WOTC switch to watermarking, finally...

[Ranger REG]

Over at DTRPG and RPGnow I noticed that the WOTC products were back up. I checked and it seems that they have shifted over to watermarking, not only that but they their books are no longer cover price.

Damn. WotC lost all respect from me.

--a greedy half-Ferengi/half-Hutt corporate suit.

 

[Treebore]

I think it shows that the cost of art and the many months it takes to write a develop one of these books is much more of where the cost comes from then the printing.

I would agree with that argument except for one thing. The middle man and retailers cuts are gone. (60% of the retail price). So they could sell these pdf's at 40% of retail and still get the same profit margin they get on print. With a lot less hassle and printing and shipping costs eliminated.

So if people want to sell me pdf's they better come up with better excuses. Unless they are smal pdf publishers to begin with. Then I can accept a high price. People with volume sales like WOTC, WW, SJG, etc... aren't going to get me to buy it though.

If WOTC doesn't like DrivethruRPG's cut I am sure they would like Yourgamesnow much better.

Like previously mentioned, this is a HUGE step in the right direction, though.

Now if only they would get smart enough to realize most of us would buy print AND pdf if pdf was 40% of retail.

 

[mhacdebhandia]

I can get Complete Arcane for $16.00 on Amazon.

*shrug*

I don't buy used books, especially not for the sake of US$3.77, and especially given that the shipping to Australia from a third-party seller is going to be more expensive than Amazon provides, most likely eating up that saving and then some.

 

[Crothian]

Now if only they would get smart enough to realize most of us would buy print AND pdf if pdf was 40% of retail.

Most of who??

 

[Treebore]

I can get Complete Arcane for $16.00 on Amazon.

Elton.

Have I mentioned that with careful and very patient shopping on eBay I average about 30% of retail on my 3E books? That is with buying about 8 books from Amazon?

My average on modules was even better. Then I bought several copies of RA:R. Then DCC 35. Now I am averaging 54% of retail.

No, I am not telling how I find those deals. Especially since I am looking for the 'scape and Scoundrel books, and the L5R 3E (D10) Monster Book.

 

[Psion]

Yeah, I saw this.

As if I didn't have enough things to buy already.

70% cover price is still pretty steep for PDF, but I might pick up a few titles that I would really like to have portable and perpetual... like OA.

 

[Arashi Ravenblade]

I wont pay for a PDF as it is. And your right those prices are outrageous. I could get print copeis that cheap on Amazon, Which I do anyways.

 

[Glyfair]

That's mostly the point, they don't want to compete with the print version. They always said they made the material available for folks that can't get the books.

And that's exactly the point. I'm pretty sure that WotC has stated that the PDFs are primarily to serve the market that has a difficult time getting hardcovers.

WotC wants people who are chosing between buying the hardcover (especially from their FLGS) and PDF to choose the hardcover. That includes the stores that charge the cover price (strange how it's now assumed that a store charging cover price is "gouging" it's customers).

 

[Maggan]

And that's exactly the point. I'm pretty sure that WotC has stated that the PDFs are primarily to serve the market that has a difficult time getting hardcovers.

WotC wants people who are chosing between buying the hardcover (especially from their FLGS) and PDF to choose the hardcover. That includes the stores that charge the cover price (strange how it's now assumed that a store charging cover price is "gouging" it's customers).

So, those who say "That's so idiotic, I'll get the hardback!" are actually walking into WotC:s trap?

Cunning.

/M

 

[Glyfair]

So, those who say "That's so idiotic, I'll get the hardback!" are actually walking into WotC:s trap?

I know you are kidding, but from comments here I think some believe that.

From comments made before, WotC didn't create their PDF products to get their foot into the PDF market. They got into it to serve their customers who don't have easy access to hard copies. From comments I've read, much of that group considers the price reasonable. If that group doesn't describe you then you aren't the market these products are aimed towards.