JoeGKushner
Adventurer
So are boxed sets dead? I can understand why from the pricing prospective, but as a player, I love the suckers. Any takers out there?
Boxed Sets Dead?
- Thread starter JoeGKushner
- Start date
ParadigmPrez
First Post
Boxed Sets
Hello,
I agree with you, I also LOVE boxed sets! Unfortunately, I have been advised by a fellow publisher and from discussing the subject with quite a few distributors that they don't sell as well as hardbacks or softbacks. Apparently, retailors don't order enough of them to make them financially feasable.
I can also understand the reluctance of a buyer to have to plunk down $40 or $45 on a sight unseen product. Most retailors don't open Boxed sets and you can only get so much information from the back.
As that fellow publisher told me (and yes, his company has done a number of boxed sets) "you either have to have a buyer base strong enough to guarantee the sales necessary to at least break even or wait until you do. Usually the best you can hope for in a Boxed set is a modest profit if that".
In any case, we're looking at the strength of the Arcanis line at the moment as well as our very popular Living Arcanis RPGA campaign (hehe..sorry for the plug
) to see if we take the gamble to do one in 2003.
Of course, this is just my opinion and findings. I'm sure others with add their experiences and/or observations.
Best,
Hello,
I agree with you, I also LOVE boxed sets! Unfortunately, I have been advised by a fellow publisher and from discussing the subject with quite a few distributors that they don't sell as well as hardbacks or softbacks. Apparently, retailors don't order enough of them to make them financially feasable.
I can also understand the reluctance of a buyer to have to plunk down $40 or $45 on a sight unseen product. Most retailors don't open Boxed sets and you can only get so much information from the back.
As that fellow publisher told me (and yes, his company has done a number of boxed sets) "you either have to have a buyer base strong enough to guarantee the sales necessary to at least break even or wait until you do. Usually the best you can hope for in a Boxed set is a modest profit if that".
In any case, we're looking at the strength of the Arcanis line at the moment as well as our very popular Living Arcanis RPGA campaign (hehe..sorry for the plug
) to see if we take the gamble to do one in 2003.Of course, this is just my opinion and findings. I'm sure others with add their experiences and/or observations.
Best,
thundershot
Adventurer
I hate boxed sets.
Why? Because it was such a pain keeping everything together, and the boxes would become slowly crushed over time. Material from one box would get mixed into another box (don't even get me started on what a MESS my Spelljammer sets are in), and it would create chaos and confusion.
I have, and always will prefer hardcovers over anything else. WOTC and FFG are keeping me in supply with those, fortunately, and softcovers come in second.
The only possible redeeming quality of a boxed set, IMO, is if a company wants to include a set of dice with it.
My two cents,
Chris
Why? Because it was such a pain keeping everything together, and the boxes would become slowly crushed over time. Material from one box would get mixed into another box (don't even get me started on what a MESS my Spelljammer sets are in), and it would create chaos and confusion.
I have, and always will prefer hardcovers over anything else. WOTC and FFG are keeping me in supply with those, fortunately, and softcovers come in second.
The only possible redeeming quality of a boxed set, IMO, is if a company wants to include a set of dice with it.
My two cents,
Chris
Vocenoctum
First Post
For me to like a boxed set, it'd need to have something besides just books in it.
Also, make it large enough that you could fit several linked books into it. (linked to the subject)
The other way being to make it as smallas possible so you don't have a box of air
Another advantage is a DM book and a Player book for a setting. I'd rather see more bundled style stuff rather than a boxed set.
Most of the game shops around here keep ALL their books sealed. If you want to look through one, you have to go to the front desk, ask permision and stand there so he can watch you. Yet another reason I order online or through BDaltons
Also, make it large enough that you could fit several linked books into it. (linked to the subject)
The other way being to make it as smallas possible so you don't have a box of air
Another advantage is a DM book and a Player book for a setting. I'd rather see more bundled style stuff rather than a boxed set.
Most of the game shops around here keep ALL their books sealed. If you want to look through one, you have to go to the front desk, ask permision and stand there so he can watch you. Yet another reason I order online or through BDaltons
trancejeremy
Adventurer
It's not just they don't sell well, apparently they are quite expensive to produce.
I mean, if you think about it, instead of doing the layout and printing/binding of one book, you have to do it for lots of little books, the box, the maps (if any), the other stuff, then you have to assemble it and then shrink wrap it.
And then, if you haven't used the smallest box possible, you have to devote a lot of warehouse room to it than you otherwise would.
As a consumer, I sort of like them, but they don't store well. I don't have much room, so I have to stack my RPG stuff vertically. This usually results in squished boxes.
I mean, if you think about it, instead of doing the layout and printing/binding of one book, you have to do it for lots of little books, the box, the maps (if any), the other stuff, then you have to assemble it and then shrink wrap it.
And then, if you haven't used the smallest box possible, you have to devote a lot of warehouse room to it than you otherwise would.
As a consumer, I sort of like them, but they don't store well. I don't have much room, so I have to stack my RPG stuff vertically. This usually results in squished boxes.
Psychotic Dreamer
First Post
I'm not a fan of Box Sets. As others have said the boxes get crushed, the various stuff gets seperated and just in general they are two big.
Lady Dragon
First Post
I hate boxed sets they take up to much room on my bookshelves.And they get crushed.I end up putting related material in the boxes to same shelf space then I have to search through all the boxes to find the product if looking for Planescape was the worst at this.
Another problem was all the separate books why? I can handle 1 big book.
The only legitamate reasons for a box is if there are a lot of loose materials such as maps or cards or if some non paper products are included such as dice or mini's.
Another problem was all the separate books why? I can handle 1 big book.
The only legitamate reasons for a box is if there are a lot of loose materials such as maps or cards or if some non paper products are included such as dice or mini's.
JohnNephew
First Post
There's a major problem with boxed sets, which is not obvious to the US consumer: Taxes in foreign countries. Specifically, a lot of countries have a value added tax -- a sort of national sales tax (V.A.T. in the UK, G.S.T. in Canada, etc.). It can be hefty, as in 10%-20%. It is often the case that books are *exempt* -- but something in a box will be considered by customs to be a *game,* and get the tax slapped onto it.
For a lot of publishers, non-US markets are very important. I suspect that as they increased in importance, the fact of the different tax treatment helped encourage more US publishers to avoid boxed sets, which were so popular in the '80s. I don't think the VAT alone did it, but on top of the other factors already mentioned -- people can't leaf through it in the store, far more copies of boxes get damaged in transit than books, and greater expenses for manufacturing, assembly, and storage -- it's just another big straw on the ol' camel.
For a lot of publishers, non-US markets are very important. I suspect that as they increased in importance, the fact of the different tax treatment helped encourage more US publishers to avoid boxed sets, which were so popular in the '80s. I don't think the VAT alone did it, but on top of the other factors already mentioned -- people can't leaf through it in the store, far more copies of boxes get damaged in transit than books, and greater expenses for manufacturing, assembly, and storage -- it's just another big straw on the ol' camel.
Ranger REG
Explorer
I have a fondness for boxed sets, but most often it is wasted on the product's content. If the content includes booklets and poster maps, then it's a waste. If the content includes counters, tokens and small "prop" items, then it's okay.
Personally, boxed set should evolve from paper cardstock to plastic.
Personally, boxed set should evolve from paper cardstock to plastic.
Adlon
Mortality.net
Personally, I really like boxed sets, if done well.
I refer to the FRCS 'old gray box', Ruin of Undermountain, and Myth Drannor. All 3 well done.
If I knew there were publishers whom could be deemed 'reliable' in their product line, and to me, there are, the price of a good boxed set wouldnt upset me at all.
I refer to the FRCS 'old gray box', Ruin of Undermountain, and Myth Drannor. All 3 well done.
If I knew there were publishers whom could be deemed 'reliable' in their product line, and to me, there are, the price of a good boxed set wouldnt upset me at all.
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