LEGO Collectable Minifigures General Discussion

[Tyrant]

I don't think you understand the concept of collectible. Nothing about it requires deceitful packaging.

The packaging is not deceitful. It says that the contents are random. That is true. It may or may not have a statement elaborating on odds (I wuld personally doubt it myself).

These aren't limited edition that are obtainable on a first-come-first-serve basis. These are mass-produced items that are packaged in a manner so that you can't tell what it is you're buying.

By the same logic that mass produced =/= limited edition, then nothing LEGO makes that is labeled Limited Edition is in fact, limited edition. First of all, limited is a relative term. Second, these are (supposedly) going to have a limited run which should make them more limited than the average LEGO set. I believe that would qualify them for the descriptor, Limited Edition. Especially if these really don't ever show up in other sets.

That's just a cheap trick on Lego's part. These are baseball cards where instead of a pack, you get one to a pack. For the same price, or possibly even more, you're getting one product you may not even want. They're not even making a sorry attempt to put some bad-tasting gum in to pretend that they're not shucksters trying to just fleece you with a product you really don't want. It's a dishonorable, cheap gimmick from a company that likes to boast of its quality and good customer relations.

Cheap trick and dishonorable have no meaning to a corporation. Second, it isn't either of those things. It isn't a cheap trick because you know exactly what is going on. This isn't a suprise you discover after buying something that has deceptive packaging. You know these are random. There is no trick here. I also fail to see how it is dishonorable. They aren't breaking their word or some prior commitment here. They aren't promising you one thing and giving you another. They are saying that by purchasing one of these you are buying a random figure. That is not dishonorable. They plainly state what the product is and it is up to you to choose to buy it or not. I fail to see the source of outrage here.

Lego has legions of loyal fans, be it children or adult collectors, but this tactic isn't respectful to them no matter how much naive fanbois will think it is.

Always end on an insult apparently. I do not view this tactic as disrespectful. Would I prefer to be able to buy exactly the ones I want, of course I would. However, I accept the reality that they may not have made half of these figures had they gone that route. They can only have so many themes in rotation at any one point. A line like this allows them to make cavemen, zombies, robots, etc that simply don't fit other themes. So, as may be the case, if the options are a line like this or less than half of these figures ever being made, the choice is pretty easy.

Of course, no one is forcing you to buy any of them so I am again wondering what the real problem is.

Edited February 11, 2010 by Tyrant

[B-Lister]

I don't think you understand the concept of collectible. Nothing about it requires deceitful packaging. These aren't limited edition that are obtainable on a first-come-first-serve basis. These are mass-produced items that are packaged in a manner so that you can't tell what it is you're buying.

Yup, just like dozens of other blind boxed toys on the market.

That's just a cheap trick on Lego's part. These are baseball cards where instead of a pack, you get one to a pack. For the same price, or possibly even more, you're getting one product you may not even want.

Yup. Just like the trading figures in Japan....that's what they want you to do, by the way....trade for the ones you want.

They're not even making a sorry attempt to put some bad-tasting gum in to pretend that they're not shucksters trying to just fleece you with a product you really don't want.

It's not about that at all. It's not about trying to sell you a product you don't want, it's just a different way of marketing a product. One that has proven VERY successful for other toy companies in the past.

It's a dishonorable, cheap gimmick from a company that likes to boast of its quality and good customer relations. Lego has legions of loyal fans, be it children or adult collectors, but this tactic isn't respectful to them no matter how much naive fanbois will think it is.

I disagree

[Spyder]

I'll probably just buy a box of each series, that way I have the best chance of getting what I want. The problem is that they are $3 each, which seems a bit expensive for a minifigure. And that shovel looks really . I know by this time, Lego has already made most of the minifigures and they are ready to ship, so Lego can't change it now. But honestly, why Lego, did you change the mold? It doesn't save that much plastic, it's not really any smaller.

[vexorian]

I don't think you understand the concept of collectible. Nothing about it requires deceitful packaging. These aren't limited edition that are obtainable on a first-come-first-serve basis. These are mass-produced items that are packaged in a manner so that you can't tell what it is you're buying. That's just a cheap trick on Lego's part. These are baseball cards where instead of a pack, you get one to a pack. For the same price, or possibly even more, you're getting one product you may not even want. They're not even making a sorry attempt to put some bad-tasting gum in to pretend that they're not shucksters trying to just fleece you with a product you really don't want. It's a dishonorable, cheap gimmick from a company that likes to boast of its quality and good customer relations. Lego has legions of loyal fans, be it children or adult collectors, but this tactic isn't respectful to them no matter how much naive fanbois will think it is.

No, not really, not at all. First of all you call it 'deceitful packaging' when the bags clearly have all sorts of question signs and makes it clear it is randomized. If you mean that you should be able to see what's in the packaging, seriously that would suck and would be terrible as a collectible. AFOL maniacs would wipe the really good figs from stores and kids would have no access to them.

Baseball cards just suck in that they have no actual use beyond being collectible. These guys are figures. No self-respecting AFOL will get incredibly disappointed to get any of these figs as if it was the end of the world. Each of the figs does come with a unique thing you won't find elsewhere. And repeats are not a tragedy either, at the end of the day, even if you get extremely unlucky you are buying minifigs with new elements...

The whole point of this kind of collectible is not knowing what you are getting. It makes getting it more exciting, as always if you don't like the uncertainty get them from bricklink or something. If these were see through, I bet you that the most awesome figs would banish from shelves very quickly and you would be paying even more in bricklink.

This is not an offense to fans. It is actually fan service they are doing and notice that they happen to be two sets per season, out of the zillions of sets they are releasing that won't have any 'deceitful' packaging and you'll still be able to buy, so as a fan I am not even remotely offended by this idea.

It is also a great way to join more markets. There are kids who crave for collecting in this style, and this will help them know more of LEGO, a percentage of them will grow up to be AFOLs.

What would offend me would be that they used bad plastic for these figs. But that's a different topic and that would be a real blatant disrespect to the fans and kids that would possibly be interested in these guys.

--

I think it is confirmed tha teach box contains at least one of each fig. So buying a box gives you a 100% chance to get them all. Of course, 60 figs for 180$us is a little crazy when you could buy an emerald night or grand emporium for less... But I think you could sell the ones you don't want.

I consider these things as more of a promotion. Go to the toy store, buy one and get a random fig. Repeat. Collecting them all or trying to get the fig you want will be very expensive. but it seems fun buying a couple of random figs and seeing what you get.

Edited February 11, 2010 by vexorian

[prof1515]

I guess you never collected Gashapon figures. Or Pokemon cards. Or Mcdonalds promos.

-Omi

All examples of crap using gimmicks to get people to buy it. Years later, they've got a pile of stuff that they regret. Lego bills itself as an educational toy and prides themselves in the quality of their product. Gimmicks used by trash like that are the opposite of such a reputation.

[vexorian]

All examples of crap using gimmicks to get people to buy it. Years later, they've got a pile of stuff that they regret. Lego bills itself as an educational toy and prides themselves in the quality of their product. Gimmicks used by trash like that are the opposite of such a reputation.

Except that years after 2010, kids that collected them will get piles of minifigs and pieces useful for MoCs, hence LEGO is setting a good example on how to do random collectibles well.

[-Tilius-]

These exclusive mini-figures are one more reason to dislike Lego as they continue to demonstrate that they're less and less respectful of their customers. Instead of letting the customer buy what they want, they play games like this. It's disrespectful enough to make me seriously contemplate walking away from collecting like I did in the 90s when their town line became nothing but <insert that tiresome argument> garbage.

Okay, walk away from collecting then.

Nobody really cares.

Also, you're calling a toyline <insert that tiresome argument>.....is that not a bit of a stupid thing to say?

All examples of crap using gimmicks to get people to buy it. Years later, they've got a pile of stuff that they regret. Lego bills itself as an educational toy and prides themselves in the quality of their product. Gimmicks used by trash like that are the opposite of such a reputation.

I don't regret the Pokemon cards. Because I knew what I was buying. Yeah, they were randomly packed, but I was aware that I might get the same cards as I already had - and you know what I did? I traded ones I didn't want with friends. Ahhh, clever.

Besides, minifigures are useful within Lego, so having a few of the same one is fine. Either trade them, or reuse their parts. Or if you want to be dramatic you can LEAVE LEGO 4EVA!!!!!

But top marks for completely missing the point of these sorts of things. It's a 'gamble' kind of thing, but if you don't get one you want, you just trade it or sell it or whatever. That's just how this stuff works. You'll just have to chillax, and not buy them if you're not interested.

- Tilius

Edited February 11, 2010 by -Tilius-

[prof1515]

Cheap trick and dishonorable have no meaning to a corporation. Second, it isn't either of those things. It isn't a cheap trick because you know exactly what is going on. This isn't a suprise you discover after buying something that has deceptive packaging. You know these are random. There is no trick here. I also fail to see how it is dishonorable. They aren't breaking their word or some prior commitment here. They aren't promising you one thing and giving you another. They are saying that by purchasing one of these you are buying a random figure. That is not dishonorable. They plainly state what the product is and it is up to you to choose to buy it or not. I fail to see the source of outrage here.

It's a cheap trick because it's a toy. Toys appeal to children and children don't always think about the probability that they're going to get the one they want. They're using the gimmick of not letting you choose which one you buy because some may be more popular than others. So why produce the ones that aren't popular? They're hedging their bets on taking chances that they're producing something that some won't want by ensuring they'll sell just as many of those as figures that will be in higher demand.

For a company that claims to be selling educational toys, they're resorting to marketing schemes commonly employed by brainless crap like Pokemon. If they want to focus on profit at any cost, they need to knock off the sanctimonious megablocks.

Always end on an insult apparently.

Fanbois view things through rose-colored lenses and will defend such things that non-fanbois are often times more critical about. It doesn't matter whether it's fanbois arguing that the Star Wars prequels don't suck or this gimmick by Lego, it's about taking a critical eye and not a blind one even to things that one likes.

I do not view this tactic as disrespectful. Would I prefer to be able to buy exactly the ones I want, of course I would. However, I accept the reality that they may not have made half of these figures had they gone that route. They can only have so many themes in rotation at any one point. A line like this allows them to make cavemen, zombies, robots, etc that simply don't fit other themes. So, as may be the case, if the options are a line like this or less than half of these figures ever being made, the choice is pretty easy.

They could just as easily have made them with clear packaging so the figure is visible. They're trying to hock crap that people may not want instead of producing to demand. That's disrespectful for a company that prides itself on its relationship with its fans and which claims to care about producing the best quality product that people want.

Of course, no one is forcing you to buy any of them so I am again wondering what the real problem is.

The problem lies with Lego's reputation versus the nature of this business decision. They like feedback. Well, this is feedback on behalf of every parent out there who'll have to shell out money trying to get their child the figure that they want by potentially buying fifteen others that their kid may not give a rat's big behind about.

[crazyjay]

I really dont see anything wrong with 1 random minifig per pack thing. Sure I understand that many folks would like to get exactly what they hoped they would get. I understand that point. But the way I figure it and of course I could be wrong is simply that folks who want to take the chance and grab a random bag and get a surprise minifig will take that chance. Those folks who dont wish to potentially waste their money on a random chance will pass them up. No harm done either way. I suspect that those folks will likely be just as happy to bricklink/ ebay for those figs they wish. I can see a lot of trading or selling of spare figures to supply everyone with their wants.

Just my opinion folks. I hope i havent offended anyone.

Jay

[prof1515]

But top marks for completely missing the point of these sorts of things. It's a 'gamble' kind of thing, but if you don't get one you want, you just trade it or sell it or whatever.

I understand the point. It's about producing a range of figures that Lego isn't sure will sell equally. Therefore, they resort to gimmicks to ensure that the figures few want will sell as well as those that would be in demand. It's lazy, it's deceitful (these are toys after all and will appeal to kids) and it's the opposite of producing quality that the consumer wants.

Baseball cards are sold in blind packaging because not everyone would buy the card of some player who sucks and they could care less about. Hundreds of players' cards wouldn't sell because people would buy what they want. The gimmick of blind packaging under the "gamble" excuse is about selling what the consumer doesn't want by making it difficult for them to get what they want without buying that which they don't.

As for "<insert that tiresome argument>" sets, if you look at the sets of the 1980s and then those of the mid-to-late 90s, you'll see that the quality of design declined dramatically. The sets were ugly little monstrosities.

I don't intend to "gamble" on these figures to get the ones that appeal to me. I'm also not going to be a fanboi defending Lego when they've made a conscious choice as to marketing these figures. They'll get the money from a lot of people intent on getting the figures they want. They'll also get a lot of money from parents trying to get the figures their children want by buying a lot of figures their children don't want. They know that.

I may not play their game but just don't expect me to look at Lego and say they're a virgin when it's quite obvious they're a whore.

[Tyrant]

All examples of crap using gimmicks to get people to buy it. Years later, they've got a pile of stuff that they regret. Lego bills itself as an educational toy and prides themselves in the quality of their product. Gimmicks used by trash like that are the opposite of such a reputation.

I buy similar things and I don't have any regrets. It's easy not to when you actually use them, like I do. Like I assume anyone buying LEGO figures would. Then again I actually think before I buy things and try to stick with things I can afford and use. Also, I recall various LEGO items being distributed via Happy Meals at McDonalds as far back as 1989 and LEGO didn't collapse or sully their reputation on that one.

I keep coming back to if you are so against then don't buy it because no one is forcing you to buy it. You also seem very, very worried about the LEGO reputation. I would dare say that the company you are defending no longer exists as is (and probably hasn't for a while in fact) and this is simply another sign of that as opposed to a sign of the imminent implosion of TLG and their reputation.

[B-Lister]

All examples of crap using gimmicks to get people to buy it. Years later, they've got a pile of stuff that they regret. Lego bills itself as an educational toy and prides themselves in the quality of their product. Gimmicks used by trash like that are the opposite of such a reputation.

Gashapon Figures are not 'trash'.

grow up. You're acting like a child.

Lego IS an educational toy, and with these blind-packaged figures, you're getting lessons in economics (the rarer figures are gonna be worth more) Fractions (each figure has its own rarity, or percentage of being 'pulled'), lessons in disappointment (if you don't get a figure you particularly care for), and victory (when you find one you do).

as well as fair play, and history, in the Caveman, Indian, and Spaceman figures.

It's a cheap trick because it's a toy. Toys appeal to children and children don't always think about the probability that they're going to get the one they want. They're using the gimmick of not letting you choose which one you buy because some may be more popular than others. So why produce the ones that aren't popular? They're hedging their bets on taking chances that they're producing something that some won't want by ensuring they'll sell just as many of those as figures that will be in higher demand.

No, it's not a cheap trick, it's just something you're getting worked up about. Sure, some may be more popular than others, but that doesn't mean that stuff shouldn't be made for those that DO want it.

For a company that claims to be selling educational toys, they're resorting to marketing schemes commonly employed by brainless crap like Pokemon. If they want to focus on profit at any cost, they need to knock off the sanctimonious megablocks.

Pokemon may be 'brainless crap' in your opinion, but it taught a lot of things to a lot of kids. Fair Play, Strategy, Math, and many other important skills.

Fanbois view things through rose-colored lenses and will defend such things that non-fanbois are often times more critical about. It doesn't matter whether it's fanbois arguing that the Star Wars prequels don't suck or this gimmick by Lego, it's about taking a critical eye and not a blind one even to things that one likes.

You go on and on about things being 'brainless' but you use 1337 internet lingo, instead of just spelling 'Fanboy' properly.

They could just as easily have made them with clear packaging so the figure is visible. They're trying to hock crap that people may not want instead of producing to demand. That's disrespectful for a company that prides itself on its relationship with its fans and which claims to care about producing the best quality product that people want.

They certainly could've, but it would've defeated the purpose of this line, which IS the random chance.

The problem lies with Lego's reputation versus the nature of this business decision. They like feedback. Well, this is feedback on behalf of every parent out there who'll have to shell out money trying to get their child the figure that they want by potentially buying fifteen others that their kid may not give a rat's big behind about.

I don't think Lego's reputation is even at stake here, the only thing that seems to be in any question is your comfort level, something which nobody here but YOU seems to care about. The common opinion is that this is not only a good, but also a FUN idea. It's a pity you can't enjoy it, and must attempt to tear down, and belittle that which you don't care for.

Edited February 11, 2010 by Mister Blisterfists

[prof1515]

Then again I actually think before I buy things and try to stick with things I can afford and use.

Adults, well most of them at least, do. Children don't and a lot of parents have a difficult job with balancing the happiness of their child with the necessities of sound economic judgement.

I keep coming back to if you are so against then don't buy it because no one is forcing you to buy it.

As the uncle to two nieces, I see the way kids react to the world around them, especially to things like deferred gratification and "want versus need". I also think back to the folly of my own childhood in regard to those topics and I'm a lot less forgiving of corporate exploitation of children in that regard.

Even more so, in hard economic times like this, when some families have to watch expenses all the more closely, gimmicks like blind packaging are a sign of desperation and economic predation. I'm a firm believer that if a company wants to sell everything they produce then they should make everything they produce worth buying.

You also seem very, very worried about the LEGO reputation.

Actually, I'm not worried about their reputation, I take offense at the way that Lego is treated by some of the community in spite of their actions. I agree with your following statement:

I would dare say that the company you are defending no longer exists as is (and probably hasn't for a while in fact) and this is simply another sign of that...

You're spot on correct in that assessment. However, in the Lego community there is a "Respect the Brick" attitude amongst some fans. This has always irritated me because Lego is a business and respect is something to be earned, not given just because of fandom for some of the products that company produces. I respect Lego when they do things like sell designer models for charity or support other such efforts. I don't respect them because they're out to make money.

Gashapon Figures are not 'trash'.

grow up. You're acting like a child.

Lego IS an educational toy, and with these blind-packaged figures, you're getting lessons in economics (the rarer figures are gonna be worth more) Fractions (each figure has its own rarity, or percentage of being 'pulled'), lessons in disappointment (if you don't get a figure you particularly care for), and victory (when you find one you do).

as well as fair play, and history, in the Caveman, Indian, and Spaceman figures.

That's perhaps the most ridiculous and ignorant post I've ever seen on these forums and an excellent example of the fanboi behavior I'm referring to.

Edited February 11, 2010 by prof1515

[B-Lister]

I understand the point. It's about producing a range of figures that Lego isn't sure will sell equally. Therefore, they resort to gimmicks to ensure that the figures few want will sell as well as those that would be in demand. It's lazy, it's deceitful (these are toys after all and will appeal to kids) and it's the opposite of producing quality that the consumer wants.

Nope, you missed it completely. I'm sure each character was presented to test groups and chosen due to its overall appeal to the group. That said, not every figure will appeal to every collector. But does every figure in every set appeal to every collector?, I highly doubt it. You're trying to hold us to your own comfort level "I don't like it, so I'm gonna tell the world, and everybody who doesn't agree with me is wrong!". I know we're all a bunch of adults playing with toys, but you don't need to act like a CHILD while doing it.

Baseball cards are sold in blind packaging because not everyone would buy the card of some player who sucks and they could care less about. Hundreds of players' cards wouldn't sell because people would buy what they want. The gimmick of blind packaging under the "gamble" excuse is about selling what the consumer doesn't want by making it difficult for them to get what they want without buying that which they don't.

These are not baseball cards. And y'know what else? Even if you don't like every figure, you're gonna get something unique. Something you can either trade for something you DO want, or something that's gonna be useful to your collection, even if the figure ISN'T. And y'know what else is sold in blind packaging?, OTHER TOYS. So you're deliberately choosing something that you consider 'low quality' and comparing it to that, instead of choosing a similar product that is highly successful, in some ill-conceived quest to discredit the whole line. Well, lemme tell you a little something about this line. It's too late to do anything about it and even if it wasn't I doubt your ONE opinion would do much to change the mind of a global corporation, who has a pretty darn good track record of keeping its legions of fans quite pleased with its product, for several decades. So, in your effort, you might as well be screaming at a wall. And to that I say "Good luck with that".

As for "<insert that tiresome argument>" sets, if you look at the sets of the 1980s and then those of the mid-to-late 90s, you'll see that the quality of design declined dramatically. The sets were ugly little monstrosities.

Once again, you're trying to present your opinion as fact. Just because YOU don't like it, you have to belittle it.

I don't intend to "gamble" on these figures to get the ones that appeal to me. I'm also not going to be a fanboi defending Lego when they've made a conscious choice as to marketing these figures. They'll get the money from a lot of people intent on getting the figures they want. They'll also get a lot of money from parents trying to get the figures their children want by buying a lot of figures their children don't want. They know that.

And they also know that this sort of marketing works in a lot of successful lines, and this seems like a huge love letter to Lego Fans, young and old.

I may not play their game but just don't expect me to look at Lego and say they're a virgin when it's quite obvious they're a whore.

Then don't expect us to consider your opinion any more valid than William Hung trying to write a sequel to "Thriller".

That's perhaps the most ridiculous and ignorant post I've ever seen on these forums.

Coming from you, that's the highest compliment I could hope for!

Edited February 11, 2010 by Mister Blisterfists

[Clone OPatra]

I may not play their game but just don't expect me to look at Lego and say they're a virgin when it's quite obvious they're a whore.

Wow, I know you like to argue and all, but you just got way over the top. And I'm sure LEGO isn't sorry that it disrespects you by going against what you see as respectable business practices. What you seem to want from LEGO is for it to be exactly the same as it was in the '90s and back. A good place to fulfill your dream of LEGO being just like it was in the '90s and before is on Bricklink or Ebay. I myself recently bought the large Ninja fortress from 1998 off of Bricklink last week, and let me tell you that it was just as it would have been in the '90s.

Do you actually buy any LEGO at all anymore, or would that be just wrong since LEGO defies your moral code with its business practices? I'm quite sure that LEGO doesn't care at all about your feelings, and is happy to be in business and producing new toys for each generation, even if those toys are not exactly the same as the toys they sold in the '70s. They must be happily making money with all of their rude and unjust tactics, while many kids and adults are happily collecting unique minifigures that they did not in their wildest dreams ever expect to get from LEGO itself. Yes, everybody is buying into LEGO's corrupt and evil scheme, because it's corrupt and evil for companies to try something new. Actually, LEGO sold random packs of Bionicle masks and the like for years. Hmm, Bionicle didn't exist in the '80s, so I already know how you feel about that too.

I'm still waiting to see for sure if these are cheap bad plastic or not. I seem to think that might actually not be bad quality, but I hope pics from the NY Toy Fair will clear it all up. Dang, everything always hinges on that Toy Fair.

[Tyrant]

It's a cheap trick because it's a toy. Toys appeal to children and children don't always think about the probability that they're going to get the one they want.

Then perhaps their parents should, you know, parent. If a child can't understand what is written on the package they shouldn't be in a position to buy it. I honestly believe that to be common sense. You don't let kids buy M rated games or R rated movies, right? The idea of random is actually pretty easy to understand.

They're using the gimmick of not letting you choose which one you buy because some may be more popular than others. So why produce the ones that aren't popular? They're hedging their bets on taking chances that they're producing something that some won't want by ensuring they'll sell just as many of those as figures that will be in higher demand.

They're trying to hock crap that people may not want instead of producing to demand. That's disrespectful for a company that prides itself on its relationship with its fans and which claims to care about producing the best quality product that people want.

Clearly, their master plan is to make you buy crap figures. They clearly have some huge benefit from that course of action. Or it could be that market research says all of those will be popular. I mean, this is the same market reasearch that says LEGO City should appear to be a police state made up entirely of construction vehicles, fire departments, airports, and police so who knows. There is no good reason for them to make figures they know won't be popular. That is just plain stupid. Some may be less popular than others, but then again I defy anyone to make a set of 16 equally liked figures that have teh same level of appeal to everyone. It can't be done, so when something like this happens it really isn't the folks on top trying to get you to buy figures they know are crap.

For a company that claims to be selling educational toys, they're resorting to marketing schemes commonly employed by brainless crap like Pokemon. If they want to focus on profit at any cost, they need to knock off the sanctimonious megablocks.

So, just to be clear, a line of random figures that cost $3 that in absolutely no way alters the rest of their offerings is a sign that they want profit at any cost? Really?

Fanbois view things through rose-colored lenses and will defend such things that non-fanbois are often times more critical about. It doesn't matter whether it's fanbois arguing that the Star Wars prequels don't suck or this gimmick by Lego, it's about taking a critical eye and not a blind one even to things that one likes.

And I believe just like with Star Wars most people don't enjoy being called a fanboy because 99% of the time it's meant as an insult. You're continued comments illustrate that was your intended use as well. Likewise, people don't enjoy being called naive. The one saying that typically comes off as an elitist or know it all. I believe I, and others, have illustrated that we completely understand the system LEGO is about to employ here so naive isn't even an accurate term. We understand and accept it. No one is forcing you to buy anything.

They could just as easily have made them with clear packaging so the figure is visible.

There is every chance that they couldn't. Again, they have to deal with retailers. This sounds like something that will be part of an endcap. What you are wanting would require shelf space. When I look down most LEGO sections at places like Wal Mart I don't see a whole lot of that to spare. Especially not on something with a low value and unproven sales potential. On top of that, they would have to choose if they will arrive in mixed cases (for argument's sake, let's say one of each is in a case) or in individual cases (16 copies of one figure, meaning different SKUs). If you think the second of those options is going to happen, there's no point in me trying to further explain so just stop reading my post. So, they would arrive in mixed cases. Then the popular ones would sell and the others would sit there (and again, some will be more popular than others and there is nothing that can be done about that). With action figures, this leads to a store not ordering anymore because they have excess inventory just sitting around and they have no desire to buy more stuff that in their mind won't sell. It happens all the time with action figures that feature the exact same distribution system you want. This leads to certain regions never even seeing whole waves of figures, which usually leads to later sets having figures that go for absurd amounts on the secondary market. Stores have a tendency to order the hell out of the first set, and then it sits there after the fans have bought all they want and you are lucky if you even see the next wave. Despite the fact this happens again and again and again, the stores keep doing it. There is absolutely nothing saying this isn't exactly what will happen with these too if they are sold how you want them to be sold.

Unless you want them only sold online/at LEGO stores. But then isn't that just another way of limiting and the vibe I get is that that is considered evil.

They're trying to hock crap that people may not want instead of producing to demand.

Again I have to comment. They stand to gain absolutely nothing by selling items they know to be crap. That does not help them in any way, shape, or form.

The problem lies with Lego's reputation versus the nature of this business decision. They like feedback. Well, this is feedback on behalf of every parent out there who'll have to shell out money trying to get their child the figure that they want by potentially buying fifteen others that their kid may not give a rat's big behind about.

I'll say this again because it apparently is worth repeating. I grew up in the 80s. I didn't get everything I wanted and what I wanted was sold in individual packages that were available for an entire year and cost roughly $4 (GIJoe figures for anyone curious). The same also applied to LEGO. I was grateful for what I had, for the most part. In fact, I still have a lot of it because I took care of what I had and respected it. If I asked for something and it couldn't be found, then it couldn't be found. My parents didn't go to the ends of the earth sparing no expense to aquire it, and no parent should do that. You can't always get what you want. That is a very important lesson for kids to learn. Here's a way to teach them that since we are apparently quite concerned about the children.

Edited February 11, 2010 by Tyrant

[prof1515]

Coming from you, that's the highest compliment I could hope for!

If your earlier "arguments" are typical of your reasoning skills, it's likely to be the highest compliment that you will receive.

[B-Lister]

"Producing to Demand"?

seriously?

you show me ONE toy company that has ever gotten that right, and I'll tell you where to find the lost Dutchman Mine.

If your earlier "arguments" are typical of your reasoning skills, it's likely to be the highest compliment that you will receive.

Trust me pal, I've tangled with better, and more important than you, and came out the winner.

don't believe me?

head on over to criticalmess.net, and have a look for yourself. My reputation speaks for itself. Your ignorant, fingers in your ears reputation isn't worth the bandwidth that's hosting it.

I absolutely LOVE how miserable this line is making you, and I hope its success makes you even MORE miserable, because if something as simple as a TOY can get you foaming at the mouth like this, I can only imagine what a REAL problem must be like for you. But please, I beg you, for the sake of your own health, if your left arm goes numb, take an aspirin, then call an ambulance.

just for the sake of argument, just so we can have some frame of reference: When was the last time you WERE happy about a new Lego Set?

Edited February 11, 2010 by Mister Blisterfists

[CP5670]

Is it me, or does the new shovel piece that came with the zombie fig look very cheap?

The new mold is on the left:

That shovel looks like it's made of the soft, deformable plastic I described in the quality thread. We've been getting that junk stuff in normal sets too though, even on some minifig accessories that used to be made of other materials.

[FiletOFish]

..with these blind-packaged figures, you're getting lessons in economics (the rarer figures are gonna be worth more) Fractions (each figure has its own rarity, or percentage of being 'pulled'), lessons in disappointment (if you don't get a figure you particularly care for), and victory (when you find one you do).

as well as fair play, and history, in the Caveman, Indian, and Spaceman figures.

oh my gosh... please cut the nonsense bs...

your post is one of the most ridiculous (and hilarious) of this entire thread... history from the caveman??? LMAO

Edited February 11, 2010 by FiletOFish

[B-Lister]

Well, It seems I have raised more than one ire.

Edited February 11, 2010 by Mister Blisterfists

[Tyrant]

oh my gosh... please cut the nonsense bs...

your post is one of the most ridiculous (and hilarious) of this entire thread... history from the caveman??? LMAO

It's so easy a caveman could do it.

[B-Lister]

oh my gosh... please cut the nonsense bs...

your post is one of the most ridiculous (and hilarious) of this entire thread... history from the caveman??? LMAO

well, it was intentionally hilarious, and accidentally ridiculous, but my point still stands.

what's not historical about a cave man?, they existed. And if I was seven, and pulled that figure in a purchase, I would probably want to know more about Cave Men, if I didn't already know anything about them.

so yes. History.

but then, I've always been naturally inquisitive, and a little snarky. That said, the Caveman is definitely one of the best figures in the set, and I can't wait to add at least one to my collection.

Edited February 11, 2010 by Mister Blisterfists

[posades]

I for one hope they are indeed cheap plastic, since that way the price of them will plummet and I can get all the ones I want on the cheap.

[B-Lister]

I'd venture a guess that the Zombie is the most popular, and most anticipated, and the one everybody will want most. I know I do.

but I also dig the Caveman, Luchadore, Indian, Crash Test Dummy, Magician, Robot, and spaceman.

I'll likely try for the whole set, however.

Edited February 11, 2010 by Mister Blisterfists