Pathfinder Adventure Path Ongoing Subscription

I'm interested in subscribing, but I'm wondering what the commitment is for the subscription, and what the terms are for cancellation? I'm game to give this a shot - it seems really cool - but don't want to be stuck perpetually paying $14/month if I end up not enjoying the product. :)

Thanks!

-O

Considering that I'm a subscriber to Dungeon and am just now getting issue #145 and issue #146 has already hit the stands... AND I never received my first issue even after they said they would remail it to me... AND the big jump in price... I think I'll pass. I will keep an eye out for it when it hits the stands, though.

This is the paragraph you're looking for, obryn:

When customers subscribe at paizo.com, they get a month-to-month subscription, which is fixed at a 30% discount off of each volume’s cover price, plus shipping. Before we ship each volume, we will automatically charge the credit cards of our month-to-month subscribers for that copy. Month-to-month subscribers save money without having to spend a lot of cash at once—plus they never have to worry about their subscription expiring!

I'm interested in subscribing, but I'm wondering what the commitment is for the subscription, and what the terms are for cancellation? I'm game to give this a shot - it seems really cool - but don't want to be stuck perpetually paying $14/month if I end up not enjoying the product. :)

Thanks!

-O

You can cancel at any time, because you're only charged as we ship 'em to you.

Considering that I'm a subscriber to Dungeon and am just now getting issue #145 and issue #146 has already hit the stands... AND I never received my first issue even after they said they would remail it to me... AND the big jump in price... I think I'll pass. I will keep an eye out for it when it hits the stands, though.

Because Pathfinder is a book, not a magazine, it won't be sent via Periodicals rate. It should thus arrive much more reliably (not to mention faster).

Is there any possibility of annual subscriptions? I generally prefer paying for everything up front.

Is there any possibility of annual subscriptions? I generally prefer paying for everything up front.

Sorry—we've decided to get out of the business of sending renewal notices. It's inefficient and costly. Month-to-month subs offer you the benefit of not having to think about it again in a year or three—it just keeps going until you want it to stop.

Can I get a subscription through my local gaming store? If so, can I still get the discount?

RogueMonkeyChief wrote:

Is there any possibility of annual subscriptions? I generally prefer paying for everything up front.

Sorry—we've decided to get out of the business of sending renewal notices. It's inefficient and costly. Month-to-month subs offer you the benefit of not having to think about it again in a year or three—it just keeps going until you want it to stop.

That makes perfect sense. I'm still somewhat leery of having my credit card # on file (not that I don't trust you guys), although for 30% off and free PDFs, I'm willing to suck it up.

In any case, thanks for the response, and I'm really excited about Pathfinder.

So is that $13.99 plus shipping or are shipping costs included in the $13.99?

Its excluding Shipping ($4 in US and $5 International).

I've just signed up for the Pathfinder! I'm very excited about being able to run a complete adventure path like this. Now I hope my players will feel the same.

/goes off to make sure his current campaign will be done by September

Can I get a subscription through my local gaming store? If so, can I still get the discount?

Ask your local gaming store. They probably can't cut you a deal that cheap, but if you tell them you want it every month, they might do something nice for you....

I'm still somewhat leery of having my credit card # on file (not that I don't trust you guys), although for 30% off and free PDFs, I'm willing to suck it up.

We've recently reviewed our credit card storage processes, and believe that we have better security in place on your secret digits than the majority of off-the-shelf e-commerce products.

I don't think even I could extract your card number if I wanted to.

Hmm does that mean the UK shipping charge is going to be painful or can you work something out for international customers?

I am looking to switch over to Pathfinder by using my credit and as I went to check out it read that shipping was going to cost me $5 dollars. I was wondering why for it states that it's free shipping at the transition board.

So did I get this right -- it's $19 per month including shipping for international customers, and it is to be paid monthly?

Long live Paizo! My favorite part of Dungeon is continuing, but in a different form.

As a comparison, how many "adventures" worth of material will be in each issue? How many issues will it take to go through the each adventure path?

This may be a stupid question, but what is the difference between the $4 envelope and the $4 parcel delivery method? I'm just curious which one would work better for me since in the past the USPS has not been very tender with my Dragon and Dungeon mags.

Thanks
Speech

I am looking to switch over to Pathfinder by using my credit and as I went to check out it read that shipping was going to cost me $5 dollars. I was wondering why for it states that it's free shipping at the transition board.

The subscription itself comes to $13.99 plus shipping and handling. If you divide the total amount listed on the transition page that you would pay as a subscriber by the number of issues it states you are entitled to, it should come to around $17.99, which is $13.99 plus $4 shipping and handling. Looks like yours is an extra dollar, though, but maybe that's just the option you chose (I agree that's a little tricky, though, since the transition page does state that it's free).

If an issue of Pathfinder arrives damaged, what is the recourse?

I echo Lukas Klausner’s comment above (“So did I get this right -- it's $19 per month including shipping for international customers, and it is to be paid monthly?”).
So that means, what- $228 per year (roughly £115-120)? Plus, an extra £1 transaction charge per Pathfinder (£12 per year) if you order in the UK, and presumably similar charges in other non-US countries.
Could you offer half-year subscriptions, or yearly subscriptions (or longer periods) to save on bank charges please?

What's the difference between a "Pathfinder Charter Subscriber" and a "Pathfinder Subscriber"?

Bocklin

What about Canadian delivery? I'm excited about the OGL focus, becuase all the reference to WotC supplements I'd never by was getting tiresome.

I have had nothing but great experiences with Paizo regarding not only their products, but Dragon and Dungeon magazines. On two separate occasions for one reason or another I didn't receive an issue. I contacted the Paizo staff and within a week I received the issue I was missing. Thanks Guys!

I plan on subscribing to the Pathfinder series. The adventure paths was always one of my favorite features from Dungeon Magazine and frankly, along with the comics and articles at the end of the magazine would be the only parts that I would take from Dungeon anyway. I can see that Wayne Reynolds is providing the artwork so I can already tell this will be a quality product. I can't wait for the first installment.

This is the fourth time I've read the snippets about content in Pathfinder, and I find myself in an ever-increasing spiral of excitement. This is going to be an awesome product, with the same well crafted NPCs, enemies, stories, and situations.

Anyone who has enjoyed Dragon or Dungeon in the past should give it at least one issue's chance! Since it is basically the start of the fourth AP you may find it worth the extra cost, and then some!

Erik/James (whoever is editor of Burnt Offerings) - two of the most popular recent adventure concepts are anything within Maure Castle and dinner parties in Redhand. These diametrically opposed styles actually offer a banquet of opportunity to cherry-pick into Pathfinder. If you offer chance for both deadly combat in well detailed environments and sipping champagne with insane dictators, the Pathfinder series will succeed.

Could someone lay out some dates for me please?

How much advance notice are we given for the charges for a by-the-month subscription like this? Will it be "We just took $19 out of your debit account" or "In six days we'll be charging you $19. You have until Thursday to cancel the order"? Will we get the opportunity to say "Oh snap! I can't afford that this week!" Will the monthly subscription charge come out on the same day every month so I can just plan on budgeting $19 to come out of such-and-such paycheck?

Because Pathfinder is a book, not a magazine, it won't be sent via Periodicals rate. It should thus arrive much more reliably (not to mention faster).

Vic, thanks for the info, dude. I'll still have to give it some thought, but the reliability factor was the real issue for me, more than the price jump. I also think receiving a .pdf version as part of a subscription is a great idea and applaude you guys for coming up with that. I think I'll still wait until the first issue hits the stands to decide whether to subscribe or not. Oh, who am I kidding, I'll probably end up subscribing now that I know it will reach me on time. If it doesn't, though, I'm coming to get you Vic :)

I've signed up for the Pathfinder subscription, but it isn't showing in the subscription section of My Account nor in my Avatar Name (come on, I want to show support!). How long will it take to update, or have I done something wrong?

Hmm does that mean the UK shipping charge is going to be painful or can you work something out for international customers?

For the foreseeable future, standard shipping on Pathfinder will be $4 for the US and $5 internationally.

I was wondering why for it states that it's free shipping at the transition board.

We're picking up the shipping on the issues you get by transitioning Dungeon and Dragon subscriptions.

It's $19 per month including shipping for international customers, and it is to be paid monthly?

Yes. We'll automatically bill you when a new volume ships.

As a comparison, how many "adventures" worth of material will be in each issue? How many issues will it take to go through the each adventure path?

About 50 of the pages will be the adventure; the rest will be supplementary material that fits in with the adventure or can easily be used separately. Adventure Paths are slated to run six issues each.

As James Jacobs pointed out, "Counting the Adventure Path material in Dragon and Dungeon over the course of a year, Savage Tide would clock in at about 450 pages. The Adventure Path material in Pathfinder over a year will be closer to 1,152 pages. And you'll get 2 Adventure Paths instead of 1 each year."

This may be a stupid question, but what is the difference between the $4 envelope and the $4 parcel delivery method?

They're actually both the same. (It's something we need to fix in our codebase.)

If an issue of Pathfinder arrives damaged, what is the recourse?

As with anything you buy from paizo.com, we'll get you fixed up.

Could you offer half-year subscriptions, or yearly subscriptions (or longer periods) to save on bank charges please?

Sorry—we're only offering the month-to-month automatic subscription, which saves on renewal notices and missed issues when renewals don't arrive in time.

What's the difference between a "Pathfinder Charter Subscriber" and a "Pathfinder Subscriber"?

A "Subscriber" has chosen to transition remaining Dungeon and Dragon issues to Pathfinder, but has not yet purchased a month-to-month sub.

A "Charter Subscriber" has signed up for the month-to-month sub, and will also be getting a free Player's Guide to Rise of the Runelords.

What about Canadian delivery?

It's available worldwide. Seeing as how Canada still isn't part of the US, shipping is $5 per issue.

How much advance notice are we given for the charges for a by-the-month subscription like this?

We'll attempt to authorize your card (but not charge it) a few days before the issue ships. We'll send you an e-mail at that time letting you know if there's a problem charging your card. It won't come on the same day every month, I'm afraid—it depends on when the issues arrive from the printer.

I've signed up for the Pathfinder subscription, but it isn't showing in the subscription section of My Account...

I assume you mean you set it up through the transition page. Did you click the "Save Changes" button at the bottom to commit your decision?

I've signed up for the Pathfinder subscription, but it isn't showing in the subscription section of My Account...?

I assume you mean you set it up through the transition page. Did you click the "Save Changes" button at the bottom to commit your decision?

No, I bought it through the normal purchase process. It is showing as one of my orders, but not in my subscriptions or anywhere like that. Where is it on the transition page, I looked and can't find it?

Aubrey the Malformed wrote:

I've signed up for the Pathfinder subscription, but it isn't showing in the subscription section of My Account...?

Vic Wertz wrote:

I assume you mean you set it up through the transition page. Did you click the "Save Changes" button at the bottom to commit your decision?

No, I bought it through the normal purchase process. It is showing as one of my orders, but not in my subscriptions or anywhere like that. Where is it on the transition page, I looked and can't find it?

OK, I've worked out what is going on. However, it doesn't solve the problem that I'm not being recognised as a Charter Subscriber on the system. Could you look into it please, Vic? It's hardly a priority, but I want my stuff when it comes out (whine, sniffle).

Could you look into it please, Vic? It's hardly a priority, but I want my stuff when it comes out (whine, sniffle).

I can't, as I'll be out of the office until Friday, but I'll ask Gary to check it out.

-Vic.
.

I totally need to subscribe!!! But, I have 15 volumes from my cross-over!!! It's awesome! I'm gonna subscribe tomorrow though, once I figure out where my fiancee hid my credit card!!! :-)

Aubrey the Malformed wrote:

Could you look into it please, Vic? It's hardly a priority, but I want my stuff when it comes out (whine, sniffle).

I can't, as I'll be out of the office until Friday, but I'll ask Gary to check it out.

-Vic.
.

Cheers, Vic. You are a scholar and a gentleman. And you never sleep, which is also a plus.

Hi Aubrey. Vic sent me an email about your account, so I'll look into this on Monday when I get back in the office.

Is everyone aware about the new postal rates for periodicals (they include a 'shape' aspect to the rate)? Developed by Time/WB and the USPS, I beleive.

For small publishers its a huge cost increase. anywhere from 11% on average up to 25% increase on postal rates. Add on the increase in paper costs, and it really makes it hard for small publishers.

anyhow, enough shop talk.

Are there going to be any info injected into the Adventure Path book thats more of the realm of Dragon magazine? Like New equipment, spells, PrC's and that sort of thing?

14 is a good price, but 20 plus tax is a killer. If I get this it'll have to be thru subscription and not at the LFGS.

I could probably talk myself into this just for all the glorious Wayne Renoylds art work! GLORIOUS I SAY!

well, back to work

Is everyone aware about the new postal rates for periodicals (they include a 'shape' aspect to the rate)? Developed by Time/WB and the USPS, I beleive.

For small publishers its a huge cost increase. anywhere from 11% on average up to 25% increase on postal rates. Add on the increase in paper costs, and it really makes it hard for small publishers.

anyhow, enough shop talk.

Are there going to be any info injected into the Adventure Path book thats more of the realm of Dragon magazine? Like New equipment, spells, PrC's and that sort of thing?

14 is a good price, but 20 plus tax is a killer. If I get this it'll have to be thru subscription and not at the LFGS.

I could probably talk myself into this just for all the glorious Wayne Renoylds art work! GLORIOUS I SAY!

well, back to work

Krail, keep your eyes on the Pathfinder Blog. The coming weeks will showcase all of the amazing stuff you'll find inside.

Krail, since the new Pathfinder books aren't periodicals, they'll be shipped via USPS/UPS. From what Vic has posted in another thread, they were able to get a volume discount on shipping from the Post Office. :)

From what Vic has posted in another thread, they were able to get a volume discount on shipping from the Post Office. :)

Actually, that discount comes from UPS's Mail Innovations division. It's kind of nutty, but it's awesome.

Let's say we have a package going to Miami. UPS picks it up from us and delivers it to a Mail Innovations center in Seattle, where it's combined with other packages heading to Miami, and then they're all delivered via UPS to a Miami USPS distribution center, and then the USPS delivers it to the final destination.

Yet despite the fact that it's handled by UPS Mail Innovations *and* the USPS, it usually gets there about a day faster than if we'd sent it USPS ourselves, *and* it costs us less.

Internationally, it works similarly, and saves even more time and money. We've actually been using it for certain packages shipped from paizo.com for a year or so, and we've found it super reliable.

LOL - Yeah, they've been trying to get our company switched over to using Mail Innovations as well, Vic.

In the end, it's a bonus to the consumer and the company, which is always good. :)

I've really enjoyed what Paizo has done with the adventure paths in Dungeon and have melded them all into my Scarred Lands campaign setting over time so that my players can experience parts (or all) of them as they move through the world. It's been easier for me to create side concepts that aren't limited in scope and can even be revisited time and time again as the side concepts continue on their own without them. Kind of like advanced side adventures that require a lot less work in managing and outlining.

I'm wary of the $18/month cost (inc. shipping), but will use up my last bit of Dragon Mag & Dungeon Mag subscriptions to try it out.

Hopefully I'll get more out of the new APs than expected and I wish Paizo good luck in going forward on their own. You guys have done some excellent work in making Dungeon a more worthwhile purchase in the last two years.

Can I pay for a subscription to Pathfinder in a lump sum, via check or money-order? I don't have a credit card, but am highly interested in Pathfinder, and being able to do that would increase the viability of subscribing.

Can I pay for a subscription to Pathfinder in a lump sum, via check or money-order? I don't have a credit card, but am highly interested in Pathfinder, and being able to do that would increase the viability of subscribing.

We're only doing month-to-month subscriptions, which require a credit card.

We're only doing month-to-month subscriptions, which require a credit card.

Well, crap. As I don't have a credit card, I can't get this. IMHO, this move is counter-intuitive. To try and get back as much of your readership as possible, you should allow money orders or something. Ah well; no more paizo-awesomeness for me...

Are there any other payment options. I don't have a credit card and don't wanna miss out. Oops! Yeah what Syberys said...

After they come out, you can order them as non-subscriber copies, and pay by check. Alternately, check 'em out at your favorite game store.

Pre-paid fixed-length subscriptions caused a lot of hassles for us and for subscribers, with all kinds of manual entry required, bounced checks, missed renewal notices.... We realize that leaves out folks without credit cards, but it improves the reliability of the subscriptions we do get. Plus, with banks offering checking cards bearing the Visa or Mastercard logo, and PayPal and other companies doing similar things, the truth is that the vast majority of our customers seem to have credit cards.

You can also get valid Visa/Mastercard cards that act like gift certificate cards - load 'em up with cash and use like a credit/debit card. You can usually get them at 7-11 or check cashing places.

It's not Dungeon but I'm gonna stick with it for at least the first full path. I really appreciate the level of work you all have been putting out in Dungeon and I just want to show my support for this new venture. Especially, since I have all that money I won't be spending on WotC product anymore.

Especially, since I have all that money I won't be spending on WotC product anymore.

That was a key point for me as well. ;-)

Hi I'm an international subscriber for Dragon (I'm in Australia). Now I'm not an idiot but my question is - can someone please tell me exactly how to transfer my subscription over to Pathfinder so that this transition is smooth and I wont suffer the same teething problems I experienced with my initial Dragon subscription? I tried to do this on the site tonight but it seemed to be taking me through to the checkout and was going to charge my credit card so I cancelled the transaction. Why can't this be as simple as a current subscriber just ticking a box "yes I wish to subscribe or alternately no?

Cheers

Chris