Nerd Block Classic - December, 2015

Heya, peeps! Mike here, and in a surprise turn of events, I bet you're wondering why I suddenly have a Nerd Block review after I Nerdvorced them last year. Well, I was tempted back for 1 month only due to their Cyber Monday deal and, more importantly, their promise of amazing "Star Wars" items! Yes, I'm that big of a fan. LOL

After a long wait and a lot of doubt as to whether I had made the right decision to trust that not even Nerd Block could screw up giving people good "Star Wars" items, I received my box!

Yep, that looks good! Before I tell you about those items, though, here's a little info on Nerd Block Classic:

Monthly Subscription - $19.99 USD / month

3-Month Subscription - $53.97 USD / period

6-Month Subscription - $101.94 USD / period

Yearly Subscription - $191.88 USD / year

You have to add shipping to all of the above prices. For shipping to Canada, I was charged $8.75 USD, plus HST (13%) on top of everything! So, if you're Canadian like me, the items better be worth the extra cost and the stupid exchange rate at this time! Let's take a look at what I received.

DECEMBER, 2015

Here's a list of the items for this month's Nerd Block Classic, along with estimated Canadian pricing:

- Star Trek Captain Pin ($10.50 CAD)

- Kylo Ren T-Shirt ($18.00 CAD)

- Star Wars Mouse Pad ($8.50 CAD)

- Star Wars Blaster Keychain ($10.00 CAD)

- Star Wars Ice Tray ($15.00 CAD)

- Unmasked Darth Vader Pop! Vinyl ($17.00 CAD)

Nerd Block Inserts

Something new to Nerd Block since my final box with them last year is that they now have several inserts. There's one talking about the items (shown above), another revealing the general theme of next month's Block, and some ads. The items insert is what I appreciate the most since it makes it clear what was in the box and the different available options, if any.

Star Trek Captain Pin

Clearly, this isn't a "Star Wars" item, but it's still very cool. I'm a fan of "Star Trek" insignia pins and this Captain rank pin is definitely right up my alley. Awesome.

Kylo Ren T-Shirt

I love the design of this shirt. Also, it seems Nerd Block is now using higher quality shirts than they did before. My only complaint is that the size chart is a little off as my XL was definitely bigger than what was stated. I should have gone with my usual Large.

Star Wars Mouse Pad

This beautiful mouse pad has a design that looks like one of those old vacation destination ads. I love it, but Jess loves it more, so it's now hers. LOL

Star Wars Blaster Keychain

Wow, a Nerd Block exclusive item! Nice! I love this keychain and it's now on my key loop. ^_^

Star Wars Ice Tray

This is 1 of 3 ice trays subscribers could have received. I already own one of the other 2, so I'm quite lucky to have gotten this one.

Unmasked Darth Vader Pop! Vinyl

My first "Star Wars" Pop! vinyl was from Nerd Block. Now, so is my second. Of the 3 possible figures subscribers could get, this was the one I wanted most, so I'm one happy nerd right now. This is easily my favourite item in this Block.

OVERVIEW

I'm pretty sure you've come to the conclusion that I really liked this month's Nerd Block Classic. Honestly, it was the best Nerd Block I have ever received. It's on the same level as a normal Loot Crate, and that's saying something. However, despite the awesome items and getting my money's worth, I am most definitely not tempted to go back to becoming a Nerd Block subscriber. Why? Because I'm pretty sure this is an exception and not the rule. I've read what people have gotten in previous months and I haven't been impressed. With "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" coming out and the promise of awesome "Star Wars" merch, Nerd Block had to put together something epic this month to not only prevent subscribers from leaving, but to also attract new ones. I honestly don't think Nerd Block will match this level of quality for a long while, so I've already cancelled.

Of course, if you disagree and are interested in joining Nerd Block, please feel free to visit their web site at www.nerdblock.com. They have more than just their standard Block. They now have all sorts of themed programs like Arcade Block and Horror Block.

And, that's it for now. Stay tuned for more entries this month. Have a Merry Christmas and a wonderful Holiday Season!

~ Mike

Loot Crate - September, 2014 - Galactic

When I received my Loot Crate four days ago, I knew I was in Tribble. I mean, err, trouble. Work has been on the crazy side lately, and with a little less than four days to write this blog entry, I didn't think I would make it before the month ended. Unfortunately, my worries were correct in the end, so I would like to apologize for the lateness in letting you all know what was inside my personally most anticipated Loot Crate.

Honestly, with my out-of-this-world workload, it felt like an early Christmas when I opened this box. Now, for those of you who haven't heard of Loot Crate, it is a monthly subscription box that caters towards "nerds" and "geeks". Each month, subscribers get a themed box of 6 to 8 items. What's interesting is that Loot Crate has different subscription programs. Here's a breakdown:

1 Month Plan - $19.37 USD / $29.95 CAD per month

3 Month Plan - $55.11 USD / $84.00 CAD per 3 months 

6 Month Plan - $105.99 USD / $162.00 CAD per 6 months

SEPTEMBER - GALACTIC

When I saw the preview for the September box, I was ecstatic. The Enterprise? The Millennium Falcon? The Serenity?! Geez, were they trying to give me a heart attack? So much awesome. So little box space. What did I get in my Galactic Loot Crate?

- Loot Crate Mini Magazine ($2.00 CAD)

- Loot Crate Theme Pin ($0.75 CAD)

- Star Wars Magnet ($5.00 CAD)

- Han Solo in Carbonite Poster ($5.00 CAD)

- Limited Edition Mal Mystery Mini ($12.00 CAD)

- Firefly Replica Money ($5.00 CAD)

- Alien ReAction Figure ($15.00 CAD)

- Limited Edition Tribble Plush ($10.00 CAD)

- Halo Digital Comics ($10.00 CAD)

- Pop Rocks ($1.00)

- Savings Sheet

Custom Loot Crate Box

After August's Heroes box, I was expecting the custom Loot Crate box designs to stop for a long while. I was pleasantly surprised to discover I was wrong. I'm thoroughly impressed with the Loot Crate Gurus since they clearly know how to make nerds / geeks happy.

Loot Crate Mini Magazine

I have been a fan of the Loot Crate Mini Magazine since my first box. The September issue has some great articles and a pretty cool cover. I love how it's almost like Ripley's trying to put her mech hand on Darth Vader's waist. Cute.

Loot Crate Theme Pin

We once again got a pin that was printed at the right brightness. I'm a little sad that the Tribbles got cut off from the design, but at least we got Mal and R2-D2 in there!

Star Wars Magnet

I love this magnet! For those of you who aren't old enough to know, this is a crossover between Star Wars and Asteroids. I remember going to my friend's house when I was a kid to play Asteroids. Fun times... Now, I feel old! :p

Han Solo in Carbonite Poster

This. Is. So. Cool. That is all.

Limited Edition Mal Mystery Mini

I love how Loot Crate doesn't just partner with companies, they also get custom, limited edition items made. The regular Mal from Funko's Science Fiction Mystery Minis set carries a handgun. The custom figure Looters received is of Mal holding a shotgun. Shiny!

Firefly Replica Money

As if a limited edition Mal figure wasn't enough shiny for one box, Loot Crate added some cold, hard space cash...

Alien ReAction Figure

I've been eyeing the multitude of Funko ReAction figures at Silver Snail Comics and 401 Games for a while now, and the Alien figure has been at the top of my Most Wanted list. Leave it to Loot Crate to actually send me one! :D

Limited Edition Tribble Plush

Seriously, how much more awesome can this Loot Crate hold?! I've always wanted a Tribble plush, but they're always either sold out or overpriced. Now, I not only have a Tribble plush, but I also have one in a colour and in a box that only Looters get!

Halo Digital Comics

I read most of my comics on the Comixology app these days, so needless to say, I'm a fan of digital comics. Receiving 3 issues of the Halo comics series by Dark Horse is a very welcome surprise.

Pop Rocks

Loot Crate really knows how to win me over with food. I haven't had Pop Rocks since I was a kid. Yummy!

Savings Sheet

Although I won't be using any of the savings on the Savings Sheet, I still appreciate Loot Crate including them. It's nice to know they are trying to help nerds save some cash.

OVERVIEW

The Galactic Loot Crate is now my absolute favourite box since I started my subscription. I liked everything. EVERYTHING! Plus, I can't decide whether the Alien figure or the Tribble is my favourite item in this box. Maybe I'll eat some more Pop Rocks and sort it out afterwards. Om nom nom nom. Seriously, though, I'm impressed. Loot Crate is getting everything right. I sincerely hope they keep it up.

Halloween is around the corner, so it's not surprising that the October box's theme is going to be "Fear". I love all things Halloween, so I am super excited! If you're interested in learning more about Loot Crate, please check out their Web Site. If you would like to subscribe, you can get 10% off using the code FEAR

Thank you for checking out my blog. See you again real soon!

~ Mike