Convention GM Rewards

[PaulH]

Hi

I'm a regular GM at a couple of conventions here in UK.

Is there a way we can get some store credit to 'buy' PDF's instead of books?

It's just that I have mobility issues and although the books look great, it's impossible to carry them around. (Won't all fit in a rucksack & I walk with a stick)

I typically need over a dozen hardbacks for my PFS games at Conception, so I carry a tablet PC with them as PDF's. So it would be easier to just get a PDF of the book instead.

It would also be cheaper for Paizo, since they won't need to give printed copies as a reward. Instead we can just be given a voucher code which we can redeem when we're next online. It also gives a a greater choice in what we can get.

I'm running a game at Dragonmeet on Saturday, plus at least 3 (usually 5 or more) at Conception in January.

Just a suggestion (save a tree)!
Thanks
Paul H
(Nearly at my 3* GM)

[Ascalaphus]

Talk to your Venture Captain? I think they can negotiate some of the specifics? I occasionally get scenario PDFs, so the infrastructure does exist..

[PaulH]

Hi

Already have spoken to my VC.

They suggested I post here for an answer.

Thanks
Paul H

[Paz]

I suspect the issue is that the current set-up means that Paizo just need to arrange a generic box of swag to go to the VC, to be distributed as they see fit (alongside any other convention awards). It also means that GM no-shows (rightly) don't get the reward.

Changing it to online credit puts the onus back on Paizo to do some admin on their web store, and would also mean they would need to check if GMs had actually turned up and GMed or not. It could also breed some discontent if GM rewards across different events weren't seen as 'fair' (same credit for less effort, or more credit for same effort).

I do sympathise with your situation though; the last couple of times I've been offered such a reward I took a flip-mat as it's more useful to me.

[Eric Clingenpeel]

Paz, all they would have to do is include gift certificate codes to be handed out as prize support. I'm pretty sure many of our overseas VOs would appreciate that kind of support as they wouldn't have to pay so much for customs as they do now and Paizo wouldn't have to pay as much for shipping.

Heck, as an American volunteer, I wouldn't mind GC codes being sent as part of the support we get. It'd let players get the book that they've been saving up for or get something that Paizo doesn't send as support, like the shot glasses or something.

[Ascalaphus]

There's a certain charm to physical swag, but practicality has to count for something too, true. Printed gift codes do seem like a viable idea. With some fancy layout it can still look festive, too.

[pauljathome]

An alternative might be to just swap your book with somebody for the pdf (they can buy you the pdf). I'd presume that, with shipping to the UK being what it is, that the "list value" of the book must be on the order of double that of the pdf.

A convention could organize a list or something to help facilitate such exchanges.

[Mark Stratton]

Frankly, as an organizer myself, I am inclined to use the GCs to buy physical product (especially for accessories like flip mats, condition cards, buff decks, etc.) and then keep some GCs to hand out so people can get other things they might like.

The GCs give organizers much more flexibility.