Nintendo Wii - Artificial Shortage Or Is It Quality Control?
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It seems that the Nintendo Wii is still in short supply, which is causing some to say that the Nintendo is holding back supply to keep demand and hype up. Interesting. Not being a Nintendo insider, and not knowing anyone who is, there may be other reasons that Wii’s are so hard to find.
Let’s take Microsoft and their X-Box 360 that were failing at an alarming rate. Microsoft had to replace hundred of thousands of units and eventually was forced to provided additional warranties which cost the company a cool Billion bucks. Do you think that Microsoft wished they had spent just a little longer on testing and quality control, before unleashing the units? Do you think that people were happy when their brand new systems started to fry themselves to death? Do you think any parent was thrilled explaining to Johnny and Sally why their new toy was broke?
Nintendo has a reputation as a quality hardware maker. Could it be that they found some units that were not up to standards leaving the assembly line and decided to slow things down a bit? Again, I don’t have a clue why the Wii is still in short supply. But if it’s because of quality concerns, than Nintendo should be commended for their efforts.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
6 Comments
Sergei
May 23rd, 2008
at 1:01pm
I have found out that Nintendo is selling most of their Wii s to more native countries because they get more profit this way. They are expecting to have more in the states later in the year.
Full article can be seen here:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/DN-gamer_0329gl.ART.State.Edition1.464cd43.html
Ron Schenone
May 23rd, 2008
at 1:10pm
Hi Sergei,
Thanks for the info and the link.
Patricia Hess
May 23rd, 2008
at 1:37pm
This is where I bought my Wii system. They delivered it to the very day that they had promised. I have had my Wii for 4 months now. Hope this helps someone.
Patricia Hess
May 23rd, 2008
at 1:38pm
Sorry…this is the website.
http://www.ebgames.com/Browse/Search.aspx?N=138+196&SHOWUB=true&PerPage=12
Ron Schenone
May 23rd, 2008
at 2:43pm
Hi Patricia,
Thanks for the info and the link. It is appreciated.
S.T.
July 16th, 2008
at 10:36am
An artificial shortage would be a very odd thing to do. The Wii’s appeal is not due its difficulty to find. Rather, it’s due to the product’s uniqueness. The Wii lets you get physically active. I’m not a gamer, but am interested in the Wii because it would be a fun way to burn some extra calories.
The big risk of a shortage is that consumers will select substitutes. While the Wii is unique, most families have a limited entertainment budget. This may be more true if gas and food prices continue to rise. Although I was initially drawn to the Wii because it was physical, now I’m thinking of getting a PS3 so I can have the blu-ray. If I do that, it would be several more months before I’d even consider looking at the Wii again.
OTOH, had the Wii not been in shortage, I would have already bought one when my initial enthusiasm was high. Consistently being told they are not available is causing me to give up. If others feel like me, then an artificial shortage is not a good way to sell a product.