I think you’re right, but this doesn’t seem to be what was initially communicated. Oh well… :-/

I agree: there’s a distinction without a difference. If they have the product now, why can’t it be purchased until next year? If you have to wait to purchase (and assuming valve will keep making frames as long as there’s a literal line of people eager to buy them), it’s functionally the same as the waiting list: wait until there’s stock ready to ship and it’s your turn, then you can purchase. I’m not sure what difference in practice you’re seeing?

Thanks! My assumption has been that Valve would not stop making frames while there’s a line of people trying to buy one, so eventually everyone on the waitlist would be offered to buy one after some unknown (potentially long) wait time. Might they stop making them before then?

I somehow thought that reservation queue meant getting it within the first few weeks.

Same here! It seems to me the wording for the reservation queue description naturally gave this impression. I think Valve could have done a much better job with messaging…

This news seems to suggest that the wait list might take a very long time (many months, possibly more than a year) to service?

I believe this is specifically for the reservation queue (not the waiting list). Sorry it’s not better news…

Understood. Thanks for the clarification!

Thanks! That’s possible as well, though I thought I recently saw a reference to waitlist position? In any event, I agree that the system has value for anti-scalping, and that there is some implied timing to “we have one for you to purchase” that shouldn’t involve waiting multiple years.

My point was that there seems to be no functional difference? See my comment down thread if that doesn’t clarify why your comment isn’t meaningful

I see. Thanks for your reply and for sharing your understanding! If that’s the case, I believe that Valve could have done a much better job messaging and managing expectations. As things stand, it seems reasonable that people in the reservation queue would have expected to be able to purchase a unit in the near-term (not 4-6 months (or more?) in the future). What an unnecessary buzzkill. :-/

I genuinely don’t understand the distinction between the reservation queue and wait list. I was led to believe that the reservation queue meant “there’s a specific physical device reserved in your name that will be made available for you to purchase shortly”. It seems instead to have meant “you’ll be able to buy one when we have one available and it’s your turn”, which seems indistinguishable from being on the waiting list?