D&D 5E Chapters/Indigo and the death of the FLGS

[Kobold Stew]

I'm very troubled by Chapters/Indigo in Canada breaking the release date with the 5e PHB,. This wasnt a surprise: we knew they were likely to do so; but it seems such a slap in the face of such a brilliant plan to release the books two weeks early so that game stores could make a reasonable profit before the online marketers had a chance.

I know not everyone has access to a store, and many are in a financial position such that they want the biggest discounts possible -- all that's fair game; you can have the books cheaper on the release date if you want them.

WOTC were so progressive with this solution -- I cant describe how much I admire this marketing choice. It was supportive of their fan base and gave a real reward to those willing to pay the premium. Amazon, not known for their respect for their fellow retailers, choose to honour it (so far at least).

While I'm giddy to discover what's inside as much as the next guy, I feel conflicted: Breaking the release date hurts the whole hobby, I feel; it hurts game stores, and -- I'm surprised at my moralism here -- it cheats. However much I want my PHB, I'll admit that I'm pleased that I didn't order it from Chapters/Indigo. I don't want to order anything from them, or go to their stores. But I wish I could do more. I have no idea what sorts of reprisals or restoration WOTC might be able to get from the Canadian retailer, but I hope they pursue everything they can, and I hope it works.

 

[pkt77242]

I'm very troubled by Chapters/Indigo in Canada breaking the release date with the 5e PHB,. This wasnt a surprise: we knew they were likely to do so; but it seems such a slap in the face of such a brilliant plan to release the books two weeks early so that game stores could make a reasonable profit before the online marketers had a chance.

I know not everyone has access to a store, and many are in a financial position such that they want the biggest discounts possible -- all that's fair game; you can have the books cheaper on the release date if you want them.

WOTC were so progressive with this solution -- I cant describe how much I admire this marketing choice. It was supportive of their fan base and gave a real reward to those willing to pay the premium. Amazon, not known for their respect for their fellow retailers, choose to honour it (so far at least).

While I'm giddy to discover what's inside as much as the next guy, I feel conflicted: Breaking the release date hurts the whole hobby, I feel; it hurts game stores, and -- I'm surprised at my moralism here -- it cheats. However much I want my PHB, I'll admit that I'm pleased that I didn't order it from Chapters/Indigo. I don't want to order anything from them, or go to their stores. But I wish I could do more. I have no idea what sorts of reprisals or restoration WOTC might be able to get from the Canadian retailer, but I hope they pursue everything they can, and I hope it works.

Most contracts have fines written into them for breaking street date, having said that it almost never happens (I can't think of a single time it has happened).

 

[Pyromantic]

I agree with you; I don't think it's right.

I live in the Toronto area and I could probably have a copy already if I'd ordered from Chapters, but there's a reason release dates exist. As much as I would like to get the books now, I'm also not in a position to pay twice as much just to get them a couple of weeks early, so I won't be searching for a WPN store and I'll be content to get my Amazon order in a couple of weeks.

Just to be clear, I don't begrudge anyone who has gotten access to the book already...I've been very tempted to cancel my Amazon order and place one at Chapters!

 

[doctorhook]

This thought crossed my mind too: it's a huge retailer in Canada that offers an absolute advantage over ever buying D&D products in an LGS. That really sucks for LGSs.

If it's any consolation, part of the reason Chapters/Indigo probably does this is because it's fighting as hard as it can to avoid the fate of Borders in the United States. I doubt Chapters is likely to end up that way, but their management is surely cognizant that it's a real possibility for any big-box retailer in the publishing industry these days. (Chapters has been selling decorations and fashion-oriented housewares for years already, and now they even carry some clothes; it's a sign the company wants not to rely on books for its future.)

 

[sgtscott658]

Hi-

Here in Chicago, I guess I am lucky, I have a game store (dice dojo) less then a mile from me and I buy most of my gaming gear from them. Granted I could go online, pay a cheaper price but then I would have to wait. I want my book now not a week later.

Anyway, I did get an email from them saying my reserved copy d&d 5E book was in but I had to pick it up friday, well, there only a mile away so I hoped into my two black Cadillac's (combat boots) and trucked over to see if I could get my book now.

They said no, on friday. Now thats integrity!

Scott

 

[Mistwell]

Rather than assuming Chapters/Indigo did it on purpose for a competitive advantage, I assume it's just incompetence.

 

[Boarstorm]

Rather than assuming Chapters/Indigo did it on purpose for a competitive advantage, I assume it's just incompetence.

While I'm a firm believer that you should never assume malice when stupidity is an equally valid explanation, it seems a little widespread for incompetence.

But then, maybe I'm an optimist.

 

[random.brown]

An ignorant 'murican here, but is "Chapters" a large chain?

If they broke the street date at more than one store I could imagine that might go poorly for them in the future!

 

[Mistwell]

While I'm a firm believer that you should never assume malice when stupidity is an equally valid explanation, it seems a little widespread for incompetence.

But then, maybe I'm an optimist.

It takes one central distribution point shipping all the books out as soon as they get them, and a lack of a policy in place at stores to hold back books they receive from the distribution point until you've checked the release date. Doesn't seem like a lot of things need to go wrong for this to happen.

 

[Kobold Stew]

Thanks, everyone, for your thoughts and support.

If it's any consolation, part of the reason Chapters/Indigo probably does this is because it's fighting as hard as it can to avoid the fate of Borders in the United States.

This may be, but it cuts both ways, since Chapters, by offering discounts of 10-20% on all new books, effectively drove out most smaller independent bookstores with their price-gouging. Amazon is just able to do it more effectively since it doesn't worry about retail.

Rather than assuming Chapters/Indigo did it on purpose for a competitive advantage, I assume it's just incompetence.

That may be, but if so it is serial incompetence, and they are gaining a significant competitive advantage. They broke the street date for the Starter Set as well, and that's why I say this was predictable -- and indeed last month many people on these boards said they were switching their orders to Chapters/Indigo because of the likelihood it would happen again.

An ignorant 'murican here, but is "Chapters" a large chain?

If they broke the street date at more than one store I could imagine that might go poorly for them in the future!

Yes, it is the largest book retailer in Canada, with stores in every province (a merger of two formerly competing box book sellers).

As for whether there will be fallout, we'll have to see. I feel there should be, and if there is a financial penalty, then they should be made to pay it.