Cost of Core Books PDFs

[Rykion]

While I respect your assertion that the cost of the pdf is not out of line with the production costs and profit margins needed, I hope you can see where people are coming from on the other side of the issue. I did a bit of checking online for prices of the physical book, which has an MSRP of $34.95. Here is what I found:

• Amazon - $23.07
• Barnes & Noble - $25.16
• RPG Shop - $29.29
• Overstock - $21.92

Most of these places offer free shipping at that cost, so that has not been factored into the total cost. With the pdf running at $24.95, you can see where a number of people would be upset at cost of the pdf. For a product which is generally, but not always, viewed as a supplement to the physical book, it's hard to justify paying more for the pdf than the physical book. You yourself stated that the book costs more to produce than the pdf. Since we know you are not selling the books to Amazon, B&N, and the like at a loss, the cost of the pdf becomes a bit confusing.

The companies selling the PDFs aren't doing it for free either. Earlier in the thread it was mentioned they get around 30-35% of the sale price. Assuming 30% is correct, that would mean WotC is getting $17.47 from a PDF sale. The bigger internet retailers like Amazon and Overstock sometimes have mark-ups of only 10-15%. That would mean WotC is selling them the books for $19.06 if Overstock has a 15% mark-up. These are just guesses, but that would mean that WotC is actually charging slightly less for the PDFs.

 

[Crothian]

Another thing to look at is the competitors in the print book retailers drive costs down as they want to be able to advertise they are the cheapest. PDFs stors don't have that compitition. They are not trying to underbid each other.

 

[Scott_Rouse]

Scott, thanks for replying to this thread, I know there's a lot of heated talk about this topic. It's pretty brave of you to come in here with all the anti-WotC sentiment here.

While I respect your assertion that the cost of the pdf is not out of line with the production costs and profit margins needed, I hope you can see where people are coming from on the other side of the issue. I did a bit of checking online for prices of the physical book, which has an MSRP of $34.95. Here is what I found:

• Amazon - $23.07
• Barnes & Noble - $25.16
• RPG Shop - $29.29
• Overstock - $21.92

Most of these places offer free shipping at that cost, so that has not been factored into the total cost. With the pdf running at $24.95, you can see where a number of people would be upset at cost of the pdf. For a product which is generally, but not always, viewed as a supplement to the physical book, it's hard to justify paying more for the pdf than the physical book. You yourself stated that the book costs more to produce than the pdf. Since we know you are not selling the books to Amazon, B&N, and the like at a loss, the cost of the pdf becomes a bit confusing.

I just thought I would bring this up, so you can see where others are coming from, and why the price of the pdf is a "no sale" point for a number of people. Thanks again for your time.

I understand where people are coming from. When one sees a physical book on sale for $21.99 it only seems logical that the PDF should cost at most $21.99. IMO that is a oversimplification of the issue but it is all many of you have to go on without better industry insight or insider information.

Ultimately, you as a consumer will prove me right or wrong.

 

[Mokona]

• Amazon - $23.07
• Barnes & Noble - $25.16
• RPG Shop - $29.29
• Overstock - $21.92

Wizards of the Coast does not control the prices set by retailers. In fact, the sales price to manufacturers is about half of MSRP. If retailers choose to slash their half of the margin equation there isn't a lot that Wizards should do about it.

Trying to fiddle with the PDF pricing because of dynamic pricing in the marketplace just sets Wizards up to create price wars with their own distribution network. Wizards of the Coast benefits from incidental marketing and placement in retail channels so creating resentment among retailers is bad for business. Furthermore, if Wizards charges less than Amazon they're just trading online sales for print sales.

Small Press Publishers prefer to trade online sales at the expense of print sales because it creates greater margin for the publisher. Retailers get the short end of that deal which in turn hurts physical distribution of Small Press books.

 

[SavageRobby]

He's OK. Companies love people like him who support their selling something at 6 to 800% profit.

You know, there is a reason there is both a Walmart and Tiffany's. Or Kia and BMW. Its all about what you value, what you're willing to pay ... and if you're capable of paying for it. Consider, for a moment, that you're simply not the target market. Do you similarly snark at someone for buying a Rolex? Or a BMW?


The fact that so many folks here have their panties in such a wad over the price of gaming PDFs (luxury items!) - not to mention the folks that simply MUST BE RIGHT AT ALL COSTS - just blows my mind.

 

[SavageRobby]

Buying a book twice is just not responsible spending.

Really? Do you have an index of "responsible spending" you could point me to then, to make sure my purchasing habits are properly responsible?

Perhaps if your purchasing power is such that a gaming PDF competes in the budget with shoes and clothes and groceries, then I could definitely see that as "irresponsible". However, if the gaming PDF is competing for budget space against say, green fees, dinner out, a first edition print of a book, or a spare iPod for the car - then I would submit that it isn't irresponsible at all. Luxury spend is luxury spend.

 

[Darkwolf71]

Really? Do you have an index of "responsible spending" you could point me to then, to make sure my purchasing habits are properly responsible?

Perhaps if your purchasing power is such that a gaming PDF competes in the budget with shoes and clothes and groceries, then I could definitely see that as "irresponsible". However, if the gaming PDF is competing for budget space against say, green fees, dinner out, a first edition print of a book, or a spare iPod for the car - then I would submit that it isn't irresponsible at all. Luxury spend is luxury spend.

You bust Treebore's chops for snark, then come at me with that tripe? Obviously I am speaking only of my own personal definition of 'responsible spending'. If you want to own a movie on VHS, DVD and Blu-Ray, knock yourself out. I only need one copy. Now if I find a DVD in the bargin bin I might pick it up to watch on the laptop, but if I already have the BR, I am not going to pay full price for the DVD. It's wasted money.

 

[Obryn]

You bust Treebore's chops for snark, then come at me with that tripe?

You seem a bit too touchy for the Internet.

-O

 

[Scribble]

You seem a bit too touchy for the Internet.

-O

Nothing goes betetr with the internet then touch- err wait... that's not what you meant.

 

[SavageRobby]

You bust Treebore's chops for snark, then come at me with that tripe? Obviously I am speaking only of my own personal definition of 'responsible spending'. If you want to own a movie on VHS, DVD and Blu-Ray, knock yourself out. I only need one copy. Now if I find a DVD in the bargin bin I might pick it up to watch on the laptop, but if I already have the BR, I am not going to pay full price for the DVD. It's wasted money.

Hmm. I busted TB for snark? Could you maybe point that out? I agree with the previous posters, you seem a might bit touchy today. Perhaps decaf?


You seem to think that buying both a PDF and physical copy of a book is "irresponsible". I don't think owning copies of each are - nor do I think your example above is relevant. Two copies of a movie offer you the same thing. A PDF and a physical book may have the same content, but offer different benefits.

I love books. I like to be able to see/feel/touch them. I love the smell of books. But I can't copy information out of one and port it to another document easily. Searching for specifics term is slow, especially if said term isn't in the TOC or Index. Even moreso if you're not sure which term a book is in. (But those seaches are damn easy with PDFs!) And you ever try to travel with 100 gaming books in your backpack/luggage? Not the most efficient use of space.


You know, it occurs to me that we have a television upstairs, one in the bedroom, and one in the living room. We pay for cable for each. Is that a waste? Is that irresponsible? I have a variety of wedges in my golf bag. Is that a waste? Is that irresponsible? Last night we went to a Quote-a-Long showing of the Princess Bridge, despite the fact I've seen it dozens of times, and own the DVD. A waste? Irresponsible?


Utility comes in a variety of forms. Too bad so many folks seem to be of the opinion that their definition can be the only one, and decide