Thursday, November 25th 2021
Microsoft is Sending Private Xbox Series X Purchase Links to "Valued Xbox Customers"
More than a year after the release of Microsoft's Xbox Series X console and demand still hasn't abated - many customers are still trying to get their hands on a piece of Xbox Series X hardware, which is continually sold-out at most retailers and e-tailers that actually practice sane pricing. Many companies have tried to adapt to the new world of scalping by adding queue systems, locking inventory behind subscription services such as Amazon Prime, or via private buy links sent out via email. Microsoft seems to have chosen the latter as the 2021 holiday season fast approaches - the company has been sending links for Xbox Series X bundles to "valued Xbox customers", allowing them to purchase an Xbox Series X directly from Microsoft without having to compete with the scalpers or bots in the general Microsoft store.
The Xbox Series X bundles include an Xbox Series X with two controllers and one game. The Verge notes customers can choose one game out of Madden 22, GTA V, Rust, Far Cry 6, Hasbro Family Fun Pack, Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate, Insurgency Sandstorm, or Diablo 2 Resurrected. There's no real way to tell how Microsoft is choosing which customers to send these links to - it sounds plausible that it's targeting users that have purchased either Xbox software or hardware via the U.S. Microsoft Store. Even with this mailing campaign, consoles will be sold in a first-come, first-served basis - the link may lead users towards a page where the Series X is out of stock all the same, but it certainly does give users that slightly higher chance to finally score a latest gen Xbox console.
Source:
The Verge
The Xbox Series X bundles include an Xbox Series X with two controllers and one game. The Verge notes customers can choose one game out of Madden 22, GTA V, Rust, Far Cry 6, Hasbro Family Fun Pack, Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate, Insurgency Sandstorm, or Diablo 2 Resurrected. There's no real way to tell how Microsoft is choosing which customers to send these links to - it sounds plausible that it's targeting users that have purchased either Xbox software or hardware via the U.S. Microsoft Store. Even with this mailing campaign, consoles will be sold in a first-come, first-served basis - the link may lead users towards a page where the Series X is out of stock all the same, but it certainly does give users that slightly higher chance to finally score a latest gen Xbox console.
23 Comments on Microsoft is Sending Private Xbox Series X Purchase Links to "Valued Xbox Customers"
I take my hat off to Microsoft, amazing decision.
Too little too late.
It's just like EVGA with their notification system. Somehow cards are delivered to stores in EU, but people are still stuck in the queue since they entered it back in October/November last year. Maybe it's a bit better in US, but not by much.
Only issue I have is it forces you to buy a second controller and a game with... which I need neither, as I will be using gamefly for games, and I only need 1 controller. i guess i could not open them and try to sell them here at a discount and just keep the xbox. i dunno
I’ve had luck and so far scored 4 Series X and 4 Series S. Along with 3 PS5
I normally don’t mark up items and The systems I got weren’t sold. I gave them away as gifts and kept only 3 personally
That's about the most effort I'd personally put into purchasing a console. I mainly game on my PC. I guess it's a sign I should save my money.