concerns about product availability

[Hermes Serpent]

Would you rather I'd have said 'That's a stupid question, f* off' which actually is harsh rather than explaining what is the way the rpg publishing world works to someone who appears not to have a clue.

[spivo]

This thread is not in line with Tolkiens theme from the books...

[Earendil]

Would you rather I'd have said 'That's a stupid question, f* off' which actually is harsh rather than explaining what is the way the rpg publishing world works to someone who appears not to have a clue.

Actually, what you said pretty much comes across that way to me. And having a clue how the RPG publishing world works shouldn't be a requirement for posting here.

Frankly, Hermes, I think your whole attitude on this forum is pretty questionable. I've been put off posting in a thread more than once because your posts made me feel my comments would be unwelcome. I wasn't going to post in this thread, but this is going too far. You're a moderator on an official Cubicle 7 forum and you should be making an effort to make people feel welcome. If they say something that is wrong-headed or could cause problems, their error can be explained to them without condescension or rudeness.

I wonder if the OP will be back. I suspect not.

[zedturtle]

Would you rather I'd have said 'That's a stupid question, f* off' which actually is harsh rather than explaining what is the way the rpg publishing world works to someone who appears not to have a clue.

There is a whole thread of other polite responses in this thread that answer the OP's question without talking down to them or using rude words.

I think this is important for all of us to keep in mind: Being mean to people does make them more likely to agree with you, or pay attention to what you have to say. Quite the opposite.

[Rich H]

You're a moderator on an official Cubicle 7 forum...

Actually, he isn't. He just has some functionality associated with his account, like me, to delete spam posts.

I hope these posts don't drag Jon, T S, or someone else away from their real work. Having to come into their front room and tell us to play nice or go home is not something they should have to do, especially for such an innocuous and innocent question regarding product availability.

[Earendil]

You're a moderator on an official Cubicle 7 forum...

Actually, he isn't. He just has some functionality associated with his account, like me, to delete spam posts.

I was sure he'd said at some point that he was a moderator. Maybe I misunderstood.

Anyway, I've said all I wanted to say on this topic and more. Sorry if I've contributed negatively to the thread; I'll buzz off now!

[Rich H]

Sorry if I've contributed negatively to the thread

In no way, shape or form.

[Jon Hodgson]

It shouldn't come down to this but posters who don't understand how the retail and distribution of gaming products works always causes fits and panic when they write things that confuse people.

A company prints number of books based on what they think will sell and they go into distribution or to stores as well as their own warehouse. This forms a supply chain which fills up from the start to the end (a store). As sales occur the end point draws dow,n from further up the chain, extra product. The publisher soon gets a good idea of sales over time and when the start point is down to the number of product units that would sell in the time to reprint the product then orders a reprint. Sudden surges of product purchase can throw this carefully choreographed system out of whack causing short term gaps in the chain.

Other consideration concern funding the fresh reprint while having sufficient cash on hand to pay writers and illustrators for fresh material. Running a company selling RP material is hard work and no doubt a lot of Dom's time is taken up managing the production process and keeping the bank happy.

Please don't post things that have no basis in fact as it causes ructions in the fabric and can require intervention from the C7 folks who have better things to do. I'm sure that if Sophisticated Games lost the M-e E license we'd all hear about it quickly enough.

Steady on Nigel, old chap. You're creating reports again, and I'm trying to get the Adventurer's Companion into proofing.

[Jon Hodgson]

Would you rather I'd have said 'That's a stupid question, f* off' which actually is harsh rather than explaining what is the way the rpg publishing world works to someone who appears not to have a clue.

Oh! Goodness me. I think you need to open a window and punch a pillow. Let's be nice to new people to the forums. I know where you're coming from, but equally it's ok to have concerns when you can't order a product.

Officially speaking - TOR core is being reprinted right now - we sold out unexpectedly quickly after the announcement of Adventures in Middle-earth, which put us in front of a LOT of new gamers. It'll be heading to our warehouses soon. It's almost done.

[Rich H]

... and I'm trying to get the Adventurer's Companion into proofing.

Doomed, I tell ye!