Guild Wars 2 Pre-Purchase Debacle

[Lord_Jaroh]

So, here we are at the second beta event of Guild Wars 2. I don't get to play in it because I bought the game from the only retailer in Canada for the Champion Edition, GameStop.

For those that don't know, if you buy the game in advance, you get access to the beta events, as well as access to the game 3 days ahead of all of the regular rabble when it actually launches. This was ready to "pre-purchase" April 10th. So April 10th, I call GameStop. They tell me that they have not received any pre-order codes from NCSoft for the Champion Edition, and to try back tomorrow. After I get home from work, I bought the digital deluxe version online for my girlfriend as she did not want the extra dodads of the Champion Edition. No problem, I get everything set up for her, swimmingly, and her account is linked to her pre-purchase.

The next day, I go to work as per usual. I call GameStop, they still have not received any codes, but will sell the pre-purchase anyway and give out the codes as soon as they get them. Okay, no problem. After work, I head to GameStop to do such. Once there, they tell me they can't because they were only "alloted" a certain number of Collector's Edition codes from their head office. I tell them to find me a GameStop that has some available as that was what I wished to purchase and they told me to come down for. They of course are not "linked" via computer and so the person has to physically call the various stores in order to find a free one. So he does and off I go again.

So I pre-purchase the game from another GameStop ($167.99 is my total bill) and they say they will call me as soon as they get their codes. Now I am number 3 on the list at this store that has purchased the game. I don't receive a call for a couple of days and so I call them. Nope, they still have nothing. Weeks go by, same answer, missing the first beta event. They keep telling me that they are receiving more "eventually", they just haven't right now.

So here we are, right before the next beta event. Now I contact NCSoft and they say that GameStop has received all of the codes they are going to get, that my best bet is to get a refund and purchase the game from another registered retailer. However, here is my conundrum. There are no more retailers. Both Canada and the U.S. only have GameStop as the retailer for the Champion Edition.

So, yes, I can get a refund from GameStop, but I get screwed out of the Champion Edition. I can buy the "normal" edition, but I don't get the art book and the soundtrack, which was why I wanted it in the first place. Had I known at the time I would have hunted around at more GameStops first to make sure that I get one, or I would have ordered the normal edition right then and there. Did anyone else run into this problem of being on their "list" and not getting their items?

Moral of the story: Stay away from GameStop. Don't support them. I know that I'm done. Considering pre-ordering anything from them means that you aren't guaranteed to get your item, even when you pay the full amount, stay away! Don't support their shenanigans. Make them change!

There's my rant for the day...

 

[BloatedGuppy]

Outrageous. GameStop sounds a lot like EB Games. I put up with so much nonsense from EB Games over the years it now makes me incredibly happy to kill them with Steam.

 

[Quaxar]

Well, I'm glad I didn't go to GameStop but rather purchase it through the official homepage. Everything done in minutes.
Just the normal edition though because I'm too cheap to pay 20? more for one elite skill and some one-time usage items.

I also realize it is now 3 in the morning and I've been playing GW2 since beta start which was 6 hours ago. Damn, I already love this game. Even though I still haven't figured out a bunch of stuff.

 

[Korten12]

Wait... Didn't they say you have to pre-purchase from the site or amazon to get codes?

 

[Corven]

In all fairness it really isn't their fault but NCsoft for only supplying a limited amount of beta codes, I pre-ordered from gamestop as well but was told after paying in full that they we're out of codes, well access to beta weekends was the only real incentive for me to pre-order since it doesn't even have a release date yet, so I cancelled it a few days later.

 

[Lord_Jaroh]

Wait... Didn't they say you have to pre-purchase from the site or amazon to get codes?

The Champion Edition you had to pre-order from GameStop, as it is the only physical copy and comes with goodies. They were to send the codes to GameStop to be then handed out to those that pre-purchased. However, in Canada there was "something wrong" with their shipping and they did not get sent the codes.

According to NCSoft, they aren't getting anymore either, so apparently Canada was allotted next to nothing and sold out right away, not that GameStop told anyone that. I am 3rd on a list of 8 from this particular store that has pre-purchased the Champion Edition and none have received codes for it yet...

 

[Fr]anc[is]

Outrageous. GameStop sounds a lot like EB Games.

Gamestop must have bought them, or they're owned by the same parent company or something. There used to be one of each in my mall, they were set up exactly the same. Their websites are identical, and it even says "powered by Gamestop" under EB games.

 

[Exius Xavarus]

Wait... Didn't they say you have to pre-purchase from the site or amazon to get codes?

The pre-purchase codes should be on your receipt when you pre-order the game from GameStop. I've got the Collector's Edition pre-ordered, but I don't have it fully paid off, and I have a code for a 1 day head start.

Snipz

Did you ever check your receipt for the code? It should be on there, above the little box where it tells you about the survey. At least, that's what my GameStop does.

 

[gmaverick019_v1legacy]

Outrageous. GameStop sounds a lot like EB Games. I put up with so much nonsense from EB Games over the years it now makes me incredibly happy to kill them with Steam.

1) I'm almost positive they are from the same company, or EB games is owned by gamestop, i've seen stuff say "powered by gamestop" on it from EB (probably a parent company I'm assuming)

2)I literally imagined steam killing them...not valve steam, lol, derp for the day.

OT: This sucks huge dick for you OP, I'd learned that years ago not to rely on gamestop for shit, but shitty situation for you that they were the only ones TO deal with...

 

[ResonanceSD]

i've got the collector's edition, from EB, I rang them and they gave me my code

 

[Lord_Jaroh]

Wait... Didn't they say you have to pre-purchase from the site or amazon to get codes?

The pre-purchase codes should be on your receipt when you pre-order the game from GameStop. I've got the Collector's Edition pre-ordered, but I don't have it fully paid off, and I have a code for a 1 day head start.

Snipz

Did you ever check your receipt for the code? It should be on there, above the little box where it tells you about the survey. At least, that's what my GameStop does.

My receipt has nothing as far as a code. I was told that the codes would be "shipped out to them" at a later date, that they were in a sealed package, so-to-speak. This is specifically for the "pre-purchased" ones, not the "pre-ordered" ones.

 

[Exius Xavarus]

Wait... Didn't they say you have to pre-purchase from the site or amazon to get codes?

The pre-purchase codes should be on your receipt when you pre-order the game from GameStop. I've got the Collector's Edition pre-ordered, but I don't have it fully paid off, and I have a code for a 1 day head start.

Snipz

Did you ever check your receipt for the code? It should be on there, above the little box where it tells you about the survey. At least, that's what my GameStop does.

My receipt has nothing as far as a code. I was told that the codes would be "shipped out to them" at a later date, that they were in a sealed package, so-to-speak. This is specifically for the "pre-purchased" ones, not the "pre-ordered" ones.

Honestly, I can't see that there's much of a difference between the two, probably other than the way we refer to it. Whether it's pre-purchase or pre-order, having gone to reserve it at GameStop means you did the exact same thing I did. And if that's the case, you should have gotten your code the exact same way I did. As far as I'm aware, GameStop's procedures don't differ from store to store. Hence why I asked if there was a code on your receipt, because if I manage to get mine completely paid off I'll have a 3 day head start code printed onto my receipt, rather than the 1 day code I have now.

 

[ShadowsofHope]

Wow, that sucks massive balls.

I just went into the nearest physical EBGames store here in Canada and pre-purchased a Collectors Edition (Champion for you?) right there and then. Got my codes the next day.

I guess it's a hit and miss case, huh?

 

[Lord_Jaroh]

Wait... Didn't they say you have to pre-purchase from the site or amazon to get codes?

The pre-purchase codes should be on your receipt when you pre-order the game from GameStop. I've got the Collector's Edition pre-ordered, but I don't have it fully paid off, and I have a code for a 1 day head start.

Snipz

Did you ever check your receipt for the code? It should be on there, above the little box where it tells you about the survey. At least, that's what my GameStop does.

My receipt has nothing as far as a code. I was told that the codes would be "shipped out to them" at a later date, that they were in a sealed package, so-to-speak. This is specifically for the "pre-purchased" ones, not the "pre-ordered" ones.

Honestly, I can't see that there's much of a difference between the two, probably other than the way we refer to it. Whether it's pre-purchase or pre-order, having gone to reserve it at GameStop means you did the exact same thing I did. And if that's the case, you should have gotten your code the exact same way I did. As far as I'm aware, GameStop's procedures don't differ from store to store. Hence why I asked if there was a code on your receipt, because if I manage to get mine completely paid off I'll have a 3 day head start code printed onto my receipt, rather than the 1 day code I have now.

We were told that we needed to "pre-purchase" to get the codes, ie. pay the whole thing in advance. "pre-ordering" simply reserves a copy of the game when it comes in, only costs minimum $5 and you were not supposed to get any of the bonus 3 day access or anything.

I'm assuming that because I am in "Canada" and we have "EB Games" instead of "GameStop" even though they are one and the same, I got boned. The manager said that he would "look into" seeing if there were any of them anywhere else, but since none of them are connected in their computers (ie. they can't seem to see inventory anywhere else), I'm not counting on him doing much.

Overall, pretty disappointed at this whole thing. I was hoping for the extras, willing to pay for the extras, and get screwed out of them because of someone's incompetence somewhere. Whether that is NCSoft for not exactly providing much in numbers, or if that is EB Games for not informing their people of what to do in regards to this whole thing...overall it has left a pretty sour taste in my mouth.

 

[Exius Xavarus]

Wait... Didn't they say you have to pre-purchase from the site or amazon to get codes?

The pre-purchase codes should be on your receipt when you pre-order the game from GameStop. I've got the Collector's Edition pre-ordered, but I don't have it fully paid off, and I have a code for a 1 day head start.

Snipz

Did you ever check your receipt for the code? It should be on there, above the little box where it tells you about the survey. At least, that's what my GameStop does.

My receipt has nothing as far as a code. I was told that the codes would be "shipped out to them" at a later date, that they were in a sealed package, so-to-speak. This is specifically for the "pre-purchased" ones, not the "pre-ordered" ones.

Honestly, I can't see that there's much of a difference between the two, probably other than the way we refer to it. Whether it's pre-purchase or pre-order, having gone to reserve it at GameStop means you did the exact same thing I did. And if that's the case, you should have gotten your code the exact same way I did. As far as I'm aware, GameStop's procedures don't differ from store to store. Hence why I asked if there was a code on your receipt, because if I manage to get mine completely paid off I'll have a 3 day head start code printed onto my receipt, rather than the 1 day code I have now.

We were told that we needed to "pre-purchase" to get the codes, ie. pay the whole thing in advance. "pre-ordering" simply reserves a copy of the game when it comes in, only costs minimum $5 and you were not supposed to get any of the bonus 3 day access or anything.

I'm assuming that because I am in "Canada" and we have "EB Games" instead of "GameStop" even though they are one and the same, I got boned. The manager said that he would "look into" seeing if there were any of them anywhere else, but since none of them are connected in their computers (ie. they can't seem to see inventory anywhere else), I'm not counting on him doing much.

Overall, pretty disappointed at this whole thing. I was hoping for the extras, willing to pay for the extras, and get screwed out of them because of someone's incompetence somewhere. Whether that is NCSoft for not exactly providing much in numbers, or if that is EB Games for not informing their people of what to do in regards to this whole thing...overall it has left a pretty sour taste in my mouth.

Hm. Ours are $25 minimum for Collector's Edition, though(all collector's editions). A sign in my GameStop says that if we pre-order and pay get it fully paid off, we'll have 3 day head start codes. And if it's not completely paid off, we get a 1 day head start until it's paid off, and our codes(such as downloadable pre-order goodies and the like) are printed just above the box telling us about the survey. But yeah, I have a 1 day head start code printed on my pre-order receipt. But that sucks. :{ I assume by Champion Edition, you mean the one that comes with a Rytlock figure, art book, sound track and metal case and all that fun jazz, right?(I don't know if you call it anything different or if it's a different version than the Collector's Edition I'm getting, which has all those goodies)

 

[Lord_Jaroh]

Wait... Didn't they say you have to pre-purchase from the site or amazon to get codes?

The pre-purchase codes should be on your receipt when you pre-order the game from GameStop. I've got the Collector's Edition pre-ordered, but I don't have it fully paid off, and I have a code for a 1 day head start.

Snipz

Did you ever check your receipt for the code? It should be on there, above the little box where it tells you about the survey. At least, that's what my GameStop does.

My receipt has nothing as far as a code. I was told that the codes would be "shipped out to them" at a later date, that they were in a sealed package, so-to-speak. This is specifically for the "pre-purchased" ones, not the "pre-ordered" ones.

Honestly, I can't see that there's much of a difference between the two, probably other than the way we refer to it. Whether it's pre-purchase or pre-order, having gone to reserve it at GameStop means you did the exact same thing I did. And if that's the case, you should have gotten your code the exact same way I did. As far as I'm aware, GameStop's procedures don't differ from store to store. Hence why I asked if there was a code on your receipt, because if I manage to get mine completely paid off I'll have a 3 day head start code printed onto my receipt, rather than the 1 day code I have now.

We were told that we needed to "pre-purchase" to get the codes, ie. pay the whole thing in advance. "pre-ordering" simply reserves a copy of the game when it comes in, only costs minimum $5 and you were not supposed to get any of the bonus 3 day access or anything.

I'm assuming that because I am in "Canada" and we have "EB Games" instead of "GameStop" even though they are one and the same, I got boned. The manager said that he would "look into" seeing if there were any of them anywhere else, but since none of them are connected in their computers (ie. they can't seem to see inventory anywhere else), I'm not counting on him doing much.

Overall, pretty disappointed at this whole thing. I was hoping for the extras, willing to pay for the extras, and get screwed out of them because of someone's incompetence somewhere. Whether that is NCSoft for not exactly providing much in numbers, or if that is EB Games for not informing their people of what to do in regards to this whole thing...overall it has left a pretty sour taste in my mouth.

Hm. Ours are $25 minimum for Collector's Edition, though(all collector's editions). A sign in my GameStop says that if we pre-order and pay get it fully paid off, we'll have 3 day head start codes. And if it's not completely paid off, we get a 1 day head start until it's paid off, and our codes(such as downloadable pre-order goodies and the like) are printed just above the box telling us about the survey. But yeah, I have a 1 day head start code printed on my pre-order receipt. But that sucks. :{ I assume by Champion Edition, you mean the one that comes with a Rytlock figure, art book, sound track and metal case and all that fun jazz, right?(I don't know if you call it anything different or if it's a different version than the Collector's Edition I'm getting, which has all those goodies)

Yes, sorry Collector's Edition. I don't know why I called it Champion Edition...

The manager has told me that he will "give me" a normal access code, in addition to "guaranteeing" that I will be getting the physical collector's edition when it launches. I'm just not sure that I will get any of the other in-game perks if the normal one is attached to my account.

 

[ThriKreen]

When I bought my GW2 Collector's Edition from EB Games, I got the regular pre-purchase code that let me into the beta events. It's different from the pre-order code though.

I don't see why having a (limited) pre-order/purchase code would stop you from enjoying the game. It's 3 days, and the weekend betas aren't that special, since your characters will get wiped at the end and it's all for server stress testing and such.

Heck, when I heard about the GW2 preorder, I went to my local EB and they weren't taking any more, some limited thing and only one person had ordered. Went back a couple weeks later and they were taking preorders again, and had the codes in stock. Results will vary by store.