BotCon (registration) and Dion updates

[griffin]

Important news for most of us who are getting the BotCon toys, but as non-attendees.

From an email from FunPub - first up, the start of the online registration:


This is not a promise, but we are shooting for the first of next week.

But it will be split into two parts, attendess first then a week later, non-attendees will have access (if any sets are left).


Because of the proximity of the registration timeline to the show, to ensure that everyone who has travel plans can get the package of their choice, we will only put up the attending packages (including classes and tours) when the system goes live.

(a bit late for them to worry about people's travel plans...)


Approximately a week later, we will put up the non-attending package. The printed form will not go online until the non-attending package goes online.


Attendee or not, make sure you take the time to read the FAQs and brochure, because you may not get any help if it something that was answered already on the website.


In the meantime, please read all of the FAQs and the brochure (information tab) at BotCon.com before you try to register.

As for the Membership toy Dion, the backlog of stuff being sent to America from China, it has been delayed.


Due to the overwhelming number of containers trying to get to the US from China, Dion has been bumped off of two ships already. The figures will get on a ship next week which means they will arrive in about 5 weeks and we plan to ship them to you before BotCon.

And as a last bit that won't be of interest to anyone here - the first two discounted hotels for BotCon at Disney (Swan and Dolphin hotels) have sold out, and they are looking to for a third hotel.
(I wonder just how many rooms are booked by people in advance who then cancel closer to the convention when they decide not to go, or find someone to share with? Especially this year, as people rushed to book rooms five months ago, but now 6 weeks out there aren't as many people still able to go as travel costs would be a lot more this close to the event. Hotels that don't charge a non-refundable deposit must lose out a lot with so many empty rooms that then can't be filled at the last minute.)

[kup]

I was hoping more for news on an extension of P/PC numbers.

[DarkHyren]

Question: If I buy the Primus Package but can't make the show until Saturday, will my toys be held for me?
Answer:Yes...if you have pre-registered for a package, we hold it the whole weekend. If you don't show, we will contact you after the show to see where you want it shipped and for the shipping payment.

Question: If I order a Primus package but can't make it. Will I still be shipped my package to my
residence with the attendent bonus figure?
Answer: If you don't come, you will have to pay the shipping and you will not get the attending figure. You must pick up your package in person to get the attending bonus figure.Doesnt these things mean that if one wanted an Iacon package but was really worried about the numbers they could just order a Primus package?
What with the non attendees having to wait until there might not be any left and all?

[griffin]

Heh, that is indeed a loophole, yes. If word spread, you may indeed have a lot of non-attendees registering the attendee package just to be sure to get a set in that first week.

[griffin]

From the FAQ (http://www.botcon.com/BotCon10/con10faq.cfm)I saw this, which suggests that you can purchase as many sets as you want - probably have to make multiple registrations though, but could mean a member going (like me) can buy the discounted sets for other people here, plus a loose set each time as well. (would have to still post them back though)
It's probably how the dealers get their hands on so many sets each year.


Question: Are we allowed to buy more than one primus package per membership or is there a limit of one per?
Answer:Yes you can purchase more than one as well as purchase one loose set per boxed set you bought. You only get one name badge at the convention even if you have multiple sets.


I can't afford to buy extra sets on my own, but if purchasing extra sets is possible, I might be able to do this for others who send me the money beforehand. Especially if it looks like they might sell out in that first week before non-attendees can order.
(not sure if the attendee figure is given one-per-person or one-per-set if ordering extras)

[DarkHyren]

(not sure if the attendee figure is given one-per-person or one-per-set if ordering extras)If it's one attendee figure per set then I would probally ask you for help on this, sure thing.
(realises should maybe have put this in the other thread where the others are making the same requests...)

[griffin]

An offsite update from one of the FunPub staff:


There will be a set amount of non-attending packages set aside for when that part of registration begins.

We are making an additional 50 "first 100 pins" for the non-attending packages. So now it is a first 150.

The price of the online registration will drop next year. Once the cost of the system has been covered we will charge a maintenance fee that will, again, be much less.

Another reason we are holding off on the printable forms is because there is no easy way to reconcile those forms with forms that are faxed. Online forms take priority when it comes to classes, tours, first 150 and so on.

http://www.allspark.com/content/view/7109/20/

In other words, if they sell out in the first week before non-attendee registration starts, they will have some sets put aside for that non-attendee registration period. Also tries to explain why fax-in forms won't be taken until later, because they can't easily work out order of receipt with the online registrations (they could, but it could be messy with limited place stuff like the customising classes).

The increase of pin number is probably irrelavant, as I've never seen anyone care about something that proves they were just lucky enough to register within the first few hours (or in this case, first few minutes). I've never seen a demand for the pins as if they were worth anything or mean anything. (I've never actually got one myself in their 4 BotCons I've attended, and haven't cared enough to chase up any of them)

Good to hear that the online registration cost ($10) may just be expensive this year to pay off the set-up, and will be adjusted later (so it won't be profiteering).

[griffin]

Doesnt these things mean that if one wanted an Iacon package but was really worried about the numbers they could just order a Primus package?
What with the non attendees having to wait until there might not be any left and all?

Looks like the people at FunPub heard about that loophole (people ordering the attendee package with no intention of going, just to secure a set and have it posted to them after the convention), as they have responded in their FAQ about it:


Question: Can I purchase a Primus package and convert it later to an Iacon package?
Answer: No. Because we are not allowing Iacon (non-attending packages) to be ordered until a week after the attending packages are available, there are some people who think this is a work around our system.
Anyone who orders an attending (Primus) and wants to convert it later will lose their package as we will refund their money minus a $25 cancellation fee and we will put the package back into inventory. In addition, the online service fee is non-refundable.
This will also be the policy if you "no-show" at BotCon.
Do not order a Primus package and try to skirt the system we have put in place. We are holding a certain number of Iacon packages (non-attending) in reserve.
In addition, to make the "first 100 fair" we are having 50 more of the pins made for the non-attending people, so this year, there will be 150 "first 100" pins.

Hope that doesn't make them look bad with that stern response. It should increase the odds of the sets not selling out in the first week, allowing more non-attendees to get one - and it makes it fairer for those who will actually attend the convention to get a set, which should be the incentive to attend if you can.
And really, foreign fans should be the ones who have (first) access to the non-attendee sets anyway, as it costs thousands to get to BotCon compared to hundreds for American fans.
Of all the things I complain about with FunPub, I think this is one of the better decisions they've made.

[griffin]

The above addition to the FAQ was sent out to people, to make sure it was spread to the fans. It also mentioned that registration wouldn't be up today as they hoped (no surprise), and there would be updates 'each day this week' - suggesting that it might still be a week away.

(I noticed the other day in the BotCon Brochure, Dealers get a discout if registered before May 15th... not gonna happen now)

[DarkHyren]

Hope that doesn't make them look bad with that stern response.I suppose it is fair, but it will be a kick in the pants if there does happen to be someone that was going to go but then actually can't go for whatever reason.