Why no DMG2 at Amazon?

[Mercule]

So, some people have their DMG2, already. I suspect the LGS does, too. I popped out to Amazon.com, BN.com, Half.com, Buy.com, and Walmart.com. None of these have the book, yet -- they all say "preorder".

I've kinda noticed a similar situation with a couple of other recent books -- the LGS seems to have them significantly before any of the chains have them. Does anyone know if this is an intentional move on the part of WotC? Or is it just some odd coincidence? Should I start reading the WotC release dates as +1 month?

 

[philreed]

I suspect it's because -- from what I hear -- WotC went without a street date for their latest releases. That would mean that the stores that can receive and process books the fastest could start selling sooner than the larger stores/sites.

Of course, I may have heard very wrong in which case ignore this post.

 

[IronWolf]

I have no evidence, but I thought maybe it was so the local game stores could maybe have them first to sell them, giving them a fighting chance. That way, if you really want the book right away you will probably go to the local gaming store and pick it up. Otherwise you have to wait an extra week or two to get it with deep discount from Amazon. Pure speculation on my part though...

 

[Sunderstone]

My buddy is a manager at B&N so I get the employee discount which is 30% off. The DMG2 will be at his store no earlier than July 6th , The Waterdeep hardcover a few weeks after that.
Of course I will wait, saving $12 on a $40 book is good reason to.

 

[Mercule]

Of course I will wait, saving $12 on a $40 book is good reason to.

Which is why I tend to buy online. It is almost a 2-for-1 deal. That means more books in my collection and more of my money to WotC.

My gut reaction is that IronWolf is right, but I was hoping for some sort of semi-reliable rumor one way or the other.

 

[Laman Stahros]

I heard that WotC doesn't release the books to Amazon (and maybe others) as soon as they release to the LGS so that Amazon won't completely undercut the LGS system.

 

[HeavyG]

I heard that WotC doesn't release the books to Amazon (and maybe others) as soon as they release to the LGS so that Amazon won't completely undercut the LGS system.

Even though I now buy my gaming books exclusively at Amazon, I think that's a good thing.

 

[derbacher]

As someone who has no FLGS, I count on either online ordering or Walden Books for my RPG purchases. Walden's doesn't have it yet either. I ordered mine from DoOrDice.com (25% off on WoTC stuff right now). This has been the fastest way for me to get stuff, as they seem to qualify for the first release of most things.

(No, I don't work for them, or any other company having anything to do with games!)

 

[IronWolf]

Even though I now buy my gaming books exclusively at Amazon, I think that's a good thing.

I am the same way. Almost all of my book ordering is done online from Amazon (and even WalMart recently). I hate to pay full price for anything and the local gaming stores around here could stand to have a little better customer service - so I buy online. But if this release staggering helps local game stores for the initial couple of weeks I don't think it is a bad thing.

 

[Psion]

I would have bought d20 apocalypse at the FLGS (along with the DMG). But I think they got bit by d20 past sitting on their shelves and didn't order any.