Curse

Feminist Terrorist · Mar 17, 2006, 04:53 AM // 04:53

After stepping back and watching the fallout over the pre-order pack, collector's edition, and basic edition, I simply ordered the pre-order pack from Amazon, and the CE from gamestop.com. I didn't even waste my time with checking out the local stores this week. Last week, none of them had anything on the shelf.

Personal opinion: Anet needs to go back to the drawing board in regards to merchant knowledge and cooperation.

Hamstein · Mar 17, 2006, 04:59 AM // 04:59

Well i live in New Zealand and none of the big online NZ game retailer sites were able to get pre-order packs much less any stores.Had to get my pre-order pack from a US site and got charged USD11.95 for the privilage.This is on top of the NZD130 I`m paying for the collectors GW:F pack.ouch

EDIT

h and the USD11.95 was just for them emailing me the CD key and not shipping anything to me.

0siris · Mar 17, 2006, 05:01 AM // 05:01

Rockford, IL

When I asked the guy about Factions pre-order at gamestop he replied: "What is Factions?"

Poor kid. He must have been new, but when the boss came out he pointed me right to a stack of them

Sunai · Mar 17, 2006, 05:11 AM // 05:11

I always buy these things online, so I don't know if this is particularly relevant or helpful. However, I bought it through EBGames.com, and it all went perfectly. Got the preorder package days before I expected to get it even.

I would have preferred to preorder it through plaync.com (just log in and purchase a code, like you can do with Prophecies) and still be able to play a day early and have the preorder items, since I don't really care about a box or anything. Maybe you could do that with future campaigns, but either way it's an almost-trivial preference, especially after reading all these other posts. :/

Hockster · Mar 17, 2006, 05:33 AM // 05:33

I did manage to preorder two copies, kits are scarce and EB Games employees aren't exactly helpful.

One thing I'd like to know is why Factions has a 50% price increase? $50 CDN for Prophecies and $75 CDN for Factions.

Ken Dei · Mar 17, 2006, 06:40 AM // 06:40

I couldn't vote in good conceince. I was using EB, and I finally got it yesterday. A full week and a half AFTER every other store had it. So i can't say they don't have it, but it took them way to friggin' long for my taste.

P.S. love the box too

Aleria · Mar 17, 2006, 07:16 AM // 07:16

I live in Queensland Australia and had rung around a few stores here (EB included) and they said they were not getting in the preorder package so I ordered my copies from a store in USA. I wrote into this forum saying that we here in Australia and NZ will not be getting the preorder in and someone from NCsoft replied to that also saying that Australia and NZ won't be getting the preorder in.
Last week I got my daughter to put a deposit on the CE of Factions ( she lives closer to the store than me) and she asked them again if they were getting in the preorder packages and again they replied saying that they were not getting them in. Wednesday this week I went and paid the remainder of money I owed for the CE I ordered and low and behold he comes out with the preorder packages for me lol. I asked him why they kept telling me that they weren't getting them and then suddenly they had them, he just replied that they are the sole distributers here in Australia to get them in. And then I got an email from the store in USA giving me the numbers for the preorder packs I had ordered and said he was sending them out today. So now I have 1 extra preorder package lol.
So I will be ticking the top question of the poll I suppose as they did get it in for me.

Reks · Mar 17, 2006, 08:16 AM // 08:16

California - Bay Area: Search results during the period of March 7-10.

1st Gamestop: Nope.
2nd Gamestop: Got a flat-out "No."
3rd Gamestop: Didn't received them yet.
1st Bestbuy: Couldn't find them on shelves.
2nd Bestbuy: Had two copies left.

End search.

Xenrath · Mar 17, 2006, 08:20 AM // 08:20

UK here; I've ordered from gameplay.co.uk preorder of the collector's edition.

They sent me the pre-order key in email, but upon phoning them they didn't have the actual box in stock and my order page shows close to official release date.

Amok · Mar 17, 2006, 08:32 AM // 08:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by snikerz

i'm from australia, and i dont think it has any pre-order copies in the country.

I can't find it either (in Sydney). I asked the clerk's at an EB Games and they had no idea that an actual Pre-order package existed. I don't want to order online from overseas or interstate.

Asrial · Mar 17, 2006, 08:40 AM // 08:40

Best Buy, Frisco TX (north Dallas)

I work there.

The last I checked, they have a good amount on the shelves.

The pre-order does NOT guarantee you the product the day it comes in. The pre-order guarantees you get $10 off the product if you buy it from Best Buy. Save the receipt! It makes life easier.

What I can do for you...

My name is Matt Funk. I work in the Geek Squad (though I'm in the black AV tech shirts). Been there 3 years so I know the system fairly well.

If we're out of pre-orders, come find me and say the code word -> Guild Wars Guru Roxorz My Whammo <- and I will see what I can do about ordering you one (might even be able to ship it to your home address).

If you follow that up with -> Rangers For The Win! <- I'll take it one step further and get your contact information and do what I can to 'put aside' the game when it gets in.

.

For everyone else.

A good way to determine if your local Best Buy(s) has the pre-order or not, is to call them up and ask someone (anyone) in a department (any department, even customer service) to check the inventory level of SKU # 7689174 in a system called RSS (anyone who sells product knows this system). That SKU is for the pre-order package.

This does NOT guarantee the store has it though. There can be any number of reasons it's not where it should be. The best thing to do would be to call them up and if they say "I show X in the system", give it a shot. If X is 0, that store does not have any so don't try. There's none hidden anywhere.

Poison Ivy · Mar 17, 2006, 08:42 AM // 08:42

The clerk in our local store doesn't know a thing about GW...

I asked him if he can get a few pre-orders, telling him how it profit from a lot of gamers out there, but no avail

This is coming from a person in China, pay no attention ^^

Asrial · Mar 17, 2006, 08:51 AM // 08:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by yangster

I don't know about the other game stores since I just don't feel like going there after getting it from Best Buy. I just hope they that they'll get the CE.

When Guild Wars first came out, Best Buy sold the CE. Since then, Guild Wars has crushed the competition (IMHO). I can say with 95% confidence that Best Buy will have the CE of Factions.

Factions > Prophecies.

Asrial · Mar 17, 2006, 08:54 AM // 08:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esprit

I voted 'Copies available'. But, I'd like to add, that I had to ask a store clerk (at Best Buy) for them, as they weren't on the shelves. And even then, they had no info on the Collector's Edition.

Tomorrow at work, I'll see if I can pull up some info about the CE.

Gaile Gray · Mar 17, 2006, 08:54 AM // 08:54

Thanks for this input. Keep it coming! And to address several thoughts and comments:

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMosesPHD

Ya I would still like to know whether or not they were supposed to do something or not to indicate we want to preorder the Collector's Edition. When I bought my preorder from Best Buy I told them I wanted to preorder the Collector's Edition and asked if I was supposed to get them to mark the reciept or they were supposed to enter into the database that I had ordered a CE. They just said I come in with my reciept and get whichever I want. This sort of implies that if I want the CE, I'm gonna have to rush in as early as possible and nab it before other people do. So why doesn't Best Buy actually use the preorders to see how many of each product they'll need ahead of time? Is it against the EULA to go on an all out rampage in Best Buy if they don't have a CE when I get there?

We cannot tell them how to process their orders, but what you suggest makes a lot of sense. I don't like that feeling of not knowing for sure. I remember one store had just half a dozen CEs and I was, literally, at their door before the opened. But yes, if the store will not start a CE list, and you cannot get them to do so before the end of next month, you will probably have to cross fingers. And, frankly, the CE is limited, so I would be at their door when they opened.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ Josh

UK-i got the online pre-order from game.net(not sure if they are still taking orders for the pre-order).alrdy received my e-mailed codes and they are sending me a copy of the box as soon as they get them in.

That's nice! You got the advance keys and you get the boxed product, too? I thought the online was just the keys and you didn't end up with the boxed product later. Interesting!

Quote:

Still can't get any info on how my purchase goes against the actual game yet though,store clerks are under the pretence that i need to buy the full price game as well as paying what seems to be the full price of the game for the pre-order box.

The pre-order, whether online or packaged, should not cost you. Whatever you pay should be applied to the game.

Quote:

also gaile can you please confirm that the 31st is the date they arrive here or is it the same as the NA with this date being the shipping date?.

I am told the boxed product will be out March 31st, yes. The game itself will be on shelves on the same date worldwide, to the best of our ability. That date is April 28th.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esprit

I voted 'Copies available'. But, I'd like to add, that I had to ask a store clerk (at Best Buy) for them, as they weren't on the shelves. And even then, they had no info on the Collector's Edition.

Good point: Players everywhere are mentioning that they have to ask to get the pre-order. I don't know why it's not being shelved -- maybe because they're afraid it'll sell out? Anyway, please do ask and you might find the store has stock after all!

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevilStick

EB Games - received a very small number of preorders (not enough to cover the preorders), was told they're getting more but today a clerk wasn't sure.

Or, we're making more, and sending them out promptly. I bet they will have more soon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phoenix Denfer

Honestly, this was very unexpected and very annoying and when I see games like Auto Assault that has been promised for well over a year packed on the shelves I am wondering if Arena.net's marketing department is spending too much time on pretty art pictures in magazines and not in following through on these retailers.

We're the developers. We make the art that you see in the magazine. The production of those screenshots would not impact or delay our Publisher's marketing efforts.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KiyaKoreena

We're north of Atlanta, GA. At Gamestop we got told we had to pre-order the pre-order pack if we wanted it. They said they wouldnt get anymore then the 10 they had gotten.

As, but they can. *sigh* Guys, if a store says "We can't get more," why don't you gently say something like "According to NCsoft and ArenaNet, you can reorder and they will send more packages." Let's see if we can get the word out to the store to at least try to get more!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myth

Ive been told by one store manager from an EB games near my house that preorder promotional things are thrown away many times.

*whimper*

Quote:

Originally Posted by thelessa

They had to go in back to get it, but they had it.

See? Why is it in the bloomin' back of the shop?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feminist Terrorist

Personal opinion: Anet needs to go back to the drawing board in regards to merchant knowledge and cooperation.

We have an excellent Sales and Marketing Team in our publisher, NCsoft. They have a lot of experience with such matters, and while I'm as concerned as you are that there seems to be so many "holes" in the distribution, I have learned that more copies are being made to be available, and that NCsoft will fulfill reorders and even re-reorders very promptly. I will pass along your thoughts, though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunai

I would have preferred to preorder it through plaync.com (just log in and purchase a code, like you can do with Prophecies) and still be able to play a day early and have the preorder items, since I don't really care about a box or anything. Maybe you could do that with future campaigns, but either way it's an almost-trivial preference, especially after reading all these other posts. :/

I will certainly make the suggestion!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hockster

I did manage to preorder two copies, kits are scarce and EB Games employees aren't exactly helpful.

One thing I'd like to know is why Factions has a 50% price increase? $50 CDN for Prophecies and $75 CDN for Factions.

The expected retail price isn't higher. Are you perhaps comparing Standard and Collector's Editions or something? Or misremembering the prices from last time?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Dei

P.S. love the box too

Me three!

Manic Smile · Mar 17, 2006, 08:55 AM // 08:55

The Game Stop in my mall Pearl Ridge Hawai'i had a very limited supply but I did manage to get two.

Asrial · Mar 17, 2006, 08:57 AM // 08:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMosesPHD

So why doesn't Best Buy actually use the preorders to see how many of each product they'll need ahead of time?

Honest answer: I don't know.

Theoretical answer: We just gave them $10 for something that costs them nothing to buy

I STRONGLY recommend you be @ Best Buy the moment it opens on the day Factions releases, to get the CE. I'll post more information in this thread to keep it updated with regards to Best Buy status.

maina · Mar 17, 2006, 09:02 AM // 09:02

guess I'm not voteing. here's the simple version.

1) Eb by house has no clue.

2) a-net says sorry about 28th meant later (I'm all good with that)

3) Eb by house has no clue

4) I read a forum post where a guy complains to EB (in general, not by my house) and posts their response saying sorry and it's fixed.

5) are we seeing a pattern? still clueless by my house. (just as a side note. In the world of retail haveing info about your products is a sign of good service. But wait before you say "But lovely Maina, not everyone can keep track of all products!" remember these people sell video games, how many of them are into games compaired to clerks at target that are into vacume cleaners.)

6) Eb clerk and his manager let me know I must be misinformed because the almighty computer doesn't have a SKU number, hence no listing. Why do I look like a rabid fan in front of these clerks? yeah don't answer that but still...(note this takes place between the 28th and the 10th)

7) Girlfriend needs ink for her printer. We go to Micro center. Not even thinking about it I see the pre-order! (que all effects). Clerk tells me that they don't do pre-orders but this is 99 cents. I get 5.

8) 3-15-06. EB calls! they have my pre-order!

9) 3-16-06 I am told I am the 3rd person whose pre-order was given anyway, but it's on reorder and they'll call me.

Gaile Gray · Mar 17, 2006, 09:04 AM // 09:04

Do keep in mind that some stores -- hopefully only a few! -- have been reported as not applying the deposit for the pre-order onto the purchase price of the retail game. Instead, they are apparently selling the preorder. This could be simply ignorance on the part of the person handling the sale, but do be sure that you ask questions and make sure you save your receipt!

Quote:

Originally Posted by maina

Clerk tells me that they don't do pre-orders but this is 99 cents.

So, they are selling our preorder, not taking the preorder, and keeping the income? *grumble*

maina · Mar 17, 2006, 09:16 AM // 09:16

Gaile yes they did here in CA. Except at this point it made me happier than the stores that where supposed to have my pre-order. I still haven't decided if I'm going to eat my $5 dollars from EB and not do any more business there. The way EB (by my house) did business is wrong. At least the other store made me happy for 99 cents. Don't judge them to hard. The retailers listed on the official site let me down. Love the Game by the way!!