Pre-Orders
Everything you need to know about pre-order deadlines, payments, arrivals, cancellations, and delivery.
Why should I pre-order an item?
Pre-ordering is the best way to secure an item before release. Orders placed before the pre-order deadline are generally guaranteed.
In rare cases, a manufacturer or supplier may not be able to provide the full quantity we ordered. If we are unable to fulfill your pre-order, we will let you know and issue a full refund, including your deposit.
What is the pre-order deadline, and can I still order after it?
The pre-order deadline shown on the product page is the date we use to finalize our order with the supplier. Orders placed before the deadline are generally guaranteed.
If the pre-order is still available after the deadline, you are welcome to place an order. However, late pre-orders are not guaranteed.
We often order extra quantities, so some items may still be available after the deadline. If we do not receive enough stock to fill a late pre-order, we will cancel the order and issue a full refund.
If you know you want an item, we recommend ordering before the pre-order deadline to secure your spot.
How do pre-order payments work?
You can choose between two payment options when placing a pre-order:
20% Deposit
Pay a non-refundable deposit equal to 20% of the item's regular price when you place your pre-order.
The remaining 80% is due after the item arrives at our warehouse.
Paid in Full / Early Bee
Pay in full before the pre-order deadline and receive 10% off with Early Bee pricing.
Most pre-orders are eligible for Early Bee pricing, although a small number of products or brands may be excluded. If Early Bee pricing is available, it will be shown on the product page.
Once your pre-order arrives at our warehouse, we will send you an Arrival Notice email with an Arrival Invoice.
If you paid a 20% deposit, the Arrival Invoice will include your remaining balance. If you already paid in full, there may be no additional product balance to pay.
Please complete the Arrival Invoice to let us know how you would like to receive your item, whether you would like it shipped, picked up in store, or kept in your Private Warehouse.
Please complete the Arrival Invoice even if your pre-order has already been paid in full and the amount due is $0. We still need to know what you would like to do with the item before we can prepare your order.
Can I switch from the 20% deposit to Paid in Full?
Yes. If the pre-order deadline has not passed, you can contact us to pay the remaining amount and switch your order to Paid in Full.
If the item is eligible for Early Bee pricing, completing the full payment before the deadline will qualify your order for the 10% Early Bee discount.
Just send us your order number and we can help you make the change.
Can I cancel my pre-order?
Yes. You can contact us to cancel your pre-order before it has been shipped or completed.
20% Deposit: The deposit is non-refundable and will be kept as the cancellation fee.
Paid-in-Full Pre-Order: An amount equal to 20% of the regular item price will be kept as the cancellation fee, and the rest will be refunded.
If you would like to cancel your pre-order, please email us with your order number and let us know that you understand the 20% cancellation fee will apply.
If Hobby Bee is unable to fulfill your pre-order, the cancellation fee does not apply and you will receive a full refund.
What happens if Hobby Bee cannot fulfill my pre-order?
If we are unable to fulfill your pre-order because we receive fewer units than expected, the manufacturer cancels the item, or another supplier issue comes up, we will cancel the order and issue a full refund.
This includes your 20% deposit. The deposit is only non-refundable when you choose to cancel the pre-order.
When will my pre-order arrive?
Please refer to the ETA shown on the product page for our current estimated arrival timeframe.
The ETA is our best estimate based on information from the manufacturer, supplier, and distributor, but it may change if there are production, shipping, customs, or distribution delays.
As soon as your item arrives at our warehouse, we will send you an Arrival Notice email with an Arrival Invoice.
If the ETA shown on the product page has passed and you have not received an Arrival Notice email, it usually means the shipment has been delayed or is still on the way. Your pre-order will remain active unless we contact you otherwise.
Do I need to provide a shipping address when I place a pre-order?
No. A shipping address is not required when you place a pre-order.
Once your item arrives, you can provide or confirm your shipping address when you complete the Arrival Invoice.
If your original pre-order only shows a billing address and no shipping address, this is normal. You do not need to do anything until your item arrives.
What happens if I order multiple pre-order items together?
Pre-order items may arrive at different times, even if they were placed together in the same order.
As each item arrives at our warehouse, we will send you an Arrival Notice email with an Arrival Invoice so you can choose what you would like to do with that item.
You do not need to wait for everything in the original order to arrive. You can ship or pick up an available item, or keep it in your Private Warehouse while you wait for the others.
What should I do when my pre-order arrives?
When your pre-order arrives at our warehouse, we will send you an Arrival Notice email with an Arrival Invoice.
Please complete the Arrival Invoice to pay any remaining balance, if needed, and choose how you would like to receive your item.
Shipping: Confirm your shipping address and pay any remaining balance or charges shown on your Arrival Invoice. For international orders, shipping is calculated separately after you complete the Arrival Invoice.
In-Store Pickup: Select In-Store Pickup on the Arrival Invoice. We will prepare your order at our Vancouver Renfrew store and send you another email when it is ready for pickup.
Private Warehouse: You can leave your item in your Private Warehouse and combine it with other items later.
Receiving an Arrival Notice email does not mean your order is ready for pickup. If you choose In-Store Pickup, please wait for the pickup-ready email before visiting the store.
Even if your pre-order was already paid in full and there is nothing else to pay, you still need to complete the Arrival Invoice.
Can I pick up my pre-order as soon as it arrives?
Not yet. When you receive the Arrival Notice email, your item has arrived at our warehouse but has not been prepared for in-store pickup.
First, complete the Arrival Invoice and select In-Store Pickup.
After you complete the Arrival Invoice, your order is typically ready at our Vancouver Renfrew store within 2 business days.
Please wait for the pickup-ready email before coming to the store.
How does Private Warehouse work with pre-orders?
When a pre-order arrives, it is placed in your Private Warehouse while you decide whether to ship it, pick it up, or wait for other items to arrive.
If you decide to keep it in your Private Warehouse, you can combine it with other available items later and ship them together.
Free storage periods and storage fees depend on your membership tier. Please see our Private Warehouse Policy for the current storage limits and full details.
Why did the product change from Pre-Order to Backorder if my pre-order has not arrived yet?
This usually happens after the product has been released while our shipment is still on the way.
This does not mean your pre-order was missed or cancelled. Your pre-order is still active and will continue as usual.
Once the shipment arrives at our warehouse, we will send you an Arrival Notice email with an Arrival Invoice.
