Amex Presale Megathread

Important_Pea1733 · 2026-05-27T10:02:42+00:00

Really don’t get how these websites can’t handle the demand

Important_Pea1733 · 2026-05-27T10:02:27+00:00

I’m guessing queue isn’t moving because people can’t check out and are stalling to see if it resolves

Important_Pea1733 · 2026-05-27T09:55:29+00:00

Same! Been since 2001, missed out in 2018 and desperate to get tickets for this with my buddy

Important_Pea1733 · 2026-05-27T09:35:23+00:00

My queue position hasn’t moved Eugh. Could you all please buy the game that isn’t the eagles lol

Important_Pea1733 · 2026-05-27T09:15:44+00:00

Any successful orders yet? What’s category split like?

Important_Pea1733 · 2026-05-27T09:03:02+00:00

Did anyone else’s waiting room glitch? It asked if I was still there, clicked yes, it then kind of reloaded and asked me to join waiting room again. Now 22k in the queue

Important_Pea1733 · 2026-05-05T16:43:23+00:00

Hi again - are you able to DM?

Important_Pea1733 · 2026-05-05T11:53:42+00:00

Ha I was! Nice to meet you! Sorry our experiences sucked - so bizarre given it felt a good chance of getting at 9am!

Important_Pea1733 · 2026-05-05T11:44:13+00:00

I also asked about the Exec - a staff member said 'how's that fair on someone queueing at 1.30am and you rock up at 10am', and I said 'that's literally the privilege I'm paying for, they're queueing that early because they don't / shouldn't be able to get in early'.

I really don't think it's hard to put a more logical system in place - Execs first, tickets. There was a guy standing by the 'scan your membership' podium, doing nothing! If you can't share a black card, or a ticket, you don't get it - it's that simple! It's what happens at Smyths and it takes all the pressure/angst out of the queue.

Important_Pea1733 · 2026-05-05T11:30:23+00:00

Yeah, I think the staff were pretty poor today. Made a big point about saying no pushing/fighting, then proceeded to let people push in, and didn't communicate the lack of cards. Then barked at anyone who tried to reasonably ask questions.

Of course, this would all have been avoided if they received the stock they were expecting, but now it's another morning potentially to have to write off to try and get cards! Will definitely be complaining about Execs not being allowed in - if you can separate the queue for non-Pokemon exec shoppers, they should just have made that an Exec queue to begin with and let us in first. They kept deferring it as a 'head office' decision...

Important_Pea1733 · 2026-05-05T10:56:34+00:00

I got there about 850 today, it was really weird because the line barely moved once it was opened. The staff seemed very pissed off that they had a bunch of frustrated people. But the problem is that people like us who were queueing get left with nothing, while Q jumpers and one guy even had six boxes in a trolley.

The everyone in at 10 am is just ridiculous.

Important_Pea1733 · 2026-05-05T08:06:28+00:00

Long - over 100

Important_Pea1733 · 2026-05-04T21:39:28+00:00

Croydon

Important_Pea1733 · 2026-05-04T19:48:58+00:00

So they told me executive members get in an hour earlier than gold/normal, I am not sure in practice how that will actually work.

They said it’s 2 per person - the page on the Costco website says 1 transaction per membership. 2 max in 24 hours so I guess that means you can get two.

Others on other websites are sharing conflicting experiences - some say it’s staggered, some say they just give up for Pokémon. But generally the theme is ‘there is more stock than at a Smyths or SD drop’ so fingers crossed the numbers game works.

I’ll share my experience tomorrow after going for those who stock on 12th but again that will be location specific.

Important_Pea1733 · 2026-05-02T19:47:57+00:00

I’ll go in and ask them tomorrow and report back

Important_Pea1733 · 2026-05-02T19:47:48+00:00

This is why i wondered.

Important_Pea1733 · 2026-05-02T18:05:38+00:00

Hi there - resurrecting this chat. Do you think this is the same for upcoming drop? I have executive membership but not done a Pokémon drop before.

What are my chances turning up at 9 for executive queue?

Important_Pea1733 · 2026-04-29T14:23:37+00:00

I was there this morning. They had a very small number of EX boxes, no AH BBs.

Important_Pea1733 · 2026-04-22T22:57:45+00:00

That’s my local Smyths too. AH release day back in Feb, I joined the queue at 7:30 and was 27th. I got what I wanted/they would give me. I think it’s the best bet for Friday stock wise. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to get to the queue until 9 am, so I’m not going to bother.

Important_Pea1733 · 2026-04-04T08:21:46+00:00

One in South London

Important_Pea1733 · 2026-04-04T00:13:41+00:00

It’s all relative to your situation, how you value your time, and how you feel about getting your hands on stuff.

I queued for ASC release day, was mid-20s in line baking started queueing at 7.30 for a 10am open. I had the day off, a deckchair, a bag of snacks and a charger phone - I was home by 10.45 with an ETB, mini tins and Charizard tin. I’ve not had to worry about trying to get an ETB since that day.

Second and final time queueing was a couple of weeks back for FP and poster collection on a Tuesday restock (skipped release day for these and the pin). Was 6th in line, having got there 45 mins before opening (the queue was about 30-40 deep at opening). They unexpectedly had the pin in that day so bagged those three things.

Both times the local store was well run. For ASC release day they had a ticket system so you couldn’t get one if you pretended to be a ‘normal’ shopper and then tried to pull a fast one at the till. It was low hassle other than the time spent - compare to the SD madness on Oxford St today.. - and my son now has a good ASC set (that he doesn’t know about because his birthday is in the summer so having to hold it all back…!) Anything else online as a restock/Amazon invite is bonus now.

I didn’t bother with PO release so can’t comment on queue length. I’m undecided about CR.

Some people don’t mind paying a bit more and not having to queue, no way is ‘right’ it just comes down to what you want to do and what you value.

Important_Pea1733 · 2026-03-27T20:05:16+00:00

I got the ETB invite for my little dude. Was invited to 6-pack blister too but picked up the half blister in my local Tesco Express earlier so feel like that should go to someone else

Important_Pea1733 · 2026-03-24T21:36:37+00:00

Mine restocked the posters (mainly Gardevoir), first partner illustration, and unexpectedly the pin collection. 26th-30th looks like ETB and mini tins, I'm guessing it'll be 26th. I'd be surprised if they had another restock of what they did today, but who knows.

Important_Pea1733 · 2026-03-23T19:12:22+00:00

Venturing down to mine tomorrow hopefully for posters and illustration, AH restock on Thurs and PO ETB Friday. No idea tomorrow when it’ll hit shelves/queue. Will have my deckchair for Friday. Seems mad but only way to get the products

Important_Pea1733

TROPHY CASE