We don't want to incite panic in big box parking lots from coast to coast or anything (or do we?), but from the looks of things, Best Buy's
Pre stock for launch day is meager at best -- and distribution is a little weird. A poster over on
everythingpre's forums threw up a bunch of alleged inventory screen shots, suggesting that Florida and Texas stores are particularly well-off -- many stores are expected to get 18, 20 or more -- while Illinois stores appear to be getting hosed (a trip to the Hancock location downtown, for example, will result in success for just two people). The way we see it, this could be fake -- but it might just have to do with how close each store is to Best Buy's distro centers or a balancing act with proximity to Sprint locations in the area. Worst case scenario, we figure, you can just riot.
Update: A tipster tells us these "On Order" numbers are actually the number of Pres each store's manager has requested, which doesn't necessarily correlate to the number they'll actually receive. Of course, that still doesn't explain why downtown Chicago's Best Buy would request just two -- there have to be some other constraints involved that we're not privy to -- but it's an interesting tidbit nonetheless.
posted Jun 2nd 2009 12:17PM
I LOVE YOU guys! Not only do you show numbers in my backyard now but I can plan on where to go. AWESOME.
FYI: I just called the local Best Buy and they said there will be a line outside before they open and tickets will be given to those in line.
My store in Springfield, Oregon is only getting [B]3[/B]! A smaller store an hour up the 5 Freeway in Salem is getting 10. A large store in Portland is getting 4. Two large stores in Los Angeles is getting 8. And then you see some stores in Michigan and Florida getting upwards of 30?! The difference in inventory per store is very odd. Some smaller stores are getting a hell of a lot more than some of the more larger stores.
upstate new york stores will be getting 3 to about 7. nyc stores will get more.
I love how all the spots in the pic are my home area
Your tipster was wrong, on order means how many the company has allocated to each store (though that is still not necessarily the final number arriving). I assure you the managers requested more.
The John Hancock downtown location is actually in the Magnificent Mile shopping district, and it's rather new. I just found out it was there a couple of days ago. It's definitely not a very busy location. On the other hand, South Loop is quite in the thick of things, with close proximity to both the corporate skyscraper population and college kids with disposable income.
I might take a trip out the 87th street store, but might get robbed on the way in or out.... lol j/k no i'm sure at least the parking lot is fine these days.