Is the Premium Store Thing Working?

[the Jester]

Strange that they would allow a store that doesn't stock current materials to be a premium store. Do they run D&D Encounters?

Yes, and they do stock some 4e stuff... a little.

In the last 11 months (since I moved up here) the only new 4e stuff I've seen them get without me ordering it has been Plane Above, Players Handbook 3 and some dungeon tiles. They don't even have a PH on the shelf!

I was actually one of the Encounters dms until a few weeks ago, but some family stuff came up and I wasn't able to go for a couple of weeks. I'm really not sure if I'm going to bother going back, either.

It's really, really disappointing.

 

[nnms]

I've made three purchases I probably would not have because the stuff was on the shelf early.

 

[keterys]

I help volunteer to DM/do events at my local store, but I only buy books from it with store credit or when I feel like I want some dice or a map or something, more impulse like. I pretty much never feel I need to rush to get a book ahead of other people.

So, yeah, still not competing with amazon or waiting to make sure I don't get a book as a gift (I give more time for that lately). That said, I think it's a _fantastic_ idea to support the stores. I'm just not that impatient.

 

[Kralin Thornberry]

Yes, I've bought more, not that I wouldn't have anyway, but I like having the stuff earlier.

 

[Dice4Hire]

Well, I have no FLGS, but if I were in the states, I would be happy to forgo Amazon, and go to a store and buy books there, even at a higher price, especially if the store offered earlier release, Encounters and such.

I remain impressed with WOTC's care in supporting FLGS, and that kind of play experience. They do not have to do that, but I am glad they make the effort.

 

[Alan Shutko]

I feel out of the loop. I didn't know anything about premium stores. As it is, there is little that could get me into a LGS and a 4e book isn't on the list. If stuff is in DDI I don't need the book right away and if it isn't I am not going to use it until it is.

 

[thalmin]

We are a Premier Store, and our 4E sales have increased noticeably!

 

[filthgrinder]

I answered yes.

I play D&D Encounters at my local store (and I've been DMing the current season). So since I'm in there, playing every week, for free, I will go ahead and buy my books there. It's more expensive than amazon, but I like getting the books early, and I like supporting the store where I play.

 

[Festivus]

I voted that my shopping habits haven't changed (because I buy only what I feel I need anyhow, not because I can get it early), but I can tell you that there is a definite uptick in customer traffic looking for books early, which makes the FLGS owner very happy.

We also have seen more and more 4E interest, partially thanks I think to Encounters, and I expect another uptick with Essentials.

 

[Festivus]

I love supporting my FLGS.

UNFORTUNATELY...

My local (1-hour-away) FLGS, which is a premium store, doesn't bother to order 4e stuff unless someone specifically orders it. So I can't look at stuff early, in fact I can't even look at it at all without ordering it...

Unless I go to the Barnes & Noble about six blocks from dude's store, where they get some 4e stuff. And it's not early. And at that point, I buy it there, rather than going back to dude and ordering it and waiting and driving another hour to go pick it up.

It's very frustrating, to be honest; I've just about decided to switch to ordering from Amazon, saving myself an hour's drive each way and some money in exchange for paying for shipping... and not supporting my FLGS.

Bah.

Wow. Have you discussed this with the store owner? I mean, getting the books two weeks before anyone around would equate to a sale to someone, even if you only ordered a couple copies.