Didn't preorder a 360? You'll have to wait.

[monster1234]

It seems that if you haven't preordered, and you're not standing in line as of reading this, you don't have any chance (http://www.officialwdc.com/rant.php?id=71) at getting an Xbox 360 for the launch.

I just called every local Target, Best Buy, and Wal-Mart in the area (52 stores to be exact) and every single store, including the ones not opening until the morning, has a line that is at least twice as long as the available Xbox 360's.
Looks like I'll be waiting awhile...

[kizke]

Eh, you're better off waiting in my opinion, unless the launch lineup really excites you. I'm hoping to get one around the time Oblivion comes out.

In the meantime, the current gen systems look quite sexy. And oh man, if I don't get Mario Kart DS soon...my life will feel barren.

[zengeist]

what area do you live in? I am in mid-atlantic region

[AspectVoid]

When the XB360 has a strong library of games I actually want to play, then I'll get one. The simple fact is that only one of the launch titles (Condemed) looks fun to me. Rest get a big "eh" for my tastes.

[Psunami]

I stopped by a Target in Madison Wisconsin just an hour ago and there was no one waiting. They had all of the games and accessories for sale, but no lines or anything. I'm planning on driving by the stores tomorrow just to get a feel for how many people are crazy enough to stay outside in 15 degree (w/windchill) and flurries just to buy a game console.

[Atorak]

Goddammit! Ugh, I purchased a new tv in coordination with the XBox 360 being released, and I too called a ton of stores in my area to no avail. I heard BestBuy is going to be open early tomorrow, so I MIGHT have to go there and wait. I called the local Warmart, a HUGE one, and they only had 10 units total. Let me repeat that.....WALMART ONLY HAD 10 UNITS!

Man, we're all screwed. It sucks that the older hardcore gamers always get the short end of the stick in these instances. I mean, I want an XBox 360, but not enough to stand on a friggin line for 6 hours for the HOPE of getting one. Then again, if you're a kid, heh, what's stopping you? A few years ago....I'd be there with the best of em'.

[zengeist]

uhm, HELLO? I'm 38 years old and I'M heading to my Walmart at 3 AM to score one. In my opinion, little 10 year old snotnoses do not deserve a system they can not appreciate. it's for adults! I break my ass to work and have nice things. kids don't know what it means. they get everything handed to them.

So, on thanks giving when I go over to my brother in laws house (who has four boys) I will not be bringing it, although they will know I have it, because I intend to talk about it all evening.......MMWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA. Let them frigging SUFFER they have about 6,000.000 worth of gaming harware, 2 Xboxes, game boy, whatever, and they will NOT be getting 360 for christmas!!!!! I taste sweet victory!!!

[GrinR]

Utter supply-chain failure. Only a sterling silver imbecile would believe this is a good thing.

[Sion]

I wonder if any are getting shiped to Iraq on launch day

[mkelehan]

I'll sell you mine for $1000.

[wudi]

uhm, HELLO? I'm 38 years old and I'M heading to my Walmart at 3 AM to score one. In my opinion, little 10 year old snotnoses do not deserve a system they can not appreciate. it's for adults! I break my ass to work and have nice things. kids don't know what it means. they get everything handed to them.

So, on thanks giving when I go over to my brother in laws house (who has four boys) I will not be bringing it, although they will know I have it, because I intend to talk about it all evening.......MMWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA. Let them frigging SUFFER they have about 6,000.000 worth of gaming harware, 2 Xboxes, game boy, whatever, and they will NOT be getting 360 for christmas!!!!! I taste sweet victory!!!

That's diabolically evil, zengeist, yet strangely inspiring.

It's my own fault for not getting my preorder in fast enough. If I can get one by January, that'll be fine. DOA 4 and Obilivion should be out by then.

[The Iron Weasel]

I'll sell you mine for $1000.

$4.00....Canadian....and you have a deal!

[Heretic Machine]

uhm, HELLO? I'm 38 years old and I'M heading to my Walmart at 3 AM to score one. In my opinion, little 10 year old snotnoses do not deserve a system they can not appreciate. it's for adults! I break my ass to work and have nice things. kids don't know what it means. they get everything handed to them.

So, on thanks giving when I go over to my brother in laws house (who has four boys) I will not be bringing it, although they will know I have it, because I intend to talk about it all evening.......MMWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA. Let them frigging SUFFER they have about 6,000.000 worth of gaming harware, 2 Xboxes, game boy, whatever, and they will NOT be getting 360 for christmas!!!!! I taste sweet victory!!!

Ya, right there is 38 years of maturity.

[taxial]

I known everyone is all go on Target, Best Buy, Walmart, blah blah, what about Blockbuster? They close at 12 am, they sell games, they sell consoles, my 360 will be in my hands in an hour. Yum

[Murmillo]

Meh, no Oblivion and no Ghost Recon.

[Atorak]

I known everyone is all go on Target, Best Buy, Walmart, blah blah, what about Blockbuster? They close at 12 am, they sell games, they sell consoles, my 360 will be in my hands in an hour. Yum

*loud buzzing sound*

"Oooo, sorry Chuck.....I'm afraid that's not the answer we were looking for."



Yeah, I called all the Blockbusters in the area. No dice. Not one was selling a 360.

[Suicidal ShiZuru]

I guess Ill go around and see if there are lines, though I doubt it.

After CSI of course... :D

[Conner Dain]

For those of you willing to preorder and\or wait in line, I wish you the best. For those of you who didn't and MUST have one NOW...too freaking bad. I have no sympathy for you. I must admit that the hype has done it's work and I'd like to have one...but realistically, I haven't turned on my Xbox in weeks. It would be a nice toy to have, but I can easily wait till the first price cut. Maybe the Ghost Recon 360 title will be out by then.

[taxial]

No 360 at blockbusters? Maybe they're only selling them for launch day in Canada, that would be a first, Canada to offer a service you can't get in the states..... (beside health care). :)

[CWon]

can anyone help me by sending me modded maps for halo 2
.

[TheBrainKills]

Well my Best buy is having a midnight sale and I just called them and they said that there are a hundred people lined up already. She also wouldn't tell me how many units they have for sale. So looks like I will be waiting until the next shipment comes in.

[UnderHero5]

Heh, my local WalMart actually had papers printed and hung outside the building that said people could form a line tonight for the 360's. It also said that they were only selling SIX because that's all they got in their shipment. I laughed pretty hard.

I might ride over later just to see if anyone's actually out there waiting. Maybe point and laugh at them (it's about 25F out tonight).

[Camalot]

Well I am taking a class on Monday from 6-9. So at 9 tonight the class ends, there is a Best Buy near to school (this is in Boston, MA near Fenway Park), so I decided to go over thinking that maybe they might sell me one early. So I am walking up to best buy, I have to go around a corner to get to the door and I see a homeless guy at the corner of the store, sitting there with an umbrella (cuz its raining here). As I get closer I realized that this person was actually two people and they are the end of a line that has formed of 10-20 people. I figured right there that they weren't selling the Xbox 360 yet and I went home :)

I found it very interesting

[BleedTheFreak]

Heh, my local WalMart actually had papers printed and hung outside the building that said people could form a line tonight for the 360's. It also said that they were only selling SIX because that's all they got in their shipment. I laughed pretty hard.

I might ride over later just to see if anyone's actually out there waiting. Maybe point and laugh at them (it's about 25F out tonight).

The Wal-Mart I just called (here in IA) actually had a good number for sale (14) but had a line of at *least* 20 folks for that one.

They also got in something like 12 of the Core $300 systems, with only half that many folks in line.

I should get mine in the second wave, sometime in the next week or two, so I suppose I can wait. Then again, Gamespot gives Perfect Dark Zero a freaking 9.0 (!) and I just get that itch all over again....

Thank GOD for Civilization IV.

[TrackZero]

$4.00....Canadian....and you have a deal!

At the way the exchange rate is going, give it a few more years. ;)

[T-Dawg]

The more I read, the more I'm glad nothing in the launch line-up appeals to me.

I'm sure something will come out that I must play, and must play it on a 360. Haven't seen that game yet. I wait patiently.

[UnderHero5]

Well, I went back over to WalMart to see if anyone was waiting, I also re-read the papers they had out. Said thay have 6 of the $400 version and 10 of the $300 version.

Didn't notice anyone then pulled ahead a bit more and noticed there were about 30 people wiating. Including a few old women, lol.

So yeah, gunna be a fight later tonight, hehe.

[Banacek]

Utter supply-chain failure. Only a sterling silver imbecile would believe this is a good thing.

Explain to me how this is a failure? This was done on purpose, like almost every other console launch. Guess what, I bet dollars to donuts that somehow when the frenzy gets to it's peak right before Christmas, 360 units will magically be discovered. And MS and retailers will have a nice circle jerk to celebrate...

/I want a 360, but I can wait...

[Pumped'Up]

I'll gladly wait for the 360.

Actually, I'm gonna wait until the PS3 arrives. The 360 looks less and less impressive every day...quite unimpressive (exactly like the Xbox at launch) - games are mediocre and there's nothing interesting in the next 3 months.

The majority of those buying a 360 on launch day are a bunch of media hype suckers really.

[Murmillo]

Well, to only gage how bad this launch is, we are going to have to see what comes the next few days. What if this "magical" 2nd shipment comes thru after this friday, and there is more then enough 360's to go around. "Limit" the 1st wave to build the hype then nail it with a awsome 2nd shipment. The only way I can see if this is a failure if more then 95% of the people who wanted* an 360 don't get one by Christmas morning. 100% by the end of the year.

Wanted as in - had the money, made a preorder.. etc.etc. NOT because little jonny's parents didn't want to kill $500+ for a console.

[Heretic Machine]

Actually, I'm gonna wait until the PS3 arrives. The 360 looks less and less impressive every day...quite unimpressive (exactly like the Xbox at launch) - games are mediocre and there's nothing interesting in the next 3 months.


...PDZ, Kameo, DoA4, PGR3... Those aren't mediocre. Actually, that's about the best launch I've seen in a long while. I didn't think I would want anything but Kameo, but everything has surprised me, and now DoA4 is looking more and more tempting.

[protojack]

Now that i've been bumped to 2nd shipment, i'm calling everywhere trying to find out when it will actually happen. All I get is "guaranteed before Christmas".

These Microsoft folks are either diabolical geniuses or just diabolical.

[51|RandoM]

Utter supply-chain failure. Only a sterling silver imbecile would believe this is a good thing.

Not really. It isn't like you build fabrication facilities overnight, you know? The ones producing have probably been running three shifts for awhile now, just to produce the numbers they have on hand.

The only realistic way to insure more product at launch would be to push the launch out farther.

Somebody at MS decided that they wanted the product released before thanksgiving, regardless of how many units they could supply by that deadline.

In other words, it had nothing to do with the supply-chain and everything to do with arbitrarily set release dates. Considering how the same issue plagues software development, it shouldn't come as a shock to see it affecting hardware as well, now should it?

Figuring out exact demand for something like this is a crapshoot anyways, especially when your pre-order data comes *after* you set the release date, instead of before, lol.

[AniAko]

I hate how everyone that sees people waiting for the next batch of 360's as SUCKAS. Microsoft is bound to have at LEAST 2 more shipments of 360's before the holidays. It'll be a frantic run on the stores, but I was able to get my hands on 4 DS's with some common sense.

I'll bet my un-purchased 360 you'll be able to get one, at an un-inflated price before the holidays, if you use a little common sense, patience, and unfortunately, you'll still need a little luck. If you've worked in retail, you'll know what days are most likely for shipments, that's a plus.

[benson]

If you've worked in retail, you'll know what days are most likely for shipments, that's a plus.
So do you have a tip on what days that is?

[AniAko]

Several tips to consider getting Holiday "hard" buys:

Alright, alright. I'll share it, but it's not really a secret.

1. Shipping costs more on weekends. So they're most likely to arrive in stores by Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. That's how I got the DS's. Saw they came in one Wed night, and two weeks later I was there as they were unpacking them at my local Walmart. But this is sure to vary store to store.

2. You have to watch your local store's routine to pick it up like I did. You'll notice their shipping patterns after a week or two. Now this isn't gospel by any means. For all I know I got lucky, but it's worth a thought.

3. Also, don't waste you're time in EB, Gamestop, or the like. Stick to big retailers, you're chances increase because they get larger quantities. Also don't get discouraged, There's always more of a product than people make out that there is.

4. 24 hour stores stock shelves at night, as the shipments come in for the graveyard shift. Most people are in bed at midnight / 1am, these stores are the easier targets. Walmart's an easy target because they start stocking at 11PM for 24Hour stores. By midnight, you'll almost be sure to know.

5. Don't rule out dirt stores. I bought my Gamecube at a dirty Kmart that was desolate, where every other retailer was sold out. Think where people AREN'T going to go.

6. People typically give up thinking there "won't be anymore until after the Holidays" after about a week or two. So the raving crowds will start to diminish. This is your chance to capitalize, because there WILL be a shipment, no matter how small. Microsoft is going to strive to release as many as possible before Christmas, but they don't want to have to renege on a promise of more.

7. The last tip I can offer would be to be patient. Don't hop on a $600 dollar deal online, because when you're doing midnight shopping like me on a Friday night, you will kick yourself in the ass seeing they have 3 of the items in.

I've gotten away with this 3 Christmases in a row (as I'm a last minute shopper), and the same rules should apply to the 360. I'll let you know if I make out 4 years in a row :D

[karak]

Got mine in as a walk in this morning. Easy as pie. Seems fred meyer has them here in town. five of us so far this morning with no problems. Had a bunch in stock and the next town 7 miles away as plenty. I guess Fred Meyer got more than most. Called around. Toys R us still has them. Target still has some and so does the local electronics shops. Might be because my city is smaller or something.

[AniAko]

Got mine in as a walk in this morning. Easy as pie. Seems fred meyer has them here in town. five of us so far this morning with no problems. Had a bunch in stock and the next town 7 miles away as plenty. I guess Fred Meyer got more than most. Called around. Toys R us still has them. Target still has some and so does the local electronics shops. Might be because my city is smaller or something.

Care to share where-abouts you live? For us less unfortunate ;)

[bean19]

Got mine in as a walk in this morning. Easy as pie. Seems fred meyer has them here in town. five of us so far this morning with no problems. Had a bunch in stock and the next town 7 miles away as plenty. I guess Fred Meyer got more than most. Called around. Toys R us still has them. Target still has some and so does the local electronics shops. Might be because my city is smaller or something.

lol. That must be nice.

I'm planning on writing up my experience for my creative writing class. . . it was a harrowing endeavor, to be sure.