The death of Nerd Block/Joe Nerds. Is this novelty over?

[palitoy]

This story is local to me as their headquarters were not far from my house. The company started as "Shirtpunch" which produced all those fan shirts that skirt copyright, they then moved into that subscription service thing and finally into mall stores.

I was never a big fan but it seemed to be doing some decent business here. It all came tumbling down this month with the whole operation getting shut down. Upon reading this article it turns out they burned a pal of mine (Udon studios) for thousands.

https://www.bleedingcool.com/2017/08/09/nerd-block-closed-sites-refunds/

I've heard rumours flying around that Funko going with their own service hurt these guys and also that the copyright holders were issuing C&Ds for the shirts (The store had literally thousands of shirts that didn't appear to be officially licensed but i could be wrong).

With all the players in the blind box subscription game, I wonder if it's done now? I mean how long does the novelty last for people? Our local toy shop is CRAMMED with extras from these boxes, the owner told me he gets that stuff in through his doors every day.

Here is the Joe Nerds mall store with notice from the landlord, all the merchandise still in it.
IMG_20170811_140935.jpg

[EMCE Hammer]

I never got on board. I have trouble committing to a $3.99 Imaginext blind bag. No way I am paying for a subscription and just hoping it will be worth it.

[Goblin19]

Never my thing, but I was always intrigued by the concept. I know s lot of guys who get blind boxes from various places. I think my tastes are too specific to ever try one. I'm sure the bubble will burst soon and you'll be back down to just a couple of companies doing it again.

[Earth 2 Chris]

Yeah, I could never commit to anything like this. I have way too much random stuff in my collection as it is. I've got a lot pickier in my old age. There have been a few items from the Funko blind boxes I've liked, but I managed to get them for very fair prices on ebay.

I really didn't know about this specific company. But if you are messing with copyrights and IP, and making money off it, these days...you're going to get shut down. Plain and simple.

[palitoy]

You know, that's a good point, I highly doubt we're the prime demographic for such things.

I can't think of a single brand or license that I'd want a monthly box of chotchkes from but in my 20s? I'm pretty sure I'd have gone for at least one.

[jimbutsu]

I was pretty ambivalent towards the boxes, but my wife LOVES the idea of sub boxes, blind boxed stuff, etc... so we got Nerd Block for a good while. It was always hit and miss, but you could REALLY tell after a while (last few months in particular) that they were running out of steam.

It's funny because we were just talking about our Nerd Block sub the other day and I was saying I half wondered if the subscription block trend wasn't just petering out a la cupcake shops and cronuts.

[palitoy]

It was always hit and miss, but you could REALLY tell after a while (last few months in particular) that they were running out of steam.

If you want to see something sad, check out the reviews of the last Nerdbox. Basically a box of whatever was laying around with no theme.

[toothaction]

Nerd Box and Geek Crate

[hedrap]

It's a clever concept taken too far. One large box a quarter of actual good stuff would do twice the business of the current model.

I get the appeal; it's Amazon x Surprise! But like the red letter guys pointed out, promotional junk is still junk.

Only one that tempted me was DC.

[cjefferys]

Man I'm getting old, I don't even know what this is about.

[palitoy]

Nerd Box and Geek Crate

I honestly think these guys hurt the subscription box business with this hilarious deconstruction.

[palitoy]

Man I'm getting old, I don't even know what this is about.

Jelly of the month club for nerds.

[cockyhoskins]

Jelly of the month club for nerds.

The gift that keeps on giving!

[CrimsonGhost]

I honestly think these guys hurt the subscription box business with this hilarious deconstruction.

Red Letter Media is my favorite.

[Goblin19]

Just watched the video. I'm really shocked that clearance crap is all that was in those.