Topic: Looks like my strategy didn't work...

[Plugabugz]

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Due to a European shortage of the Nintendo Wii Consoles, we regret to inform you that Play.com will be unable to supply your pre-ordered Nintendo Wii at launch. As an Official distributor of Nintendo products we are guaranteed more stock before Christmas, but Nintendo have informed us, along with all other official Nintendo retailers, that the console will not be freely available until next year.

I pre-ordered in September. Either Europe is being shafted, or more likely (given i pre-ordered earlier than most people here!), there is a huuuuuuuuge queue already.

Disappointing get!  

[Smash_Brother]

Ouch. That sucks, man.

[Ceric]

That Sorted happened to me.  I made a thread about it. But in my case they sprung a bundle on me.

[Plugabugz]

You still had an option.... I still have to wait, and with one day short of a month left there is no guarantee pre-ordering in every shop in the south east of england will guarantee me one.

[redgiemental]

Well my hopes of getting a Wii aren't looking particularly good either. Registered my interest in GAME ages ago. The idea being that they would phone me to tell when they were taking actual preorders. Never got a call and when I went in to check all preorders were long gone.  The guy in the shop kept insisting that they phoned everyone and at least left a voicemail but I sure as hell didn't get one! So a bit pissed at GAME. The appar(ent shortage in Europe isn't good either. Anyone got any ideas of somewhere I could likely get one even close to launch? Amazon.co.uk haven't started any orders yet and I signed up to get an alert when they open orders but I'm not very confident in them as a good source of a leunch time Wii.  

[Plugabugz]

I did a bit of checking around. All Game stores have stopped taking pre-orders. It may be best just to focus your attention on game: From what i know, Game is receiving 70%!!!!! of all the units heading to the UK. Apparently the launch allocation for Wii's is dependent on the amount of sales that retailer has made for DS/DS Lite.

I've registered my interest in two other branches (including london oxford st, which has a midnight launch) on purpose, and i'm considering a third (or every shop i come across).

[Nick DiMola]

That really sucks. This is exactly why I decided it's best to camp out for the Wii. I don't trust preorders and I guess this is a valid reason not to.

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I still have to wait, and with one day short of a month left

I forgot you guys over seas have a longer wait than we do here in America. I'd be going nuts if I was in Europe knowing that America was getting the system like 2 weeks earlier.  

[redgiemental]

Think I'll end up waiting until next year now I have to go visit my parents in Canada a couple of weeks after the Wii launch. Pity my little bro thinks the Wii sucks and is asking for a 360 for xmas. Where did I go wrong.

[IceCold]

Not enough whipping!

[Ceric]

Spare the Rod and Spoil the Child.

[redgiemental]

hey plugabugz you might be interested to know this. Just got an email from amazon.co.uk

Get ready for a revolution in video gaming--Nintendo Wii is coming!
If you're into gaming as much as we are, then December 8, 2006 will no doubt be etched into your brain as the day that Nintendo launches their Wii console in the UK.

Well, we've got another date for you: Tuesday, November 21, 2006. This is the day Amazon.co.uk will start taking pre-orders for the Wii .

Also worth noting that  

If I pre-order a Wii from Amazon.co.uk, will I get it on launch day (December 8, 2006)?

UK customers: if you choose First Class delivery, your console should be dispatched in time for delivery on December 8. We will work closely with our delivery partners to ensure, as far as possible, delivery by December 8. However, this cannot be guaranteed as some delays may occur which are outside our control.
So I think I'm gonna try this as anoption for getting a launch time Wii.

[Plugabugz]

I signed up to their pre-release list following your advice and they never emailed.

I've stuffed this into my calendar, 7am that tuesday morning i will slam down that pre-order. Good thing is, they know how many they are getting so when they are gone they are gone - none of the same fiffle faffle by Play.

[redgiemental]

Is 7am the time the preorders start then?

[Plugabugz]

Probably not but i will be up at that time.

[Smash_Brother]

Apparently all of the local Gamestops reneged on their previous decision to hold midnight launches because they don't want to pay the employees for the extra four goddamn hours that it would take to actually have the launch.

Needless to say, I'm pissed.

I know it's insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but it's a pretty clear-cut bait and switch.

[redgiemental]

Hey Plugabugz preorders start at 9am just so you know.

[redgiemental]

Heh well they didn't actually start at 9am as stated I got bored made a snack came back and theyd started. Sold out while I messing about with Credit Card details. LAME http://www.currys.co.uk seem to have some Wiis still though in case you didn't get one either. Says it can take up to 5 days after release date to arrive though. Worth a shot if you cant get one anywhere else though. Tell me how your wii-ordering went!

[IceCold]

WOW! Apparently, the Wii is now the fastest selling item in Amazon's history for the UK.

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A record previously held by Harry Potter and Coldplay's X&Y album, the Wii is now the fastest selling item in Amazon UK's history. Amazon.co.uk’s console and videogames manager James Schall said: "We expected a high number of people to visit the site today but the response was phenomenal."

Those who pre-ordered their console during the seven minute window this morning will be guaranteed a console at launch if they pay a small extra fee for handling and quick delivery. The seven minute selling spree was delayed until gone 9.30 due to the sheer number of people accessing Amazon to try and place their order. Eventually the proverbial doors open and within seven minutes they were closed again.

If you want a Wii at launch now now and still haven't pre-ordered one, we wish you the very best of luck..