I've been through this and took many steps.  This is a streamlined version to deal with Gamestop.  I went through a bit more hoops though.

Go back to that store and repurchase it.  Explain to them they have 2 SKUs for the different types (preorder and prepurchase).  If they still give you trouble, just make sure they know you want to pay in full right now.  So they may still give you the incorrect code.

Call Gamestop 1-800-883-8895. Be firm but respectful...very respectful. Explain your situation.  Have your receipt ready.  They will ask for your receipt # and your name.  If they try and say that they will email you the code within 2 days DO NOT accept it.  There is a good chance they will not email you the code (but don't say that).  Just mention that you need access sooner than that (good chance they won't know the details of the BWE schedule).  Mention that your friend (you can say Stephanie [that's me]) went through this and managed to get the code over the phone from them (I did) so she did not miss out on a BWE.  This is not exactly how it went down but...details...This should make them aware that you know it is possible for them to pull up a code and read it to you over the phone.  Before you hang up make sure ask them to let you read the code to them.  Make sure you are very clear (Z for Zebra, 1, W for water, 3, 9, T for Tommy...ect.).

You can finally have the peace of mind that you will be getting proper access.

Nobody has ever gotten what they are supposed to when they pre-order/purchase a game from Gamestop.

Originally posted by Yaos

Nobody has ever gotten what they are supposed to when they pre-order/purchase a game from Gamestop.

really? I had no issues at all at gamestop.. pre-purchased from the website and got my key instantly...  they do have two GW2 listed though digial and box.. perhaps I just choose the correct one.. both say "with bonus" though 

I hate misleading titles. It's just a waste of people's time when they expect something different opening a thread.  Clarification is needed.

Originally posted by Lucrecia

I've been through this and took many steps.  This is a streamlined version to deal with Gamestop.  I went through a bit more hoops though.

Go back to that store and repurchase it.  Explain to them they have 2 SKUs for the different types (preorder and prepurchase).  If they still give you trouble, just make sure they know you want to pay in full right now.  So they may still give you the incorrect code.

Call Gamestop 1-800-883-8895. Be firm but respectful...very respectful. Explain your situation.  Have your receipt ready.  They will ask for your receipt # and your name.  If they try and say that they will email you the code within 2 days DO NOT accept it.  There is a good chance they will not email you the code (but don't say that).  Just mention that you need access sooner than that (good chance they won't know the details of the BWE schedule).  Mention that your friend (you can say Stephanie [that's me]) went through this and managed to get the code over the phone from them (I did) so she did not miss out on a BWE.  This is not exactly how it went down but...details...This should make them aware that you know it is possible for them to pull up a code and read it to you over the phone.  Before you hang up make sure ask them to let you read the code to them.  Make sure you are very clear (Z for Zebra, 1, W for water, 3, 9, T for Tommy...ect.).

You can finally have the peace of mind that you will be getting proper access.

Good to know all of this. I should of looked into the 800 number sooner, but honestly figured the multiple store locations around time would be knowledgeable enough about at least such a major PC release.

I originally went in thinking (and still not 100% clear) that the pre-purchase, according to Game Stop, would be pre-ordering the product and only paying the partial deposit. I was told at the time of purchase that paying in full upgraded me to a pre-purchase and would have access to all of the according pre-purchase goodies.

When I went to the ArenaNet site to input the code, it told me they were currently not accepting pre-order codes, only pre-purchase. If ArenaNet was honoring the codes, I honestly didn't see the threads or posts regarding it, and didn't think to take it to their customer service due to the fact it was a problem with the retailer.

After the registration error I called another local store and he didn't know there was a difference in the pre-order/pre-purchase options for Guild Wars 2. Once I explained the situation he did some research on his end and acknowledged my purchase yielded the wrong code and I would have to return to the original store to receive the correct code and corrections. When I returned to the original Game Stop, they wouldn't acknowledge the mistake and refused to give me another sort of code.

As a result, I asked for a refund. I have since purchased directly from the source. First time pre-ordering through a retailer, and the only real reason was the Lego store I took my kids to next to Game Stop and the big "GUILD WARS 2" logo blasted all over the store. -grumble-

Oh, and yea, the title was intentional. Sorry about that.

This sort of crap always seems to happen around GameStop.  It was the biggest source of internal debate for me when deciding if I wanted the Collector's Edition or not - do I save some money and get it directly from the source, or do I trust GameStop with my money?

Well, against my better judgement the CE won out in the end, but I'm still feeling a bit nervous about the whole thing.  I've saved all my reciepts, but...

Originally posted by Wolfynsong

This sort of crap always seems to happen around GameStop.  It was the biggest source of internal debate for me when deciding if I wanted the Collector's Edition or not - do I save some money and get it directly from the source, or do I trust GameStop with my money?

Well, against my better judgement the CE won out in the end, but I'm still feeling a bit nervous about the whole thing.  I've saved all my reciepts, but...

Well, if you haven't had any issues yet, you're definitely ahead of me in that regard. My brother purchased through a local EB and didn't have the problems, so here's hoping for the best.

I learned my lesson with Aion when I bought it from Gamestop. Never again. I really like having an actual copy of the game but I just don't like the hassel. Digitally right from the source is so much easier. No drama.

Originally posted by Synthetick

Originally posted by Wolfynsong

This sort of crap always seems to happen around GameStop.  It was the biggest source of internal debate for me when deciding if I wanted the Collector's Edition or not - do I save some money and get it directly from the source, or do I trust GameStop with my money?

Well, against my better judgement the CE won out in the end, but I'm still feeling a bit nervous about the whole thing.  I've saved all my reciepts, but...

Well, if you haven't had any issues yet, you're definitely ahead of me in that regard. My brother purchased through a local EB and didn't have the problems, so here's hoping for the best.

My trip hasn't been error-free thus far either, which is doing nothing whatsoever to ease my state of mind regarding GameStop's sense of good business practice.

That said, I was just another one of those people caught in that whole "we don't have any codes!" thing when the whole pre-purchase ordeal started.  Nothing quite so bad as what went on with the OP, but it still took me three trips to GameStop to get it straightened out.  So when I said "reciepts" [sic] earlier, I did mean the plural form.  I have six or seven receipts to hang onto thanks to that.

I did have it relatively easy though, that's for sure.  Unlike a lot of locations I've heard of - the OP's store apparently being yet another prime example - the people here actually did know what they were talking about.

I bought the game through gamestop and the problem I had with them is they gave me the wrong code on my receipt. I had to call them multiple times to finally get the right code. Remember this.....once you register and download the client....ANet knows you've bought the game. You don't need a physical cd in order to play. I bought the CE so I will have to go to the store to pick it up.

Im sorry to hear about folks having problems at Gamestop.  No wait, thats actually seems normal as I always go via Gamestop and in the past always have problems.  

This time, I was smart about it.   When  I went in to pre order, which was what I thought would get me the pre purchase code like most MMOs for Beta Participation, I asked the 2 behind the counter where the beta key was and pre order code was.  They called their other office and the wrote down a sku for it.  Then they informed me that I had to pay the full amount because thats how things work for this title.  So I told went ahead and pre ordered since I didnt have the cash at the time to fully pay for the title.  I had them write down the sku on my reciept so that when I went back on payday, they would just have to punch in the key for me.  I even wrote down the 2 guys behind the counter I dealt with, in case they werent there.  

Let me tell you, it made my life easy.   I went back that friday, and bought the game and the guy behind the counter punched in that sku, printed my reciept, circled the code for me on the reciept and told me, if you have any problems, dont hesitate to come back.  So, the point of the story is, Gamestop, they really arent the computer game store, they are the console store, so in order for me to get what I pay for, I always go that extra mile in order to make sure they are giving me what I pay for.   Is it right?  absolutely not.  But the end result is, I am happy because I dont have to fight the small battles afterwards for their lack of information regarding upcoming MMO titles.

So, my advice since they refunded you, is to go back, have them right down the sku, pay for it, have them print the reciept and circle it for you on the reciept.  That way, you golden when you get home.  Oh and make sure you pay in cash in case you have to have them refund you while your there.

Unless you really want a collector edition with all the "real life" trinkets, in my opinion the best way to buy this game is to purchase either the normal or the deluxe digital version directly from the official web site.

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Originally posted by Synthetick
.. and I'm fairly sad I had to do it. Yes, I followed Guild Wars 2 pretty heavily.. until a few months ago. Damn that real-life stuff. Then I go out to Game Stop, tell the guy I wants to pre-purchase for some 3 days of early sexyness and beta loving. Pay in full, ring me up. Go home, enter the code on receipt and it tells me I pre-ordered, not pre-purchased and as a result, I lose.

Called Game Stop, said they'd be able to switch my purchase over and give me the OTHER code, no problem. Show up, completely different story. So they gave me money back.

Guess I'll have to do this directly through the source. I must Guild Wars 2, just not via those evil stores.

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I was concerned about that as well. There is a GameStop close to my house, which is convenient, but I decided to Pre-Purchase from Anet directly. I'm kind of glad I did now. Hopefully things will work out for you.

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Originally posted by uotowndrunk2
Im sorry to hear about folks having problems at Gamestop.  No wait, thats actually seems normal as I always go via Gamestop and in the past always have problems.  

 

This time, I was smart about it.   When  I went in to pre order, which was what I thought would get me the pre purchase code like most MMOs for Beta Participation, I asked the 2 behind the counter where the beta key was and pre order code was.  They called their other office and the wrote down a sku for it.  Then they informed me that I had to pay the full amount because thats how things work for this title.  So I told went ahead and pre ordered since I didnt have the cash at the time to fully pay for the title.  I had them write down the sku on my reciept so that when I went back on payday, they would just have to punch in the key for me.  I even wrote down the 2 guys behind the counter I dealt with, in case they werent there.  

Let me tell you, it made my life easy.   I went back that friday, and bought the game and the guy behind the counter punched in that sku, printed my reciept, circled the code for me on the reciept and told me, if you have any problems, dont hesitate to come back.  So, the point of the story is, Gamestop, they really arent the computer game store, they are the console store, so in order for me to get what I pay for, I always go that extra mile in order to make sure they are giving me what I pay for.   Is it right?  absolutely not.  But the end result is, I am happy because I dont have to fight the small battles afterwards for their lack of information regarding upcoming MMO titles.

 

So, my advice since they refunded you, is to go back, have them right down the sku, pay for it, have them print the reciept and circle it for you on the reciept.  That way, you golden when you get home.  Oh and make sure you pay in cash in case you have to have them refund you while your there.

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At first they were more PC centric, but now they are almost exclusively Console. Most of the times I've been in there and had discussions with them, nearly everyone working there were more Console players than PC players. A good many of the customers I see in the GameStop are soccer Mom's with their kids. I can't recall a time I was in there with a fellow PC user.

Originally posted by BuzWeaver

At first they were more PC centric, but now they are almost exclusively Console. Most of the times I've been in there and had discussions with them, nearly everyone working there were more Console players than PC players. A good many of the customers I see in the GameStop are soccer Mom's with their kids. I can't recall a time I was in there with a fellow PC user.
 

I'd give you a fist bump if we ran into eachother in Gamestop.  PC Gamers UNITE!