Can't seem to get it

[Neomorte]

Being a person that likes to support my local game store, I decided to grab up the hardcover from them. When I saw the preorder form here on Paizo, I downloaded it and took it to them so that I could order it. I thought they had done so, seems it is different than I thought.

Well, here we are a week after the release date, they still don't have my copy in and the store is saying that Alliance is temporarily out of stock. Now in all the places that I have lived in the Midwest (Currently I am in St. Louis), the distributor of choice in every game store has been Alliance. I have never really been impressed with them, though I admit they seem to be better now than 10 years ago.

So what is a DM to do? I am in the middle of the 3rd module with it on order with them and a need to switch over to the hardcover. I don't want to cancel my order, I don't want to order online, but this incident with the store is another mark in a long, tarnish history of issues that seem to crop up.

I don't want to share the name of the store as I don't want to effect their business, but I am extremely frustrated...

Do the people of Paizo know whether the shipping issue that was happening last week has an effect on Alliance getting a restock on the book and thus getting that book to me, assuming my special order was placed early enough that I won't get shafted out of the book altogether because I am at the end of the line?

A Very Frustrated Thank You,

Neomorte

[Keith Strohm]

Neomorte wrote:

Being a person that likes to support my local game store, I decided to grab up the hardcover from them. When I saw the preorder form here on Paizo, I downloaded it and took it to them so that I could order it. I thought they had done so, seems it is different than I thought.

Well, here we are a week after the release date, they still don't have my copy in and the store is saying that Alliance is temporarily out of stock. Now in all the places that I have lived in the Midwest (Currently I am in St. Louis), the distributor of choice in every game store has been Alliance. I have never really been impressed with them, though I admit they seem to be better now than 10 years ago.

Neo,

I can see how this situation must frustrate you. It's one that frustrates us, as well. We created the preorder downloads specifically so that we could support local game stores and provide them with guaranteed sales. Why a store wouldn't order a copy of a game that they have already sold is beyond me.

We called Alliance directly to ask about stock levels and the Shackled City book is available at all warehouses to all Alliance retailers. Our preorder shipping issues had no effect on distribution because the distributors received their products about a week before we did.

It could be a breakdown with the store's Alliance rep, or it could be a problem with the store itself--though it sounds to me like you've had some issues with the store before. If you want to email me privately at [e-mail], I'd be happy to call the store and see if we can get to the bottom of the situation.

NEOMORTE wrote:

So what is a DM to do? I am in the middle of the 3rd module with it on order with them and a need to switch over to the hardcover. I don't want to cancel my order, I don't want to order online, but this incident with the store is another mark in a long, tarnish history of issues that seem to crop up.

What's a DM to do? If you absolutely need to make sure you have the book soon, I would recommend giving paizo.com a try. I admire your willingness and determination to support your local game store (which is why we created the preorder forms in the first place), I only wish that most game stores supported their customers as well in turn.

Healthy, high quality game stores are good for the industry, but making sure customers can get high quality products in their hands is good for the industry, as well. You can click on this link:

http://paizo.com/dungeon/products/books/v5748btpy7dx9

to get to the Shackled City order page if you decide to go that route. We generally have a one business day turnaround on those, so if you order on a Monday, we generally ship it out on Tuesday.

Again, if you would ilke me to talk to the store directly, just shoot me an email.

Keith Strohm
Chief Operating Officer
Paizo Publishing, LLC

[Neomorte]

Keith,

Thank you for the personal attention. I will strongly consider your offer. After thinking about the matter, I will be giving them a final opportunity tomorrow as Friday is when they generally get their shipment. If I get the same answer that I got last week, then I will probably email you at that time.

Thank you once again,

-Neomorte

[Neomorte]

Hey, just thought I would let you know that I got a call from the store in question and they have a copy of the book for me now, so the whole issue has become mute as far as your product goes. I am giddy that I will finally be able to get it.

The larger issue has to still be addressed. Will I continue to do business with this store? An answer that I don't think is easy to reach given my desire to support the brick and mortar stores.

Thanks again for the help. Even though it ended out just hearing me complain, the attention you gave me insures that I will be trying your online store at some point in the near future.

- Neomorte