In the Defense of Pre-Ordering

Right now, I have the pleasure of working in video game retail. This opportunity has been incredibly rewarding and I can't imagine any better way of working my way through college. This job has not only offered insights into an often overlooked aspect of the video game industry but it has really opened my eyes to something that a lot of people simply don't understand. I am talking about pre-ordering. Before you get all wide eyed and start thinking of ways to bash this common practice, let me say this: pre-ordering is not for everyone. I know that Brad is already rolling his eyes at this article because in his eyes, pre-ordering is completely unnecessary.  That is perfectly alright and I understand why many people choose not to reserve games prior to their release. I on the other hand reserve every game that I intend to pick up on day one of its release. Let me explain why.

First of all, what many people don't realize is that manufacturers determine how many copies of a game to send to a store based on the number of pre-orders it has received. Pre-ordering is a sign of demand. It is a representation of a desire for that particular game in a geographic area. If a retail store gets zero reserves, it may receive 3 or 4 copies of that game on launch day. This isn't necessarily a bad thing until the 5th customer walks into the store and wants the game. Now I know what everyone is thinking. You are all thinking that you would just head on over to another store and find a copy but the moment you are forced to do that, you may reconsider visiting that store next time you wish to buy a game. This is unfortunate because this really had nothing to do with that store in the first place. However, if even five people pre order a game, the store might receive 15 copies of the title which lowers the chance of the store selling out before replenishments arrive considerably. Now let's take a moment to examine that scenario in detail. Five people pre-order the game which means that five people who really wanted that game will be guaranteed a copy of the game within the first 48 hours of its release. No rushing to the store, no stress. In addition that that, another 10 people are free to pick up their game without any problem. Everybody wins and fewer, if any, people are disappointed.

Now lets look at the cost of pre-ordering. Every retailer might do it differently but 90% of the time, pre-ordering is a free service. Sure, you place a five dollar deposit on the game but that money goes toward the total cost of the game when it is released. I know people also have a problem with retailers having your money before a game is released but the fact is that they are going to have your money either way so there isn't any point worrying about that. Here is where what I said earlier comes into play. Pre-ordering is not for everyone. As a retail employee and college student, I understand that you may be a little tight on money or that you might be saving for something else. In these situations, I fully understand why you would opt not to shell out five dollars. With that said, let me tell you who pre-ordering is for:

1.) People who are not tight on cash
2.) People who are definitely (let's say 80% chance or higher) going to pick up the game within the first 48 hours of release.

If you find yourself in a store and and are considering reserving a game, ask yourself if these statements apply to you. If the answer is yes and the game is not too far off, ask yourself the following: "Why not?" I consider this a simple service that helps out the store you prefer to shop with as well as yourself as a gamer. I can't count the number of times I have had snooty, rude responses if I ask if a customer would like to pre-order something. There is no need for that because it is a simple question. Us as employees don't get upset if you say no but are annoyed when that same customer shows up day one expecting to get a copy of the game and leaves disappointed. Believe me, this happens a lot. I will go ahead and step down off my soap box and hope that these considerations will be taken into account.

Nick