The Transformers Collectors Club have sent out an update on the fifth series of the Transformers Figure Subscription Service. The purpose of the update is to clarify that the fifth series will not be shipping until later in the Fall, which may lead to more than one figure shipping per month in order to get them all into the hands of the fans by the year’s end.
The important part of this update is for those of you who opted to pay by installments – depending on when the figures ship, the second and third installments may fall due for payment very close together. We’d advocate some ahead planning for those on installments to be ready for this possibility.
Read on to check out the full text of the update.
Hello Subscribers,
Just a quick update to remind you that the FSS 5.0 figures will not ship until late fall. As stated at BotCon, based on the manufacturer’s schedule, we may end up having to ship multiple products in the same month in order to have them all shipped by the end of our contract.
In addition, this also means that for you on the installment payment plan, that the second and third installments may be due very close together. When we have a firm ship date from the manufacturer, we will let you know. We are currently trying to get them to move the date sooner.
Thanks for your support,
Brian
Fortress Prime
In case anyone hasn't seen this on the club's main page:
As for the TFSS 5.0, due to delays at the manufacturer, these should arrive in time to ship around the end of the year. However, there has been a change in the process. These figures will be packed into only three shipments, 2 figures, 2 figures and the final 2 figures with the bonus figure.
This means that there will be an installment payment due in January and one in February. The billing dates will not be set until we know the shipment is on its way here.
Predakwon
Seriously, I am eagerly awaiting this preorder. I want Ratbat and some Joes!
G.B. Blackrock
Possibly. Certainly "mid-September" would never have qualified. As much as I, too, would like an update, I really don't see any reason for concern, given what we've already been told (at least in regard to TFSS 5.0. An update regarding the Joe/TF crossovers would definitely be in order, IMHO).
Autobot City Comics 2008
Well I wish we would get some sort of update, but didn't they say the first set was going out late fall ?so like the end of October ?
G.B. Blackrock
Doubtful… even if it did, it wouldn't really help US be able to get them… Our memberships will expire, after all. And I imagine that actively communicating with us would go beyond what FunPub is allowed to do post-December.
I could be wrong. I just don't see that as being viable.
General Tekno
I wonder if it being a crossover item gives them some leeway with the licensing.
Lumpy
I saw this thread again and was hoping there was a full update… Oh well… I wish they'd send out an email about what's going on…
Thundershot
Oops… Sorry, I meant the 5.0 figures. The crossover sets are probably on the same boat and they'll go up for sale around the time the first of the TFSS figures go out.
G.B. Blackrock
Well, I'm thinking more about the fact that they haven't even been made available to order yet. Historically, we ordered things before they were produced. I'm confident that won't be the case here, of course.
Thundershot
I'm sure FP will start shipping them once they get them. Right now they just don't have them in hand…
EightiesKid
I'm interested in the upcoming Joe/TF crossover sets as well. The Megs and Ratbat look cool, as do the human versions of the TF characters from the G1 episode "Only Human." I'm looking forward to getting those.
flux convoy
I'm interested in that set too. I want the Ratbat and Megatron. Glad I didn't buy a version previously since we're getting two from the club.
G.B. Blackrock
Pete's attempted to clarify a couple of times in the past, and I know I've gotten it wrong at one point, so perhaps I'll do so again. Still, here's my understanding.
Nothing new can be offered after December 31st. However, FunPub can still sell existing TF product through the end of 2017 (I understand the Joe club to be distinct).
That said, I'm still under the strong impression that TFSS 5.0 must be out the door before the end of December. Perhaps it's still considered "new" until someone actually has it in their hands? That's just speculation.
Besides the question of TFSS 5.0, I'm concerned about when the Joe/TF exclusives are finally going to be sold. I'd like to get that MP Ratbat mold….
BigPhill
It's too late now, but part of me always loved the idea of Fun Pub selling boxes and the foam for each TFSS Set. Or even as a special bonus for people who paid in one instalment.
Ikkstakk
Also I thought I had seen where FunPub signed a new contract with Hasbro to continue the G.I.Joe fan club and maybe the GIJFSS through the end of 2018 (somebody confirm or deny). So it's not like they're closing up shop December 31, they'll still be around.
Bob Schoonover
I mean, the only reason to spread out the shipments is to help their customer service (handle tracking, missing shipments, and QC issues one at a time). There's no reason, in principle*, they couldn't send all the figures out in one big box or send out all six boxes at once. I remain incredibly laid back about this topic, but I do understand the people that are concerned (especially those on shoe string budgets that will have to put two installments together in short order)
*There may be reasons in practice in terms of getting all the figures properly packed and shipped out, of course, but no reason in principle
flamepanther
Don't take me as an authority on this, because I'm just repeating something I read here awhile back. But I seem to recall someone saying that Funpub only has to shut down the store and cease selling new stuff by the end of the year. Billing and delivering stuff they've already sold (such as everything in TFSS 5.0) could still be done in early 2017, according to this view. Dunno whether that's true or not.
flux convoy
I don't think the deadline to get the product out really matters all that much. Hasbro wouldn't let us hang. On top of that, I've never had bad customer service but what can Hasbro do to them? Fire them? I know I'm pretty laid back about it all. Anxious to have them but not concerned.
BigPhill
None taken. But part of me is wondering if Fun Pub has had some sort of extension, to help them get things out in time. Plus they'll need to make sure they keep their customer service standard high, or Hasbro will really come down on them.
flux convoy
I hear you. The week to week things is incredibly stressful. I did edit my post. It sounded jerky to me. Sorry, no offense intended.