Word of caution for pre-ordering Cata.

#0 - Aug. 19, 2010, 8:32 p.m.

I know a lot of my guild mates have pre-ordered cata. This brought back a bad experience from the WOTLK expansion box.

I went to Walmart and bought the WOTLK. There was a huge display with maybe 400 copies of the game. I picked through, and I made sure I got a box that was not tampered with. I double and triple checked it.

I got the box home, opened it up, and the sticker with the upgrade code was gone.
This box was never tampered with after the tamper resistant stickers were put on. Which means sometime between the upgrade code being put on, and the box being sealed, someone took the sticker off. (Inside job)

I had to go back to Walmart and thankfully they gave me another box. This time, I opened the box in front of a sales agent and the sticker was there.

My point is. You pre-order from one of the online stores, you might just have what happened to me, happen to you. Then you will be out $40.00 plus tax. I doubt Blizzard will reimburse you, even though it's technically their fault for not having a better system in place to prevent this type of problem from happening.

So, heads up and good luck on your copy. I will wait and open it at the store before paying for it.

Bashiok

#21 - Aug. 19, 2010, 10:37 p.m.

It happens from time to time where through the manufacturing process a sticker isn't placed on the case properly. I believe in these cases we recommend you return it to the place you purchased it for an exchange, as you did.

Of course you can bypass any possibility of any issues occurring with a retail box by purchasing from our online store, where the game is applied directly to your account at time of purchase.

/cheesysmile

*gleam* http://www.blizzard.com/store/ *gleam*

Bashiok

#44 - Aug. 19, 2010, 11:15 p.m.

Q u o t e:

In the past I have attended midnight releases and waited to 2am before I actually got a box in my hand, so I have never tried to purchase an expansion at midnight. This brings up my question:

Will the blizzard store release its digital codes at the first moment cataclysm goes live?

Since I have never been at my computer during a release I have no idea when the online codes go out.
Thanks!

If StarCraft II is any indicator you'll be able to download the client beforehand, and the the installer will unlock at 10AM pacific time. So, if you want it right at midnight (or a collector's edition), your best bet is probably a pre-order and midnight release at your local brick and mortar. But, this is all assuming things which we haven't release any information about.

I'd wait for more info... like... a release date. ;)

Bashiok

#50 - Aug. 19, 2010, 11:29 p.m.

Q u o t e:

No....you certainly haven't released any information that is awesome.

Ditto.