darkSpyro

I don't open my figures. What are you planning to do with swap force figures that must be opened to be swapped? Ideas?

Quote: PWillie2121

I don't open my figures. What are you planning to do with swap force figures that must be opened to be swapped? Ideas?

1. Buy 16 of every SWAP Force figure
2. Carefully open the packages
3. Assemble the figures into all 256 possible combinations
4. ????
5. Place the figures back in the packages and reseal them
6. Wonder when you lost control of your life

Like i did for giants, prob buying a set to keep closed and one to open OR this time around I might share with my kid one open set and keep a closed for myself. This time around between the kid and wife I have 4 full sets which is pricey ya, but at least i got most of my skylanders 50% off.

Quote: portalflip

Quote: PWillie2121

I don't open my figures. What are you planning to do with swap force figures that must be opened to be swapped? Ideas?

1. Buy 16 of every SWAP Force figure
2. Carefully open the packages
3. Assemble the figures into all 256 possible combinations
4. ????
5. Place the figures back in the packages and reseal them
6. Wonder where you lost control of your life

We all know there will be some person that actually has all 256 combinations. It for one wont be me. One cause i dont have the money and two, where am i going to put 256 skylanders. besides I prob will play them swapping cause i dont really care for the whole swapping thing.

Quote: SlayerX11

Quote: portalflip

Quote: PWillie2121

I don't open my figures. What are you planning to do with swap force figures that must be opened to be swapped? Ideas?

1. Buy 16 of every SWAP Force figure
2. Carefully open the packages
3. Assemble the figures into all 256 possible combinations
4. ????
5. Place the figures back in the packages and reseal them
6. Wonder where you lost control of your life

We all know there will be some person that actually has all 256 combinations. It for one wont be me. One cause i dont have the money and two, where am i going to put 256 skylanders. besides I prob will play them swapping cause i dont really care for the whole swapping thing.

I believe GameMaster78 has already announced he'll be getting enough to have all 256.

Personally, I don't know if I'll even get all 16, I will get one of each move-type though. I'll open what I get, which at this time I can confidently say will be Night Shift, the other Undead one, and Magna Charge.

Quote: PWillie2121

I don't open my figures. What are you planning to do with swap force figures that must be opened to be swapped? Ideas?

Here's an idea ... open them.

Sorry, but anyone who buys 16 of each figure is just throwing away money. 16 SF figs x 16 x $10 (minimum) = $2,560. What a waste.

Quote: Himewad

Sorry, but anyone who buys 16 of each figure is just throwing away money. 16 SF figs x 16 x $10 (minimum) = $2,560. What a waste.

As much as I usually tend to disagree with HimeWad ... I agree with him here. Purchasing 256 Swap Force characters, just so one can make each and every possible combination, is pathological.

Quote: BahamutBreaker

Quote: Himewad

Sorry, but anyone who buys 16 of each figure is just throwing away money. 16 SF figs x 16 x $10 (minimum) = $2,560. What a waste.

As much as I usually tend to disagree with HimeWad ... I agree with him here. Purchasing 256 Swap Force characters, just so one can make each and every possible combination, is pathological.

I'm winning people over as they see the wisdom emanating from my posts

You can make each and every possible combination buying just one of each figure ... displaying each and every possible combination should be enough to put you in the loony bin for cause.

But what about my non-display set? You forgot to factor that in.

Quote: PWillie2121

I don't open my figures. What are you planning to do with swap force figures that must be opened to be swapped? Ideas?

Open them and have fun with them. There is a saying I like and it seems fitting "the ship is safer in the harbour but it's not meant for that". Or if you have the money buy two of each, one to open and one to keep sealed, I doubt they will be bringing out every swappable figure in wave 1.

^ Well said, Mantez!

Quote: Himewad

Quote: BahamutBreaker

Quote: Himewad

Sorry, but anyone who buys 16 of each figure is just throwing away money. 16 SF figs x 16 x $10 (minimum) = $2,560. What a waste.

As much as I usually tend to disagree with HimeWad ... I agree with him here. Purchasing 256 Swap Force characters, just so one can make each and every possible combination, is pathological.

I'm winning people over as they see the wisdom emanating from my posts

You can make each and every possible combination buying just one of each figure ... displaying each and every possible combination should be enough to put you in the loony bin for cause.

Yeah, I think it would be cool to see a display of them...but to actually DO IT would seriously be a bit too much. however, that being said...Activision is PRAYING TO THE GODS that if they can get a percentage of folks to do this they will be sitting pretty come earnings time.

Open them

open them

I'm going to do what I already do---we will get 2 sets, one open and one to
Keep closed. We wouldn't have the space to display all those options..but to each his own.

Yet...there are some who will do this and say that they are the biggest fan.

Quote: BahamutBreaker

Quote: Himewad

Sorry, but anyone who buys 16 of each figure is just throwing away money. 16 SF figs x 16 x $10 (minimum) = $2,560. What a waste.

As much as I usually tend to disagree with HimeWad ... I agree with him here. Purchasing 256 Swap Force characters, just so one can make each and every possible combination, is pathological.

im sure someone here will do it, and i think i know who will

Quote: kappapopm

Quote: BahamutBreaker

Quote: Himewad

Sorry, but anyone who buys 16 of each figure is just throwing away money. 16 SF figs x 16 x $10 (minimum) = $2,560. What a waste.

As much as I usually tend to disagree with HimeWad ... I agree with him here. Purchasing 256 Swap Force characters, just so one can make each and every possible combination, is pathological.

im sure someone here will do it, and i think i know who will

He has already stated that he intends to display every combination, so I fully expect it. It's a bit confusing that he is willing to sell a complete set of unique figures for less than $2000, but intends to spend over $2500 for multiples of the same common figures. Madness.

Man some people are crazy. Or just have a heckton of money. Or both! I'd say buy 1 set to open and swap around and another set to just keep boxed as they are. Best of both worlds in my opinion.

We will get 16 figures and imagine them in their multiple combinations. The potential to be able to do the 256 combinations is more than enough versus actually doing/displaying them.

The funny thing is, it isn't going to be 16 x 16 combinations. It'll be 19 x 19 or 20 x 20. I would guess at least one legendary swapper. And a few color variants. Imagine if one of those is a system pack in.

This is the point where most of the collectors start breaking down the fact that they simply cannot have everything. We are going to be overwhelmed with options. So far we know there are 16 swappers, 16 new, 16 repose and 8 lightcores from their announcements. That is already more than Giants.

Color variants have been a big success, so expect that to happen even more with Swap Force (if they were really clever, they would start storing color information on the chip and then be able to create new in game variants at will).

I just buy then sell every series. I get the newest version of every character and the variants, but I don't need to keep space for figures I barely use and can get some money back on them

I personal dont plan to buy anything not new, unless its either a none series 2, look boomer or a favorite of mine like slamb a m.

Quote: Himewad

Quote: kappapopm

Quote: BahamutBreaker

As much as I usually tend to disagree with HimeWad ... I agree with him here. Purchasing 256 Swap Force characters, just so one can make each and every possible combination, is pathological.

im sure someone here will do it, and i think i know who will

He has already stated that he intends to display every combination, so I fully expect it. It's a bit confusing that he is willing to sell a complete set of unique figures for less than $2000, but intends to spend over $2500 for multiples of the same common figures. Madness.

i bet someone will be regretting that at a later stage and rebuy...

He says he doesn't regret it, but I think he does. He's already posting comments that he might re-purchase them down the road (he thinks at a reduced price).

Quote: Himewad

He says he doesn't regret it, but I think he does. He's already posting comments that he might re-purchase them down the road (he thinks at a reduced price).

yeah... if your into collecting it aint that easy to just let it go... its better to just keep what you got and save up the money, a little by little until you can afford to buy more. new swap force figures aint going nowhere at least for 1 years after release.. rare variants, will just be harder to get later and more costly, its a fact...

I'll only keep the special figures in the box. Everything else gets all opened. I'm not sure how I'll end up having the SwapLanders out though. I'll probably have to see which combos I like- if there's not any that really stand out, I'll probably just have them in their basic form. (ie, MagnaCharge instead of his pieces with anything else)

Yeah, I always open my boxes.

I do too but I think I'll stop, at least for rarer figs.

I've opened every figure I've gotten, even chase variants.

I personally frown upon multi-purchase buyers specially when there are limited amounts of the items. Even more when it basically deprives a child from some enjoyment because someone wants to have a "unopened" copy on a mantle. I am not saying you should stop buying something because its limited (ir Scarlet Ninjini) but why more then one? If that is your source of pride and enjoyment, okay. But in my book its a sign of a mind that needs some help. There is a program on cable called "Collection Intervention". I believe a few here would easily qualify to be on it.

Dont tell me, well I have more than one child and each wants to have his/her own character/item. If you are fortunate to have such disposable income, enjoy it. However, maybe a more helpful thing would be to show your children to SHARE. Remember this, THEY will be running the world when you are old and do you want a bunch of spoiled, entitled brats using your life savings to follow in your footsteps in running the country?

I used to buy comics in its "hey day" of the 80s and I also fell into the multi-purchase madness with the "excuse" that someday it would be "worth a fortune". Guess what, I sold some for "profit" (very few) but most of my boxes and boxes of comics ended up going to charity and Children's Hospitals. At the end, unless you enjoy them (ie read, play, USE), what reason is there to even have them?

Buy to play or don't buy at all.

You make some valid and good points, DarkBigDog. I personally don't own any "chase" variants, so I don't really have a horse in this race.
However, I will say that (nothing personal against you, specifically) I tire of reading the moral highroad BS on these forums sometimes. Ya know, the whole "you're depriving some kid" mantra.

I call BS on that. No kid is "deprived" because he or she can't find a certain Skylander, or any certain toy. Period.

Trust me, the current generation of kids in the USA, for the most part, has a ridiculous amount of entertainment options and parents who tend to buy-buy-buy anything and everything those kids "need" at any given moment.
The VAST majority of Skylanders end up in an assorted pile of action figures or in old cardboard box next to a kid's collection of 3-5 video gaming systems. Lots of Skylanders end-up eaten or chewed-on by the family dog. And lots of Skylanders end up listed on Craigslist or Ebay after a child has owned them for a month or two because "little Johnny doesn't play with them anymore, and he wants to sell them" in order to have money to buy the kid's latest whim.

So, seriously, F that. I'm not in favor of people "hoarding" Skylanders ... but I'm also not in favor of people pretending that they're morally superior because they're concerned about "little Johnny" not being able to find the Skylanders character he wants because the big bad scalpers and hoarders buy them all up. In other words, do I approve of people buying tons of Skylanders just to display them in boxes on a wall? No, not really. But that's no worse, in any way, than the millions of American parents that allow their kids to buy the "gotta have it now!!" flavor-of-the-week toy, just so it can gather dust, be eaten by the dog, or be re-sold (in worse condition) a month later because "little Johnny" is "done" with Skylanders now and wants to buy something else.

Skylanders are toys AND they are ALSO collector's items. Sometimes those two roles conflict with one another. Get over it. If that's too much for your brain to handle, I'd say it's a sign of a "mind that needs some help".

DarkBigDog, I agree on the multi-purchase thing, at least when it first comes out. People need to buy one for themselves and leave the rest for others. That would allow the widest distribution of the figures, and limit the impact of scalpers. Now if down the road you want to pick up a second one to keep, then more power to you. I would REALLY hate to live in the area of someone that planned on doing the 16x16 thing.

Look at Eye Brawl and Thumpback, for example. Those guys were crazy rare at first. Thumpy commanded a multi-hundred dollar scalp price. Gamestop was getting about 2-4 each. People were cleaning them out as soon as they found them, and the scalp price was staying artificially high. By no means were they sent out in small quantities. These days it is uncommon to NOT see either of them on the shelves. Had the hoarders that had to get every one they could lay their hands on waited they could have gotten their fill on the ones that languish on the shelves now. And, they probably wouldn't feel the need now to buy one for everyone that has ever mentioned the words "sky" and "land" to them.

ITA with you BB. Parents obviously don't love their kids when they won't move heaven and earth to get these Skylanders toys for them. If the scalpers and hoarders can get out there and get the hard-to-find figures, then why won't the parents? Seriously though, the moral high ground nonsense that you read on here has reached epic levels. Life isn't fair and it seems silly to be tripping because some "kid" can't find a particular figure.

Quote: defpally

Look at Eye Brawl and Thumpback, for example. Those guys were crazy rare at first. Thumpy commanded a multi-hundred dollar scalp price. Gamestop was getting about 2-4 each. People were cleaning them out as soon as they found them, and the scalp price was staying artificially high. By no means were they sent out in small quantities. These days it is uncommon to NOT see either of them on the shelves. Had the hoarders that had to get every one they could lay their hands on waited they could have gotten their fill on the ones that languish on the shelves now. And, they probably wouldn't feel the need now to buy one for everyone that has ever mentioned the words "sky" and "land" to them.

This just showed a lack of patience of the consumer. EB and TB were hard to find...AT FIRST. But, where is it written that a person has to pay the scalp price for them KNOWING that they would eventually be in other stores? EB and TB weren't limited editions never to be seen again. As you stated, all a person had to do was be patient. I've read too many posts about people regretting paying an inflated price when the figure turned up later for retail. I have no sympathy for them. I've paid retail for my figures and intend to keep paying retail. If I can't find it at that price, then I won't be getting it.

Quote: BahamutBreaker

So, seriously, F that. I'm not in favor of people "hoarding" Skylanders ... but I'm also not in favor of people pretending that they're morally superior because they're concerned about "little Johnny" not being able to find the Skylanders character he wants because the big bad scalpers and hoarders buy them all up. In other words, do I approve of people buying tons of Skylanders just to display them in boxes on a wall? No, not really. But that's no worse, in any way, than the millions of American parents that allow their kids to buy the "gotta have it now!!" flavor-of-the-week toy, just so it can gather dust, be eaten by the dog, or be re-sold (in worse condition) a month later because "little Johnny" is "done" with Skylanders now and wants to buy something else.

Bahamut, I think you need to calm down a bit. People are getting amazingly tense around here these days. Lots of name calling and angry posting.

And as far as people being "morally superior", well you immediately followed that comment stating that you didn't approve of people buying loads of figures for display. That violates your morals. It violates my morals for someone to seek excessive profit off of a child's desire for a toy or to buy several and justify it by saying kids don't deserve them because they don't show enough respect to their toys.

And yeah, an adult buying a kids toy to hang on the wall is worse than a kid playing with a toy until it breaks. They are made for kids. The biggest problem here is that the adults run out to the store the day it comes in, buy a bunch of figures for various reasons and by the time a kid gets to the store everything is long gone. All so they can make a few extra dollars or create a shrine in their house. If you are going to go all OCD or be Skyland Claus at least let the children get a shot at the first pass of a childrens toy.

ftr, my local shopping center has not gotten ONE RESTOCK of any new, non-reposed Skylander after wave two. In the USA it isn't as big an issue, but in areas which get less stock, I greatly frown upon people buying more than 2 of one character from their store where others could get them(unless they're buying it for someone else to enjoy). Personally I would like to see as many people as possible to enjoy the toys, even if it only ends up being for a few months for them, than one person get more enjoyment. I hope that people do not actually decide to buy all 16x16 combinations as they would be depriving their city of a mass amount of stock(unless they did it gradually enough so that there actually was a good amount left). Also, it isn't just about Little Johnny, maybe there are other collectors, who can't be at the store every moment, who just got deprived of the chance to get a new character too...?

It's a nice thought, but how, exactly, do you guarantee that children get a shot at the first pass of a children's toy? If just one scalper is roaming town, the children still lose out. Personally, I buy one of every figure we own, because we open them and play with them in our house. I bought two of Scarlet Ninjini because I knew someone who wanted one.

Limited edition figures, like Scarlet Ninjini, will always go quickly. And as long as some people are willing to pay a lot of extra money for them on eBay, they will continue to go quickly. I don't pay a premium on eBay for our figures. My strategy is to gather information from this forums and other outlets, and try to beat the scalpers to the stores. It has worked very well for me to this point.

^ I'm calm. And not really angry.
Just saying what's on my mind.

You may have missed my point, Defpally. I wasn't specifically disapproving of people who display Skylanders in boxes on their walls at home ... I was making the point that someone displaying his/her Skylanders is no worse than someone buying Skylanders for a kid that doesn't really like them for more than a week or two. In other words, both things suck (in my opinion), but neither is inherently "bad" or "wrong", especially when compared to the other.

I agree that a kid playing with a toy until it breaks is fine. However, that's not what I was talking about. I WAS talking about kids getting Skylanders and then literally NOT playing with them and/or leaving them lying around carelessly for the family dog to chew. Do I want Skylanders bought up by hoarders for shelf/wall displays? No, not really, but frankly I'd rather see them there than in Fido's mouth or in a dusty heap under a kid's bed.

Again, Skylanders are toys, yes. However, it's naive to not concede that they are also collector's items. They are both; period. Will those dual roles sometimes conflict with one another? Undoubtedly yes! You can't change that. I can't change that. We all can't change that. That's how Skylanders are designed, and that's how they are marketed, and that's how they are distributed. So ... just roll with it.

Quote: Himewad

It's a nice thought, but how, exactly, do you guarantee that children get a shot at the first pass of a children's toy? If just one scalper is roaming town, the children still lose out. Personally, I buy one of every figure we own, because we open them and play with them in our house. I bought two of Scarlet Ninjini because I knew someone who wanted one.

Limited edition figures, like Scarlet Ninjini, will always go quickly. And as long as some people are willing to pay a lot of extra money for them on eBay, they will continue to go quickly. I don't pay a premium on eBay for our figures. My strategy is to gather information from this forums and other outlets, and try to beat the scalpers to the stores. It has worked very well for me to this point.

Well said.
You've turned over a new leaf, Himewad?

Well the only reason I have my set and my son has his is because I actually play the game and it got sort of annoying to level up characters and my son choosing all my paths etc. We started with the sharing part but it was more me that wanted to be able to do my own thing so we just started getting two sets of each. Maybe when I as an adult bore of the game or having these skylanders I will ebay my open toys and other ppl if they want them will take them. I figure ebay is better then the trash can if it gets to the point I want to rid of skylanders. My wife also got herself a set because she wanted some and figured why not just finish it off. She however regrets it because she doesn't even touch them anymore and they are sitting ina box under our bed. With swapforce I plan to only buy the new guys and skip the repose. I'm skipping lightcore completely unless its a guy I love or its like a leg. lightcore. I try to tie skylanders to my son as gifts for doing good in school or being good for a week. Like for example on xmas he got the game from his aunt and used the money he got from others and toys he didn't want to buy a couple of them. Then on his birthday we told ppl coming to his party when asked what he wanted, skylanders and clothes so he got some there. I personally would rather him get skylander toys then some power ranger, iron man stuff that he will play with and leave under the bed never to be touched again. There may be a day skylanders goes there but for now almost 6 months later he plays the game at least once a week with someone in our extended family or plays them on the table as toys are ment to be played.


As for taking 3 scarlets, 3 jade flashwings, 3 moilten hotdogs etc. If someone wants the toys and they plan to disply or use them thats fine. Hell if you plan to keep 12 scarlets and disply them (for some crazy ass reason) then fine. If you want all 256 swap force combos and thats what makes you happy becuase you love skylanders and toys in gerneal that much then by all means do it. Will it suck for others looking for toys around those areas? yes, but to a point. Stores restock and seeing as how many stores are still restocking wave 2 stuff I don't see this being a major problem with swap force. If it's for things like molten hotdog and jadeflashing. Have the money ready and go buy them the day it came out. If your store doesnt have it go call other stores. Hell I drove 3hrs to Harrisburg PA to get jade flashwing when she first appeared before the march 17th release, be it i went to hersey park and have family there too also made it an easier thing to do, we went cause the store had them and wanted to get them early it's all part of the hunt and fun of skylanders. I do know not everyone can/will do something like that but a rare is a rare its made this way to make people go to stores looking for them in hopes while your there you will shop for other items, its why stores love skylanders. Sorry this post got long, I guess im in a ranting mood lol.

The answer to the question, and Activision is missing a HUGE opportunity here is to split the groups. They need to make the normal figures in bulk, send them out on an accelerated schedule for the people that want to play with them as toys. Don't make the kids wait for them.

Then, also create a "Collectors Series" of the same figures. Special packaging made to be used on the portal and more interesting display. Different, highly detailed paint jobs. They show up no differently in the game than a regular figure AT ALL - not even a "Special" tag. Charge more for them, like $19.99 for a single. Trickle them out over the year in much more limited quantities. Give the collectors something to OCD over.

Sure, the collectors would still want the regular ones, but they would focus on the special ones. They wouldn't be "rare" like chase variants, but they also wouldn't flood the shelves. Focus the thrill of the hunt more directly. Parents wouldn't compete for them (for the most part) because of the higher price tag for the "same thing". Collectors wouldn't feel the need to hoard the regular ones, because the real "prize" is the "Collector's Edition" figures.

When it comes to morality, each person is he/her own judge. What you do with your life is whatever as long as it doesnt infringe on my rights. Which, by the way, are not been hurt by those multi-buying.

I am more naive than preachy when it comes to the hope for a more socially responsible society. I believe I might be among the older ones on this forum and that gives me a different view on some things. Having kids changes your view on things, having a good paying job(s) changes your view as well.

Is it wrong to give your child everything they ask for? Personally I avoid giving into that temptation though when XMas or BDays come around I will spurge more. Could I give my kids everything or most of what they want? Probably but I want them to earn it buy either saving their allowance or doing things around the house. Sometimes I get "its only .99, Dad" but its not the cost, to me is the lesson of sometimes, waiting is good.

Skylanders, to me, brings out the best and worse in some people. Mostly this is caused by Activision and their screwed up release schedule. If every Skylander we readily available from the start in massive quantities, would this be an issue? Scalpers will always exist but if everyone can get the item at the same time and it is available at the store, it would lead to less hoarding issues. Of course, Activision would have to tell the stores to only sell maybe one/two per person. Activision made their money already since the order is already at the store.

Again, I am probably being naive given this is a business model.

Off my soapbox again...

Quote: defpally

The answer to the question, and Activision is missing a HUGE opportunity here is to split the groups. They need to make the normal figures in bulk, send them out on an accelerated schedule for the people that want to play with them as toys. Don't make the kids wait for them.

Then, also create a "Collectors Series" of the same figures. Special packaging made to be used on the portal and more interesting display. Different, highly detailed paint jobs. They show up no differently in the game than a regular figure AT ALL - not even a "Special" tag. Charge more for them, like $19.99 for a single. Trickle them out over the year in much more limited quantities. Give the collectors something to OCD over.

Sure, the collectors would still want the regular ones, but they would focus on the special ones. They wouldn't be "rare" like chase variants, but they also wouldn't flood the shelves. Focus the thrill of the hunt more directly. Parents wouldn't compete for them (for the most part) because of the higher price tag for the "same thing". Collectors wouldn't feel the need to hoard the regular ones, because the real "prize" is the "Collector's Edition" figures.

Not a bad idea

Quote: BahamutBreaker

I agree that a kid playing with a toy until it breaks is fine. However, that's not what I was talking about. I WAS talking about kids getting Skylanders and then literally NOT playing with them and/or leaving them lying around carelessly for the family dog to chew. Do I want Skylanders bought up by hoarders for shelf/wall displays? No, not really, but frankly I'd rather see them there than in Fido's mouth or in a dusty heap under a kid's bed.

If the kids chooses to leave their toys lying around for a dog chew toy, then what's the big deal? Every parent buys their kids toys from time to time that they don't play with as much as they promised they would. I have a Robo Sapien robot sitting on the shelf my wife was convinced they would love that is gather dust. It is frustrating, but it does happen. Now, of course, some parents go overboard with spoiling their kids.

What is an issue is the way some collectors really resent kids not treating the toys in the way they deem appropriate. I've seen it a lot lately, particularly in reference to the SkylanderKids. There is a great deal of unnecessary anger towards those kids getting things that the collectors do not think they "deserve". We have to remember that we collectors are guests in their domain, not the other way around. We are collecting kid's toys - they aren't taking a cut out of collector items.

Quote: defpally

The answer to the question, and Activision is missing a HUGE opportunity here is to split the groups. They need to make the normal figures in bulk, send them out on an accelerated schedule for the people that want to play with them as toys. Don't make the kids wait for them.

Then, also create a "Collectors Series" of the same figures. Special packaging made to be used on the portal and more interesting display. Different, highly detailed paint jobs. They show up no differently in the game than a regular figure AT ALL - not even a "Special" tag. Charge more for them, like $19.99 for a single. Trickle them out over the year in much more limited quantities. Give the collectors something to OCD over.

Sure, the collectors would still want the regular ones, but they would focus on the special ones. They wouldn't be "rare" like chase variants, but they also wouldn't flood the shelves. Focus the thrill of the hunt more directly. Parents wouldn't compete for them (for the most part) because of the higher price tag for the "same thing". Collectors wouldn't feel the need to hoard the regular ones, because the real "prize" is the "Collector's Edition" figures.

Now THIS is a brilliant idea.
I agree that Activision is leaving "money on the table" by not promoting exactly what you just described, Defpally.

Quote: BahamutBreaker

Quote: Himewad

It's a nice thought, but how, exactly, do you guarantee that children get a shot at the first pass of a children's toy? If just one scalper is roaming town, the children still lose out. Personally, I buy one of every figure we own, because we open them and play with them in our house. I bought two of Scarlet Ninjini because I knew someone who wanted one.

Limited edition figures, like Scarlet Ninjini, will always go quickly. And as long as some people are willing to pay a lot of extra money for them on eBay, they will continue to go quickly. I don't pay a premium on eBay for our figures. My strategy is to gather information from this forums and other outlets, and try to beat the scalpers to the stores. It has worked very well for me to this point.

Well said.
You've turned over a new leaf, Himewad?

the master of leaf turning...

Quote: BahamutBreaker

You've turned over a new leaf, Himewad?

I'm pretty much the same as I've always been. Still stirring the pot here and there. Gotta keep it interesting around here.

I just call it like I see it. Sometimes people agree with my views (smarties), sometimes people disagree and take personal offense (numbskulls).

Quote: defpally

The answer to the question, and Activision is missing a HUGE opportunity here is to split the groups. They need to make the normal figures in bulk, send them out on an accelerated schedule for the people that want to play with them as toys. Don't make the kids wait for them.

Then, also create a "Collectors Series" of the same figures. Special packaging made to be used on the portal and more interesting display. Different, highly detailed paint jobs. They show up no differently in the game than a regular figure AT ALL - not even a "Special" tag. Charge more for them, like $19.99 for a single. Trickle them out over the year in much more limited quantities. Give the collectors something to OCD over.

Sure, the collectors would still want the regular ones, but they would focus on the special ones. They wouldn't be "rare" like chase variants, but they also wouldn't flood the shelves. Focus the thrill of the hunt more directly. Parents wouldn't compete for them (for the most part) because of the higher price tag for the "same thing". Collectors wouldn't feel the need to hoard the regular ones, because the real "prize" is the "Collector's Edition" figures.

The real problem is that they already do this, they just do it at the wrong places. Toy Fair and E3 are not open to the general public anymore but that's where they like to pimp their wares. Hasbro used to do this but they were smart about it and offered them on their website for those that can't attend. Put up the exclusives for $19.99 and limit it to 2 per person and they'd clean house and everyone would be happy. Even take preorders so everyone that wants one gets a chance. Why give a few hundred or thousand away for free and see them go directly into the secondary market because games journos use them to finance their bar tab for their time at E3 when you can get $40 from basically everyone that collects this stuff?

-Grishnaar

The whole purpose of it is to split out the collectors and the kids into two groups that overlap as little as possible. Not to just give the collectors more stuff to collect and better ways to do it.

You want to make the "normal" figures not be highly desirable by collectors or scalpable at all, they should be numerous and all available fairly quickly. And no variants.

And you don't want the "Collector's Edition" to be something parents wait in line for or seek out.

That way you don't have kids missing out because their figures have high resale value. And collectors get something to themselves and don't have to fight a line of parents, or get the vapors because "little Johnny"is just going to play with his once and throw it in the sandbox.