Schnozberry
Member
They had millions of Wii U's ready at launch, didn't sell them, and had to buy them back from retailers and sell them as refurbs at steep discounts from their company store.
Maybe they did learn?
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GoNintendo: "Getting the switch at gamestop might be a bit of a difficult endeavor"
- Thread starter bomblord1
- Start date
They had millions of Wii U's ready at launch, didn't sell them, and had to buy them back from retailers and sell them as refurbs at steep discounts from their company store.
Maybe they did learn?
Is this just gamestop though? I mean it's nowhere near the only place to buy a console (hell, it's not even the first place I think of). What about Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Target? Or is gamestop a pretty good indicator of how availability will be elsewhere?
Well what they need to learn is how to gauge demand properly then. Yes, having too many is bad, but having too few will lose them sales. And with consoles you really need those initial sales to jump start your console (especially if you are starting to get in the downward spiral reputation of "no games" which if you don't like Nintendo games their consoles are definitely getting associated with).
If you don't get people when they are really excited to buy, at least a portion of those people will lose interest or find something else to buy with their money instead. Biggest rule of sales, get them while they are interested as people have short attention spans. It's why cars have packages rather than just letting you buy everything a la carte. Too many options and people go home to think about what they want and decide they don't need it (having packages for the options gives them fewer options while still giving them some choice so it makes it easier for them to choose). Similar thing here, can't get the console, you give them time to realize they don't need it or can get other stuff or simply just don't want to wait.
Take me for example. I'm somewhat interested in the switch. I got some bonus money from work I was going to maybe put into a 3ds and some one convinced me why not wait for the Switch? Thing is, I'm also interested in VR. Most likely I'll wait for VR (Fallout VR to be specific cause I wanted at least one game I'd buy VR for before I put my money into it and that was it) and put my money there but they could get me in all the excitement to get a Switch (patience is not a virtue of mine
). I can't find one... well, that makes it easier for me to save my money for VR. So that would be a sale they could have maybe made that they would definitely lose if I couldn't get one right away (cause once I put the money into getting VR I'm not going to be in the mood to spend more).
Well what they need to learn is how to gauge demand properly then. Yes, having too many is bad, but having too few will lose them sales. And with consoles you really need those initial sales to jump start your console (especially if you are starting to get in the downward spiral reputation of "no games" which if you don't like Nintendo games their consoles are definitely getting associated with).
If you don't get people when they are really excited to buy, at least a portion of those people will lose interest or find something else to buy with their money instead. Biggest rule of sales, get them while they are interested as people have short attention spans. It's why cars have packages rather than just letting you buy everything a la carte. Too many options and people go home to think about what they want and decide they don't need it (having packages for the options gives them fewer options while still giving them some choice so it makes it easier for them to choose). Similar thing here, can't get the console, you give them time to realize they don't need it or can get other stuff or simply just don't want to wait.
Take me for example. I'm somewhat interested in the switch. I got some bonus money from work I was going to maybe put into a 3ds and some one convinced me why not wait for the Switch? Thing is, I'm also interested in VR. Most likely I'll wait for VR (Fallout VR to be specific cause I wanted at least one game I'd buy VR for before I put my money into it and that was it) and put my money there but they could get me in all the excitement to get a Switch (patience is not a virtue of mine
). I can't find one... well, that makes it easier for me to save my money for VR. So that would be a sale they could have maybe made that they would definitely lose if I couldn't get one right away (cause once I put the money into getting VR I'm not going to be in the mood to spend more).Orakio Rob
Member
I would love to pre-order this, but I live in Brazil and the cost of console (assuming US$ 300) + shipping + taxes would be around US$ 600-700 for me 0_0
I'll have to wait until things settle down a bit and the Switch hits Brazil's grey market.
I'll have to wait until things settle down a bit and the Switch hits Brazil's grey market.
MarkMclovin
Member
lol, you think that's going to guarantee you a console?
I mean, this shit happens everytime Nintendo launch something new now. The Wii, Amiibo, NES Classic and now the Switch. Game in the UK has had and continues to have pre-orders for it, but when the time comes, lots and lots of people will get an email, or phone call saying sorry, Nintendo didn't make enough so you lose out.
This happens every time. It'll happen again.
I'm gonna pre-order with Amazon as soon as it come available, but I ain't gonna hold my breath.
RPGCrazied
Member
Wii launch all over again? That wasn't fun trying to find one. I had to call store after store, basically stalk the UPS trucks. Oh well, unless they have a Metroid game for the switch I'm not getting one day 1. I'm getting Zelda on Wii U, and Mario at least for me is not a system seller.
LordRaptor
Member
I mean, this is a pretty convenient rumour for Gamestop, that you better all rush to gamestop and get your preorders in right this second in this traditional post-christmas sales lull period
boiled goose
good with gravy
It's conservative production balanced with launch timing.
Opening up more production to satisfy initial demand is risky.
Article shortages have never ever make any sense. Nintendo is clueless, but they are a business.
Nintendo is overly conservative and frequently misunderstands the market, but they know basic economics.
FantasticMrFoxdie
Mumber
Nintendo gonna nintendo
getting the switch anywhere will be a bit of a difficult endeavor
getting the switch anywhere will be a bit of a difficult endeavor
SinCityAssassin
Member
My local GameStop is keeping a gift card for me that they can use to secure my preorder the moment it opens.
I'll try my luck at preordering online. If not then I'll wait for the Scorpio launch. I know some peeps will be selling to put towards that.
If that were the case, the ps4/X1 would be selling like crap. The WiiU was the problem, not the amount of systems available at launch.
I'm hoping the launch isn't as bad as when I ordered my Retron 5. Funstock reported afterwards that they sold out in less than 15 minutes.
I'll be going to Game nice and early on Friday morning but that means I'll probably have to miss the presentation. I had a bad experience with preordering Smash Bros 4 from them, but I also preordered the original 3DS from them years ago with no trouble so I'm crossing my fingers this time. I might check Amazon before I head out just to be sure.
I'll be going to Game nice and early on Friday morning but that means I'll probably have to miss the presentation. I had a bad experience with preordering Smash Bros 4 from them, but I also preordered the original 3DS from them years ago with no trouble so I'm crossing my fingers this time. I might check Amazon before I head out just to be sure.
GS is a still a relevant player in the games market but BB, Walmart, Target are also big. Walmart being the biggest. I would not be surprised if the launch for the Switch is similar to the Wii. Basically you had to wait in line to get a pre-order in.
The Salt Life
Banned
Did the Wii U even have the same hype as the Switch though?
Switch seems more like redemption story imo, so I would think you would have some sort of supply out there. But I guess "sold out" makes the better story.
Yup. Just wait half a year. There isn't going to be much to play until at least then, anyway.
For those of us who already have multiple game consoles (PS4, Vita, 3DS and Wii U myself) there is zero reason to jump on this. So, so many good games coming out in the first half of the year that I could spend that money on instead.
Besides, it could end up like the Wii U where owning an early unit was a terrible experience because of the awful OS and lack of new (non port) games.
Don't confuse GAF hype with mainstream hype. I haven't heard a word about it IRL since the day the trailer premiered.
Xion_Stellar
People should stop referencing data that makes me feel uncomfortable because games get ported to platforms I don't like
I went to GameStop last Friday to buy my PS4 Pro and I was told they aren't taking any Pre Orders yet but could be put on a list so they can call me and I can be immediately notified on when pre orders go live. So even if this was the case it's not possible at the moment.
mullet2000
Member
The problem is they don't actually satisfy their initial demand and people are stuck having to cross their fingers and hope they're watching some GAF or Reddit thread the moment an online store gets stock to get one.
There's being conservative then there's underestimating demand. I don't see how that's good for the bottom line. Look at the NES Classic, they could have sold three times what they have (easily) if they had more stock. I don't want to see a repeat of that here :/
whitemex88
Member
has Best Buy announced when online preorders are open?
Naked Snake
Member
Nothing seems to bring out bitter and angry gamers in droves like Nintendo threads.
I made a 50$ deposit and I was the first one to do it so I'm pretty sure to get it day one.
Agree that people are getting way ahead of themselves. This is the kind of rumour Nintendo needs to ensure big numbers.
It isn't going to get a 3DS price cut. I don't see Nintendo ever doing that again. I mean, the Wii U is their worst selling console of all time and it's still $300.
QuantumBro
Banned
I'm going to assume the video is talking about walking into a Gamestop on release date and buying one with no preorder is going to be difficult. Nintendo should be able to cover all consoles pre-ordered within 24 hours of it going on sale.
Schnozberry
Member
I think you're missing my point. The Switch is getting low initial orders and shipments directly because of the failure of the Wii U. Retailers don't want to overbuy, and Nintendo doesn't want to overproduce.
Wolfgunblood Garopa
Member
Schnozberry
Member
I don't know how you measure "hype" other than Social Media or something, and it's not exactly a sure enough metric to get retailers to pony up piles of cash following the Wii U debacle.
Markitron
Is currently staging a hunger strike outside Gearbox HQ while trying to hate them to death
Famous last words. There's a tag in this for you somewhere.
B1gg_Randall
Member
Man I hope I can preorder this on the 12th..
is this the same guy the article is based upon?
https://www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSw...amestop_will_be_having_statedistrict/dc76hz8/
https://www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSw...amestop_will_be_having_statedistrict/dc76hz8/
Wandering Robot
Member
Fortunately for me, I have a GCU account and can preorder at my local Best Buy, where I have never had a problem picking up new releases (which has not been my experience with GameStop). Provided the rumor is true, though, perhaps they won't have a huge stock because other outlets have it? Wal-Mart alone must get a lot of walk-ins.
Why do you assume it's "false"?
Justice_Bolt
Member
Couldn't you just preorder it online then when the day comes just pick it up?
KojiKnight
Member
My gamestop didn't even have any Wii U's at launch for non-preorders.
PadWarrior
Member
Ugh
Naked Snake
Member
Both a completely new 3D Mario and 3D Zelda at launch is unprecedented. This launch should be the stuff of legend. Generations from now people will look back on Switch as a historical event in gaming and fond nostalgia.
That's my prediction anyway. This is Nintendo's final form, and they won't be pulling any punches.
Quoting this for new page:
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