Xbox Series X pre-order disaster just got even worse — here's how

Xbox Series X
(Image credit: Microsoft)

Picture this: You struggle through the virtual crowds to pre-order a new Xbox Series X, but finally after hunting for stock and refreshing the continually-crashing webpages you manage to get one. Your order confirmation arrives, and all you have to do is sit back and wait. Except launch day comes around and your console is nowhere to be seen.

That’s a situation some people might find themselves in, come November 10, because some retailers may not have enough stock to cover all their pre-orders. Or at least that’s what UK retailer ShopTo has been warning customers about.

ShopTo has been emailing customers to inform them they won’t be able to fulfil some pre-orders ready for launch day, because their allocation of Xbox Series X stock isn’t enough to cover the number of pre-orders. According to VGC that email reads:

“We have received the allocation details from Microsoft and, unfortunately, we regret to inform you that we will not be able to fulfil your pre-order on day one/release date.” 

It’s a little bit embarrassing for ShopTo, as it was one of a number of retailers that had to email customers with PS5 pre-orders after a similar issue. In that instance ShopTo told customers whether their PS5 pre-order was safe or not, and offered those affected the chance to switch to a PS5 Digital Edition if they became available.

ShopTo doesn’t seem to have done that this time around, but has asked those affected not to cancel their pre-order in case more stock becomes available — either from Microsoft itself or if other pre-orders are cancelled.

VGC points out that Amazon has had similar issues with the Xbox Series X, so it’s clear this issue isn’t limited to a single British retailer. If you do have an Xbox pre-ordered, regardless of who it’s with, it’s worth checking to see if it’s still expected to arrive on November 10.

And if you don’t have a pre-order yet, don’t panic. Some retailers have been able to pick up extra stock, and Microsoft has promised more Xbox Series X and S consoles will be available. So you might not have to wait until sometime next year, just as long as you stay alert. You can also sign up below to be notified on the latest updates on Xbox Series X pre-orders as soon as new stock arrives. 

Tom Pritchard
UK Phones Editor

Tom is the Tom's Guide's UK Phones Editor, tackling the latest smartphone news and vocally expressing his opinions about upcoming features or changes. It's long way from his days as editor of Gizmodo UK, when pretty much everything was on the table. He’s usually found trying to squeeze another giant Lego set onto the shelf, draining very large cups of coffee, or complaining about how terrible his Smart TV is.

  • d0x360
    This sucks for everyone who didn't order from Microsoft directly but they aren't really to blame... It's the retailers really, they get 80% of the stock. Bots basically killed every site..even amazon and that's just unheard of. Amazon never goes down.

    So scumbags ran bots and got most of the pre-orders (the dumb ones sell pre-orders the smart ones wait till after launch) and they crashed everyone's site in the process and now the people who actually got one before the sites shut orders down... We learn that most retailers oversold their allotment. That's such a jerk move by them. They should give away a free game of choice and you should have 6 months to pick the game.

    I remember working at eb back in the day... We always oversold pre-orders. For the ps2 we oversold so much it took 3 months to fill them all and the really sad thing is we would get maybe 8 a week and we would sell half to walk ins.

    I hated that launch so much. This one is quite similar but with demand for 2 consoles at the same time. Hopefully AMD was able to procure enough chips that they can both replenish stock at a decent pace and hopefully retailers are smart enough to limit to 1 per customer and also recognize repeat customers and stop selling to them.
    Reply
  • russell_john
    We can expect the same for AMD's Ryzen launch and GPU launch ...... It's not just Nvidia it's everyone
    Reply
  • docRhino
    This is one retailer in the UK. Does this really mean it gets worse? PS5 was 2 minutes after one live stream and then never again. I at least got a preorder of Xbox Series X from Bestbuy and expect to get it. The PS5 I went to take a pee and it was all over by the time I got back.
    Reply
  • d0x360
    This sucks for everyone who didn't order from Microsoft directly but they aren't really to blame... It's the retailers really, they get 80% of the stock. Bots basically killed every site..even amazon and that's just unheard of. Amazon never goes down.

    So scumbags ran bots and got most of the pre-orders (the dumb ones sell pre-orders the smart ones wait till after launch) and they crashed everyone's site in the process and now the people who actually got one before the sites shut orders down... We learn that most retailers oversold their allotment. That's such a jerk move by them. They should give away a free game of choice and you should have 6 months to pick the game.
    Reply
  • d0x360
    russell_john said:
    We can expect the same for AMD's Ryzen launch and GPU launch ...... It's not just Nvidia it's everyone

    We don't know that... Ok we can probably assume lol but nvidias (basically) paper launch was entirely their fault. Samsung had more than enough capacity to make enough cards but nVidia put in a small order.

    On the other hand TMSC is backlogged so AMD can only order so many chips and remember they have to order for ryzen on pc, GPU's on pc, APU's on PC, and customized and different APU's for Microsoft and Sony. So they really can't be faulted but nVidia absolutely can because like I said and it's easy to verify...they didn't even use 1/10 of Samsung's capacity. Literally every 3000 series chip could be from the absolute top tier bin.
    Reply
  • Nightseer
    To be fair, in recent history there pretty much was no product that wouldn't be out if stock for at least 1 or 2 months. And that was before pandemic. As is, even more people are at home thinking about gaming to pass their free time, so naturally we are seeing unprecedented amount of demand. Now combine that with demand spike, because it is new console generation or new shiny graphic cards, or whatever and of course they can't possibly make enough. That is if course not even counting scalpers. Also let's not even forget all logistic issues with shipping and stuff, sure things started to kind of return to normal, but there still likely is a lot harder to find room for shiping, be it consoles, parts or materials. Hence why I never really push forward to buy things on rekease. I stead I will just sit back, relax and wait till supply catches up. That way I can wait and see full lineup from nVidia and AMD, then make informed decision and not rushing for first thing. Plus U can see whether 16GB 3070 and 20GB 3080 will be a thing. And console wise, PS5 isn't going to just disapoear, so I don't need it on release, I have plenty to play as is
    Reply
  • Joseph_138
    docRhino said:
    This is one retailer in the UK. Does this really mean it gets worse? PS5 was 2 minutes after one live stream and then never again. I at least got a preorder of Xbox Series X from Bestbuy and expect to get it. The PS5 I went to take a pee and it was all over by the time I got back.
    Keep expecting but let us know if you actually manage to get one on launch day or if they come up short.
    Reply
  • docRhino
    Joseph_138 said:
    Keep expecting but let us know if you actually manage to get one on launch day or if they come up short.
    It's with UPS right now, it'll be here by tomorrow. Retailers have been pretty good about not waiting until the last minute to admit they don't have enough stock. At least online, not sure what would have happened if I was last to the store and they accidentally sold it.

    Ok, it just showed up. Good to go.
    Reply