Subscriptions with both books and maps aren't processed quickly

[Mathias Gehl]

I have several subscriptions through Paizo, but I've noticed that having so many subscriptions interferes with getting subscription copies early. I have an email saying that my order for November was pending as of October 27th, but I haven't received any emails since then about this order. The order has two books (player core and GM core), two flip mats, and an adventure path issue. On various social media, I'm seeing many people post that they've received their pdfs, and one person who lives in Seattle just posted that he has his physical copies of the player core and gm core.

If there's anything you can do to improve this - so that the book pdfs get to me earlier, like processing books as a separate order from maps, I'd appreciate it. I like having both pdf and physical copies, so I appreciate the subscriptions, but I also appreciate the perk of having early access, but I don't get to take advantage of that anymore, since the pdfs aren't added until the books actually ship, and apparently book, map, and adventure path orders don't ship very quickly.

[Dancing Wind]

Mathias Gehl wrote:

I appreciate the subscriptions, but I also appreciate the perk of having early access,

The perk for subscriptions is "free PDF". There is not (and never has been) an "early access" perk.

It is true that most of the time, subscription orders are shipped prior to the release date of the product, but that's not guaranteed either. Thus, getting your perk (free PDF) early usually happens, but is not guaranteed.

[H2Osw]

That's not how it works. I don't have a maps sub, in fact this month I'm not even getting player cor nor gm core. I'm still waiting for the AP.

[John Mangrum]

Just to add to the knowledge base, I've had multiple subscriptions for many years. Pathfinder 1E, 2E, Starfinder, and maps, in different combinations over time. No matter what's being shipped, I expect about a week's wait, give or take a day or two, between the pending order confirmation and the shipping notice.

[Michael Hallet]

My issue right now is their instance on bundling subscription shipments together. I have had the Pathfinder AP subscription for while and then on the 1st of November added the Rulebook special edition subscription. But they sidecarted my Player Core and it looks like they won't ship it until AP 198 is scheduled to ship.

I really don't want to wait 2 to 3 weeks to get the Player Core. I was hoping to have at least the pdf before my Friday night session.

I tried emailing customer support, but no response so far. I'm fine with paying extra shipping to have my rulebooks and AP volumes shipped separately, but there doesn't appear to be an option to request that all items ship separately at their earliest availability.

I'm not asking for early access, but a subscription shouldn't result in this much of a delay.

I guess if this is the way it works I'll have to cancel my subscription and stick to PDFs only or getting the physical books through other channels.

[Fumarole]

Someone has to be last, and unfortunately sometimes it will be you. On the other hand sometimes you'll be first. It seems to be luck of the draw as far as I can see. I've gotten my PDFs after release day before, and yes it sucks, but that needs to be weighed against the value of the free PDF to determine if it is worth it to you.