JJ Collectors Club (2 Viewers)
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chalklands
Sergeant First Class
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chalklands
Sergeant First Class
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Nope...commercial secrets I guess. But in the scheme of things does that matter?
mikemiller1955
Lieutenant General
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Yea Mark...I was told that mine had shipped too.
Combat
Brigadier General
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I was in a dealer shop today and noticed they are selling the collector set on the shelf just like any other set. There was no indication that you had to buy the Lt. Jenkins figure first. In fairness, I didn't ask about it, but relatively sure that anyone who walked in and wanted to buy the Halket set could do so.
mikemiller1955
Lieutenant General
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Well...
I think the deal was...once you bought the membership introductory set (Lt. Jenkins)...
you're allowed to pre-order the forthcoming CC sets in any quantity...
I assume your dealer became an original club member...then bought some of the following CC sets in quantity to resell...
I really have no problem with that...in fact I have 2 of the Jenkin's into sets...
one of them was gifted to me...
but I'm guessing your dealer just pre-ordered some extras to sell...
and I'm sure he will sell them...
I'm curios though...
the Halkett set msrped for $68.00...and was recorded at 376 limited editions...I think...
what was he asking for one?
Combat
Brigadier General
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They are selling for retail price. However, I was under the impression you had to be a member (i.e. buy Lt Jenkins) first to buy the collector sets. If dealers can buy as many as they want and resell them like any other set, then I don't see the incentive to join the club. Anyone can walk off the street or order them at any time. It also inflates the number of club figures produced and period for which they are available. Those may be good things for collectors who miss out, but it defeats the notion of exclusivity for those who become members - which I think is part of intent of the club. I would buy them anyway just like a regular JJ release, but just not sure what the difference is supposed to be between a club set and a regular limited release under those circumstances.
mikemiller1955
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I see your point...the exclusivity does not exist if you can buy the CC sets off the shelf anywhere and anytime...
but that won't last forever...when your dealer sells out...we will be glad we joined and got ours...and at msrp...
I guess you could roll the dice and not buy the introductory set...hoping to find them on the shelves from dealers or on Ebay...
maybe the only incentive to buying the JJClub 2009 set is because you like it and want to guarantee that you get it...but I personally loved the Lt. Jenkin's set anyway and would have bought it as a general release...drawn pistol figures are some of my favorites...similar to the Fraser's Highlander's set #QHL01...
by the way...there is a JJCLUB 2009 (Lt. Jenkins) on Ebay for $40.00 + $20.00 shipping...makes $32.00 look like a smart buy.
I'm surprised there are no Halketts on Ebay yet...to my knowledge anyway...but I bet they will make an appearance soon...as will the Scarouyady sets...
I'll take "the bird in the hand anytime"...
Combat
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I see your point...the exclusivity does not exist if you can buy the CC sets off the shelf anywhere and anytime...
but that won't last forever...when your dealer sells out...we will be glad we joined and got ours...and at msrp...
I guess you could roll the dice and not buy the introductory set...hoping to find them on the shelves from dealers or on Ebay...
maybe the only incentive to buying the JJClub 2009 set is because you like it and want to guarantee that you get it...but I personally loved the Lt. Jenkin's set anyway and would have bought it as a general release...drawn pistol figures are some of my favorites...similar to the Fraser's Highlander's set #QHL01...
by the way...there is a JJCLUB 2009 (Lt. Jenkins) on Ebay for $40.00 + $20.00 shipping...makes $32.00 look like a smart buy.
I'm surprised there are no Halketts on Ebay yet...to my knowledge anyway...but I bet they will make an appearance soon...as will the Scarouyady sets...
I'll take "the bird in the hand anytime"...
Mike - I agree 100%, but I think that rationale applies to any of John's limited production sets which is most everything he does. If you don't buy them, you run the risk they will sell out. Just trying to understand how the collector's club is supposed to be different from non-club sets. For example, the preorders for the first two collector sets apparently came to around 400 apiece. But the Rogers set limited to 350 is still available months after release. It hasn't sold out even though Rogers is a more well known figure. That sort of defies logic. John got more preorders for both collector sets in a limited timeframe than he has sold of the Rogers set over last several months. The only explanation I think of is the impression of exclusivity or shorter availability that prompts the demand for the club sets, but that is not what is happening if they are made in even greater numbers and available from dealers who buy as many as they want for resale without regard to preorders from members. Anyway like you said I buy them because I like them. So maybe it doesn't matter.
mikemiller1955
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Mike - I agree 100%, but I think that rationale applies to any of John's limited production sets which is most everything he does. If you don't buy them, you run the risk they will sell out. Just trying to understand how the collector's club is supposed to be different from non-club sets. For example, the preorders for the first two collector sets apparently came to around 400 apiece. But the Rogers set limited to 350 is still available months after release. It hasn't sold out even though Rogers is a more well known figure. That sort of defies logic. John got more preorders for both collector sets in a limited timeframe than he has sold of the Rogers set over last several months. The only explanation I think of is the impression of exclusivity or shorter availability that prompts the demand for the club sets, but that is not what is happening if they are made in even greater numbers and available from dealers who buy as many as they want for resale without regard to preorders from members. Anyway like you said I buy them because I like them. So maybe it doesn't matter.
It is still "exclusive" in the sense that you must order the membership piece to be eligible to purchase club sets...singles or multiples...
the exclusivity fails in the sense that some members order multiple sets for future speculation...
hence...the figure may probably be available to non-members...
I wouldn't count on this as a method to get my figure...
I don't feel I'm being frauded or deceived because "Joe Blow", who is a non-member can buy the same figure that I get...
At the same time "John Smith" may buy two dozen on speculation and not even break even on anticipated future sales...
I don't think anyone joined to receive the "bonus" calendar...and Randy...don't take that personally...the calendar is fantastic...
I don't know how many members bought a single figure...like I did...nor do I know how many members bought extra figures to speculate on...
or dealers to sell at msrp...
I'm sure it happened though...
I figured out real quick...this concept is a "boom" to John himself...because he walks into the factory with a preset amount that he knows are sold...an ideal concept for John's business...no waste...no inventory...no left overs sitting on the shelf unsold...perfect from his point of view...
I will agree...
the special words...exclusive...membership...pre-order...limited edition...
may have pushed up the pre-orders...
John's stuff has a history of great resale value...
speculation is rampant...
I'll make you a bet...
of the 376 Halketts sold...
and of the 431 Scarouyady sold...
they didn't go to 376 or 431 different addresses...
I know lots of people...dealers included...bought multiple sets...
I'll make you a second bet...
as the Roger's 350 figures comes closer to being "retired"...
the quicker Ebay speculators will step in to buy what's left on the shelf...
All three pieces...the membership set (Jenkins) and the two club sets (Halkett and Scarouyady)...
carry the the elusive and lofty prestigious label of "Battle of Monongahela figures"...
this series has notoriously been a re-seller's dream...
this might be one of the answers as to why they are being bought in multiple sets...
Combat
Brigadier General
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I guess my confusion relates to dealers being considered club members themselves when they are just acting in their capacity as dealers. It doesn't surprise me that some individuals might buy extras to sell on ebay and John has no control over that. But he could prohibit that practice among dealers just as KC prohibits their dealers from selling below retail. In my opinion, they should only get the number of club sets for which they have preorders from customers by the deadline set by John. For all I know that is how it is working. I didn't ask the local dealer who had the figure for sale. Or John could limit distribution directly from himself like KC does with their collector club. You can't buy KC collector figures from dealers.
mikemiller1955
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Doug...you really don't sound confused...
I think you're just trying to justify why a regular edition figure doesn't sell as well as a "special" figure...
I'm guessing speculation because of the stigma label of "special" attached...
that and because they belong to a series that carries some mystique on reselling...
I think John is just happy to sell the figures to anyone that wants them...and well he should be...
I was told his policy of Ebay scalping was...
that dealers were allowed to use Ebay as their selling format...but could not go over msrp until it was retired...
once retired...whatever the market will bear...
in other words...
"Please don't gouge my customers until the products are off my dealer's shelves"...
seems like a happy and fair medium...but the funny thing is...
it may be the dealers who are holding stock...
until "retired" status is met and then inflating the price...
It's just as easy for you and me to do if we wanted...
so far...all the figures produced for club sets have been "one off" personality sets...
I mean...just one of each satisfies my diorama needs...
I wonder what would happen if he offered a "firing line" set or a set that would stimulate multiple purchases for a Club set...
I bet the production number would be huge...
anyway...I'm happy enough with this format...I'm getting my opportunity to get my figures...
I think you're just trying to justify why a regular edition figure doesn't sell as well as a "special" figure...
I'm guessing speculation because of the stigma label of "special" attached...
that and because they belong to a series that carries some mystique on reselling...
I think John is just happy to sell the figures to anyone that wants them...and well he should be...
I was told his policy of Ebay scalping was...
that dealers were allowed to use Ebay as their selling format...but could not go over msrp until it was retired...
once retired...whatever the market will bear...
in other words...
"Please don't gouge my customers until the products are off my dealer's shelves"...
seems like a happy and fair medium...but the funny thing is...
it may be the dealers who are holding stock...
until "retired" status is met and then inflating the price...
It's just as easy for you and me to do if we wanted...
so far...all the figures produced for club sets have been "one off" personality sets...
I mean...just one of each satisfies my diorama needs...
I wonder what would happen if he offered a "firing line" set or a set that would stimulate multiple purchases for a Club set...
I bet the production number would be huge...
anyway...I'm happy enough with this format...I'm getting my opportunity to get my figures...
marco55
Brigadier General
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I really don't think the collector sets should be allowed to be sold at a dealers store unless you joined the club through that particular dealer.What happened to when you join, the dealer you pick is the dealer that will handle your club picks?
Mark
Mark