Best Buy offering $60 Rock Band pre-order w/ accessories
by Kyle Orland 
{ Aug 6th 2007 at 7:55PM }
[Update 4: The latest developments in this saga can be found in a new post.][Update 3: I just received the following message in an e-mail from Scott with Best Buy Customer Care: "At this time we are looking into why this page isn't working on the website. Please keep checking to see it once we have fixed it. I apologize for any inconvenience this has caused and thank you for your patience and understanding."]
[Update 2: As of Tuesday morning, the product description pages for Rock Band are no longer available on BestBuy.com. A customer service representative told Joystiq that existing pre-orders tshould still be valid for the moment and that the order could be changed if price or product description changes happen on subsequent versions of the site.]
[Update: It appears Best Buy has taken down the pre-order links as of late Monday night. We'll let you know if and when they come back up, and if we hear anything more about Best Buy honoring the advertised price and features for those that did get orders in.]
BestBuy.com has put up pre-order listings for the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of Rock Band. That doesn't sound like a big deal until you hear about the price each version is listed at: $59.99. That's a lot less than the $300 Gamestop estimate that was getting thrown around a while back.
We know what you're thinking: This deal is probably just for the game disc, without the special controllers needed to make it work. Au contraire -- the product features clearly state that "included drum, guitar and microphone peripherals enable players to perform music together." [emphasis added]. Even if Best Buy realizes their mistake and raises the price, their pre-order FAQ states "you will always receive the lower of the two prices."
We can't guarantee that Best Buy will actually honor this great deal when the game comes out in November, but it seems to us like they might have to. We recommend putting in the order now, printing out the applicable product features description and receipt, and arguing your case when it comes time for the in-store pick up.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Travis @ Aug 6th 2007 7:59PM
I hope this works come November! What do you guys think?
hvnlysoldr @ Aug 6th 2007 7:59PM
The italics needs a good boot to the head.
http://www.dsfanboy.com/2007/08/06/who-can-object-to-a-boot-to-the-head/
dan stabbingworth @ Aug 6th 2007 8:04PM
I went for it and did a print screen as my proof. I'll just return it if they don't honor this.
Richard DeV @ Aug 7th 2007 5:37AM
Best buy are a bunch of jerks I remember when they printed Max Payne for $15 the week it came out and they wouldnt sell it for that price even though it was that way in the ad. I wouldnt be suprised if they dont let you get rock band for $60 even though its THEIR rule. lol.
ForceUnleashed @ Aug 6th 2007 8:08PM
God how cheap are you guys?
This could be true but more likely than not its completely bogus.
If you really like the game then you need to realize you're gonna have to crank out the dough. Its just that simple...
Avatar @ Aug 6th 2007 8:24PM
It's not cheap, it's thrifty. Being able to spy a good deal and fight tooth and nail if someone tries to screw you for it.
ForceUnleashed @ Aug 6th 2007 8:26PM
I think its people being cheap and trying to take advantage of a business. But w/e its not my company nor any of my business.
It just bothers me that most people know this game will cost a lot and are trying to get around this fact by pretending that they thought it was cheaper because of this article.
mirage @ Aug 6th 2007 8:56PM
Businesses take advantage of consumers EVERYDAY. Whenever consumers get a chance to stick it to "big business" I say GO FOR IT!
elmersglue @ Aug 6th 2007 9:05PM
Well you go ahead and continue to pay full price for something you don't necessarily have to. Your post is just absolutely ridiculous. Are you telling me if you saw the same product at the store side by side, only one had a price tag significantly lower than the other, you would grab the higher priced one because thats the price you walked in expecting, and therefore thats what its worth? Take all the breaks and cuts you can take man, why not?
unlikelee @ Aug 7th 2007 3:55PM
dont be so upset..if you want to be the guy to pay $300, feel free..we can all smile and say wow, what an idiot, he paid $300, when we were able to get it for $60.
dan stabbingworth @ Aug 6th 2007 8:08PM
On second thought:
"Q: Can you ensure the price listed at the time the pre-order is placed will remain the same?
A: Yes and no. When a price is assigned to a pre-ordered item, we are reasonably certain it will remain at that price. However, from time to time — given how far in advance we make items available to our customers — a price change will occur. If this happens, you will always receive the lower of the two prices. For example, if you order an item for $49.99 and the pre-order price is later dropped to $39.99, you will be charged only $39.99. If you ordered the item at $49.99 and the price rises to $59.99, you still pay only $49.99. When you place a pre-order, you are assured our lowest pre-release price."
ZekeThePlumber @ Aug 6th 2007 8:09PM
Yes, it says price changes but not clerical mistakes. I wouldn't get your hopes up.
hvnlysoldr @ Aug 6th 2007 8:15PM
I salute your shorts!
BUCKETCorey @ Aug 6th 2007 8:24PM
Bought it ... let's see what happens in Nov.
Mad @ Aug 6th 2007 8:16PM
Meh, doesn't hurt to put in the pre-order. If push comes to shove I cn always cancel under the pretense of what I thought would be included. I took screenshots too. :)
PSN: ummfada @ Aug 6th 2007 8:23PM
You've got your 1310, your 1490 and your 1550...its true quam
Patrick @ Aug 6th 2007 9:39PM
what is that from!
Mr Khan @ Aug 6th 2007 9:49PM
?
What's with the random Verizon FiOS commercial quote
?
Hithere @ Aug 6th 2007 8:29PM
If you read the details, you see that the price guarantee only applies if the actual price turns out to be lower. If the price is raised (which I'm sure it will be) you'll end up paying that anyway.
Jeff @ Aug 6th 2007 8:37PM
Incorrect. If you read it carefully, it says just the opposite, but we can be reasonably certain that it probably won't apply to what they will call a "pricing error" or something or other.
"If this happens, you will always receive the lower of the two prices. For example, if you order an item for $49.99 and the pre-order price is later dropped to $39.99, you will be charged only $39.99. If you ordered the item at $49.99 and the price rises to $59.99, you still pay only $49.99. When you place a pre-order, you are assured our lowest pre-release price."
-Jeff
http://alinktothefuture.com
Jeff @ Aug 6th 2007 8:30PM
Yeah, I put my pre-order in, but can pretty much guarantee it won't be honored, whatever it's pre-order policy says. If you recall, they did the same thing with Wiis and PS3s I think, and then just took them down saying they "don't do pre-orders".
So, even though it says they're "reasonably certain" about a price before they put it up for pre-order and they won't change it on you, I'm sure this will be corrected and they'll tell you that it's just for the game itself with no equipment.
But, I could be wrong. Please feel free to prove me wrong, Best Buy. $200 is way too much for this game... $60 is obviously on the cheap side, but I'm certainly not opposed to a deal.
-Jeff
http://alinktothefuture.com
Nick @ Aug 6th 2007 8:38PM
Pre-ordered and screen captured.
I hope this works.
Squeedom @ Aug 6th 2007 8:50PM
Can someone send me a screen cap, i cant do it.
email
stumpysolo49@hotmail.com
Justin Nolan @ Aug 6th 2007 8:37PM
I placed an order for in store pickup. A couple months ago Circuit City had a price error for the Matrix HD DVD boxset for $19.99. They honored the price for everyone that got in before it was fixed. Got mine sitting on my desk.
SoxFan13 @ Aug 6th 2007 8:43PM
Hey, let's be positive! That FAQ seems to help us out a lot here. Now I know why I check Joystiq every 10 minutes!
Deterrence @ Aug 6th 2007 9:09PM
It's not like I'm actually interested in the product, but if this does actually stand and consumers can purchase the game at $60, way cheaper than at GameStop's price, who can resist?!
squirt8500 @ Aug 6th 2007 8:55PM
I hope that they don't do this:
Errors on Our Site
Prices and availability of products and services are subject to change without notice. Errors will be corrected where discovered, and Best Buy reserves the right to revoke any stated offer and to correct any errors, inaccuracies or omissions including after an order has been submitted and whether or not the order has been confirmed and your credit card charged. If your credit card has already been charged for the purchase and your order is cancelled, Best Buy will issue a credit to your credit card account in the amount of the charge. Individual bank policies will dictate when this amount is credited to your account. If you are not fully satisfied with your purchase, you may return it in accordance with Best Buy's Return Policy.
Squeedom @ Aug 6th 2007 8:52PM
can someone send me a screen cap, i cant do it
stumpysolo49 @ Hotmail.com
Ordeith @ Aug 6th 2007 9:07PM
Why can't you do it?
If you are using windows, Pushing "Print Screen" will copy the current screen to your clipboard and you can paste it into your application of choice.
Pushing "SHIFT-Print Screen" will do the same to the active window.
If you are using vista there is one more way, click on the start button, click the search box, and type "snip", the snipping tool will apear in the search results above the box.
..Or you could just take a picture of the screen with a camera :)
Bearxor @ Aug 6th 2007 9:38PM
If you're on Windows, download CutePDF (google it). It will install a virtual PDF printer and is 100% free.
On Mac go to file -> Print and in the dialog box, drop down the pdf button and click 'save as pdf'.
Kurt @ Aug 7th 2007 5:36AM
Could someone email me a screen cap of the product description page? I pre-ordered but forgot to get a screen cap of the part saying includes ...
Kurt @ Aug 7th 2007 5:58AM
Sorry for the double post but my email is kurtbixby@gmail.com
Jypson @ Aug 6th 2007 8:51PM
Put in my pre-order, crossing my toes.
Robert @ Aug 6th 2007 8:51PM
Actually, if you look at the actual title of what you're purchasing, it's "Rock Band" not "Rock Band w/ Guitar" or "Rock Band w/ Drums" etc. The FAQ doesn't say anything about typos in the description (like the one saying the drums and guitar are included). I have no doubt that you will be able to buy "Rock Band" for $60 as the FAQ says. Just don't expect to be getting the guitar and drums with it.
Sorry. But if any of you do manage to get this with everything, I'll give you $70 for it.
DigTheDoug @ Aug 6th 2007 8:52PM
I also just pre-ordered/screen-capped. I believe its just that 'includes...' text that is a typo. On amazon.com, the version that comes with all the instruments is called the "Rock Band: Special Edition", and the one sans instruments is the plain old "Rock Band". If they honor it cool, if not I just return/refund it, no big deal.
Jeremy @ Aug 7th 2007 6:33PM
Last time I remember a pre-order price was to just guarantee you a copy of the game. So it might be that the $60 is to guarantee that you will get this certain sku of the game imo. But the description is pretty clear that you should get the special controllers.
Gnome @ Aug 6th 2007 9:19PM
Me so sad, being jobless and all, I can barely afford anything. Hmm food or Rockband..?? I already have some of my foods money stashed away for Halo 3, able to eat cause of no more GTAIV. Any of you guys got a dirty job for me to do?
Chris @ Aug 6th 2007 9:22PM
Does Anyone know how to get the sku to appear on the page displaying the actuall game?
Andy @ Aug 6th 2007 9:27PM
It's in the url skuId=8368036
thehunter1320 @ Aug 6th 2007 9:26PM
lets hope this works...
Caleb @ Aug 6th 2007 9:27PM
If it works, free gadgets. If not, I'll return the game. I could care less about the game, but the deal (if it works out) is stellar.
N3k74r @ Aug 6th 2007 9:31PM
They cancel the order and give your money back.
This happens all the time and the same thing is always done.
TC @ Aug 6th 2007 9:32PM
It gave me a SKU of 8368036 for the Xbox 360 version after I ordered three. I figure they catch it and I cancel or they honor it and I Ebay.
Bearxor @ Aug 6th 2007 9:39PM
People like you just basically ruin it for everyone who wants one to actually use. Thanks, asshole!
Nate Dizzle @ Aug 7th 2007 11:13AM
Squeedom....sent.
squirt8500 @ Aug 7th 2007 4:51PM
could you send one to me at marky8500@gmail.com too thanks
Chris @ Aug 6th 2007 9:37PM
How do u print the entire url when printing the page? Should i just print screen and paste it in paint then print that?
mrlogical @ Aug 6th 2007 9:38PM
Zippy chance this works. Maybe if we were talking about a $10 or $20 difference, but they won't stick to it when it's a ~$150 or so difference.
(But I made my preorder just in case!)
Jeremy @ Aug 7th 2007 6:33PM
The Sku's only appear on the search page as far as I can tell. These are the Sku's that come up:
Xbox 360 SKU: 8368036
PS3 SKU: 8402926
rohno @ Aug 7th 2007 1:06AM
it's official. no more pre-orders. i think they got cold feet and stopped the madness before they had half the world out there owning them at their own game. at least i got 2 copies before they noticed! *evil cackle* now we wait to see if they honor it and what the "real" price will end up being.