EB Games giving a ‘pickup deadline’ for Switch preorders, else move to second shipment (Update)
Update:Â EB Games have replied and sent us the following statement;
We are as excited as our customers about the upcoming launch of the Nintendo Switch.
We’re giving preorder customers the choice to pick up their new Switch when they want it. If opening weekend is not convenient they can choose a collection date that suits them by contacting their local store. This includes, but is not limited to, moving to the second shipment.
We strongly encourage customers who are interested in the Switch to preorder instore or online, as demand will likely outstrip supply. As of writing, EB Games guarantees all existing preorders on the Nintendo Switch.
The memo we have does not give the options for pickup aside from launch or April and this clashes with the statement above. Â So whether or not EB has changed its mind remains to be seen.
Original Story: This morning we have learned that EB Games calling all customers with a Nintendo Switch preorder, and asking them to confirm if they “will definitely” be picking it up by close of business Sunday March 5th.
If you don’t confirm with EB Games and commit to picking it up opening weekend it appears you’ll be bumped to the second shipment sometime in April. The store is offering this second shipment as an option in the call, but they’re adamant you must give a pickup time if you confirm you’re picking it up launch weekend.
According to the memo sent to us this morning, EB wants to make sure there is stock on hand for walk-in customers to get their Switch over the launch period.
This will mean if you get paid monthly, your pay doesn’t match up with the Switch launch release or you can’t pick it up before March 5th for whatever you’ll lose your Switch until April.
If you can’t trust EB Games to do pre-orders properly, who can you trust? We’ve asked EB Games for a comment and will update this story when we hear back.
in fairness to EB games the pre-sale receipt does state UPCOMING RELEASE PRODUCTS WILL BE HELD FOR 48 HOURS AFTER RELEASE and I can remember this going back as far as my Wii pre-order in 2006.
One of the perks of the EB World membership is an extended hold period, up to two weeks for level 4 members. Two days is just the base so they’re essentially ignoring the members benefits.
Seems reasonable
They obviously have lots of customer interest but not enough Switches I guess.
Well I hope that don’t include EBworld members. LVL 4 members have upto 2 weeks on Pre Order hold guarantee.
I’m Level 4 and received a call saying I’d have 2 days, so I think it’s everyone.
I think it’s overall a fair decision And I’m guessing they are mostly worried about those who have put a deposit down but haven’t paid it off or purchased other items with it:
As of writing they haven’t contacted me – but I’ve full paid for both consoles and all games/accessories. If they are doing the calls from each store and your a regular – they will most likely already know who will definitely be there.
I’m still waiting for the midnight launch announcement – my local EB still has not been informed they can open for midnight.
I pre-ordered at EB chirnside park shopping centre in Victoria and they assured me that they are doing a midnight launch for those that pre-ordered early.
Just be sure to call your store as it may vary upon location and also to let them know asap that you intend to be waiting at the store from 10pm onwards on the 2nd of march where you will be issued some form of token/slip that you then swap for your order at midnight.
I look forward to meeting other switch-heads at launch ?
Ebgames has always had two day pickup for preoders for lvl1
They called me today telling me this, seems weird as going by their own website my Silver card guarantees my pre-orders will be held for 6 days.
https://ebgames.com.au/EBWorld/about
Nice Young Einstein reference?
Nice Young Einstein reference
It’s only fair if you don’t pay full price in advance. The reseller and scalper situation will already make the problem of finding a switch bad that at least if you can’t pick your preorder on the first weekend, at least let people how can buy it the first weekend. You have one month to get your money ready, go!
This is kind of worrying, I pre-ordered my Switch from EB a few weeks ago and I’m yet to receive a call. I understand the reasoning for what they’re doing but it seems a bit shitty of them :/
Fair enough. Though, if you do have a valid reason why you can’t make it in those 2 days, they should make an exception (especially those who have already paid beforehand)
I spoke to EB Elizabeth St in Melb and they’re fine with me collecting mine a few days late, so this doesn’t appear to be a firm rule.
This is a GOOD thing. Launch suppply WILL be limited. If a number of people preordering the console for launch, then convert it too a layby they therefore prevent another customer who wants it day one from receiving it. The customer who is prepared to wait still has a unit reserved for them and that day one customer has more oppurtunites to find a unit in stock. It’s also the customers choice. EB isn’t forcing anyone to go secondshipment (at least while first shipment stick lasts) but simplying offering it to spread available units around.