Possible Double Standard For Sales?

[Lord Raptor]

Ok....I have a question.

Why would Paizo sell the D&D Starter Set and I presume the upcoming other books as well, while WoTC as far as I know won't sell Pathfinder products?
Isn't Paizo helping WoTC make money at Paizos expense?

The purpose of the post is not to discuss which system is better but out of genuine interest on why Paizo would want to sell WoTC products and not expect WoTC to sell Paizo products.

Thanks.

[coyote6]

Besides being a publisher, Paizo also runs a web store, where they sell all kinds of stuff. Wizards doesn't.

Hence, Paizo will sell D&D (and always has, as I recall), I don't think you can buy anything directly from WotC.

[Ross Byers]

Coyote is right. WotC doesn't have a direct store, so there is no real comparison to be made.

In contrast, Paizo sells a wide range of gaming products, and would be going out of their way to not sell D&D products. They have little incentive to exclude WotC, besides it being petty. I don't think anyone is going to be deterred from ordering the D&D Starter set because Paizo doesn't carry it - They'll order from Amazon or their FLGS instead. Instead, Paizo gets a few bucks every time someone DOES order one through the Paizo.com store. It's win-win.

[Landon Winkler]

Coyote6 has the right of this.

WotC doesn't sell anything, including its own products. Paizo sells all sorts of stuff, including products from other manufacturers.

So, it's not a question of double-standards or fairness, just very different business models.

Cheers!
Landon

[Lord Raptor]

Thanks guys for the answers. I appreciate the responses.

[Joseph Wilson]

See this post from Liz Courts earlier today for a more detailed explanation straight from Paizo.