Dragon Snack
First Post
Dragon Snack Games has been open for a little over a year now. That's new in game store terms, but since the average game store apparently only lasts 18 months, I'm getting close to being a veteran.
My 4E sales stink, I've tried having groups run games in my store and I even sell it at 20% off. I can't even find a DM for Encounters (at least not until April 14th). It's Magic that keeps my doors open. No, I don't play 4E, but I didn't play Magic until after I was running events last year and I still rarely do (surprised everyone by playing FNM last month for the foil). I sell lots of video games (more than D&D books) too, which I certainly don't play (even if I wanted to, I don't have time).
It may be alien to most of you, but people will pay a premium to support a LGS they like. I still think it's odd when it happens too, but it does.
FWIW, game stores get D&D books 10 days early if they have a Core or Advanced level organizer. Doesn't even need to be for D&D, I got my PHB3's 10 days early (before I signed up for Encounters) thanks to my Magic events.
So we're playing with 2 sets of rules. Not that I couldn't figure that out, but that just cements it. Do you mind if I quote your post on an industry board (if not, I'll paraphrase)?
My 4E sales stink, I've tried having groups run games in my store and I even sell it at 20% off. I can't even find a DM for Encounters (at least not until April 14th). It's Magic that keeps my doors open. No, I don't play 4E, but I didn't play Magic until after I was running events last year and I still rarely do (surprised everyone by playing FNM last month for the foil). I sell lots of video games (more than D&D books) too, which I certainly don't play (even if I wanted to, I don't have time).
It may be alien to most of you, but people will pay a premium to support a LGS they like. I still think it's odd when it happens too, but it does.
FWIW, game stores get D&D books 10 days early if they have a Core or Advanced level organizer. Doesn't even need to be for D&D, I got my PHB3's 10 days early (before I signed up for Encounters) thanks to my Magic events.
Wow, totally explains why the book trade breaks street dates all the time (although I have to believe your PTB know they aren't supposed to, even without the contracts, because not all street dates are broken). FWIW, if someone in the hobby channel breaks a street date they can get hammered just like you can with a SOS date.I'd also like to point out something about Barnes & Noble and street dates.
First, I am a Barnes & Noble employee and have been for 13 years. I do know what I am talking about, when I am talking about that company.
There are "street dates", which are the dates that a company says a book will be released on.
Then, there are "Strict On-Sale" dates. These are different, at least in their terminology and usage at B&N.
Not a single D&D rulebook received since I started with the company has been a SOS title.
<snip>
Now a "street date" is not such an agreement. <snip> There is NO contractual agreement about breaking "street dates".
So we're playing with 2 sets of rules. Not that I couldn't figure that out, but that just cements it. Do you mind if I quote your post on an industry board (if not, I'll paraphrase)?