The Energon Pub

alldarker wrote:(...)
I'm sure that when all the fans have been able to get their order in, in the next hours or days, without being cut off by Runabout being sold out or some other fatal problem, everyone will be a bit milder towards this situation.

Glad to have been proven right ...

I'd say that TFCC has done as well a job as could be expected under harsh circumstances. They kept communications up well, adapted their CC-processor as fast as possible and came through again only two days after the initial problems.

Most importantly, in my opinion, it seems as if their assessment of the amount of Runabout's that needed to be produced to please all the fans in the market was spot-on as well. They sold fast enough (I'm guestimating currently about 90% sold out?), but even now after the buying frenzy, still more are available.

alldarker wrote:

alldarker wrote:(...)
I'm sure that when all the fans have been able to get their order in, in the next hours or days, without being cut off by Runabout being sold out or some other fatal problem, everyone will be a bit milder towards this situation.

Glad to have been proven right ...

I'd say that TFCC has done as well a job as could be expected under harsh circumstances. They kept communications up well, adapted their CC-processor as fast as possible and came through again only two days after the initial problems.

Most importantly, in my opinion, it seems as if their assessment of the amount of Runabout's that needed to be produced to please all the fans in the market was spot-on as well. They sold fast enough (I'm guestimating currently about 90% sold out?), but even now after the buying frenzy, still more are available.

I do think that they could afford to overhaul the website though, as it is like going back in time to 1998. Considering the membership fees, I think that the whole site deserves to look more modern and user-friendly. More updates on the main page would help as well, to get away form the slightly amateurish look. Just sayin'.

A lot of people seem to be quite ambivalent towards SG Drift, so I wonder whether these will become virtual shelf-warmers. I'm guessing that the club knew that Runabout would be the 'must-have' of the 2. Also, someone else mentioned Blitzwing, I second the desire to get this figure. I guess the fact that he is a triple changer with no real mould sharing potential make this a hard sell to the bods at Hasbro, but then we got Astrotrain and Octane...

alldarker wrote:I'd say that TFCC has done as well a job as could be expected under harsh circumstances. They kept communications up well, adapted their CC-processor as fast as possible and came through again only two days after the initial problems.

Launch it the first time, see everything go to crap and then decide to go home for the day.

Then find another credit card provider that is clearly up to date to the point that international members need to FAX over personal details to verify that they're legit, oh and then go home for the day just a few hours after launching.

hmmmm ... I dunno, think they could have handled things a lot better. That credit card stuff should have been sorted out years ago when international members were having problems renewing their memberships.

Burn wrote:

alldarker wrote:I'd say that TFCC has done as well a job as could be expected under harsh circumstances. They kept communications up well, adapted their CC-processor as fast as possible and came through again only two days after the initial problems.

Launch it the first time, see everything go to crap and then decide to go home for the day.

Then find another credit card provider that is clearly up to date to the point that international members need to FAX over personal details to verify that they're legit, oh and then go home for the day just a few hours after launching.

hmmmm ... I dunno, think they could have handled things a lot better. That credit card stuff should have been sorted out years ago when international members were having problems renewing their memberships.

True, there's most definitely a lot of room for improvement as far as the site and as far as the service to fans are concerned. Lack of responsiveness to fans' concerns is another huge problem. It's a pity that stuff needs to go badly wrong before they show they can adapt.

BTW, I think the TFCC always had that blurb about sending a fax with personal details for first orders by international customers; I don't think that ever actually related to the CC-processor (new or old). Dumb rule anyhow, and very discouraging to international members, especially when combined with the exorbitant shipping costs they charge.
Anyhow, I'm an international customer with the TFCC, and I never actually needed to send them a fax with personal details to get a membership, or to get a 'surplus' Side Burn last year, or to get Over-Run / SG Drift pre-orders.

alldarker wrote:

Burn wrote:

alldarker wrote:I'd say that TFCC has done as well a job as could be expected under harsh circumstances. They kept communications up well, adapted their CC-processor as fast as possible and came through again only two days after the initial problems.

Launch it the first time, see everything go to crap and then decide to go home for the day.

Then find another credit card provider that is clearly up to date to the point that international members need to FAX over personal details to verify that they're legit, oh and then go home for the day just a few hours after launching.

hmmmm ... I dunno, think they could have handled things a lot better. That credit card stuff should have been sorted out years ago when international members were having problems renewing their memberships.

True, there's most definitely a lot of room for improvement as far as the site and as far as the service to fans are concerned. Lack of responsiveness to fans' concerns is another huge problem. It's a pity that stuff needs to go badly wrong before they show they can adapt.

BTW, I think the TFCC always had that blurb about sending a fax with personal details for first orders by international customers; I don't think that ever actually related to the CC-processor (new or old). Dumb rule anyhow, and very discouraging to international members, especially when combined with the exorbitant shipping costs they charge.
Anyhow, I'm an international customer with the TFCC, and I never actually needed to send them a fax with personal details to get a membership, or to get a 'surplus' Side Burn last year, or to get Over-Run / SG Drift pre-orders.

I sent them an email last night saying that I can send a PDF with my details if needs be and they haven't got back to me (and my order hasn't been cancelled).

If only there was a way of PAYing a PAL securely, internationally online. Oh wait........

breastforce wrote:

alldarker wrote:

alldarker wrote:(...)
I'm sure that when all the fans have been able to get their order in, in the next hours or days, without being cut off by Runabout being sold out or some other fatal problem, everyone will be a bit milder towards this situation.

Glad to have been proven right ...

I'd say that TFCC has done as well a job as could be expected under harsh circumstances. They kept communications up well, adapted their CC-processor as fast as possible and came through again only two days after the initial problems.

Most importantly, in my opinion, it seems as if their assessment of the amount of Runabout's that needed to be produced to please all the fans in the market was spot-on as well. They sold fast enough (I'm guestimating currently about 90% sold out?), but even now after the buying frenzy, still more are available.

I do think that they could afford to overhaul the website though, as it is like going back in time to 1998. Considering the membership fees, I think that the whole site deserves to look more modern and user-friendly. More updates on the main page would help as well, to get away form the slightly amateurish look. Just sayin'.

A lot of people seem to be quite ambivalent towards SG Drift, so I wonder whether these will become virtual shelf-warmers. I'm guessing that the club knew that Runabout would be the 'must-have' of the 2. Also, someone else mentioned Blitzwing, I second the desire to get this figure. I guess the fact that he is a triple changer with no real mould sharing potential make this a hard sell to the bods at Hasbro, but then we got Astrotrain and Octane...

At this point, I wouldn't even care if Blitzwing was just a redeco like they did with Springer. I just want a new figure.

Of course, it would be wonderful if he did revieve a new mold. It could even be redecoed into Flywheels and Overlord.

I'd also like to see a decent figure of Broadside which could then be redecoed into Flattop.

Dr. Heavy B wrote:

funeralthirst7 wrote:Got my Over-Run. Earlier in the day I got a FE Bulkhead for well under $100 bucks. This has been a great day so far.

Where? Also, How can I get him and Cliffjumper?

Also, total douche move buying two so you can scalp later at an inflated price. You know who you are

He can buy 2 figures if he wants to. He can sell one for a profit if he wants to. It's his figure. You don't have to pay him for it, so don't you be a douche.

RiddlerJ wrote:Of course, it would be wonderful if he did revieve a new mold. It could even be redecoed into Flywheels and Overlord.

Good shout. You have just made Hasbro's business case for them (nasty Botcon exclusive Overlord not withstanding)

breastforce wrote:

RiddlerJ wrote:Of course, it would be wonderful if he did revieve a new mold. It could even be redecoed into Flywheels and Overlord.

Good shout. You have just made Hasbro's business case for them (nasty Botcon exclusive Overlord not withstanding)

I'd definitely be down for the Flywheels redeco, Overlord I'm iffy on as Blitzwing would need to be deluxe size to measure up to Octane(Tankor) and Astrotrain. As long as each repaint gets a new head though I'd probably pick them all up. Oh, and Overlord would need to have some different accessories from Blitzwing and Flywheels

Well, that was an awful lot of drama over a deluxe figure. I am thankful that is over. I got myself an Over-run.

I just looked at the site and there are still some available. I am glad they made enough that everyone could get a shot at a figure.

Hey all, managed to grab them up yesterday, I'm excited! I missed out on Punch/CounterPunch and didn't really enjoy the exclusives last year, but I'll be glad to add two of my favorite. g1 figs and a deadpool transformer to the mix. I'm new by the way, but i guess you figured that.

freetouch wrote:Hey all, managed to grab them up yesterday, I'm excited! I missed out on Punch/CounterPunch and didn't really enjoy the exclusives last year, but I'll be glad to add two of my favorite. g1 figs and a deadpool transformer to the mix. I'm new by the way, but i guess you figured that.

Welcome! I'm actually in a similar boat as I missed out on P/CP (and Ramjet for that matter) but am really excited that I got in on this one.

Last call folks!!

TFCC Twitter:
"24 hours later and where are we? 99% sold thru on Runabout and 98% on Drift...That is a lot of toys sold in basically one day."

Prime Evil wrote:Last call folks!!

TFCC Twitter:
"24 hours later and where are we? 99% sold thru on Runabout and 98% on Drift...That is a lot of toys sold in basically one day."

I don't have Twitter, did they actually call him Runabout?

Delicon wrote:

Prime Evil wrote:Last call folks!!

TFCC Twitter:
"24 hours later and where are we? 99% sold thru on Runabout and 98% on Drift...That is a lot of toys sold in basically one day."

I don't have Twitter, did they actually call him Runabout?

Yes, they did.

Guess I'm not getting a Drift *shrug*

Oh well, no huge loss.

Diem wrote:Guess I'm not getting a Drift *shrug*

Oh well, no huge loss.

same here shatterd glass just never appealed to me but i managed to get my runabout.now to get stepper i swear this is an addiction

alternator77 wrote:

Diem wrote:Guess I'm not getting a Drift *shrug*

Oh well, no huge loss.

same here shatterd glass just never appealed to me but i managed to get my runabout.now to get stepper i swear this is an addiction

From a character standpoint, I don't really need to have Stepper, but darnit, he looks so freaking cool to me!

And lo the division between the Club-Haves and the Club-Missed-Outs shall begin again for another year.

Congrats to all who managed to get theirs. This current method of selling these sickens me to no end. I hope there will be a change next year.

Seriously? How many drifts did they make, less than a thousand? Can't really picture people caring about that unless they're just some SG completionists.

Mkall wrote:And lo the division between the Club-Haves and the Club-Missed-Outs shall begin again for another year.

Congrats to all who managed to get theirs. This current method of selling these sickens me to no end. I hope there will be a change next year.

Every year people ask for a change and it never happens. What needs to happen is one group buys all the figures and then goes to the boards trying to sell them at a mark up. I say this every year but there's no need to own more than one of the figure, period. I don't care about your dio, fan-fic, or pictures. There's also no reason to do group orders for non-club members; there's a reason why it's called a CLUB exclusive. Now if you'll excuse me I'm looking into how much my kidney will go for on the black market; I missed out on the pre-orders.

Dangit. Overrun (Runabout) sold out 2.5 hours before I could get home to order one

chuckdawg1999 wrote:

Mkall wrote:And lo the division between the Club-Haves and the Club-Missed-Outs shall begin again for another year.

Congrats to all who managed to get theirs. This current method of selling these sickens me to no end. I hope there will be a change next year.

Every year people ask for a change and it never happens. What needs to happen is one group buys all the figures and then goes to the boards trying to sell them at a mark up. I say this every year but there's no need to own more than one of the figure, period. I don't care about your dio, fan-fic, or pictures. There's also no reason to do group orders for non-club members; there's a reason why it's called a CLUB exclusive. Now if you'll excuse me I'm looking into how much my kidney will go for on the black market; I missed out on the pre-orders.

You know, I'm sorry that you didn't get to order a figure, but if someone wants to have 2 of the same figure, or if they want to help a friend out and order one for them too, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. You missed out, it sucks, but it's not like you didn't know this figure was coming. They announced this figure quite a while back.

RodimusConvoy13 wrote:

chuckdawg1999 wrote:

Mkall wrote:And lo the division between the Club-Haves and the Club-Missed-Outs shall begin again for another year.

Congrats to all who managed to get theirs. This current method of selling these sickens me to no end. I hope there will be a change next year.

Every year people ask for a change and it never happens. What needs to happen is one group buys all the figures and then goes to the boards trying to sell them at a mark up. I say this every year but there's no need to own more than one of the figure, period. I don't care about your dio, fan-fic, or pictures. There's also no reason to do group orders for non-club members; there's a reason why it's called a CLUB exclusive. Now if you'll excuse me I'm looking into how much my kidney will go for on the black market; I missed out on the pre-orders.

You know, I'm sorry that you didn't get to order a figure, but if someone wants to have 2 of the same figure, or if they want to help a friend out and order one for them too, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. You missed out, it sucks, but it's not like you didn't know this figure was coming. They announced this figure quite a while back.

Thanks but I'm not losing sleep over it. I don't even really mind helping out a friend, as long as they're a member of the club. That's the point of paying our dues, to get access to figures nobody else can. I think what really bothers me is this guy on twitter that does a large group order for his friends and none of them are members. That really bothers me.