Despite having yet filled pre-orders, Oculus Rift headsets will go on sale this coming weekend at retail and online locations.

The virtual reality headset will be available from 48 selected Best Buy locations from May 7, while both Amazon.com, Inc. and Microsoft Corp. will be offering them on their online stores from May 6.

Oculus said in a blog post that numbers available for purchase will be “extremely limited” while they catch up on Rift pre-orders, however, those who are waiting on pre-orders are welcomed to try their luck in buying one from a Best Buy and then cancel their pre-order.

“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,” Oculus explained.

Those with pre-orders who manage to get their hands on a unit from Best Buy are advised to log into their Oculus account, advise that they have done so, and then the EVE: Valkyrie entitlement will appear in their order history.

If you’re interested in trying the Oculus Rift before you buy it, demonstrations will be available at all Best Buy outlets that are stocking the device; booking are required for a demonstration via the new Oculus Live site.

Worry

It’s understandable as to why Oculus wants to get into retail stores quickly: not only do two-thirds of Americans not know what virtual reality is, it’s also in a competition for market supremacy against the HTC Vive.

There may well end up being enough space in the market for two serious players, along the lines of PlayStation versus XBox.  Alternatively, it could turn into a VHS versus Betamax battle instead. No one knows for sure, but either way Oculus needs to get out there and promote themselves as being the leader of the pack.

That said, offering Rift headsets at retail locations when pre-orders have still not all been shipped (ostensibly due to parts shortages) is not only a worry, it’s also not a good look.

Oculus needs to maintain good faith with the community of its buyers, and prioritizing retail over those who placed pre-orders, while understandable, is a slap in the face to the very people who could end up being the headset’s greatest advocates.

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