AFOL Personality Profiles

[Arigomi]

I thought it would be fun to look into the different kinds of personalities that have emerged among the AFOL community. The personalities I've come up with are extreme cases and not meant to be an accurate representations of anyone. I just wanted to highlight interesting aspects that I've come across that are unique to this hobby. I tried to come up with archetypes that aren't restricted by theme.

Museum Curator: It's only for display purposes.

• Buying Habits: I like big, expensive sets. Bigger is always better!
• Sorting Method: Very basic if at all. Most pieces are used in my display layout.
• Building Space: Feng shui is very important. The building space is surrounded by a display shelf with various models to promote the flow of positive energy.
• Philosophy: What's the point of having 10182 Cafe Corner if you can't show it off to family, friends, and complete strangers?

MOC Maniac: That's not a set. It's a parts pack

• Buying Habits: Bricklink and Pick-a-Brick are the only ways I can get enough 1x1 round plates in trans blue.
• Sorting Method: Is there any other way than by official LEGO color and part number?
• Building Space: It looks like a crime scene with parts scattered everywhere. There is always a work in progress.
• Philosophy: Show me an illegal build I haven't used. TLG should've kept the pegs on flame pieces.

Retirement Planner: They are an investment.

• Buying Habits: I buy two copies of every set I want.
• Sorting Method: Mint condition, in sealed box.
• Building Space: None
• Philosophy: I don't have time to build right now but it won't be that way in the future. I will be able to sell off my duplicate 10193 Medieval Market Village for a tidy profit someday.

Anyone else have some personality types they wish to add?

Edited January 15, 2011 by Arigomi

[TheDesuComplex]

Let's add my type.

Child at Heart: It does THAT!?

• Buying Habits: Impulse buys galore! If it looks nice, is cheap, or is functional, i'll snap it up.
  
• Sorting Method: The infamous bucket of loose pieces. Not enough to justify a detailed method!
  
• Building Space: An small desk next to the bucket. A good deal of scattered pieces.
  
• Philosophy: Minifigs are kings, and anything else if fodder.
  

Now, let us see what other personalities fellow AFOLs come up with.

[Gryphon Ink]

Napoleon: I don't care about the piece count, show me the minifigs!

• Buying Habits: $119 for an ugly ship that has two new Jedi? Where do I stand in line???
  
• Sorting Method: In classic military fashion, duh. Oh, and the bricks are in a box somewhere.
  
• Building Space: Parade ground cleared for drills, dropships and Star Destroyers hung from ceiling, ready to decapitate unwitting passersby.
  
• Philosophy: Mine's bigger.
  

Eager NewFOL: I really like Kingdoms, but SW too, and Harry of course, and who could say no to Indiana Jones, and POP was on clearance, wow that Alien Conquest stuff looks sweeeeet and OMG POTC?? NFW!!!!!!!!!!

• Buying Habits: Wants to save up to get the nice big sets, but habitually blows "savings" on impulses and basic sets from every theme released.
  
• Sorting Method: Plastic takeaway tubs. Then bigger takeaway tubs. Then bins from IKEA. Then the spare bedroom. Divorce is imminent at this stage.
  
• Building Space: Changes by the day.
  
• Philosophy: Coolest toy EVER!
  

(That one is me, BTW. In case anyone felt insulted.)

[prateek]

Child at Heart: It does THAT!?

• Buying Habits: Impulse buys galore! If it looks nice, is cheap, or is functional, i'll snap it up.
  
• Sorting Method: The infamous bucket of loose pieces. Not enough to justify a detailed method!
  
• Building Space: An small desk next to the bucket. A good deal of scattered pieces.
  
• Philosophy: Minifigs are kings, and anything else if fodder.
  

That's me, although I don't pay too much attention to figs.

[CorneliusMurdock]

I'll add mine.

Reluctant Spendthrift:"Okay, dear, I will limit the money I spend on Lego. But only because I love you."

• Buying habits:Carefully budgeted. Taking into account any preliminary pics of sets coming out this year, and having carefully tested the limits of my wife's patience, I have an alloted amount of money to spend and have picked specific sets with a little put aside for "emergencies". I'm sure there are some of you out there who spend more in one trip to the Lego store than I can spend this year.
  
• Sorting Method:A bunch of ziplocs bags that reside in portable plastic tubs. Also a cheap plastic toolbox with pullout drawers for the smaller parts.
  
• Building Space: After the wife and kid are in bed, the little bit of floor between the couch and TV is all mine. Of course everything has to be picked up and put away before I go to bed or little hands will ruin everything.
  
• Philosophy: "Maybe, if I drop enough hints, she'll buy me this set I didn't put in my budget for my birthday..."
  

Edited January 15, 2011 by CorneliusMurdock

[Paul B Technic]

I'll add mine.

Reluctant Spendthrift:"Okay, dear, I will limit the money I spend on Lego. But only because I love you."

• Buying habits:Carefully budgeted. Taking into account any preliminary pics of sets coming out this year, and having carefully tested the limits of my wife's patience, I have an alloted amount of money to spend and have picked specific sets with a little put aside for "emergencies". I'm sure there are some of you out there who spend more in one trip to the Lego store than I can spend this year.
  
• Sorting Method:A bunch of ziplocs bags that reside in portable plastic tubs. Also a cheap plastic toolbox with pullout drawers for the smaller parts.
  
• Building Space: After the wife and kid are in bed, the little bit of floor between the couch and TV is all mine. Of course everything has to be picked up and put away before I go to bed or little hands will ruin everything.
  
• Philosophy: "Maybe, if I drop enough hints, she'll buy me this set I didn't put in my budget for my birthday..."
  

This sounds very much like me :)

[Sir Fred]

BrickWar General:That looks like it can be destroyed nicely... I'm in!

* Buying habits: Ooh, this has that weapon? I'm in! Lots of figs? I'm in!

* Sorting Method: Either a field of destroyed whatever the battlefield was or all built into the next battle.

* Building Space: Wherever there is enough room for a battlefield.

* Philosophy: Carnage and destruction, what wonderful things.

I figured it was worth mentioning.

[LEGO Guy Bri]

The Compulsive Buyer Invest in Lego, forget stocks.

* Buying habits: Like a pawn shop; gotta get it for the right price. Not afraid to over spend a bit over retail for retired sets, but still on a budget.

* Sorting Method: Small and specialty pieces are kept together, wrapped up in a towel. Keep forgetting to get a small plastic container... Others are in a small, red, coin safe.

* Building Space: The floor of my room, right in front of my Lego room (refinished closet).

* Philosophy: Minifigs are people too! seriously though, if I want it, I will get it... eventually.

Edited January 22, 2011 by Leg Godt Gud

[posades]

This is a fun topic, let me add another one.

Wistful Window-Shopper: Look but don't touch.

• Buying Habits: What buying habits? You're lucky to even make a habit out of eating regularly.
  
• Sorting Method: What little pieces you have are sorted by color, stored in all types of mismatching containers.
  
• Building Space: The largest floor space the cheapest rent can buy.
  
• Philosophy: "When I'm rich and famous I'll be able to afford all the sets I want!"
  

[JimBee]

Great topic! This one's more about me, but others might be familiar with it.

Multi-Tasker:

Buying Habits: Stock up on as much Lego as possible during the rare occasion that you visit a TRU or Lego store.

Sorting Method: Invest in plastic collection containers, sort out all your pieces, and then dump them out again to make a MOC idea.

Building Space: Wherever there aren't other projects laying around.

Philosophy: Start a new project before you finish the first.

[Cloud0]

Opportunist:

Buying Habits: Buy whatever I fancy but refuse to open the MISB box waiting for someone to let go of their 2nd hand sets or discounted sets. This is when I swoop in and buy the cheaper used set and sell away the new one at retail once its out of production. Guess it's the fear of doing without or paying inflated prices for the sets I like. (Recently managed to score the Imperial Shuttle for $300 SGD!)

Sorting Method: Buying lots of IKEA Smala(Clear IKEA plastic boxes) and sorting them out in zip lock bags in Smala boxes. Sorted by sets and not parts.

Building Space: On my dining table. See below for a screen shot of the Imperial shuttle after sorting a used set.

Philosophy: Always keep your eyes peeled for a better price.

[legomaniac83]

A lot of interesting habits......I will add to the list!

The Organized Waiter:

Buying Habits: Sales Sales Sales! Buy with BOGO's, yard sales, flea markets, eBay. Never overpay. Paitence is key.

Sorting Method: Sorted by piece, Instuctions by size. Everything is organized from boxes to minifigs.

Building Space: Table in corner of Lego room or Lap.

Philosophy: If you wait long enough, you will find what you want for what you want to pay.

Edited January 21, 2011 by legomaniac83

[Brickdoctor]

MOC Maniac: That's not a set. It's a parts pack

• Buying Habits: Bricklink and Pick-a-Brick are the only ways I can get enough 1x1 round plates in trans blue.
• Sorting Method: Is there any other way than by official LEGO color and part number?
• Building Space: It looks like a crime scene with parts scattered everywhere. There is always a work in progress.
• Philosophy: Show me an illegal build I haven't used. TLG should've kept the pegs on flame pieces.

Won't add anything to this list, I'm definitely this one.

[Emperor Claudius Rome]

I've seen these guys before, but they're rare:

LEGO's Not a Toy AFOL: This is a co-lect-ors item.

Buying Habits: Buy it, and keep in forever in box, so it's value shall never be tarnished

Sorting Method: Keep them organized by year on the shelf.

Building Space: LDD and MCLAD, that way I'll be able to build without wrecking my retirement plan.

Philosophy: Keep your kids and their sticky hands away from the merchandise.

Basically, the Comic-Book guy.

Edited January 22, 2011 by Emperor Claudius Rome

[legomaniac83]

I've seen these guys before, but they're rare:

LEGO's Not a Toy AFOL: This is a co-lect-ors item.

Buying Habits: Buy it, and keep in forever in box, so it's value shall never be tarnished

Sorting Method: Keep them organized by year on the shelf.

Building Space: LDD and MCLAD, that way I'll be able to build without wrecking my retirement plan.

Philosophy: Keep your kids and their sticky hands away from the merchandise.

Basically, the Comic-Book guy.

Haha Love it! Theses are the people that are selling sealed sets online worth $10 for $129.99!

I can't stand some of the wacky prices especially on eBay.