12 replies to this topic

[SolxBurst]

So the "shipping errors" strike again! I was just told by my local GameStop that they will not be receiving Lego City: Undercover until March 20th. And the games release date is today, March 18th. This means that the game must have been delayed or something. The last release that this has happened to, was the last Nintendo published game to be released, Fire Emblem: Awakening. Now the game releasing tomorrow, Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, is still on track, and this is a Capcom published game.

Now I am annoyed by this that it keeps happening, is this an intentional strategy by Nintendo to boost digital sales? Or is it what they have said, "Shipping errors"? I know that nobody here can answer that but I wonder if us as gamers should be wary with our release dates now? I know one things for sure, I'm calling my gamestop in advance from now on...

Edited by SolxBurst, 18 March 2013 - 02:11 PM.

[Goom]

My Gamestop is having a Midnight release for Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate. 

[Robotic Sunshine Commander]

I doubt it's anything intentional.

[Big Boss]

I went to my Gamestop too, I was thoroughly disappointed... I would have canceled and downloaded it, but I don't have enough GB's for it. D:

 

Oh well, Thursday, here I come.

[Guy Fieri]

Let me share some info about this problem.

 

Nintendo has this strange habit of announcing the release date for their games that release on a Monday. Despite being claimed as a " release date" these Monday releases are actually the shipping dates. Meaning most people won't get their hands on the game until Tuesday, unless a store has received shipment early. I've been dealing with this problem ever since Kirby Super Star Ultra's release in 2008. It wouldn't bother me if the release date was a day off. But some people still get the game a day early, not even from broken street dates. I've had this problem with Rhythm Heaven Fever, and multiple Kirby games. With Fire Emblem Awakening's release, this problem was finally noticed by many since FE is a large release. Yet it had multiple shipping errors, and low stock. This never happened to the other games released before it.

 

 So I'm assuming that this is just the norm for Nintendo Monday game releases. But there's still the problem of low stock and delays due to " shipping errors" ( EX. Fire Emblem), I don't know why this is happening. But it better not be just to improve digital sales, it better be an actual shipping error going on.

Edited by Firejonie, 18 March 2013 - 02:20 PM.

[Alianjaro]

Oh i didnt think of that intentional delay, and it sounds plausible, but why would they want to boost digital sales?

[Guy Fieri]

So I just called my GameStop. The guy talking to me said shipping errors had something to do with a store breaking the street date, and that shipping somehow got mixed up. I asked if this was similar to the Fire Emblem problem, he said it was similar, with another broken street date in Canada. After that Nintendo decided to limit shipments for the broken street date. Most of this sounds plausible, especially limiting shipments after a broken street date. These " shipping errors" might have something to do with broken street dates, along with the typical " Monday release problem" as well.

Edited by Firejonie, 18 March 2013 - 03:49 PM.

[SolxBurst]

Oh i didnt think of that intentional delay, and it sounds plausible, but why would they want to boost digital sales?

Its cheaper for Nintendo if you buy something without a box, disc, and instruction manual, then they dont have to pay to make that kind of thing.

[bigpapa7272]

I would have bought digital if it wasn't 22gb and take a buttload of ime to download

[Alianjaro]

Its cheaper for Nintendo if you buy something without a box, disc, and instruction manual, then they dont have to pay to make that kind of thing.

oh I see. So they're kinda trying to slowly shift the sales to the digital market...

[Soul]

I don't know why this is happening but I'm pretty sure it has to do with the Illuminati.

[Alecrein]

It's an intentional shipping delay on Nintendo's Part. I own a small video game store and both Fire Emblem and this game are being "released" on Monday, but our distributor has informed us both times Nintendo has shipped late to them (this is the largest distributor in the country (USA)) It saddens me that Nintendo is doing this to snare the people who are impatient.

[SolxBurst]

I emailed Nintendo this:
"I have recently had a few problems with getting Nintendo published games. On February 4th, 2013 I was told that I wouldn't be able to get my copy of Fire Emblem: Awakening on the given street date and had to wait till that Friday to get the game. The reasoning I was given fobehind this was a "shipping error"

Today, March 18th, 2013, is the street date for Lego City Undercover, and the game is available on the eShop. However, the local retailer I preordered from (GameStop) has told me tht the game will be shipping on March 19th, 2013 and will not be available till March 20th, 2013. I don't want to download the game in the eShop due to the large data file, and the fact that I have already preordered the game an put money down on the game.

My question to you is, what is going on that is causing this to happen? And should I expect this to happen again on the street date of other upcoming games such as Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, and Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity?"

They replied with this:

"Hello,
Thanks for contacting us. I can certainly understand your concern and I appreciate you contacting us so we have the opportunity to respond and will make sure the appropriate departments at Nintendo are aware of your position. At this time, we have not announced any foreseeable delays in the shipment of new titles to retail locations.

In regard to the release of Fire Emblem: Awakening, I can confirm that this title had not been delayed and had shipped to retailers. That being said, the initial response for Fire Emblem: Awakening was exceptionally strong. In regards to LEGO City: Undercover, I can confirm that this title has been shipped to retailers. I realize that this probably isn't the answer you're hoping for, but I can only recommend that you keep checking with the retailer you laced your preorder through for more information. "

So from their reply, it seems like it's the shipping company. Hopefully the issue is resolved soon...