Fans Outraged by Van Der Beek Merch Store Email

Fans are expressing outrage following an email from the late James Van Der Beek's merchandise store concerning unfulfilled orders. The store reportedly sent a message this week stating that some orders could no longer be fulfilled.

Customers who purchased signed jerseys, priced at $80, were initially told to expect delivery within 10 to 12 weeks. Unsigned jerseys were available for $40. These sales were intended to support colorectal cancer research. Following Van Der Beek's passing on February 11, 2026, at age 48, customers who had not yet received their signed items were presented with two options.

The offered choices were to receive an unsigned jersey with a partial refund, or to accept an unsigned jersey with no refund, where 100 percent of the proceeds would be directed to Van Der Beek's family. The email emphasized that any refunds would reduce the support for his grieving family, including his wife and six children.

This communication quickly drew criticism on social media platforms, with users calling the store's approach "gross" and "disgusting." Many felt the email used emotional pressure to deter customers from requesting refunds, likening it to a "money grab" that exploited the circumstances of the actor's death and his family's grief.

James Van Der Beek was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in August 2023. His death was confirmed via an Instagram statement on February 11, 2026, describing his final days as met with "courage, faith, and grace." Subsequently, a GoFundMe page was established to support his family, which has raised over $2.6 million.