[/quote] The full name of IMA should be "Iconic to players from 2009 through 2015 Masters". Wizards didn't bother catering to players from the first half of Magic because they're likely not playing anymore.[/quote]
I wonder what the actual percentage of players who played then are still playing today. About a third of the customers that I have are older (40-50) and played from 1993 on. Some have taken breaks, some not. Many of them play with their kids, or come in with their kids to play too. I think that overall, most of the newer players don't know anything about the older cards or what was iconic pre-Ravnica. 24 years is a long time, iconic will mean different things to each generation of player.
Personally, I think this set is less focused on iconic, and more focused on reprinting value cards and selling packs. Which is fine. There IS some good stuff in the set, cards that people want. WOTC needs to stay in business. This is how they do it.
I was able to order a few more sets this week from my distributor. They told me there would be another print run in October. It seems like they'll restock commander after Ixalan releases.
I was able to reorder a very small amount for next week. I think the print run wasn't huge, and the demand was very high. We sold out on Friday morning!
My distributor did tell me there would be another print run in October, so I'm hoping we'll be able to reorder then.
Leaks are bad, they do screw up the marketing efforts of WOTC. It's totally wrong to steal something from a company and release it on the internet. It's a simple question with a simple answer.
The other issues surrounding why people do it are valid. I think WOTC needs to make changes in how they promote upcoming sets. It might lessen people's need to leak things.
I own a game shop and I always charge MSRP (or lower) for in print products. It's not hard to do, just a choice. People who shop here appreciate the lack of price gouging. Out of print products are different. The prices rise as the product becomes more and more scarce (usually). I rely on customer loyalty instead of gouging a few people who don't know any better. Everyone is happy, I stay in business and we all have a place to play.
I honestly think that these "masters" sets are waaaaay overpriced. $10/ pack is obscene. The market bears it somehow so WOTC continues. I feel like $5 per pack is fair, $7 is reaching. I opened many $1 and 50 cent rares last time around. We'll see what happens with Iconic Masters. As usual, I'm optimistic, and look forward to some good gaming after release.
I've always played Magic for pure entertainment.It's never been about money or prizes for me. Earning a good living allows you to build whatever deck you'd like to play. It gives you the freedom to experiment and try new things without having to wait. It also gives you spare resources to mentor/teach/support your local Magic community.
It's definitely a challenge to stay in business with just MTG. It's smarter to sell many games and products. If MTG is your passion you can focus on it, but the reality of staying in business is always there.
The first Championship game will be the weekend of 12/30, 12/31. This is New Year's Eve weekend. I know for a fact that many of the people that play at my shop have other plans that weekend. I wonder if they even noticed when they scheduled it.
@Firevine: If the chain-smoker below you is the main issue, I would highly recommend moving somewhere else where you and your family feel safe. It's not worth losing sleep over, not worth the risk, and that should be the top priority more so than insuring the value or personal possessions. Meanwhile, I would try petitioning with the other tenants to have that individual evicted (if discussing the issue and subsequently warning them personally hasn't produced results), that way you don't have to make the difficult last resort decision of abandoning your home. Smoking in your domicile may be one's legal right. However, if such an individual displays a pattern where they are knowingly and regularly putting other people's lives and livelihoods at grave risk as a direct result of their willfully dangerous and irresponsible behavior (smoking perpetually even whilst dozing off certainly qualifies), the rights of those innocent potential victims supersede the rights of the person who is known to be a liability. In the interim, I suggest getting a fireproof safe for your more valuable binders and decks. Lastly, I feel it necessary to point out the irony that a firevine would even be so concerned about a fire (alarm) in the first place. Isn't it entirely plausible that you inadvertently set off the alarm yourself?
@Stevenus: I'm curious... How can the insurer know with any degree of certainty at the time of the claim that your collection was exactly as it was documented online? Do you regularly have to submit proof by providing photos, scans, or other signed documentation that all the cards listed are still in your physical possession, still in their listed conditions, and haven't been traded or sold? Do you continuously update your online list any and every time you open something of value in a pack, buy, trade, or sell singles of value, or acquire singles which will presumably appreciate in value? Does a notary or some other third party have to authenticate that in doing so each time you're being completely honest? What's the minimum threshold value for such cards to be added to such a list (for you or the insurer)? Any additional information would be helpful and much appreciated.
I provided photos of my collection at the time that I provided the estimated value. I can increase or decrease the amount of coverage any time I want to, so if I acquire valuable cards I can update as needed. I have a policy that covers my cards for any damage for any reason. There is a $500 deductible. I can pay more for a smaller deductible, and I assume that if I file a claim my costs will increase greatly. Like any other insurance policy, the incentive is to never use it.
I have my cards insured through State Farm. I needed to establish value and then was able to get covered for the correct amount. There are many ways to establish value. The easiest for me was to plug my cards into tcgplayer's collection database. It lists the value of each card and gives a total. It also updates in real time so it's easy to change coverage. Ebay is another way to do it for individual, high-priced cards.
It's not normal at all! Anyone walking in to a shop with questions/desire to learn should be greeted by friendly staff ready to help in any way. This is especially true at an Open House that specifically invites new players to come in and learn. New players = more people to play with, so a bigger, more fun gaming community. I hope you can find a friendly shop to play at.
I wonder what the actual percentage of players who played then are still playing today. About a third of the customers that I have are older (40-50) and played from 1993 on. Some have taken breaks, some not. Many of them play with their kids, or come in with their kids to play too. I think that overall, most of the newer players don't know anything about the older cards or what was iconic pre-Ravnica. 24 years is a long time, iconic will mean different things to each generation of player.
Personally, I think this set is less focused on iconic, and more focused on reprinting value cards and selling packs. Which is fine. There IS some good stuff in the set, cards that people want. WOTC needs to stay in business. This is how they do it.
My distributor did tell me there would be another print run in October, so I'm hoping we'll be able to reorder then.
The other issues surrounding why people do it are valid. I think WOTC needs to make changes in how they promote upcoming sets. It might lessen people's need to leak things.
I honestly think that these "masters" sets are waaaaay overpriced. $10/ pack is obscene. The market bears it somehow so WOTC continues. I feel like $5 per pack is fair, $7 is reaching. I opened many $1 and 50 cent rares last time around. We'll see what happens with Iconic Masters. As usual, I'm optimistic, and look forward to some good gaming after release.