Ptolus at Amazon?

[Numion]

I don't think that forcing people to go to FLGSs is going to solve the issue. I live in Europe, and I'm forced to go to the shop for Dungeon mag and KoDT, because subscription is not practical to Finland.

Those are the only thing I buy there - all the bigger stuff I get online. FLGS doesn't serve any other purpose for me. I'm not of the habit to entertain people with character stories in the store, or look for gamers there, and I certainly wouldn't play there.

For some people the store serves a social function, I understand that. But let those people pay the premium for that activity, and let me buy stuff cheaper on Amazon.

 

[Turjan]

Well, A Game Of Thrones DLE didn't (2,500 print run), so it is a good guess that Ptolus will not either.

That's why GoO is in such a good state, I guess. Btw, any idea where they went?

From Wikipedia:

"Dozens of artists and other freelancers are left unpaid for work on many products, including the art-heavy Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire) RPG. A form letter was sent in early 2006 to the unpaid artists, explaining the hardships had by the company, but intentionally left out details as to when payment would be remitted. Game of Thrones is to be distributed by White Wolf publishing. Allegedly, some employees are also unpaid."

In addition, many people who pre-ordered stuff didn't get any product. Last post on the company board was in February.

Of course, this doesn't have anything to do with Malhavoc. I just like to point out that the "A Game of Thrones" RPG isn't exactly a good example for a success story .

 

[Siobharek]

I don't think that forcing people to go to FLGSs is going to solve the issue. I live in Europe, and I'm forced to go to the shop for Dungeon mag and KoDT, because subscription is not practical to Finland.

Malhavoc addressed that issue, however, by letting everybody make down payments for the book AND give a quite low shipping rate to international customers (15 USD). I'm on that deal, and being a Dane, it's pretty sweet.

(Off-topic: Have you tried Dungeon subscription recently, Numion? Again, it works very well in Denmark. It's shipped from England, not the States)

 

[JustaPlayer]

Someone bought this up on the Montecook board. If you look at the discussion on the Amazon page, someone but a link to what Monte said about it. My friend talked to Monte last Gen Con Indy about people buying from Amazon burning his store on this product. Well, Monte asked him if he would feel comfortable picking it up if it was available only through game channels. Well, here's the link to the Monte page about Ptolus on Amazon.

http://p222.ezboard.com/fokayyourturnfrm10.showMessage?topicID=630.topic

In my view, Amazon may still be able to get it, but it's not want for Monte's trying to make it otherwise.

 

[Numion]

Malhavoc addressed that issue, however, by letting everybody make down payments for the book AND give a quite low shipping rate to international customers (15 USD). I'm on that deal, and being a Dane, it's pretty sweet.

I actually got motivated enough and just ordered it. I guess 135 dollars isn't too bad for such a product, but Amazon would've had it much cheaper if Monte had allowed it. 106 euros by current rate .. probably would've been 140 euros at the FLGS.

(Off-topic: Have you tried Dungeon subscription recently, Numion? Again, it works very well in Denmark. It's shipped from England, not the States)

Nope, maybe I should look into that (quick visit to Paizo) .. not too good compared to US prices or the FLGS price.

 

[Jürgen Hubert]

Irregardless of the decisions and the reasons behind them I will definitely never be an owner of Ptolus. The Amazon thing clenched it. One thing I have learned in business, making your sales channels happy is a good practice, but getting your product to your customers is priority number one. The customer ultimately keeps you in business, not your distribution channels, because if all else fails you can be your own distributor. Monte has White Wolf to back him up. I see his reasoning, I admire his desire to help the smaller stores and distribution channels through his loyalty. But he failed to get his product to this customer.

So the customer can only buy it at Amazon?

Does Amazon already have a monopoly on books, no matter what type?

 

[Numion]

So the customer can only buy it at Amazon?

Does Amazon already have a monopoly on books, no matter what type?

I think his point was that all the usual distributors / retailers should be allowed to stock Ptolus if they wanted to. I.e. the usual way this great thing we call capitalism works

Then it would be up to the customer to choose where he does his business. Not only Amazon like you suggest, but any place that wanted his business.

The FLGS in Finland is pretty expensive because they have a near monopoly - shenanigans like these that are done just to protect FLGS from competition only strengthen that monopoly. And there should be no question that monopoly is bad for the consumer.

Now, the situation is different in the states with more gaming shops, but Montes decision cost me the price difference between WW store and Amazon prices. It's not going to kill me, but it doesn't make much sense to me, either.

 

[Jürgen Hubert]

I think his point was that all the usual distributors / retailers should be allowed to stock Ptolus if they wanted to. I.e. the usual way this great thing we call capitalism works

Well, nothing is preventing Amazon from buying Ptolus - they just can't do it directly from the game company.

They create the book, and they get to decide to whom they want to sell it. As simple as that.

 

[JustaPlayer]

Well, nothing is preventing Amazon from buying Ptolus - they just can't do it directly from the game company.

They create the book, and they get to decide to whom they want to sell it. As simple as that.

The only problem is I think Amazon gets things through Alliance too.

 

[ShinHakkaider]

...all the bigger stuff I get online. FLGS doesn't serve any other purpose for me. I'm not of the habit to entertain people with character stories in the store, or look for gamers there, and I certainly wouldn't play there.

For some people the store serves a social function, I understand that. But let those people pay the premium for that activity, and let me buy stuff cheaper on Amazon.

EXACTLY.