Likewise. I've already been footing some of the bill for prize support for our group (I'm not actually the judge, but procuring prizes means I am more likely to have more opponents, which ibenefits me). My local comic store doesn't run tournaments - so if they're happy to order in the pack I'm happy to pay for it so that we do have prize support for our games.

Well, I received my official Diamond solicitation today, complete with the OP kit. Unfortunately, it speaks not of the one per store restriction, so I called my rep, who confirmed that there is no restriction in their system, you can order 1 for every 20 boosters, though there is a caveat that allocations may occur. I then called my NECA rep and told them about the situation. they confirmed that Diamond is SUPPOSED to be limiting it to one per store and that they'd be calling them immediately...

More on the drama as it unfolds.

My contact with Alliance was also different. They indicated a "formula" that could not be disclosed but it sounded like about 1 kit per 10 cases (200 boosters).

My guess is that someone at Diamond just programmed the stock code, and didn't have any information about limitations in hand so they didn't apply any.

I'm just going to assume 1 per store until release day.

Contradictions and misinformation within Diamond/Alliance? Shocking!

I'm going with the mentality that the old system of 1 champion, 1 fellowship and 1 Judge prize is done.

If the store buys the prize pack then I will be running my events with this model if I'm permitted:
Championship
Fellowship
Random - Champ and Fellowship winner are out of the running

I feel weird taking a prize for myself, as the organizer, as it costs the store money, there are no official envoys, and the point is to help move product - if I can get more players in who normally wouldn't show then so much the better.

If I can buy the prize support than I would feel a lot better about taking a set of prizes for myself and then providing the rest for the players under the old model. This is what I am hoping will happen here.

But my venue is concerned that NECA hasn't put up anything on their own website and with attendance having dropped they are trying to order the barest minimum to not get stuck with anything left over. Problem is determining what the minimum is (I'm pushing for 3 cases for sealed events over whatever Pre-orders they are making. I feel I can go through that much by Christmas).

A lot of wait and see considering November is coming fast...