The Energon Pub

Diem wrote:Haha well I guess you know more about it than me then! I just think it's a lot easier to bash FunPub than it is to be in their shoes sometimes.

It's just called dotting your i's and crossing your t's.

Diem wrote:I don't mean to sound like an apologist but if it was the credit card company that done goofed there's not really much TCC could have done about this. I used to work for a credit card company and I was once there at midnight on New Year's Eve. Even a major bank, that knew that a tidal wave of transactions was coming, temporarily folded.

Knowing that this behavior has the possibility of happening at least once a year, I would start shopping for a different vendor to handle the CC transactions. It doesn't help us today or tomorrow, but it's something a business (which FunPub is) should consider going forward.

And, as I've mentioned before, FunPub needs a new model for handling preorders. I'm aware that previous Club Exclusives have sat in their inventory for years while others sell out almost instantly. However, as a paying member of the club, I feel that I should have some say in holding a figure being sold if I wanted one.

I should not have to keep researching the Club's site or news sites to get an idea of when a product is going to be available. Let me know ahead of time, and I will plan to buy it at that time.

When the product is available, I should be able to order it without problems.

It may not be as simple as "Shut up and take my money!", but let me buy my figures at a predetermined date that's publically known within a reasonable time period. We heard "the last week of January" or "the last day", but why not assess when is an appropriate time for a company, then give fans a few days or a week from the official announcement ahead of the actual go-live date? It's simply poor business practices, and doesn't help an already rabid fan base.

It simply makes no sense why every time the Club has these items available, there's some issue to piss off customers.

necr0blivion wrote:

Diem wrote:I don't mean to sound like an apologist but if it was the credit card company that done goofed there's not really much TCC could have done about this. I used to work for a credit card company and I was once there at midnight on New Year's Eve. Even a major bank, that knew that a tidal wave of transactions was coming, temporarily folded.

Knowing that this behavior has the possibility of happening at least once a year, I would start shopping for a different vendor to handle the CC transactions. It doesn't help us today or tomorrow, but it's something a business (which FunPub is) should consider going forward.

And, as I've mentioned before, FunPub needs a new model for handling preorders. I'm aware that previous Club Exclusives have sat in their inventory for years while others sell out almost instantly. However, as a paying member of the club, I feel that I should have some say in holding a figure being sold if I wanted one.

I should not have to keep researching the Club's site or news sites to get an idea of when a product is going to be available. Let me know ahead of time, and I will plan to buy it at that time.

When the product is available, I should be able to order it without problems.

It may not be as simple as "Shut up and take my money!", but let me buy my figures at a predetermined date that's publically known within a reasonable time period. We heard "the last week of January" or "the last day", but why not assess when is an appropriate time for a company, then give fans a few days or a week from the official announcement ahead of the actual go-live date? It's simply poor business practices, and doesn't help an already rabid fan base.

It simply makes no sense why every time the Club has these items available, there's some issue to piss off customers.

Well it's not like TFCC are the only ones with these kind of problems. I remember when the NYCC exclusives became available on Hasbro's website (also with no advance warning) the site crapped out and their phone lines were backed up. Masterpiece Rodimus at Toys R Us was the same way.

I wish that there was a proper rationing system or something in place so that everyone could get a fair stab at getting the figure but I can understand that we, as a fandom, can be very difficult and demanding to deal with.

Of course I am only this forgiving because I got my preorder in. If was having to impotently wait until tomorrow I would be ratting TFCC out as hard as anyone.

necr0blivion wrote:

Mkall wrote:Well, at least they decided to put them up end of day on monday instead of friday like they did Botcon so if there are problems, people don't have to wait a whole weekend for service.

Agreed, but would've been MUCH better to just start beginning tomorrow morning so customers have the whole day to try and get in touch with them for problems.

It wouldn't be a big issue if everyone could put in their preorders this week, knowing that all would be honored.

This makes the most sense. It's how they do it in Japan. The clubs over their put a concept image up nearly 10 months in advance with 1-2 month window for ordering. Everyone's preorder is honored. Then the club places the order to Takara with the exact quantity. And everyone comes out a winner.

The way that TFCC does it is stoneage chaos!

I'll be up through the early morning (3 or 4am Eastern) so I'll keep checking periodically. With my luck I'll be asleep when they open up again and miss out completely.

I hope that there are some left after I get out of work 2morrow..I have no way of getting to a computer 2morrow to order them..I needs them both

Court Jester wrote:

butthurt was predicted... sing with me now...

:twisted:

This. Is. Hilarious.

Of course it's only because it's such a desirable figure that everyone is getting so upset. If this were another Dion no-one would care about their broken pre-order system.

All of this is such deja vus. Ryan, your conversion with TFCC this past fall seems so recent where you explained, rebuked, and pleaded the need for them to change their preorder process. And they said "oh no, not needed. Everything will be fine."

And look where we are now.

I've been trying to log into the site, but I can't even get the damn page to load, it keeps popping up with IIS7? anyone else have this issue? also anyone who actually does manage to order more than one willing to sell me one at a reasonable price should I not be able to order seeing as how the order window for the day was a HALF-F%^$ING HOUR!!!!!

Hellscream85 wrote:I've been trying to log into the site, but I can't even get the damn page to load, it keeps popping up with IIS7? anyone else have this issue? also anyone who actually does manage to order more than one willing to sell me one at a reasonable price should I not be able to order seeing as how the order window for the day was a HALF-F%^$ING HOUR!!!!!

They've taken the preorders down due to technical issues. They will be back up tomorrow.

That picture on the right column with Grimlock's eyes on fire... after today's events, there's a new caption.

Speaking of captions, someone screen shot Dinobots attacking Unicron for the new "butt hurt" meme!

necr0blivion wrote:That picture on the right column with Grimlock's eyes on fire... after today's events, there's a new caption.

Speaking of captions, someone screen shot Dinobots attacking Unicron for the new "butt hurt" meme!

Hahaha! That's awesome.

I can honestly say I'm less excited for this then I was when we saw P/CP's head sculpt. Not only am I completely put off of TFs at the moment (yet I proceed to bitch about it anyway), but I really do not like the Wheeljack figure this is based upon. Generations Wheeljack is kinda lame, that is also the only reason I'm interested in RiD Wheeljack at this point.

Does anyone know if there's a way to confirm that an order that supposedly did go through, actually did go through or not? I ordered the figures and got no errors and was even able to look up the order on their site, however I never received a confirmation email so I need to find out if it went through or not to determine if I should place a second order when the site comes back up tomorrow or not (I don't want to double-dip, as I have no need for 2x the figures).

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.

Heh. I want to say I timed it right as I joined up this morning for Runamuck, I honestly thought it'd be later in the week though.

A shame about all this, but it was a fun half-hour at work, repeatedly trying to get an order through while looking over my shoulder for my boss.


The surprise of the shipping charges hit me like a punch to the naughty bits, though. Ow. Still, necessary evil; the 'Runabros' are two of my fave TFs, can't have one without the other. Been a long time coming.

Not the first time I've seen something like this happen though; I remember the chaos incurred when I tried to preorder a Street Fighter IV fightstick a few years back.

I'll be checking in bright and early tomorrow.

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.

I'm assuming that if we got an order confirmation and our card was charged we're good to go, yes?

In any case, thanks for the update!

Pete, buddy... They're toys, and we're of good humor here. No one's panicking. Just get back to HQ, chill your crew out, and be prepared for the stampede tomorrow.

Hey, by the way, any chance of getting some of these exclusive things manufactured right here, in the 'ol USA. I'm down for an assembly line. Cutting foam - no problemo... applying paint decos? Just provide the air brushes and I'm there bro. Box assembly, art prints, whatever... As a true fan, I'd even volunteer to do it for free.

Just a thought.

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.

No matter what I think of this situation, I do give you credit for stopping by and making sure the fans are informed.

I can't even get to their site now?

Nevermind, read backwards to find that it is down now since I'm getting the IIs7.

Is this coming back up tonight or t'row now? Also what time?

I would love to say what I think of this after finally joining and hearing the horror stories but mayhaps I shall shut it till I order my figs.

Court Jester wrote:Pete, buddy... They're toys, and we're of good humor here. No one's panicking. Just get back to HQ, chill your crew out, and be prepared for the stampede tomorrow.

Hey, by the way, any chance of getting some of these exclusive things manufactured right here, in the 'ol USA. I'm down for an assembly line. Cutting foam - no problemo... applying paint decos? Just provide the air brushes and I'm there bro. Box assembly, art prints, whatever... As a true fan, I'd even volunteer to do it for free.

Just a thought.

*cough* People are panicking and getting pissed. People are acting like this is being done on purpose. I'm sure FunPub could have done something in anticipation of a blitzkrieg on the pre-orders. I honestly think if FunPub set a limit per customer (say 2 for example) there would not be a blitzkrieg. The blitzkrieg is happening because online toy shops and ebay bloodsuckers are buying out the stock and turning it over for double, triple (or more) for a profit. From what I've read FunPub is charging outrageous shipping costs and extra for bubblewrap. For what? Everyone wants their cut of the money, even more so when there is an economical recession.

I'm no different from anyone else who wants one of these figures. I don't care about the Shattered Glass Drift. I want Runamuck and [Runabout] Over-Run. I'm keeping an eye on this because I have a transaction agreement w/ someone who is putting a pre-order for 2 of the Over-Runs, one for me and one for him. So personally, I still agree w/ Pete on telling people to chill out and relax. You're not making things any better by chewing a new @$$hole into the powers that be.

And I won't have any money until next week. Figures...

I stand corrected, Blackstreak. In perspective, they will be on sale tomorrow. It's your right to be upset that you cannot buy what you want right now. I'd hate to have to pay eBay prices if they do sell out before you get a chance at them. That situation would suck, because these are awesome toys with uber-fantastic back stories. The Bevis and Butthead of transformers - only to grow in popularity with the TFCC's ongoing comics in the issues of the membership magazine. Can you imagine the kind of trouble they'll get into? I'm just going to love my set forever and ever.

I digress... condolences, my friend.