Why Can’t I Buy a WoW Token? A Comprehensive Guide
You’re itching to get back into Azeroth, maybe buy some in-game gold, or add some game time to your account using a WoW Token, but you’ve hit a snag. You can’t buy one. This can be frustrating, especially when you’re looking forward to playing. There are several reasons why you might be experiencing this issue, ranging from simple technical glitches to account restrictions. Understanding these causes is the first step in getting back to gaming.
The most common reasons preventing you from buying a WoW Token are:
- Parental Controls: If your account is linked to parental controls, purchases may be restricted. These controls can prevent in-game purchases, and you’ll need to disable them or adjust their settings within the Parental Controls Dashboard on your Battle.net account.
- Geographical Restrictions: Your Battle.net account’s registered country must match the region of your World of Warcraft account. For example, if you play on American servers, your Battle.net account needs to be registered in America.
- Payment Issues: Sometimes, it’s simply a problem with your payment method. Make sure your credit card, PayPal, or other chosen payment method has sufficient funds and is valid.
- Technical Problems: Issues with your internet connection, security software, or even glitches within the Blizzard Shop can prevent purchases. Try restarting your computer and internet modem. Disable any interfering security applications, and ensure no background applications are conflicting with the shop.
- Account Status: An inactive World of Warcraft account can be a barrier if you do not have an active game subscription. While it is possible to purchase a token with in-game gold directly from the character select screen if you have the gold needed, you cannot do this from the Blizzard Shop.
- Auction House Errors: If you can’t sell a WoW token you purchased with real money from the auction house, it could be due to auction house add-ons causing conflicts, or the token may not have been fully purchased. If your order shows as completed, try resetting your user interface, and disabling or updating your add-ons.
- Token Availability: There could be instances where the token has been temporarily disabled in your region. Although uncommon, this is possible.
- Account Bans: If you have violated Blizzard’s Terms of Service, your account may have been banned or restricted from making purchases.
These are the main culprits for purchase difficulties. Now, let’s delve into some frequently asked questions to further clarify the issue.
Frequently Asked Questions About WoW Tokens
Can I still buy and sell WoW Tokens?
Yes, absolutely! WoW Tokens are a core part of the modern World of Warcraft economy. You can purchase them from the in-game shop for real money and then sell them on the auction house for in-game gold. Similarly, you can buy tokens from the Auction House using gold and then redeem them for either Battle.net Balance or Game Time.
How do I buy a WoW Token?
To purchase a WoW Token with real money, first, log in to World of Warcraft. Once you’re in the game world, access the in-game shop. There, you’ll be able to purchase a token. After purchase, you can then list the WoW Token on the Auction House to sell for gold.
Why is Blizzard shop not working?
There are several potential reasons why the Blizzard Shop might not be working:
- Parental Controls: As mentioned before, these can restrict in-game purchases.
- Security Software: Sometimes, your antivirus or firewall can block connections to the shop.
- Background Applications: Conflicting software may interfere with the shop’s display and functionality. Try closing any unnecessary programs and apps.
- Internet Connection Issues: Poor or unstable internet connectivity can hinder the shop’s operation.
- Blizzard Server Issues: On rare occasions, Blizzard’s servers themselves may be having technical difficulties. Check the Blizzard support page to see if there are any reported server issues or downtime.
Can I buy a WoW Token on an inactive account?
Yes, you can, but only through a specific method and with some caveats. If your game time has expired, you can purchase and consume a WoW Token directly from the character selection screen, but you can only do this if you have enough gold on one character, or one realm, to cover the current cost of the token. You cannot buy tokens from the Blizzard Shop on an inactive account.
Does anyone buy WoW Tokens?
Yes, there is a large market for WoW Tokens as they provide players with flexible payment options. Many players buy them from the Auction House with in-game gold for 30 days of Game Time or for Battle.net Balance. This makes them a popular choice for players who want to play without spending real money. Players also purchase tokens with real money to then sell for gold, driving the demand.
Why can’t I buy things from Battle.net?
If you’re having problems with purchasing items on the Battle.net Shop, check the following common issues:
- Parental Control Restrictions: Again, these are a frequent source of purchase errors.
- Payment Method Issues: Ensure that your payment information is current and correct, and that there are sufficient funds available in your account or payment method.
- Account Region Mismatch: The Battle.net account country must match your Warcraft server region.
- Technical Issues: Problems with your internet or software might be the cause.
Why is the WoW Token price so high/low?
The price of a WoW Token is subject to the fluctuations of supply and demand within the game’s economy. These factors directly affect its gold value:
- High Gold Demand: When there is high demand for gold due to new items or services, the price of the token may increase.
- Gold Supply in Game: When gold is plentiful within the economy the value of the token tends to drop.
- Blizzard Store Events: New releases or sales on the Blizzard store can also impact the token price.
- Game Updates/Releases: Major game releases, for World of Warcraft or other Blizzard titles, can also shift the demand and cause price fluctuations in the token.
Why is my WoW Token not selling?
If your token is not selling, it could be due to a number of reasons:
- Add-on Conflicts: Auction House add-ons can sometimes interfere with the selling process. Disable or update any add-ons and try again.
- Auction House Error: A simple reset of your user interface or a relog may resolve the issue.
- Market Demand: If there are a high volume of tokens for sale, yours may simply be outbid or take more time to sell.
Is it legal to buy WoW gold?
While many players engage in buying gold from third parties, it is important to note that it’s a violation of Blizzard’s Terms of Service. Buying or selling gold for real-world money is not officially supported by Blizzard, and can potentially result in account suspensions or bans. It is always recommended to buy gold through legitimate means such as selling WoW tokens on the Auction House.
How much money is a WoW Token worth?
A WoW Token has a fixed real-world price. For example, in the US it’s $20 USD, but other currencies vary. When you buy with real money, it is not a real-world money exchange, rather a purchase of the token for selling on the Auction House in-game.
Why is WoW Token soulbound?
The WoW Token is not soulbound. Once purchased from the in-game shop for real money, it is tradable and can be sold on the Auction House. However, once purchased with gold from the Auction House, it becomes bound to the account which purchased it, and is used for game time, or account balance.
Why is WoW Token price dropping?
The price of the WoW Token can drop for various reasons, mainly:
- Increased Supply: If there are more people purchasing tokens with real money to sell for gold, it can flood the market and lower the price.
- Decreased Gold Demand: If there’s less demand for gold in the game due to fewer expensive items or services or the natural supply of gold in-game rising, the value of the token will drop.
- Player Base Shift: A significant increase in the number of players buying tokens for game time can also decrease the price.
How long does a Blizzard purchase take?
When you purchase a WoW Token or add Battle.net Balance, it typically takes a few minutes (around 10). In rare situations, it can take up to 48 hours. You can track your transactions in your purchase history.
Can you actually buy WoW accounts?
While it is possible to buy WoW accounts from third-party websites, it is a violation of Blizzard’s Terms of Service, and your account is at risk of being banned if you are caught. Blizzard owns the accounts, and it is against the terms to sell or trade accounts.
How to know when WoW Token sells?
Once you place your token for sale on the auction house, the system will inform you of the estimated sell time. Your WoW Token will sell when a player bids on it, and you will receive gold after the transaction is completed. You will be notified of the sale through the mail system in game.
Hopefully, this comprehensive guide and FAQ section has helped you understand why you might be encountering issues with purchasing a WoW Token. By checking the potential issues listed, and following the solutions provided, you should be back in the game in no time. Remember to always adhere to Blizzard’s Terms of Service for a safe and enjoyable gaming experience. If problems persist, Blizzard’s customer support team is available to provide assistance.