Printed Books via DriveThruRPG

More RPG stuff.

So, for awhile now DriveThruRPG has been selling printed books as an option. I assume they are just doing this off of the pdfs they get from the publishers.

Here are some examples of some oop games:
www.drivethrurpg.com/product/62847/Warha...ilters=0_0_44835_0_0

www.drivethrurpg.com/product/90926/Dragon-Warriors

Has anyone bought a book like this? Is the quality as good as the real hardbacks that were originally offered from Green Ronin and Mongoose respectively or should I look on ebay for the real deal?

Didn't know they would do print on demand books.

Yeah, not too long ago they had a 50% off sale on WFRP 2nd. That core hardback for $25 (including pdf) was really attractive. I've just never seen a book printed up like this. Would it have all the Mongoose stuff on the back or some DriveThruRPG logo? More importantly, how does the binding hold up?

I have a fair amount of their POD stuff and am quite happy with it. It holds up well and the print quality is good IMO. This wasn't always the case; their first attempt at POD was noticeably chintzy. But they've fixed whatever issues they used to have.

I'm intrigued by being able to get a brand new Dark Conspiracy for about $20. Still, I'm afraid I'd have a feeling that I only had a second rate, almost a bootleg, copy and not an original. Can I be convinced otherwise?

(I will likely get a hardback of Beyond the Wall from DTRPG though)

Also, what's the difference between DriveThruRPG and RPGNOW?

DTRPG and RPGnow used to be two separate companies, then they merged. So there is no real difference anymore -- all products are on both sites; your library is available through both sites, etc.