The complete, unedited questions and answers relating to the Alliance Game Distributors, LLC acquisition of BerkeleyTop Line, Sports Memories, Inc., and Barchetta Distribution  Released by Alliance, BTL and Barchetta at 5 p.m. CST, Friday, March 30, 2001.  For ICv2's reporting and analysis on this acquisition, see  'Alliance Acquires Businesses of Berkeley Top Line and Barchetta.'  For the complete unedited Alliance press release announcing the acquisition, see 'Berkeley and Berchetta Join Forces with Alliance.'
 
What's the rationale behind this deal?

This acquisition is intended to combine the relationships and experience in West Coast operations of BTL with the technology, logistics, and game focus of Alliance. Whereas Berkeley has established a strong sales presence and relationships in the West, Alliance has established itself as the market leader in technology, with its industry leading website; and service, with its publication of Game Trade Magazine, and service focused sales staff. The combination of these two entities promises excellent service in a game-focused distributor in the West.

 

How will this affect my discount?

All customers will be brought into the Alliance system with the same discount they currently receive from BTL.  After 90 days, discounts will be determined under Alliance's Terms of Sale, including discount tiering for volume.  For details, please visit www.alliance-games.com, or contact your BTL sales rep. There are no changes planned to SMI's or Topline's trading card pricing.

 

How will this affect my freight charges?

Customers will receive free freight on gaming orders over $200 net.

 

How will this affect my payment terms?

All BTL & SMI customers who do not currently have an account with Alliance will be asked to complete an Alliance Account Application.  Those with extended payment terms at BTL or SMI, who are in good standing with BTL and SMI, will receive the same payment terms from Alliance, provided they do not have a bad credit history with Alliance.

 

Will Berkeley continue to operate separately?

No. BTL's game distribution will become part of Alliance Game Distributors. Systems will be integrated between the two companies. BTL publications such as the Oracle and BTLD.com will be rolled into the existing Alliance publications.

 

Will any warehouses be closed?

Our plans are to consolidate warehousing and logistical operations into existing Alliance warehouses. We have taken steps to insure that, due to the location of the facilities, BTL customers should receive equivalent if not superior ship times in most cases. We will maintain sales offices in BTL's and SMI's current California locations (Berkeley, Carson, Ontario, and Chatsworth) plus Chesterfield, Michigan, while rolling the gaming inventory from BTL's California warehouses into our Visalia, CA Distribution Center, and from BTL Michigan into our Ft. Wayne location.

 

You mention a lot about games. What about the Topline and SMI trading card businesses?

While the trading card businesses are part of this acquisition, Topline and SMI will operate as a separate division, with its own systems, sales force and accounting. For specifics, please contact Ed Wentland or at 510-845-9851.

 

Where should I remit payment for open invoices?

Payments for outstanding BTL invoices should be made payable to Alliance Game Distributors, LLC at the following address, and should include the BTL invoice number and account number on the check. Future invoices will be from Alliance, and will likewise be payable to the following address:

 

Alliance Game Distributors

Attn: Accounts Receivable

1101 Greenwood Rd.

Baltimore, MD 21208

 

Payments for outstanding Sports Memories Inc. invoices should be made payable to Sports Memories, while future trading card invoices will be generated by, and be payable to, Topline and remitted in the same fashion as before the acquisition.

 

Who should I call to place orders?

We will be maintaining sales offices in the current BTL/Sport Memories locations, so you will be able to place your orders as always, with no changes.

 

Will my preorders be transferred to Alliance?

Yes. Step one of our transition will be transferring preorders for product into the Alliance system.

 

What about game lines BTL carried that Alliance does not?

As part of the consolidation of warehousing operations, Alliance will bring the BTL inventory into its system. In the case of products carried by BTL that Alliance does not currently offer, we will bring in the inventory and evaluate the lines on a performance basis, with the intent of maintaining all lines that are viable and available.

 

Who should I contact if I have any further questions?

 

***If you have any questions on an area not covered in this Q&A, please feel free to contact your BTL Sales Rep or Mike Webb, Director of Customer Service at Alliance's East offices, 410-602-8000, x 3037 or via email at wmichael@alliance-games.com