EB Games giving a ‘pickup deadline’ for Switch preorders, else move to second shipment (Update)

Update: EB Games have replied and sent us the following statement;

We are as excited as our customers about the upcoming launch of the Nintendo Switch.

We’re giving preorder customers the choice to pick up their new Switch when they want it. If opening weekend is not convenient they can choose a collection date that suits them by contacting their local store. This includes, but is not limited to, moving to the second shipment.

We strongly encourage customers who are interested in the Switch to preorder instore or online, as demand will likely outstrip supply. As of writing, EB Games guarantees all existing preorders on the Nintendo Switch.

The memo we have does not give the options for pickup aside from launch or April and this clashes with the statement above.  So whether or not EB has changed its mind remains to be seen.

Original Story: This morning we have learned that EB Games calling all customers with a Nintendo Switch preorder, and asking them to confirm if they “will definitely” be picking it up by close of business Sunday March 5th.

If you don’t confirm with EB Games and commit to picking it up opening weekend it appears you’ll be bumped to the second shipment sometime in April. The store is offering this second shipment as an option in the call, but they’re adamant you must give a pickup time if you confirm you’re picking it up launch weekend.

According to the memo sent to us this morning, EB wants to make sure there is stock on hand for walk-in customers to get their Switch over the launch period.

This will mean if you get paid monthly, your pay doesn’t match up with the Switch launch release or you can’t pick it up before March 5th for whatever you’ll lose your Switch until April.

If you can’t trust EB Games to do pre-orders properly, who can you trust? We’ve asked EB Games for a comment and will update this story when we hear back.