They certainly didn’t do themselves any favors: I was invited to a D&D game one-shot with players I didn’t know (being one of the more well-connected gamers in MD) and there were several people there who also walked away disappointed from FGS as well. It did give me a chance to talk up Games & Stuff in Glen Burnie, who were all over the event (and were all over D&D Game Day too.)

Dave T. Game – was that Family Game Store in MD? They were the only one that said they did not get…They called us FRIDAY (the day before the event) and said “we didn’t get our stuff.” We did the best we could with emails and updates on the site saying to stores “if you do not get by 6/11, let us know.” Many did.

Misuba – I heard a couple other stores did that…consumers did not like that option!

Allan Sugarbaker – The rules are they cannot release until the MONDAY after Free RPG Day…so, yeah, it is a no-no, but that is not something I tend to enforce. Also, you have to tell me which stores were your two experiences so I can make notes!!!

Michael Erb – I would hate to think you think we determined which stores participated in the event…It is an local stores’ own choice as to whether or not they sign up. A ton of our store sign-ups are because of consumers like you telling the store to be a part of it…let them know about us please!!!

Thanks to everyone!

ME

Second store: less than an hour after opening was already out of the Dungeon Tile and mini from WotC (even though they had limit one D&D stuff.) Got the 4e adventure and the Trail of Cthulhu adventure, so can’t complain too much. I am a whore for those dungeon tiles though…

FCBD has the money of Marvel and DC behind it to supply the demand – which is a lot more than RPGs – especially with all the movies made about their properties. Free RPG Day is 1) Only two years old, and 2) Is in a marketplace that will always be smaller than comics, thus, will always be of smaller caliber (calibur?) It is great that the demand is there for more giveaways, and I will definitely see about upping the requirements next year…maybe even making four levels of sponsorship from the publishers in case someone like Wizards wants to up the giveaways even more. I’ve always said I am open to suggestions so send the concerns my way.

Best,
Aldo

Spot on. In fact, that may be slightly less then we get it from Alliance or ACD. We recorded a 2d6 Feet last night where I mention how we got several sales from people who had pre-ordered from Amazon, then got emails saying their shipment would be very delayed. They drove right down and bought it from us…full price. Bummer for them and Amazon, hooray for WoTC keeping our channel supplied.

I bought a PHB from my FLGS, but I was painfully aware that for $20.00 I would have got the whole set of books. Except for used games, I buy almost all my games at a FLGS. The only one I remember buying at a Target was Heroscape. My FLGS’ were charging well above the MSRP on Heroscape. I think because Hasbro short-discounts its non-WotC board games in hobby channels. I’m usually willing to pay MSRP at my FLGS, but I’m not willing to pay well above MSRP. That’s my line in the sand.

I do, however, go in and make purchases I don’t really need (like store T-shirts, etc.) to help keep the stores in business. With the economy the way it is, they need all the help they can get. That’s one reason why I’m glad that Free RPG Day exists for brick ‘n’ mortar stores. So, keep up the good work, Aldo.

Cheers.

I wish Aldo all the best of luck with Free RPG Day. If I get a chance I’m gonna grab a Trail of Cthulhu adventure!