Looks Like Target Is Canceling PS4 Preorder Bundles For Delayed Games

[DirtyLarry Veteran]

Source: Kotaku

 

Watch Dogs and Driveclub, two high-profile games planned for release alongside the PS4 and Xbox One, have both seen fairly last-minute delays into next year. However, both of those games had been included in next-gen console preorder bundles. Two readers inform us that today, Target canceled not just their game preorder, but their console preorder as well.P

 

One reader sent us this copy of an email he received from Target hours after Driveclub was confirmed as delayed to next year:
 

Note the bit at the end, where they inform him that preorders will re-open next week on October 25, on a "first come, first served basis." Salt in the wound, that is.

 

Another reader tells us that her Watch Dogs PS4 preorder bundle was similarly canceled in its entirety by Target. Driveclub is a PS4 exclusive, which means that only PS4 preorders are likely to be hit by this. Watch Dogs was set for release on both Xbox One and PS4.P

 

New consoles are often offered in "bundles" along with hot games, usually as an enticement for customers to preorder and get the console and a game at a discount on day one. The recent delays have put retailers into an unusual situation: They've likely all been counting on Driveclub and Watch Dogs releasing on time, along with the new consoles.P

 

For their part, online retailer Amazon has said that they'll honor Watch Dogs bundle preorders, though they haven't said if customers who preordered bundles will just get their consoles, or if they'll get the console along with some sort of voucher or substitute game. (Update: A couple of readers say Amazon simply transferred their preorders over to a regular-price console preorder with no bundled game.)P

 

We've reached out to Target for clarification on their policy with next-gen preorders and will update if and when we hear back.

 

Pretty crappy thing of Target to do considering Amazon was honoring all Watch Dog bundles (yet to be confirmed for DriveClub bundles on Amazon).

 

What is really messed up is them saying in their email to the customer that PS4's will be available to pre order on October 25th on a "first come, first serve basis." Hopefully the exposure this is getting forces their hand to do the right thing and automatically give those consoles to whomever this affected first. If not, messed up for sure.

 

[trooper11]

How are these bundles sold? Are they simply a retail box of the console and retail box of the game or is it the type of bundle where the game is packed with the system?

I had assumed these were all retail console + retail game. If so, then they definitely should be offering to at least send the console.

[The_Decryptor Veteran]

One of the Kotaku commentators said they were in-box bundles, no idea how correct that is though.

Either way, why not just refund the difference and ship them a normal PS4, or give them a copy of the game later? Cancelling the order is just stupid (Because it also means they miss out on getting any money from that consumer, so everybody loses out)

[trooper11]

Well if it really is in box bundles, then wouldn't that mean Target simply doesn't have enough of the unbundled consoles to offer to these pre-orders?

It could be that they were already near their max stock wise on pre-orders for just the console and now don't have extra to substitute for the bundle being canceled.

[The_Decryptor Veteran]

Because they've (hopefully) already made the consoles for the in-box bundles, the only thing that needs changing is the cardboard box it comes in.

[trooper11]

But Target wouldn't already have those consoles right? I mean who puts the boxes together? I assume Sony does that and then ships them out to retailers, etc.

[firey]

But Target wouldn't already have those consoles right? I mean who puts the boxes together? I assume Sony does that and then ships them out to retailers, etc.

I would think so, otherwise the retailers would have to unbox then rebox the console.

[threetonesun]

How are these bundles sold? Are they simply a retail box of the console and retail box of the game or is it the type of bundle where the game is packed with the system?

I had assumed these were all retail console + retail game. If so, then they definitely should be offering to at least send the console.

 

It's just the system and then the games, all packaged separately. Companies do this because they can get more money out of people wanting to pre-order the system once the basic system-only preorders are gone.

 

I imagine it was just too much of a hassle for Target to go through and say, "do you want a PS4 still", so they just cancelled them all.

[DirtyLarry Veteran]

Glad to see they are doing the right thing...

 

Target Apologizes, Making Good On Cancelled PS4 Pre-Orders

 

Last Friday, we reported that Target was canceling PlayStation 4 preorders that had been bundled with delayed games like Watch Dogs and Driveclub. It looks like the retailer is taking action to make good on the console part of those preorders, as well as giving $100 gift cards to make it up to those affected.P

 

Yesterday, Kotaku received the following statement from Target

 

The release date for the video games ?Watch Dogs,? ?Drive Club,? ?The Order: 1886,? and ?inFamous: Second Son? has been delayed. As a result, Target cancelled pre-orders for Sony Playstation 4 consoles that were going to be bundled with these titles. We sincerely apologize to guests who were inconvenienced and are working directly with them to ensure they receive the console they selected by their original order date. There was no impact to Sony Playstation 4 pre-orders that were sold independently or bundled with other game titles.

 

I checked in with the readers who had initially written in to let us know that Target had cancelled their console preorders, and they reported that Target had gotten back to them individually since we published our story. One reader sent us a copy of the email, which reads in part:

 

We apologize for your recent Target.com experience. We are working on a solution that will ensure you receive the video game console you pre-ordered. Unfortunately, we will not be able to fulfill the bundled video game portion of your order due to publishing delays. You will receive an email tomorrow with further directions on how to confirm your order. We are committed to shipping your game console by the date on your original order. Additionally, we are emailing you a $100 Target eGiftCard for your inconvenience.

 

Not bad! It looks like everyone will be happily playing their PS4s on launch day, and they'll even have some extra bucks to spend on a new launch game, if they want. Good on you, Target.

 

 

A good example where complaining on the internet gets things taken care of!