The Energon Pub

Delicon wrote:Pete's FB comment where he told everyone to "ease off" is ignorant at best and arrogant at worst.

For the public face of a fan club, he doesn't seem to deal with criticism very well, even when it's legitimate. Unquestionably, we gripe A LOT, but I think he knew that when he signed on.

After reading the many posts in this thread and going up and down on the "it's cool" vs "i'm pissed" rollercoaster I prepared to offer my two cents. Many of you will not like it, many will not care one bit. For what it's worth....

I got mine, I got mine, hah ahahahahaa

seriously though, Funpub's fault for not knowing their own limitations or circumstances. It's called oversight Pete. I'm certain there are plenty to go around and seibertronians and other fans will be ok.

Pete@BotCon wrote:Hello. Quick update. Our server did not crash. Everything on our end was handling the flow. Due to the overwhelming amount of orders, the CC processing company got overloaded. We are working with them to address the issue so we can get these back up.

We apologize for the inconvenience, but we would like to assure you that we have a good number of these still in stock. And that we will get these back up as soon as possible.

Pete, I thank you for staying in contact with the fandom. However, I will say that this is ridiculous for a company to have issues like this with ordering product.

HTS handles large numbers of buyers after SDCC better than the club website can handle 2 exclusives being sold each year. For the $40 we pay each year along with the revenue earned from conventions and exlusives, you really should be able to have a more efficient online shopping system for your buyers.

I think the solution to this might be to give people a chance to order these when they join. Full a preorder check box each year... 'whatever the club figures are this year I want em." same at botcon. Many people want to get the complete set. By removing those people from the rat race, it would cut the number buying online and ease the problem.
Thoughts? That would eliminate a lot of waiting in line at the con and leave people with a much more positive impression all around.

gothsaurus wrote:I think the solution to this might be to give people a chance to order these when they join. Full a preorder check box each year... 'whatever the club figures are this year I want em." same at botcon. Many people want to get the complete set. By removing those people from the rat race, it would cut the number buying online and ease the problem.
Thoughts? That would eliminate a lot of waiting in line at the con and leave people with a much more positive impression all around.

The real solution is for them to use a reputable payment processor from companies like Authorize.net or Payflow Pro. Neither of those companies would have issues with this, particularly with this small of volume. These are the two largest payment processors. Most clients I've ever dealt with over the past ten years use one of those two processors. I haven't developed any e-commerce websites in the past 2 years since doing Seibertron.com full time so I don't know if there are any new players since then that are reputable.

Authorize.net
Payflow Pro

The sad part is that for anyone who tries their hardest to get Runabout but fails getting Runamuck as the free figure is gonna seem more like a kick in the teeth than a cool freebie. Though I guess they can sell it to one of the guys who bought two Runabouts.

Diem wrote:The sad part is that for anyone who tries their hardest to get Runabout but fails getting Runamuck as the free figure is gonna seem more like a kick in the teeth than a cool freebie. Though I guess they can sell it to one of the guys who bought two Runabouts.

Well, anyone that gets Runabout and doesn't get Runamuck has no one to blame but themselves. The freebie is easy to get...especially since Runabout will likely be long sold out before the membership deadline.

Kibble wrote:

Diem wrote:The sad part is that for anyone who tries their hardest to get Runabout but fails getting Runamuck as the free figure is gonna seem more like a kick in the teeth than a cool freebie. Though I guess they can sell it to one of the guys who bought two Runabouts.

Well, anyone that gets Runabout and doesn't get Runamuck has no one to blame but themselves. The freebie is easy to get...especially since Runabout will likely be long sold out before the membership deadline.

Ah...I was talking about people who get the free figure but can't get the paid figure, not vice versa.

I wonder if they've actually produced as many Runabouts as Runamucks? Eh, it doesn't matter either way. One will be scalped, the other... well it's just a freebie.

Well, whether I get it or not I'll just let timing be the judge. If I wake up in time I'll order it, if not, it's no huge loss.

Vicalliose wrote:I wonder if they've actually produced as many Runabouts as Runamucks?

The question was asked at Botcon (well, it was actually "Will everyone who gets a Runamuck be able to get a Runabout") and the answer was in the affirmative.

When you think they begin to do things right, something always happens to destroy that image.

I tried pre-ordering 7 different times. I even tried using my Debit card. It was so frustrating.

As for this credit card debacle, I blame FunPub. But that's just because I don't like 'em, not just because they chose a poopy credit card processor, which they did. Just so long as card numbers aren't getting stolen. Y'know like certain other perfectly reputable sites that totally are not run by pretentious, bloodsucking **** bags.

Vicalliose wrote:As for this credit card debacle, I blame FunPub. But that's just because I don't like 'em, not just because they chose a poopy credit card processor, which they did. Just so long as card numbers aren't getting stolen. Y'know like certain other perfectly reputable sites that totally are not run by pretentious, bloodsucking **** bags.

PSN?

So...

As of sometime this week my membership has expired with TFCC. I wasnt aware so when I logged on this morning it told me and I haven't been able to renew it because the credit card payment system is down. It also says that payment may take up to 72 hours to process.

What I need to know is this. Will I be able to preorder Over-run when I purchase my new membership or will I have to wait 72 hours for my membership to process? If its the latter then consider me out of the race.

I'm going to go curse in the street

quickmixed wrote:So...

As of sometime this week my membership has expired with TFCC. I wasnt aware so when I logged on this morning it told me and I haven't been able to renew it because the credit card payment system is down. It also says that payment may take up to 72 hours to process.

What I need to know is this. Will I be able to preorder Over-run when I purchase my new membership or will I have to wait 72 hours for my membership to process? If its the latter then consider me out of the race.

I'm going to go curse in the street

If you buy a figure at the non-member price it comes with a full subscription. So buy one of the figures (I'd suggest Over-Run), become a member, then go back and get Drift (if you want him) for the leser cost. THen wait a few days for the frenzy to calm down and call the Club and have them combine the two orders into one.

I cannot guarentee success with that, but in theory it should work.

Guess I got lucky, ordered both and my CC has already been charged.

Mkall wrote:

quickmixed wrote:So...

As of sometime this week my membership has expired with TFCC. I wasnt aware so when I logged on this morning it told me and I haven't been able to renew it because the credit card payment system is down. It also says that payment may take up to 72 hours to process.

What I need to know is this. Will I be able to preorder Over-run when I purchase my new membership or will I have to wait 72 hours for my membership to process? If its the latter then consider me out of the race.

I'm going to go curse in the street

If you buy a figure at the non-member price it comes with a full subscription. So buy one of the figures (I'd suggest Over-Run), become a member, then go back and get Drift (if you want him) for the leser cost. THen wait a few days for the frenzy to calm down and call the Club and have them combine the two orders into one.

I cannot guarentee success with that, but in theory it should work.

Cheers Mkall,

I reckon thats the way to go too. Secure Over-run first. Now the waiting game.

Diem wrote:

Vicalliose wrote:As for this credit card debacle, I blame FunPub. But that's just because I don't like 'em, not just because they chose a poopy credit card processor, which they did. Just so long as card numbers aren't getting stolen. Y'know like certain other perfectly reputable sites that totally are not run by pretentious, bloodsucking **** bags.

PSN?

You can apply this to many things. Granted this was only the second thing I was thinking of at the time.

Do any Brits want my 2nd Runabout at cost price? I'm not looking to scalp, just negate the obscene shipping costs somewhat. It will be cheaper for both of us if someone comes in with me.

PM if interested

quickmixed wrote:So...

As of sometime this week my membership has expired with TFCC. I wasnt aware so when I logged on this morning it told me and I haven't been able to renew it because the credit card payment system is down. It also says that payment may take up to 72 hours to process.

What I need to know is this. Will I be able to preorder Over-run when I purchase my new membership or will I have to wait 72 hours for my membership to process? If its the latter then consider me out of the race.

I'm going to go curse in the street

The same thing happened to me when I renewed. I let it slide for 8 days before finally contacting TFCC and what I learned is I somehow had set up two different username/password accounts at some point, and the system only accepts one account per person, so it defaulted and showed as expired.
Their help staff was fast and friendly and fixed me right up, so you may want to toss them an e-mail just to be sure.

gothsaurus wrote:I think the solution to this might be to give people a chance to order these when they join. Full a preorder check box each year... 'whatever the club figures are this year I want em." same at botcon. Many people want to get the complete set. By removing those people from the rat race, it would cut the number buying online and ease the problem.
Thoughts? That would eliminate a lot of waiting in line at the con and leave people with a much more positive impression all around.

That sounds like what MattyCollector.com does now.

I see that everyone has been very concerned and upset over the whole ordeal.

I just want to tell everyone...I just want to make it clear...

My order went through. We're cool.

It's all good.

No need to get upset on my account.

(nah, seriously, it did go through and then I walked away from the whole thing to find out that the credit card site went into meltdown mode? Bullshit. If it's not one thing it's another.

There are a variety of solutions to avoiding this kind of PR, this very bad PR...

You should **** know better FP. Plain and simple, even if it isn't a problem on your site of the transaction. You should know better. Shameful.)

Counterpunch wrote:I see that everyone has been very concerned and upset over the whole ordeal.

I just want to tell everyone...I just want to make it clear...

My order went through. We're cool.

It's all good.

No need to get upset on my account.

(nah, seriously, it did go through and then I walked away from the whole thing to find out that the credit card site went into meltdown mode? Bullshit. If it's not one thing it's another.

There are a variety of solutions to avoiding this kind of PR, this very bad PR...

You should **** know better FP. Plain and simple, even if it isn't a problem on your site of the transaction. You should know better. Shameful.)

Sometimes I wonder if the computer systems Fun Pub (and their associates) utilize are still being manufacted by the Tandy Corporation.

Counterpunch wrote:I see that everyone has been very concerned and upset over the whole ordeal.

I just want to tell everyone...I just want to make it clear...

My order went through. We're cool.

It's all good.

No need to get upset on my account.

I'm trying to set you on fire with my mind. Is it working?

Dr. Heavy B wrote:

Counterpunch wrote:I see that everyone has been very concerned and upset over the whole ordeal.

I just want to tell everyone...I just want to make it clear...

My order went through. We're cool.

It's all good.

No need to get upset on my account.

I'm trying to set you on fire with my mind. Is it working?

Every post you make gets me hot.