BC12 panel - Collector Club

[griffin]

(pics to be added later - check the global fansites until then)

Showed their usual creation process for this year's convention exclusives and packaging.

Junkions were originally planned to be Sharkticon colours, but story later prompted them to go with an Insecticon theme.

Figure Subscription Service

A new system to replace the 2-per-year exclusives that sell out within hours at odd hours...
This one guarantees the figures, as they will produce toys to meet demand.
Probably need to be a member though.

No price-points known yet, but will start up within a month or two, as soon as they sort out their online store issues. (and roll it out with the GIJoe club first).
People can either pay in full or in installments - toys would be shipped in blocks to save on shipping costs. So, one may be released each month, but would only be shipped out every 3- 6 months (if selected).
No boxes, just bagged, to save cost & shipping.

The first six were shown, but the order of release will be a surprise.
(first five on the list are Deluxe size, last one is Ultra size)

(Gen1) Breakdown - using Classics Sideswipe mould
(Actionmaster) Jackpot - using Animated Jazz mould
(RiD) Scourge - using Classics Gen2 Optimus mould
(Animated) Slipstream - using TFPrime FE Starscream mould & new head
(Actionmaster) Circuit - using Movie Lockdown mould
(Beast Wars) Ultra Mammoth - using JP BW Big Convoy mould


Also shown was the 2013 Membership figure.
Depth Charge - using the Dlx Movie Terrordive mould


Date & Location of BC13 has not been decided yet, so can't say.

[Paulbot]

I was annoyed that the BotCon set has some rather unpopular choices, while the ones fans have been asking for or expecting (Scourge, Slipstream, Breakdown) are released this way. But the "made to order" option that means we should be able to get these easier, makes me happier.

And a repaint of Terradive I actually like? (Didn't care for Space Case) They are going to suck me back in.

Did they mention if their new system is secure? Was that asked about at the panel?

The shipping cost per figure to Australia is still going to be a concern but I see discussion about getting around that's already underway.

[swoop]

I really like the boxes that their exclusives came in and its a pity that they are doing away with them but I understand the need to keep shipping prices down.

I hope they use this to release some of the animated toys like thundercracker that were cancelled. I'm looking forward to signing up for this I really want that ultra mammoth and slipstream.

[Hursticon]

It is rather pleasing to see that they'll be limiting orders of 1x figure per subscription, i.e. you can only order 1x of each figure but that is only initially as apparently they'll open up to multiples of the 1x figure if there are enough spares. :cool:

From the looks of things, the whole animosity towards FunPub has been pretty much bluster as it was expected to be a rather fiery panel; looks like toy reveals can have wondrous effects. :rolleyes::p

[griffin]

It is rather pleasing to see that they'll be limiting orders of 1x figure per subscription, i.e. you can only order 1x of each figure but that is only initially as apparently they'll open up to multiples of the 1x figure if there are enough spares.

If that's true (limit of 1 per person - I musta missed that bit), I don't think that's a good thing for foreign fans... it means everyone who wants these figures will have to join as a member (an extra $82) and the toys will be sent separately to each person (preventing us from saving a little on shipping, as we would with a bulk order).

And if every subscriber is guaranteed a figure, I don't see a need for limiting it to one-per-person, because they aren't going to run out, as scalpers will only order up big if an item is expected to sell out (creating more desperate fans to prey on).

[Hursticon]

If that's true (limit of 1 per person - I musta missed that bit), I don't think that's a good thing for foreign fans... it means everyone who wants these figures will have to join as a member (an extra $82) and the toys will be sent separately to each person (preventing us from saving a little on shipping, as we would with a bulk order).

And if every subscriber is guaranteed a figure, I don't see a need for limiting it to one-per-person, because they aren't going to run out, as scalpers will only order up big if an item is expected to sell out (creating more desperate fans to prey on).

The way I see it dude; it's the perfect recipe to force people to join the club as they'll have no other means to acquire the figures beyond an inflated and limited eBay market, it also doubles as a thing for FunPub to boast about as they'll likely use these guidelines in order to say: "Look at how many members and sales we have!". ;)

[Hursticon]

Here's some links to Seibertron.com's coverage of the TFCC Panel:

2013's TFCC Exclusive - Pre-Beast wars Depth Charge (http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-collectors-club-2013-figure-revealed-depth-charge-now-with-pics/24709/)

TFCC's Subscription Service - Slide Display photos (http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-collectors-club-figure-subscription-service-announced-now-with-pics/24708/)

[Quickstrike]

I mean, I'm already giving them money for the right to buy exclusive toys, but now I have to buy a subscription on top of my Membership if I don't want to miss out? I don't know if I like that.

I definitely want Slipstream and Circuit though! Ultra Mammoth looks slick but I wouldn't be upset if I missed out on him.

[CHILENO20]

Damn, I'm in the middle of making my own custom G1 Breakdown:mad: Oh wells, I guess I wont need to buy that one, cheaper my way. I am not so sure about Circuit & Ultra Mammoth, though am sold on Jackpot, Slipstream & Scourge. Would have been sweet if the did a Deadend in a classics Prowl mold but thats just me. We shall see how much this is going to cost for us here. Maybe if some people just want specifics, get a small a mount of people to subscribe

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

And so the TFCC has now finally made the jump from being a club to a shop. yay.

I don't think I will bother renewing my membership next year. I mean, they had enough problems with characters for the botcon, do they expect to whip out, 10 characters for the Botcon, and then add 3 or 4 on top? The sub chars are all just a mish mash as well.

Final wait for full details.

[SuspectimusPrime]

The way I see it dude; it's the perfect recipe to force people to join the club as they'll have no other means to acquire the figures beyond an inflated and limited eBay market, it also doubles as a thing for FunPub to boast about as they'll likely use these guidelines in order to say: "Look at how many members and sales we have!". ;)

By actually meeting demand, I enjoy the fact that this system will starve scalpers. Although it seems that seasoned scalpers always seems to know how to back each other up - Over-Run and Runabout box sets have settled nicely to a premium price of around $250-300 on eBay from various sellers. :eek:

[optimus1]

For me, Jackpot and Slipstream look promising....too bad these are only Collector's Club Exclusives :(

[reillyd]

By actually meeting demand, I enjoy the fact that this system will starve scalpers. Although it seems that seasoned scalpers always seems to know how to back each other up - Over-Run and Runabout box sets have settled nicely to a premium price of around $250-300 on eBay from various sellers. :eek:

If past experiences with other toylines on subscription are any guide, they will plummet in price initially when scalpers get burned on 10x subscriptions, and then climb to the same price within a year or two. Mattycollector does the same for MOTU, and the subscription toys frequently trebble in price very quickly.

Unfortunately, not everyone has the money to commit to an expensive six figure subscription, and it may STILL be cheaper to buy off ebay than pay the outrageous club shipping fees for international members. Unless you do bulk orders grouped together.

I'll reserve judgement until I find out how much it will cost for me to purchase a single subscription. I really only want the nemesis prime and mammoth.

[kup]

If the shipping from the club to international members was more reasonable or if they actually had a solid line up of sub figures that would be appealing then it would be worth getting a sub.

As it is now, only one or two figures are of any appeal (barely) plus the club's reputation of treating international fans poorly doesn't really incite me to get their sub.

This is just a really crap execution.

[Hursticon]

By actually meeting demand, I enjoy the fact that this system will starve scalpers. Although it seems that seasoned scalpers always seems to know how to back each other up - Over-Run and Runabout box sets have settled nicely to a premium price of around $250-300 on eBay from various sellers. :eek:

As someone who really-really wanted that pair but couldn't afford 'em at the time (Dodging a hailstorm in the process :o) due to higher priority life expenses, this news has me not too surprised but no less saddened either. :(