I look forward to learning more about their plan. The most obvious issue I see is that many game stores don't have computers with internet connections—I've heard perhaps as few as 10% do—so this would only help a subset of retailers.
I don't know what prices are like in the US, but in New Zealand you basically have a choice between unlimited data with a sloooow dialup connection, or a faster and more expensive connection with a small data cap after which you get charged through the nose per meg of data.
I doubt people wanting to purchase PDFs through a store via a web connection would want to wait for an hour (or more) to download their purchase, and if the stores here use any sort of faster connection, there goes their profit on the sale in paying for either an expensive connection plan with a large download limit or in excess fees per meg downloaded once they hit their monthly cap.
Do we get the Pathfinder discount (from Pathfinder subscription)on items bought through this subscription?
Chief Technical Officer
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Do we get the Pathfinder discount (from Pathfinder subscription)on items bought through this subscription?
The Pathfinder Advantage, which is a benefit of the Pathfinder Adventure Path subscription, does indeed net you a 15% discount with most of our other subscriptions, including the Pathfinder RPG subscription. (Subscriptions which already provide a discount of more than 15% aren't discounted further, though, since the Pathfinder Advantage doesn't stack).
You know, Paizo could look into arranging their schedule to allow for a fixed average monthly "Paizo Charter Superscriber" subscription rate, with one year commitments. It would make it much easier for subscribers to budget their tithes, errr... Paizo subscriptions...
Nearly impossible, I'd say. They don't even plan ahead a full year. What if they think of a great extra gadget or book or something that wouldn't fit into the subscription, they couldn't include it. Or they'd make a loss including it. Or they'd have to plan for that sort of thing and overcharge.
International shipping is just one of those things Amazon can out-compete on, what with shipping centers all over the world and the volume to beat up shippers on price.Orders from Amazon.com are fulfilled from centers in the US. Orders from other Amazon locals (co.uk, .de, .fr et al) are fulfilled from in that particular country.
Amazon.de has the PF books (and I guess other locals have, too), their prices are very good, and you don't pay shipping costs for books.
As a UK subscriber I have no problem with the shipping costs, just wish they'd get here faster :)
Priority is supposed to be fast. 6-10 days or something like that. Yould be there within the week.
I don't know what prices are like in the US, but in New Zealand you basically have a choice between unlimited data with a sloooow dialup connection, or a faster and more expensive connection with a small data cap after which you get charged through the nose per meg of data.
Hm.. In Germany, you can get an internet flat-rate with 32MBit downstream (and 2 Mbit upstream) with phone flat included for €30 a month (23 in the first 12 months). It's a bit more expensive for businesses, but that will include 4 phone lines instead of 2 - plenty for a gaming store.
And even if you live somewhere without connections like that, I doesn't have to be the way you tell it. It wouldn't necessarily be the same as a normal customer buying from paizo.com:
There could be a "vending machine" server in the shop, with applications that only contact paizo.com to verify the data and get an encryption code or something, and personalise the books locally. They'd have all the raw pdfs locally on that server and could put the stuff onto a thumb drive (or bank disc) in no time.
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As a UK subscriber I have no problem with the shipping costs, just wish they'd get here faster :)
Priority is supposed to be fast. 6-10 days or something like that. Yould be there within the week.
Ah but I like instant satisfaction of getting the item same day or next day, which is what the pdf's give me, the hard copy's arrival is sometimes moot, as even the slowest method normaly only takes ten days.
Ah but I like instant satisfaction of getting the item same day or next day, which is what the pdf's give me, the hard copy's arrival is sometimes moot, as even the slowest method normaly only takes ten days.
I once got a shipment after less than a week. And we're talking about standard delivery. Don't know what happened to the postal workers. Probably witchcraft or something.
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Chief Technical Officer
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Update:
We've made some decisions regarding shipping of the Core Rulebook (and other August subscription products) and Core Rulebook PDF distribution. Here's the lowdown:
Assuming there are no major problems getting the Core Rulebook into our warehouse, we anticipate shipping subscriber orders and preorders starting the first week of August. We'll attempt to stagger-ship them based on transit time so that as many copies as possible arrive as close to the August 13 release date as we can manage. Of course, that's all up to the postal system—some folks will get it a day or two earlier, and some later.
The PDF will become available on August 13 as the Gen Con floor opens. The PDF will be priced at $9.99. Pathfinder RPG subscribers will get it for free (but not until the release date).
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Update:
We've made some decisions regarding shipping of the Core Rulebook (and other August subscription products) and Core Rulebook PDF distribution. Here's the lowdown:
Assuming there are no major problems getting the Core Rulebook into our warehouse, we anticipate shipping subscriber orders and preorders starting the first week of August. We'll attempt to stagger-ship them based on transit time so that as many copies as possible arrive as close to the August 13 release date as we can manage. Of course, that's all up to the postal system—some folks will get it a day or two earlier, and some later.
That's awesome news all around.
The PDF will become available on August 13 as the Gen Con floor opens. The PDF will be priced at $9.99. Pathfinder RPG subscribers will get it for free (but not until the release date).
$9.99 regardless of whether you buy the print copy or not? that's what I call aggressive pricing, hopefully it will lure a good chunk of the 50000 that downloaded the beta :D, I am very happy about this.
Update:
We've made some decisions regarding shipping of the Core Rulebook (and other August subscription products) and Core Rulebook PDF distribution. Here's the lowdown:
Assuming there are no major problems getting the Core Rulebook into our warehouse, we anticipate shipping subscriber orders and preorders starting the first week of August. We'll attempt to stagger-ship them based on transit time so that as many copies as possible arrive as close to the August 13 release date as we can manage. Of course, that's all up to the postal system—some folks will get it a day or two earlier, and some later.
The PDF will become available on August 13 as the Gen Con floor opens. The PDF will be priced at $9.99. Pathfinder RPG subscribers will get it for free (but not until the release date).
Thank you
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Update:
We've made some decisions regarding shipping of the Core Rulebook (and other August subscription products) and Core Rulebook PDF distribution. Here's the lowdown:
We'll attempt to stagger-ship them based on transit time so that as many copies as possible arrive as close to the August 13 release date as we can manage.
I hope this means that overseas subscriptions will be shipped first, as it will take the longest to reach us? Thus as many subscribers as possible receiving it on (or as close to) the August 13 as possible? (American subscribers who ship last, will still get their copy before overseas subscribers who ship first).
The PDF will become available on August 13 as the Gen Con floor opens. The PDF will be priced at $9.99. Pathfinder RPG subscribers will get it for free (but not until the release date).
$9.99 PDF sounds like a very fair price, and will ensure that those who can't afford the hefty price of hard-cover plus overseas shipping (I'm thinking of my players here! $49.99 hardcover + $45.05 postage = the first book I've ever purchased over AU$100!) may still gain access to the rules they need to participate in my games. At least until they can justify the hard-cover purchase with an approaching Birthday or Christmas, because in all seriousness, who can resist? !!! ;-)
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Hi Vic,
I mentioned this in another thread, but it might have been overlooked.
I have a subscription copy of Pathfinder RPG Core Rulebook. My shipping options are set to Hold subscription items to ship with my Pathfinder Adventure Path subscription. It appears with the August 2009 products with USPS Priority Mail: $45.05.
I now want to add another Pathfinder RPG Core Rulebook to my order, hoping to combine it with my August products to share the shipping cost. However, I need to test whether this extra Core Rulebook will bump it up to the next shipping category or not?
However when I click "Combine with the earliest possible subscription shipment", it doesn't combine with my August shipment, instead it adds USPS Priority Mail: $45.05 to my July products.
Most likely it won't arrive in your warehouse in time to ship with July Legacy of Fire #6, and will be bumped to August Council of Thieves #1 with my subscription copy of the Core Rulebook. But that doesn't help me estimating overseas shipping costs now.
Thanks, DarkWhite
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Chief Creative Officer, Publisher
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I hope this means that overseas subscriptions will be shipped first, as it will take the longest to reach us? Thus as many subscribers as possible receiving it on (or as close to) the August 13 as possible? (American subscribers who ship last, will still get their copy before overseas subscribers who ship first).
That is the current plan.
And thank you for it! Come on instantaneous shipping to Ireland!
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Chief Technical Officer
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Hi Vic,
I mentioned this in another thread, but it might have been overlooked....
I'll draw Gary's attention to the other thread.
"Bonjour" everyone !
Do you know when it's going to be translated to French by any chance ? If it ever will ... :D
Black Book Editions s'occupe de la traduction. Ils ont déjà sorti la première "route vers l'aventure" et sont en train de traduire la deuxième.
Jette un oeil sur leur site www.black-book-editions.fr.For the non French-speakers: sorry! :-)
Awesome pricing on the PDF.
"Bonjour" everyone !
Do you know when it's going to be translated to French by any chance ? If it ever will ... :D
Black Book Editions s'occupe de la traduction. Ils ont déjà sorti la première "route vers l'aventure" et sont en train de traduire la deuxième.
Jette un oeil sur leur site www.black-book-editions.fr.For the non French-speakers: sorry! :-)
I'm getting used to it. Two of our new coworkers speak French - one from Morocco (and half-French to boot) and one from Camerun - and a lot better than they speak German, so they often switch into French when they're talking among each other.
Of course, I mercilessly retaliate by speaking the flattest Saarlännisch I can manage with the 2-3 coworkers that are from around here, so it all evens out :D
I hope this means that overseas subscriptions will be shipped first, as it will take the longest to reach us? Thus as many subscribers as possible receiving it on (or as close to) the August 13 as possible? (American subscribers who ship last, will still get their copy before overseas subscribers who ship first).That is the current plan.
Great! Combined with the allegedly super-fast priority shipping, I should get that book really fast. This makes up for the shipping costs.
So you say we won't get to take a peak into our PDFs before Aug 13, even if we pay for it earlier?
Even if we say please?
If you don't, I'll send a pic of me begging you with puppy-dog eyes! Do you want that puppy-dog to lose his eyes over this? }> ;-)
Wow, "sorry" is a pretty damn long word in French ! ;-)
Je suis infiniment confus et demande humblement à tous mes amis anglophones d'excuser cette digression dont ils n'ont pu saisir toutes les subtiles nuances.
Is that better?
BTW, "sorry" would translate to "désolé" ou "pardon" only, and does not give any link to any web site! And the longest French word is "anticonstitutionnellement".
;-)
Dumb question - is it possible to order multiple subscriptions? Specifically, will their be an issue with seperate subscription to the same address?
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Director of Brand Strategy
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Dumb question - is it possible to order multiple subscriptions? Specifically, will their be an issue with separate subscription to the same address?
I believe you can, but if they're to different people, they won't be shipped together. I am not sure if you can have more than one identical subscription on the same account. It seems that you could just order extra copies of things to get the second, third, etc copies. You'd only need a single pdf in any case.
If multiple people at the same address have subscriptions, there is no problem. However, they will receive their subscriptions in separate packages.
If one person wants to receive multiple copies of a subscription product, then they need to contact Customer Service, who can set them up to receive them.
Wow, that PDF price surprised me. I assume it's to serve a dual purpose: make it easy for players to get the rules for cheap and to make it price competitive to buy the book from another retailer (Amazon, Borders with one of those coupons they always have). I was debating for myself whether to subscribe or buy from Amazon. I think now I'm going to buy it from Amazon and later get the PDF. I know Paizo likes people subscribing, but given that money is tight for me and I'm still catching up on old Pathfinder books, I need to save all the money I can and Amazon's good for that.
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ok, the PDF will sell for 10 Bucks? I think everyone is afraid to say it, but that is insane! In a good way for us. Thank you Paizo. I know that getting it out widespread had a part in that pricing stategy, but it is also a huge service to your fans. (I wonder if the number of orders for the hardcover had something to do with being able to price that so low?
(I wonder if the number of orders for the hardcover had something to do with being able to price that so low?
I wouldn't necessarily think that they're related.
1.) An inexpensve PDF is just an alternative to pirating. Actually stopping pirating is neigh impossible, but you can reduce it with an affordable alternative.
Two people can't have an adult meal at McDonalds for 10 bucks.
2.) It's hard to play and GM with a PDF. I won't say it can't be done, hasn't been done, or that it isn't an alternative if you're hard up for money.
But given a choice, most people like a hard copy. The PDF will either compliment a hard copy, or it will help sell a hard copy. They rarely, if ever, compete with a hard copy.
3.) If the PF RPG makes a lot of money, it will be a decisive battle won for Paizo. If PF RPG is *used* and enjoyed by a lot of people, they'll win the war. You follow the differentiation in those two statements?
Widespread use the PF RPG rules can unlock a lot of sales pontential for all their other products. The hard copy has to cost enough to at least cover the production, printing and materials (and a little profit on the side); but in another sense they need to get this book in the hands of the people. As many people as they possibly can.
The real potential of this product is inter-related to the exposure that it receives. The more people that read it, the better. There is a value there that we can't define in easy terms of dollars and cents, but it is very real.
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Here's a thought...
This idea has been tossed around before and the concern is that people will get the book off the shelf, scratch the stuff off, write down the number, and use it to get the PDF for free. They don't buy the book, just basically steal the PDF.
Then the store has a problem. That book is effectively damaged or defective. If someone does buy the book, they get screwed out of their PDF, so that Paizo has a PO'ed legit customer. Certainly, they have to do right by him and give him the PDF (he's already proven he'll buy a book, maybe he'll buy more?). Now Paizo has to decide whether to chase down the guy that got the free PDF and that's just alot of unnecessary work.
So to answer that someone comes along and say "shrink-wrap the book," to which the response is "then customers can't open up and browse it in the store."
It's a conundrum with no good answer.
-Skeld
Here's a thought. In copies of the books you print, say on the inside cover. Have a unique serial number printed in each copy of the book that is coated with some of that lottery ticket scratch off ink.
Scratch'n'Sniff isn't ideal, since, as Skeld said, people can go into the store, scratch, write down the code, and walk out with a cheap/free PDF and the store ends up with a ruined copy.
So that won't really work.
But another company (it's either in this thread or in another, but I don't remember right now what company it was) is starting to sell PDFs in stores.
I think PDFs from stores can work. They could do it like those cards you get for MMORPGs or prepaid cell phone credit. The shelf would have some mockup (or, if the store wants to invest, those plastic casings shops use for CDs and DVDs some time), or the cards are in a locked glass case (like a lot of stuff already is in stores). They could also have "combo cards" that cost more and net you a print version in addition the PDF.
As for how to get the PDF, it could be several ways:
2.) It's hard to play and GM with a PDF. I won't say it can't be done, hasn't been done, or that it isn't an alternative if you're hard up for money.But given a choice, most people like a hard copy. The PDF will either compliment a hard copy, or it will help sell a hard copy. They rarely, if ever, compete with a hard copy.
Given a choice, I will use both. Right now, I'm mostly using the PDF when I actually sit at the table being the GM. I use the print copy in lots of other situations (especially when I'm a player), but it's a real boon having stuff like the XP table or the treasure value table on bookmarks or full-text search, without taking up any table space.
I wouldn't do without the print copy, ever, since when I read stuff, I read the print, but the PDF is more than just "nice to have" for me.
Again, I applaud Paizo's commitment to past, present AND future by making right choices like this. Looking to the future while never forgetting the past is what makes Paizo the best RPG publisher of all time, not just a has-been or might-be.
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Okay, before I subscribe, I am trying to get some clarity on a couple of issues.
First, via subscription, and in order to get the hard bound copy & .pdf, I am charged $42.49 + $8.25 shipping & handling for the total of $50.74. I get this, but a colleague of mine said he subscribed and the book was charged at or around $39. Am I missing something here?
Second, should I opt instead to just purchase the book (and not subscribe), Paizo prices the book at $49.99 and the .pdf at $9.99. Whew! Makes sense to go with a subscription (and should I not want to continue to subscribe, to simply cancel my subscription afterwards.) That said, Amazon's purchase price for the book (and free shipping) is $31.49. Given the $9.99 price of the .pdf, I would actually come out ahead via Amazon + Paizo, as opposed to just Paizo. So, what do I stand to gain by subscribing instead to Paizo? (And, in essence, paying $10 more?)
Amazon states they will not have the book until Sept 2nd. Paizo will try to begin shipping early August.
That said, Amazon's purchase price for the book (and free shipping) is $31.49. Given the $9.99 price of the .pdf, I would actually come out ahead via Amazon + Paizo, as opposed to just Paizo. So, what do I stand to gain by subscribing instead to Paizo? (And, in essence, paying $10 more?)
As silverhair2008 said, you're paying $10 more to get the rulebook in August instead of September or October. If you're happy using your PDF until then, then save money and buy from Amazon. If you want the hardcopy right away, subscribe.
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That said, Amazon's purchase price for the book (and free shipping) is $31.49. Given the $9.99 price of the .pdf, I would actually come out ahead via Amazon + Paizo, as opposed to just Paizo. So, what do I stand to gain by subscribing instead to Paizo? (And, in essence, paying $10 more?)As silverhair2008 said, you're paying $10 more to get the rulebook in August instead of September or October. If you're happy using your PDF until then, then save money and buy from Amazon. If you want the hardcopy right away, subscribe.
Exactly. As I was telling silverhair2008 today, I got burned by buying the 4e boxset from Amazon. It took like 2 months to finally get them by which time I had purchased the books individually at a local store ran the game a few times and decided it wasn't what I wanted to play and sold the books I had used.
On the upside when I did get my Amazon shipment it went straight on the shelf and is un-opened. Maybe it will be worth something one day.
As the others have said: Speed's the main thing. If you don't care about that, go for amazon. The PDF price is as low as it is because they want to give people who don't subscribe a great deal. Especially international customers who pay a lot more for shipping.
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First, via subscription, and in order to get the hard bound copy & .pdf, I am charged $42.49 + $8.25 shipping & handling for the total of $50.74. I get this, but a colleague of mine said he subscribed and the book was charged at or around $39. Am I missing something here?
Pathfinder Advantage....15% off....
First, via subscription, and in order to get the hard bound copy & .pdf, I am charged $42.49 + $8.25 shipping & handling for the total of $50.74. I get this, but a colleague of mine said he subscribed and the book was charged at or around $39. Am I missing something here?Pathfinder Advantage....15% off....
That's why it costs 42.49 instead of 49.99.
Since he said he was charged, I think it was that "test charge" they do to test the credit card. It's no actual charge, it's a trial run.
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"Bonjour" everyone !
Do you know when it's going to be translated to French by any chance ? If it ever will ... :D
Black Book Editions s'occupe de la traduction. Ils ont déjà sorti la première "route vers l'aventure" et sont en train de traduire la deuxième.
Jette un oeil sur leur site www.black-book-editions.fr.For the non French-speakers: sorry! :-)
Oui je joue le premier AP ... génial.
Merci pour l'info Beholder ! Aaaah le Beholder :D. Va falloir être patient donc ....
That means i'll probably buy the PDF due to shipping costs (even with the low cost of $ compared to Euro).
Thanks all.
"Et voilà"
Sorry for the french. :D
Ei jetz schweddse hii die Fliddkebb wie ne die Schnawwel gewaast ess.
Dann kann eich aach. Onn eich saan eich, dann vastehd hie kenna me wadd!
I'm trapped in the path of Paizo. I'm really looking forward to this RPG!
I've lost track of whats available. Is there a PDF version only price?
I live in UK so I get really stung by the shipping costs.
I've lost track of whats available. Is there a PDF version only price?
I live in UK so I get really stung by the shipping costs.
U$9.99 for the pdf of the pathfinder rpg
Does PF AP subscription give any discount on these other subscriptions?
Apologies if it's been stated; I just can't keep track.
Yes.
:)
Short and sweet.
We've replaced this post with one that cuts the previous poster some slack. ;)