LEGO Collectable Minifigures General Discussion

[NPimenta]

i have the complete series 1 and 2

but now i want some minifigs to include in my city, like the skater, ski man, surfer, etc.

but now in Lisbon i cant find any minifigs.

[Derek]

So. The other day I tried ordering 16 figures off S@H before they went on backorder, however the order never went through and I didn't get a confirmation email. So I called the Customer Service line, and a very friendly guy was able to confirm that my order wasn't placed and he ordered me some figures.

I wrote an email to Lego to compliment them on their fantastic service and at the end I asked them about the distribution of future series for the heck of it. This is the response I got in regards to that-

Regarding your question, I would like to tell you that these collectible minifigures (regardless of which series) are distributed through big department stores, local toy shops and even news agents as impulse items.

So "regardless of which series" either means that we are going to see the same distribution as the first 2 series, or we are going to see them re-released on a wider scale. I'm leaning toward the first one.

By the way, I'm thinking the backorder on S@H means another production run, including more to distribute to stores...

Edited September 7, 2010 by Derek

[Darth Jar Jar]

By the way, I'm thinking the backorder on S@H means another production run, including more to distribute to stores...

Yea I think that maybe whats happening since target in the US is getting them so they must be producing more

[Oky]

I was just at the Lego Store in Downtown Disney (Anaheim) and when I asked for the minifigs, they said they were sold out and that they wouldn't get any more. I saw a box in the trash can behind them, so I must have just missed them! I also tried two Target stores nearby, but no luck. Their Halloween sections are not set up yet and I was too lazy (or too hungry) to ask them to check the stock room. Maybe I'll go back tomorrow...

[Tung T. Le]

Just got my two orders of 16 (making that 32) in the mail today. Didn't complete a set, sad.. but I did get a good batch.

Heres what I got out of 32:

3 Disco

2 Motorcycle Cops

6 Ringmasters (OUCH!)

3 Mexicans (Nice)

2 Karate Masters

3 Surfers

3 Witches

1 Lifeguard

3 Archeologists

1 Skiers

5 Spartans (Jackpot!!)

0 Mime

0 Pop Star

0 Vampire

0 Pharaoh

0 Weightlifters

If anyone wants to trade to fill in the set, please let me know! (Sorry Spartans are not for trade)

Edited September 8, 2010 by Tung T. Le

[user]

I was just at the Lego Store in Downtown Disney (Anaheim) and when I asked for the minifigs, they said they were sold out and that they wouldn't get any more. I saw a box in the trash can behind them, so I must have just missed them! I also tried two Target stores nearby, but no luck. Their Halloween sections are not set up yet and I was too lazy (or too hungry) to ask them to check the stock room. Maybe I'll go back tomorrow...

You're lucky they got them at all! I haven't seen a single store that's sold them and I've tried 3 TRUs 2 targets and several wal*marts and can't find the slightest trace of them!

[Tung T. Le]

You're lucky they got them at all! I haven't seen a single store that's sold them and I've tried 3 TRUs 2 targets and several wal*marts and can't find the slightest trace of them!

I'm with ya! Been searching at TRUs, Walmarts, Targets, etc, have not seen one place that carries them here in Orlando, except! Urban Outfitters had series 1 for $5 each, which i refuse to buy there

[Apache]

What's flat plastic?

Flat: Meaning, non glossy, dull. Normal legs, torsos, and heads are made with the regualr ABS plastic that we have come to know and love. Recently, certain Battle packs, Tic Tac Toe Sets, Certain Magnets, and now Collectable Minifigs that are made/assembled in China have different colored plastic legs, hands and sometimes torsos. The plastic has a flat/dull sheen to it and upon closer examination, looks cheaper, more transparent and not the same high quality that LEGO is known for. I'm still buying as many spartans and surfers as I can get my grubby little hands on, whether it be Denmark or Chinese plastic. :)

So I'm curious how many people have found them at Target? They weren't there last time and havn't found them yet for this series. If the production run is the same, then how is Target now getting them. And I believe the interveiw that was posted earlier in this thread discussed how teh production run of series 2 was the same as series 1.

Edited September 8, 2010 by Apache

[Pellaeon]

So I'm curious how many people have found them at Target? They weren't there last time and havn't found them yet for this series.

I found them at one of the three local Targets on Monday... the other two weren't putting out there Halloween stuff yet, and when I scanned the barcode of an empty wrapper (got it at TRU), the scanners said the shelf was "N/A" and there were none in the stockroom. I think it's clear they show up with the Halloween stuff, so that's what to watch for.

Interestingly, I scanned the same empty wrapper at a Walmart, and it came up "Minifigures Series 2" for $1.97 but had nothing about having them in stock.

If the production run is the same, then how is Target now getting them. And I believe the interveiw that was posted earlier in this thread discussed how teh production run of series 2 was the same as series 1.

Simple: TRU and the Lego Stores will get fewer boxes this time. My local TRU got at least 3 separate shipments of Series 1; maybe they'll get fewer of Series 2 because some went to Target.

Edited September 8, 2010 by Pellaeon

[Darth Jar Jar]

Interestingly, I scanned the same empty wrapper at a Walmart, and it came up "Minifigures Series 2" for $1.97 but had nothing about having them in stock.

Hmmm this might mean that Walmart might start getting them this makes the suggestion that the productions level is rising become even more true

Simple: TRU and the Lego Stores will get fewer boxes this time. My local TRU got at least 3 separate shipments of Series 1; maybe they'll get fewer of Series 2 because some went to Target.

I don't really think so from what I have heard its been easier to get minifigs in US this time so I think it would be an increase in production since where are they all coming from if its not the increase in production?

Edited September 8, 2010 by Darth Jar Jar

[Mr. Elijah Timms]

I checked a local Target yesterday just for fun... in the Halloween section they did indeed have a cardboard 'bin' area labelled minifig vol. 2, $1.99(USD), and it was empty. They did have the Atlantis and World Racer bagged impulse sets though. Keep an eye on them, it seems as though they'll be making their way in soon.

[Blondie-Wan]

Just to add another corroborating anecdote, I went to my own local Target yesterday morning (here in Tallahassee, FL) with the baggie from one of the S2 minifigs I'd previously bought from another store, and had someone in customer service scan it. She then informed me they had 120 units in stock - two boxes, of course (which did indeed turn out to be in the Halloween section, which they had just started setting up), and the figures were indeed priced at the standard $1.99 each. Though I'd previously had Series 1 baggies scanned and show up as a product in Target's system, this was the first time I'd seen any minifigures from either series actually in stock there.

[AndyC]

I don't really think so from what I have heard its been easier to get minifigs in US this time so I think it would be an increase in production since where are they all coming from if its not the increase in production?

If it helps, it's been a lot harder to find them in the UK this time, wheras with Series 1 you could get them quite easily and there were still some on sale as recently as last week. I suspect TLG have just balanced the distribution a bit better for Series 2 and will hopefully ramp up production for Series 3 so that they're a lot easier to get hold of no matter where you are.

[Edmond Dantes]

I found two boxes at my local Target as well as the Target near my parent's house. Both of these are in MN. So, it seems most Targets are getting (an initial shipment of) two boxes - the only question is if they will get more than one shipment.

[Darth Jar Jar]

If it helps, it's been a lot harder to find them in the UK this time, wheras with Series 1 you could get them quite easily and there were still some on sale as recently as last week. I suspect TLG have just balanced the distribution a bit better for Series 2 and will hopefully ramp up production for Series 3 so that they're a lot easier to get hold of no matter where you are.

Well I find it extremely easy to get series 2 in the UK most off the shops round me still have sealed box's off series one

PS:I live in Uk ...

[UKver2.0]

I found two boxes at my local Target as well as the Target near my parent's house. Both of these are in MN. So, it seems most Targets are getting (an initial shipment of) two boxes - the only question is if they will get more than one shipment.

The Richfield, MN Target got two more boxes in today after having sold out of them previously. The Bloomington store has not yet received any more after selling out. So at least some are getting more than one shipment.

[Edmond Dantes]

The Richfield, MN Target got two more boxes in today after having sold out of them previously. The Bloomington store has not yet received any more after selling out. So at least some are getting more than one shipment.

Thank you, that is excellent news!

[Tung T. Le]

awesome, my nearby target just put a box out in the Halloween aisle, they had a fresh box of 60 out, was tempted to buy the whole box, but instead just picked up the last minifigure to complete Series 2 and grabbed about 4 Spartans =)

[Vindicare]

If this has been posted already, excuse me. I just got back from my local TRU and they had 3 boxes of series 2 with no limit!

[fred67]

I checked a local Target yesterday just for fun... in the Halloween section they did indeed have a cardboard 'bin' area labelled minifig vol. 2, $1.99(USD), and it was empty. They did have the Atlantis and World Racer bagged impulse sets though. Keep an eye on them, it seems as though they'll be making their way in soon.

Me too... I actually have checked 3 Targets, now... and two TRU stores... nothing. One of the Targets is a "Super" Target and wasn't arranged like the others.

Any suggestions in the Atlanta area... specifically close in Gwinnett, would be appreciated.

[prozac]

looks like target has raised these to 2.99 now. at least at mine they have.

[WesternOutlaw]

Just wanted to drop a note to say thanks for the information regarding finding the minifigs at Target. I was able to pick up a few extra figs thanks to the information. I have noticed that none of the stores in my area have gotten any more in. I'm wondering if they're starting to end the run again. If so, they didn't last too long at all.

[Aanchir]

Just went to Target yesterday and got my first of the collectible minifigures. My brother and I got four altogether: the surfer, the lifeguard, the explorer (love those khaki shorts), and the karate master.

First thing I noticed is that there was hardly any perceptible difference between the quality of these figs and the quality of other figs or parts. I had to strain my eyes to see any difference at all-- certainly not nearly as bad as some of the structural elements from this set, where a side-by-side comparison of the parts in even less-than-suitable lighting was enough to separate the red, yellow, white, and other parts into two distinct groups based on quality. As for the feel of the bricks, they feel higher quality if anything. The arms are hinged firmly on the torso, and the parts attach firmly to one another (but are still easy enough to separate).

Other things that surprise me were present in the karate master and the explorer. The trophies of the Karate Master are a lot smaller than I anticipated-- granted, I didn't expect them to be as big as microfigs or anything, but it was quite a surprise to find that the heads could fit in the same types of clips and studs-with-holes as typical minifig accessories. It's also a testament to today's gold metallic parts that I could test these in various types of clips without fear of the gold color wearing away.

In the case of the explorer, believe it or not he does have a new piece-- his magnifying glass, which now has a transparent "lip" around the lens where it joins with the black frame. Take this as a quality issue if you want, but I'm sure the change was made for a reason-- perhaps to discourage kids from trying to separate the two parts. And it really does no harm to the part's aesthetic appearance, at least not in my opinion.

The printing is all good quality, and I'm impressed that LEGO's first foray into side printing on minifig legs is so effective. There is a slight issue with the lifeguard's torso printing-- for some reason or another the yellow printing is darker than standard minifig yellow, so it doesn't quite match up with her face and arms. And of course the issue with the Karate Master's black belt has been brought up before-- there's a visible gap between the printing on the waist and the printing on the legs, making a white "stripe" on his black belt when he stands perfectly straight. Otherwise, though, the printing is all dead-center, pure in color quality, and crisp in contrasts.

One last, minor quality issue: on the sides of the minifig legs, there is a visible seam. However, looking at my non-Chinese figs from themes like Space Police and Atlantis (which I also have here), along with the generic khaki pants of my sigfig, this seam is visible on all minifigs. The presence of side printing on the surfer and explorer just draws attention to it, which you may or may not consider an issue in terms of quality.

Overall, I would not be opposed to collecting more of these figs, even though my brother and I managed to pick out the four we thought would be most useful for us. I confess, we did rely on barcodes to pick out these four: while I could identify a great number just by feeling the bags, it was chaotic trying to "feel out" every bag in the box (much less keep track of which bags had which figs once I had identified the contents). For Series 3 I'll probably develop a better system-- perhaps carry around a paper "table" that I can sort the figs on.

[tdc]

I found them in Toyworld in Chermside today.

Check out the Lowlug website for series 3 minifigs!

(sorry i don't now how to add a link)

[mixtil]

Here in switzerland, I find a shop with 15 boxes of series 2!!!!

yes 15!!!

and another with 12!

In one another, the seller was agree that I pick up all the spartans in 8 unopened box (in the stockroom)