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blakespot

Administrator
Original poster
Jun 4, 2000
1,367
164
Alexandria, VA
Hey folks.

I decided the night before the Switch launch that I want one (or want Zelda, in particular), and so I am trying to acquire a unit. I'm hoping this can be a back and forth with others trying to do the same, as far as suggestions as to who is getting shipments and when, etc.

I'm in northern Virginia (Alexandria). I got in line at Toys R Us in Baileys Crossroads, VA Sunday morning.

https://twitter.com/blakespot/status/838386178579640320

See that kid in the red jacket immediately in front of me? He was the 25th person in line and got the last ticket. So close!

I called local Toys R Us today and asked but they don't know when they're getting more. Target doesn't know either.

With past Nintendo consoles (I waited in line for the Wii in November 2006 and succeeded at a Best Buy on launch day), do stores typically get several shipments per week? Every day?

Any tips? I'm watching Prime Now and NowInStock, but don't expect those to be my hero.

Good luck out there.



bp
[doublepost=1488827901][/doublepost]Walmart in DC on H St. just told me (I called) they they just got the one shipment for launch and they're "not getting any shipment ever -- that's it." Take that for what it's worth...


bp
 

Cnasty

macrumors 68040
Jul 2, 2008
3,336
2,106
Keep an eye on the Marketplace here as there are already 2 up on there. Yes, some will jack the prices high but you may find solid members only looking for a small profit.

Also, subscribe to instock alerts as I was able to get one from Best Buy last Friday morning, shipped tomorrow.

Good luck!
 

blesscheese

macrumors 6502a
Apr 3, 2010
698
178
Central CA
I would keep hitting big stores (Wal-Mart, Target) and electronic stores (Best Buy, etc.), without making yourself crazy.

I think within a month, supplies will be sufficient to meet demand, and you will be able to easily get one.
 

blakespot

Administrator
Original poster
Jun 4, 2000
1,367
164
Alexandria, VA
Keep an eye on the Marketplace here as there are already 2 up on there. Yes, some will jack the prices high but you may find solid members only looking for a small profit.

Also, subscribe to instock alerts as I was able to get one from Best Buy last Friday morning, shipped tomorrow.

Good luck!
Instock alerts? NowInStock.net, or is this another network? Thanks.


bp
[doublepost=1488831374][/doublepost]And it appears GameStop is pulling a huge BS tactic, indicating there will be no units in store for three months, and in that time they are pushing two bundles, one ~$520 and one ~$580 that you can order in-store now, and get a unit "before Easter" at this point.

No thanks, GameStop.



bp
 
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44267547

Cancelled
Jul 12, 2016
37,642
42,495
Instock alerts? NowInStock.net, or is this another network? Thanks.


bp
[doublepost=1488831374][/doublepost]And it appears GameStop is pulling a huge BS tactic, indicating there will be no units in store for three months, and in that time they are pushing two bundles, one ~$520 and one ~$580 that you can order in-store now, and get a unit "before Easter" at this point.

No thanks, GameStop.



bp

Slightly off-topic, but Game Stop is really trying to pull some antics that are trying to bring more gamers in and playing this falsehood with product constraint. They think they can outsmart their customer base, when in reality if you do your homework, you can Find better sale prices or bundles then what they offer. These last two years, Gamestop has really made some moves that make me question their overall morale.
 

mandoman

macrumors 6502
Nov 8, 2005
392
73
If you just want to play Zelda, have you considered getting a Wii-U instead? You can get a refurbished like new one from Nintendo store for $200. As a bonus, the back catalog of Wii-U Nintendo exclusive games is excellent.
 

twietee

macrumors 603
Jan 24, 2012
5,300
1,675
You should at least know that Zelda is eventually the only game you'll be playing for a long while (in case you have no other console/gaming system you play on). Just saying though.
 

blesscheese

macrumors 6502a
Apr 3, 2010
698
178
Central CA
And it appears GameStop is pulling a huge BS tactic, indicating there will be no units in store for three months, and in that time they are pushing two bundles, one ~$520 and one ~$580 that you can order in-store now, and get a unit "before Easter" at this point.

No thanks, GameStop.

bp

Yeah, GamesStop has done this in the past. Hugely asshat type of move.

Again, thinking out loud, most stores should be getting at least one shipment a week (the first week or two might be slow), so sometime soon I think you can get one. I think your chances might be higher at a department store, since every gamer will try to order on line or in store at places like GameStop.
 

blakespot

Administrator
Original poster
Jun 4, 2000
1,367
164
Alexandria, VA
If you just want to play Zelda, have you considered getting a Wii-U instead? You can get a refurbished like new one from Nintendo store for $200. As a bonus, the back catalog of Wii-U Nintendo exclusive games is excellent.
Well, I specifically want to play on my 45 min DC commute and laying on the bed for an hour every night waiting for the wife to finish putting the girl to bed. So, mobile is a huge aspect for me.
[doublepost=1488897800][/doublepost]I hit the local Target (Potomac Yards, Alexandria) at 8am and it was me and 5-6 others walking in at gate open. No Switches in last night.

I think I'll just use the tools online to track from here on out. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯



bp
 

gkarris

macrumors G3
Dec 31, 2004
8,301
1,061
"No escape from Reality...”
[doublepost=1488831374][/doublepost]And it appears GameStop is pulling a huge BS tactic, indicating there will be no units in store for three months, and in that time they are pushing two bundles, one ~$520 and one ~$580 that you can order in-store now, and get a unit "before Easter" at this point.

No thanks, GameStop.



bp

I may report this to Nintendo.

When I bought my Xbox and Xbox 360 at launch, most places were saying you had to buy "a bundle" in order to get the launch shipments (same for PS2, GameCube, Wii). It would be for the first 1-2 months of the console launch. You had to buy an extra controller, game, and 2 accessories.

People complained to the manufacturers so they put an end to it....
 
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hawkeye_a

macrumors 68000
Jun 27, 2016
1,637
4,384
I'm on the look out for a Switch, but not "desperate". And i refuse to buy anything from gamestop.... i'd rather wait; bundle or no-bundle.

I'll be trying target/walmart/bestbuy..... but their websites are pretty shoddyregarding whether or not they have stock. Is it possible to place an order/hold for a unit at Target?

Cheers
 

Cnasty

macrumors 68040
Jul 2, 2008
3,336
2,106
I'm on the look out for a Switch, but not "desperate". And i refuse to buy anything from gamestop.... i'd rather wait; bundle or no-bundle.

I'll be trying target/walmart/bestbuy..... but their websites are pretty shoddyregarding whether or not they have stock. Is it possible to place an order/hold for a unit at Target?

Cheers

Try Brickseek.

I had very good success in the past with it and while it isn't 100% accurate, the stores in my area were very accurate to their stock on hand.
 
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hawkeye_a

macrumors 68000
Jun 27, 2016
1,637
4,384
I can't seem to be able to find a way to get notified when Amazon gets the Switch in stock. There are a bunch of scalpers selling them for inflated prices on Amazon, but i'm not interested in buying from them.

Target/Walmart cant seem to notify customers when they get stock in.

Is there any place I can get in a 'virtual line' to get one (even if it means paying in advance)?

Cheers
 

Lwtbluebeetle

macrumors regular
Apr 20, 2015
140
32
CT
I was thinking about getting a switch. I'm wondering if in a few weeks they will be easier to find. I was hoping to find one online but not sure how easy that will be. I do have a GameStop near me but Best Buy and Walmart are about 20 mins away with no traffic and going to the store might be a little more difficult especially if they only get a few in and will sell out quickly. Hopefully I can find one online without much difficulty but we will see.
 

hawkeye_a

macrumors 68000
Jun 27, 2016
1,637
4,384
There are no Switches around where I live (Target, Walmart, BestBuy).

I checked an Australian retailer's website (JB Hi-Fi) and they seem to have same-day pick up at many of their locations (at least in Perth).

What gives?
 

Cnasty

macrumors 68040
Jul 2, 2008
3,336
2,106
There are no Switches around where I live (Target, Walmart, BestBuy).

I checked an Australian retailer's website (JB Hi-Fi) and they seem to have same-day pick up at many of their locations (at least in Perth).

What gives?

Japan is closer to Australia maybe? ;)
 
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blesscheese

macrumors 6502a
Apr 3, 2010
698
178
Central CA
No "joy" in my search for a pro-controller, but Best Buy did have 3 Switch units when I got there (and 2 were snatched up by people while I was waiting for the clerk, I mean "specialist" to get back to me).

Target, Wal-Mart, and Toys-R-Us didn't have anything out, but that may not mean anything, they usually stock the shelves during the day. Good luck to you all out there!
 

TWO2SEVEN

macrumors 68040
Jun 27, 2010
3,531
741
Plano, TX
Please do. These scumbag tactics by gamestop need to stop.

Good luck! I worked at Gamestop for almost six years. People "report to Nintendo" all the time. Nintendo probably wont do anything to alienate a company that sells a ton of their products. Walmart broke the street date on the DS Lite and a few other games over the years, no repercussions from Nintendo.

I used to love the people who would yell at me because things were sold out as if I had any control over it.
 
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