Item Purchase Time Limits?

[JDLPF]

Just came from a bit of a head-scratcher of a session and wanted to get some experienced society members to clarify when a player is allowed to make purchases in a society game.

The guide states the following:

The GM running the adventure must be present in order for you to purchase items. You can make purchases before, during, or after the adventure. All transactions that occur must be recorded on the character’s Inventory Tracking Sheet and the total cost reflected on the Chronicle sheet.

In this case, the scenario was 01-05: Mists of the Mwangi. At the start of the session, I stated I wished to make item purchases, but the GM declined as he said the session begins in front of the museum and therefore there's no opportunity to make purchases.

After defeating the final boss a little earlier than the scenario intended, the group readies to explore the rest of the museum. Given the threat has been defeated, the GM reads out the resolution of the scenario, and I again express my desire to make purchases, but the GM refuses as the scenario is complete.

Am I misunderstanding the guide when it comes to making item purchases?

[JDDyslexia]

I think your GM is being a little obtuse.

Generally speaking, you can buy anything you want before the GM begins their intro to the scenario. You have downtime inbetween your character's sessions, and that's a good time to buy things.

I would suggest next time before you arrive to play, prep your purchase list and read it off to the GM before they even start reading the scenario. There's no argument that can be made to stop you from buying items at that point.

As a GM, I'm generally lenient. I allow people to buy things before they get the intro to the mission. But, once I give the mission briefing, the setting dictates what they can/can't buy.

[Philippe Lam]

Being disallowed to buy stuff before a mission happens only when it is explicitely written in the scenario's text or if the setting makes it clear otherwise. At the end of the scenario, there's no time limit before the next scenario played so same thing.

I don't see the reasoning if this GM.

[Jeff Morse]

My guess be, they are a new GM and are trying to learn all the rules. Keep it in the box per say. Heck, if i run that one, you could yell wait i forgot something and run to the nearest store. But than i have run a few and am a little more relaxed.
Good advice from Joe. You dont need to wait for box text, Be early and buy away.

[Sebastian Hirsch]

Sounds like an inexperienced GM I would not worry about it overly much. When in doubts ask your local VOs to explain any unclear PFS rules, they likely have seen it all before.

[GM Wageslave]

The other consideration is that the GM may be trying to make sure they fit the entire scenario within the time block allocated, and is concerned that 'shopping trips' will heavily eat into that time, especially when a goodly portion of the table goes

"Oh, crud, hang on, I need to buy this.. where is it in that book... or was it in this book... oh, hang on, it's on my tablet, it's loading... any minute now...

...

...

...

Okay, here we go, the Complex Item of Significantly Impacting Story, here in the Ultimate Compendium of Necessary Equipment and Armaments. Don't worry, it's only three paragraphs of text to read through!"

May have had this happen to them a couple of times in the past....

[Jhaeman]

I'm the GM responsible, and I acknowledge the mistake. It came from my understanding based off other GMs I've played with in the past and my reading of Chapter 4 (instead of the more specific language in Appendix 4) that purchasing items had to happen "on screen during the adventure" (traditionally after the briefing) because the size of the settlement affected what was allowed for purchase. But still, it's my bad. The good news is that pesky museum was still saved!