Should players unionize to negotiate crown store prices?

EJRose83 · April 2015

In an effort to avoid some of the outrageous prices of certain items in the crown store, do you think some of us should unionize, so to speak, in an effort to place an embargo on certain items? As long as we stick together we can get the prices down to something a little more reasonable than what they currently are.

Edit: If you support this, leave a comment to keep this thread at the top.

Also, I want to go ahead and state that the term 'union' is obviously being used in its most basic form as a general description. That particular word existed long before worker's unions started forming and is not exclusive to them.

There is now also a poll: http://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/165158/will-you-refuse-to-buy-the-leopard-senche-mount-until-the-price-is-lowered

lordxyrax_ESO · April 2015

IBTL

Unfortunately you'll have a hard time organizing anything like this.

EJRose83 · April 2015

Well, it doesn't hurt to try. So, who wants to unionize?

Zargorius · April 2015

Well, count me among the blacklegs then

Danikat · April 2015

By unionise against it do you mean simply not buying it until/unless the price is more reasonable? Or are you thinking of something more?

Keron · April 2015

As opposed to real life labor fights, a "union of crown store boycotteers" does not have any possibility to restrict finks from going there and buying nonetheless. This would - as sad as that may be - a completely pointless exercise in futility.

EJRose83 · April 2015

Danikat wrote: »

By unionise against it do you mean simply not buying it until/unless the price is more reasonable? Or are you thinking of something more?

@Danikat I'm thinking of officially forming a group of players who not only agree to not buy certain items, but also attempt to dissuade other non-union members from buying those items as well. Basically just become vocal about it on the forums. I wouldn't be opposed to something more though of course.

starlizard70ub17_ESO · April 2015

Danikat wrote: »

By unionise against it do you mean simply not buying it until/unless the price is more reasonable? Or are you thinking of something more?

No buying is your only option, and when the console players start up, I don't even think that will be effective.

Victus · April 2015

Eh, I'm not thinking the prices are that bad.

EJRose83 · April 2015

@Keron We won't know unless we try. Besides, I don't know about everyone else on here, but I'd be pretty happy if this actually ended up having an affect and the price of some of these mounts get reduced as a result.

EJRose83 · April 2015

starlizard70ub17_ESO wrote: »

Danikat wrote: »

By unionise against it do you mean simply not buying it until/unless the price is more reasonable? Or are you thinking of something more?

No buying is your only option, and when the console players start up, I don't even think that will be effective.

@starlizard70ub17_ESO Not buying isn't the only option. The fact is not buying alone, by yourself, doesn't speak very loudly. Not buying as a group of several thousand players speaks volumes and is heard more readily.

ZeroInspiration · April 2015

The prices in the store are ok, pretty much the same as any other MMO with a cash shop. Maybe even cheaper, have you played Neverwinter? The mounts there are actually faster than the ones you can get with in-game money and they cost way more than the ones in the Crownstore.

Keron · April 2015

@EJRose83 I'm a passive supporter anyways. I spent all my "loyalty" crowns on stuff I liked (costumes mainly) and will not ever spend any money to purchase crowns anyways. If there is DLC coming, I would probably re-subscribe for a month and evaluate whether the content is worth it, if not I'll un-subscribe, if yes I will re-subscribe exactly for as long as needed to get the crowns to purchase the DLC and re-un-subscribe.

So you have my passive support on your endeavors.

Sphinx2318 · April 2015

If you don't like the prices....Don't buy..

ThatNeonZebraAgain · April 2015

unionize... I do not think it means what you think it means.

Vaerth · April 2015

EJRose83 wrote: »

In an effort to avoid some of the outrageous prices of certain items in the crown store, do you think some of us should unionize, so to speak, in an effort to place an embargo on certain items? As long as we stick together we can get the prices down to something a little more reasonable than what they currently are.

Edit: If you support this, leave a comment to keep this thread at the top.

Nope, not your business and prices are for ZoS to determine. Dont like the price? Dont buy the items.

EJRose83 · April 2015

@Vaerth Prices are actually for the costumer to determine, ultimately. This isn't communist Russia

Danikat · April 2015

It couldn't hurt to give ZOS feedback that the reason we're not buying the items is because we don't like the price.

Otherwise they won't know that's the reason. They may simply conclude leopards are unpopular and they'll have better luck with the panther (since the panther pet seems to have sold sell) but shouldn't bother bringing the leopard back or releasing the clouded-leopard.

xMovingTarget · April 2015

You cant. There are too many no brainers that dont care and in fact want more stuff in the store. Even if it makes their chars stronger.

Would be great, but it wont work.. Unfortunately..

I am not against the prices. I am against selling certain things. Like rare motifs should never be in the store. This is just the beginning. Soon we get other stuff. Maybe craft boosters.
Convinience is something that you can stretch pretty wide. Its also convinient to buy raid gear without the need to raid. Convinience boys and girls.

I wont buy crowns and also not going to renew my sub.

Fleshreaper · April 2015

EJRose83 wrote: »

@Vaerth Prices are actually for the costumer to determine, ultimately. This isn't communist Russia

True, this isn't Russia and costumers can vote with their check book.

Atirez · April 2015

Will a market not just simply control itself?

I for one do not care what the prices are of items in the crown store. There is nothing there that I need to buy (as long as that remains the case there is no issue, if there are items I need to buy - well that is another matter entirely), so if others wish to spend there money then that can only help to make sure this game continues to be available.

Thymos · April 2015

When it comes to digital items that were already made in the game, it just takes a small number of people buying it to justify selling it. It's not like there is a production line for every pet, motif, mount, or costume that is sold. So once they have it in the store, there's no more production costs for it, aside from maybe some bug fixes later.

So whether or not you start a group of "activists," which is what you are doing, not a union, if 1% buy it, then it's making them money.

desciviib14_ESO · April 2015

The prices are about right, pretty average for most stuff and the motifs should reflect their in game rarity. $50 is steep for an in game item but those particular items are not easy to acquire. Prices are good I think.

Also, I dont know for sure but actively dissuading players from using the services might in itself be a violation of TOS. It's one thing to say take or leave it but to say you can't or shouldn't just might get you dropped from the service all together. I know if you came in to my resteraunt or other business and told people not to buy my services, you'd get tossed with a no return.

Wolfenbelle · April 2015

Oh great. So now ESO will have a group of Socialists dedicated to central planning and control of prices. Why not just let the free market be...well...free? If something is too expensive, people won't buy it and ZOS will react accordingly.

DerpyShadowz · April 2015

Is this so people can just shout "Im with the union! You cant do this to me!" The next time their strung up for bounty.

drzycki_ESO · April 2015

This made me LOL in real life. Seriously....IT'S A GAME. You don't have to buy these items to play the GAME.

EJRose83 · April 2015

@Thymos the share holders at ZOS don't care if a mount turned a little bit of profit, but rather whether or not it could have turned a greater profit if it were priced a little more reasonably.

LonePirate · April 2015

There are far more important things that warrant a united voice from players. Silly crown store prices for vanity items pales in comparison to game performance and a lack of new content - two items far more important for almost everyone.

EJRose83 · April 2015

@LonePirate So far there isn't a united voice for anything, and its been over a year. Currently, this is the only wagon to hop on if you're looking for a ride

Thymos · April 2015

EJRose83 wrote: »

@Thymos the share holders at ZOS don't care if a mount turned a little bit of profit, but rather whether or not it could have turned a greater profit if it were priced a little more reasonably.

Are you a share holder? As far as I knew, Zenimax is not a publicly traded company. So what do you care about their "profits"?

A profit doesn't mean they allocate that profit back into development, it means there is extra money that they can decide what to do with themselves.

EJRose83 · April 2015

@thymos Shareholders legally own the company and all they care about is maximizing profits. If you take a hit on a product's projected profit margin, you're going to have to reaccess your approach because the shareholders will demand it.