Quick question!
I became an "Elite/Platinum" member two or three weeks ago. When I try to order an elite gift I get this error:
"Sorry this item is available for 2012 Platinum members only."
Does this mean I have to wait until next year? Or are they out of rewards and I'm screwed?
EDIT: Crap, just read the OT. So the deadline was July 31st, but it's still ~10pm where I live (SoCal). I take it they're going by Eastern Time?
Log in to CN, click Account & Coins, then go to the Coins & Status tab, scroll down to the bottom where it says "Elite Status History."
If it says "2012 Elite Status: Gold" or "2012 Elite Status: Platinum" then you should be able to pick a prize.
If you reached Platinum since July 1st (as in, earned over 600 coins in July) it should say "2013 Elite Status: Platinum" and will be able to pick your reward next year in July 2013.
What I'm guessing happened though, is that you had less than 600 current coins (as in, unspent) on July 1st when the new CN year began, and reached 600 (again, current coins) since then, and the site mistakenly told you you'd reached Platinum. There's an error in the site where upon your current coins reaching 300 or 600 it will congratulate you, even if your coins for that year are above or below the required amount.
Remember, the current coins amount doesn't matter, just the amount for the year, which is stated in parentheses after your status on the page I sent you to above.