Return of Boxed Sets?

[Ashrem Bayle]

Such a product would end up costing way over 60 bucks. Probably over a hundred easily.

No way.

Assume 20 miniatures. WOTC probably has these little dudes mass produced at a cost to themselves of about $.25 each, if that.
So that's $5.00.

Now the map printing, which would be done in large scale as well. If they can do 4 of them in a $15 set now, and still profit, they can probably have them printed for about $1.00 each.
So at 15 maps, that's $15.00.

Now figure in the books. Two grayscale paperback books at 60 pages and 10 pages probably costs about $4 total to have mass printed, though I seriously doubt it's even that much. We'll round up to $5.00 just for sake of argument.

So that's a total of $25.00 now figure $2.00 for assembly and delivery of each "box".

$27.00 total

Sell it for $60.00 and that should have enough profit to spread around to make everyone happy.

Though I agree with Dustyboots, selling them separate and then doing a discounted bundle would be the best way to go.

 

[HellHound]

Until I know that Catalyst makes a profit on it, I'll reserve judgment!

I'm pretty sure they aren't losing money on it.

But as I pointed out, the points of reference are pretty far off - the minis are not painted, the maps are crappy, and 99% of the material is reprinted from prior editions of the game (practically no R&D cost). Further, this is the core box for playing the game - basically like the PHB for D&D. So they can expect that almost every Battletech group will have at least one copy of it.

I think that a $60 module COULD break even, but even there I think it would HAVE to be the first module published for the game because then you can expect much higher sales than typical.

Personally, I think a better way to work it would be to offer the module-specific maps and minis as a separate item from the module.

 

[HellHound]

$27.00 total

Sell it for $60.00 and that should have enough profit to spread around to make everyone happy.

If your costs math is right, then a $27 per copy production price will require a sale price higher than $60. Remember that the generic store pays 60% of cost for a product, in this case that would only be $9 profit for WotC for each box sold directly to the store. Without accounting for distribution and storage costs. The distributors are getting these boxes at less than 60% of cover (since they then sell them to retailers at 60% of cover).

Just look over your assumptions in the cost equation again. You list an item that sells at $15 as having a $4 cost. By those same assumptions, the final sale price is going to be roughly 4.25 times as high as the production cost.

 

[thundershot]

I wouldn't buy it. I can't stand miniatures.

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

No way.

Assume 20 miniatures. WOTC probably has these little dudes mass produced at a cost to themselves of about $.25 each, if that.
So that's $5.00.

Then why do they sell 8 minis for $15? WOTC isnt your friend. They arent out to cut you a deal, and get you the most product available while taking the smallest profit they can. They are out to make some dough. Pricing for items isnt in line with what you'd do as some glorious game company running benefactor. Which is why I'm looking to what wotc has produced and sold in the past (even assuming such a product was viable from a price point standpoint).

 

[Ashrem Bayle]

If your costs math is right...

I don't think it is. I rounded pretty high. With their industry connections, I see no reason why WOTC would need to spend that much.

 

[Glyfair]

Personally, I think a better way to work it would be to offer the module-specific maps and minis as a separate item from the module.

Now, that I'd support. I doubt it would fly, though. Too small an audience.

As I recall they were planning a miniatures set to tie into the Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil, but ended up canceling it. They did do a City of the Spider Queen Miniatures Box, but I don't recall seeing it in any stores. I have no idea how well it sold. Still, $28 for 6 miniatures can't have been very attractive.

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

Now, that I'd support. I doubt it would fly, though. Too small an audience.

As I recall they were planning a miniatures set to tie into the Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil, but ended up canceling it. They did do a City of the Spider Queen Miniatures Box, but I don't recall seeing it in any stores. I have no idea how well it sold.

Terribly. Then again, evidence of past sales in this arena seem to hold no water when it comes to gamer pipe dreams.

 

[Ashrem Bayle]

Then why do they sell 8 for 15? WOTC isnt your friend. They arent out to cut you a deal, and get you the most product available while taking the smallest profit they can. They are out to make some dough. Pricing for items isnt in line with what you'd do as some glorious game company running benefactor. Which is why I'm looking to what wotc has produced and sold in the past (even assuming such a product was viable from a price point standpoint).

With the Basic Set they had 16 miniatures. It sold for $25.00 and included a lot more than just the miniatures.

It's a marketing thing. Like baseball cards, those things are produced for pennies and sold based on their worth to the customer, not their production costs.

 

[Glyfair]

With the Basic Set they had 16 miniatures. It sold for $25.00 and included a lot more than just the miniatures.

A lot more is overselling it. It had 3 pamphlets that were about the equivalent of a small module. It had dice. It also had a few tiles of quality between Paizo's and WotC's current tile sets.

Plus, the miniatures were the equivalent of commons with only one "premium" miniature (the dragon).