CoolStuffInc Preorders

[kempokid 868]

I was thinking about preordering the Saw's Renegades and Reaper through CoolStuffInc. I've never preordered from them. Do they deliver the product on the release day? Or do local stores get it before CoolStuffInc can process their orders?

I may still end up going through my FLGS like I usually do. I just wanted to know about the preorder process since I've never done it.

[Skitch_ 578]

14 minutes ago, jwilliamson12 said:

I was thinking about preordering the Saw's Renegades and Reaper through CoolStuffInc. I've never preordered from them. Do they deliver the product on the release day? Or do local stores get it before CoolStuffInc can process their orders?

I may still end up going through my FLGS like I usually do. I just wanted to know about the preorder process since I've never done it.

It is a good question but I always look at the cost difference.  Is the cost through CoolStuffInc + shipping significantly lower than your FLGS?  If not I would say support your FLGS. 

All I can say is that I was about to pre-order a different game through CoolStuffInc and then I saw the shipping which put my total cost at or above retail.  Then I took into account the small possibility that there might be some sort of shipping issue getting it to me... compared to picking it up locally and supporting local small business.

Then I found a new FLGS that sells things at the same discount as CoolStuffInc and that's all she wrote.  Maybe I am just spoiled that way.

[xanderf 6,625]

Have pre-ordered through them frequently (no FLGS here on the Oregon coast that stocks X-Wing).  They ship on launch day, via slowest-post-possible if you go for the free shipping option (orders over $100), so it usually takes 2 weeks or so to get it.  They are cheap, especially if you've bought a lot from them (up to an extra 5% off if you get to level 9 in their loyalty program) and are interested in enough other games to hit the free shipping threshold, but they are definitely slow.

[kempokid 868]

1 minute ago, Skitchx said:

It is a good question but I always look at the cost difference.  Is the cost through CoolStuffInc + shipping significantly lower than your FLGS?  If not I would say support your FLGS. 

All I can say is that I was about to pre-order a different game through CoolStuffInc and then I saw the shipping which put my total cost at or above retail.  Then I took into account the small possibility that there might be some sort of shipping issue getting it to me... compared to picking it up locally and supporting local small business.

Then I found a new FLGS that sells things at the same discount as CoolStuffInc and that's all she wrote.  Maybe I am just spoiled that way.

 

It's not as much a pricing thing as much as a convenience thing. I like supporting my FLGS as much as I can. I just a) want to know what all my options are and b) make sure I get the stuff on release day. 

There have been a few times where I haven't been able to get to the store for a week or so after a release. I'm curious if the preorder puts it on my doorstep day of. Also, there's been a few times where my FLGS sells out of stuff before I can get there (though more recently they've set aside some things in advance).

Again, I love supporting the local stores. Just want to know what to expect should I do a preorder online.

[ScummyRebel 4,593]

I don’t know too much but I can guarantee you won’t get it on launch day.

That doesn’t bother me, especially with how I won’t be available for games when 2.0 drops. Darn commitments

[EvilEwok83 65]

I've had good luck with Coolstuff, but if you are west of the Mississippi then shipping time definitely becomes a factor.  Miniature Market is in St. Louis and similarly priced, and stuff gets to me alittle quicker.   Still not on release day.  

[papy72 491]

CoolStuff pro for me: I live close to them so shipping is fast.

CoolStuff con for me: I live close to them so I pay state sales taxes.

[Maizrim 28]

CoolStuff will ship on release day - usually not sending you your shipping information until after 8pm many times. If you upgrade to FedEx Ground, you'll get it usually in 2-3 days depending on your location. If you go with Free Shipping (or flat rate shipping) you'll get FedEx SmartPost, and that can take a full week sometimes to arrive.

That's coming from a group that has hit Level 9 at CoolStuff (our FLGS stopped selling the games we play years ago, including X Wing)  You do get your discount on X Wing too, unlike some other miniatures games... so you have to weigh the cons. You might also get free upgrade to FedEx Ground if you order things that weigh enough - if you order one of each Conversion Kit and one Core Set, you will have enough for free upgrade. (to the 2-3 day shipping)

[Icelom 3,385]

You can always ask your local FLGS if they will price match, mine does. It does not have to anymore as its prices are lower than anywhere else when the online guys used to get big discounts the store would price match them np, they would rather make less profit on an item then no profit and lose you coming into the store in most cases.