Questions about first steps as a Lego SW minifig collector.

AreiosB

Hi, just two months ago i started to think about collecting Lego SW minifigs (i neded a hobby, and i love Lego and Star Wars since childhood so it was simple decision). Since then i bought few sets, some accesories like string bags and containers etc. Im no richmen, so i started from cheaper end: Microfighters, Battle Packs and some used and new sets in around 50 dolar price point (only full sets for now, no expensive polybags or single figs). But with new lego sets, new questions was born, so i need some answers from you guys :)

1. Is accesories like weapons builded with parts (like e.g. http://lego.wikia.com/wiki/Republic_Trooper?file=75001_Republic_Troop_1.png) and stud guns (i hate them so much) are essential part of collectible minifig? I now light sabers and other very distinct weapons are, but what with rest?

2. And similar question. If e.g. figs have same prints and helmets but different accesories (Takodana Storm troopers) or different heads under the same helmets (Republic Troopers) officialy count as separate "specimens" in collection? This question is bothering me since i started to buy battle packs, and wanted to sell duplicates for extra cash. :?

3. I want to display my figs, builded and all. But when, probably in the future, i will start to buy polybags with more expensive figs is opening them, building and putting in display isnt mistake for collector? I have friend, who always keep lego sets and polybag sealed, not for re-sale even (i would understand that) but becouse "that should real collector do". I'm not sure is he a bit over exaggerating, or im just dumb with my opening and building every set (though i must say looking at sealed bag while inside is marvelously printed and moulded figure isnt very intresting...)

Ok, for now those question are most important for me. If somebody will share with his knowlege and experience with me, i will be gratefull. Its cool to start a new hobby, that i hope will become full grown passion in the future, so if you have some other guidance for me i will be happy to read them too. I want to learn....and buy lots of Lego off course :D

TheLoneTensor

From a collecting standpoint, you will get varied opinions.  I consider the total package of a minifigure to include all weapons, accessories and supporting pieces (including stud guns and at least one stud).  Take Leia from #9516 for example.  For her to be complete, you need her Boushh helmet, her Leia hair, her staff and thermal detonator to be "complete."

That being written, counterfeit figs are destroying this corner of Lego collectibles.  If you're building this collection for the sake of your own enjoyment, perfect.  If you're thinking of the displayed figs retaining value in the future, don't.

madforLEGO

TheLoneTensor said:

From a collecting standpoint, you will get varied opinions.  I consider the total package of a minifigure to include all weapons, accessories and supporting pieces (including stud guns and at least one stud).  Take Leia from #9516 for example.  For her to be complete, you need her Boushh helmet, her Leia hair, her staff and thermal detonator to be "complete."

That being written, counterfeit figs are destroying this corner of Lego collectibles.  If you're building this collection for the sake of your own enjoyment, perfect.  If you're thinking of the displayed figs retaining value in the future, don't.

Never mind the counterfeit figures, how about the fact that most characters get redone every so often?

Though if you want some cheaper alternatives to figures in sets, the old magnet sets (before the magnets were glued on) may do the trick as some of those figures have not been redone, or have but have not really changed. The other different is the figures are from China factories I believe so the plastic is a bit thinner but they are official LEGO figures, just not from set boxes. Most I think are still somewhat cheap I think

BACbrix

Yeah the newer figures are just as bad as old magnet ones. The plastic is shinier in a bad way and thinner and lighter when comparing. Lesser quality is apparently worth the cheap manufacturing outsourced in China. It saddens me because the detailing is getting better but the quality is worse.

I would agree that all accessories are part of the figure's composition and need to be inlcuded. All variations are to be included if you truly want a complete colllection. 

Bumblepants

Decide what you want your collection to be and what you will get the most enjoyment from. I suggest looking through the 'how you display your minifigures' thread on this forum for ideas. Lots of Star Wars displays on there.

SprinkleOtter

Does anyone have any hard proof that the magnet figs are different (I'm talking measurements or official info, not "it looks/feels ____")?
I have several of the old magnet sets, and have noticed no difference, and they have held up just as well as any other figs.

madforLEGO

Hold them up to a light source. you will 'see through' the figure parts (figs produced for sets seem to be more opaque - at least for that same time period), specifically the legs if I am not mistaken. Not a deal breaker for most I think, but definitely a different quality to them.

datsunrobbie

I agree with Bumblepants. You have to decide what you want your collection to be to make YOU happy and build it from there. Unless you are looking toward selling your
collection, it does not matter what anybody else thinks is "proper" - it is your collection.

My LEGO collecting is more like "budget hoarding". I buy almost anything with a LEGO logo on it that I find at the local thrift stores, and have purchased a few sets at retail when I felt the prices were really good. This works for me because I am buying LEGO for myself and my grandson to play with, not as an investment.

CCC

Don't rely on there being much value to duplicates in battle packs either. 

AreiosB

Thanks so much guys for help and support :) 

TheLoneTensor said:

From a collecting standpoint, you will get varied opinions.  I consider the total package of a minifigure to include all weapons, accessories and supporting pieces (including stud guns and at least one stud).  Take Leia from #9516 for example.  For her to be complete, you need her Boushh helmet, her Leia hair, her staff and thermal detonator to be "complete." 

BACbrix said:

I would agree that all accessories are part of the figure's composition and need to be inlcuded. All variations are to be included if you truly want a complete colllection. 

Yeah, probably you're right. I treat like collectibles all kind of lightsabers, so why should I treat differently soldiers with blasters and stud guns. I had doubt, becouse most of internet auctions selling soldiers without any additional equipment added. From now on i will stick to this :)

TheLoneTensor said:

That being written, counterfeit figs are destroying this corner of Lego collectibles.  If you're building this collection for the sake of your own enjoyment, perfect.  If you're thinking of the displayed figs retaining value in the future, don't.

Thats a real plague. I heard before from american Lego youtubers that ebay is flooded with cheap chinese crap, but i just recently felt it on my own skin when they flooded Polish internal auction sites too (dont use ebay much, deliver costs from and to Poland even from EU are for some reason very high). And off course then sites started to even promote them, becouse they sold good so problem grew bigger :/

Bumblepants said:

 I suggest looking through the 'how you display your minifigures' thread on this forum for ideas. Lots of Star Wars displays on there.

Yeah i've been there :D Marvelous things people can build. I adore those built from Lego! For now i planned to do a simple DIY display using IKEA deep frames, with some additional LED lighting. For now my collection is'nt big enough to look good on display, but i hope before summer i will finish my little project :)

datsunrobbie said:

My LEGO collecting is more like "budget hoarding". I buy almost anything with a LEGO logo on it that I find at the local thrift stores, and have purchased a few sets at retail when I felt the prices were really good. This works for me because I am buying LEGO for myself and my grandson to play with, not as an investment.

Yeah, my big problem is lack of stores, that have cheaper Lego offers. Local stores dont even try to lower Lego price, not even for old not licensed sets. The closest to american Walmart is Tesco, but you can count on Lego discount there only just before christmas and maybe short after it. Whats good that they at last slowly try to transplant Black Friday to our country (im so gelly watching lego youtubers from US buying tons of Lego with half the price every year!). So my main sources of cheaper Lego are auction sites.

Bumblepants said:

Decide what you want your collection to be and what you will get the most enjoyment from. 

Yeah, i think thats the perfect sentence to end this post with (especially that i totally messed up quotes frames and dont know how to fix this ^__^ ) :D So thanks for all youre advices guys!

SumoLego

My suggestion is to focus on the most recent or currently available sets and build your collection going forward.  (And if you are frugal, wait for particular sets to go on clearance - as you are really only looking for figs, etc.)

If you can find a trading partner that would want the parts from the sets or set up a Bricklink store to surplus the pieces, that would help off-set the acquisition cost.

Unless you plan to make a major investment in filling in 15+ years of older SW figs, along with the risks and pitfalls of buying older minifigs, part of collecting is waiting for TLG to release new OT sets.

I certainly get wanting to have EVERY figure, but good luck with that!

(My SW minifig keychain collection - with every character variation - sometimes feels more like a job than a hobby.)

SumoLego

I found putting together a display of the major characters of LotR, PotC, NBA, Batman/Villains and Marvel was more satisfying than trying to track down every variation from every set...

Jackad7

I'm in a similar situation. I just got back to it about 4 months ago and I've got a fair collection going. I think you should avoid the sets unless you actually want them. Ive only bought two sets box new and both were off of eBay at a discounted price and I one was before I realized that it was better to just buy the mini figures. You need to set a limit on each figure, never settle. I set myself on a $20 limit on aayla secura and eventually I caught a lot for 20 that had her and I sold the remaining figs for 15 so I essentially got her at 5. Another example is obi-wan light up at 2 on bricklink.I know it's so tempting to snatch up everything you want fast but waiting is the key to being frugal. As for order I would prioritize. I did episode 3 jedi+commanders+squadrons. Now that I've got all that I'm branching out to clone wars stuff and then I'll finish prequels, and then ot. If you try and take everything at once you'll be overwhelmed so pick 10 or so. One last thing is skip all the promos. There will be a better time for you financially (most likely) and it allows you to pick all the easy stuff and have a solid collection before you trim it with the finer figures such as chrome figures and polybags. 
Goodluck!

BrickDancer

I bare the cross of minifig completionism on both SW & Superheroes and it's painful at times. I do not encourage you to do the same unless you have thousands of dollars to throw away. 

SumoLego

"Throw away" is such a pejorative way to describe passionate enthusiasm.

BrickDancer

^Okay u got me there. I take the phrasing back :P

AreiosB

Thanks for suggestion guys. In my case, i found buying only minifigs a bit unproductive. Im trying to diverse a bit to keep the fun. Going back to Lego feel so good! Concetrating only on collecting minifigs side of this hobby was first, obvious "adult" choice, but when i started to build first bigger sets (B-Wing - awesome figures and built) it woke up my inner kid :D

So for now im experimenting a bit: sometimes i will buy small set with cool minifigs and keep it all, sometimes i will buy set for sale exept like one figure (buing and selling is a fun too), and sometimes i will buy bigger set only for fun of building it. Im happy, its addictive like hell, and soon i will need to set some boundries and limits... ###$_$ no limits, buy Lego all the time: look new X-Wing on sale!!! $_$ ###...oh shut up brain, youre sick! You need limits! Oh WOW! This X-Wing's is truly in a really good price! Lets click buy before anyone else spot it! ###$_$ GOOD! OBEY! $_$### ;)

ps: Still hate the stud shooters. I know random Lego blasters are not very original too, but when im looking at my cool figure, with a immerce braking SS in their hands i want to forget about my own rules about keeping original accesories and throw it away :) I know they are grate fun for kids, but putting few extra normal blasters in a box too would'nt be a such a burden to Lego budget, right? ;)