Well... at least once you jump through all those hoops you can get the Cataclysm expac on amazon.com for only another $19.99 right here http://www.amazon.com/World-Warcraft.../dp/B002I0HKIU

It's the daily special, what do you know If you scroll down, even with this screaming deal it's still $74.86 to start playing wow from scratch, ouch.