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Update! My letter to Integrity re: opportunities for non-attendees at Gene Con 2010

Posted by Elise in Melbourne on November 7, 2009, 9:01 am
114.74.29.34 | Message modified by user Elise in Melbourne November 7, 2009, 10:18 am

Hi everyone, I just wanted to make public the letter I have sent to Integrity via the W Club regarding my concern about the availability of dolls to non-attendees of Gene Con 2010. I considered all the arguments and came up with this suggestion. It is not a letter of criticism or objection, I know Integrity have always tried to look after their fans but conventions have always been problematic for non-attendees and I think that given this is Gene's farewell, we want to do it right. As before, your comments are welcome and appreciated. Best, Elise [To the team at Integrity, I would like to say how saddened I was to hear that Gene Marshall will be retired next year. I have delighted in collecting Gene and her friends and have made many wonderful contacts and gained much insight through sharing my passion for Gene with other collectors. That said, I do appreciate that all good things must come to an end and respect and support the artistic freedom of everyone in your wonderful team and wish them well as they explore new avenues. I know it is some time away but I have put some 'feelers' out on ICOG regarding the 2010 convention and, in particular, the feelings of those collectors who will be unable to attend Gene's farewell bash. I know I speak for a number of collectors in expressing deep concern that non-attendees may be unable to acquire the final editions of their favourite characters and I wonder if there is some mechanism by which non-attendees can ensure they get the dolls they want such as a pre-order, absentee package or post convention sales in Integrity's online store, although the latter may result in surplus dolls hanging around so perhaps the first two options would be better. I appreciate that the thrill of conventions lies in the 'surprise' element of just what might be on offer so a pre-order or absentee package would still have to have an air of mystery, but I believe that would be possible, all you would need to do is reveal which characters will be manufactured and the cost, no photos, no details, and then collectors would need to order the characters they want. For example, if you are making a Gene, a Madra, a Zita, a Violet, an Ivy and a Trent, I might request a pre-order or absentee package for a Zita and a Trent. That way you would have a deposit for two dolls and a better idea of how many of each character to manufacture. I guess the production process would be a little more like it is for W Club dolls, made to order; collectors who can't attend would pre-order before you manufacture and then, additionally, there would be as many dolls as you feel you would need for convention attendees. I'm sure you will try to include all Gene's fans in her farewell celebrations but I hope you will consider this feedback and the mutual sentiments my ICOG post generated: http://members.boardhost.com/ICOG/msg/1257552736.html Thank-you for reading and best wishes to you all! Sincere regards, Elise Literski Melbourne, Australia eliseliterski@hotmail.com "Elise in Melbourne" on ICOG]

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Responses: Thank you very much for this letter! - Vera November 8, 2009, 5:37 am My pleasure Vera! I want to see the best outcome for Gene, the fans and Integrity! - Elise in Melbourne November 8, 2009, 8:16 am I sign under every word of this. - Alena November 8, 2009, 1:01 am Thanks Alena! - Elise in Melbourne November 8, 2009, 8:13 am The letter you wrote is great.I really hope that IT takes all of your suggesstions and makes them - apeers November 7, 2009, 10:15 pm Thank-you!! I agree, especially the last dolls. - Elise in Melbourne November 8, 2009, 8:12 am Thanks for this, Elise. I agree that those not able to attend should be allowed to get something >> - JohnNY November 7, 2009, 7:17 pm That's my concern too John! Conventions can be a real frustration for those collectors left >> - Elise in Melbourne November 7, 2009, 7:55 pm Well written, Elise. I think if many signed on, they might actually - Terri-NY November 7, 2009, 7:04 pm Cheers Terri! I hope we might be able pre-order dolls from Intergity's online store >> - Elise in Melbourne November 7, 2009, 7:14 pm They also have to provide those willing to attend the convention with - Terri-NY November 7, 2009, 7:19 pm True, so perhaps a souvenir Gene could be offered to attendees only but to me, the real drawcard >> - Elise in Melbourne November 8, 2009, 7:57 am It sure would be cool to meet you! - Terri-NY November 8, 2009, 11:10 am Thank you very much for that, Elise! - Alasar November 7, 2009, 6:24 pm Thanks Alasar, I will give an IT update if I hear back! - Elise in Melbourne November 7, 2009, 7:16 pm I'll wait for it. Thank you)) - Alasar November 8, 2009, 4:24 pm I would pre order the whole set sight unseen!! - russell254 November 7, 2009, 6:24 pm Cheers Russell! I hope individual and multiple purchase options will be available via >> - Elise in Melbourne November 7, 2009, 7:20 pm Very well done Elise! I think the final Gene-line should be available for everyone. - Jurrie November 7, 2009, 4:52 pm My sentiments too Jurrie! Thanks for your post! - Elise in Melbourne November 7, 2009, 7:21 pm Thank you Elise (msg) - Vince November 7, 2009, 4:14 pm I agree Vince! Access for everyone! However a large or surplus supply is a risk for Integrity >> - Elise in Melbourne November 7, 2009, 7:29 pm Thanks Elise - wonderful suggestions! I would certainly go along & pre-order the whole set! (msg) - maureen in ak November 7, 2009, 2:31 pm Cheers Maureen! Take care!! - Elise in Melbourne November 7, 2009, 7:30 pm Excellent letter Elise... and I also urge Integrity to look - KarenNZ November 7, 2009, 2:22 pm I hope Integrity will consider this feedback Karen, I want Gene to go out in style :) - Elise in Melbourne November 7, 2009, 7:31 pm I won't be able to attend but I'd love to purchase a "final" doll - Andrea in CA November 7, 2009, 11:51 am Yes, a 'final doll', any doll! Pre-order the character/s you want, that's my vision :) - Elise in Melbourne November 7, 2009, 7:33 pm Great letter, great idea - hope they will listen to you :-) !!!! - AnneC November 7, 2009, 11:20 am Thanks Anne!! This started out about Internationals but I know many US collectors can't go either >> - Elise in Melbourne November 7, 2009, 7:39 pm I totally agree with you Elise. I doubt if I will be able go either. But i realize >> - Becky in Upstate November 7, 2009, 11:02 am I agree Becky, we should all be able to get what we want but I even feel this could be done >> - Elise in Melbourne November 7, 2009, 7:45 pm I am hoping to attend but agree with the suggestions to make it available to all. (nm) - dbastien November 7, 2009, 10:54 am That's my hope too Denis, thank-you! - Elise in Melbourne November 7, 2009, 7:10 pm I'm with you on this one! I've never been able to attend convention either.>> - charles November 7, 2009, 10:03 am Thank-you Charles! - Elise in Melbourne November 7, 2009, 7:09 pm I totally agree with you.......... - Steve C November 7, 2009, 9:46 am Thanks Steve! I see this as a bit of a petition so if anyone else agrees please post >> - Elise in Melbourne November 7, 2009, 9:51 am All we can do is try, right?........ - Steve C November 7, 2009, 10:42 pm I agree with the suggestion of offering this final collection to all collectors>>> - SuzanneMcD November 7, 2009, 9:32 am This is a great idea Elise and beautifully expressed< - trishfromnz November 7, 2009, 2:57 pm Thank-you Trish!!! - Elise in Melbourne November 7, 2009, 7:47 pm Thanks for your support Suzanne! - Elise in Melbourne November 7, 2009, 9:59 am « Back to thread

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