3 Books or Set?

Altamont Ravenard · May 2, 2004

Bubbalicious said:
Yes, it's a gift set. The publishers can buy their wives and kids (and mistresses?) more gifts!!

But if they buy gift sets of their own, they probably can't

jerichothebard · May 2, 2004

It's a dime. big whoopee.

jtb

Phineas Crow · May 2, 2004

The difference in price is even greater at amazon.com...

Player's Handbook: $20.96
Dungeon Master's Guide: $20.96
Monster Manual: $20.37
Total price: $62.29

Dungeons & Dragons Core Rulebook Gift Set: $62.96

Nifelhein · May 2, 2004

Well I have a gift set and the only special thingis the slip case, I bought it from Amazon too and when i did so it was around 40% off, I believe, it cost me a lot less than we would pay for the isolated books and ceertainly less than we were thinking and checked when we were deciding to buy it.

10 cents for the slip case is not a problem, for me, sicne I like to have the books protected inside it.

GreyShadow · May 2, 2004

If I was going to buy new books, 10 cents for a nice slip case would be fine by me.

Wasgo · May 2, 2004

On Amazon.ca, you save 1 penny for buying the set.

MeepoTheMighty · May 3, 2004

Overstock.com has the gift set for something like 50 bucks and change.

Altalazar · May 3, 2004

It is an insignificant difference.

The books basically cost the same either way. And perhaps some only want to purchase a player's handbook (as some of my players did), in which case, they like having the option to buy just one book for cheaper.

This is a rather big quibble to make about something basically insignificant.

Eltern · May 3, 2004

I got my boxed set for 53 bucks off Amazon.

booyah!

milotha · May 3, 2004

It's a retail sales thing. When people shop, they typically use a really poor price comparison algorithm. If they see something bundled together, they will assume that they are getting it at a discount, and they won't actually bother to price compare.

The retail sales mantra is to increase the average price that a customer spends per purchase. If you can sell them a higher price point item under the illusion that they are saving money, then you've won.

I'm certain if pressed on this, they would claim that the gift pack simplifies the purchase for a new player. Ie: This set contains all that you need to start play. We've bundled it together for your shopping convenience. Now, you wont' have to waste your time/money trying to figure out which books they will need. Or some such nonsense.