[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BesZain:
Just finished talking with a non-tablet Gamestop in Northern California, where I pre-ordered on the 4th ( http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=20080992#post20080992 ).

Summary:

My Gamestop, which is a non-Tablet store and took my pre-order on Dec 4th before Corporate told all non-Tablet stores to not take pre-orders, says that they'll have my Tablet ready

around or most probably on the 20th

, though they also said it's not a set confirmed date.

I've been told by this Gamestop twice in the last 7 days, the 2nd time being just now, that my tablet will

most probably

be at the store ready to be picked up on the 20th.

Detailed conversation:

Called my Gamestop. New guy answered (different than the guy who took my order or answered my call last time) - (exact words as far as I can remember)

Me: I wanted to check on the status of my Tablet pre-order. I have the receipt with me and can tell you the "Reserve Order Deposit" # or whatever other number you need from it.

Him: Sure. What's your phone number?

Me: xxx-xxx-xxxx (lol)

Him: Let's see (he confirmed my name, which meant he was looking at my pre-order - good!)......for the Asus Tablet? Yes, your order's still on and you'll get it as soon as we get it.

Me: Good. Do you know which day I can pick it up, or if you already have it or something?

Him: It doesn't show here. All it says is that we'll get it, but it doesn't show a date at all. (he became silent, like those Fry's or Best Buy employees who then expect you to walk away)

Me: Hmmm ok.......(about to say thanks and hang up)....does it show you anything like this week, before Christmas, etc?

Him: Hmmm, let me check something else...I'll put you on hold for a minute....

(gone for about 30 seconds - comes back)

Ok, it doesn't show anything here, just says that we'll get it....(silence from my end as I'm kind of :O ???? at this moment, since last week they said 20th and now this guy's saying no date showing)....let me check one more thing hold on a minute....

(a girl came on the line this time, and while she was getting the phone to her ear or something, said "It's for the tablet right? That's him on the phone?" and he said in the bg "Yeah")

Her: "Hello sir. Yes, we're not a tablet store, so we don't have a confirmed date yet. We weren't supposed to take pre-orders (my heart sank at this moment, as if she was going to tell me I had done something wrong), so it's not showing any confirmed date, so the one coming in is for you."

Me: "Yes I know, I ordered there and then found out some stores were not taking pre-orders. I called last week and they told me my order will be ready to be picked up soon, so just wanted to make sure it's still going to happen for the 19th or so (I didn't say 20th on purpose), like they said last time."

Her: "Let me see....let me put you on hold..." she came back, said "It doesn't show...let me put you on hold for a little bit longer", and when she came back this time, after they'd put me on hold 4 times, she said "it says it's slated to be here in store on the 20th, though that's not a confirmed or a guaranteed date you know (no, I don't know :) )."

So this store has told me the 20th twice, and also said that they're getting a tablet just for me since I pre-ordered. Last time the guy found the 20th date much faster and easier than the guy/girl this time.

Me: "Awesome thanks! Just wondering: if another Gamestop store gets the tablets before you, can I switch my pre-order to them?"

Her: "Yes, if another Gamestop gets them before, you can come down here and cancel your order, and then we can try to get you onto the other Store which may have them remaining."

Me (paranoid): "Ok, thanks. I'll keep my order with you and will just wait for you to call. Do you know if I'll be called, emailed, or something, or should I check regularly?"

Her: "You'll get a voicemail from Gamestop a day or two before letting you know that your order will be ready soon."

Me (double confirming): "Ok thanks! Will keep my pre-order with you and will just wait for that voicemail. Bye."

So yes: a week or so more to wait. :) 20th is what they've told me twice.

Theory: 20th is happening MAYBE and PROBABLY because my store is getting a tablet just for me. Online orders AND tablet stores AND non-tablet stores with MORE pre-orders MAY be getting them on the 19th (or more confirmed date).

The variation in date OR the "not a confirmed or guaranteed date" could be because such small stores simply have to wait for Asus OR Corporate OR warehouse to send them the shipment with the unit for the sole customer (or the few customers) who managed to get the pre-order before Corporate jumped in. It also seems from what she said that the only reason they don't know about the exact date is because of shipping/delivery (and not because of hardware/wifi or Asus related global issues).

I'm not going to cancel my pre-order. :O :D I'm going to wait till Christmas to see if this pops up anywhere on the radar on and after the 19th.

It took me longer to boldify/italicize/etc this post than it did for me to have that entire phone conversation. Going to go eat Morning Star Buffalo Wings now.