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Post by kipperserver on Jun 17, 2022 8:24:04 GMT
My thoughts.
Big Finish is, AFAIK, is the only retailer in the world that gives advace warning of price increases.
Maybe this is tro get us all pre-order "everything" before the price hike.
Maybe this is also... to get customer feedback on what price increases are "acceptible"?
They haven't told us what the price rises are going to be. So...
Maybe this is a tempreture check. Finger in the air.
I suggest we all email BGF and let them know what we think...
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Post by mark687 on Jun 17, 2022 8:50:06 GMT
Interesting Feedback on the Socials so far.
Praise for the DL Price Reduction (5-8 £$ per Title seems to be a favorable Price)
People are already choosy on what Ranges they get on CD.
Request for Bundles for every individual Doctor on the newer releases (1st and 2nd Docs don't currently have that option.)
Also preference for Boxsets to have 2 4 part stories or 1 4 Part and 1 2 Part story in them each.
Regards
mark687
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Post by theillusiveman on Jun 17, 2022 9:00:01 GMT
My thoughts. Big Finish is, AFAIK, is the only retailer in the world that gives advace warning of price increases. Maybe this is tro get us all pre-order "everything" before the price hike. Maybe this is also... to get customer feedback on what price increases are "acceptible"? They haven't told us what the price rises are going to be. So... Maybe this is a tempreture check. Finger in the air. I suggest we all email BGF and let them know what we think... Surprised they haven’t done another poll or feedback survey
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Post by theillusiveman on Jun 17, 2022 9:04:43 GMT
I do wonder if the price increase will effect the spin off ranges and might make big finish cautious to not create any new spin offs (no Frobisher or next Doctor spin offs)
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Post by mark687 on Jun 17, 2022 10:54:28 GMT
Again though highlights the Discussion we've had before that we don't know but we make the assumption that the Pre Order/ Bundle Price (for either Format) is BF's Cost to Profit Line ratio, which means the price difference from Purchases made after Pre Order period or in Sale periods are clear profit.
Regards
mark687
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Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2022 10:55:58 GMT
Yeah, that they said they were to fix that and then...just never did. Really crappy. No other company works on that "every currency is an equal value" model. You dont need to be an alum from the London School Of Economics to know that is not just stupid but spaffing money away. Just as well Italy doesnt have the Lire any more or a boxset download would be £0.0111037 for our friends in Rome, Venice, Florence et al! Yep, spot on. I don’t see the benefit of a price increase until these issues are resolved, as the discrepancy will still remain. It could be held responsible for previous price increases and would certainly go a long way in maintaining current prices or perhaps even looking at a reduction in downloads. Quite so. And what happened when they said they were to fix it? Every overseas downloader (under-bloody-standably) didn't fancy 30% increases because someone at BF doesn't know what an exchange rate is. So rather than implement it, they went full BF under criticism mode and...never mentioned it after that week when it kicked off and never implemented it. The ONLY saving grace BF have on this November increase is that..well, price increases are the "new normal" so it does not seem a cash chaser but a response to issues many retailers now find themselves in. Sadly so do most consumers so it could well be that the international cost of living crisis sees more than a few who maybe would be struggling to pay for BF already these days have to drop them entirely with an increase. Catch 22. Or more have to wait for sales and since BF rely on pre-orders still, even post-MR..that would not be news they like either. No disrespect to anyone at BF but these issues are why your money people, the bean counter, do not need to be even remotely interested in audio drama, Doctor Who or any of it and why putting the job on social media and not just with external recruitment is a bad idea. Just be able to look at factors like the exchange rate and say "this is nonsense..". You need a detachment, not a "Wow, Im workin for BF" attitude with asking fans to apply. Every even small-medium business needs an enforcer. Your midfield hardman.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2022 11:02:29 GMT
Again though highlights the Discussion we've had before that we don't but we make the assumption that the Pre Order/ Bundle Price (for either Format) is BF's Cost to Profit Line ratio, which means the price difference from Purchases made after Pre Order period or in Sale periods are clear profit. Regards mark687 Anyone who makes assumptions like that is talking mince. Pre-orders help massively - this is true of ANY physical media outlet and moreso of niche ones. Its why they should do more of the "pre-orders will be signed by...." or the likes to incentivise pre-orders in a way just addin the same crossovers all over will increasingly not do as novelty wears off. There are no doubt titles which did recoup what was needed in pre-order...but they need to offset those that dont. And then you have lines that picked up steam only on release and word of mouth. I would say "surely they price these to make a profit ASAP or as close as can be" but...well, this thread shows we should never presume.
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Post by aussiedoctorwhofan on Jun 17, 2022 11:06:52 GMT
I am currently after the Dracula bundle of #2 and #3 ( I bought #1 years ago by itself). For those 2 it comes to basically AUST $110. $55 per set, the postage & handling and per order charges included in that is about AUST $24.. add on the 30% that @davygallagher mentioned.. OUCH..
Honestly in the last few weeks the best $ale for us non UK'ers is the current Omega Factor (up to 80%).
It's a lose/lose unfortunately..
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Post by shallacatop on Jun 17, 2022 11:08:52 GMT
You’d be kidding yourself if you think they don’t do their pre-order pricing with their full profit margin taken into consideration. It’s where the vast majority of their sales are; sales figures when they bump the prices up will be close to non-existent. It’s why the price doesn’t go up as soon as the product is released. Anyone who buys based off reviews pays the same, albeit with postage if it’s CD. The “pre-order price” is a nonsense term that serves them to look as though they’re doing a substantial discount in a future sale.
If some poor sod buys a CD at £35 then it’s £10 profit for Big Finish plus their profit at the pre-order pricing, which is effectively their RRP even if they kid themselves it’s not.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2022 11:13:34 GMT
You’d be kidding yourself if you think they don’t do their pre-order pricing with their full profit margin taken into consideration. It’s where the vast majority of their sales are; sales figures when they bump the prices up will be close to non-existent. It’s why the price doesn’t go up as soon as the product is released. Anyone who buys based off reviews pays the same, albeit with postage if it’s CD. The “pre-order price” is a nonsense term that serves them to look as though they’re doing a substantial discount in a future sale. If some poor sod buys a CD at £35 then it’s £10 profit for Big Finish plus their profit at the pre-order pricing, which is effectively their RRP even if they kid themselves it’s not. Yeah, the pre-order price is a "less profit per sale, but more sales overall" model. Its not a loss-leader. That would be insane....its a wonder they have not done it.
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Post by andrew on Jun 17, 2022 11:15:18 GMT
I’ll understand, but be disappointed, as download only releases become more common. I like receiving the CDs. I do all my listening through the app but the CDs look great… in the cardboard boxes they now live in since I ran out of shelf space ages ago.
The huge number of eBay listings for each recently released title suggests that many see the small difference between the download price and CD price as incentive to buy then immediately sell the CD. Sell for more than the download price difference and they’ve saved money on if they’d just paid the download price. If the seller can find someone willing to pay close to the purchase price, they’re effectively BFing for free or next to nothing.
I’m not sure lowering download prices compared to CD would change that. The CD is still the tangible, sellable item.
From my point of view, at least I have something to show for my money spent. I’ll never sell but, as I regularly point out to my wife, if anything ever happens to me she could sell them. All my download only purchases are non-transferable.
Of course my wife just says “too much hassle. They’ll all just go straight in the bin. In fact, we could do that now?”
“But I’m not dead yet.”, I protest.
“If the choice is to have a husband or to have a house that isn’t cluttered with your stuff… would you like to be poisoned or pushed down the stairs?”
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Post by mark687 on Jun 17, 2022 11:17:24 GMT
Again though highlights the Discussion we've had before that we don't but we make the assumption that the Pre Order/ Bundle Price (for either Format) is BF's Cost to Profit Line ratio, which means the price difference from Purchases made after Pre Order period or in Sale periods are clear profit. Regards mark687 Anyone who makes assumptions like that is talking mince. Pre-orders help massively - this is true of ANY physical media outlet and moreso of niche ones. Its why they should do more of the "pre-orders will be signed by...." or the likes to incentivise pre-orders in a way just addin the same crossovers all over will increasingly not do as novelty wears off. There are no doubt titles which did recoup what was needed in pre-order...but they need to offset those that dont. And then you have lines that picked up steam only on release and word of mouth. Over to Shallacatop for a reply (Not trying to stir I'm generally interested in the viewpoints) Cause at the moment it dose look like BF risking long term viability rater then insuring it, with price increases regardless of how people purchase while at the same time not getting the full value they could form the International buck. Regards mark687
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Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2022 11:19:02 GMT
I am currently after the Dracula bundle of #2 and #3 ( I bought #1 years ago by itself). For those 2 it comes to basically AUST $110. $55 per set, the postage & handling and per order charges included in that is about AUST $24.. add on the 30% that @davygallagher mentioned.. OUCH.. Honestly in the last few weeks the best $ale for us non UK'ers is the current Omega Factor (up to 80%). It's a lose/lose unfortunately.. To be fair, I think the massive discrepancy is mostly between downloads. Not that the per-order BS isnt a farce anyway. Postin to someone in Ireland or China are clearly not the same thing. I - as anyone who knows my hobbies or watches my Youtube channel (link below, new people!) would know- import from ALL over. Oz to the EU to Asia to North America. And almost all of them have a drop down, ask your postcode/ZIP/whatever and calculate post for YOU. You pay the cost or you dont. There is no levy just for the order. A BF classic bit of WTFery.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2022 11:21:10 GMT
Anyone who makes assumptions like that is talking mince. Pre-orders help massively - this is true of ANY physical media outlet and moreso of niche ones. Its why they should do more of the "pre-orders will be signed by...." or the likes to incentivise pre-orders in a way just addin the same crossovers all over will increasingly not do as novelty wears off. There are no doubt titles which did recoup what was needed in pre-order...but they need to offset those that dont. And then you have lines that picked up steam only on release and word of mouth. Over to Shallacatop for a reply (Not trying to stir I'm generally interested in the viewpoints) Cause at the moment it dose look like BF risking long term viability rater then insuring it, with price increases regardless of how people purchase while at the same time not getting the full value they could form the International buck. Regards mark687 I think Shalla and I have been in massive agreement!
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Post by shallacatop on Jun 17, 2022 12:01:06 GMT
Yep, spot on. I don’t see the benefit of a price increase until these issues are resolved, as the discrepancy will still remain. It could be held responsible for previous price increases and would certainly go a long way in maintaining current prices or perhaps even looking at a reduction in downloads. Quite so. And what happened when they said they were to fix it? Every overseas downloader (under-bloody-standably) didn't fancy 30% increases because someone at BF doesn't know what an exchange rate is. So rather than implement it, they went full BF under criticism mode and...never mentioned it after that week when it kicked off and never implemented it. The ONLY saving grace BF have on this November increase is that..well, price increases are the "new normal" so it does not seem a cash chaser but a response to issues many retailers now find themselves in. Sadly so do most consumers so it could well be that the international cost of living crisis sees more than a few who maybe would be struggling to pay for BF already these days have to drop them entirely with an increase. Catch 22. Or more have to wait for sales and since BF rely on pre-orders still, even post-MR..that would not be news they like either. No disrespect to anyone at BF but these issues are why your money people, the bean counter, do not need to be even remotely interested in audio drama, Doctor Who or any of it and why putting the job on social media and not just with external recruitment is a bad idea. Just be able to look at factors like the exchange rate and say "this is nonsense..". You need a detachment, not a "Wow, Im workin for BF" attitude with asking fans to apply. Every even small-medium business needs an enforcer. Your midfield hardman. I'd be more understanding of that if there weren't so many issues with their pricing. As I said in the Updates Thread, increasing prices just feels as though it's the easiest thing for them to do, it won't actually change anything in the long-term. You've still got the overseas pricing issues, you've got the weirdly structured pricing they have that should be more variable and you have people in the unfortunate position of being more selective. If Big Finish want a Change Manager, then give me a call! My expertise is in IT, but fundamentally it's all about approaches to help, support and prepare for change and mitigate existing risks and issues!
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Post by shallacatop on Jun 17, 2022 12:02:54 GMT
I am currently after the Dracula bundle of #2 and #3 ( I bought #1 years ago by itself). For those 2 it comes to basically AUST $110. $55 per set, the postage & handling and per order charges included in that is about AUST $24.. add on the 30% that @davygallagher mentioned.. OUCH.. Honestly in the last few weeks the best $ale for us non UK'ers is the current Omega Factor (up to 80%). It's a lose/lose unfortunately.. To be fair, I think the massive discrepancy is mostly between downloads. Not that the per-order BS isnt a farce anyway. Postin to someone in Ireland or China are clearly not the same thing. I - as anyone who knows my hobbies or watches my Youtube channel (link below, new people!) would know- import from ALL over. Oz to the EU to Asia to North America. And almost all of them have a drop down, ask your postcode/ZIP/whatever and calculate post for YOU. You pay the cost or you dont. There is no levy just for the order. A BF classic bit of WTFery. Yep. Scrap the per-order charge, get a proper shipping system in place based on location and amend the overseas pricing to be a conversion. Sure, the product price will increase but handling it properly should balance things out and ultimately benefit Big Finish's bank balance and help to maintain their costs and profit margins. It's not rocket science. Arguably we just allow them to take advantage of us buying the product and standing for it.
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Post by shallacatop on Jun 17, 2022 12:03:32 GMT
Over to Shallacatop for a reply (Not trying to stir I'm generally interested in the viewpoints) Cause at the moment it dose look like BF risking long term viability rater then insuring it, with price increases regardless of how people purchase while at the same time not getting the full value they could form the International buck. Regards mark687 I think Shalla and I have been in massive agreement! Indeed, the only way we could be in more agreement is saying the same thing in the beer garden over a pint of something ice cold!
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Post by shallacatop on Jun 17, 2022 12:07:19 GMT
The huge number of eBay listings for each recently released title suggests that many see the small difference between the download price and CD price as incentive to buy then immediately sell the CD. Sell for more than the download price difference and they’ve saved money on if they’d just paid the download price. If the seller can find someone willing to pay close to the purchase price, they’re effectively BFing for free or next to nothing. This was a huge surprise to me when I recently did a big purge of my Big Finish CD collection. A lot of them were releases that have been out a few years now, some opened but like new, many unopened and a few of the more recent releases where I'd subscribed at the CD. They all went on eBay for 99p for a week with no minimum price and just standard second class postage. Not one box set went for cheaper than a tenner and many of them went for £16/£17. I really wouldn't blame anyone for purchasing Big Finish physically and then recouping the majority of their costs back. It's what I'd do if I went fully download in lieu of them pricing them more appropriately.
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Post by mark687 on Jun 17, 2022 12:10:13 GMT
I am currently after the Dracula bundle of #2 and #3 ( I bought #1 years ago by itself). For those 2 it comes to basically AUST $110. $55 per set, the postage & handling and per order charges included in that is about AUST $24.. add on the 30% that @davygallagher mentioned.. OUCH.. Honestly in the last few weeks the best $ale for us non UK'ers is the current Omega Factor (up to 80%). It's a lose/lose unfortunately.. To be fair, I think the massive discrepancy is mostly between downloads. Not that the per-order BS isnt a farce anyway. Postin to someone in Ireland or China are clearly not the same thing. I - as anyone who knows my hobbies or watches my Youtube channel (link below, new people!) would know- import from ALL over. Oz to the EU to Asia to North America. And almost all of them have a drop down, ask your postcode/ZIP/whatever and calculate post for YOU. You pay the cost or you dont. There is no levy just for the order. A BF classic bit of WTFery. So ideally the International Pricing Model should be at Exchange Rate in real time and the cheapest possible International Shipping for CDs? Regards mark687
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Post by kipperserver on Jun 17, 2022 12:16:34 GMT
My thoughts. Big Finish is, AFAIK, is the only retailer in the world that gives advace warning of price increases. Maybe this is tro get us all pre-order "everything" before the price hike. Maybe this is also... to get customer feedback on what price increases are "acceptible"? They haven't told us what the price rises are going to be. So... Maybe this is a tempreture check. Finger in the air. I suggest we all email BGF and let them know what we think... Surprised they haven’t done another poll or feedback survey LOL! Do you want to pay more or LESS for your Big Finish audio dramas?>
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