Why No Street Dates?

[Tom Cashel]

Hi all.

I'm just sitting here after checking the d20 Past product page for the umpteenth time on amazon.com, to find that it is "not yet released." Moreover, if you scroll down a bit, amazon.com lists a publication date of April 16, 2005. The Wizards' web site lists the month of March as the release date.

So why no street date? I always know what days my DVDs and CDs are going to be released.

I can understand why smaller publishers can't do a specific date, what with delays at the printer and whatnot, but wouldn't it serve Wizards of the Coast to get on a more specific schedule and stick to it?

I'm a busy man! I need to know when my RPGs are ready!

But seriously, does anyone know why WotC plays the game this way? It seems broken to me.

 

[reveal]

My FLGS received Complete Adventurer the first week of the month it was released. But they received Races of the Wild the last week. WotC probably just says the month to give themselves a buffer.

 

[thalmin]

According to the latest email from WotC the street date is March 17th (this friday) for d20 Past and for Sandstorm.
Deathknell is set for the 25th.

 

[reveal]

According to the latest email from WotC the street date is March 17th (this friday) for d20 Past and for Sandstorm.
Deathknell is set for the 25th.

What is this "email" you speak of? Do shops get emails letting them know when they should expect product? I'd like to be on that email list because I'm really looking forward to some new stuff (like Races of Eberron).

 

[thalmin]

I get this from my sales rep at WotC. It lets me know when I can and should order product.

 

[reveal]

I get this from my sales rep at WotC. It lets me know when I can and should order product.

I'll just have to pretend I'm a reseller then.

 

[Tom Cashel]

Okay, that's cool.

I may not like the policy, but at least I know the release date now!

 

[Umbran]

But seriously, does anyone know why WotC plays the game this way? It seems broken to me.

Broken to you is a feature to them, most likely. Honestly, if I were them, I'd not generally announce street dates, because too many consumers are the sort to gripe and whine excessively if, for some reason, the item does not arrive at their FLGS on that date.

As far as I'm aware, making sure a product makes a particular street date nationwide costs extra money. You shouldn't announce a date any more precisely than you're willing to guarantee it.

 

[diaglo]

I get this from my sales rep at WotC. It lets me know when I can and should order product.

is its name, pat?

diaglo " the It mang " Ooi

 

[cignus_pfaccari]

According to the latest email from WotC the street date is March 17th (this friday) for d20 Past and for Sandstorm.
Deathknell is set for the 25th.

Thank ye, o kind shopkeeper!

Now to hike to my FLGS tomorrow night...

Brad