Rappan Athuk: Reloaded SOLD OUT by wide margin!!

[Numion]

Uhm yeah but the fact is if they don't make a profit, why bother selling to people at all?

People generally don't sell stuff that doesn't make a profit (exceptions in retail). That forces companies to become more efficient so they can match their competitors prices, which has resulted in the greatest material abundance that has ever existed. Otherwise we'd still be in stone age trading squirrel skins. SQUIRREL SKINS for crissakes!!!11!

But what has that got to do with Necromancer and RAR? Don't they get the same money any which way? Or did you mean the LGS?

 

[Olaf the Stout]

I've been kind of confused about that mindset the last while...I mean I constantly see people bitching and moaning here that they are entitled to massive, massive discounts if the Publishers/FLGS/seller in general intends to retain their business.

Now, I know Amazon sells cheap, but is there really a feeling in the US that consumer goods need to be in a constant state of Fire Sale Discount?

I mean comments (and veiled threats) like...

I pre-ordered on Amazon and now that they won't be getting any copies, I'll just go ahead and cancel the whole order (which includes other WW products, i.e., Bard's Gate).

or outright misrepresentations like...

Or maybe said company could deliver its product in a manner consistent with its promises. I don't seem to recall hearing the RAR would only be available through WW. And I don't particularly like the idea of being held hostage to being required to buy through a particular distributor, especially when all indications were that this would not be the case

and, the granddaddy of them all...

But it wasn't available to those people who didn't want to have to go out of their usual buying methods. Some people only buy from Amazon or their FLGS or etc., Apparently Necromancer should be catering to these people, even if it means they lose several thousand dollars in doing so. They owe them that at least.

:\

I mean honestly, what I am asking is: does the Amercan consumer today believe in their heart of hearts that they deserve to buy things at a massive discount.

Not that it'd be "nice to find a sale", or that they might "wait for a sale on somehting they can't afford"...but that they are somehow entitled to pay a retail price that would drive a Publisher out of business every moment of every day?

Teflon Billy, the last comment about Necromancer going out of their way to cater to people, even if it costs them several thousand dollars is mine. It is post #35 in this thread. I think that you may have missed the fact that I was being sarcastic and the comment was very much tongue-in-cheek.

If you read the rest of the post you will see that I am siding with Necromancer on this one, and judging by your post, you also. I think that some people today really believe that they are entitled to a lot more than they're getting. They think that they should be able to buy what they want, when they want, how they want and at a price that they feel is reasonable.

Why? I don't know. I think that some people need a reality check that they can't get everything their own way all the time.

Olaf the Stout

Note: The above post was not in direct reference to anyone, except of course TB!

 

[ShinHakkaider]

Why did you open that post with "No", but then go on to basically explain that the answer was "Yes"?

Because your question was about the "American Consumer" in general and honestly I know plenty of people who dont try and kill them selves to find a bargain. I know people who pay full retail for DVD's and dont care as long as they get the product.

So for that part of the question I answered what I honestly though based on my experience with people that I know.

The second part had to do with my specific habits as a shopper for most things. Not all things though for example when I buy from Apple I tend to purchase directly from them either through their online store or from the NYC SOHO store. That's personal pref though, I like their products enough to shell out the dough 'cause they havent disappointed me yet with the quality of their products and their support.

I hope that clears up things abit.

 

[ShinHakkaider]

Well, when I read it it boiled down to...

"I want your products, and I will do whatever is necessary to ensure I get moe of them for less money than you were planning on"

He does mention that he'll go to his LGS and purchase RARE...but the text proves that he's not excited about it, he's pissed that he is paying full price.

D00d, seriously dont put words in my mouth.

At no point did I say that I was pissed that I'd be paying full price. There's a difference between a having preference and not being able to exercise that preference. If it were something that truly made me pissed off then guess what, I simply wouldnt buy it.

Let's not get things twisted now...

 

[ShinHakkaider]

I have to say that my third reading of the post is just not picking up outright hostility. So perhaps my perception is off.

No, your reading is on the money man. I have no idea where TB is coming from with this but hope really hope that he takes my response at face value. When I say that I'm not pissed about having to buy the book at my LGS instead of discounted, that's what I mean. If I were angry about it I'd do what some of the earlier posters did and stated very boldly and plainly that I'm not gonna buy it.

I have hard copies of most of NGs early stuff, Crucible Of Freya, Tomb of Abysthor, RA 1-3, etc, some of those things I have as PDF's from DTRPG as well, so it's not like I'm not a fan of thier work. Most of my ire isnt aimed at NG, it's aimed at their evengelical fanboys and I as much as said so in an earlier post. I understand that D00d's have to make a profit or break even, I get that. So If I get that, why is it so hard for people to understand that I'm trying to make my gaming dollar stretch. That's the part that I'm waiting for these other cats to address, because even ORCUS gets what I'm saying. When the DEMON PRINCE OF THE UNDEAD understands trying to make a buck stretch, it's a small wonder that his minions don't get it either.

 

[Kid Charlemagne]

There's two parts to this equation. If you feel that you're entitled to try and get a product for the cheapest amount possible, I don't really know how you can complain when a company does everything in its power to get every last dime out of your pocket. What's good for the goose, and all that. Add to that the fact that gamers are, in my opinion, notoriously cheap, and you'll get some folks who get angry that a company isn't willing to take a loss to give them a better price.

 

[ssampier]

Naturally I think consumers will choose lowest price--unless something else motivates them instead. Lexus hasn't disappeared even though there are plenty of bargain car manufacturers (it actually daily competition from the other luxury car manufacturers). If someone could sell a Lexus at 30% discount with no destination charge, I can't imagine why consumers wouldn't want to beat a path to their door.

As for myself, I purchase most of my stuff on Amazon. However, I tend to buy gaming products after it's been out for several months anyway, missing the "haze" of RPG buying that typically last 30 days or so. Second, if the product is not on Amazon; no problem. I will simply wait for it on Ebay.

...
The second part had to do with my specific habits as a shopper for most things. Not all things though for example when I buy from Apple I tend to purchase directly from them either through their online store or from the NYC SOHO store. That's personal pref though, I like their products enough to shell out the dough 'cause they havent disappointed me yet with the quality of their products and their support.

I hope that clears up things abit.

Not to pick on you, but aren't most Apple prices standard from store to store? The same goes for the game consoles. I think every store I see--online or otherwise--has Gamecube, Xbox, and Ps2 for $99, $149, and $149, respectively.

Unless you were comparing Apple to PC manufacturers. That would be a different kettle of fish.

 

[ShinHakkaider]

Not to pick on you, but aren't most Apple prices standard from store to store?

Well, that was kinda my point. I said I do the dollar stretch thing for MOST things, but for Apple (being the exception) I buy right from them, which implied that I pay whatever price that they are charging. I like their product that much. Sorry for not being clear

 

[Mishihari Lord]

All I've got to say is congrats on on a sold out run.

On second thought ... (puts on MBA hat) ... if you sold out that quickly and you were committed to a limited run of 1000, then you probably underpriced your product a bit. No apsersions on your business prowess - forecasting is very difficult with a new product and serious market research just can't be cost-justified for this small of a product, but it's something to keep in mind for the next time. Perhaps you would have sold out at $85 too, and that would make about another $5500 in your pockets.

 

[ShinHakkaider]

Shin-

I've said it before, if your LGS is not doing it for you then you shouldnt have to support them. In today's market, if they arent adding value such as game space, product knowledge, tips, tournaments, hosted game days, etc, then why they heck wouldnt you buy from Amazon? I dont see any reason. So my stance has always been give the LGS a shot first. And I dont mean the big ticket retail booksellers either. I mean you LGS. And if they arent supporting the roleplaying gamer then they are slitting their own throat. I have a perfect example. When I lived in Las Vegas my LGS was a comic store. They were huge. And they didnt give a about roleplayer. I tried to show up and have a game day and drop off free product for them to use as giveaways and do whatever I could. They were totally uninterested. So guess what, Amazon it was. BUT up here in Coeur d'Alene, my LGS is Gamer's Haven and they rule. Though they are primarily a war gaming and minis place, they provide space for roleplayers, they host game days, they even let me and my group play there. They bring in new people. They try to teach them the game. THAT deserves support.

I appreciate that cost is a huge part of the buying decision. But dont let it be the only part. I'm not bitching about what you are doing. But, likewise, dont expect every product to be available at a cut-rate online retailer. But I do appreciate cost and if you can stretch your gaming dollar, more power to you. Heck, I try to do the same.

As for making me happy, dont worry about that. I am happy no matter what.

And as for supporting Amazon, you can normally find all our products there. You might not get them first. But you can generally get them. And at the discounts you want. But not RARE--that was a very specific unique colectors item product. This is not a "Necro is anti-Amazon." I like Amazon, but they arent my primary distribution plan because--as a gamer--I want to support the infrastructure that has built this hobby. And Amazon hasnt. But, like I said above, if your LGS is not friendly to roleplayers, then go get your Amazon on!

Happy gaming. And enjoy RARE. I personally think it rules.

Clark

It just needs to be said, if most posters were as civil and as decent as you i'd frequent and particiapate on this board a lot more than I normally do.

You most definitely RAWK.