GameStop Collector's Edition preorders labeled as backordered
by Alex Ziebart 
Nov 12th 2008 at 1:30PM
WoW players that preordered their copies of Wrath of the Lich King through GameStop have been having a bit of a scare since late last night sometime. Preorders have started to display as Backordered on order histories and order trackers.Our advice? Don't panic. Until your item specifically ships, it's not unusual for the Item Status field to reflect the status of the item in general and not your copy in particular. The Backordered status refers to their stock as a whole, meaning overall they've hit the Out of Stock point. The copy you ordered may be just fine and dandy and you'll probably see your Status flip to Pending or Shipped at some point throughout the day. If you ordered your copy early, you are most likely completely safe and fine. If you ordered it very very late, it's a little more likely that your personal order will be affected, but chances are still very good that you'll turn out okay.
It's a weird system. When that Backordered label crops up, it's hard to tell whether your copy is actually going to arrive at your doorstep or not. It's not a completely unusual occurrance, it happens now and then with really big releases. It's just as confusing each and every time. Just relax, keep an eye on it, and don't worry too much until it still says Backordered tomorrow morning and your copy hasn't shown up on your doorstep. Then you might have a problem.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Expansions, Wrath of the Lich King
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
denalix Nov 12th 2008 1:34PM
Bah. "Dog bites Man" story.
Let's talk about the robocalls "Ashley" of Gamestop is making, which are annoying.
Zuldim Nov 12th 2008 1:37PM
"Hi! It's Ashley from Gamestop. We're just calling to remind you that your pre-order of- *different voice* World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King- is going to be available to be picked up tomorrow! If you have any questions or concerns call us at *I don't remember* Thanks!
Shadoweric Nov 12th 2008 1:35PM
Ok, you're 12 hours behind with this story (sorry).
The same happened to my Gamestop order last night. This morning, however, it turned to "Shipped" since they guarantee release-date delivery and I paid for overnight shipping.
So, indeed, it's normal, just keep checking today.
Arras Nov 12th 2008 1:36PM
there's a message at the gamestop order status page that basically says "backordered means processing and will ship soon. We have plenty of inventory..."
the text is an image, so I can't cut/paste the whole thing, but you get the idea
So, yeah, panicking is not needed. Yet ;)
Beli Nov 12th 2008 1:38PM
Sounds like Best Buy, too... I pre-ordered for in store pickup a while ago. at 2:30 last night they sent a confirmation e-mail stating "The store you selected is closed, and your order cannot be confirmed at this time."
After the 30 seconds of panic this morning upon seeing that, i went and took a shower, then got another e-mail from them confirming the order. very odd behavior.
Kibibi Nov 12th 2008 1:39PM
I didn't get a response by email yet, but there IS a message now for everyone, telling them not to panic. As it happens, my order has now shipped! Hooray for Gamestop! :)
Jonny Splash Nov 12th 2008 1:47PM
Mine was the same ... changed to shipped an hour ago and now I have a tracking number as well. I was worried however but I understand the system now. All I can say is "PHEW!"
Skullcandy Nov 12th 2008 1:41PM
"If you ordered it very very late, it's a little more likely that your personal order will be affected, but changes are still very good that you'll turn out okay."
I think you meant "chances are " not "changes are"
Or it may be a new way to express your ideas... I don't know.
o.O
Alex Ziebart Nov 12th 2008 1:42PM
Fix'd. :P
Drow Nov 12th 2008 1:50PM
Don't scare me!
I just got off the phone with them, and got back from lunch to see this!
I asked if I had to get there at 10:00pm...he said it's one line, for CE and non, and there will be people dressed up and everything. I asked him if we had allready pre-paid the whole thing...he said come in at 10 and they'd take care of me...here's to hopeing I get it and get out of there!
I pre-ordered as soon as it was avaible, and pre-ordered the CE the day it was in their system...so lets hope for no back-orders!
Brownnote Nov 12th 2008 1:41PM
Go to 7-11. I just did and there were plenty there plus street broken so come 9pm cali time I'll be jumpin on the zep. Plus, by cancelling my full paid pre-order I don't lose a penny.
Brownnote Nov 12th 2008 1:43PM
oh snap, missed the part about collectors edition. Anyway, if you DON'T have a collector's edition the 7-11 thing is nice to know about.
Teagan Nov 12th 2008 1:43PM
Mine changed just a few hours ago from backordered to shipped.
Crisis averted.
Bill Nov 12th 2008 1:46PM
Amazon recently announced "Release Day Delivery" on WotLK and my CE apparently fell into that bonus.
What's a bit strange is that currently it's listed as not shipped.
I'm forced to ask - how far does the Lich King's influence reach?
brogadorn Nov 12th 2008 1:53PM
I ordered my CE back in Sept 16. Like you I was converted over to the release day shipping, but I got an email informing me of this.
My order finally says Shipping Soon this morning.
Steve Nov 12th 2008 2:07PM
Yeah, mine isn't listed as being shipped either.
Not good.
Bill Nov 12th 2008 2:22PM
Also ordered mine on the 16th so we'll see what happens.
Kaelistes Nov 12th 2008 1:46PM
And this is why you order at the store for a big release like this :)
number9 Nov 12th 2008 1:47PM
Mine has shipped.
See ya up North!
Chickenplucker Nov 12th 2008 1:48PM
I seen this early on my order page and spazed out a bit. I had my order placed in the middle of August and was wondering what the heck had happened. 45mins of listing to Super Mario Brother remix's on hold finally got me on line with a rep who kindly informed me that the pages just haven't updated and the order was already labeled as shipped. I was relieved :P