We are once again very sorry to not be able to provide customers with Xbox One or PS4 consoles, but we will refund all validated pre-orders.— Blockbuster UK (@Blockbuster_UK) October 29, 2013
Blockbuster UK struggles economically once again and will not be able to fulfill PlayStation 4 and Xbox One preorders.
In a series of announcements and replies on social media, Blockbuster UK announced it will not honor preorders for next-gen consoles PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The company has applied for protection while it seeks a buyer after reentering administration, BBC reports. Private equity firm Gordon Brothers bought Blockbuster UK earlier this year after the company entered administration in January, but it had to close 164 stores in the process. Blockbuster UK will refund all validated preorders.
To claim a full refund, write to Blockbuster UK at Harefield Place, The Drive, Uxbridge, UB10 8AQ. Include your name, the branch you placed an order, the order number, and a copy of the receipt. Earlier on Twitter the company advised customers to go in-person to stores, but it now asks customers not to visit stores about refunds for console preorders. Staff members were not informed before news broke about the company’s reentry to administration. Despite news outlets reporting Gordon Brothers’ statement that Blockbuster UK will enter administration, Blockbuster UK said on Twitter, “To avoid confusion, we’re NOT in administration, we’ve applied for protection, whilst we seek a buyer. All stores remain open as normal.”
Gordon Brothers had “striven to turn around the historically loss-making company by restructuring the business, investing significantly in strategic marketing activities and negotiating with the landlords of its retail outlets,” it stated. “The company also tried to develop a new digital platform but was unable to broker a licensing deal with Blockbuster UK’s parent company in the US.”
Trading and renting will resume as normal, Blockbuster UK announced on its Facebook page. While there is no way to cancel Blockbuster subscriptions online, those who wish to do so can contact [email protected]. At this point, it is too late to preorder a PS4 or an Xbox One at other stores.
