Why offer merchandise exclusive minions/items when they almost instantly sell out?

[HungryHippo]

[QUOTE=Bloodyrains;3895222]It's pretty annoying when merchandise that offers items are almost always out of stock. /QUOTE]
From a business man's perspective, this is really good to do from this side. Not making too many of them, selling them> out of stocks = people wants it. That means they doing well and the hype is even bigger, this is normal and it's good they are sold out, means people wants it. If they never did, it would mean it was a bad product.

[Lexia]

From a business man's perspective, this is really good to do from this side. Not making too many of them, selling them> out of stocks = people wants it. That means they doing well and the hype is even bigger, this is normal and it's good they are sold out, means people wants it. If they never did, it would mean it was a bad product.

Brings out the scalpers also, there a person on ebay selling the mog slippers for $129, the lore book for $250 and the odin statue for $500

[Bloodyrains]

Brings out the scalpers also, there a person on ebay selling the mog slippers for $129, the lore book for $250 and the odin statue for $500

Yea, plus people's hype turn more into anger and frustration when they sell out in a few hours. If I recall correctly SE seems to hate scalpers greatly.

[OMGAFLYINGPENGUIN]

It is to create false demand, look at what nintendo did with fire emblem Fates, those things were 70USD but were selling for 200 USD. And it wasn't because it was highly valued or anything but it was because they intentionally made it seem like the copies were scarce.

[Bloodyrains]

It is to create false demand, look at what nintendo did with fire emblem Fates, those things were 70USD but were selling for 200 USD. And it wasn't because it was highly valued or anything but it was because they intentionally made it seem like the copies were scarce.

Artificial demand normally only works for a short time or in short bursts, at this point it seems that it's hurting SE and helping scalpers more.

[Ametrine]

snip.

That was for the special pre-order edition. It was kind an ordeal since it was the only way to have both Birthright and Conquest on one cartridge, and it was bundled with an early access code for Revelation. And that's just the game itself, as it came with an exclusive 3DS case and I believe an art book.

It was also limited pre-order and actually scarce. Most stores sold out within the first day, so most players were forced to either buy the single story carts separately, get one cart and buy the other storylines as half-price discounted DLC, or all three digitally with the same pricing structure.

Basically, some crazies were so against the digital idea, despite the massive discount, that they were open to purchase the scalped special edition to have the hard copies.

[Bloodyrains]

SE could also just offer digital versions of the books/soundtracks with the minions, having the physical copy is nice but if they can't seem to produce that much they could always have this as an alternative.

[Welsper59]

SE could also just offer digital versions of the books/soundtracks with the minions, having the physical copy is nice but if they can't seem to produce that much they could always have this as an alternative.

Japan, specifically fandom in the country, is a place that greatly values physical items. The idea of digital goods is almost a waste of effort in that market, especially if the initial goal is aimed at being collectables or rare goods. Obviously that doesn't make sense to us in the west, but it is what it is. They might do it if there's enough demand, but it's unlikely mostly due to the different outlook on such goods.

[Alleo]

You know if they need limited bonus items with their merchandise because otherwise their JP fanbase would not buy them that much..how about putting some really nice RL bonus with it? Like some stickers or even a signed artwork for the first few units..This would be something with a real life value (and wont be gone if the game is gone..) and put those minions and other ingame items in every merchandise. It does not cost that much to produce more codes..and we already have people posting that they would buy it if they still had the minions...I also wanted the music, but at the same time I did not feel like buying a version without the minion..so imo they would probably make more money if they put in limited RL bonus items and on top of that always the minions..

[ReplicaX]

SE could also just offer digital versions of the books/soundtracks with the minions, having the physical copy is nice but if they can't seem to produce that much they could always have this as an alternative.

Some of the soundtracks are on iTunes but without a minion. Many of them have no album purchase option. So if you want an entire OST that has over 100 tracks, you are basically paying double or triple the cost of the physical album having to buy every track separately...