Ted Yee of T&N Games in Burnaby, British Columbia (Canada) read Rhonda Becker's comments on game exclusives (see "Rhonda Becker of The Gamers Den on Game Exclusives") and had this to say.
 
I am not saddened by these game exclusives.  I'm annoyed.  I don't like being forced to deal with a distributor just so I can get 3 titles from them.
 
My solution was to simply drop anything I couldn't get from my normal distribution channels.  What do I tell my customers?  I tell them that the publisher does not value their business because the cost for me to bring these titles in now has increased to the point of not being good value for the consumer.
 
Exclusivity certainly does not benefit the publishers and definitely not the consumer.  The only one who wins is the distributor who signs the deal and even that is somewhat dubious.  Publishers need to stop being delusional that board games are "big time" enough to warrant exclusivity deals.  Compared to other industries where exclusivity matters (sports, entertainment, etc.), board games are a speck of dust.  Distributors need to stop being delusional that they can make me give them my business and stop dealing with my preferred partners.  It is simply not going to happen.  They are preferred because I like the service I get and their lack of access to a product line isn't going to change anything.
 
Publishers should work harder on getting more exposure for their games and putting them in the hands of more people rather than denying access and making it not only more difficult, but more expensive to acquire.
 
I don't like being held hostage so I voice my displeasure with the only thing in my power and that's my money.  Don't want people exposed to your games?  No problem.  There's PLENTY of others I can recommend.
 
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