Walmart Gives Surprise Gift Cards Over Canceled Zelda Switch 2 Orders
Walmart cancelled some customers’ pre-orders for a special-edition Nintendo Switch 2 after overselling the console, a day before its launch. The cancellations frustrated buyers who had reserved the console expecting to receive it on release day, and Walmart is now offering compensation.
Affected customers have reported receiving either a $519 gift card or the chance to reclaim their console reservation. Gift cards are due within 10 days of the compensation email, while customers have 48 hours to reclaim a reservation and place an order. A small number received both offers, but most were assigned one at random.
In short
- Walmart cancelled some Zelda Switch 2 pre-orders after overselling.
- Affected buyers are being offered a $519 gift card or a reservation.
- Customers have 48 hours to reclaim a reservation.
Explained simply
Nintendo is a Japanese company best known for making video games and consoles, including the Zelda series. The Switch 2 is the successor to the original Switch, a console that can be used with a television or as a handheld device.
Special-edition consoles are produced in limited quantities and often feature designs linked to a particular game. Pre-orders let customers reserve a product before its release, but retailers can face problems if they accept more orders than they can fulfil.
When a retailer cancels pre-orders, customers may lose the chance to get a product on launch day, especially if limited stock is hard to find elsewhere. Compensation can offer money to spend with the retailer or another opportunity to buy the item.