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Gaming Forums => Nintendo Gaming => Topic started by: Ajguy on March 15, 2003, 08:47:21 PM

Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: Ajguy on March 15, 2003, 08:47:21 PM: I just ordered my GBA SP off of Walmart.com and got the following email shortly after:

DESCRIPTION
------------------------------------------------------
Game Boy Advance SP, Platinum
Original release date : 24 MAR 2003
New release date : 19 MAR 2003
Selected Shipping Method : Priority

With two days to ship, I'll have my SP by Friday! Not sure whether or not the actual stores will get it early or not, but it looks ago that the website is getting them early!
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: RickPowers on March 15, 2003, 08:51:25 PM: That jives with what I've been hearing ...
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: Jollus on March 15, 2003, 08:54:54 PM: And what have you been hearing Rick?
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: Magma on March 16, 2003, 05:44:13 AM: Yeah Rick, have you heard this for most major chains or just Walmart? , because we all know the sooner the better.
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: RickPowers on March 16, 2003, 06:20:49 AM: What I've heard is that the release date for the GBA SP is "soft", and retailers are allowed to sell it as soon as they receive it. In this case, that's likely to be THIS FRIDAY.
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: Jollus on March 17, 2003, 12:58:55 AM: Friday hmm....

Then it is fate that I have both Friday and Saturday off this week.
I hope I can find a place that has some. I didn't pre-order from anywhere. Did the GBA SP get many pre-orders, or are those numbers not available?
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: Ajguy on March 17, 2003, 02:57:33 AM: I think places that did take pre-sales (like websites) sold out their first shipments, but places like Walmart, Circuit City, etc. didn't do a pre-sale program so it's first come, first serve.
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: Jollus on March 17, 2003, 11:10:40 PM: good to know
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: Ajguy on March 18, 2003, 04:00:54 AM: Ah crap! I just got another email today! The release has been pushed back from the 19th to the 25th! Not only pushed back, but late even! What gives! Rick, know wanyhting about it?
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: Raider on March 19, 2003, 03:03:30 PM: I doubt you'll be getting the SP early at any Wal-Mart stores, as corporate has blocked the UPC on the SP until Sunday the 23rd. So you the SP can not be rung up by anyone. I don't know about Wal-Mart.com though, maybe you'll get it Saturday or Monday? Oh and we got our SP's in today, pisses me off we can't sell them yet.
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: Ajguy on March 19, 2003, 05:35:38 PM: That stinks. Can't you just take one and leave $99.99 sitting on the counter. It's not really stealing, right?
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: Linkwannabe on March 19, 2003, 05:47:04 PM: I got my SP at Best Buy tonight. They also had it at walmart.
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: RickPowers on March 19, 2003, 05:54:46 PM: I talked to my guy at GameStop today, and while they were hoping to sell the SP on Friday, they've been told they must hold it until Sunday. From what I understood, the SP hadn't even shipped yet, so I'm going to be skeptical of people saying they got theirs until I get work from the inside that it's shipped.
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: Linkwannabe on March 19, 2003, 05:57:42 PM: I work at Best Buy. It has definitely shipped. Otherwise I wouldn't have one.
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: Linkwannabe on March 19, 2003, 05:58:05 PM: Check your local 24 hour walmart.
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: Linkwannabe on March 19, 2003, 06:01:24 PM: Nevermind, check my local Walmart in Eau Claire, WI 715-834-0733 I'd give you the number for Best Buy but there is no one there anymore.
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: RickPowers on March 19, 2003, 06:37:05 PM: Well, see, here's the problem. For you to have the SP NOW, Nintendo would have had to overnight them to BestBuy. Nintendo only overnights at the store's request, and BestBuy NEVER does that.

Secondly, BestBuy stores don't usually get product sent directly to the store, they go to a central distribution center first. This delays stuff by at least a day.

Lastly, neither BestBuy or Walmart have them where I live, which is in Washington State. Yes, right where Nintendo ships them from. That's the reason why stores like GameStop that have stuff sent directly to the stores get stuff the day they release here. Obviously, GameStop, EB, etc. don't have them either. And according to a couple of my friends at Nintendo, it hasn't shipped yet, and doesn't ship until tomorrow.

So, what we have here is a quandry. We have a newly registered user claiming to have the SP, and we have someone very well versed on the way Nintendo deals with retail stores telling you that it hasn't shipped. So the only way to resolve this is for Linkwannabe to give us some sort of proof, like a picture of him holding his SP in one hand (bottom side with US label visible), and his receipt in the other.
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: enigma487 on March 19, 2003, 06:48:21 PM: Rick, I actually purchased the Game Boy SP. the new registered poster is my brother. i was at Wal-Mart, which had them, and i hurriedly went to best buy before they closed at 9 to tell my brother who was at work that they had them. i then wandered over and found them in the Video Game section of our local Best Buy. if i had a scanner or a digital camera at my disposal i would give you proof. or you could just call wal-mart....
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: Jollus on March 19, 2003, 07:30:19 PM: Let the hunt begin!!
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: enigma487 on March 19, 2003, 07:42:06 PM: i would say it has begun. And i am the winner.
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: Linkwannabe on March 19, 2003, 08:30:28 PM: Here is the number for the Eau Claire Best Buy if you don't believe me yet. 715-833-0666 Call tomorrow at 10 o'clock Central time an stop being so skeptical. Go ahead call.
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: Linkwannabe on March 19, 2003, 08:31:47 PM: And actually for video games, dvds, music, and the like usually gets shipped via ups directly to best buy stores. Those items don't go thru the central warehouses. So there. By the way I would have replied earlier, but I was busy playing some sort of handheld device. I thought is was a GameBoy Advance SP, but the all knowing Rick says they haven't shipped yet. Oh wait, Rick dosn't know crap. Call the Best Buy number I posted in the morning, and then you can have my apologee posted by 11.
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: Lyquid on March 20, 2003, 08:33:18 AM: Yesterday, I too purchased the Gameboy SP. Bestbuy (Novi, MI) had 4 Platinum and 5 Cobalt on the shelves. I know, I know... I'm a new user, so the odds of you believing this is slim. So, in spite, I will be sure to take a digital picture of the receipt and Gameboy SP. When I get home from work, I'll post the picture.
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: swimguy228 on March 20, 2003, 10:27:14 AM: I just called the Best Buy in Novi, MI (248-449-8956) Lyquid, and they do have the SP in. Too bad i ordered off of ebgames.com, and i don't have any money right now. I am so angry. It boggles my mind though, because that best buy doesn't usually get their products in until atleast 2 days after the release.
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: RickPowers on March 20, 2003, 10:45:45 AM: Quote
Oh wait, Rick dosn't know crap.

Or maybe Rick is just trying to make sure he has all the facts, especially since what he's being told in OFFICIAL channels completely contradicts what some people posting here for the first time are saying. All I'm saying is that if you indeed bought it, I need proof, because otherwise, there is no way I can get any factual information from Nintendo or anywhere else. No one in Washington State has it yet, and we always get Nintendo products first. This is very odd that of all places, MICHIGAN and WISCONSIN are getting them first. It's also odd that everyone who says they've gotten them, also is from Michigan or Wisconsin. We've received no reports from anywhere else.

Sure, hurl insults around because I'm skeptical. That skepticism is the same thing that keeps PGC from reporting as NEWS what are rumors until you have proof. You want us to tell everyong that the SP is for sale. Prove it to us. That's all I'm saying.
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: Lyquid on March 20, 2003, 11:26:48 AM: I was quite shocked that Bestbuy would have it in stock. The Bestbuy in Novi is usually quite slow in stocking new products (i.e. video games). Ironically, I just happened to be walking around and I saw the boxes on the bottom-shelf of the Gameboy display area.

In regards to an earlier thread, I mentioned I would submit pictures tonight. I am at home now, but I forgot to bring the digital camera from work. I bring the Gameboy SP into work tomorrow, and upload a few pictures. Trust me, I will show that the proof is in the pudding.

Anyway, I will dispose of any additional comments to the naysayers. I will say this, I am quite impressed with the new design. This thing is so darn small and light (no pun intended). The construction seems solid. The front-light makes a world of difference. I could finally play Golden Sun in bed, and not disturb my girlfriend.

Well, what are ya waiting for... If you live near a Bestbuy that has one in stock. Jump in the car and pick one up.
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: Linkwannabe on March 20, 2003, 11:38:22 AM: Call the stores, the numbers are here. I have better things to do than start hoaxes on web sites.
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: Linkwannabe on March 20, 2003, 11:51:14 AM: Anyway, you insulted me first. It can't be true if I'm a "newly registered user". That apparently makes me a crazed lunatic. I have no access to a scanner or a digital camera, so just call these stores.

Walmart(Eau Claire, WI) 715-834-0733 verified
Best Buy(Eau Claire, WI) 715-833-0666 verified
Best Buy(Woodbury, MN) 651-731-1090 verified
Best Buy(Rochester, MN) 507-281-5855 verified
Best Buy(Novi, MI) 248-449-8956 re-verified by me(from swimguy228)

Apparently, Rick doesn't own a phone, so if anyone elso out there doesn't belive, just call.
Title: SP early at Walmart? (Official Early Release Thread)
Post by: Bloodworth on March 20, 2003, 12:06:55 PM: That doesn't make it an insult. There's no reason you should expect us to trust you when we're talking about reporting the news. We'll surely follow up, but having proof helps.
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: Linkwannabe on March 20, 2003, 12:12:59 PM: And, I'm sorry, but I left the store numbers a while ago. You could at least check it out and verify it for people.
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: Bloodworth on March 20, 2003, 12:27:13 PM: Well, thanks for the numbers. Made the call. We'll have a story up soon.
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: RickPowers on March 20, 2003, 12:39:31 PM: One store selling them isn't worth posting news about, so your posting the phone number does us no good. Bloodworth checked those stores, while I made calls to my contacts at Nintendo as well as several other retail chains. Once we got several confirmations from stores, as well as Nintendo's admittance that they shipped the units, we posted the story.

Thanks for your help.
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: enigma487 on March 20, 2003, 12:57:27 PM: one store having it for sale, even two in one town might not be newsworthy. but to just dismiss it as rumor without even making the effort to call that one store first?? it would at least have been a start to the story, probably not to be posted immediately, but you just dismissed it as rumor. i would take that as an insult.

Edit: upon further consideration... One or two stores having it is newsworthy! Is it more newsworthy to say that they are available on the day that everyone thought they would be? no. that's not news. that's telling the same story thats already been told a thousand times. who cares if they are released the day they were supposed to be. no shock there. and a good reporter, someone after the truth, would have made the effort at first post of a phone number last night not waited till nearly 18 hours later to make an effort. and you left Minnesota out of your post on the main site. i'm truly saddened and let down by this pathetic attempt at news.

but i would like to thank bloodworth for making the calls after rick ignored us last night.
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: AgapeNS on March 20, 2003, 01:09:06 PM: The rumors are true. I picked up my platinum SP today at Best Buy in Evansville Indiana. They're the only ones in town selling theirs early thus far. Oddly enough, there only appeared tp be 10 or so on the shelf so they've either sold a ton or there weren't many to begin with.
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: Bloodworth on March 20, 2003, 01:13:02 PM: Well, if you would read Rick's post, he was also making calls on his end. While the individual store confirmations help, we really need the info from sources higher up as well.

We weren't flat out ignoring you, we were doing crowd control in a sense. Anyone can come in and say they got one and get everyone excited. We were just telling people to cool off until we had things confirmed.
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: MetalHead666 on March 20, 2003, 01:17:47 PM: Looks like I am headed to walmart.
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: Kraid on March 20, 2003, 04:03:28 PM: I can tell you that the Gamestop stores, at least in my district, were selling the SP tonite but only to those who had pre-ordered (which accounted for our entire shipment anyway). It was a frustrating day. We got the shipment at about 2 pm, later than most of our other stores. At first we were told by our DM that we would not be breaking the street date. Then we got a call later that we could call the pre-order people and tell them they could pick up their SP tomorrow. Then we got another call and were told to just go ahead and let people get them tonite. Talk about organized confusion. In any case, you should have little problem buying an SP tomorrow (unless of course they are already sold out). Anyway, I got mine.
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: Ajguy on March 20, 2003, 05:16:27 PM: Well, I went to both the Walmart and EBgames in Robinson today (outside Pittsburgh, PA) and got the following. Walmart said they're not available, but the guy kinda infered that they had them. EB told me they are in, but they can't sell them until Sunday. Grr!

And by the way, this is by far the most popular thread I've ever started!
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: TOY on March 20, 2003, 07:14:31 PM: I got mine today (thursday) from E.B. in the Christiana Mall, Wilmington Delaware. They said they were releasing them because the local K.B. Toys or Toys R Us (can't remember which one) broke the release date. By the way, I tested the SP with a couple different games, this thing has an awsome picture, blows the Afterburner away.

TOY
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: Eitan on March 20, 2003, 09:32:34 PM: This is my first post ever on any Nintendo related forum, so I hope that I will be welcome into your community. I just thought that I would add another location that was selling the SPs early as well. I live in the San Francisco bay area of California and my local Babbages (Gamestop) told me that they received a limited shipment yesterday and were given the green light to sell them today. They had just enough to fulfill preorders, but they will get another shipment very soon. Glad I could finally make my first post!
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: Jollus on March 20, 2003, 10:26:56 PM: I am in portland oregon. I can confirm that there are places selling them. Which places? Oh wouldn't you like to know!

I am going out to the store to pick mine up when they open, after I have my GBA SP in hand I will fill you all in.
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: Jollus on March 21, 2003, 09:34:16 PM: I really have to give Nintendo a hand here. The SP is one tight little unit.
I grabed mine from the Clackamas Best Buy in Portland Oregon.
Picked up Wario World 4, and Advance Wars. Two games I have been meaning to get for my Model 1 GBA for a while.

One interesting thing, there where no headphone adapters at Best Buy or Gamestop. However EB had a third party set of headphones for around $8. It came with an adapter and a seperate set of ear buds. So you could get this and use it with any headphones you like. I forget the brand though. I didn't bother to pick them up. I have never really used headphones on my GBA. Although Wario World does have a great sound track. Funny thing, when I was at EB looking for cheap games (thats where I got Advace Wars) I mentioned that I needed new games to play on my new SP. The clerk freaked and was like "You alread have yours?!" I pulled it outa my pocket and he's all like "OooOOooo....lemme see lemme see! I haven't seen one in action yet." It was really funny and I ended up giving him and a few of the customers a little demo. I think I may have sold some people on the thing! LoL

There isn't much else I can say about the SP that hasn't been said.
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: EL PARRo on March 22, 2003, 09:33:11 AM: Yesterday evening, I was at Wal*Mart (in Lodi, California) and there it was, sitting on the shelf for $99.77. I asked the guy who works there to get me one from the display case. He scanned it, and the register said to scan the serial code (the one on the back of the unit that is visible through the "window" in the back of the box) and it wouldn't take it. He tryed to scan it three times, and even entered it in by hand, and it still wouldn't take it. He told me that he couldn't sell it to me. I was thinking "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" He then called someone over to electronics. When she got there a few minutes later, she put her key into the register and entered something into the keyboard. He tried to scan it again, and it finally took it. I thought " Oh, thank God." He told me that I was the first person to buy one. I tell you this so that if you're in the same predicament, be patient.
Title: SP early at Walmart?
Post by: shoney on March 22, 2003, 01:34:53 PM: which gamestop rick? the one at MoA? i got my SP on friday at the funcoland in richfield. i wonder why they have to keep it till sunday at gamestop.