Price Comparisons for Newer D&D Books

[Destan]

Hiya all,

I had (have) reservations about posting this. It's an email from a buddy who plays in my current campaign, and he's done some price comparisons around the 'net for ordering the newer books. The reason I'm hesitant is because it doesn't list prices from other competitors, mainly those supported by and who support this very site.

My friend isn't a member here, at least at the moment, so he may be unaware of some shopping options.

That said, here it is. Moderators feel free to delete or maybe someone will add other comparison prices. The format may get jumbled in this post.

Take care,
D

Bored again and I thought I'd price out some of the newer books. The new 3.5 books are due out in July and can be pre-ordered now. The others are ones that are already out or are due out by the end of the year. As always, I've left no rock overturned to bring you big savings. First the prices, then some options for shipping. If you order from alldirect.com or walmart.com, search by ISBN number to more easily find the book.

Book Walmart All-direct Amazon ISBN #
DMG 3.5 17.62 18.57 20.97 0786928891
PHB 3.5 17.62 18.57 20.97 0786928867
MM 3.5 17.62 18.57 20.97 078692893X
Races of Faerun 19.50 18.57 20.97 0786928751
Fiend Folio 19.50 18.57 20.97 0786927801
Arms and Equipment 17.55 16.71 18.87 078692649X
Savage Species 19.50 18.57 20.97 0786926481
Book of Vile Darness 21.46 20.43 23.07 0786926503
Epic Level Handbook 26.01 24.77 27.97 0786926589
The Complete Warrior 22.91 N/A 18.81 0786928808
Book of Exaulted Deeds 21.46 N/A 23.07 0786931361
Draconomicon 33.96 N/A 27.97 0786928840

Shipping
- Amazon.com has free shipping for orders over $40. Good if you're ordering all the books.
- AllDirect.com has free shipping over $99. Even better for all books.
- Wal-mart has no free shipping. Bad for larger orders.

If you are ordering just the three new core rulebooks, walmart.com is still the way to go since the price break out weighs the shipping costs. For walmart.com, the shipping is $3.94 for the first book and $0.97 for each book thereafter. For the three core books it comes to $58.74 with shipping included. For alldirect.com, $60.86 ($3.45 for the 1st book shipped and $0.85 each thereafter). For Amazon.com $62.91 with the free shipping.

Edit: Yes, the table is a mess.

 

[Mean Eyed Cat]

Wow, Walmart has some pretty good deals. There's only one catch (and keep in mind Destan this is not directed to you)...

I HATE WALMART!!!!!!

There, I feel better

 

[johnsemlak]

Good deals for the 3.5 edition books have been discussed extensively on this thread . In addtion, the thread contains a lot of predictable discussion on the ethics of shopping at walmart versus at a FLAGS.

In addtion to Walmart, Alldirect, and Amazon, Buy.com has a competitive offer.

A online FRPG seller Taloncomics also posted a very competitive price ont hat thread as well ($68 for all three 3.5 edittion core books, IIRC). I might also point out that FRPGames.com seem to be a good online FRPG vender and they do offer discounts (I haven't checked their price for 3.5 edition yet.)

It should be said that even with the shipping added Walmart still offers the lowest price for all three 3.5 edition books, I believe--$58.

 

[TalonComics]

As many of you know I'm all about supporting local gaming stores over corporate clearing houses.

I also do free shipping for orders of 100 dollars or more (in the US).

I'm looking forward to this summer in a major way! Lots of great gaming books coming out.

~Derek