LEGO Collectable Minifigures General Discussion

[jonwil]

There is nothing to suggest that TLG will make any one fig rarer than any other fig.

[Etzel]

There is nothing to suggest that TLG will make any one fig rarer than any other fig.

Yes, there is. This BrickSet article clearly states it in the end: clicky

[RocketClone]

We should make a BST(Buy Sell Trade) threads for this type of thing.

[prof1515]

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.

[Rick]

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.

Whereas I think your exaggerating a bit, I agree with the core of what you're saying. I'm quite sure these collectible minifigs are not going to be even close to their biggest mistake ever (replacing the Town line with Town Jr., like you mention) and if anything will be quite a success for TLG, but I'm also a bit concerned about it changing their brand image for the worse. Over the past years TLG has been going back to their roots with a re-born Town theme (that even expands beyond rescue and construction), nice Creator sets, and a range of amazing Exclusives. These collectibles, but to a greater extent 'cheap Chinese plastic', could damage (probably not destroy) that carefully rebuilt brand image.

Wouldn't it be much better if they'd just release these as minifig packs at like €10 per 3 via S@H with some exclusive packaging or as magnet sets?

[vexorian]

Yes, if these come in bad plastic I won't get any and I hope it hurts LEGO's image enough that they will have to stop doing it. But I hope not, and the price does not seem to suggest so (these are not cheaper than impulse sets and those come with actual bricks on it, so these figs are actually more expensive than your average fig) If they used bad plastic for these they would have at least used a lower price, if not it will be terrible for their image.

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.

Blah, if anything this is great fan service (assuming the plastic is good). If you don't like not knowing what you are getting, you are free to buy any of the other sets.

[Tyrant]

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.

Then that's not really the same thing now is it? A 1 in 2 chance (which could still lead you to buying several before you got the one you wanted, random is random) is not even close to the 1 in 16 (and that is before factoring in varying rarity) that the figures have. You're changing your example to try to make it work and it simply won't. There's simply too big of a gap between $3 and $30 to make that come close to working. Especially if there are anywhere near the same number of both and we assume in both cases you are only after one or a very small number (say 4) of them.

As for taking possibility of success into account, if I do that I could just assume (rightly so) that I could the exact figure I want on the very first try. It's unlikely but not anywhere near impossible.

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.

I've learned a very valuable lesson from my time buying random cards and miniatures. If you truly only want one, or even say 25% or less of the set, buying them blind is a very foolish move that will likely cost you as much or more than it would have to just buy them from someone selling them on the secondary market. You buy the random sets if you are okay with 50% or more of the set and if you are okay with trying to sell or trade extras (or keeping extras). Aside from maybe the Diver and the Indian (and even then I can use a few Divers probably) , I can use every figure in the first set. I can use most of them in multiples. If not, I have the patience to sit on them until it's worthwhile to trade or sell them. People that don't (and that is in no way a bad thing, different people have different preferrences) should just buy the ones they want on the secondary market or hope that something similar to the figure they want makes it's way into a real set.

[Darth Legolas]

Yes, if these come in bad plastic I won't get any and I hope it hurts LEGO's image enough that they will have to stop doing it. But I hope not, and the price does not seem to suggest so (these are not cheaper than impulse sets and those come with actual bricks on it, so these figs are actually more expensive than your average fig) If they used bad plastic for these they would have at least used a lower price, if not it will be terrible for their image.

Blah, if anything this is great fan service (assuming the plastic is good). If you don't like not knowing what you are getting, you are free to buy any of the other sets.

It didn't even cross my mind that these could be the bad-plastic. I'm sure some of the new elements like the clown hair won't be up to par, but if these are low-quality, I would guess they would cancel line 2.

It would be a darn shame, because I really like some of these minifigures. I guess we'll wait and see.

[CP5670]

Then that's not really the same thing now is it? A 1 in 2 chance (which could still lead you to buying several before you got the one you wanted, random is random) is not even close to the 1 in 16 (and that is before factoring in varying rarity) that the figures have. You're changing your example to try to make it work and it simply won't. There's simply too big of a gap between $3 and $30 to make that come close to working. Especially if there are anywhere near the same number of both and we assume in both cases you are only after one or a very small number (say 4) of them.

As for taking possibility of success into account, if I do that I could just assume (rightly so) that I could the exact figure I want on the very first try. It's unlikely but not anywhere near impossible.

Sure, but my examples are just a way to illustrate a point and have no significance beyond that. Of course I can change or elaborate on them. The main thing I'm saying is that as long as there is uncertainty, the price ($3, $30 or whatever) means nothing if you don't also consider your chances of success. If you pay 10 times as much for a 10 times greater chance of success, then you are no better or worse off. You are correct that with a 1/2 probability you may still have to buy several sets to get what you want, but the chance of that actually happening is much lower than if the original probability had been 1/16. One essentially pays for that reduction in risk.

As for your second comment, you apparently didn't understand me. All I've been saying is that you have to account for uncertainty when deciding what is a fair price on something. The $3 cost of each minifig may still be high for someone who only wants one or two figures because it's a high risk purchase. For someone who wants all the minifigs and multiples of each one, the risk is much lower and the minifigs are a better deal.

I've learned a very valuable lesson from my time buying random cards and miniatures. If you truly only want one, or even say 25% or less of the set, buying them blind is a very foolish move that will likely cost you as much or more than it would have to just buy them from someone selling them on the secondary market. You buy the random sets if you are okay with 50% or more of the set and if you are okay with trying to sell or trade extras (or keeping extras). Aside from maybe the Diver and the Indian (and even then I can use a few Divers probably) , I can use every figure in the first set. I can use most of them in multiples. If not, I have the patience to sit on them until it's worthwhile to trade or sell them. People that don't (and that is in no way a bad thing, different people have different preferrences) should just buy the ones they want on the secondary market or hope that something similar to the figure they want makes it's way into a real set.

You know, this is exactly what I have been saying from the beginning. It seems we are in agreement after all.

[Brickadier General]

I like the new collectible minifigures, but I do not like the way they are being marketed. So some of the figures are going to be more abundant than others, while some will be harder to find. Well, that means lost potential profits for TLC with all of the people who are just going to jack up prices on bricklink and eBay (and yes, I'm more than well aware of the sales of Star Wars figs, etc.). If I seem annoyed, it's because I am. And I have to say that Playmobil has a better system, because you can see what you're getting on the packaging. I would much rather prefer shelling out a premium price for a boxed set of figures than blindly buying individual bags or a whole case. I'm sure the rationale is that the "random chance" factor will make people want to buy more figures than they would if they were in boxed sets. After all, it works well for lottery tickets and worked well for Pokemon cards, and I'm sure it will work well here. But please, leave the Pokemonesque craze factor out of Lego.

Irregardless, it is still nice to see the new figures. I just hope that down the road, they will change how these are marketed. Otherwise, I'm not going to mess with them much because it will just cut deeply into my funds to buy Lego sets.

[Lordofdragonss]

Polish review:

http://www.lugpol.pl/forum/viewtopic.php?p...da107190#135091

I want to know where he get them!

[Pirate Pete]

Can anybody translate the review, please? Thank you.

[Fugazi]

Polish review:

http://www.lugpol.pl/forum/viewtopic.php?p...da107190#135091

I want to know where he get them!

Neat, thanks for the link! I read that some minifigures were distributed at the Nurenberg Toy Fair, but this could be something else altogether.

I'm afraid the paint spot on the 'neck' is absent, so this is probably Made in China stuff. Although the reviewer didn't seem put down by plastic quality, so they may have improved.

And thank you Google Translate!

approximately translated page

[AllanSmith]

Looking at pictures of the above Polish review there is no black mark on torso neck. This suggests that they are made in China

[Omicron]

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.

Do you not understand the concept of collectible?

-Omi

[vexorian]

Neat, thanks for the link! I read that some minifigures were distributed at the Nurenberg Toy Fair, but this could be something else altogether.

I'm afraid the paint spot on the 'neck' is absent, so this is probably Made in China stuff. Although the reviewer didn't seem put down by plastic quality, so they may have improved.

And thank you Google Translate!

approximately translated page

Well, the fig didn't come prebuilt. Perhaps even if they come from China they could use good plastic WON'T LOSE HOPE. If the plastic is bad it would be such a disappointment...

Maybe I am fooled by my optimism but the plastic does not seem bad from the pics.

I wonder if the packaging has hints of what the rare figs are, zombie and the skydiver don't even appear in there yet both were the first the guy got. Maybe the Astronaut and the Apache are the rarest with the ninja being less rare and the other depicted in the bag are the medium-rarity ones.

Edited February 10, 2010 by vexorian

[Modulex Guy]

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:

[thelast]

It looks cheap to me too. Even some scratches on the handle....

[B-Lister]

I like the new collectible minifigures, but I do not like the way they are being marketed. So some of the figures are going to be more abundant than others, while some will be harder to find. Well, that means lost potential profits for TLC with all of the people who are just going to jack up prices on bricklink and eBay (and yes, I'm more than well aware of the sales of Star Wars figs, etc.). If I seem annoyed, it's because I am. And I have to say that Playmobil has a better system, because you can see what you're getting on the packaging. I would much rather prefer shelling out a premium price for a boxed set of figures than blindly buying individual bags or a whole case. I'm sure the rationale is that the "random chance" factor will make people want to buy more figures than they would if they were in boxed sets. After all, it works well for lottery tickets and worked well for Pokemon cards, and I'm sure it will work well here. But please, leave the Pokemonesque craze factor out of Lego.

Irregardless, it is still nice to see the new figures. I just hope that down the road, they will change how these are marketed. Otherwise, I'm not going to mess with them much because it will just cut deeply into my funds to buy Lego sets.

it's got nothing to do with pokemon, the 'blind boxed' toy is directly from the 'urban designer toy' market, that LEGO inspired!

take a look at Kubricks, Qees, and even MiniMates, all of which are inspired by the design of the Lego Minifigure, and all of which are offered 'blind packed'.

I think it's exciting not knowing what you're getting. Could be a Robot, could be a Ninja, could be a Zombie or a Clown.

I, for one can't wait to start buying these, and I for one can't wait for the next wave!

Edited February 11, 2010 by Mister Blisterfists

[Piranha]

eeww that shovel is

Looks like a poor LEGO imitation

In that Brickset link, the writer says 2 pounds for the UK.

Is it safe to assume around $2-3 for the USA? That would be quite reasonable.

And I would buy quite a few.

Some are rarer than others? uh-oh

So much for all those odds and probabilities calculations I did

Edited February 11, 2010 by Macoco

[RocketClone]

Well all i have to say about the fact of chinese quality on those minifigures is this:

People the first wave is coming in june theres still time to correct this error, If lego is sticking with this then so be it, but ill still buy the minifigures. (espicially that spaceman and ninja) Theres my two cents.

Rockets Away! :skull:

[vexorian]

plenty of bags have already been manufactured, it is unlikely LEGO would just pull them out now.

However, about the shovel, my mind is strange and at first I assumed the right one was the new mold and was thinking it was the one with the worse quality... The scratch though is a bad sign, a very bad one .

[prof1515]

Do you not understand the concept of collectible?

-Omi

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.

[Omicron]

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.

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

-Omi

Edited February 11, 2010 by Omicron

[B-Lister]

eeww that shovel is

Looks like a poor LEGO imitation

The shovel just looks to have a plastic 'swirl' in it, not a scratch. it sometimes happens as hot plastic fills the mold, that it doesn't fill the cavity evenly.