlum]

Re: Anyone Else With This Pre-Order Dilemma?

Honestly I couldn't care less about getting the game early. I'm taking on as much OT as possible in June so I can chill in July when the game drops.

[MillerTE92]

Re: Anyone Else With This Pre-Order Dilemma?

Do you know if they are going to have a pre-order gift?

[Houndy]

Re: Anyone Else With This Pre-Order Dilemma?

Do you know if they are going to have a pre-order gift?

For Gamestop, you get Pro-Combat jerseys, but they will be released for everybody at some time.

[Colt45]

Re: Anyone Else With This Pre-Order Dilemma?

Wal-mart doesn't usually rush to put games out at 12:01 or anything for that matter unless it's something big.

When they do this though, they usually set up an area where everyone lines up to buy the item.

However, since NCAA most likely won't merit that, you'd probably have to ask a stocker to get it for you as all the department employess will be gone by then. The only workers there will be a manager and stockers.

This. Done it this way at Wal-Mart (and Meijer, for that matter) for multiple games, CDs, and movies.

[Tecmo Bowl]

Re: Anyone Else With This Pre-Order Dilemma?

NCAA isn't worth getting early because the rosters won't be out for a few days so you can't start your dynasty.

[1GATOR FAN]

Re: Anyone Else With This Pre-Order Dilemma?

My Gamestop is to far and isn't open at Midnight. My local Wal-Mart is close and I have been going for this for years now at this same Wal-Mart for this exact game and only one year had a problem because they didn't get there shipment.

Every year I go I'm like the only person buying it lol(Small town).... Gamestop is not worth the UNi's IMO so it works out. I only pre order if it's a good deal for Call of duty or something.

[Wildcats302]

Re: Anyone Else With This Pre-Order Dilemma?

NCAA isn't worth getting early because the rosters won't be out for a few days so you can't start your dynasty.

I see your point to an extent but for many of us, this is a tradition. NCAA is the only game I've ever got at midnight. No Madden, no COD, no Uncharted, etc, but NCAA is a tradition for me at midnight on Monday evening/ Tuesday Morning.

I agree about the rosters in regards to dynasty, but I can play play now games, online against people, do a test dynasty with random names to see how CC works, how sim stats are, and other things until that weekend when I have full confidence that I'll have my rosters and coaches names.

And to the OP, Walmart is golden, at least where I'm from. I do live near Nashville in TN though so most stores around here are in decent size suburbs of Nashville where I go to get NCAA. If you live in a rural area, it could be different. Best to go call and ask or go by their electronic department one day when you are in there shopping or driving by to see if they do midnight releases, etc, but they should.

[teammaxwell]

Re: Anyone Else With This Pre-Order Dilemma?

my walmart last year had a sign at the door that said "NCAA football available at 12:01" on the release date.

If its not out on the shelf, it will be in the back and a customer service rep will go get it for you if you ask. I did this two years ago. I haven't been to Gamestop for NCAA in 2 or 3 years.

Side Note: Does anyone else remember standing in line at 10:30-11pm just to be one of the first ones out the door with the game? I live near Clemson, so there was always a couple of football players outside waiting in line as well... although one year they got special treatment and were allowed to cut.

[LBFitted]

Re: Anyone Else With This Pre-Order Dilemma?

NCAA isn't worth getting early because the rosters won't be out for a few days so you can't start your dynasty.

altho thats true...with the new edition of custom playbooks and the deeper RTG...its worth havin early enough to fiddle with it

[bigdfan76]

Re: Anyone Else With This Pre-Order Dilemma?

I had a different dilemma. I am a big fan but quite frankly I don't have enough time to play the game after midnight anyway. So midnight release is of no consequence to me. My dilema was the amount of money I would get on my trade ins(Madden11, NBA2k11) and the pre-order promo. I'm gonna end up going to Best buy and getting it later in the day on the 12th because they'll give me $33 for both games instead of Gamestops in store promo for an extra 40% only giving me $28.

[cj_vols13]

Re: Anyone Else With This Pre-Order Dilemma?

I usually go to Wal-Mart. There are 15-20 people waiting in line every year. The Electronics guy has 2 lines set up(ps3 and 360) about 10 mins before midnight. And they give you a $5 gift card so I pick up some snacks.