01 / Preorder or backorder
Two labels, one set of rules
Preorder: a game that isn't out yet. The date on it is release day — Releases ….
Backorder: a game we're out of and expect to bring in. The date on it is when we expect it — Arrives by ….
Arriving soon means the date has passed and the copies aren't in yet. Your order keeps the date you ordered with; we email you if it changes.
A pre-owned backorder plays in the language shown. Cover art may differ.
Once ordered, the date reads Expected by … on My Orders, My Swap Orders and the order link in your emails.
02 / Buy it
Like any other game
Add it to your cart and check out. A preorder or backorder is paid in full online: card, PayPal or Repo Credits. PayID, bank transfer and Pay In Person aren't offered on it.
Before you pay, you tick that you agree to the preorder and backorder terms.
Coupons, Repo Credits and free Standard postage over $100 apply as usual. The price is set when you order; if the shelf price drops later, yours stays.
Order as many as are open — there's no limit per customer. Once placed, an order can't have items added to it; place another.
In-stock games in the same order wait and ship with the rest. Want them sooner? Check the preorder or backorder out on its own.
No account needed to buy. A swap needs one.
03 / Swap for it
Send yours first
Swap games you've played for it: one order, one amount. On a preorder or backorder the swap is Send yours first — your game comes to us before ours goes out.
Your game: post it with our prepaid QR code or label, or bring it to us in NSW 2049 (Local Drop-off). Ours: posted to you, or collected (Local Pickup), when it's in.
Post your game, or arrange a time to drop it off, within 4 days of paying. The swap price is locked when you pay — it doesn't wait for ours to arrive.
Pay the swap price by card. Dropping your game off? You can pay when you hand it over.
Swap early and lock in today's swap price. Swaps are open until 7 days before the date — enough time for your game to reach us and pass our check before ours goes out. From 7 days out, or once the date has passed, only buying is open: buy it now and trade your game in when it's in.
Sign in to swap for a preorder or backorder.
04 / When it comes
Nothing ships before the day
A preorder is posted, or ready to collect, on release day — never before, even if copies reach us early. A backorder goes out as soon as it arrives.
An order with one ships together, once everything in it is in, for one postage charge.
We email your tracking number when it's posted. Collecting? We'll let you know when it's ready, then you come and collect it.
Backorders are filled in the order they were placed. A copy that comes in sooner goes to the earliest order, before it goes on sale.
05 / If plans change
What's set, and what isn't
Once paid, a preorder or backorder isn't cancelled for a change of mind.
If we can't get it for you, we cancel it and you get the full amount back, the way you paid. Swapping and haven't sent your game yet? Don't send it.
If we've already accepted your game and then can't bring in the one you ordered, we keep your game: what you paid goes back the way you paid it, and we pay you your game's locked-in value by PayID, or as Repo Credits if you'd rather.
Dates can move. If a release or arrival date changes, we email you; your price doesn't change. If it falls through, you get the full amount back.
No Regret Swap doesn't apply to a preorder or backorder.
06 / Can't see the game?
Ask us to backorder it
An out-of-stock game has a line under the Notify button: We may be able to backorder this for you. Tap Let me know. It isn't an order — if we can get it, we email you the price and the date, and you can order it then.
Good to know
Do I need an account?
Not to buy. A swap for a preorder or backorder needs one, so you can follow it on My Swap Orders.
How many can I order?
As many as are open. There's no limit per customer.
Can I add to my order later?
No — place another order.
Can I get the in-stock games sooner?
Yes: check the preorder or backorder out on its own, and the rest ships now.
Will it ship early if it arrives early?
A backorder, yes. A preorder waits for release day.
Where do I see my order?
My Orders or My Swap Orders when you're signed in; a guest uses the order link in their email.
Can I use Repo Credits or a coupon?
Yes, both, as on any order.
What if the date changes?
We email you. Your price stays, and if we can't get it, you get the full amount back.