Action Figure Prices

Joined : 05 Feb 2007 Posts : 344

I was just wondering if anyone has browsed thru the toy aisles recently. I've checked out the new iron Man, The Batman, and new Spectacular Spiderman figs and thought some were cool and whatnot. The one thing that stopped me from doing any purchasing for more shelf items was......you guessed it price! It seems the new action figure ballpark number is now to be around $9.99!?! No doubt to help the companies recoup from lead paint recalls and shipping cost? I don't mind that much for a well detailed fig but not a quick crafted/ scanned spidey from the cartoon.
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"I reject your reality and subsitute my own"- MYTHBUSTERS

Joined : 11 Feb 2008 Posts : 267

Action figures are also made out of plastic which, *drum roll*, comes from petroleum. Given its ever increasing prices, it's not surprising action figures go up as well.

I've seen those Iron Man figures and I wouldn't mind paying $10 for them. Figures such as the Star Wars series which have stuck with the 3 3/4 height but selling for $7-10 are certainly not in my portfolio anymore. I've actually forgotten how small they were.
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Admin Joined : 01 Feb 2007 Posts : 365

I've been disappointed with the action figure aisle for a while now.
The Superman figures were horrible.
The TMNT line was pretty cool, but they just keep rereleasing the same 4 figures.
They keep filling stores with Spiderman 3 figures, even though the movie was released a while ago and not that well received.
The transformers movie toys are ok (not as good as some of the older toys), but they haven't released anything new and 80% of the line are peg warmers.

It seems like there isn't much variety any more, and half of what's out there is a failed movie tie-in from a year ago that won't die. I just don't get it.

Just so I don't sound too negative, I love the 20th anniversary GI-Joe line (which only gets 3 pegs & is constantly sold out) and the Marvel Legends line is great (minus the build-a-figure pack in). The collector/specialty companies are also making some really great stuff right now, but I don't expect to find those at Target any time soon.

Any who, it seems to me that prices probably have gone upsen due to higher plastic costs, lead paint recalls, the US dollar, and recent flops.

Joined : 02 Feb 2008 Posts : 64

There was a time when I was excited to go down the action figure aisle, now I know I'll just be dissapointed. Aside from the occasional new Star Wars release that catches my eye, there really is nothing for the older collectors. And the thing is, I don't even see kids buying most of these. I'm tired of the McFarlane stuff. It's great, but starts to all look the same. They still haveToy Story and Chicken Little toys on the pegs. And yes, the prices are crazy, but that's everything. I work in a grocery store, and we raise our prices about once a month. They say it all goes back to the gas price and the cost of delivery.

Joined : 05 Feb 2007 Posts : 344

The win or lose for toy manufacturers are the movie tie ins. Point in case the aforementioned SM3 figs have been clogging the shelves for what a year now?

Which came first the chicken or the egg? Is it better to have a show or movie first and then have the toys; or would toys be better if they came first and then had a show based on them. The most successful ever line would most likely be He-Man:MOTU. The weekday cartoon was basically a half hour commercial for the toys. Mattel did so well at the time of pumping out everything you saw on TV. GIJoe,Transformers,Silverhawks, and thundercats also faired well by this.

Newer toys seem to be extra gimmicky. It shoots this, does that etc. Just try and get a new age figure sit down for crying out loud! There isn't as much role-playing or imagination involved. That being said I was very impressed by the Speed Racer vehicle and figure packs that were released. Figure to put in car, drive around in a race of your own imagination=Brilliant! Nice price too. Now just have to see if the movie will be worth while.
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"I reject your reality and subsitute my own"- MYTHBUSTERS

Admin Joined : 01 Feb 2007 Posts : 365

As soulless and evil as the 80's toy/cartoon racket was, sometimes I think the kids did better in the end. :-( Maybe I'm just getting old.

Joined : 02 Feb 2008 Posts : 64

All I know is I was happy as heck back in the '80s. I would watch He-Man, then go to the local store to look for the new action figures. It was so fun finding them tucked away behind the old ones. I would always scream, "They have it!" Then I would make my Mom feel guilty if she didn't buy it for me. I know, I was terrible. But I'm OK now.

Joined : 05 Feb 2007 Posts : 344

ditto here. Mom I will do dishes,help with the laundry, clean the living room, whatever I NEEEEEED THIS figure now, today!
I once hid a Jetfire for a few months behind the comforters in a Zayre's store. Luckily Grandma helped chip in the extra money I still needed.
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"I reject your reality and subsitute my own"- MYTHBUSTERS

Joined : 09 May 2007 Posts : 123

Joined : 05 Feb 2007 Posts : 344

nicely done! cheers

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"I reject your reality and subsitute my own"- MYTHBUSTERS

Admin Joined : 01 Feb 2007 Posts : 962

My first action figures were the Mego Star Trek, followed by the Six Million Dollar Man figures. Then, Micronauts and Star Wars (my first Star Wars figure being R2-D2).

Shows how dated I am Smile