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
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
