Understanding Back-Orders: How It Works & What to Expect

When you shop at the Playsum Games Store, most games are available for instant delivery to your account. However, occasionally, high demand causes us to temporarily run out of keys for specific titles. This is when our back-order system comes into play.

What Is a Back-Order?

A back-order means we've temporarily sold out of keys for a game, but you can still purchase it at the current price. Publishers provide storefronts with limited batches of Steam keys for each game, and when these run low, we must request additional keys directly from the publisher. This creates a supply chain where stores can temporarily run out of inventory despite selling digital products.

With a back-order, your payment is processed immediately to secure your place in line, and you'll receive your key automatically as soon as a new batch of keys arrives from the publisher.

Back-ordered games are clearly marked for transparency on our store with a "Back-order" button instead of "Add to Cart," along with a notification on the product page and during checkout to ensure transparency.

The Resupply Process

At Playsum, we work directly with game publishers to maintain our inventory of authentic Steam keys. When a back-order occurs:

• Publishers typically resupply our keys within 3-5 business days. On rare occasions, it can take a week or more.
• We'll send you regular emails to keep you updated on the process.
• You'll receive an automatic email notification as soon as your key is available.
• Your key will appear in your Purchased Games page immediately upon arrival.
  
  

While we work closely with publishers, it's important to understand that we don't control their resupply timelines. Most publishers prioritize restocking quickly, but occasionally delays can occur during holiday periods or times of unexpected demand. However, you will always receive what you purchase, or we will proactively refund the order.

Your Options During a Back-Order

When you place a back-ordered purchase, you can choose to:

1. Wait with price protection - Your purchase locks in the current price (including any sale discounts), even if the price increases before keys arrive.
2. Cancel for a refund - You can request a refund anytime.
   
   

Checking Your Order Status

You can monitor your back-order status at any time:

• Visit your Purchased Games page.
• Look for the "Back-ordered" status indicator beneath the game.
• Check your email for automatic notifications from us.
  
  

Our Commitment to Improvement

Based on customer feedback, we're continuously improving our back-order experience:

• We plan to implement an average wait time estimation for every game.
• Enhancing notification systems.
  
  

If you have any questions about your specific back-order, our support team is always ready to help!