The Energon Pub

Thanks for clarifying some things with us Pete. We all just want to see the Club succeed. I think you guys are heading in the right direction with hot figures like Sideburn, Runamuck, and Runabout. However, there are some long running concerns that the fan base has had that continue to not be addressed or ignored. I think that's where a lot of the frustration between the fan community and the club comes into play.

Just for the sake of food for thought and for playing devil's advocate, I'm sure there's a whole business side of this that the Club can't and shouldn't talk about in public. There's cash flow issues, rules with the credit card companies (such as payments aren't technically supposed to be processed unless a product is in hand), and long term credit card storage issues (and the inherent costs of programming a website to work properly with CC processors such as Authorize.net, Payflow, etc) ... just to name a few things that should remain private to a business like the Club. I'm not sure how many people are officially paid employees by the GIJoe and Transformers Collector's Clubs, but employee costs (pay, employee benefits, office lease(s), cost of website(s) and maintenance, the club magazines, warehouse storage, the products themselves, etc) all need cash flow and it's probably challenging to maintain all of that with limited sources of income from the conventions, sale of products, and membership fees.

While I agree that it would be nice to have the club exclusive products not sell out in 24 to 48 hours, I think it's important that we keep in mind that the Club did get burned, not once, but twice on ordering too many figures. They've still got 2007 Airrazor in stock and, if I remember correctly, they only recently sold out of the 2007 Astrotrain. Even in that situation though, I'm surprised that the product wasn't liquidated via connections with Hasbro to stores like TJ Maxx, Ross, or Marshalls. Perhaps they don't do that in order to maintain the exclusivity of their products and are standing by their decisions so as not to devalue the sale of future product releases.

Ultimately, I would like to see the Club communicate more with fans. To be honest, I wish I could be involved in some capacity with the overall process of the Club. I could bring some useful skill sets to the table business-wise with having 10 years of e-commerce programming under my belt prior to working on Seibertron.com full time as well as having many years of sales experience. There aren't a lot of web programmers out there with 4 years of car sales experience and 10 years of e-commerce programming experience who also own a successful Transformers fan website (which furthers sales experience, marketing, advertising, programming, and other business skills) which receives over 30,000+ unique visitors per day and who is also an actual die-hard Transformers fan who owns 3,500+ Transformers toys.

This looks pretty awesome. The only problem is that Runabout will be in really high demand, and will be hard to find. I might end up joining the club next year, or at least asking for a membership for Christmas or my birthday. I'm kind of regretting not having joined this year. I really want Sideburn.

Seibertron wrote:I could bring some useful skill sets to the table business-wise with having 10 years of e-commerce programming under my belt prior to working on Seibertron.com full time as well as having many years of sales experience. There aren't a lot of web programmers out there with 4 years of car sales experience and 10 years of e-commerce programming experience who also own a successful Transformers fan website (which furthers sales experience, marketing, advertising, programming, and other business skills) which receives over 30,000+ unique visitors per day and who is also an actual die-hard Transformers fan who owns 3,500+ Transformers toys.

I thought that those who ask get skipped here? Joking aside, I never suspected car sales from you Is such a skill really that valuable to employers?

As for the club listening to fans, I wonder how such a club can actually do that without compromising anything. I can imagine listing and organising the general opinions could be a statistical nightmare, especially with the amount of TF websites we already have. Besides, would a club with a few unexpected surprises (pleasant or not, Animated Stunticons come to mind) be less fun than a club that could cater to every single need we have?

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

Seibertron wrote:I could bring some useful skill sets to the table business-wise with having 10 years of e-commerce programming under my belt prior to working on Seibertron.com full time as well as having many years of sales experience. There aren't a lot of web programmers out there with 4 years of car sales experience and 10 years of e-commerce programming experience who also own a successful Transformers fan website (which furthers sales experience, marketing, advertising, programming, and other business skills) which receives over 30,000+ unique visitors per day and who is also an actual die-hard Transformers fan who owns 3,500+ Transformers toys.

I thought that those who ask get skipped here?

LOL. I wasn't asking ... just stating what I think I might be able to bring to the table when it comes to the business side of a website such as the Club's. If the opportunity ever presented itself where I could brainstorm with the official folks behind the Club regarding where improvements could be made, I would be interested.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Joking aside, I never suspected car sales from you Is such a skill really that valuable to employers?

It's sales experience, which most programmers don't have. Programmers and sales people don't usually mix. It has been my experience that most programmers have difficulty comprehending correlations between time, efficiency, deadlines, money, and the all mighty bottom line. All business comes down to, plain-and-simple, is making money. At the end of the day, that's it. Yeah, it takes good customer service, well received and desirable products, follow-ups, return customers, new customers, good business practices, marketing, a little advertising, word of mouth, and good management but if you have all of that and still didn't make enough money to keep the doors open, then it was all for naught.

I'd like to see preorders, but I think there are other alternatives.

Perhaps they could impose a limit of two of the same figure per person. They put order limits on the second run of Punch-Counterpunch, so is there a reason this couldn't be done for all exclusives? I think the biggest problem people have with collecting in general is the scourge of scalpers who buy a dozen figures then immediately resell them (often before they even have the figures!). Quantity limits wouldn't solve this problem, but it would limit it and give collectors the chance to have the "one to display, one to open" that some like to have.

Or, what about having exclusive sales be exclusive to members for say 24 hours before opening them up to everyone? I know the non-member price includes the $40 membership fee, but perhaps there's a way to work out a system like that.

Anyway, that's just my $0.02 that I pulled out of my butt. I'm sure there are complexities that would shoot my ideas down in a heartbeat.

Pre-orders are the way to go. It can't be that hard of a thing to do.

WeatherManNX01 wrote:I'd like to see preorders, but I think there are other alternatives.

Perhaps they could impose a limit of two of the same figure per person. They put order limits on the second run of Punch-Counterpunch, so is there a reason this couldn't be done for all exclusives? I think the biggest problem people have with collecting in general is the scourge of scalpers who buy a dozen figures then immediately resell them (often before they even have the figures!). Quantity limits wouldn't solve this problem, but it would limit it and give collectors the chance to have the "one to display, one to open" that some like to have.

Or, what about having exclusive sales be exclusive to members for say 24 hours before opening them up to everyone? I know the non-member price includes the $40 membership fee, but perhaps there's a way to work out a system like that.

Anyway, that's just my $0.02 that I pulled out of my butt. I'm sure there are complexities that would shoot my ideas down in a heartbeat.

I agree very strongly with this.

I don't get it, are not the Membership figures already kinda preordered? What I mean is: I give them money, then I wait for months, and then I get a figure in the mail. Couldn't I just give them money earlier, they contact the factory and say "we have 1200 paid for preorders after one month, make us 1500 figures" and go from there? The club did a wonderful thing when they produced more Punch/Counterpunch's. That demonstrates a little control and flexibility with the parent company right?

My vote would be against pre-orders.

There's too much risk and liability when you take someone's money up front IMO.

OMG !

WeatherManNX01 wrote:For anyone who isn't happy with the Wheeljack backpack on Runamuck and Runabout, TCC retweeted this on their Twitter feed earlier: http://www.twitvid.com/KI6PZ

Try it on your own Wheeljack or Tracks and see if you like it enough to change your mind about wanting the pair.

F'ing AWESOME..

Too bad I can't afford a club membership right now..

chuckdawg1999 wrote:

Diem wrote:

WeatherManNX01 wrote:I'd like to see preorders, but I think there are other alternatives.

Perhaps they could impose a limit of two of the same figure per person. They put order limits on the second run of Punch-Counterpunch, so is there a reason this couldn't be done for all exclusives? I think the biggest problem people have with collecting in general is the scourge of scalpers who buy a dozen figures then immediately resell them (often before they even have the figures!). Quantity limits wouldn't solve this problem, but it would limit it and give collectors the chance to have the "one to display, one to open" that some like to have.

Or, what about having exclusive sales be exclusive to members for say 24 hours before opening them up to everyone? I know the non-member price includes the $40 membership fee, but perhaps there's a way to work out a system like that.

Anyway, that's just my $0.02 that I pulled out of my butt. I'm sure there are complexities that would shoot my ideas down in a heartbeat.

I agree very strongly with this.

One problem is I know of at least two people who do group orders to save on shipping and they order more than 2 figures. They don't scalp them and everyone ends up getting a better price.

I wouldn't consider this a problem, it just forces those people to cough up money for the shipping.

I agree that limiting the number of figures for the first week or first few days should be a must with collectors items like this. After a week, it's fair game for whoever wants to buy more. But that's also the collector in me talking. If it was my business, I'd want to make sure that all of the items are spoken for so that I don't get stuck with them.

chuckdawg1999 wrote:But if they can only order 2 figures and that's it they can't do a bulk order. They don't save on shipping from the club it's the re-shipping where the savings are had. On another note

I understand what you're saying. I'm just saying that the cost of shipping is just part of the cost of the figure in the end. Limiting the number of figures that can be ordered would also help boost membership numbers for the Club whereas allowing people to order as many as they want with a bulk order actually discourages membership signup. Now that I think about this, this should just be standard procedure since allowing multiple figures to be ordered initially would only hurt potential memberships.

chuckdawg1999 wrote:OMG RYAN CHANGED HIS AVATAR IT'S THE FIRST SIGN OF THE APOCALYPSE RUN!!!!!!!!!!

I think it's the first time I've ever had a non-Cybertron avatar. I use that avatar everywhere on the 'net.

Seibertron wrote:

chuckdawg1999 wrote:OMG RYAN CHANGED HIS AVATAR IT'S THE FIRST SIGN OF THE APOCALYPSE RUN!!!!!!!!!!

I think it's the first time I've ever had a non-Cybertron avatar. I use that avatar everywhere on the 'net.

But...it's still Cybertron!

kirbenvost wrote:

Seibertron wrote:

chuckdawg1999 wrote:OMG RYAN CHANGED HIS AVATAR IT'S THE FIRST SIGN OF THE APOCALYPSE RUN!!!!!!!!!!

I think it's the first time I've ever had a non-Cybertron avatar. I use that avatar everywhere on the 'net.

But...it's still Cybertron!

And its artwork (as well as that of your [Ryan's] new sig) looks GORGEOUS! Takara once again pulls off some highly be-yoo-tee-ful looking box art.

Very nice figure ,guess i NOW have to renew my membership .

chuckdawg1999 wrote:

Seibertron wrote:

chuckdawg1999 wrote:But if they can only order 2 figures and that's it they can't do a bulk order. They don't save on shipping from the club it's the re-shipping where the savings are had. On another note

I understand what you're saying. I'm just saying that the cost of shipping is just part of the cost of the figure in the end. Limiting the number of figures that can be ordered would also help boost membership numbers for the Club whereas allowing people to order as many as they want with a bulk order actually discourages membership signup. Now that I think about this, this should just be standard procedure since allowing multiple figures to be ordered initially would only hurt potential memberships.

The thing is it isn't worth while for the people who are part of these bulk orders to become members. They live in area's where the membership cost is to high or they never attend Bot-Con. I understand the thought of club members only getting the toys but I'd like to see whoever wants one, really wants one, gets one. I'm not a member of the Joe Club so does that mean I shouldn't have the mail-away Cobra Commander my friend got for me? I wanted the figure and appreciate it for what it is but not at $40 for the membership and another $15 for the figure; and as we all know the TF exclusives are much more money.

That's not for the Club to worry about. To answer your question, as far as the Clubs are concerned, the figures should only be sold initially to club members and if bulk orders are being placed so that non-members can get the figures then they should put a stop to it. The whole point of them being Club exclusives is that they're for the club members. If you don't want to be a member to get the Club exclusives, then you'll have to pick them up in the aftermarket and that's a choice you'll have to make. And yes, that's 100% fair. The Club is called a "club" for a reason. There's supposed to be perks and benefits to being a "club" member. If you don't think getting first dibs on the "club" exclusive figures is worth having a membership, then that's your prerogative and those are your choices. But the point you are arguing is non-beneficial to the Club. Club memberships, selling their exclusives, and their conventions are the only way they make money. If you're skimping on the club membership then I don't know what to tell you. I'm sure if there was a limit of 2 per member, many of you who don't have memberships would rethink getting a membership so that you could get these exclusive figures.

Are you a member of the Transformers Club?

I think a limit on the number purchased by any member is a good idea for exclusives. My reasoning is this:

I paid money to join the club, so if someone else buys up a ton of figures, preventing me from getting just 1, I as a member, who PAID to be a member just got screwed by someone else not willing to pony up the cash to get their own membership or pay shipping fees or whatever.

A few dollars saved for them, is $200 I'll have to spend on ebay because they killed my chance of getting just 1 (that is what I had to pay for Punch/CounterPunch, and also what motivated me to join the club because I missed out on him due to not being a member), and that's not fair, especially if I PAID to be a member of the club to begin with (and I have never and likely will never attend Botcon, it is always too far away for me to go so the only reason I am a member of the club is because of the exclusives).

Members should get first shot at all exclusives, with a purchase limit of say 1-3 of each figure in the first 24 hours, with an email sent to each member 48 hours in advance of the beginning of the figures going on sale so that we're all aware of when we can start buying. After that, it's game on for everybody with the limits on purchases removed and purchasing of the exclusives open to everybody. That's just like the VIP membership at Botcon that lets you into the dealer room before everybody else (never been there, but it's one of the benefits I've heard about). That would be a fair and reasonable practice for the club to provide that for the people that actually pay for the privilege.

xyl360 wrote:I think a limit on the number purchased by any member is a good idea for exclusives. My reasoning is this:

I paid money to join the club, so if someone else buys up a ton of figures, preventing me from getting just 1, I as a member, who PAID to be a member just got screwed by someone else not willing to pony up the cash to get their own membership or pay shipping fees or whatever.

A few dollars saved for them, is $200 I'll have to spend on ebay because they killed my chance of getting just 1 (that is what I had to pay for Punch/CounterPunch, and also what motivated me to join the club because I missed out on him due to not being a member), and that's not fair, especially if I PAID to be a member of the club to begin with (and I have never and likely will never attend Botcon, it is always too far away for me to go so the only reason I am a member of the club is because of the exclusives).

Members should get first shot at all exclusives, with a purchase limit of say 1-3 of each figure in the first 24 hours, with an email sent to each member 48 hours in advance of the beginning of the figures going on sale so that we're all aware of when we can start buying. After that, it's game on for everybody with the limits on purchases removed and purchasing of the exclusives open to everybody. That's just like the VIP membership at Botcon that lets you into the dealer room before everybody else (never been there, but it's one of the benefits I've heard about). That would be a fair and reasonable practice for the club to provide that for the people that actually pay for the privilege.

Though I'd argue for a limit of 2 and 7 days instead of 24 hours, but that's without knowing how much inventory there is, how many club members there are, and all of the financials involved which you'd need to know in order to determine what quantity limits should be in place.

Seibertron wrote:

xyl360 wrote:I think a limit on the number purchased by any member is a good idea for exclusives. My reasoning is this:

I paid money to join the club, so if someone else buys up a ton of figures, preventing me from getting just 1, I as a member, who PAID to be a member just got screwed by someone else not willing to pony up the cash to get their own membership or pay shipping fees or whatever.

A few dollars saved for them, is $200 I'll have to spend on ebay because they killed my chance of getting just 1 (that is what I had to pay for Punch/CounterPunch, and also what motivated me to join the club because I missed out on him due to not being a member), and that's not fair, especially if I PAID to be a member of the club to begin with (and I have never and likely will never attend Botcon, it is always too far away for me to go so the only reason I am a member of the club is because of the exclusives).

Members should get first shot at all exclusives, with a purchase limit of say 1-3 of each figure in the first 24 hours, with an email sent to each member 48 hours in advance of the beginning of the figures going on sale so that we're all aware of when we can start buying. After that, it's game on for everybody with the limits on purchases removed and purchasing of the exclusives open to everybody. That's just like the VIP membership at Botcon that lets you into the dealer room before everybody else (never been there, but it's one of the benefits I've heard about). That would be a fair and reasonable practice for the club to provide that for the people that actually pay for the privilege.

Though I'd argue for a limit of 2 and 7 days instead of 24 hours, but that's without knowing how much inventory there is, how many club members there are, and all of the financials involved which you'd need to know in order to determine what quantity limits should be in place.

I hope Pete is still reading this because this NEEDS to happen.

I Agree with the above , This is my first time joining TCC i hope i dont get screwed.