Lamb questions electronics retailer on supply of X-Box 360 games machines on day of launch

3.56.50pm GMT Sat 3rd Dec 2005

North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb, Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet Member for Trade and Industry, has today asked electronics retailer Currys why customers placing pre-orders for the X-Box 360 games machine are having to wait.

The Microsoft X-Box 360 was launched today, and widely expected to be in high demand. Currys were encouraging customers in September to place pre-orders to avoid disappointment in the run-up to Christmas, yet a customer has complained to Norman Lamb that an order placed at Fakenham branch of Currys for the 'full' X-Box 360 console (as opposed to the cheaper core' package) back in September cannot be supplied.

"I am particularly concerned that customers will feel misled by Currys' promotion of the pre-order scheme as a way of avoiding disappointment," says Mr Lamb. "I have asked them to provide a full response."

Norman Lamb has asked Currys to provide details of stores where 'core' system X-Boxes will not be supplied, and what length of time customers of these stores should be expected to wait.

Norman's letter to Nick Wilkinson, Managing Director, UK & Ireland Electricals Division, DSG international plc:

Dear Mr Wilkinson,

Availability of X-Box 360 systems to Currys pre-order customers

I am writing on behalf of my constituents who have pre-ordered a Microsoft X-Box 360 games machine in September, only to find that they are not able to receive it on today's launch.

I understand that the Fakenham branch of Currys is not supplying customers who pre-ordered the 'full' XBox 360, but are offering 'Core system' XBox 360 as an alternative. This is unlikely to satisfy those who wanted the extra features of the full system. Many of these customers are people who were encouraged to pre-order to 'avoid disappointment', and now at the launch of the XBox 360, find themselves disappointed. What particularly concerns me is that, on the face of it, your company has misled people through this promotion into purchasing goods from you. Before I raise this with the Office of Fair Trading, I would welcome your full response.

I also understand that branches of Currys in large towns and cities are supplying the full X-Box system, and it is customers at the smaller branches who will have to wait. Is this the case? Can you provide a list of branches of Currys where customers will be expected to wait? What length of time should customers expect to wait who pre-ordered at these stores?

I look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely,

Norman Lamb,

MP for North Norfolk

Liberal Democrat Trade & Industry spokesperson