Pre Order Questions

[TheRocker]

I just need a few answers about preordering.

1.Will it be deliver to my house on release date?
2.I am thinking of pre ordering from Circuit City is that a good idea ? if not please recommend be a better online shop to pre order from

[Akaymay]

For the most part, they will get it to you on release, if not like, maybe a day or two later. And as for Circuit City, I dunno dude. They aren't exactly the biggest chain. They may not be the most reliable place.

[onlyrob]

Your best bet is to preorder at a local store. You should be guaranteed a copy, you hand in the money without fear of online fraud or complicated preorder shipments, and sometimes (not in the case of Rock Band from last I've seen) you get something free for doing so.

GameStop has local store preorders. Last I checked, the rest do not. Yet.

[TheRocker]

Well i was thinking of Pre-ordering then picking it up at Circuit city on Release date

[Eman311]

I just need a few answers about preordering.

1.Will it be deliver to my house on release date? maybe, maybe not
2.I am thinking of pre ordering from Circuit City is that a good idea ? if not please recommend be a better online shop to pre order from

i would go bestbuy or amazon, but they're ok





..................

[jq71586]

I've never pre-ordered with a big chain store like that before so I don't know how it would work. I know I've gone to stores like Wal-mart to grab a game and they don't have it on release day so I've always had a fear of that.

I ordered it at a local game store called "Gamecrazy." I know you can pre-order from this website through Best Buy, so they would also seem like a solid choice, but there isn't a Circuit City for about 40 miles where I live so I don't really know how good they are with this sort of thing.

[Eman311]

Well i was thinking of Pre-ordering then picking it up at Circuit city on Release date

can you do that with online preorders? i don't think so.....

[TheRocker]

can you do that with online preorders? i don't think so.....

Oh man.. you know whats screw it i am just going to go buy it on release day..

[Akaymay]

Oh man.. you know whats screw it i am just going to go buy it on release day..

Bad idea. Just preorder, that will guarantee your copy. If you just go in, I will guarantee that you wont get one. The moms will be swarming through all the game stores, frantically searching for Little Billy's video game, buying anything that gets in their way. They will buy Rock Band out so quickly, that it won't be on shelves for months. Pre-order, go in on release, and pick up your guaranteed copy.

[TheRocker]

The moms will be frantically searching for Little Billy.

Gah can't decide i but it does sound nice to have your copy reserve just in case the Moms attack im leaning more towars pre ordering.

[Eman311]

Lol you think a place like gamestop will "guarantee" your preorder? order online and have it shipped. No fuss, no hassle and a true guarantee.

[Akaymay]

Lol you think a place like gamestop will "guarantee" your preorder? order online and have it shipped. No fuss, no hassle and a true guarantee.

Trust me, if they are having a midnight sale, you're set. It was like with the Wii. Everyone was frantic at the Target, but across the street, there was a good 15 people who pre-ordered at the Gamestop (That's all they got), lined up, and went in, got it, left. No bribing people for places in like, no attacking other people, just good, orderly, and fast.

[Thrashdragon]

The only reason Gamestop gets any of my money is their online preordering. Anything I have preordered from them is always delivered to me on the release date. It's the one thing they do right.

I am worried about the Black Friday release date though. AFAIK no one ships on Thanksgiving, which is when the games would have to be sent out in order to reach us the next day. But the retail stores will have them on Friday, which means they'll actually have them no later than Wednesday, and probably by Tuesday since that's a normal receiving day.

So if you order online and have it shipped, I'm guessing you'll either get it Wednesday or the following Monday. I'm praying it's the former. It would really suck to miss a long vacation weekend of Rock Band. :(

[DShiz1029]

Some SWAG would be nice with our preorders...a shirt, maybe a keychain...hell even a poster...I remember the good ol' days when the actual console companies would send some AWESOME swag to Gamestop/EB Games...we're talking water bottles, shirts, pens, just some cooooooool stuff. They dont seem to do that anymore cept at E3.

[ThePaska]

can you do that with online preorders? i don't think so.....

You can do it at circuit city, you can choose to pick-up what you pay for online from a store near you instead of getting it shipped to you. However I'm not exactly sure how that works for games that are not released yet. It's worth a shot if you ask me. Besides it will most like get shipped to you on or very close to the release date.

[Thrashdragon]

You can do it at circuit city, you can choose to pick-up what you pay for online from a store near you instead of getting it shipped to you. However I'm not exactly sure how that works for games that are not released yet. It's worth a shot if you ask me. Besides it will most like get shipped to you on or very close to the release date.

I know that Best Buy doesn't do it for preorders, I tried to do it with Halo 3 and Instore Pickup wasn't an option.

[admanimal]

You can do it at circuit city, you can choose to pick-up what you pay for online from a store near you instead of getting it shipped to you. However I'm not exactly sure how that works for games that are not released yet. It's worth a shot if you ask me. Besides it will most like get shipped to you on or very close to the release date.

Pick-up doesn't work for pre-orders.

[IbanezBassist_v2]

Bad idea. Just preorder, that will guarantee your copy. If you just go in, I will guarantee that you wont get one.

Is that a money back guarantee. I've heard (never experienced) that your preorder can magically not come in because some ass clown sold it or copped it for themselves.


They will buy Rock Band out so quickly, that it won't be on shelves for months. Pre-order, go in on release, and pick up your guaranteed copy.

I believe that RB is a highly anticipated game for the holiday season. I am sure the Harmonix is very aware of this demand. Therefore I think they will have a very large number available in retail for launch.

They take preorders for a reason. Preorders determine how many individuals want to purchase said product, giving the company an idea of how many units will be sold. Then they determine (I would imagine) the amount they will ship to each individual retailer.

Also, with Guitar Hero III being released a month before, I believe there will still be a demand for that as well. Not everyone is obsessed like us and has to have it on launch. :D

Yes, eventually there will be a point in time where RB will be hard to find in retail. But Harmonix is very aware of the demand, and therefore will be prepared for a very successful launch. I imagine that they learned from their GH launch. GH flew off the shelves at an alarming rate. I spoke with a guy from BB after about two months of its release, they were selling an average of 30 bundles a day!

[AVC808]

delivery date is a crap shoot on dvds and games. i dont really buy games so i cant comment much on it, but i can tell you about stories ive heard. some people get them early, some people get them on the release date, and some people get it the next day or even later (the nightmare scenario). with past dvd orders from amazon i received them on the street date when selecting the free shipping (priority mail) so in at least some cases they are sending stuff out early. this is a bit different, but probably over a decade ago i bought a sega genesis game through mail order. i cant remember what game it was...but i remember being overjoyed because it came in the mail like a week before it was supposed to be released. that was a pleasant surprise. i dont remember what company it was. i think i found them through the ads in the back of a video game magazine.

oh and while it's true stores might anticipate popularity of this game and stock up, the bundles aren't exactly easy to store away as single disc games, so you are taking a bit of a chance by not preordering. i dont see what the big drawback is by preordering, it doesn't cost any more does it?

[KeithSkins]

I've had good luck with my local Gamestop... I can't speak for other locations, but their pre-order with an in-store pickup has worked well for me in the past. I'll probably get my pre-order in today, as a matter of fact.

[DShiz1029]

i dont see what the big drawback is by preordering, it doesn't cost any more does it?

No, it is just a deposite. At Gamestop, you are just paying for a portion of the game and you get pushed up the ranks on getting one immediately. However, my Gamestop usually doesnt have a problem with product shortages, that and I am a friend of most of the people who work there, so they hook me up.

As long as you pay for the mandatory amount to preorder (or just prepay for the whole thing) you are golden.

Edit: Pre-ordering on the internet though will cost you more unless they decide to give you free shipping, and shipping with Rock Band will be a nice amount...

[Bakkster]

No, it is just a deposite. At Gamestop, you are just paying for a portion of the game and you get pushed up the ranks on getting one immediately. However, my Gamestop usually doesnt have a problem with product shortages, that and I am a friend of most of the people who work there, so they hook me up.

As long as you pay for the mandatory amount to preorder (or just prepay for the whole thing) you are golden.

Edit: Pre-ordering on the internet though will cost you more unless they decide to give you free shipping, and shipping with Rock Band will be a nice amount...

Put another way, it all comes down to the following choices:
1) Put a pre-order deposit and brave personal injury on Black Friday
2) Order online and hope the shipment reaches you on that day, and pay a shipping fee (which should be refunded if it's late, as per GameStop)
3) Be really lucky.

[KeithSkins]

Option 1 seems to be the best, if you want it ASAP... you might have the best luck if you go to a game store that's not in a mall/large shopping center. If it's a bit out of the way of the big-name Xmas shopping stores, I'd bet you have a better shot of avoiding redonkulous crowds.

[R0ck3r]

Put another way, it all comes down to the following choices:
1) Put a pre-order deposit and brave personal injury on Black Friday
2) Order online and hope the shipment reaches you on that day, and pay a shipping fee (which should be refunded if it's late, as per GameStop)
3) Be really lucky.

4) Be extremely lucky and get it early and brag to everybody about it lol ;)

[jq71586]

Option 1 seems to be the best, if you want it ASAP... you might have the best luck if you go to a game store that's not in a mall/large shopping center. If it's a bit out of the way of the big-name Xmas shopping stores, I'd bet you have a better shot of avoiding redonkulous crowds.

Exactly. I live in a city of 100.000 people and there is one mall that is about to fold up due to lack of business and the only thing keeping it alive is an attached Wal-Mart. All the malls are in towns of about 10.000 people and are in 3 or 4 cities within 20 minutes. Most people on Black Friday will head there or make the 25 min. trip to Providence, RI where they have a huge mall. So I just reserved it at a small game place in my city that moms and dads barely know about.

They are all going to travel to the nearby malls where they can get, as someone put it "Little Billy's games" and all the things they need in one place.

[xfMike]

Put another way, it all comes down to the following choices:
1) Put a pre-order deposit and brave personal injury on Black Friday
2) Order online and hope the shipment reaches you on that day, and pay a shipping fee (which should be refunded if it's late, as per GameStop)
3) Be really lucky.

By the time Rock Band is released, I will have had The Bundle paid in full (at a local GameStop).

However, as I will also have a pack of ninjas with me, I don't see how I will have to worry about personal injury. :) Maybe someone trying to swipe the package from my hand, but there will be hell to pay if it comes to that... there will be more ninja stars being thrown around than there were arrows being shot in 300, blotting out the sun. :D

[miketoast]

Preorder the thing online at ebgames/gamestop, they guarantee you'll receive it on release day or they refund your shipping, plus overnight delivery is only $9.99....

I don't know how they plan on doing that since the 22nd is Thanksgiving but if I get it Saturday, so be it at least I should get credited back my $10...

Street Date Delivery Guarantee

We pride ourselves on making sure you get the latest games first. Pre-order by November 22 at 11:00 am CST and choose overnight shipping for guaranteed delivery on November 23. If your package doesn’t arrive on the street date we will fully refund your shipping charges…and cry.

Fine print: Void if you are unable to accept delivery. Continental U.S. only. (Aren’t you glad you passed on that Maui beach house?) Not responsible for delays due to incorrect address, payment information, publisher date change, inclement weather or a shortage of brown M&M's.

[AdamBomb629]

Preorder the thing online at ebgames/gamestop, they guarantee you'll receive it on release day or they refund your shipping, plus overnight delivery is only $9.99....

I don't know how they plan on doing that since the 22nd is Thanksgiving but if I get it Saturday, so be it at least I should get credited back my $10...

Street Date Delivery Guarantee

We pride ourselves on making sure you get the latest games first. Pre-order by November 22 at 11:00 am CST and choose overnight shipping for guaranteed delivery on November 23. If your package doesn’t arrive on the street date we will fully refund your shipping charges…and cry.

Fine print: Void if you are unable to accept delivery. Continental U.S. only. (Aren’t you glad you passed on that Maui beach house?) Not responsible for delays due to incorrect address, payment information, publisher date change, inclement weather or a shortage of brown M&M's.

And don't forget the $9.99 shipping surcharge on ROCK BAND in addition to the overnight shipping.

[toefer]

And don't forget the $9.99 shipping surcharge on ROCK BAND in addition to the overnight shipping.

I, too, was going to go with GameStop, until I got to that final screen before confirming my order, and saw that it was $208 and some change. Most online sites do not charge tax, but GameStop does. The overnight shipping is "only" $9.99, but then they hit you with another $12 in handling fees (another $9.99 for handling, and then a few more dollars for the game being so big).

I'll save $25, and take my chances with the in-store pre-order.

[Feigned]

Here's a little food for thought for those of you pre-ordering online. You need to find out what carrier will be delivering it. If it's coming via UPS, you can kiss your dreams of rocking out on launch day goodbye.

From the official UPS website:


UPS 2007 Holiday Schedule
In the United States, UPS observes the following holidays:

New Year's Eve - December 31, 2006*
New Year's Day - January 1, 2007
Memorial Day - May 28, 2007**
Independence Day - July 4, 2007**
Labor Day - September 3, 2007**
Thanksgiving Day - November 22, 2007**
Day after Thanksgiving - November 23, 2007***
Christmas Day - December 25, 2007**
New Year's Eve - December 31, 2007**
New Year's Day - January 1, 2008**

*** Delivery and pickup of air and international packages only



From what I can tell, Fedex should be delivering on the 23rd, so you're fine with them. Definitely check with your online retailer to make sure that Fedex (or someone else that will be delivering) is going to deliver your package.

[xfMike]

Thanks for the UPS info Feigned.

I went to my local Game Stop yesterday just to ask them a few questions regarding how and when they will recieve it.

To paraphrase:

Q. So... you guys will definatley have Rock Band in for those who have pre-ordered it and will definatley have it on Black Friday?

A. Yes.

Q. ...and it is being released on Black Friday and not earlier in the week (that Tuesday for example).

A. Yes it will be released on Black Friday.

Q. What about shortages? Will you have enough for pre-orders?

A. We will have enough for every pre-order. If it looks like we wont be able to supply the demand, we will cap the pre-orders several weeks before the game is released.

Q. When will you guys have the game in?

A. Most likely that previous Tuesday...

Q. So... Black Friday... I'lll see you guys then... :S

A. May God have mercy on our souls. :(

[AdamBomb629]

Thanks for the UPS info Feigned.

I went to my local Game Stop yesterday just to ask them a few questions regarding how and when they will recieve it.

To paraphrase:

Q. So... you guys will definatley have Rock Band in for those who have pre-ordered it and will definatley have it on Black Friday?

A. Yes.

Q. ...and it is being released on Black Friday and not earlier in the week (that Tuesday for example).

A. Yes it will be released on Black Friday.

Q. What about shortages? Will you have enough for pre-orders?

A. We will have enough for every pre-order. If it looks like we wont be able to supply the demand, we will cap the pre-orders several weeks before the game is released.

Q. When will you guys have the game in?

A. Most likely that previous Tuesday...

Q. So... Black Friday... I'lll see you guys then... :S

A. May God have mercy on our souls. :(

My conversation went similarly. The guy basically said, "WHY THE HELL DO YOU WANT TO COME HERE ON BLACK FRIDAY?"

[Thrashdragon]

Here's a little food for thought for those of you pre-ordering online. You need to find out what carrier will be delivering it. If it's coming via UPS, you can kiss your dreams of rocking out on launch day goodbye.

From the official UPS website:


UPS 2007 Holiday Schedule
In the United States, UPS observes the following holidays:

New Year's Eve - December 31, 2006*
New Year's Day - January 1, 2007
Memorial Day - May 28, 2007**
Independence Day - July 4, 2007**
Labor Day - September 3, 2007**
Thanksgiving Day - November 22, 2007**
Day after Thanksgiving - November 23, 2007***
Christmas Day - December 25, 2007**
New Year's Eve - December 31, 2007**
New Year's Day - January 1, 2008**

*** Delivery and pickup of air and international packages only



From what I can tell, Fedex should be delivering on the 23rd, so you're fine with them. Definitely check with your online retailer to make sure that Fedex (or someone else that will be delivering) is going to deliver your package.

Interesting. Gamestop usually uses UPS, but with their release day guarantee they are gonna eat a LOT of refunded shipping charges unless they go with FedEx.

[KingofQUEEN48]

they get it to you on release date if you preorder and if they dont u get like money back or something it says it somewhere at game stop

[sa_nick]

they get it to you on release date if you preorder and if they dont u get like money back or something it says it somewhere at game stop

From Gamestop.com....

We do not process or ship orders on Saturdays, Sundays or on the following holidays:

* New Year?s Day
* Memorial Day
* Fourth of July
* Labor Day
* Thanksgiving Day
* Christmas Day

Which means they'd post it off on black friday then you'd get it the next day? If they say things like that then it's probably a note in the fine print of their release day guarantee.

EDIT: Or maybe you'll all get lucky and they'll ship them off Tuesday (the day they get them) then you'll receive them the day before thanksgiving. Wishful thinking? lol

I'm pre-ordering from gamestop too but I'm in Australia. On their site it says 1 day for processing and 3-5 days for international delivery. That'd be awesome if i got it that soon (especially if they sent it off as soon as they get them in stock) but I dunno.

[Thrashdragon]

I have emailed Gamestop for clarification on this, and will post their answer here once I get an answer.

[AdamBomb629]

They will probably mail them all on Wednesday for Friday delivery.

[idiotec]

I also ordered from Gamestop online. I hope that make good on their "Guarantee" of street date delivery.

No way am I going out to the stores on the day after Thanksgiving.

The thing that sucks is they only owe you 10 bucks if they miss the delivery date. :(

[Bakkster]

The thing that sucks is they only owe you 10 bucks if they miss the delivery date. :(

And you wouldn't get it until Monday.

[AVC808]

i would imagine a company has some sort of discount agreement with a certain carrier, so the most likely scenario would be that they ship out early so you guys receive it on wednesday. with so much orders nationwide, they would take a huge hit refunding everyone's shipping $ by having it arrive after the guaranteed release date.

[Feigned]

I think there might be some confusion, I don't think the issue is when GameStop (or whoever) ships it out, it's the fact that UPS isn't going to deliver anything on Black Friday.

If someone gets a clear answer from GameStop, please keep us informed.

[Thrashdragon]

I just received this response from Gamestop:


Greetings from GameStop.com.

Thank you for contacting GameStop.com.


At this time, the Rock Band Bundle has a release date of 11/23/07 and
customers who order the game with Overnight Shipping are guaranteed
street date delivery. UPS is open the day after Thanksgiving, as it is
the busiest shopping date of the year. At this time, your order should
be expected to arrive on 11/23. Please keep in mind that pre-release
items are subject to change at anytime without notification.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to respond to this
email.



Sincerely,
Valerie
GameStop.com Customer Service


Doesn't really help, since UPS says they are closed and Gamestop says they are not. However, maybe it's that the UPS stores are closed, but the trucks and planes are still moving and making deliveries. I don't think any organization the size of UPS or FedEx is ever completely shut down.

I may just cancel mine and go do an instore preorder and the standalone Gamestop in town. I'll wait a while, though, there's still plenty of time for someone to get a definitive answer on this.

[AVC808]

i think a simple call to UPS is in order to clarify if it's just the offices that are closed, and there will be delivery service on the friday.

[IbanezBassist_v2]

I ship out on the daily. I will ask the UPS guy.

[miketoast]

I ship out on the daily. I will ask the UPS guy.

Any word on this?

[geo2n2]

UPS themselves is the only source to trust. According to their site (http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/service/support/operation.html):


UPS 2007 Holiday Schedule
In the United States, UPS observes the following holidays:

New Year's Eve - December 31, 2006*
New Year's Day - January 1, 2007
Memorial Day - May 28, 2007**
Independence Day - July 4, 2007**
Labor Day - September 3, 2007**
Thanksgiving Day - November 22, 2007**
Day after Thanksgiving - November 23, 2007***
Christmas Day - December 25, 2007**
New Year's Eve - December 31, 2007**
New Year's Day - January 1, 2008**


Saturday+ and Sunday are rest days.

* Delivery of Saturday Air Packages only, no pickup service available
** UPS Express CriticalSM available 365 days each year
*** Delivery and pickup of air and international packages only
+ Saturday Delivery and Pickup is available in certain regions.


So, it looks like if it's shipped UPS air it would be delivered Friday. So Amazon 2-day- maybe. Overnight air should be ok for Friday I think. It would all depend on when they ship it, of course.

[miketoast]

UPS themselves is the only source to trust. According to their site (http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/service/support/operation.html):




So, it looks like if it's shipped UPS air it would be delivered Friday. So Amazon 2-day- maybe. Overnight air should be ok for Friday I think. It would all depend on when they ship it, of course.

It should definitely be shipped Air since we're paying for overnight delivery, so we should be fine. Phew!!!

[AdamBomb629]

On a side note, Amazon.com has stopped taking pre-orders for Rock Band and GH III, presumably based on expected supply/demand.

[TheWolf619]

I went the Gamestop.com route since they're guaranteeing release date delivery and I'll be home on the 23rd. If it shows up on Wednesday, then that's all the better. :D

[Clutch414]

Online shopping is nice and convenient, but I MUST have Rock Band on the launch date.

Soooo.......I'm getting RB through a brick and mortar Gamestop.

That way, I can be assured that I get it on launch and not have to worry about UPS or FedEx and their wacky delivery schedules. Plus, the Gamestop that I have it pre-ordered at is in a quiet strip-mall where the Black Friday rush isn't going to be all that bad.

I already got it on pre-order and I got my pre-order receipt in a safe place. I can't friggin' wait.

Much to my wife's chagrin, I already planned a Rock Band release day party on the 23rd. It's going to be awesome. Thankfully, the business I work for considers the 23rd part of the Thanksgiving holiday.

[toefer]

Online shopping is nice and convenient...

Someone else from Syracuse. Nice.

[Clutch414]

Someone else from Syracuse. Nice.

Represent the 315.