I preordered my 3 M10 boxes at 79.99 easy.
Then the shortage hit, and every online retailer jacked up the price of the boxes because of supply and demand.
There is no short supply for ZEN compared to M10.
Yet online retailers have already adopted higher prices for the boxes. A few days ago, 84.99 was the price of choice.
It has since become 89.99.
This is just gaming the singles market. By making boxes more, less will be in circulation, and the cards you ASSUME will be money are worth more. I could care less if a set has tons of money cards or not. I buy more boxes then. This shouldn't translate into higher box prices, IMO.
I am not incredibly pleased, as I certainly wouldn't buy a 90 dollar booster box. (and I usually don't place preorders this early either)
Edit:
The above is all in relation to online booster box sales.
I buy a booster box at my LGS, especially with the promo being tossed around. (I can't buy THREE at their price point, and I don't want to ravage their inventory either)
When booster boxes get to 90 dollars online, they are no longer more cost-efficient than buying at a B&M store...so why should anyone buy them for that much online...especially when they don't get a foil DoJ?
Ya, I pre-ordered mine for $86.50 locally, but then again they also sold M10 for the same amount on pre-order, so I suppose I didn't notice as much, but from looking at many online retailers I guess my B&M store is on-par or better than some online stores. Very strange, and singles speculation with unknown quantities is wrong-headed - you can't assume a box will balance out at that price, especially if your luck blows (and mine often does, like with ARB where I got two boxes and ended up with two playsets of the least valuable rares in the set, but still missing over half the mythics and not getting any Thought Hemorrhages, which annoyed me something awful). I hope my Zen luck is better...
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Yeah, basic economics can be a bit complicated. "Supply and Demand" only really scratches the surface, and rarely includes things like miscommunication or over-hype. Has there been any word on if the set will be under-printed or limited?
I am not incredibly pleased, as I certainly wouldn't buy a 90 dollar booster box. (and I usually don't place preorders this early either)
I'm gonna go ahead and say it: You sound like a whiny *****. You CERTAINLY wouldn't buy a $90 booster box? I thought you knew how much boxes cost stores to get, but expecting them at $80 is asinine and any store (Star City, looking in your direction) that sells them at that price is just trying to create a monopoly via total douchebaggery. I'm sorry that for all the trouble it takes to run a store and keep it stocked that you somehow don't feel we deserve to make more than $5 off something that we had to put out $75 to get. There is nothing ridiculous about paying $90 for a box; that's $2.50 per pack that has an MSRP of $3.99. I didn't realize that a 38% discount was ridiculous.
Save your breath and don't bother flaming others. Infraction issued.
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I'm gonna go ahead and say it: You sound like a whiny *****. You CERTAINLY wouldn't buy a $90 booster box? I thought you knew how much boxes cost stores to get, but expecting them at $80 is asinine and any store (Star City, looking in your direction) that sells them at that price is just trying to create a monopoly via total douchebaggery. I'm sorry that for all the trouble it takes to run a store and keep it stocked that you somehow don't feel we deserve to make more than $5 off something that we had to put out $75 to get. There is nothing ridiculous about paying $90 for a box; that's $2.50 per pack that has an MSRP of $3.99. I didn't realize that a 38% discount was ridiculous.
I am not going to buy a box online for that much.
I should have mentioned that I will buy a box in store (and have been doing 1 per set recently) for 100 bucks, but 90 + shipping is silly to do online, when I can get it immediately (and with a promo) for 100.
This is about BUYING ONLINE.
That is all.
I understand the needs of B&M stores, and I support my store as much as I can.
I buy 2 boxes online, and one in store. (In addition to tons of product in smaller amounts instore after) That seems fair, IMO.
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I remember when booster boxes were going for $75 dollars in stores and this was back around 2001-2002 so I'm fine with paying $90 dollars 7 years later with small set sizes allowing multiple of the same rare to pop up. Even with the "price increase" of the fat packs, I never buy them from online stores but instead Wal-Mart which may seem like a bad idea by some but I don't have to wait for it to be shipped and it'll cost about the same usually. Also I seem to get better rares and Mythics from fat packs for some reason. I do on the other hand, not like paying $100+ for a booster box. I had to pay $107 including the shipping for a box of M10, but I did get one of the each of the new "Duals" and some decent Mythics so it wasn't too bad but the price inflation of M10 hurts and I hope that Zendikar doesn't suffer the same problem.
I'm not expecting a "product shortage" like we had with M10.
My LGS allows people to bring in product to draft with. I don't know if thats because they bought it in the store or not, but the owner allows it. When I draft there, I normally just pay the "with packs" entry fee ($15 vs $5) rather than bringing my own or buying it off one of the guys who brought in a box.
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Out of the blackness and stench of the engulfing swamp emerged a shimmering figure. Only the splattered armor and ichor-stained sword hinted at the unfathomable evil the knight had just laid waste.
Anyway you are still lucky as here in spain, we (the stores) have to purchase them at 130 $ to our wholesaler if we want them in our own language. So, be sure that you are indeed lucky with the prices your stores offer to you.
We cant expect to match that prices here as they costs more to us.
I realize that prices are more outside of the US, and it sucks, but this thread is mainly in response to the inexplicable (it all happened over the weekend, I believe) upping of the price of booster boxes by several online retailers.
Are they trying the Baneslayer gamble? (Keep raising price of Baneslayer above ebay average and see how many still bite)
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Wow, I just ran my local store's numbers through a currency converter, and apparently (after Canadian taxes) I'm paying ~$110 USD per box.
I'd kill to pay $80.
I guess a $30 "getting it immediately and hopefully snagging a box topper" surcharge is a bit excessive. I think I'll shop around before comitting to 1-2 boxes and a fatpack, but the first store I called said their price was over $120 USD per box, so it might be an uphill fight to get boxes cheaply, immediately and with the promo foil. Might have to just settle for the latter two.
Why should the card prices affect the price of the box? Especially for a new set.. The base price should be $80..
norbert88
Anyone selling boxes for $80 is a douchebag trying to create a monopoly.
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You're unclear as to the meaning of the word monopoly, aren't you?
Not at all; perhaps you're unclear as to the fact that there's more than one way to create a monopoly. Or do you have a better term for selling boxes at little to no profit for the sole purpose of stealing business from other stores with the intention of stealing the business permanently so that all other stores will be forced to shut down? Whether it actually creates a monopoly or not (unlikely that it will succeed, but God knows it's not the only thing they've tried so I'm sure it's coming), it's still a dick thing to do and they should be ashamed of themselves.
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I realize that prices are more outside of the US, and it sucks, but this thread is mainly in response to the inexplicable (it all happened over the weekend, I believe) upping of the price of booster boxes by several online retailers.
Are they trying the Baneslayer gamble? (Keep raising price of Baneslayer above ebay average and see how many still bite)
Yeap, speculation stink. But it is worse when you can only get boxes by second hand distributors that charge a far lot of what it cost in the USA.
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Not at all; perhaps you're unclear as to the fact that there's more than one way to create a monopoly. Or do you have a better term for selling boxes at little to no profit for the sole purpose of stealing business from other stores with the intention of stealing the business permanently so that all other stores will be forced to shut down? Whether it actually creates a monopoly or not (unlikely that it will succeed, but God knows it's not the only thing they've tried so I'm sure it's coming), it's still a dick thing to do and they should be ashamed of themselves.
Online stores have been selling boxes at those prices for years.
I remember buying boxes of Invasion off anycraze (wow i remember that site as being much less rinky-dink) for that much.
My LGS still sells more booster boxes than they can keep in stock.
The internet isn't going anywhere Jeebus.
Being bitter about it isn't going to make your store do any better.
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The place I buy online from has them at $82/box if buying a case, and with free shipping. Though annoyingly they aren't taking pre-orders yet, so I suspect the price could increase at some point before release.
Looking on eBay, looks like there are sellers with over 1,000+ and 58,000+ and 99.5% feedback selling boxes for $83 to $86 and free ship.
Do I think StarCity price gouges? Yes. Earlier when their M10 white intro packs went out of stock mysteriously after a rumor mill post, then re-appear at near twice MSRP, what can you say. That's business, I don't like it and take my money elsewhere.
Online stores have been selling boxes at those prices for years.
I remember buying boxes of Invasion off anycraze (wow i remember that site as being much less rinky-dink) for that much.
My LGS still sells more booster boxes than they can keep in stock.
The internet isn't going anywhere Jeebus.
Being bitter about it isn't going to make your store do any better.
Yes, they've been selling boxes at those prices for years. But know what? The wholesale cost of boxes has increased at least 3 times since you bought that box of Invasion. I also realize that the internet isn't going anywhere, but that doesn't mean that what they're doing isn't wrong. I dunno if anyone here remembers the toy store chain Child World, but places like SCG are doing to every other store what Toys R' Us did to Child World.
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Wizards could put $100 bills in packs and people would complain about how they were folded. http://www.twitter.com/Dr_Jeebus - Follow me on Twitter!
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Yes, they've been selling boxes at those prices for years. But know what? The wholesale cost of boxes has increased at least 3 times since you bought that box of Invasion. I also realize that the internet isn't going anywhere, but that doesn't mean that what they're doing isn't wrong. I dunno if anyone here remembers the toy store chain Child World, but places like SCG are doing to every other store what Toys R' Us did to Child World.
I believe that the wholesale costs have gone up, and online retailers probably should have slowly changed their prices to reflect that.
This thread is about kneejerk changing the prices of booster boxes before release because they think it will be a high demand, profitable set.
This also might just be a realization on the fact of online retailers, brought on by the higher prices charged for M10 boxes, that people will pay whatever price they put stuff at, even if it is pretty much inexplicable. (See SCG's Baneslayer price not matching up to ebay, etc)
...And Walmart is steadily driving Toys R Us out of business...
There is always a bigger fish. This is how it goes.
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Not at all; perhaps you're unclear as to the fact that there's more than one way to create a monopoly. Or do you have a better term for selling boxes at little to no profit for the sole purpose of stealing business from other stores with the intention of stealing the business permanently so that all other stores will be forced to shut down? Whether it actually creates a monopoly or not (unlikely that it will succeed, but God knows it's not the only thing they've tried so I'm sure it's coming), it's still a dick thing to do and they should be ashamed of themselves.
So every internet pre order ever was someone trying to create a monopoly? I find it hard to believe that stores like coolstuff inc would even try to undercut prices from stores which can outlast them in a price dropping game.
They sell them at lower prices to help attract business, and to do a high volume of sales well before the set is released and the actual prices of money cards set the value of boxes.
Its a mostly perfectly competitive market, since information about prices is so readily available. A single store cannot price fix like you're describing, and a group of stores certainly cannot.
Just because your business isn't doing well does not mean that every other retailer is part of some malefic plot. L2capitalism, scrub.
I also realize that the internet isn't going anywhere, but that doesn't mean that what they're doing isn't wrong. I dunno if anyone here remembers the toy store chain Child World, but places like SCG are doing to every other store what Toys R' Us did to Child World.
How the hell is that wrong? Where is their moral obligation to keep your store in business? Did you forget the fact that we live in a capitalist society? You may own or work at a store or whatever, but you frequently have no idea what you're talking about - spouting off whatever comes to your head. It seems you've got a sheltered, screwed up worldview.
I preordered my 3 M10 boxes at 79.99 easy.
Then the shortage hit, and every online retailer jacked up the price of the boxes because of supply and demand.
There is no short supply for ZEN compared to M10.
For what it's worth, this is not at all true. This set has been allocated at the distributor level, and is likely already sold out (three weeks before release). We have had great difficulty ordering the number of boxes we want to order for this set, and will likely fall short of the allotment we want.
Magic is going through an unprecedented growth spurt right now, and until the printing presses catch up to demand, I'd expect these prices to be the norm, rather than the exception. I expect boxes to hit $99.99 before the presale period is over; at our current $89.99 price, this set is outselling the presales of ANY previous Magic set by a large multiple.
- Ben
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Then the shortage hit, and every online retailer jacked up the price of the boxes because of supply and demand.
There is no short supply for ZEN compared to M10.
Yet online retailers have already adopted higher prices for the boxes. A few days ago, 84.99 was the price of choice.
It has since become 89.99.
This is just gaming the singles market. By making boxes more, less will be in circulation, and the cards you ASSUME will be money are worth more. I could care less if a set has tons of money cards or not. I buy more boxes then. This shouldn't translate into higher box prices, IMO.
I am not incredibly pleased, as I certainly wouldn't buy a 90 dollar booster box. (and I usually don't place preorders this early either)
Edit:
The above is all in relation to online booster box sales.
I buy a booster box at my LGS, especially with the promo being tossed around. (I can't buy THREE at their price point, and I don't want to ravage their inventory either)
When booster boxes get to 90 dollars online, they are no longer more cost-efficient than buying at a B&M store...so why should anyone buy them for that much online...especially when they don't get a foil DoJ?
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I'm gonna go ahead and say it: You sound like a whiny *****. You CERTAINLY wouldn't buy a $90 booster box? I thought you knew how much boxes cost stores to get, but expecting them at $80 is asinine and any store (Star City, looking in your direction) that sells them at that price is just trying to create a monopoly via total douchebaggery. I'm sorry that for all the trouble it takes to run a store and keep it stocked that you somehow don't feel we deserve to make more than $5 off something that we had to put out $75 to get. There is nothing ridiculous about paying $90 for a box; that's $2.50 per pack that has an MSRP of $3.99. I didn't realize that a 38% discount was ridiculous.
Save your breath and don't bother flaming others. Infraction issued.
-Memnarch
Wizards could put $100 bills in packs and people would complain about how they were folded.
http://www.twitter.com/Dr_Jeebus - Follow me on Twitter!
Check out www.mtgbrodeals.com for daily content from the brothers of Mu Tau Gamma!
I am not going to buy a box online for that much.
I should have mentioned that I will buy a box in store (and have been doing 1 per set recently) for 100 bucks, but 90 + shipping is silly to do online, when I can get it immediately (and with a promo) for 100.
This is about BUYING ONLINE.
That is all.
I understand the needs of B&M stores, and I support my store as much as I can.
I buy 2 boxes online, and one in store. (In addition to tons of product in smaller amounts instore after) That seems fair, IMO.
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My LGS allows people to bring in product to draft with. I don't know if thats because they bought it in the store or not, but the owner allows it. When I draft there, I normally just pay the "with packs" entry fee ($15 vs $5) rather than bringing my own or buying it off one of the guys who brought in a box.
I do see what you mean about individual boxes being priced a little higher than usual, but with a little effort you can still get a nice deal.
I realize that prices are more outside of the US, and it sucks, but this thread is mainly in response to the inexplicable (it all happened over the weekend, I believe) upping of the price of booster boxes by several online retailers.
Are they trying the Baneslayer gamble? (Keep raising price of Baneslayer above ebay average and see how many still bite)
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I'd kill to pay $80.
I guess a $30 "getting it immediately and hopefully snagging a box topper" surcharge is a bit excessive. I think I'll shop around before comitting to 1-2 boxes and a fatpack, but the first store I called said their price was over $120 USD per box, so it might be an uphill fight to get boxes cheaply, immediately and with the promo foil. Might have to just settle for the latter two.
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Anyone selling boxes for $80 is a douchebag trying to create a monopoly.
Wizards could put $100 bills in packs and people would complain about how they were folded.
http://www.twitter.com/Dr_Jeebus - Follow me on Twitter!
Check out www.mtgbrodeals.com for daily content from the brothers of Mu Tau Gamma!
You're unclear as to the meaning of the word monopoly, aren't you?
Not at all; perhaps you're unclear as to the fact that there's more than one way to create a monopoly. Or do you have a better term for selling boxes at little to no profit for the sole purpose of stealing business from other stores with the intention of stealing the business permanently so that all other stores will be forced to shut down? Whether it actually creates a monopoly or not (unlikely that it will succeed, but God knows it's not the only thing they've tried so I'm sure it's coming), it's still a dick thing to do and they should be ashamed of themselves.
Wizards could put $100 bills in packs and people would complain about how they were folded.
http://www.twitter.com/Dr_Jeebus - Follow me on Twitter!
Check out www.mtgbrodeals.com for daily content from the brothers of Mu Tau Gamma!
Yeap, speculation stink. But it is worse when you can only get boxes by second hand distributors that charge a far lot of what it cost in the USA.
MTGO Newbie
Current Decks:
Standard: Just drafting for the moment.
Modern: Affinity
Online stores have been selling boxes at those prices for years.
I remember buying boxes of Invasion off anycraze (wow i remember that site as being much less rinky-dink) for that much.
My LGS still sells more booster boxes than they can keep in stock.
The internet isn't going anywhere Jeebus.
Being bitter about it isn't going to make your store do any better.
Twitter
Or maybe they are making money on volume, and selling product before they receive it to cut out the overhead.
Looking on eBay, looks like there are sellers with over 1,000+ and 58,000+ and 99.5% feedback selling boxes for $83 to $86 and free ship.
Do I think StarCity price gouges? Yes. Earlier when their M10 white intro packs went out of stock mysteriously after a rumor mill post, then re-appear at near twice MSRP, what can you say. That's business, I don't like it and take my money elsewhere.
Yes, they've been selling boxes at those prices for years. But know what? The wholesale cost of boxes has increased at least 3 times since you bought that box of Invasion. I also realize that the internet isn't going anywhere, but that doesn't mean that what they're doing isn't wrong. I dunno if anyone here remembers the toy store chain Child World, but places like SCG are doing to every other store what Toys R' Us did to Child World.
Wizards could put $100 bills in packs and people would complain about how they were folded.
http://www.twitter.com/Dr_Jeebus - Follow me on Twitter!
Check out www.mtgbrodeals.com for daily content from the brothers of Mu Tau Gamma!
I believe that the wholesale costs have gone up, and online retailers probably should have slowly changed their prices to reflect that.
This thread is about kneejerk changing the prices of booster boxes before release because they think it will be a high demand, profitable set.
This also might just be a realization on the fact of online retailers, brought on by the higher prices charged for M10 boxes, that people will pay whatever price they put stuff at, even if it is pretty much inexplicable. (See SCG's Baneslayer price not matching up to ebay, etc)
...And Walmart is steadily driving Toys R Us out of business...
There is always a bigger fish. This is how it goes.
Twitter
So every internet pre order ever was someone trying to create a monopoly? I find it hard to believe that stores like coolstuff inc would even try to undercut prices from stores which can outlast them in a price dropping game.
They sell them at lower prices to help attract business, and to do a high volume of sales well before the set is released and the actual prices of money cards set the value of boxes.
Its a mostly perfectly competitive market, since information about prices is so readily available. A single store cannot price fix like you're describing, and a group of stores certainly cannot.
Just because your business isn't doing well does not mean that every other retailer is part of some malefic plot. L2capitalism, scrub.
How the hell is that wrong? Where is their moral obligation to keep your store in business? Did you forget the fact that we live in a capitalist society? You may own or work at a store or whatever, but you frequently have no idea what you're talking about - spouting off whatever comes to your head. It seems you've got a sheltered, screwed up worldview.
RRR Buy some of my art! Prints! RRR
For what it's worth, this is not at all true. This set has been allocated at the distributor level, and is likely already sold out (three weeks before release). We have had great difficulty ordering the number of boxes we want to order for this set, and will likely fall short of the allotment we want.
Magic is going through an unprecedented growth spurt right now, and until the printing presses catch up to demand, I'd expect these prices to be the norm, rather than the exception. I expect boxes to hit $99.99 before the presale period is over; at our current $89.99 price, this set is outselling the presales of ANY previous Magic set by a large multiple.
- Ben