Want a Wii this Christmas? Here’s how

Nintendo’s Wii is hot right now. So hot that if you managed to get your hands on one it would probably melt the skin from your fingers. Demand is outstripping supply to such an extent that Nintendo’s motion sensing machine is flying off the shelves quicker than you can say Wii Fit. So, with that in mind, and because we love to look out for our dear readers, we thought we’d speak to the shops and ask them for their advice on making sure 2007’s must have gadget is firmly secure in Santa’s sack when he drops down your chimney come December 25.

GAME

The specialist high-street retailer isn’t admitting that demand for the Wii is outstripping supply… yet. But it is saying it’s “possible”. It told VideoGamer.com that it’s “posting daily updates” on its website and is doing “everything possible to help our customers find the consoles they want”. We reckon you’ll have to keep your trigger finger firmly focused on the GAME website, which is updated regularly. At the time of writing the site shows a big fat NO for the Wii, with an outlook of “currently unavailable”.

Here’s GAME’s statement in full: “There is a wide range of fantastic games consoles available this Christmas, and we know that many people will have one at the top of their list. Everyone at GAME is working hard to help customers buy the console and games that they want.

“Although we’re receiving regular deliveries from Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft and getting the products onto the shelves as fast as we can – it’s possible that demand will outstrip supplies on some products. A good example is the Nintendo Wii, which has been hugely popular all through the year.

“We’re posting daily updates on our website at www.game.co.uk/stock to give customers the latest news on availability, and will continue to do everything possible to help our customers find the consoles they want.”

HMV

Unfortunately it looks like HMV is suffering from the same problems as everybody else. Head of press Gennaro Castaldo told VideoGamer.com that those of you looking for a Wii this Christmas will need to show “persistence and determination” if you want to get your grubby mits on one. He says: “No-one knows what stock they’re getting or when. All retailers have a standing order with Nintendo. It’s on a fairly random basis. We’re given 24 hours notice. We’re not in a position to take pre-orders. We know that will lead to disappointment.”

Gennaro says that HMV is taking an informal approach to the whole thing, and staff might call up customers who they know are persistent, but “that’s doing them a favour with very good customer service”. “People just have to call their local store and if they’re lucky their persistence will be rewarded,” he says.

And for those of you wondering if Nintendo is deliberately holding off stock to manufacture an all sold out situation, you’re wrong. “We know that Nintendo are doing everything they can possibly do,” says Gennaro. “There’s no conspiracy. They’re doing their best to keep up with demand. It’s not a small piece of technology they’re knocking out.”

His best advice? “You can ring or email customer services. If you are determined enough and you call in every day they will get their reward at some point. We’re just trying to do it less formally, without any guarantees so no-one feels let down.” eBayers and would-be Del Boys beware – it’s one Wii per person. “You can only have one,” says Gennaro. “You never know, they might be another market trader.”

Toys “R” Us

One of my fondest childhood memories is being driven to Toys “R” Us by my parents with George Michael’s “Last Christmas” blaring out of the radio. I was so excited I could barely speak. Now, in 2007, Toys “R” Us may well be able to rekindle that childish excitement once again.

But don’t count on it. You can keep tabs on its Wii stock situation here. At time of writing an update says: “Supply of this item will be extremely limited over the coming weeks. Stock is selling within minutes of becoming available and unfortunately we are unable to advise you of our next stock arrival date. Please continue to check our website daily or contact your local store.” Doesn’t look promising does it?

WOOLWORTHS

“You’ve just got to keep checking in with the website and hope you strike it lucky”, the iconic British retailer told VideoGamer.com. Forget about going to the store too, Wii stock goes up on the website, www.woolworths.co.uk, and flies off the virtual shelves before it can make its way to the bricks and mortar business. “Just put Wii in the search engine,” says the retailer. “We don’t know necessarily when we get stock. We’re getting a slow trickle of stock. We got some last Monday and they all went in two hours. They are just selling quicker than we can get hold of them.”

We thought we’d take their advice and put Wii in the search engine. We’ve never seen so many OUT OF STOCK notices. Bah.

Argos

Argos always aims to provide the best service possible to its millions of loyal customers and it gave us the following statement:

“It is no secret that there has been an unprecedented demand for Nintendo Wii this Christmas. Like many other retailers, we are experiencing record breaking demand and all retailers are facing a marketwide shortage which has resulted in immediate sales of any stock made available for purchase.

“Argos will be receiving regular stock into the business each week between now and Christmas. It is likely that demand will outstrip supply each week when new stock arrives and it will sell quickly. Our advice to customers is to buy early to avoid disappointment and if unlucky to keep checking each week via the internet as new stock arrives.

“Argos’s check and reserve facility is extremely popular with our customers allowing them to make their selections before leaving home and ensure goods are waiting for them in-store.

“However, in order to allow every customer the opportunity to purchase stock we are limiting the sale of Wii consoles to one per transaction.”

www.wii-consoles.co.uk

If the idea of constantly refreshing all these websites makes your eyes bleed, then fear not, there’s an incredibly useful website that will do it for you. Wii-consoles.co.uk is updated every 60 seconds with Wii stock information for most of the UK’s main retailers, with handy links and discount codes. Whatever your situation, if you’re after a Wii, this website might just help you save Christmas.

Nintendo

We asked Nintendo for its advice on how customers can secure a Wii this Christmas. The platform holder echoed the statements made by the various retailers we spoke to.

“The best way for people to get hold of a Wii is to stick with tried and trusted high street or online retailers and ask to be placed on their waiting lists. There are multiple and regular shipments of Wii stock to the UK on a weekly basis right up to and through the Christmas season.”

So there you have it. If you want a Wii this Christmas, and at a reasonable price, all hope isn’t lost. Just be sure you persevere with the various retail websites and try to check into your local store as regularly as possible.