No, previous situation was me not being clear on something. I am very clear on this: There will be NO repeating molds within the actual convention box set.

 

I wanted to be part of an exclusive, popular, happening place to be for dedicated Transformers fans....I joined mainly to get a discount and first dibs on all my favorite stuff.

That didn't happen.

Their store sucks, they have old crap, limited availability of anything worth having, the format is confusing (I type in that I want to view Alternators only, and a bunch of their swag like keychains, lanyards, the newsletters and other crap shows up along with it) and the member prices are the same as retail prices at Wal-Mart, Target, and the like. And they dont get the latest stuff any faster than retailers...in most cases, they get the stuff last. You'd think being sponsored by Hasbro, they'd be first to get all the new toys.

The "news" they give you is easily findable on any other TF fan site on the WWW.

The exclusive figure? They look rediculous. As was said, if you honestly wanted one, you could get it easy enough on Ebay or thru other people on the fan sites.

Master Collector subscription? I briefly scan the 2 pages devoted to TFs and see the same crap as 2 months previous...even down to the ads. It goes in the trash. Free ad for members? Why? If I have TF's to sell or a want list, I think I'd post it on the half dozen reputable and highly visual fan sites TFW2005, Allspark, Tfans, Seibertron to name a few. Much more exposure and potential pool of interested parties than a crappy bi monthly collectors rag.

I'm still confused on the whole botcon crap....the way i read their sales pitch, members get a deal on rates to botcon....then I hear from tons of other people that the rates are the same for Joe Schmoe or Collectors Club Member. Besides, I cant afford to attend Botcon *anyways*.

The comic? It's ok I guess....I'm not a big comic fan anyways. more and better comics available from the major publishers.

The Member forums? See above....better and more active forums elsewhere.

Like some of you, I really want to support the Club....it wont get better if people bail.

The Club's sales pitch sounds great at first glance until you really start to examine it carefully and actually break down what you get.

I wont renew unless I see a major improvement in the Clubs store, major improvement in site content, major improvement in benefits, and drop the stupid Master Collector mantle....the Club should stand on its own...not come paired with a substandard, extremely outdated bi monthly newspaper.


Dave

 

Well, I renewed last night. It's kind of a no brainer since I'm intending to go to Botcon. The member discount for Botcon is greater than the cost of the membership itself.

But I do like the club, really. I enjoy the club newsletter. There's just something special about having a physical thing I can read on the toilet, and the historical articles are awesome. The comic is not great, but it's not offensively bad and helps fill out the issue so I don't really mind.

I was not impressed with Skyfall last year in pictures, but when I got it in hand I liked it quite a bit. I suspect Landquake will be the same way.

I do not care for the interface of the club boards, store, or website (which looks like a high school kid's geocities site circa 1996), but they all serve an occasional purpose.

Master Collector is crap. I would gladly continue to pay $40 for a membership without it. It would save some trees at least. And Brian's treatment of international members is rather odd.

But ultimately, for me it was easily worth a renewal. I like the freebie figs, I like the newsletter. I have the occasional option to buy a toy before it comes out in stores. I 'm taking them at their word that this year I'll get to buy some club exclusives. But hell, even if we got nothing else, I'd renew for $40 if only to save $50 on Botcon. If and when I cease going to Botcon regularly I might have to think harder about whether to renew, though I suspect I'd still do it anyway.

 

Going to botcon makes it worth while, but for those of us who are not going its definitely not worth the money. I would support it if the price was cheaper. I can do without the ads people put in it because quite frankly its mostly advertising for things people want but most of the ads are done on forums already.

the $70 i have to spend on it can be spent on better things like a new figure or dvds.

Its truely sad how the club will lose a lot of members..

 

As an international member, I'd been on the fence about renewing, and I think the strength of the arguments here have swayed me to not doing it. I DO still sort of want to get the magazine (I'm just elitist enough to enjoy that sort of thing  ), but it's simply not worth the money.

Funnily enough, talking about international posting as we are, I just received my final Master Collector this morning - sealed in a plastic bag!

 

I don't know if this has been brought up in the last 9 pages, but has there been any remolding to the Landquake figure? I believe it was mentioned that the figures after Skyfall would have some remolding. I don't see any mold differences in the Landquake photo (unless I'm missing something).

 

None. And it's been brought up a LOT in the last 9 pages...

 

Hmm I'd never joing.

Like Draven and Phazer pointed out, international members get screwed.

Frow what I've seen and read, customer service skills of those leading the company are weak as water, even to actual members.

Useless store.

A magazine that occasionally provide 'exclusive' pics that are easy enough to find online.

And exclusive figures. The biggest drawcard, however, if I really want them, ebay is a much cheaper and by the looks of it, stress free, option.

 

Well, I've thought about it and I've decided to go ahead and renew. I am most likely going to Botcon this year, so I'm gonna renew for mainly that reason. Hopefully, the club will come out with some surprises this year that will make me want to renew right away next year.

 

I didn't join the club last year, but I thought I'd give them a shot this year. I'll probably make it to Botcon, and I'm hoping for some member-extras. And I'd like the free figure too.  

We'll give them a year, see how I like it. I'll see how I feel next March when renewal time comes around.

 

VERBATIM, this is how I feel as well. Ironically, I too, re-upped night before last.

 

Honestly, I am very satisfied with the club. They have given me what I've wanted and have done it on a consistent basis. The last club made a lot of promises and I got nothing, but one lousy issue and a broken heart over the Skywarp that never materialized.

With the current club, I've gotten my magazine & figures and a wonderful convention experience. I've renewed and will continue to do so without hesitation.

 

Big deal. So a UK guy has to ask a few more questions. It's no skin off your back is it?

Alvarez is the man. Trust me, he knows what he's doing. Do you really think he wants to talk to a bunch of babbling babys? I wouldn't either. Big stinkin' deal about Landquake. Get a life and just pay the duckets fool!

If I was stuck in a conversation with you I'd shut up and leave as well. Mad Props to Alvarez and the gang for their stance on stupid comments.

Dude.......you don't deserve to smell Alvarez's or Pete's number 2! This is highly out of line and you should know better. These guys are very approachable if you do it properly. I on the other hand don't have to and can say get over it already! Just pay the forty bucks and support your hobby! Maybe Alvarez will be nice and sign your copy of "Idiot" magazine for you next time he sees you.

I can't believe this. Alvarez is king and so is Pete. Kiss their feet you lowly dog!

The Dong has spoken.

 

I didn't join, and missed the free figure. I later joined when the Botcon set was unveiled because of Deathsaurus and the others, as it joining proved to be a rather cost effective way to go.

However, when membership comes up again (which won't be until this summer), will I renew? It'll probably depend on what's coming up with the next exclusives, I may just do that, renewing only when I want to get the botcon set.

The magazine has been lackluster, IMHO, and the web services I haven't used. Without the free figure, it's pretty hard to justify, outside of it being cheaper when I get the Botcon set.

 

You'll still get Landquake, Pravus.

 

Agree, not worth it. Better spent on something else.