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Oculus tells empty-handed Rift customers to buy one from retail

The Oculus Rift will arrive at Best Buy stores in the United States on Friday allowing VR-fanciers to both try and buy the headset.

However, with many of the firm’s loyal pre-order customers still waiting for their devices to be shipped, retail availability has led to frustration among fans.

As a result, the Facebook-owned firm is advising those customers to pick up a retail unit in order to skip the wait for their shipment.

In a blog post Oculus says those customers who choose to buy from retail can cancel their pre-order, yet keep the benefits of being a pre-order customer.

The post reads: “We know that many pre-order customers are still waiting for their Rifts, so we’re offering those customers a chance to purchase Rift from retail instead – while keeping their pre-order benefits, like the EVE: Valkyrie Founder’s Pack and priority status for Touch pre-orders.

See also: Oculus Rift vs HTC Vive

Starting May 6th, if you’re interested, simply go to your order status and let us know you’ve purchased a Rift at retail, and we’ll cancel your pre-order. Your EVE: Valkyrie entitlement will appear in your order history.”

While having to go out of their way and, at least initially, out of pocket to buy a Rift from retail isn’t exactly ideal, it does  offer frustrated fans a solution.

Meanwhile, those who’ve yet to make their minds up on whether an Oculus Rift is a wise investment, demos are being offered at 48 Best Buy locations across the United States.

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There’ll be an announcement on European locations this autumn.

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