Gamecube early release = (false) rumor (1 Viewer)

[Rob Robinson]

from tendobox.com...
GameCube Not Selling Early
Posted On : 11.13.01
Contrary to some online rumors, the Nintendo GameCube is still set for Sunday, November 18th and not a day sooner. After calling around to retailers across the U.S. and speaking with managers, the unanimous reply was that the 18th was the sale date. Although some implied that shipments have indeed begun to come in, no one was willing to sell early. Retailers such as Best Buy claimed that fining would follow if they did, while others such as Wal-Mart stated they recieved a memo specifically stating to not sell any machines early.
While this doens't mean that 100% of the GameCube units will be sold on the 18th (some retailers may fall prey to pressure and sell late on the 17th, particularly if they remain open late), for those of you looking to get a GameCube early, sit tight and bear it out. We're only 5 days away.
If you managed to snag a U.S. GameCube, consider yourself one of the few and lucky, and then get your butt offline and commence playing.

 

[Rob Robinson]

i just posted that because i was getting worked up worried about an early release free for all (paycheck is direct deposited thursday at midnight).
It appears while a few units have slipped through the cracks and made it out, the widespread rollout is still set for sunday the 18th.

 

[Morgan Jolley]

Nothing is physically holding back an early launch, so if the retailers wanted to start selling a day early, they could. Nintendo might not be happy, but as long as they are making money, I don't think they would worry.
The GBA also had a release date, but Nintendo sort of let people release it within a day or two before it.
There is no official early launch, though.

 

[MatthewLei]

Some stores in Cleveland are giving them to preorders already.

 

[Dean Cooper]

Hmm, guess I'll just consider myself lucky then. Well I can say one thing, I don't think many will be dissapointed in Rogue Leader.
Dean

 

[Pete_S]

We received our first shipment of Gamecubes today at Kmart. They're all locked up, away from employees' prying eyes (and greedy hands). Upon merely asking about them, my manager sternly told me that we couldn't sell until the 18th, employees included. He didn't seem too happy at the time, so I didn't ask how many units we'd received. What I do know is that Kmart has been featuring Gamecube promos in its weekly ads for at least the past month, and this Sunday's circular front page is devoted entirely to Gamecube. Based on these facts, I believe that Nintendo will have alloted more than a few Cubes to Kmarts across America.
But, anyway, these next several days of work are going to be torture. And worst of all, I'm working from 8am-4pm on Sunday - I'll have to buy my Cube before we open and then just let it sit in my trunk all day. Aaah, I'm going to go insane!

 

[BrianB]

And what's your car's registration plate?

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Nothing In Particular

 

[Camp]

If you managed to snag a U.S. GameCube, consider yourself one of the few and lucky, and then get your butt offline and commence playing.

LOL!!
I can also back this up. I made some calls today at work and it appears TRU is sticking to the Sunday release. Quite frankly, I'm happy. We've told EVERYONE to come back on the 18th...these people would have my head if I started selling them now.

 

[Greg O' Connel]

Camp,
I was wondering if you knew whether or not Nintendo will fine stores if they sell Gamecubes early. I work at TRU and I'm obviously not going to put the systems out on the shelves once we get them in stock tomorrow, but I want mine NOW! I've been hearing conflicting information, and I don't want to cost the store any money (or get fired over a video game system).
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Link Removed "Columbia House - we were built to irritate America - one person at a time!" Link Removed
[Edited last by Greg O' Connel on November 14, 2001 at 12:50 AM]

 

[Bryan_P]

Can someone tell me what chain of stores is included in TRU? I have mine pre-ordered from Electronics Boutique, and I was at least hoping to get it by Friday, or else I'll just go to Target on Sunday and get a 10% discount since I work there.

 

[Joel Mack]

Bryan,
TRU = Toys R Us.
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"The internet is a place where people from all over come together to
bitch about movies and share pornography."

 

[Camp]

Greg,
I'm not going to pretend to know all the details between a retailer and vendor but fines like the one you speak of are rather rare...or exaggerated. In the case of TRU, we'll obey Nintendo's plan because they've made us a ton of money in the past. We want to continue that relationship so we follow their plan.
If we sold 3 or 4 nothing would happen. If you sold 50 or 60 you might get a phone call from TRU corporate -but not Nintendo.

 

[LarryDavenport]

I was in the EB at Westlake Center (Seattle) to pay the balance on my Game Cube. They said the bundles were in the back, but they can't sell them until the mall opens Sunday morning (11 am). I told them that other stores were already selling them and Nintendo had told stores it was up to them if they wanted to sell them earlier. They (the EB employees) told me that they were told not to sell the GC or accesories early or their allocation would be put in jeapordy.
The guy standing behind me in line had just come from "the Nintendo store" where he bought his GC (he had it in his hands). He had come in to buy the component cables, which he forgot to get at Nintendo. EB wouldn't sell the cables to him until Sunday, "any Official Nintendo Game Cube accesories will not be available until Sunday." Did they have the cables? Yes.
Of course EB would not refund my initial deposit of $100. The lesson for me is to never put a deposit down at EB again. Had I known there was a Nintendo store, I would have gone there.
UPDATE at 10:30am Thursday. Despite the fact that the Sam Goodyy store across the mall started selling GCs yesterday, EB still says they wont sell until Sunday (I could tell from the guy's voice on the phone he is getting tired of people asking). After I pick up my Game Cube on Sunday (it will take me 3 busses because it's a Sunday) I will never shop at EB again!
[Edited last by LarryDavenport on November 15, 2001 at 12:27 PM]

 

[Bryan_P]

Can't you get your Cube somewhere else for the time being, go back to EB on Sunday and get the system just so you can return it? If they won't give your deposit money back, they have to give you money back if you want to return the system completely, don't they?

 

[LarryDavenport]

I don't have another $440 to do that Bryan, sorry.

I'll suffer and wait til Sunday. I did write a letter to EB telling them they lost all of my future business.

 

[Bryan_P]

Sorry Larry, I didn't realize they made you put $440 down at your EB. I was able to preorder it for $100 at an EB in Minneapolis, but they, too, won't sell them until Sunday. I asked them if I would get a refund if I picked up the system somewhere else, but all I get is store credit. Lame!! I think I'll be staying away from EB in the future as well, unless by some miracle they sell it to me tomorrow.