Because market conditions are fucking insane right now. If they allow backorder and their production price doubles they would have to either honor the orders and take a huge loss, or refuse to honor the price and take a reputational hit.
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jedibob5@lemmy.world 6 days ago
What I don’t understand is why they don’t just let everyone place orders regardless of current stock over a certain time window, then once the ordering window is closed, arrange for production to meet demand? Or at least do something like a first-come, first-serve waitlist after the initial stock sells out.
Sure, it would take significantly longer to go from order to delivery, but the customer experience would be so much better without having to deal with the mad scramble to try and get an order in the minute they open up. Letting people stake their claim even if stock hasn’t caught up yet would also deter scalpers.
chiliedogg@lemmy.world 6 days ago
ech@lemmy.ca 6 days ago
$5 to get in queue. Price adjusted as needed when order is available. Done.
This free-for-all system is bullshit and has been extra shitty for everything since 2020.
Demdaru@lemmy.world 6 days ago
One thing that comes to mind is that even if they get hit by a space rock tomorrow, your order is on it’s way. There’s guarantee it exists and is already destined for you. Seems fair and safe.
TropicalDingdong@lemmy.world 6 days ago
Seems like they are sacrificing revenue to guarantee they’ll be able to execute in the delivery. It’s not the highest bar, but it is a bar.
Bluescluestoothpaste@sh.itjust.works 6 days ago
They don’t even know how to price it they have to reorder everything and cost it out, prices are fluctuating a lot right now throughout the supply chain.
Truscape@lemmy.blahaj.zone 6 days ago
A) You’ll have people selling their place in line, which means that those who can afford to take a large quantity of orders in advance can profit from the difference
B) It’s not exactly good PR to order something and having to wait a variable window of time for it to finally arive at your door (see almost all Bethesda merch incidents post Fallout NV)
C) Valve doesn’t operate like a dropshipper. There is no “white label” steam controller being made in china that they can slap their logo on and sell as soon as people order for it. They have to contract volume in advance, since it’s a bespoke product.
nialv7@lemmy.world 6 days ago
If only they limited it to 1 per steam account and made it only available to accounts that are sufficiently old.
Truscape@lemmy.blahaj.zone 6 days ago
You can buy counter strike and tf2 defunct trading platform accounts that are decades old for pennies on the dollar.
d00ery@lemmy.world 6 days ago
Dang, I didn’t know that. Just gets more complicated!
Maybe active accounts that are old lol