4e & Internet Sales

[Emryys]

We're blessed with an abundance of LGS, most are friendly, so we manage to run lots of games there, which leads to many a purchase

Ususally I only do online purchases for items not available (or PDF), but I can usually find a store that can get it and they usually have a discount equal to no tax...

 

[Jack99]

I have got a local (10 miles away) gaming store. I buy all my 4e books there. The only thing I buy over the net is 3PP stuff that they do not get, or PDF's (obviously). Lately, I have considered switching to amazon.co.uk, as I can save 25% (ie around $12 per book). I really should, so far, the only part keeping me from doing so is the F in FLGS.

 

[drscott46]

Before the 4E core books came out I did the math and some price comparisons between Amazon and Barnes & Noble.com. I figured that a $25 annual membership on B&N would save me an extra 10% on every D&D product I bought (including things like Dungeon Tiles that aren't discounted at Amazon). Sure, Amazon's end prices are a tiny bit lower on most products even when counting the B&N membership discount, but B&N's free shipping is *considerably* faster than Amazon's Super Saver shipping. Add to that the B&N credit card offer that gives an extra 5% instant rebate credit for every B&N purchase plus a $25 gift card at signup and I figure I come out at least a little bit ahead with the membership investment. Plus that membership helps in all of my non-gaming book purchases as well.

On top of all that, B&N sends out a 15% off stores-and-online coupon about every 2-3 weeks. They can be used on in-stock items or preorders, and stack perfectly with all the other discounts! Pretty much every new 4E book I buy gets one- then package the book with a set of Dungeon Tiles (generally at $8.95 after membership discount) and you have a $25-ish order that's in my hands with free shipping three days or so from release date.

Recently I got a copy of the new Draconomicon (list price $39.95, higher than most 4E books) for $16.39 with a special one-time holiday B&N coupon. 20% normal discount ($31.96), + 10% member discount ($28.76) + 40% special coupon ($17.25) plus CC rebate. I wasn't even planning to buy that particular book, but the price was just too good to pass up.

I've used Miniature Market (miniaturemarket.com) to buy cases of D&D minis- they may not have the absolute lowest per-pack and per-case prices, but the free shipping on cases or orders over $75 more than makes up for it. (Some online retailers have great per-pack or per-case pricing, then charge you out the yin-yang for shipping, wiping out most or all of the benefit.) They're also consistently good at getting orders to me from halfway across the country in 2-3 days. These last few sets, I've split a case purchase with another person and got six packs for just over $9 apiece shipped. Beats the heck out of the inflated pack list price.

I don't shop at my FLGS for gaming books, although I do use them for things that you can't get cheaper online, like individual miniatures (sometimes), dice, and especially Paizo game aids like the flip-mats. Paizo generally doesn't offer free shipping so it's an extra $5 or $6 (to go just one state away, no less) on top of the same prices as the FLGS. Plus at the game store you get a better idea what the stuff really looks like. I wish I could support my local store more, but the price difference on books is so great that I just can't. They do have a great selection of used old RPG stuff and videogames, so I'll hit those from time to time as well.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

During discussion of 4e sales, Internet retailers such as Amazon.com and Buy.com often enter the discussion due to their deep discounts. I was wondering, exactly how much 4e materials do people buy via these Internet discount retailers, so I thought I'd put up a poll to gauge at least a portion of EN World's buying habits in regard to 4e.

I buy my rule books online, but (usually) at Dragonworld, not Amazon or something similar. While Dragonworld has an online portal, it is also a brick & mortar stone. I rarely look out for "special deals" in that regard.

 

[Mistwell]

We do not have a good game store local to us. However, I've gone to so many conventions around the nation this year that I do buy a fair amount direct from a retailer that way. It's not "my" retailer, but it's "a" retailer.

Most of my convention purchases are accessories. Miniatures, battlematts, initiative tracker, and that sort of stuff. I could buy them online, but the "Ooh, shiney!" factor often gets me when I see them in person.

 

[Treebore]

I have been doing 90%+ of all my RPG buying online since 2000. Amazon, stiggybaby, noble knight, troll and toad, titan games, ebay, wherever I find what I am looking for at the best price, even direct from the RPG company like Goodman, XRP, Green Ronin, Paizo, Kenzer, and Troll Lords when they have had good sales.

For the last 3 years my LGS is 55 miles away. Even when it was only 20 minutes away I still bought on line. It was financially irresponsible for me not to.
Especially on eBay, I can't tell you how many times I got books for 10 to 20% of retail on eBay.

Buying on line has saved me thousands of dollars over the years.