George Baker of Northwood Games saw our coverage of the early release of D&D 3.5 (see 'Gameboard Breaks 'D&D 3.5' Street Date' and 'WotC Reviewing Distribution Policy') and offers his perspective:

 

I am but one voice in the hundreds of independent retailers.  I own a store called Northwood  Games in Rhinelander, Wisconsin.  The chain stores up here  received their 3.5 early,  and this not only cost me money but I am sure with the market up here by the time my 3.5 gets here I will not be able to sell all of it due to it hitting the market early.  So to the distributors that bled 3.5 out into the chain stores early: I hope to whatever god you pray to that you do not run into me at any of the many conventions I attend, for what you did hurts not only me but my two small children that depend on me.  For that I will collect damages owed to me upon our meeting.

 

And to the ICv2 staff, good job on the reporting and keep up the good work.  Your site is a valuable one to all the independent retailers out there that sell these products.