Pre-ordering next-gen consoles has not been an easy process for anyone but one retailer from the UK has made purchasing an shipping out Xbox Series X/S systems to retailers, with the first batch of units arriving in warehouses around the world in time for the launch on November 10.
Compared to previous generations, pre-orders for both the forced to cancel pre-orders for many customers. In contrast, Microsoft put in place a more structured system for fans, although there were still some issues with gamers being able to place their orders from certain stores.
UK electronic retailer Currys has made pre-ordering an Xbox Series X/S console a hugely complicated task. Twitter Jamie Wynder has revealed that the store has raised the price of the consoles by £2000 GBP (~$2600 USD). According to an email sent to customers, the increased price is a temporary measure to help deal with the high demand. Once an order has been placed, customers get a voucher to remove the £2000 from the price so that the actual cost is reduced back to its normal level. But the process of using the vouchers, which are only valid until October 18, has been labeled confusing and strange by customers, and it begs the question of what Currys is actually achieving with the convoluted process. In the email, the retailer states:
"Because demand is so high and to make sure your pre-order is prioritised when orders open online, we're increasing the upfront cost of the Xbox Series X by £2000. But don't worry. This won't change how much you pay!"
Microsoft is slowly gearing up its marketing campaign in anticipation of the launch of the Xbox Series X/S in November. The more paltry efforts by Sony's PS5 into context.
The strange pre-order process that Currys has implemented for the Xbox Series X/S highlights the troubles that customers are having to go through to get a next-gen console. Many of these issues might well be a result of the COVID-19 pandemic affecting production lines and manufacturing for both Microsoft and Sony. While the two companies have refused to it there are supply issues, it seems almost certain that the number of available units will have been reduced in some shape or form.
The Xbox Series X/S will be available on November 1, 2020. Pre-orders are available now.
Source: Jamie Wynder
