Thoughts on the Official Club.

[heroic_decepticon]

I can see you've thought about the issue a lot.

I should have voted for "I'm NOT a member, and don't think it is worth joining." but think I clicked the wrong button.

I did seriously consider becoming a member just to get the 'Games of Deception' set in 2007. I considered the following prohibitive:

- the length of the form I had to fill in and also the fact that there was no electronic version and I had to mail it in;
- the method of payment (ie Money orders);
- the price that we're being charged.

If I were to be a member, the only benefit I think I would be interested in are the exclusive BotCon sets, and these only happen once a year. All the other 'benefits' are illusory because one way or another information that is contained in either the magazine or only on the exlusive site would be 'leaked' and thus available on the various news sections of TF sites.

Also, since they have very direct and official ties with Hasbro, unlike the time when 3H was running the show, I would really expect more effort re the exclusives. Mere repaints of existing molds without at least some degree of retooling/resculpting is quite lazy and not acceptable, for the prices that they're asking (and the length of time we would have to wait to receive the stuff).

[liegeprime]

+1 on what HD said. Why is it that we get to be shafted on the joining fee? If that isn't indicator enough of what's (bad things) to come when/if you join I don't know what is. Sure they (at times) produce nice toys that otherwise couldn't/ wouldn't be mass produced by Hasbro officially, so its another avenue to get some - Vector sigma (I tell myself it's just a ball but i couldnt resist ) and VS key, Alpha Trion etc, but with all the benefits you've listed Griffin, it doesn't really concern non US fans much (as you've stated as well) and I would really feel gipped paying that amount yearly for expensive repaints (which I might inconsistently be after for) and nothing else. As youve said as well there is that avenue of haing only one member registered and order all the toys thru him/her so its not much of a problem. As for Botcon, well that's not gonna happen for anytime within ten years, and that's a fact. It's fairly obvious that they cater only to US fans, having international members is treated more of a coincidence and a source of funds for em, otherwise they would have like special rates/other benefits seeing as overseas members are less likely to enjoy their offered "benefits" and they wouldn't allow an international licensing to cater to the differences/culture each individual overseas TF community has.
So I voted for not a member, not interested in joining.

[llamatron]

There is no point in joining unless you're going to Botcon or living in the USA.

Suggestions for improvements:

*Make the content digital for international fans. Create a DRM / locked pdf file of the magazine and just email it out. This (a) saves on paper, (b) ensures everyone gets their copy at the same time and (c) means there is no reason to have a high cost for international members as there is no postage involved.

*Consider have different membership schemes. I.E. a cheaper option for people that aren't going to attend Botcon and don't want the pointless "Master Collector" magazine that is sent on the "off" months.

*Quicker announcement of dates / locations for Botcon. This isn't too much of an issue for USA fans but for international people it is a deal breaker. The lack of warning this year has already forced several fans to abandon their plans or go elsewhere (Comic-Con). Compounding this problem was the decision to not release the hotel discount code at the same time as the announcement meaning that all the USA fans could simply ring up the hotel and book their room at the cheaper rate while the international fans (who generally have to rely on doing things online) were left with no option.

*As mentioned above, cut out the shady postage profiteering and also post out international orders first to try and offset the difference in delivery times.

[Golden Phoenix]

I'm not a member and based on what I have heard I wouldn't want to join.
If they are going to make you wait, not be able to use it all, and ask for more $$$, I'd tell them to get nicked because it is just plain profiteering.

I hope we get our own one going. It would be nice to have something like what they have, only without the high prices and profiteering

In the words of Bender:
We should go make our own Club, with blackjack and hookers!

[i_amtrunks]

Not a member, and not interested in joining, if I want any figures I'll just suck up to Griffin or somebody else who is a member!

The lack of online registrations is abhorrent in this day and age, and reeks of an unprofessional attitude, especially to the international community.

You really do not get bang for your buck by joining.

[griffin]

Forgot to mention the free monthly listing in their printed classifieds, but as with the classifieds themselves, the content and potential audience do not effectively cater for people this far away from Nth America.

[griffin]

Okay, so there are currently 16 people who don't think it is worth it, but I don't see 16 people posting why, or how they would make it worth joining. Come on people, don't be like a 'rent-a-crowd' with no real reason other than everyone else is doing it.