Topic: Got Messed over on Wii Pre-order

[Ceric]

Yay New topic.  I'm going to kick it off:

This is my complaint that I just submitted to the Better Business Burea:

Quote
At the time I made the Pre-Order there was no stipulation that I had to buy 2 games and an accessory to get my Sytem. I asked multiple time s to verify that such condidtioned did not exist. I called mid-October to verify that my System was pre-ordered and such conditions where not mention at that time. I went to the store today to see what other accessories would be available at launch and they state that I could not get my system because I had to have to buy at least 2 games and an Accessory. I was not notified of the change. Now I am at a point where there are no alternative venues.

Your Desired Resolution:
The settlement I am seeking is allowing me to obtain my Wii and Rayman Raving Rabbids(Rayman 4) on launch day like originally agreed upon when I pre-ordered without having to buy and additional game and accessory.

This case will be reviewed by a complaint specialist at the Better Business Bureau, and then forwarded to the business for their response. It can take up to 30 days for the Bureau to receive a response/resolution to your complaint. You will be notified when the business has responded.

As you can see today I went to Sam Goody just to see what plans they had at launch for me to obtain my Wii.  At that time they informed me that I couldn't have my Wii because I did not order 2 games and an accessory with it.  They offered me a refund.  I said I wanted to consider it and for the number of Corporate, talking with the manager would be an effort in futility this was over her head.  I called them but only got an answering machine on which I left a message.  They have not yet responded so I filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau because I know that is what this will escalate too.  Its bad enough that they suddenly decided that they would not do a midnight launch like with everything else in the world.

Yes I'm going to have to badger them till one of two things happen.

1) I can get my Wii without the Second Game (I can't afford a second game.)
2) They give me a good amount of compensation with my refund.

Fact of the matter is that I would really like $160 in compensation in that case.  Why because at the job I can just go in and work I make $10 an hour.  For the XBox 360 here at the Cookeville Walmart their was a line at 9:00AM for a Midnight launch (The DS was Super Pathetic compared with that).  I could be working those hours.  I settle for enough credit to get a Wiimote though.

I'm not very happy about this at all.    

[Ian Sane]

This sort of crap happened to me with the Cube.  Toys 'R' Us told me I didn't have to buy any extra piddle and crap when I pre-ordered.  So in the meantime I bought a memory card and Rogue Leader somewhere else the second I found a store selling them.  I spend like a week reading the Rogue Leader manual again and again, holding the memory card in my hand, etc.  Lots of fun.  Anyway on launch day my friend was having his birthday party in Whistler so I wasn't going to be able to pick up my Cube.  I had my Dad do it for me and he ended up being first in line.  When he got to the front of the line they did this whole song and dance about how I had pre-ordered one of their bundles.  I had informed my Dad that all I pre-ordered was the console itself and was told that that was all I HAD to pre-order.  My Dad argued with the guy for a little bit and it wasn't going anywhere.  So he cancelled the pre-order right then and there and then asked for one of the few Cubes that was available for walk-in.  Since he was first in line he got it with no problem.  I'm very proud of my Dad for doing that.

There doesn't seem to be any solution to your problem in my story I'm afraid but I just thought I'd share a similar experience.  I'm glad you went to the BBB and I hope this works out for you because you are totally in the right here.

[Ceric]

Thanks.  Your Dad did do the right thing.  When Corporations back out of their word they need to be taken to task.  That is the job of us as consumers.  I would take this to the next step if I had to but I'm in college.  Now in a few years from now might be another story if this ever happens to me again..

[couchmonkey]

Go go team PGC!  This behaviour is stupid.

[WuTangTurtle]

Man im surprised about that, I used to work for Sam Goody before they went out of business and was bought by FYE (lost my job).  I remember the PSP and DS launches, they didn't force any bundles.  I do remember corporate there were a$$tards, escpecially when BestBuy owned them.  I completely hate that company now and I hope you stick it to them big time.

[trip1eX]

Eh these things happen all the time and you know what?  IT is a bummer, but pretty minor.   Get your money back and go elsewhere.  Why shop at a store where you have to write letters to the BBB? Write the letter and shop elsewhere.  Write Sam Goody management too and say they lost your business for the Wii.  Maybe they'll send a coupon inviting you back.  Don't hold your breath.  Just shop somewhere where they want your money.

[Mario]

This reminds me of the whole situation with TRU in Aus at the moment. Thousands of people went out of their way to pre-order there specifically, because they said we'd get any free game at launch. Now after everyone has put down their deposit, they reveal that we can't choose the free game, and that it's Open Season, possibly the least appealing game of all time. Now if people cancel and pre-order somewhere else they risk missing out on Wii at launch since it's so late.

[blackfootsteps]

Yeah that's the situation I'm in Mario. Fully dodgy especially as me and my mates asked specifically if Zelda was part of the free game deal, to be told that it was. Now I'm torn between preordering at EB (hopefully a midnight launch) or just trying to get a walk in console at Big Dubs.  

[Ceric]

I just got a call from Sam Goody.  They got a call from Nintendo today.  I was number 1 on there pre-order list for that store and I won't be getting a Wii.  Nintendo cut the number of Units they were shipping and my Sam Goody won't be getting a one.  None at all.  Makes me wonder whats going on here.

[couchmonkey]

I think what's happening there and also with Gamestop's PS3 situation is that Nintendo and Sony are shifting units around between retailers.  I suspect there will still be 400,000 PS3s and 1 million Wiis, but bigger retailers are getting a bigger piece of the pie by cutting deals with Sony or Nintendo.

Think about this: You're Wal-Mart, and you can make $7 per Wii.  You know every single one is going to sell on launch day, so if you get 50,000 Wiis, you make $350,000 right at opening.  If you give Nintendo a bunch of free advertising, maybe Nintendo gives you 100,000 Wiis, and you're making $700,000 right at opening.  Not only that, the more units you get, the more games and accessories you sell too!  So actually your profit may go from $500,000 to $1,000,000.  There's absolutely no question if you're going to sell that stock, it'll never be marked down...it'll be sold within the day.  So Nintendo/Sony thinks this is a good deal, and the smaller retailers get the axe.

[Ceric]

Personally I think from the logistic standpoint and the customer service standpoint.  They should have lock down the allocations 2 weeks ago so everyone could be notified.

[ProtoNY]

My local FYE that I had preordered from received one single Wii.  I am canceling mine and going to do the Wal Mart route.  How long ahead should I get in line?  If they really are putting a large number of systems at Wal Mart, like they are supposedly doing for Target, should six hours be about right?

[ShreddersDojo]

Please don't do the Walmart route.

If their online offer is anything like their instore offer, it's going to cost you a whopping $600's to get a Wii + 8 games...
When I saw that FYE was doing pre-orders, I figured I might still have a chance, but less than 4 systems?  

As it is, I am going to try the Wayne TRU, as I mentioned before, first.  Then  I'll check out the K-Mart if I don't luck out.  I remember for the Gamecube, they did no pre-orders that I remembered, but an employee came out and gave us numbers for as many as they had, so we didn't have to sit out all night for nothing.    If they do this for this sunday, and I don't get lucky enough, I'll try the K-Mart across the lot, and if I don't luck out there, it's the Best Buy in Paramus that night.   I do know the number they are getting, but I'm not telling for fear of a bigger line

[couchmonkey]

I don't think Wal Mart does bundles in-store.  They didn't last generation anyway.  However, they were totally unorganized, I'll admit that.

I repent some of my earlier comments...apparently Sony really is facing a shortage.  I don't know what's up with Nintendo.