Reggie Fils-Aime may not have promised us Wiis, but he did promise us rainchecks. Now, Gamestop is delivering on the promise by launching the "Wii Certificate Program" (as it's officially called) on December 21st. These rainchecks can only be gotten on the 21st, which means that Reggie was wrong on some of the details. However, since he could probably crush us with his pinky finger, we'll forgive him.So, here's how it works: When a customer pays $249.99 (plus tax) on the 21st, they will reserve a Wii console for pick-up in the same store by January 25th. Then, Gamestop invests the money to make a pretty penny or two until the system becomes available. See, everybody wins! Except, of course, for the kid on Christmas who opens up a paper-holding DVD case with Mario on the cover saying, "Happy Holidays! Your Wii is on the Way!" Oh, and the people who don't actually manage to get one of these limited reservations. But who cares about all of them?
[Via GoNintendo]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-18-2007 @ 7:37PM
iofthestorm said...
I think a better notice would be "Thank you for being a good kid this year, but your Wii is in another box!"
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12-18-2007 @ 9:39PM
LilCo187 said...
Wii is amazing.
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12-18-2007 @ 9:45PM
LilCo187 said...
Wait....so all this hoopla over a ONE DAY rain check sale at ONE gaming store? Wow....the Wii really is amazing.
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12-18-2007 @ 10:45PM
Nick said...
Many of my friends laughed at me for camping out overnight to get a Wii on the launch date. Now most of them want a Wii but can't find one.
Who's laughing now?
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12-19-2007 @ 8:15AM
Jumbo said...
Probably still them.
12-18-2007 @ 10:48PM
Razor said...
I remember a Christmas about thirty years ago when I got a similar raincheck only then it was for Star Wars action figures. Here we are in 2007 and now I hope my wife gets me Lego Star Wars for Christmas. Somethings just don't change. ;-)
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12-19-2007 @ 1:16AM
wukong said...
The raincheck program...ugh...I predict so many bad things from it. Yeah, there are limited amounts of reservations available. Depends on the store, of course. A smaller GameStop like mine is only getting around 20-something units for reservations. Some can get double that from what I hear though...
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12-19-2007 @ 10:03AM
Michael Sliczniak said...
I don't think it is the interest. It will help with fourth quarter revenue. Also their FY ends on Feb 2nd so for accounting these rain checks shouldn't cause too much of a problem as they sell the rain checks and deliver the Wiis in the same quarter.
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12-19-2007 @ 11:10AM
Gonzo said...
My comments seem to have disappeared for some reason but this is the biggest rip off since layaway and I didn't think retailers could get more greedy than that. Now people are going to pay full price to wait?
No wonder politicians and other attention starved publicity @#&*s pick on gamers, things like this make us look like the biggest suckers on the face of the planet.
I have news for anyone who's stupid enough to give gamestop $250 to wait a month: WAITING IS FREE!
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12-19-2007 @ 2:17PM
KilgoreTrout XL said...
This is the most asinine offer I have ever seen.
Anyone who elects to give Gamestop a $250 interest-free loan for a promise that gamestop has little to no incentive to keep is a fool.
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