A number of retailers are working out how customers will be able to collect their pre-orders of the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S while the second lockdown is in place in the England.
The ordeal of pre-ordering any one of the next-gen gizmos was gnarly, and online retailers warned people that they might not get their mitts on their console on launch day.
And now, with the announcement of a second lockdown across England, non-essential shops will be required to close temporarily for four weeks. Look, the categories of "essential" and "non-essential" have been confusing - for example, vodka falls into the former and clothes fall into the latter - but there's no getting around the argument that video games and their assorted accompaniments are not an essential good.
Advert
If you're wondering how you'll be able to obtain your Xbox Series X or Series S in the midst of the impending lockdown, retailers are already strategising how to corral the crowds and shift stock safely. With GAME, customers in England who secured an in-store pre-order or deposit for the Xbox Series X or Series S should pre-purchase their console in their local store before Wednesday evening. This will then allow these customers to collect their console between 8.00am and 2.00pm on November 10th. Those who signed onto the Xbox All Access program will receive instructions from GAME today. It hasn't specified what those who ordered a PlayStation 5 should do, nor what customers in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland should do, but imaginably, this information will be supplied soon.
A representative for Smyths has advised customers to collect their pre-orders on launch day, and arrive at their specific store at the specific time stated on their "ready for collection" email. They will then be able to pay the remaining balance on the purchase using their card, not cash. Smyths used click-and-collect services for other sales through the lockdown earlier this year, yet, demand for the consoles will have surged significantly compared to March. It is hoped that the staff will be able to navigate enough slots for everyone to collect their console safely, but I would think that a portion of people won't be getting a slot on day one.
Argos has also confirmed that click-and-collect services will still be active in the second lockdown, as well as deliveries. In the case of the former, the collection points will be inside Argos stores and inside Sainsbury's stores, which will lighten the load on any one area for customers and staff. However, it will mean that more people are mixing in multiple areas, so wearing a mask and bringing sanitiser will be even more important here.
There is one thing that's certain: organising collection for a new console in a pandemic is going to cause a lot of headaches. It'll be stressful, but please stay safe and stay sympathetic to the employees who are handing over the consoles on extremely busy days.
Featured Image Credit: Sony, MicrosoftTopics: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X
