Question about a pre-order

First, to introduce myself, this is my first post here, and I'm just saying hi. I've been reading the articles/trolling the forums for the last few weeks, and I think I'm hooked. In terms of MMORPG experience, I've played FFXI for about a year (Kujata, if you did too) and Everquest II for a few months (Guk). I would probably classify myself as a powergamer, in that I play efficiently, and for a lot of time, but not to the point where I don't stop and smell the roses, so to speak.

Anyways, on to my question, basically, how should I go about pre-ordering GW so I can get it as soon as possible the 28th. The starting items don't really matter that much to me, basically I'm asking because for EQII, I pre-ordered through EB online, and I didn't receive my copy of the game until about a week after release. So is there some way I can... reserve a copy at a local retail store? But along with that, still receive the pre-ordering benefits (CD, item, most importantly, the key and invite for April event), so anyone that has advice on this topic would be much appreciated, thanks in advance.

Best way to get preorder is to go into a gaming store and buy the package, you will have beta keys for yourself and a friend and you will be able to play (I think, I hope) when the game is released with your key.

if you can walk into a store and walk out with the preorder box that would be the best way to do it

several online stores also have physical stores with 800 numbers that you could call and place the order confirming they have the preorder box in stock ready to go to you

I'm sorry that you had bad experiences with EB.

My personal experiences have been great with ebgames online. Switching from a normal edition to the CE was no problem -- response was about 2 minutes, and the preorders always arrived about 2-3 days after I ordered them.

Just don't preorder at Best Buy. They have the most awful service, and they still have no idea what they're doing with one of my orders.. They're basically charging, and then cancelling the charge, and then recharging my account.. etc.

Thanks very much for the advice, in fact as we speak I've got another browser finding the phone number for the EB about a mile from my house. This is good news, one last confirmation question, if I go there, buy the pre-order package (basically money down on the game, correct?), than I can walk in on April 27 or 28 whenever pre-orders get to buy it, and they'll have a copy with my name on it? Not that I've had any experience with this, but I can envision a store running out, and having to wait for another shipment, or something, and I just want to avoid that.

Generally, when you preorder, they reserve a copy with your name on it, this is why I couldn't get NHL2005 or Madden05 when it first came out (Bastiches at EB Games doing the right thing /fume)

they garentee that they'll have a copy for you when it comes out... because they order for the mainly for the people that have preordered it when it first comes out... ussually they have like a few extra but not many... and yes they'll take ur name and number and call you when they have it in the store for pickup. if you do not pick it up within 2 days i think, it's canceled and you have to buy it.

ALSO

the cost of the preorder (usually about 10 dollars) is taken off the retail box when you get it

True, at EB I had the option to pay whatever I wanted from $1 to full price...I paid in full as I know this is a keeper.

hmm EBgames is a pain in the arse if u dont live in US since u dont get the preorder package...

so i went for gamesmarket since im in AUS

I didn't get asked anything, they just gave me the slip.

hmm that's odd at my eb they take my number and such to call me when it's in... eh either way i'm sure if u just go in there the 28th and give um' ur thing. it'll be fine lol

I would call them and ask. It depends on how badly you want to be guaranteed a copy before the 48 hour grace period ends.

iv had no trouble with EBgames online. in fact iv gotten a few things from them including my X-box at christmas time from them and only took 2-4 days to get shipped in the mail to me or UPS or whoever handles the shipping .