Usually stores like to… sell things. Wal-Mart is bucking the trend, at least with Fable 2. The biggest retailer in America was refusing to sell Microsoft’s latest Xbox 360 title across the country at the same time that midnight launches were taking place at its competitors.
The reason behind the snafu is likely a computer database error, but it sure can be frustrating for consumers. I went to a local Wal-Mart in South Bend, Indiana to purchase Fable 2, only to be turned away. A store associate said that he was having problems ringing up the game when customers began to request it after midnight on Tuesday.
When I asked him to try it again, the box of Fable 2 copies was no where to be seen. Apparently the store manager kept them in his office for safe keeping. By the time the manager reached the electronics department, I was told that Fable 2 was being “recalled” by Microsoft. I had heard about the game not launching with the promised online co-op, but a patch was promised and hardly seemed grounds for a recall.
I wasn’t satisfied with the response from Wal-Mart, so I tried another 24 hour retail location. Meijer was apparently having electricity problems when I called them, but the game was in stock. When I got there, a stack of Fable 2 copies were laying wide open for anyone to grab. Unlike Wal-Mart, however, the check-out at Meijer didn’t give me any problems.
By the time I got back home I did a quick search and found that other people were having the same difficulties that I had. Bottom line: if you want Fable 2 tonight, don’t go to Wal-Mart. This is happening all over the country.
