XBox Impossible

Vampyr · 11-20-2004, 08:20 PM

I've been trying to buy an Xbox for the last past 2 weeks, and the fates have determined that it's not going to happen.

I decided recently that I would rather buy an Xbox instead of a DS, considering I don't play handhelds too much anyway. I'm going to be getting DSL in a few months, so I thought that would make my Xbox purchase that much more worth it. There are A LOT of good games out for it, and since some of them are fairly old they aren't too expensive, so I thought it would be a nice investment. I also wanted one for the nostalgia of having all three systems, and I wont be getting another console for a very long time...I'm going to get a really good computer, and that will serve me through college.

I went to two electronic stores last weekend: Sam Goodies and Wal Mart. I was wanting to buy Halo 2 and an Xbox, but I thought they would be sold out of Halo 2. Indeed they were, but much to my suprise they were also sold out of Xbox's! Both stores! In the town there arent any other video game suppliers.

This weekend I went back, and both stores had copies of Halo 2. I had actually changed my mind and decided to get Fable first, because Crono advised me it would be a better "first game". I agreed with him, and so I decided to wait and get Halo 2 for chrismas. That way I wouldnt have to wait as long for DSL to play it online, and in the mean time I could borrow Halo 1 off of a friend.

I picked up Fable off the shelf and took it to the clerk and told him I wanted an Xbox. He said he would go get one. He went over to the Xbox case, and he told me, "I'll have to check in storage." He came back and informed me that they were all out. I was very very suprised.

He told me that for some reason Microsoft had stopped sending them very many hardwares. They were only providing them with a few every week. He said something to the effect of "Yeah, it's not our company, Microsoft has stream lined the Xbox 2 and are trying to increase demand for it or something by not providing us with many Xbox's. I really don't understand why." I agreed with him that it was stupid, and made my way to Wal Mart.

I asked a guy working there, and he told me they were sold out. I thought about accusing him of false advertising because there was a sign over his head saying "Xbox is Here!" But I didn't.

So now I'm home, very dissapointed and wondering why I can't find an Xbox now that I decided to buy one.

Dyne · 11-20-2004, 08:33 PM

Yes, Sony and Microsoft are both cutting off production of hardware. If anything, they should want to have one last good season.

Null · 11-20-2004, 08:35 PM

i think the guy who told you that is full of BS.

MS is going to try and sell as many xbox's as they can. its prolly more like the store owner doesnt order that many xbox's.

do you not have very many stores that sell games or live in a very very VERY small town or something? i've never seen a store that dosent have a ton of Halo 2's in stock, let alone one that doesnt have Xbox's in stock.

DarkMaster · 11-20-2004, 08:50 PM

Wow, there's at least 7 or 8 major stores in my city that sell video games and consoles, you must live in one really really small town. You could always order online, EB or Gamespot usually have deals where you don't pay shipping on big purchases, so it wouldnt cost any extra.

GameMaster · 11-20-2004, 08:51 PM

Is ordering one online an option Vampyr? If you don't have a card, you can give your parents your money and have them deposit it into one of their debit cards and then use their card to pay for it. And you might be able to find one for less than the standard price. I would go to amazon.com or to a site with a store near you like Target, Best Buy, CompUSA, etc.

thatmariolover · 11-20-2004, 10:58 PM

Actually guys there is a huge shortage of PS2's and Xbox's right now and the shortage will continue throughout the Holiday Season. Our district manager at GameStop has emailed my store tons of times with forwards from corperate about the shortages.

So yeah, call ahead and see if you can get them to save one for you. We usually hold systems for up to a day if somebody calls and we have one but they can't get in.

Null · 11-20-2004, 11:29 PM

i swear i dont understand what tiny towns you people live in. there has NEVER been a game that i couldnt walk into any store at any time and pick up off the shelf. i can walk in right now and my EB store would laugh if i asked if they got any ps2's or xbox's left cuz they have so many.

Fox 6 · 11-20-2004, 11:44 PM

yes, we also have a plentiful supply of platforms and games.

Vampyr · 11-20-2004, 11:51 PM

I live in a rural area, so there arent actually ANY video game stores near by. I have to drive about 25 minutes to get to a Wal Mart, or I can drive for about 50 minutes and go to a town that has a Wal Mart and a Same Goodies.

The nearest EB or GameStop is about 1 hour and 45 minutes away.

I was told a few months ago that Wal Mart gets most of their shipments in on Tuesday, so I'm going to be driving there this Tuesday as soon as I can to try and grab one.

If I was Sony and Microsoft I would be cranking out some Xbox's to finish off the holiday season. This should be a good time of year for them.