For years, I bought Dragon and Dungeon magazines from my FLGS. Just under a year ago, I moved away, to a town with no FLGS, so took out subscriptions to the magazines. However, I have since moved back, and now face a difficult question: do I let the subscriptions lapse, and go back to supporting my FLGS, or do I renew for the full 3 years allowed, and take advantage of the significant savings that that grants?
On the one hand, it is a good thing to support the FLGS, especially since my RPG purchases have recently dropped to almost nothing (and are likely to stay that way until 4e is released). And Paizo would presumably not be losing out, since I would still be buying every issue anyway.
On the other hand, it's a really big saving, especially with the relative strengths of the US$ and the UK£ at the moment...
Any thoughts?
My FLGS had trouble with obtaining copies of the magazines, so that brought me to subscribe. The savings are more of an added bonus, but everybody is happy to save a little money. I don´t know how big the sales margin is, but I honestly can´t imagine that the FLGS earns a lot in magazine sales. They probably earn more selling RPG books and stuff, not to mention the dreaded TCGs :-). So, if you take your savings from subscribing and buy something from your FLGS from time to time, you will probably still support them enough, and you can rest assured that it is not your fault if they have to give up business.
Stefan
That's a good point - Tom has told me a few times that he can't offer his standard discount on magazines because he doesn't have any margin on them.
So, I'll do as you suggest and subscribe with Paizo. And spend some of the money saved in-store.
Thanks!
Chief Technical Officer
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At a more conceptual level, though, a significant change in the number of subscribers would probably affect the advertising rate, though, wouldn't it?
Nope. A newsstand sale is as good as a subscription copy to an advertiser.
The best thing about subs is that we *know* you're in for every issue as long as the sub lasts, and we also have your money before you have your magazine, so it's good for our cash flow.
If the post office doesn't lose any issues of your sub, and you renew promptly (ideally after your first renewal e-mail), it's probably better for us if you subscribe.
But renewal notices and replacement issues (and postage on both of those) *really* hurt. If we have to send several of those, we can easily lose money on your subscription.
-Vic.
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I subscribed for most of two years that I wasn't even playing D&D, but I never regretted it because now I have a complete collection of all 3.0/3.5 Dungeon magazines, plus about twenty pre 3rd edition ones. I still have several issues in polywrap.
I say subscribe, because you never know when you're going to miss an issue accidentally. The savings alone is a sourcebook every year you can buy at your FLGS.
But of course you should :) Even if you do not play, it's a cool read and it keeps you up to date with the game.
Joël
Two words for you. Savage Tide.
I'd suggestion a subscription. No worries about having to rush out and buy the issue at a store; you get a nice present once a month in your mailbox! I found my local gaming stores to be unreliable in regards to magazines as well, but I don't know how things are near you.
I used to own a gaming store and I'd always sell all or nearly all the issues of Dungeon and Dragon that I ordered (along with Scrye, InQuest, etc.).
However I always appreciated it when a customer would let me know if they were not going to be buying a certain issue (I would order one less) or if they were going to be subscribing to the magazine (so I knew not to order an issue with them in mind).
I bet the folks at your store appreciate your loyalty, and tey also understand that you can get a better deal money-wise from Paizo than they can give you.
And I bet they would also appreciate hearing from you if you decide to subscribe so they can adjust their orders.
(Support them in other ways by bringing a friend in, picking up a few miniatures here and there, etc.)
However I always appreciated it when a customer would let me know if they were not going to be buying a certain issue (I would order one less) or if they were going to be subscribing to the magazine (so I knew not to order an issue with them in mind).I bet the folks at your store appreciate your loyalty, and tey also understand that you can get a better deal money-wise from Paizo than they can give you.
And I bet they would also appreciate hearing from you if you decide to subscribe so they can adjust their orders.
It´s been that way with miy store, too. They ordered Dragon and Dungeon especially for me, had probably more trouble than it was worth, and when I told them that I would subscribe, they understood it and didn´t seem to be too upset. I still order my books there, the latest being the Fiendish Codex.
Stefan