LEGO Collectable Minifigures General Discussion

[posades]

I know this sounds lame, but I'm in the camp that likes a little gamble. I always loved buying Pokemon booster packs when I was a kid and opening them to see what I got; sometimes I was disappointed, while others times I got exactly what I was looking for. Either way I enjoyed the little rush I got from opening the unknown so to speak. Now that I'm older it's kind of the same thing, except in this case I can resell the figs I don't want to continue the vicious cycle.

[Modulex Guy]

Oh thanks

They come in random packs of 3 correct?

Sorry bud, one bag, one fig.

[David Thomsen]

Okay, it's been a couple of days since those pictures were taken, doesn't anyone have a complete list of them yet? There are still one or two unaccounted for. It's just weird that so many people must have seen them by now, but that the list still isn't complete.

[Cecilie]

As a kid I had to deal with collectibles and I doubt there's anyone in this world who hasn't dealt with these things as a kid. And quite possibly so, those who haven't are probably now having issues since they weren't given the chance to learn about those things as kids. Besides, kids are less likely to be genuinely interested in collecting them all or in having very specific targets.

As a kid, there was one figure I never got from the first kinder egg figure series I collected. My dad felt so sorry for me (I think he was more sad about it than me, actually...) that he bought a hole, sealed retail box of kinder egg just to make sure my brother and I would get all the figures in the next collection... Damn, we ate a lot of kinder egg! (We didn't get to eat them all at once though ) So I ended up with a pretty decent amount of each figure in that series. Lesson learned? Buy the hole box?

But seriously, I am considering buying a hole box, but I'll probably wait until somebody finds out the ratio of the figures I want the most. If they are the most common, I might only go with buying a handful.

[Holodoc]

I see them only being at LEGO Stores and TRU and that is an incredibly stupid plan.

At least for Germany I think you are wrong.

The collectable minifigs show up in the official catalog for 2010 and I asked my local toy store if they would have any.

The answer was "Yes".

I told them to give me a call whenever the first box will arrive.

I'm still considering of getting a fine weight scale before.

[Peppermint_M]

CP670, I think the absurdity was the argument comparing little trading figures that cost a few dollars, pounds or currency of your choice being in blind boxes and having an element of luck involved to full sized Lego sets that cost $30. The only time gambling is involved with such sets is a raffle or as a prize in a game of chance (Lego Deal or No Deal anyone?). So it did sound somewhat absurd to those of us who still have that little gleam of collecters hope in out eyes.

Don't worry, I'm sure when all is said and done and the dust has settled, we can all tot up how much we spent to get what we have and those who just bought one of each from Bricklink can come in and attempt to crow superiority.

I think I still very much have a love of collecting by chance. I but trading figures from anime I like (in blind boxes) at conventions and in comic book shops. I still put the odd £1 coin into gatchapon machines (I have six Noojes because I wanted the whole set of FFX-2 gatchapons, I do have all of them though) and I always have a hope that I will walk into a toy shop and find a MISB Zoid at a reduced price (it has happened twice :D). So these figures are perfect for insatiable collectors like myself.

I think it would be a good idea for all of us to be "ok" with having armies of odd characters. I want to see some creative uses of them

And remember: We have a massive community to trade with, Eurobricks! I don't think its too small a group to have a decent chance at all the figures and I forsee some people out there who will want an army of certain (even unexpected) figures who will be happy to trade thier unwanted ones.

[FiletOFish]

I totally agree with this. Possibly a subject like this will split between they young and the old on this site, because once you reach a certain age you start to worry about how kids are growing up. I dont have any kids yet, but I share a little of the worry that my brothers and sisters have with their kids, and a big worry is the 'I want it now' culture, which obviously has always been an issue for parents, but it has mutiplied since I (or my siblings) were demanding things in the 80's. I like to think of Lego as socially respondsible, as 'the right kind of toy' for kids to be playing with. Which brings me onto:

I dont think the 'gambling expierence' is anything an 8-12 year old should be learning to enjoy. And lets remember that Lego is essentially a childrens toy. We as Adults buying these are the exception, the 'slightly unusual' part of the population, im not in any way saying that Adults should not enjoy a gamble, but I do not think that Lego should be getting involved in this type of marketing strategy.

wholeheartedly agree with mikey and legoist. people who say "i don't mind that the purchase is random, i enjoy the gamble" are, at the end of it, looking at the situation in a selfish way. as was said by mikey and legoist, lego is really aimed for kids, not for AFOLs. step back, think beyond yourself and your selfish needs and see whether a blind purchase is good for ALL lego fans as a whole. mikey and legoist are looking at it in a deeper way than most AFOLs are.

[blueandwhite]

wholeheartedly agree with mikey and legoist. people who say "i don't mind that the purchase is random, i enjoy the gamble" are, at the end of it, looking at the situation in a selfish way. as was said by mikey and legoist, lego is really aimed for kids, not for AFOLs. step back, think beyond yourself and your selfish needs and see whether a blind purchase is good for ALL lego fans as a whole. mikey and legoist are looking at it in a deeper way than most AFOLs are.

Actually, I think the opposite is true. If anything, the people who are saying that they want to know what figures they are getting are looking at the situation selfishly (not that there's anything wrong with that). Collecting like this has always appealed to children. Kids have collected everything from trading cards to Kinder Surprise eggs. I actually find that kids are more accepting of this sort of things than most adults will every be. What I'm hearing right now is several older fans who are simply upset that they cannot just buy the 3-4 figures they actually want and pass on the rest of the line. Army collectors are upset that they won't be able to amass an army of Greek hoplites without spending hundreds of dollars simply to pick up 10-20 of these guys. I understand the complaints, but the "think of the children" tag is just rhetoric. I personally hate collectable products like this, but I totally understand LEGO's motive and I suspect that this will go over pretty well with a lot of kids.

With that in mind, I actually expect the female figs to be fairly rare, simply because they aren't necessarily the most popular thing with boys ages 8-12.

[lightningtiger]

Yep, Australia too - we'll be getting them.

It was a toy retailier here that told me about this triple surpise minifig packs around two or three weeks before they were first posted.

Yes, one of my ten or so sources and not BBQ or tomato !

I'm a conformist! !

[vexorian]

If anything, being able to see what the contents are will make things harder for children. The AFOL's out there who really want many amounts of the same fig have a lot more time in advance and a lot money to actually cleanse the stores from these figs. By the time kids start learning about these collectibles they will have to conform with just having a skydiver army...

[Lego Wargammer]

dose any one know if they will be available by the case/box through S@H? I've noticed that on battle packs they sometimes limit how many you can buy. for example when the two star wars battle packs were released and the toy story Army men on patrol were released they limited the amount you can buy (max 5)

Do you think S@H might do the same with these figures? limited your purchase to 5 blind packs at a time?

I was hoping to buy them by the case through S@H, when they were actually released.

[Deathdog]

Just checked out the new castle line and love it nearly as much as that Greek soldier. I've just decided where my LEGO money is going 2010!

[crazyjay]

These New upcoming minifigs look terrific. I plan on picking up quite a few boxes and just letting luck run its course. Also trading here and there for a few of them. I have a friend who absolutely loves cavemen. I intend to get a few of those just for him. Though looking at things now there a plenty of good figs in both series. I think there will be plenty of fan support for them.

I tend to think that a series 3 is a no-brainer as im certain these will be a hit. I have a few requests that id love to see

Different colored army men - gray, tan etc,

space type aliens like the new space police themed ones

Werewolf with a new head

a couple more luchadores perhaps even some patterned after the Luchudor greats

all kinds of limitless possibilities exsist. I find that very exciting

[CP5670]

CP670, I think the absurdity was the argument comparing little trading figures that cost a few dollars, pounds or currency of your choice being in blind boxes and having an element of luck involved to full sized Lego sets that cost $30. The only time gambling is involved with such sets is a raffle or as a prize in a game of chance (Lego Deal or No Deal anyone?). So it did sound somewhat absurd to those of us who still have that little gleam of collecters hope in out eyes.

If you want a particular minifig though, especially if it's one of the rarer ones, you would need to buy several bags. I see most of the people in this thread planning on that. The price could easily add up to that level when you buy in quantity, and there may still be not that great a chance of getting what you wanted. Of course, if you like all the figures and intend to get a large collection with several of each, then it's a different story.

I think it would be a good idea for all of us to be "ok" with having armies of odd characters. I want to see some creative uses of them default_thumbup.gif

I certainly wouldn't mind having them all, but it will probably cost at least $60-80 to get a full set (even if you take the randomness out of it and assume you get exactly one of each) and there are just other Lego products I would rather have for that kind of money.

[Fugazi]

So what's the next logical step for TLC, installing bubble-gum machines in shopping malls where instead of bubble gum a handful of random bricks would drop down when you deposit a quarter?

[MrTools]

So what's the next logical step for TLC, installing bubble-gum machines in shopping malls where instead of bubble gum a handful of random bricks would drop down when you deposit a quarter?

I actualy thought about that at one point

[Tyrant]

If you want a particular minifig though, especially if it's one of the rarer ones, you would need to buy several bags. I see most of the people in this thread planning on that. The price could easily add up to that level when you buy in quantity, and there may still be not that great a chance of getting what you wanted. Of course, if you like all the figures and intend to get a large collection with several of each, then it's a different story.

There is still a difference between lots of small purchases that may or may not amount to something and a blind $30 buy. $30 a shot vs $3 a shot is very different. Yes, it may take me buying ten of the figues to get the one I want (thus spending $30), but if I don't get the set I want on the first try I may have to spend another $30 and another $30. One adds up a whole lot faster than the other. One is ridiculous and one is an accepted way of doing things. They aren't even close.

While you may rack up $30 in expenses on the minifigures, at some point you are going to say enough is enough and just buy the one you want. In fact, if you only want one, you shouldn't buy the random ones to begin with. With your hypothetical $30 sets, 2 chances has already set you back $60. Any set you want is likely going to cost more than $30, so if you stop at 2 tries you'll end up being +$90 in the hole after you break down and buy the one you are after.

I don't believe it will negatively impact kids. It may suck that they don't get the one they want. Guess what, I didn't get everything I wanted when I was a kid in the 80s and those toys were there for whoever wanted them for an entire year. Who knows, it may help some kids appreciate what they have and find creative uses for them.

Me personally, I enjoy the occasional gamble (to the point that I make a trip to the casino now and then, though I do actually enjoy some of the games like Blackjack). I buy random miniatures. I bought into a few card games throughout the years. For the most part, I don't regret it. It has almost etirely been my own money from my jobs that fund my hobbies. Along with the figures and cards, I had fun with them playing the game. I've met like minded people because of my hobbies. In some cases I have turned a profit when I sell my extras or sell out everything when I stop playing a game. Aside from a few cases of buying more than I should have (which was my own fault, I don't blame the system) I really don't regret any of it. I had fun and to me that is a worthwhile way to spend my money. With these I will apply the lessons I have learned along the way and try to buy them in the most economically efficient way (which I believe will be by the case). Depending on how that pans out, I may buy the occasional random ones in the store.

As for the possibility of there not being cases for sale, I would bet there will be. It may not be in the stores though. In both action figures and collectibles it is possible to buy cases online, usually for less than retail. With action figures this has come about because of the rise of chase figures and a base of adult collectors who are willing to buy the case instead of driving all over the place to get the chase figures. These same stores will likely attempt to get their hands on cases of these to resell. It will all depend on how LEGO distributes them and who (retail wise) ends up selling them. LEGO themselves may sell them. I see no reason why they wouldn't, honestly. They would be full retail (most likely) through LEGO, but I am sure I am not the only one who would likely be willing to pay that.

[CP5670]

There is still a difference between lots of small purchases that may or may not amount to something and a blind $30 buy. $30 a shot vs $3 a shot is very different. Yes, it may take me buying ten of the figues to get the one I want (thus spending $30), but if I don't get the set I want on the first try I may have to spend another $30 and another $30. One adds up a whole lot faster than the other. One is ridiculous and one is an accepted way of doing things. They aren't even close.

While you may rack up $30 in expenses on the minifigures, at some point you are going to say enough is enough and just buy the one you want. In fact, if you only want one, you shouldn't buy the random ones to begin with. With your hypothetical $30 sets, 2 chances has already set you back $60. Any set you want is likely going to cost more than $30, so if you stop at 2 tries you'll end up being +$90 in the hole after you break down and buy the one you are after.

I can see your point, but you need to also take the probabilities of success into account. Suppose that in my original example, there are only 2 possible sets you can get, only one is in a theme you like, and you have an equal chance of getting either one. This is not that far off from what we have with the minifigs, where you need to buy something like 8 to have a comparable chance of getting any single kind. You can greatly increase the odds by trading, but that could also be done in my example.

As I've said earlier, it all comes down to how many of the different figures you actually want and are willing to pay for.

Edited February 10, 2010 by CP5670

[blueandwhite]

Me personally, I enjoy the occasional gamble (to the point that I make a trip to the casino now and then, though I do actually enjoy some of the games like Blackjack). I buy random miniatures. I bought into a few card games throughout the years. For the most part, I don't regret it. It has almost etirely been my own money from my jobs that fund my hobbies. Along with the figures and cards, I had fun with them playing the game. I've met like minded people because of my hobbies. In some cases I have turned a profit when I sell my extras or sell out everything when I stop playing a game. Aside from a few cases of buying more than I should have (which was my own fault, I don't blame the system) I really don't regret any of it. I had fun and to me that is a worthwhile way to spend my money. With these I will apply the lessons I have learned along the way and try to buy them in the most economically efficient way (which I believe will be by the case). Depending on how that pans out, I may buy the occasional random ones in the store.

I think that you hit the nail on the head here.

The gambling element is nothing new. Most of us remember collecting similar items as children. Part of the fun was opening the package to see whether you scored the card/fig that you coveted or whether you would need to go back and do it again. I remember trading cards and trying to complete sets as a child. It wasn't cheap and more often than not you'd end up with a large number of duplicate cards, but it was fun. I look at these figures as being a way to rekindle that experience. I won't break the bank on these, but I am looking forward to collecting them. I'm even more excited about the prospect of trading them with like-minded AFOLs. While not every figure will carry equal value on the aftermarket, part of the fun of working out a trade is trying to come to an agreement where both parties get something without feeling shortchanged.

This line will no doubt be the bain of many army builders, however it should be a good deal of fun for the rest of us.

[vexorian]

The point is that these are in ways more evil than impulse sets. I think I will just end up buying a bag every time I go pick a real set, in the hopes to get a robot.

The lesson I learned when young about collectibles was "Don't waste money on that! you will lose interest eventually. You could be saving that money up to buy LEGO" , that places me on a dilemma...

[Piranha]

Sorry bud, one bag, one fig.

That actually sounds good to me!

I will buy one and if I don't get a fig I liked, sell it at BrickLink then reinvest until I get the ones I wanted

Surprises are great, this idea of an opaque bag sounds ok now.

And in case anyone saved their X-Ray scanner from the Chrome Vader and Chrome C-3PO days, now would be a good time to use it again.

[Peppermint_M]

I think that you hit the nail on the head here.

The gambling element is nothing new. Most of us remember collecting similar items as children. Part of the fun was opening the package to see whether you scored the card/fig that you coveted or whether you would need to go back and do it again. I remember trading cards and trying to complete sets as a child. It wasn't cheap and more often than not you'd end up with a large number of duplicate cards, but it was fun. I look at these figures as being a way to rekindle that experience. I won't break the bank on these, but I am looking forward to collecting them. I'm even more excited about the prospect of trading them with like-minded AFOLs. While not every figure will carry equal value on the aftermarket, part of the fun of working out a trade is trying to come to an agreement where both parties get something without feeling shortchanged.

This line will no doubt be the bain of many army builders, however it should be a good deal of fun for the rest of us.

Are you sure? An example would be the first set of polybags the Daily Mirror gave away. All you had to do was get a 30p newspaper and take it to the shop that would supply the set to you. It was first come first served but they had so many sets (a friend worked in one of them) that there was plenty left. However, a year or so on and a complete set costs three times as much as it did to send off for them at the end of the promotion. Minifig sets cost even more when sold one by one. Not to mention the Star Wars polybags...

So what I am getting at is: The figures may not pay dividends right away, when you still have a chance to get them in shops and everyone and his mum has a certain figure. Come next year, or the year after... Well you'd be able to sell them at a tidy profit.

[jamtf]

These are children's toys and TLC is aiming primarily at them with these new figs. They encourage children to buy the figs one by one and trade duplicates at school with their friends which would keep the cost for the kids limited i.e. they would not need to buy the whole box at once but can gradually add to their collection by buying at low cost and trading and swapping unwanted figs with friends. Also, at these prices, the figs make great small gifts for birthdays, etc.

Basically this is the same with collecting football cards, etc. You will get double cards for sure and the easiest way to get rid of them is to trade them off at school.

Unofrtunately, the majority of the AFOL community - unlike me - is far ahead and not at school anymore. In order to trade figs, one need to contact other AFOLs or buy wanted + sell unwanted items on eBay or BL instead. This will also result in people having to pay for shipping and handling costs which will increase the purchase price for the fig. If you buy the figs in the store, there will be one flat price for each fig. On BL and eBay prices will reflect rarity and desirability for the figs and the accessories. For example army builders like the Greek / Trojan soldiers and their armory will be in demand and command higher prices. Same goes or figs and one of a kind accessories that are unique so far (i.e. pom-poms, syringe, clown's horn, black afro hair, sombrero, etc.).

[blueandwhite]

Are you sure? An example would be the first set of polybags the Daily Mirror gave away. All you had to do was get a 30p newspaper and take it to the shop that would supply the set to you. It was first come first served but they had so many sets (a friend worked in one of them) that there was plenty left. However, a year or so on and a complete set costs three times as much as it did to send off for them at the end of the promotion. Minifig sets cost even more when sold one by one. Not to mention the Star Wars polybags...

So what I am getting at is: The figures may not pay dividends right away, when you still have a chance to get them in shops and everyone and his mum has a certain figure. Come next year, or the year after... Well you'd be able to sell them at a tidy profit.

I'm not implying that the value of these figures won't increase. I am simply observing that some figures will inevitably carry a premium over others. The hoplite and cheerleader for example are figures one might want in larger quantities causing their value to be inflated when compared to say the skateboarding kid. Even with the early discussion on these figs it is fairly evident that certain figures are more coveted than others. Some are etremely unique (the Mexican, the Clown, and the Nurse to name a few) with distinct elements not found in any existing theme. Others are simply varriants on existing figures. The Ninja, the Cowboy, the Native American and the Diver are examples of figures which can already be made using existing elements with only a few minor varriations. While, that isn't to suggest that these figures aren't wonderful in their own right, I'm not convinced that each figure will carry the same premium in the future.

It's a lot like trading cards; some command a huge value on the secondary market while others aren't worth the paper they are printed on. Not all of these figures are going to command the same trade value. While 1:1 trades are possible, I expect that some figures are going to carry a pretty heavy premium over others. Put it this way; I'm not going to trade a robot or a cheerleader straight up for a crash test dummy or a magician and I suspect I'm not the only one who will take this position.

[David Thomsen]

To me it depends on the context... say for example the robot was rare and desirable and the ninja was common and unwanted.

If I get a robot but want a ninja, and someone I know gets a ninja but wants a robot, I'd do a straight swap, just because it seems unfair to demand an uneven trade (one robot for one ninja plus some other parts) just because of bad luck. And we both get what we want.

On the other hand, if I had one ninja and one robot and I were trying to sell them, I'd definitely demand more for the robot than the ninja. That's just financial common sense.

Edited February 10, 2010 by David Thomsen