Best Buy holding out on Wii customers

What would you say if you found out your local Best Buy had stock of Wiis sitting in its back room, but those units weren't going to make it out onto the shelves when you dropped by to pick one up? Unfortunately that's the case for Toronto area gamers, as Best Buy is allegedly sitting on their stock of Wiis for the sake of fulfilling their "commitment to [their] customers" which they made in the form of circulars. Loathe to run out of stock before this Friday's round of Toronto Best Buy ads, some stores actually pre-emptively struck against their own buyers by not only hoarding said consoles, but actually went so far as to pull for-sale units right off the shelves. Since one is likely to take a side (and we do know a lot of Best Buy employees read Engadget), we hereby present a brief point / counterpoint by Evan Blass and myself.

Point: Why is it that a customer that walks in today -- first, and before Black Friday customers -- should be lied to by retailers about the stock they're carrying? Why should that customer not be sold the product they drove all the way out to get just because Best Buy might run out before their local circular hits? It's not like the five Wiis they have in back are really going to last very long tomorrow anyway, nor does or should an advertisement guarantee stock. What's more, it's not even Best Buy's fault Nintendo can't produce enough to keep up with demand. Withholding sales is probably well within Best Buy's rights and all, but it's an awful way to treat your customers, and smacks of the "bundling" fiasco they had last year during the Xbox 360 shortages. My vote: spend your money elsewhere until Best Buy cleans up their act and treats buyers right. -Ryan

Counterpoint: While it might be frustrating for consumers to roll into a store stocked with Wii's and leave empty-handed, it's only fair to look at the situation from Best Buy's point of view as well: if they've already published ads claiming that the Wii is in stock, stores that don't have these items could be held liable for the old bait-and-switch -- especially if they're unable to offer valid rainchecks (another bad idea, considering the demand). Could Best Buy have anticipated this situation and planned accordingly? Absolutely. But once those circulars hit the papers, the retailer has an obligation to keep at least a token amount of stock on hand; plus, if you owned a store, would you really risk getting hit with a fine in order to placate a few customers and make a negligible profit on a couple of consoles? -Evan

[PreGHz @ Nov 23rd 2006 4:39PM]

That took either guts or stupidity to say.

Bravo, our very own Michael Richards.

[Matt @ Nov 23rd 2006 5:20PM]

your high arent you?

[Wow. @ Nov 28th 2006 12:47PM]

Today, sir...you are a King.

Sofa King. We Todd Did.

[Arash @ Nov 23rd 2006 3:53PM]

I have to go with bestbuy on this one. I work at one and I know that they are holding their "minimum" in the back for sunday when their new ad comes out.

[Chase M. @ Nov 23rd 2006 3:57PM]

I work at BestBuy and we actually have 40 Wii's in stock (yes, 40), but my managers would NOT let me sell ANY for some reason. The ad says that we will have "at least 15" so I have no idea why they didnt let me sell like 10 or something. It's a bit ridiculous.

[Callie @ Jun 21st 2007 11:03AM]

I have gone to countless stores all over my area, and even outside of the area, to find a Wii. I have called BestBuy, Walmart, Target, Gamestop, Gamecrazy, and Fye every day to see if they have stock. Each store has said no. I cannot express my anger that BestBuy is holding 40 Wii's. Don't you think the customer has gone to enough trouble? Why should we be denied?

[nickmanderfield @ Nov 23rd 2006 3:57PM]

they also did this for the 360s last year, the LP office was completely full of them, but we couldnt sell them until the ad came out.. bestbuy does this with a lot of items, virtually anything in the ad, including a dvd, will be held in the warehouse for a few days

[Hannah @ Nov 23rd 2006 4:00PM]

Just a small point - in Canada we don't have this phenomenon called Black Friday. Our Friday is rather normal except for watching in slightly buggy-eyed amazement at the mass of shopping extravaganza that happens to our friends in the US :)

So, Best Buy (in Canada at least) doesn't have as good an excuse as saving units for a Black Friday-esque stampede. However, what they've done still makes good sense to me. Nothing pisses me off more than seeing something advertised in a flyer and then getting into the store and finding out they never had any to begin with.

Now, if they had been hoarding stock and not giving it out to preorder customers who're still waiting, that's another story :)

[Lance Morrison @ Nov 24th 2006 5:17PM]

Guys:

Thanks again for not understanding the differences between Canadians and Americans. Last I heard, Thanksgiving was back in October.

Please keep in mind that, last I heard Best Buy was a Public company, entitled to manage their own business affairs - not run by the gaming community. They can choose what, when and how they sell their retail offerings.

Get a life!!!! perhaps concerning yourselves with more pressing matters.

[Arash @ Nov 23rd 2006 4:04PM]

We also received 26 ps3 yesterday and we immediately put them on the floor and they were gone in like 15 minutes. So I dont think BestBuy is doing anything with the wiis thats shady at all.

[Ooober Dude @ Nov 23rd 2006 4:09PM]

I WORK AT BEST BUY. AND WE ARE HOLDING 12 OF THEM, FOR SUNDAY ADD - BECAUSE ARE ADD SAYS WE SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST 12... I SOLD LIKE 10 OF THEM YESTERDAY BUT THE REST WE HAD TO HOLD. WE ARE GETTING SHIPPMENTS EVERY WED, OF PS3'S AND Wii , WE ONLY HAD 6 PS3'S THAT WE GOT ON WED.. : ) SO FAR I CHECKED SHIPPMENT AND IT SAYS WE HAVE 12 MORE ON TRANSIT : ) IT SUCKS CUZ WE (EMPLOYEE'S) STILL ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BUY ANY, UNTILL FURTER NOTICE!

[Wow. @ Nov 28th 2006 12:47PM]

maybe you should buy a new caps lock button first. And a spell check.

[Meow @ Dec 5th 2006 4:26PM]

Capslock, Cruise Control for Cool!

[chenry @ Nov 23rd 2006 4:10PM]

Uhm.. Canadians don't have "Black Friday". So this Toronto BestBuy is being jerks.

[John @ Nov 23rd 2006 4:10PM]

best buy is not the only store that is doing this.
Apparently Microplay is doing it too with the PS3s! Tell you that they don't have any in stock, waited for them to open only to find out that the shipment is not coming until the next day. But when one of my buddies called to check, they told him they had 6 in the morning and are not sold out! So much BS! Nowonder not many people heard of them. They lie straight in your face, so no1 recommands or even talk about them.

[Count Porkula @ Nov 23rd 2006 4:15PM]

I don't shop at Best Buy anyway because of their horrible customer service. Ever try and return something to these bastards? They make it impossible. Add to that the fact that they sell last year's electronics (receivers, at least) at this year's prices and there is absolutely no reason to shop there. Blech.

[Alexander @ Nov 23rd 2006 4:27PM]

If your store is advertising that you have a minimum of something in stock, and the ad dosen't come out until dayX then you have to have the minimum amount of stock by the time the ad comes out.

However, if you put 'first come, first served' on your ad, then you can have but one item in stock--and the first person who wants it, can have it.

Look, the demand outstrips the supply--vastly--so Bestbuy is just keeping their ass out of the line of fire, so it's not their 'fault'. If you want to place blame on somebody, put it on yourself for not reserving one on launch day--otherwise, you'd be playing with yours right now instead of complaining about a store wanting to sell it's product on the day that it knows it will make the most money.

You either like capatalism or you don't. Quit being on the fence, and pick a side.

[Colin @ Nov 23rd 2006 8:00PM]

I wasn't calling anyone racially insensitive names. Is it not ok to make observational humour in your freaking country now? Wow.

[Eh @ Nov 23rd 2006 4:44PM]

Speaking of Black Friday, wheres the list of sales Engadget said they were going to compile? I was planning on buying something for cheap tomorrow but its a pain in the ass to weed through all the crap to find good tech deals.

[Ryan Block @ Nov 24th 2006 3:56AM]

It's coming tomorrow, hopefully noonish!

[Drew @ Nov 23rd 2006 4:57PM]

Good lord... All caps, "add" when it should be "ad", "are" instead of "our", "shippments", "employee's" where it should be "employees", "untill", "furter".... Explains a lot of things about Best Buy.

[hepcat87 @ Nov 28th 2006 11:08PM]

There's no need to make a comment like that. Please don't judge one person, let alone a group of people based on someone's response on and internet blog.

[markm @ Nov 23rd 2006 4:58PM]

Canadians have black friday. I live in Canada and I am doing all my shopping tomorrow on the internet. Most purchases will be from the US but there will be some from Canada. Canadian e-tailers typically come out with black friday sales to match their American counterparts.

As for BestBuy - sounds typical. I bought my Wii from Sears. They may not be the best place to shop but they were selling them online.

[p-diddy @ Nov 23rd 2006 4:58PM]

I wasn't lied to last sunday. My Best Buy (Cambridgeside Galleria) said they'd get more in on Wednesday but wouldn't be allowed to sell them till Friday. At least they were upfront about it.

-p-

[Alan Strangis @ Nov 23rd 2006 5:03PM]

Is the Toronto Best Buy the same Toronto Best Buy where the SmashmyPS3 video is from? :)

[Jeffler @ Nov 27th 2006 6:27AM]

Nah, its where they smashed the Xbox 360. Dufferin and Wilson. The PS3 was Bay and Dundas.

[tsecam @ Nov 23rd 2006 5:05PM]

I work at a Toronto Best Buy. We are holding some (I don't know how many, the second this hit Engadget, the geek squad guys told the manager and all staff is banned from the media warehouse until Sunday...yeah they suck) in the back for Sunday. But Future Shop (our competitor, yet Best Buy owns them) has many on the shelves still, just don't be suckered into buying the extended warranty.

[Richard @ Nov 23rd 2006 5:35PM]

tsecam: Why are you holding them until SUNDAY? I think your information is wrong since the BestBuy.ca newsletter specifically said they would be on sale TOMORROW (Friday):

http://newsletter.bestbuy.ca/2006/news/11_21/en/banner.gif

[strider_mt2k @ Nov 23rd 2006 5:22PM]

"Ryan you ignorant slut" would also have been a good opener for "counterpoint", but all in all a good article.

More and more it seems like "Consumer Protection Laws" are being used to protect the corporations from the consumer instead of vice versa.

That (to be blunt) blows.

[Nate @ Nov 23rd 2006 5:28PM]

I had a buddy who's an employee tell me they had 51 sitting in the warehouse, and this was tuesday of this week...

[roman.kim @ Nov 23rd 2006 5:42PM]

I'm in the Toronto area, and I went to Best Buy last night, and they told me they were out of stock, to my surprise the sale guy offered me a 20gb PS3 for C $550, I could not resist..

[Lars @ Nov 23rd 2006 5:53PM]

My local store says they have 60 but are holding till Sunday. Soooo frustrating.

[ishotmytoe @ Nov 23rd 2006 6:33PM]

In Surrey, Langley and White Rock BC, the Futureshops are holding on to their Wii's (heeee heee) and making ppl line up again tomorrow morning!! wtf!

i have to work tomorrow morning, so i will have to wait, again, for the next shipment... gimme one now if you have it!!
grrr

[Russ @ Nov 23rd 2006 6:35PM]

Everyone seems to be missing the point here, why would you pay for an add to say you're selling something on a particular day if theres a high chance they will have sold out by then? Sound like one hell of a stupid ass retailer to me. It's retailers like this that will incite riot like behaviour on the day rather than just sell them normally.

Best Buy obviously have more money than sense paying for advertising on products they either dont have, or are in such high demand that they don't even require an advert.

[ryan @ Nov 23rd 2006 6:41PM]

Actually if you think about this logically for a second it makes sense. Instead of going to bestbuy and them being sold out and asking an employee who has no idea of whats in stock they can say they have 40 coming in friday. EVERYONE knows theyre coming in friday and well have a FAIR chance of receiving one as everyone well see in fridays flyer that BB had wii's. I would prefer this now I can go to Bestbuy who has wii's and get one because they advertised this. People who complain about going and not getting a wii should CALL first.

Get over it.

[Keith Peters @ Nov 23rd 2006 6:44PM]

Unless there are no other sources of electronic equipment for at least 100 miles, I would avoid BestBuy like the plague.

http://www.bit-101.com/blog/?s=best+buy

[Tucker @ Nov 23rd 2006 6:58PM]

Back in the day I put in my dues working at the 'Buy, and this is very, very regular practice with anything that's got limited stock. Typically the ads DO say "minimum X in stock." Even if they didn't, from a retail perspective, it's far smarter to hold high-demand items in stock for the mobs of crowds of people in that buying orgy known as Black Friday. It just happens, it sucks sure, but it happens. It's not like this is new practice for BBY - or other retailers, for that matter.

[AvidDude @ Nov 23rd 2006 7:02PM]

"Alan Strangis @ Nov 23rd 2006 5:03PM

Is the Toronto Best Buy the same Toronto Best Buy where the SmashmyPS3 video is from? :)"

Yeah it's the big one at Bay and Dundas. The bastards did this with the 360 wireless racing wheel of couple of weeks back. I went in on release day and they told me that it wasn't coming out until that Friday which I KNEW was bullshit. Walked around the corner to the Futureshop on Yonge and they had a stack of them. Even the used game store across the street had 2 of them. Guess who got my money? Hint it wasn't Best Buy and it won't be ever again. Strange thing is Best Buy owns FutureShop so why sell in one and not the other? Support the little guy in your area if you can, they may not always have selection but at least they're honest.

[mars @ Nov 23rd 2006 7:03PM]

i went to best buy last night, they told me that they were re-launching the Wii on friday and had none to sell. this confirms my suspicions that i was lied to.

[Revrant2394 @ Nov 23rd 2006 7:05PM]

*Sigh*

I'd give up masturbation for a month to score a job at Best Buy.

But no, the twig boys who don't know Squat about anything when asked.

[matthew House @ Nov 23rd 2006 7:29PM]

Its fun to have and post an opinion about a retailer's practices and decide whether or not you want them to have your business, but we do realize that no retailer has aby kind of *obligation* to tell us what they have in stock, right?

Its well within their rights to sell those units how and when they choose. Some of the comments in this thread seem somehow indignant that Best Buy wouldn't tell them their exact stock numbers. That isn't information that the public has a "right" to.

If that makes you mad, fine. Don't buy stuff there. I don't see why it would, but ti each his own.

[mark @ Nov 23rd 2006 7:35PM]

who gives a shit. stay home. talk to other humans. wait until they are in stock if you really want them. but shut up about this crap. it happens every year and every year consumers stupid enough to actually complain about stock levels look like asses when they do so.

[Hugh Jass @ Nov 23rd 2006 7:42PM]

*a-hem* The use of the word "loathe" here is incorrect; it should be "loath". No, they are not the same thing.

[Evan @ Nov 23rd 2006 8:36PM]

Customers are insane anyways. As a retailer, you cannot make anyone, let alone EVERYONE, happy.

[Gerald Knapp @ Nov 23rd 2006 8:51PM]

What is up with Best Buy? I went in on the 17th the purchase the Xbox 360 HD DVD player and they informed me that they couldn't sell it until the 21st of Nov. Um? Knowing that most of the stock is low...were they holding back too? So I just went to my local Wal-Mart and picked one up.

[michael @ Nov 23rd 2006 8:53PM]

I think that is ridiculous. Who cares if you print an add the fact is everyone knows just because something is in the paper it doesn't mean that they are going to have it. Thats why they always say WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. On top of that video game systems everyone that is a real fan knows that these things are not gonna be in stores they are not waiting for a stupid circular to come out to buy it. I agree with the point spend your money elsewhere when you have idiots running stores that are turning away customers. That is the problem with big corporation they do whatever they want and its rarely want the customer wants. What happened to first come first served? You snooze you lose? I personally don't care for a WII but I think its stupid the way this is going. I plan on getting a PS3 and I will wait until I can camly walk in and grab one. People that are waiting for circulars are basically taking that chance. There for this is silly and screw best buy.

[Goato @ Nov 23rd 2006 8:59PM]

Yeah, I found this out at my Best Buy on Wednesday. 40 ps3s came in that day and were put out immediately. I was just talking to one of the workers about it (mainly how they couldn't get one because the line would never die down before the employees could snag one), and he straight up said "we have 63 Wiis in the back that we can't sell until Sunday."

[Mike10010100 @ Nov 23rd 2006 9:06PM]

So, if i were to stay outside a store, which one would i have the highest chance of getting a Wii? If someone could help me out...

Circuit City?
Best Buy?
something else???

[Brent @ Nov 23rd 2006 9:08PM]

BestBuy simply should not advertise the Wii as the PS3 isn't advertised with the demand that is had simply to bate thousands of customers in when there are 5 units. The Counterpoint has no bounds or reason whatsoever unless the person creating it agrees with crooked business and wasting customers time, gas, and mileage on their vehicles.

To the main Point:Agreed...There is no reason in helping a crooked used car dealership nor a large company that operates in the nature of BestBuy. Bestbuy, your name is great and large all over this country and the only cause for this action is greed as your business will in FACT be overflowing from now till 2007 atleast! Another sign that the more you get the more you want but how about what you deserve?

[Earl @ Nov 23rd 2006 9:14PM]

What I don't understand is WHY do they hold back their supplies? Does it matter WHEN they sell out? It don't make any sense: money last Sunday/Friday is the same value as black Friday.

Not that I really care since they can do whatever they want and people will still pay for one. I am just curious.