My first inkling that something was wrong was winter of 1977. Everyone at my elementary school was dreaming of getting some sweet Star Wars toys. Instead, we spent $9.99 for a mail-away certificate, and months of waiting for some action figures. It was pretty cruel, getting us kids all excited for the toys, and then not having the toys available right away.
Which toy was it that you ordered? I remember ordering the Boba Fett with the spring action rocket and then finally, after 6-8 weeks of waiting, which is an eternity for a kid, finally getting it and the damn thing wasnt as advertised! Supposedly, “it was a choking hazard” and they discontinued it!! I got the stupid non-functioning version.