@Shane Dale Welcome to the forums and Steelbook collecting. I'd just like to give you a few pointers on participating in Blufans Group Buys in particular.
1) First and foremost, awaiting a Blufans release is definitely an endurance race and a test of patience as their releases go through several approvals from artwork to slipcover sizing. I honestly don't expect its actual release until August so whatever excitement you have for this release, write it down so you remember why you're waiting so long.
2) The Steelbook sets usually come with 2 or 3 options which include a full Lenticular slipcase, regular slipcase or a 1/4 slip. They all come with extras such as art cards. This is where it gets fun as the Steelbook community can contribute feedback and ideas and even vote on them. I expect a lot of creative stuff for this very popular release.
3) This is supposed to be an "Ultimate Edition" meaning Blufans will pull out all stops. It will likely include the Soundtrack and a whole bunch of stuff. Approval on all of it will most likely take a long time. The last Ultimate Edition was "Frozen" and that went all out.
4) NEWS and RUMORS Now here's the hardest part of collecting. You'd think a message board of passionate collectors would always be a safe haven for accurate information. However, for some reason people tend to assume news, confuse people with misinformation and get everyone anxious. Please take "news" as wishful thinking until expressly confirmed by Kevin and even then Blufans is consistently inaccurate about their release dates. They can be a bit ambitious on how many releases they can handle at one time but don't quite grasp that a lot of the process is out of their control so they cannot and should not set any date. However, release dates set people's minds at ease so I just figure they throw it out there coyly. Example: The previous Marvels were all set for release before Christmas 2014 with Guardians actually releasing this April. The best way to gauge when Guardians will release is to watch their other releases as they come out. It'll all be a Domini Effect with Guardians waiting in line. Updates are few and far between but are extremely exciting. Mock ups are merely digital images and Specs are wishful thinking. Do not get yours hopes all the way up until Blufans posts the manufactured product displaying what you're gonna get. We all just sit and pray it matches and even exceeds the mockup. Trust that Blufans will do all they can to meet our expectations. More often than not, they pull a "Frozen"...aside from the occasional "Wall-E".......
5) Lastly, just have patience and enjoy this set. Blufans are releases that collectors feel they have actively contributed to and is a unique feeling to own something that a community has helped to make. It's good for Steelbook collecting. The wait will be worth it knowing that you stuck with it. For resellers, if they're willing to wait it out just to make $40 per copy - Go ahead but that's what we're not about here. So sit back, make friends, piss your money away and enjoy the whole process. Guardians of the Galaxy is set to be an exciting release and I'm calling an August Ship Date.
...wish they would have done 1 lentis and one FullSlip instead of 2 Lenticular editions.
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..and yes I dare say I love the WWA Walkman steel of GOTG even though not exactly as in the movie it captured the spirit of the movie very well...
