Why is everyone so worried about having a preorder?

[luigeirk]

I haven't pre-ordered a game in almost ten years, and I have never had a problem just walking in when a store opens on release day and grabbing a copy of whatever game. Maybe it's because I live in a big city (San Jose) that has a ton of stores around, but even EA's little shortage announcement doesn't worry me. I don't think this game is going to have people lining up for hours at every store across the nation.

If you want the package just go to your store right before it opens and be one of the first people in there. And don't go to Gamestop or EB Games, because they suck (for many reasons) and only sell to preorders even if they have copies of the game. Go to any big box store like Best Buy or Wal-Mart and they will definitely have a bunch waiting.

Specialty shop employees (like Gamestop) need to meet their quotas for preorders and GI's so they totally blow things out of proportion and tell you that you won't get one if you don't preorder or some other bs, which could be true if you only go to their little store that gets five copies of a game on release day. Just go somewhere else unless you are forced because there is not another store for miles and miles. That is the only time I could understand pre-ordering a game. But I stopped pre-ordering after like the fifth time I had money down at a certain store and then had to wait to get it from there for some reason or another even after seeing it on the shelf at another retailer or two. So lame

In short, Don't worry. If you really want Rock Band, you will find a store to get it at (unless you live in Hicksville I guess).

[Jack_Harvard]

I think the reason everyone is worried is because

a) There have already been warnings of a shortage for the holiday season
b) The boxes are so massive, some stores (i.e. small Gamestops in malls, maybe) might only have enough shelf space, even in the back rooms, for a very small amount of non-preordered games.

[Bakkster]

Did you try getting GH1 or 2 on release day without a preorder? Only reason I preordered is that games with peripherals have a much shorter supply. Stores like Gamestop only receive inventory for the game if they have preorders. The more preorders, the more extra copies they receive, which might also be preordered by another person.

You might be able to walk in and buy one, but it's hardly guaranteed. I'm with you on not preordering games, but this is one exception. Good luck!

[Oblong]

Like the above poster mentioned, the first Guitar Hero was in way short supply unless you preordered. We did and it was months before our friends found a copy.

I agree that preordering is not generally needed for games (unless it's a niche title like the first Katamari game).

But big box items are a different story...Guitar Hero, Steel Battalion's controller, and surely Rock Band will be in short supply.

Good luck nonetheless, I would imagine if you can be first in line at a non-preorder retail location you won't have a problem either.

[luigeirk]

Did you try getting GH1 or 2 on release day without a preorder? Only reason I preordered is that games with peripherals have a much shorter supply. Stores like Gamestop only receive inventory for the game if they have preorders. The more preorders, the more extra copies they receive, which might also be preordered by another person.

You might be able to walk in and buy one, but it's hardly guaranteed. I'm with you on not preordering games, but this is one exception. Good luck!

I haven't had a problem with walking in and getting any GH game. If you go on day one, you will get one. If you don't get in right away on the initial shipment, that is when you have a problem finding one for the holidays, because then it becomes a game of phone tag with different stores trying to find out when they are getting shipments. I've seen my friends have problems with this when trying to get a Wii (the only thing I've ever camped out for). I knew Wii was going to be super scarce, so I damn well knew if I didn't want to wait months I better just wait a few hours in the cold :) (Just walked in and bought Super Mario Galaxy yesterday by the way and sure enough the Gamestop employee was like "What?!? You didn't preorder omg! You should preorder Brawl then!" I told him no and then he handed me my non-preorder Super Mario Galaxy and I left :)

[MaineDrummer]

I have pre-ordered only a few. In general I have not had a problem either. It only takes one time to get burned to change your view. I now pre-order games I must have just to be sure. This is one of those. I do believe they will be hard to find, good luck.

[Smokey_Lemon]

I wish that kind of thinking worked for me. I went to 12 differernt stores for GH2 and I couldn't find Gears of War (which I preordered) for 3 days. Just because you are a big retailer does not mean anything except that you have more purchasing power than the small retialers. I am curious to find out how many people think they are going to just show up and grab a RB off the shelf. I will be amused when someone starts a thread called "Rock Band in Stock!! Confirmed Locations!"

[luigeirk]

Like the above poster mentioned, the first Guitar Hero was in way short supply unless you preordered. We did and it was months before our friends found a copy.

I agree that preordering is not generally needed for games (unless it's a niche title like the first Katamari game).

But big box items are a different story...Guitar Hero, Steel Battalion's controller, and surely Rock Band will be in short supply.

Good luck nonetheless, I would imagine if you can be first in line at a non-preorder retail location you won't have a problem either.

With the first GH I guess I was pretty lucky since my college roommate had it ordered and shipped straight from Red Octane (with the original Cherry SG no less) before I barely even knew what he was talking about. I've never been a Sony fan so I didn't keep up on most of the games for PS2.

I know big box items are harder to keep in supply, but the Gamestop I went to yesterday said they were receiving about 36 bundles. That is just one of the 50 Gamestops around here, and if they are getting that many, then Best Buy will likely have at least triple that. So if I get there at nine in the morning and don't see a line wrapped around the building I think I'll be ok :)

[Bakkster]

Well, good luck to everyone who will try camping out! Just don't come here if you don't get a copy and complain. We will destroy your soul ;)

[luigeirk]

I wish that kind of thinking worked for me. I went to 12 differernt stores for GH2 and I couldn't find Gears of War (which I preordered) for 3 days. Just because you are a big retailer does not mean anything except that you have more purchasing power than the small retialers. I am curious to find out how many people think they are going to just show up and grab a RB off the shelf. I will be amused when someone starts a thread called "Rock Band in Stock!! Confirmed Locations!"

LOL. All this alarmist thinking does get me a little worried when I come on the boards, but I have not been screwed yet once around here. There are so many stores around here and it seems like most people you see crying about not getting one were either too lazy (or had school or work I guess)to go right when the stores open or live where there is only one store for hundreds of miles and they only get four copies and only receive shipments bi-monthly or something.

Here's hoping the streak continues! This is the only game I have even been slightly worried about not being able to get for a long time. For sure though if I don't get one right away on launch day, it will be somewhat of a pain to find one for a while.

[luigeirk]

Well, good luck to everyone who will try camping out! Just don't come here if you don't get a copy and complain. We will destroy your soul ;)

Haha. If I don't get one I probably will be way too jealous to come around here and listen to you guys having all the fun anyway :p I'm optimistic though :D

[Bakkster]

Haha. If I don't get one I probably will be way too jealous to come around here and listen to you guys having all the fun anyway :p I'm optimistic though :D

Yeah, you don't seem like the type to whine. I just thought I'd give fair warning ;)

[tantric132]

I always preorder because....how does it hurt to preorder? You are garanteed(atleast at my gamestop because they are excellent at getting games on time) that you will get the game on release, so why even take the chance? It doesn't cost any extra to preorder...

I have had Rock band preordered for months now, and fully paid for it by trading in all my xbox 360 games that I don't play anymore(plus gamestop is having a special where if you trade in two 360, ps3, or wii(and maybe DS) games at a time you get $10 bonus. Fully paid for and if they don't do a midnight opening IM GOING TO KILL THEM! And then go get it at 10 the next day,.

[tbradshaw]

I'm with you completely, as another person who isn't using a preorder reservation. Instead, I'll be forming a line at about 11:00pm on Monday night at my local Best Buy.

The real crux is two-fold: GameStop, with their "give us free loans and free inventory to sell" business model has really hammered in the idea of preorders. Talk to any GameStop and it will sound like not preordering a game you want is the same as never buying it at all. GameStop will not have extras because they really want to encourage the interest free loan model.

Second, is just a sense of fanboism. I mean, if you're on the Rock Band forums and you talk about Rock Band every day, the idea of missing out on release day is just a worst case scenario. At that point you start thinking of anything you can do to make sure you get it on release day, and a preorder is a pretty good way to do that.

I really dislike the GameStop business model (especially with so many friends that work in game development, the "middle man" they cut out of the profit model is the developer!) and I made every effort I can to avoid giving them money. So I'll be waiting in line at Best Buy for the midnight release.

Am I nervous about it? Heh heh, yeah, a little bit. Occasionally I daydream about pulling up to Best Buy and there's a long line before I get there... too many for the inventory to support. A preorder would just kind of make myself feel better, remove the need to form a line, etc. But, alas, Best Buy isn't doing preorders. :)

[luigeirk]

I always preorder because....how does it hurt to preorder? You are garanteed(atleast at my gamestop because they are excellent at getting games on time) that you will get the game on release, so why even take the chance? It doesn't cost any extra to preorder...

I have had Rock band preordered for months now, and fully paid for it by trading in all my xbox 360 games that I don't play anymore(plus gamestop is having a special where if you trade in two 360, ps3, or wii(and maybe DS) games at a time you get $10 bonus. Fully paid for and if they don't do a midnight opening IM GOING TO KILL THEM! And then go get it at 10 the next day,.

Well, things have most definitely changed in the last ten years since I have preordered, and reliability on getting your game right away is most likely up to a pretty good standard by now. The main reason I still don't preorder is basically there is no reason to about 99% of the time (Rock Band might be a different story). But the other reason is that I do not like to support Gamestop (and now EB Games).

They are a greedy, evil, and monopolistic corporation that does not have the gamer's interest at heart. Yes, yes. Aren't all corporations greedy and evil? Sure, but Gamestop pisses me off more than normal since videogames are so near and dear to me. For being a specialty store that is supposed to cater to the gamer, they sure don't do a very good job. A lot of there employees are very ill-informed and opinionated (with horrible fanboyish opinions no less); their trade-in and buy back values are horrendous, while they would turn around and sell you the same used game for 13 times the price; they are always in short supply of systems and popular games around launch and release; my previous experiences with late preorders; the way they treat their employees, etc etc the list goes on.

Anyways, I think this might be the one time I should have preordered a game. Mainly because of the peripherals making it hard to stock. I'm not so sure that EA's shortage announcement isn't just to get a few more people worried so they will go buy it right away. Just look at how Activision did the same thing a day later. I still see plenty of GH3 boxes laying around every store I go to. And I also am not sure if that many people are willing to pony up that kind of dough right away and aren't waiting for their parents to get it for them for Xmas. And we all know most older people are idiots about videogames. Those are the people you're gonna find on ebay paying anything to get one, not waiting on launch day to just walk in and buy one. And it's their kids that you're going to have to deal with on these boards crying about it. That's my take anyway. It would suck hairy balls though if somehow all the big stores near me only had a few and ran out in half an hour. I just don't see it happening though.

[luigeirk]

I'm with you completely, as another person who isn't using a preorder reservation. Instead, I'll be forming a line at about 11:00pm on Monday night at my local Best Buy.

The real crux is two-fold: GameStop, with their "give us free loans and free inventory to sell" business model has really hammered in the idea of preorders. Talk to any GameStop and it will sound like not preordering a game you want is the same as never buying it at all. GameStop will not have extras because they really want to encourage the interest free loan model.

Second, is just a sense of fanboism. I mean, if you're on the Rock Band forums and you talk about Rock Band every day, the idea of missing out on release day is just a worst case scenario. At that point you start thinking of anything you can do to make sure you get it on release day, and a preorder is a pretty good way to do that.

I really dislike the GameStop business model (especially with so many friends that work in game development, the "middle man" they cut out of the profit model is the developer!) and I made every effort I can to avoid giving them money. So I'll be waiting in line at Best Buy for the midnight release.

Am I nervous about it? Heh heh, yeah, a little bit. Occasionally I daydream about pulling up to Best Buy and there's a long line before I get there... too many for the inventory to support. A preorder would just kind of make myself feel better, remove the need to form a line, etc. But, alas, Best Buy isn't doing preorders. :)

Good post! I think I should go make sure my Best Buys (there are 3 within a couple miles) aren't doing midnight releases. I seriously doubt they are, but I better go make sure. I work Grave shift, so I will be working at 11pm and getting off at 7am. I am just going to head over around 830 or 9am after work to make sure there isn't a line and just wait in my car for a half hour and walk in and buy it.

[LesPaul5391]

My conversation with a guy at Gamestop yesterday:

Me: Did Assassin's Creed get pushed back till the next tuesday?
Gamestop Guy: Nope, it'll be here tomorrow. I can't thing of anything big that comes on the 20th.
Me: Well, Rock Band does.
GG: well yeah, but that's not even like a real release because there's such limited quantities it's gonna be almost impossible to get it without a pre-order.

who's knows if he knew what he was talkin about, but I'm definately glad I pre-ordered back in July.

[MartyMcFly]

What is this Gamestop business loan interest model crap you're talking about?

If you put down for a pre-order, they don't collect interest on it or anything. I don't understand what you're complaining about.

A game is going to be super scarce, so put a pre-order down. I don't get what the problem is.

I do NOT want to come on here and see you guys complaining that you didn't get a copy only because "Rock Band fanboys pre-ordered them all". There is no logic behind that thinking. Everyone had the same fair equal chance to pre-order. No excuses.

[admanimal]

I also completely agree with the OP. Rock Band is the first game I have ever pre-ordered, but I also fully expect to be able to walk into Target or Walmart (not sure which yet) on Tuesday morning at 8am and pick up a second bundle with no problem. I got GH2 a day early with no pre-order from Circuit City and I got GH1 shortly after launch from BB.

[admanimal]

If you put down for a pre-order, they don't collect interest on it or anything. I don't understand what you're complaining about.



When you give them some of your money a month or so early, they don't just keep it in a box in the back. It goes in the bank and starts gaining interest.

[MartyMcFly]

When you give them some of your money a month or so early, they don't just keep it in a box in the back. It goes in the bank and starts gaining interest.

But that doesn't hurt us? So what's the problem. We're guaranteed our game, we support their business.

lol, that's like complaining because the bank earns interest on your car loan.

[Twztovf8]

Pre-orders have always worked for me. Plus I used to work at the Game Stop that I shop at. I don't think anyone will have a problem getting the game like someone said earlier, Walmart and Targets will have a bunch. Im pretty sure of that.

I seriously think that the "Shortage" rumour that is flying around is to get people to rush out and get it, so more people will buy the game hence more $$..

I knew I wanted this game when I read the official set list.



I wish all of you guys luck getting your copy Tuesday.

If you live in the Central Arkansas area, I can help you find copies if you need me too.

[Bakkster]

Let put it this way:

If you work or have school, the only way to guarantee a copy for later in the day is by preordering.

If you are able to arrive before a midnight release, you will likely get a copy.

[luigeirk]

But that doesn't hurt us? So what's the problem. We're guaranteed our game, we support their business.

lol, that's like complaining because the bank earns interest on your car loan.

Dude, it's basic economics. If you want to make them more money go ahead. That's less money in your bank account and more in theirs. If the risk of not getting your game on release day seems very possible then go ahead and preorder. 99% of the time it is made up hype to get you scared so you think you have to give them your money (that's how the government is working now too:( ). They are counting on you saying "It's only five bucks, and from what they are telling me I better preorder or I might never see this game anywhere else for months." Think of them doing that on a massive scale and that is A LOT of money earning them interest. Support them if you want. Their bs hype tactics and false shortages alone don't make them the crap company they are, but it's one of many factors. Think twice and look at different sources before you blindly give shady people your money.

"It's only five bucks"

[Rocker2]

Dude, it's basic economics. If you want to make them more money go ahead. That's less money in your bank account and more in theirs. If the risk of not getting your game on release day seems very possible then go ahead and preorder. 99% of the time it is made up hype to get you scared so you think you have to give them your money (that's how the government is working now too:( ). They are counting on you saying "It's only five bucks, and from what they are telling me I better preorder or I might never see this game anywhere else for months." Think of them doing that on a massive scale and that is A LOT of money earning them interest. Support them if you want. Their bs hype tactics and false shortages alone don't make them the crap company they are, but it's one of many factors. Think twice and look at different sources before you blindly give shady people your money.

"It's only five bucks"

Dude give me a break the guy is getting a preorder here. You call gamestop shady people as if they are not real business and he is just throwing away his money or buying drugs from some guy in the street. Your being way too preachy about this whole thing.

[toefer]

Dude, it's basic economics. If you want to make them more money go ahead. That's less money in your bank account and more in theirs.


I understand people will argue that you're losing money if you give them money ahead of time, but realistically, I think most of us on here are young, and in college/high school. We likely aren't playing around on the stock market, and keep our money either in cash in a wallet, or throw it in a checking account that collects 0 interest.

I rarely pre-order, but in this case I felt there was an exception. Most games I could live without, and pick up at some later day, but who knows when the second wave of RB shipments will be coming in, and who knows how easy it will be to get one. Plus, putting down $25 gave me $25 less to go waste on...other things.

[masterx1918]

I preordered because me=paranoid about getting a game i've been waiting a year for

[admanimal]

But that doesn't hurt us? So what's the problem. We're guaranteed our game, we support their business.



Well, the money could be in -your- bank, earning -you- money, although not that much.

[Jack_Harvard]

Their bs hype tactics and false shortages alone don't make them the crap company they are, but it's one of many factors. Think twice and look at different sources before you blindly give shady people your money.

"It's only five bucks"

Gamestop is simply a company just like every other out there. Their "hype tactics" aren't BS, it's simple marketing. Every company does things very similar, whether through retail or other divisions. It's unfair to call them "shady people". It'd be like calling a computer salesman a "shady person". It's just a job. I've worked at several movie theaters, and at each place they tell you to "upsize", meaning ask the person if they want the next size popcorn or soda for "just $.25 (or so) more!" It's a business tactic aimed at persuading the easily led masses.

There is absolutely no harm in putting down $5 (or in this case, $25) to help ensure you get a game you want when you want it. It's not like they take the money and it does nothing for you. It helps you get the game, and that money goes toward the end-total. If they decide to put their (legitimately earned) money in an interest-earning bank account like every other business, more power to them.

[admanimal]

Their "hype tactics" aren't BS, it's simple marketing.

I think a more accurate way of putting this is "By definition Marketing -is- B.S."

[Jack_Harvard]

I think a more accurate way of putting this is "By definition Marketing -is- B.S."

Well, I'm not one to deny a simple truth when I see it. :p

[LZ_Reborn]

I agree with the OP about gamestop and their evil ways, I went over there the other day to get a copy of CoD4 on the release day, well the day after that actually, and the guy told me that the only had enough copies for preorders, even though I'm one of their best customers, I just said fine, I walked out and went over to Toys R us and got what I wanted no problems......But with Rockband is totally different, I'm not taking any chances!! since I will be working on the release day and getting off until 5:00 p.m. I don't want to be driving franticly to every gamestop, Walmart, Bestbuy, Target in town looking for the game only to find out it has been sold out!! Forget about it!! mine is bought and paid for!! I sleep better at nights because of that.:D

[Bakkster]

Well, the money could be in -your- bank, earning -you- money, although not that much.

If I preorder, I lose about 1 month's interest at about %4, but I gain a guarantee that I can play Rock Band on the release date. To me, being able to pick up a copy of Rock Band without having to worry is worth 8.3 cents.

How's that for economics? Opportunity cost, FTW!

[IbanezBassist_v2]

I myself don't do the whole pre-order thing. Too shifty. I made an exception for RB. Simply because I want to have that reassurance that I should have a guaranteed copy! Provided that Game Stop doesn't sell mine.

I'll be there when the doors open, so I'm not to concerned about that.

[MartyMcFly]

I wasn't talking about earning money. This discussion is insane lol.

Someone said that those who are pre-ordering are "giving away their money". It doesn't cost any extra to pre-order. The amount you throw down goes towards your purchase, thus those are funds you were going to spend anyway.

They're not stealing money from you personally, but they are making extra money OFF of you. Which, I don't care, it's not coming out of my pocket.

And yes, I work part time, and go to college full time. I get my direct deposit paycheck which goes into a Statement Savings account, which I then use my debit card to make purchases. I was never talking about investments or stocks or interest rates. I don't have actual "savings", just spending money. That's how you lose your money. Not by purchasing video games :rolleyes:

[IbanezBassist_v2]

Who the hell are you talking to McFly?

[toefer]

If they decide to put their (legitimately earned) money in an interest-earning bank account like every other business, more power to them.

Just a technical note, they don't count pre-orders as earned income. Only cash-basis companies can do this, and since GameStop is publicly traded, they have to use the accrual method. So until they actually sell you the full game, your pre-order payments are technically a liability on their books. Still a positive cash flow though.

[MartyMcFly]

Who the hell are you talking to McFly?

I suppose I should have quoted, but mainly the OP. He was trying to say pre-order people throw their money away because it's money they could have held onto to gain interest in the bank or something.

As someone else said, I'd sacrifice 10 cents to guarantee myself a bundle with no worries.

[tbradshaw]

But that doesn't hurt us? So what's the problem. We're guaranteed our game, we support their business.

lol, that's like complaining because the bank earns interest on your car loan.

Well, it's not the same as the bank, but I agree, it doesn't hurt us at all. The interest on a small amount of money doesn't really effect any of our lives. I was just mentioning it because the interest makes a lot of money for GameStop, so they make pre-orders seem a lot more important than they are. That's it really. Not that it's evil, or a big deal. But it does mean that they market it aggressively.

[MartyMcFly]

But it does mean that they market it aggressively.

Yea that's for sure lol. Any other game, I have never bothered to pre-order. But as mentioned, it's completely different with bulky peripherals. It's pretty much downright necessary to pre-order Rock Band.

[tbradshaw]

On another note, I do think GameStop's aggressive practices around used games is kind of weak. I get bummed when someone picks up a new game that they really want (for, hypothetically, 30 bucks) and the sales guy manages to talk them down to buying a used copy of the same game (for, hypothetically, 28 bucks). Coupled with the outrageously low trade-in values, and I think it's bordering on scam-quality.

Relevant hyuck hyucks:

http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2007/10/31
http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2007/03/30

[jdr7650]

Sure you most likely can get a game if you go to best buy and wait around outside before they open on release day (although if they are doing a midnight opening this logic seems a bit flawed) but why would you want to? I like being able to go in and get my copy whenever I feel like it. I don't want to take off work to wait in a line when I can just spend $25 and insure I get the game. Target, Toys R' Us and a ton of other retailers will have one as soon as they open and all but it is way more trouble than giving Amazon or Gamestop or whoever the money early to get the thing to me.

[A_Perfect_TOOL]

I had no problem getting GH3 on release day, just hit up the big stores when they open. I may have it easy living in Maine, but there wasn't a single line waiting at any of the stores I went to. I did have a few minor issues, but those were flukes. I went to Target first, but the kid at the electronics booth said they had tons of the game, but they couldn't find the boxes in the storeroom and told me to come back later. I then went to Wal Mart, but they only had the game+guitar bundles, I was only looking for the game due to all the midnight release reviews that the controller sucked monkey sack. I then hit up Toys R Us which had tons of both the game and the bundle. I was home playing by 10 am.

I'm gonna use the same plan for when RB comes out, Target and Wally world open the earliest at 8 am, if for some crazy reason they don't have it, TRU opens at 9, and then Best Buy at 9:30. I have no worries.


edit: oh, and I don't preorder because I like making an adventure out of it, not that I really have anything against preordering. Its much more fun twisting up a joint and going for a burn ride at 7:30 in the morning than waiting around for the UPS guy to show up.

And **** Gamestop/EB, I wish people would stop giving them money so they would just go under finally, they are just glorified pawnshops.

[tbradshaw]

I like being able to go in and get my copy whenever I feel like it. I don't want to take off work to wait in a line when I can just spend $25 and insure I get the game.

Yup, I'm with you. I checked about three times a week to see if Best Buy was doing pre-orders, if anything, just for the piece of mind that you describe. But they didn't, and I don't mind waiting outside for a bit. I'm just not a GameStop fan, and so it was worth it to me.

Certainly no insult to those that did. Anything that helps my fellow fans get a copy on release is a good thing to me!

[Riboflavin]

i dont get why people are so anti-preorder. its $5. big whoop.

i will pay the $5 every time to guarantee my copy rather than having to go to a different store if my original store is sold out....especially if its a game with a specialty controller

[Thrashdragon]

I preorder online. That way, I have the game in my hands on release day, sometimes even before it's on shelves. A couple of times I have had a game delivered the day before the official release date. Either way I'm playing it faster than if I had to go and get it. I don't have to drive all around town to different stores (it only took doing this once unsuccessfully for me to write that off), and I don't have to deal with the morons behind the counter. Also, because it's an online preorder, they're not making any deposit money off of me.

Unfortunately, EB/Gamestop is the only company I know of that will always have that game in my hands on release day, so I order from them. I don't trade in used games, though...I'd rather throw them in the garbage than sell it to them for $3 and watch them relabel it for $45. They must've learned that one from college bookstores.

[Frederf]

Midway through the GH1 scarcity I tried to get the game. The internet was out of stock, local stores were out of stock. I ended up going to the RedOctane offices for my copy. The stuff wasn't even in the right box. Although it was cool to look over the counter and see what I can only assume was GH2 art material in someone's Adobe Illustrator.

I'm always wary of pre-orders because they basically lock you into a single retailer that may or may not have it earliest. I've ordered things online and seen it in stores 4-5 days before the package arrived and the reverse as well. Waiting as a clueless store got some supply while internet orders rain down on my friends lickety split.

While I did pre-order this one, I completely lack confidence in GameStop to do anything correctly. Also it's not "Just $5" it's "$25 minimum with a 99% guarantee that you will spend the rest of the cost at that store and not buy it somewhere else even it is cheaper or comes out first."

Also I don't buy the pre-order hype as plain marketing B.S. Tempting you to buy a bigger popcorn or soda at the movies is not the same as outright lying to you. They'd only be comparable if say the movies told you that small popcorns give you cancer or if you don't buy a big popcorn today then you won't get any until December.

What happens if I decide not to buy the game at GameStop anyway? What if they completely suck and the game isn't in the store until the 29th? Can I get my money back and go elsewhere?

[tbradshaw]

I do think that you can get your money back on a preorder if you change your mind. Some of our forum goers that work at GameStop can probably answer that better.

[iNiGhTmAr3]

I do think that you can get your money back on a preorder if you change your mind. Some of our forum goers that work at GameStop can probably answer that better.


You can get your money back from a pre-order

[King_Nuthin]

I agree that pre-ordering in general is a scam. Especially on the really huge titles like Halo. Those are never going to be sold out. Between shoving pre-orders and game guides down our throats and the change in return policy I completely stopped shopping at EB/Gamestop a few years back.

With Rock Band however the distributor says they are expecting shortages and while I know better than to trust EA on all their promises something tells me this one is one they'd rather not make. So just to be safe I pre-ordered at the beginning of the month. Paid on my credit card and the statement date is after the 20th so nobody is getting any money early from me. In fact they are losing money since I would have paid cash but I didn't realize they wanted $25 for the preorder instead of the usual 5.

[visualdeity]

That's less money in your bank account

But it's NOT! You haven't paid any money you wouldn't have anyway.

[Atsumi]

I'm actually kind of standing by what the OP says. I STILL see Halo 3 legendary Editions when I go into Best Buy, sitting in a circle trying to get people to buy them.

Maybe it's because it's totally expensive for a FPS with no extra peripherals... but I'm sure there's copies of Rock Band still waiting to be bought.

[jq715861]

I pre-order because I live in a city of 100,000 people there are no Best Buys Circuit Cities or Gamestops for 15 miles at least. There is only one electronic/video game place, GameCrazy.

Also I feel better going to my local GameCrazy on Friday nights after work putting down 50 dollars a week on assorted pre-orders than going in on lets say the 20th and putting down about 250 dollars all at once on the counter for Rock Band and Uncharted.

[espher]

You know, if anyone in Maine happens to find some extra copies lying around in a store somewhere, drop me a PM or something. ;)

I can probably make that road trip.

[Spandrel]

I've read some of the responses in this thread, and, to me, it comes down to the time I'd spend going to my local GameStop to pre-order it and pre-pay it (most likely guaranteeing a copy) to the alternative of having to get to a Best Buy one or two or three hours before a midnight opening.

I don't know, my time is the most important thing to me. It is faster and easier to just pre-order it rather than have to drive around trying to track down a copy that day and/or wait in line for hours in the cold. If you really want RB at release, then pre-ordering it is not a hefty cost for guaranteeing it.

One other thing that makes RB different from other software titles is that it is essentially software bundled with hardware peripherals, and hardware is always slower to produce than hardware. It is much easier to stamp discs out than build hardware pieces.

[el_pablo65]

A couple of ideas on the subject;

It doesn't cost any extra to pre-order games. I do it all the time because I am not fond of camping out or driving store to store looking for something.

I also like to pre-order for a large, and expensive item like Rock Band (or the Wii) because you can make several payments over time and have the game paid off before it hits the shelf.

Lastly, do think about the way a pre-order sends a message to the games publisher. GameStop took over a million orders for Halo 3. Don't kid yourself and think this didn't send a message to Bungie and MS. Likewise, for an expensive title to produce, like ROCK BAND, the number of pre-orders are a valuable determinate when they start planning production.

What I am saying is that to pre-order is to send a message, early, to the game manufacturer to let them know you want their game. Why wouldn't you want to let them know? Why would you want to wait in line at Wal-Mart next Tuesday morning?

Suite yourself, me I like to know where my game will be in advance, and I know I will be playing Tuesday night. I also would bet my copy of the game (well, not really) we will se several "OMG, I cannot find this game anywhere!!!" posts on this and other message boards next week.

Good Luck!

[MrSilver1286]

I pre-ordered Rock band At the GameStop by my house back when the price was $200, it was around august i think. I've been waiting for this game for MONTHS and i pre-ordered it cause i have horrible luck and i wasnt gonna take the chance that i wasnt going to get the game on the release date. I know theyre gonna be hard to find, but its not going to be impossible. I camped out for a Wii last year after everyone told me they were gonna be impossible to get until after the 06 holiday season and i got one. and ended up selling it 2 months later cause it Sucked! But if ur able to get RB on the release date w/o a pre-order i tip my hat off to you.

[MrSilver1286]

What does everyone here have against EB/Game Stop??? That place is my choice retailer when it comes to video games. I've bought 90% of my games there and i got GH3 for free from the trade ins i did. Im a big supporter of Gamestop. And el pablo is right, it only cost 5 bucks to pre-order the game and that money is a downpayment, its being paid towards the game ur getting. I love camping out and driving around down hunting for a game as much as the next guy but with RB im not gonna risk coming home empty handed with an empty 4day thanksgiving weekend to wish i was playing rockband.

Pre-orders help. Do it. Make sure u get the game. And stop hating on Game Stop so much lol

[SmokaCola]

What does everyone here have against EB/Game Stop??? That place is my choice retailer when it comes to video games. I've bought 90% of my games there and i got GH3 for free from the trade ins i did. Im a big supporter of Gamestop. And el pablo is right, it only cost 5 bucks to pre-order the game and that money is a downpayment, its being paid towards the game ur getting. I love camping out and driving around down hunting for a game as much as the next guy but with RB im not gonna risk coming home empty handed with an empty 4day thanksgiving weekend to wish i was playing rockband.

Pre-orders help. Do it. Make sure u get the game. And stop hating on Game Stop so much lol


Only problem I have with them is repackaging used games and selling them as new, that isn't cool.

[Patch_]

You know, I've posted in a few topics like this in my years and even have talked about it with friends offline.
There are 0 downsides to pre-order, none whatsoever.
There could be downsides to not pre-ordering, like not getting the game. You never know when something is going to sell out, this is going to be a big game and it's on the week of black friday. Tell me, what's better ? putting 5 - $25 bucks on a game and getting it for sure or saying screw preorders and not getting it ?

Eye of judgment, I couldn't get it for a week and 6 days because I didn't preorder it. GHIII sold out in at least 4 stores around my area and those stores being 2 gamestop, walmart, target, so most of the time you can get games if you don't pre-order, I'd rather not take the chance. If you didn't preorder and can't now there is still a good shot of landing one, if you're willing to be the first in, etc.

[luigeirk]

You know, I've posted in a few topics like this in my years and even have talked about it with friends offline.
There are 0 downsides to pre-order, none whatsoever.
There could be downsides to not pre-ordering, like not getting the game. You never know when something is going to sell out, this is going to be a big game and it's on the week of black friday. Tell me, what's better ? putting 5 - $25 bucks on a game and getting it for sure or saying screw preorders and not getting it ?

Eye of judgment, I couldn't get it for a week and 6 days because I didn't preorder it. GHIII sold out in at least 4 stores around my area and those stores being 2 gamestop, walmart, target, so most of the time you can get games if you don't pre-order, I'd rather not take the chance. If you didn't preorder and can't now there is still a good shot of landing one, if you're willing to be the first in, etc.

A lot of good responses in this thread. I'll just say that I'm not necessarily anti-preorder, just anti-Gamestop. Rock Band is definitely an exception to the rule as far as availability, and having a preorder in this case is probably a good idea. The opportunity cost is definitely worth it if you have any worries about finding a game on release day (and you guys are making me worry haha). There are other retailers beside Gamestop that do take preorders and aren't as bad of companies. I understand the need for most people to preorder because they can't just walk in right away and buy it because of work or school. Luckily I work Graveshift and am off with plenty of time to go to the store of my choosing, walk in and buy it. I'll save the rest of my Gamestop bashing for another time :D

[Patch_]

A lot of good responses in this thread. I'll just say that I'm not necessarily anti-preorder, just anti-Gamestop. Rock Band is definitely an exception to the rule as far as availability, and having a preorder in this case is probably a good idea. The opportunity cost is definitely worth it if you have any worries about finding a game on release day (and you guys are making me worry haha). There are other retailers beside Gamestop that do take preorders and aren't as bad of companies. I understand the need for most people to preorder because they can't just walk in right away and buy it because of work or school. Luckily I work Graveshift and am off with plenty of time to go to the store of my choosing, walk in and buy it. I'll save the rest of my Gamestop bashing for another time :D

Ah, I used to work at gamestop, so I kinda like it and sometimes I doubt because they get people that are stupid as all hell to work there and the 54.99 used games aren't fun.

If you can get out at midnight though you can score one, bestbuys, walmarts, etc. The main point is to make sure you can get it, any way you can works.

[tbradshaw]

I'll just say that I'm not necessarily anti-preorder, just anti-Gamestop. [...] I'll save the rest of my Gamestop bashing for another time :D

Yup, I'm mostly with you. I love pre-ordering games, I just don't like the GameStop business model, summed up best by this comic:

http://www.penny-arcade.com/images/2007/20070330.jpg

I also agree that I don't really want to spend too much time bashing GameStop. I don't think that they do anything wrong, and I know that their services make a lot of gamers (particular cash-strapped young gamers) happy. I just personal think it's a kinda shady business model.

So to stay on topic, I didn't preorder because GameStop was the only place taking pre-orders and that didn't work for me. If Best Buy or Wal-Mart or any other brick and mortar store in my community was doing pre-orders... I would have done that.