[3.5] TALON: What are you guys going to do?

[Nine Hands]

I agree, I do not think WotC is trying to drive gaming stores out of business in any way, shape or form. I do think they're being very insensitive to gaming stores and distributors, however.

The only excuse that I've heard from WotC for not going ahead and letting distributors ship to retailers early is that they want to give time for distributors and retailers who haven't received the books yet to get them. That was the original reasoning behind having the street date to begin with to allow for fair competition.

Once all of the bookstore chains broke street date I think WotC should have given the go ahead for everyone else to ship upon arrival. Because they didn't, now instead of just a handful of places losing sales we're now seeing hundreds of stores getting screwed.

~D

I totally agree with this. Our local store will be recieving the books later today but is not selling them until Midnight Friday (sort of like an album release).

It was nice to see the distributor trust our store that much, since they never break a street date from what I have seen. Also it gives me a chance to hang out with some of my friends after work (since I work nights).

The problem is that the store has already lost sales to people who just want the books right away. This revenue can't be recovered either and since the store has gaming tables and a private room (for free use), I find it pretty sucky that these individuals went to another place to get 3.5 while they then turn around and game in the store. Its pretty lame if you ask me

 

[TalonComics]

Hellfire.

Ah well.

Anyone happen to know if next-day delivers on Saturdays? And do you need to sign a release?

Yes, USPS delivers on Saturday. That's pretty much why I use USPS over UPS. As far as I know, the only time a signature is required is if the sender requests it. Otherwise, I imagine you will get a knock at your door and they leave it or they stick it in your mailbox if it's large enough.

~D

 

[TalonComics]

Oddly enough, Diamond Comics (a major distributor for FLGSs) claims that WOTC told them the street date is July 30th, so they won't release the new books until then

Just to clarify some things with Diamond:
First, Diamond is a comic distributor more than anything. All shipments from Diamond, unless they're reorders, are received on Wednesdays.
If Diamond receives the revised books at the end of this week they won't have time to be processed for next week's invoice which in turn delays their release until the following Wednesday which is the 30th.
If you're a game retailer, you're probably not going to be getting your games through Diamond but through another distributor that totally deals in games. Alliance, the largest game distributor, is owned, but ran separately by Diamond. Alliance ships everyday instead of just on Wednesdays.

~D

 

[youspoonybard]

Talon, if we get normal shipping, what day are they due in? Thank you!

 

[TalonComics]

Take the quote in context.

"What are they trying to do, drive FLGS out of business?" is an ironic , if not sarcastic question. I don't beleave that WOTC is trying to drive FLGSs out of business, but I do beleave on this subject that they are being neglectful. They are forcing good people to obey thier rules, and they aren't doing anything about the ones that aren't.

And really there isn't much they can do about the big boy's. WOTC can't make Walmart suffer. WOTC is a small part of Hasbro, and to be honest, if they stopped shipping Walmart product, Hasbro would continue to do business with them and not bat an eye.

And to be honest, if they don't do something publicly, then they haven't done anything at all. There is no punishment if there is no shame, IMHO.

So the least they could do is allow the book flow at this point an allow the retailers that followed the rules to try and catch up with those that broke the rules. But that's just my opinion.

There are going to be some major talks about this whole situation at Gencon. I wish I could be there for that.

Because of the nature of this situation and the amount of dollars being lost over it, there is a very good chance that legal action will be taken against WotC probably from several directions. It's just a rumor at this point but don't be surprised if it happens. My speculation is it could even happen in a class action suit.

From everything I've heard, there are collectively several hundred retailers and distributors who have potentially lost thousands of dollars over this.

~D

 

[dsfriii]

The problem is that the store has already lost sales to people who just want the books right away. This revenue can't be recovered either and since the store has gaming tables and a private room (for free use), I find it pretty sucky that these individuals went to another place to get 3.5 while they then turn around and game in the store. Its pretty lame if you ask me

Well these people do they also my other gaming products from the store??? I agree if they do not buy a thing from the store and use the free gaming space then they are lame. But if they buy there splat books there, dice, source books, adventures, minis, and other games. then I do not see the problem if they can save some money once in awhile....

 

[TalonComics]

Talon, if we get normal shipping, what day are they due in? Thank you!

I ship normal shippng via USPS Media Mail. As everything is going out on Friday, Media Mail should get to you, depending on distance from me, next Tuesday to Thursday. I can still upgrade shipping to Priority Mail for an extra 10 dollars which would put it to you on Monday.

I'm good to go! We're just waiting for the books to be here tomorrow morning.

~D

 

[dsfriii]

Because of the nature of this situation and the amount of dollars being lost over it, there is a very good chance that legal action will be taken against WotC probably from several directions. It's just a rumor at this point but don't be surprised if it happens. My speculation is it could even happen in a class action suit.

 

[TalonComics]

Dsfriii, smirk all you want to but I don't think you realize how much money was lost over this nor do you realize how many people are totally pissed off over it.

You may think my comments are me under the influence of "sour grapes" but the reality of this situation is no different, other than scale, than if the fifth Harry Potter book was massively released early by some book stores where as other book stores were forced to maintain the street date.

~D

 

[dsfriii]

Okay then please educate me. How much money have you lost from Amazon, Wal-mart and others selling the product early??

I could be wrong. Please I am more than willing to listen...