No more Botcon Iacon Packages!!!

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Just checked my email and found this little doozy from the TFCC:

"Due to unprecedented demand for our Convention Boxed Sets, we have had to stop accepting Iacon (non-attending) package orders for BotCon 2008.

The remaining boxed sets will be reserved for those fans who want to
attend the convention in Cincinnati, OH, April 24th-27th.

While we are consulting with the manufacturer to see if there is a way
to increase the quantity of the boxed sets, we do not expect this will
be possible, orders received after 02/14/08 will be put on a wait list.

Thanks for the overwhelming response! We appreciate the high esteem you have placed on the 2008 and all of our past year's BotCon sets. We will be sure to keep you updated on the situation.
Thanks for your support,

Brian"

Glad I got my order off early. Looks like this years set is just as popular as the last couple of years....

[STL]

Meh. I thank Iceburn that he's held his loose set for me but I if I had missed out, I'd hardly be feeling in the doldrums.

[iceburn]

Updates at botcon.com (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/www.botcon.com) - read the bold text
(so many topics to used but i've decided to use this instead)



The demand for this year's BotCon figure sets (both boxed and loose) has been unprecedented… and they are now officially SOLD OUT.
Since manufacturing of the sets has already been completed, we are not able to obtain additional quantities.
In order to accommodate those who are still planning to attend, we are providing you with two new options:
1) You can still come as a Primus Package holder and we will substitute a 2005 BotCon Boxed Set
Descent into Evil (click here (http://www.transformersclub.com/figurepreview.cfm) to view) - at the reduced cost of $250 for Club members, $300 for non-members
- and in addition, you will receive this year's free attending figure. Loose sets are also available for $130 for Club members and $165 for non-members.
So that you can see what you will be getting this year, we have decided to do something we have never done before... we are going to unveil the free attending figure this Friday!

This is the first time we have shown the free attending figure before the start of BotCon!
2) We are creating a new attending package designed for this year only!
The Energon Package includes admission to all events (just like the Primus Package, including the Casino Night Awards Dinner) a convention badge, pin and comic/program (no toys). The Energon Package is $180 for Club members, $230 for non-members.

Thank you, once again, for your support! We look forward to seeing you in Cincinnati!

[Paulbot]

Those 2005 box sets just don't sell do they? Given that they've had to come with new incentives to get other people to still attend I wonder if next year they'll scrap the non-attending pacakge?

[Saintly]

Whoa!

People really have high hopes for this year I guess.

Energon package (the inbetween) = Primus package - Minicon package?

[iceburn]

scrapping the non-attending package will be a bad idea for most of their fan-based that can't afford to go?

[Paulbot]

Yeah it would and so it would suck for us, but I'm sure they need people to attend in person to make back costs and make a profit. And for each person who buys the exclusives without attending that's potentially one local person who decides not to attend at all because they can't get the exclusive toys. It would be interesting to know how many Iacon Packages were brought and if a scalper market is to blame.

[iceburn]

It would be interesting to know how many Iacon Packages were brought and if a scalper market is to blame.

+1 to that

[griffin]

I thought it amusing that they were offering the 2005 set, just to clear them out (they are like half price in their club store at the moment).
The Energon set looks to be everything the full (Iacon) registration has, except the boxed set of toys - you still get the 'free' attendee figure (which must mean they have heaps of them prepared - with the intention to destroy any they don't give away). Then again, if they reveal it this week, and it is a good toy, they might sell out of that as well from people who pre-register one of the 2 alternative packages just to profit from the attendee figure.
I still think they should have a non-attendee option, but maybe only for those outside of Nth America to prevent toy scalpers from scooping them up. And definitely only available after pre-registration of attendees close, as reward for actually wanting to attend the convention and not just profiteer off the exclusive stuff.

[i_amtrunks]

Well, the OTCC now has a semi decent way to get rid of the overstock of '05... I wonder how many of them they will sell, since it's quite possible that a large percentage of '08 attendees already got the set back in '05?

[STL]

It'd be pretty ridiculous to eliminate the non-attending packages based on this. Wouldn't a better option be to make more? It defeats the scalpers, makes them more money = a win, win for everyone, right?

[griffin]

But how many would be required to deter toy scalpers? 5,000? 10,000? More? When you get above 2,000 for a convention exclusive, it isn't as special for those who go to the trouble of going to the show, and loses its appeal as being a 'limited' convention exclusive for toy collectors who don't go.
Hasbro produce thousands of units with their various store exclusives, and toy scalpers still manage to get to monopolise the market on most of them. Producing more won't stop scalpers, it just means they will be able to buy up more to scalp on the secondary market.
I'm not against allowing non-attendees from getting figures (because I would be in the same boat if I didn't go), but they do need to limit the number going to toy scalpers in the first place somehow, while also making sure that there are enough to cover those people who actually make it to the convention in person.
The free attendee figure is supposed to be the incentive to get people to show up, but if it was no longer offered, or it really sucked, people would just order their non-attendee 'investment' set and the convention turn out would be dismal. Having a limit to the non-attendee set, or prioritising attendees would make sure people actually attend and support the show.

[Saintly]

this is confusing... who said that they will be no more Iacon package ever? Did it come directly out of FP or OTFCC or are we just assuming?

[Paulbot]

I started that Saintly. I assume they won't do it next year (or will change it somehow). It's not an official thing.

[Saintly]

oh ok :) that would be just unnecessary stress :D