Echo Station: T-R-U-E-F-A-N makes for Blue Fans

I have a serious problem with the amount in shipping charges the Fan Club assesses to outgoing orders. For example, I ordered two sets of the SW Celebration passes at $48 each ($40.80 with the discount) and shipping amounted to $14. I think that is extremely expensive considering the items weigh less than a pound. If I ordered the leather Darth Maul Jacket, which costs $295, shipping costs $19.

Highly upset, I phoned the Fan Club's customer service number and proceeded to convey my disgust. I was told that shipping charges are based on the total cost of the order. But how can this be when I've just cited 2 examples with a cost difference of $200 and the shipping charges were nearly the same? If I had ordered one set of Celebration Passes, I probably wouldn't have been as upset with an $8.50 shipping charge and would not have written this editorial. But why should shipping charges double when ordering 2 of the same item? How much more work is involved in packaging the same items for shipment to the same address? I just don't think it's fair. KayBee Toys charges zero shipping. Other retail outlets like Toys R Us or Entertainment Earth, assess normal UPS charges. Why can't the Fan Club?

In response to my complaint I received the following message from Dan Madsen, who basically owns the Fan Club:

"It's always distressing to hear such negative feedback from a fan,especially when we have been working so hard to get the figures and products that fans really want. Though we realize that we can never be the cheapest out there, we aim to be fair by not increasing pricing on the rare and hard-to-find items (i.e. expanded universe, alliance figures, etc.) We take great care (and expense) in the packaging and handling (bubble wrap, special boxes, etc.) to make sure our products arrive in mint condition for the collectors. Unfortunately, there is a cost associated with this. We are always evaluating our business with our competitors and continue to make great strides in trying to please the fans and collectors. We are continuing to look for ways to pass on savings to our customers. I do appreciate the feedback - believe me -- we are trying."

Which is all well and good, but it doesn’t explain why it cost me $14.00 to receive a 5"x5"x5" package containing two items the size of a deck of playing cards. Would they really have been able to save $5.50 by sending only one?

I know they're in business to make money and I realize that they have to pay their shipping clerks, but why take advantage of the customer by charging exorbitant shipping fees? Don't these other retailers that charge normal shipping prices have employees to pay as well? Why should I purchase anything from the Fan Club when, 1) their prices for the common items are 25-30% higher than retail and, 2) I will be hit with shipping charges that are above and beyond what normal shipping should be? If the Fan Club wishes to exist as a legitimate resource for fans to purchase collectible merchandise, then I suggest the shipping situation be reevaluated and adjusted to align with every other retailer in business today. I, as well as others who feel as I do, will continue to complain until something is done.

Following my last purchase, I will not buy anything more from Mos Espa, Jawa Trader or Star Wars Insider until some sort of change has been made. Odds are I will not renew my membership either. As far as I'm concerned, I've received no added benefit by being a "member". Think about it. What have they really done to excel as a resource for fan-based activity? They've printed nice little articles that could have been read in almost any SciFi-related magazine. They've hosted a 3-day convention that was not well planned and almost turned into a total disaster. They've consistently infuriated the fans with their high prices (Hoth Leia/Pote Snitkin/AT-AT Driver/Death Star Droid @ $48). They've screwed up countless orders and felt the need to apologize and maintain their customer base with a 15% discount that is essentially nullified by their stratospheric shipping charges. BIG DEAL!

Don't they realize that without fans, there is no franchise? Sure, we'll go see the movies. But that is not where the BIG money is. We all know that merchandising is the key. But the Fan Club fails to see that merchandise will not be sold if the fans refuse to pay astronomical prices. If we want to be subjected to rape, we can buy from dealers—the real scourge for collectors. But as far as I'm concerned, the Fan Club is quickly falling into that line. I am personally boycotting Mos Espa and protesting their outrageous shipping fees. I guess I'm not a T-R-U-E-F-A-N! But, on the bright side, neither is the "Fan Club".

(Mike Mezzatesta is a professional computer geek in Philly. When he isn’t railing against the piratical practices of mail order companies, he kicks back with a movie or some music.)