For someone who’s not going to Gencon, what will be the best way to buy the core set once it is available?

I plan to get at least one copy from my local game store (preordered if possible).

But for the other two -- I want to get them as early as I can.

In general, do online preorders arrive earlier or later than in-store preorders?

My gamestore is in the continental US, east coast.

I think online pre-orders are later than in-store, since there's the extra step in shipping it to you. If you live especially close to your game store, you can get it the same day your store gets it by going over there and picking it up.

Depends on which store you buy from. Some online stores will ship before the release date if they get it before the release but then you still have shipping time.

Some brick and mortar stores only get delivery from distributors 1-2 times a week but some will make a special trip to go pick up a hot new game as soon as the distributor has them.

So, no good answer for you. Really depends from store to store regardless if online or not.

Before I had a local store I pre-order all my stuff on Amazon and I have prime so the items shipped the day Amazon received them and they are delivered in two days.

With all that said, I would encourage everyone to buy from your local game shop where you plan to play. A shop won't stock games that people won't buy from them and are unlikely to support OP if they don't sell the game.

11 minutes ago, SlackerHacker said:

With all that said, I would encourage everyone to buy from your local game shop where you plan to play. A shop won't stock games that people won't buy from them and are unlikely to support OP if they don't sell the game.

This. If the game is important enough to you that you need it immediately, it must also be important to you that it thrives in your area, and the first step toward making that a reality is to buy from your FLGS.

I pre-ordered from Team Covenant. But that's just me.

Speak to your FLGS - they may offer a discount if you buy three copies.

My FLGS is offering discounts if you buy 3 and a subscription service at no charge. Put your name on the list and 1 of every card product (mats, books, etc, will not be forced on you) will automatically be preordered and held for you to pick up when released. They also offer yearly loyalty programs where the more money you spend in 2017, the bigger discount you get on all purchases in 2018

We will also be having a launch party. Everyone comes down on the afternoon of release day to open and discuss together and get in our first plays.

2 hours ago, Builder2 said:

This. If the game is important enough to you that you need it immediately, it must also be important to you that it thrives in your area, and the first step toward making that a reality is to buy from your FLGS.

I keep typing angry replies to this post and deleting them.

Dont respond angry, it will do no-one any favours..

12 minutes ago, Kakita Shijin said:

I keep typing angry replies to this post and deleting them.

Not sure what was said that would prompt an angry response.

12 minutes ago, SlackerHacker said:

Not sure what was said that would prompt an angry response.

In his opening, he said he was definitely buying one from his FLGS. Then you go on to chide him for not shopping at his FLGS.

5 minutes ago, Kakita Shiro said:

In his opening, he said he was definitely buying one from his FLGS. Then you go on to chide him for not shopping at his FLGS.

I chided nobody, just stated it is better to buy locally because what's good for the FLGS is good for L5R.

Nobody said not to buy online or said how terrible it would be if he did. I just think buying all three locally benefits the local L5R community more.

However, he can do whatever he wants. Not sure why everything people don't agree with has to result in being offended.

Buy all three local.

No worries @SlackerHacker, your statement was well put and I agree.

Buy from Local game store. Amazon will never host tournaments or provide playspace. FFG will provide tourneys but need to have local shop host. Most shops will offer a discount for pre-order. Every store I have ever known needs every single dollar it lay hands on just to keep the lights on

3 hours ago, Perverseness said:

Buy from Local game store. Amazon will never host tournaments or provide playspace. FFG will provide tourneys but need to have local shop host. Most shops will offer a discount for pre-order. Every store I have ever known needs every single dollar it lay hands on just to keep the lights on

My thread title seems to have invited a lot of this. You're not wrong, it's just not at all what I was asking about.

Really starting to wish I had the Ide's roll-to-avoid-offending-someone talent on this forum.

FFG now has an on sale date. No pre-order can be shipped from any retailer before this date. That means that you can pick up from your FLGS on the same day that any retailer, B&M or online, can release boxes to any career to be sent to a customer.

There is no way, officially, to receive your product earlier.

Also the wholesale price offered for B&M sales is lower than the wholesale price offered for online sales. Theoretically a B&M is making more profit but B&Ms have much more overhead so it comes out a bit even.

8 minutes ago, Tekwych said:

FFG now has an on sale date.

Is this a new policy?

26 minutes ago, Kakita Shijin said:

Is this a new policy?

Since the Asmodee takeover.

10 minutes ago, Kakita Shiro said:

Since the Asmodee takeover.

That's very good news

OK, for a moment I thought you were talking to yourself. Ned more Avatars, or custom Avatars.

Yes, Asmodee North America (ANA) has chosen to make all companies that buy direct from them, retailers, (wholesalers and wholesalers who masquerade as online retailers) sign new agreements to maintain their accounts with all the ANA studios (Days of Wonder, Asmodee, FFG, Plaid Hat, Z-Man) The new contracts require you to register either as B&M or Online. If you want to do both you must separate your orders and have two accounts. Terms for a B&M are much more lenient. Orders from all the studios are combined and everything ships together.

Going forward, Organized Play, and Events will be combined as well. Can't wait for Ashes: Rise of the Phoenixborn OP

11 hours ago, twinstarbmc said:

I pre-ordered from Team Covenant. But that's just me.

Have you (or anyone else) bought from Covenant in the past? How are they?

Buying from a FLGS is not an option for me, so I'm trying to find the best online alternative. Covenant seems to be gamer-oriented and while the international shipping isn't cheap it's about what I expect. However Amazon US has really good international shipping rates ...

I have several different token sets from them but never bought games or used their subscription service. Easy to order, good communication before, during, and even after delivery. They are more about supporting a few game communities rather than selling as many games as they can.

7 hours ago, Suzume Tomonori said:

7 hours ago, Suzume Tomonori said:

Have you (or anyone else) bought from Covenant in the past? How are they?

Buying from a FLGS is not an option for me, so I'm trying to find the best online alternative. Covenant seems to be gamer-oriented and while the international shipping isn't cheap it's about what I expect. However Amazon US has really good international shipping rates ...

I used to have a Netrunner subscription from them, and I think I ordered an expansion box or two back in the day. Quite reasonable, shipping was fast. But I'm also a huge Amazon fanboy, so that's a good option as well. What I like about TC's subscriptions is that I don't have to actively think about getting the packs every month, they just show up.