£130 =/= $130

[Lexxuk]

but if people don't buy it all that will happen is we will only get digital CE/standard editions in future so do keep that in mind while avoiding the CE

No, what it means is that when the NEXT expansion pack comes out, SE will look at 3.0 and think "well, people paid £/$/€130 for the CE, lets do it again!". There are bean counters, they expect X amount of CE's to be sold, per region/currency, if SE fails to sell that amount of CE's then they know their price point is wrong, you've just made the decision to next time rip off UK users much, much easier for the bean counters.

[Azriall]

So very disappointed that I'm paying as much the same price in pounds as the U.S. is paying in dollers with the actual price conversion taking place. So what else am I getting for the extra £40 pounds I'm paying!!!

[Miakyo]

It's a proper pain in the old backside. I pre-ordered my CE with a heavy grimace this morning. I'm with the majority that the pricing is most definitely one of the most bizarre purchasing encounters I've ever been through (even with the VAT it just didn't compute in my noggin' as to why it costs so much).

Also accept I'm part of the problem by being prepared to part with the money for it! The fanboy in me just empties my pockets forever more...

[Risvertasashi]

No, what it means is that when the NEXT expansion pack comes out, SE will look at 3.0 and think "well, people paid £/$/€130 for the CE, lets do it again!". There are bean counters, they expect X amount of CE's to be sold, per region/currency, if SE fails to sell that amount of CE's then they know their price point is wrong, you've just made the decision to next time rip off UK users much, much easier for the bean counters.

Also accept I'm part of the problem by being prepared to part with the money for it! The fanboy in me just empties my pockets forever more...

You're both pretty close to the truth, but it's nothing so sinister.

Recall back to your econ classes that demand is both the number of people that are willing and able to buy a product.

So SE's marketing/accounting are going to ask:
1. Is our target demographic able to buy at this price point?
2. Is our target demographic willing to buy at this price point?
* Price point needs to be above material cost, of course, and there are other details, but that's the gist of it.


It turns out that the numbers that fit both 1 and 2 are pretty similar between west Europe and the USA... currency conversation mostly affects the minimum price they might consider, but all in all, it factors in much less than most think. Charging say $200 might change both questions to 'no' for many Americans in SE's target demographic.

But... My sympathies to those that came out on the short end of this.

[Sebazy]

Whilst I'll plead guilty to ordering one up for myself (Primarily for my art book addiction), it's amusing to note that the EU store isn't sold out like the rest, oh that sweet karma =)

[Adelard]

Whilst I'll plead guilty to ordering one up for myself (Primarily for my art book addiction), it's amusing to note that the EU store isn't sold out like the rest, oh that sweet karma =)

Just checked and the US store still lets you preorder. Not sold out there either.

[Elmeron]

Wait... That's $62.87 more by US standards... Holly sh*t! That'd be like paying $192.87 for that in the US. No offense but the people paying that price are batshit crazy. Have some standards for yourself and go with the CE digital download. I would never pay that much and let a company's greed payoff for them. Absolutely disgusting of you SE.

[Oukanna]

I submit a store ticket to explain everything. It looks like they have converted the digital collectors ok but just not the box set. Also on the EU website it doesnt list all the prices yet. So perhaps they are still working out something?

Will see if i get a reply from my ticket and keep you posted.

[Elmeron]

I submit a store ticket to explain everything. It looks like they have converted the digital collectors ok but just not the box set. Also on the EU website it doesnt list all the prices yet. So perhaps they are still working out something?

Will see if i get a reply from my ticket and keep you posted.

They already confirmed via Twitter (because apparently Twitter is for everything now *eyeroll*) that the prices were correct.

[SongJoohee]

Whilst I'll plead guilty to ordering one up for myself (Primarily for my art book addiction), it's amusing to note that the EU store isn't sold out like the rest, oh that sweet karma =)

I'll just be grabbing the stuff off eBay :\ The ARR Art Book is awesome, and with really cool little tidbits about items -- like the glow from ADS Light in Houses was supposed to also serve as a clock but the idea got scrapped.