by sirgalin
Here's what I don't understand about your model around the preorder idea...Why is it cheaper to preorder with any of the online stores than it is to preorder directly from you if you're going to offer a discount as a preorder incentive? I understand (though don't agree with) the general reasoning that you ought not to offer the game at less than the online shops as a standard practice, as that undercuts your primary source of retail sales and makes for bad blood, but why not just be up front and say "we want the direct capitol from the first couple thousand sales and so we're going to be the best game in town until it's on your shelves"?
With the only exception of Wizards of the Coast, the board game industry is abysmal about setting and keeping timelines. Anyone who thought they were going to have the game earlier than anyone else who wanted it, hasn't been buying board games for very long. It's an awful perk to try and offer unless you've got your arms around the entire lifecycle for your product because at the end of the day, the risk/reward of promising that yields poor returns. You're better off being competitive in pricing, or, failing that, offering additional incentives like promo exclusives or more content.