Stage 1: Basic Set information and Price! (and other D&D info from GAMA)

[Joe123]

Posted by Wombat:

I've never seen a basic D&D edition packed with minis and gameboards before.

In 1991, TSR sold a huge black box with a red dragon on the front, covering revised Classic D&D rules. It was introductory, for people unfamiliar with the game. It came with (paper) minis and one large vinyl gameboard. How do I know? Because I bought it in 1991. So, a basic D&D edition has been sold before containing both minis and a gameboard.

 

[Mercule]

Just for comparison, how much did the Moldvay set retail at?

Don't know if we're talking about the same thing, but I picked up my Red Box for $7.95 from, of all places, Walgreens.

 

[mmadsen]

From It Doesn’t Grow on Trees:

In 2002, teens accounted for more than $170 billion in spending, an increase of 38 percent from five years ago. Teens spend an average of $92 per week, and most receive money on an as-needed basis from their parents as opposed to getting a strict, defined allowance.
[...]
Allowances have been rising at nearly twice the rate of inflation with the average allowance for a child today being $11.79 per week.

Also, $12 in 1982 (the cost of the old red-box Basic Set) is equivalent to $23 in 2002. (Try out this inflation calculator).

 

[Ashrem Bayle]

..........rate of inflation with the average allowance for a child today being $11.79 per week.

I have a wife and a mortgage and I don't get $11.79 a week!

 

[Henry]

From It Doesn’t Grow on Trees:

Also, $12 in 1982 (the cost of the old red-box Basic Set) is equivalent to $23 in 2002. (Try out this inflation calculator).

My point is that $20.00 is the max price point for an impulse buy whereas $10.00 was the price point in 1981. Why do I say this? Because the $20.00 bill is the basic denomination of choice in the average joe's wallet nowadays. It may not be backed by statistics, but I know that if something costs under that amount, it only takes one bill to buy it. If you have to break change for more than one $20 bill, it subconsciously makes an impression on you.

So, you buy that box in the store for $25.00. Assuming anywhere from 1.50 to 2.50 in sales tax, you're paying almost $30.00 for that item - which makes you think about it more than if you are seeing something for "relatively cheap." I'm not saying it's too expensive for what it contains, but it's too expensive to subconsciously be an impulse buy. You want your customers to think about an impulse buy as little as possible. It needs to look cool, flashy, and inexpensive.

 

[Garmorn]

My point is that $20.00 is the max price point for an impulse buy whereas $10.00 was the price point in 1981. Why do I say this? Because the $20.00 bill is the basic denomination of choice in the average joe's wallet nowadays. It may not be backed by statistics, but I know that if something costs under that amount, it only takes one bill to buy it. If you have to break change for more than one $20 bill, it subconsciously makes an impression on you.

So, you buy that box in the store for $25.00. Assuming anywhere from 1.50 to 2.50 in sales tax, you're paying almost $30.00 for that item - which makes you think about it more than if you are seeing something for "relatively cheap." I'm not saying it's too expensive for what it contains, but it's too expensive to subconsciously be an impulse buy. You want your customers to think about an impulse buy as little as possible. It needs to look cool, flashy, and inexpensive.

As an exstore clerk I can tell you that $20.00 is not the breaking point it once was. First that is just about what it cost for a fast food meal for 4. Second more and more people in the US don't carry cash any more. Not only are there credit cards but check cards are becoming very popular. So lots of people look at the price and think: Thats not much, about the price of a CD or a hard back book.