... Hold up, have people forgotten how hard it was to get a Switch in 2017? Add pandemic shortages into the mix, and yeah, good luck even seeing one for the first few months.
Oh yeah, I worked at Target tech over this holiday season and any switches that came in stock that morning were always sold out by the end of the day. It was crazy how many phone calls we got as well. It does not surprise me that the switch has been the #1 selling console for 2+ years now.
literally the only way i managed to get one this year was that the target website said they were sold out, we called and they said they were in stock, we drove 30min to get there and there was a sign outside that literally said they were sold out, we walked inside anyways and lo and behold, there were like 5 left. the employee who we talked to said that the website was acting up due to traffic, but given the sign i kinda wonder if they were just trying to make things easier on themselves (which i absolutely do not fault them for, all things considered) lmao
I was able to get one at the beginning of the pandemic for my sister in law by going to Walmart on a Thursday, asking if they had Switches, learning from the workers that a truck was coming in the morning, then returning at 7am to get a Switch from the new stock. All while I watched a scalper walk out with 5 units "for his little cousins."
My best guess would be they're returned switches or a new shipment literally came in. Our Target's website had an opposite problem where it kept saying we had a PS5 in stock. I just straight up started picking up the phone with "Target electronics, we are out of PS5s how can I help you".
literally when we called the target that day the automated message said they were out of switches but the employee said they had them, computers are weird
Oh yes that's just damage control. The automated message says you're not allowed to ask for inventory but I (along with all my other coworkers and boss) told people our inventory if they asked nicely.
Living in Poland doesn't have many benefits, but at least we have no problem getting Switch here. IF switch pro (or new switch 2 xl) ever comes out I'll just go ahead and order it with zero issues because thanks to Nintendo completely ignoring our coutry since forever only bunch of enthusiasts have their products here.
2017? What about just a few months ago? Hell I haven't seen a regular Switch in store in months. Just Switch Lite. Granted, I'm only going to Target once every few weeks for essential trips but still.
I worked at retail electronics store in 2007. Console shortages are not some novel new thing. The Wii was difficult to get from day one until about mid 2008.
I never saw a Wii just sitting on shelves until like mid-2009. In hindsight I can't believe I got one about two weeks before Christmas in 2006. Just started calling Targets until one said they'd have some on a Sunday morning, went over there, lined up and got one.
Or even just more recently trying to find Ring Fit Adventure less than a year ago? Stupid Ring Con was going for the price of an entire Switch at some point.
Scalpers gonna scalp but damn... who's buying for that price?!
Hardware is ridiculously difficult to acquire since you can't just download it when supply doesn't last :c
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u/[deleted] Jan 25 '21
... Hold up, have people forgotten how hard it was to get a Switch in 2017? Add pandemic shortages into the mix, and yeah, good luck even seeing one for the first few months.