If your order contains at least one pre-ordered product ("Pre-order" tag on its label), then it is shipped on the date specified on the product (usually the following Saturday).
How can I be sure to receive my product on the day it is released?
To be sure that your order will be dispatched on the day it is released, you should only order products that have the "In stock" tag on their labels or in your basket after you have added them (even pre-ordered products).
Pre-order and available stock
Games Workshop confirms a pre-stock for each pre-ordered product. This is a guaranteed stock but we will only receive it on the day of the official release of the product. If a pre-order product is labelled "in stock" at the time of your purchase, it is part of this batch and you are sure to receive it on the day of its release.
Pre-ordered products that do not have the "In stock" label must be ordered from Games Workshop and we will receive them within about 15 days after your purchase (subject to availability at Games Workshop), delaying its shipment accordingly.
Pre-orders and out-of-stock items
It happens regularly that even a pre-ordered product is already out of stock at Games Workshop. If you pre-order a product that does not have the "In stock" label, you may not receive it right away. You will then be notified by email if the product is temporarily or permanently out of stock and can contact us to cancel the product if you wish.
If you are in a hurry and absolutely want to receive your product the day it is released, prefer to order only products with the "In stock" tag (even pre-ordered products).
Queuing for pre-orders
During major releases, when our server may be under heavy pressure, we set up a queuing system to avoid any crashing of the site and the consequences that could ensue (orders not validated despite payment having been made, quantities sold exceeding available stock, etc.). As soon as you log on to the site, you enter a virtual queue before you can enter. Please note that this system does not guarantee the availability of the product you are looking for, but only allows you to access a site that will function normally, without any major slowdowns or technical bugs.
Reservation system for products in limited quantities
When stocks are limited by the supplier, or when there is a large demand, we set up a reservation system. Once you have placed a pre-ordered product in your basket, it is reserved for you for 10 minutes. The product is then taken out of stock and displayed as ‘Unavailable’ to other customers. You then have 10 minutes to place your order and we guarantee the availability of the product. After this time, the product is removed from your basket and made available again to another customer.
What does the "reserved" sign mean on a pre-ordered product?
A product displaying the "Reserved" or "Not available" sign means that all available stock has already been reserved for other customers who have already put it in their basket (see the reservation system described above). Once the countdown has finished, if the product is available again (for example, another customer has put it in their basket but hasn't placed an order after 10 minutes), you can add it to your basket.