Is the Premium Store Thing Working?

[Henry]

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.

The real question is, is the shop in question an earnestly run business, or one of those geniuses who runs a hobby shop as his own personal discount outlet and never orders anything he doesn't play?

If the former, Jester, I'd talk to him and make him aware that Wizards is doing everything possible (including D&D encounters) to get gamers in stores and buying things; if he's the latter, I'd just stop supporting him and let the laws of nature take their course...

 

[Glyfair]

Personally, I'd have to answer no. However, that is because my local premiere store is run by friends and I have been involved with it since they opened it almost 30 years ago. I am pretty close to as involved my personal life allows me to be (which isn't much right now).

 

[Ahrimon]

Definately yes. I hadn't bought a book from a store in years. A store was just a store and I'm frugal. Then I moved to Hawaii and discovered the store here. They run weekly events. Renting out the local conferance rooms to host games of all types.

As far as I'm concerned, they're going above and beyond for their customers. I'll support a store that does that.

 

[Argyle King]

What's a premium store?

 

[thalmin]

What's a premium store?

It should be Premiere store, which is a brick and mortar store that meets certain qualifications with WotC. This year they started a program where Core Level and above Premiere stores receive and are allowed to sell most new D&D releases 11 days before regular street date. (A Premiere store must carry a minimum of WotC products and run regular Organized Play events for WotC. A Core level store must meet higher standards, as does each tier above Core.) It is how WotC has chosen to recognize the stores that promote Wizards products.

 

[TirionAnthion]

Sales increase

My local store has seen at increase in sales. Many of the "hardcore" players were buying the books at the local Barnes & Noble who routinely had the books the weekend before the release. Since we began selling the books earlier we have taken back that business.

The D&D Encounters program has also helped bring in traffic to the store. It provides an easy and accessible way for new people to approach the hobby. The "Living" programs could seem a bit daunting to new players and tended to become very insular among the groups playing.

Ultimately, I applaud WotC for the effort to support FLGSs. I complained quite loudly about the fact that chain retailers could sell the books early and I was very critical of WotC. I am glad to see that they have made an effort to help out, despite the fact that they are under no obligation to do so.

 

[Korgoth]

It seems like an excellent idea to me. Stores really need all the help they can get to survive against the online retailers.

The online retailer's storefront is always open, and is accessible from your study at 3am while you're sitting around in your skivvies. The bottom line is that you get the product you want (rarely are they "out of stock") for about 10-20% above wholesale, and some dude actually brings it to your house. That's an amazing business model. The only problem with it is that it is essentially parasitic: it puts retailers under but retailers are a great place to meet, game, hang out and give the hobby visibility.

But when it comes to a purchasing decision, there's no line like the bottom line. So retailers have to scramble to add value any way they can. Play areas are a big deal. So are hosted events. So is a savvy staff that can talk the hobby with patrons. Snack availability and other creature comforts can also help.

The ability to have the product out first is a huge advantage. That adds a ton of value: now you're not just paying more to throw your local retailer some charity (and Heaven help him if he's some irritating dude that doesn't naturally provoke a charitable response). Now you're actually getting something extra for your money: you're getting the latest-greatest first.

I think WOTC hit a home run with this one.

 

[The Little Raven]

I bought the PHB1/MM1/DMG1 at my FLGS, then everything after on Amazon... until I found out my store had Dark Sun 11 days early, and while I was there, I picked up the third GoT board game expansion, the Anima card game expansion, and some dice.

This is a definite success.

 

[mgbeach]

I was chatting about this with the owner/operator of my FLGS the other day. Told him that without the early release I absolutely would have gotten my Dark Sun stuff online.

I mean, many online retailers have free shipping and you save like 30%. That's hard to pass up.

Of course, if I know the books are sitting there at the FLGS on the shelf waiting on me I can't let them be lonely

The owner said that he had heard that from a lot of people and that sales had definitely seen an improvement due to the early releases.

 

[The Little Raven]

The owner said that he had heard that from a lot of people and that sales had definitely seen an improvement due to the early releases.

It feels no different than paying for super-fast shipping, except for the fact that I get it even sooner.