European Wii shortages spread

SEVERAL READERS have written in to tell us that Play.com has started to send out emails to customers who have pre-ordered a Nintendo Wii console.

The company has stated to some customers that they have had a record pre-order for the console and are unable to fulfill the huge list of orders.

The company cites in an email to customers, that the problem is due to a 'European shortage' of the Wii, something that flies in the face of the large shipment predictions from Nintendo.

The email from Play.com reads: "Due to a European shortage of the Nintendo Wii Consoles, we regret to inform you that Play.com will be unable to supply your pre-ordered Nintendo Wii at launch. As an Official distributor of Nintendo products we are guaranteed more stock before Christmas, but Nintendo have informed us, along with all other official Nintendo retailers, that the console will not be freely available until next year."

And continues: "All pre-orders will be fulfilled on a first come, first served basis and we will fulfill your order as soon as we can." The Play site lists the console here as sold out.

Gameplay.co.uk have also added a disclaimer to the Wii stating: "Please note all consoles will be fulfilled on a strictly first come first served basis, subject to stock availability. As Nintendo have not yet confirmed the number of units available for day one, we cannot guarantee launch day delivery but all pre order customers will be e-mailed as soon as we know" - it certainly doesn't appear to be a Play.com specific issue.

It must be noted that Nintendo had urged customers to pre-order as soon as possible, as demand did appear to be high.

Reggie Fils-Aime, head of Nintendo of America told consumers to buy, buy, buy: "Because of demand, we're urging shoppers not to get complacent. The level of demand we're seeing goes beyond the ordinary" in this article in the INQ only several days ago.

If Nintendo has shipped the numbers it was suggesting (in the region of 4 million) and the initial batch has already sold out, things are looking very good for the Japanese firm.

Neither Play.com or Nintendo responded to our inquiries when prompted at the end of Tuesday afternoon. µ

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