When Switch 2 preorders launched within the US final week, bodily GameStop shops noticed traces across the block for preordering in particular person. Reports recommend some shops might have been trying to money in on the coveted preorders by forcing prospects so as to add further video games and equipment to kind an costly bundle, and GameStop company is now investigating.
X consumer and Twitch streamer Elea Tsentzelis posted about his expertise preordering a Switch 2 at GameStop’s Astoria retailer, saying the shop was “forcing you to purchase,” equipment by “claiming they will’t course of the SKU only for the console.”
Tsentzelis later posted a full video of his transaction on the retailer, the place a GameStop worker might be heard asking him to create a bundle with a minimal merchandise amount. Even after bundling a MicroSD card, Donkey Kong Bananza, the Mario Kart World bundle, and a Professional Controller, Tsentzelis is informed he wants so as to add two extra gadgets.
Within the replies to the publish, most different X customers say that they had no concern preordering the console by itself at different GameStop shops, although some had comparable tales of aggressive upselling of Switch 2 video games, equipment, or warranties at some GameStop areas. Others declare they had been informed they wanted a GameStop Professional Membership to preorder, or at the least had been closely pressured into signing up for the membership.
GameStop’s help account has now responded to Tsentzelis’ publish, saying the corporate is “actively investigating” the matter. “Any buyer who was turned away on the Astoria location ought to attain out through DM so we are able to make it proper,” the publish learn. At current the Astoria retailer is the one one talked about by the GameStop help account.
Your complete preorder expertise for the Switch 2 has been a bit chaotic thus far, with US preorders delayed attributable to Trump’s tariffs, and the console’s main US inventory skilled excessive demand and technical points when on-line orders opened. Console preorders at the moment are bought out in the meanwhile, although lots of the video games and equipment are nonetheless out there for preorder. Switch 2 preorders are already being listed on eBay–but watch out to examine what you are shopping for when you’re planning to go down that route.