TFCC Group Buy

[Bogatan]

Same time as me I guess, but since they appear to have shut the forum down, I guess we have no membership "Benefits" remaining.

[The Doctor]

I could email and point out I didn't get all the mags I paid for but by this point I am just glad to be shot of them to be honest!

-Ralph

[Bogatan]

you should, you might be the one to make them break.

I'm considering writing to Hasbro because the club really feels like its gone backwards but haven't been a able to compose a concise letter and even if I did without a better email to send it to I'll just get the generic response.

[legios]

Mar 4, 2012 18:48:57 GMT The Doctor said:

My membership expires at 5am tomorrow morning, GMT. I am counting the minutes!

You know that something has gone badly wrong with an organisation when the response to someones upcoming lapse of membership is that they are awaiting said lapse eagerly.

Karl

[Toph]

This is the last day of my membership, and they locked me out a day early.

I'm definately planning on writing to Hasbro and filing a formal complaint against Brian and FP, about their near abusive treatment of members. I mean, they really have soured me on the entire TF brand. Not totally, but they're a big reason why TFs are not as interesting as they used to be, and why my focus is shifting to DCUC, Green Lantern, and TMNT. The money I would have used for the TF club, I've invested in joining Mattel's Club Infinite Earths subscription.
But like Bogatan, I haven't figured out what I want to say yet. I also haven't been able to access the Hasbro site to find an email address (I have a very poor connection).

But I am definately planning on writing to them. As far as I'm concerned, FP has done far worse than Glenn Hallit ever did, over the long term. This Credit fiasco is just a symptom of the far larger problem, and it's the one that's finally made even the people who had their heads deepest in the sand realize it.

[Philip Ayres]

Ypu're in the US: www.hasbro.com/customer-service/contacts/ and fill in the form that you click under email us.

For the rest of us.....

The US site will almost certainly tell you to go to the UK site because we're here. So we'll email [e-mail] at which point Hasbro UK will say it's not our problem talk to the US people......

[The Doctor]

Membership now expired. I am free! Free! Free at last!

-Ralph

[Jim]

If you're struggling for what to write, I believe a few people have posted their letters on other boards (I'm sure I saw at least one on the Allspark), so they may help for inspiration.

Personally, I quite enjoy composing Strongly Worded Letters of Complaint, and would be relishing it if I had the time to do it at all!

I started writing one over the Sideburn debacle last year, and may just rejig that thinking about it as it already covered most of my issues with the club (especially their treatment of international members).

[legios]

Mar 5, 2012 8:02:51 GMT The Doctor said:

Membership now expired. I am free! Free! Free at last!

You are not a number. You are a free man! Horray!

Karl

[Philip Ayres]

Mar 5, 2012 8:02:51 GMT The Doctor said:

Membership now expired. I am free! Free! Free at last!

-Ralph

Now you must never drink again. NEVER!

[The Doctor]

Have no fear. My level of disdain for it has it put it far off the drunken purchasing path for me. When hee-hawed I like to buy crap, not give away my account information to twats. FP will never get another penny from me.

-Ralph

[Deleted]

Mar 5, 2012 17:16:23 GMT The Doctor said:

Have no fear. My level of disdain for it has it put it far off the drunken purchasing path for me. When hee-hawed I like to buy crap, not give away my account information to twats. FP will never get another penny from me.

-Ralph

we must document this for the next time he gets drunk lol

[The Doctor]

Let me be clear: I am done giving them my money when sober or drunk.

-Ralph

[Philip Ayres]

Good man.

[legios]

I suspected that you would be of that opinion. You may spend money on tat, but TFCC are not by any means in the tat bracket at all.

Karl

[Jim]

Hasbro respond!

www.allspark.com/content/view/10038/20/

To the G.I. Joe and Transformers fan communities and Fun Publications customers,

Thank you for bringing your concern to our attention and for giving Hasbro the opportunity to respond to a matter that impacts its G.I. Joe and Transformers brands. Please know we take all consumer concerns very seriously and are in regular contact with Fun Publications (our licensee) about the possibility of a breach in security to their online purchasing system for the G.I. Joe and Transformers Collectors' Clubs. Fun Publications is also taking this matter very seriously and is diligently working at identifying any problems, the number of customers affected and ways to ensure it does not happen to any more customers. Hasbro wants consumers to have a positive experience at all touch points for its brands, including transactions with its licensees. As such, we are confident that Fun Publications has detailed instructions and pertinent information available for those consumers who believe they may have been targeted by credit theft via their portals.

Based on our extensive conversations with the Fun Publications team Hasbro wants to convey the following to the fan communities:

Fun Publications has assured us that they are taking necessary measures to curb additional issues, and they are working with third party experts to identify the problem. They anticipate knowing and communicating the cause of the breach as soon as possible to those affected.

-- They believe that the number of customers affected is low relative to the volume of sales transactions made.

-- However, if you believe fraudulent charges have been made to your credit card after making a purchase with any portals for the G.I. Joe or Transformers Collectors' Clubs, we urge you to contact Fun Publications immediately and provide them with the information requested at <https://www.transformersclub.com/tccccinfo.cfm> or <http://gijoeclub.com/ccinfo.cfm> by using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of these pages.

-- Fun Publications can also be reached at the following number for additional consumer affairs inquiries relating to the G.I. Joe and Transformers Collectors' Clubs at [phone] during regular business hours.

-- As more information becomes available, they will be contacting all affected customers who have notified them about the issue.

Thank you again to all of the fans of our Transformers and G.I. Joe brands for their continued support and for the opportunity to respond to this matter.

It is underwhelming, but possibly unsurprising.

[The Doctor]

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

-Ralph

[Philip Ayres]

BBTS have the TFCC exclusives: www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/menu.aspx?menu=265&category=1519

[Toph]

The Hasbro responce seems like they don't understand the true problem. Which is unsurprising because I imagine the creditcard bit is the only thing that has been complained about, to them.

[Bogatan]

THEY ARE HERE!!!!

My arms fell off bringing it home.

[Bogatan]

and time to open it see if I got the right stuff.

[Bogatan]

Oh and the clubs data crimey-whimey escalates with addresses and phone numbers being sold for all kinds of spam. Including porn advertising sent to family homes.

So thats something for all current and previous members to look forward to.

[Deleted]

hmmm changing my address is a bit more difficult than changing my credit card...

glad to hear about the Carpools and Runawhomevers arriving though

[Toph]

Mar 8, 2012 17:11:54 GMT Bogatan said:

THEY ARE HERE!!!!

My arms fell off bringing it home.

I don't know what international members complain about on FP's shipping, when it comes to time tables (absurd costs, yes. But on the TCC board there's a lot of complaint about how unreasonably long it takes).
You guys get your stuff quicker than I do, and I'm an hour's drive away from FP's home office.
Still waiting for mine.

[The Doctor]

Mar 8, 2012 22:29:16 GMT Bogatan said:

Oh and the clubs data crimey-whimey escalates with addresses and phone numbers being sold for all kinds of spam. Including porn advertising sent to family homes.

So thats something for all current and previous members to look forward to.

Good grief. That...I can't wrap my head around this.

I'll revise an earlier statement I made. I doubt FP will still have the licence by Botcon at this rate. If porn stuff ends up at people's homes it surely must be the end for any licencee involved with a children's toy line.

I received no e-mail from the Club about this. Probably because I am now an ex-member.

If I receive any dodgy crap due to my address details being stolen, I'll post it straight to Hasbro Customer Services with an explanatory note.

-Ralph

[blueshift]

Mar 8, 2012 22:51:07 GMT Toph said:

Mar 8, 2012 17:11:54 GMT Bogatan said:

THEY ARE HERE!!!!

My arms fell off bringing it home.

I don't know what international members complain about on FP's shipping, when it comes to time tables (absurd costs, yes. But on the TCC board there's a lot of complaint about how unreasonably long it takes).
You guys get your stuff quicker than I do, and I'm an hour's drive away from FP's home office.
Still waiting for mine.

HO HO HO, it's usually far far longer. The Sideburns for example, took at least 2-3 months longer to arrive.

[Toph]

Mar 8, 2012 23:40:57 GMT blueshift said:

HO HO HO, it's usually far far longer. The Sideburns for example, took at least 2-3 months longer to arrive.

I usually have about that long for my newsletters.
Quite regularly international members start reporting getting their newsletters before mine comes in.
Which is getting close to the next issue being released.

[Jim]

If people really are receiving calls and catalogues like that at home, then that really is the end for FP, surely? Hasbro can't stand by that.

[kayevcee]

It depends how many people get up in arms about it, and how many just grin and bear it. Like I said before, there will be some folk out there who think FP losing the license would mean no more Botcons ever. I think they're a useless shower but I'm still not convinced this is going to cost them more than a moderate dip in memberships.

-Nick

[Jim]

I don't know, it seems to me that it would take fewer instances of porn sent to a family home than of credit card fraud (which banks almost always deal with) to tarnish the reputation of a kid's toy brand. Hasbro and FP are surely hoping it doesn't become widespread and get reported in more mainstream media.