Silently yesterday Games Workshop returned a more aggressive queue to their webstore that looks to be targeted at scalpers…
Remember the Queue from last year when GW re-opened their webstore after locking down the first time? Well, it is back, and it looks designed to give the maximum number of hobbyists the chance to get the limited edition items they want, while simultaneously thwarting scalpers.
GW has been mum the latest iteration of this website feature, so let’s first go back to last year when they rolled out something similar, for a brief explanation.
The queue is set up so access will be on a first come, first served basis and will appear as a holding page that will let you know how long your wait will likely be. It’ll remember your place too, so you can wander off to brew yourself a nice cup of recaff, take a wander around your living room or count your paints… and your place in the queue will remain secure.
From this explanation last year, it appears the new queue is a bit more aggressive, however, it only appears to be in place during certain time periods thus far- thankfully.
Once your turn comes, you’ll have as long as you need to browse the site and get through the checkout. So long as you’re active on the site, you can stay as long as you want. If, however, you wander off from the site for over 30 minutes, you’ll need to rejoin the queue to kick-off a new session. Likewise, if you just sit there for more than 30 minutes doing nothing at all, like a sunbathing Slann Starmaster on a lazy Sunday, you’ll also need to rejoin the queue.
Due to expected high demand for certain things, we will be limiting sales of some items to 3 per order. This is to make sure that everyone can get hold of the essentials they need.
When they opened back up from quarantine the first time this seemed pretty smart, and now they appear to be doing something similar for new release days as well.
Games Workshop Attacks Scalpers With Return of the Queue
Right around the time Hobbyists in North America went to order the new Pre-Releases for the Gaunt’s Ghosts limited edition items and new Plastics, they were greeted with this screen:
No matter if you were just trying to check a price, or look up a paint recipe, the Queue seemed to trap all access to the site to a 10-minute bubble in time.
We were actually on their site when various other countries’ new releases went on pre-order officially. and the US was the only time period that received this queue that we noticed. Perhaps that is “a tell” as to how much business GW is actually doing in the US overall.
Regardless the queue could be welcome news for hobbyists who tend to miss out on limited releases and have to buy from scalpers on the secondary market.
Only time will tell if the Queue makes a return this Saturday when Pre-Orders for Age of Sigmar’s Dominion box are set go live, or perhaps for the new Orks Beastsnaggas Army box that is rumored to follow…
Either way, if you miss out on anything there are still a few ways to buy the Warhammer kits you need to fuel your hobby! Read More
Ways to Buy Warhammer Kits When GW is Sold Out
Will you try to order from GW’s online webstore now?
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About the Author: Rob Baer
