D&D 4E Ordering 4ed - shipping question

[Mercurius]

I'm not sure if this is appropriate to this forum, but it does pertain to 4ed. When ordering from Amazon or any other online shop, do they ship before the release date so that you might get it on the release date or do they always wait until after? In other words, will Amazon ship it so that I get it on, or just after, the release date (the 6th) or do they really wait until the release date or later to ship, so that it might take up to a week to get it?

 

[Thasmodious]

They tend to, but their shipping focus is on not breaking street date. So if you choose normal shipping methods that are listed as 3-7 days or the like, there is only a small chance it will arrive on Friday. If you pay for 2 day shipping, in all likelihood it will, as they will have a consistent timetable for shipping it for that arrival date.

Right now, Amazon has a special offer where you can get a month free trial of Amazon Prime (which includes free two day shipping on all orders) which might well insure you get your books on the 6th. Just don't forget to cancel the trial within the trial period if you don't want to pay the $80 a year. I've had Prime for 3 years now, but I use Amazon for just about everything. I make up that cost around Christmas alone.

 

[Mercurius]

I've already used up my Amazon Prime trial a year or two ago and they won't let me re-up it, even when I set up a new log-in

I'll probably just get the free "super saver" shipping, because I haven't noticed a huge difference between that and standard, and I can always go browse the books at a local store if I can't wait.

 

[Scott_Rouse]

As long as you get the package on June 6th they haven't broken street date.

Order and plan shipping accordingly

 

[MindWanderer]

I consistently get stuff from Amazon a little earlier than they say I should. I'm cautiously optimistic. On the other hand, it baffles me completely that they say they won't even ship it until June 10.

 

[Sojorn]

I consistently get stuff from Amazon a little earlier than they say I should. I'm cautiously optimistic. On the other hand, it baffles me completely that they say they won't even ship it until June 10.

That's just how super saver works. They give those orders a lower priority, so they give it generous lead time over shipping when you actually pay for it.

Doesn't mean that they will refuse to ship it if they have the time, just means they reserve the right to put it off longer.

 

[Vanuslux]

I just put in my pre-order for the gift set...which is funny, since it's basically a birthday present to myself...at Amazon and did the trial of Amazon Prime for 2 day shipping and it's giving me a delivery date of June 10th.