|
If I subscribe to the Adventure Path, I get the .pdf to go along with the module.
If I support my local FLGS and buy it there for a bit more, (discount + shipping vs. retail).
Does it come with a disc? A code to get the .pdf?
***
Feel free to move to a more appropriate forum as needed.
Nope, the free PDF is the perk for subscribing. Where subscribers to magazines get up to 50% off, this would be frowned upon in the book trade and even more in the RPG book trade. so they made it a perk to allow subscribers to get the PDF for free, while non subscribers have to pay full price.
The main reason this hasn't been extended to gaming store purchases, is that there isn't a safe way to do it. They don't want to shrink wrap the books, so they can't just put a disk or a code in the book, or it would get stolen. And they can't ensure a user on the site purchased the book otherwise... Vic has said multiple times that they were willing to listen to ideas on how to allow this to extend to FLGS purchases, but no ones has come up with a foolproof way to prevent simple thieves from both getting a free PDF and making something advertised in the book not actually available to the person who actually purchases it later on down the road.
The main reason this hasn't been extended to gaming store purchases, is that there isn't a safe way to do it.
I still don't believe it. I'm sure it can be done.
In fact, I think it has to be done to be compatible with the future.
|
Well, one option I've seen others use is the "code" one. You get a unique code on the back page (put it under a scratch-off panel, even) but you still have to shirnk-wrap the book to prevent people from stealing the code without buying the book.
Only way I can think to solve that would be give unique code cards to FLGS and every PF core book they sell gets a card. Once again, lots more overhead.
$10 isn't bad for that PDF, though. I mean seriously... I paid $50 for the book and thought it was worth every cent. $10 is worth it for the convenience of a backup copy.
Or, you could scan your book, hah ;)
|
I guess I'm still stuck in the 20th century. I see this as discouraging purchases from your FLGS. Without a FLGS, many of us have no place to play and no place to showcase the new products.
I don't mind the $1 or 2 difference but then to have to purchase the .pdf kinda bites. I thought the publishers were supposed to support the brick and mortars?
Only way I can think to solve that would be give unique code cards to FLGS and every PF core book they sell gets a card. Once again, lots more overhead.
Shouldn't be too much. these things would be like the size of a pack of collectible cards. So for the whole PF catalogue, you need like one square metre worth of wall surface to hang them on. Or you put them in a glass case beside the counter or something.
I thought the publishers were supposed to support the brick and mortars?
Note that you can support the brick and mortar stores and still support your own store at the same time.
There's two ways to go all the way with the support:
A: find a way to get the PDFs into the stores (I admit that this should be a priority)
B: not give free PDFs to subscribers.
While they should do their level best to bet A done, I don't want B. I don't like things taken away from me.
|
|
Shouldn't be too much. these things would be like the size of a pack of collectible cards. So for the whole PF catalogue, you need like one square metre worth of wall surface to hang them on. Or you put them in a glass case beside the counter or something.
Only way I can think to solve that would be give unique code cards to FLGS and every PF core book they sell gets a card. Once again, lots more overhead.
But then you'd alienate the big book stores like barnes and noble and borders.... and each store would be responsible for giving out cards and not trying to make an extra buck selling them on ebay... Depending on the store, I've seen ones that will do this.
But then you'd alienate the big book stores like barnes and noble and borders....
Then let them stop whining and start selling those cards, too. I wouldn't limit them.
and each store would be responsible for giving out cards and not trying to make an extra buck selling them on ebay... Depending on the store, I've seen ones that will do this.
Well, when they do that, Paizo will find out (because they have an inqusitor looking at ebay periodically, or something like that) and send over the Evil Clown Death Squad (it's worse than it sounds!)
Anyway, those cards would be sold, anyway. You can walk into a store and just buy a PDF, no need to buy both.
And maybe there's a special deal that if you buy the print version and the PDF at the same time, you get a special discount. Advertise that on the back of the books so the stores cannot say it isn't so. Maybe have special code cards for those deals, and have "ONLY FOR COMBINED PRINT + PDF! NOT FOR INDIVIDUAL SALE" on them, with a number you can call to call in the ECDS.
I guess I'm still stuck in the 20th century. I see this as discouraging purchases from your FLGS. Without a FLGS, many of us have no place to play and no place to showcase the new products.
Well, call me stuck in the 21st century. There aren't that many gaming stores around, and even less *friendly*, *local* gaming stores. Not around here. In some, I wouldn't ask for the time of day and expect a helpful answer. Get actual support about role playing games? They're usually selling tabletop games and collectible cards, RPG stuff - especially English and/or off-mainstream stuff - isn't really on the shelves that much, and I wouldn't expect them to know anything about it.
Add to that that their prices are outrageous (especially since I don't get anything out of going there instead of ordering online), and I couldn't care less about those stores.
I do care about free PDFs, and anyone who wants to take that away from me is going to get a visit from the ECDS, and they won't be fooling around! }>
As I said: It would be ideal to have a way to get those PDFs into the stores in order to support every purchasing preference, but until then, those subscription perquisites aren't going anywhere.
I struggle with this all the time, be it RPG stuff or music. There are only 2 stores that carry RPG stuff the I know of in Calgary but they hardly ever have Paizo stuff. I just recently subscribed to AP, but first I called both stores asking them if/when they would be getting the "Council of Thieves" AP in. Both stores told me "I don't now" and that was it. I've also tried to order stuff from them before but they either don't call me back saying that they can get it, or they look at me like a moron. I would rather support my local gaming store but its hard some times.
I've also tried to order stuff from them before but they either don't call me back saying that they can get it, or they look at me like a moron. I would rather support my local gaming store but its hard some times.
Whenever I am treated like this, I'm very happy not to support the business in question.
Unless a company or shop has built up its Karma account sufficiently before they tick me off, they have lost a customer.
OK, I think I got it...
No need to alter or include anything with the book.
Log on to the pathfinder website, visit the special pdf page and then I propose a simple series of questions. What are they? Interrogative statements used to determine knowledge, but that is not important right now. The questions ask for specific words on specific pages of the book to unlock a pdf or gain access to pdf like webpages. Each time the document is to be accessed, new questions must be answered.
Example: What is the first word of the second paragraph on page 237?
What do you think?
OK, I think I got it...
No need to alter or include anything with the book.
Log on to the pathfinder website, visit the special pdf page and then I propose a simple series of questions. What are they? Interrogative statements used to determine knowledge, but that is not important right now. The questions ask for specific words on specific pages of the book to unlock a pdf or gain access to pdf like webpages. Each time the document is to be accessed, new questions must be answered.
Example: What is the first word of the second paragraph on page 237?
What do you think?
That coding scheme was used for authenticating computer games many moons ago and was quickly shown to be easily circumvented.
The better device is an individually coded alphanumeric on the book, with a checksum that cannot be reasonably predicted. I have used such numbering systems in my work to identify perfectly the registration of individual documents via web, assigning such to a specific user and preventing unauthorized reuse. It's also very simple and inexpensive to laser the individual code on each book as it is printed.
So, coded unique number on inside cover - visit web site, enter number in your account (one authentication function, one code look-up table, and one extra field in the individual account table), get personalized pdf... Easy and secure.
|
Since the free PDF is a perk for a somewhat guaranteed purchase of everything come comes down the line for a particular subscription path & shipping postage, I think that Paizo has done a good job of making it worth one's while to get it direct from them.
I have and will continue to buy Paizo products from my local hobby shop. I get a 10% discount as a member, which basically takes care of the tax.
However, why would I buy direct from Paizo w/o such a perk as the free PDF if I had to pay shipping on top of it, when in 20 minutes I could have the same product from my local game store w/o such shipping costs?
Immediate gratification... free PDF... shipping costs... wait time...
I think it all balances out and doesn't diminish buying locally, but also helps Paizo get more business from those that might like to commit to a subscription or that do not have a local game shop around.
If Paizo can do a scheme with local businesses to get a free PDF with a purchase of a Paizo product, that's cool, but having perks for subscriptions is also worthy, too.
I guess if you didn't have a local game store, then subscribing might be the only way to go for those that love Paizo. But it is nice for me to grab the odd product here and there from a local game store or choose to subscribe to a subscription (or several perhaps) and receive a benefit by doing so.
I buy hobby material from my local game store, Amazon and Paizo directly. I think I just weigh the benefits and options of what it is I am purchasing from whom.
:)
Example: What is the first word of the second paragraph on page 237?What do you think?
I think the distant past called, they want their weird copy protections back :P
Might as well not have copy protection. Less hassle, same result.
For example, I could borrow my friend's copy of the book and get "my own" pdf. Or get an illegal version and use that to get a legal one. PDF laundering!
However, why would I buy direct from Paizo w/o such a perk as the free PDF if I had to pay shipping on top of it, when in 20 minutes I could have the same product from my local game store w/o such shipping costs?
As someone who doesn't live in the USA, doesn't live in America, and used to live in a small village without a handy shop nearby, i can give you a nice list of reasons:
Compare that to what I pay when I go into the shop, which usually is at least the same amount of the list price, only not in weak Dollar, but in strong Euro. In fact, it's often even more than that.
I usually pay less for my PF stuff compared to stores, even if you figure in international shipping. And I get it earlier, too, since the stores have to wait till they get it, anyway, and they're usually not fast. The PDF only makes it attractive as opposed to amazon.de or other German online shops.
So if you live in the right country, or the right city, and have a decent store nearby, buying there might be an alternative.
On the other hand, Paizo's usually a good choice no matter where you are.
Don't get me wrong: I still think they should find and implement a way to get PDFs into stores, and maybe work a way out for stores to set up their own subscriptions with free PDFs.
It's just a fact, an universal truth even, that stores are dead for many people, anyway. Unless you get various governments to kick a FLGS programme into motion, they will never be an option for those people.
Too bad we can't purchase a subscription and have it delivered via the FLGS and still have PDFs included. That'd be the ultimate win.
This is the best idea I've seen so far. FLGS's would have to register (& thus agree to participate), then individual buyers list a FLGS as their shipping location. Buyer pays half to Paizo, half to FLGS. FLGS covers shipping & other half to Paizo out of retail markup & still make $. Result? Paizo ships bulk to one location, reducing shipping costs, FLGS get almost-certain sales (& possible splurge-buys), buyers get the benefits of both buying online & supporting their FLGS.