See the announcement here!

https://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/49101/asmodee-clarifies-its-changes-2016-online-sales-wi

Is this new info or same we got a few days ago ?

So, pretty much what we feared at first?

Having read it now. Still zero impact on me. I buy local.

Is this new info or same we got a few days ago ?

Its a clarification that repeats the original and keeps the waters muddy!

I'll agree it is a bit hard to understand.

Seems like a good change for the game long term, but hope they reserve a special place for Team Covenant. They are something special.

"Some brick-and-mortar specialty retailers also sell online, how will this affect them?
We recognize that these new policies come with implications for some retailers. One such change will be that authorized specialty retailers will agree not to sell Asmodee North America products online. That said, we hope the end result, i.e. enabling us to support them relative to other defined channels, will be a significant net improvement for specialty retailers overall."

So MM and CSi won't have online sales?

"Some brick-and-mortar specialty retailers also sell online, how will this affect them?

We recognize that these new policies come with implications for some retailers. One such change will be that authorized specialty retailers will agree not to sell Asmodee North America products online. That said, we hope the end result, i.e. enabling us to support them relative to other defined channels, will be a significant net improvement for specialty retailers overall."

So MM and CSi won't have online sales?

This is the main issue we are seeing!!!

So basically exactly what GW did...we lost a lot of LGS's when that happened.

Time to get all the cheap stuff before it's gone.

So no buying online, basically, outside of whatever exceptions they give.

I don't like. I understand they're trying to support the brick and mortar stores, but I still don't like it.

"Some brick-and-mortar specialty retailers also sell online, how will this affect them?

We recognize that these new policies come with implications for some retailers. One such change will be that authorized specialty retailers will agree not to sell Asmodee North America products online. That said, we hope the end result, i.e. enabling us to support them relative to other defined channels, will be a significant net improvement for specialty retailers overall."

So MM and CSi won't have online sales?

This is the main issue we are seeing!!!

I'm glad I've bought most of the FFG stuff already! I'll probably just pre-order what's available now and that will be that.

The clarification says nothing substantial. And if you call them up or talk to FFG about it like Joe Boss did, naturally FFG will say "everything is awesome!"

What FFG/Asmodee/Christian Petersen says at this point is essentially meaningless. What matters is what they will actually do come April 1.

According to Scott Thorne in this article, FFG/Asmodee will be slightly reducing the discount that they give to the distribution channel.

A second major change affecting the channel is, instead of raising the price on the combined company's products, discounts on products across the line will drop to 45%, reducing the margin of gross profit anywhere from 3 to 5 %. Much as with WOTC's reduction in margin earlier this year, this reduction comes straight out of the gross margin of distributors and retailers. It remains to be seen what Asmodee NA does with the extra percentage.

If true, this means that the Local Game Stores will be paying more money for the product. FFG/Asmodee is run by a French investment firm. Despite their claims that they are a white knight trying to save a dying business model, the only reasonable conclusion is that they are trying to maximize profits. That money will come out of your pocket.

They did not say that they will put a price floor in place. However they did NOT say what they will be charging the online etailers. It is entirely possible that FFG/Asmodee will charge the online etailers more in an attempt to forcibly make the local game stores more competitive.

Well if I can't buy online I can't buy at all I don't have a fgs that sells x-wing.

I suspect I'm not alone in that situation.

It is generally a bad sign when the "clarification" makes things less clear.

That said, they are not going to give a straight answer. So, no real point to worry about it until the changes actually have an effect.

They're supporting stores that support them. Yes, I'm sure it's an Evil Empire^TM at work here. I can see the issues that the local gaming stores have, trying to compete with MM and CSI. The big online discounters don't support a gaming community, they just make it more difficult for physical retail stores that do offer gaming tables to potentially lose sales. I know that it happens in my local market, where the big online Canadian discounter (who happens to have a store too, but limited play space) runs on a razor-thin margin. As a result, a lot of local players order ALL their goodies from the discounter, but still come each week to the FLGS to play on their tables at no cost to themselves. It's simply not a sustainable model.

This angers me.

The clarification says nothing substantial. And if you call them up or talk to FFG about it like Joe Boss did, naturally FFG will say "everything is awesome!"

What FFG/Asmodee/Christian Petersen says at this point is essentially meaningless. What matters is what they will actually do come April 1.

According to Scott Thorne in this article, FFG/Asmodee will be slightly reducing the discount that they give to the distribution channel.

A second major change affecting the channel is, instead of raising the price on the combined company's products, discounts on products across the line will drop to 45%, reducing the margin of gross profit anywhere from 3 to 5 %. Much as with WOTC's reduction in margin earlier this year, this reduction comes straight out of the gross margin of distributors and retailers. It remains to be seen what Asmodee NA does with the extra percentage.

If true, this means that the Local Game Stores will be paying more money for the product. FFG/Asmodee is run by a French investment firm. Despite their claims that they are a white knight trying to save a dying business model, the only reasonable conclusion is that they are trying to maximize profits. That money will come out of your pocket.

They did not say that they will put a price floor in place. However they did NOT say what they will be charging the online etailers. It is entirely possible that FFG/Asmodee will charge the online etailers more in an attempt to forcibly make the local game stores more competitive.

We the customers are not allowed to decide were we purchase. It is consumers against the company with FFG/Asmodee dictating market conditions. This will most likely backfire on the corporations.

I still enjoy x wing but I will honestly try to support other gaming companies more. Companies who respect me as their customer, unlike FFG/Asmodee.

So frustrating...

I can't help but wonder if there's different pricing currently for brick and mortar and online retailers. In other words, considering the additional expense they incur, are physical store locations getting the items at a lower price point from the distributors to level the playing field?

At that point, it would make sense to me if someone such as MM or CSI are purchasing under the guise of a FLGS from distributors to offer better prices than they ordinarily otherwise could online. That would explain why online retailers will have to buy direct or negotiate differently.

I can't see any other reason to increase angst among their customers. An across the board 5% increase in prices would go over smoother than this...

Oh, but please people, drop the Pollyanna-esque notion that this is any way, shape or form related to saving the noble FLGS.

They're supporting stores that support them. Yes, I'm sure it's an Evil Empire^TM at work here. I can see the issues that the local gaming stores have, trying to compete with MM and CSI. The big online discounters don't support a gaming community, they just make it more difficult for physical retail stores that do offer gaming tables to potentially lose sales. I know that it happens in my local market, where the big online Canadian discounter (who happens to have a store too, but limited play space) runs on a razor-thin margin. As a result, a lot of local players order ALL their goodies from the discounter, but still come each week to the FLGS to play on their tables at no cost to themselves. It's simply not a sustainable model.

Having purchased Over $3500 in just x wing alone I think I can say buying some online and some at local retailers is a fair thing to do. If you think you or any corporation can demand I buy only local or dictate to me where I can buy you have another thought coming. I would rather buy nothing than be treated so badly.

Uh again there are many people in rural areas with no gaming store. So screw them? Have fun playing with fewer folks as well.

I always supported BOTH equally.

We'll maybe have waves 8 and 9 in the new scheme by the time 2016 gencon and the in flight report session happens. In 2015 we asked softballs about tournament attendance, episode 7, and how to pronounce the scyk. 2016 might have a different tone.

The delayed OP announcements might relate to authorized retail vendor jargon too?

I can see the issues that the local gaming stores have, trying to compete with MM and CSI.

...

It's simply not a sustainable model.

You're right.

Many or most local stores provide zero value for the physical product. Buying product from a local store takes longer, is less convenient, and is more expensive. Local stores don't offer any value whatsoever in the product that they sell.

What they do offer is a convenient place to play. I think the future of the local gaming store is going to need to shift to a subscription based model. You pay to go to the gym, why not pay to use table space at your local game store? Unfortunately most game stores are run by gamers that are NOT business smart.

The reality is that the world is changing. You have to innovate or die. The stronger FFG tries to hold onto the old entrenched models, the worse of they will be for it in the long run. Rather than helping to lead the industry in innovating, FFG uses monopolistic practices to try and keep us in the dark ages. Good luck with that.

"Oh, but please people, drop the Pollyanna-esque notion that this is any way, shape or form related to saving the noble FLGS."

Agreed. But I'm a cynic.