GameStop Theorizes Wii Shortage Deliberate

In GameStop's quarterly public conference call, company COO Dan DeMatteo called out Nintendo on what he sees as intentional supply shortages. Along with the news that the company hit $5.3 Billion in 2006, Next Gen reports that the call contained several remarks on the next gen systems. The Wii, Dematteo thinks, has been short supplied because 'they made their numbers for the year ... [Nintendo's] new year starts April 1st, and I think we're going to see supply flowing.' They also commented on the Euro launch of the PS3, with CEO R. Richard Fontaine saying, 'I think the summary of that was that it was a very good launch falling somewhat short of what [GameStop's Euro managing directors] would call a great launch.'

Nintendo Retaliates

[bym051d]

By stopping supply of Wiis to Gamestop.

You mean like the PS3 or XBox 360 launch?

[stratjakt]

I bought two Wii's before christmas.

PS3s marketing campaign was based on somebody getting stabbed in the parking lot, to get them on the news as the seasons "hot gift".

OH SNAP

[Anonymous Coward]

Oh, I know they didn't just talk trash about my beloved Wii. Join me is correcting their obvious error Slashdotters, I just know you will.

Re:You mean like the PS3 or XBox 360 launch?

[elrous0]

The sad thing is, that same dude that got stabbed in the parking lot later got stabbed on ebay too.

Gamestop is just frustrated

[elrous0]

I think Gamestop is just angry that they are stuck with shelves of the other consoles and they have no Wii's to actually bring in customers. They're probably also tired of answering the "Is the Wii in yet?" phone calls.

Trying to strong-arm Nintendo won't help, Gamestop.

Oh of course

[Anonymous Coward]

I know when I want to drive demand from my customers, I always intentionally ship less and less product. Just seeing their little faces tighten up with anger as the realization they have ONCE AGAIN failed to buy my product warms my heart.

I think before too long I'll just stop shipping product all together, why the sheer panic as people riot in the streets for my items is sure to make me millions and millions of dollars

*point at lip with pinky*

Re:Maybe it's true...

[wiz31337]

Be cautions. You may walk in to find a pallet of 60 PS3 consoles and a sign saying "April Fools!"

Mmmmm...

[MWoody]

Would you like a little ketchup to go with that hand that feeds you?

Re:Say what?

[rhombic]

In the midwest, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Circuit City, EBGames/Gamestop ALL have plenty of the white DS Lites in stock. Target had a few black ones, and I haven't seen any of the pink ones.

Now, thats a variety of stores from KC MO, KC KS, St. Louis MO, Columbia MO, Springfield IL, Peoria IL, Urbana/Champaign IL, and Little Rock AR that I've personally been in in the last two weeks, at various times of day, and various days of the week.

Dude, you gotta find a better hobby than browsing the electronics section of discount stores over a four state area. I mean, dude. Wow.

Re:You mean like the PS3 or XBox 360 launch?

[tktk]

Consumer Buddhism is the Key

Desire is the root of suffering. Therefore if you desire a console too much, you won't obtain it and suffer.
I don't want a 360 or PS3 and they're plentiful.
I do have a Wii, but I went to the store half-heartily, stood in line, expecting to be turned away, and was 3rd to last to get a ticket.
I want to play games on the Wii but don't really like the games.
Some of the games that I'd like to play are on a different system.
And I have no time to play.

Hmmm....I started this as a joke, but maybe there's a grain of truth in there.

Re:Say what?

[fotbr]

Job travel...I just stop in to see if any place happens to have a Wii.

Its either that or sit in the hotel room drinking beer and posting to slashdot. And we all know how well drinking and posting works.

Re:artificially choking supply?

[macserv]

Of course, I meant, "well over half the marketshare of the 360". I need sleep.