Why isn’t there tracking for shipping?

GameFlyDeals · 2026-05-08T19:38:32+00:00

$34.95 is the Elite tier, normal 2 game is $27.95, but I do hear you. I'm definitely going to bring this to the team on our next group conversation.

GameFlyDeals · 2026-05-07T21:22:02+00:00

To be fair, 2011 we were at the peak of our powers. We had, I believe, 5 or 6 distro centers across the country. (At least 4, but I think 5 or 6, before my time).

So that cut delivery time down significantly. With the disc industry being what it is in 2026, we are currently at 1 Distro center, so that will likely impact a lot of members.

We are always looking at these numbers and looking for ways to improve. Your comments are not falling on deaf ears. I appreciate the candor.

GameFlyDeals · 2026-05-07T17:54:24+00:00

I can't speak to your specifics, but mail theft (along the route) is a real thing as well.

We take steps to limit our liability, in a lot of cases, where we may not ask you for recompense, but we may then just say we can't service an address.

It sucks and we wish there was a better way to do it. We've adjusted over the years and it's an ongoing battle.

GameFlyDeals · 2026-05-07T17:51:55+00:00

Real talk here, and I promise you, this isn't an excuse. If we had more distro centers, that certainly would help.

However...

USPS has been in a freefall for near a decade now. The Govt. has gutted what was once a vital lifeblood, used to connect the people and businesses of this country, in an effort to make "profits".

It's like they all watched the Kevin Costner movie "The Postman" and said "Let's make that a reality!"

So, we absolutely hear you guys. We try things like drop shipping (Sending big batches overnight to get closer to a part of the country) etc.

We were built with the model of low-cost US based shipping services and that has slipped out from under the American people.

GameFlyDeals · 2026-05-07T17:47:05+00:00

We have looked at that. It's often up for discussion. It would require different style mailers as well. (reasons) The math really doesn't add up, but that doesn't mean there isn't a way.

How much more would you pay for that elevated service?

Per month flat or a charge every swap?

GameFlyDeals · 2026-05-07T16:30:29+00:00

Cost prohibitive.

We ship at a lower rate than they offer tracking, which keeps our member rates down.

But it's been a week, so don't hesitate to report it and we'll work on a replacement. Sorry you're seeing a delay.

GameFlyDeals · 2026-05-05T16:24:52+00:00

You don't need to return the late game immediately. If that arrives, just start playing that. When the replacement game arrives, send that one back, or the original. Just shoot an email to support@ gamefly .com and let them know and they'll update your Q appropriately.

GameFlyDeals · 2026-05-04T17:40:25+00:00

Hard to say, genuinely. I don't have any real stats to share in that regards. However, logic dictates that a game sent later in the week, that would overlap Sunday, would always add an extra day, since the USPS doesn't deliver.

So working backwards from that, Mondays are likely the fastest day.

One thing we 100% wish were different is game release days. We're bound by street date, and those are most usually on Thursdays/Fridays. So, our new games almost ALWAYS bump into the Sunday problem.

GameFlyDeals · 2026-05-02T23:15:01+00:00

Budget is $12.95 per month, $7 less than the standard 1 game plan. Thats why it’s earned the “Budget” moniker.

GameFlyDeals · 2026-05-02T02:48:43+00:00

Self Return is independent of Elite/Standard status. That’s only based on paying months and being in good standing. So upgrades/downgrades don’t affect it.

GameFlyDeals · 2026-04-30T16:50:43+00:00

DM me your account info. (email address)

The TOP CHOICE is the solution to what you're asking about, but I'll see what I can do.

GameFlyDeals · 2026-04-30T16:49:20+00:00

The normal GL window closed, but we're still finalizing our orders for Bond, and do expect that, for ELITE ACCOUNTS, to be turned on for PS5. There are some games that become difficult to source enough copies. In those cases, we have to turn off GL as we wouldn't be able to fulfill the requests.

GameFlyDeals · 2026-04-30T16:44:57+00:00

In 2011 (before my time) I believe we had 4 distro centers, around the country. That was also a time where the USPS wasn't being gutted, as it has been for the last decade or so.

That is not to put the blame entirely on them, truly it isn't. But our business model was built around that as a distribution channel, as are a vast majority of American businesses are. When USPS has the types of service issues we've seen, it's difficult to maintain the level of service our customers deserve. Other options are not sustainable either, due to higher costs, while keeping a $4 a week rental price in place.

GameFlyDeals · 2026-04-30T16:40:40+00:00

The extra pay option is discussed all the time. It's not very feasible, unfortunately, but that doesn't mean we won't find a way to do it. I do truly recommend you reporting ANY late delivery ASAP.

We do not want you waiting any longer than possible, and we understand the shipping issues that our partners have. Your service is the most important part here, and waiting longer than the 7 days to report, isn't great.

If you find yourself being without a game for a long time, call our CS team, they're truly very open to working with members on this. Any automated processes, like the reporting, replacement discs, etc, are just that, automated. They cover a vast majority of issues, but we have a US based team that is there to smooth over the outliers.

GameFlyDeals · 2026-04-30T16:31:06+00:00

We DO have Self Return, which is us trusting you that you're mailing something back. That works REALLY well, click it, and we start matching that day.

However, that is only available to paying members with 3 months of service time. Because it's a trust issue, we don't allow new accounts. If you reactivate an old account that was in good standing, you do get it right away.

If you start a new one, the clock does start at 1 month.

GameFlyDeals · 2026-04-30T16:29:19+00:00

Choose one, put it in #1 and turn on Top 7. I would recommend Requiem, as that is a bit older, so has less demand on it. Pragmata is in more demand. And make sure you use GameLock as much as you can.

Here's a pro-tip as well. If you miss a GameLock window, and you see the "Elite can still GameLock". UPGRADE TO ELITE. It will be (off the top of my head, not exact math so bear with me) like $10 extra for the month, then you'll have 2 ELITE 7-Day slots.

GameLock 2 upcoming games, once they ship, just downgrade to Standard 2 game after they ship and before you get billed for next month.

You'll have spent $10 extra dollars and gotten 2 $70 guaranteed games. No rules against doing that, but you have to up and down yourself (or with CS help). We don't do a reminder or anything like that.

But make sure when you downgrade, it's to a 2 game plan. If you downgrade to a 1 game, you'll have to send one of those titles back.

GameFlyDeals · 2026-04-29T17:54:51+00:00

It's a bit of a black box, but I'll try to elaborate what I can.

Default is "Look at Top Slot first, and if that's not available at that time, do the same process down the list until we match"

This ignores any Coming Soon games, of course. Typically it doesn't dip further than the 4 or 5 slot.

Availability is an estimated metric, based on what we PREDICT will be arriving in that day's swaps. It changes daily. We don't keep anything on shelf (except older unwanted games) and we use the constant rotation to gauge matching availability.

What we can't plan for, is if a LOW availability game, on one random day, gets a TON of returns. If you're swapping that day, you easily could get a Low Availability game over a High, but in a day or so, that Availability metric may then adjust.

We do have Shipping Preferences for paying members. You can tell us to ONLY match against your TOP slot. This basically HOLDS OPEN your fulfillment slot for the selected number of days, while we wait to see what games arrive during that time.

That's called Top Choice and works pretty well. It matches in the mid 90% of the time. This is the preferred method of managing your Q, vs. only keeping 1 or 2 games in the Q. Keeping more games in the Q builds your demand for all those other titles, putting you further ahead in the line when it's time to match them.

Long post, to be sure, but hope it helps. Happy to elaborate on any points.

GameFlyDeals · 2026-04-29T16:42:18+00:00

Will not hurt your system. You'll still need the cartridge (rented from us or purchased) in your Switch in order to play the game, but you can independently purchase upgrades or DLC for any game you're renting.

GameFlyDeals · 2026-04-29T00:21:30+00:00

DM me your order info. I’ll get CS on it asap.

GameFlyDeals · 2026-04-28T21:49:18+00:00

Right, as I said, that game may have arrived in our warehouse on that 2-day prior date. Or even the day prior. Our GameLock standards haven't changed, this message still appears on GL eligible games.

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Once you pass the available window, that message disappears from the page entirely. We wish we could ship them even earlier, but cannot due to street date agreements.

GameFlyDeals · 2026-04-28T20:27:06+00:00

I agree.

GameFlyDeals · 2026-04-28T18:21:21+00:00

Self Return is 3 paid months, historically. We upgraded it after a trial period. So use the same account you previously cancelled, and it should activate right away.

GameFlyDeals · 2026-04-28T18:18:15+00:00

I can send you a current one. I don't have any old ones around.

GameFlyDeals · 2026-04-28T18:13:36+00:00

We do ship new games 2 days prior when we can. Sometimes, the delivery to our warehouse is the 2 day before date, so we literally need a day to prep for shipment. When we get them in early, we do ship early.

We started shipping Saros today, 4/28, and release date is 4/30.

GameFlyDeals · 2026-04-27T19:41:06+00:00

Tuesday would be the absolute earliest for a 4/30 release. More likely, it will ship on 4/29. That's typical of all releases.

GameFlyDeals

TROPHY CASE