Epic Fail and Dragon Age 2 (No, not what you think)
Well, after some serious Epic Fail on the part of Gamestop, I finally have my Dragon Age 2 signature edition in hand. Of course, I'm also already into Act 3 courtesy of the great generosity of friend who gifted it to me on Steam when Gamestop hosed me in the first place. I've also already purchased the Sebastian DLC, so that's a bit redundant. Sadly, there's no way to separate the Sebastian DLC in the signature edition from the rest of the signature edition stuff, so I can't pass that content on to a friend, alas.
To document, in case I ever become overwhelmed again by the promise of free content for pre-ordering, the timeline of this Epic Fail and why I will not be pre-ordering anything from Gamestop ever again, we start with January 2nd. This is the day in which I succumbed to the clever marketing ploy of 'pre-order before January 11th or you'll never have this opportunity again!' and put down some money towards a game that wouldn't even be available for three more months. But I did, because hey! Free DLC plus other goodies. I want that. And because Dragon Age: Origins was the first computer game I actually completed since The Longest Journey. And the first that I'd started another play through on since... well, honestly? I can't remember since when! Quite possibly since something played on my Commodore 64 (Moonmist, I'm looking at you).
So, down goes my money and off I go home, excitedly anticipating Dragon Age 2 and my free goodies and oooo, won't this be fun!
Fast forward to March 6th. I've been anticipating the game pretty hard since the first of March, really. (Though the Rift beta in February and launch on the first served to keep me from jonesing /too/ badly.) On the sixth, I get a text message from Gamestop (Did I give them my cell phone number? Huh. I guess I must have, though I!) reminding me that my pre-order would be available Tuesday AM for Dragon Age 2! I get even more excited! Heck, while I'm at the mall that weekend, I seriously contemplated paying off the rest of the amount and seeing if one of the girls at work, who I knew would be going early in the day to get her copy, would pick up mine as well - since I wouldn't be able to go until after 4PM. But then I decided not to, because it felt presumptuous to do something like that without asking the other person first and anyway, it wouldn't kill me to wait until after 4pm to pick it up, since I wouldn't be able to play it that night anyway. Ah, hind-sight. The way you inspire me to kick myself repeatedly.
March 8th dawns and I hope out of bed as giddy as a little kid on Christmas. Ooooo! Dragon Age 2 Day! Woo hoo! Can't wait can't wait can't wait. That's the mantra going on through the whole day. The girl from work comes in and tells me that she got her copy first thing when they opened. I shared with her my previous thought on pre-paying the whole amount and having her get it. She responds that I should have; she wouldn't have minded. Ah, hind-sight.
I got out of work, arranged with my father to meet him at our usual Tuesday night dinner spot since I have to run to the mall. Shouldn't take me long, I told him. Just go in, pick it up, pay the remainder and head back out again. Quick like ninja. Heck, I even found a parking space by the main entrance (which is closest to Gamestop) of the mall. Inside I went, a spring in my step, as I headed into Gamestop. A small line greets me - okay, I tell myself, not a problem - and I peek to look and see if they have the strategy guide (none are out - hrm, hopefully behind the counter!). Tried to not feel jittery as I waited my turn. Why does that guy have to keep talking about some stupid shoot-em-up game, dammit. Go away! I want my Dragon Age 2! Oh good, he went away and I didn't even have to stab him in the face. The next lady was quick - just buying whatever title it was that her kid had begged her for - and off they go. My turn! My Turn!
I stepped up to the counter and gleefully presented my receipt (see?! Right there! Signature Edition! Woot!). The guy took a look at it and said, cheerfully, "Oh! I see you pre-ordered early enough for the signature edition. Good choice!" I preened a bit, I'll admit it, "Free content. Couldn't pass that deal up." He started poking around in various boxes while the other guy took the lady behind me. They finished up and the other guy took another customer. My guy kept poking through boxes and bags. Then went into the back room. Then came out again and poked some more. Then asked the other guy if he'd seen the PC signature edition. The other guy helpfully replied, "It's in the box with the others." You know, the same box my guy has looked through half a dozen times now. "The computer says we've got one copy left," says my guy. Other Guy's helpful response was, "If the computer says we have it, we have it." My Guy looked frustrated - I felt frustrated, so I sympathize a bit, but I'm also on the edge of seething at this point - and asks, "Can you think of anywhere else it might be, because it's not in here." Other Guy was seriously unconcerned, shrugged, and repeated, "If the computer says we have it, we have it."
Not helpful.
Now My Guy started calling around to other Gamestops to see if they have an extra copy they can transfer over. No one has any (of course!) and now his only recourse was to send out an email to the region and see if anyone in the region has an extra and could send it over. My Guy assured me they'd contact me just as soon as they found one and that he's really sorry and the computer says that it's there but they can't find it.
By this point, I feel somewhat like I woke up expecting a tree and presents and the plate of cookies for Santa empty but for crumbs only to come down and be told that Christmas was cancelled due to bad weather. Grumph.
I'm not happy (especially as it's now taken half an hour for what should've been a ten minute transaction - including parking! - and I'm coming away from it empty handed), but I work retail. I understand somethings are not within your control. I nod and leave my cell phone number (which hey, don't you already have seeing as how you /texted/ me?) and go. (Later on, having shared my tale of woe with a wonderful friend, I discover the game gifted to me on my Steam account, so at least I can start playing!)
I heard nothing for a couple of days. Thursday, I decided to stop by on my way home to see if any progress has been made. I get to stand there while we repeat the 'Hey, do we have the DA2 signature edition?' Other Guy (yes, same one) says that they've got plenty. Until the qualifying, "PC?" is tacked on. Other Guy goes, "Oh, that one. We haven't heard back from the email yet." I then get assurance that they will definitely call me as soon as they find one for me. Somewhat bitterly, I commented, "If you find one." And am quickly assured that oh, yes, they will definitely find one.
Time passes. How much time? Sixteen days. Having come to the conclusion that clearly, no one is going to call me, I call Gamestop. Hi, remember me? I preordered Dragon Age 2 from you guys and you totally screwed me? For the PC? Yes, that's the one! (Okay, not really in those words, but that's how I was feeling!) The guy on the phone pokes around some boxes (I can hear him doing it!) and I grit my teeth. I know he's got his hand over the mouthpiece of the phone because, muffled, I can hear him asking the other people in the store about the PC signature edition for Dragon Age 2. And I can hear who, I believe, is Other Guy telling him that the computer says they have it, but it's not there. More teeth gritting ensues. I worry about cracking a molar. The guy on the phone asks if I could hold for a bit. "Sure." I mean, what choice do I have? He's going to call around and see if anyone's got a copy he can transfer to his store. Five minutes later, he comes back and tells me he's found a copy and will pick it up on his way to work the next day and it will be ready for me to pick up when they open. (Well, I work, so /I/ won't be ready to pick it up when they open, but hey, after 4.) The quickness with which this happens tells me that no one's done anything about this since sending that email (which obviously did not result in any responses).
Finally, yesterday, I was able to pick up the physical copy of DA2 signature edition. So at least I've got my extra content. Of course, I've since paid for the Sebastian DLC, so meh on that. And the bazaar came with the Steam version I got as a gift. And I'm probably a fourth or a third of the way through Act 3. And I will definitely not ever be pre-ordering from Gamestop ever again.
And next time they do this 'ooo, get all this lovely free content by pre-ordering by X date' deal, I'm going to just hold out and wait until the pre-order is available on steam, dammit. With or without the extra content.
And now, I'm going to play more DA2.
To document, in case I ever become overwhelmed again by the promise of free content for pre-ordering, the timeline of this Epic Fail and why I will not be pre-ordering anything from Gamestop ever again, we start with January 2nd. This is the day in which I succumbed to the clever marketing ploy of 'pre-order before January 11th or you'll never have this opportunity again!' and put down some money towards a game that wouldn't even be available for three more months. But I did, because hey! Free DLC plus other goodies. I want that. And because Dragon Age: Origins was the first computer game I actually completed since The Longest Journey. And the first that I'd started another play through on since... well, honestly? I can't remember since when! Quite possibly since something played on my Commodore 64 (Moonmist, I'm looking at you).
So, down goes my money and off I go home, excitedly anticipating Dragon Age 2 and my free goodies and oooo, won't this be fun!
Fast forward to March 6th. I've been anticipating the game pretty hard since the first of March, really. (Though the Rift beta in February and launch on the first served to keep me from jonesing /too/ badly.) On the sixth, I get a text message from Gamestop (Did I give them my cell phone number? Huh. I guess I must have, though I!) reminding me that my pre-order would be available Tuesday AM for Dragon Age 2! I get even more excited! Heck, while I'm at the mall that weekend, I seriously contemplated paying off the rest of the amount and seeing if one of the girls at work, who I knew would be going early in the day to get her copy, would pick up mine as well - since I wouldn't be able to go until after 4PM. But then I decided not to, because it felt presumptuous to do something like that without asking the other person first and anyway, it wouldn't kill me to wait until after 4pm to pick it up, since I wouldn't be able to play it that night anyway. Ah, hind-sight. The way you inspire me to kick myself repeatedly.
March 8th dawns and I hope out of bed as giddy as a little kid on Christmas. Ooooo! Dragon Age 2 Day! Woo hoo! Can't wait can't wait can't wait. That's the mantra going on through the whole day. The girl from work comes in and tells me that she got her copy first thing when they opened. I shared with her my previous thought on pre-paying the whole amount and having her get it. She responds that I should have; she wouldn't have minded. Ah, hind-sight.
I got out of work, arranged with my father to meet him at our usual Tuesday night dinner spot since I have to run to the mall. Shouldn't take me long, I told him. Just go in, pick it up, pay the remainder and head back out again. Quick like ninja. Heck, I even found a parking space by the main entrance (which is closest to Gamestop) of the mall. Inside I went, a spring in my step, as I headed into Gamestop. A small line greets me - okay, I tell myself, not a problem - and I peek to look and see if they have the strategy guide (none are out - hrm, hopefully behind the counter!). Tried to not feel jittery as I waited my turn. Why does that guy have to keep talking about some stupid shoot-em-up game, dammit. Go away! I want my Dragon Age 2! Oh good, he went away and I didn't even have to stab him in the face. The next lady was quick - just buying whatever title it was that her kid had begged her for - and off they go. My turn! My Turn!
I stepped up to the counter and gleefully presented my receipt (see?! Right there! Signature Edition! Woot!). The guy took a look at it and said, cheerfully, "Oh! I see you pre-ordered early enough for the signature edition. Good choice!" I preened a bit, I'll admit it, "Free content. Couldn't pass that deal up." He started poking around in various boxes while the other guy took the lady behind me. They finished up and the other guy took another customer. My guy kept poking through boxes and bags. Then went into the back room. Then came out again and poked some more. Then asked the other guy if he'd seen the PC signature edition. The other guy helpfully replied, "It's in the box with the others." You know, the same box my guy has looked through half a dozen times now. "The computer says we've got one copy left," says my guy. Other Guy's helpful response was, "If the computer says we have it, we have it." My Guy looked frustrated - I felt frustrated, so I sympathize a bit, but I'm also on the edge of seething at this point - and asks, "Can you think of anywhere else it might be, because it's not in here." Other Guy was seriously unconcerned, shrugged, and repeated, "If the computer says we have it, we have it."
Not helpful.
Now My Guy started calling around to other Gamestops to see if they have an extra copy they can transfer over. No one has any (of course!) and now his only recourse was to send out an email to the region and see if anyone in the region has an extra and could send it over. My Guy assured me they'd contact me just as soon as they found one and that he's really sorry and the computer says that it's there but they can't find it.
By this point, I feel somewhat like I woke up expecting a tree and presents and the plate of cookies for Santa empty but for crumbs only to come down and be told that Christmas was cancelled due to bad weather. Grumph.
I'm not happy (especially as it's now taken half an hour for what should've been a ten minute transaction - including parking! - and I'm coming away from it empty handed), but I work retail. I understand somethings are not within your control. I nod and leave my cell phone number (which hey, don't you already have seeing as how you /texted/ me?) and go. (Later on, having shared my tale of woe with a wonderful friend, I discover the game gifted to me on my Steam account, so at least I can start playing!)
I heard nothing for a couple of days. Thursday, I decided to stop by on my way home to see if any progress has been made. I get to stand there while we repeat the 'Hey, do we have the DA2 signature edition?' Other Guy (yes, same one) says that they've got plenty. Until the qualifying, "PC?" is tacked on. Other Guy goes, "Oh, that one. We haven't heard back from the email yet." I then get assurance that they will definitely call me as soon as they find one for me. Somewhat bitterly, I commented, "If you find one." And am quickly assured that oh, yes, they will definitely find one.
Time passes. How much time? Sixteen days. Having come to the conclusion that clearly, no one is going to call me, I call Gamestop. Hi, remember me? I preordered Dragon Age 2 from you guys and you totally screwed me? For the PC? Yes, that's the one! (Okay, not really in those words, but that's how I was feeling!) The guy on the phone pokes around some boxes (I can hear him doing it!) and I grit my teeth. I know he's got his hand over the mouthpiece of the phone because, muffled, I can hear him asking the other people in the store about the PC signature edition for Dragon Age 2. And I can hear who, I believe, is Other Guy telling him that the computer says they have it, but it's not there. More teeth gritting ensues. I worry about cracking a molar. The guy on the phone asks if I could hold for a bit. "Sure." I mean, what choice do I have? He's going to call around and see if anyone's got a copy he can transfer to his store. Five minutes later, he comes back and tells me he's found a copy and will pick it up on his way to work the next day and it will be ready for me to pick up when they open. (Well, I work, so /I/ won't be ready to pick it up when they open, but hey, after 4.) The quickness with which this happens tells me that no one's done anything about this since sending that email (which obviously did not result in any responses).
Finally, yesterday, I was able to pick up the physical copy of DA2 signature edition. So at least I've got my extra content. Of course, I've since paid for the Sebastian DLC, so meh on that. And the bazaar came with the Steam version I got as a gift. And I'm probably a fourth or a third of the way through Act 3. And I will definitely not ever be pre-ordering from Gamestop ever again.
And next time they do this 'ooo, get all this lovely free content by pre-ordering by X date' deal, I'm going to just hold out and wait until the pre-order is available on steam, dammit. With or without the extra content.
And now, I'm going to play more DA2.