Still waiting (UK)

Can I get any news on when my pre-order is meant to arrive, or a tracking number for FedEx or something?  My FLGS got a bunch in yesterday, and I could have just bought the game and promos from them (at a cheaper cost) rather than wait if I had of known.  I think it's a bit odd that the store owner, who didn't pre-order, has received several copies of them and I, who pre-ordered, haven't received mine yet.  

I know, some people won't be sympathetic, but this has seriously put me off doing another pre-order with GtG.  I paid so much for shipping to place my pre-order and support you guys, next time I'll just go through my FLGS and get it sooner, and cheaper.

Sorry for the ranty nature of this post, I know they've had shipping issues, I would just like an explaination as to why several copies made it 10 minutes from my house but not to me.

Same question here, in France. My FLGS's site  anounced its arrival a few days ago for the 28, and they now tell me that it's in stock. I'd like to at least know if my order is or not on its way...

Edit : I like >G, it's not a "bad company !" rant - I just would like to know what's happening , or not.

The issue with this pre-order is specific to >G finding a solution to the sky-high cost of ditribution direct to European consumers, and to the delays caused by the French government in providing a VAT number for that operation. In contrast, shipping to distributors is a tried and tested process which allowed the stores to get them earlier.

While I understand the annoyance as I'm still waiting for my preorder to arrive as well, there are unusual circumstances to this pre-order. previous orders have not had this happen, and I doubt future ones will, either. An occasional aberation during a small company's growth is to be expected, however irritating and unfortunate it is.

If in doubt, though, place the blame with Ronway, as is traditional, or with the French Government, as is more accurate. Of course, it's your right to order direct from your local games store in future, but I would be surprised if that resulted in an earlier arrival of Villains of the Multiverse.

In the email Paul sent two weeks ago he stated "I anticipate sending your orders within the next two weeks".

Well, its now been two weeks, so whats happening?  We need a new ETA.  I dont think its too much to ask, especially with the sales for the *next* expansion taking centre stage.

UK game stores now have it with the promo cards?? They were the special exclusive for pre-ordering and for regular shops to have them (especially before preorder customers) then thats bang out of order I'm afraid and has really disappointed me.  

I am on the verge of cancelling and getting a refund to be honest.  I dont want to as I *really* want to support >G, but if I can order from a shop and have it delivered within the week, for much less money then why the hell wouldn't I?

I suspect it's the mini-expansions and not the promos that the store is stocking. One of my friends bought their copy from a FLGS with Omni (Guise and WM were sold out) but made no mention of promos.

If thats the case then fair enough and I take back some of my miffed-ness. The mini-expansions are not a "special" thing like the promos are.

It would be nice to have an update as to where >G are with acquiring the VAT number. Also, if it is still nowhere near resolving, if there is a cut off point where they are going to cut their losses and just use the old methods to get our stuff to us. I know that they have previously shipped at a loss to international customers so I don't expect them to do so again when they are tantalisingly close to having this new channel open, but there must be a point where service and reputation need to be considered ahead of cost?

Still strugglin’, survival’s got me buggin’

In an attempt to prevent those of you in the Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire area going completely crazy, I could take my copy to Shire Games for people to play with this Saturday.

PM me if you can go and want details and I'll see what I can manage.

You might win the prize for living closest to me.

Also, add me to the list of people who'd like an update. Even if it's only "still no news".

Unfortunately, no real news yet. HOWEVER! We have been conducing daily meetings with FedEx higher-ups about Making This Work Now Dammit, and they're highly motivated to take care of this, ASAP.

Also, for the rest of the shipments for this year, we're going to be shipping EU first. I realize that doesn't help a lot with the current situation, but it's something we're going to do, nonetheless.

If for no other reason than to not have to be in daily meetings about it…

If you can get there and want to go contact me, the only reason for the stoke-on-Trent/staffordshire thing was to clarify the area.

Plus it saves me another Saturday sat at home.

I think this point is getting very close.  Use the same method that was used to ship thie stores thier copies, which they have got and are selling, and get the product to the loyal preorder-ers.  At what point do you just give up with FedEx?  They obviously can't handle the job if its taken "months" to get a single piece of paperwork.  I have no faith in this distribution centre in France AT ALL any more.

Yeah, that's not physically possible. You cannot use distributors to send games to individual customers, because that is not how distributors work.

As for the general idea of 'cutting their losses' and shipping the games out in the way they used to do it, I disagree. By the sounds of things, they're fairly close to getting it sorted, and I'd rather wait a little longer and not have my favourite games company take a huge loss on shipping and have them have sorted out a quicker and cheaper method of international shipping for the future.

While I agree with the "trying to be patient while GtG sorts out a quicker and cheaper method of international shipping for the future", I do not think GtG would take a huge loss on shipping these expansions the 'classic' way as we have paid for the 'classic' shipping method and not for the 'cheaper method' that is now being trialled. Please correct me if I'm wrong on this.

The thing to bear in mind is that they have always made a loss in international shipping as they have basically been subsidising the cost to some degree. This new shipping method ought to be win:win when it is up and running, the shipping on Villains is already much cheaper in anticipation of this change.

However, I have to disagree with my cerulean friend in that I don't think we look anywhere close to a resolution as "end of next week" is a beaurocratic euphemism for "ehh, it's probably on somebodies desk somewhere". If it isn't this week then I'm not bothered, neither will I mind if it's not next week either, or probably even if we have to wait longer still. But it is a problem for a lot of other people out there, and if it's still an issue in a couple of weeks time then I personally think it might be wise for >G to consider the position it leaves them in as this extends beyond the generally sympathetic population we have in these forums.

This was my understanding also.  I obviously don't want >G to lose money, but at the same time i want what was paid for.  And that was a game, shipped to me (not inexplicably to France), before general release as a preorder.  The last bit is moot now, these things happen, but to know that our stuff is still sat there in a warehouse not moving for months is pretty damn frustrating.

Please don't mistake this frustration for dickishness.  I'm not being antagonistic for the fun of it and I sure as hell don't enjoy it, but I feel we EU folks do have a legitimate gripe here.

Yeah, it's kind of annoying, but I eliase it's not >G's fault, it's whatever stupid French guy decided not to bother sorting out the VAT number thingy. Still, I feel like I can't really complain too much as at least I've had access to the new decks (in playtester form) when I go to the monthly London meet-up thingy, which is more than I think most other EU people have had (I'm not sure who else in this part of the world is a playtester).

It's just a matter of continuing to sit around and wait it out, I suppose. And know that eventually we'll get our stuff. When those French guys (or whomever it is) finally get their arses into gear :P.

What bugs me is that I paid 40$ shipping but still have no game in sight - while if I had not pre-ordered, I would have the game right now, and for much less money, as I live right by my FLGS, only missing the promo cards.

I don't blame Greater Than Games, but I feel like I paid more money for having less than if I had been less enthusiastic.

Well. Hopefully, we'll see WotC coming our ways before the new pre-order is closed :D

Don't worry, I don't think we attract that sort of crowd around here  I think it's perfectly fine to vent your frustration, we're all annoyed but we just happen to be super nice people who don't want to push >G into a more awkward position than they are currently in, or cause them to lose a lot of money just for the sake of us avoiding a little delayed gratification. The delays are no worse than the problem they had ages ago with the typhoon delaying the Kickstarter, stuff happens. Annoyed? Yes. Broken? No.

The difference here being stuff is already available at retail, which pretty much runs counter to the entire point of a pre-order.
If there’s a prominent delay between being available in shops and what we’re waiting on then I think it is a perfectly legitimate request for other shipping options to be considered, after all its not like our shipping costs have been cheap.
In regards to the comments about >G making a loss on international shipping, I thought that only referred to previous kickstarters and not to their own pre order? I’m fairly sure we’ve covered cost for this.

Personally for me frustration comes from having bought a copy for a friend and wanting it to be a nice surprise, which has been ruined by now having to tell him not to buy it at the shops.

What constitutes a prominent delay then? It's only been in stores for literally two days. If they get the VAT number through in the next few days and ship out then it doesn't really matter. If we're still hanging on another couple of weeks down the line, then I agree that it would be getting a bit too much.

Regarding shipping prices, even  though they will have a better rate as a business the costs to ship from 'murica to the UK are eye wateringly expensive. They did increase the cost after they got their fingers burnt on the first KS but I believe they were still claiming a loss through subsidies. Might be I'm wrong about it, but if they can ship internationally for exactly what they charged then they must have a massive discount rate going on there! I don't blame them for trying something new and cheaper, but like I mentioned way up the thread there must be a tipping point where they have to write the endeavour off on this occasion; I just don't think we've reached that point yet. In any case, I totally support people venting if they are upset about the situation, I might not be particularly bothered but I know a lot of others are.

I must admit im also confused about the better shipping rate they are saying about for non-Us folks.

When I ordered WOTC, I paid $30 shipping for a $20 game.  The preorder Ive just placed for Villains\oversized cards (to show support and to show I believe in second chances!) I've had to pay $37 shipping for $45 of game.  I'm guessing the Villains box must be substantially heavier than WOTC to warrant the cost. At least its less than the cost of the game itself but "special shipping rate" isn't the wording I would advertise when it's much more expensive than last time.

I think Im done being a drag now, things are what they are.  Am I disappointed in the way this has been strung out and handled?  Yes, extremely. But I'm also more than willing to stay on board the >G-Train.

But honestly, if it wasnt for the few promo bits, I'd be buying the game at a game store.  Stoopid shiny promo cards. ;)

Ya know what, I think Im going to have a 5 v 5 Venegance game tonight, just to clear the air. Any team suggestions? :D

Freedom Six, just to stomp them massively into the ground and laugh maniacally.

6v5 isn't fair.

Your face isn't fair! 

True, but how is that relevant?

Erm, something something Wrathful Gaze? 

Im all in favour of one sided, unfair battles! Freedom six vs lone Ambuscade it is ;)