3.5 PH climbing in price?

[Bruunwald]

That unscrupulous sellers online would charge so much for 3.5 books does not change the very likely fact that they will hold no such value for reselling on or offline, will have no auction value, and no real value in the long term as collectibles.

 

Your comment attributes malice where you've given no evidence that malice exists. In fact, I've seen the local supply disappear first, then the price rise, not the reverse. And the evidence in this thread indicates that many high prices are auction prices, not quick-sale prices, so also supply/demand based. I see no evidence of price gouging.

 

 

My experience in this case was that the 3.5 books were still very much on the shelves (at cover price) when the prices online started to go up significantly. I had three resources available to me locally to buy them, and in fact, I did buy my tucked-away copies after-the-fact, at less than cover price. These FLGS never raised their prices above cover.

 

In fact, I also managed to pick up a second of the aforementioned Cthulhu books at cover price, just this last year, several years out of print, from a FLGS. And yes, they knew the price the book was going for online.

 

Now, it is an assumption on my part that if three separate FLGS were still acquiring stock from their distributors and able to sell at cover (or less during a sale), then some of those online stores also had supply available and were using the relative anonymity and unaccountability of the internet to allow them to gouge the uninitiated. But I think most of us have sufficient bad experiences with online stores, eBay, etc., to make that assumption a safe bet.

 

It's a known secret, really. Something everybody expects is happening, sometimes plays along with when they don't see another choice, and sometimes has proof is happening. Yes, you'd need solid evidence in a court of law, but this is not that. And we all know it happens.

 

However, as a gamer and hobbyist, I know that we are an intolerable bunch when it comes to being right. So I will concede that I do not have substantial proof to bring this to court and that I am always wrong simply by default, in the hope that this is enough to assuage the wrath of the righteous.

[Doug Sundseth]

So I will concede that I do not have substantial proof to bring this to court and that I am always wrong simply by default, in the hope that this is enough to assuage the wrath of the righteous.

 

Well, it's hard to argue with that.

[Lucifer_Draconus]

If you are still looking for the book check out both www.Powells.com & www.bn.com as I know they most likely have them & for good price compared to some online dealers. I'm thinking of getting rid of my 3.5 books including my FR stuff as I won't be playing them in the future. I'll be sticking to Cyberpunk 2020, Cyberspace , RIFTS/PB books games & Rolemaster2/Classic &/or RM Express.

[Dragon Snack]

Now, it is an assumption on my part that if three separate FLGS were still acquiring stock from their distributors and able to sell at cover (or less during a sale), then some of those online stores also had supply available and were using the relative anonymity and unaccountability of the internet to allow them to gouge the uninitiated. But I think most of us have sufficient bad experiences with online stores, eBay, etc., to make that assumption a safe bet.

The core 3.5 books have not been at distributors for at least a year (when I opened my store), I don't think anyone is playing games with 3.5 PHBs - people want them. I'm surprised that nobody has reprinted it, since the OGL actually lets anyone legally reprint *most* of it.

 

There can be some nice finds at a LGS, since local markets vary. And yes, the owner may not know what they have - I gave lots of people some GREAT deals on Magic cards before I knew what I was doing. People still think I give them great deals on Magic cards, since I price them off of online sites. No more Swords To Plowshares for 20¢ though. I hope...