Wal-Mart?

[Nate Grey]

I go to Wal-Mart a few days ago (I believe it was Friday), and to my surprise, there's the X-Box 120 gig hard drive for sale separately. The electronics department salesperson told me its $179.99. I call my friend at EBGames and he tells me the release date is still April 29th and he doesn't know what Wal-Mart's doing. I go to a few other Wal-Marts, and not only were they selling the hard drive, too, but also the 360 Elite itself.

So I guess my question is...are street dates really suggestions, or does Wal-Mart gets things early for some reason? I remember seeing examples of this at Wal-Mart before, but this is just the most RECENT example.

[StoneGold]

Sometimes stores screw up and break the sale date. I know there's a Target somewhere that started selling the 360 Elite already. Dude bought it, put it up on Ebay.

[Gargus]

Street date was broken on the 19th so they been selling them for awhile.
http://digg.com/gaming_news/Xbox_360_Elite_Street_Date_Broken

Normally once one place breaks the street date others will follow.

They are supposed to be adhered to and not broken at all. Places can be fined sometimes. Depending on the company you can loose some of their support if its a major product.

Before the whole EB chain went tits up I worked in one part time as assitant manager so I knew all the people there and went in one day and the store manager was telling me the district manager got fired for breaking the street date on half life 2 by selling like a dozen copies of it.

Course not that it matters, its just a 360 with a paint job, higher price tag and couple extras. The new stuff in it your still paying for.

[DarkSoldier]

Wal-Mart is evil.

[the_coldest_sun]

Its not just wal-mart. I seen the 120gb hard drives early at Target and Circuit City, too. I just landed a job at Target so I hope to get my Elite on discount! :D