I complain about the current MSRP of RPGs all the time...

[brehobit]

http://stores.ebay.com/Auggies-Games-n-Movies
http://stores.ebay.com/Hubbs-Wholesale

I've never been that big into trading, as it seems I waste more money on postage, delivery confirmation etc, and most importantly, in time, than just buying the figures I want. Plus the stuff I want (demons, dragons, misc monsters) is the stuff everyone else wants.

I'll second both of these stores. Auggies I've ordered from before and been very happy with. Only issue as very slow shipping. Hubbs I just ordered a bunch of stuff from. Prices were quite good.

Mark

 

[Wik]

We wanna talk 2e products, World Builder's Guide and Undermountain have delivered some serious mileage for me.

OH, absolutely. World Builder's Guide is my absolute favourite 2e product, and I think it's the only 2e product that is still on my "Regular Gaming" shelf (although, Jakandor might be on there, too). I wish wotc would release something similar - a softcover book filled with tables to inspire the imagination in world building....

 

[SteveC]

Whats funny about those people who gripe about the price of D&D books is that they never account for inflation. The price per page has dropped dramatically over the past 30 years. Plus the newer books have more full color artwork. D&D has gotten CHEAPER.

Be careful saying this, because the inflation issues are a lot more complicated than most people think. The most important thing is that not everything increases with inflation at the same rate. The computer I bought back in 1993 ran me about $2500. The brand new system I just put together that was much more powerful (relatively speaking--comparing a decent computer then to a smokin' hot one now) ran me $1400. I also just put some of my old C64 and Amiga games into storage from the 80's, and the list prices on most of them say $50...which is about what you pay for a new game today.

So you can't just take inflation and multiply things out and say "voila, games cost the same!"

What really matters is the disposable income of your market, and I'd have to say that the disposable income of an adult gamer has certainly not tripled in the last 30 years. That's the real issue, as most people have a price point that they use for "impulse buying" and if you're above that, they take a long, hard look at whether or not a game is something they'll actually use before buying it.

For me, and this is why I sometimes am one of those people who say "games are too expensive!", most print games are over my impulse buy price point these days. In the end, it means I buy a lot less gaming products than I normally would, and that's why I say that games are too darn expensive today.

So there can be very good reasons why a game is coming out at $45 these days, but that really doesn't matter to me. Unless it's something that I'm really interested in, I'm going to pass on it. If that same game were $30, I'd probably just pick it up if it seemed like something I'd like to read.

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

Be careful saying this, because the inflation issues are a lot more complicated than most people think. The most important thing is that not everything increases with inflation at the same rate. The computer I bought back in 1993 ran me about $2500. The brand new system I just put together that was much more powerful (relatively speaking--comparing a decent computer then to a smokin' hot one now) ran me $1400. I also just put some of my old C64 and Amiga games into storage from the 80's, and the list prices on most of them say $50...which is about what you pay for a new game today.

Books are a more fair comparison, and the price on them has risen comparatively over the years. Moreover, look at the quality of the product. Compare the Complete Wizard's Handbook from 2nd edition (20 dollars) to the Complete Arcane (30). 127 pages, softcover, in a binding that lasted few sessions if you were lucky. Mostly black and white artwork, recycled from other products. Compared to the CA's 192 pages, much more sturdy binding, more full color artwork, more original artwork, more spells, magic items, etc. I havent paid 30 dollars for a 3rd edition book ever.

Even discounting inflation, I feel the CA is a better value. Lets not forget that many of us are buying off of Amazon, and getting a 33% discount.

 

[DaveyJones]

Even discounting inflation, I feel the CA is a better value. Lets not forget that many of us are buying off of Amazon, and getting a 33% discount.

i would never buy a new edition book for face value either when you have places you can buy them at discount, but isn't the thread about MSRP?

 

[00Machado]

Power of Faerun is the most recent. You can mine that for ideas forever.

Something like Red Hand of Doom, in my opinion, is good value for the money. When you consider that for something like $30 you get days of fun out of it, it stacks up better than a movie or DVD.

 

[Ranger REG]

I used to complain about the price of games, books and supplies. However, since I now work in business and have learned the finances behind keeping a company going.

I'm just fine with the prices.

You do realize that other customers will now consider you a traitor.

 

[w_earle_wheeler]

Whats funny about those people who gripe about the price of D&D books is that they never account for inflation. The price per page has dropped dramatically over the past 30 years. Plus the newer books have more full color artwork. D&D has gotten CHEAPER.

I account for inflation and modern printing practices.

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

i would never buy a new edition book for face value either when you have places you can buy them at discount, but isn't the thread about MSRP?

Really, its about what we are paying for games. In the 80's and 90's, I was almost always paying full MSRP for books/minis, unless our unfriendly local gaming store decided to grace us with a 10% discount on a ripped book or something. I really dont understand the whole "games are too expensive now" rant. In the 80's, I could buy a new PHB for 20 bucks. On Amazon, I can buy a new PHB for 20 bucks. I cant remember what that stupid 2nd edition Monstrous Compendium binder thing cost, but I'd hazard a guess it was 20 dollars or more as well. Compared to the 3rd edition MM1 on Amazon for 20 as well, with, you know, actual binding. While I personally feel the quality has improved, thats subjective. What you cant really argue is that you're paying more, which so many seem to love to piss and moan about. Unless you just love throwing money away (buying full MSRP), or have to have the book right then, its pretty easy to get the latest supplement for about what you were most likely paying 15-20 years ago. I really dont know about prices from the 70's, since I started in 84 or so. Maybe OD&D cost a nickel with a five dollar mail in rebate and a coupon for a free lap dance.

 

[Ranger REG]

Really, its about what we are paying for games. In the 80's and 90's, I was almost always paying full MSRP for books/minis, unless our unfriendly local gaming store decided to grace us with a 10% discount on a ripped book or something. I really dont understand the whole "games are too expensive now" rant. In the 80's, I could buy a new PHB for 20 bucks. On Amazon, I can buy a new PHB for 20 bucks. I cant remember what that stupid 2nd edition Monstrous Compendium binder thing cost, but I'd hazard a guess it was 20 dollars or more as well. Compared to the 3rd edition MM1 on Amazon for 20 as well, with, you know, actual binding. While I personally feel the quality has improved, thats subjective. What you cant really argue is that you're paying more, which so many seem to love to piss and moan about. Unless you just love throwing money away (buying full MSRP), or have to have the book right then, its pretty easy to get the latest supplement for about what you were most likely paying 15-20 years ago. I really dont know about prices from the 70's, since I started in 84 or so. Maybe OD&D cost a nickel with a five dollar mail in rebate and a coupon for a free lap dance.

Meh. It's the cheap SOB in all of us. We'd rather have 1976's sales price in 2006. The same goes for gas.

Funny, we don't complain that much about videogames (not counting the ones in the bargain bins).