I heard they are making a new From the Vault
Spoilers, Rumors, and Speculation forum
Posted on Feb. 18, 2014, 4:49 p.m. by Magiclover318
I just can't remember the name of it, so could you help me out?
I think there's some basic economics concepts that are being overlooked.
- Wizards does not provide product to the retailers (with a few exceptions). They provide it to wholesalers, who in turn distribute product to retailers.
- Wizards does not, and cannot dictate the price of product beyond those wholesalers.
- In an open market, the price will ALWAYS be based on what people are willing to pay, unless a regulatory policy is put in place.
- Regulatory policies (price-caps, price-floors, taxation, etc.) are detrimental to either the consumer or producer (seller). - Note: the larger the difference between the open market price and a regulated price, the larger the detriment to the players of the market... 200-600% is a huge range, making a cap of ~$40 extremely detrimental.
- Secondary markets (black markets) arise when regulatory policies are too detrimental. - This means that prices will return to a place close to where they would be if there were no regulations in place.
Even if Wizards could enforce a specific price, (which they can't, unless they become the seller by selling from their website), they would not be benefiting anyone, and the prices for most consumers will still be inflated, so long as there is demand.
February 19, 2014 3:42 p.m.
Also... what makes you think Wizards has the right to spot-check stores, and tell them how to do business, and what to sell things for? There are antitrust (anti-monopoly) laws against this.
Particularly pertaining to:
"Competition law, or antitrust law, has three main elements:
- prohibiting agreements or practices that restrict free trading and competition between business. This includes in particular the repression of free trade caused by cartels."
February 19, 2014 3:47 p.m.
I still think that 200$ for a board wipe FTV is just pure rip off.
Sure, FTV:20 had Jayce, so it explains the 100-150$ price.
But what card could possibly explain a 200$ price for Annihilation?
February 19, 2014 4:44 p.m.
Rayenous I don't think it's accurate to say that Wizards are physically unable to dictate wholesale price because, as you even say yourself, regulatory policies could exist.
Whilst they would be detrimental to the retailers you have to remember that we're effectively talking about is a reduction from a 500-600% markup. Whilst obviously this will technically by detrimental, I don't think anyone involved in forging this policy would lose any sleep over it!
I'm not convinced that competition law is wholly applicable in this case because a regulatory policy would still allow competition between retail businesses, just at lower margins. It's not like wizards would be handing a direct economic advantage to one group of retailers over another.
February 19, 2014 5:24 p.m.
There's a difference between arguing against price inflation and arguing against controlled price inflation.
Anyway, I am pretty surprised that so many people think that it would be a bad idea for Wizards to pay closer attention to the retail market that they've created because it certainly doesn't seem healthy at all. Current practices seem to heavily favour retailers over consumers.
February 19, 2014 5:26 p.m.
Drathen $200 is where his LGS is selling it. My LGS will sell for MSRP + 10% so I should be able to snag it under $50. Most LGS will conduct practices well with consumers in order to keep returning players. I doubt many LGS across the US will sell this for $200. Seems like a rare occasion.
February 19, 2014 6:07 p.m.
We'll see. StarcityG is one of the largest online retailers and certainly will. I doubt it's isolated.
February 19, 2014 6:14 p.m.
Sure, they are in Magic to make money. Most LGS will not screw over their clients because without them they do not make money. I've yet to visit a LGS where a FTV was more than $25 over the MSRP, and I frequented many LGS in the Chicago land area. You have to remember, yes they can mark up the price but without customers, every LGS would die. They are forced to meet in the middle.
February 19, 2014 6:21 p.m.
There are a lot of people with more money than sense.....
February 19, 2014 6:23 p.m.
In Norway they go for round 65$ each, and they don't care about the content, stuff just sells faster if it's worth a lot.
February 20, 2014 10:17 a.m.
actiontech says... #13
This site set it at $99 (although you can't actually order it yet.) JTMS blew FTV20 into the ridiculous price range. Unless Tarmogoyf is in this FTV there's no way it'll be that expensive. People asking $200 now are preying on speculators. The actual price will probably be around $60-75 I'm guessing. How many boardwipes are really that expensive besides Damnation anyway?
February 20, 2014 12:23 p.m.
I expect it to include Vindicate , not that it's quite as expensive. Maybe we will also see Ravages of War reprinted? It is totally nutters overpriced due to rarity, and they have used these sets to reprint Three Kingdoms cards before.
SharuumNyan says... #1
Rayenous - but there are ways to stop that from happening too. Wizards could spot-check sales, make random calls at stores, and investigate any place that's suspicious. I'm willing to bet at least 50% of stores would abide by the rule right away, and the other 50% would just be hurting themselves because customers would start flocking to the lower priced stores.
Video game companies, like Sony, will send representatives to stores (especially big box stores like Walmart and Target) to make sure the displays are correct, the prices are correct, and no shenanigans are happening. I'm surprised Wizards doesn't already do this to some degree. It keeps things fair, and stops stores from inflating prices which can hurt the game company in the long run.
Wizards must be spot-checking stores at least somewhat to make sure they're compliant with the WPN rules. I do believe one of the rules is that a store can't primarily sell online without permission.
February 19, 2014 2:15 p.m.