3.75" Collecting Thread

[Guer Toshav]

Maz Kanata holo' announced !!!

 

[TaliBane]

The 3 3/4" 5 poa line is actually priced pretty according I think. They were $5 when the Power of the Force line came out back in '95. They've gone up about $3 in 23 years, which doesn't really seem that crazy considering inflation, oil prices, the general cost of factory production, plastics, etc..

The figures are much much nicer now then they were back in '95 too. The vehicles are a different ball game though, they've pretty much doubled in price (or more in some cases) and have dropped in quality IMO..

Really? I haven't really kept up with this stuff much (occasionally glance when something that interests me appears,) but it seemed to me that a standard "super-articulated" (eg the Vintage Collection) stuff has gone to or beyond $10 years ago - I looked at the latest (reissue TVC) version of the Rebel Hoth Trooper and those seem to be $12. The newest 3 3/4" Sandie in BS box seemed to be in the $13 range. Packacking aside (yeah, I know that's partly the point) both are really just a standard "super articulated" figs.

Then there's the basic assortments of TLJ figures which yes, were $7.99 to $8.99, but they just had five points of articulation like pre-2002 figures. The "super articulated" BS Ree Yees I was interested in a couple of years ago seemed to be going for $9.99.

From my memory, in terms of articulation to price, the older POTF2 up till Saga, there was either five points or later "spin" type elbows and legs (say 2001 onward) for $4.99, then when "super-articulated" came in (during the Saga line in 2006) they went to $5.99. Now it's 2-3 dollars more for five points.

In terms of quality, yeah overall there's been a noticeable improvement but its not quite as consistent and linear as you'd assume - I still prefer a few of the 2004-2010 era figs to some of the newer versions.

 

[Captain Clown]

Maz Kanata holo' announced !!!

 

[Reefer Shark]

Really? I haven't really kept up with this stuff much (occasionally glance when something that interests me appears,) but it seemed to me that a standard "super-articulated" (eg the Vintage Collection) stuff has gone to or beyond $10 years ago - I looked at the latest (reissue TVC) version of the Rebel Hoth Trooper and those seem to be $12. The newest 3 3/4" Sandie in BS box seemed to be in the $13 range. Packacking aside (yeah, I know that's partly the point) both are really just a standard "super articulated" figs.

Then there's the basic assortments of TLJ figures which yes, were $7.99 to $8.99, but they just had five points of articulation like pre-2002 figures. The "super articulated" BS Ree Yees I was interested in a couple of years ago seemed to be going for $9.99.

From my memory, in terms of articulation to price, the older POTF2 up till Saga, there was either five points or later "spin" type elbows and legs (say 2001 onward) for $4.99, then when "super-articulated" came in (during the Saga line in 2006) they went to $5.99. Now it's 2-3 dollars more for five points.

In terms of quality, yeah overall there's been a noticeable improvement but its not quite as consistent and linear as you'd assume - I still prefer a few of the 2004-2010 era figs to some of the newer versions.

Yeah, the super articulated figures they were pumping out in the regular line back in the early 2000's were the best value the line has ever seen, and was the height of the line for me by far. We got some of the best 3 3/4" star wars figures ever produced then IMO.

But the "vintage" figure line (with the retro cardbacks and all that) were always $10 and up if I remember correctly. Their jump to 12.99 on the comeback is still a bit more than the gradual $3 jump the regular line over the last 20+ years for sure, but not too surprising to me tbh.

I'm only picking and choosing select figures myself, just Kylo and Snoke in the vintage line for me so far, and no basic figures yet. But I probably will pick up that Hoth Luke/Wampa set eventually.

 

[darth toffeeman]

Maz Kanata holo' announced !!!

View attachment 408252

Another £2.99 Home Bargains shelf filler.

 

[Darth Waller]

Such a random assortment of figures.

 

[TaliBane]

Yeah, the super articulated figures they were pumping out in the regular line back in the early 2000's were the best value the line has ever seen, and was the height of the line for me by far. We got some of the best 3 3/4" star wars figures ever produced then IMO.

But the "vintage" figure line (with the retro cardbacks and all that) were always $10 and up if I remember correctly. Their jump to 12.99 on the comeback is still a bit more than the gradual $3 jump the regular line over the last 20+ years for sure, but not too surprising to me tbh.

I'm only picking and choosing select figures myself, just Kylo and Snoke in the vintage line for me so far, and no basic figures yet. But I probably will pick up that Hoth Luke/Wampa set eventually.

It's just funny how SW figs even from the very start were supposed to be about "Collect All ___" figs but at $12.99 these days you have to wonder who can afford to "Collect even 20% of ___" figs.

Way back in the day SW figs were maybe $1.79 or something - adjusted for inflation that's $6.88 in 2018. And yes, that $1.79 figure did indeed come on a "vintage style" cardback.

 

[TurdFurgusonsHat]

It's just funny how SW figs even from the very start were supposed to be about "Collect All ___" figs but at $12.99 these days you have to wonder who can afford to "Collect even 20% of ___" figs.

Way back in the day SW figs were maybe $1.79 or something - adjusted for inflation that's $6.88 in 2018. And yes, that $1.79 figure did indeed come on a "vintage style" cardback.[emoji38]

Disney's reply...

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[Reefer Shark]

It's just funny how SW figs even from the very start were supposed to be about "Collect All ___" figs but at $12.99 these days you have to wonder who can afford to "Collect even 20% of ___" figs.

Way back in the day SW figs were maybe $1.79 or something - adjusted for inflation that's $6.88 in 2018. And yes, that $1.79 figure did indeed come on a "vintage style" cardback.

haha yeah, the true vintage figures, the cheapest and the best! I remember being a kid and usually only having enough money for one measly $1.79 figure, I would spread a bunch on the floor at Gemco and Mervyn's and spend like an hour picking which one I would take home lol

I would be perfectly happy with the vintage line if they just put nicely detailed 5poa figures on the vintage cardbacks, and charged regular price just like the old days.

 

[TonTon]

It's just funny how SW figs even from the very start were supposed to be about "Collect All ___" figs but at $12.99 these days you have to wonder who can afford to "Collect even 20% of ___" figs.

Way back in the day SW figs were maybe $1.79 or something - adjusted for inflation that's $6.88 in 2018. And yes, that $1.79 figure did indeed come on a "vintage style" cardback.

You're saying this on a forum where we spend $200/figure and see customs in the $500-$900 range. They won't really make that many of these figures either -- maybe 10-20 per year. That said I bought only 1 from the first wave.

 

[TurdFurgusonsHat]

You're saying this on a forum where we spend $200/figure and see customs in the $500-$900 range. They won't really make that many of these figures either -- maybe 10-20 per year. That said I bought only 1 from the first wave.

Will they make that many a year? I could be a bit tempted to jump back in on 3.75 OT vintage, but one fig out of six isn't selling me to jump in. I would want to get most or all of the old Kenner lineup if it were possible. The figs look pretty good though and the packaging is great.

 

[TonTon]

Will they make that many a year? I could be a bit tempted to jump back in on 3.75 OT vintage, but one fig out of six isn't selling me to jump in. I would want to get most or all of the old Kenner lineup if it were possible. The figs look pretty good though and the packaging is great.

There's a list of how many are remaining from the original line, it's not that many. I had more than I do now, but at some point I sold off some figures that seemed subpar. I can't even display them really -- maybe a few at a time that I then rotate. Displaying 50 carded figures just turns a wall into a toy store aisle, which would be great and all but I don't have the space. Been tempted to sell off what I have but took me a while to acquire them and don't want to go through that all again.

 

[TurdFurgusonsHat]

Re: 3.75" Collecting Thread

There's a list of how many are remaining from the original line, it's not that many. I had more than I do now, but at some point I sold off some figures that seemed subpar. I can't even display them really -- maybe a few at a time that I then rotate. Displaying 50 carded figures just turns a wall into a toy store aisle, which would be great and all but I don't have the space. Been tempted to sell off what I have but took me a while to acquire them and don't want to go through that all again.

Yeah I do have enough stuff in storage already. 1/6 is really kind of the sweet spot between realism and character availability.

I did buy the complete 40th anniversary 12 back set they did. I skipped r5 and pilot Luke because they were not part of the original 12. And pilot Luke was tough to find and really high priced. What is it about that look that makes toy companies want to exploit it? [emoji38]

 

[TaliBane]

You're saying this on a forum where we spend $200/figure and see customs in the $500-$900 range. They won't really make that many of these figures either -- maybe 10-20 per year. That said I bought only 1 from the first wave.

That said, $200 barely buys you ten 6" figures, and my guess is that inclduing EX's, Hasbro has probably produced over 150 6" SW figs since that line started.

And that's just 6." No idea how many 3 3/4" figs they've done - probably 1,000 in the past decade or so.

There's a buddy of mine that still collects most of the 4" stuff (incl vehicles) and wow - terrifying to think how many figs he has now. And how many cars he could have bought instead.

 

[Reefer Shark]

The 6” line is actually numbered on the packages and theyre in the 60’s now I think.

lol not sure how accurate the numbering is though, and the exclusives arent numbered at all. Im betting youre right on the 3 3/4” inch line tho. I feel like there is probably 1000+ figures out there!

 

[Khev]

I was thrilled when Hasbro announced that the VOTC line would return with TFA, RO, and TLJ characters but after inspecting several production figures in person I almost couldn't be more disappointed. I stumbled upon them at two separate Targets and after realizing that 80% of the figures' bubbles were held in place against the card *by the scotch tape alone* I shook my head and put them back on the pegs in disgust. It's bad enough that my OCD forces me to only pick up the most mint looking cards and figures with good paint apps (which are a total crapshoot with Hasbro) but now I have to factor in whether the bubble is actually stuck to the card??

Forget it. Way to just blow all enthusiasm I had for the next several years' worth of figures Hasbro.

 

[Reefer Shark]

The cards are actually glued on, there’s just a small strip of tape on the left and right sides of the bubble.

I could see how that would annoy some collectors though. I remember it bothering me back when they started doing it in the regular line (I think it was the ROTS line?)

Not sure why they felt a need to do that though when the 6” carded figures did just fine without the tape? *shrugs*

 

[Khev]

The cards are actually glued on, there’s just a small strip of tape on the left and right sides of the bubble.

Yes they were glued but then Hasbro obviously realized that the glue they used was doing nothing to keep the bubbles attached for any length of time so they added the tape prior to shipping rather than just improving the glue. There were a couple figures with the bubble firmly glued like your pick above but the vast majority had already begun peeling away after hanging on pegs *for less than a week* and were held in place only by the tape alone.

Does that mean that the bubbles will detach from every single card? Not necessarily. But it's a crapshoot/ticking time bomb that I certainly don't want to have to deal with and after 40 years of carded figures it's absolutely idiotic that it's even an issue at all.

 

[Reefer Shark]

Yes they were glued but then Hasbro obviously realized that the glue they used was doing nothing to keep the bubbles attached for any length of time so they added the tape prior to shipping rather than just improving the glue. There were a couple figures with the bubble firmly glued like your pick above but the vast majority had already begun peeling away after hanging on pegs *for less than a week* and were held in place only by the tape alone.

Does that mean that the bubbles will detach from every single card? Not necessarily. But it's a crapshoot/ticking time bomb that I certainly don't want to have to deal with and after 40 years of carded figures it's absolutely idiotic that it's even an issue at all.

I get your point totally. They probably cut corners to save costs on cheaper glue, but now they have just spend that saving on the cost of tape and labor applying it lol

I remember their first carded 3 3/4” black series line had the bubbles falling off on the store pegs all over the place

 

[Khev]

Hopefully they realize how terrible an idea their cheap cost cutting measure was and use better glue for future shipments/waves. Otherwise I'm out before this line has even really begun.