Unfortunately for FP, their story has been one of consistently poor customer service, and even worse public communication/relations. Brian most notably has been his own worst enemy for many years now. It always seemed like he had to be dragged kicking and screaming into anything that didn't fit his idea of what should be. Also, if you get a chance, watch some video of Brian when he addresses groups, not particularly endearing to his customers.
I very much disagree with this. My own personal dealings with the Club ( on the GIJOE side)have gone smooth as silk, and many collectors I know have no problems at all.
I've seen the Club handle customer problems in very direct and professional ways, and with copious courtesy. I've met Bryan in person, and found him to be congenial and personable. The Club has been VERY open to input and ideas.......I know because I have contributed ideas to them in the past--the 12" figures they have produced came, in part, from online chats that I and other collectors have had with them. Some of our suggestions were realized in figure form.
Part of the "problem" the Club has its the general apathy of its membership, and let's not discount that so quickly.
There's a considerable amount of misinformation, and outright ignorance about the Club. One one hand, the Club has detractors saying its NOT a Club, but a business hawking wares, and on the other hand none of these people are willing to participate in the venture as if it were a Club in the first place. They decry the newsletter as an amateurish piece of work, with lame out-of-touch articles that never seem to focus on THEIR interests, always the OTHER collectors' interests.....but not a one of them every offers ANYTHING to the newsletter themselves for like minds as them to read.
Accordingly, people slam the Club because they say the newsletter isn't an incentive to join, so the "free figure" isn't "really" free........etc etc etc.
How does the Club win this one?
They certainly know these kinds of comments because they are elbow to elbow with the rest of us in the hobby and on-line communities.
I'm sure that it piques them more than a little, too.
Are there problems/frustrations with the Club--yes, there's a few. Its not a perfect organization. It IS a for-profit business and that is the first concern for them. I have seen Bryan be short with people/collectors, but you know what? It was in a venue where he was a guest and where other people were in his face about something he had no ability or opportunity to attend to at that moment. But still he takes flack for it long after the fact--is that fair?
Personally, I don't think so, and collectors and fandom can be notoriously unfair (even vindictive) about such things.
This current matter is not a good one for the Club, or its management. I will not offer the Club any of my money either until the problem is clearly fixed. I do support the Club in principle, but I cannot in good conscience support it when my money and private info is threatened. My patronage stops where that security is in doubt.
Either a mistake was made by the Club, or someone has taken advantage of them here and when they get the matter fixed, I'll be back to enjoy what they offer again.
PS: an example of the kind of nonsense they face--a couple of years back there was an individual (its presumed) that some how obtained an old mailing list of the GIJOE Club, from at least a few years prior. This person then mailed packets containing photographs they had taken of the Club principals ( staff and owners) homes, vehicles and family members to many of the members on the list. I understand it was several dozen people that claimed to get these items.
I had read that the Club has contacted the FBI and local police to investigate this, but I do not know if there was a resolution. The consensus was that they do not know who was doing this, or how they obtained the mailing list, as it was on a computer at the time, and not in a paper ledger.
The perp had actually stalked each of the Club staff and taken pains to prepare all of these things. Frankly, that sends a chill down my spine even now--and the creep is still likely out there.
I would not at all be surprised if there were a connection.