Xbox Series X and Series S preorders went live today as advertised. There already seemed like less confusion, compared to the PlayStation 5 preorder launch that seemed to catch retailers by surprise. Despite the heads up, consumers still faced significant issues trying to preorder their Xbox Series X or S from retail websites.
Some users landed on error pages such as the one shared above, prompting others to respond with screenshots of their error pages. Many were left waiting in queue, or that the console was sold out when it seemingly wasn’t. While a confirmed preorder launch date helps consumers prepare, it guarantees high volume traffic to these websites all at once. This did not stop discrepancies in timing, as neither Amazon nor Best Buy had preorders available at exactly 8am, unlike other online outlets. Before Amazon’s preorder page was live, some users were able to find backdoor into the URL and place the console in their cart, leaving many outraged.
The PlayStation and Xbox next gen preorder drama, in combination with COVID-19 store closures, teaches retailers the value of a reliable online store. A similar fiasco happened Nividia released it’s brand new GPU, the RTX 3080. The card released to online stores like Amazon, Best Buy, and Newegg, but was reportedly never avaiable on Nividia’s own website. Those who attempted to purchase it were told it was out of stock. Microsoft has clearly taken note of everything, and posted a statement to the Xbox Twitter account thanking consumers for the support.