Transformers Club "Online Only" Membership

[jaydisc]

I'm pretty sure Griffin posted something like this previously, but my initial searches aren't revealing it. I've been chatting with some of the folks at Fun Publications and I'm curious if a new membership option would entice some of you.

As it stands, membership options are as follows (thank them for the oh-so-presentable all caps):

THIRD CLASS MAIL TRANSFORMERS COLLECTORS CLUB $40.00 PER YEAR (6) BI-MONTHLY COLORED MAGAZINES (FEB APRIL JUNE AUGUST OCTOBER DECEMBER) w/Dion (figure ships late spring 2010) $40.00 (US)

FIRST CLASS MAIL TRANSFORMERS COLLECTORS CLUB $62.00 PER YEAR (6) BI-MONTHLY COLORED MAGAZINES (FEB APRIL JUNE AUGUST OCTOBER DECEMBER) w/Dion (figure ships late spring 2010) $62.00 (US)

CANADIAN FIRST CLASS MAIL TRANSFORMERS COLLECTORS CLUB $69.00 PER YEAR PER YEAR (6) BI-MONTHLY COLORED MAGAZINES (FEB APRIL JUNE AUGUST OCTOBER DECEMBER) w/Dion (figure ships late spring 2010) $69.00 (US)

FOREIGN/OTHER COUNTRIES AIR MAIL TRANSFORMERS COLLECTORS CLUB $89.00 PER YEAR (6) BI-MONTHLY COLORED MAGAZINES (FEB APRIL JUNE AUGUST OCTOBER DECEMBER) w/Dion (figure ships late spring 2010) $89.00 (US)

When it comes to ordering a Botcon non-attending set, the difference in price for members vs. non-members is about $50. Unfortunately, that means membership is NOT WORTH it if all you are after it exclusive toys.

What if Fun Publications offered an Online Only membership? In other words, what if you could be a member and get access to the same options except the magazine, like:

* FREE Membership Transformers figure (if you join by March 16th each year)
* Transformers Club Shop offering club discounts on Transformers toys
* Ability to purchase member's only figures from Club store
* Discounts on packages to the official Transformers Convention: BotCon
* Member's Only Forum
* Prizes from Club Contests
* Free listings on MCAX.com (Coming soon)

Naturally, you would still have to pay shipping and handling on any shipped figures (free or otherwise). I'm not sure if that's included with the international plan, is it?

Would you be interested and what would you be willing to pay? I'm going to be informing Fun Publications directly of this poll, so please be honest. Do not say you'd pay to affect a change if you would not subscribe if such an option is created.

Thanks!

ADDENDUM

Please abstain if you are already a member as I'm trying to determine how many NEW members they'd get by offering this.

[iceburn]

i'll go for just US$40....

[Paulbot]

I concur, I would spend up to US$50.

Shipping for the six issues of the magazine and the freebie toy is included in the $90 we pay a year.

[jaydisc]

Ah, so shipping for the exclusive toy IS included in that $89?

[iceburn]

Ah, so shipping for the exclusive toy IS included in that $89?

affirmative but not for botcon toys...

[blackie]

$40us

[i_amtrunks]

With the shipping of one deluxe size toy included, but no magazines $40 sounds fair.

Although an option to make it cheaper by removing Botcon incentives would be helpful.

[Vector Prime]

I'd cop $50 for an online only membership... it's still easier to stomach than $89 considering I'm only interested in the toy exclusives.

[fatbot]

seeing as i'm already a member, you don't want me to vote. but, $us50 sounds fair for online access & shipping on the members toy. Let's be honest Botcon incentives are nearly worthless for people outside of north america and we get the magazine 4-6 weeks after it gets released.

[jaydisc]

Well, when I started the topic, I didn't realize $89 included the shipping of the free toy. My "Online Only" assumed that shipping would not be included, so if you wanted the free toy, you'd have to pay shipping (ideally at cost) separately.

Personally, I think US$40 for an exclusive deluxe toy from a small production run shipped to Australia is an incredible value.