[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' date=\'Sep 11 2003, 01:05 PM\']
Also, in the new box set which I've had for almost a week now (always check Wal-Mart for stuff early... they've had it out for a little while)
Somebody who actually works in retail might have more information, but my understanding is that nearly everybody gets the product early, but they're required to wait until the release date to actually put stuff on the shelves. Otherwise, stores that get their deliveries in the afternoons would always have a disadvantage competing against stores that get their deliveries in the mornings.
There are supposed to be serious penalties for breaking the "embargo" and selling things early, but enforcement is spotty. Still, I doubt it's a corporate Wal-Mart policy to do it, seems like the chain as a whole would have gotten in trouble for that by now. Your store must have an overeager (or clueless) clerk who just sees stuff in the back and puts it out. If I was the Best Buy manager in your area, I'd be making some phone calls. [/quote]
I used to work at a Media Play (owned by Best Buy). We would get stuff in early and take reservations for upcoming titles. A lot of times, I would have customers come up to me (I was a cashier) and ask for a refund for their reservation back simply because they already got that movie at Wal-Mart.
$250,000. That's what I heard Wal-Mart was going to be fined for releasing Game Boy SP early. They sold it a couple days before anybody else could. My manager nearly had a heart attack when he heard that... he put all the boxes of them we had out on the floor immediately.
And, no, it wasn't an overeager clerk... my friend went with me the next day and (surprise) they were all out. He asked if another store would have them and the lady said \"Could be, but let me tell you I heard that they sold pretty quickly since not many other stores have it yet.\" I seriously think Wal-Mart may want to release stuff a couple days early... Why? Because I bought my copy there early. I would've bought it there anyway since its cheaper (Media Play, Best Buy... both rip offs when you see Wal-Mart's prices most of the time). Whenever you want something, keep your eyes out. We've had movies, cds, etc in the back of Media Play as far as three weeks before we can put it on the shelves... and we're just a small location.