Consumer Preference: Hardcover or Softcover?

[Ranger REG]

Well, it is just one of many factors in my buying decision. I don't mind picking up a softcover book, even though some of them (e.g., Fading Sun) truly deserve the hardcover treatment.

As for those expensive < air quotes > "special limited edition" hardcover promotion, don't get me started on them.

 

[SSS-Druid]

You stared at the RPG rack in the WotC store for an hour and a half? Does one of those "S"s in your name stand for Stalker?

*snerks*

Nope; I just wound up in an excellent viewing position while seated at one of the very handy tables WotC keeps in their retail outlets. I was perusing the latest Dragon and Dungeon/Polyhedral magazines while waiting for my buddies to show up.

You freak.

 

[Nightfall]

Well I am curious JD/Druid, did you look at Dragon 295 then? Cause I was wondering if you had some ideas about maybe ultiziling a similiar system for maybe a certain city of Law and Order (Begins with a H) I think maybe THAT would be a good little project for 2003. Perhaps even for other cities?

*thinks JD protests are in the right, after all he's a Druid not a Titanspawn ranger! *

 

[Psion]

I've noticed a trend with the way I buy... I'm always more likely to buy a HARDCOVER book over a softcover book, regardless of content.

You'll excuse me if I say I find that quite silly. Would you actually buy (say) the Encyclopedia of Demons & Devils over Legions of Hell?

My philosophy:

Substance over Style.

You put crap between 2 pieces of cardboard, it remains crap.

Also, softbacks are more travel-friendly.

 

[Arcane Runes Press]

Substance over Style.

You put crap between 2 pieces of cardboard, it remains crap.

Also, softbacks are more travel-friendly.

Yes, but then the crap is attractively flattened into a patty shape, like one of those new Chocolate cream oreos.

My own anecdotal evidence. The owner of one of my two nearby FLGS told me that customers flock like crazy to the hardcover d20 stuff. Further, he guaranteed me that given a 19.95 softcover and 24.95 hardcover of the same book, his customers would purchase more of the hardcover at a ratio of 2/1.

Shrug. As with all anecdotal evidence, take this with a grain of salt. Still, they do push a large volume of product and have been in business a long time, so I give him the benefit of the doubt, at least as it applies to my neck of the woods.

Patrick Y.

 

[Lady Dragon]

The owner of my FLGS gets 1-2 of a minor softcover 3-4 of a major softcover and 10-20 of a hardcover.Even fast forwards hardcovers and they do sell well.He is always ordering more of the best hardcovers.

 

[baseballfury]

The owner of my FLGS gets 1-2 of a minor softcover 3-4 of a major softcover and 10-20 of a hardcover.Even fast forwards hardcovers and they do sell well.

The idea of someone buying the Encyclopedia of Demosn and Devils instead of Legions of Hell/Armies of the Abyss just because it's hardcover---that's just so wrong. It's hard to believe people would rather have a hardcover piece of crap than a quality product that's softback.

Oh well. This isn't the first time the world has disappointed me.

 

[Lady Dragon]

Your right it is sad but it is also true.He did get 6 copies of armies of the abyss though he had a few requests for it.

 

[zouron]

Well I am every day willing to pay the extra bucks for hardcover books, I like them a lot better, they are better for me transport wise (sorry the weight/size of them doesn't really matter since I only take along perhaps 25 or so books to any game).

Hardcovers are to be prefered any day for me, because things tend to break etc if it is not hard and with high durability in my home (I mean anything! it has to last if I am gonna use it).

Now this sadly doesn't mean much in relation to what I buy heh, more then a few softcovers I have have had a grusome fate (latest is BESM 2e first printing book :-( wehich is partly ruin now a days). I look at both hardcovers and softcovers as to what I buy, in fact unless I know I just want that one book, I spend a good hour or so going through everything to make sure I get a good book. Sadly lately all the good ones have been softcovers (not a FR fan, RL stuff seems to be gone when I am there, FFG material I DON'T buy as I don't find what I see umm balanced, but that is another discussion).

Well anyway if I buy 3 softcovers or 2 hardcovers doesn't make a difference to me really, but I be more happy for the hardcovers in the long run.

(for the record I am 22 so it is not uncontrolled young child syndrome that is the cause of the fate of my softcover things).