Calculating the Cost

[Swiftbrook]

In many a recent thread, cost has been discussed. The cost of minis going up, the cost to a manufacturer if material is posted on the Internet, and the list could continue.

So, I have a simple question: If company A produces a book or mini or dice or anything and sets a MSRP of $10, what does my FLGS pay for it? What does the distributer pay for it? How much does company A actually receive for the item?

Well, maybe not so simple a question.

I've always assumed the price doubled. Manufacturer charged $2.50, distributer charged $5.00, FLGS or bookstore charged $10.00. Is that anywhere near accurate?

-Swiftbrook

 

[MerricB]

Good question.

The numbers you quote are what Sean K. Reynolds uses in his discussion (rant!) of the subject: http://www.seankreynolds.com/rpgfiles/rants/rpgsaretooexpensive.html

Cheers!

 

[Cergorach]

No, it isn't.
For books it's generally that the distributor pays 40% of the SRP to the publisher, the retailer pays 50%-60% of SRP (depending on how many they buy), the consumer pays anywhere from 60% to 110% of SRP (depending who they buy it from and when).

I've heard from publishers that they generally try to reserve 10% of SRP for printing costs, how much they pay for art, riting, editing, layout, development, etc. Really depends on the publisher.

Miniatures are a whole different 'game'. Design and sculpting cost a lot compared to the costs of metal, unless your making thousands of minis. Then you have mould making costs, depending on how large and complex the mini is, it also can cost a lot. Remember, they generally make a master mould, and from those castings production molds. Then you have variables like packaging, and storage (these are generally a bit of a bigger hassle than with books.