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WTF Gamestop Prepurchase
Lostar
Member UncommonPosts: 891
Edit: Since responses are still referring to the original issue which (I think) was resolved, I am consolidating my responses here.
Original Issue:
Last night (7p 4/30) I went to Gamestop and prepurchased the CE. I noticed my receipt said 1 day headstart and there was no beta weekend code. I asked the clerk, who was not at all knowledgeable about GW2 (actually had a nice discussion with him about what GW2 was about before the purchase was made), about my code. I explained to him that if I prepurchase I should have beta weekend access and a 3 day headstart and that he gave me the preorder code. Well, after some fumbling through his binder and calling another another (just as oblivious) store he made the claim that Arenanet has stopped giving out codes and/or they ran out of codes...??? I called them again just now since I came home last night and tried out the code and confirmed it was a preorder code that was not accepted since Arenanet isn't accepting preorder codes yet....As soon as Live Chat is up at 12p Central I will be talking to Arenanet because I cannot find on their site a cutoff date for the prepurchase. Has anyone else ran into this issue? I'm rather peeved.
5/01/12 11:37:41 AM
I rarely do business with Gamestop...in fact, this was the first time in years. My go to place has been Amazon. But seeing as I live in the US, and I wanted to prepurchase (not preorder) the CE, Gamestop is the only option listed on the list of retailers given by the GW2 buy now site.
5/01/12 1:00:33 PM
Just got off the phone with gamestop's 1-800 line. The lady I spoke with seemed like she already heard my complaint many times already so she took all my information (name, date on receipt, receipt #, email address). Then she surprised me when she said that my Beta code/3 day headstart access will be sent to my email in 2 days...!!!
Here's hoping I get it by Thursday! 
...yeah, would have been fraud if money was spent on a product and I did not recieve advertised goods.
5/03/12 4:02:51 PM
So the code never arrived and I called Gamestop 1-800 again today. After a bit of explaining on my part of what I have already done and went through, they gave me a code over the phone. I'm able to dl the client now (though on the beta site it shows it unavailable I found a link to the client on http://gw2.mmorpg-life.com/guild-wars-2-beta-client-download/144/
I was able to login to the beta forums...and...yeah...happiness at last!
5/05/12 9:58:42 AM
Ok now I'm very worried again. I did notice my receipt said pre-order (even though I paid in full and this reflected on my bank statement)...but, as you mentioned preorders do not guarantee you your CE copy. I did tell that damned clerk, Corey was his name (just in case I need to hire a hitman for him screwing me over 
Anyone need a little extra cash?), that I wanted a prepurchase. We did stand there for 20 or so minutes as he called other (just as oblivious) stores and they said they were out of prepurchase codes. I figured...fine I have it paid in full now and I'll just straigten it out with their HQ and/or arenanet over the phone the next day (I did similiar dances with Gamestop in the distant past so I knew the drill [store clerk isn't clued in/call the HQ and try not to rant in their ear]). But as it stands now, even though I (eventually) was able to get the correct code, my receipt does say pre-order. If I come in on launch day and I don't get the product that I paid in full on I will likely be filing my first ever lawsuit. For all I know they did this total f*** up on purpose if only to get people's money and invest and earn some interest off of it before they knew they would have to give the money (minus the interest they gained) back at our expense and loss (not getting the product I am expecting to get is a major loss to me).
Don't believe that happens? It does. It's why my job does not offer direct deposit. It means if I don't cash my check right away (wait a day or two) they get to handle the money in their accounts for that much longer which gives them *wait for it* extra interest which does add up considerably over time (even though they are just nickle and diming us in the short term)....
Ok, a bit on the conspiritorial side (even though I deal with this situation personally through my workplace) but if I do not get the CE that I paid for I will be having a look into it.
I don't know guys...what should I do? Call them again? Explain my worry? Sound all emo....go /wrist myself if they explain that I purchased a pre-order that will not guarantee my CE box?
5/05/12 10:43:57 AM
Ok, going out for some fresh air, not a terrible idea....but the fact remains...I have been wanting the CE so the earliest I was able to purchase it I did so. Unfortunatly I was out of the country on a Rotary trip handing out food and books to underpriviledged families in South America...there was absolutely no access to modern world amenities my entire month of April so as soon as I got back (well the very next day) I bought it (4/30)...so I am hoping desperatly that I get the CE that I have desperatly wanted since the announcement...though, to be honest I have wanted it since GW2 was announced years ago since I knew they would have a CE for the title. I rarely afford myself such luxuries but when I do I really depend on getting them, so pardon me and my extreme fan-girlism.
Comments
Just called my gamestop and you are correct they do not have anymore early access codes only one day head start and will not be getting anymore.
MAGA
The official GW2 site did reflect this, during the weekend it was impossible for player from USA to buy any more pre-purchases due to the beta servers being hit so hard, I do believe some Europeans could still buy it though. It sounds like it also trickled down to GameStop, I am unsure if AN have opened up pre purchases on there site yet again, and once they do at least GameStop will still be a bit behind at offering the codes again, just the way it is.
stylin'
Gamestop in Canada (EB Games) were happily handing out pre-order codes to their customers, telling them that they were pre-purchases and that it would give them access to the three day headstart and all beta weekends, and accepting payment in full for them. This was happening even last week, prior to the BWE. However, those keys were being accepted, even though they still would not grant BWE access. Sounds like that was turned off when someone clued in that people were trying to get in with invalid keys.
Gamestop, always the pinnacle of retail excellence.
Sorry to hear about your situation.
Gamestop is the worst. I have stopped doing business with them a long time ago. I suggest you do the same.
Pushing kids to sell their used console games way below market value. Selling these games as new. Refusing to refund a sealed game with receipt without a drivers license. Pushing prepurchases that they can't deliver on. They should be shut down.
It was the only one listed in Canada too, but I managed to obtain it from another retailer after reading a Reddit rumor. Turns out to have been true. Who'da thunkit? An internet rumor that was correct. And as of yesterday, that retailer still isn't listed as an official retail partner. Definitely some ball dropping going on with the pre-purchase program.
wow thiws is last weeks news, if you read the forums or anything you would know people where having this problem last week when they announced they sold of of NA versions and were selling anymore till launch. though they said retailers like best buy and gamestop still had stock of the game to sell, it was quite apparent that the 3 day head start was out of the question.
This has been pretty much my experience with every MMO I have ever bought from Gamestop. Every EQ2 expac I bought, AoC, Lineage 2, SWTOR, the list goes on & on.
At this point I only order online and no longer add to my towering collection of MMO retail boxes I currently use to hold my speakers high.
Almost every major game released had been screwed up in some major way by Gamestop.
Stop buying from them!
BOOYAKA!
Last friday I pre purchased GW2 from gamestop. The manager assured that I'd gain beta access and an early head start. So I left there happy.. I get home, put the code in, and check my email...The thank you for purchasing and welcome email was in german, lol. Eventually, I managed to find the link to click to DL the beta client. I get home from work and go to log in but received this error message stating there's no beta running right now.. Thousands of people received the same thing. So on saturday afternoon, arenanet decided it would be a very intelligent decision to allow all those people who pre purchased from gamestop that recievd the 1 day head start code into beta, and we will also be getting a 3 day head start..
Apparently, Arenanet pulled a fast one and decided to stop all codes being entered last thursday at 5:00 pm since beta was running on friday around 5pm. No one knew this, including myself. So, when I pre purchased gw2, I, like the gamestop manager, and thousands of other people thought we still had time to enter the code before beta started. Anyway, it was a huge mess and frustrated thousands of people, so arenanet allowed all pre orders and pre purchases made over the weekend into beta.. Soo, I finally got into beta, and now I can smile that my 1 day head start is back to 3 day.
Sooo, with that said, if there is or was a code listed on your receipt, which is located right under where it says your 1 day head start code is : then that "should" also get you into the beta weekends and it should also give you a 3 day head start.. On the website, it clearly states if you pre purchase "pay in full" before release date, you will gain 3 day head start access and be in all beta weekends.. Soo, unless arena net want's any law suits on their hands for false advertisement, they will honor their own advertisement, as it was said this past weekend..
P.S: I thought the error was on gamestop's part, but turns out it wasn't.. Gamestop only had one code to give. Arena net is the one who stopped them from printing out the 3 day head start receipt with a working beta code because they stopped allowing beta codes to be entered on thursday night. So, the codes we were entering was from the 1 day head start "pre order" codes and not the "pre purchase" code.... This idiodic decision was from the arena nets finest and brightest, lol. Luckily they realized what they did was borderline fraud and instead of facing a thousand lawsuits, they did the right thing and allowed every code from pre purchase to pre order in beta...
Rallithon Oakthornn
(Retired Heirophant of the 60th season)
Remember though that many people paid in full for a pre-order copy of the game, not the the pre-purchase version, because retailers led them to believe one thing was the same as the other. It's not. They may have opened the flood gates to quell the rage (which might explain the lag explsosion at one point), but it's not something they can, nor should, continue doing. Retailers who sell pre-order keys, claiming they are pre-purchase keys, need to swing.
However, anyone with a legitimate pre-purchase key shouldn't have been blocked from entering it any point prior or during the weekend. I expect they may have just shut down the whole system until they could figure why the hell all these people were showing up, demanding access with their pre-order keys. Just my guess.
This is why I never buy MMO's from stores anymore.
They never have the damn beta codes they advertise, and they never tell you their outta stock!
/rage!
Just got off the phone with gamestop's 1-800 line. The lady I spoke with seemed like she already heard my complaint many times already so she took all my information (name, date on receipt, receipt #, email address). Then she surprised me when she said that my Beta code/3 day headstart access will be sent to my email in 2 days...!!!
Here's hoping I get it by Thursday!
...yeah, would have been fraud if money was spent on a product and I did not recieve advertised goods.
Not that it matters at all...but why does it take 2 days to email a code?!
Gamestop had the same problem with SWTOR preorders so I went to Bestbuy and got it. Still wish I hadnt but thats a discussion for another thread.
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Because Gamestop has no idea what it's doing 90% of the time.
My Guild Wars 2 Vids
The emoployees on gamestop's 1-800 line probably heard thousands of complaints from friday to monday.. I had to call on saturday when i realized my code didn't work. Then the guy from corporate HQ explained to me Anet closed any new beta entry codes thursday night.. He took my order info and said I'd get a code emailed within a couple days that would work for next beta.. But within an hour of my convo, Anet decided it would be in their best interest to alllow not only all pre purchases after monday into beta, but also the pre orders who only put a couple bucks down... So, I have a new unised code to give to someone for next beta..
Anyway, glad to hear you got some good news from gamestop.. And it takes up to 2 days because that's just their policy because if they told people they'll recieve the code immediately but don't, then they don't want to get harrassed every 10 minutes.... So, check your email by tomorrow and you may have it then,, but if not, then the latest you'll receive it is by thursday
Rallithon Oakthornn
(Retired Heirophant of the 60th season)
So the code never arrived and I called Gamestop 1-800 again today. After a bit of explaining on my part of what I have already done and went through, they gave me a code over the phone. I'm able to dl the client now (though on the beta site it shows it unavailable I found a link to the client on http://gw2.mmorpg-life.com/guild-wars-2-beta-client-download/144/
I was able to login to the beta forums...and...yeah...happiness at last!
Glad you finally got through all that. See you next BWE.
As a general rule I try and avoid Gamestop as much as possible. And the primary reason is because of situations like you've just described. They are notorious for 'Fing stuff up.
I had to keep asking the Gamestop guy to remember to put the code onto my reciept. Apparently, the beta code appears as a DLC in thier system and does not automatically apply if you prepurchase. They have to actually prepurchase and then attach a code. At least, this is how my Gamestop guy explained it to me as he looked for how to apply the code to my reciept.
Pre order you get nothing (only from third party retailers)
Pre Purchase beta weekend events 3 day headstart on release ( guildwars homepage)
My advice do not preorder from any third party retailers. Do the digital pre purchase from the guild wars homepage only.
http://www.guildwars2.com/en/
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The screw up is on Gamestop's part, for not working these details out ahead of time, making it foolproof in their register software and sending out messages to all stores with the proper proceedures.
However, Arenanet bears some blame for the mess as well. In Europe, people buying a pre-purchase actually got a pre-purchase box with the code inside. That way, you always knew what you were buying and didn't have to rely on a cashier generating the proper code for you. In Europe, in addition to the pre-purchase box, if you were just pre-purchasing the Standard Edition, the code was also your retail key, so you didn't have to return to the store when the game launches to get another box.
For what ever reason, they decided to go the digitally generated code route in the US. Not only did that lead to a lot of mix ups, but is also a big reason that Amazon US could not accomodate pre-purchases. (If there had been an actual SE pre-purchase box to ship and no second shipment needed on release, Amazon could have sold it via their system and policies).
Water under the bridge...
What about pre-purchasing now to get the WBE access, three day head start and bonus item?
In the US, at least, pre-purchases are back up o the official website.
The codes that Arenanet have stopped issuing to retailers are not the pre-purchase keys. Pre-purchase codes are being issued.
They have stopped distributing pre-order codes, until closer to launch, to prevent them from accidentally being distributed to pre-purchase customers.
Gamestop
Back to Gamestop, there are seperate SKUs (item numbers) in their system for normal sales and pre-purchases of GW2. Gamestop routinely pre-sells games to customers, often with out any special benefit, which is one reason why when customers go in asking to pre-purchase GW2, most clerks are getting confused and just pre-selling a non-pre-purchase order.
To get a pre-purchase code via Gamestop, you need to tell them that their system has seperate SKUs for normal purchases and the special pre-purchase offer. The proper SKU will have a code generated with it for three day headstart, WBE acces and bonus item. You may need to wrestle with them, but don't leave the store without either your money or your code! (They may need to call other stores, district managers or headquarters, but it can be done. The SKU info should be enough to help them figure it out though).
A friend of mine pre-purchased from Gamestop Thursday and was told they would mail him a code with in two days. I knew that was wrong and it took him a few phone calls, to the store where he bought it and another area store, but he did eventually get a 3-day, pre-purchase code and was fine for the weekend.
As far as the CE goes, there are very limited quantities, so if Gamestop says they are out, have them double check for a pre-purchase SKU, but they may indeed be out, probably for good. Arenanet have said they will not increase the CE distribution to make up for retailer overselling. So, if you pre-purchased the CE, make sure your code is a pre-purchase code. A pre-order code might be an indication that the retailer just has you in for a pre-order of the CE, which may not represent an actual guaranteed copy from their limited allocation.
Once again, even with the CE, things were done better in the EU. Pre-purchasing the CE in the EU got you a pre-purchase box and code specific the the CE, which will entitle you to your CE box when the game launches. No guess work there, if you have the CE pre-purchase box in hand, you have the only ticket for picking up a CE box when they ship.
Digital Deluxe Edition
The Digital Deluxe Edition, which has the digital items from the CE, with out the physical items, is not available from retailers. However, Arennet have said they will be selling an upgrade to the DDE for standard edition owners at, or just before, launch and for a limited period after.
Want to know more about GW2 and why there is so much buzz? Start here: Guild Wars 2 Mass Info for the Uninitiated
