So, it looks like we've saved these for years for the chance to redeem them for something - and so far, all suggested items that many hard-core enough to save JMPs since '99 probably already have.
I realize it is difficult, and potentially costly, for Hasbro to come through with something that will satisfy years of point collection, but this sounds like a bad, bad, bad idea.
I can't see them taking in the points and issuing credits to spend online, it just seems like a tracking nightmare. Can you imagine the workload it would take to tabulate customers points (and do it accurately) then implement them in a database for auctions that start in September?
The whole idea sounds bad, and that's just the logistics! What about the items up for auction? How many items total will be there? What will the quality be? Are there shipping costs? What if auctions are won by deadbeat bidders?
If cost of the promotional item (thats what it is, really, just 4 years late) was an issue, I'd be happy to have paid a "shipping and handling" fee per order to make it easier for them to swallow. If they were worried about offering an exclusive item that upset retailers, why not do this in conjucntion with another entity, like the Fan Club? There seems there would be a lot of different ways to handle this than what appears to be about to happen.
J