Did FFG stop stuff with Amazon? I was going to pick up Endless Vigil, but its not there. I've noticed a few books not there.

I'm not sure why it's not listed. But being as how you can find a great deal of FFG's other products (including Star Wars stuff) I find it unlikly that Amazon and FFG aren't doing business.

It's curious alright. Been waiting on it for awhile.

I think being the "Batman Jedi" book it sold out fast. Asmodee seem to be prioritising brick & mortar stores atm so maybe stock did not last for Amazon.

Edit: Would think this may happen with No Disintegrations too.

I think being the "Batman Jedi" book it sold out fast. Asmodee seem to be prioritising brick & mortar stores atm so maybe stock did not last for Amazon.

Edit: Would think this may happen with No Disintegrations too.

They are absolutely prioritizing brick and mortar. A friend has a side business that is an online store. He used to be able to order the RPG books, but as of (I believe) April 1 of this year, the requirements changed, and he must have a brick and mortar store to be able to order. Whether or not this also applies to Amazon, I can't say.

I think being the "Batman Jedi" book it sold out fast. Asmodee seem to be prioritising brick & mortar stores atm so maybe stock did not last for Amazon.

Edit: Would think this may happen with No Disintegrations too.

They are absolutely prioritizing brick and mortar. A friend has a side business that is an online store. He used to be able to order the RPG books, but as of (I believe) April 1 of this year, the requirements changed, and he must have a brick and mortar store to be able to order. Whether or not this also applies to Amazon, I can't say.

I would wonder. Amazon is not one to be messed with and as much as it's good to support brick and mortar stores there's no denying the power of online shopping.

I think being the "Batman Jedi" book it sold out fast. Asmodee seem to be prioritising brick & mortar stores atm so maybe stock did not last for Amazon.

Edit: Would think this may happen with No Disintegrations too.

They are absolutely prioritizing brick and mortar. A friend has a side business that is an online store. He used to be able to order the RPG books, but as of (I believe) April 1 of this year, the requirements changed, and he must have a brick and mortar store to be able to order. Whether or not this also applies to Amazon, I can't say.

I would wonder. Amazon is not one to be messed with and as much as it's good to support brick and mortar stores there's no denying the power of online shopping.

Probably have to break down and order from miniature market one of these days. I just hate paying $30 each for these books. Also, last time, when I bought Nexus of Power from mm, it showed up on Amazon a week later at a much lower price point.

Might well be something with Asmodee.

Dave of the Order 66 podcast posted on the d20 Radio Network FB page that their attempts to be able to sell FFG Star Wars books online as well as having copies of stuff to sell at GamerNationCon fell through, and their general lack of an actual store might have been the deciding factor.

But given Amazon's wide reach and distribution networks, it seems rather short-sighted of Asmodee if they decided to not deal with Amazon anymore.

I don't shop at my friendly neighborhood gaming store due to excessive markup.

10% would be one thing. 25-30% is quite another.

If I can't buy a book on Amazon I buy straight from FFG.

Its nice to support brick and mortar stores, but supporting my family comes first.

I have teenagers. Groceries alone....

I thought I remembered seeing Endless Vigil on Amazon around it's release date. I bought local cause I have a FLGS with a brain that has very reasonable prices on things.

I think being the "Batman Jedi" book it sold out fast. Asmodee seem to be prioritising brick & mortar stores atm so maybe stock did not last for Amazon.

Edit: Would think this may happen with No Disintegrations too.

They are absolutely prioritizing brick and mortar. A friend has a side business that is an online store. He used to be able to order the RPG books, but as of (I believe) April 1 of this year, the requirements changed, and he must have a brick and mortar store to be able to order. Whether or not this also applies to Amazon, I can't say.

Amazon has brick and mortar stores now, so I guess they can order stuff from Asmodee.

Going on two months and this book still isn't on Amazon. Not even from a third party vendor. And not a peep from FFG as to why this is. Oddly enough, other recent FFG releases are showing up. It's especially flustrsting for those of us who can't find the RPG books locally. This lack of transparency will do nothing but cost them lost sales and utlimately back fire in their faces.

I think they're trying to be strategic about this. Amazon.com is probably the best venue for moving product in bulk... but I don't know of anyone who got into rpg-ing, by buying a book and dice online, bookstore chains may sell rpg books, they used to when I was in high school in the early 1990's, and at that time I could even buy a tube of polyhedral dice at Walden books. I am pretty sure that major brick and mortar book stores no longer sell dice, or even if they did that they still wouldn't sell the custom ffg star wars dice. So if you were ffg and you wanted to get BRAND NEW GAMERS to buy your product, the best way to do it would be sell it at game stories (the same ones that sell magic the gathering, Pokémon, and yugio, collectable card games) so ffg has a long term vested interest in keeping brick and mortar gaming stores in business, and if they have to DELAY when amazon.Com gets the books to do that (say second printing when they are sure that their first printing is going to sell out whether or not Amazon.com is involved, maybe a little slower if they're not), that almost seems like a no Brainer strategic decision. And really, for that small subset of customers who can only buy their rpg books online, they can always buy from a brick and mortar store that has an online presence. I sent forum member, a long time real world friend of mine, "trampgraphics" endless vigil and keeping the piece through coolstuffinc for his December birthday and Christmas. So it's definitely possible to buy the book online in the us without going through Amazon.com. or if for some reason they refuse to buy from anyone but Amazon.com, that small subset of customers can wait for the second printing, because doesn't really hurt ffg sales much if any short term and it should help to ensure a customer base in the long term future. I personally think it's a good STRATEGIC (as opposed to tactical) marketing decision. And I am pretty sure that you can buy ffgvs products online directly from ffg, so more money in their pocket (no other middleman takes a cut) if you do that.

Barns and Noble does in fact sell RP books (FFG included, it's where I picked up my F&D beginner kit) as well as FFG dice, X-Wing and Armada stuff, plus others. I don't recall there being d20 sets but I wasn't looking either. They also have a decent board game section as well.

Barns and Noble does in fact sell RP books (FFG included, it's where I picked up my F&D beginner kit) as well as FFG dice, X-Wing and Armada stuff, plus others. I don't recall there being d20 sets but I wasn't looking either. They also have a decent board game section as well.

I'm glad to hear that but Barnes and Noble is having a hard time staying in business too (because of Amazon.com), and someone browsing in a brick and mortar stores is a good way for rpg companies to spread their games to the uninitiated.

Barnes and Noble's selection of FFG's Star Wars RPG is fairly pathetic outside of the beginner boxes. They've got the beginner box for d&d 5e as well at the one closest to me. They've got a better selection of xwing stuff though.

My local independent stores don't carry ffg Star Wars rpg stuff. I finally broke down and ordered from miniature market though.

but I don't know of anyone who got into rpg-ing, by buying a book and dice online,

I know of plenty of people who got into RPG's that way. Some folks buy the books thinking they are something else entirely different and decide to play the game anyway. But I wouldn't call it new as a study on gamers I conducted found out that some folks just bought the books and dice and then later realized it was a game meant to be played with others. This was back before gaming stuff was sold in just gaming stores and you could buy D&D product at a normal store. So roughly late 70's and early 80's. So the idea that folks can't come upon them online and decide to buy isn't that unreasonable.

So if you were ffg and you wanted to get BRAND NEW GAMERS to buy your product, the best way to do it would be sell it at game stories (the same ones that sell magic the gathering, Pokémon, and yugio, collectable card games) so ffg has a long term vested interest in keeping brick and mortar gaming stores in business, and if they have to DELAY when amazon.Com gets the books to do that (say second printing when they are sure that their first printing is going to sell out whether or not Amazon.com is involved, maybe a little slower if they're not), that almost seems like a no Brainer strategic decision.

Except that Amazon is one of the largest distributors in the world now. And you don't want to anger them. Amazon has shown that it can and will harm your bottom line and has brought a number of bigger companies to heel for far less. Amazon is not someone you mess with. FFG's product line is a bit to diverse to benefit from prioritizing brick and mortar stores. The truth is, in this day and age online shopping is where a lot of people buy their product these days. We can wish for the days of brick and mortar but that's not a business model that is likely returning. It's one thing for FFG to cut off small fish but Amazon is too big of a fish to just cut off.

Also for this to actually be a good idea it would mean brick and mortar stores were doing more to support the hobby and that's not universally true. There are like 4 brick and mortar stores in my area and all of them are horrible at supporting anything more than mini's and Magic. They don't even help their customers find gaming groups so it is rather pointless to buy your books there since you have the exact same problem as buying online, only at least online you saved $10.

Endless Vigil would also be an odd title to make this move over. Moreso when the book was being sold by Amazon when it first released. I am pretty sure it not being listed by Amazon right now is more of an oversite than some kind of overacrhing plan to support brick and mortar over online retailers.

And really, for that small subset of customers who can only buy their rpg books online, they can always buy from a brick and mortar store that has an online presence. I sent forum member, a long time real world friend of mine, "trampgraphics" endless vigil and keeping the piece through coolstuffinc for his December birthday and Christmas. So it's definitely possible to buy the book online in the us without going through Amazon.com. or if for some reason they refuse to buy from anyone but Amazon.com, that small subset of customers can wait for the second printing, because doesn't really hurt ffg sales much if any short term and it should help to ensure a customer base in the long term future.

The problem is that this approach screws over international customers. Also it's bad business for FFG to tell it's customers where and from who it should be buying it's product from. If I want to buy from Amazon because I have prime shipping then who is FFG to tell me otherwise. They stand to lose customers when they start dictating where and how to buy their product.

I personally think it's a good STRATEGIC (as opposed to tactical) marketing decision. And I am pretty sure that you can buy ffgvs products online directly from ffg, so more money in their pocket (no other middleman takes a cut) if you do that.

I don't see much strategic value in angering one of the largest distrubitors in the world. They aren't big enough to shrug off Amazon's business tacitics when it wants to make someone think twice about messing with them. Amazon has brought much bigger publhsing companies in line for far less. FFG doesn't have the resources to fight a battle with Amazon so why bother?

I have heard but not confirmed that only amazon within the US didn't have endless vigil and that international/European customers were unaffected.

The first print run of FFG's star wars rpg books are going to sell out quickly, with or without Amazon.com's help. Amazon.com getting in on the second print run doesn't bother me.

It's been on Amazon France.

I have heard but not confirmed that only amazon within the US didn't have endless vigil and that international/European customers were unaffected.

The first print run of FFG's star wars rpg books are going to sell out quickly, with or without Amazon.com's help. Amazon.com getting in on the second print run doesn't bother me.

It did have it at one point however. It's gone now but it wasn't always the case. My point is that I find it highly unlikely that there is some kind of plan on the part of FFG to deny Amazon a first print run.

Also FFG has more than it's Star Wars books to think about when it opts to tangle with Amazon. Star Wars books may sell out by virtue of being Star Wars but FFG has a lot of product to move in other lines and can thus still be victim to Amazon's squeeze tactics. Gaming is a niche hobby such that if one of the biggest distributors in the world starts to screw with you it will effect your bottom line at some point.

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...in this day and age online shopping is where a lot of people buy their product these days...

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...it's bad business for FFG to tell it's customers where and from who it should be buying it's product from. If I want to buy from Amazon because I have prime shipping then who is FFG to tell me otherwise. They stand to lose customers when they start dictating where and how to buy their product....

This.

We decide who gets our dollars. Not FFG. Every added step in a supply chain adds cost for the customer. Its always good business to cut out as many middle men as possible. Brick and mortar stores, be they general book stores or gaming stores, are middle men. There is no inherent moral obligation for a buyer to actively choose the worse deal. For what? Nostalgia? Tradition? If they aren't going to cut me a competitive deal, I have options.

Why would I pay more for any product? If I buy from a local gaming store I have to go to and from the store (gas and time), and will find typically find significant markups. If I order from a non-Amazon source online. I generally end up paying a small markup plus additional shipping costs as the added tax. I will buy direct from FFG when what I want is in stock. Their price with shipping is usually within a few dollars of the Amazon price. Besides, I'd rather pay the creator-publisher direct than merchants whose cut is a valueless-adder.

I understand that gaming stores are often a meeting place for gamers, but you can also organize gaming clubs. Before gaming stores were really a thing, that's what people did. On campus, in people's homes, at community centers, on sunday afternoons at the pizza parlor. I've never met gamers in a gaming store. If I were looking for a magic game the local gaming stores would be ideal, but not so much for RPGs. I've found my fellow gamers by creating such clubs, and by word of mouth.

This.

We decide who gets our dollars. Not FFG. Every added step in a supply chain adds cost for the customer. Its always good business to cut out as many middle men as possible. Brick and mortar stores, be they general book stores or gaming stores, are middle men. There is no inherent moral obligation for a buyer to actively choose the worse deal. For what? Nostalgia? Tradition? If they aren't going to cut me a competitive deal, I have options.

Why would I pay more for any product? If I buy from a local gaming store I have to go to and from the store (gas and time), and will find typically find significant markups. If I order from a non-Amazon source online. I generally end up paying a small markup plus additional shipping costs as the added tax. I will buy direct from FFG when what I want is in stock. Their price with shipping is usually within a few dollars of the Amazon price. Besides, I'd rather pay the creator-publisher direct than merchants whose cut is a valueless-adder.

Ordering from FFG, you will pay the same SRP as at most brick and mortar stores, plus tax, minus shipping (cost or time). Further, I don't know about you, but I run other errands, so the "gas and time" expense is minimized, as I instead coordinate what destinations I have. During any given session of errands.

Are there products and/or instances that I'll hold off for a downright rock bottom price, be the source brick and mortar or online? Sure. On the other hand, there are times that such a price doesn't materialize, or picking it up locally is just plain more convenient...or rather, the convenience of near-immediate access is worth it.

As always, personal mileage varies.

This.

We decide who gets our dollars. Not FFG. Every added step in a supply chain adds cost for the customer. Its always good business to cut out as many middle men as possible. Brick and mortar stores, be they general book stores or gaming stores, are middle men. There is no inherent moral obligation for a buyer to actively choose the worse deal. For what? Nostalgia? Tradition? If they aren't going to cut me a competitive deal, I have options.

Why would I pay more for any product? If I buy from a local gaming store I have to go to and from the store (gas and time), and will find typically find significant markups. If I order from a non-Amazon source online. I generally end up paying a small markup plus additional shipping costs as the added tax. I will buy direct from FFG when what I want is in stock. Their price with shipping is usually within a few dollars of the Amazon price. Besides, I'd rather pay the creator-publisher direct than merchants whose cut is a valueless-adder.

Ordering from FFG, you will pay the same SRP as at most brick and mortar stores, plus tax, minus shipping (cost or time).

Your FLGS may be less "gougey" than mine and stick to the recommended retail price. If so, good on them! The sticker price where I live tends to be $10to $15 higher than what I can get from FFG or on Amazon (with Prime). That's before gas and time, and our local gaming stores aren't really conveniently located in terms of where I run my errands. If your FLGS doesn't gouge and is convenient, that's different, but as you say, individual mileage varies. For me, the maths don't work. FFG pointedly backing brick and mortar stores is also, for some loyal customers, pointedly backing increased costs and inconvenience. I would prefer they consider being sales channel neutral. Let each of us decide for ourselves what the best way of obtaining their product is. I say this with the odd notion that it is, after all, my wallet.

This.

We decide who gets our dollars. Not FFG. Every added step in a supply chain adds cost for the customer. Its always good business to cut out as many middle men as possible. Brick and mortar stores, be they general book stores or gaming stores, are middle men. There is no inherent moral obligation for a buyer to actively choose the worse deal. For what? Nostalgia? Tradition? If they aren't going to cut me a competitive deal, I have options.

Why would I pay more for any product? If I buy from a local gaming store I have to go to and from the store (gas and time), and will find typically find significant markups. If I order from a non-Amazon source online. I generally end up paying a small markup plus additional shipping costs as the added tax. I will buy direct from FFG when what I want is in stock. Their price with shipping is usually within a few dollars of the Amazon price. Besides, I'd rather pay the creator-publisher direct than merchants whose cut is a valueless-adder.

Ordering from FFG, you will pay the same SRP as at most brick and mortar stores, plus tax, minus shipping (cost or time).

Your FLGS may be less "gougey" than mine and stick to the recommended retail price. If so, good on them! The sticker price where I live tends to be $10to $15 higher than what I can get from FFG or on Amazon (with Prime). That's before gas and time, and our local gaming stores aren't really conveniently located in terms of where I run my errands. If your FLGS doesn't gouge and is convenient, that's different, but as you say, individual mileage varies. For me, the maths don't work. FFG pointedly backing brick and mortar stores is also, for some loyal customers, pointedly backing increased costs and inconvenience. I would prefer they consider being sales channel neutral. Let each of us decide for ourselves what the best way of obtaining their product is. I say this with the odd notion that it is, after all, my wallet.

I've yet to encounter a brick and mortar store that prices them higher than SRP. There is one minor exception: one of the local stores occasionally stocks small quantities of the adversary decks, and marks them up to $9.99. And they hang on the pegs week after week.

If it were me, I'd try pointing out the part of the UPC code that indicates the SRP, and ask them why they're pricing above it. If their answer is basically, "Because people will pay it, frak 'em." I've seen what the retailer cost is...pricing at SRP is a pretty decent margin (retailer cost is 30-50% less than SRP). So perhaps the stores in your area are greedy, but it's odd to see an entire region's retailers all price above SRP.

Personally, I'd prefer they go back to the old retailer ordering model, myself. It gave me indirect access to get the books at the retailer cost. But, talk to Asmodee, not FFG. It's their rule set. There may be a contentious relationship between Amazon and Asmodee. Or perhaps Amazon doesn't see much demand for the books, and doesn't stock them quickly. Or perhaps gremlins hijack the shipments to Amazon.

Of course it's your wallet. You are certainly free to purchase wherever you like. I was merely responding to the apparent disdain for markup from one source while willing to spend as much or more from another, applying the manner in which the vast majority of brick and mortar stores price being in line with buying from FFG direct. Won't happen again.

I ended up just having my Local Comic Book Store order it, as their warehouse showed it in stock. None of the other shops around me had it. Normally I do get them off Amazon just cause it's easier.