Topic: Mayhem at a Wal-mart for Xbox 360 launch

[Zach]

here is the article for the "melee" that ensued at a walmart for the xbox 360 release.  I guess that particular wal-mart will be using a number system, rather than a first come first serve policy with the release of the PS3 and rev

[KDR_11k]

Probably the most fun anyone had with an x360...

[IceCold]

Too bad Smash Bros wasn't a launch title...

[Spak-Spang]

You know, my Wal-mart did something like these for the PS2 launch.  

They had everyone in the store shopping like normal, and over the intercom they let it know they would reveal a secret location for everyone to rush and get inline for the PS2.  They then commented that the number of PS2's were extremely limited, and that we should expect not to get one.

When the Rush occurred if you weren't already there you didn't get one...and the Madness of that race was crazy.

People really need to be smarter than what they are.

[wandering]

.....why on earth would they do that? For kicks?  

[couchmonkey]

My Wal-Mart was the same.  I went to get my GameCube, and there was nothing going on in the electronics section.  Everyone was milling around, trying to figure out what to do.  One way or another, we figured out we needed to go to the service desk.  Employees handed out tickets of some kind, and people who had reservations (I wasn't one of them) were understandably ticked that they were now waiting in a huge line for theirs just like everyone else.  If you reserved and didn't show up in time, I'm sure Wal-Mart didn't bother keeping a system for you.

I don't think it's for kicks, I think they just don't have a true reservation system in place.  They probably just give out rain cheques.  So you prepay for the priviledge of standing in line like everyone else.  What really got me about my experience was that it came like a week after the Xbox launch.  I would have thought they'd be more prepared.

[Avinash_Tyagi]

Meh, another reason i'm glad I stopped shopping at Wal-Mart a year ago.

[Spak-Spang]

Well, you got to remember most Walmarts don't do System reservations...they aren't a speciality store able to handle that...and since there store is open 24 hours usually (The Super Walmarts) then how else are you going to do it?

If you have 50-100 people waiting in the Electronics Department then you really can't get anything done in that department.  

The best thing to do is some sort of number system the day of.  Start taking numbers at X time the day before, and then have people clear out until the next day.

[UncleBob]

The best way to do it is to let all the employees buy them first so they can sell them on eBay.

Oh, wait...  No, I'm not a Wal-Mart employee.

[Pale]

When I camped out for my cube, (from 8:30pm to midnight) they made a special line outside (in the cold).  We held the line until 11:50, then they walked down the line with 70 tickets and handed them out.  The ticket got you the system, so we all walked quietly to electronics when they finally let us in.  I think it worked pretty well other than the cold part.  Of course more people than not got the system.  They had 70 systems and about 105 people in line.

[couchmonkey]

Pale: that is the way it should be done.  Hooray for your Wal-Mart!

I'll probably go to Superstore for my Revolution.  The only issue is that they don't open as early as Wal-Mart.  Prices are usually just as good and they're Canadian.

[IceCold]

Quote
Originally posted by: couchmonkey
I'll probably go to Superstore for my Revolution.  The only issue is that they don't open as early as Wal-Mart.  Prices are usually just as good and they're Canadian.

My man! I can't believe the amount of amazing deals I've got from Superstore... it's always my first stop when looking for a game. Last boxing day, a normal Gamecube controller was $15 - even though I have four already I just had to pick one up - it would be a crime not to/

[Flames_of_chaos]

I'm probably going to go to Nintendo World to get a Rev.  

[wandering]

That's my plan as well. Midnight launch at the Nintendo World Store should be awesome.

[KDR_11k]

Boxing Day gives me a nice idea how to determine who gets to buy a console at launch... Just needs a referee.