This is not to detract from the enthusiasm of the game on this forum. In fact, you could call this post an expression of enthusiasm in it's own right! With that out of the way:

I want this game. It looks great. But I can't buy it yet.

Unfortunately, for some reason, the price has jumped incredibly high compared to other recent board game releases. I don't know why.

To give you an idea, this is priced at about 33% more than I purchased Imperial Assault for ($120 Cdn versus $90 Cdn). I use that as a comparison to strip away considerations such as box size or intellectual property. I wish the price was more or less in line with other FFG Epic games, but it is not. So, what to do?

In this case, I'll keep the money, and look forward to using it in a sale, or perhaps a used copy in a galaxy far, far away.

I suppose you can say this post is a compliment to the designers. If I didn't think the game was great, I wouldn't have bothered posting this. I would have just walked away, looking for something else to purchase. But I will sit it out, and bide my time.

Rebellion and IA are the exact same US MSRP of $99.95.

Some new policy hit causing a raise in online retailer prices (and judging by your prices and the conversion, it would seem this is where you are shopping). Basically the parent company of FFG is charging online retailers more per copy, and that cost is passing on to you, the buyer.

Boardgamebliss has Rebellion at $116 CDN. And if you look, IA has also raised to that price now. Retail is like $131 CDN.

I picked up IA at $67 USD, and it's now selling at $75 (same price as Rebellion).

FFG didn't raise the prices, but their parent company is trying to get more money from the deep discounting online stores which then puts online prices a little closer in line to brick and mortar prices.

Plus the CDN Dollar has taken a beating in the last few months. Not sure when you purchased IA, but odds are the Dollar was stronger then.

Some new policy hit causing a raise in online retailer prices (and judging by your prices and the conversion, it would seem this is where you are shopping). Basically the parent company of FFG is charging online retailers more per copy, and that cost is passing on to you, the buyer.

Actually, I usually shop at 401 games, which is a brick and mortar store (that's where I got my price). They have the same price as the online store you quoted, so I'm not sure it's a policy thing. As someone else posted, it's probably the exchange rate.

Whatever the reason, I'll cross my fingers and hope someone else I know ends up getting it instead.

The dollar is killing us right now. Everything is going up in price. X-Wing waves are becoming progressively more expensive. Hopefully it settles down soon.

I work at a board game shop so I got 20% off on it but after tax and whatnot I still paid $126 for my copy. Because of the state of the dollar, the wholesale cost for retailers is almost as high as the american MSRP, and shops need to make money.

Some new policy hit causing a raise in online retailer prices (and judging by your prices and the conversion, it would seem this is where you are shopping). Basically the parent company of FFG is charging online retailers more per copy, and that cost is passing on to you, the buyer.

Actually, I usually shop at 401 games, which is a brick and mortar store (that's where I got my price). They have the same price as the online store you quoted, so I'm not sure it's a policy thing. As someone else posted, it's probably the exchange rate.

My understanding was the new pricing model only applied to US retailers, not Canadian ones. I could be wrong on that, though I haven't noticed an increase in Canadian online prices since the policy was supposed to take effect. But anyway, 401 Games is a B&M store that also sells games online... For that reason I imagine they probably move a much bigger volume of product than your typical FLGS, and that's why their prices are the same as what you would find with other (Canadian) online retailers.

As for the increase in prices, you are not wrong that the price of games generally has increased hugely in the last couple of years. As others have pointed out, if you bought Imperial Assault today, it would cost the same as Rebellion. A couple of months ago I was gobsmacked when I saw Ticket to Ride on a store shelf in Canada selling for $80. For TICKET TO RIDE. I think I bought that game for like thirty bucks 6 or 7 years ago. Definitely makes it harder to get into games in general, and makes me very selective about what games I buy now.

Some new policy hit causing a raise in online retailer prices (and judging by your prices and the conversion, it would seem this is where you are shopping). Basically the parent company of FFG is charging online retailers more per copy, and that cost is passing on to you, the buyer.

Actually, I usually shop at 401 games, which is a brick and mortar store (that's where I got my price). They have the same price as the online store you quoted, so I'm not sure it's a policy thing. As someone else posted, it's probably the exchange rate.

Whatever the reason, I'll cross my fingers and hope someone else I know ends up getting it instead.

That's exactly it. They're raising their prices so that online retailers don't massively undercut the brick-and-mortar stores' prices.

Some new policy hit causing a raise in online retailer prices (and judging by your prices and the conversion, it would seem this is where you are shopping). Basically the parent company of FFG is charging online retailers more per copy, and that cost is passing on to you, the buyer.

Actually, I usually shop at 401 games, which is a brick and mortar store (that's where I got my price). They have the same price as the online store you quoted, so I'm not sure it's a policy thing. As someone else posted, it's probably the exchange rate.

Whatever the reason, I'll cross my fingers and hope someone else I know ends up getting it instead.

That's exactly it. They're raising their prices so that online retailers don't massively undercut the brick-and-mortar stores' prices.

Just as every other attempt by every company who's done something like this... this too will fail. What will happen is the retail stores will not see an increase in sales and the online stores will see a decrease in sales. This will lead to the inevitable repeal of the current policy. Money talks and everything else walks. The thing about market trends is you have three options: lead, follow, or get out of the way. Demand is created by the consumer. Many companies and businesses have learned this the hard way.

So to my Canadian friends... wait till after August. Sometime in September or October you will see a price drop in FFG's board game products at popular online retailers. 4th Quarter Holiday numbers mean EVERYTHING in the stock market and numbers game.

Some new policy hit causing a raise in online retailer prices (and judging by your prices and the conversion, it would seem this is where you are shopping). Basically the parent company of FFG is charging online retailers more per copy, and that cost is passing on to you, the buyer.

Actually, I usually shop at 401 games, which is a brick and mortar store (that's where I got my price). They have the same price as the online store you quoted, so I'm not sure it's a policy thing. As someone else posted, it's probably the exchange rate.

Whatever the reason, I'll cross my fingers and hope someone else I know ends up getting it instead.

That's exactly it. They're raising their prices so that online retailers don't massively undercut the brick-and-mortar stores' prices.

Just as every other attempt by every company who's done something like this... this too will fail. What will happen is the retail stores will not see an increase in sales and the online stores will see a decrease in sales. This will lead to the inevitable repeal of the current policy. Money talks and everything else walks. The thing about market trends is you have three options: lead, follow, or get out of the way. Demand is created by the consumer. Many companies and businesses have learned this the hard way.

So to my Canadian friends... wait till after August. Sometime in September or October you will see a price drop in FFG's board game products at popular online retailers. 4th Quarter Holiday numbers mean EVERYTHING in the stock market and numbers game.

While I hope this is the case, I wouldn't count on it.

These types of policies are RARELY repealed because if you just nickel and dime you over a long time, no one will care enough. An 11% increase in price, when it's still heavily discounted as opposed to retail isn't going to mean a whole heck of a lot in the long run to an individual.

If they pull this 3 years in a row, people will be outraged. If they try to force online retailers to sell it at MSRP, customers will freak. Then you might see a loss in sales that would change things.

But if they wait 2 or 3 years and do another 5-6% jump, we'll all cry again and keep right on buying.

Then they can jack the big box prices up to $120 due to inflation and we'll all deal with it.

I went back in today, and one poster is correct - all the big box Star Wars games were the same price = $116. When you add sales tax, the walkaway price is $131 each.

I asked why the price was so high. The sales guy who usually shows me what new games have come in mentioned to me that Fantasy Flight has a new "minimum advertised price" policy, so they have to sell them for that price or more.

Someone in the thread mentioned that this is to combat online retailers. I don't think this is working if "Board Game Bliss" is selling for the same price as my brick and mortar store. I think the only casualties here are me (I won't get the game) and Fantasy Flight (one less sale).

I went back in today, and one poster is correct - all the big box Star Wars games were the same price = $116. When you add sales tax, the walkaway price is $131 each.

I asked why the price was so high. The sales guy who usually shows me what new games have come in mentioned to me that Fantasy Flight has a new "minimum advertised price" policy, so they have to sell them for that price or more.

Someone in the thread mentioned that this is to combat online retailers. I don't think this is working if "Board Game Bliss" is selling for the same price as my brick and mortar store. I think the only casualties here are me (I won't get the game) and Fantasy Flight (one less sale).

And this is exactly why these policies always fail. FFG isn't the first to try it and they probably won't be the last. I just hope they don't do any permanent damage to themselves in the process. Unlikely, seeing how lucrative they have made the Star Wars license, but no one NEEDS a board game. Rebellion to expensive? Hasbro's Star Wars Risk can be had for under $20 via on-line retailers (especially one that starts with an A) right now.

Keep in mind that this isn't FFG. It's Asmodee.

Asmodee is a parent company of sorts. Asmodee has implemented this policy across all their holdings which actually affects many major companies.

I hate this policy as much as anyone. I have no B&M to purchase games from...seriously, it's be a 6 hour drive to find a B&M that might carry a game I want. No way is this going to drive my business to a B&M. But as I do budget my spending, this will reduce my spending with these companies. Enough to make a difference to Asmodee? Not likely.

If this were some massive price hike, maybe. But it's pretty minimal, and the discount from online vendors still puts the game below B&M prices.

I'm worried that the employee is giving you incorrect information as nothing through this entire situation has stated there would be a mandated price floor for retailers. To my understanding online retails are now purchasing at a higher rate then they previously were, which will force them to raise thier prices as to maintain their profit margin. Nothing I've seen, even from those critical of the policy, has stated that FFG is coming out and mandating that retailers sell product X at price Y.

I tend to believe that clerk.

6 Canadian online and B&M stores. All the very same price $115.95 (well, one is $115.99, but whatever). :

http://www.meeplemart.com/store/p/55324-Star-Wars-Rebellion.aspx

http://store.401games.ca/catalog/7096928/star-wars---rebellion

http://www.boardgamebliss.com/products/star-wars-rebellion?variant=8161002817

http://gameshack.ca/star-wars-rebellion.html

http://www.greatboardgames.ca/star-wars-rebellion.html

https://quichegames.com/products/star-wars-rebellion

So, I tend to believe that employee. If it was just different rates for different retailers, you'd see SOME variability in the price!

Theory? Different policies for different countries? (this exhibit being Canada)

Certainly possible for them to have a special Canadian policy for minimum pricing.

Another option though: New policy comes out and online vendors have to raise prices, so they just match the going rate of the other vendors. You get an unintended price fixing as the various vendors adjust to the new policy.

The vendor that moves the largest volume picks their price they believe the market can sustain. The smaller vendors know they can't sell for more as the larger vendor will steal their business. They also can't undercut easily as they move less product and need more profit per product to make money.

Except for 2-3 big vendors in the US, I'm guessing most of the prices you'll find would be spot on here also.

Again though, minimum pricing is not unusual, and they could have implemented such a policy.

the has been a price increase cross the x-wing range at brick and mortar stores in the UK due to the exchange rate and retail on rebellion in the uk is £85

Mark my words... When sales fall short of expectations and goals this holiday season, policies will change.

Don't get me wrong. I love the little guy, but customers vote with their pocketbooks. People like the convenience of ordering on-line and getting their purchases reliably and quickly. Forcing a consumer to change their habits never works out well. A competitor takes advantage of the forced change, or the market disappears. FFG is not selling gasoline. No one needs a board game.

The fact that $100+ games are being designed and put on the market is a sign of how strong the market is currently. I'll be interested to see what the price point of games will be from FFG this time next year.

I like online convenience but I also like to support my FLGS (which is awesome and has lots of space for playing games right in the store). I cracked it open and played my first 4 hour game immediately after buying my copy against a guy whose name I don't even know.

Is the game expensive? Sure. But is it fun and high quality? Hell yes. And high quality games with hundreds of pieces (153 plastic miniatures with 18 different moulds?) that is a licensed property (adding a lot to the price for licensing fees) is not going to be cheap.

The game is currently #3 on the hotness list at BGG, so I doubt it's underselling.

In short: High quality, Franchise tie-in, Low price. Pick two.

In short: High quality, Franchise tie-in, Low price. Pick two.

:-) Thanks for the review and confirming it is worth having.

I'd settle for "High Quality, Franchise tie-in, High Price"... but not "..., Obscenely High Price".

After having done a lot of "looking into" this, more out of interest with what's going on with the industry, than an obsession with purchasing this particular game, I have discovered the following:

There is only one distributor (Lion Rampant) in Canada for Asmodee (owner of FFG, and in turn owned by a conglomerate called Eurazeo).

The distributor does indeed enforce a minimum advertised price on retailers for FFG product.

My B&M store makes more per purchase than they otherwise would have (good). But then, so do the online retailers as well.

I'm just bummed out to find myself on the wrong side of a supply and demand curve they manipulated to bump their product line from "Premium" to "Luxury".

I asked why the price was so high. The sales guy who usually shows me what new games have come in mentioned to me that Fantasy Flight has a new "minimum advertised price" policy, so they have to sell them for that price or more.

He has no idea what "Minimum Advertised Price" means then. You can sell your product for whatever price you want, you just can't post it as a print/online ad/website for that price. They're quite welcome to charge $1 above cost in store if they want to, just not on their website.

My mom remembers going to the movies and paying 20c for the movie and an ice cream. Her Grandchildren (my children) probably wouldn't bring home much change from $25.

Are we all getting so old as like Grandma we give our kids $5 for Christmas and expect they will be able to actually have a day out on that?