Just received the following from Amazon for my Core Rulebook order, placed 24/7:
We regret to inform you that the following items have been delayed as we are still awaiting stock from our suppliers :
Jason Bulmahn "Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Core Rulebook"
Estimated arrival date: September 17 2009 - September 24 2009
Can I assume that this is a typical Amazon big fat shipping date lie, and that if there were any copies to be had in the distribution channel before the November re-print, they'd have had them by now?
Did *anyone* in the UK actually get a copy from Amazon?
Also, question to Paizo - is the November estimate for the reprint to have the book off the presses in China, or in the hands of distributors? If the book has to go China -> Paizo -> UK -> Amazon -> me, I'm guessing there's little chance of acutally having it my hands for Christmas at this point :(
Sorry to rant a little, just trying to get a handle on what's going on so I can set my own expectations accordingly...
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Just received the following from Amazon for my Core Rulebook order, placed 24/7:
We regret to inform you that the following items have been delayed as we are still awaiting stock from our suppliers :
Jason Bulmahn "Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Core Rulebook"
Estimated arrival date: September 17 2009 - September 24 2009Can I assume that this is a typical Amazon big fat shipping date lie, and that if there were any copies to be had in the distribution channel before the November re-print, they'd have had them by now?
Did *anyone* in the UK actually get a copy from Amazon?
Also, question to Paizo - is the November estimate for the reprint to have the book off the presses in China, or in the hands of distributors? If the book has to go China -> Paizo -> UK -> Amazon -> me, I'm guessing there's little chance of acutally having it my hands for Christmas at this point :(
Sorry to rant a little, just trying to get a handle on what's going on so I can set my own expectations accordingly...
I have not ordered with Amazon UK, ( on June 13th) but with Amazon Germany. They have stated as shipping/release date "August 19th".
I have received the book today. So I would guess that you do have a chance to still receive your copy.
Jörg
One of my players ordered from Amazon US, who was late, so he called them and complained enough for them to overnight a copy to him with no extra charge.
In my experience, Amazon lies when it says it doesn't have the books. It just means it doesn't have enough for everyone, but will still send copies to customers who complain enough.
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Just received the following from Amazon for my Core Rulebook order, placed 24/7:
We regret to inform you that the following items have been delayed as we are still awaiting stock from our suppliers :
Jason Bulmahn "Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Core Rulebook"
Estimated arrival date: September 17 2009 - September 24 2009Can I assume that this is a typical Amazon big fat shipping date lie, and that if there were any copies to be had in the distribution channel before the November re-print, they'd have had them by now?
Did *anyone* in the UK actually get a copy from Amazon?
Also, question to Paizo - is the November estimate for the reprint to have the book off the presses in China, or in the hands of distributors? If the book has to go China -> Paizo -> UK -> Amazon -> me, I'm guessing there's little chance of acutally having it my hands for Christmas at this point :(
Sorry to rant a little, just trying to get a handle on what's going on so I can set my own expectations accordingly...
I got this message as well.
As for the one's coming through the distribution channel, I've not given up hope yet- Paizo had some left over from after Gencon that they were going to send out, and I wouldn't have expected them to have reached Amazon yet.
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I ordered mine from Amazon and got this message weeks ago. In the end I happened to wander by Orcs Nest in London and bought in there, cancelling my order with Amazon afterwards. They also do mail order (orcsnest.com) so you could try them (but they don't offer anything like the same prices as Amazon). The PFRPG core book is not going to be a big seller for Amazon so they have to decide how much to stock. You get a good price (and free postage) and the trade-off in cost v service is something you have to deal with - the saving in going with Amazon v buying from Paizo was (regrettably) too much to ignore. And even Paizo is running out of copies. I would have waited, frankly, but I just happened to be in the vicinity of Orcs Nest and the temptation was too much.
Thanks for the feedback, everyone. I would have had no problems buying full-price from Paizo - I like Paizo to get all the money rather than paying a third-party to hold boxes in a warehouse - but paying the cost of the book again in shipping was impossible to swallow.
Orc's Nest are out, Leisure Games claim to have stock on their web site, but I've had some rather heated fallings out with them before over the accuracy of their web site stock information (or rather lack of). I might give them a call in the morning...
CEO
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Also, question to Paizo - is the November estimate for the reprint to have the book off the presses in China, or in the hands of distributors? If the book has to go China -> Paizo -> UK -> Amazon -> me, I'm guessing there's little chance of acutally having it my hands for Christmas at this point :(
The November estimate is the one we have for the books being all the way to the end retailer. We should have the books ourselves in early October more or less, so allowing two weeks to make it through the distribution channels gives us the early November estimate.
-Lisa
The November estimate is the one we have for the books being all the way to the end retailer. We should have the books ourselves in early October more or less, so allowing two weeks to make it through the distribution channels gives us the early November estimate.
That's a big help, thanks Lisa. If I can't track one down locally, at least I should be able to make myself an (early?) Christmas present from the second run.
I got the same email this morning, but the dates were two days earlier - 15th to the 21st. I placed my order way back - January/February, I think. Amazon have had their chance with me & RPG stuff, many times over. Next time, I'm ordering stuff from my F (not at all-)L GS.
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Just to add myself to the list of Amazon UK customers with a similar e-mail.
I did order from Amazon early July as it was a lot cheaper as from Paizo - especially looking into shipping issues. My reasoning was - get the cheap copy via Amazon (with free shipping they won't make a lot of money) while use the saving to get a pdf from Paizo as well to ensure they benefit as well.
As it happened just out of chance - I had to spend two days in London just the week after the launch for interviews for my company. On my way to the train station and after getting some Sushi for my wife I managed to stroll by Orcs Nest. No - I don't have a FLGS in East Kent. The best service I got close to me was Games Workshop in Canterbury which cared a lot more for me as the other LGS in Canterbury.
London - well - it did cost me more for the train ticket as for the Amazon order. Therefore if I'm in London I do my upmost to visit Orcs Nest as a not so close FLGS - but I wouldn't have pre-ordered there or would have gone down to London just for the book.
As luck happened - they still had 5 copies well on display when I entered. So while I expected my Amazon copy to arrive a week later - and while the cost was 30% higher - I felt I should take the opportunity to support Orcs Nest, get my copy for readin on the train back (instead of the pdf which was on my laptop) and worry later about my Amazon order (use as a gift, keep for someone else in my gaming group - and as last resort - cancel).
Seems I did the right decision to buy the book when I was able to. I still haven't canceled Amazon yet - and to add insult - they had it for ordering again yesterday ! with a price tag 2 pounds lower.
Why do they do this if they seem to have trouble getting the copies out for existing customers. Or are these cancelations which they sell again?
Just wondering
Unfortunately it seems with Amazon customers struggling and looking elsewhere that the small bits of stock get depleted quickly. Orcs Nest is out of copies and I guess if you hear on a board here that someone has stock you might already be too late.
Still - good luck to everyone who is still searching for a copy.
Thod
I ordered my copy from Amazon US, choosing the cheapest shipping option - total cost £24.67. It arrived today!
That's a big help, thanks Lisa. If I can't track one down locally, at least I should be able to make myself an (early?) Christmas present from the second run.
Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I found one! Leisure Games just took their last copy off the shelf and into the post for me (thanks guys!), and did also say they were expecting a "small" re-stock shipment any day now.
So, anyone in the UK experiencing the same delightful Amazon "service", this might be a last-chance route to get a copy before November.
I have also sent Amazon a roasting about a) ordering enough to meet pre-orders, and b) sending *actual* expected dates when orders slip, not just repeated $NOW+2-weeks :(
/me bounces. PFRPG is coming!
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I have also sent Amazon a roasting about a) ordering enough to meet pre-orders, and b) sending *actual* expected dates when orders slip, not just repeated $NOW+2-weeks :(
Hey - for a day I got expected date = yesterday. Hmm - wait a moment - checked today and they corrected it back to next week ...
Chances to get books in the UK prior to second printing get slimmer by the minute. At least I did the favour to new customers not frequenting these boards and added a warning in the review (which othervice was very positive).
Thod
Chances to get books in the UK prior to second printing get slimmer by the minute. At least I did the favour to new customers not frequenting these boards and added a warning in the review (which othervice was very positive).
I saw that - nice review, and a well-placed warning.
I have also sent Amazon a roasting about a) ordering enough to meet pre-orders, and b) sending *actual* expected dates when orders slip, not just repeated $NOW+2-weeks :(Hey - for a day I got expected date = yesterday. Hmm - wait a moment - checked today and they corrected it back to next week ...
Chances to get books in the UK prior to second printing get slimmer by the minute. At least I did the favour to new customers not frequenting these boards and added a warning in the review (which othervice was very positive).
Thod
Yeah I've been bumped to Oct 7 in my latest email... bah.
Anyone forsee the same thing happening with the Bestiary? Could be xmas before we actually can run the game with hands on books and everything!
Cudos to the above posters for the Amazon grilling and review warning... off to sharpen my own virtual pen...
Anyone forsee the same thing happening with the Bestiary? Could be xmas before we actually can run the game with hands on books and everything!
Shipping for the Bestiary direct from Paizo is much more reasonable than for the core rulebook, so I've subscribed to be sure. If you were put off by paying double-price to ship the core rulebook, it might be worth looking again at how the numbers come out for the rest of the RPG line...
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I have also sent Amazon a roasting about a) ordering enough to meet pre-orders, and b) sending *actual* expected dates when orders slip, not just repeated $NOW+2-weeks :(Hey - for a day I got expected date = yesterday. Hmm - wait a moment - checked today and they corrected it back to next week ...
Chances to get books in the UK prior to second printing get slimmer by the minute. At least I did the favour to new customers not frequenting these boards and added a warning in the review (which othervice was very positive).
Thod
Yeah I've been bumped to Oct 7 in my latest email... bah.
Anyone forsee the same thing happening with the Bestiary? Could be xmas before we actually can run the game with hands on books and everything!
Cudos to the above posters for the Amazon grilling and review warning... off to sharpen my own virtual pen...
Postage (to Europe) with the Bestiary is not rthat high as it was with the Core Rules, so I subscribed the RPG Line.
As much as I like to order Novels with Amazone (much wider range on stock than my regular Store), I will not again order any RPGs with them .
Just to add my voice to the list, I pre-ordered my 6 copies of the PFG from the UK arm of Amazon when the price was still £26 (and some loose change), they are still giving me the usual Amazon run around, effectively when it gets to the last date of their estimated delivery, they send me a new e-mail informing me that the date has been pushed back 2 weeks. Same reason as stated above, yu would think that when they have pre-orders placed so early, they would of actually gone and pre-ordered them with Paizo, or is that me just being too rational?
I wouldn't even know where my local game store is these days, the nearest was about 50 miles away and that shut last year.
Amazon have burnt their bridges with me now, I'll be ordering items from else where in future.
Anyone know where to send the complaints e-mail to?
Anyone know where to send the complaints e-mail to?
I just put mine in the "any other info" text box when I cancelled. I've never had a reply, so I don't know whether anyone reads it or not.
I've had similar issues with Amazon here in the US, and I've complained many times. Needless to say, the responses I've gotten from them pretty much left me with the impression of "we don't care".
Their customer service has been pretty dismal and is usually a sign of a company that's being poorly managed, despite how profitable they may be.
Happy to say I've found Paizo's customer service to be top notch!
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Hi,
If anyone is looking for a Core Rulebook still in the UK, some seem to have crept in. One of my players went into Eclectic Games in Reading to order a copy and was surprised to see they had a "pile of them". They had previously sold out and his impression was the owner was surprised to have got any.
Lewis.
Wow, I'm sorry for you guys. Amazon.de is quite neat, though: Though they did not keep the Aug 19 date for my friend's PFRPG core book, he did get it a couple of weeks ago.
And in those times I had complaints myself, They were very friendly and accommodating:
I once complained how a friend who ordered a book regularly got it before me when I pre-ordered, and got an apology along with a small voucher reparation.
And when I recently waited on a shipment on books which apparently got lost in the mail, I told them and they sent another.
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Wow, I'm sorry for you guys. Amazon.de is quite neat, though: Though they did not keep the Aug 19 date for my friend's PFRPG core book, he did get it a couple of weeks ago.
The same. I ordered it through amazon.de (and finally realized, browsing the all-German website, how the non-English speaking Italians feel on the web ^^) and received it around the same time as you.
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Tim Franklin, Black Dow
Thanks for your kind remarks in regard to the review. This was actually my very first - despite being an Amazon customer for years.
To me the whole story looks approximately the following:
We start with an oversupscirbed book. Paizo itself didn't expect that many orders - therefore expect an automated system at Amazon based on past experience to get it completely wrong and to err on the cautious side. Anyhow - someone like Amazon would just order more copies if the original order was to small - wouldn't they?
Too bad the books are just not available with ANY of the re-sellers. In addition Amazon starts to get bad press and complains in the US for pre-peroders not fullfilled.
The nice little computer program still updates in 2 week cycles. After all - post experience tells it - it will find the book somewhere with a high chance. It is 90%+ sure about it. I work in computer predictions (not book sales but Pharmaceutical research - if the computer gets it wrong - it can get it wrong big time).
But what about all the pre-orders you might ask?
Having followed different threads here I assume the food-chain worked the following way:
Amazon US orders not enough books. Oh - look - here are a few in a container to be shipped to Europe. Lets take some of these and send one to Europe later.
So an already half empty container arrives in Europe. Germany seems to be first destination - great - our books are here. Lets take out our oversubscribed contigent and send the remaining bits on to the UK.
Ooops - don't worry - container is empty now. Lets order another one from the US - should only take 2 weeks extra. To keep UK customers happy - lets even slash the price by another £2 (yes - I talk early September when I couldn't believe that the price went down despite re-sellers wanting £50 for a book - and got it !)
Waiting ...
Waiting ...
Well - I would assume that maybe because of the waiting that they might send a) a container big enough with the second printing or b) a container first to the UK with the second printing. After all - even Amazon likes to keep customers happy and the number of cancelations must be bad. At some stage I saw the book shortly reach the top 1000 in books in the UK - and they seem to have delivered not a single one.
But this is a big company - ordering is automated. There isn't anyone reading this here and overriding some computer code using common sense.
Can you learn from that?
Ordering if something is in stock should be save. I snapped up the last copy of the Golarion Campaign book. It was with me in a few days despite Super-Saver delivery.
Pre-orders - well - they probably work for books where there are enough copies printed. The more mainstream a company/publisher/author is already the higher the chance it will work first time around.
Have they learnt for the Bestiary - not sure. I would give it a 50%:50% chance that it will work this time around.
Will the second printing work - I'm pretty sure it will. There is even a chance the stupid computer will now overshoot and order too many - so come spring next year Amazon UK will have lots of the books and will offer them really cheap.
No help right now.
If there is anyone in the UK who got it via Amazon UK - please let us know. I doubt it - but all the above is just how I put together all the bits and pieces of information at different places ...
Thod
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All
I can't resist the following gem from Amazon:
Dear Customer,
Greetings from Amazon.co.uk.
We are pleased to report that the following item will dispatch sooner than expected:
Jason Bulmahn "Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Core Rulebook"
Previous estimated arrival date: February 17 2010 - February 22 2010
New estimated arrival date: December 22 2009
WOW WOW WOW
It will be here earlier as expected. Was it July 7th I ordered it ... Just good that 2 days ago they set a new delivery date for my Birthday next year - so they could surprise me and send it out for Christmas already.
I got my book - signed by Erik at Dragonmeet - a long while back from a not so local FLGS. At least if this really arrives ahead of Christmas I could use it as a present for someone.
On the positive side - hope this will help to spread Pathfinder in the UK when one of the biggest book retailers finally is able to send out Core Rulebooks here.
Thod