» Sun Apr 24, 2011 12:27 am I finally got my butt down to Gamestop to put in a preorder in late September. When I got there I was informed they were no longer taking pre orders for the Collector's Edition. I figured maybe it was just that store, so I headed to the next closest Gamestop and tried them. Turns out they stopped taking orders for the CE chain-wide. I put down an order for the standard edition anyway because I was told they would probably be able to upgrade me to a CE when I show up for the Midnight Release. To be on the safeside, I went to Best Buy to put in a pre order on the CE as they were still taking orders (in the form of DVD cases with coasters in them!).
I really, really wanted the Classic Pack, so I wanted to try and get it from Gamestop. I show up for the midnight release, and of course, they don't have any extra's. I bought my standard edition anyway, and raced over to the next nearest Gamestop, but they were closed by the time I got there. This morning I made a list of the nearest stores and headed out. I got to the first one, they didn't have any extra's, so I asked them to check the system if any nearby stores might. They gave a couple of stores a jingle and I crossed them off my list. I started heading in the direction of the Best Buy I'd placed my order at, and started calling other Gamestops along the way (I wasn't driving thankfully). I was really glad I had my Droid, since I just did a search of "Gamestop" in the Google Maps app and it put a marker on each locale, click the marker and get Icons for more info, direct call, and navigate. I started systematically calling every Gamestop radiating out from my current position. Finally, one over an hours drive away said they had some in stock. I rush over there quite elated that I'll get my copy at last. Then, the crushing blow of disappointment struck. It turns out the guy working the phone had misheard me, and thought I was looking for a Standard Edition. The guy that took the call however, Marlon, was amazingly helpful and friendly. He offered to put in a request to corporate since I had gone out of my way to get there due to a miscommunication. He said he typically gets hears back from them within 24-48hrs. Still, I figured I'd try a few more calls, and when I got to what I decided was the last one I'd make, success! Yet another hour drive away from that location was a store that had one in stock. They said they're only supposed to put a hold of up to one hour on items but they agreed to stick it in back for me (I'm so grateful for that). I arrived and claimed my reward... and started the long drive home. I also called up Marlon to say he didn't have to put in that request if he hadn't yet, though to my surprise he had not only already put it in, but corporate had already responded and said they're overnighting the package. Though I won't be buying it, the effort was hugely appreciated and some lucky person will be able to get it should they go looking.
After about 4-5hrs driving, 44 stores called, around 50 calls total, I finally got what I desired, and it's just finished installing. The only problem I face now is should I jump right in, or go get some freaking sleep first?
