Priscilla Craddock of Comic Book World Florence & Louisville, Kentucky makes a “plea to manufacturers” regarding product availability during the holidays:
A Retailer's Plea to Manufacturers:
I would like to ask manufacturers in our industry to realize that the Christmas season is important to us (and coincidentally, to them). Having your product available during late October, November and December means more sales for you, more sales from me and more happy consumers. In the last several years with the growth of the board game and high end board game market, I have noticed a disturbing trend: manufacturers focus on the summer convention season and keep their products in stock through second quarter and early third quarter. That's great, however, when I start stocking up for Christmas sales, I face a decided lack of available product.
Today for instance, I missed a sale on a $90 board game. I had sold it earlier in the week and had a second customer who needed it for next week. I said, "No problem, I'll check my distributors' inventory and we'll get it in." Except, it's out of stock at the distributor. Wanting to make the customer happy, I check the manufacturer's Website. At least they can come to me for the expansion sets, right? Unfortunately, no, the manufacturer is also out of stock. I deal with no less than three major distributors; if they are all three out of stock, my assumption is the problem lies with the manufacturer.
Were this just a single game from this single company, I wouldn't complain. But, every year, it is several of the more popular, higher volume companies and it is very frustrating both for me and my customers (and my distributors as well, I'm sure). If your basic game is out of stock for three months, I can't sell that basic game or your expansions. Please, guys, work with us here.
Con season is great, and you get to sell direct which is great for your bottom line. I can appreciate that, but we're here in the trenches hawking your stuff everyday, running demos, talking to people and convincing them to buy your game over the hundred others that I carry. If I don't have your game in stock, I'm gonna sell them someone else's. Not because it's a better game, but because that company was a better planner.
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