More BFG6800GT's arrived today at some Best Buys.

[WaTaGuMp]

Here is what learned from BB today. I went to get a Radeon X800 Pro since there site says in stock. I travel down to the Lake Forest branch and get there at 10 am. Head on back to the cards and there are nothing but lower model ones on the shelf.

Yes I know this is about the 6800 and they carry that also which I would of gotten if it was in stock over the X800. Anyhow I talk to the sales clerk to have him check some other stores and he finds none in the area.

The thing I learned and wanted to share is that BB has 2 different warehouses for retail and for online purchases so just because the site says in stock doesnt mean you can walk in and walk out with one. I even was going to buy it online from them then use the in store pickup option they offer but for some reason I couldnt get the option to work online.

 

[Poulsonator]

Like just about everyone else in America, I've been trying to track down a BFG 6800 GT OC. I've called my local BB's and they've all said they're not only out of stock, but that they have never even had any.

So, I've looked up BB's (using the gray/black store listing method) in zip codes that my friends live in. I found a store in Manchester, NE that supposedly had them in. I call, and yes, they have 3 of the "Doom 3" 6800's in stock, and one was already on hold for someone else. I ask them to hold one for me and that I'll (my friend) will be in shortly to pick it up.

Well, I talk with my friend, and he has me call them back. I do, and someone else answers the phone...I ask about the cards again, and this guy says that not only can you not put anything on hold (everything's first-come, first-serve), but that they cannot sell these cards until next Tuesday (8/17). If they sold the card before then, nVidia would fine them for doing so.

Wow. So what's the story here? Are they going to be "officially" released on the 17th? Will they be in stock in better quantities then? I tell you, I really want one of these cards, but I'm having more fun just chasing them around (albeit I'm a little frustrated, but when I see my bank statement pre-6800, I don't feel so bad ).

 

[stryker999]

Jesus - even the managers are retarded. I called and asked for the PC Area Sales Manager who claims that it's a computer error, and he's not aware of any of the cards being in stock, even though when I called yesterday, the SKU registered 3 as being IN STOCK (This is in Portland, OR). He even got rude when I asked if he was positive, and said very snappily "I'm looking at the entire inventory and we have none in stock." I thought these were the guys who wanted to sell you stuff. GAHHHHHH. Why can't I find a single competent employee? Does anybody know when they're going to be just sitting out on the shelves for me to grab?

 

[Rage187]

Originally posted by: Johnbear007

The grey/black thing is BS, at least with these cards. All of my stores showed black... NONE have them

Its not BS, everytime a store had their name in black around me, they had them.

sounds like your store employees were holding them back for themselves.

 

[wraith3k]

According to the MD store I went to that is supposed to still have two of them, the salesguy said they absolutely do not keep video cards in the back room (it's for TVs and big stuff only), and the two that show up on their system are for "display purposes", and that their inventory just hadn't dropped back down to 0 yet. Anyone hear of this before? I'm thinking I should just wait until tuesday which is when the guy said shipments of merchandise arrive.

 

[MidasKnight]

In Oregon It says instock at these stores:

Beaverton OR 3055 Sw Cedar Hills Blvd, Beaverton, OR 97005
Clackamas OR 9630 Se 82nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97266
Salem Ii OR 3801 Center Street NE, Salem, OR 97301-2938

This is the GT version @ $399.00

Aug 11,2004

 

[fbrdphreak]

theslug, they do not normally keep video cards in the warehouse section of the store. However, if they just came off the truck then they very well might be back there. Also, there is no official place in the video card section for these cards yet, so the Merchandising team might not be putting them out just yet. Basically all I can suggest is to keep pushing them to look for it. If there inventory says they have any "Available On Hand" (and ask them that specific phrase) then they will have them. The inventory system is pretty quick on updating, but its not instantaneous.
As far as them being in locked cabinets, some stores might have them locked up. Expensive items like that technically either need alarmed or locked up. Bigger stores obviously do this most often as they generally have a bigger risk of theft. You also might talk to one of the in-store techs and see if they know where they are. Basically, if you know that their inventory system says they have them then keep poking around till you get it. Also, give them this SKU to look it up by: 6684652. That number will prevent them from giving you any BS about not carrying it. ALL Best Buy stores have this product in the computer, its just a matter of whether they have gotten any or not.
Stryker, I'm sorry to hear your dilemma. I work tomorrow evening and if you would like, I can look up the store in your area to see if they actually have any left. Do this: PM me the store numbers of your closest stores (You can find the store # by doing the "store locator" on the BBY site) and I will try to PM back the results ASAP. I don't go in until like 2-3 PM EST, but I live really close so I might even go in just to check it out for ya early. I will also do this for the rest of you. Now, if I get like 500 PMs then we'll have a prob, but I want to help out as much as I can. It really sucks that some of you are getting the run around and I wish I could piss in the face of every BBY employee that does this crap. I personally helped a guy get one at my store today by transferring the last card from another store (an open box card at that) so he could get one. Now unless you live in Eastern NC I can't quite do that all the way to Oregon or CA but I'll give you the low-down. Good luck all and PM me if I can be of assistance

 

[CaptainPOE]

fbrdphreak, where in Eastern NC do you work at? I live in Western NC and I have been unsuccessful with my Best Buy. But on Saturday I will be moving down to Raleigh for school.

 

[Noid]

Originally posted by: eno
I just purchased one yesterday from BB. Removed my Overclocked 9700pro and dropped it in with the latest drivers. Running Doom3 @ 1280x1024 4xAA 8xAF Ultra High Quality and its very smooth. Best looking game experience period. I am one thats wants smooth framerate over everything else, this card is truly amazing, my goal of 1280x1024 with very high AA/AF and detail are not met. Its worth every penny if you want to play Doom3 like its supposed to look.

2.5ghz AMD64
Epox NForce3 250 board
1.5gb HyperX PC4000 (running at 554mhz)
9700pro OC to 378/342

Old Scores : 3dmark2001 19,812
: 3dmark2003 5672
: AquaMark 43,790

New Scores : 2001 21,890
: 2003 11,384
: Aquamark 65,432

,,, that's impressive

 

[Robor]

Guys, just move on and let it go for a while. You know what they say, "a watched pot never boils". Forget about these cards and before you know it they'll be available. Or maybe the better option is to wait until they actually drop to a reasonable price!

 

[KevinH]

Originally posted by: Rage187
Originally posted by: Johnbear007

The grey/black thing is BS, at least with these cards. All of my stores showed black... NONE have them

Its not BS, everytime a store had their name in black around me, they had them.

sounds like your store employees were holding them back for themselves.

Exactly. Considering BB employee discounts and the fact that these cards are going for a premium on Ebay....I could imagine what these fvckers are doing...and who could blame them?. Just give it time guys. I'm playing on my 9700 Pro and on 10x7 High, it looks gorgeous. Time demo at 40 and the game itself is usually around 50+ frames. Rarely does it dip below 30 (and I mean RARE).

I'll upgrade to the next cards but no way am I going to feed this frenzy.

 

[CaiNaM]

Originally posted by: Markfw900
I just went to a BB by my house. NOT EVEN A SIGN WITH THE PRICE FOR A 6800GT, AND ONLY A PRE-ORDER FOR THE X800PRO ATI CARD ! WTF !!!!! (portland OR) Are these only to be found in CA ?

i learned that doesn't mean they don't have em....

my BB story:

their website showed availability in 1 of 2 BB stores in town. drove out there (bout 20 min), and nothing on the shelf except the 800pro pre-order box. asked a clerk, who looked it up and said he didn't have it.

i explained to him it showed avail. on their site, and we went to a computer and i showed him the website. he took down the model #, looked it back up again, and behold - it showed they had received a single card.

he asked another employee about it, and he said yes, he saw one which came in earlier today, but they put it "out back" as they didn't have tags or a shelf space for it. after about 10min of digging, the guy came out with it (and it's the new heatsink, so it looks exactly like a BFG 5900nu; not sure if i like that). he was kind of bummed cause he wanted a 6800 but couldn't find one, and had just ordered an x800pro from newegg earlier in the day.

at any rate, i got the first and only one in town, lol...

 

[Link]

Around 5:30pm PST I returned mine to Fullerton store in CA. I bought it 2 days ago. Didn't like it much because it was running hotter than PNY I already had and frequency autodetect reporting was much lower than that of PNY.

 

[wraith3k]

So when I call my local BB (or others for that matter), they keep saying there are 2 in stock. Sounds like I keep hearing on this thread that if their computer says they're in stock, they are there somewhere. How do I get them to actually look for the card? I'm really starting to think someone is keeping them for themselves.

 

[HostVisions]

they need to pay their people more money. My story:

this past Saturday, I checked local inventory on the BB site and it shows several stores have stock. starting calling around at 10:10am.

Store 1 (closest), nope don't got 'em
Store 2 - have 1 left, sold two this morning already, can't hold it (30 minutes away, not going to waste time as it'll be gone by the time I get there)
Store 3 - have 1 left, can't hold it (45 minutes away)
Store 4 - have 1 left, can't hold it (60 minutes away)

Called store 1 back (5 minutes from my house) another goober says 'no we don't have them' I state the website says they do. Nope, we don't, it's wrong.

Paused for a diet coke to decide if I want to make the run around town to see if I can get lucky, decided I'd pass, and go mow the lawn. Two hours later the site shows all stores are out of stock except #1. So I call back, and badger another goon - YOU SURE you don't have them? POSITIVE! Can you check? No need, we don't got em.

Not convienced, I go to store 1. shelf has the price tag but no stock. I look up at the laptop lockup and see qty 1 BFG6800GT OC sitting on top of the OfficeXP boxes. Head to the counter, grab the first available goon after 10 minutes of waiting, drag them to the lockup area.

Me - "Me wants (pointing to the card)"
BB Goon - "It's not for sale!"
Me - "What do you mean it's not for sale?"
BB Goon - "It's on hold"
Me - "WTF do you mean it's on hold, I just called every BB in this town they had stock and said they couldn't' hold them"
BB Goon - "It's' on hold, sorry"
Me - "Get the manager"
BB Manager - "It's on hold, sorry"
Me - "Get me the box, and show me the name, then explain to me why I've called every BB intown and they've all told me it's against policy to hold items and wouldn't do it for me."
BB Manager - "It's on hold for an employee"
Me - "Then get me your area manager's phone number, I'd like to tell him how you guys turned down a paying pissed off customer"

5 minutes later I'm walking out the door with my 6800GT

 

[wraith3k]

5 minutes later I'm walking out the door with my 6800GT

Sounds like you're having better luck than me. After visiting BB twice and calling three times, no one can figure out why their inventory says two are available on hand, yet no one can find any at all, even after checking locked up cabinets and the back room several times..

 

[Poulsonator]

Well, I just might have scored one finally. I'll keep you all updated, but it's going to be a funny story if it comes through.

 

[Chronoshock]

Okay I visited one today near Fenway (in Boston) and after insisting there was at least one card in the store (based off of the item finder on the site) and having him look up the SKU, he found that there was indeed a single card in the store. He then asked another guy where that card was and he told me someone preordered it and that it was sitting there waiting for him. :|GRRRRR oh well. He then said that there were none in the warehouse and none were expected to arrive any time soon so I'm SOL

 

[streetphase]

sweeet!! this beats the backorder that every online retailer has... imma go pick mine up today. The BFG stuff is pretty good compared to Evga and pny or is it just a good quality item? hehe its payday tomarrow so ill put up with eh cash.


Edit- just reread the last few post.. they told me they had 2 in stock also... ummm im at work, maybe ill run thier during my lunch break to grab it...

 

[wraith3k]

Originally posted by: streetphase
sweeet!! this beats the backorder that every online retailer has... imma go pick mine up today. The BFG stuff is pretty good compared to Evga and pny or is it just a good quality item? hehe its payday tomarrow so ill put up with eh cash.

The BFG is overclocked out of the box (running at 370 instead of 350 I think), and it has a lifetime warranty. Otherwise, it's probably as good as evga or pny, except evga only has a 1 year warranty, and pny's warranty only lasts for as long as the card is being manufactured.

 

[fbrdphreak]

FYI: BFG 6800 OC's now available @ BBY as well
Walked into work today and there was several sitting on the shelves, with the same pretty heatsink as all the others. $299 retail. SKU is 6727081
repeat: vanilla 6800 12-pipe card from BFG

 

[streetphase]

ok best buy had it.. not on the shelf so i went to customer service and asked for it, she gave me a print out and i went to the department and he pulled it...

I go up to buy it and I dont have enough funds!! I made a deposit this morning so it hasnt finalized yet.. =( but the guy said he can try to hold it for me.. so hopfully ill be gaming tomarrow..

 

[wraith3k]

Originally posted by: streetphase
ok best buy had it.. not on the shelf so i went to customer service and asked for it, she gave me a print out and i went to the department and he pulled it...

I go up to buy it and I dont have enough funds!! I made a deposit this morning so it hasnt finalized yet.. =( but the guy said he can try to hold it for me.. so hopfully ill be gaming tomarrow..

What's the print out say? Did the guy get it right off the shelves or did he go in the back?

 

[Poulsonator]

Well, I have a 6800GT on the way. My dad offered to pick one up for me in Ft. Smith, AR and send it down via overnight (he lives in central AR). So I should be rolling tomorrow.

However, with hurricane Charlie looming, we shall see if it actually gets delivered.

 

[streetphase]

the print out was pretty much item description and price, no fancy paper or anything. I jus went up to him and said "can you pull this? the lady in cs gave it to me" and he said "oh yah we got that" and went to the back and pulled it out right away.

Im jus mad that I lacked the funds.. oh well.. thats what i get for doing a deposit in teh atm and not inside.. agh!!

I jus dont feel like waiting for the lower priced 6600, so Ill shell out this time.

Its $430-ish total in Cali..

Is the factory heatsink/fan pretty good?? think it would stand some overclocking?