OK, I was patient, and I finally got to one of the game stores in Minneapolis,
and I had to have the people there order me a copy.
Yesterday, they called me back and said that their distributor told them it
was not yet released? Huh?
Other than the fact that the game stores around here seem a little on the GW
side, I'm peeved about it.
Will Geohex have copies at Gencon? While I can't go, someone who can is
visiting me and I can ask him to pick one up for me.
Thanks!
Fleet Book hit the shelves in Ottawa a week ago, and I thought that was
delayed...
Maybe I'll see you at GenCon, Myk.
> At 19:39 7/29/98, Michael Smit wrote:
I'm also wondering when it will filter out to the rest of us. My local store
(The Gamer in Manhattan, KS) has told me that they're "having trouble getting
ahold of it."
Was gibt?
> On Wed, 29 Jul 1998, Brian Bell wrote:
> > OK, I was patient, and I finally got to one of the game stores in
I called Geo-Hex directly and got the Fleet book directly. Shipping was
very reasonable. (Just a little over the stamp cost to Priority 2-3 day
mail it.) Next time I'll ask for a box to be used. (Can you say FOLDED in my
mail box?)
> From now on I'm just going to deal with Geo-Hex directly where ever I
The distributors told the store where I shop that the book did not exist.
Period. I'll bet they still do to this day. When I talked to the gentleman
at Geo-Hex when I ordered, I asked about the deal with the distribtors.
Now THAT'S a horror story.
I love the fleet book. It proved to me that Full Thrust is going in the
direction I'm interested in. Score another loyal follower!
> OK, I was patient, and I finally got to one of the game stores in
If the distributer is either Chessex or Armory for the store, I have heard a
similar response. Chessex and Armory are merging and are QUITE behind with
thier suppliers (on several levels). I am saving up enough
to order direct from Geo-Hex.
> OK, I was patient, and I finally got to one of the game stores in
I really don't know what the heck is going on with the US distribution system.
GeoHex have had copies since the beginning of June, and they wasted no time
(AFAIK) in shipping them out to distributors. Distributors who tell stores it
is unavailable either don't know what they are talking about, or simply can't
be bothered. I would strongly recommend that if you think you have given your
store a fair chance to get it for you, and they've failed, you should order
direct from GeoHex.
> > OK, I was patient, and I finally got to one of the game stores in
I ordered mine from my local gaming store (called them a month before release
and told them I wanted one). No problem. (Campaign Headquarters, Norfolk
Virginia)
> Michael Smit wrote:
> OK, I was patient, and I finally got to one of the game stores in
Is their distributor Chessex? If so, I'm not surprised. The 1998
update/reprint of the Starfire tactical rules (aka 3rdR) was published
and shipped in April IIRC - at least that's when I got my working copy.
Chessex *still* hasn't managed to get it in stock, in spite of my local stores
nagging them all this time. (The stores believed in my publishing
date when I showed them my copy of the game, but not before that :-/)
Best wishes,
> I ordered mine from my local gaming store (called them a month before
Same here. Got mine a over a week ago from Attactix, Aurora, CO.
- Sam
> I really don't know what the heck is going on with the US distribution
Due to the merger of two of the biggest American distributors, Chessex and the
Armory, things are really and truly a mess right now. Standing orders are
scrambled to hell and back, and the chaos shows no signs of ending anytime
soon. Please give the local stores a chance,
though--this is hitting them MUCH harder than it is the customers. This
has been the kind of event that puts the future of a lot of stores in doubt.
***I really don't know what the heck is going on with the US distribution
system. GeoHex have had copies since the beginning of June, and they wasted no
time (AFAIK) in shipping them out to distributors. Distributors who tell
stores it is unavailable either don't know what they are talking about, or
simply can't be bothered. I would strongly recommend that if you think you
have given your store a fair chance to get it for you, and they've failed, you
should order direct from GeoHex.
Jon (GZG)***
*shrug* Actually, sounds pretty normal. Even some of the bigger manufactures
have been plagued with maddeningly frustrating failures of distribution of
certain popular new releases. (*note: I had put this note into draft status,
then saw Oerjan's note*). The few glimpses I've
heard/seen of what causes these seemingly random disruptions suggests
backroom politics/hissyfits between marketing and buyers worthy of being
called 'Byzantine'. And there are people wondering why so many sparkling start
ups drop?
Course, stores can be another bottleneck. I have exceedingly good relations
with local store management, but was pretty frustrated on obtaining the Fleet
Book. In one case, the manager stated he was looking into the GeoHex retailer
'deal', but nothing seems to have come from it. In the case of Hobbytown, this
is the home of a national franchise, and up until a few weeks ago, no one was
aware any AoG capitals besides the Sharlin were available. I haven't seen the
FB there yet.
The whole thing seems an incredible crap shoot. It's a wonder anybody survives
in the business. Plenty don't.
As a mea culpa, there hasn't been a lot of GZG play at my
home-away-from-home, Spellbound, but a friend and I are starting to turn
that around.
We'll definitely be looking for GeoHex bright and early at GenCon in hopes of
finding two FB's. I try to support local business by buying locally, but I've
only so much patience. KR, when are you hoping to be ready for
business on the vendor floor? ;->=
The_Beast
> Ground Zero Games <jon@gzero.dungeon.com> wrote:
[snippage]
> I really don't know what the heck is going on with the US distribution
Berkeley Top Line (aka Berkeley Game Distributors) has their copies, and has
been shipping it for at least a couple of weeks now. If your local store wants
to contact them, the number is 800.424.4263. I used to be the sales manager
there, and the main buyer told me that my enthusiasm alone increased sales on
the whole GZG line. (Can you say zealot?) Unfortunately, I'm not there to push
it now.
In defense of distributors, however, it helps to understand how they work with
regards to new product. They solicit orders from their customers roughly two
to three months prior to the release date. If they don't find out about the
product till one week prior to it becoming "available," they still need that
lead time to get the numbers (and very few will get a couple of copies to sell
while this goes on).
I personally went into BTL (BGD) and told them about the Fleet Book when I
heard about it from this group so they would have the necessary lead time. I
don't mean to bag on KR, because he's a very busy guy, but they hadn't even
heard of it two months out. When I received my copy, I took it in so
they could scan graphics for their pre-order form. Products with
graphics sell much better than those with only a description.
Anyway, if other distributors only had a month to play with...
> Fleet Book hit the shelves in Ottawa a week ago, and I thought that was
> delayed...
We've had them at my shop for a couple weeks now, although we're in Oregon and
are thus a little closer to the source. Although ours were also delayed, they
should be available everywhere by now.
> At 06:31 AM 7/30/98 -0700, you wrote:
This
> has been the kind of event that puts the future of a lot of stores in
Funny, the local stores are selling plenty of GW stuff. And I did pick up a
copy of Starfire 3rd Ed from this last one. But I have been giving the stores
their chance... I have been bugging them since middle of May for it.
I will get my friend going to Gencon to pick me up a copy there, failing that
I will do mailorder.
> "In space, no one can hear you whine."
"In space, you can fly over and pick up your own copy!"
> Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1998 19:39:19 -0500
Oh Yeah, we'll have lots of copies at Gen Con.
KR
> OK, I was patient, and I finally got to one of the game stores in
> Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1998 07:58:48 -0700
> Ground Zero Games <jon@gzero.dungeon.com> wrote:
Unfortunately,
> I'm not there to push it now.
they
> still need that lead time to get the numbers (and very few will get a
Schoon is right about solicitation. Its the ease of releasing product in the
UK and the use of the web to spread info that makes the US market seem slow to
pick up new product. And Schoon, I didn't have a two month lead time to give
them!! Berkeley Distributors, by
> Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1998 07:30:21 -0600
Both Attactix and Campaign HQs are long time direct accounts of ours. Check
the listing of stores on our website. These stores have taken the initiative
to contact us and have their store listed as a location where you can find our
products. Tell your local store they too can be listed by filling out the form
on our website or calling and asking to be listed. We try to enroll ALL the
stores we contact into selling our products, and want to support them in their
efforts.
KR, Geo-Hex
> >I ordered mine from my local gaming store (called them a month before
> Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1998 23:55:51 -0500
Most stores just will not contact a manufacturer direct to buy stock. The
distributors have done a good job over the years of making stores their
customers, but the last couple years their service levels have really begun to
deteriorate. Believe me, we make EVERY effort to inform the buyers and stores
of the products. But the supply system in this hobby no longer functions
efficiently (if in fact it ever did). If you want a game or mini badly enough
INSIST that the store call the manufacturer direct, and have the number handy
when you do. Tell him you'll wait while he makes the call and see what he
says. Many stores call when challenged in this way, and are pleased to find
out that the manufacturer is someone they can deal with, or who can put them
on to a distributor who actually has the product.
KR, Geo-Hex
> At 19:39 7/29/98, Michael Smit wrote:
> From: Doug_Evans/CSN/UNEBR@UNebMail.UNeb.EDU
> ***I really don't know what the heck is going on with the US
> At 06:31 AM 7/30/98 -0700, you wrote:
giving the stores their chance... I have been bugging them >since middle of
May for it.
But it is worth noting that they are not getting GW from the
distributors--they can't. They can only get it direct from GW, who is
unaffected by the distributor shake-up. All I am saying is that you
should try to be patient with the stores while things get settled: if you
don't there may not be a store in your area six months from now.
> -----Original Message-----
<snipage>
> Now if we could just get them to open a warehouse in
I would like to suggest my garage for GZG/Geohex
products... Maybe we could work out a deal? <g>
Later,