CE People Screwed for Waiting?

Will Riker

Will Riker

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Dec 2005

Ascalon Settlement House #4

The Arctic Marauders [TAM]

W/

I kept checking the EB games website waiting for the CE to pop up. When it finally did, which I think was late Wednesday or Thursday, I went to my local EB store and preordered the CE. The guy put my info in, I put $20 down, and then he handed me my reciept and said have a nice day. Of course I said what about the preorder pack? His response was "Oh yeah were outta them. I think they were just for the first few people who preordered. I don't think anymore are coming in, but if they do we will do down our list and call people until their gone again."

This was somewhat alarming to me. Here I waited for the CE to release and am penalized for doing so? If anyone should get the preorder pack it's the CE people. Someone please tell me more are coming so that us CE people will be able to get them too.

crimsonfilms

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jun 2005

wtf?

You ordered the CE and NOT the preorder.

You don't make any sense.

Will Riker

Will Riker

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Dec 2005

Ascalon Settlement House #4

The Arctic Marauders [TAM]

W/

What do you mean I make no sense? I went to EB and said I want to PREORDER the Guild Wars Factions CE and that is what my reciept says. Does that not entitle me to the preorder pack?

SilentAssassin

SilentAssassin

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Dec 2005

Belgium

Remnants of Ascalon, KT alliance

R/N

if you preorder CE, you get the preorder box...

fiery

fiery

Banned

Join Date: Oct 2005

maryland

InYurFace Gaming [IYF]

R/

LOL did the same thing deposited 25 bucks, Ebgames don't think they getting the CE or the pre-order, o wells now. I think I can live without divine aura.

vinegrower

vinegrower

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jan 2006

Song of the Forsaken

E/

Quote:
Originally Posted by fiery
LOL did the same thing deposited 25 bucks, Ebgames don't think they getting the CE or the pre-order, o wells now. I think I can live without divine aura.
you dont get a divine aura with Factions. You get a special emote with backup dancers.

Eugaet

Eugaet

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Apr 2005

US

Righteous Apathy [RA]

Depends on the retailer. Technically, purchasing the Pre-Order Kit and the act of placing a pre-order (Standard or CE) are two different and distinct actions. Some retailers are bundling this as a pre-order package, some not.

I've been purchasing at Best Buy (who I hate, but they tend to get the GW stuff the earliest). I purchased the Pre-Order Kit for $10 the day it was available. This does not mean that I have placed a pre-order for anything...just that I've purchased the Pre-Order Kit. My name is not on any reserve list.

Purchasing the Pre-Order Kit does not mean that you have pre-ordered GW:F. Pre-ordering GW:F does not mean that you have also purchased the Pre-Order Kit.

The Pre-Order Kit is in limited quantities. Should've picked one up when you had (well, if you had) the chance.

Will Riker

Will Riker

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Dec 2005

Ascalon Settlement House #4

The Arctic Marauders [TAM]

W/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Eugaet
Depends on the retailer. Technically, purchasing the Pre-Order Kit and the act of placing a pre-order (Standard or CE) are two different and distinct actions. Some retailers are bundling this as a pre-order package, some not.

I've been purchasing at Best Buy (who I hate, but they tend to get the GW stuff the earliest). I purchased the Pre-Order Kit for $10 the day it was available. This does not mean that I have placed a pre-order for anything...just that I've purchased the Pre-Order Kit. My name is not on any reserve list.

Purchasing the Pre-Order Kit does not mean that you have pre-ordered GW:F. Pre-ordering GW:F does not mean that you have also purchased the Pre-Order Kit.

The Pre-Order Kit is in limited quantities. Should've picked one up when you had (well, if you had) the chance.
It is supposed to be a bundle. Yes I think some places are selling the preorder pack as something seperate but it is NOT supposed to be that way. If you read through some of the posts in the merged Factions questions thread there is on person who posted a response from Gaile Gray that said ArenaNet is eating the cost of the preorder pack and it is supposed to be free. It comes for free to you when you preorder, at least that is the way ArenaNet meant for it to be.

As for preordering sooner, I couldn't. For those unaware, you could not preorder the CE until about March 8 or 9. It just wasn't possible, it wasn't in any stores computers yet. Some people were able to preorder the regular and the store said they would switch over their order to the CE when it became available to preorder. This though is risky because yeah you get the preorder pack, but if they don't switch your order over then you don't have a CE waiting for you on pickup day.

I can understand them doing limited quantities and all but to me it is unfair that the preorder packs are gone by the time the CE becomes available to preorder. There should have been at least enough quantities for the CE people to be able to get the preorder packs for a few days. Now even if another batch came in, they would call people on their preorder list, so if there are still more regular Factions preorders ahead of my CE order, then I still won't get it. And then how would EB know who got a preorder pack and who didn't. They might have recorded that down, but then again maybe not. It's pretty much a no win situation for CE people unless the preorder items are added to first shipment of the CE which of course would mainly be going to preorder CE people.

Eugaet

Eugaet

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Apr 2005

US

Righteous Apathy [RA]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Will Riker
It is supposed to be a bundle.
Actually, I was surprised to see them bundled this year. That is not how it was done for Prophecies...at least not with B&M retailers...online retailers may have been a different story. In any case, bundling was the exception rather than the rule for Prophecies. From what I've seen, this Pre-Order Kit is exactly the same deal as last year.

The Pre-Order Kit is only free for me if I remember to take my Pre-Order Kit receipt in when I pick up Factions. Otherwise, I've burned $10.

ANet never stated that everyone who pre-orders Factions would get a Pre-Order Kit. The bundle is the exception, not the rule. As the Pre-Order Kits sell out, retailers will stop offering any bundle packages that they (the retailer) have decided to offer. The bundle is a retailer offer, not an ANet offer.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Will Riker
As for preordering sooner, I couldn't. For those unaware, you could not preorder the CE until about March 8 or 9. It just wasn't possible, it wasn't in any stores computers yet.
I am aware and am planning on pre-ordering the CE myself. We're not talking about pre-ordering the CE sooner, obviously you couldn't. That doesn't mean you couldn't have gotten a Pre-Order Kit when they were released and before the window of opportunity closed. They were available as a separate purchase at most retailers (although it seems the retailers aren't quite as knowledgable about it this year as last...).

My suggestion would be to see if any of the other retailers has a Pre-Order Kit available, see if you can cancel your pre-order with your current retailer, and switch to the other retailer. I'm not sure, but I got the idea that there wouldn't be any more Pre-Order Kits shipped.

Frost1069

Frost1069

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Jul 2005

Behind You!

well i juss bought the pre-order package from amazon(i didn't pre-order the game from amazon...i bought the pre-order package) for $1 and free shipping on the 7th and it just came in today.....WOOT!!!!....so i recommend if ur looking for a pre-order package check out amazon cuz the're selling it for $1 and u dont have to pre-ordfer the game to get it

Feminist Terrorist

Feminist Terrorist

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Nov 2005

Oh Noes! The 'burbs!

Frost, shhhhh! Don't tell them that or there won't be any left for me. lol

CleverLoginName

CleverLoginName

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Feb 2006

Canada

Clever Guild Name

Mo/Me

I just got back from EB, i tried to preorder the CE and he said all they had was the standard.

WasAGuest

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jan 2006

I pre-ordered mine back in Feburary. I was told, to just call and alter my order to the CE or come in when they had the pre-order boxes in. I did just that. Have pre-order box in hand now and receipt for CE.

Gamestop was where I went.

Glob of Noobloplasm

Glob of Noobloplasm

Academy Page

Join Date: Mar 2006

lf guild

Quote:
Originally Posted by WasAGuest
I pre-ordered mine back in Feburary. I was told, to just call and alter my order to the CE or come in when they had the pre-order boxes in. I did just that. Have pre-order box in hand now and receipt for CE.

Gamestop was where I went.
And what state is this in? The gamestop in my area (Ohio) still hasnt gotten the pre-order kit in. WTF.

Obheron

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Mar 2006

USA, East

The Pre-Order package, as I understand it, is not intended to give you a pre-order of the game. That is something certain retailers are choosing to do with the package.

I picked up my Pre-Order Packages today at Bestbuy. This does not mean they put my name on a list and reserve a copy of the game for me. It simply means that I can return to Bestbuy with my receipt for the $10 I paid for each of the packages, and I will get $10 off the Factions Game (either the Standard or CE package).

The pre-order of the game and the pre-order package is confusing. Like someone said in an above post, Anet is eating the cost of the packages (they should be free). Business charge you either $5 or $10 for them so that you will return to their store when the game is released (giving you the $5 or $10 off the retail game). They are assuring your business by doing this.

They could jsut say, hey we have this box of pre-order packages that are free, so jsut give them out to people when they ask, and if they come back and buy the game from us great! But this isn't exactly a good business technique!

Obh

INFPGeek

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Aug 2005

Pennsylvania

The answer to some of these questions can be found in the sticky further up in the factions forum here. (Guild Wars Factions Pre-Ordersev Response)

In particular:
Quote:
Neither NCsoft or ArenaNet is mailing out pre-order packages! The fact is, retailers who are offering the pre-order package will be receiving them any day now. We anticipate that stores will have them between March 7th and 10th, and as you have seen, a few stores have them already.

It's possible that some stores are not offering the pre-order package, but only the ability to preorder the game, meaning there are not bonuses except the convenience of having a copy of Factions reserved for you (and possibly shipped out quickly upon release). Do understand that if you preorder from a company that isn't offering the pre-order package, we are not able to provide you with that package.

Getting the pre-order pack is between the customer and the retailer. You can go to a store and pick up the pre-order package at the time you place your deposit, and whatever you pay is supposed to be applied to the cost of the game at release. You may have already pre-ordered from your favourite retailer, in which case, when that store gets the pre-order packages, you can take your receipt to the store and request your copy of the pre-order pack, and most stores are happy to give you one. And you can pre-order online, and some vendors will send you the pre-order package now, and then ship the game when it comes out later. Lastly, I've heard of a few stores that don't want to mail the pre-order package but will give you the access key for the event. (Frankly this last one makes me nervous because the same key could be given more than once, since you're not seeing a sealed box in your hands. I have heard that with some stories it has worked, though. It depends on the reliability of the retailer, and I'm sure the vast majority are extremely honest and careful about the process. I hate to see anyone missing the cool pre-order box and contents, though. It's really neat looking!)

I've mentioned before, but it bears repeating: Stores do not pay for the pre-order. The cost of the pre-order is borne entirely by NCsoft. This means a couple of things: The full amount of your deposit is expected to be applied to the cost of the game. If you pay $10, then you get the game for $10 less, come release day. I heard of a store that was actually selling the pre-order without applying the price to the cost of Guild Wars. If you know of such an instance, let us know, because that's not the way it's supposed to work. Now of course they can have a price sticker on the box, but make sure you are in the books or on the order log or in their computer as having made a deposit with the amount you are charged for the pre-order. That means a net cost to you of $0 for the pre-order, or you can figure the pre-order cost you $X, but the game cost you -$X because of the deposit.
Therefore:
A) If you pre-book from one of the retailers who are offering the pre-book kit (most likely limited to the ones here) SHOULD have em available while supplies last. Since the way to divvy them up is left to the retailers, you will (unfortunately) have to fight with where you reserve it at for your copy of the kit (regardless of CE or standard)

B) If you "bought" the kit. Keep your receipt from that. According to the afforementioned quote, whatever you paid for the kit is your deposit for GWF... so be sure to bring your receipt (and possibly NCSoft's customer service phone number). ///// The best buy where I "bought" my pre-book from was pretty clueless... so I will be sure to remember my receipt, probably a copy of the above, and a copy of the cover art out of the pre-book kit that states "PRE-ORDER" to be sure they take it off. If not, I will go to customer service and make a stink til they do. ///

Glob of Noobloplasm

Glob of Noobloplasm

Academy Page

Join Date: Mar 2006

lf guild

So youre saying the pre-order pack isnt actually the game? And you have to return to the store after it hits the shelves and actually purchase the game before you can play it? And the key that came with the pre-order package is only for the sole purpous of giving you the 2 items on the account it is active on? So how exactly would you participate 24 hours early if you cant buy the game until the servers go live?

WasAGuest

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jan 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by Glob of Noobloplasm
And what state is this in? The gamestop in my area (Ohio) still hasnt gotten the pre-order kit in. WTF.
Missouri - you should have. They (Gamestop) called me and told me it was in. Call and bug em till they cough it up.

The "pack" I got, has the keys needed for pre-order items. There is a cd with it, but it's just candy really. No game files on it at all. Candy, being wallpaper, music some videos, art work... umm, there's a lore book as well and a nearly useless reference card (might be useful to new players).

I also understand that our 24hour head start will be done like this (wish I could find where I saw it again - I'll keep looking and link): We reg the pre-order key and begin play 24 hours early. Status is saved. Game goes on sale the next day, we go to store, pick up copy and reg full game key. Now, we are able to continue with the characters we started during the 24hour jump start.

I'll go look for that 24hour jump link now.

Found it: It's at Guildwars.com under factions faq: but here's the quote and where I got the "info" I posted:

"How long will Early Access last?

Early Access will extend 48 hours. It will begin 24 hours before the game servers go live, and it will extend one day into the live release. This will allow players to pick up their copy of the game and jump right back into the game." - from Guildwars.com Factions FAQ

Glob of Noobloplasm

Glob of Noobloplasm

Academy Page

Join Date: Mar 2006

lf guild

So you say the gamestop here should have it? Thats funny, I have called them every day and asked them and they say its been shipped but they havent got it yet, Im going in there tomorrow and laying down the recite and we will have words.

WasAGuest

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jan 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by Glob of Noobloplasm
So you say the gamestop here should have it? Thats funny, I have called them every day and asked them and they say its been shipped but they havent got it yet, Im going in there tomorrow and laying down the recite and we will have words.
lol - I can't see why we have it here, and you don't there. Sounds like a lazy employee who doesn't want to walk to the back.

It should have (at least mine does) an Assassin on the front and it's tagged at the top saying "Pre-Order Only Full Version of Game Not Included"

Good luck

I also just read another post saying that some stores are bundling the pre-order kit and the pre-order of the game together. I am guessing that is what Gamestop did here, as I pre-ordered Factions CE and they called me saying the pre-order box was in. You may have to ask specifically for the pre-order (maybe they will get the word "beta") kit.

Glob of Noobloplasm

Glob of Noobloplasm

Academy Page

Join Date: Mar 2006

lf guild

Quote:
Originally Posted by WasAGuest
lol - I can't see why we have it here, and you don't there. Sounds like a lazy employee who doesn't want to walk to the back.

It should have (at least mine does) an Assassin on the front and it's tagged at the top saying "Pre-Order Only Full Version of Game Not Included"

Good luck
Thanks for the info.

I remember the second day I called after I put down the deposit he did say that their store would be getting 8 copies because that is how many people actually pre-ordered it. So they should reserve my copy of the pre-order anyways and if they dont.


OHHH LAWD.

Mordakai

Mordakai

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Aug 2005

Kyhlo

W/

Has anyone in San Antonio picked up the pre-order box yet? If so, where did you get it?

Sidra

Sidra

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Mar 2006

CT

NITE

R/

too tired to read through the whole topic, so forgive me if someone posted this already. my friend went to eb today and pre-ordered it. he put 5 dollars out of 50 down, they gave him the pre-order kit, and then they said to come back on the 28th of april to get his actual game pack. its not supposed to be separate. amazon is doing it this way too, methinks.

SisterMercy

SisterMercy

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Mar 2005

Sisters of Mercy

Stores are much lousier this time in carrying the preorder. Out-of-stocks, lack of concern, etc. The fellow I game with from Canada even told me that all of the listed North American stores in his area (EB Games, Best Buy, Future Shop ... I can't remember if he said CompUSA) had told him they're not carrying the preorder box country-wide, although some sell it from their websites.

That, and I've been very unimpressed with the local shops' attitudes. The fellow at Gamestop told me I'd be happier with WoW.

Glob of Noobloplasm

Glob of Noobloplasm

Academy Page

Join Date: Mar 2006

lf guild

Quote:
Originally Posted by SisterMercy
Stores are much lousier this time in carrying the preorder. Out-of-stocks, lack of concern, etc. The fellow I game with from Canada even told me that all of the listed North American stores in his area (EB Games, Best Buy, Future Shop ... I can't remember if he said CompUSA) had told him they're not carrying the preorder box country-wide, although some sell it from their websites.

That, and I've been very unimpressed with the local shops' attitudes. The fellow at Gamestop told me I'd be happier with WoW.
You should have just nodded, then next month go back, hit him in the face and take 15 dollars out of his wallet and ask if he's happy. Repeat this every month until he apologizes.

twicky_kid

twicky_kid

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jun 2005

Quite Vulgar [FUN]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SisterMercy
That, and I've been very unimpressed with the local shops' attitudes. The fellow at Gamestop told me I'd be happier with WoW.
LoL, he works at a min wage job and is promoting a subscription fee. Wonder if WoW has some kind of referral system he is abusing.

Local shops don't care too much because they know there are few options to get the pre order box any other way. I never find any of them helpfull anyways.

I always call the distributors. Why talk the messenger boy when you can go straight to the source.

Lord Palidore

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: May 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by SisterMercy
Stores are much lousier this time in carrying the preorder. Out-of-stocks, lack of concern, etc. The fellow I game with from Canada even told me that all of the listed North American stores in his area (EB Games, Best Buy, Future Shop ... I can't remember if he said CompUSA) had told him they're not carrying the preorder box country-wide, although some sell it from their websites.

That, and I've been very unimpressed with the local shops' attitudes. The fellow at Gamestop told me I'd be happier with WoW.
Well, whatever he told you, was wrong =-O

After reading this topic, I got a bit..scared lol, so rushed my way to Best Buy (nearest store), and they had maybe a dozen preorder packages left.

This was in the Best Buy near Power Road, if anyone here happens to live in that area in Arizona.

Rayea

Rayea

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jun 2005

west yorkshire, Uk

Sisters of Serenity

N/Mo

well i think i am ok....
my local GAME knows me...they know i will come in and bug them about it almost every day if i dont get at least one pre order box....
since i pre ordered a copy of both the original Factions and a CE factions, they should be getting 2 pre order boxes as such...
I only need one, so theres a spare for them if they need one...
and i only need to buy one copy of factions, they will sell the other one on to another customer...

(they woould be my perfect store almost, if they still allowed me to order gamecube games....sheesh....i mean, if i paid up front for my game, or at least put a deposit onit, and i only ordered ONE gamecube game, they wouldnt even have to show it on shelves....a carbord box or a drawer till i came to get it would do)

Hanok Odbrook

Hanok Odbrook

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: May 2005

Tyria

Real Millennium Group

Mo/N

Yes, it seems that the pre-order pack is a lot harder to come by this time around. I'm a TL at Target, and we're not getting them, though we have gotten the Auto Assault pres, and did carry the CoV pre. I had to get my packs at Best Buy (where I also picked up the Oblivion Pre BTW).

At any rate, to answer the original poster. No, you are not guaranteed the package, and it does not include the full game - only the key to access the beta event this month, if you do not have a current account (anyone currently playing GW automatically has access to the event). The key also gives bonus items usable by the Ritualist and Assassin professions. The pre-order is just a free bonus you might happen to be able to get when you put the down payment on the full game, but that all depends on the retailer. When I bought my pre at Best Buy, the $10 I paid goes directly to my purchase of Factions when it comes out - the pre-order in effect costs nothing, and is not needed to play Factions.

Hanok Odbrook
Real Millennium Group Guild
Truth * Knowledge * Peace

beanerman_99

beanerman_99

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Apr 2005

In the clouds

[Sage]

E/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hanok Odbrook
Yes, it seems that the pre-order pack is a lot harder to come by this time around. I'm a TL at Target, and we're not getting them, though we have gotten the Auto Assault pres, and did carry the CoV pre. I had to get my packs at Best Buy (where I also picked up the Oblivion Pre BTW).

At any rate, to answer the original poster. No, you are not guaranteed the package, and it does not include the full game - only the key to access the beta event this month, if you do not have a current account (anyone currently playing GW automatically has access to the event). The key also gives bonus items usable by the Ritualist and Assassin professions. The pre-order is just a free bonus you might happen to be able to get when you put the down payment on the full game, but that all depends on the retailer. When I bought my pre at Best Buy, the $10 I paid goes directly to my purchase of Factions when it comes out - the pre-order in effect costs nothing, and is not needed to play Factions.

Hanok Odbrook
Real Millennium Group Guild
Truth * Knowledge * Peace
Did they give you anything that had the key to get the bonus items? Does that $10 go towards your choice of standard or CE?

I need to get my rump in gear and head to BestBuy today. I would like to have the pre-order bonus items and get the CE too.

Former Ruling

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Oct 2005

Cedartown, Georgia

R/

EB Games stores do the in store packages different.

EB only shipped about 5-10 packages to each store for the first people that Preordered. Then after that It is an ONLINE EXCLUSIVE through ebgames.com

Meaning you will not get a package if you keep that preorder active...you have to order it through their website.

(Yes, I had many conversations with EB, this store, and their main office, many hours of talking.)

capblueberry

capblueberry

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Nov 2005

Lexington, SC

Grenths Mercenaries[DEAD]

a similar thing happened to me

I preordered factions and asked where the preorder kit was "we dont have them yet but we'll have them later" ok so i call them every other day or so to check up, and the other day i call

turns out they only ordered 4 preorder packages, and me being my lucky self was number 5 on the list

so now i gotta wait for a new shipment b4 i get mine

theVariable

theVariable

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jul 2005

CA, USA

Knights of the Hokuten [KotH] (hokuten.org)

Mo/Me

I just got my pre-order box from my local GameStop (in CA), last night. I've been bugging them every-other day and they finally got them in. Just letting you all know that some stores are likely to still have some. Good luck

KiyaKoreena

KiyaKoreena

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jun 2005

USA

Kirins of Holy Light

N/

We went to the nearest Gamestop to do our preordering and get the kit after the CE contents were revealed and got informed that you had to have pre-ordered the pre-order kit if you wanted to get one. *L* So we drove down the road to Best Buy and picked the kit up there for my husband. They swore that we will be able to apply the $10 to getting the CE when it shows up in store. Just in case I wish Amazon had the CE available to order now...payed the $1 on there to get the kit for me.

EternalTempest

EternalTempest

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jun 2005

United States

Dark Side Ofthe Moon [DSM]

E/

You can also lose $10 and pick up the pre-order from best buy and keep the pre-order with the other vender.

Mordakai

Mordakai

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Aug 2005

Kyhlo

W/

Quote:
Originally Posted by EternalTempest
You can also lose $10 and pick up the pre-order from best buy and keep the pre-order with the other vender.
Why? Just cancel the other pre-order...

xxSilhouette

xxSilhouette

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jan 2006

Lost in the sands of time...

Blood Of Orr [BoO]

R/Rt

i just went yesterday and was able to get the pre-order box and pre-order the collectors edition, course i got the last pre-order pack :P i got lucky i suppose.