I’ve gotten a number of questions lately about what the best way is to find a Wii in stores. It’s a shame that, well over a year into its life cycle, Nintendo has yet to meet demand for their console. Considering the relatively low cost of parts and GameCube-era technology, some people have accused Nintendo of intentionally holding back stock to artificially increase demand. It’s a good problem to have, really. You’re guaranteed to sell every unit you put on shelves, and mainstream news outlets continue to run stories about how the Wii is such a hot item that no one can keep them on shelves. It’s gotten to the point, however, that Nintendo’s inability to provide consoles to retail is beginning to garner more bad press. Stories of Wiis flying off shelves are great during the holiday season, but throughout the rest of the year, all it does is upset consumers who want to play the games or have a present for their kids.
So what do you do if you’re one of those people still hunting for a Wii? Realistically (meaning you stay away from scams on eBay or don’t find much luck winning a contest giveaway), you’ve got two options. If you live in New York, or have a very good friend who’d be willing to do a lot of footwork, the Nintendo World Store in Times Square receives daily shipments. They sell out within minutes of opening, but if you get there early enough, you might be able to snag one. For the rest of the country, your best bet is to stay up late on Saturday night and wait for the online versions of weekly ad fliers for the big retail stores (Best Buy, Target, Wal-Mart, etc.). If they advertise the Wii in their sale flier, they are required to have a minimum number of units in stock. Get to the store very early on Sunday morning and wait in line. Or, if the line hasn’t started yet, make one yourself. Where I live, Circuit City posts a sign on their door every Sunday where they’d like the line to start.
I bought my console in 2006 on the Friday after Thanksgiving. I broke my ‘never-shop-at-GameStop’ policy because I was that desperate to play Twilight Princess. I waited outside in the freezing cold from 3:00AM to get one of the store’s three units. So good luck to anyone who’s still looking. And let me be the first to congratulate you on a great purchase.
Posted by brianfishman 
