Hey, everybody! Mike here and I received the latest Nerd Block from Canada Post yesterday, which is very strange since we don't normally get mail on weekends. But, hey, I'm not going to complain when something awesome is left at my door! In case you didn't know, Nerd Block is a monthly subscription box and each month, people receive all sorts of products from "nerdy" franchises. Here is some information:
NERD BLOCK
- $19.99 USD plus shipping per month
- $30 CAD total per month in Canada
- arrives around mid-month in Canada
December, 2013
I was very excited about this month's Nerd Block since I got an e-mail not long ago saying there would be a "high value item" that "retails over $45". Plus, it's Christmas / Holiday season, so I figured there would be some awesome, gift-worthy items. Well, let's see if Nerd Block's claim and my own expectations were met. Here's a list of what was in the box with approximate retail prices in brackets next to each item:
- Legend of Zelda Triforce T-Shirt ($15)
- The Hobbit Gandalf Pop! Figure ($10)
- Samurai Inferno Watch ($25)
- Gogo's Crazy Bones Series 1 Pack ($2.50)
- Monster Marbles Pack ($2.50)
- Marvel Grab Zags Pack ($1.50)
T-Shirt
I absolutely love the T-shirt that came with this month's Nerd Block. I admit that I'm not as big a fan of the Zelda games as most of my friends are since I have never actually beaten a single one of the games in the franchise (blasphemy, I know), but I can't help but appreciate the fantastic design of the shirt. As with the previous months, the shirt is well made and fits me perfectly. Plus, the shirt is navy blue, putting it in the "not black" category. This is good since, as you may remember, I had been worried back in October that Nerd Block would be sending more black shirts than other colours. But, it seems we will be getting a good variety. Here's hoping next month's T-shirt will not be black or a shade of blue. :p
Gandalf Pop! Figure
Over the past year or so, I've become quite a fan of Pop! Figures. I don't have that many, though, so I'm happy Nerd Block is helping me expand my collection. This month's box has a figure from The Hobbit and I received Gandalf. I am so happy Jess wasn't home to see the nerdy dance I did around the living room when I saw the figure. Gandalf is my favourite Tolkien character, so getting a Pop! Figure of him is a real treat. My friend Ryan received Invisible Bilbo, which looks pretty awesome. There are other figures in the series, but I'm not sure if Nerd Block included them as well. If you received someone other than Gandalf or Invisible Bilbo, please Comment. I'd love to hear what you got. Thanks!
Samurai Inferno Watch
This is the big one! This is the highly anticipated "high value item". Guess what? Nerd Block wasn't entirely honest. The Samurai Inferno Watch is a LED wristwatch from the peeps over at Gadgetsandgear.com. It's made of a metal-like material and has a face that shows the time or date in red LED lights when a button is pressed. If you go to Gadgetsandgear and look up the watch, the suggested retail price is $49.95. However, right now, it is selling for $24.95. Some of you may point out the fact that the watch is on "Cyber Sale", so normally, it would sell for "over $45". BUT, WAIT! Have you tried looking at Amazon.com? No? Well, you should, because the watch sells for a whopping $10.99... Now, I'm going to be fair about this watch. It looks pretty awesome, is solid, and I'm actually wearing it right now. I love it. So, I'll go with the Cyber Sale price from the manufacturer as the true value. It's definitely NOT the "over $45" claimed by Nerd Block, but still good enough for me.
Gogo's Crazy Bones
I've seen Crazy Bones on shelves at Wal-Mart and Toys R Us for quite a while. Kids seem to really like these. In fact, there are web sites dedicated to people's collections of these things. Personally, I have very little interest in them and this single pack of 3 Gogo's Crazy Bones is the only one I'll ever own unless Nerd Block sends me more. However, they're a popular toy and I'm sure that it would be more appealing to other subscribers. Hmmm... Is that a toy drive across the street? ;)
Monster Marbles
Prior to this month's Nerd Block, I had never heard of Monster Marbles. After receiving a pack, I decided to look it up. Basically, Monster Marbles are collectible monster figures that roll around on metal ball bearings. Normally, you purchase a box that contains 3 single monster packs and a stick of chalk. You draw the suggested designs on pavement and then play various games with the monsters. The idea is that the monsters are supposed to take the place of traditional marbles in old-school schoolyard marble games. I've been able to find a small number of YouTube videos reviewing Monster Marbles and a few posts here and there talking about them, but nothing more. Their inclusion in Nerd Block is definitely a method of spreading the word and considering how much research I've done since getting a pack, I think it's kind of working.
Marvel Grab Zags
Now, we come to the seemingly obligatory super-cheap item in the box. Marvel Grab Zags are blind packs that come with a mini figure, a mini pen, or a mini light-up projector. I'm a huge Marvel fan, but this item is definitely not for me. It's a great little treat for kids, though, which is why my niece will be getting my Grab Zag pack in her stocking this Christmas.
Overview
Okay, so the December Nerd Block definitely had no holiday feel to it. I'm a tiny bit disappointed, but I understand. Christmas is not for everyone. I won't fault Nerd Block for that. What I will comment on once again is the watch. They hyped up this item quite a bit and, as it turned out, their claims were off by quite a bit. Honestly, Nerd Block needs to do their research before making claims in their e-mails. I mean, come on! The price is wrong and, aside from the name, the watch isn't even nerdy! Sure, I love the item and am thrilled to have received it, but that doesn't mean I am okay with exaggerated claims. But, it is what it is and, in the end, this month's Nerd Block was still worth the price of subscription. Will I continue with this box? Yes, I will, but with a new wariness when it comes to e-mails and Facebook posts by Nerd Block's staff.
And, that's it for this month. Stay tuned for more posts from Jess and my Marvel Vinylmations post!
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