The only real discussion that has been had on this previously, is around the number of people who have let us know that they were upset when we included pre-order books in sales, for books that they have already pre-ordered, which I feel is a totally reasonable perspective.
I was disappointed that Strixhaven was pushed back after I preordered. I was then disappointed when I realized it was pushed back past Cyber Monday where I could have potentially gotten a better deal. I figured oh well, I can at least get Netherdeep for the Cyber Monday Deal, but was further disappointed. Now Pre-Order Books aren't included in sales anymore - disappointed yet again.
I think what the real issues you've pointed out is 1) There is a communication issue between the company and consumers when (and lately it seems IF) there are sales or discounts throughout the year and 2) those that voiced they were upset that the pre-order books were included in sales were just a loud minority.
Those of us that have been here awhile, already knew from historical sales that the Pre-Order Books had been included in sales. We were expecting it again. Those that were upset that Pre-Order Books were included in sales they didn't know would pop up, they were out some money. That's a communication and policy issue. Other companies often have a policy if you buy something and it goes on sale within X days, you can present the receipt and get the difference.
The only real discussion that has been had on this previously, is around the number of people who have let us know that they were upset when we included pre-order books in sales, for books that they have already pre-ordered, which I feel is a totally reasonable perspective.
That is an insane take on things!? Why even have a sale on anything EVER? OH NO WHAT IF SOMEONE BOUGHT A BOOK AT FULL PRICE BEFORE THE SALE!?!?!?! There is no reason why those people shouldn't be able to cancel a full price preorder and get the sale price since the product isn't even out yet. This is entirely and exclusively an excuse to gouge people on pre-order content.
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Remember when "Elf" was a class. Me & Pepperidge Farm remember.
The only real discussion that has been had on this previously, is around the number of people who have let us know that they were upset when we included pre-order books in sales, for books that they have already pre-ordered, which I feel is a totally reasonable perspective.
That is an insane take on things!? Why even have a sale on anything EVER? OH NO WHAT IF SOMEONE BOUGHT A BOOK AT FULL PRICE BEFORE THE SALE!?!?!?! There is no reason why those people shouldn't be able to cancel a full price preorder and get the sale price since the product isn't even out yet. This is entirely and exclusively an excuse to gouge people on pre-order content.
Pure speculation, but I suspect the real answer is getting full price at initial release of a new product. Discounting during the initial mad rush of people wanting to purchase it out of the game is basically robbing yourself of revenue off of a product.
Sales are usually geared towards boosting revenue when products aren't selling like hotcakes. The sale coerce perspective buyers to buy when they normally wouldn't so that they may take advantage of the pricing discount.
So it makes perfect sense why you wouldn't want to discount new products, but they need to be consistent and VERY clear about it. Thus far, that is not the case.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Info, Inflow, Overload. Knowledge Black Hole Imminent!
Eh, I'm not sure I get the zeal to get books hours earlier. You still need prep time to run it and a session, so itgets you nowhere fast. Butnwhatever floats people's boats, I guess. If it makes them happy, then crack on.
Personally, unless I'm getting something good in return, I don't preorder since Mario Tennis Aces burned me (a tennis game that didn't let you play a set? Really?). As mentioned, you generally get a special set of dice and character sheer. However, they're not of particular interest to me. I prefer physical (or at least, PDF for sheets) anyway. The dice roller might have been useful for travelling...if they let me use it independently and not have to create a character and run a mock campaign to use it. As is, neither are particularly attractive. If they offered a discount or something on the other hand...
Most of the time, I won't preorder. The deal has to be good to tempt me to risk my money on an unknown product.
DDB is useful to me because I run an afterschool program and it's more convenient than lugging hardcover books from home. I mostly use physical books for my home games and prep. I didn't start buying digital copies on here until a 50% coupon for the PHB was included in the Essentials Kit. Shortly after that I was able to pick up the Legendary Bundle really cheap using a coupon, so when these sales come up the only items I usually need are preorder. I plan on getting them anyway so $10 off makes it worth the wait. The sheet cosmetics and dice are neat little bells and whistles, but the driving reason for me was specifically to save money. They had always been included when all books were $20 before this time. My last purchase was Witchlight, Strixhaven, and Fizban (all preorders) during the previous big sale. The perks are a nice bonus but I now have plenty of frames, backgrounds, and dice. If preorders will no longer be included when the rest of the catalogue is on sale I have absolutely zero incentive to pick them up early and will just wait for the next sale after they're released.
I was disappointed that Strixhaven was pushed back after I preordered. I was then disappointed when I realized it was pushed back past Cyber Monday where I could have potentially gotten a better deal. I figured oh well, I can at least get Netherdeep for the Cyber Monday Deal, but was further disappointed. Now Pre-Order Books aren't included in sales anymore - disappointed yet again.
I think what the real issues you've pointed out is 1) There is a communication issue between the company and consumers when (and lately it seems IF) there are sales or discounts throughout the year and 2) those that voiced they were upset that the pre-order books were included in sales were just a loud minority.
Those of us that have been here awhile, already knew from historical sales that the Pre-Order Books had been included in sales. We were expecting it again. Those that were upset that Pre-Order Books were included in sales they didn't know would pop up, they were out some money. That's a communication and policy issue. Other companies often have a policy if you buy something and it goes on sale within X days, you can present the receipt and get the difference.
That is an insane take on things!?
Why even have a sale on anything EVER?
OH NO WHAT IF SOMEONE BOUGHT A BOOK AT FULL PRICE BEFORE THE SALE!?!?!?!
There is no reason why those people shouldn't be able to cancel a full price preorder and get the sale price since the product isn't even out yet.
This is entirely and exclusively an excuse to gouge people on pre-order content.
Remember when "Elf" was a class.
Me & Pepperidge Farm remember.
Pure speculation, but I suspect the real answer is getting full price at initial release of a new product. Discounting during the initial mad rush of people wanting to purchase it out of the game is basically robbing yourself of revenue off of a product.
Sales are usually geared towards boosting revenue when products aren't selling like hotcakes. The sale coerce perspective buyers to buy when they normally wouldn't so that they may take advantage of the pricing discount.
So it makes perfect sense why you wouldn't want to discount new products, but they need to be consistent and VERY clear about it. Thus far, that is not the case.
Info, Inflow, Overload. Knowledge Black Hole Imminent!
DDB is useful to me because I run an afterschool program and it's more convenient than lugging hardcover books from home. I mostly use physical books for my home games and prep. I didn't start buying digital copies on here until a 50% coupon for the PHB was included in the Essentials Kit. Shortly after that I was able to pick up the Legendary Bundle really cheap using a coupon, so when these sales come up the only items I usually need are preorder. I plan on getting them anyway so $10 off makes it worth the wait. The sheet cosmetics and dice are neat little bells and whistles, but the driving reason for me was specifically to save money. They had always been included when all books were $20 before this time. My last purchase was Witchlight, Strixhaven, and Fizban (all preorders) during the previous big sale. The perks are a nice bonus but I now have plenty of frames, backgrounds, and dice. If preorders will no longer be included when the rest of the catalogue is on sale I have absolutely zero incentive to pick them up early and will just wait for the next sale after they're released.
For anyone following this thread still, all preorders are included in this current 20% off sale! Get it while it's hot!
Or wait to see if it's worth getting and get it at the next sale!
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.