Change in WotC pricing structure?

[SmCaudata]

I too noticed the price disparity in pricing (or actually a lack thereof) comparing the core books to the adventures. The wizards main page lists PHB as $35 US and the first adventure as $25. One is a 300+ page hardcover and the other is a 64 page paperback. They certainly didn't price these according to print costs, development costs, or any other system I can see. I think a previous poster is right in that the core books are basically sold at a loss and the adventures (the first few at least) are meant to make up some of that loss.

Looking at the WotC site. The first few 3e adventures were $10 and the last few were $20. Guess 4e is gonna be another $5.

 

[arscott]

You're forgetting about print runs. They're going to be printing far more PHBs and DMGs than copies of KotS, so the printing costs will be significantly lower per page.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

From what I have been told, the full set (all 3 books) will cost around $250 in our stores.

I am seriously considering using amazon, although I still believe very strongly in supporting our gaming shops.

Dragonworld, a german online gaming shop I usually order from, offers each core book at 20€.
Even taking into account the weak American peso Dollar, there seems to be a considerable difference...

Don't know if they deliver outside Germany, and their interface is in German, so it might not be a big help.

 

[Vradna]

My only data point is the Tin Soldier web shop. Games Paradise, the other FLGS in Sydney that I know of doesn't have KotS on their webshop. I was concerned that WotC might have decided to take a hit on the price of the core rules with the aim to make up the difference on the DDI and the printed adventures. Which (as a player in a group that plans to run all of the printed adventures as a campaign on DDI) was causing me some concern.

Anyone else able to comment?

Edit: Hmm, now that I check Amazon, I see that the PHB is RRP $10 more expensive than KotS. Maybe it's just an Australian quirk. However, even going via Amazon the price ratio between Core Books and Adventures seems a little low (ie. closer to 1:1 than 3e's 2:1 or 3:1).

My advice would be to go through Amazon solely, or Mil Sims if you feel the need to be patriotic. Our dollar is quite comparable to the US at the moment, so were I in your shoes, I'd take that route.

Unfortunately, I cannot say anything good about Tin Soldier or Games Paradise in terms of ordering/preordering/price accuracy/pick-an-excuse-why-we-do-not-have-a-stocked-item-after-we-said-it-was-going-to-be-delivered-on-such-and-such-date-saga.
Stick with the companies that do mail order as their primary business.

 

[devoblue]

Unfortunately, I cannot say anything good about Tin Soldier or Games Paradise in terms of ordering/preordering/price accuracy/pick-an-excuse-why-we-do-not-have-a-stocked-item-after-we-said-it-was-going-to-be-delivered-on-such-and-such-date-saga.
Stick with the companies that do mail order as their primary business.

With the release of 3.5, Games Paradise had boxes of all three books on the release day. Of course, non-core items sometimes are early and other times late throughout Australia.

Last time I asked at Mind Games they were taking pre-orders but didn't have a price, so I haven't decided if I want to wait 2 weeks for a slight or substantial amazon discount.

 

[Jack99]

Dragonworld, a german online gaming shop I usually order from, offers each core book at 20€.
Even taking into account the weak American peso Dollar, there seems to be a considerable difference...

Don't know if they deliver outside Germany, and their interface is in German, so it might not a big help.

Nein! But that is a sweet price.

 

[Oldtimer]

From what I have been told, the full set (all 3 books) will cost around $250 in our stores.

Incredible. They are listed here in Sweden at 210 krona before VAT (approx $35). Are they twice the price in Denmark?

That's what you get for having better beer than us...

 

[Kzach]

At $40 a pop from Australian stores, you'll be saving over $50 if you buy all three through Amazon. If you want them earlier then you can spend more on shipping and only save $20-30 but you can get it as soon as 3 days after release.

 

[small pumpkin man]

$72.79 USD (~$78 AUD) from Amazon, including international shipping for the three core book set (with slipcase).

Why shop anywhere else?

So the 3 book set is considered one item for the purposes of shipping? hrmm, that's looking better than ever.

 

[Dragonstriker]

Yes, the gift set is one item. And honestly, since Drew is leaving Tin Soldier and Jason has already left Walrus & Carpenter (and my wholesale account has been withdrawn) there's very little reason for me to put up with shipping delays and fight the city traffic, for the privilege of paying as much for each book as for the whole set from amazon.
David

P.S. Drew is having farewell drinks on monday 14th April, starting in store and moving on. Perhaps the Sydney ENWorlders could meet up there? I know I'd like to put faces to names...