My friend just IM'd me saying he got an email from ChannelFireball (he has part of his preorder there). The email said they are offering to buy back preorders at $125/box. I told him that this was more than other places are selling them for, themselves included .. but then I went back and looked at their new price list ..
$139.99 per box
$799.99 per case.
WTF? I love ChannelFireball, but I don't understand why the sudden and drastic price jump. Star City and Troll and Toad still have theirs at $114.99. Does ChannelFireball know something that we don't? are they just speculating at this point? I'm not trying to make them look bad or anything, I'm sure they have their reasons, I just wanted to see if there was some big breaking news that might spur this that I haven't read about yet.
Again, I have no personal interest in this .. my case preorder is at Troll and Toad ($438.79 shipped... huzzah). Just looking for more info.
The only thing I can think of is they're banking on a Black Lotus rip. If that's the case, it's quite a stupid thing to do. That whole fiasco hasn't appreciably increased EV from a case, but it's caused every resellers prices to jump so it's nuked any expected return value unless you got in early.
They might have another reason, but I can't think of any.
I believe that many stores (including mega-dealers) are being told that they are not going to get all the cases they ordered. So, in order to fill all the singles pre-sales, they likely need to get back product. Since it would be terrible to invalidate all those pre-sales, they decided to try and get back boxes.
Channel Fireball understands that Zendikar is sold out all over the place, and that the set is HOT right now. They know they'll be able to fetch high prices (pun intended) and that's the plan.
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It's LSV's business and if people don't mind paying that premium to order their share of Zendikar from an impeccable store then more power to him, but I personally wont until the prices are in range of CF's competitors.
I believe that many stores (including mega-dealers) are being told that they are not going to get all the cases they ordered. So, in order to fill all the singles pre-sales, they likely need to get back product. Since it would be terrible to invalidate all those pre-sales, they decided to try and get back boxes.
I originally thought this too, but they still have sealed product for sale so that doesn't seem the likely cause. I would understand if they were completely sold out and were buying back preorders to make sure all obligations are fulfilled, but this seems more like a cash crab that may not work since they are overselling by $25/box versus their largest competitors.
@Kariido: I don't think it's LSV's shop, he's simply a contributor to their web presence and probably frequents the store, which is fantastic for them.
Given that they are still selling the boxes instead of saying they are sold out, it appears to simply be a cash grab. Buy back the boxes and resell them for a yet higher price. That is all that really makes sense given the other circumstances.
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Ironically, the one LCS charging $100 does run drafts. Then again, I also got my FTV Dragons and Exiled from them for retail, so I believe they are not gougers.
In my experience they sell their cheap stuff for really cheap and their expensive stuff for more than almost anyone else. Zendikar Boxes are a hot item right now and there is a lot of talk about the 2nd wave getting stalled until the 3rd week of October.
It seems that the M10 shortage and unknown rumors about how many boxes or if there will be another shortage has created a nice reason to gouge prices. We'll never know if there will be a shortage until it comes, but stores have seen a great chance to jack up players, creating a frenzied buying among people who need need NEED the cards right away.
The email said they are offering to buy back preorders at $125/box.
CF's offer to buy back existing pre-orders seems rather fair considering many other places are just refunding existing pre-orders and reselling at a markup? I have not pre-ordered any Zendikar, but if I had, I would much rather the company I pre-order with offer to buy back my box(es) as opposed to refund my money and feed me some excuse. That would ensure they do not lose me as a customer (Assuming they honour the sale if I neglect to sell them my pre-order back). At least this way they aren't being shady about trying to make some extra money off a hot item.
CF's offer to buy back existing pre-orders seems rather fair considering many other places are just refunding existing pre-orders and reselling at a markup? I have not pre-ordered any Zendikar, but if I had, I would much rather the company I pre-order with offer to buy back my box(es) as opposed to refund my money and feed me some excuse. That would ensure they do not lose me as a customer (Assuming they honour the sale if I neglect to sell them my pre-order back). At least this way they aren't being shady about trying to make some extra money off a hot item.
I agree with you completely, but that wasn't really my point. What I'm confused about is that they are still selling boxes! If they are out and trying to avoid canceling preorders, why are they still selling more? And why don't they buy from a place like SCG which still has boxes in stock and listed for $115? That's what's throwing me for a loop. They are offering MORE than the current market value for them, and have further product listed even further above market value. It just doesn't make a lot of sense to me. It's not a big deal though, they aren't hurting anyone with what they're doing, and I'm sure quite a few people might take them up on that buyback offer.... just seems weird is all.
I agree with you completely, but that wasn't really my point. What I'm confused about is that they are still selling boxes! If they are out and trying to avoid canceling preorders, why are they still selling more? And why don't they buy from a place like SCG which still has boxes in stock and listed for $115? That's what's throwing me for a loop. They are offering MORE than the current market value for them, and have further product listed even further above market value. It just doesn't make a lot of sense to me. It's not a big deal though, they aren't hurting anyone with what they're doing, and I'm sure quite a few people might take them up on that buyback offer.... just seems weird is all.
I'm really confused by what the issue with this whole deal is. They sold boxes at $x. They would like to be able to sell boxes at $x+10, but they ran out. They do not have access to other boxes. They offer to buy the original boxes for $x+5. both people profit. It's a gamble on their part that the box prices are going to keep going up. will it work? who knows. But I don't see naything inhernetly wrong or off about what they are doing...
Yeah i'm really disappointed, my local card shop called me yesterday to tell me they could only sell me 2 boxes of Zen instead of the 4 I ordered since their distributors shorted them. x_X And now that box prices are $120+, I ain't buying anymore unless I an find them at a reasonable price. Oh well.
I'll just have to be happy with the 2 I get for $89 each and live with it. And hope future print runs have the treasures in them too.
And why don't they buy from a place like SCG which still has boxes in stock and listed for $115? That's what's throwing me for a loop. They are offering MORE than the current market value for them
My guess is $125 to buy back a pre-order box that they have in hand is better than $115 + shipping + hassle. That way when they sell that box for $140+, they can ship it out quickly, instead of waiting for the boxes to arrive to them first.
As for why they are still selling boxes (at a higher price), when they seem to be scrambling to buy back pre-order boxes; it's possible they don't actually have enough on hand, but will still sell at the inflated price in the hopes that some people will sell their pre-orders back to them. The worst that can happen if they legitimately don't have enough boxes is to refund the buyer.
I just figured they were buying them back without the intention of reselling them right away. In just a couple of years (after Zendikar rotates), Zendikar 1st print boxes will be the only product that you still have a chance to open a Black Lotus in. That means these boxes will be worth quite a bit I think. If you can prove that you have original print run boxes I think you will be able to sell them for upwards of $500.00 on up to who knows... The other benefit being that these packs cannot be searched, they will be able to sell packs for a ton of cash too. Of course YMMV.
Channel Fireball is usually pretty awesome. Most of the time they have far and away the best prices of any site I shop at so this is weird. In any case the second run will be out long before extended PTQs start so Im gonna magic it up on MTGO and get my fetches after the second run.
In just a couple of years (after Zendikar rotates), Zendikar 1st print boxes will be the only product that you still have a chance to open a Black Lotus in.
Has ANYONE confirmed this? I keep hearing this bandied about and I think that discontinuing this after the first print run would be a massive mistake....
I used to buy from Channel Fireball all the time until about a year ago when they shorted me a card on my purchase and never returned my e-mails concerning it. They were cheap on a lot of stuff, but their customer service left a LOT to be desired. Plus, the same thing happened to my ex-roommate, Rancored Elf, and several others I read about online, so I don't see why anyone would consider buying anything from them that wasn't dirt cheap anyway.
I used to be disgusted at my FLGS price of $110 a box(Sad pre-Zendikar, right?). It is a shame we are being conditioned towards these price increases due to "shortages" of product, or distributors increasing prices(my FLGS's excuse).
On topic, I always have my products delivered from CF. Also, sucks they raised prices, but they have the right to do so.
Has ANYONE confirmed this? I keep hearing this bandied about and I think that discontinuing this after the first print run would be a massive mistake....
You are right. I haven't heard clear confirmation that "treasures" were only in the 1st print run. I didn't mean to perpetuate that rumor.
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$139.99 per box
$799.99 per case.
WTF? I love ChannelFireball, but I don't understand why the sudden and drastic price jump. Star City and Troll and Toad still have theirs at $114.99. Does ChannelFireball know something that we don't? are they just speculating at this point? I'm not trying to make them look bad or anything, I'm sure they have their reasons, I just wanted to see if there was some big breaking news that might spur this that I haven't read about yet.
Again, I have no personal interest in this .. my case preorder is at Troll and Toad ($438.79 shipped... huzzah). Just looking for more info.
They might have another reason, but I can't think of any.
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I originally thought this too, but they still have sealed product for sale so that doesn't seem the likely cause. I would understand if they were completely sold out and were buying back preorders to make sure all obligations are fulfilled, but this seems more like a cash crab that may not work since they are overselling by $25/box versus their largest competitors.
@Kariido: I don't think it's LSV's shop, he's simply a contributor to their web presence and probably frequents the store, which is fantastic for them.
Fortunately, I know of one place still selling at "only" $100. If I get a box, it will be from them.
Our local shop sells boxes for higher than I'd like. The plus side is, zendikar is definitely in stock.
I'm pretty sure channel fireball is in some way tied to superstars, which does run drafts. But I don't know 100%
I can find out, though.
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Ironically, the one LCS charging $100 does run drafts. Then again, I also got my FTV Dragons and Exiled from them for retail, so I believe they are not gougers.
It all sounds about normal to me.
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CF's offer to buy back existing pre-orders seems rather fair considering many other places are just refunding existing pre-orders and reselling at a markup? I have not pre-ordered any Zendikar, but if I had, I would much rather the company I pre-order with offer to buy back my box(es) as opposed to refund my money and feed me some excuse. That would ensure they do not lose me as a customer (Assuming they honour the sale if I neglect to sell them my pre-order back). At least this way they aren't being shady about trying to make some extra money off a hot item.
I agree with you completely, but that wasn't really my point. What I'm confused about is that they are still selling boxes! If they are out and trying to avoid canceling preorders, why are they still selling more? And why don't they buy from a place like SCG which still has boxes in stock and listed for $115? That's what's throwing me for a loop. They are offering MORE than the current market value for them, and have further product listed even further above market value. It just doesn't make a lot of sense to me. It's not a big deal though, they aren't hurting anyone with what they're doing, and I'm sure quite a few people might take them up on that buyback offer.... just seems weird is all.
I'm really confused by what the issue with this whole deal is. They sold boxes at $x. They would like to be able to sell boxes at $x+10, but they ran out. They do not have access to other boxes. They offer to buy the original boxes for $x+5. both people profit. It's a gamble on their part that the box prices are going to keep going up. will it work? who knows. But I don't see naything inhernetly wrong or off about what they are doing...
I'll just have to be happy with the 2 I get for $89 each and live with it. And hope future print runs have the treasures in them too.
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By a different name,
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And if I could cry,
And if I could live,
What truth I did then take me there,
Heaven Goodbye."
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My guess is $125 to buy back a pre-order box that they have in hand is better than $115 + shipping + hassle. That way when they sell that box for $140+, they can ship it out quickly, instead of waiting for the boxes to arrive to them first.
As for why they are still selling boxes (at a higher price), when they seem to be scrambling to buy back pre-order boxes; it's possible they don't actually have enough on hand, but will still sell at the inflated price in the hopes that some people will sell their pre-orders back to them. The worst that can happen if they legitimately don't have enough boxes is to refund the buyer.
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Has ANYONE confirmed this? I keep hearing this bandied about and I think that discontinuing this after the first print run would be a massive mistake....
On topic, I always have my products delivered from CF. Also, sucks they raised prices, but they have the right to do so.
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I sell things on Ebay rarely. Look at them.
You are right. I haven't heard clear confirmation that "treasures" were only in the 1st print run. I didn't mean to perpetuate that rumor.