The Nintendo 3DS has been one of the hot items this year, but Amazon has frozen its sales. “While this item is available from other marketplace sellers on this page, it is not currently offered by Amazon.com because customers have told us there may be something wrong with our inventory of the item, the way we are shipping it, or the way it’s describe here. (Thanks for the tip!). We’re working to fix the problem as quickly as possible,” Amazon’s product page for the 3DS reads.
This could possibly have to do with Amazon’s sales supply, but there have been complaints about a manufacturing issue. Some have complained that the top half of the 3DS, the portion with the screen, doesn’t latch properly, causing it to “wobble” as many customers have said. As a result, when the device is closed the two halves can scratch against each other. One NeoGaf forum user contacted Nintendo to ask about the malfunction, and reportedly was told that: “The flip-screen is loose when it’s opened, please inform them that Nintendo has confirmed as long as the upper screen locks into place, the unit is within Nintendo’s design specification. Customers can call 1-800-255-3700.”
If a Nintendo rep actually gave this response, it would appear that the company knows the screen isn’t as secure as customers think it should be and as long as the clamshell device is locking into place when shut, it’s fine. And by fine, Nintendo likely means does not qualify for a refund.
It seems like the 3DS hype hasn’t panned out quite as Nintendo wished. In April, Nintendo announced it missed its projected sales mark for the handheld gaming device and that the company needed to improve its efforts to promote the product. But frozen sales at Amazon, the Internet’s most prolific retailer, aren’t going to help boost sales numbers at all. And even if the issue isn’t hardware-related, the speculation circulating the pulled item isn’t going to do Nintendo any favors.
@Nelson – look at our other post, people are petitioning to continue development on Mega Man Legends 3
Capcom cancelled Mega Man Legends 3. My interest in getting a 3DS has dipped pretty low until further notice. Legend of Zelda TOoT 3D is tempting though.
Capcom cancelled Mega Man Legends 3. My interest in getting a 3DS has dipped pretty low until further notice. Legend of Zelda TOoT 3D is tempting though.
So what are these made up manufacturing issues.. Honestly, what is it with so many people trying to discredit the 3DS with no reason or proof?
Amazon said: "We received customer feedback that there may be an inventory issue with the Cosmo Black Nintendo 3DS. The integrity of the product is not under review. Customers are still able to purchase the Amazon.com offer of the Aqua Blue Nintendo 3DS, however the Amazon.com offer of [the] black Nintendo 3DS has been removed until the inventory issue is resolved. There is no problem with the Cosmo Black Nintendo 3DS units themselves. This is an internal inventory problem that was brought to our attention from customer feedback and we are looking into it and will resolve as soon as possible."
So where in that is there an actual complaint against Nintendo or the 3DS that so many are making up?
Recently bought a DS Lite from them, the hinge on that feels slightly loose. Odd.
It’s for sale again.
Sounds like I need to start selling my patented "3Ds stabilizers" which are just a pair of rubber bands that you put around the 3Ds while closed.