As a consumer...
...DrivethruRPG is "the place" for print products in pdf form, so long as they're watermarked. No DRM for me. I usually only shop there if I'm looking for a specific product.
...RPGNow is easier to navigate, the place for pdfs in general, and pdfs from Green Ronin. I've been very happy with the service there. It's my first and only stop when looking for "native" pdfs.
What's the difference between RPGNow.com vs. DriveThruRPG.com as a consumer and/or publisher?
Why are some publishers signing "exclusives" with DriveThru?
As a consumer or publisher, are you generally pleased with one, the other or neither website?
Do you generally see more sales through these sites or through your own?
Thanks!
We actually work with both. The biggest difference to me is RPGNow has a truly impressive suite of tools for publishers (not really seen by customers) and DTRPG is the equivalent of banging the rocks together. As has been stated, you get a lot of print customers through DTRPG but the volume of focused customers cannot be denied on RPGNow. RPGNow has a built-in customer base so generally you will see more sales than through your own site. This is not always the case as you can spend a lot of time building your customer base for you own site.
As for signing exclusives with DTRPG, publishers get a better rate and position on the site. RPGNow has it based on sales. Platinum vendors get better placement on the site including preferential front page ads/exposure.
We've just recently joined up with DTRPG, and we're extremely pleased with the results as far as sales go. It seems DTRPG really is tapping a different market than RPGNow, rather than sapping from it. DTRPG's vendor tools are - as Bill mentioned - primitive compared to those at RPGnow, but James has had a lot of time to refine his approach, and it shows. I'm willing to give the folks at DTRPG more time to work on their back end. They're also very nice folks, and have gone out of their way to be helpful. We've been more than happy with RPGnow, for many of the same reasons, and going exclusive isn't on our radar. It does take time to maintain more than one outlet - we still haven't gotten anywhere near out full catalog up on DTRPG yet - and it must be worse for folks like Hinterwelt, who do a substantial business out of their own site. As far as the ENWorld shop goes, we are watching things closely. We weren't in any rush to get on DTRPG, and won't be rushing over here.
Rpgnow - they seem like they have the largest selection. I've always been pleased with the service there and its where I first bought pdfs. I have store loyalty to them and buy whatever I can from them.
DTRPG - I buy material I can't buy at Rpgnow here, Mongoose, Necromancer, and Malhavoc (though I'm trying to quit the Malhavoc habit).
ENGS - Initially, I was reluctant to shop here. It seems like a serious shift from "community" to "store", even though the shift has been gradual over the last number of years. I like the bookshelf feature, I like pick and mix, and there are some publishers that don't release material elsewhere. I tend to buy what I can't buy at Rpgnow here.*
* though Twin Rose will pop up to remind me that a community they are savings to be had by buying dual listed products here instead.
My shopping is:
1) Site loyalty
2) Availability
3) Cost - but I don't bargain hunt for pdfs or rpgs in general.
From a seller viewpoint I believe that ENGS offers a better rate in addition to their other useful features.
__________________ "Whoa your stick figure is all messed up. It's arms have actual thickness. That violates all standards that The Order of the Stick has set forth"
"That's because he is EPIC"
From our point of view we were willing to deal with DTRPG until they told us what price to set in line with other sites then demanded a bigger cut. (this was subject to legal advice)
I dont do business like that, its against european community laws to price fix in this way
What we do is set a price for the product, then add the site margin on and then do not knowingly undersell on our own site.
This equates very well to selling our products in store (FLGS) where the item is sold then the store in question adds on there margin and any local taxes. And the store manager is effectively setting the price for his customers based on market conditions.
We are also more than happy on the sites were we do sell
This was Kevin for UKG Publishing
all views expressed are not necessarily the views of the management are a personal expression only
Well, it's "better" because it's lower, 20% being lower than 25%, 30% or 50%. Is that what you were asking? The rate is fairly clearly publicised.
Morris,
No, I was aware of the rate, I was wondering about the second part. I am aware of many of the features but was interested in the posters opinion on the features.
Morris,
No, I was aware of the rate, I was wondering about the second part. I am aware of many of the features but was interested in the posters opinion on the features.
Full time programmer at the publishers beck and call Actually we DO have a lot of features, and new ones coming in all the time... And of course, other sites getting ideas from seeing them
But yeah, I've made myself available about 16 hours a day to our publishers, helping them when they need help, doing product setup (from previews, to descriptions, to simply uploading the entire product), and helping them in any little way and figuring out ways to utilize their ideas.
HinterWelt Enterprises
Actually we DO have a lot of features, and new ones coming in all the time... And of course, other sites getting ideas from seeing them 
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