Who buys whole sets for figs

[lotryay]

So who else buys whole sets for figs? What do you think about this issue and do you think Lego should obtain an action figure license so they can market figs alone? What do you do to reduce the amount of money you lose?

Personally, I've only recently had the need to buy whole sets for figs, what with the new superheroes theme, and I'm not sure whether to sell the parts, or see how I am as a system MoCer, or what. I think it would be great if LEGO could obtain an action figure license, the only downfall would be it might put a considerable dent in their profit, as minifigs, and us fools who are willing to buy whole 20-100 dollar sets for them, are a huge part of LEGO's business.

Discuss.

EDIT:O.k, it seems that most people are strictly against buying anything significantly large purely for minifigs. But, may I ask, and this isn't a rhetorical question, what is one to do when he wants first-hand figs that are only included in large sets and are doubted to be released again? I payed 90 dollars for the quinjet aeriel battle for Iron man, and the quinjet alone I would only give a 7.4/10 in value for money, and I paid 65 dollars for the Incredible Hulk alone, and I'm thinking of regaining my value for money just by either selling the parts second hand in box, or using the spare parts for system mocing. What does everyone elese think of this as a long-term strategy, and how much will I get for the parts in 6868 Hulk's helicarrier breakout?

Edited May 29, 2012 by lotryay

[Super General Koopa]

I think LEGO is already doing a good job selling the minifigures as indivually as they can with the planet sets. I think the thing that's holding them back the most is that they are only allowed to make 'construction' toys with their license for most themes.

[SirBlake]

Generally speaking, I would never buy a set just for figs, but there's a (*) on that statement.

Some "Battle Pack" type sets are just too good to pass up, where the bricks are useful, but the main reason for purchase is the figs. The current example of that for me is the LOTR Uruk-Hai set. I could use one more for my Helm's Deep set, but I'll likely buy a couple because I can never have enough light bley bricks, and the figs are great.

Another, (*) example is when I was given a Star Wars set: http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=8083-1 and the fleshie parts are proving super-handy with my first licensed theme experience as far as mixing and matching minifig parts. (again, for LOTR) This experience has shifted my attention to other licensed themes, and if they have useful parts and minifigs that I could adapt, I'm going to have to consider the purchase solely for the figs.

[Vindicare]

I wouldn't buy a set just for figs. It's just a waste, with eBay, Bricklink and other selling sites. Hell, the BTSF sub forum here is a great way to get figs, even through trades. The closest I came to buying a set for figs was 6865 Captain Americas Avenging Cycle. I didn't find the set all that appealing compared to the figs. It's just an OK set compared to the figs. Luckily, it wasn't very expensive. Spending anymore than that, I certainly couldn't.

[ACWWgal2011]

while i have purchased sets in which the lego minifigures highly influenced my purchase, the only sets i can be guilty of just for the figures are the impulse sets i either got on sale(farmer, jester, and wizard guy) or they are/were a super good price which to date has only been a couple of the AC $5 sets with the alien and ADU guy.

[1980-Something-Space-Guy]

Sometimes, I purchase small, nice sets that contain great figs. But with the big sets, I just go Bricklink or eBay, since I have too many figs on my wishlist as to buy all the sets they come in.

[lotryay]

O.k, it seems that most people are strictly against buying anything significantly large purely for minifigs. But, may I ask, and this isn't a rhetorical question, what is one to do when he wants first-hand figs that are only included in large sets and are doubted to be released again? I payed 90 dollars for the quinjet aeriel battle for Iron man, and the quinjet alone I would only give a 7.4/10 in value for money, and I paid 65 dollars for the Incredible Hulk alone, and I'm thinking of regaining my value for money just by either selling the parts second hand in box, or using the spare parts for system mocing. What does everyone elese think of this as a long-term strategy, and how much will I get for the parts in 6868 Hulk's helicarrier breakout?

Edited May 28, 2012 by lotryay

[LRDark]

I don't believe I've ever bought an actual set for the minifigures alone, assuming figure-based sets, such as the line of Minifigures or Battlepacks, are excluded. There have been times I have considered it when news of figures started appearing, such as with Monster Fighters' Ann Lee, or for the Thor figure, yet my initial desire left when higher quality pictures of the figures were revealed. Perhaps one day I can see myself justifying the price of a set strictly for the figures, but this has yet to be the case.

[SirBlake]

But, may I ask, and this isn't a rhetorical question, what is one to do when he wants first-hand figs that are only included in large sets and are doubted to be released again?

In that instance, I think I'd have to just hit BrickLink. I'd rather not pay more than $5 for any specific minifig, but in an instance where I'd have to get a big set that I don't even particularly want, there is a point where I'd shell out just for the minifig just so I wouldn't have to throw that much money at a set where I don't want the set itself, or the parts that make it up. It's a tough one, but I think that's where I'd have to land.

I'm in a similar situation with LOTR. Weathertop just doesn't seem like a good brick-to-$ ratio deal, so I'm going to tough it out and wait for a sale, or get Merry and some ring wraiths via BrickLink instead. Nevermind the poor people that are dead set on 9 ring wraiths, and the prospect of buying 5 over priced sets to gather all of those. Once again, we are fortunate to have a marketplace such as BL to do our business. Having myself come from the Hasbro Star Wars 3 3/4 inch action figure background, I can say with no hesitation that the LEGO fans have it figured out better than anyone.

[jFox]

O.k, it seems that most people are strictly against buying anything significantly large purely for minifigs. But, may I ask, and this isn't a rhetorical question, what is one to do when he wants first-hand figs that are only included in large sets and are doubted to be released again? I payed 90 dollars for the quinjet aeriel battle for Iron man, and the quinjet alone I would only give a 7.4/10 in value for money, and I paid 65 dollars for the Incredible Hulk alone, and I'm thinking of regaining my value for money just by either selling the parts second hand in box, or using the spare parts for system mocing. What does everyone elese think of this as a long-term strategy, and how much will I get for the parts in 6868 Hulk's helicarrier breakout?

Well as far as price goes, looks like you could currently get just the parts from the Hulk set for $20-25 (at least in the US). Using the spare parts for your own creations seems like the better option. Having just finished building that particular set about 5 minutes ago, I can say for sure that's what I'll do with it. All in all I think the set is not very good, but there are some good pieces in it. Some dark blue, some big plates that could be used for towers and buildings, etc.

[lotryay]

In that instance, I think I'd have to just hit BrickLink. I'd rather not pay more than $5 for any specific minifig, but in an instance where I'd have to get a big set that I don't even particularly want, there is a point where I'd shell out just for the minifig just so I wouldn't have to throw that much money at a set where I don't want the set itself, or the parts that make it up. It's a tough one, but I think that's where I'd have to land.

I'm in a similar situation with LOTR. Weathertop just doesn't seem like a good brick-to-$ ratio deal, so I'm going to tough it out and wait for a sale, or get Merry and some ring wraiths via BrickLink instead. Nevermind the poor people that are dead set on 9 ring wraiths, and the prospect of buying 5 over priced sets to gather all of those. Once again, we are fortunate to have a marketplace such as BL to do our business. Having myself come from the Hasbro Star Wars 3 3/4 inch action figure background, I can say with no hesitation that the LEGO fans have it figured out better than anyone.

But, once again, may I ask, how much would I get for 6868 Hulk's helicarrier Breakout without the figs?

[TheWarden]

But, once again, may I ask, how much would I get for 6868 Hulk's helicarrier Breakout without the figs?

Well, since you asked three times I will teach you something. You do know about Bricklink don't you? When you search by sets you can see that when listed by price the cheapest ones are often the sets without figs (it's a common custom these days to strip out the figs and sell those separately for many sellers, for better or worse) and each set usually tells you what is not included. So here you go: http://www.bricklink.com/search.asp?pg=1&q=6868&sz=10&searchSort=P

And for the topic at hand, I buy whole sets for the figs, but it's because I love LEGO as a construction toy not just an action figure collectible. Yes, I could save money perhaps, but I'm not sure you save that much anyway. Why spend $20 for just Hulk when you can spend $50 and get everything else in the set too?

[SirBlake]

But, once again, may I ask, how much would I get for 6868 Hulk's helicarrier Breakout without the figs?

A fair question, but you also have to put a price on your time and effort to run a BL store and deal with packaging and shipping and whatnot. Sometimes your extra cash for what you specifically want buys you your time back. When it comes to the second-hand market and buying what you actually want. Not saying my opinion is the only way here, but the effort it takes to dispense with the unwanted parts is an issue. This way surely isn't the only way, but it's worth consideration.

[lotryay]

Well, since you asked three times I will teach you something. You do know about Bricklink don't you? When you search by sets you can see that when listed by price the cheapest ones are often the sets without figs (it's a common custom these days to strip out the figs and sell those separately for many sellers, for better or worse) and each set usually tells you what is not included. So here you go: http://www.bricklink.com/search.asp?pg=1&q=6868&sz=10&searchSort=P

And for the topic at hand, I buy whole sets for the figs, but it's because I love LEGO as a construction toy not just an action figure collectible. Yes, I could save money perhaps, but I'm not sure you save that much anyway. Why spend $20 for just Hulk when you can spend $50 and get everything else in the set too?

What? Is that it? Just four dollars for a second-hand set that was originally priced at 65 dollars and has been stripped of figs? Am I right in what I believe?

[Haltiamieli]

What? Is that it? Just four dollars for a second-hand set that was originally priced at 65 dollars and has been stripped of figs? Am I right in what I believe?

Nope, as the item description reads four dollars is what the seller is asking for the empty box. Cheapest price for the bricks excluding minifigs appears to be 20 dollars.

[madoka]

What? Is that it? Just four dollars for a second-hand set that was originally priced at 65 dollars and has been stripped of figs? Am I right in what I believe?

No, you're looking at the price for the empty box. The set without minifies starts at $20.

So who else buys whole sets for figs?

I've been known to do this from time to time.

[Big Cam]

I payed 90 dollars for the quinjet aeriel battle for Iron man, and the quinjet alone I would only give a 7.4/10 in value for money, and I paid 65 dollars for the Incredible Hulk alone.

I'm confused, you bought the Quinjet set JUST for Iron Man when you could have bought 6867 for $20 and you bought Hulk alone for $65 when Hulk's helicarrier breakout set is only $50???

Now granted I'm using US prices since I'm in the US and you have chosen not to tell us where you're from, my math remains.

As for your question, yes I do. The helicarrier breakout is the perfect example, the Hulk fig was going for around $25-30 and I figured for 20 more I can get Hulk, Thor, Loki and lots of cool pieces.

I also plan to get Wolverine's Chopper as well as the small Captain America set since both are going to be much cheaper than buying the figs outright, plus even if you don't like the set, you can always use spare parts.

[Bearded Castle Guy]

I'm confused, you bought the Quinjet set JUST for Iron Man when you could have bought 6867 for $20 and you bought Hulk alone for $65 when Hulk's helicarrier breakout set is only $50???

Now granted I'm using US prices since I'm in the US and you have chosen not to tell us where you're from, my math remains.

As for your question, yes I do. The helicarrier breakout is the perfect example, the Hulk fig was going for around $25-30 and I figured for 20 more I can get Hulk, Thor, Loki and lots of cool pieces.

I also plan to get Wolverine's Chopper as well as the small Captain America set since both are going to be much cheaper than buying the figs outright, plus even if you don't like the set, you can always use spare parts.

I don't the pictures in front of me but they're different torso prints at the least. One has the triangular 'Arc Reactor' and the other has a circular 'Arc Reactor' so those that want one of each variation would be interested in JUST the Quinjet Iron Man 'fig.

Generally any minfigures included factor into a set purchase, in fact in a number of cases getting a quantity of 'fig's has factored heavily into the purchasing decision for me.

As many have said, parts are parts and are parts. I've got some sets kept together but I think they are cool, I keep some examples nisb(or even misb depending). Yet others get 'burst' and then absorbed by my parts collective. As my screenname states I'm very much into Castle, and have focused much of my attention there in acquiring examples of as many different sets from the line as I can. But that doesn't mean I'm solely buying or even collecting just whichever theme that currently flies the Castle flag (when there IS one), oh no, far from it. I want a couple of the Ninjago sets just because they are cool as is. The Quinjet is another that I said 'I want' when I saw the picture. I have a fair bit of Pirates, some Technic, some Ferrai sets etc. That said if I get a good enough price on a set I've been known to buy just about anything, inexpensive parts are inexpensive parts and variety can be good as well. Will I buy Friends sets if I find them at a good price? you betcha! It's all parts in the end and the more parts you have the better.....

[adventuresinlego]

I'd be lying if I said the selection of minifigs wasn't an added factor in choosing what set to buy- ie Professor Sprout in the Battle of Hogwarts set, I absolutely adore Miriam Margolyes and her work in and outside of Potter so to me, that minifig is worth $20 more than the others in the set which is what helped me swallow the price I was charged.

The amount of minifigs also plays a part, but mostly, I buy large sets for the pieces. With Lego, More is More, I've seen the breath taking MOCs people have made and whilst I don't have enough/right type of pieces yet- the only way to get there is through large sets.

So I would say Minifig selection was about 30% of my decision process, along with price-per-piece and brick selection of set.

[THOR of Asgard]

They figures for a Lego set is made to pull the set together. Minifigures are a bone but the physical set is meat. I won't judge you if you do this because I recently did this with a LEGO Marvel X-men set. Although in some cases the figures are about wroth the price of the sets. /

Edited May 30, 2012 by THOR of Asgard

[JackJonespaw]

EDIT:O.k, it seems that most people are strictly against buying anything significantly large purely for minifigs.

Uh...what about 10188 Death Star? I don't believe that anyone bought that for the pieces, (although they are great) but for the 24 minifigs! At least, I did. I usually buy the sets for the figs, but Lego is getting so much better at their sets that I'm enjoying the content of the set almost as much as the minifigs.

[adventuresinlego]

Although in some cases the figures are about wroth the price of the sets. /

That they are haha

[just2good]

Heck yeah, well at least back in 2008 and 2009. For some examples, most Power Miner sets, most impulse sets, and all the Space Police sets I brought.

[purpleparadox]

Then there's the opposite end of the spectrum- Who buys sets for parts, and not for the figs at all?

That's a lot more common, and it's me every time I buy a Friends set. Great parts, hate the minidolls!

EDIT: A bit of spelling and grammar.

Edited May 30, 2012 by purpleparadox

[Cara]

Then there's the opposite end of the spectrum- Who buys sets for parts, and not for the figs at all?

That's a lot more common, and it's me every time I buy a Friends set. Great parts, hate the minidolls!

EDIT: A bit of spelling and grammar.

True! I've bought a few Friends sets because I liked the build and the parts. But mostly it is the mini-figs that determine if I will buy a set. I generally don't need the parts or if I did it would be cheaper to buy only the parts I needed on bricklink. So its comes down to the figures. If its less than $20 then generally I buy the sets, because if I work on $3 per figure - that I would pay for CMF series - then look at the price that remains I ask myself would I buy that collection of bricks for the remainder, the answer is normally either yes or I can swallow that in order to own the figs. Any bigger sets I do without when it comes to figures or can justify them when they go on sale. The only figures I've bought on bricklink were 3 ish dollars or less, or I'll buy only the torso for MOCing, but it came close with the green princess and black knight from the joust and I have my eye on Poison Ivy. I've been eyeing those up for some months.