Just to put this right up front and center, US$40 = CDN$40.14. The U.S. and Canadian dollars are essentially equal at present. Gone are the days of one U.S. dollar costing $1.40 Canadian.
Of course there are additional costs for international shipping and I appreciate that they add to the bottom line. Whether those costs warrant a 50% fee hike for those north of the 49th parallel, I can't say. I am pleased to see that "streamlining" has lead to a change in membership costs both to Canada and other parts of the world. In the first years of the club, my magazine (sent to Ontario, Canada) was routed through Malmo, Sweden. I don't even want to guess how that worked logistically and logically, although it would certainly do something to the costing.
LiKwid wrote:I only stay in the club for the botcon discount.. The free figure is a bonus but IMo the botcon discount is what makes it worth while..
But LiKwid really hits the nail on the head. It's nice to get a deluxe exclusive (much better in my view than the single 4" figure available to modern GIJoe club members, but I digress), even if I am more tepid about Generations Sideburn than others. While it may make sense for U.S. collectors, when you can routinely pick the add-on up (with whom you may or may not be enamored) for $20-$30 online, it makes less sense for Canadian collectors to join. Unless you are joining for the Botcon discount (which really makes the whole membership free).
Summary? Good for FunPub for adjusting prices. It'll help. But beyond the exclusive, the six magazines (such that they are) are not enough to warrant membership. It's only the discount to the Con that does that.
