How Pre-Orders Work at PrimeTimeToyz - A Complete Guide for New Customers

If you're new to PrimeTimeToyz or new to pre-ordering third party Transformers, this guide will walk you through exactly how the process works. Pre-orders are a big part of what we do, and understanding the process upfront means no surprises down the line.

Why Do We Use Pre-Orders?

Most third party Transformers are produced in limited quantities by smaller manufacturers, mainly based in China. Unlike official Hasbro or Takara products which are mass-produced and widely distributed, third party figures need to be ordered from distributors well in advance. Pre-orders allow us to secure stock for our UK customers and give you the chance to guarantee a figure that might otherwise sell out.

The Deposit System

When you see a pre-order listing on our site, the price shown is the deposit amount, not the full price of the figure. For most items this is £10. This deposit secures your place in the queue for that figure.

The full estimated price is listed in the product description. For example, if a figure has an estimated price of £30 and the deposit is £10, you'll pay the remaining £20 plus shipping when the figure arrives.

Why Can't You Confirm the Final Price?

There are two main factors that affect the final price. First, we don't know the exact shipping cost to us until the items have actually shipped from the manufacturer. Second, exchange rate fluctuations over the pre-order window can push prices up or down. We always list our best estimate at the time of listing, and the final price is confirmed when we invoice you.

How Invoicing Works

Around 7 to 14 days before the items are in stock, we'll send you a PayPal invoice for the outstanding balance. This will be the item total plus shipping minus the deposit you've already paid. You'll have 30 days to settle this invoice. If it expires unpaid, the order will be automatically cancelled.

What About Release Dates?

This is something we want to be upfront about. When we list a pre-order, we use the release date given to us by our supplier. However, third party companies are not always great at communicating delays. Once we place our order with the distributor, the next time we typically hear from them is when they invoice us for the items releasing - whether that's on time or months later.

If an item slips past its original release window, we'll update the listing with the next available quarter. We completely understand if you want to check in for an update, but please bear in mind that very often we genuinely won't have more information than what's on the listing.

Cancellations and Deposits

We're a small business and cancellations can really hurt, so we ask that you only pre-order when you're sure. Deposits are non-refundable. If you've paid in full and later cancel, there will be a cancellation and admin fee of up to £10.

Collectors Grade Shipping

If you choose our Collectors Grade Shipping option on a deposit order, the additional £3 fee is charged at the time of ordering. Standard shipping is then charged at the time of invoicing. This premium option gives your figure extra protection during transit, which is especially important for high-value masterpiece scale figures.

Got Questions?

If you're unsure about pre-ordering without knowing the final price, just get in touch. We're happy to give you our best estimate based on current information. You can reach us on Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp on 07907 701 256.