Australia? Hello? The big island in the southern hemisphere.

It happened around this time last year, the year before and again again this year:
Holiday Season = No recent Paizo Periodicals in Australia.

Tin Soldier and Games Paradise in Sydney give me the same old, tired story:

'We've ordered Pathfinder #17 and #18, but they haven't been delivered.'

I fail to understand what happens during the silly season, but it is just that: Silly. Where is my LGS copy of Pathfinder #17 and #18?

I am not sure. Depends on their importer.

Milsims has them for sale. Personally I subscribe to Paizo direct and it generally is cheaper. I have the books... well 18 is in transist. :)

This is holiday season in Australia? No wonder you call it a silly season. :)

Pssst...

Pssst...

Australia is an island, continent and country all in one. Trivia! :)

This is holiday season in Australia? No wonder you call it a silly season. :)

Pssst...
** spoiler omitted **

lol, it is not the holiday season, but it seems that whoever has the big frikken-magic-to-import-pathfinder-wand is still on holiday. At least in his head perhaps?

I should probably clarify the context of my statement about the 'holiday-season': In Sydney, there has not been a new issue of Pathfinder or any recent Paizo product since late November last year. If anyone would like to prove me wrong, please do so and post me a copy of Pathfinder #17 & #18 while you are at it.

Ironically, Australia is +10 GMT, so we are living in the future too. On an island. That is a continent.

Hmmm. Islands that are stuck permanently in the future that seem to have no contact with the rest of the world. I wonder if there is a TV series in that? No wait...

I hate to correct you guys, but in the US, we spell your country name A-U-S-T-R-I-A.

Ironically, Australia is +10 GMT, so we are living in the future too. On an island. That is a continent.

I thought the Continent was Australasia (or Oceania, depending who you ask...) so that is included all of those other little islands, like Fiji, and New Zealand......

Living in the future cannot be good for getting your products though.....Unless Paizo has a secret reverse tachyon field or something!

Yeah, I hear you Andrew. The fact that Paizo products seem to reach stores in Sydney sometimes months after they’re released is the main reason I decided to subscribe. I held out for a long time because I wanted to support my FLGS, but in the end subscription felt like a much better option (particularly back when the Aussie dollar was actually strong, and even with postage I was getting issues cheaper than if I bought them at Tin Soldier … now … not so much, but at least I still get them faster).

I’ve brought this up both with Paizo and the guys at Tin Soldier before. Tin Soldier seems to think the problem is at Paizo’s end, Paizo thinks the problem is with the Australian distributer. I’m inclined to think Paizo might be onto something with their theory, but who knows….?

Of course, given that from time to time even the issues I get through subscription seem to take an inordinately long time to arrive, the problem might be somewhere in between, with the shipping or postal service perhaps.

Andrew C Gale wrote:

Ironically, Australia is +10 GMT, so we are living in the future too. On an island. That is a continent.

I thought the Continent was Australasia (or Oceania, depending who you ask...) so that is included all of those other little islands, like Fiji, and New Zealand......

Nope. Australia is the name of the continent (slash island, and country). Oceania is a region that includes other regions such as Australasia, Micronesia, Polynesia, I think some others too. Australasia (as a region) includes New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, but is distinct from (though inclusive of) the continent of Australia.

EDIT: Wow, it’s more complicated than that (I had to look this up): Papua New Guinea is sometimes counted as part of Australasia, but sometimes as part of Melanesia (which I had forgotten about, and also includes Fiji). New Zealand is considered part of Australasia but the native Maori people of New Zealand are considered Polynesian, so therefore New Zealand is sometimes seen as part of Polynesia too. Australasia is usually, but not always considered as part of Oceania. Phew!

Walrus & Carpenter supplies those two stores.

Do you sell to Jedko Games here?

Walrus & Carpenter supplies those two stores.

Do you sell to Jedko Games here?

Walrus & Carpenter is currently our only Australian distributor.

If Jedko is a distributor, please tell them to contact Chris Self at Paizo!

Jedko and Walrus & Carpenter are the two major importers of RPG. Jedko is Melbourne based and Walrus & Carpenter Sydney.

I am not sure how I go about passing on details. I will try. :)

Actually as far as my limited knowledge, Jedko = Games ...em, Paradise. Milsims is different, but seem to be the best Australian distribtor.

Of course, as a subscriber, I've had my physical copy of patherfinder #18 for close to to 2 weeks now. Andrew, I'd be a bit worried if you haven't got yours yet?!?

I bought the last several years of Dragon and Dungeon from Tin Soldier because, from my understanding, it was better buy from them (a FLGS) than having a sub and the problems due to postiage that this meant. Since Pathinder has started, I've been happy to see that a sub gets you fastest with the mostest.

I've been in Paradise a cuople of times in the last week, and Tin Soldier in in the last two weeks, but I haven't paid much attention to what Pazio stuff they have in, cause my subscription is aways faster.

There is a strong link between Jedko Games and Milsims. Jedko Games are in importer... Milsims are a retailer (shop and online).

Milsims has the best prices going around and awesome specials. Their best feature is a f;at 5.50 freight for items no matter how much you buy.

I am a superscriber so I get AP, modules, chronicles and companion. So getting all sent at once saves me a few dollars. Most sellers see it more expensive to buy... once you get a few items on Paizo it is cheaper.

There is a strong link between Jedko Games and Milsims. Jedko Games are in importer... Milsims are a retailer (shop and online).

There isn't just za strong link between the two. They operate out of the same shop, they have the same employees. They might be separate entities on paper for tax/accounting reasons or some such, but in reality, they're the same thing.

I am quite familiar with who gets what and from where having been exposed to a number of -frankly- lame excuses from Local Gaming Stores as to where missing preiodicals are, so I will not bore everyone with them. What bugs me about this whole thing is that I cannot rely on my Local Gaming Stores as a result, because it boils down to their consistent mismanagement of the situation. AS much as I *like* to go into a gaming store and saying 'oooh', I find that in recent months bordering on years, I am now walking in with an expectation. This expectation is consistently turning into disappointment, which often morphs into frustration and anger when I do some digging to find if it is -indeed- in Australia at all.

I've gotta do this. Ive gotta walk away from Tin Soldier and Games Paradise in that regard; I am now thinking that a subscription directly to Paizo is a better option.

Isn't Austia where that guy is from?

Isn't Austia where that guy is from?

Which guy? The Guv'nah of California?

The best game store for RPG particularly D&D and most certainly pathfinder is Ace Comics in Brisbane. Also Tactics in Perth had a very good selection and lot of Paizo stuff in 2007.

I am quite familiar with who gets what and from where having been exposed to a number of -frankly- lame excuses from Local Gaming Stores as to where missing preiodicals are, so I will not bore everyone with them. What bugs me about this whole thing is that I cannot rely on my Local Gaming Stores as a result, because it boils down to their consistent mismanagement of the situation. AS much as I *like* to go into a gaming store and saying 'oooh', I find that in recent months bordering on years, I am now walking in with an expectation. This expectation is consistently turning into disappointment, which often morphs into frustration and anger when I do some digging to find if it is -indeed- in Australia at all.

I've gotta do this. Ive gotta walk away from Tin Soldier and Games Paradise in that regard; I am now thinking that a subscription directly to Paizo is a better option.

** spoiler omitted **

I know exactly what you’re feeling Andrew, I went through the same myself a year or so ago.

There are still occasional things to be excited about in my now very rare trips to Tin Soldier or Games Paradise. Like finding a copy of Classic Monsters Revisited a month back, after I was kicking myself that I didn’t get it before it sold out at Paizo, with a price tag of $AUD 25 (since they forgot to up the price to $35). That was good. But otherwise I’m very happy getting my adventure path issues on subscription.

I go for Tin Solier for my miniature fix ....but even then I am being constantly disappointed and frustrated. (Pathfinder is all the roleplaying goodness I need now, and my subscription has that covered)

I want to support my FLGS, I really do, but they make it so hard when it takes them 3 months and counting to get in a Reaper figure I want and I can order through the Paizo store (with some other stuff to share the postage cost) and get it in a fortnight from the US......fume, fume, fume.

Hey all!

Sorry it took me a while to get to this and respond, but I've been out of the office for a few days due to moving. (Ugh.)

Anyway...

Not only do I ship to Walrus and Carpenter, they are set up on automatic shipments. As soon as an issue of Pathfinder hits our warehouse, it is turned around and shipped to them automatically. So, I can guarantee with 99% confidence that any breakdowns are not on Paizo's end. If your LGS doesn't have it, have them ask W&C why. 'cause I've sent it to them. I promise.

If it's anything other than an actual Pathfinder Adventure Path, then service is more spotty and orders don't happen as regularly as they could.

As for Jedko Games...I will add them to my list of distributors to contact in the very near future. Probably next week. As the rest of this week will be catch-up from my absence.

Thanks Chris,

I moved recently myself so my heart goes out to you. On the virtue of your statement, I called Tin Soldier (now Tin Soldier and Napoleon's Bookstore, no less).

Here is an audio file of the telephone conversation I had. You can get to it here. It hasn't been processed at time of writing, so give it a bit. Also, please be aware I am the kind of person who will 'play dumb' in order to get what I want. You will hear a number of, ah, fabrications uttered. I know full-well that Tin Soldier stocks Paizo products and I am a regular customer.

In short, they had PF #17 and #18 in their warehouse and concluding from his tone, it seems like they have had it a while. It just goes to show it depends on who you talk to at Tin Soldier. I can think of one person there (who left and has mysteriously returned) that I would rather not deal with in the future.

In any case, the damage is done and I am feeling impotent because it seems that all this ranting has been for nothing. I'll wait for them to ring me and tell me that they have them at the store. If they can coordinate that, it will be -the last- Paizo products I am buying from their store.

I am serious... look into Milsims. They have books available shortly after they are released.

Also, Ace Comics in Brisbane and Fastbreak get them in quickly as well. If you want to buy local (Australian) you can try them.

I have passed on the information in this thread to Milsims... see what happens.

I personally haven't had any trouble with Tin Soldier or Games Paradise.

TS puts my Pathfinder Adventure Paths aside for me: I got 18 last Wednesday and 17 came in sometime last month. The issues come in roughly once per month so I never really experience the issues raised above. Yeah, ordering a mini can take some time but meh, I can afford to be patient. I don't find it that big a deal.

As for GP, they tend to get their stock in earlier than most NSW-based FLGS so I can't really see any dramas there, either. Both stores always look after me if I'm searching for something and I've never had any kind of deception or runaround.

*Shrugs* Maybe I'm just lucky. But ether way, it works for me and I will continue to do business with these shops.

Oh, and I do order stuff directly from Paizo every now and then. So I'm happy with everyone :)

Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!

You forgot the "Oi! Oi! Oi!"

Dont worry Vic, we will have you Manchurian Candidated by 2010. You will love Cricket and XXXX (thats a brand of BEER by the way - you have a dirty mind). Now all we have to do is feed you Meat Pies, pour Pauls Iced Coffee down you throat until you beg for more and force you to wear thongs (no they are not french undies-they are footwear).

AMERICAN-AUSSIE CONVERSION KIT

XXXX: Beer (pronounced four-ex)
Thongs: Footwear
Stubbies: Clothing or a Sleeve to keep the XXXX cool.

By now you should be wearing Stubbies and THongs, with a XXXX in your stubbie in your hand (Shirt optional and I hope you are not holding your shorts in your hand wrapped around a beer).

Now say the following: "Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!...Oi! Oi! Oi!"

Vic Wertz wrote:

Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!

You forgot the "Oi! Oi! Oi!"

I deliberately left that for you to fill in.

I'm already working on my Australianization, but I'm taking a different tack: Missy Higgins and Lauren Jackson.

I'm already working on my Australianization, but I'm taking a different tack: Missy Higgins and Lauren Jackson.

Both good things, in their own ways.

XXXX: Beer (pronounced four-ex)
Thongs: Footwear
Stubbies: Clothing or a Sleeve to keep the XXXX cool.

See this is where you confuse all the Yankies cobber!

Up here in Queen's country a "stubbie" is what we call a 375mL bottle of beer and a "tinnie" is a 375mL can of beer... it actually confuses us because we call a small metal boat "up to 9 or so feet" a "tinnie" as well.

I received some clarification about Milsims/Jedko

Jedko Games is at 134 Cochranes Road, Moorabbin, with around 20 employees, and is a wholesaler only, focusing on general games, jigsaw puzzles, playing cards, wooden toys, etc. Almost nothing of Jedko's range is stocked by Mil Sims. On the other hand, Mil Sims is in a brick-and-mortar store at 311 Centre Road, Bentleigh, with 4 employees. Mil Sims used to be in Jedko's warehouse, but moved out back in mid 2005. Mil Sims is retail and stocks RPGs, wargames, CCGs etc - not the kind of products wholesaled by Jedko.

All I can say Vic is to contact Jedko Games and find out about distributing. I have done my bit.

All I can say Vic is to contact Jedko Games and find out about distributing. I have done my bit.

I think Chris is already on it. Thanks!

yellowdingo wrote:

XXXX: Beer (pronounced four-ex)
Thongs: Footwear
Stubbies: Clothing or a Sleeve to keep the XXXX cool.

See this is where you confuse all the Yankies cobber!

Up here in Queen's country a "stubbie" is what we call a 375mL bottle of beer and a "tinnie" is a 375mL can of beer... it actually confuses us because we call a small metal boat "up to 9 or so feet" a "tinnie" as well.

Do they still sell beer in tin cans on the continent which is an island and a country? Here in the States, they switched from tin to aluminum for the Foster's cans (about the only down under beer available here) quite a few years ago and the taste difference was obvious and in my opinion a change in the wrong direction.

Actually, beer has been sold in aluminium cans here for years. 'Tinnie' and 'Coldie' are merely colloquialisms. And at 10c refund whichever you recycle, the name is unimportant.

Reggie

Funnily enough, stubbies are short bottles in SA too.

Wow, this thread is still going.

I got my stuff from Tin Soldier, so 'nuff said on that.

Do they still sell beer in tin cans on the continent which is an island and a country? Here in the States, they switched from tin to aluminum for the Foster's cans (about the only down under beer available here) quite a few years ago and the taste difference was obvious and in my opinion a change in the wrong direction.

However, this is something I cannot -for the life of me- pass up.

Aluminium.

Yes we use Aluminium, but we say 'Al-EWE-min-YUM' (and EWE as in a female sheep).

Not 'A-LOO-min-UM'

The last time I saw Beer in a tin tinnie, it was on deployment somewhere in SE Asia.

It was Bin-Tang.

However you pronounce aluminium, I am one of these arty-farty types who prefers beer in a bottle and my tea served in china.

That said though, I am not a lolly-water drinker.

And heres the cincher; I also prefer Budweiser beer and I cannot stand the medicrity of Straya Nidol (work that one out). Curse your American TV and their cheap knockoffs.

For beer... I prefer bottle to cans... but some brands taste better in cans.

I do not like American beer in generally as it tastes watered down. I recently got into infused beers... a bit artie fartie but I have to say refreshing in hot country for sure. Miller has a lime and salt infused beer... I liked that which is surprising as it is American.

No tin cans and Al. Unfortunately no refund for cans or bottles in Queensland. It is around 60c a kilo to recycle Al.

Back to the thread, what surprised me is the misconception that folks have about Milsims and Jedko. I am surprised that there is no comments either way.

For beer... I prefer bottle to cans... but some brands taste better in cans.

I do not like American beer in generally as it tastes watered down. I recently got into infused beers... a bit artie fartie but I have to say refreshing in hot country for sure. Miller has a lime and salt infused beer... I liked that which is surprising as it is American.

No tin cans and Al. Unfortunately no refund for cans or bottles in Queensland. It is around 60c a kilo to recycle Al.

Back to the thread, what surprised me is the misconception that folks have about Milsims and Jedko. I am surprised that there is no comments either way.

The reason why I didnt comment is because of the way I prefer to shop. I shall try and work backward on my reasoning here. In the past, I have used Mil Sims as the place I use as a fall back should Tin Soldier and/or Games Paradise not stock what I want. Some time last year, all three bombed out on me; there were a number of things I wanted and I was getting a lot of 'run around' from all three. To wit: I had Mil Sims remove me from their books after I first shopped with them in the 1980's.

My philosophy is that if I cant walk into a store to buy it, I have to mail order it. If want to mail order something, why would I bother dealing with a national distibutor who cannot guarantee if or when they can get it or get back issues. As much as others have faith on the in their favourite Australian suppliers, I simply do not. (And Peter Stone of Mil Sims, if you are listening, I am still referring to order #14494. Wholly not good enough at all.) I shall not be forced into adopting a line of shopping just to suit the whims of distribution or availability or if the person on the other end can be bothered to look for it.

Bitter? Yes.

In this case, I might as well go straight to the source.

... after I first shopped with them in the 1980's.

My philosophy is that if I cant walk into a store to buy it, I have to mail order it. If want to mail order something, why would I bother dealing with a national distibutor who cannot guarantee if or when they can get it or get back issues. As much as others have faith on the in their favourite Australian suppliers, I simply do not.

In this case, I might as well go straight to the source.

Once bitten, twice shy - past experiences die hard. I too have been purchasing RPG products since the 80's. I have EVERY issue of Dungeon magazine, except one. My FLGS kept saying they had it on order ... they'd enquired with their distributor ... etc. Waiting one month after the next ... it never did arrive. When you have an (otherwise) unbroken collection, a mishap like this really stings!

This is the reason I choose to subscribe directly with Paizo now. I remember not that long ago spending in excess of $100 per month at my FLGS ... but now it all goes directly to Paizo via subscription.

I do regret not supporting my FLGS as I have done for over 20 years now, but Adventure paths are not something you want to risk missing out on. (Though 4E is another reason my FLGS isn't seeing my money).

I do regret not supporting my FLGS as I have done for over 20 years now, but Adventure paths are not something you want to risk missing out on. (Though 4E is another reason my FLGS isn't seeing my money).

I must admit, sometimes it does feel that we are all united against 4th Edition (boo!) lol

I do try to support my local gaming store (Penrith Tin Soldier) and generally they do an okay job. I got Adventure Path 17 in February without much trouble.

And XXXX is a Queenslanders beer. Yuck. :) lol

DarkWhite wrote:

And XXXX is a Queenslanders beer. Yuck. :) lol

Your soft... no pansy Tooheys or VB.. well they are all okay too. ;)

XXXX bitter ale... they way it should be. Cold and on tap.