Black Friday 2015 Retail Musings
- Thread starter Chobel
- Start date
That's what I said, my post was a stupid idea.
I was at both Best Buy and Wal-Mart yesterday evening, about 15 minutes before they opened up their deals. Best Buy was closed before opening at 5pm, and Wal-Mart was already open, but their special BF deals were sealed until 6pm, and their game closets were still closed as well.
At Best Buy, I made a beeline for FFX/FFX-2, which wasn't available, and I left empty-handed. I thought about buying Diablo III just because I was already there, but I didn't want to sit in the already pretty long checkout line. My only observations:
- Tons of copies of Until Dawn
- Shittons of copies of Warner Bros. games (Batman, Mad Max, Mortal Kombat X)
- They didn't seem to have stock issues on anything (except for FFX, which they didn't seem to carry at all)
At Wal-Mart, I walked past the crowds waiting for the sealed items, and went straight to the games closet. It didn't look like they had moved any of the on-sale games out of the closet at all. There were maybe 6 people waiting in front of the closet at 6pm when an employee came to open it. We all hurriedly grabbed our games and bailed.
My only observations:
- Good stock on most games on sale
- One older lady had a cart full of PS4 games, multiple copies of each, presumably for flipping
- I missed the commotion of people going at it for the special BF items because I was in front of the games closet, but I didn't hear screaming or anything
- Checkout was very quick due to all of the checkout aisles being open
Overall, just like last year, I found retail to be a mostly approachable, reliable way of getting games that are often cheaper than being online. Obviously you'll have more issues with consoles and more expensive electronics, but there was no shortage of inventory, at least at store opening. I'm personally not fond of F5ing repeatedly or relying on Twitter to let me know if something is in stock, only to get to my computer and have it be out of stock because Amazon members will claim anything, even if it's a terrible deal. As always, this depends on the person, their Thanksgiving plans, and their location.
Call me crazy, but there's something enjoyable about waiting for each BF ad to leak, planning out your itinerary, and hitting the stores to get what you want. It's a distinctly American, arguably awful tradition, and I can't help but look forward to it every year.
At Best Buy, I made a beeline for FFX/FFX-2, which wasn't available, and I left empty-handed. I thought about buying Diablo III just because I was already there, but I didn't want to sit in the already pretty long checkout line. My only observations:
- Tons of copies of Until Dawn
- Shittons of copies of Warner Bros. games (Batman, Mad Max, Mortal Kombat X)
- They didn't seem to have stock issues on anything (except for FFX, which they didn't seem to carry at all)
At Wal-Mart, I walked past the crowds waiting for the sealed items, and went straight to the games closet. It didn't look like they had moved any of the on-sale games out of the closet at all. There were maybe 6 people waiting in front of the closet at 6pm when an employee came to open it. We all hurriedly grabbed our games and bailed.
My only observations:
- Good stock on most games on sale
- One older lady had a cart full of PS4 games, multiple copies of each, presumably for flipping
- I missed the commotion of people going at it for the special BF items because I was in front of the games closet, but I didn't hear screaming or anything
- Checkout was very quick due to all of the checkout aisles being open
Overall, just like last year, I found retail to be a mostly approachable, reliable way of getting games that are often cheaper than being online. Obviously you'll have more issues with consoles and more expensive electronics, but there was no shortage of inventory, at least at store opening. I'm personally not fond of F5ing repeatedly or relying on Twitter to let me know if something is in stock, only to get to my computer and have it be out of stock because Amazon members will claim anything, even if it's a terrible deal. As always, this depends on the person, their Thanksgiving plans, and their location.
Call me crazy, but there's something enjoyable about waiting for each BF ad to leak, planning out your itinerary, and hitting the stores to get what you want. It's a distinctly American, arguably awful tradition, and I can't help but look forward to it every year.
Steverulez
Member
Fixed.
o ended up hitting a few more stores since my brother couldn't find 2k16. Went to 2 targets and madden 2k16 were both wiped out. The $299 gears bundle was wiped out at both also. Then we went to b st buy and saw a stack of madden 2k. Also a ton of Lego and gears bundles. Looks like Best Buy got a bunch more than Walmart and target where I live
Steverulez
Member
TrebuchetGames
Member
I purchased 5 games off GOG.com.... I'm expecting a couple of Star Trek games and a dungeon and dragons game to make it into Dec's NPD results.
On a more serious note, saw lots of Amazon deals UK.. dropping the price of a basic console for XBOXOne to £230 and PS4 to £240 I think it was... crazy console prices this year.
On a more serious note, saw lots of Amazon deals UK.. dropping the price of a basic console for XBOXOne to £230 and PS4 to £240 I think it was... crazy console prices this year.
Walmart just now: 0 PS4 in case and on floor, 1 AC and 1 Madden XB1 bundle in case and 9 GoW on pallet.
Bestbuy earlier: GoW XB1 about 15, UC PS4 bundle 5
Mega Walmart earlier: Gow XB1 about 13, UC PS4 about 7
Don't recall WiiU numbers, but I do recall seeing at least 4-8 in each store.
Bestbuy earlier: GoW XB1 about 15, UC PS4 bundle 5
Mega Walmart earlier: Gow XB1 about 13, UC PS4 about 7
Don't recall WiiU numbers, but I do recall seeing at least 4-8 in each store.
Cornbread78
Member
I expected Fifa, Little Big Planet and Blops3, but UD I didn't see coming, lol.
Chie Satonaka
Member
I agree. I typically do all of my shopping online, but Amazon didn't match the majority of the stuff I wanted. I actually had a really good time going out and participating in the hoopla in person this year.
KingGiddra
Member
I walked in to Target and saw a Wii U in the clothing section (I assume someone was trying to hide it?). I picked that up for $250 and Super Mario Maker, which came with a $15 gift card. I think I made out pretty well since it came with SSB and Splatoon.
TheSlySoul
Member
Yeah, Best Buy was loaded with consoles. Target was sparse.
I was in HMV and GAME earlier, seemed like those Battlefront PS4 bundles were moving well from the amount of people carrying them in huge carrier bags that kept bumping into me. Twats.
Was a waste of time going to either tbh... Prices were still shit on everything so I bought nothing.
Was a waste of time going to either tbh... Prices were still shit on everything so I bought nothing.
Aaron Strife
Banned
Best Buy actually had a far more varied Amiibo selection than I'm used to seeing. Maybe that's just changed as more figures have come out but seeing like, Shulk, Marth, Dark Pit, Greninja etc. amongst the standard Mario/Link/Pikas was nice for once. Of course, it was different at Target where their wall was like 3/4ths Dr. Marios.
Was hoping to score FFX/X-2 PS4 above all else, which I ended up ordering from Walmart for in-store pickup (still waiting on that email...). I did see OOT3D at Best Buy though, which I immediately bought. There wasn't a deal or anything, I just wanted to get it since stock has been inexplicably scarce for the past couple years and it was one of many games I parted with when I was having trouble paying rent.
Saw a couple people buying Wii Us but I wasn't paying that much attention. No kidding though, that Smash/Splatoon bundle is dope as hell, especially with Mario Maker on top of it. First real shrewd pricing move Nintendo has made all generation, aside from selling refurb consoles for cheap.
Was hoping to score FFX/X-2 PS4 above all else, which I ended up ordering from Walmart for in-store pickup (still waiting on that email...). I did see OOT3D at Best Buy though, which I immediately bought. There wasn't a deal or anything, I just wanted to get it since stock has been inexplicably scarce for the past couple years and it was one of many games I parted with when I was having trouble paying rent.
Saw a couple people buying Wii Us but I wasn't paying that much attention. No kidding though, that Smash/Splatoon bundle is dope as hell, especially with Mario Maker on top of it. First real shrewd pricing move Nintendo has made all generation, aside from selling refurb consoles for cheap.
spatenfloot
Member
Until Dawn seems to be a really hot item for BF. I wonder if it will manage to chart. That would make an interesting thread if it charted and Tomb Raider did not.
AgentP
Thinks mods influence posters politics. Promoted to QAnon Editor.
You live in Bizaro world. The $299 Uncharted bundle is the one flying off shelves while the TR bundle sits on shelves. You think the buggy Unity was the reason the XB1 sod last year, not the price? FYI the PS4 BF bundle sold out day one. Basically the opposite of what you think, Sony just did a one day bundle and lost to a month of XB1 bundling. This year at least Sony is competing for the whole weekend.
Pilgrimzero
Member
Lots of PS4 bundles being sold at Best Buy, not so many XB1s.
Target was sold out of Fallout 4 and Call of Duty. Another had no XB1 consoles, the other had plenty.
And from another thread:
Target was sold out of Fallout 4 and Call of Duty. Another had no XB1 consoles, the other had plenty.
And from another thread:
Jawmuncher
Member
I was able to walk into walmart at like 610pm grab the two games I want and walk out within 30 minutes. Was very surprised, but it looks like everyone was hung up at the displays, that no one actually went to electronics. Since I went there, found the worker with the key, grabbed the two games I wanted, and when they were rung up they were the same sale price everyone was fighting over. Also oddly there was no line in electronics two registers either.
spatenfloot
Member
Are lots of last gen owners trading up at Gamestop?
Alligatorjandro
Banned
Went to Best Buy, Walmart and GameStop ACD saw wire a bit of people buying PS4s and X1s, and a few Wii Us.
Saw more PS4s than anything.
Saw more PS4s than anything.
So you only went to best buy? Because that's the only store with Tomb Raider bundles.
QuantumSquid
Member
I feel like I have to buy Tomb Raider instead of Just Cause 3 as my next game just so I can say I contributed to the cause of getting people to play it. It's one of the Xbox One's highest-scoring titles, it's such a shame it's not getting the sales it deserves.
...Scatter...
Banned
LOL - You're all right.
ShooterMcTavish
Banned
Not sure if someone posted yet https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/target-online-sales-broke-record-145504511.html
Basically saying target broke online Black Friday records. iPad Iwatch and WiiU top selling items nationwide
Basically saying target broke online Black Friday records. iPad Iwatch and WiiU top selling items nationwide
Hcoregamer00
The 'H' stands for hentai.
In my neck of the woods, I saw depleted stacks of XBones and not many WiiU's. There were plenty of Uncharted Bundles, I am guessing that sony shipped a ton more since it will be $300 to Monday.
Lots of people buying Adele CD's though, damn.
Lots of people buying Adele CD's though, damn.
I bought Adele's album. It's great lol.
I got my PS4 uncharted bundle. Tried selling Uncharted back immediately but was told that it was state law that they couldn't accept anything back that they just sold brand new for 24 hours. Must be a sign that I should keep it and play them I guess.
Also I went to a three stores, two gamestops and a wal mart, and didn't see a single splat/smash bundle. Those guys sold out haaaaard, I wonder if they didn't stock many.
I saw plenty of the other 2 consoles to go around tho.
Also I went to a three stores, two gamestops and a wal mart, and didn't see a single splat/smash bundle. Those guys sold out haaaaard, I wonder if they didn't stock many.
I saw plenty of the other 2 consoles to go around tho.
RespectThySole
Member
Walmart: All three consoles sold out.
Target: Xbox One sold out. Tons of Uncharted Bundles left and a few Wii U.
Best Buy: Only 2 Uncharted bundles left, but stacks of Black Ops 3 and Battlefront bundles. Around the same number of Xbox Ones left as PS4s. Also, the Fallout bundle seemed to be more popular than the Gears bundle, which I found pretty surprising. Lots of TR bundles unsold.
GameStop: Xbox One and PS4 both sold out.
Target: Xbox One sold out. Tons of Uncharted Bundles left and a few Wii U.
Best Buy: Only 2 Uncharted bundles left, but stacks of Black Ops 3 and Battlefront bundles. Around the same number of Xbox Ones left as PS4s. Also, the Fallout bundle seemed to be more popular than the Gears bundle, which I found pretty surprising. Lots of TR bundles unsold.
GameStop: Xbox One and PS4 both sold out.
Hcoregamer00
The 'H' stands for hentai.
At least from the musings, Tomb Raider XBone bundle doesn't seem to be moving.
That's a pity because it looks like a wonderful bundle
That's a pity because it looks like a wonderful bundle
Went to a Walmart and a Best Buy this morning.Best Buy definitely had more people. At Walmart the electronics section was a bit of a mess, saw a lot less PS4 systems then Xbox Ones sitting out. Forgot if Microsoft had any deals on gold subscriptions but there was almost no 3 month PS Plus cards left. I found 2 in random places through the section. A lady was looking for a copy of NBA 2k16 for PS3 and couldnt find it but I managed to find a copy laying about and brought it to her.
Best Buy had a lot more systems and games as expected. Only thing I really looked for there was PS TV and they had sold out, or possibly didnt have any. think the price went up to $40 anyways, was only gonna pull the trigger if it was $20.
Best Buy had a lot more systems and games as expected. Only thing I really looked for there was PS TV and they had sold out, or possibly didnt have any. think the price went up to $40 anyways, was only gonna pull the trigger if it was $20.
Plague Doctor
Member
I hope so! Whatever it takes to get another Until Dawn installment. I need my fix.
Hockeymac18
Member
Cool to hear that the WiiU is selling well.
They will lose BF, but if they are close as its sounding than the preorder bundles will give them the overall win.
Played it for the first time yesterday, its amazing!
...Scatter...
Banned
Sales seemed strong from my time out. Couldn't get a read on one thing performing better than another.
Personally I didn't get anything outside of the Amazon Batman firesale. I have enough to play as is. Best Buy had a sale on controllers so I may go back and pick one up.
Personally I didn't get anything outside of the Amazon Batman firesale. I have enough to play as is. Best Buy had a sale on controllers so I may go back and pick one up.
nullpoynter
Member
Well, it's the devs own fault really. They really shouldn't have made that timed exclusivity deal for the Xbox One. They should've released on all consoles and PC at the same time.
Forearm Star
Member
GameStop I work at had tons of xb1 stock. Quantities were xb1>ps4>wiiu and sell through was about the same order.
A lot of people trading up old 360s for xb1.
Fallout and call of duty were the big sellers.
A lot of people trading up old 360s for xb1.
Fallout and call of duty were the big sellers.
nullpoynter
Member
Why does this not surprise me. smh...
QuantumSquid
Member
Do we know if that deal was necessary for the game to be made? It wasn't, right?
It could come out a week before Christmas and still have sold better than releasing the same day as Fallout. Really bad idea on their part.
Hopefully it does well on PC and PS4 when those versions release next year.
Went too bestbuy in Nashville around 1pm for wii u were sold out unfortunately got my galaxy 6s edge plus and a 250 gift card though....
Ps4s were gone and the ones left in the back were for online in store pick up.... was told more would be available tomorrow
Wii us were completely gone
Xbox had quite a few gears left and a bunch of tomb raiders on their displays
Lots of 3dsxl on display too
Ps4s were gone and the ones left in the back were for online in store pick up.... was told more would be available tomorrow
Wii us were completely gone
Xbox had quite a few gears left and a bunch of tomb raiders on their displays
Lots of 3dsxl on display too
If you need a DS4, make sure to buy the Playstation Now Starter Kit at Best Buy. $40 for a DS4, 1 month of PS Now, and a USB cable. Same price as the DS4 on sale.