D&D 5E Pre-Ordering 5E on Amazon - Help Needed

[Olaf the Stout]

Ok, I’m pre-ordering the PHB, DMG, MM, Starter Set and Hoard of the Dragon Queen on Amazon (with multiple copies of most items as it’s a group order for my gaming group). I’m in Australia, so I want to minimise shipping costs, but at the same time, get my stuff as soon as possible.

Ideally I want each items to ship on its release day. So that means the Starter Set, MM and DMG all ship by themselves, but the PHB and Hoard of the Dragon Queen can ship together (since they are released on the same day).

If I select “ship each item as soon as they become available” will the PHB and Hoard of the Dragon Queen ship together in the one package (since they are released on the same day)? Or will they still ship separately?

Similarly, if I order 3 of a single item (such as the MM), does that guarantee that all 3 copies will ship together?

 

[samursus]

I had to do a similar analysis on the same issue. I figured out its best to place separate orders for EACH different release date using "Ship as fast" and then click "ship this order in as few shipments as possible" for the combined PHB, Hoard of the Dragon Queen order in Aug... and the MM and Rise of Tiamat in Oct (waiting an extra week or so to save shipping), respectively.

Fortunately for me, I get free shipping over $25 so its not a big issue, but I imagine could be a big deal for you.

As far as getting multiple copies, I think there is a bit of a gamble involved. In the past Amazon has done some weird things with shipping to me. Many times items have been shipped before their release date (I am not complaining ) and split non pre-order orders, for no apparent reason, into 2 different packages yet not charging me more for shipping.

Good luck!

 

[Shadimar]

Ok, I’m pre-ordering the PHB, DMG, MM, Starter Set and Hoard of the Dragon Queen on Amazon (with multiple copies of most items as it’s a group order for my gaming group). I’m in Australia, so I want to minimise shipping costs, but at the same time, get my stuff as soon as possible.

Ideally I want each items to ship on its release day. So that means the Starter Set, MM and DMG all ship by themselves, but the PHB and Hoard of the Dragon Queen can ship together (since they are released on the same day).

If I select “ship each item as soon as they become available” will the PHB and Hoard of the Dragon Queen ship together in the one package (since they are released on the same day)? Or will they still ship separately?

Similarly, if I order 3 of a single item (such as the MM), does that guarantee that all 3 copies will ship together?

Last I looked at this (I'm in Australia too, but I found an Australian retailer with a reasonable price (Melbourne based). As Amazon don't get the books till the release date and then ship from there. Whereas Australian stores SHOULD have the books for the release date.)

The option you have selected will mean that PHB and Hoard should be posted together and the Monster Manuals should be posted together. But the magic word is should

There is the option to minimise shipping - but I think that would result in the PHB/Hoard and Monster Manuals all being shipped together, then RISE/DMG being shipped together.

Ahh looks like Samursus has beaten me.

 

[The Hitcher]

I'm also in Australia and ordered from Amazon. I found the opposite to samurus - the total price was $10 or so lower when I threw everything into one big order (as opposed to five orders). I've got "ship in fewest shipments" selected, but it still seems to be telling me that the order will be shipped in five batches, presumably due to the five separate release dates.

 

[Olaf the Stout]

Last I looked at this (I'm in Australia too, but I found an Australian retailer with a reasonable price (Melbourne based). As Amazon don't get the books till the release date and then ship from there. Whereas Australian stores SHOULD have the books for the release date.)

The option you have selected will mean that PHB and Hoard should be posted together and the Monster Manuals should be posted together. But the magic word is should

There is the option to minimise shipping - but I think that would result in the PHB/Hoard and Monster Manuals all being shipped together, then RISE/DMG being shipped together.

Ahh looks like Samursus has beaten me.

MilSims I'm guessing?

I found that with shipping costs added in, they will still be more expensive than Amazon, even with separate shipping for each item as you pay $7.50 per shipment. So (and I could be wrong) you would pay $7.50 shipping for the Starter Set, $7.50 for the PHB and Hoard of the Dragon Queen, $7.50 for the MM and $7.50 for the DMG.

Yes, you're paying $4.99 USD shipment from Amazon and then $5.49 USD per item, which is more than MilSims. However, Amazon are selling the books for much cheaper than MilSims.

On top of that, I'm not sure I trust MilSims to ship orders out on the day of release. My customer service experience with them lately hasn't been great. At least I know Amazon should ship on the day of release and only take around a week to get to me in Australia.

 

[Shadimar]

Just tried the experiment for ordering the complete collection (5 items)

With fewest shipments (3) - Total was $175US(I think Amazon only displays US currency) - so $190AU
With fatest times - Total was $194.5 - so $215AU

Or supportling FLGS - $220AU but I get everything day of release. -

Olaf - Yes local prices are Milsims. But seeing I'm Melbourne based , I'd make the trek out to their store and save on the delivery costs.

 

[The Hitcher]

Shadimar

Just tried the experiment for ordering the complete collection (5 items)

With fewest shipments (3) - Total was $175US(I think Amazon only displays US currency) - so $190AU
With fatest times - Total was $194.5 - so $215AU​

Ah, I just noticed you guys aren't including Rise of Tiamat. For all six, it's telling me US$192.64 and five shipments minimum. Weird that it's grouping yours into three batches rather than four.

Note that I put in my my order a couple of weeks back, so prices may have fluctuated since then.

Edit: Also note that I chose the cheapest shipping option.

 

[Shadimar]

Ah, I just noticed you guys aren't including Rise of Tiamat. For all six, it's telling me US$192.64 and five shipments minimum. Weird that it's grouping yours into three batches rather than four.

Note that I put in my my order a couple of weeks back, so prices may have fluctuated since then.

Ahh looks like I'd removed the Starter set at some point from my Amazon cart. Possibly because I was going to get the Starter local, and then wait for the rest from Amazon.

So yes Hitcher 192.64US is correct... so $211AU, so would only be saving $9 by going with Amazon and a trip out to Milsims (Comes down to the hassle of that trip I guess and how much value I put on my time)

 

[Olaf the Stout]

Just tried the experiment for ordering the complete collection (5 items)

With fewest shipments (3) - Total was $175US(I think Amazon only displays US currency) - so $190AU
With fatest times - Total was $194.5 - so $215AU

Or supportling FLGS - $220AU but I get everything day of release. -

Olaf - Yes local prices are Milsims. But seeing I'm Melbourne based , I'd make the trek out to their store and save on the delivery costs.

Ah, if you can travel to MilSims then that is definitely your best option. I'd probably do that if I could as well (SA-based, so not an option).

 

[jbear]

If you are buying books online, you need to keep an eye on thebookdepository.com

It does not have a pre-order for these books (although Tyranny of Dragons is listed just not available for pre order; didn't look any further for the other ones), but it is FREE international shipping (including Australia I am sure as I live in NZ and this is where we buy all our books for the free shipping).