We are thrilled by the interest in this year's convention set. We have worked harder on this set than any other exclusive we have ever offered so it is very satisfying to hear such genuine excitement over these products. Unfortunately, simply being excited and "really really wanting" these exclusives will not get you them. Since the first exclusive figure in 2004, the only way to attain these figures is by arriving at the con early enough to claim them yourself.
As of this posting, nearly 50 people have emailed asking that they be the exception to this rule. Some of those people are longtime friends. Some are perfect strangers. The math shows that if we made the exception to every one of those people, over half the sets would be sold before the show. This set is not an internet exclusive. It is a convention exclusive and therefore will only be sold at the convention.
We at JoeCanuck.com do everything we can to ensure these sets end up in the hands of as many different fans as possible. That is why we have rules like one per person per address (ie if you are one person with three addresses, you can only buy one set, if you are three people with one address, you can only buy one set) and why we will have a security guard watching for people cutting in line and people holding places for friends. Both of which will not be tolerated.
It has been suggested that we make more figures. We have. Last year there were two exclusives with a run of roughly 30 each. This year there are five exclusives with a run of 100 each. It is getting increasingly difficult to make enough exclusives to meet demand and it would not have been possible this year without Hasbro's generous involvement and the hard work of five JoeCanuck staff members. Every year the Canadian Joe Con has increased in size, status, and has been brought more and more to Hasbro's attention. Ideally some day we will be granted access to Hasbro's factories and we can make a run large enough to meet all demand both at the con and away from it. However that day has not come yet and there is no guarantee it will ever come. So for the time being, we are putting our sweat into these exclusives and appreciate the attention they get and the patience our fans show us.
Thank you for your understanding.
That being said, we will be conducting a wristband policy to those in line. This is strictly on a first-come basis, but it will ensure that your dedication to waiting outside the Convention Centre will grant you a set. These are limited to 100, but please keep in mind that there will only be about 90 available to those in line. The staff of JoeCanuck and the guests will also be guaranteed a set should they want one. If not, then those remaining will go to those in line.
We will be enforcing the one-per household rule. So bring your photo ID.
When one of the Convention Staff Members arrive, each person in line will get a wristband.
You MUST have a wristband, and have a VIP admission to be able to purchase a set.
Here's how we're hoping this will work:
Let's say 10 people are in line when we arrive. Those 10 get a wristband.
When a staff member comes out for the 2nd time, and there's another 10 people in line, then those 10 new people will also get a wristband.
Now let's say the 3rd time a staff comes out, there's 5 people near the front of the line without wristbands. The first 10 people "let them in". They don't get one. The staff member will move to the newest batch of people and start handing them out there. If those "new" 5 people that are at the front of the line move to the back of the line, then on the 4th time out, they will get one as well, and so on.
Sound simple enough? About 20 minutes before the show opens, we will most likely start allowing those with wristbands access to the building and take care of them before opening the main doors. Maybe 10 people at a time, maybe more. We won't know until that morning.
This is the easiest and safest way we have come up with to ensure people aren't pushing and that those that have been in line early will get their set.
Any questions, feel free to post them in this thread. But don't expect us to change our mind on this policy. We want the day to go as smoothly as possible, starting with the inevitable line up that we all know will be happening.
Thank You,
The Canadian Joe Con Staff.