Totally disappointed

[DaveG]

To whom it may concern,

Good morning. I would just like to take this moment to express my sincerest disappointment in the way your Rockband video game bundle has been marketed, advertised and distributed for the Playstation2. I eagerly awaited the possibility of this release for the PS2 and when I saw that it had become available I pre-ordered the "Special Edition" bundle through Amazon.com (via Target.com). The ship date was supposed to be yesterday. I checked throughout the day to see when this wonderful Christmas gift was sent out, only to find it hadn't as yet. I received an e-mail this morning from Amazon.com stating "Unfortunately, we've learned that we will not be receiving the quantity we expected from our supplier. As a result, we have cancelled this item from your order."

What??!? :confused: But this was IT! This was my BIG TICKET item. You know? The one BIG BOX under the tree that makes the eyes of children open so big and they run up to it shaking and screaming and hug the box and express their love for it and they don't even know what it IS yet. Do you remember that box?

I have worked my butt off to provide that box every year for 11 years to my son. THIS year it was supposed to be the Rockband bundle for the PS2. And now he won't have it for Christmas due to what? I'm not even sure. But whatever the reason, it's December 13th. Christmas is less than 2 weeks away. I can't afford to buy from the vultures on Ebay.

As I said, I'm extremely disappointed. I know that you produce quality products. I have the privilege of owning some of them. I'm certain that you're going to get pretty much whatever it is you want for Christmas. What I want for Christmas is my Big Box back....

Merry Christmas everyone. And a prosperous New Year in 2008..

Sincerely,

David

[Bakkster]

Ouch that sucks. :( Hope you can find another bundle somewhere else.

[Teh_Nfsjunkie91]

To whom it may concern,

Good morning. I would just like to take this moment to express my sincerest disappointment in the way your Rockband video game bundle has been marketed, advertised and distributed for the Playstation2. I eagerly awaited the possibility of this release for the PS2 and when I saw that it had become available I pre-ordered the "Special Edition" bundle through Amazon.com (via Target.com). The ship date was supposed to be yesterday. I checked throughout the day to see when this wonderful Christmas gift was sent out, only to find it hadn't as yet. I received an e-mail this morning from Amazon.com stating "Unfortunately, we've learned that we will not be receiving the quantity we expected from our supplier. As a result, we have cancelled this item from your order."

What??!? :confused: But this was IT! This was my BIG TICKET item. You know? The one BIG BOX under the tree that makes the eyes of children open so big and they run up to it shaking and screaming and hug the box and express their love for it and they don't even know what it IS yet. Do you remember that box?

I have worked my butt off to provide that box every year for 11 years to my son. THIS year it was supposed to be the Rockband bundle for the PS2. And now he won't have it for Christmas due to what? I'm not even sure. But whatever the reason, it's December 13th. Christmas is less than 2 weeks away. I can't afford to buy from the vultures on Ebay.

As I said, I'm extremely disappointed. I know that you produce quality products. I have the privilege of owning some of them. I'm certain that you're going to get pretty much whatever it is you want for Christmas. What I want for Christmas is my Big Box back....

Merry Christmas everyone. And a prosperous New Year in 2008..

Sincerely,

David

Well, since you can't get the bundle, maybe you could still get a next-gen system instead. I"m sure there's plenty of 360s and PS3s floating around.

[Deeznutzs27]

Well look on the brightside.. some of the early reprts are that the PS2 Version is very limited and dissapointing..

[DaveG]

Well, since you can't get the bundle, maybe you could still get a next-gen system instead. I"m sure there's plenty of 360s and PS3s floating around.

Hey buddy, can ya spare $450.00??

[SuburbanHell]

Sounds like that's Amazon's fault, not HMX's.

[Teh_Nfsjunkie91]

Hey buddy, can ya spare $450.00??

http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-Console-20GB-Drive/dp/B000UQAUWW/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1197559209&sr=8-2

[Apples]

It sounds like Amazon sold more units than it can provide. Is it possible to visit a local retailer around launch date and just buy it in person?

And I can understand $450 being too large an expense (cheapest xbox currently $280 + $170 for a bundle).

Would the Xbox (or ps3 for that matter) by itself be an attractive gift? Most come pre bundled with games... you'd be setting yourself up on the current gen of games. Then you could fill in your game library for birthdays/whatever in the future.

[DaveG]

Sounds like that's Amazon's fault, not HMX's.

I'm not pointing fingers here. I'm just expressing my disappointment. Amazon dot com got the same message I posted here. Seems that SOMEONE should have been able to foresee this and supply enough units to meet demand. Either way, I'm slightly pissed about that.

[Huskie]

DaveG,

As a father of two young boys, I feel your pain. I was also looking to get the PS2 bundle as "the big box" this year but changed my mind due to lack of information including release date, availability (it was preordered at FYE), compatibility with GH controllers, feature set, and peripheral issues with current releases.

We're still looking for a 'big box' item from Santa :(

We are however fortunate enough to have a sister-in-law who secured a WII.

Their Christmas day has been saved by her but they're not going to be very happy with Santa, the cheap skate.

Have a Merry Christmas.

[DaveG]

http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-Console-20GB-Drive/dp/B000UQAUWW/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1197559209&sr=8-2


uh huh.. Now class.. repeat after me... $319.00 (for the xbox 360) + $150.00 (for RockBand bundle) equals...???

[MartyMcFly]

To whom it may concern,

Good morning. I would just like to take this moment to express my sincerest disappointment in the way your Rockband video game bundle has been marketed, advertised and distributed for the Playstation2.

I received an e-mail this morning from Amazon.com stating "Unfortunately, we've learned that we will not be receiving the quantity we expected from our supplier. As a result, we have cancelled this item from your order."


Maybe you're trying to blame HMX for choosing EA to distribute (the largest company you could possibly get) or you're trying to blame EA because the demand was greater than the supply.

I don't know when you actually waited to pre-order, but it wasn't a "possibility of a ps2 version". The Ps2 version was announced 2 months ago. If it was something you anticpated that bad, you should have pre-ordered earlier. Stuff that required large peripherals such as Rock Band will definitely be in short supply. But since it said ship date yesterday, you must have only pre-ordered last week or something.

Well regardless, I'm sorry you can't get the bundle. But don't point the finger at those who are not to blame.

[hicksboy]

The Ps2 version was announced 2 months ago.

False.

http://ps2.ign.com/articles/814/814490p1.html

[Pinmonkey]

David. I feel your pain. Similar thing happened to me with GHIII from amazon.

As the special edition of GH for PS2 isn't released yet, you may want to try FYE if there is one in your area, or maybe calling a GameStop, or BestBuy or Circuit City, or perhaps even Wal*Mart on the release day (Dec. 18). You may still get luck.

Good luck!

[MartyMcFly]

False.

http://ps2.ign.com/articles/814/814490p1.html

Thanks for the correction. That even solidifies my point even more. 4 months ago it was announced, don't wait until the week before to pre-order is the lesson to be learned.

[Teh_Nfsjunkie91]

uh huh.. Now class.. repeat after me... $319.00 (for the xbox 360) + $150.00 (for RockBand bundle) equals...???

Well of course if you factor in the bundle it's going to cost more. Alright, I guess you're screwed then.

[Gallo]

Like you, this was also my one "big item" this Xmas. However, I am now of the opinion that all the delays, rescheduled release dates, and SERIOUS lack of factual information released from Harmonix about the PS2 bundle was a GOOD thing. Based on all the reports of broken peripherals here in these forums (regardless of the replacement procedures), and now the revelation that the PS2 version is lacking in important gameplay features possessed by the 360 and PS3 versions, I think I just saved myself $200 by canceling my month old order @ Gamestop, and some serious disappointment come Xmas day.

[Deeznutzs27]

And no offense but you banking your whole Christmas on something that comes out a week before.. Talk about a gamble but to each their own.

[Huskie]

And no offense but you banking your whole Christmas on something that comes out a week before.. Talk about a gamble but to each their own.
That's why, in my house, Rock Band is going to be one of those "Hey, look what Santa left in the hall closet" after the New Year.

I will get this game. Maybe not for Christmas but we will definitely have this game in my house.

[DaveG]

Maybe you're trying to blame HMX for choosing EA to distribute (the largest company you could possibly get) or you're trying to blame EA because the demand was greater than the supply.

I don't know when you actually waited to pre-order, but it wasn't a "possibility of a ps2 version". The Ps2 version was announced 2 months ago. If it was something you anticpated that bad, you should have pre-ordered earlier. Stuff that required large peripherals such as Rock Band will definitely be in short supply. But since it said ship date yesterday, you must have only pre-ordered last week or something.

Well regardless, I'm sorry you can't get the bundle. But don't point the finger at those who are not to blame.

As I've stated previously. I'm not looking to point fingers. I'm just expressing my disappointment in being offered the chance to pre-order only to find out the day after it was due to ship that they came up short.

[FultonPub]

It is not HMX fault that Amazon sold more units than they would actually be able to fill. Again, echoing other posters why did you wait so long to preorder? Its is known that there was a finite # of units available so waiting so late to preorder is no one's fault but your own.

[DaveG]

And no offense but you banking your whole Christmas on something that comes out a week before.. Talk about a gamble but to each their own.


No offense taken. I pre-ordered this last month. Amazon had posted it's ship date as Dec 11th. They waited until today to e-mail me that they came up short. I wasn't aware of the December 18th release date until I started looking around for this bundle again. I thought I had it locked down. And my Christmas is not banked on this game. It just sucks when my plans fall apart.

[Bakkster]

That's why, in my house, Rock Band is going to be one of those "Hey, look what Santa left in the hall closet" after the New Year.

That's brilliant.

I had a teacher who bought all his Christmas presents on Christmas day to take advantage of all the sales. He told his kids that Santa couldn't visit every house in one night, so they must be on the schedule for the second night.

The hall closet is a great idea, though.

[stacey66]

The only ones to blame here are Amazon.com.... I will no longer order from them again. I pre ordered as soon as they offered... Is there anyone who will get this order from them? Mabey its those people at Amazon that are offering the ps2 version on ebay now for over 400 bucks.

[ck111cmsb]

Our walmart has a sign up that they will not be getting the ps2 RockBand Bundle this week as they had advertized. They will be getting the game without the instruments and there are no instruments that are compatible (what good is that?). The guy at the game counter said he didn't expect walmart to get the bundle until after Christmas--so this sounds like more than just a problem with Amazon--I must say I blame the supplier too.

Our walmart still has the bundle for x-box (there were 4 on the shelf last night). So I too am screwed unless my gamestop pre-order actually comes through on the 18th???? I would consider getting a new system but we just did--the Wii--so I am not yet ready to fork out the $$$ for a new system just to play this game. Too bad it's not out on wii.
Looks like we'll just be getting new wii games maybe just GH3.

[Xerosnake90]

Get over it. Make your son happier and buy him a 360, and than Rock band for another occasion. The ps2 version for RB is jipp anyway.

[espher]

I'm not pointing fingers here. I'm just expressing my disappointment. Amazon dot com got the same message I posted here. Seems that SOMEONE should have been able to foresee this and supply enough units to meet demand. Either way, I'm slightly pissed about that.

Hey, maybe you can call Nintendo and give them some tips on this.

[DaveG]

That's brilliant.

I had a teacher who bought all his Christmas presents on Christmas day to take advantage of all the sales. He told his kids that Santa couldn't visit every house in one night, so they must be on the schedule for the second night.

The hall closet is a great idea, though.

I think I may just have to take up that idea too.. LOL!

[Eman311]

If you were expecting the PS2 version to be just like the next-gen versions you'll be severly dissapointed.

Honestly, it's probably a good thing you aren't getting it.

[Bakkster]

Our walmart has a sign up that they will not be getting the ps2 RockBand Bundle this week as they had advertized. They will be getting the game without the instruments and there are no instruments that are compatible (what good is that?). The guy at the game counter said he didn't expect walmart to get the bundle until after Christmas--so this sounds like more than just a problem with Amazon--I must say I blame the supplier too.

Didn't someone say earlier that the GH guitars worked? Also the Karaoke Revolution mics should work as well, so the standalone could be a perfectly reasonable purchase.

[DaveG]

Okay. So after calming down a bit, I re-read the e-mail I received from Amazon.
Here's what it says about who's to blame:

"We're writing about your recent order for the following item:

Rock Band Special Edition

Unfortunately, we've learned that we will not be receiving the
quantity we expected from our supplier. As a result, we have cancelled
this item from your order. You will NOT be charged for this item, as
we only charge you for items at the time we ship them to you.

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused by this
cancellation. An unexpected manufacturer delay has meant that
availability of this title has been severely limited for all
retailers.

However, we hope to be able to offer this game again during the first
two months of the new year.

We value your business and hope to see you again at Amazon.com.


Sincerely,

Customer Service Department
Amazon.com"
-----------------------------------------------------

So I guess Amazon is not going to receive the quantity they expected from their supplier due to an unexpected manufacturer delay. SO who manufactures the RockBand products?

[Bakkster]

SO who manufactures the RockBand products?

China. They're having problems fitting their quota of lead into the peripherals :D

[Micker]

Make that big box a PS3 and another big box Rock Band, if you really love your kid :).

[MrE]

Do you not have a local Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Target, Circuit City, ToysRus, K-Mart???

I'm planning to hit up Best Buy first thing Tuesday morning to get my hands on a PS2 Bundle as a xmas gift. There is no doubt in my mind I will get one (unless 20+ people are in front of me for it).

[desyphur]

Don't bother. I too got an email from amazon, but oddly, it wasn't a cancellation. Rock Band has been delayed to the 28th. So I'm getting it whenever it manages it's way to my front door =/

[WildBillKickoff]

Ouch, I feel your pain.

The only suggestion I have is to try to get just the game, grab a USB mike, and wait on the drums to be released as a standalone. Or, you could do what I'm doing for my very, very understanding wife: get a picture of a Wii, put it in a box roughly the size of a Wii, and hope she laughs it off before my birthday in June.

[DaveG]

So I received a response from Amazon.com as follows:

"Thank you for writing to us at Amazon.com.

Please accept my sincere apology for any inconvenience that may have
caused you due to this misunderstanding and please allow me to
explain.

I do can understand your concern in this regard, I am extremely
sorry, I am unable to help you out in this regard.

Your e-mail message says that how your children would get
disappointed without this item, no words for me to express my
heartfelt feelings. I am sorry.

I've checked into your order and found that you may have already
received e-mail from us about this item.

Unfortunately, when we contacted our supplier, we learned that "Rock
Band Special Edition" is no longer available. Therefore, this item
has been cancelled from your order.

Your credit card has not been charged for the item, as our policy is
to charge for items at the time of shipment.

I apologize for this inconvenience. Until recently we still hoped
to be able to obtain this item for you.

We make a significant effort to keep abreast of prices and
availabilities, but our reliance on our suppliers for information
about the items they offer means that, occasionally, our database
will not reflect all changes.

Unfortunately, we are unable to reinstate an order that has been
cancelled. You are welcome to return to our web site and place a new
order for the same items. I apologize for any inconvenience this
may cause.

I'm very sorry about all of this. I hope you will consider this an
isolated incident and give us another chance to prove our
efficiency.

Again, we are very sorry for the inconvenience this error has
caused. We value your business and hope to serve you better in the
future.

Thank you again for shopping at Amazon.com.


Please let us know if this e-mail resolved your question:

If yes, click here:
http://www.amazon.com/rsvp-y?c=bfqrqcta3346143007
If not, click here:
http://www.amazon.com/rsvp-n?c=bfqrqcta3346143007

Please note: this e-mail was sent from an address that cannot accept
incoming e-mail.

To contact us about an unrelated issue, please visit the Help
section of our web site.


Best regards,

<name removed by me>
Amazon.com Customer Service"
----------------------------------------------------------

So apparently they are very sorry and apologize profusely.

Merry Christmas everybody!!

[Bluvox]

uh huh.. Now class.. repeat after me... $319.00 (for the xbox 360) + $150.00 (for RockBand bundle) equals...???

The Arcade edition is $280, Rock Band is $170. That equals $450.
The Pro edition (liked before) is $350. So the bundle would be $520.
The Elite edition is $450. So the bundle would be $620.
The 40G PS3 is $400. So the bundle would be $570.
The 80G PS3 is $500. So the bundle would be $670.

The link was wrong, not the math. Rock Band will work with any of those solutions, although DLC isn't a possibility without the Drive. And with 2 free games right now, the Pro and Elite bundles are really a better value than the Arcade bundle with it's 5 XBLA games or whatever.

Amazon has been pulling this crap with selling too many pre-orders for years now, it's really not surprising. I'd say check with your local "big box" stores, I'm sure they'll get copies in before Christmas of it. The internet suppliers just don't get enough of an item to meet demand during these holidays, because they are a single big box location that handles a lot of customers. They always run out.

[CJ452]

Ouch I remember when I was a kid and coming out on Christmas morning and seeing the big box under the tree. Sorry that your son is not getting his big box this year