EB Games Australia

Tips for buying trading cards from EB Games

EB Games often runs a queued launch for popular trading card releases, so being set up in advance is what counts. CardWatch tracks EB Games' online listings; use it alongside these steps.

1. 1. Get set up before the release

   Sign in to your EB World account ahead of a popular drop and check your account and contact details are current, so nothing stalls later. Save the listings you want to your EB Games wishlist to reach them quickly, and read each product's price and any displayed purchase limit beforehand. Wishlisting an item does not hold or reserve stock.

2. 2. Know when EB World Plus actually matters

   Some eligible releases give EB World Plus members early access, but not every release needs Plus, only products marked as Plus-exclusive or early-access do. Plus is a chance to join the release sooner; it does not guarantee stock or a completed purchase. If a release does require Plus, sort your membership out before the drop rather than partway through checkout. EB Games covers this in its note on Plus and exclusive releases.

3. 3. If there is a waiting room

   For high-demand launches EB Games may switch on a waiting room. Collectors have found it helps to open the product page shortly before the announced release time so you can enter as the waiting room activates. Once you are in the queue, follow the on-screen instructions, keep the queue tab open, and avoid refreshing unless the page explicitly tells you to. Entering early does not promise a better position or a purchase, and EB Games does not publish a guaranteed activation time.

4. 4. Have your order ready

   Decide which products you want before the release, because popular stock can go quickly. Some launches return customers to the waiting room after checkout; customers have reported this, but it varies by release rather than being a fixed rule. Keep one complete order ready, staying within any per-customer purchase limits shown.

5. 5. Delivery and Click & Collect

   If you plan to collect, set your preferred store or postcode before the release. Store availability differs by location and can change quickly, and home delivery and Click & Collect options may differ, so do not pick a store you cannot reasonably get to. CardWatch reports EB Games' online availability rather than individual-store stock, so check a product at your local store on EB Games directly.

6. 6. Checkout and payment errors

   If checkout shows an error, read the message before retrying and correct any invalid account, delivery or payment details. Do not resubmit a payment that may still be processing; instead check for an EB Games order-confirmation email before deciding the order did or did not go through. Online delivery preorders generally take a deposit up front, with the balance charged closer to release, as EB Games explains in paying for a preorder before release.

7. 7. Know what a CardWatch alert means

   A "New listing" alert means CardWatch has seen an EB Games product available to order for the first time. A "Back in stock" alert means a product it was already tracking has become orderable again after selling out. An alert does not join the queue for you or guarantee stock, so you still go through EB Games' checkout and any waiting room.