TFCC Transformers Figure Subscription Service (TFSS) Press Release - Deadline Sept 10

Yep, already signed up and already got my confirmation email for my subscription.

I can't wait to start getting the bots !


...oh yeah, and BRING ON ULTRA MAMMOTH!!!!

I'm very much considering signing up for this, but does anyone know if TFCC takes checks instead of credit cards? I send them an email over two days ago and no reply from them about it. If anyone can let me know about this, that would be great.

REMINDER: Today is last day to sign up for TFCC's new subscription service. The set features Scourge, Circuit, Breakdown, Slipstream, Jackpot, and Ultra Mammoth, who will be shipped in random order. If you want to participate you have until midnight central time. Click here to sign up!

Not being a member and considering the price of joining for overseas customers, coupled with the fact I only really want one of the toys listed (Slipstream) I can't justify spending so much on one deluxe toy that isn't essential really. Are people able to order more than one of a specific figure of do you have to sign up for a full set if you want two. If I could work out a deal with someone to order two Slipstreams, is that possible?

So, so tempted by this. But, in the end, I just couldn't do it. Lack of shelf space means that half of these guys wouldn't get displayed at all in my collection. And it's just too little time for me to really save up for it.

Had TFCC announced their prices early on, I may have saved up and gotten it. But they didn't so I may yet get the ones I want (Slipstream and, maybe, Scourge) at ... *shudders* ... after market prices.

Wait. You have to be a member of TFCC before you can even gain access to this subscription service? Holy... That price is ridiculous!

*sigh* It's been ten days since I signed up and have STILL not received any blasted confirmation email! I've emailed the Club about this THREE times, but they've given me no replies!

Trikeboy wrote:Not being a member and considering the price of joining for overseas customers, coupled with the fact I only really want one of the toys listed (Slipstream) I can't justify spending so much on one deluxe toy that isn't essential really. Are people able to order more than one of a specific figure of do you have to sign up for a full set if you want two. If I could work out a deal with someone to order two Slipstreams, is that possible?

Sadly no, they force you to purchase a second subscription if you want doubles of any figure, so it's all 6 or nothing, you can't buy multiples of a single figure.

Is the uptake on these not what they had hoped? Reminder emails and now reminders on Seibertron. If more than 1/3 of these figures didn't suck they might have had more luck.

Sabrblade wrote:*sigh* It's been ten days since I signed up and have STILL not received any blasted confirmation email! I've emailed the Club about this THREE times, but they've given me no replies!

Have you tried calling them? There's a phone number on their "contact us" page and there always seems to be someone around during business days.

Banjo-Tron wrote:Is the uptake on these not what they had hoped? Reminder emails and now reminders on Seibertron. If more than 1/3 of these figures didn't suck they might have had more luck.

They've always sent out reminders on all their services - Botcon, membership cutoff dates, previous exclusive figure releases. You're probably reading too much into this, although I would be interested in hearing the final subscription tally

Sabrblade wrote:*sigh* It's been ten days since I signed up and have STILL not received any blasted confirmation email! I've emailed the Club about this THREE times, but they've given me no replies!

Maybe they aren't sending out confirmation emails concerning the subscription service anymore. I haven't recieved one and know of several people who haven't got one either but the order shows in my order history and my card was charged.

Mkall wrote:

Banjo-Tron wrote:Is the uptake on these not what they had hoped? Reminder emails and now reminders on Seibertron. If more than 1/3 of these figures didn't suck they might have had more luck.

They've always sent out reminders on all their services - Botcon, membership cutoff dates, previous exclusive figure releases. You're probably reading too much into this, although I would be interested in hearing the final subscription tally

Agreed. I figure they're doing this as a courtesy, especially considering that they opened up access to subscribing much later than they'd initially planned (all the server/store issues leading up to it etc.) so they probably just want to make certain all of their members are well aware of the deadline since the sets are made to order.

xyl360 wrote:

Mkall wrote:

Banjo-Tron wrote:Is the uptake on these not what they had hoped? Reminder emails and now reminders on Seibertron. If more than 1/3 of these figures didn't suck they might have had more luck.

They've always sent out reminders on all their services - Botcon, membership cutoff dates, previous exclusive figure releases. You're probably reading too much into this, although I would be interested in hearing the final subscription tally

Agreed. I figure they're doing this as a courtesy, especially considering that they opened up access to subscribing much later than they'd initially planned (all the server/store issues leading up to it etc.) so they probably just want to make certain all of their members are well aware of the deadline since the sets are made to order.

Others on the Internet have reported having received their confirmation emails on this from the club.

Damnit, All I want is Scourge (and MAYBE Ultra Mammaoth). But I have to get ALL SIX? Screw that.

Sabrblade wrote:*sigh* It's been ten days since I signed up and have STILL not received any blasted confirmation email! I've emailed the Club about this THREE times, but they've given me no replies!

I haven't got an email either but if you sign in to the subscription service site and scroll all the way down and click the my account button on the left it should have your invoice and 6 shipping links.

Yea I wonder what the total count is. I ordered on the 8th and it was just under 4000. I'm glad they gave a couple of weeks to let us jump in. I usuly miss out on this kinda stuff.

Sabrblade wrote:

xyl360 wrote:

Mkall wrote:

Banjo-Tron wrote:Is the uptake on these not what they had hoped? Reminder emails and now reminders on Seibertron. If more than 1/3 of these figures didn't suck they might have had more luck.

They've always sent out reminders on all their services - Botcon, membership cutoff dates, previous exclusive figure releases. You're probably reading too much into this, although I would be interested in hearing the final subscription tally

Agreed. I figure they're doing this as a courtesy, especially considering that they opened up access to subscribing much later than they'd initially planned (all the server/store issues leading up to it etc.) so they probably just want to make certain all of their members are well aware of the deadline since the sets are made to order.

Others on the Internet have reported having received their confirmation emails on this from the club.

However, you need to remember that TFCC is sending out the emails both individually and in the order they have received/confirmed these orders. It is unfortunate, but you should always assume that you will get these kind of emails within a period of 1-5 days. And in most cases, unless you have a concern, it is best to contact them around 5-7 days after they are said to start sending out the emails.

Besides... I had the issue where I ordered "2010" Predaking from TFsource.com, and my credit/debit card company called me saying that this order was declined. And then the store site said "sold out" on the item (I ordered the "mint" box) as a whole. And this resulted in me contacting both a few days later, and found that the result in my favor.

Point being is that if you have something that says your order went through, then it means that you will receive said email confirmation at a later date. If you do not get it by the end of the week, then check up on that email. Otherwise, just stay calm and Autobot on.

I'm a member already, and I would sign up for this if it had a different payment plan. I just can't afford it they way it is. If it was monthly payments of $50 or so, it would be fine. I wanted Jackpot, Breakdown, and Scourge mainly.

With just a few hours until the deadline expires for TFCC's new subscription service they've tweeted a trio of images from the set. Check out the images of Breakdown, Circuit, Slipstream, Ultra Mammoth, and Scourge below. The deadline to sign up is midnight central time.

Click the link below to subscribe:

https://www.mastercollector.com//fss/login.cfm?eid=3

I cannot wait for Ultra Mammoth to arrive at my door! HELL YEAH!!

STngAR wrote:I cannot wait for Ultra Mammoth to arrive at my door! HELL YEAH!!

THIS^...x12!!!

Beast Wars!!!!

Rodimus Prime wrote:I'm a member already, and I would sign up for this if it had a different payment plan. I just can't afford it they way it is. If it was monthly payments of $50 or so, it would be fine. I wanted Jackpot, Breakdown, and Scourge mainly.

That was an issue for me. They do have a payment plan, but you have to pay a premium just to use it. I can understand if they said this is due to them paying some kind of fee to allow it to happen. But they said nothing more than it is part of their option.

Besides, you would think that they would say anything about that. But since they didn't, and I skipped on the set, I will just hope they do not repeat the number of fiascos and issues that came with their club/sets.

xyl360 wrote:

STngAR wrote:I cannot wait for Ultra Mammoth to arrive at my door! HELL YEAH!!

THIS^...x12!!!

Beast Wars!!!!

You guys do realize these wont be released for quite some time right?

I feel like I was over charged for shipping... Can anyone explain or confirm this?

The TF Club wrote:25 years later a Matrix can be opened by a Magnus (or Ultra MAMMOTH as he is known now...)

BOOOOOOOOO!!! Ultra Mammoth is just Ultra Magnus in a new body.


New character intrigue just fell to old character boredom.

JRFitzpatrick7 wrote:I feel like I was over charged for shipping... Can anyone explain or confirm this?

Considering I can't see the images, I can't confirm either way.

Mkall wrote:

JRFitzpatrick7 wrote:I feel like I was over charged for shipping... Can anyone explain or confirm this?

Considering I can't see the images, I can't confirm either way.

Considering it's from the TFCC - Yes. You were overcharged for shipping.

sorry guys, let's try this again.





In the event that these images do not show up, I went with the default shipping option:

Post Office Domestic Priority Mail: For 2 installments $20.90, 1 $10.45

The second image shows my confirmation page (right before purchase):

3 installments of $94.00 = $282.00

Total Shipping for all 3 installments... $62.70...

Now If I recall correctly, there are only 3 installments that will be shipped and the first 2 are paid for together leaving 1 more that should only cost $10.45 to ship. so where is the additional $31.35 coming from.

And don't get me started on the "Online processing fee"


Seems Legit...

I think I'm going to get me a green giant with the money not spent on this...

JRFitzpatrick7 wrote:
In the event that these images do not show up, I went with the default shipping option:

Post Office Domestic Priority Mail: For 2 installments $20.90, 1 $10.45

The second image shows my confirmation page (right before purchase):

3 installments of $94.00 = $282.00

Total Shipping for all 3 installments... $62.70...

Now If I recall correctly, there are only 3 installments that will be shipped and the first 2 are paid for together leaving 1 more that should only cost $10.45 to ship. so where is the additional $31.35 coming from.

You forget that there's extra logistics involved in getting the figure from the massive shipping crates that will arrive at TFCC, or its distributor, on its way to you. Mostly paying some guy to prep an individual shipping box, grab a figure from the bin, place figure into the shipping box, attach shipping labels, then place it into the "out" box.

So yeah, it's probably accurate, but more expensive than what it would cost USPS due to middlemen.

I never thought I'd say this, but I think Slipstream needs some lipstick.. black or purple...the head is a little too unisex without it.

Wowzers... I dread to think what the shipping to the UK would be. I have never seen more expensive shipping for comparable items than TFCC. I would expect hand delivery for the prices they charge, so good job none of this set is essential to have IMO.

Mkall wrote:

JRFitzpatrick7 wrote:
In the event that these images do not show up, I went with the default shipping option:

Post Office Domestic Priority Mail: For 2 installments $20.90, 1 $10.45

The second image shows my confirmation page (right before purchase):

3 installments of $94.00 = $282.00

Total Shipping for all 3 installments... $62.70...

Now If I recall correctly, there are only 3 installments that will be shipped and the first 2 are paid for together leaving 1 more that should only cost $10.45 to ship. so where is the additional $31.35 coming from.

You forget that there's extra logistics involved in getting the figure from the massive shipping crates that will arrive at TFCC, or its distributor, on its way to you. Mostly paying some guy to prep an individual shipping box, grab a figure from the bin, place figure into the shipping box, attach shipping labels, then place it into the "out" box.

So yeah, it's probably accurate, but more expensive than what it would cost USPS due to middlemen.

If that was the case, TFCC would have listed handling on the invoice, my concern is that the total shipping price costs twice as much as it should. What I'm saying is that based on the math involved, the shipping for all 3 installments will total $31.35. They shouldn't come out to $62.70. And a handling cost wouldn't cost exactly as much as the shipping and is typically built into the price of the figure itself since this is a retail establishment after all.

You are paying for Six transfomresr mailed one at a time. So you pay 94 for the first two transfomers (month one and month two) and Shipping (month one and month two) at 10.45 each. thus the 62.70 total shipping fee. So basicly We will be getting One Transformer EACH month for six months and Will need to make aditinal payments durring the Second and Fourth Months.


this is from the TFCC main page:

4. You can either pay In Full or by Installment. There will be 3 installments. When you subscribe and choose pay by Installment, you will be billed for the first two months’ shipments. Then sometime during the second month, you will be billed for the 3rd and 4th months’ shipments and sometime during the 4th month you will be billed for the final 2 months’ shipments.

5. The figures will be shipped in random order. All members receive the same figures each month. So if you don't mind, when you get your shipment each month, PLEASE do not go online and tell what you received. We want each shipment to be a surprise for as many members as possible.

So TFC Uranus and Fansproject menasor it is then...

redoutlander wrote:You are paying for Six transfomresr mailed one at a time. So you pay 94 for the first two transfomers (month one and month two) and Shipping (month one and month two) at 10.45 each. thus the 62.70 total shipping fee. So basicly We will be getting One Transformer EACH month for six months and Will need to make aditinal payments durring the Second and Fourth Months.


this is from the TFCC main page:

4. You can either pay In Full or by Installment. There will be 3 installments. When you subscribe and choose pay by Installment, you will be billed for the first two months’ shipments. Then sometime during the second month, you will be billed for the 3rd and 4th months’ shipments and sometime during the 4th month you will be billed for the final 2 months’ shipments.

5. The figures will be shipped in random order. All members receive the same figures each month. So if you don't mind, when you get your shipment each month, PLEASE do not go online and tell what you received. We want each shipment to be a surprise for as many members as possible.

Nailed it. Dude this is all the info I was missing, thank you. For some reason I was under the impression we were getting 3 sets of 2 (probably because of the installments. My mind is at ease.

JRFitzpatrick7 wrote:

redoutlander wrote:You are paying for Six transfomresr mailed one at a time. So you pay 94 for the first two transfomers (month one and month two) and Shipping (month one and month two) at 10.45 each. thus the 62.70 total shipping fee. So basicly We will be getting One Transformer EACH month for six months and Will need to make aditinal payments durring the Second and Fourth Months.


this is from the TFCC main page:

4. You can either pay In Full or by Installment. There will be 3 installments. When you subscribe and choose pay by Installment, you will be billed for the first two months’ shipments. Then sometime during the second month, you will be billed for the 3rd and 4th months’ shipments and sometime during the 4th month you will be billed for the final 2 months’ shipments.

5. The figures will be shipped in random order. All members receive the same figures each month. So if you don't mind, when you get your shipment each month, PLEASE do not go online and tell what you received. We want each shipment to be a surprise for as many members as possible.

Nailed it. Dude this is all the info I was missing, thank you. For some reason I was under the impression we were getting 3 sets of 2 (probably because of the installments. My mind is at ease.

Yea no problem! The Shipping costs are a little much but hey We get Exclusives mailed to us for six months! This is the first set like this I don’t have to pay scalpers. Next year will be good.

I've gotta be honest, i'd rather save my $300 and buy one really good Masterpiece figure or a bunch of Prime figures. There are only one or two TFCC figures that look decent and the base price and shipping costs are unreal. Exclusive or not, it's not even remotely worth it to me.

I won't be renewing my TFCC membership next year. It's wildly overpriced. I liked my membership figure this year, but it's a $12 figure for a $40 membership price. I can afford it, but I'd rather save my money for quality figures.

QBKiller94 wrote:I won't be renewing my TFCC membership next year. It's wildly overpriced. I liked my membership figure this year, but it's a $12 figure for a $40 membership price. I can afford it, but I'd rather save my money for quality figures.

I'm sorry to be quoting you, as this is not directed specifically at you; but anyone who makes this strawman argument. This is not a $12 dollar figure, this figure is priced pretty accurately at whatever it is. You're rolling your eyes and thinking I'm an apologist or whatever and you're probably going to stop reading here. But should you continue I shall explain. For the sake of argument, I'm going to compare TFSS Circuit to Hasbro's Banzai-Tron. A straight repaint, not factorin in extra costs such as new headmolding.

1) There will be fewer Circuits made than Banzai-Trons, probably in the amount of tens of thousands. That means production costs will have to be covered over a fewer number of figures.

2) It costs the same amount of money to set up a manufaturing line for TFCC's Circuit vs Hasbro's Banzai-Tron. I don't know what that number is, I've heard anything from $50,000 to 1 million before the first completed figure rolls out of the line. This takes into account
--communication with the factory
--instructing the factory workers on what is required
--retreiving the proper molds and prepping all the consumables (plastic, paint etc)
--starting the line
The flip side of course is that with a shorter product line some costs can be saved
--Less money is spent on worker hours
--Transportation costs might be cheaper
--less consumables such as plastic will ultimately be consumed. Why did I not mention paint? Read on.

3) Circuit will require more paint apps than Banzai Tron. TFCC stated at a previous Botcon (2010?) that one of their deluxe figures has on average twice the amount of paint apps than the Hasbro figure it used. Such detail work actually requires skilled (perhaps it should be called less-unskilled) labour and more time than a Hasbro figure.

4) Distribution. Hasbro bulk ships to stores and washes their hands of the whole thing. TFCC needs to receive those bulk shipping containers and individually get them into smaller boxes (another consumable) and then get them to their customer. As this is done in the US, minimum-wage labour is required which is much more expensive that that used in China.

All in all it adds up. Compare this to other exclusive repaint figures and you'll see that these are some of the cheapest on the market right now.

I don't care if you don't want the figures, it is your oppinion/collection/money after all, but you justify it poorly.

Thanks Mkall for the detailed breakdown of the manufacturing process and costs. Well written and informative.

My point is a simple one. If the consumer is paying a premium price, then the product should be exceptional. I don't find this to be the case with this line.

I. don't. need. them. ... Must not read Mkall's comment again...

Must. Not. Buy. Maybe if scourge or breakdown gets to the store alone I might pick him up...

QBKiller94 wrote:Thanks Mkall for the detailed breakdown of the manufacturing process and costs. Well written and informative.

My point is a simple one. If the consumer is paying a premium price, then the product should be exceptional. I don't find this to be the case with this line.

And I cannot fault you for that. If you don't feel you're getting your money's worth, then it's your call. I feel different but it's all a matter of taste.

*bump*

Why the bump? Well, it's because I finally got my blasted confirmation email.

23 days after I placed the order. About darn time, Fun Pub.

I think the prices are actually fairly decent...problem is the figures aren't. I want Scourge, but not $300 want him. And I don't want to have to dick around with selling the rest. And the incentive figure is lame next year. So I'll sit out the next dance.

Anyone know when the second and third installment payments will be due?

Ruthless Cynic wrote:Anyone know when the second and third installment payments will be due?

I do believe the second installment is due shortly after the second figure ships and the third payment shortly after the fourth figure ships.

Just curious if anyone's heard anything else about the FSS lately. I was billed for the first two figures months ago, but not a peep since then. Were they waiting until after the first of the year to start shipping the first batch of figures?