Anyone else a member of the G.I. Joe Collectors' Club?

[jds1911a1]

My second issue of MASTER COLLECTOR arrived this week. I am disappointed. It's basically a reprint of the previous issue with the same classifieds. The Joe Club newsletter was also a letdown. Outside of the "What could have been" sets for the 12" Joes, it isn't worth getting.

pretty much always the case since the ads are free to members of the clubs up to 35 words people seldom update them except for "want" lists. I like the Regular Joes and "comic" strips but most of the articles are more usefull to lesser read members than me

[jds1911a1]

I figured that out pretty quick.
I'm only in it for the 12" line. Is it really that much money? I didn't think that there that many club exclusives in a given year.

it's the CON exclusives that really drive up the total. In my eyes they are really the same thing

based on my own calculations if you buy all the con stuff each year it has been about 600 plus for 3" over the last 3 years. here's how I came up with the # (prices are paying officer member price based estimates)
300 Convention set 300
120-200 Convention vehicles (there are usually 2 or 3 each year) 120-200 (if they had actually made the tanks this year they were 150 for the pair)
75-200 convention extra figs - any where from 50 to 200 depending on #'s they make each year the # increases). usually drivers but last 2 years that included Slaughter, the marauders, Piper, and the jet pack troopers sets which all sold out fast.

there are very few CLUB exclusives - membership figs are 20 (I usually get both 12" 3") and the last 2 years operation moth sets averaged 2 a year at 25 each so that was 50 more each year

on average non paying trooper member price is 10-15 more per item

[Action Martin]

I assume any membership information will be sent with my 1st order.

It's not. It is in an e-mail.

[misterdroid]

I joined the club about 3 days ago specifically for the "man of asia" fig. I got a confirmation code within about an hour and have made a couple orders since then. I assume any membership information will be sent with my 1st order. As for now I get club price (officer) at login so I'm happy.

[Joe90]

I joined the Club a few years back for strictly selfish reasons -- to be able to buy the product at a discounted price. I live in Canada, so I pay more for the membership. I've made some friends there, and have bought some nice reproductions.

I've taken advantage of a number of specials they've had over the past year, and so far I see no reason to discontinue the $58 for my membership. Lately, I too have gotten back to the vintage market, but I am looking forward to the Kung Fu Sets, the Asian Adventurer, and Magnum Power. I'm sticking with The Club.

Hey Daniel, did you ever get those rifle straps I sent you as a gift? I haven't heard a peep out of you since...

[Action Martin]

My second issue of MASTER COLLECTOR arrived this week. I am disappointed. It's basically a reprint of the previous issue with the same classifieds. The Joe Club newsletter was also a letdown. Outside of the "What could have been" sets for the 12" Joes, it isn't worth getting.

[fumetti]

I really don't have a problem with the pricing. I don't think their intent is to price gauge anyone. I think their intent is good and they are simply trying to cover their costs with small production quantities plus some overhead for staffing.

I don't think they're necessarily overpriced either. It takes a ton of work to put those sets together. This is why I think the Club's focus is not on Joe fans who don't go to the convention. All those months of work to put together a tiny production run that they almost never sell out of. I still don't understand why the white sea sled wasn't put up for sale on the website.

My question about pricing was how much of the package price was for the dinners, drinks, etc.--all the stuff that non-attendees don't use. I was asking where that extra money went. (I asked because he was using the non-toy costs of being at the convention for three days as a reason for the total price. If that price is significant, then I thought non-attendees shouldn't have to pay it.) Lanny wouldn't answer my questions. He only said that they cost what they cost, which was a non-answer.

What's worse is that Lanny took the position that offering the convention exclusive was some kind of favor to us. Favor? No favor, just a smart marketing decision. He was trying to cash in on all the pre-con hype to sell a few more sets before they got shelved for the website. (Nobody ever did me a favor by producing something for sale. Now, if it was given to me, that would be a favor. Otherwise, it's just a transaction.)

I do think the AT figures that come from the Club are far superior than the ones made for Wal-Mart. The club went to excruciating lengths to make them true to the originals. I can't remember if it was the Air Adventurer or the Sea Adventurer that they were unhappy with the hair flock and literally remolded the heads and sent them out to those that already purchased them at no extra charge.

The Air Adventurer initially had a bad hair color, so they went back and redid them. Later, the Talking Commander's flocking on the chin was terribly thin so they gave a proper replacement. I got the extra heads with the original figure each time, if I remember.

Any knowledgable Joe fan would agree with you that the WM Joes aren't nearly as close. Hasbro didn't try to get the flocking correct, the Sea Adv had garish skin color, the Air Adventurer's pant legs were too short and many came without an AT sticker, and the heads and bodies were based on the 40th line not the Timeless line which looks closer to vintage. And quality control was not good.

One of the big problems that I see is that the figures are at a price point where you can practically purchase a vintage figure in the box for just a little more. I remember the Club Land Adventurer was selling for about $125 on EBAY and I thought to myself why buy that when you can purchase a vintage Land Adventurer in the box for around the same price?

The LA is the only figure so far that saw such a second market price jump. All the rest go for around the original price on eBay. But yeah, for $50 you can get a pretty good vintage Joe. $100 or so will get you the box too.

[Adam West]

I really don't have a problem with the pricing. I don't think their intent is to price gauge anyone. I think their intent is good and they are simply trying to cover their costs with small production quantities plus some overhead for staffing.

I do think the AT figures that come from the Club are far superior than the ones made for Wal-Mart. The club went to excruciating lengths to make them true to the originals. I can't remember if it was the Air Adventurer or the Sea Adventurer that they were unhappy with the hair flock and literally remolded the heads and sent them out to those that already purchased them at no extra charge.

One of the big problems that I see is that the figures are at a price point where you can practically purchase a vintage figure in the box for just a little more. I remember the Club Land Adventurer was selling for about $125 on EBAY and I thought to myself why buy that when you can purchase a vintage Land Adventurer in the box for around the same price?

For me at least, I probably have a similar attitude as others in that the figures and sets seem to linger around for a long time so I really have no immediate need to jump and buy them. I'd probably be all over the 2007 convention set if I knew it was going to be gone but given past history, I have plenty of time to purchase it if I want.

[fumetti]

I'm only in it for the 12" line. Is it really that much money? I didn't think that there that many club exclusives in a given year.

You choose one of two convention exclusive packages, either 12" or 4". You pay upfront for the entrance fee and the big exclusive set. But when you're there, you see that there are plenty of other exclusives related to the set. For example, there's a fuzz head that comes with the set but for $80 you can buy a painted head (with its own clothes). Last year's set had a yellow sea sled, but you could also buy a white one. (Don't know how much it originally cost. Bought mine off eBay for a BIN price of $30.) But you can see how the total outlay can be as high as $600 when you're done.

This is directly related to my loss of interest in the Club. It's all about the convention, which costs a freakin' FORTUNE. The Con was in Atlanta. It would cost hundreds of dollars just for travel, room, and food. Then add on the $250 set, and all the other exclusive items, and now we're easily at a thousand dollars.

Plus, these items rarely sell out quick. Look at the Club store. Still plenty of stuff from the 1990s. These items are suited only for the well-to-do diehards. A few hundred people with passion and money to burn. The rest of fandom finds them too pricey, no matter how much they drool for them. So really, whom does this serve? Not G.I. Joe fandom, not the majority of Club members. (Heck, only a couple of the AT exclusives have sold out, and they're only $40-50 dollars.) To me, this is way too much energy expended for a very small number of people. I don't want to pay to be a member of a club where I'm not its major focus.

(I dared ask Lanny a question about con exclusive pricing and I swear he threatened to lock down the thread!)

****

The Club's other recent exclusives run something like this: if you're a member on or before March 15 or so, you get that year's free figure--which comes only with a pair of shorts. (You choose 12" or 4". I only ever get 12".) When that figure ships, there's also a related accessory set--which comes with clothes and a gun or two--for $20.

About 7 years ago, the Club began offering repro Adventure Team figures made as close to original as possible. Every year or two, they'd add another. But right now it looks like the line is unofficially on hiatus due to the Wal-Mart AT exclusives.

On the flip side, since the 40th Anniversary line is dead, the Club has picked up the slack a bit and offered two of the unreleased sets, plus put together a Green Beret accessory set (not officially part of the 40th line). And this year they're taking it further by offering updated AT accessory sets. (Personally, I want *exact* replicas. I want to feel I'm buying today what I missed out on 30+ years ago. But that's just me, I guess.)

[fumetti]

Has that changed? I couldn't participate until I paid my dues.

My account lapsed last fall, right around the time they were saying they'll be implementing the changes. I can't swear that those changes actually happened. I just know that Lanny said (IIRC) the Trooper level would allow activity on the message boards, but they'd still have to pay the non-member prices at the store.

[Action Martin]

They have a small staff and usualy are slow to respond

I figured that out pretty quick.

The advantage to officer membership is if you plan to buy club exclusive stuff you get "price breaks" as a rule the cost of membership is a wash versus the non member price for a con package attending or NON.

I wouldn't call it a wash but it's close.

The newsletter is kind of clever but I would honestly rather not get the master collector paper and have a reduced membership fee.

Same here. Very little news and the classifieds seem to be the same.

On average the 3 in club exclusives and con excl price out are 600-800 annually (YIKES) (if you get both scales its over a grand) but there are alot of sharp items. Generally they have better stuff for 12" scale

I'm only in it for the 12" line. Is it really that much money? I didn't think that there that many club exclusives in a given year.

[Action Martin]

The Club is really about the CONVENTIONS. All their energy and focus goes into the con exclusives. The Club was just a way to sell off unsold convention items.

It amazes me that they still have leftover exclusive convention sets. I would think that when a production run is limited to 500 like it was on "Fight for Survival: Polar Bear Attack!" (2006) that they would sell out at the con or within a year for non-con going members.

Recently, tho, they have expanded to create product sold specifically through the Club store. Some good items there. I love the 12" accessories.

Oh yes. The Arctic Adventurer, the Foreign Adventurer, and the Asian Adventurer are great accessory sets. I'm not too keen on Magnum Power and the Karate outfit.

But $42 a year is a bit much. The magazine is almost worthless, except you get to read the press release (about upcoming items) a few days/weeks before anyone else. If you're still concerned with being the first on the block to know, you might value the magazine. Before the internet, those ads would have been a wonderful way to find what you need. But eBay is a better source--cheaper, and with pictures. The internet also eliminated the need for the newsletter.

I think $42 would be fair if the "free" figure came with the accessory set. The newsletter is ok & lame at the same time. The internet has ruined the need for collector magazines. But I still prefer a hard copy over reading news releases on different sites.

You wouldn't believe the major fuss last fall over these newsletters. GICC is terrified someone will share that info, and that non-payers might read it. It's a hobby, folks, not National Security.

I agree with you. The idea that I can't share the images of the new exclusive figures and sets is baffling. I think if non-members saw those items, they would want to join so they could buy them.

Used to be, you couldn't participate in the forums without paying club dues. Now they've opened them up. Which takes away one more incentive for joining.

Has that changed? I couldn't participate until I paid my dues.

[jds1911a1]

been a member for 5 years. They have a small staff and usualy are slow to respond
The advantage to officer membership is if you plan to buy club exclusive stuff you get "price breaks" as a rule the cost of membership is a wash versus the non member price for a con package attending or NON. The newsletter is kind of clever but I would honestly rather not get the master collector paper and have a reduced membership fee. On average the 3 in club exclusives and con excl price out are 600-800 annually (YIKES) (if you get both scales its over a grand) but there are alot of sharp items. Generally they have better stuff for 12" scale but the con 3 inch sets have had some major winners (and 2 I didn't really care for) since they cot the con flaghsip from MARZ/WHIZ BANG (you want to talk pricey 400 for 1 doll without all the extras)

[fumetti]

I was a member for years but recently let it lapse.

The Club is really about the CONVENTIONS. All their energy and focus goes into the con exclusives. The Club was just a way to sell off unsold convention items.

Recently, tho, they have expanded to create product sold specifically through the Club store. Some good items there. I love the 12" accessories.

But $42 a year is a bit much. The magazine is almost worthless, except you get to read the press release (about upcoming items) a few days/weeks before anyone else. If you're still concerned with being the first on the block to know, you might value the magazine. Before the internet, those ads would have been a wonderful way to find what you need. But eBay is a better source--cheaper, and with pictures. The internet also eliminated the need for the newsletter.

You wouldn't believe the major fuss last fall over these newsletters. GICC is terrified someone will share that info, and that non-payers might read it. It's a hobby, folks, not National Security.

The AT repros have been wonderful. I have all but one (Astronaut) and they're treasured. But the flocked "foreign head" freebies leave me cold. Other than getting a really good repro vintage body, I have no use for'em. I've replaced both foreign heads so far with the extra heads from the Air Adventure set and Talking Commander set.

The AT repro line has faded since the Wal-Mart exclusives came out. It's pretty hard to tell the Club Adventurer from the WM Adventurer (other than the WM fig's KFG), so the price disparity ($43 to $10) is significant. I hate that WM beat the club to the Man of Action. I really wanted a Club version, especially if it was a talker (could use them--with a 40th head--as a Talking Soldier).

Used to be, you couldn't participate in the forums without paying club dues. Now they've opened them up. Which takes away one more incentive for joining.

If money isn't a big issue, and you really want some well-made repro Joe items, then joining the club is worth it.

Myself, I've decided to move on to just vintage. I have almost a hundred Joes (about 20 are vintage) after gorging myself on repros. Now I'd rather just focus on originals. Nobody's got the flocking right, not even the Club. Don't know why they can't replicate the formula.

[Action Martin]

The magazine is really lame, I literally look at pictures of new figures or convention pieces and throw it away....I spend about 2 minutes looking at it.

I've only received one so far. I won't call it lame. But it certainly is no CBG. I was expecting articles, not just a classified ad newspaper. The color G.I. Joe section was ok but the focus was on RAH which is something that I am not into.

The figures are very pricey but they are well made and the production number is pretty small which is why they cost so much I suspect.

Agreed. I just found out from reading the magazine that the "Attack of the Polar Bear" was limited to 500 sets. The number seems kind of low to me especially since G.I. Joe has a huge worldwide following. And two years after its release you can still buy the set from the Club.

I know when they first introduced the AT club figures, I begged Brian to consider coming out with an African American Talking Commander since it is such a grail piece and out of reach for most collectors but would be nice to have a reproduction. He liked the idea but I have yet to see one.

I stay away from the Talkers. I used to have a Talking Commander as a kid but I never really liked him compared to the other Joes. I see at the Club forums everyone asks Brian for something to be made as an exclusive. He must be going bonkers reading them all. Must be tough to make a decision to appease all the fans/collectors.

As already stated, you can pretty much purchase most figures for around the club price on Ebay but they do go up after the club has sold after them. The Land Adventurer sold out pretty quick and the last time I checked (and it has been a while), they were selling for about $150 on EBAY. I bought a few Air Adventurers and sold my extras for about $125 when they were sold out. I'm surprised they still have most of the other ones from previous years. I would think with a production run of 1,970 or whatever it is, they wouldn't last for years and years but I do know they hardly ever reduce the price on anything that is limited. I think they run a Father's Day special or something like that but that's about it.

They ran a Valentines Day sale but nothing really was all that special. The did lower the case price for the 40th Anniversary #23 Action Soldier pack from $168 to $100, which included 4 Action Soldiers and 16 accessory packs which contained extra jackets, rifles, helmets, etc. But you can find the same bundles on eBay for $20-$30 each. I just bought a similar bundle for the Action Marine for $25. If I didn't already have 6 Action Soldiers, I may have considered ordering the sale item.

Like I said, I don't really think the membership does much for me other than buying a few figures here and there and that's about it.

I figure that the "free" Club exclusive figure is worth $20. Access to the Members Only site & forums and the monthly newsletter isn't really worth the extra $22. But it does give you some nice discounts on other Club items.

I always call the phone number to order figures...they are much more responsive if that helps.

They've asked that we don't call anymore because the phone lines have become jammed with "all the calls about the 2008 Club exclusives". I did call last Wednesday and they were closed for "business meetings".