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AlexPk
7193
Community
Oct 27, 2016
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Hey everyone,
I just wanted to expand on the update real quick as I sometimes help our Logistics team with nonstandard updates. I helped write this one as what I thought was a 'here's the facts' kind of message, but after reading it again hours later, I can see that the tone sounds unfair towards Jamey and Stonemeier games. I didn't intend for that, and want to elaborate on the sentiment.
Yes our order will not be fulfilled, but I 100% understand where Jamey is coming from as a small business owner and creator. I don't agree with the decision, but it's not my creation that's being sold and bought here so I'm in no position to judge that decision. I had some hope that originally seeing the outpouring here had led him to believe this site wasn't a 'flash sale' or some other bargain bin deal hunter site, but instead as the thriving community of people who truly love board games and were excited to play something so highly anticipated. That's not how it panned out and yes I'm disappointed, but in no way should that be directed at Jamey or his company.
We're very committed to building the community and fostering good relationships with both our members and vendors. This update didn't feel like it embodied those goals and I wanted to rectify that.
Thank you everyone for understanding and I appreciate you all taking the time to support us.
Oct 27, 2016
cswalker
4
Oct 27, 2016
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AlexPkYou may be regretting the tone of the update, but it seems like you sticking to the story that Jamey is refusing to fulfill Massdrop's orders specifically. This claim is being disputed by Jamey. According to his response:
"But here's why Massdrop's current status update is unfortunate: They're making it sound like at some point either Massdrop or a distributor had an agreement with Stonemaier to sell them Scythe, which is patently false. They're also making it sound like I limited the number of games their distributor ordered to unfairly hurt Massdrop. The demand for Scythe's current print run far exceeds the quantity we made. There isn't a single distributor who is receiving as many copies as they'd like to have. Now, this is true: A major distributor (whom I won't name, because I highly doubt their other retailers would be happy to hear that they sell to Massdrop) did approach me after the "drop" to say that they sometimes sell stuff to Massdrop. They asked if I was okay with that. I said I wasn't. That was that.
Massdrop basically accepted orders from customers with complete uncertainty as to whether or not they could actually fulfill those orders in a timely manner. They could buy those copies from retailers if they wanted, but apparently they've chosen not to."
It seems that the ball was dropped somewhere between Massdrop and the distributor. And not just for Scythe. It now appears that the exact same thing is playing out with the Terraforming Mars drop. (Heck, even the stalling messages are exactly the same!) I think this constitutes a broader pattern regarding Massdrop's inability to fulfill board games that are in extremely high demand. To push all the blame to Stonemaier Games is extremely unseemly.
Oct 27, 2016
john13124
67
Oct 27, 2016
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AlexPkIt's not a stretch at all to suspect something underhanded going in. Here's what we know:
1. The owner and creator of the game is unprofessional enough to complain about his game being sold here, in the comments section no less for what is a vendor dispute (massdrop gets most of it's stock from vendors, not directly from companies like Wizards) 2. This unprofessional owner made vague threats to the tune of wanting to prevent this drop from being successful if it's in his power 3. This unprofessional owner had a good idea of which vendor was supplying mass drop with the order (see his own admission) and knew exactly what amount was being ordered from massdrop
It's not difficult to come to the conclusion that Jamey would go the unprofessional route and lower the fulfillment number for that store by around the amount massdrop has committed to buying in order to get his way on what he believes is a site that tarnishes his brand image, ironically enough.
At the end of the day we'll never know the full story but I can take comfort that there are more than enough quality board games out there that Scythe will most likely be forgotten in a month or so.
Oct 27, 2016
SpikeBolt
61
Oct 27, 2016
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john13124"I can take comfort that there are more than enough quality board games out there that Scythe will most likely be forgotten in a month or so. "
You're trying to convince us that we're dealing with an unprofessional owner and then you write something as dumb as that.
Oct 27, 2016
john13124
67
Oct 27, 2016
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SpikeBoltThere are, Scythe definitely looks like an interesting board game and has good reviews, but we can say that about at least a couple board games a month. You have a personal problem with me saying the game's not special enough to be as enduring?
I don't need to convince you of anything. Jayme's comments in this discussion prove that beyond a doubt.
Oct 27, 2016
SpikeBolt
61
Oct 27, 2016
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john13124Oh I don't have a personal problem with you, I just think it's funny that you accuse the owner of unprofessionalism and make such "passionate" statements. Scythe's on the top 10 games of the year and will continue to a trend for the following months. Hell, they're struggling to keep up with the demand.
Oct 27, 2016
john13124
67
Oct 27, 2016
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SpikeBoltI don't think his unprofessionalism is up to debate considering his words here speaks for itself, you may want to refresh yourself with them if you think they're what represents professional conduct.
They're struggling to keep up with demand because the current form of the board game makes Jayme less money as he's said. I doubt they'll be struggling to keep up with demand once he figures out how to make the game cheaper.
How many "Top 10" Board games of the year have you continued to play well past their initial release? You may be different from my game group but we always end up falling back to our old favorites like Caverna or Race for the Galaxy when all is said and done, I don't find it too hard to believe other game groups are similar to mine.
Oct 27, 2016
SpikeBolt
61
Oct 27, 2016
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john13124"They're struggling to keep up with demand because the current form of the board game makes Jayme less money as he's said. "
He actually said just the opposite. He makes the exact same money if you buy it on Massdrop or a local store. Wether you buy it for 200$ or 1$ he sold it to the distributor, not to you directly. He's just trying to protect his relationship with his partners and ensure that the max 35% discount rules apply to everyone. No one got as many units as they asked for and exceptions were not made for Massdrop's distributor.
If we like the game we play it more often than a single month, that's for sure.
Oct 27, 2016
ThePariah
3
Nov 13, 2016
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SpikeBoltI think it's more than that -- otherwise, he'd have to ban his game from every second-hand market as well.
He said - point blank - there's a stigma with selling on a "discount" store. That stigma exists across the board in all walks of life (I do the grocery shopping for my family; and I sometimes speak with other people -- they ask where I shop; and when I tell them, they're like, "Oh, I'd NEVER shop there" - although, honestly, if I'm buying pre-packaged and canned goods, it's the same product wherever you get it.
So, in this case, he was more concerned with the appearance that his game was worthy of being on a discount site. He said that, specifically: "When someone sees something like this on Massdrop, they think, "Wow, is the company really that desperate to sell their product to a discount outlet?" That is not good for a brand."
I've played (a friend's copy) of Scythe 3 times ... I'll eventually pick it up - probably on eBay or BGG marketplace (or a math trade). Eventually.
I'm equally disappointed in BGG for deleting and sculpting the conversation to be skewed; but that's nothing new.
Nov 13, 2016
Jackie.Disapproves
10
Nov 15, 2016
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ThePariahAbsolutely. This whole thing reeks, and frankly I won't support SM again. It's like everyone is ignoring what he originally said, or just haven't read back to the beginning perhaps. He made it pretty clear that he had a low opinion of Massdrop, and that he wouldn't see his product being sullied by letting them sell it.... And honestly, this really isn't anything new for JS. I have ignored red flags in the past.... Comments by unhappy customers deleted on his site citing them as "unhelpful"...(Not my comments for the record, but I've seen this happen, and it wouldn't take much googling to find people with this story). Very candidly snide comments in personal email dealings with JS himself when I received a game that was missing pieces claiming that "we carefully check each and every blah blah blah" and passively blaming me for the missing piece.... And I'm not the only one with a story like this... JS Has built a raport in the community and business that makes him feel above the rules it seems. Everyone should play his way, or not at all. I'm with you... when and if I pick up any more games that SM puts out, it will be 2nd hand.
I saw all this coming a month ago and cancelled then... smh.
Nov 15, 2016
ThePariah
3
Nov 16, 2016
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Jackie.DisapprovesWell, until he bans second-hand sales, at least .....
"When you buy a SM game, you commit to keeping it for all eternity. If you attempt to sell it, we will take your children. I'm just trying to protect my relationship with partners, y'know?"
Nov 16, 2016
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