POP Policy Change Regarding Foreign-Language Cards

[SD PokeMom]

it's not a straw man argument, because stores have the online purchase problem with EVERY game they sell.

the fact is: if their 'customers' only use their playspace without making at LEAST some of their purchases there, that venue will not last long. and then what happens to your local OP?

'mom

 

[MonsterOfTheLake]

Those of you who are significantly impacted by the decision and want to quit and take your marbles home...the only ones who will notice you are gone will be you and your closest friends.

Adapt or die

What an interesting insight into the mind of one of our PTOs!

I'm sure you'll offer this lovely mentality the next time a 6 year old is crying because he just got a prize loss for not discarding his Supporter at the end of turn? "Learn the rules or die?"

 

[Yoshi-]

My situation is similar, I mean we have a league here but there are only little kids and I rarely go there. Still I support the shop by getting my sleeves and boxes there through I could get them on ebay for less money, but buying boosters is just ...
I'd gladly pay entry fees for tournaments because I understand that the shops have to make their money somehow and I dont want the venues where I play (there are in other towns anyway so I just go there for tournaments) to close. I also play PRs.
But as much as I want to support the shop, buying boosters is juste a waste of money, you nearly never get something thats worth the booster price (which is higher here in the US). And if you get a LvX you still have a high chance to get somethign absolutly crappy or a tin lvx.
I'd really rather support the shop by just giving them the money for free so I can show I want to help any apprectiate that the hold tournaments. But buying boosters is lying to yourself.
"I want to support the shop, so I have to buy something, although I dont want to and know it'll be a waste of money". If the shop would really need support I'd rather give them the money for free or buy tons of sleeves instead of buying boosters.

@mom

I know its a repost but maybe you didnt see it. I'd gladly buy boosters and cards in a shop, but its like I said...
How is it possible that its impossible to support a shop without wasting money in a complete pointless way ?

@above me

He didnt say he likes this, but its the way the "bosses" he mentioned handle it.
I guess we can complain all we want, in the end he says the truth and it'll be like this. No mater if he likes it or no.

 

[MonsterOfTheLake]

it's not a straw man argument, because stores have the online purchase problem with EVERY game they sell

I don't think you understand the term straw man, because you're just reiterating my point. Suggesting that a hobby store would lose all its sales due to some Pokemon players purchasing cards online -- players that bring in extra cash to the store through buying food, drinks, sleeves, etc. in the store -- is a straw man argument, because you're simplifying the position of pretty much every single competitive player sans bullados. The fast food argument is simply attacking one part of the issue -- and not doing it very well --, while ignoring the rest of the situation. If a hobby store is to depend on players buying inferior English boxes of Pokemon trading cards -- assuming they don't quit the game because of this demand forced onto them --, that store is probably about to go out of business! Diversification is the key here. There isn't a single hobby store on earth that relies solely on the sale of Pokemon trading cards from the people who go to their store once a week to play Pokemon. And the cost of using their space -- space that would otherwise go unused -- is covered by the complements.

the fact is: if their 'customers' only use their playspace without making at LEAST some of their purchases there, that venue will not last long. and then what happens to your local OP?

'mom

The fact is: The 'customers' using their playspace buy food, drinks, sleeves, and various other product there, not to mention the newcomers buying theme decks. In most hobby stores, they hardly have any use for their empty space. Thus, you're virtually lending away unnecessary space, funded by the purchase of the complementary products. It's sheer greed to demand that players buy extraneous products -- and trust me, that's what English boxes are at this point --, and it's cowardly for PUI to do so at the expense of the player base.

PUI can arrange deals, and produce specific products that the hobby stores could exclusively sell, which would entirely solve this problem. But that's just too much effort when you could give the European scene a death sentence and **** off your player base, right?

 

[NoPoke]

I agree tournament players in the USA should buy in bulk and then trade or buy singles. walmart and similar wont do bulk deals but your local card shop probably will. For the best possible price you can pre-order and pay a big deposit up front. Your local card shop can probably match an ebay+shipping cost or get close enough.

It is tougher in Europe where the retailers have to pay the distributor more than the USA ebay price.

 

[Aron*]

Japanese cards for Intence Fight in the destroyed sky and Galactic Conquest has basic Energies with English wording "Energy" on the card. Would still love to use them.

 

[Prime]

it's not a straw man argument, because stores have the online purchase problem with EVERY game they sell.

the fact is: if their 'customers' only use their playspace without making at LEAST some of their purchases there, that venue will not last long. and then what happens to your local OP?

'mom

So we as players are obligated to spend our money on risky packs because of the scare of if we don't, our local OP will go down the drain?

How about Nintendo? They are responsible for the risky packs, which are responsible for the players not buying them, thus not supporting their local OP. If packs came with a guaranteed foil, I am sure that would stimulate local consumption of packs. If boxes came with more lv.Xs, I guarantee you sales at local hobby shops would skyrocket. So, who is really to blame in this issue? The player who won't support a risky system or the organization that produces and supplies the risky system?

 

[PokePop]

Restating some positions for clarification:

Stores need sales from Pokemon: This is not a straw man argument at all. I've dealt with stores that don't want to support Pokemon because the players come in with their premade decks, play, and then leave without purchasing from them. This is their perception. It's not that they're going to go out of business. But if a store has to choose between giving over it's play space on a regular basis to Pokemon or to a game that they make more sales on, which do you think they will choose?

That said, I also know that if the store has the right mix and prices on their offerings, they can do very well with the Pokemon crowd. I've had store owners tell me after an event that it was their best sales day in a long time.

But the point is, that store owner do look at every thing that they do as a "return on investment". And investment is not just them laying out money. They also consider time and resourses that could be used for other things.

Now, on the flip side, I do notice some stores pricing their packs and boxes at well above what they could be gotten at the big box stores or online? Is this greed on their part?
Usually, no. It's not. From what I know, most of them have a problem getting a distributor that will sell to them at a reasonable price that would allow them to price their packs and boxes at those competive prices. They just can't get the discounts that Target or Wal Mart get.

So, possibly a solution could be PUI setting up a better distribution method. Either using better and more efficient distributors, or offering a direct buy program for shop owners that support leagues and/or premeire events on a regular basis.

Just a thought.

 

[Jaeger]

I think if POP either A:gave a better deal to local game shops which in turn passed it on to us or B: Gave us better Ratio's. This whole thing would go over alot smoother.

 

[DarthPika]

So we as players are obligated to spend our money on risky packs because of the scare of if we don't, our local OP will go down the drain?

How about Nintendo? They are responsible for the risky packs, which are responsible for the players not buying them, thus not supporting their local OP. If packs came with a guaranteed foil, I am sure that would stimulate local consumption of packs. If boxes came with more lv.Xs, I guarantee you sales at local hobby shops would skyrocket. So, who is really to blame in this issue? The player who won't support a risky system or the organization that produces and supplies the risky system?

And that right there is EXACTLY why I don't usually buy packs from the local stores. You can only open a booster and get a stupid holo Tauros and a Luvdisk as the rare before you realize that your wasting your time and money.

 

[Lawman]

What an interesting insight into the mind of one of our PTOs!

I'm sure you'll offer this lovely mentality the next time a 6 year old is crying because he just got a prize loss for not discarding his Supporter at the end of turn? "Learn the rules or die?"

:nonono: That would not happen today. You also owe Clay an apology bc it was his daughter, in 2004 @ Worlds in the JR division, that had the horrible ruling ag'st her for this similar act. The rules state it is only a Caution now. It became known as the Taylor rule (also led to 4th place getting an invite/travel to worlds the next yr....she finished 4th bc of the poor ruling).

Keith

 

[Pajamas]

How is it possible that its impossible to support a shop without wasting money in a complete pointless way ?

Let me guess... you don't buy Girl Scout cookies either? Why buy a little box of shortbreads for $3.50 when you could get a comparable product for cheaper at a grocery store? Believe it or not, a lot of people are willing to spend extra money to support a cause or service they appreciate.

There is a one-man store less than five minutes from my office that runs PRs, BRs, and CCs. These events are often attended by no more than thirty people. This is the only venue with OP in a more than 100mi radius of here. I visit this store regularly to buy packs and singles, even when they cost a little more than I could pay on eBay. I don't think it's pointless or wasteful.

I'm neither independently wealthy nor insane; I just understand that as a player, it's in my best interest to demonstrate to the shop owner that it's worth his while to continue supporting OP.

 

[Dragon100]

are thejapanese style basic energies banned as well

 

[Prof Clay]

What an interesting insight into the mind of one of our PTOs!

I'm sure you'll offer this lovely mentality the next time a 6 year old is crying because he just got a prize loss for not discarding his Supporter at the end of turn? "Learn the rules or die?"

Again, someone takes part of a statement and gets it wrong. Read all the words in my post. I put them in the little box to convey information that goes along with the quote you cited. :smile:

If you actually knew who I was, you wouldn't even think to make a statement like that to me.

Your statement about the junior is completely off topic and I think you know it.

Complaining about the change is pointless and yes I know coming here and flaming everyone is no help either...but again nothing will change and threeatening to quit over it is pointless too because we OP people are a drop in the bucket to the overall card sales.

Thank you for reading (all the post)

 

[baby mario]

are thejapanese style basic energies banned as well

If I had a penny for every time that question was asked in this thread, I could afford to buy English boxes.

(Yes, they are banned).

 

[Yoshi-]

Let me guess... you don't buy Girl Scout cookies either?

If they are eatable I would, but if they look and taste like charcoal ?
I'd still give them some money (just for free) and tell them thet they should put a bit more effort into the cookies.

 

[ApachePrime]

And that right there is EXACTLY why I don't usually buy packs from the local stores. You can only open a booster and get a stupid holo Tauros and a Luvdisk as the rare before you realize that your wasting your time and money.

LoL A minor note of coincidence: I'm pretty sure I have the same quantity of RH Tauros and Regular Luvdisc. I also remember opening 3 or 4 packs with those as the RH and Rare. This is a disgusting example of the "randomization" in our packs.

 

[MonsterOfTheLake]

:nonono: That would not happen today. You also owe Clay an apology bc it was his daughter, in 2004 @ Worlds in the JR division, that had the horrible ruling ag'st her for this similar act. The rules state it is only a Caution now. It became known as the Taylor rule (also led to 4th place getting an invite/travel to worlds the next yr....she finished 4th bc of the poor ruling).

Keith

.. I know, that's why I chose that example =/

 

[Darkmot]

the changing of this rule is even a trick to make more money

 

[Prime]

If I had a penny for every time that question was asked in this thread, I could afford to buy English boxes.

(Yes, they are banned).

You'd be better off using those pennies to buy singles online...:wink: