Good Stores for pre-orders??
 

I was wondering, as I think I want to actually pre-order a few things, (something i've never done)are there any places/sites that are really good with pre-orders??

Have you had any dealings with places that are really bad with fulfilling the orders??

..any insight would be appreciated.

Big Bad Toy Store has always been a good experience on handling pre-orders, Entertainment Earth on the other hand has upset me with every pre-order I've ever placed through them. BBTS is cool because they actually tell you when it's pre sold out and they also have the pile of loot to save on shipping for those with patience. EE alternatively doesn't typically alert you when an item is pre sold out and you won't learn about your pre-order being back-ordered until the item ships for everybody else which is really frustrating because they may not get that item back in stock for quite some time.

^Agreed, Big Bad Toy Store is absolutely stellar!

While Entertainment Earth is great for in-stock items, the stories about their sloppy handling of pre-orders has always discouraged me from using them for pre-orders.

Amazon is OK for pre-orders as well. I haven't had any horrible experiences with them, but no noteworthy experiences either.

BBTS's pile of loot option, as well as the constant correspondence about the estimated arrival of your pre-orders, along with their awesome customer service, has made them my first choice for pre-orders.

Thanks to both of you..that is exactly the kind of insight i was looking for...

I only first ordered from BBTS last week....and a GREAT feature i noticed was...i had already placed my order. Then later realized i wanted something else. I'd eat the extra shipping, no biggie...but it just asked me if i wanted to include it in my previous shipment at the price like it was originally ordered with the rest of the items.

Looks like that's who i'll place my pre-orders with ..thanks again!

I agree BBTS is the best and easiest when it comes to pre ordering items and taking them out when you don't want them. Others kind of a hassle if you change your mind you have to contact them...

Oh yeah, I nearly forgot, Hasbro Toy Shop is another option too, if you collect Marvel Legends, Star Wars, or Transformers.

I still prefer BBTS, but sometimes they don't offer certain Marvel Legends individually.
For instance, back in '03, I really wanted the Jean Grey figure from the Rocket Raccoon wave, but I didn't want the entire wave. BBTS wasn't offering her individually, so I resorted to HTS for my pre-order, and I had no issues.

I honestly can't recall any other occasions when I've pre-ordered from them, so I don't have enough experience with them to give them a glowing recommendation, but they seem to be a reliable option.

I've never PRE-ORDERED from....but have picked up quite a few things from Hasbro Toy Shop..I manage to make it to the "free shipping" cost..and always received items quickly..

BBTS is great for domestic stuff, but if I'm shopping for imports (Play Arts, RevolTech and the like), AmiAmi is my go-to place.

BBTS and Amazon have both worked well for me. One thing to keep in mind is that Amazon usually runs behind the others and their pre-orders are often not up at the same time.

I know a number of members have had issues with TRU's pre-orders in the past as well. So much so that I have never bothered with them.

yeah, BBTS is great, especially since pre-ordering is easy and you don't have to pay upfront so there will never be any kind of problem if something happens and they're unable to fulfill orders. plus, their customer service is stellar.

also, it's VERY easy to cancel a preorder if you need to. no hassle, no having to email them or anything.

hasbro toy shop isn't bad either.. you do have to pay up front, which isn't bad because it's their shop and generally you shouldn't have a problem. plus, they usually give you a decent estimation of when an item will come in stock, and more times then not, those items become in stock earlier than their estimations.

also, if you place a $50+ order, and one item is in stock and another is a preorder, they'll send you two shipments and you still retain the free shipping which is pretty cool.

I can't sing enough praise for BBTS. I actually feel like it's run by like-minded people.

my arm has been twisted enough..

i just put in my first ever pre-orders (from BBTS) for ALL upcoming SH Figuarts DBZ figures...(i'm only on my 3rd figure in the line now)
Going forward i'd like to catch them at their initial high price as opposed to their, later on super-high price...

Figuarts are exactly the sort of thing I'd order from AmiAmi. Their Figuarts prices, on average, are about 30%-40% less than BBTS.

If I'm doing pre-orders, it's pretty much BBTS or nothing. I've been using them for years and never had one problem. And I definitely second the idea of having patience. It will save you a lot of money in the long run, especially if you're into larger (read: weightier) items like Platinum Series Transformers (Metroplex, Trypticon, etc), Hot Toys/Sideshow or 3A stuff.

They also give you some options/leeway if you have payment issues (like your card changing numbers due to a fraud claim/security breech). You can also change the payment option at any point prior to the preorder coming in, which is not generally an option elsewhere (from my experience, anyway).

never pre-order!!

I'm going to go ahead and not listen to you...startinnnnnnnnng....
NOW

lol

amazon.ca (I'm in Canada)
Been preordering SH Figuarts and SIC whenever it's available here. They end up costing about the same as amiami.com with shipping. Preordered the SHF Awakening Super Saiyan Goku for $43 CAD a week or so ago.

amiami.com
I order SH Figuarts here that might not come to Canada/US. And like somebody mentioned they tend to have cheaper prices compared to other places.

nin-nin-game.com
I found this place when I was desperate for the SHF Age of Ultron figures. Amiami was out, wasn't coming to Amazon officially. I preordered Thor, Cap, and Mark 45 Iron Man for like ¥45XX each. The SHF Age of Ultron figures are my first order here, I'll update my previous thread about them after I receive the figures. Also they tend to have Tamashii Web Exclusives for sale as well, but their prices go up after a few days.

CDJapan.co.jp
Tried to order the SHF Bruce Lee from amiami.com but was sold out by the time I woke up. Went to CDJapan and they still have about 10 more left. Preordered right away, ¥5600 with EMS shipping.